The Pursuit of Happiness...with an I

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be happy. Most people spend their entire lives pursuing happiness. I guess most of our culture and economy is based upon the pursuit of happiness. Heck, the idea of the United States of America was 1/3 based on the pursuit of happiness.

What I have been wondering is how happy are we? Does money, clothes, cars, fame, family, friends, knowledge, beauty, health; does any of it really make us happy? I see a world around me moving and running and pursuing everything that the human heart can desire. However, I doubt, in fact I know, that those things in themselves have no ability to make anyone happy. I mean all you have to do is watch tv or read the tabloids to see your run-of-the-mill movie star or rock star. They have money, beauty, houses, clothes. They seemingly have everything and yet most of them aren't happy at all.

So, If the people who have everything that most people believe will make them happy and they aren't happy. Why do we keep pursuing those things, hoping we will be different. Albert Einstein said this about insanity. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If are pursuit of happiness is the pursuit of the same thing over and over again seeking to be happy and never getting different results, i.e. happiness, isn't that the definition of insanity?

C.S. Lewis said, "God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” If this is true, and I believe it is, then most people are in the pursuit of something they will never obtain. They are the very definition of insane. They are pursuing something that does not exist, at least in the realm they are existing in, all the while expecting different results.

The true road in the pursuit of happiness is seek your happiness in God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus gave us the roadmap for our pursuit of happiness, to seek the kingdom and righteousness first. Maybe we should try something different. I bet we will actually get different results this time. Let's stop the insanity!

The National Debt and My Response

Today, the National Debt of the United States of America is $13,888,368,297,756. I could have just said it was 13.8 trillion dollars, but seeing the full number written out brings a little more gravity to what some think is an irrelevant or arbitrary number.

Here is another scary figure: that works out to each tax payer owing $125,679. Why would I owe that much, I don't remember spending that, you say. Well, lest we forget, we are a republic and that means we elected officials to spend on our behalf.

How did we get there you wonder? Most people believe that during the era of President Clinton, we had a budget surplus, which is correct. That just means, we weren't overspending, that doesn't mean we paid down all of our debt.

Our national debt goes way, way back. See, we have actually run a debt since January 8th, 1835. We were at Zero debt momentarily. This of course didn't last long once our nation was thrust into a civil war. We paid that down quickly, but then came WWI, the Great Depression, and WWII. The debt was pretty significant as it was but took the biggest upswing we had seen since the Depression in the 2000's. The debt doubled as we fought a war on two fronts, had three significant tax cuts, and added another section to Medicare. Today, as we continue to add to our spending we obviously continue to incur debt.

Spending, better known as our Fiscal Policy or how we spend, i.e." the budget" is only part of our problem. We also have a significant Trade Deficit. In very simplistic terms, we buy more from other countries than we sell to them. What is happening is that we are consuming more than we produce and consuming costs.

See, all of our short term actions have led to long term consequences. These are some major issues to a very large and complicated problem involving Federal Rates, Currency, Foreign Owned Debt, and above all Leadership.

Today, as I read, I wondered what can I do? What should my response be? I wish I had the luxury of thinking about these things void of any spiritual implications. Scratched that, no I don't. Nor do I really think it's a luxury to think in a manner void of spiritual implications. In fact, I believe being void of spiritual implications has possibly gotten us to this place, e.g. greed. I believe whole-heartedly that what I believe about who God is and what he expects of me has direct implications to the national debt. As a believer, I am called to be a steward of the monies placed in my care. I am also called to be a steward of the freedoms given to me under the government God has placed over me.

So what is my responsibility as I see it:
1. To not be a hypocrite and expect of my government something that I am not doing. I need to not spend on credit and think carefully about what I am buying and why.
2. I need save, for the purpose of giving to those who may need it. I need not save to rely on it as in a future hope. Christ is my hope and I need not be greedy and store for the future as a trust system. This however does not preclude future fiscal wisdom.
3. I need to invest in the kingdom. Giving to missionaries and non-profits concerned with helping people both physically and spiritually.
4. I need to vote responsibly on person and policy.
5. I need to pray for my government so that I may live in peace.

Discipleship, Discipleship, Discipleship.

Why would a guy, who is not a pastor, care so much about discipleship? I mean, if you know anything about me you know that I have an unhealthy fascination with Abraham Lincoln, Twinkies, secret societies (of which, I may or may not be a part of), the inner workings of our political system, the Secret Service and CIA, and an almost unhealthy fondness of little people and magic. Why do I care so much about the Church and her health and future? Good question. I ask the an opposite question in the same vein. Why don't most people care so much about the health and future of the Church? I mean, Jesus, God-in-the-flesh called the Church his bride, shouldn't we give it more than an intellectual passing glance every Sunday?

I honestly believe most people who claim to be Christians don't think about the Church more than when they are trying to decide if they should actually go when they get up on the first day of the week. And when I say go, a lot of Christians think about going as if going only meant going to a building where holy things and holy-like people gather. The idea of gathering in a building is fine and all; we need a place to gather; most homes aren't large enough. However, what I am describing is the misplaced assumption that Church is a place rather than a living, growing body of believers.

The Church can be defined as twofold: There is the Universal Church, compiled of everyone in the world who knows and loves Christ as their Lord and Savior. Then there is the local manifestation of that where people gather together to worship (sing, pray, confess sin, hear the reading and preaching of God's Word), participate in the sacraments, fellowship, etc. These can't be done unless we are gathered in a local manifestation of the universal church - the local church. That's where the building comes in. You most likely need a place to gather to do these things. However, don't place the essence of the Church in the building, rather it should be in corporate body of believers.

Pete, weren't you going to talk about Discipleship? That's what your title says...three times? I'm getting there.

I purposefully left out a major component of the local and universal church because I think in many ways the local and universal church has left it out. That major component is Discipleship. What is Discipleship? Discipleship is simply (loaded word) carrying out the second part of the Great Commission of Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." Many in the church have taken discipleship and extracted evangelism out leaving the "teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" part to lay shriveled up and dying. It's much easier to share the gospel with someone, but really hard to live life with them...especially long enough to teach them ALL that Jesus commanded. Discipleship means not only proclaiming the gospel, but living in a radical way that says to those you are proclaiming to, come live with me (sometimes literally, like in your home), "follow me, as I follow Christ".

I think for many in the Church, this is a scary thing. I know it scares me. It scares me because I look at my life and I see vast canvases where the brush strokes have been anything but sanctified. It scares me because I am impatient and selfish. It scares me because wonder if I really understand all that Jesus commanded. Despite my fear, I know this is exactly what Jesus commanded us to do. He commands the Church to multiply itself through discipleship, not evangelism. Evangelism is a lazy re-interpretation of Matt.28. I know I am making a bold statement, but I have trouble seeing anywhere in Scripture where someone just spread the gospel without saying, "Follow me". At the very least, they would leave them in the care of those who they knew would disciple them. For the future health of the Church, we have to start being intentional about producing spiritual "mini-me's". Does it scare me to grab guys and say, "Follow me as I follow Christ"? You bet! Will my sin be exposed and I be humbled? You bet! Will I be tired and have to give up personal time? You bet! But Jesus commanded it!

Even though Discipleship is scary, it is necessary for how the Church will grow. I leave with this and am comforted by the last verse in chapter 28 of Matthew. After Jesus commands his disciples and us to make disciples, he makes this promise "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age". We aren't alone in our pursuit of making disciples! Jesus is with us. He covers our mistakes and leads us in the way of righteousness. Let's go and make "mini-me's"!

The Times, They Are Achangin'

I have decided to change my blog. In posts of past, I have mostly written about stupid stuff, every once and a while, I would post my deeper ramblings. However, I have come under the conviction and am compelled to write about what I believe is a neglected subject in conservative evangelicalism. We have rightly concerned ourselves with defending sound doctrine, the Gospel, and such things as inerrancy and whatnot. However, I believe we have neglected the most important adornment of the Gospel, mainly Compassion. We have neglected the physical trauma of the world. We have done well to proclaim the good news of salvation for the soul and yet left physical bodies - bruised, beaten, poverty ridden, homeless, hungry, friendless, etc. Francis Schaeffer stated that, "Sound doctrine without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world." How true it is.

I don't want to be misunderstood in that I don't claim the Gospel needs any help or that the Gospel is insufficient. It is not! However, the Gospel without compassion for one's physical needs seems to ring hollow. Over and over again, as Christ sends out the disciples, he tells them not only to preach, but to heal. Compassion and mercy ministries are true reflections of the Gospel. They proclaim a change, a departing from this fallen world system that corrupts.

Now again, I don't believe it is the job of Christians to redeem this world. Nor am I of the post-millenial persuasion. I don't believe we are to usher in the Kingdom. Although the Kingdom has been inaugurated, nothing I do, or any other Christian does will bring about the reign of Christ. However, I believe the compassionate adornment of the Gospel is consistent with the character of our loving God. He exemplified in Christ, who is the gospel, what true mercy and compassion ministries are. God is loving, kind, merciful, just. He lets the rain fall on the sinners and saved alike. We are most like our Father and like Christ when we pursue justice, mercy, and love. As Matt 5:6-11 says, we are to be salt and light to the world. Adding seasoning and preservation, shedding light in the dark places. We are called to do justly, to love mercy (Micah 6:8) Why? Because these are attributes of God. When we don't love mercy, do justice, or walk humbly, we ignore the commands of God.

I can no longer ignore the compelling of my heart and if you are a believer. I am not sure how you can either. Each week, I will update my blog with an injustice taking place either in the U.S. or in other parts of the world. I hope that you will pray along with me. But don't just pray, act. God moved and acted and came into our world in Jesus Christ. He was the first missionary, ran the first food pantry, was a medical missionary, ran a charity. I believe he may be calling some of you to do the same.

Why Some Doubt is Good!

It sounds strange to even say it, but I believe a little doubt is good. Or should I say, the understanding that doubt is ever present is a good thing. Doubt itself, the presence of lacking trust, is not a good thing. In fact, doubt is a sin. So why do I say it is good? I believe it is good in the context that it should lead us to a great dependence on the Lord.

In Mark 9, a disheartened man stands before Jesus; his son, suffering from many years of torment by a demon. He has brought his son to the disciples to be healed, but they could not. He stands before Jesus, a man sucked dry of all seeming hope. He speaks to Jesus, in what I imagine to be, a small voice, cracking with dry mouth and with tears welling up in his eyes. "Lord, if you can do anything, please heal my son?" Jesus in a kind voice speaks to the man, "IF I can....All things are possible for those who believe." The man with hope welling up inside him and yet the doubt of many years of living with a demonized son, exclaims (shouts) "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief." And Jesus takes his son and casts out the demon.

This passage is so comforting to me! Maybe it is because I see so much of myself in this man. However, it scares me because in the passage you also see the opposite of this man in the disciples. See the key to this man's faith and subsequent healing by Jesus, is that this man was real about his doubt and fear. His doubt drove him to dependence on the Lord. He knew that he could not overcome his doubt without the help of God. He realized that even the faith to believe was a gift that only God could give. The disciples try to heal this man's son but believed they could do it by their own abilities and talents. Their lack of humility led them to be dependent on themselves, rather than God. The absence of doubt is the essence of arrogance. These disciples forgot that they were sinners and were dependent upon Christ for all their strength and abilities. The man with the son, was desperate.

So when I say I believe doubt is good, I say that because, we all have doubt. We are fallen and thus sinners by nature. Doubt is inherent in us because of the fall. That doubt should lead us to cry out to God, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!" Anyone who says they don't have any doubt is not being honest. You may have little doubt, or moments when your doubt seems insignificant, but the doubt is present nonetheless. Only when are faith is made sight will all of our doubts subside. Until then we must recognize they are there and we must let them lead us to a greater dependence for faith on the Lord. Don't indulge your doubts. That will only lead to despair. God is bigger than our doubts. He is not afraid of them. He will answer them in due time. I believe he makes all things beautiful, in his time. That is why I believe doubt is good.

I Can't Sleep

I Can't sleep tonight. Actually, I couldn't sleep last night, or the night before that, or the one before that, etc. I am pretty sure that I have had a sleeping problem my whole life. I miss sleep, err, I think I miss it. I used to remember what sleeping through the whole night was like...when I was 4. I had dreams strangely containing Abraham Lincoln and this beaver. You think I'm joking. No friend, I jest not about my dream life! My dreams are as vivid and as alive as real life. I often have dreams where the sequence of events entail me driving around town trying to find an open donut shop. I never actually find one in my dreams. It's worse than those dreams where you are always falling but you never hit the ground. I never actually get a donut. I am breaking out into a cold sweat just thinking about that nightmare. That dream is partially scary due to the fact that I never actually find an open donut shop and partially scary because I am actually dreaming about donuts. Those types of dreams make you look forward to dreaming about Abe Lincoln riding a bike with a beaver on the back. And that dream makes me look forward to the day when I will once again sleep soundly. Maybe I should take Ambien? Actually, the last time I took Ambien, I woke up whilst sleep walking up the stairs to my third floor apartment. I was wearing nothing but my christmas tree boxers and my car keys in my hand. I am pretty sure I drove that night. Maybe I was trying to find donuts?

Mending Kids Benefit

This past Friday, I spent the day at the Canyon Club near Malibu. You may be asking what is the Canyon Club and why was I there all day? Thanks for asking! As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted by your question (yes, I can read minds :) the Canyon Club is where Mending Kids International held a Benefit Concert to raise money for their ongoing mission. MKI's mission to bring children from poor countries who have serious medical needs to the United States. Partnering with three main hospitals MKI pays for the medical needs of these children. During the time these children are here, they are place in loving homes with host families. For the more serious cases, they also bring the children's parents. In this case, they house them in a home in Santa Clarita called Robin's Nest.

The concert had some great performers including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, The Drew Davis Band, and my personal favorite, Kylie Hughes. I spent the night watching Dean Cain's son and running around trying to figure out what was going on.

Anyway, I think this organization is important enough to blog about because they are doing some amazing things for kids in dire need. If you are interesting knowing more about MKI, click on the link above.