I presume, therefore I stress

“Assumption: A thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.”

We make assumptions all the time; some are right and many are wrong. Businesses and governments routinely make assumptions for budgeting purposes. Businesses assume a certain market growth or decline and demand for their product. Sound companies, make fairly accurate assumptions, yet even sound companies err at times.

“Presumption: An idea that is taken to be true, and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain.”

When does an assumption become a ‘presumption’? Some may argue these terms are synonymous, but I believe there is a slight connotative difference. Our culture views presumptions more negatively than assumptions. A person may rebuke another person by saying, “That was awful presumptuous of you.” I believe we cross the line when we act on our assumptions or formulate other beliefs without verifying our assumptions.

In my experience, the majority of relational problems stem from presumption. An extreme example of this was illustrated in the 1994 film “Love Affair.” Mike Gambril and Terry McKay fall in love and agree to meet three months later on top of the Empire State Building to determine whether their love was genuine. In her haste to the Empire State building, Terry is hit by a car and crippled as a result. Mike waits on top of the building until midnight and finally assumes that she has rejected him. Terry, on the other hand, assumes that Mike would not love her as a paraplegic and thus refuses to make contact with him. A few months later, the two encounter each other at a play, but he does not realize her condition since she remains seated in her theatre seat, her wheel chair having been removed. Months pass as each of them base their actions off of erroneous assumptions. Finally, on Christmas Eve Mike decides to visit Terry and confirm whether his assumption about that night was true or not. Terry dodges the questions for a time, and just as he is about to leave, he figures out what happened and the two embrace.

I watched this movie some time ago, and I remember one of the things that frustrated me to no end in this movie is why wouldn’t Terry just tell what happened, and why didn’t Mike just come right out and ask what happened at the beginning. Their assumptions turned to presumptions and resulted in needless emotional pain and anguish that lasted for months. Why couldn’t they have just talked the day after and found out what happened? Well for one thing, it would have made for a very short and boring movie. But in the world of reality that we live in that would have been the far better choice. Adding tension, stress, and drama in real life isn’t what we long for.

Don’t allow assumptions to turn into presumptions and create needless emotional pain. The Bible even warns against presumptions. In James 4:13-15 we read, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jas 4:13-15

As we should be wary of presuming upon our future, so should we be wary of presuming upon the motives of others. Before you assume the motive behind someone’s action and progress to anger, resentment, or bitterness, talk to the person. You’ll likely find out their motive was quite contrary to your assumption, and you’ll save both yourself and the other party from a boatload of grief and heartache. 

Taming the Tigers

“...but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all.”

So wrote A.W. Tozer in the chapter titled “Let’s Cultivate Simplicity and Solitude” from his book Of God and Men. He bemoans the negative effects of these modern means of entertainment on the ability to rest and reflect in solitude. Tozer wrote in the fifties and early sixties, so we might update his comments by inserting “the internet, cell phone, i-pod, and DVR” for his list of “modern playthings.” However, the point he’s makings rings as true (if not truer) today as it did then.

 We tend to live cluttered lives spiritual, adding to our spiritual repertoire the latest Christian fad that has hit the media. Maybe the fad is concerted prayer, or living purpose driven, or WWJD or living a “radical” life. We add the latest Christian best-seller to our bookshelf and watch the interviews with the author as he or she articulates how transforming the concepts in his or her book have been. And certainly, there have likely been many people impacted by the author’s work, but I wonder if our pursuit of the latest Christian fads can create clutter in our souls that hinders a clear view of Jesus.

 Now without trying to endorse another “Christian fad,” I want us to consider Tozer’s point in the chapter I quoted from. Tozer challenges believers to remove the clutter in their lives and take regular times of solitude and stillness in the presence of God. He even writes, “Read less, but read more of what’s important to the inner life.” You rarely hear an author challenging people to read less, but Tozer makes a valid point. In our age of cyberspace, we can fill our minds with anecdotes, sports scores, weather forecasts, and miscellany that negatively impacts the nurturing of our inner life and gazing upon the glory of the Christ.

I confess that I’m a news junkie. I have so many worthless facts and anecdotes dancing across my neural pathways that my brain could audition for River Dance. Of course, their dancers actually dance together, whereas my plethora of dancing tidbits bounce about aimlessly. Certainly there are news items worthy of our attention, but I doubt it consists of the latest Lindsay Lohan trial or what Michele Obama had for lunch. Jesus certainly stayed abreast of the current events in His culture (evidenced by His parables), but He never allowed frivolous facts to clutter His view of the Father. He regularly practiced times of solitude, reflection, and prayer. In Mark 1:35 we read, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
 The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mk 1:35

It’s that kind of solitude and reflection that Tozer endorses–the same kind that Jesus modeled. I challenge you to take some time today or this week to just be still and rest in God’s presence. Push aside those thoughts about the project at work or the meeting that night. Don’t dwell on what needs to get cleaned and fixed or what you have to do later that day and week. Clear your mind and soul of the clutter and focus on the LORD. Tozer wrote, “Gaze on Christ with the eyes of your soul.” And above all, don’t bring any of your pet tigers with you in that place.

Don’t set a time limit for this mini-retreat, but allow the Holy Spirit to set the agenda. Worship the LORD in spirit and truth, setting aside the worries of this world. Ask the LORD to search your heart and thoughts to see if there is any offensive way within you (Psalm 139:23-24). Then confess that area and lay it at the feet of the LORD. Ask Him to deal with that area in your life. Don’t approach this time with a laundry list of requests, but rather draw near to listen instead of to speak (Ecc. 5:1-2).

And when you leave that place of solitude, don’t run over immediately and try to cuddle your pet tiger. Keep it in a cage where you’re safe.

Just a Fan or Devoted

Wow! So this is what my blog looks like. It’s been so long, I nearly forgot. Despite my lengthy sabbatical from blogging, I’m going to bet on a long shot and post something, hoping someone might still be out there to read it. So here I go.

My wife received a devotional booklet a few days ago called From the Heart, One Minute Devotions. The book shares brief, yet poignant, truths to encourage and challenge a believer in their walk with the LORD. In the fast and hectic pace that many today find themselves in, the brief word of encouragement can be a needed blessing in the midst of the chaos. I certainly appreciate the ministry such a booklet provides, but I have to admit that the title struck me as odd. It just seemed oxy-moronic to me.

Let me explain. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines ‘devotion’ as “a religious fervor” or “the fact or state of being ardently dedicated and loyal.” That definition rings true to me (I suppose that’s why they’re Merriam-Webster). Whether it’s devotion to a spouse, a sports team, or a hobby, you observe this sense of fervor and loyalty. I have been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan since I was a little boy, but I don’t know if I would call myself a devoted fan. I like to watch the games when I can, but if a miss a game, I don’t feel any great emptiness as a result. Occasionally I might check out some news about the team, but that is rare. I’ve bought team gear when they made it to the Super Bowl the past couple of times, but I bought the clearance items that were a few years old to save money. So even though they’re my favorite NFL team, I don’t know if I fit into that devoted category. I don’t think my behavior qualifies as “ardently dedicated.”

In the same light, when I read the title of that devotional booklet, I wondered whether one minute with the LORD qualified as ‘devotion.’ Now I’m sure that the author and publisher aren’t trying to say, “One minute a day is all you need with the LORD.” They know better than that, and the book certainly has a beneficial purpose. We read this morning’s reading at breakfast to start the day. The title simply made me question what our devotion to the LORD looks like as believers. Are we ‘devoted’ to the LORD or just merely a fan?

There are people who will never miss a game of their favorite sports team. They’ll have hats, shirts, jerseys, jackets, pillow cases, lamp shades, and even toilet seat covers with the logo of their favorite team. If they do have to miss a game to go to their mother’s funeral (or something of comparable significance), they’ll record it to watch later. These “ardently dedicated” people will sit through rain, ice and snow to watch their favorite team live and in person. When their team is down by three touchdowns and there’s only two minutes left in the game, they’ll stay until the final seconds have ticked away just in case their team makes a miraculous comeback. Such people aren’t merely fans, they’re devoted.

So what about you? When it comes to Jesus, how would you describe yourself? Just a fan or DEVOTED.

God Wants Your Fat

American obesity has been the societal evil of choice for media outlets to focus on in recent years. Even the first lady has made conquering American obesity her personal mission. And it is a real issue. Statistics tell us that over 60% of the American population is considered overweight, and this includes children. So we’ve set up healthy eating commissions in our schools, gaming software like Wii Fit, television programs like the Biggest Loser, and other methods to get rid of the fat in our culture.

Yet the Bible says God wants our fat. In Leviticus 3:16 we read, “All fat is the LORD’s.” Why does God want the fat? We curse fat in our culture, but God says He wants it. Why? Fat reveals prosperity and plenty. Even ‘poor’ people in our country are overweight. Regardless of the fact that many are eating junk food, obese ‘poor’ people reveal how prosperous we are as a nation. You don’t find obesity an issue with the poor in third world countries. Fat results from prosperity and plenty which our country has.

In Biblical times, fat was also considered a sign of prosperity and plenty. When scripture refers to the ‘fat’ portions of an item it was referring to ‘best’ portions of that item. The Hebrew term translated ‘fat’ is also translated ‘best’ in some passages like Number 18:12, “All the best of the fresh oil and all the best of the fresh wine and of the grain, the first fruits of those which they give to the LORD, I give them to you.”

In the Torah, God required the fat tail of the sheep and all the fat on the inside organs of their sacrifice to be burned for him. The Israelites were not to eat that portion, but offer it up to the Lord. In that culture, the fat tail of a sheep was considered the best portion of the sheep and is still treated as a delicacy in many parts of the world today.

So what was God requiring in wanting all the fat for Himself? He was asking for the best from Israel. This helps clarify why God accepted Abel’s offering in Genesis 4:4. There we read that Abel brought ‘fat’ portions from the first born of his flock. He brought the best to the LORD. Cain simply brought some produce from his harvest, not even the first fruits. Abel brought his best, and Cain brought his leftovers. God accepted Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s.

Are you offering your ‘fat’ to the LORD, the best you have to offer or are you offering your leftovers of time, money, and abilities? I’m afraid I can be more like Cain and use the fat for myself and give the leftovers to God. God deserves the best though, doesn’t He? He gave us His best by giving us Jesus Christ. What are you giving God?

God wants your fat.

Rattled Nerves

What makes you nervous?

I was thinking about this today, because I had a recent situation where I felt quite nervous. An individual asked me a question that I didn’t know how to answer, which resulted in the blood receding from my face and my heart starting to pound. I was nervous, but why?

As I have reflected on that situation and others like it, I’m struck by the fact that Jesus never appeared nervous in the gospels. Perhaps a person could argue that in the Garden of Gethsemane He was nervous, but I would counter that He was nervous in a different manner than we are. Jesus was troubled then because He knew the ordeal that lay ahead of Him, but I wouldn’t say He was nervous in the sense of fearful.

Our nervousness usually stems from fear, which in turn stems from a lack of faith. Jesus rebuked the disciples for their fear during a storm saying, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” He was actually sleeping on the boat during the same storm and clearly not nervous at all.

What are we afraid of when our nerves begin to quake? In my situation, I was afraid of looking stupid or having someone makes me look bad in an argument. I had issues of pride that were contributing to my nerves. If I didn’t care whether I ‘won’ that argument or not, I wouldn’t have been nervous. But I wanted to win, and when a question put me in a corner, I grew a little nervous.

I’ve also experienced losing control of a vehicle and that made me quite nervous. My heart really raced then and my muscle tensed in fear. But even in that situation, isn’t God in control? Of course He is, but my faith is little as Jesus said.

Money can unnerve me at times as well. Years ago, I invested in a company that I thought was on the cutting edge of their industry, offering an innovative new product. I was sure their stock prices would sky rocket. Unfortunately, they sank and I lost most of my investment. What made me nervous as I watched my investment dwindle? Misplaced faith. I was trusting in that investment instead of God.

Imagine if you trusted in the LORD with no inhibition. You are absolutely surrendered to Christ and not worrying about your reputation, your health, your wealth, or even your life. Would there be anything that you would make you nervous? Absolutely not.

So what if someone thinks I’m stupid, I know what God thinks of me. So what if I lose all my money, I know I have treasure in Heaven with the LORD. So what if I lose my health, I have a new body waiting for me when Jesus returns. So what if I even lose my life, I have eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Paul got it. He experienced that kind of peaceful life and wrote to the Philippian believers, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I’m not there yet, but by God’s grace, I’m moving toward that goal. I hope and pray you are too.

Perspective

2011 has had a challenging beginning for the Sheets’ household: we started the year with a blizzard that shut down the highways and forced my in-laws to stay a couple of extra days, the stomach flu invaded our whole family and kept Christy from working for a week, our van’s power steering broke and needs fixing (who knows how much that will be), and our dog can barely walk or move so we need to take her to the vet. This is not how I wanted to start the new year.

2011 has started off with some great opportunities to see God work. We were blessed with some extra family time as Christy’s parents needed to stay longer because of the New Year’s blizzard (and thankful for a warm home to spend it in), we had the opportunity to show Christ’s love by caring for each other during a battle with the stomach flu in our house (and it gave Christy some extra time to get things ready for daycare and schooling), we are fortunate that our van’s power steering went out in the church parking lot and not somewhere that could have caused an accident (and thankful that the Lord provided the funds through our Christmas bonus to get it fixed), and our kids have been learning how to show consideration for the sick (in a sense). They have to be very careful with our dog since she’s not feeling well. We don’t know what’s going on yet, but fortunately we can get her to the vet and find out what’s wrong. We are so blessed to begin this new year with the knowledge that God loves us and is in control.

None of my circumstances change in those two paragraphs, but my perspective sure does, doesn’t it?

I’ve been reading the story of Joseph for my devotions, and I’m always impressed by that story. It probably is one of my favorite stories from the Torah. Joseph begins life with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. His wealthy father favors him above the other sons, the Lord spoke to him about his successful future in a dream, and he develops into a strapping, handsome young man. He has everything: good looks, wealth, and God’s promise of power and authority. But then life seems to fall apart. His brothers betray him and sell him to slave traders. He becomes the slave of an Egyptian official whose wife frames him for adultery. Potipher, his master, throws him into prison where sits for over two years.

I wonder what Joseph would have written as he began that third year of prison if he wrote in a journal. What would his perspective have been like? We can only speculate, but maybe it would have been something like this:

I’m starting my third year of imprisonment, and I have had a number of opportunities to share about the one true God with the prisoners. The prison warden has clearly seen God’s hand in my life for which I am truly thankful. Some of the prisoners still talk about the dreams that the LORD allowed me to interpret a couple of years ago.

I still haven’t figured out why all of this has happened to me yet, but I do know God is in control. God has blessed me wherever I have been placed, and even here the LORD has allowed me to have as much freedom as a prisoner could have. I don’t have to stay chained in my cell, but can move from cell to cell and care for the other prisoners. I easily could have been executed had Potiphar wanted to, but God in His grace has permitted me to live and serve here.

I’m not sure what this year holds, but I know that whatever the LORD has in store, it will be for His glory and the good of His people. Thank You, LORD, for the new year you have provided for me to serve you.

I don’t know exactly what Joseph might have been thinking. I do know, however, that Joseph told his brothers not to worry about their action against him because God had a plan to use it for the good of many (Genesis 45:5; 50:20).

I don’t know what issues you’re facing this year either. I certainly can’t change your circumstances, but I can challenge you to change your perspective if necessary. Circumstances can’t dictate your attitude towards them. That’s simply your choice. Choose to view your life through God’s eternal perspective.

What’s your perspective on this new year so far?

Did you have fun?

So I'm driving with my family in the car out to Cooperstown Bible Camp and my wife is talking to her mother on the cell phone. In such confined quarters, I can't help but overhear my wife's part of the conversation, and one of her comments seemed to slap me in the face. She said, "Are you having fun?"

I know that's a common expression we use all the time. We ask our children, "Did you have fun today?" I asked my football players after their scrimmage on Saturday, "Did you have fun?" You probably have asked friends after they returned from a vacation, "Did you have fun?" We use the expression all the time, but the phrase really struck me that day in the car. I wondered, "Is that our primary goal as Americans--fun?"

My deeper question was whether this Epicurean mentality of Americans had consumed the American church. Is the issue of fun the ultimate issue? Do you ever hear parents ask their children, "How was your day? Was your character strengthened?" Or "Did gain some wisdom today?" Or better yet, "Did you glorify God today?" That's not the question we ask, is it? We say, "How was your day? Did you have FUN?"

Hmmm? That really troubled me as we traveled out to Bible camp. It seemed so shallow that we would use 'fun' as a determiner of whether our time had been successful. Shouldn't it be the glory of God as indicated in I Corinthians 10:31? In fact, that was the verse we quoted before supper out at camp that weekend. "Whether, therefore, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God."

We pulled into the camp in time for Christy to catch the last part of the women's Bible Study. When she got back to the camper I asked, "Did you have fun?" No, I actually didn't do that, but she did have something to show me. They had studied Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 which says, "¹² I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. ¹³ That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God." NIV

Well, that sounds like fun might actually be a gift from God. God might actually want us to enjoy life. I think He does, but the danger comes when that becomes our primary goal. If the goal of our activities is merely fun, then we are shallow. But if the goal of our activities is to glorify God and He allows us to have fun in the process, then we have understand the joy of living that He desires for His people.

So maybe a better question to ask our children and each other would be, "Did you have fun glorifying God today?"

What are your thoughts?