In 30 seconds name as many as you can.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto (Western Heroes). Batman and Robin (Super Heroes). Lewis & Martin (Comedy Team). Seals and Croft (Songwriters, Musicians). Manning & Harrison (Quarterback, Receiver). Astaire and Rogers (Dancers). Lewis & Clark (Explorers). Mickey & Minnie (Notable Mice), Tom Hanks & 'Wilson', (Beach Buddies), Ebony and Ivory (Piano Keys).
Peanut Butter and Chocolate (Reese Cups). David and Jonathan, (a king's servant and a king's son).
I am sure that you can name more dynamic duos than I did in your 30 seconds, but there's my feeble attempt. The fact is that you really can't imagine one without the other, right? Where there is one, the other is absolute companion with. No wonder these are known as 'dynamic' because something extraordinary can happen when lives are combined and weaved together in loyal friendship and lasting connection.
"These are the names of the twelve apostles; first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James, son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." Matthew 10:2-4
Have you ever looked carefully as to how the Twelve are mentioned in the Scriptures? There are a couple of lists in the Gospels, and they are identical. Jesus seemed to have intentionally combined these twelve men into six teams of two. That begs the question; Did they stay that way? Did they become co-workers and fellow laborers or did they graduate to 'friends'? Well, one of the pairs was broken up for sure, but how about the others, and why did Jesus group these Twelve like this?
Together they shared experiences that would bond them together through time, adversity, persecution and even physical separation. Together they listened to Jesus as He taught. Together they talked of the deeper meaning of the spiritual stories that He told. They were present when He wept over the ruined and unrepentant lives of people. For three years they were bonded together and with Him from city to city, region to region, field to field and house to house. They had their disagreements and rivalries from time to time, but they always, always coalesced together.
When we are rightly related to God, it seems that He combines our lives to intersect with at least one other to share in the joy and sweat of accomplishing His purposes...and just for the fun of it! This is not always the case...for some. The life of John the Baptist in the desert seems more like their story, (John was not alone either...who do you think he went into the wilderness to hear from, enjoy and speak for?). Who has God combined your life with that also loves Him and is willing to be used for His purposes, and will encourage and cheer you on to do the same? Do you have a friend of the kind that these Twelve had with one another, making up a dynamic duo that achieves and enjoys far more together than apart?
Ask God to give you a friend of the 'disciple quality kind' if you don't have one already. Ask the Lord to give you a friend in Him that will urge you toward spiritual excellence and share the journey with you. Ask the Lord to guide you to someone that you can be you with. Someone that you can joke with, prank on and tease from time to time. Ask God to make you a joy to a specific someone in whom you can invest His life and yours.
Life is always better when it is shared together with a friend.
Ask these six pairs of two!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Beyond the SurFACE
The surf on the beach does not tell the whole story of the ocean.
White foamed crests that gingerly slap at your feet, back dropped by the sunset is a classic still shot ready to be posted on your online Snapfish Photo Gallery. No need to Photoshop or airbrush it. That is a picture that 'speaks a thousand words'...or does it?
Facts are that there is a churning beneath the beauty that stirs up sand, shells, crabs, jellyfish, seaweed, plank board and who knows what else! Shark or barracuda could be lurking beneath the glistening waves if you let yourself stop to think about it for a second! Stingrays could put a shock on you like a water taser on steroids! Riptides sweep away the unsuspecting as they frolic in saltwater! Even other people can quietly sneak up from your rearguard, disguised by the captivating, symphonic water sounds of the calm tide and dunk you like no body's business!
Think about that the next time you google at all inclusive beach vacations in Jamaica while watching the Beach Channel on HD in January!
Everybody knows that its what's 'beneath' the surface that counts. A house may have the Better Homes and Gardens Community Award, but it is the unseen foundation that makes the house livable. Your breath can be taken away by the brilliance of spring leaves, but it is the root system of the tree that assures nourishment and stability to every branch. There's more to an iceberg than what meets the eye! Give me a garden onion on my salad...and thanks for knocking off the dirt from the ground that you pulled it out of...
You tired of the superficial? You tired of being superficial?
"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11
Whatever was on God's face as He spoke to Moses reflected His heart. In whatever way that God drew near to Moses, there was no doubt that He revealed the depths of Himself to His servant. Here's the kicker...as Moses was experiencing the depths of God, the rest of the people were outside watching for and waiting for their leader and friend. They were not experiencing what became the custom between God and Moses...real, personal and intimate relationship. That is how 'friends' are supposed to relate to one another...beyond the seen to the unseen, a special place reserved for the most well acquainted.
Do you know God in this kind of way? A 'friendship' way?
Our impressions of God are stymied by what we have seen, heard or experienced rather than deepened by taking off our own masks and looking into His face one on one. Jesus said that he would reject no one who would come to Him. The Apostle James urges us to 'draw near to God and He will draw near to you.' This is no small thing. This is not a trite invitation or promise. The experience of Moses' regular approach to God inspires you and I to desire more than what is obvious in our relating to Him.
No wonder that when one of the hardened soldiers who executed Jesus praised God saying:
"Surely this was a righteous man." Luke 23:47
How did the Sergeant know that?
He looked beyond the surFACE.
White foamed crests that gingerly slap at your feet, back dropped by the sunset is a classic still shot ready to be posted on your online Snapfish Photo Gallery. No need to Photoshop or airbrush it. That is a picture that 'speaks a thousand words'...or does it?
Facts are that there is a churning beneath the beauty that stirs up sand, shells, crabs, jellyfish, seaweed, plank board and who knows what else! Shark or barracuda could be lurking beneath the glistening waves if you let yourself stop to think about it for a second! Stingrays could put a shock on you like a water taser on steroids! Riptides sweep away the unsuspecting as they frolic in saltwater! Even other people can quietly sneak up from your rearguard, disguised by the captivating, symphonic water sounds of the calm tide and dunk you like no body's business!
Think about that the next time you google at all inclusive beach vacations in Jamaica while watching the Beach Channel on HD in January!
Everybody knows that its what's 'beneath' the surface that counts. A house may have the Better Homes and Gardens Community Award, but it is the unseen foundation that makes the house livable. Your breath can be taken away by the brilliance of spring leaves, but it is the root system of the tree that assures nourishment and stability to every branch. There's more to an iceberg than what meets the eye! Give me a garden onion on my salad...and thanks for knocking off the dirt from the ground that you pulled it out of...
You tired of the superficial? You tired of being superficial?
"The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11
Whatever was on God's face as He spoke to Moses reflected His heart. In whatever way that God drew near to Moses, there was no doubt that He revealed the depths of Himself to His servant. Here's the kicker...as Moses was experiencing the depths of God, the rest of the people were outside watching for and waiting for their leader and friend. They were not experiencing what became the custom between God and Moses...real, personal and intimate relationship. That is how 'friends' are supposed to relate to one another...beyond the seen to the unseen, a special place reserved for the most well acquainted.
Do you know God in this kind of way? A 'friendship' way?
Our impressions of God are stymied by what we have seen, heard or experienced rather than deepened by taking off our own masks and looking into His face one on one. Jesus said that he would reject no one who would come to Him. The Apostle James urges us to 'draw near to God and He will draw near to you.' This is no small thing. This is not a trite invitation or promise. The experience of Moses' regular approach to God inspires you and I to desire more than what is obvious in our relating to Him.
No wonder that when one of the hardened soldiers who executed Jesus praised God saying:
"Surely this was a righteous man." Luke 23:47
How did the Sergeant know that?
He looked beyond the surFACE.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wig-less
Have you ever seen anyone 'tip' their wig like a PGA Golfer strolling up the fairway to the 18th green at Augusta?
Oscar did.
Dr. Oscar Thompson was one of my professors when I landed for my first semester in Graduate School in Fort Worth, Texas in January of a long time ago. I had been told by more than a few in the Registration lines that to get any class taught by Oscar was a must. Being impressionable, I was impressed by what I heard and registered for the only class that had a few openings remaining. I had never met Dr. Thompson much less heard a lecture, but I looked forward to Monday afternoon at 12:00 for Day One with Oscar.
I had not been warned that my prop was suffering from cancer, so I was taken back when he walked into the packed classroom leaning on his cane and obviously wearing a toupee'. A hush overcame the room. He faced the class, 'tipped' his fake hair in a welcoming gesture, exposing his baldness for a brief second, and introduced himself. The class applauded...and a word had not yet dropped from his mouth! At that moment, I knew that I was in the presence of greatness.
"I am Oscar Thompson. I have cancer. I look like I am going to die any day, but I am not. God says that to honor parents is the guarantee of a long life...and I have done just that...so I am intending on teaching this class through the end of the semester and perhaps a few others."
Then he said;, "The most important word in the English language is 'RELATIONSHIP'." That most important word never crossed my mind to that point in my then young life.
Words like, 'success', 'respect', 'love', 'popularity', 'money', 'position', 'religion' came to mind, but not 'RELATIONSHIP'. For the remainder of the semester, I learned from Dr. Thompson as we went through the pages of the Bible and proved the obvious. I missed the obvious, but I vowed never to miss it again!
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
In a self-centered world system, the wonder of the Good News is that God communicates it relationally from Himself and through those who know Him personally. As a 'friend', and in spite of what 'dirt' He has on you, God chooses to love you anyway, and expresses His love in spite of rejection, insult and avoidance. The God of the Bible is like that.
"The son of Man came...a friend of publicans and sinners." Matthew 11:19
The challenge of friendship is that we start prioritizing relationships with others before being rightly related to Him. When you enjoy Him, you can 'tip' your wig without fear of exposing your own frailties. Without intending to, people will be drawn to you and to Him.
Oscar was right. 'RELATIONSHIP' is the most important word in the English language.
Oscar did.
Dr. Oscar Thompson was one of my professors when I landed for my first semester in Graduate School in Fort Worth, Texas in January of a long time ago. I had been told by more than a few in the Registration lines that to get any class taught by Oscar was a must. Being impressionable, I was impressed by what I heard and registered for the only class that had a few openings remaining. I had never met Dr. Thompson much less heard a lecture, but I looked forward to Monday afternoon at 12:00 for Day One with Oscar.
I had not been warned that my prop was suffering from cancer, so I was taken back when he walked into the packed classroom leaning on his cane and obviously wearing a toupee'. A hush overcame the room. He faced the class, 'tipped' his fake hair in a welcoming gesture, exposing his baldness for a brief second, and introduced himself. The class applauded...and a word had not yet dropped from his mouth! At that moment, I knew that I was in the presence of greatness.
"I am Oscar Thompson. I have cancer. I look like I am going to die any day, but I am not. God says that to honor parents is the guarantee of a long life...and I have done just that...so I am intending on teaching this class through the end of the semester and perhaps a few others."
Then he said;, "The most important word in the English language is 'RELATIONSHIP'." That most important word never crossed my mind to that point in my then young life.
Words like, 'success', 'respect', 'love', 'popularity', 'money', 'position', 'religion' came to mind, but not 'RELATIONSHIP'. For the remainder of the semester, I learned from Dr. Thompson as we went through the pages of the Bible and proved the obvious. I missed the obvious, but I vowed never to miss it again!
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
In a self-centered world system, the wonder of the Good News is that God communicates it relationally from Himself and through those who know Him personally. As a 'friend', and in spite of what 'dirt' He has on you, God chooses to love you anyway, and expresses His love in spite of rejection, insult and avoidance. The God of the Bible is like that.
"The son of Man came...a friend of publicans and sinners." Matthew 11:19
The challenge of friendship is that we start prioritizing relationships with others before being rightly related to Him. When you enjoy Him, you can 'tip' your wig without fear of exposing your own frailties. Without intending to, people will be drawn to you and to Him.
Oscar was right. 'RELATIONSHIP' is the most important word in the English language.
Performance Enhancers
Vitamin 'supplements' and fake eyelashes have lots in common.
Kinda like Rogaine and Noxzema wrinkle-free face cream.
Nothing wrong with wanting to keep your body healthy and to try to keep what you got, (like hair and smooth skin)...but these can be 'covers' to hide facts. If the truth be told about every detail of our lives...well, ask Yankee's slugger, A Rod, or a True Beauty...you could be 'outed', and admirers could turn on you like a flipped western omelet on a Denny's skillet!
Being vulnerable to every person is not wise. Wearing your emotions on your sleeve can repelling and repulsive to most. Saying everything that bounces around your head in a crowded conference room will be remembered when the email lunch invites can't be found in your workplace Inbox. You can't avoid relating to others, and you should avoid even attempting that! You were made for relationships by the creative genius of the God who loves you. You cannot build a meaningful relationship based on fraud. 'Impressions' are powerful when they are authentic.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
That is why God wants you to have at least one buddy. He has designed you with a craving to 'be real', and to be known deeply and accurately...baggage and all. You need to have someone who knows your dirty laundry and is not offended by the stink, but prompted to help you get to and through the cleaners! What a gift from God that He would send someone into your life that you could share your true self to with the perfect assurance that you would not be lessened or cheapened! Now that is a 'friend'!
Because we have a bent toward selfishness, we tend to count how many 'friends' we have on our Facebooks. What a mistake! Who in their right mind would share their innermost thoughts, fears, emotions, setbacks, failures, frustrations, hangups or addictions on the World Wide Web? Not surprisingly...many do! Why?
Because they long to be real to someone, somewhere.
You may be struggling with friendship at this very moment. You may be living in the days (or years) of a friendship deficit. Resist the temptation to become something you are not to impress people that you hope to meet. Do something different...become a friend to others as you wait for the friend you long for. Encourage the discouraged. Laugh at corny jokes. Open doors. Smile at 'strangers'. Be thoughtful. Do that 'act of kindness' thing. Be to others what you desire for yourself.
The Lord who made you will lavish you with His favor...and bless you with a friend who really will love you when the eyelashes are off and the hair is thinning....and for tougher times than those!
Kinda like Rogaine and Noxzema wrinkle-free face cream.
Nothing wrong with wanting to keep your body healthy and to try to keep what you got, (like hair and smooth skin)...but these can be 'covers' to hide facts. If the truth be told about every detail of our lives...well, ask Yankee's slugger, A Rod, or a True Beauty...you could be 'outed', and admirers could turn on you like a flipped western omelet on a Denny's skillet!
Being vulnerable to every person is not wise. Wearing your emotions on your sleeve can repelling and repulsive to most. Saying everything that bounces around your head in a crowded conference room will be remembered when the email lunch invites can't be found in your workplace Inbox. You can't avoid relating to others, and you should avoid even attempting that! You were made for relationships by the creative genius of the God who loves you. You cannot build a meaningful relationship based on fraud. 'Impressions' are powerful when they are authentic.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17
That is why God wants you to have at least one buddy. He has designed you with a craving to 'be real', and to be known deeply and accurately...baggage and all. You need to have someone who knows your dirty laundry and is not offended by the stink, but prompted to help you get to and through the cleaners! What a gift from God that He would send someone into your life that you could share your true self to with the perfect assurance that you would not be lessened or cheapened! Now that is a 'friend'!
Because we have a bent toward selfishness, we tend to count how many 'friends' we have on our Facebooks. What a mistake! Who in their right mind would share their innermost thoughts, fears, emotions, setbacks, failures, frustrations, hangups or addictions on the World Wide Web? Not surprisingly...many do! Why?
Because they long to be real to someone, somewhere.
You may be struggling with friendship at this very moment. You may be living in the days (or years) of a friendship deficit. Resist the temptation to become something you are not to impress people that you hope to meet. Do something different...become a friend to others as you wait for the friend you long for. Encourage the discouraged. Laugh at corny jokes. Open doors. Smile at 'strangers'. Be thoughtful. Do that 'act of kindness' thing. Be to others what you desire for yourself.
The Lord who made you will lavish you with His favor...and bless you with a friend who really will love you when the eyelashes are off and the hair is thinning....and for tougher times than those!
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