DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT OR BECOME SOMEONE DIFFERENT?

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

Matthew chapter 17, verse 21; from the New King James Version (NKJV)

To see situations change or people change, is it more important to DO something different, or BECOME someone different? We all know the definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over, expecting different results! Right? So, if you want different results, then DO something different. Right? Not so fast, my friends. It requires more than simply doing something different. I’ve been in this “pastor-life” for decades, and I cannot tell you the number of events I’ve attended and books I’ve read about changing the decline of a church. Each one told us something different to do; and without exception, nothing brought about long-term change. Doing doesn’t seem to work.

Case in point: today’s passage. Remember the whole story with me. Jesus had taken 3 of His disciples to what we call The Mount of Transfiguration. He left the others behind. And while the others were waiting for Jesus and those 3 to return, a man brought his son afflicted with a demon to them, asking them to drive out that demon out. Well, they tried–but without success. When Jesus did return, that Dad brought his son to Jesus–and of course–Jesus drove out that demon. With me so far? Great!

And afterwards, those same disciples pulled Jesus aside for a private moment to ask: Why couldn’t WE cast out that demon? In other words, What do we need to DO different? Somehow as human beings, we think that if we just DO something different we can change the situation. For instance, my former Tribe. It has been in decline since 1968; actually even before then. And ever since then, they have been trying to DO something different. And the result is that it’s falling apart–becoming the very thing that John Wesley feared the most: a sect of people who have a form of godliness but without the power!

Perhaps it’s time we all become someone different. That word become means to change, or grow to be. And an enlightening synonym for become is to grow into! Rather than focusing on how to change situations and/or people–what if we focused on how to grow into the Image of the One who created us? Instead of doing something, ANYTHING, to change others and the world, what if we focused on ourselves first? Not what we do–but who we are becoming? Are we growing into God’s perfect image? Or are we just doing different things so as not to be insane?

And what does Jesus have to say? To the question of those disciples; to my question of the day? Doing the same things over and over while expecting different results is indeed, the definition of insane! But doing something different is a not a guarantee of a different outcome. So, do we just throw up our hands in despair? Not hardly! Listen to the answer Jesus gave them–and is giving us:

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Matthew chapter 17, verse 21 (NKJV)

Prayer AND fasting is about us–it changes our focus from doing to being—being in the presence of God. And in those moments we can learn how to become a real disciple and follower of Jesus! When we become a true disciple and follower of Jesus, the doing takes care of itself. After all, what many are doing right now isn’t working. And remember: Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!

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The Wrong Dwelling

According to dictionary.com dwelling, as a noun, is defined as “a building or place of shelter to live in; place of residence; abode; home.” This morning I wasn’t thinking about nouns, I was thinking about verbs. And from the Cambridge Dictionary, as a verb, it is defined as “to think or talk about something a lot of the time”. And as I sitting here thinking about that word as a verb, the above picture is my mental image.

I mean, how many people are dwelling in the wrong dwelling these days? And this is not a unique phenomenon for our times. It’s been around for a very long time. The particular dwelling I’m dwelling on this morning is that venomous, noxious, and vulgar eyesore called The Past. And though I was thinking about the verb form of dwelling, the noun form also fits.

Living In The Past is choosing to live each in a dilapidated house. Think about living in a dilapidated house. It’s cold in the winter; hot in the summer. It’s filled with critters and creatures that will make the skin crawl. I mean, who would even want to live in a house like the one pictured above? Of course not! Yet mentally, emotionally, and spiritually this is the kind of dwelling people live within when their focus is on The Past.

Dwelling on their own sins. Dwelling on someone else’s sins. Dwelling on the wrong someone did to them. Dwelling on being passed over at work. Dwelling on being betrayed by someone who we thought was our friend. Dwelling on how someone else’s life is great while yours is the pits. Dwelling on a harsh word spoken in the heat of a moment. Dwelling on missed opportunities. Dwelling on being denied a loan. Dwelling Dwelling Dwelling in places that are not healthy for us at all. So, how do we change our Dwelling?

It’s simple; so simple that we make it difficult. Change your Dwelling! You just move out and move into! Out of the past and into the new present and new future. The move has already been provided and paid for–you just need to do more than decide–you gotta act right now! It’s just like Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17:

Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges!

From The Message

Dwelling on the past never changes the present; and it never offers us a future. On the other hand, Dwelling in and on Jesus–now that’s the kind of Dwelling to live in. It’s a great neighborhood, too! Regardless of how difficult you think it will be to make this kind of move, remember that God will take care of you. He has taken care of your Past–He has your Present–and oh, what a Future He will have for you!

Telling Stories

Telling stories. No, not telling “untruths”. Growing up as a preacher’s kid, we were allowed to say the word “Liar!” It was appropriate, and thus avoiding “the look” from Dad, to say, “You’re telling a story!” That’s not what I’m writing about this morning.

I’m talking about telling a story, revealing a storyline, you know, revealing things about your own life. I’ve been fascinated with body art. I said “Body Art”, not body sculpting. I have too much flab and too many scars to enter that world. Most call them tattoos. For some time now, I’ve engaged in dialogue with people who have body art.

While some of those with body art have told me they just like it, I have found many more who are telling a story in their body art. They are stories of hope, joy, sadness and even failure. But it’s their story and the way they tell their story. Well, a little over a week ago, I went to see a local Body Art specialist. Oh, come on, don’t you think I know those passages in Leviticus?

You Leviticus folks will not like this next picture, and feel free to judge me all you want. It will give those other folks you judge a break from your indignation. I wanted something that would tell a story from my life. And it was really easy to decide how I wanted to begin my story through Body Art.

The Cross is at the core of my story. And those two blood drops? One drop was for me, the other blood drop was for you. Frankly, I choose this act as a way to remind me of…well ME! I’m worthless and nothing without the Cross of Jesus. Now I carry with me the reminder that how I act, what I say and what I do needs to be aligned with The Cross.

Jewelry and wristbands can be taken off so that I’m not reminded of my propensity to sin. But this? It’s always there to remind me!

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them! Quite frankly, I don’t want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.

Galatians 6:14-17 (The Message)

There are many ways to tell my story of God’s Grace. I want to use all the means I can to tell that Story. And my story isn’t finished. If you did not pick up on that last sentence, I am going to have some more added. I’ll share that with you as it happens.

I’m out telling my story–sometimes I do it with excellence and sometimes….well sometimes not so well. YOU have a story to tell. Your life has a story and you are telling it–with your words, values, attitudes and actions. What story are you telling? Me? I’m telling the story of The Cross–my place in THAT Story and best of all, my future because I’ve chosen to enter into the Storyline of God’s Amazing Grace!

Love God with all your heart. Love others the way Jesus loves you. And make sure all the glory goes to Him!