Do Things Others Don't

 "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."  Romans 7:15

Quite the dilemma wouldn't you say? The Apostle Paul in writing to the church in Rome, explained that he faced the same types of decisions and choices that the Gentile Christians faced each day living within the immoral culture of the Roman empire. Paul knew what he was doing was wrong, but instead of taking the road less traveled, many times he sunk into the pattern of the world which ultimately leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Paul was appealing to the Christians in Rome to be different and do the things that others won't or don't do on a regular daily basis. We are faced with that same challenge today, and the same comfort Paul found in Christ is the same comfort and strength you and I are freely offered each day. 

Think about the things we do each day just because it is the accepted thing to do. A healthy diet is a no brainer, but check out the drive-thru line at the next fast food restaurant you pass. As a society our nutrition choices are not the best in the world. Large dosages of sugar and caffeine in our beverages and high sodium and fats in our meal selections, so why the long lines at your local hamburger joint? Because it tastes so good! Right? 

Another example of choosing wrong over right that also impacts our health would be in the area of exercise. We know the right thing to do is to get outside more, head to the gym regularly, and to stay active, but too often our commitment to staying active is displaced with the recliner, the internet, or the TV. Soon we will be making those New Year resolutions, but how many of those will make it into the first week of the new year? 

Today's title is "Do Things Others Don't" a rallying cry for action in the face of passivity. We have become a nation of "if it makes you feel good, do it" people. Regardless of the outcome, if you want to do it go ahead and do it. I'd like to offer a suggestion on how you can help invoke a completely different mindset, a cultural shift to a world where we do what we know is the right thing to do and even if it hurts a little or makes things a little uncomfortable we do it because we know it is the right thing to do! 

In the apartment building where Missy and I now reside there are four floors, we live on the second floor. The property boasts three strategically situated elevators, and four stairwells. My guess is the elevators are probably used four to five times more than the stairs especially the upper 3rd and 4th floors. I haven't completed a formal study on the use of the stairs, but I can support my hypothesis with visual evidence that I have uncovered. I take the stairs, it's pretty easy to choose to walk up one flight of steps to the second floor. A few months ago, I added running up the four flights of steps on alternating days, and what I found was that the wear and tear on the white painted steps that is evident on the stairs between the first and second floors is almost non-existent on the third floor steps and the stairs leading up to the fourth floor are basically snow white with hardly any sign of wear. Choose the stairs folks! The smile that it puts on my face when I know I'm doing something that will benefit my health and the fact that the stairwells are generally empty motivates me to stay the course and take the steps. In a similar strain, during my work week I've started a habit of taking a cold shower after I complete my devotions, prayers, and daily workout. Is it easy to hop into a cold shower? No, but man, oh, man does it feel invigorating after I jump out of the shower! 

Do either of these habits make me better than anyone else? Nope. Do these choices make me think more about taking the narrow path that not so many people choose to take? Absolutely yes. Does it inspire me to make better choices in other areas of my life that will have a positive return on my investment? Resoundingly yes again! Turn the TV off more and read or engage in conversations with your spouse or children. Choose to walk the few blocks to the store or restaurant rather than hopping in your car for the two minute drive. Get up earlier to exercise your mind and your body, having that quiet time with our Maker has made such a difference in my life. When you are asked if you would like to donate or round up your change, do so because you might inspire the next person in line behind you. Sacrifice more, serve more, give more, and do more for others than you do for yourself! "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize" I Corinthians 9:24. Notice in this scripture Paul says that he runs in such a way that he has a chance to win the prize. Paul isn't saying the effort is always going to put you in the winner's circle, but it will place you in a position so you are in contention to win the race! (See I Corinthians 9:27). 

Do I make these choices for the betterment of self? Yes, but trust me, the world doesn't want you to do what is best, those in the world want you and I to be more like them so it is easier to make a distinction between their worldly selves and the person God wants them to be! Praise God more, Worship God more, and Serve God more each and every day! "Do Things Others Don't"!

Coach Carter

Do You Hear or See a Band?

 I recently heard an interview on a radio talk show with Alex Van Halen, drummer for the 1980's-1990's rock band Van Halen. When I was in high school and the years directly following, I was a huge Van Halen fan. David Lee Roth's on-stage antics paired with the legendary electric guitar play of Alex's brother Eddie made Van Halen an instant hit with young people of the day. 

What stuck with me from that radio interview was a comment Alex Van Halen made about concerts in general. He said something like, "People don't attend a concert and say "I heard Van Halen in concert last night." Instead, the common statement goes more like, "I saw Van Halen in concert last night." From there he went on to point out the paradox in those two statements. Obviously, the music and vocals are what draws us to a song or band, yet when we go to their concert, it is more of the overall performance that created the sense of euphoria that Van Halen followers enjoyed for decades and still do today. What Alex Van Halen said almost made me feel like he was sharing a riddle, "What is it that you go to hear, but ultimately it is what you see that brings you back for more?" 

In comparison, our relationship with God isn't necessarily about "seeing" God, He is everywhere, but a true relationship with God is something that we experience with all of our senses even if we can't see God in person. We experience the joy of God by serving others and giving of ourselves for the benefit of someone other than ourselves. Jesus gave us the perfect example of this by washing the feet of His disciples in John 13:1-17. Jesus shared that by serving others before self is a sure way to receive a true blessing. In Psalm 34:8 we are told to "Come taste and see that the Lord is good", a true relationship with Christ engages all of our senses, so much so that the psalmist invites us to taste the goodness of God. Even if we can't see God in person today that does not mean we can't see God. As I stated above, God is omnipresent, He is everywhere you turn and He is in everything we taste, hear, smell, feel, and yes, even what we see. 

II Corinthians 4:18 tells us that we must "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Paul isn't telling us that we can't see God, did you catch his directive, "fix our eyes", Paul is telling us that we can see God in the unseen, the wind as it sways tree limbs back and forth in a storm. We can see God in the love we share with those who need it the most even when they deserve it the least. And we can see God in nature. Sunrises, sunsets, baby horses, and warm summer rains all share the beauty of God and His creation. 

God is alive. Don't ever think that if you can't see God in person then He must not be a real being. God is alive in you and in me. I see God in the smiles of those I love and I see God in the purpose He has given me to fulfill. If you can't see God and you question whether God is real or not, I invite you to come and taste and see, the God of all creation is here today. He was, He is, and God will forever be! 

Coach Carter

U.S. vs Them

I have had the privilege of being in our nation's capital this past week and it has been a true humbling experience to say the least. In town for a national recognition of one of our schools, there was some down time each day that provided us with opportunities to sightsee the monuments and legislative homes to our governmental leaders. I had visited Washington before as a school group chaperone and as a parent of small children, but honestly, this was the first trip in which I could stand at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and really take in the magnitude of what stood before me. Walking the length of the Vietnam Memorial to see the countless names of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice brought a tear to my eye. To feel the magnitude of our country's role in preserving peace at the World War II Memorial lead me to walk a little taller and speak a little bit humbler. We walked the halls of the United States House of Representatives, the same halls that democrats and republicans alike have strolled together discussing and at times, I am sure, arguing topics of national security and plans on how to keep this great experiment thriving for all Americans. Young or old, man or woman, darker complexion or lighter hue, this country is known worldwide as the land of the free, and the home of the brave! Our differences make this country unique, but the common threads that bring us all together are the red, white, and blue threads that when sewn together create a symbol that represents all of the United States of America, or the acronym U.S.A, or even more commonly known as the U.S. My question today is when did our American flag become a symbol or US vs Them instead of it representing U.S. the United (all of US) States of America?

Before I go any further, I want to ensure our readers that this is not intended to be a political statement, but instead a plea for Americans, ALL Americans, to pause and reflect on what our country stands for and who it stands for each and every morning as Old Glory is hoisted to its deserved position on flag poles around our great nation. 

The United States of America is woven together through the diversity of a geographic quilt that provides purple mountain majesties to might oceans along our continental boundaries. Deserts and tropics, icebergs and grain fields, plus more climate regions than I can count on my ten fingers! The beauty of our country's landscape is its diversity and uniqueness. Some will claim that the plains of our Midwest are the best part of our country, while others are certain the mountains and valleys of East Tennessee are truly God's chosen country, (GO VOLS!). Regardless of my own personal bias, as my travels have taken me across this country's beautiful landscape, the pride and awe I experience, provide me with an ever growing respect for this land I love, and that same diversity unites US and has created a country that is the envy of the world. 

Just as this country is a portrait of geographic diversity, our subcultures within this great country harkens the U.S. to be a beacon of light that illuminates the dark shadows of hate, fear, and division. America the greatest nation in the history of this world is known as a vast sea of US's woven together in a bond of unity by the very differences that have somehow become a rallying cry for it is "US vs Them". But who is this enemy that soldiers up on either end of the spectrum of our ideological belief system? 

To me it feels as if our county, has fallen into a pit of quicksand, slowly encroaching, ever engulfing US into a spiteful sense of liberality versus a homage to conservatism. Or US vs Them. I don't have the answer to this dilemma, but I do know who holds the answer to all of life's situations and circumstances, his name is Jesus and He holds the answers on how we should move back to a country that stands as US. It would have been really easy for Jesus to have created a world where the lines were distinctly drawn between the US's and the Them's. The Roman Empire was very similar to the plight of our country today with a broad spectrum of beliefs and lifestyles that would have been hard for Jesus to accept let alone tolerate, but guess what He did? Jesus did not want us to be judges or juries, but instead He wanted US to be a light of love, compassion, mercy, and grace just as He and His Father had shown those same qualities to those who persecuted and eventually condemned Jesus to death on the cross. Jesus did not condemn those that were different, instead He encouraged and demonstrated love for all regardless of the color of their skin, the religion that they had followed, or even the lifestyle they had chosen. Did Jesus agree with all lifestyle choices? Absolutely not, but He did not create an US vs Them mentality either. What Jesus did demonstrate was compassion for those He saw that were hurting. Jesus shared empathy for those that He met who were living in sin or whose life had been impacted by choices or circumstances out of their control. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28.

So, what is our calling today? If our differences are what make us who we are, then what are we to do as a country that has such differing opinions on the spectrum of who is right and who is wrong? I believe we look to the words of Jesus, and from there we roll up our sleeves and get to work. "When he saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the His harvest field." Matthew 9:36-38. The United States of America has been referred to as the "Great Melting Pot" because of our unique make-up of this country's heritage. In such a conglomerate of peoples coming together it is certain that we will encounter differing viewpoints and beliefs from our own. I believe God is calling US to be His light and His laborers in the field. I pray that God will use me in whatever way I can to expand His kingdom, will you join me in becoming the true country of US? 

Coach Carter

"Free"

"Buy one get one free", "Free to the first 100 callers", "Free to do what you want to do". When we are told that something is free, what does that really mean? In a literal sense, I suppose the word "free" means that there is no cost associated with what is being given away, but I would contend that just as the old saying goes, "there ain't no such thing as a free lunch!", everything has an associated cost regardless of whether it is paid for out of your pocket or not. 

We could spend a day or two naming all the things that are supposedly given to us for "free", but trust me, "free" does not mean there is no associated cost. You may not have to pull out your debit card at the moment you receive something for "free", but at some point there was a price paid for anything of value even if you aren't the one chipping out the payment. My hope today is that by the end of our time together today you won't be looking for a free lunch, but instead you'll be looking for someone to thank for that supposed free meal you just received!

One example of this concept that is near and dear to my heart is a "free" public education. I believe there are a lot of people out there today, that have confused the term "free" public education with the idea of being entitled to be educated. Let me set one thing straight education is not free. The individual receiving the education is expected to work as hard as possible to obtain said education, and through hard work, a commitment to excellence, and striving to persevere education can and is obtained. The person providing the education doesn't just come to the classroom and pour out a wealth of knowledge and then magically everyone just learns the concept or standard being taught. The opposite is closer to the reality. Educators  analyze student data, research, plan, collaboratively plan, deliver, and then after teaching their hearts out, they evaluate the outcomes and then work to find ways to support those who didn't master the skill and extend the learning for those that performed well. Countless hours of preparation on both the student and teacher's part is required and trust me there is nothing in that equation that comes free. The problem is when the entitlement tells us that we deserve that education without the effort described above. "Give me an education" is not the mindset that leads to success. Commitment + Dedication on all parties involved are essential elements in  a free public education. 

If the idea of a free public education resonates well with me, then the free offer of forgiveness and salvation are the core of who I am. The Apostle Paul supports this idea with this verse from his letters to the church in Ephesus, "For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift" Ephesians 2:8. We are saved because God gave us something we didn't earn and we don't deserve. We are given salvation because God gave it to us freely and without any other payment except faith. The price for our salvation was paid for by Jesus as He gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins. We receive salvation because Jesus paid the associated cost for our sin debt. 

Our faith leads us to actively share the Good News of God's mercy, grace, and His offer of salvation to the world. It is a free offer, but only because the price has already been paid. Jesus ensured we have a path that leads to salvation. I agree there is no free lunch and in the case of our free offer of life eternal in Heaven, the investment in your life was made on Calvary's Cross. Accept God's free gift, you will forever be changed! 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Coach Carter