Comic Book Faith

As a kid I loved comic books - most kids do, but why am I still drawn to comic book hereos at my age? Superman fought for truth, justice and the American way. Captain America was just a mortal man with extraordinary abilities. I believe that in each of us is a desire to be the hero, to stand apart from the crowd, we want to make a difference.

I don't mean to trivialize our faith, but why don't more people embrace Jesus as the superhero of our faith. Think about the nature of our Savior - God in the flesh. He is all-powerful, vanquishing his enemies, rescueing the poor, down-trodden, those who are unable to save themselves. We are all helpless in our battle against the great serpent, the evil one incarnate, until Jesus comes riding in on his white horse.

And yet like our t.v. or comic hereos, he is vulnerable. We see the humanity of Jesus as he cries out on the cross, "I Thirst." We understand the struggle as he pleads, "if you will let this cup pass from me." We relate as we see the anger and frustration he shows towards those who cheat the poor and take advantage of the weak.

Hebrews 11 records a lot of our hereos of faith, but only one superhero ever conquered death and paved the way for us to have eternal life. He has defeated our adversary and extended to us hope and promise. Maybe a comic book faith is not such a bad thing after all.

Accepting Grace

Father,

How do we find the balance between accepting your grace and mercy while taking responsibility for our sin and weakness? Paul warned us about the danger of viewing grace as a license for sin in Romans 6, "shall we continue in sin that grace many abound?" Some would offer a hardy amen if you stopped right there.

Why do we swing like the pendulum on a clock. Back and forth, prostrate on our knees, humbled before you we lie broken? During that moment of anquish and remorse we commit eternal vigilance and faithfulness only to fall back into our old patterns.

Proud, upright, confident in ourselves we return to the world, we embrace our passions like a suckling child to her mother's breast. We bask in our own righteousness and seek your grace to cover our unrepentant sins. Surely your umbrella of forgiveness was meant for such moments as these.

I know there must be a place to acknowledge our wrong doings while accepting your grace. Understanding the destructive nature of sin, while embracing your tender mercies. Like David, my sins are every before you, but help me O Lord to know the comfort of your marvelleous grace.

Dog Tired

Father, somedays I find myself just dog-tired with life. It is that kind of tired that penetrates beyond being sleepy, or lethargic. It is a weariness of spirit were I become weak and vulnerable to the temptations of the evil one.

I am reminded of the encouragement given Isaiah. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint" (40:31).

Help me to understand that strength is born through struggle, that character is demonstrated in trials and even though we are down-trodden, discouraged and weary at our core; that we are never defeated in you. Through our weakness you give strength, through our hardships you give hope and through our trials you remind us that this world is not our home.

Restlessness

Father,

Today I wander with a restless spirit. I long to wisk along the wind, or set sail to to some far, exotic land. My spirit wrestles tirelessly with my reason. I long to break the shackles of human bondage to explore, wander and feel truly free.

I am reminded that my longing for freedom requires responsible behavior. Whether I am sitting quietly in a moment of worship and devotion, or feeling the wind brush across my face as I ride down the Trace, I know, deep down in my core that the freedom I enjoy was delivered to me by the blood and sacrifice of others.

My longing for personal freedom wars with my need to act responsibly. What legacy do I leave for my children? What bridges must I build for them to cross and what standard must I set for them to follow? I must always remember that I am called to a higher purpose than self. I must always consider the impact of my actions on others.

No man is an island. We do not live to ourselves, or die to ourselves. Each and every decision we make affects another. Why is it so hard to accept at the heart level that true freedom is found in sacrifice, in putting others first, in seeking good rather than seeking self. Maybe it is in this struggle that we truly find who we are and where our happiness resides.

Help me to understand, help me to surrender, help me to know the peace that comes through sacrifice and not through self.

God, The Almighty

For the past week an associate has been calling me to schedule an appointment. His assistant has called me five or six times - each time changing the scheduled appointment. Finally she called and asked if we could reschedule our appointment as a phone conference - I declined. It wasn't out of frustration, but I have always been better in face-to-face situations. I think that is why I struggle at times with my interaction with God - I have too many Elijah moments (I Kings 19: 11-18).

I want to see the power, granduer and presence of an Almighty God. When I am troubled, weary or downcast I want to see my Savior sitting on that white horse. I want an army of angels ready to deliver me from my enemies. I want to see God in the tempest and earthquake and fire, but like Elijah, God tends to talk with me in a small still voice.

I don't really think I could handle God revealing Himself in all his power and majesty. When it happened to Isaiah, he said, "I am undone" (Isa.6:4). When John witnessed the Son of Man in all his glory "he fell at his feet as if dead" (Rev. 1:17). I am sure I would fare no better.

It is about awareness. Yesterday, I sat out back with the grill fired up and there was a peace and comfort in the quiet, but at the time it didn't strike me that God was there with me. Today as I look at the sunshine and the gentle breeze I need to be reminded of the glory of my creator. I believe that God interacts with his creation (nature and man). He has called me to be conscious of His presence.

All too often I try to interact with a God whom I percieve is far off in the distance. It affects my communion with Him. I need to learn to listen for Him in the quiet, to seek him in soliditude, to trust Him to always be near.

Man in the mirror #2

I was reminded today how important self-examination can be. A close friend called to get an objective opinion on a challenge he was facing. After a lengthy conversation, I am genuinely convinced that he was putting the best interest of others ahead of himself.

Inside the cover of my Bible is the poem that appears in the previous blog. I also have these words of Paul on my wall in my office, "Don't act out of selfish ambition or be concieted. Instead, humbly think of others being better than yourself" (Phil. 2:3ff). Each of these are strategically positioned as a reminder to remain humble.

Pride, arrogance and self-centered behavior are at the root of so many problems in our world. How often do you hear "my rights" or "my needs" or sentences that begin with "I, ME, or MINE?"

The account of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus troubles me. It doesn't bother me that he struggled with riches (I don't have that problem), or that he was told to sell everything he had. What troubles me is Jesus simple statement, "you lack one thing..." (Mark 10:21). ONE THING! My life, my eternity, my relationship to God can be messed up by one thing. That is troubling.

For me it's pride! I can see Jesus standing in front me, just like the young ruler and saying, "Trent, you lack one thing." That is why the poem is in my Bible and Paul's words are prominent on my wall. I am thankful that I have friends who by their example remind me to look at myself and be accountable for who I am.

Man in the mirror #1

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you king for a day.
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father, or mother or wife,
Whose judgment upon you must pass.
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the one looking back from the glass.

Some people may think your a straight-shootin chum,
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum,
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,
If theman in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
An get pats on the back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears,
If you've cheated the man in the glass.