NEXT STEPS - "Listening To The Coach's Voice"

When I played soccer in high school, my coach used to hammer us about being tuned in to his voice and his voice alone.

He would stress to all of us players that we should be so tuned in to what he was saying to us while we were on the field, that we would be able to hear him whisper.

During our games, the home team crowd would be screaming and cheering. Yet, even amidst all the voices of the crowd, both the cheers and the sometime-boos, our coach would call our name in order to give us instructions for the next series of offense.


Hardly ever did he raise his voice above room-level, which made it difficult to hear him across the field amidst the noise of the crowd and the trash-talking of the other team.

It took me a long time to learn the discipline of tuning into his voice.

Several failed attempts and many wind-sprints later, I began to value the voice of my coach more than all the other competing voices on that field. And every time I tuned in to his voice, he was able to give me valuable instruction that I still keep in my heart to this day.

The video that Paul showed us on Sunday reminded me of the importance of being tuned into the voice of God, hearing Him above all the other competing voices of our world. Hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, our ultimate Coach for life, is a valuable discipline worth learning!


For more NEXT STEPS, please visit: http://www.livingwaters.org/resources/next-steps.html

NEXT STEPS - LivingWaters.org

For the past several weeks, I have been writing a weekly article for our church's NEXT STEPS series, a daily continuation of that past week's Sunday sermon - an "unpacking", if you will.

Myself, along with several other people from our church, write these short articles to provide church members with a daily thought, anecdote, affirmation, whatever you'd like to call it.

If you want to read and follow the NEXT STEPS, you can check them out daily at: http://www.livingwaters.org/resources/next-steps.html Enjoy!

Also, the sermon archive is: http://www.livingwaters.org/resources/sermon-archive.html

Running To The Giver Of Life

Lex has entered that painful phase of life I like to call, "Learning No." (let's be honest, once you enter that phase, I'm not sure that you ever get out of it...HaHa!)

What Lex doesn't yet know is that the establishment of boundaries is key to his success in life --- as a man, a citizen, and a follower of Christ.

Boundaries are key:
This is acceptable.
That is not.
Go here.
Don't go there.
Access allowed.
No trespassing.
Lex is in for a lifetime of boundaries.

Meg and I laugh every time we enter the room and Lex is doing something that he knows is a, "no."

For instance, if I walk into the room and he's reaching for the computer keyboard, all I have to say now is, "hey, Bud." He turns and gives me that deer-in-headlights look. Then, his brow furrows and his bottom lip goes square. Next, the tears flow. He knows that he is crossing a boundary.

While the process is emotionally agonizing and he doesn't yet understand why I don't want him to do things like stick his finger in that socket, I have noticed an amazing thing in Lex's behavior: as soon as I tell him, "no", he may indeed cry. But no sooner do the tears stream down his cheeks before he is running toward me, arms open wide. He knows that even though Daddy has established the boundary, Daddy will also give him comfort. He knows that, even though I am the one that brings pain, I am also the giver of life. (in the most human sense and not the divine sense, of course)

What an amazing child-like faith!

As he was lying in my arms the other day, I began to think: there will be a time when his sin-nature will cause him to not only test (and often cross) the boundaries but also he will run away from the boundary-maker, the giver of life.

He won't run to Daddy's arms forever. Somewhere along the line, he will believe the lie that Daddy doesn't actually want the best for him. He will believe that those people who cross the boundaries are the ones finding life. He may even blame Daddy for being a withholder, an accusation about his father that is utterly false.

I wonder: how often do we trust God's discipline? How often do we submit to the boundaries established by our Heavenly Father?
Or...
How often do we shrug off the Lord's boundaries? How often do we see God as a withholder --- rather than viewing Him as the Giver of Life.

Hosea 6:1 says, "Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds."

While the process of learning boundaries can be painful, emotionally agonizing and often leads to tearing and wounding, God is faithful to "heal us" and to "bind up our wounds."

Instead of turning from God, what if we said, "Come, let us return to the Lord"?
Instead of running from Him, what if we ran into the His arms... the arms of the Giver of Life.
Wouldn't that be exceptional!

By the by, for a great book on the boundaries, click here. (that's my momma's book, ya'll!)

Through A Child's Eyes

Lex plays with a balloon at his 1st birthday party.

Lex often reminds me of the simple joy(s) that Life offers.

His childlike wonder --- the sheer delight that he takes in seemingly mundane, ordinary things --- both warms my heart as his father and quickens memories of my own childhood.

For his first birthday, dear friends of ours gave Lex some amazing toys --- toys that chirped, lit up, sang, whirred, buzzed, chimed, talked, clanged, banged... all the types of toys that give a parent peace and calm after a long day.

Lex certainly enjoys the wonderful toys that stimulate his visual and aural senses, but those stimulants quickly fade to the background as Lex (I assume like other children) prefers instead to explore blocks, empty boxes and balloons.

The delight that Lex takes in a simple balloon blows my mind. To me, a balloon seems so simplistic, so basic; and yet, my son lights up with extreme excitement when he comes face to face with a brightly colored, floating sphere.

And it is not just a balloon...the immeasurable happiness that Lex experiences while playing in a sandbox, petting a doggy and banging twigs on the ground allows me to rediscover the simplicity of pure joy. I am rediscovering the world through his eyes.

I think that children (whether ours or not) are God's way of reminding adults of simple wonder, simple faith, simple happiness.

It is so easy, especially in our current culture, to get caught up in the rat race; isn't it?

We work hard in order to keep up with the Joneses and amass wealth; and we think that all the toys, the gadgets, the whirring, buzzing, flashing material things that chime, talk, clang and bang equate to the Pursuit of Happiness promised to us in the American Dream. But that is simply not the case

2 POINTS OF BALANCE: Please understand what I am not saying.
1) Scripture tells us to "put away childish things" (1 Cor.13:11), but that is not what I am talking about. Side note on that: if that thought/Scripture came to your mind as a challenge to what I am saying, I would recommend reading that verse within the context of what the author was saying, but that is neither here nor there... I am talking about a childlike sense of wonder, a childlike sense of faith, a childlike sense of happiness and the Pursuit of it.
2) I am not speaking against hard work, diligence, amassing wealth, laying up inheritances, etc... I am speaking against the idea that permeates our culture: a belief that amassing material things is the Pursuit of Happiness.

Even with the best of intentions, I think that this destructive ideology of "stuff = happiness" permeates our thinking, yours and mine. But what if we decided to turn away from that illegitimate version of the Pursuit of Happiness? What if we lived with childlike faith? What if we took a cue from the children around us and rediscovered happiness in all of its simplicity? What if we viewed life --- and God for that matter --- through a child's eyes? Wouldn't that be Exceptional Living?

===
Here is a video clip from a musical I wrote and directed back in 2003, entitled HEART OF A DREAM. My character has grown jaded from life, and he has recently returned to an island where he and his brother grew up with their missionary father and where his brother still serves.

This scene/conversation takes place with my character and his nephew, who reminds him of the simplicity of childlike faith. Please excuse the video quality and audio quality as it was taken from a VHS (yes, I just said VHS)

I wonder if, much like my character, our childlike faith is out of reach because our arms have grown too long and because we're standing way too tall...

365 Days Ago...

...an amazing, little boy came into our lives.

Alexander Joseph Amsden. (born March 22, 2010)

1 year ago, Lex, your mom and I were welcoming you into the world and into our home.

Today is your 1st birthday. My, how quickly a year has gone! It has been the greatest year of my life. You are one of the most amazing treasures that the Lord has ever given me, and I promise to love you, train you and launch you into your future, for as long as the Lord entrusts me with this sacred duty.

You are a gift from God, little guy, and you are also a gift to God. Follow Him. Pursue Him. Trust in Him. For in Him, you will find true Life, true Liberty and true Happiness. In Him, Lex, you will live an Exceptional Life!!

I love you, Lex. Happy Birthday, son!

(Below are just a few memories from this past 365 days)

 

The American Dream - Part 02

ORIGINAL INTENT - PART 02

1) Life

2) Liberty

3) The Pursuit of Happiness

A couple years ago, my sister put together a family cookbook of every family member's (immediate and extended) favorite recipes. She called it TRADITIONS (cue the FIDDLER ON THE ROOF music).

The book includes recipes from grandparents, great-grandparents, in-laws, aunts, mothers, etc. Amazingly, not too many recipes from the male side of the family, but that is a different story, altogether.

Anyway... one of my favorite recipes from the family cookbook is from my grandmother, Lela Lybarger - her infamous Crumb Coffee Cake (cue the epic soundtrack).

This coffee cake is an integral (and by that, I mean, i-n-t-e-g-r-a-l!!!!) part of family get-togethers amongst the Amsden-side of the clan.

It is amazingly tasty, and it is not only full of flavor but also nostalgia. The recipe is relatively simple, but there is a progression that must be followed. A few months ago, I made one, and I added one ingredient too early, which is almost unbelievable considering how much this coffee cake has been a part of my life.

The result was disastrous. When we finally sat down to eat it, the texture was mealy, and the cake was almost inedible. (um...almost.)

However, it made me realize the importance of ordering the right ingredients at the right time.

I think that, in the original intent of the American Dream, the founders purposefully ordered the ingredients of the Dream. Life, first. Liberty, second. The Pursuit of Happiness: the final ingredient in the original American Dream.

However, in our modern society, I believe that we have made the Pursuit of Happiness as the quintessential ingredient, the primary component.

As a culture, we have, by and large made the Pursuit of Happiness our chief pursuit, namely material gain and material wealth, and the results have been disastrous.

We have made that ingredient chief amongst others in the formula for the American Dream, and it has made for a mealy, almost inedible, version of the original intent.

Just one note on how the misplaced ingredient, with regard to materialism, has negatively affected our society. According to creditcards.com, the average credit card debt per household with credit card debt is $14,750.

By and large, we have given up our Liberty to be indebted to the Pursuit of Happiness, and now we must give our Life to pay off that Pursuit. That does not make for a great recipe.

MORE TO COME...

The American Dream - Part 01

ORIGINAL INTENT - PART 01

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain, unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." --The Declaration of Independence

1) Life
2) Liberty
3) The Pursuit of Happiness.

Many people over the years have written and said that they believe these three things are the root, the original intent, of the American Dream, and we'll explore them individually and more fully in future posts.

All one has to do is simply "Google" the phrase American Dream (or "Bing" it, if you enjoy waiting for your search engine to load...HaHa), and countless results will unfold on your screen.

From modest Wikipedia entries to commentaries on The Great Gatsby, from generic downloadable essays for college students to recent op-eds on the death of said Dream, the internet is chock full of thoughts, comments and queries on The American Dream.

Wikipedia states that the Dream is "a national ethos of the Unites States in which freedom includes the promise of prosperity and success." (QUICK SIDE NOTE: I can't figure out how to do footnotes on Blogger, so where possible, you will see bold print for the links of pages from which I am quoting.) The website also explores the history and evolution of the Dream from the 18th century through the present, from political and public opinion to popular literature.

The actual phrase, "American Dream" was coined by author James Truslow Adams, in his book Epic of America. His view of the Dream basically stated, "life should be better for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."

His opinion was also deeply mired in the idea that, "it is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position."

I know this seems more like an info-filled blog entry, but I'm just building some groundwork, so thanks for staying with me on this.

I think the dream has evolved to mean something today that it was never meant to be, and I think that the pursuit of today's version of the Dream has disillusioned many people, even Christians.

1st Question: If the Original Intent of the Dream is Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness, then does that now mean a mortgage, 2 cars, 2.5 children, job, 401k, cable TV, and annual vacation???

2nd Question: What would the Biblical version of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness look like?

3rd Question: Is the Biblical version of the Dream able to fit within an American context?

MORE TO COME...

The Call to Exceptional Living

A few months ago, in my blog entitled Seismic Shift In 'A Point Of View', I confessed to you that "I am convicted that perhaps, tragically, I have been living more as an American than as a Christian."

I also wrote you that "I am also concerned that, by and large, the Church in America is off-track and needs a seismic shift."

With those thoughts in mind, I want to take the next weeks, months, etc., and explore the difference between the American Dream and the Kingdom Dream.

Future entries will explore questions such as: 

- Where have these two dreams intersected, and where have they diverged?
- Were these two dreams ever the same dream? Are they still the same?
- Can a shattered American Dream be saved?
- Are people of Christ even called to live the American Dream?
- Is the American Dream hindering the advancement of the Gospel?
- Etc? Etc? Etc?

Up front, I would like to propose the idea that, too often in Western Culture, Christians merely settle for the American Dream.

While the American Dream is an amazing gift of liberty filled with unequalled freedom and matchless opportunity, it pales in comparison to the Exceptional Living offered to us in the Lord.

Also, while the American Dream is susceptible to corruptible ideologies (ie: perversions of the Golden Rule in which "those with the gold make the rules" all while trying to "keep up with the Joneses"), we have an opportunity to live the exception to the rule. We have a chance for Exceptional Living!

Finally, let me state four more things to consider:

1) I am a patriot of our great nation! I plead for Mercy for our land. I even stand in my living room when I hear the National Anthem on television. I pray for our troops, and I intercede on behalf of our President, no matter the person's political party. I LOVE THE U.S.A.!!! That said, I believe that even though I am a citizen of this land, my true citizenship lies in a Kingdom that knows no borders and is Exceptional compared to every other nation on this globe.

2) My goal is not to be incendiary, confrontational or heavy-handed, though sometimes that may be the effect. However, my goal is to inspire you to live exceptionally. I really believe that we have a chance to create a vertical trajectory for our lives, in which the desires of this world fade away in light of the Exceptional Life offered to us!

3) I will never get a chance to say everything in one blog post. I will not have time to offer every opinion, point of view, etc. Instead, I will seek to offer my observations, coupled with Scripture as well as history and current events. If you feel I am missing something, please join the conversation in the comments section. I want to stimulate discussion.

4) If you are reading this blog, and you do not consider yourself "Christian" (ie: said the sinners' prayer, go to church, accepted Jesus as your Lord, etc.), this is not an "altar call" for you. That is not my intention. However, please know that (A) this blog is coming from the perspective of a man who has been raised in church, studies the Bible, prays and wants to see the Kingdom of God established "on earth as it is in Heaven" in the way that Jesus Christ (not other well-meaning human beings) intended; and (B) I invite you to read this blog anyway. Please continue to let these thoughts challenge you and, perhaps, inspire you to know that, apart from mankind's religion, there is actually a relationship with Jesus that can call you to Exceptional Living. I want you to be a part of the Life that I know, and I hope you will continue on this journey with me.

You are all amazing people, and I look forward to going forward with you in Exceptional Living!

MORE TO COME...

Biting The Bullet

Well, it's been far too long since I've updated my blog. (some of you have recently "called me out" about it, too...thanks for that...HaHa!)

I apologize to you, my readers and my friends (not that you've been anxiously awaiting my latest musings; but, for my own discipline, I should be more diligent in updating my blog).

Truth be told: I have actually started about 8 or 9 different blogs since my last post, but I have been sheepish to post them... mainly because I have felt as though my thoughts have been too "preachy" or too "confrontational." I wish you could see some of the titles that have hit the cutting room floor.

Okay, okay; here's a couple blog entry titles that haven't been posted, just to name a few:

From salacious titles such as "Alternative Lifestyle" to episodic installments such as "Continuing Tremors", I have struggled to find an appropriate creative outlet for the myriad of thoughts and mental shifts that I am experiencing.

Anyway... once more I say: sorry it has been so long since my last post. That will not happen again.

I am, currently, in the process of laying out the next several months of writings because I now know the direction in which I am heading. Thanks for your patience, and I certainly hope that you continue to support my blog, read it, tell others about it, join in the conversation and challenge me when you think I am going off-course (which has been known to happen...HaHa!).

Just to give you a teaser: Over the next several months, I am going to be delving into the subject of "Exceptional Living"... (wait for it, wait for it...Ooohhh...)
More to come!

New Challenges Promote Growth

One of the great joys of my life this year has been watching Lex develop these first 8 months of his little life. I've noticed, too, that in order for him to develop, Meg and I have had to introduce new challenges to him.

A few months ago we introduced solids --- at first, it was just rice cereal mixed with momma's milk. Nothing too difficult, you might think. However, the first two days, Lex would choke, cough, cry and give us that "what-are-you-doing-to-me?" face. It was quite adorable.

Yet, after a few failed attempts and some heinous tears of "mom-and-dad-have-left-me-to-die-of-starvation," the Boy started to get the hang of chewing and swallowing solids.

It was so funny to watch him laugh victoriously as his tiny mind began to comprehend, "Ahhh yes, this is how big people stop their rumblin' tummies...I too can do this!"

Now, we've been working on crawling.

He's almost there, and we've done our part of putting the toy he wants most just out of his reach, forcing him to work harder to get to it.

Sometimes, he fusses. Other times, he gives up and just plops to his back, slowly rolling his way toward the desired piece of colorful plastic (or Meg's phone, as has sometimes been the case... Yes Dad, he's already cost us $150 in phone replacement as well as signing a new 2-year SPRINT contract... congrats, you got your wish... my child is already breakin' our stuff... HaHa!!).

At other times, he works to get into a crawling position, slowly working his way into that whole-new-world of crawling.

Lex has many challenges in front of him, and they won't stop for the rest of his life. Each of them will stimulate new growth as his little "world" gets larger and larger.

Meg and I, too, have found that just having introduced a new element into our home (ie: Lex) has given us many unforeseen --- and sometimes difficult --- challenges, both emotionally and spiritually. The transition from Two to Three has carried immeasurable joy, but it has also heaped surprising stress.

Through it all, though, I know that we are growing stronger. Our marriage is growing in ways we never imagined.

I think that, just as Meg and I continue to introduce new challenges to our son, God continues to introduce new challenges to His children. Sometimes we fuss. Other times we give up, cry and give God that "what-are-you-doing-to-me?" face.

However, if we take a step back, I think we might just realize that God is introducing challenges to us in order to promote new growth in our lives.

What is the challenge in front of you right now?
How could the Lord be using it to grow you?
Can you step back enough from the pain to thank Him for the challenge?