In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (John 14:2).
It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (Luke 15:32).
. . . Home . . . remains in the mind as a place where reunion, if it were ever to occur, would happen . . . It is about restoration of the right relations among things--and going home is where that restoration occurs, because that is where it matters most (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
It has been said that you cannot go home again, but if that is true, what do you do when you have to go home again? Things can never be as they once were because life goes on. Births, deaths, illness, weddings, divorces, new friendships, changing financial fortunes, and changing techonologies make life different, so, one can never really go home again. However, isn't it strange that with all the changes it seems that family themes tend to replay over and over again? Conflicted, cut-off, over-involved and abusive relationships, divorces, addictions, mental illnesses are some of the themes that are recycled through the generations in dysfunctional families.
Why would a person have to go home? It may be to forgive or it may be to be forgiven; it may be to support and encourage or it may be to be supported and encouraged, but in every case, one should go home to gain understanding. Sometimes actually going home can be dangerous, so having someone to help with interpreting family experiences might be the only way to go home, but it will pay dividends on the journey to the home where we belong.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: FELLOWSHIP
And they devoted themselves to . . . fellowship . . . (Acts 2:42).
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Do not be deceived, "Bad company ruins good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Fellowship is a relationship of people that results from shared faith and share values--both positively and negatively. One of the indicators of a person's character and potential for success is the kind of people he or she hangs out with because a person tends to hang out with those who are of like mind. If you want to change then change the kind of people with whom you spend most of your time. It has been said that the first step to becoming rich is to begin to hang around rich people because one learns from and is encouraged by those with whom he or she spends most of their time.
Fellowship was one of the priorities of the first-century Church; they were devoted to it. In the twenty-first century Church, fellowship has to remain a priority! The challenges to remain faithful to Christ are just as difficult as ever so the relational support of fellow Christians is more important than ever. Dr. Larry Crabb wrote a book called Connecting. In it he said with regard to helping people change, If we advise them to live more consistently with biblical principles without offering meaningful connection, we leave them frustrated (p. 45). Christian relationships, themselves, are needed for change. It is not just about sharing knowledge and techniques of change, it is about sharing one's self. Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family; we must take that seriously! We are to have a family relationship that is safe and secure for it is in that environment that there can be change, growth and healing.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS. A dynamic is a powerful influence. I have used each one of these dynamics in my counseling practice to bring about change. It is not uncommon for the counselee to resist these dynamics because God has given each person the freedom to make choices so that love can be freely given from the heart rather than being forced by an irresistible power.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Do not be deceived, "Bad company ruins good morals" (I Corinthians 15:33).
Fellowship is a relationship of people that results from shared faith and share values--both positively and negatively. One of the indicators of a person's character and potential for success is the kind of people he or she hangs out with because a person tends to hang out with those who are of like mind. If you want to change then change the kind of people with whom you spend most of your time. It has been said that the first step to becoming rich is to begin to hang around rich people because one learns from and is encouraged by those with whom he or she spends most of their time.
Fellowship was one of the priorities of the first-century Church; they were devoted to it. In the twenty-first century Church, fellowship has to remain a priority! The challenges to remain faithful to Christ are just as difficult as ever so the relational support of fellow Christians is more important than ever. Dr. Larry Crabb wrote a book called Connecting. In it he said with regard to helping people change, If we advise them to live more consistently with biblical principles without offering meaningful connection, we leave them frustrated (p. 45). Christian relationships, themselves, are needed for change. It is not just about sharing knowledge and techniques of change, it is about sharing one's self. Christians are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are family; we must take that seriously! We are to have a family relationship that is safe and secure for it is in that environment that there can be change, growth and healing.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
PS. A dynamic is a powerful influence. I have used each one of these dynamics in my counseling practice to bring about change. It is not uncommon for the counselee to resist these dynamics because God has given each person the freedom to make choices so that love can be freely given from the heart rather than being forced by an irresistible power.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: ORDEAL
I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out upon you; and your sandals have not worn off your feet; you have not eaten bread, and you have not drunk wine or strong drink; that you may know that I am the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 29:5-6).
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12-13).
An ordeal has to do with pain; if there is no pain there is no ordeal. An ordeal can be a religious ritual, a rite of passage or a psychotherapeutic intervention. Whatever the context of an ordeal, the purpose of it is to test character or to help a person relinquish a problem behavior rather than to hold on to it.*
My dad believed in spanking and he did a lot of it. When I was a kid, if I made it through a week without a spanking I thought it to be a big deal. This information is important to this little story. When I was in third grade, I used to ride my bike to my friend's house. He would steal some of his dad's cigarettes and my friend and I would have a great time smoking them. One day at school one of the boys in my class brought some cigarettes. After lunch we went behind the bus barn and smoked. We were caught. Part of our discipline was for us to tell our parents what we had done. Having older siblings who already knew about it, there was no way I could escape telling them. Knowing that I was facing the spanking of my life, in tears, I told dad and mom what I had done. That evening my dad did some of the best parenting in his life when he asked, "Are you going to do it again?" I sobbed, "No." Then he said, "If you mean it, then this is over." From that day to this I have never smoked anything, keeping my promise, though I have been severely tempted. Literally, it was my dad's severe discipline that saved my life because my life would have already ended if I would have become addicted to smoking tobacco. **
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*See Jay Haley, Ordeal Therapy, Josey-Bass, 1984.
**Spanking is one of the tools of discipline, not a response of anger.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (I Peter 4:12-13).
An ordeal has to do with pain; if there is no pain there is no ordeal. An ordeal can be a religious ritual, a rite of passage or a psychotherapeutic intervention. Whatever the context of an ordeal, the purpose of it is to test character or to help a person relinquish a problem behavior rather than to hold on to it.*
My dad believed in spanking and he did a lot of it. When I was a kid, if I made it through a week without a spanking I thought it to be a big deal. This information is important to this little story. When I was in third grade, I used to ride my bike to my friend's house. He would steal some of his dad's cigarettes and my friend and I would have a great time smoking them. One day at school one of the boys in my class brought some cigarettes. After lunch we went behind the bus barn and smoked. We were caught. Part of our discipline was for us to tell our parents what we had done. Having older siblings who already knew about it, there was no way I could escape telling them. Knowing that I was facing the spanking of my life, in tears, I told dad and mom what I had done. That evening my dad did some of the best parenting in his life when he asked, "Are you going to do it again?" I sobbed, "No." Then he said, "If you mean it, then this is over." From that day to this I have never smoked anything, keeping my promise, though I have been severely tempted. Literally, it was my dad's severe discipline that saved my life because my life would have already ended if I would have become addicted to smoking tobacco. **
Grace&Peace;
Tom
*See Jay Haley, Ordeal Therapy, Josey-Bass, 1984.
**Spanking is one of the tools of discipline, not a response of anger.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: ADVENTURE
And Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few," And his armor-bearer said to to him, "Do all that your mind inclines to; behold, I am with you, as is your mind so is mine" (I Samuel 14:6-7).
It's just nuts! Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to take on a garrison of the Philistines. Most likely, Jonathan knew the story of how Gideon's three hundred men took on thousands of Midianites and won--if one is on God's side, numbers do not matter. As a result, Jonathan and his armor bearer's adventure brought a great military victory to Israel.
There is always a risk in an adventure and if there is no risk there is no adventure. It is that simple. For people who suffer from anxiety it seems as if all of life is a risk, and more than any, these are the ones who should challenge themselves with an adventure. It is difficult to lead a successful life if one imprisons one's self in a stockade of security. For the anxious, adventure of itself has value, but I believe it needs to be emphasized that adventure is to be pursued with the purpose of Christ in view.
Purposeful adventure might seem like a waste of money, but every person's faith and courage must be challenged if they are to grow. The purpose of Jonathan's adventure was the saving of Israel. The purpose of your adventure might be to save your family, your church or your nation, or perhaps, even yourself for his service. Though salvation is a gift of grace, the children of God cannot be content to be ineffective. And, it is certainly not God's will that we play it safe!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
It's just nuts! Jonathan and his armor bearer decide to take on a garrison of the Philistines. Most likely, Jonathan knew the story of how Gideon's three hundred men took on thousands of Midianites and won--if one is on God's side, numbers do not matter. As a result, Jonathan and his armor bearer's adventure brought a great military victory to Israel.
There is always a risk in an adventure and if there is no risk there is no adventure. It is that simple. For people who suffer from anxiety it seems as if all of life is a risk, and more than any, these are the ones who should challenge themselves with an adventure. It is difficult to lead a successful life if one imprisons one's self in a stockade of security. For the anxious, adventure of itself has value, but I believe it needs to be emphasized that adventure is to be pursued with the purpose of Christ in view.
Purposeful adventure might seem like a waste of money, but every person's faith and courage must be challenged if they are to grow. The purpose of Jonathan's adventure was the saving of Israel. The purpose of your adventure might be to save your family, your church or your nation, or perhaps, even yourself for his service. Though salvation is a gift of grace, the children of God cannot be content to be ineffective. And, it is certainly not God's will that we play it safe!
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Sunday, October 18, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: EDUCATION*
That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight, receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth--the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles (Proverbs 1:2-6).
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37b, emphasis added).
Education increases knowledge and fosters wisdom. It is a complex world in which we live so an education is necessary to understand how it works. It was for that purpose the book of Proverbs was written. Education decreases anxiety and opens the mind to new possibilities and equips one to access opportunities that never would have existed without it.
God is not glorified by an undisciplined and ignorant mind. If we love God then it follows that the mind will be educated and disciplined. Faith in God does not glorify ignorance; God wants his people to be disciplined thinkers who can be powerfully influential by articulating their faith in a complex and unbelieving world. Not only that, God wants his people to be able to provide for the needs of their families and educated people tend to do it better. Educated parents are better equipped to break the destructive cycles of the families they came from.
The down side of much of public education is indoctrination. Though there is to be academic freedom in education, many times a grade depends on agreement with the teacher's perspective rather than truth. Many teachers and tests have a socialist, secular humanist agenda that they want their students to believe so it remains for parents to teach and model critical thinking skills to their children and to support them as they face the challenges of public education.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Dedicated to my great aunt Sylvia Scott who matriculated at the University of Mississippi as a history student when she was 90 years of age. She is my example for life-long learning.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37b, emphasis added).
Education increases knowledge and fosters wisdom. It is a complex world in which we live so an education is necessary to understand how it works. It was for that purpose the book of Proverbs was written. Education decreases anxiety and opens the mind to new possibilities and equips one to access opportunities that never would have existed without it.
God is not glorified by an undisciplined and ignorant mind. If we love God then it follows that the mind will be educated and disciplined. Faith in God does not glorify ignorance; God wants his people to be disciplined thinkers who can be powerfully influential by articulating their faith in a complex and unbelieving world. Not only that, God wants his people to be able to provide for the needs of their families and educated people tend to do it better. Educated parents are better equipped to break the destructive cycles of the families they came from.
The down side of much of public education is indoctrination. Though there is to be academic freedom in education, many times a grade depends on agreement with the teacher's perspective rather than truth. Many teachers and tests have a socialist, secular humanist agenda that they want their students to believe so it remains for parents to teach and model critical thinking skills to their children and to support them as they face the challenges of public education.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*Dedicated to my great aunt Sylvia Scott who matriculated at the University of Mississippi as a history student when she was 90 years of age. She is my example for life-long learning.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: FAITH
And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6).
Actually, every person lives by faith--there is no one without faith in something. If a person wants to change his life, he must change what he believes; it is pretty much that simple. Quite frquently, people have irrational beliefs that imprison them in a state of helplessness or negativism that can bring outright destruction into their lives. They believe: "It must be done perfectly," "I'm not smart," "I am no good," "I must fit in," "Mom would want me to do it this way," "God will only love me if I am perfect," "I should have it all," "I should not have to suffer pain," etc. These are just a few of the destructive lies that people often believe.
It is belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that is true, life-changing faith, for the person who trusts in God will obey him. The person who trusts in God will worship, expressing praise and gratitude for God's blessings. The person who trusts in God will forgive as God has forgiven us. The person who trusts in God is optimistic about the future because it is in God's hands. Each one of these natural results of faith is a powerful life-changing dynamic so that the one who believes will grow in love. Faith in God does not mean that the believer will never experience pain or sorrow, but it does mean that one has a legitimate hope in the midst of pain and sorrow.
One of our prayer requests of God should be that he helps us to recognize the destructive beliefs that we cling to and that he helps us to let them go so that our faith in him can grow.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Actually, every person lives by faith--there is no one without faith in something. If a person wants to change his life, he must change what he believes; it is pretty much that simple. Quite frquently, people have irrational beliefs that imprison them in a state of helplessness or negativism that can bring outright destruction into their lives. They believe: "It must be done perfectly," "I'm not smart," "I am no good," "I must fit in," "Mom would want me to do it this way," "God will only love me if I am perfect," "I should have it all," "I should not have to suffer pain," etc. These are just a few of the destructive lies that people often believe.
It is belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit that is true, life-changing faith, for the person who trusts in God will obey him. The person who trusts in God will worship, expressing praise and gratitude for God's blessings. The person who trusts in God will forgive as God has forgiven us. The person who trusts in God is optimistic about the future because it is in God's hands. Each one of these natural results of faith is a powerful life-changing dynamic so that the one who believes will grow in love. Faith in God does not mean that the believer will never experience pain or sorrow, but it does mean that one has a legitimate hope in the midst of pain and sorrow.
One of our prayer requests of God should be that he helps us to recognize the destructive beliefs that we cling to and that he helps us to let them go so that our faith in him can grow.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, October 16, 2009
DYNAMICS OF CHANGE: GOD
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working still, and I am working" (John 5:17).
And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being"; as even some of your poets have said, "For we are indeed his offspring" (Acts 17:26-28).
Sometimes we are frustrated because it seems that some people or some situations never seem to change; just ask a resident of Israel or one trapped in poverty or abuse. And yet, one of the absolute certainties of life is change. If we sit and do absolutely nothing, change will come; it cannot be escaped. I am reminded of a line from the old hymn, Abide With Me: Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. God is the only one who can make inevitable change work for his purposes.
God is the principal dynamic of change. Being sovereign, all other dynamics of change are subject to him. What is necessary is not that God is on our side, but that we are found on God's side so that when change comes it can be viewed as a blessing, no matter how much it hurts. God is always working so that his purposes will be accomplished. And, God is always working whether we believe in him or not! So, I have always tried to assure my counselees that, even if they are atheists, change will come because God is the dynamic of change so begin looking for it first in one's self.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being"; as even some of your poets have said, "For we are indeed his offspring" (Acts 17:26-28).
Sometimes we are frustrated because it seems that some people or some situations never seem to change; just ask a resident of Israel or one trapped in poverty or abuse. And yet, one of the absolute certainties of life is change. If we sit and do absolutely nothing, change will come; it cannot be escaped. I am reminded of a line from the old hymn, Abide With Me: Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. God is the only one who can make inevitable change work for his purposes.
God is the principal dynamic of change. Being sovereign, all other dynamics of change are subject to him. What is necessary is not that God is on our side, but that we are found on God's side so that when change comes it can be viewed as a blessing, no matter how much it hurts. God is always working so that his purposes will be accomplished. And, God is always working whether we believe in him or not! So, I have always tried to assure my counselees that, even if they are atheists, change will come because God is the dynamic of change so begin looking for it first in one's self.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Monday, October 12, 2009
THE WATCHER
So we are always of good courage; we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:6-8).
I went to a funeral today for the wife of a friend and brother in Christ, and with whom I traveled to Romania on a short-term mission in 2003. The officiating pastor clearly expressed the Christian hope and gospel in the funeral sermon so that we might not grieve as those who have no hope grieve. On the back of the funeral folder in which the order of service and obituary is written was the following poem called, The Watcher.
She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The Long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget!
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late-
Watching from heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.
--Author unknown
Perhaps the poem is just sentiment, but it accurately expresses the character of my mother, or any mother who loves her children, and does not want them to miss the glories of Heaven! I absolutely know that if it is at all possible, this is what my mother will be doing when she passes from this life to the next. Statistically speaking, I will likely die before my wife. It will be glorious to be at home with the Lord, but I will always praying for the safe entry of all my family and loved ones into the city called Heaven too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I went to a funeral today for the wife of a friend and brother in Christ, and with whom I traveled to Romania on a short-term mission in 2003. The officiating pastor clearly expressed the Christian hope and gospel in the funeral sermon so that we might not grieve as those who have no hope grieve. On the back of the funeral folder in which the order of service and obituary is written was the following poem called, The Watcher.
She always leaned to watch for us,
Anxious if we were late,
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate.
And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The Long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there.
Her thoughts were all so full of us,
She never could forget!
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late-
Watching from heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.
--Author unknown
Perhaps the poem is just sentiment, but it accurately expresses the character of my mother, or any mother who loves her children, and does not want them to miss the glories of Heaven! I absolutely know that if it is at all possible, this is what my mother will be doing when she passes from this life to the next. Statistically speaking, I will likely die before my wife. It will be glorious to be at home with the Lord, but I will always praying for the safe entry of all my family and loved ones into the city called Heaven too.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
HELP! I'M LOSING MY FAITH!
Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (John 6:29).
I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
A member of my congregation asked, "How do you answer someone when they tell you they are losing their faith?" What follows are some of my thoughts as I answered her.
1. No one has perfect faith, so it is natural for doubts to creep into the minds of even the most devout saints from time to time. This is true when life is going well, so when it becomes difficult then doubts come much more easily.
2. When someone confesses that they are losing their faith, there is probably a lot more going on than just the confession. The loss of faith could well be a symptom of a past trauma, a heavy stress load, unresolved grief and anger. It has been reported that mother Teresa felt spiritually abandoned and cut off from God for the last fifty years of her life. She felt no presence. She felt alone, but she continued on because she believed anyway. Her experience seems to be the common experience of those who work in difficult and traumatic situations. The Lord Jesus Christ himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The Psalmist questioned with tears, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Within the pages of scripture these honest expressions of doubt are allowed. God understands. This is one of the reasons I believe that the Bible is God's Word; it is real; it speaks truly of the human experience. Somtimes faith is not easy; we under estimate how hard this work of believing is. Doing God's work means believing in Jesus through extremely difficult times when believing doesn't seem to make sense.
3. Many are unbelievers because to be a believer means that they would have to change and they refuse to do that; they do not want to be born--again (Hosea 13:13).
Do not forget two things: 1. Often our feelings do not reflect the truth. 2. No one understands like Jesus.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
I believe; help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).
A member of my congregation asked, "How do you answer someone when they tell you they are losing their faith?" What follows are some of my thoughts as I answered her.
1. No one has perfect faith, so it is natural for doubts to creep into the minds of even the most devout saints from time to time. This is true when life is going well, so when it becomes difficult then doubts come much more easily.
2. When someone confesses that they are losing their faith, there is probably a lot more going on than just the confession. The loss of faith could well be a symptom of a past trauma, a heavy stress load, unresolved grief and anger. It has been reported that mother Teresa felt spiritually abandoned and cut off from God for the last fifty years of her life. She felt no presence. She felt alone, but she continued on because she believed anyway. Her experience seems to be the common experience of those who work in difficult and traumatic situations. The Lord Jesus Christ himself cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" The Psalmist questioned with tears, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Within the pages of scripture these honest expressions of doubt are allowed. God understands. This is one of the reasons I believe that the Bible is God's Word; it is real; it speaks truly of the human experience. Somtimes faith is not easy; we under estimate how hard this work of believing is. Doing God's work means believing in Jesus through extremely difficult times when believing doesn't seem to make sense.
3. Many are unbelievers because to be a believer means that they would have to change and they refuse to do that; they do not want to be born--again (Hosea 13:13).
Do not forget two things: 1. Often our feelings do not reflect the truth. 2. No one understands like Jesus.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Friday, October 02, 2009
MORE REMEDIES FOR LAZINESS
Be not among wine bibbers, or among gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags (Proverbs 23:20-21).
There are many causes of laziness; one of them might be genetic. My paternal grandmother was one who could rock her life away in the rocking chair. I think I inherited that same tendency to be a "sitter." To deal with this genetic predisposition one has to order his life so that his work is interesting and low stress.
Another cause of laziness is connected to how much we eat. Some authorities blame too much fat, while others blame too many carbs. It is my personal belief that it is simply eating too much. We all eat and drink more than we admit to eating and drinking. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are epidemic in the United States. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes contribute to a lack of energy and lethargy. For me, too much sugar is an energy killer. Gluttony is a respectable sin, meaning that we speak too little of it in the Church. Many Christians, especially pastors, are over weight and obese. Learning to eat a healthful diet must become a priority if one is going to combat laziness!
A third cause of laziness is the lack or organizational skills. Because of this many are simply buried by their work and, as a result, give up and do not do anything. The remedy for this is difficult because of the depression that is involved in this, but basically it is this: Make life as simple as possible. Make learning organizational skills a priority. As skills increase, complexity can increase. Life should not become more complex than one's ability to organize--do not volunteer for other work if your own house is a mess.
The opposite of laziness is diligence. In Biblical use, diligence is not only persistent effort, it is working with a defined purpose, it is working with wisdom, doing what needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
There are many causes of laziness; one of them might be genetic. My paternal grandmother was one who could rock her life away in the rocking chair. I think I inherited that same tendency to be a "sitter." To deal with this genetic predisposition one has to order his life so that his work is interesting and low stress.
Another cause of laziness is connected to how much we eat. Some authorities blame too much fat, while others blame too many carbs. It is my personal belief that it is simply eating too much. We all eat and drink more than we admit to eating and drinking. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes are epidemic in the United States. Both obesity and type 2 diabetes contribute to a lack of energy and lethargy. For me, too much sugar is an energy killer. Gluttony is a respectable sin, meaning that we speak too little of it in the Church. Many Christians, especially pastors, are over weight and obese. Learning to eat a healthful diet must become a priority if one is going to combat laziness!
A third cause of laziness is the lack or organizational skills. Because of this many are simply buried by their work and, as a result, give up and do not do anything. The remedy for this is difficult because of the depression that is involved in this, but basically it is this: Make life as simple as possible. Make learning organizational skills a priority. As skills increase, complexity can increase. Life should not become more complex than one's ability to organize--do not volunteer for other work if your own house is a mess.
The opposite of laziness is diligence. In Biblical use, diligence is not only persistent effort, it is working with a defined purpose, it is working with wisdom, doing what needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
Thursday, October 01, 2009
LAZINESS REMEDIES
I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content (Philippians 4:11b).
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . (Matthew 28:19a).
I believe one of Newton's laws of motion goes something like this: A body at rest tends to stay at rest. I do not know that anyone has a method of motivating people that works every time, but one thing that every person must do, especially the lazy, is to examine his own philosophy of life, or world-view. Why should a person work in the first place? What would the world be like if everyone sat around and procrastinated and waited for the other person to do it? We would still be living in caves. In most situations, God answers our prayers through diligent work.
One of the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ is that we are rescued from the wasted effort and futility of sin. In Christ, every effort for him counts. In Christ, it is easier to be diligent because life is now about the Lord, it is not about me. Diligence is more than persistence; it is working with wisdon and doing a job as well as it needs to be done.* When one is wise about work it takes less effort; a diligent person, at times, can look kind of lazy.
Defining success is different to those who possess salvation. The accumulation of wealth is not the primary pursuit of the Christian. Success is defined by how we serve the Savior. Our service to the Savior is a team effort as we work with brothers and sisters in Christ to reach out to the lost, the poor, the orphans, the widowed and the abused. Working is much easier when it is a team effort than it is when one is working alone, and can actually be enjoyable.
My advice for those who battle laziness is to come to a clear understanding of why you need to work and of whom you are working for, Jesus Christ. As much as possible, team up with someone else, you can accomplish more and it is more enjoyable. And, work with diligence--that means there will be much less wasted effort.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*For the obsessive-compulsives, you will drive yourselves nuts if you believe a job has to be done perfectly every time. It only needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . (Matthew 28:19a).
I believe one of Newton's laws of motion goes something like this: A body at rest tends to stay at rest. I do not know that anyone has a method of motivating people that works every time, but one thing that every person must do, especially the lazy, is to examine his own philosophy of life, or world-view. Why should a person work in the first place? What would the world be like if everyone sat around and procrastinated and waited for the other person to do it? We would still be living in caves. In most situations, God answers our prayers through diligent work.
One of the blessings of salvation in Jesus Christ is that we are rescued from the wasted effort and futility of sin. In Christ, every effort for him counts. In Christ, it is easier to be diligent because life is now about the Lord, it is not about me. Diligence is more than persistence; it is working with wisdon and doing a job as well as it needs to be done.* When one is wise about work it takes less effort; a diligent person, at times, can look kind of lazy.
Defining success is different to those who possess salvation. The accumulation of wealth is not the primary pursuit of the Christian. Success is defined by how we serve the Savior. Our service to the Savior is a team effort as we work with brothers and sisters in Christ to reach out to the lost, the poor, the orphans, the widowed and the abused. Working is much easier when it is a team effort than it is when one is working alone, and can actually be enjoyable.
My advice for those who battle laziness is to come to a clear understanding of why you need to work and of whom you are working for, Jesus Christ. As much as possible, team up with someone else, you can accomplish more and it is more enjoyable. And, work with diligence--that means there will be much less wasted effort.
Grace&Peace,
Tom
*For the obsessive-compulsives, you will drive yourselves nuts if you believe a job has to be done perfectly every time. It only needs to be done as well as it needs to be.
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