Competence

 

Wednesday Jun 19^th 2024

There have been several deep conversations that bring me to today’s word: COMPETENCE.

First, there have been conversations about graduates – they are out looking for jobs and trying to get “the dream job”. Yet they are finding that employers want them to start at the bottom – which is, by the way, where (IMHO) one should start. Learn all the things and the stuff and gain competency and experience along the way.

Then there are conversations about those of us on the other end of the journey. We need to share our competency – our knowledge and experience – with those who have not yet traveled as far. What good is all this accumulated knowledge if we keep it to ourselves? It is meant for sharing!

Most importantly have been conversations about faith. Is it meant for sharing? Or to “keep it personal”? (Here’s a hint – share it!) And in sharing, does one (do I) need to know absolutely everything? (Another hint – the answer is “no”.) By studying, by praying, and by listening to the stories and experiences of those who have traveled farther we gain competence.

In all of these instances, we gain competence by being a student and we share competence by being an example. And with competence comes confidence!

A few stumbles along the way, a fair number of boring classes and meetings, and more than a few course corrections are all expected on the journey to competence in whatever area of your life. Yet there is no substitute for experience – trying, doing, falling, failing, starting again, watching the example of those ahead, reaching back to help those following - to achieve competence (and confidence).

Begin the journey!

Blame vs Accountability

 

Wednesday June 12^th 2024

Some weeks just seem to have a theme. This week’s theme is BLAME.

On Sunday we read the Genesis story of Adam and Eve eating from the tree from which they were told not to eat. Each one placed blame on the next: Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. No one took responsibility for their own actions. (See Genesis 13)

How many of us, when something happens, place the blame on someone – or something – other than ourself?

One of my common ones in the past year or so has been the typing of a wrong letter on my phone. Truth be told, it is my “fat fingering” and not the fault of the phone or even auto-correct. In fact, my phone will no longer correct some of my common mistakes! Yet I often say “stupid phone” or “annoying autocorrect” when those mistakes appear.

So, in balance, I would offer you a better word for this week: ACCOUNTABILITY.

Let’s make a conscious effort to accept responsibility for our actions, make corrections, request forgiveness when necessary, and step away from the blame game. Be an example to others as we live a lifestyle of accountability.

Wednesday Words: Remember

 

Wednesday May 22^nd 2024

You may notice that this is being posted on a Thursday, and also that I have not posted for a few weeks. That’s because I didn’t remember to do it!

So today’s word is REMEMBER.

So often we fail to remember an errand, a birthday, an appointment, or someone’s name. It slips our mind, or we failed to add it to the calendar. Just as I have failed to take the time to sit and write about the word that is standing out in my week.

This is usually a short-lived or momentary lapse of memory. And often we recall too late!

In a few days we will honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in military service. We remember them and the gift they gave. We set aside a day of the year to remember all those who served yet did not survive. They signed on to serve, knowing it could also mean to sacrifice.

[Let me take this minute to remind you that Memorial Day is the Day we remember those who died; Veterans’ Day is for honoring those who served and are living.]

As we remember those who sacrificed for our freedom, let’s also remember those they left behind, those who miss them still no matter how long it has been.

And while we’re remembering those who sacrificed, let’s remember The One who suffered for our sins so we need not. Yes – remember Jesus Christ paid that price to save you.

 Wednesday April 17^th 2024

Today’s word is MISSION.

When we think of Christ’s directive to “GO” we often stop there. We focus on the going, and think of places far away. We think of preaching, or medical mission work, in places where the Bible and the written word aren’t available.

Did we listen to Christ when he said to go into Jerusalem? For those people that was home! It wasn’t a far-off land.

Jesus wants us to be on mission to – and in ministry with – the people in our own backyard, the people who live a few miles away, the people we see at work and school and in the neighborhood.

It isn’t ju st preaching – it’s healing and serving and feeding. It’s being real. It’s doing life.

Living our faith is a way of mission. Sometimes we try to “fit in” among those who are not believers, rather than trying to be different, WHY? We are different. We should allow ourselves to be seen as different from those who do not have Jesus in their lives. We also need to be approachable and willing to serve along with those who do not so that they can see the difference Jesus makes in our lives.

Do you know people who do not belong to a faith community? There is your mission field. Love them. Serve them. Serve alongside them. Answer their questions. Be a light on their path.

You are doing mission. And discipleship means being on mission.

 

Wednesday April 10^th 2024

Today’s word is BOLDNESS.

Sometimes it is necessary to step out of our comfort zone. Sometimes to speak up when we are unsure. And sometimes this requires stepping out and speaking up in front of people who might openly criticize or oppose us.

No one likes to be criticized – and though criticism and correction should be done privately we all know that there are some people who feel more powerful by doing it publicly. Being called out or corrected in front of colleagues or friends is embarrassing. It makes us look bad professionally. In certain instances it is a detriment to our position, career, or relationship.

I am thinking of the scripture where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they spoke out about Jesus boldly.  In Acts 4, verse 31, we read “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” [Take the time to read the preceding verses to get the setting.]

I am thinking of times when Paul was in jail – or threatened – and yet he spoke boldly about his faith and about Jesus and salvation. Look at Ephesians 6, verses 19-20 for instance: “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

We may not find ourselves in such dire situations, yet we have to step out in boldness when others counter us about our beliefs. We must also temper that boldness with the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. For boldness alone can make enemies and get us in trouble. Boldness under God’s guidance can be a powerful witness.

So are there times when you have hesitated to step out or speak up? Are there times when you have felt the Holy Spirit nudge you to do or say something and you did not?

Pray for the guidance to know when to act and speak boldly. Let God do the rest.

 

Wednesday April 3^rd 2024

How was Lent for you? Did you fast? Did you pray? Did you contemplate?

How was Easter? Did you rejoice? Celebrate?

Today’s Word is CONTINUE.

Whatever you did during Lent that brought you closer to the Lord – continue it!

Just because the season of Lent is over doesn’t mean we stop praying the Psalms, stop contemplating what God is saying to us, or stop listening for his leading.

Just because Easter was Sunday doesn’t mean we stop celebrating The Resurrection on Monday.

Did you give up something for Lent? Was it an unhealthy food or a bad habit? Continue not eating it. Continue not doing it.

Did you set aside a special time to pray the Psalms? To devote time to prayer in general? Did you spend more time in Scripture? Continue!

Having used Lent as a time to prepare for the resurrection, let us continue to live in that resurrection mindset – preparing for the resurrection yet to come.

The Scripture that comes to mind is Hebrews 12:1.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Continue the race – keep going where God is leading you, doing what God has for you to do.

So what are you going to continue??

 

Wednesday February 21^st 2024

We are in the season of Lent, and in many traditions there is the idea of “giving up something for Lent”. So today’s word is FASTING.

What do you think of when you hear the word “fasting”? Currently many who are trying to lose weight are hearing the expression “intermittent fasting” as a way to lost weight. Eat within a prescribed number of hours and don’t eat during the rest of the day.

When I first heard this, my first thought was “I sleep for 8 hours and don’t eat then, so that’s an automatic intermittent fast.” No planning, no extra thought or effort. To intentionally expand that though, might take some planning and some changes to lifestyle.

However, fasting is not just about food.

Fasting during Lent is not just about giving up candy or soda.

Intentionally giving up something is a type of fast, and when one fasts during Lent then idea is to replace that with time spent in prayer and worship and service to God.

So, for instance, someone might fast from watching the evening news and instead spend that time reading scripture and praying. Someone might fast from getting Starbucks on Friday morning and the money saved intentionally given to a charity or to their church.

There are numerous ways to fast, and sometimes those fasts can then become habits. After fasting from crime dramas one might decide not to go back to watching them. After fasting from soda one might decide to continue without it.

Fasting is a way to intentionally replace something in one’s life with something that honors and serves God. A way that will help us grow.

How will YOU fast this Lent? And how ill you then keep fasting as part of your life in Christ?