Stubbornness

Last fall, we went to a rodeo at the New Mexico State Fair. One of the first events had about 30 teenage contestants. Each contestant was carrying a lead with a small length of rope . 20 or so mid-sized steer were released and the teens had to try to wrestle the steer to the ground, fit the lead over the head, and then use the rope to get the steer back to the judges. The first 10 contestants to return to the judges would be given a steer to raise for the 2006 steer showing competition. It was really fun to watch. It looked hard enough to get the steer on the ground… much less to keep the steer there long enough to get the lead over the head. But the thing that really stuck with me was what happened after they had the steer roped. At this point, most of the teens would engage in a tug-of-war to drag the steer over to the judges. They would pull with all their might… the steer obstinately pulling the opposite direction… and only make inches of progress at a time. They would eventually succeed but you could tell it was quite a battle. In the midst of all this, we saw one girl take a totally different approach. After this girl had the steer roped, she tugged a little to maneuver the steer so it was facing the judges. Then she casually walked around behind it, used the end of the rope to give it a couple swats on the rear, and then just jogged behind the steer as it ran straight over to the judges.

I think you can use this as an analogy for a lot of different things. As a parent, I can see myself as the bozo struggling to drag the obstinate steer. As a child of God, I can see myself as the steer not wanting to be led. And as a sinner, I can also see the whole scene as an analogy of my internal struggles. And even if you can't see this analogy applying to anything you are dealing with, at least you will have an upper hand the next time you're wrestling a steer :)

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble." Proverbs 4:11-12

One last little nugget to think about from this rodeo scene - This girl ran her steer right past a couple of other teens who were still struggling with the tug-of-war method. Even so, none of them changed their tactic. They continued to pull with all their might.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Appreciation

Some friends of mine have 2 sons. Their oldest son is about 3 and a half which makes him just a couple months older than Evan (my youngest). About a year ago, this oldest son was diagnosed with autism. I got to spend some time with them over Christmas break and he was dramatically different from the last time we saw them just 8 months ago. You don't have to spend much time with the mom to tell that it is really really really hard. My heart just breaks when I think about them. I've got three healthy kids and it makes me feel guilty for times that I've taken them or their health for granted.

This week our prayer topic is appreciation. Too often we lament what we don't have and take for granted what we do have. Let's pray that we learn to appreciate the many gifts God has given us - children, significant others, material things, salvation, etc. It's hard in our affluent society because our abundance breeds apathy. Sometimes it takes hardship to wake us up to what's truly important. Since hardship wakes us up, we can come to appreciate hardship as Paul did - "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:3. He knew that even when his situation was dismal by worldly standards, God was still doing a work in him. Ultimately, what he is appreciating is God's love.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

The real deal

The Rio Grande flows right through the middle of Albuquerque. People who've never seen the Rio Grande assume that the river is big simply based on the name. However, the name is deceiving. The reality is that the Rio Grande is no bigger than a big stream back in Pennsylvania. In short, the reality doesn't live up to the label.

As Christians, we wear the label "Child of God". This Wednesday, we are praying that our reality lives up to this label. We are praying that we are indeed walking the talk.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

A couple questions to think about this week:
1. Am I seeking Him… Seeking His will… Seeking His ways? Or am I doing my own thing and hoping God's will matches up with my will?
2. Would a complete stranger suspect that I'm a Christian after spending a short time with me? Would they see love, mercy, faith, compassion, peace, etc.?
3. Am I the same person outside of church as I am in church? Or do I let the world's ways creep in and crowd out God.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob

Fellowship

Today is the last day of my Christmas vacation. We fly back to Albuquerque early this afternoon. We had a great time visiting, spending time with, relating to, and conversing with family and friends. There were many deep conversations on a variety of topics which is one of my favorite things to do.

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to have lunch with one of the list members. It was a great time of connecting and talking about a wide range of topics. One topic that came up is how we both have people in our lives with which we never seem to have deep conversations. And it's not from a lack of trying. These conversations always seem to just stay in the safe ground of the superficial. Weather, sports, work, etc. You can probably think of some relationships in your life that fit this profile. People who you love dearly but don't feel like you really know them. People who you wonder if anybody other than God really knows them. People who you wonder if they really know anybody.

In order for "iron to sharpen iron", it needs to rub together. When one of us refrains from deep, intimate fellowship, we not only hinder our own maturity, we also hinder the maturity of those around us. This Wednesday let's pray for our fellowship. That it is deep, intimate, honest, loving, authentic, biblical... And that all of the people in our lives who never seem to get past the superficial, come to understand the gift that true fellowship is.

Have a great week and a great fast.
Your brother,
Bob