Knowledge vs. Experience

In the real world (as opposed to high school or college, or your mom's basement) I've noticed that very often people are just as concerned with your experience as they are with your knowledge. Just peruse the classifieds in a Sunday paper (yeah, I said paper, I'm ancient) and you will see that, more often than not, employers are looking for experience in a given field at least as often as study in that same field. Most of the time it looks like this: Qualified applicants must have a ____ degree and 2 (or 3 or 5) years experience in a related field. The point is this: High value is placed on both knowledge AND experience.

Anyone who is paying on school loans knows there is a high price to pay for education. But I think the price, though not monetary (well sometimes), for experience can be even greater. It's not just your dollars on the line. It can be your time, your reputation, your character, your relationships, or any number of things or combination of things that amount to much more risk, but with the chance of immeasurable gain.

It's like one of those MasterCard commercials.
Pencil-------------------------------------------------------------------$0.10
School books---------------------------------------------------------$1000.00
Cool clothes so the other kids don't make fun of you------$1200.00
Caffeine Fund--------------------------------------------------------$2500.00
Tuition-----------------------------------------------------------------$Eleventy Billion
Life Experience-------------------------------------------------------Priceless

All this to say, we certainly tend to think about the value of Knowledge and Experience in terms of schooling and employment. But lately I've been viewing it in another way: as it relates to God.

It's my observation that, all too often, people fall into one category or the other. Some know a lot about God, but fail to make the connection to really knowing God. Others love to experience God, but fail to come to an understanding of why they believe what they say they believe.

I feel that both types of people are in error, at best. And in danger, at worst.

1. Knowledge over Experience

The first person may have read the Bible cover to cover 10 times over. They might know all the prophecies of the minor prophets and be able to name them in reverse alphabetical order. They may be able to quote Jesus word for word and recognize the context in which every writer was assembling their letters. But if the knowledge never makes it from the head to the heart, what good does that do? There are many people that know much more than I do about the Bible that will spend eternity separated from God. Knowledge does not equal faith.

But it's not just the difference between head knowledge and a faith experience. Many people who are saved are also guilty of an inequity in the balance between knowledge and experience. I see this primarily in effectiveness. People, in general, don't care how much you know, but they will see if it affects how you live. I heard a great quote recently in regards to discipleship:

"You can teach what you know, but you reproduce who you are."

That's humbling to me. My witness of my experience with God (what He's done) is probably going to be more effective than what I've learned through study about Him (what I've done).

And if I'm not using my knowledge coupled with love to build up my brother or sister in Christ, then I'm subject to developing pride (1 Cor. 8:1) and amount to nothing (1 Cor. 13:2). Strong words!

2. Experience over Knowledge

If you say you believe, but don't know why, can you really believe? Now I'm not saying you have to know the intricacies of every doctrine to be saved, but there is an understanding that is necessary to faith. All too often it seems that people "go to church" for an experience. If all this amounts to is feeling good about oneself, what is the eternal benefit? Plenty of people go to church for an experience on Christmas or Easter. It doesn't mean they will spend eternity with God. Experience is also the grounds for grooming "good" people. Those who think that their actions merit salvation. In this case, a little knowledge goes a long way to dispelling that myth.

But as with the first example of knowledge over experience, there are those who are Christians that tip the scale too far in favor of experience. Those who think we don't have to know about God, only to know Him. To these I would say, "Faith like a child is not an excuse to be a baby Christian (check 1 Corinthians 14:20)." Scripture abounds with references to gaining knowledge. A read through Proverbs and you will trip all over these references (Prov. 1:7; 2:1-5; 8:10; 9:10; 10:14; 12:1; 15:2,14; 18:15; 19:2) I especially love this one:

"Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel." Proverbs 20:15

Do you see the high value placed on knowledge? And it's not just Proverbs. Paul's prayer for the Phillipians (1:9-10)was that their love would grow in knowledge and insight. True love, not mere sentiment, is rooted in knowledge and understanding. And who can forget his charge to Timothy?

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." 2 Tim. 2:15

In light of all this, I'd like to present the third, and rarest category...

3. Knowledge + Experience

These are the people that follow the Scriptures in the command to gain knowledge, but they also temper it with love, and put feet to their faith. These are the people that love to learn and learn to love. These are the people that spend just as much time on their knees talking and listening to God, as they do at their desks poring over his written Word. These are the people that take what they know and use it to show others Who they know.

Lord, Help us to be people who love to study Your Word and who love to be with You. To be people who long to understand who You are and love to celebrate who You are. And help us to be people who thirst for knowledge and burn with the desire to share it.

Theological Question of the Day

Just a quick thought to inspire some discussion.

If God knew, before He created everything, who would and wouldn't choose Him, then by creating that reality, did He not foreordain who would be saved and who would not? He could have ordered the cosmos in any infinite configuration that would have differed and created a reality where different men and women would choose Him. He chose this reality, which necessarily means He chose who would be saved and who wouldn't. This does not negate free will within the reality that ultimately is, but it does hold the sovereignty of God as supreme in choosing to bring this one about.

Yes? No? Thoughts?

Is it possible to rile up both Calvinists and Arminians in one post?

Too Busy

Work. School. Church. Kids' baseball games. After school programs. TV. Movies. Music. The Internet. Dates. Housework. Traveling. Going to the gym. Hanging out with friends. Conferences. Meetings. Vacations. The list goes on and on...

We are busy people.

But are we too busy? Are we using our time wisely?

Sometimes I think that we get so busy filling our lives up with things to do that we don't leave time for God. Some of these in the list above are necessary, and none of them are wrong, but I think we need to prioritize and perhaps simplify. Certainly we can be used by God in and through many of our activities, so it's not always a choice between God or our activities. However, we also need to set apart time to spend exclusively with God. Just like any of our other relationships, it needs to be nurtured and tended to on a regular and intentional basis. Not for God. For us. He certainly DESIRES the relationship, but we NEED it. Not only as our salvation, but also our joy, strength, peace, and hope. Not just life, but abundant life. Too often we settle. And often it's because we are too busy living life (even redeemed life) to really press in and receive REAL fulfilling life.

Are you too busy? Do you feel overwhelmed by all you have to do? Have you overcommitted yourself (even to good causes)? Take an inventory. Intentionally make room for time with your Savior. What could be more important?

Random Rant

So I really wanted to have a new post on here but the one I'm currently working on is taking longer than I thought. It's massive actually. Probably too much to read. I'm sure I'm breaking some kind of unwritten blog length rule. In any case, a quick, random gathering of thoughts to fill the otherwise empty space below:

*Regardless of when the summer solstice falls. Summer really begins on Memorial Day. Don't be fooled. It also ends on Labor Day.

*I admit that while I don't find driving a minivan glamorous (I'd much rather drive my Mustang), I really appreciate the room. Not just the sheer kid stacking volume, but the headroom, leg room, ability to step out rather than up, etc. It's just roomy and comfortable. And I can't afford an SUV...

*USA and FX have some outstanding gems of TV viewing. Sure they tend to be rough around the edges. But the writing and acting are better than most of the drivel on mainstream network television.

*I'm sick of people acting like Sunday=church, or God's day while thinking the rest of the week is completely separate.

*I swear I just heard a UFO outside my house, and I don't believe in aliens...

*Ok, it was the neighbor's dump truck. Sounded like the turbo was spooling up.

*Yes, I said neighbor's dump truck. I live in the sticks.

*The rate at which technology is advancing is baffling. I remember interviewing my great grandmother when I was in elementary school, for some kind of project. They lived on a farm and of course had no indoor plumbing. Stored food in what amounted to a hole in the ground with a block of ice. Rode a horse and buggy to town. Crazy stuff. Imagine being 100 years old and seeing the advances made between 1910 and 2010.

*Imagine seeing the downward spiral of society.

*Wondering if anyone actually reads this.

*I love being a dad!

I think that's about it for today.

Addicted to Stuff

I'm guilty...

So are you.

Don't get me wrong, economically, I'm a capitalist through and through. I think, as a society, that system pushes us to innovate and generally compensates those willing to put in the time and effort to get ahead. Certainly it's not perfect, but in my opinion, it's the best there is. We are so blessed. Regardless of your personal financial situation, the fact that you have access to the internet probably places you among the richest people in the world. According to a study by the World Bank from 2008, upwards of 80% of the population of the world lives on $10 a day or less. That's an astounding number! You are richer than literally billions of people!

So why do we complain and obsess so much about money endlessly? For sure, there are real problems. Situations arise that are beyond our control. Sickness, injury, job loss, etc. For the most part, however, we have everything most people could ever dream of wanting yet we always want more. We allow ourselves to be brainwashed into believing our "wants" are "needs". We often toil such long hours in pursuit of the means for these material things at the cost of our relationships. And those are the "lucky" ones. Those unfortunate souls who, for lack of opportunity, or motivation, don't have access to those same financial means, tend to bury themselves in debt in the pursuit of the next must have toy, or bigger house, flashier car, and on and on. They find themselves in an impossible situation. Now they MUST work those long hours, or second jobs, to maintain the way of life to which they've been bound.

It's all so meaningless. And I'm guilty more than most. But what I'm learning (and it's a process, believe me) is to be content. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not condemning owning nice things. I'm not condemning those with more money in their checking accounts than me. This applies to all of us, from all walks of life. The point is this: We need to make sure that we aren't sacrificing too much for the wrong things. Striving to get that promotion or furthering our education or skill sets isn't a bad thing. And there are seasons in life when we are busier and then others when we have more freedom. However, missing out on quality time to build relationships with our families or mortgaging our financial future for present trinkets and doodads are hardly worthwhile endeavors.

So how do we content ourselves with where we are while still keeping a healthy (key word) desire to "improve" our lot in life?

The apostle Paul speaks to the first part in Philippians 4:12-13.

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Our situations may change, but God never does. He is our Provider in good times and bad. As long as we rely on Him (a real, active relationship), we can be assured of the strength to have that contentment, even if the world tells us something different.

The second half of the equation is a healthy desire for increase. The principle here is doing your work with excellence. If your motivation is purely money, money, money, you'll never have enough.

"Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?" Ecclesiastes 5:10-11

But if your desire is to bring excellence to whatever you do, I believe that God will honor that. Paul writes about this very principle in Colossians 3:23-24.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Joseph illustrated this regardless of his situation. From a slave, to a prisoner, to the second in command of Egypt. As a result, not only was he blessed, but those he worked for and with were blessed as well. Eventually extending to an entire nation! So while we know that doing our job with excellence may reap greater monetary benefits, that should really be a byproduct of striving to follow God's instruction for how we should labor. The target should be excellence in obedience to the Almighty God rather than the "almighty dollar."

Faith Like a Child

When did we learn to lose faith?

Kids believe anything. They are very trusting. Part of that is because they tend to believe the best about people and it never crosses their minds that these giants who tower over them and control their lives could be selling them something other than the truth.

Santa Claus. The Easter Bunny. The Tooth Fairy. Honest Politicians.

Now I'm all for playing the game. I grew up believing in most of the above, and I can't remember when I found out it wasn't true. I do know that it wasn't scarring or earth shattering, so I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I do wonder though if it perhaps creates a subconscious predisposition to lose faith in the unseen. I mean, put yourself in a kids shoes. You put out milk and cookies and they disappear. Concrete, material gifts appear under the tree. Candy magically in a basket. The tooth that you are certain you were sleeping over, is mystically replaced with a shiny quarter (the Tooth Fairy rolled old school in my house, no greenbacks here).

But God. Well, we go to church on Sunday. We talk about Him a lot there. We like singing songs about Jesus and the Bible. But then we go home and no one talks about Him, we don't see anything He gives us. No evidence anywhere...

Then the fateful day we realize the presents, candy and quarters come from mom and dad. Hmm...if those characters aren't real then why would we think this imaginary guy in the sky who doesn't give me cool things makes any more sense?

This wasn't my experience, it might not be yours, but somewhere out there is a kid (maybe grown up now) who decided God wasn't real. And you know what? It wasn't because they believed in Santa. It's because they couldn't believe in a God their parents didn't believe in.
And before I let you off the hook Churchy Churcheson, know this: It matters more what you are doing (and not doing) at home where your kids ARE WATCHING, than whether you take them to church to meet your Sunday God. I'm not trying to be harsh. I'm trying to be real. I was that guy. Because it's not just the atheist's kid who grows up in a home where God doesn't exist. There are plenty of kids from "Christian" families whose home life looks exactly the same. In other words, they LEARN to lose faith.

So what then? If we really believe it, we must live it. Especially in front of our kids. I make it a point to let my kids see me reading the Bible. I pray with them at night before bed. I tell them about Jesus and try to help them learn to apply His principles in their still limited and tiny world. In short, I try to make sure they see that God is indeed real and that He is alive in ME. That's the evidence they need.


Disclaimer: I love Santa Claus!

The Fatherhood of God

This morning I was reflecting on what it means to view God as our Father. So often His aspects are expressed in our relationships in this life. We often mold our view of God as Father based on our earthly parents (a scary responsibility as a dad), but I think I've learned just as much from my relationships with my kids as I have from my mom and dad.

5 Areas God Expresses His Love as Father - this list is by no means an exhaustive one.

1. God makes Himself available to us.

• He desires quality time with us. I try to spend it with my kids. Right now, that looks like playing Candyland and watching a Disney movie. Or playing ball with my boys and wrestling around with them. It's holding and cuddling with my 6 month old. Later it will be about listening to their struggles, sharing in their passions, and celebrating their victories. The point is, as their dad, I give them my time. I invest it in their lives. How much more does God want to do this with us? And His time is unlimited. He's never too busy! He's always available.

2. God teaches us.

• From His Word. Through prayer and the Holy Spirit. My kids certainly did not come into this world knowing how to talk, put on clothes, clean up after themselves, say please and thank you, or any myriad of other things they have learned (look out, because they are watching). My wife and I have have trained them, so to speak. They learn by instruction, but they learn even more by emulation. This goes hand in hand with quality time and also with discipline. I generally know what is best for my kids (God help me!) and I want to teach them to live that way. Don't you think God wants to teach us His ways? And He is infallible. He can't mess up in His "parenting."

3. God disciplines us.

• Ouch! The hard part. But it is part of how He helps us to grow and steers us back into a place where we can receive his instruction. I hate disciplining my kids. I'm one of those awful parents that still spanks their children (guess what, the human race has survived parents who spank). Sometimes I remove them from the situation. Sometimes I take something that I don't want them to have. Whatever the case may be, I always make an effort to explain why I did what I did. Sometimes I think they are too young to understand, but I think it's important for me to try. And I do make sure they always know I LOVE them. The positive reinforcement outshines any negative feelings they may have toward me for crashing their party. God is perfect in His discipline. He knows just what we need to get back on track. He never corrects out of anger, only love. We may kick and scream and hate it, but it is necessary.

4. God blesses us.

• He gives good gifts to His children. He knows just what we need and when our desires line up with His, He gives and gives and gives! Spiritual gifts, financial blessings (not necessarily the winning lottery numbers - I'm talking about needs more than anything, but God gives as He pleases), restored relationships, great friends, and more! My boys love Thomas the Tank Engine. I love finding trains they don't have and watching their eyes light up when they get them. It gives me joy (even though it really hurts when you step on one). So if I love to make my children happy, how much more does God want to bless us?! It's not about God playing Santa Claus, as if we write a list of stuff we want. But when we are in line with His will, receiving his discipline and instruction, when we spend that time with Him, it gives Him joy to bless us!

5. God loves us unconditionally.

• I said unconditionally. No matter what we do. No matter how much time we spend with Him. No matter how much we love Him. I love my kids. There's nothing my kids could do to change that. I know that in my soul. And I certainly try to make them understand that truth. Their dad will always be their dad, always love them, and always accept them where they are at. They can break my heart a thousand times (hopefully it's only once or twice) and I will still love them. But it goes beyond that. It's not just in spite of what they do wrong. It's also completely independent from what they do right. I certainly celebrate when they make right decisions, but my "love level" doesn't change. This is best illustrated with my 6 month old. She does next to nothing. I get smiles, and she rolls over, but really she's obviously not at a point when right and wrong mean anything at all. There is no action on her part either way. I love her simply because she is mine! And that is the crux of the matter. God loves you and me because He made us. We are His creation, His children, created in His image. God loves us because of who He is, our Father, not because of who we are or choose to be.

I know I've learned a lot about God's love for me through the way I love my kids. I also know it comes nowhere near how much God loves me. He's 100% available at all times, He's infinitely wiser, He' perfect in His patience and discipline, He gives from the abundance of His resources (um...EVERYTHING), and His love never ever ends.

Lord help ME to be a better dad and model Your relationship with us better to my children. I want them to see these principles in my life so they can get a better view of You.

Into the Ether

So here I am. Posting my first blog. Further assaulting the online community with my presence.

It's kind of strange to me if I'm being honest. Sure I'm on Facebook, but only my friends can see what I have to say there. And I hardly use Twitter for anything beyond the surface (one can only say so much in 140 characters, although I've been surprised). I put such a high value on my privacy, why on earth would I want to share my thoughts or details of my life with strangers? I'm glad you asked! Perhaps it's because I view this blog (at least here, at its inception) as more of a therapeutic outlet for myself rather than an instructive or entertaining stop for visitors. Not that you aren't welcome to join me in my journey or comment on my musings, but I suspect there may be more questions than answers found here.

If you know me, you know I can talk the ear off a dead man. I guess maybe I can get some of that out of my system here and make my conversations in person a little more "listener friendly." Probably not, but it's worth a shot. I have a lot to say. Some of it is useful, more of it not so much. At least here people have a choice to check out once I start rambling incoherently...

So buckle up. Enjoy the ride. And thanks for stopping by.