Free Lunch

So, I got a free lunch today...from someone I don't know. The server gave me a card that said I'd been "kinded." I thought that was pretty cool. I thought it was pretty awesome, and it made my burger taste that much better, because I live by the motto, "If it's free, it's for me." However, though I appreciate the kindness and I understand the anonimity, it leaves something to be desired. I understand the concept. I get the whole "pay it forward" thing. But "pay it forward" runs out. I'll never get a chance to thank this person, and I know that's the way they want it. I'd be the same way. I understand that me passing this kindness on is my way of thanking them. But I believe that kindness, real kindness, has to be backed up by something eternal. I cannot point my thanks to anyone, but what if I could point my thanks to God. The kindness shown me reminded me that people can be good, but I'm pretty sure I'll be reminded of the opposite in the next 24 hours. But if the reminder was that God is good and I had just forgot. Christians need to be kind so badly to the world. But deep down, we don't all need human kindness, we all yearn for something from our Creator. If you are a follower of Jesus, be kind, but make sure that people know that that kindness only comes from God. If you're not a follower of Jesus, rest assured that you have a kind Creator who wants to get to know you. And he wants to offer you so much more than a free lunch. On that note, thanks to whomever pitched in my burger today. You made my day!

Fire Water & Green Gravy

So, I'm at a bar (because that's where I think pastors should be) and this guy finds out I'm a pastor. And the FIRST thing he does is cut his eyes to my drink and see what my beverage of choice is that night. It was the great Asa Candler's Coca-Cola Classic. It's usually that or sweet tea. I don't drink. I never really have had the desire to, and my new friend told me why. What surprised me about this was the conversation that followed. I found out he was non-religious, had a general disdain for the Church and many Christians. He had a mistrust toward Christian political activist (don't we all?), and a considered himself happily unattached to any faith. That's fine...so why do you care what I'm drinking. He cares because it is in his blood to care. People care. People in the non-faith world want to see something different in those that follow Christ. You can be in the world and not of it. The call of any Christian is to do just that. But there must be something unique about Christians. Say what you want about alcohol. I know Jesus drank wine. I know Paul encouraged Timothy to drink wine. I believe the wine of the Bible real wine. But...there is a stigma that is attached to alcohol in American culture 2,000 years later. The same could be said for many other behaviors. And if Christians are to avoid even the appearance of evil...well, you can figure that out. We will have enough trouble loving people, being patient, holding our tongue, forgiving wrongful accusers, and offering grace. So, if there are behaviors that are easy to do to help separate Jesus Followers as unique and set apart, why wouldn't we do them. Because I'm finding that even the people who say they don't care -- really do care.

Now, my new friend also said to me about ministry: "I heard there's a lot of money in that." Of course, that's about as offensive a thing as one can say to me. And he must know something about ministry that I don't. Anyway, it just spoke to how so much of our culture is driven by money. Truthfully, it was sad, because I know too many good pastors, nurses, teachers, coaches, and many other professions that have money as the last thing on their list when they chose their profession. Here's the thing, though -- somebody did go into for money and gave my new friend that perception, and that bothers me, too. What we don't realize so often is that if Christians are going to impact the world, then every decision matters, because we will all suffer the consequences of past baggage. Hopefully, we can be about positive influences in and on the world in the future.

Master's Thoughts

Okay, so I'm back in the blogosphere. It's been a while, but it has mostly to do w/ trying to finish a basement before a new baby comes. Had to post some Master's thoughts, though. There are truly few things I enjoy more on a Sunday afternoon than major golf championships. I love competition, and the competition in golf in the four majors is so individual and intense. The Master's is the apex of that pressure.

You know, when Tiger first came on the scene back in the mid 90's, I wasn't sure what to think of him, but my respect for him is incredible now. He is the most publicized player ever, which means he also receives the most scrutiny. His 2nd place finish on Sunday seemed to be the biggest shock of the tournament. Tiger didn't win. He didn't make a Sunday move at Augusta National. And people were shocked. Tiger has made winning look so easy that he's made us believe it's easy. It's not. My brother is a high school football coach and he says, "It's hard to win games, but it's really easy to lose them." But I thought this years Master's displayed Tiger's greatness like never before. He didn't play great...and finished 2nd. He didn't have his best on Sunday...and was the only player in the top five that didn't shoot over par. And what is always the coolest to me about Tiger is that his perspective on his game is so raw and honest. He didn't putt good -- end of story. But he doesn't look at 2nd place finishes as a disaster like the press does, because he realizes that excellence is measured over the long haul, you can't hit a home run every time at the plate, and winning isn't easy.

Leaders that strive for excellence have to understand this. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and understanding excellence is crucial for perfectionist. Tiger did not play excellent this weekend. But he is still an excellent golfer. If he retired today, he'd still have an excellent career. Moreover, he realizes there's more excellence to be made. Leaders can get mired in poor performances or down times, not realizing that there is more excellence to be made. Somebody's got to make it, might as well be you. You will drive yourself crazy if you judge excellence by every move, but if you want to be excellent over the long haul, take the steps that will get you in that position when the long haul is over. And look to the future, don't dwell on the past. When one reporter asked Tiger if what losing the Master's does to his confidence as he pursues more major victories, he smiled that Tiger-smile and said, "Well, there's three more." Because there's more excellence to be made.