A blogging drought

So....I haven't blogged since April. The easy excuse for this would be "I've just been too busy." However, the real answer is that I just haven't made time for it. The real bummer about that excuse is that nobody will challenge me on it. As a matter of fact, what happens when you say "I've just been too busy" is most people respond with, "Dude, I totally understand - it's been the same for me." So what happens is that we essentially enable each other and live with no accountability - because as long as you can use the "Ah gosh, I've just been too busy" excuse, you can effectively dodge every responsibility be it relational, spiritual, professional, or educational.

So here is a challenge to us "busy" people (and I totally include myself in that "us"); make a list of three things that you have been too busy for that you want to commit to doing. Then share that list with at least one other person and ask them to hold you accountable to it. So here's my three

1) Pray with my wife at least once a day - because I don't want to get three years into my marriage and realize I don't know what Carly is asking God for - because I want to intercede with and for my wife and our marriage - because a cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

2) At least once a week, learn a story from the Bible well enough to be able to tell it without notes - because I want to be able to share the person of Christ, the love of God, and the presense of the Holy Spirit in a way that sticks and in a way that is easily reproducible (in essense be a witness and make disciples; Matthew 28:19 & Acts 1:8) - because the Word of God will not return to Him void, and I want to help make it portable and tangible with stories - because a guy by the name of Tim Holcomb had a great influence on my life

3) Blog at least once a week -  because it helps me slow down and reflect - because by being still and knowing that He is God give me rest for my soul and helps me keep my eyes on the horizon and my heart toward the nations (Psalm 46:10 - the ENTIRE verse.)

So what are you're three? Feel free to comment on this post and share your three with me.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

ZB

Just a short thought...

In my attempts to stay "fresh", "cool", and "hip" I have been dabbling in the twitter world. Following friends, tweeting, accumulating followers, and trying to stay caught up in our fast paced world that moves at the speed of light.

This afternoon as I was crafting a tweet of my own, I came across one from Louie Giglio. For a dude with gray hair, he is about as "hip" as it gets. His church, Passion City Church" in Atlanta GA, is on the cutting edge of our culture training up college students and young professionals to become world changers in their circle of influence. Louie is an incredible speaker and has made a number of powerful videos teaching about the greatness, vastness, and majesty of God.

And today, Louie tweeted this, "If we only knew what was actually happening when we pray, we would never cease to pray." ....let that sink in.........

Just think about that for a minute... communicating with the creator...heaven standing at attention - for what? for who? Yes, even for you...even for me.

In Psalm 40, David wrote, "He inclined to me and heard my cry....Many O, Lord my God, are the wonders which you have done, and Your thoughts toward us, there is none to compare with you. If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count."

I hope you know that He hears your cry, and that your prayers move heaven to action. Many are His thoughts towards you...may the thought of communicating with the creator stir your heart today...i know it has stirred mine.

-ZB

Thirsty?

I read the following quote on facebook this afternoon. It is from one of my favorite authors - A.W. Tozer. It caught me off guard and it kinda "heart-checked" me (similar to a body-check). It left me in a bit of a reflective mood...so I thought I would share. Here ya go:

“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long.” ― A.W. Tozer

May we ever be satisfied in His grace, and may the only beckoning our souls respond to be that of our Maker.

-ZB

Discipline....the other "D" word

I've never been one to call myself a blogger, and as I look at my blogging history, it is pretty apparent that I am not exactly consistent. Even this past month, as I fought to get focused and blog more during the season of lent, I found it difficult to buckle down (as is evident by my lack of blogs).

But isn't that the way it is with any discipline?...Whether it is exercise, heathly eating, or just trying to learn a new skill, I have such a hard time slowing down my world long enough to actually integrate any new habit into my schedule. Who's with me?! We buck the word discipline - we want to live our lives free of commitments, schedules, and deadlines - right?!

I was reading the book "Spiritual Leadership" by Henry and Richard Blackaby last night and was challenged as the authors wrote about a leader's time management. Their bottom line was this, "Good leaders know when to say 'no.'" I may be the only person that struggles with the "Yes Man" disease, but I can't seem to say "no" to anything, and according to this book, it's a pride issue. My desire to have my hand in absolutely everything means one of two things.

1) I'm just that ignorantly kind-hearted and want to give give give of myself until there is nothing left. 2) I don't think it(the event, the lesson, the organization) will be as good without me.

Neither one of those options seem very attractive to me, but truth be told, there is a goodness of my heart in the desire to be involved, but I would be lying if I told you #2 wasn't a reality as well. I've always prided myself in how little sleep I can run on, how much energy I have, and how many hats I can wear at one time....however, that often results in me getting attention, praise, and honor and very little of that getting passed on to who really deserves it.

Jesus was a man who knew how to set boundaries. He knew when to teach, when to be in public, and when to retreat into the wilderness and be alone with His Father. It was all about priorities. He knew he was nothing apart from His father. I need that same awareness.

I need to know when to say no, when to retreat, and when to slow down and even when to blog. Even in the past 15 minutes as I've sat here at my computer and typed all this out...I feel like it's begining to sink in. As I move forward toward Easter, I praise God that his love for me is not based on my performance or my ability to blog consistently....

I'm a son of the King, and that is a truth I can rest in.

Rushing Wind

Today has been an absolutely crammed full day. I had to be at the church before 8am this morning, and wasn't out of there until nearly 2pm this afternoon, then FUSE from 6-8 and debrief with leaders following from 9-11. But ya know what?....I wouldn't change a thing. It is such a priveledge to serve on a church staff full time and be able to have Sunday be such a full day for me. (Thanks River Ridge and GCM!)

Tonight, the blog title is "Rushing Wind"...and surprisingly enough, tonight's blog will not have anything to do with the sermon I heard at church this morning or the teaching I gave tonight at FUSE.

"Rushing Wind" is the name of a song by the singer/song-writer, Keith Green. Keith Green was one of the first contemporary Christian musicians to mix things up musically. His lyrics were very direct and pointed. His style was upbeat and catchy. He lived out the call that Christ has put on his life, however, in 1982, he was killed in a place crash, and now all we have is his legacy. His wife still maintains a phenominal website - www.lastdaysministries.org where you can find his bio, music, videos from his life, and testimonies of how his life changed the world of thsoe around him.

In Keith's song, "Rushing Wind," the first lines go like this:

Rushing wind, blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within;
Come and breathe your breath upon me:
I've been born again.

Now, there are at least 5 different sermons/blog posts in that one stanza, but I want to focus on the "blowing out the dust within" part. Here, Keith is crying out for God to move in his life in a such a way that will blow out or eliminate the "dust" or things of this world from his heart. He is aware that he isn't perfect, and if he isn't perfect, then there must be some things going on in his heart that need some tinkering. So this lyric seems to just cry out to God for help in the removing of that which may miss in his own relfection time.

Often times, when in the middle of a season of reflection or repentance, we tend to tackle the major issues in our life. For guys it is almost always something lust related, and for girls it is nearly always something related to self-image. However, the prayer this lyric seems to be praying isn't one of "God help me with the big things." It is one of , "Father, help me remove even the smallest fleck of dust that would clutter my temple (body/heart) or hinder me from loving and serving you completely."

So as we spend time in reflection and repentance this lenten season, may we not only focus on the obvious or blantant issues, but also allow God to "blow out the dust within" and help us sweep up our attitudes, our thoughts, our fears, and other issues that may make an effort to keep our hearts and souls "dusty".

Father, thank you for the freshenss of the Holy Spirit. I ask that your spirit would blow through our lives in a way that reveals anything behind a curtian or hidden. Jesus thank you that you arleady know everything we are hiding, but you love us still. May we walk in the knowledge of your love and will, and may we continue to walk in step with the Holy Spirit and not allow ourselves to get "dusty." --Amen

-ZB

A thought from Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is one of the most well known Psalms, and of all the chapters of that book, 119 is the longest. One of the most popular verses from Psalm 119 is verse 105, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Growing up I sang churchy songs about this verse and probably had to memorize it in every Sunday school class that I had as a child (which I appreciate greatly!). However, I never really read the verses around it. I just took it at face value. I took it to mean that God's Word, the Bible, will guide my steps and teach me how to be a better person. It will teach me how I should walk, talk, think, feel, and act....right? Isn't that what Christianity and the Bible is for?

That line of thinking has lead individuals away from their faith and for others it has created a spirit of legalism and comparison theology - always sizing ourselves up against others to help ourselves feel better. If we look just above the verse and check out 119:103, we a see a totally different attitude towards the scriptures. "How sweet are Thy words to my taste. Yes, much sweeter than honey to my mouth."

Far too often, do I open the Bible looking for it to tell me that I need to work harder at being nice, patient, forgiving, and loving. At times I have a 15 minute quiet time hoping to learn something or have God give me a theological point to ponder for the day. Rarely do I open the Bible and simply ask God for refreshment. I don't expect the words to be sweet. I expect them to be informative, historical, educational, or challenging. But according to verse 103, the author finds them sweeter than honey.

I think we approach God the same way...expecting to be taught, chastised, scolded, or just tolerated. We have pictured God as a distant deity that tolerates us and gave us a book about how to appease Him.

As I continue asking God to examine my heart, this issue came up. All too often do I see the Bible as a text book or a source of curriculum, and I see God as some intimidating professor grading my work and my life and loving me based on how well I preform.

I pray that this Lent season, I will begin to see God's Word as sweeter than honey, as a refreshment, a breath of fresh air, and as hope, love, and the clearest venue through which God has shared His heart with man.

So Father, soften my heart. Help me to not come to you with an agenda or out of obligation, but may I seek you to know you more, to be intimate with you, and to taste the sweetness of your word and the freshness of your spirit. Thank you, Lord. -- Amen

Date night

Sorry folks, just a short note to let you know that I'll catch up with blogging tomorrow. Tonight was date night with my beautiful wife.

Rest well everyone. I'll talk with you tomorrow.

A bit of a challenge

Many times, when observing religious traditions or holidays, I think it can be easy to go through the motions. Let's face it, if you've been to a church service on Easter Sunday where the liturgy went something like, "He is risen. He is risen indeed", I'm going to bet that when you said, "He is risen indeed" you didn't really understand that you were proclaiming the actual resurrection of Jesus Christ. So why even say it? Why even keep the tradition?

I think we do things often because we feel like we should or because we have always done them. I'm not sure what Jesus would have thought of our motivations of guilt and tradition. I think He would have been rather insulted actually. Jesus didn't seem too keen on folks keeping man's tradition for the sake of tradition or because they felt like it would make them look more pious or spiritual. No, Jesus seemed to cut to the chase. He was after the heart of each man, woman and child, and frankly, He seemed like couldn't care less about what "observances" they kept.

So why keep lent? Why spend weeks leading up to Easter establishing "holy habits" or making sacrifices of TV or chocolate or T-bone steak? .................

.....Because you just might meet Christ there. Maybe, just maybe, in the effort of fasting or establishing a new disciple, you just might come face to face with your creator, redeemer, sustainer and friend.

In the prayer on my previous post, I asked God to "create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me." You know the funny thing? He is doing just that - He actually answered my prayer, but not with a mystic warming of my chest or "Jesus bumps". Not with a bolt of lightning or a crack of thunder. No, the Holy Spirit came and stirred my heart like a glass of milk you've just added chocolate to. He revealed to me that I don't have a very clean heart at all. As a matter of fact, I am more selfish than ever. As I look at my schedule, my plans, my budget, my week, my time, my ideas, my desires......I was blown away by the self-centeredness that I found. See, I like to think of myself as a humble guy - easy to get along with and self sacrificing. But when it really comes down to it, I want what's best for me. I want to take care of #1 first and put God and others second. My pride swells to an unbearable size...as I sat back and reflected on this new self awareness.....I wasn't sure what to do, what to say, or even how to pray. All I could muster was a simple, "Jesus, I want to be more like you. Lord I need more of you. Less of me and more of you."

I just kept saying that over and over again, "Less of me and more of you. Less of me, and more of you."

Will you pray that prayer with me tonight? -- Father, I want to be more like you. I need more of you in my life. Help me, God to make time to slow down and allow you to take control. Teach me your ways, oh Lord. And Holy Spirit, keep my mind full of thoughts that are pleasing to you. Help me to put others before myself and to keep my relationship with Jesus as a top priority. Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me - Amen.

Ash Wednesday

The first track on Sara Groves' newest album is entitled "Miracle" and the first line goes a little something like this, "Lay down your arms. Give up the fight. Quiet our hearts for a little while." I must have listened to this song a dozen times today trying to implement its lyrics.

We live in such a rat race of a society where it is good to be busy and very bad to be lazy. It seems that people are always trying to find ways to "unwind." We are pushed to our limits, both physically and emotionally. Even as a full time missionary/student ministry director, I feel pressure to perform well, live up to expectations, put in long hours, and far too often I ignore any idea of Sabbath or rest. There are days that I feel responsible for the overall well being of any and everybody I come in contact with. My high school and college career can be characterized by me trying to carry for others what they couldn't carry on their own - all the while not realizing that it was wearing me thinner and thinner. I was always the first to lend a hand, but always the last to ask for one myself.

As I look back through my journals from the past few years, I had regularly revisited the idea of taking a Sabbath - making time to rest in my relationship with the Lord - taking a day off and just resting in His presence. I would do it for a month and then quit, three weeks then quit. But isn't that the human condition? - great intentions, poor follow through. We've all been affected by that fraility of our flesh. Whether we have let ourselves down or been let down by someone else, at some point or another we have been let down. Let's face it, we are fleshy, imperfect creatures originally made of nothing but a little dust and a holy exhale.

That's what Ash Wednesday has reminded me - I'm jsut dust..just ash.

Pslam 103:13-16 reads as follows: "Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer"

He is mindful that we are but dust. God knows our frailty. He knows the human condition and the need we feel to stay busy, be productive, and measure up. I am so glad that He knows my frame. He understands my weaknesses.

This lent season, may we remember our weaknesses. May we remember that we can't be everything for everybody. May we remember that the only difference between us and the the rest of creation is that holy exhale - the breath of heaven.

We are finite creatures. It's silly of us to function as if we were somehow infinite.

"Father, remind me that I am but dust. Remind me this lent season to lay down my arms, give up the fight, and quiet my heart for a while. Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right right spirit within me. - Amen

A New Season

Well, folks, I know it has been quite a while since I've logged onto my blog, and for that I apologize. I'm not sure how many people actually read this blog, but for those that do, I feel like I owe you a little something.

Today, I picked up a book I bought a few months ago, "Common Prayer - A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals" and flipped through to the find the study note that it had on the season of Lent leading up to Easter. One of the authors of the book, Shane Claiborne (also author of "Irresistible Revolution") noted that "It is a good season to rethink how we live and to let some things go, or maybe even to develop some new holy habits."

I'm not sure that blogging counts as a "Holy Habit", but I thought I would give it a try. For the next forty days leading up to Easter, I have committed to letting go of my usual evening entertainment of ESPN.com highlight reels or a netflix episode of Bones or CSI. And instead of veging out and being entertained, I am going to spend time reflecting each night on a series of scriptures and report some of my thougths on here.

With jsut a few hours before Ash Wednesday officially begins, I am going to get some good reading in and get some early sleep. - Hopefully, if all goes well, you should be hearing from me tomorrow night.

"O Lord, let my soul rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun."

-ZB