Freedom

Needing approval from others is a muck filled bondage-swamp in my life that sucks at my every step. It's an exhausting death march. 

Needing approval motivates me to serve others. Sometimes I do things for people because I know if I don’t they’ll be disappointed in me. Sometimes there is nothing worse than feeling another’s stinging disapproval.

Needing approval makes me work hard. I work hard preparing sermons and hope to hear, “good sermon."  Last Sunday, I was caught at a point where everyone leaving had to walk in front of me. Unintentionally, I entered the glorification of the worm ceremony that occurs when pastors stand at the exit shaking hands. The worm-ceremony began as people leaving made positive comments about the sermon. Sure it felt good. But more than that, it felt awkward. That’s the trouble with needing approval. I’m always skeptical about the sincerity of those who give it, yet I work hard to gain it. In the end, it’s a spiral of unsatisfying bondage that continually collapses inwardly like a black hole.

Need for approval makes me push people. Yes it’s strange but true. Here’s why. If I push what you think and you still land on my side, then I have gained “true” approval. Weird isn’t it? 

Gaining approval can drive all I do.

Bondage to approval concentrates the focus of life on me and creates bondage to needing more approval.

Needing approval from others doesn’t always dominate me, sometimes approval rules. Sometimes I serve, work hard, and push people’s beliefs from the position of security. It’s a much better option where mire gives way to rock. I’m not talking about self-confidence. I’m talking about grace-confidence. Sometimes I do what I do because I DON’T have to, because I DON’T need to. Those moments are freedom.

Doubting grace births bondage – believing in grace births freedom.

Grace Freak
Dan Rockwell
http://www.graceunplugged.org/

Demands

Christianity is not about demands it's about love and love can't be demanded.

 Life is filled with demands. Do…do…do, go…go…go, work…work…work. It’s never ending. I just finished a chat with a friend that made me think about grace again. And like corn flakes, I tasted grace again for the first time. I don’t know how my friend felt when he left. But, I know the melodies of grace began bouncing around in my heart all over again. The more I talk about grace the more I enjoy grace and the more I want to talk about it. I'm addicted. 

If a gift comes with demands then it isn’t a gift.

I've said in the past that grace can't obligate. It can’t obligate because grace is gift and the dictionary defines gift as "something bestowed voluntarily and without compensation." Gifts don't make demands. They are extended voluntaily. If a gift comes with demands then it isn’t a gift. It’s a trade, barter, or manipulation. Demands and gifts don’t mix. In addition, once we compensate someone for a gift it ceases to be a gift. Gifts exclude compensation.  We cannot compensate God for His grace in any way, at any time, or to any extent. We can only receive it by faith. Any attempt to pay Him for grace blocks it. What can we do?

For love to be love it must be expressed freely.

We can freely respond to his grace by loving Him freely. Here’s another reason why grace can’t obligate. For love to be love it must be expressed freely. We cannot pressure, force, coerce, bribe, nor demand that someone love us. Therefore, if God desires a loving relationship with us, and He does, He cannot force us to love Him. His grace CAN NOT obligate. Grace sets us fully free. And then, at last, in the freedom of grace, we can freely turn and freely love Him because He freely loves us. That's real life baby!

Think of God as a graceful dancer. Our maker dances His way to us. The melodies of grace permeate His presence. At first His dance is a graceful solo. All we do is take it in. We enjoy His dance. Then as the music begins to sink into our heart, He invites us to join the dance. He leads. He moves first. We follow.  We respond. It all starts and ends right here in the dance of grace. Grace can’t demand love.  Grace enables love.

Grace Freak

Dan Rockwell

P.S.  Grace frees us to follow my recommendations in the post below this, "Dry."  Those who don't believe in grace may be compelled to do more and worker hard when they feel dry.  ;-)

Dry

"People in Bible College and serving in ministry are supposed to tip-toe through spiritual sugar plums all day while God whispers sweet nothings in our ears."

Recently a Christian friend asked me if I ever felt "dry" in my Christian life.  I chuckled.  Spiritual dryness is a reality that hits all believers. The first time it hits can be devastating. I was in Bible College and a part-time youth pastor when one of my “desert storm” experiences hit with a vengeance. Yeah, I know, people in Bible College and serving in ministry are supposed to tip-toe through spiritual sugar plums all day while God whispers sweet nothings in our ears. But just go with me.


It didn’t matter what I tried, nothing helped. God might as well have been dead. The Bible was dry, Church was dry (frankly some Churches are just dry anyway), worship was empty, and other believers were more irritating than usual, especially the bubbly types.

I’ve read suggested solutions for overcoming a spiritual wasteland  that included, praying, reading your Bible, going to Church, and hanging out with other believers. Sounds like the Twilight Zone!!! Let me offer another perspective. 

Living by faith is more stable than living by feelings.

First, understand the purpose of dry times. Feelings aren’t the final judge on what is true or good. For example, it might feel great to slash the tires of a guy who dents our car but that doesn’t make it good. It might feel right, even exciting, to have an affair but that doesn’t make it right. Living in the spiritual desert isn’t fun but while there the need to live by feelings becomes less critical and the faith-walk gets clearer. 

When God seems dead and we don’t feel the spiritual warm fuzzies, it’s an opportunity to learn to walk by faith. Living by faith is more stable than living by feelings and God’s nearness doesn’t depend on how we feel. 

"I realize some think it’s a mark of spiritual maturity to always feel God’s nearness. Actually, it’s a mark of immaturity."

Second, talk about it with your Christian friends. I realize some think it’s a mark of spiritual maturity to always feel God’s nearness. Actually, it’s a mark of immaturity. Babies require constant awareness of mommy’s presence. First graders cry when mommy leaves them at school for the first time. Even though some may think something is wrong with you, mature believers will confirm the recurring reality of spiritual dry times. A man whom God loved dearly wrote in Psalm 13, “How long will you hide your face from me?”  Even Jesus cried out, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me."

Third and most practically, find some peace and quiet. Rapid fire living eventually deadens everyone. Getting away from responsibilities, people, activities, ear buds, texts, emails, facebook, radios, phones, movies, TV’s and other life clutter, can help bring our senses back to life. Try sleeping, walking alone, or sitting quietly in a natural environment for a day.

There is more to be said on this important topic but this post is turning into an endless desert.  I hope it helps.

Grace Freak

Dan Rockwell

Support

"... like a five year old learning to tie their shoes, I’d say, “I’ll do it myself.”

I never used to feel the need for support. Self-sufficient-Dan could always bear down, work harder, and press through. I could get up earlier, stay up later, and do what needed to be done to get’er done. When people tried to support me, like a five year old learning to tie their shoes, I’d say, “I’ll do it myself.” Even now my wife knows I don’t default to accepting help. Call it American independence. Call it Yankee ingenuity. Maybe it’s best to call it pride. Whatever you call it, it’s an attitude that limits our potential and chokes richness from life.

"... it’s an attitude that limits our potential and chokes richness from life."

Even Bat Man has his butler. And the Apostle Paul had a brigade of people. One was a Grecian called Epaphroditus from Philippi. I love it when Paul writes, “… Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need…Phil. 2:25.” Let the support terms bounce around in your brain.

"It’s a richer life with more potential."

Today, I’m learning to love support. Vision for effectiveness beyond my personal potential coupled with an ever growing bucket of frailties has driven me to a needy position where the value of support finally dawns on my sluggardly brain. It’s a life that includes brothers, fellow laborers, fellow soldiers, and people coming along side to give support. It’s a richer life with more potential.

Grace Freak

Dan Rockwell

Stop

I clearly remember when I started learning about the grace life and it was painful. We were studying Roman’s at Good News Bible Church. By the time we hit Romans 3 and 4 my world was falling apart. I felt like someone had yanked the carpet out from under me. My old paradigm of the Christian life was under severe attack by a fresh and unsettling idea, grace.

By the time we hit Romans 3 and 4 my world was falling apart.

For much of my life I believed that obeying was the core of the Christian life. I believed we were saved by grace through faith in Jesus but I didn’t think we lived under the same principles of faith and grace. I was a legalist. Even though I don’t want to be one, in some ways I still am a legalist because earning God’s favor is more rewarding than receiving it by faith. Working to earn God’s favor builds my ego.  It's an attitude I keep rejecting to this day.

Obeying isn’t the core of Christian living.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for obeying. But obeying isn’t the core of Christian living. Trusting Jesus is. When it started dawning on me that obeying wasn’t the core of Christian living I felt disoriented. I felt like a squirrel running on a round exercise wheels. I was running but getting nowhere. Life felt destabilized. I wanted to find something to bring stability. The transition from working for God’s favor to receiving God’s favor by faith was painful but worth it.

I can always tell when grace-life ideas hit a legalist.  They respond like I did.  They are upset, disoriented, and even angry.  When we place confidence in works/behaviors/obeying and someone explains that our confidence is misplaced, its upsetting.  I can see a sincere legalist coming from across the room. (no offense intended to any legalist readers).  Just like I did, they are scrammbling to make sense of an idea that blows us up.

Here is my advice to those struggling to embrace graceful living.  Stop!  Stop doing all the things you think Christians are supposed to do until God's grace overwhelms you.  Please note, I'm not saying go join "Christians gone wild."  I'm saying it's more important to receive and enjoy God's grace than it is to do something for God.  Actually our doing frequently blocks God's grace.  Then, once God's grace grips you again, and only then, begin doing the things Christians do.  You will have begun living the Christian life.

Grace Freak,

Dan Rockwell
http://www.graceunplugged.org/

Political action?

Jesus, not political activism, is the answer to a broken world.

The Church’s involvement in politics represents a colossal waste of human and financial resources, a tragic misdirection of enthusiasm, and a complete misunderstanding of the Church’s mission in this broken world. Our mission is not to create a more moral America. Our mission is not to intimidate unbelievers into living like believers before they are believers. Heck, believers don’t even live like believers should live.

Jesus, not political activism, is the answer to a broken world. Our hope is not in passing new laws, powerful political action committees, or protests attended by hundreds, thousands, or even millions of sincere, fired-up, flag waving, Bible carrying, Christians. Our hope is found in nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.
Furthermore, any message suggesting moral people are closer to God than immoral people disregards the depth of man’s broken condition and degrades the value of Jesus’ death on the cross. Our only hope is faith alone in Jesus alone.

So why has it become spiritual to fight today?

Interpreting, “thy kingdom come,” as a mandate to engage in political reform misunderstands the nature of the kingdom. Jesus said, “If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting.” So why has it become spiritual to fight today? I’m suggesting it isn’t spiritual it’s sad.

Let me ask, “Was it the moral or immoral that came under the burning attack of Jesus?” We know He relentlessly attacked the most outwardly moral people in His culture, the Pharisees. We also know He persistently welcomed the immoral. Do you agree that the best a political movement can achieve is outward morality? Is God’s blessing poured out on the outwardly moral? No.

Establishing outward morality doesn’t propel America into the place of God’s blessing.

If the Church succeeds with efforts to “save America,” we may find life superficially more pleasing, our educational system more acceptable, and the political system more sympathetic. But God will not bless America. Establishing outward morality doesn’t propel America into the place of God’s blessing; it lands us in the category of those attacked by Jesus. To make matters worse, unbelievers converted or coerced into living morally upright lives become twice the child of hell as before their conversion (Matt. 23:15).

The only thing God ever blesses is faith in and love for Jesus.

If the blessing of God is not invited by superficial morality, how is it invited? The greatest blessing anyone could receive is eternal life. And how do individuals receive the blessing of eternal life? Is it through moral behavior? No.  The greatest blessing God bestows is received by faith alone. The only thing God ever blesses is faith in and love for Jesus. If blessings come to us because we earn them through moral behavior, grace is nullified. Check out Romans chapter four for more on the faith-blessing connection.

Grace Freak

Pastor Dan Rockwell
http://www.graceunplugged.org/

Sinning doesn't matter?

Today, Oct. 30, 2009 a person asked:  "I once heard you say a few years ago, “If anyone leaves here feeling like they can sin, then I know I’ve done my job,” or at least something close to that. I was hoping that you could explain your reasoning on this."

It's a great question so I took the time to respond.

Here’s what I do and most likely did say. “When people hear the gospel of grace they can get the idea that sin doesn’t matter.” Or, “If you leave here wondering if Dan thinks sin doesn't matter, I’ve done my job.”  It's a statement I make to jar people's thinking.

The gospel can give people the idea that behavior doesn’t matter.

Here's why I say that. The Apostle Paul addressed the same issue. The gospel can give people the idea that behavior doesn’t matter. (I regularly hear that concern) If you aren’t getting the impression, when hearing the gospel, that behavior doesn't matter then you aren’t hearing the gospel. Romans 4 is one of many places where righteousness apart from behavior is explained.

Romans 4:5b And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works...  (Don't forget that David was a bad man)

One can read Romans 4:5ff and make the following conclusion. Since righteousness with God is faith-based and not behavior-based then our behavior doesn't matter.

Paul’s concern about this reasoning is expressed in three rhetorical questions listed in Romans 6 and 7. Why is he asking these three questions? He’s asking because he knows his readers at Roman are thinking them.

1. 6:1 - What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2. 6:15 - What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?
3. 7:7 - What then shall we say? That the law is sin?

If those hearing the gospel can't ask, “Is it ok to sin all we want?” (Paraphrase of question #1) then they aren’t hearing the gospel that Paul preached.

When was the last time you heard a preacher step back and say, "I bet some of you are thinking that I'm saying it's ok to keep sinning all we want?"

Grace Freak
Pastor Dan Rockwell

What not how

Reading the Bible can be frustrating.  I’m not talking about frustration because I don’t understand it.  I’m talking about frustrating because I DO understand it and so much is left out.  The Bible is filled with things I should and shouldn’t do.  But only occasionally does the Bible tell me “how-to” do or not do something.

Here’s an example of a how-to.  People who stole should get jobs and earn money and then give to others (Eph. 4:28) I know it’s not a clear 10 step program on overcoming theft but at least the text indicates that working hard and generous giving are on the positive side of stealing.  Having said that, in a world filled with self-helps and how-to’s, the New Testament is sadly lacking.

"Leaders focus on what not how."

 

Jesus is no better.  He said things like, “You feed them,” without the slightest hint of how to get the job done.     He said, “Go and make disciples,” but didn’t set up an outreach program or develop a 12 step discipleship system. So I’m asking myself why Jesus and the Bible are so lacking in the how-to business. 

Here’s an idea.  Leaders focus on what not how.  Leaders show us WHAT should be done and what’s worth aiming at. They explain what really matters and paint a picture of a preferred future.  But, they don’t tell us how.  Managers and followers figure out how.  When I think about it, that’s the way I want it.  I don’t like someone telling me what to do and then proceeding to tell me how to do it.  It's degrading.  If you’re going to tell me how to do everything, do it yourself.  You don’t need me.

"It’s eternally relevant because He didn’t explain how."

Jesus explained the “what” of life when He said, “Love God and Love your neighbor.”  It’s a timeless, cross-cultural principle that applied then, applies now, and will apply in the future.  It’s eternally relevant because He didn’t explain how.  It’s true He lived it.  And yes I know New Testament commands are expressions of those two life principles.  But drilling down into the commands still doesn’t yield an attainable, measurable, 10 step program on how to love my wife. 

Being a Christ-follower can be frustrating because there are plenty of what’s and not enough how’s.  Here’s a news flash.  That’s how Jesus wants it.  Any other way destroys the eternal truths that direct and sustain life.  Any other way is measurable and attainable.  Any other way is too low, too easy, and too juvenile.

Grace Freak
Pastor Dan Rockwell

Dreary Drizzle

Worries are like dud fire-crackers.  We light the fuse, toss the miniature explosive, run for cover and eagerly wait for the anticipated yet surprising blast.  But all we do is waiting.  We’re paralyzed by the expected. 

On Oct. 25 I preached at Good News on “Preparing for Dark Days” from Luke chapter 9.  Early in the week, a dark cloud started looming over my head in anticipation of the dreary drizzle I was sure Sunday would become.   I want Church to be uplifting, don’t you?  It doesn't feel uplifting to say, "Someday, some time; the lights go out for all of us."  It may be lying in a hospital bed, standing by a coffin, landing upside down in the ditch hanging from a seatbelt, it may be children gone wild, or it may be public failure, but some day it happens to everyone.  It’s a stone-cold serious thought that seems better left unspoken.

Acknowledging the ominous dark voice whispering, “It's sunny now but there’s a storm brewing somewhere,” isn’t stupid but Christians who pretend that life is a Disney Land when it isn’t are.

When Church was over and while the faithful Good News volunteers restored the theater to moving-going shape, I began to realize my speculations had been baseless.  I kept seeing an unanticipated joyful freedom on faces.  Where was the dreary drizzle I’d expected?  What happened?   How could I talk about the inevitability of dark days without dragging everyone through the mud?  I’m sure there are many reasons that haven’t hit me, but two seem applicable. 

Perhaps setting expectations about dark days sets some of us free from guilt. Those who believe that trying hard to live a good life, obeying God, praying, church going, or having enough faith, guarantees smooth sailing, live under a crushing responsibility to attain and preserve the “good life” by being “good.”   But, in a broken world we should accept the inevitability of dark days and it doesn’t matter how “good” we live.  I can’t find one Bible character exempted for dark days?

Trusting Jesus isn’t about exemption from dark days it’s about enabling through them.

Acknowledging the ominous dark voice whispering, “It's sunny now but there’s a storm brewing somewhere,” isn’t stupid but Christians who pretend that life is a Disney Land when it isn’t are.  Somehow, I think just saying bad things happen to “good” Christian takes some of the pressure off.  I know it sounds gloomy.  But at least we don’t have to blame ourselves for every disaster coming down the pike.

During lunch, Jason, (the father of our grandchildren) mentioned the second and most important reason the drizzle didn't descend.   While walking across the room, he said, “Focused confidence in Jesus will carry us through the storm. Now that’s gold.”  I always like it when he enjoys something I say.  Did you notice the words “through the storm?”  Living in a broken world means life from beginning to end includes dark days.  Trusting Jesus isn’t about exemption from dark days it’s about enabling through them.

 

The dreary drizzle I expected on Oct. 25 blew over.  It turned off surprisingly sunny.

Grace Freak

Pastor Dan Rockwell

www.graceunplugged.org 

Pastor's Confession

My heart hurts for believers grappling with sin, frailty, and failure. I am one of them. I think we all wish there was a magic pill or secret formula that makes all the bad stuff go away. If I could just click my heels three times maybe I could get home? To make matters worse, some Christians wrongly believe that overcoming sin is the norm. The “over comers” give me this not so subtle message that there is something wrong with me if I haven’t overcome deception, lusting, coveting, greed, anger, worry, hate, selfishness, vengeance, stealing, slander, gossip, bitterness, guile, pride, jealousy, dissention, envy, etc. etc. etc. … on and on … gag me with a spoon. And those aren’t the “worst” sins.

What’s worse is, I do not love God with all my heart, soul, and mind. Sometimes I don’t even think about Him. And I definitely do not, I repeat, do not love my neighbor like I love myself. That’s just too much to ask. “Who is my neighbor anyway?” Oh, and don’t forget this little gem, “do everything without grumbling.” Are you kidding? Grumbling is one of life's compensations.  Oh no, when I typed, “Are you kidding,” I think it was grumbling. Ka-ching on the sin-o-meter!!


Don’t misunderstand the intent of this post. I’m not suggesting we just give into the dark side. But I am getting something off my chest. I’m exposing the dirty little secret that’s frequently swept under the carpet. Sinning is a problem that doesn’t have a magic solution. It keeps coming back like a bad rash. Overcoming sin in my life feels like trying to catch a herd of greased pigs. Eventually catching and corralling one doesn’t help much because the rest of the herd stands around jeering at me. And to make matters worse, while I’m trying to coral the next greased oinker, the one I just caught gets away … again!

Spending time obsessing about my sins, failures, and frailties is a serious bummer and an expression of my sinfulness. Frankly, I've got something much better to think about.  So I’m turning toward grace and learning to walk by faith again today. Damn the pigs, I'm moving on.

Dan Rockwell
http://www.graceunplugged.org/

Vision

Tuesday evening’s leadership meeting was the second time I brought up a problem I see brewing at Good News. It was briefly mentioned at the previous week’s meeting. And, between the two meetings, I sent emails to the leadership team explaining my concern.

There’s nothing wrong with the people on the team. It’s not a matter of sincerity, passion, or a willingness to work hard. Furthermore, we all agree that the past three months are exceptional months in the history of Good News.

Here’s the deal. The leadership team is so consumed with pressing, urgent needs that we can’t get out in front of Good News. The tyranny of the urgent blocks us from thinking long-term. I’ll spare you the details of the discussion. The move to the Cinema Center makes everything go haywire.

So what’s this post about? It’s about a sustaining bond of love that binds a diverse team of four guys together around a passion to turn people toward grace. One of the sustaining influences in my life is the shared vision that binds us together. The direction for the leadership team isn’t clear. The vision is.

Now let me talk like a mad man. I want Good News to always be going haywire in some ways and in some areas. I want to get really good at doing some things but at the same time I want us falling apart in other areas. Extending our reach and expanding our influence for grace isn’t about creating a retirement community. It’s about launching into the unknown, risking failure, and, at least in some areas, struggling to keep up.

Boy this post sounds like a contradictory mess. Whatever happens, vision binds and drives us into the future.

Grace Freak Dan
http://www.graceunplugged.org/

Pessimism for what it is

I just completed the Monday morning edition of Good News News and it excites me once again to think about the Good News family. Every week I hear more stories of people extending their reach and expanding their influence for grace. More success stories. More enthusism.

The pessimist in me is waiting for the hammer to fall. I’m waiting for the excitement to end. As I type this, I even wonder if the pessimist in me isn't actually hoping for the hammer to fall putting an end to this foolish excitment. And more than that, I hear a nagging voice whispering, "It won't last and you're going to crash and burn. Don't put yourself out there. Don't risk it. You'll look foolish when you fail. You better play it safe."

Play it safe. That’s it! That’s the temptation. Hedge your bets so you won't look too foolish when you fail. It’s funny how we eventually get back to self-centered, self-protective pride. And now my pessimism is seen for what it is. It's the need to love and protect myself rather than give myself wholly to Jesus.

Pessimism is safety.

For Grace,

Dan

A small patch of blue

It's overcast this Saturday morning. I'm in the office with a cup of coffee the loving woman in my life just graciously brought down. (She's amazing) Decided to light my pipe and finalize tomorrow's sermon. If you're wondering, the aroma doesn't leave a nasty after-smell so Dale is good with it.

It's been 14 months since Good News began seriously working to become an outsider focused church. The changes are mind blowing. Truth is, the insider focused Good News of a year ago is disappearing and a new outsider focused Good News is appearing. The opportunities and responsibilities are staggering. It feels a little like riding a tornado.

Not only is Good News new, I am too. There's new focus, direction, and passion in my life. I keep wondering if the passion I felt in August of 2008 to refocus ministry will wane. But in reality it's not waning it's growing. Every new person at Good News is like throwing gas on my fire. Every new person only fans the passion to reach more. For those who know me best, you must think an alien has taken control of my body.

I'm learning about a Jesus who persistently worked to turn more people toward grace. If anyone could have established a worship center with a high platform and a great band for all to "come and see" Jesus could. But rather than embracing an exclusive "come and see" approach, He also lived, led and taught a "go and tell" vision. Instead of settling in one spot He persistently went out, sent out, and reached out. He inconvenienced Himself in order to reach others.

Well the pipe is out and I see a few patches of blue peeking through. There are loads I don't understand and only a few clear patches. The brightest point of clarity centers on turning more people toward the free grace that keeps reaching me. It may be a small patch of blue but it's all I need.

Grace Freak Dan
www.graceunplugged.org

Pastor's Blog - Freedom

Woke up this morning at 4:00 a.m. and started thinking. That's a bad thing to do if you want to sleep till 6:00. Started thinking about the goal of my teaching at Good News. I think I can say it in one word, freedom.

I want believers and unbelievers alike to be set free. The bondage breaking statement I can make for believers is Christian living begins when obligation to live it ends.

Jesus wants a love relationship with us, not a law relationship. One thing that characterizes love relationships is freedom. For example, my wife doesn't want my fidelity because of a vow taken years ago. She wants my fidelity because I freely choose to cherish her today. Anything less is unsatisfying. When we follow the rules dominated by a sense of obligation, we are good moral people but we aren't living the Christian life.

Grace Freak Dan