"Being a Christian is Too Hard..."

We like to complicate things. The more complicated something is the better it has to be, right?

Unfortunately, we take this mindset into our faith.

We complicate things.

Why? Because that's what we do. Perhaps you aren't growing in your relationship with Jesus because you find it too difficult. Being a Christian is too hard. The requirements are too much. You're embarrassed of your past. You don't have enough time. You don't know where to start and the finish is too far away. There's just too much to do that it can be daunting.

If you want to grow in your relationship with Jesus, start by doing this one thing.

Sit down and open up your Bible and read. It's simple. Read a Psalm. Begin in one of the gospels. Read a verse. Read a chapter. It really doesn't matter how much you read.

Wait one second before you click on your next link. You might think this is oversimplifying things. You already know you should read your Bible.

But answer this question: how many times did you read the Bible last week? In the last month?

If your answer is zero (and don't feel too badly if it is), then this is the one thing you need to do.

If you didn't read the Bible a single time, then the first time you do that is a 100% increase. Do it seven days in a row and that's 700% growth! Don't worry about how much you read at first. Don't think because you only read a verse or a chapter that it's not enough. We also need to get over our "all or none" mindset. Three minutes reading the Word is better than none.

Tonight place your Bible by your coffee pot. When you wake up, pour yourself a cup of coffee. Instead of turning on the Today Show with Matt Lauer (which will be difficult because he's one cool cat), read a couple verses or a chapter.

Don't use an app to read the Bible. Nothing is wrong with it, but using your phone or tablet is distracting and you'll want to check on other things. Also, there's something about paper on your fingertips.

Are you still skeptical that this will improve your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus' earthly brother James said that if we will come near to God then God will come near to us (James 4:8). Creating a habit of reading the Word every day is an act of drawing near to Him. Not only that but you are reading what God says. While you don't always hear God when you pray, you can always hear him when you read His Word.

Give this one thing a try. Don't worry about how simple it is. God likes to keep some things simple for us. If you haven't been reading your Bible, do it. You can do it. This one thing can help grow your relationship with Jesus.

Monday Dread or Delight

It's Monday!

Or as they say in Español, "¡Es lunes!" Or something like that. (Monday might not sound any better to you in Spanish, but if Spanish is the language of love, it was worth a shot.)

All kinds of emotions come piggybacking on Mondays.

For some it is dread and for others delight.

I feel blessed to have a job that I love. If you don't know, by day I am an elementary school teacher. The people I work with are incredible. They make work fun. The people I work for are empowering. They allow us space to work freely. My students remind me every day (well, almost every day) why it was that Jesus loved kids so much during his stay here.

Nothing like someone being cheerful on a Monday morning, huh?

Maybe right now you are feeling the opposite. You feel like throwing up.

Maybe you are dreading work.

That's okay; you aren't alone.

Christian, whether your Monday brings delight or dread, it's important to remember this:

Your work is not who you are.  

I really enjoy my job and find fulfillment in it. But teaching is what I do, it is not who I am. Likewise, if you hate your job, it isn't who you are.

If work doesn't determine who you are, what does?

It's really simple for the Christian. Jesus has decided for us.

Paul informed us that "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26). You are a child of God.

Peter let us know that we are chosen and chosen for a purpose. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).

While Christ determined who you are, you still have a huge role to play on this side of eternity. This is one of those times where the saying, "Jesus loves you, but everybody else thinks you are a jerk" might apply.

Jesus said that he is the vine and we are the branches. You are a branch. Embrace your inner branch (whatever that means). Stay connected to the vine and you enjoy the promise of bearing fruit. Disconnect from the vine and you are useless (John 15:5).

Perhaps you don't like Mondays. Perhaps you hate your job. Perhaps you love it and you find your fulfillment in it. It doesn't matter either way. Just know that your work is not who you are. Christian, who you are is found in Christ.

Let that drive you today and every other day for that matter.

Two Truths About What You Do

Two different people in two different settings doing two different things asked me the same two questions.

First, I was asked by a sweet lady wearing a hairnet that smushed the white hair to her forehead. She played the perfect classical grandmother. She was behind the sample counter at Trader Joe's smothering Sriracha ranch dressing on cooked portobello mushrooms. (You should try that-- deliciousness!)  

The second time came within the hour by a man flying a remote control helicopter at what I call a grownup toy store for men. Somehow the employees there know the difference from buyers and browsers with a quick scan, because they never offer to let me play with their toys. (That's okay, I'm not bitter and I don't want to play with their stupid helicopter anyways.)

Later that night the two experiences struck me as odd; although I ask friends and family the same questions all the time.

Best Shoe Commercial

Here's a little Monday inspiration for you...

Did you know it snowed last week in the Southeast? Like ten to twelve inches?

I was off of work for an entire week. This commercial played every time the television was on. Normally, commercials are a time for me to play on my phone or use the bathroom, but not when this commercial runs. I stop and watch it. I find it inspirational (which pains me to admit because John Wall played for University of Kentucky).

Difference Maker

One of my favorite bands is NEEDTOBREATHE. (That's one word with a lot of awesomeness.)

At first I typed "Christian band," but these guys come out with great music that doesn't need a label. The kind that makes you roll the windows down when you're driving. Their new album was recently released. And I love it! (But ask me which album of theirs is my favorite and I'll probably answer, "Yes!") They are one of those groups like Mumford and Sons that keeps getting better.

It's Monday and no doubt you need to hear this. Let it be your spoonful of sugar. And may it remind you that you are a difference maker, because God has a plan for you.

If you want to make your day even better, buy the album on iTunes for $8.99. You can thank me later.

 

  Who have you been listening to lately?

I Know More Than God

I'm back to blogging after a two week unplanned hiatus.

I wish it was because I did something awesome.

Like going on a mission trip and holding orphans while teaching a blind man whose native tongue is Swahili to read the ESV Bible in print. Or taking a spiritual retreat to one of those places with a prayer maze garden and finding the way out with my eyes closed while sipping on hot Lady Earl Grey tea.

But those awesome things didn't happen.

I'm not exactly sure how the hiatus happened.

Two weeks ago, I was running low on time and ideas. This normally means one thing: force something. On that first Wednesday, I wrote some kind of garbage, but I deleted it. After a week off, I decided why not take a second week off.

This is probably a good thing, because between the cold weather and a crappy attitude, anything that came out of my fingertips would have been cynical. And the Christian community doesn't need anymore cynics. (Is that cynical to say?)

During these two weeks, God hasn't been silent. Unfortunately, I haven't been either. I have vented my frustrations out on God. Sometimes reverently, often times not, probably overstepping a boundary by pointing a finger at God. It's never a good thing to accuse God, because you think you know better than him.

But he is patient.

Because he loves us.

Just like Job (although our circumstances are much different), he allowed me to talk until it was his turn.   Although, it wasn't audibly, his words brought about repentance and clarity.  

But how often do we accuse God?

No, we don't realize we are doing it, because no Christian in their right mind would accuse God knowingly. We mask it with prayer. Instead of trust, we question God. Instead of faith, we give him half-hearted servitude. In our hearts, we feel that we know better than him. You know what job you deserve, what sickness you don't deserve, the type of church you should go to, how much money you should have, how your spouse should act, or how many kids you should have. You feel that you know better than God.

When you know better than God, it isn't long before you begin to accuse him. How does this look in a Christian life?

First, it manifests itself as unthankfulness and then turns into selfishness. Neither have a place in the Christian life. But for some reason, God loves us and waits patiently for us to come back around.

Where in your life do you feel that you know better than God?

Greater Love

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:13-14)

I don't know about you but I like to skip over this verse. Sure the Jesus loving me part is awesome, but it's where it applies to me that I don't like.

I've tried to outsmart God by having only a few friends. (And those few friends have to be super cool and not ever need anything.) But then I'm reminded that Jesus calls us to love even our enemies and I can't get him on that technicality.

Jesus is speaking of his death here, but it applies to us as well.

Jesus commands us to love one another. The problem is that we have a greater love for ourselves.

As Christians we muddle this up and change the words to things we can control and measure.

A Diabolical 6th Grade Plan

In my sixth grade Language Arts class, we had to create a newspaper for an assignment.

I do not remember the specifics, but we worked in small groups. I took on the classified ads section of the paper. It was an opportunity to show off my creativity.

Please understand that in sixth grade I was a runt and unsure of myself. I was in no way a class clown and it would be years before I started to write because I liked it.

How do you show off your creativity in the classified ads section of a sixth grade newspaper?

You write school appropriate jokes. (It's almost impossible to make a sixth grader laugh with a school appropriate joke, so I was in over my head.)

It's one of the few things I remember writing in my younger school days. Well, that and a research paper about cows in the fourth grade.

Due to fear of failure and rejection, I did something bold (and not bold as in a courageous way).

A diabolical plan was devised.

Frustrated with Life

This is more of a Monday post, but let's shake things up a little.

Does life ever get to you? Sure it does!

Life has gotten to me this week.

It's been stressful at work. I'm a fourth grade teacher. I get to work with and for some of the most amazing people on this planet. It's a great and fulfilling job, but it comes with a lot of stress. (As your job probably does.)

Then my four year old daughter caught a stomach bug. That bug crawled out of the flames found in the depths of hell.

Finally, working on the Gravy, along with a new writing project has left me emotionally spent. (Not in a bad way.)

This morning when I tried to pray I couldn't. I was too distracted with everything going on. Thoughts of the good, the bad, and the ugly kept interrupting. So I tried to pray for them, but I still couldn't. I became so distracted with thoughts of failure that I was unable to pray.

Frustration had set in and began rooting itself.
 

Blading Down the Devil's Backbone

Most people don't know this, but I was almost a professional inline skater.

The year was 1993.

A ten-year-old version of me watched the movie Airborne.

It's about a teen who loved to surf and roller blade. But his parents' work took them away from their home and sent him packing to Cincinnati to live with his cousin. He is misunderstood and finds himself on the bad side of a hockey team. Of course, the plot thickens. He falls in love with the bad guy's sister. And, eventually finds himself in the middle of a turf war between the preps and this hockey team, which resulted in him roller blading down the Devil's Backbone.

If you haven't seen the movie, don't hate.

You have no clue what it would be like to race down the Devil's Backbone in a winner takes all bragging rights competition.

This movie was packed with stars before they were stars. Jack Black and Seth Green provided comic relief for this seriously intense flick.

The movie almost changed my life.

Closing the Door on God "Opening and Closing Doors"

Do you know the saying of how God opens and closes doors?

Yeah, that one that all good Christians say. 

I say it.

It's embedded in our prayers and in our Christian language. 

This weekend I decided that God had closed a door.

A few days later I can tell it was a turning point in my life. (Well...as much as one can determine a turning point in their lives in that short amount of time.)

But I realized something. I hate that saying!

The Age of Worry

Partly what makes the Sunday Hangover distressing is going from a carefree weekend to worrying with what the week brings. It isn't that you necessarily hate your job, but that you just like the weekend you better.

Sometimes the best way to kick a Sunday Hangover is with a good ditty.

So take Boyce Avenue's advice in the sweet melodic rendition of John Mayer's original. Choose not to worry this week. I think Jesus said that somewhere...

Your face can thank me later for this delicious tune your ears are about to hear.

I would love to connect with you on Twitter: @christiangravy.

Monday Fights Dirty

Maybe the worst part about Monday is going to a job that you don't particularly love. A job that you don't feel called to. A job that you aren't passionate about. A job that lacks purpose and direction.

Sure, you are thankful for a paycheck; but you can't help to think that God has something more, something better, something greater planned for you.

Don't worry, I'm not going to go all prosperity preacher on you. Couldn't if I wanted to because my hair isn't big enough right now.

Frustration always seems to set in on Monday.

I know, I've struggled with Mondays before. Monday fights dirty.

Monday beats you down and makes your mom into a liar. You feel the opposite of what she always told you and everyone else that you were...special. 

If this is you, Jesus is calling you to something more, something better, something greater. Maybe it's a new job, more than likely it isn't right now. But I can promise you that Jesus does see you as someone special.

Matthew records a story in which Jesus was going through all the towns and villages being himself. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they looked like sheep without a shepherd. The people were just going about without any real purpose or direction. They probably hated their Monday too (which was actually Sunday).

But here is where it get's good for you, if you hate Mondays. He looks at his disciples and said, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38).

A mentor told me once, "You grow where you are planted." 

Maybe right now you hate your job or aren't in love with it and you feel like you have little purpose. You feel overlooked by God and you don't feel special. But God is sending you into your job on Monday, as a worker for him.

If you will rethink who you are working for and why you are working, Mondays will stop beating you  up. You will get a renewed purpose and you'll become passionate about your job again. When God sends you into your work, you'll fall deeper in love with him and with those you come into contact with.

How the Kentucky Derby Failed My Daughter

The Kentucky Derby probably isn't a big deal to you. Especially, if you do not live in the Bluegrass State. But it is a big deal to us Kentuckians.

For 139 years, the Derby has been a part of our state's identity. It makes us unique. For two minutes, the world's eyes are on us. The fastest two minutes in sports. So fast that the commentators don't even take the time to learn how to properly pronounce the word "Louisville".

My daughter found this out the hard way.

Twitter & Facebook Took My Guilt Away

Yesterday, you were so close to God. Why does the Sunday hangover have to be so brutal?

Yesterday, you woke up. You put on your Sunday best. If you thought, "Not at my church. People come as they are." Then you put on your Sunday trendiest. Because chances are you didn't wake up and come to church wearing your pj's, messy hair, and with yo breath stankin'. Well, unless you are a worship pastor and then your hair was messy.

What happened this morning?

You woke up tired. You woke up not wanting to go to work. You woke up late.

Chrisitians and Their Acronyms

How do you defeat the Sunday Hangover?

You don't have to anymore, now that everyday is TGIF.

Christians love to use acronyms.

It's partly what makes us so special as people. We have created a new language.

You're probably thinking that it's Jesus that makes us special.

Don't you even know what Jesus stands for? Joyful Eternal Selfless Understanding Son of God. (How God worked that out in English and Greek is beyond me.)

Pink Clock Scares Snot Out of Me

This pink, girly, princess clock torments my soul.

How harmless can a clock be?

For the last two months, this abomination has wielded (learned that word from Lord of the Rings) power over me like nothing else in this world.

It has been unrelenting in pursuit of my soul. It's possessed by Lucifer himself.

Everyday the clock firsts causes me to doubt something. Once it get's me to doubt, I begin to worry. Worry leads to fear. And fear can be crippling.

That's how it is with life.

Doubt leads to worry which leads to fear.

What does it cause me to fear? Time.

With ever single tick, my fear spoke to me in a Willem Dafoe voice, "You're running out of time. It's getting late. You won't finish. You'll be tired in the morning. You have nothing good to write. No one is going to read it."

Temporary or Not

Last Monday's post, "Expect an Unexpected Monday" was the most read Monday Gravy post ever!

In the past, you may have rolled out of bed at the last second, after hitting the snooze button five times. You were too tired to brush your teeth, so you murdered your morning breath with mouthwash. You threw a wet sock in the dryer to "iron" your clothes, while you took an extra long shower. You went to McDonald's drive-thru for your coffee. Then you went to work in a great mood.

But last week, a bunch of you started your day reading the Gravy. You are dropkicking the Sunday Hangover!

Monday sets the tone for the rest of your workweek. Start Monday off badly and you might as well flush the rest of the week down the pooper.

That's why Monday is one of your greatest opportunities to influence those around you positively. Many of these people need to be influenced and so do you.

What better way to influence someone than with love?

Expect an Unexpected Monday

How do you feel about Monday?

There aren't too many people who are in love with Monday.

Who can blame them?

Monday is like Saturday and Sunday's ugly, boring sister. Although, don't take it out on Monday.

But fortunately, we don't live in the weekend. We spend five-sevenths of our lives living in the week. That's our greatest chance to show love to others and grow spiritually.

You should never know what to expect on a Monday. If you do, then you need to unlearn it.

Mug Shot

Do you have a go-to coffee mug?

A mug that you reach for every morning. Even if it's covered in grime. Clean or disgusting, you don't care!

If anyone's lips touch it, you are giving them the stink eye. (Which now I have to hide this mug whenever company is over.)

You don't want your spouse or your mom to drink out of it. They simply cannot understand the sacredness of the ceramic.

You don't want to share it with anyone. My affection runs so deeply for my go-to mug that I will be buried with it. 

If you don't have one, you need one. It's a bond like no other.

This is my favorite mug in the world.

Almost every morning, I drink my coffee from it at 5:08 AM.

This mug spends each morning studying the Bible with me. It's warmth holds my hand as I spend time in prayer and mediation. It checks over the morning news, emails, and blog stats from the day before. This is my sidekick in kicking the Sunday hangover in its teeth! It even knows when I have had too much to drink. When I put it down and it smells the coffee in my urine. Too much?

Why do I love this mug so much?

The mug has Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse standing on Main Street U.S.A. at Disneyland. This mug inspires me.

Walt changed the world with a cartoon mouse. With just one little idea, hard work, and a willingness to try new things, amazing things happened. If it happened for Walt, it can happen for you. The mug reminds me of this.

Christian, how do you want to change the world today? It all starts with one little idea and a lot of coffee from your go-to mug.

Question:
Why do you love your go-to mug so much?