It’s called Lent. And it’s about a whole lot more than ashes, fish and giving something up.

I grew up in a faith tradition that didn’t observe Lent. All I knew about Ash Wednesday was that on one day of the year I would see some of my friends with a dirty smudge on their forehead. And all I knew about Lent was that for a few Fridays in the spring semester the school cafeteria menu changed from the routine and predictable hamburger to fish Friday.

Maybe your faith tradition looks like mine did and you are not sure what this is all about? Perhaps this is all new to you but you are a bit curious? Or perhaps your annual version of Lent has become routine, dull and dry?

If so, here’s the intention of Lent:

Where do you find yourself running in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose or passion? Where are you caught up in the drama of school, work, family, and relationships? Where is your life filled with distractions that take you away from living a life with Christ? Where are you trying to fill the emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, caffeine, alcohol, and too many activities or other irrelevant stuff? Where are you running away from life and from God?

Lent is a 40-day period of self-examination and reflection. A time for us to look inward at those things that are keeping us from living in complete relationship with Jesus Christ. So, on this Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, ask yourself two questions:

1. Where will I say no? 

What is distracting me from God? Is it TV, books, my calendar, social media, my phone? What do I need to let go of, withhold or say “no” to in order to focus on God? What are the activities, attitudes, or obligations that clutter my life? Do I have the courage and the faith to go without that thing for the next 40 days?

2. Where will I say yes?

What can I take on for Christ these next 40 days? Where have I struggled to be a “doer” of the Word and not just a “hearer”? Maybe it’s time I serve at church? Maybe it’s blessing a stranger with a random act of kindness in the name of Jesus every day of Lent? Or maybe it’s being present, purposeful and engaged at home with my spouse and children?

It’s called Lent. And it’s about a whole lot more than ashes, fish and giving something up.

New gadgets come with default settings. The sounds a mobile phone uses to notify us of calls and messages are its default settings. The font on our word processor is pre-set. Our computer’s web browser has a default search engine.

Human beings come with default settings. One of those settings – discontentment. Think about it. From the very beginning. God created Adam and Eve and put them the Garden where they had anything they could possibly want. Everything was at their disposal. There was only one thing they couldn’t have – the fruit of one tree. And what did they want? You guessed it! That fruit.

We live in a perpetual state of discontentment. We are relentlessly wanting the latest device, the most current fashions, less wrinkles, and better vacations. We change schools, move houses, switch jobs, hop churches and get divorces at a greater rate than any generation before us. All because of our default setting – discontentment.

But there is good news. If we don’t like the default ringer on our phone we can change it. If we’re not happy with the default font or web browser, we can choose a different font and a new browser. And we can reset the discontentment default, too. While it is not as easy as flipping a switch, it can be learned. Here are a few ways we can do that:

1. Be Thankful

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

No matter what circumstance we find ourselves in, there is ALWAYS something to thank God for! We should make a habit of writing down the things we are thankful for – tangible and intangible. And when we find ourselves wanting something (but knowing we don’t need it), we can take out that sheet of paper and be reminded of all that we already have.

2. Rely on God

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger abundance and need. I can do all things though him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Perhaps Philippians 4:13 is one of the most misused verses in all the Bible. We paint it on signs to encourage our favorite team that they can win if Christ is on their side. But the verse is really saying even if our team loses they can handle the defeat with Christ’s strength. Interesting the context these words are found in – we can be content in times of plenty and times of scarcity – with God’s help.

3. Be Generous

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Giving is the antidote to materialism. Start somewhere. Give today. Move the discontentment setting closer to contentment.

 

Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have… Hebrews 13:15

 

 

 

Today is ½ price chocolate day! That’s right, it’s February 15th, the day following the highly commercialized extravaganza known as Valentine’s Day where we tell that special someone in our lives, “I love you” complete with overpriced cards, candy and flowers.

I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. But I do love half-off chocolate! And it does give us an opportunity to talk about love. And what better way to do that than by turning to the love chapter – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (CEB):

Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.

I was once challenged to make 1 Corinthians 13 personal by putting my name in place of the word love. So, for me, it would read, “Ryan is patient, Ryan is kind, Ryan isn’t jealous, Ryan doesn’t brag…” and so on.

Go ahead, try it.

Convicting, isn’t it?

That’s why I’m not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. There’s nothing wrong with buying cards, candy and flowers to celebrate love. But are we living that love every day? Or does our record of complaints last longer than the chocolate that swiftly disappears and the flowers that quickly fade?

Today is ½ price chocolate day. So, go buy yourself a chocolate heart and remember that Valentines’ Day isn’t just one day of the year but every day.

2017 Influenza Virus = 3                Smallwood Family = 1

Three of us down. One has avoided the infirmary and hopefully he continues to dodge the bullet. And I know it’s not just affecting us. I’ve heard of many who are out of order with the same stuff. One school we know was missing over 200 kids today. And another school is cancelling classes to try and bring an end to the outbreak.

Because typing hurts my fingers, I’ll be brief. But it reminds of something Jesus said:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

Jesus is often called the Great Physician because of this claim.  He used a common experience (doctors help the physically ill) to describe a spiritual reality (Jesus saves the spiritually sick).  It’s an analogy that hits close to home in a broken world – and when you have the flu.

So, let’s say I finally give in and go see a doctor. If I want to get well there are a few things that must happen:

1. I have to be honest.
When I make an appointment with my doctor I must be honest about my symptoms. I have to tell him my head feels like it’s about to explode. My throat feels like I swallowed a thousand razor blades. My chest feels like an elephant decided to camp out there. And that woodpeckers have taken up residence in every bone in my body. Sure, the doctor can perform lots of tests to determine the problem, but it certainly helps if I am willing to be honest.

Likewise, when we come to the Great Physician, we must be honest about our problem. We have to acknowledge the habit we can’t kick, the hang-up that nags us, and the hurt we can’t seem to shed. True, He already knows the condition and the cure. But there is hope found on the other side of honesty. Once I have acknowledged or confessed the problem, the Physician can go to work.

2. I have to follow the doctor’s orders.
The doctor will get to the cause of my symptoms and will order up the cure. Perhaps I’m prescribed some tasty medicine. Maybe the doctor tells me I need to give in, stop working and rest. Or conceivably I’m told I need to eat better and exercise more (Isn’t that what they always say?). Bottom line is I must follow whatever is prescribed to get well.

Likewise, once we’ve acknowledged our letdowns before the Great Physician, we must follow whatever is prescribed. The word we use is repentance which literally means we must go a different direction. We must give up the habit we are struggling with, the hang-up we don’t want to let go of or the hurt we are trying to harbor. Bottom line is we must follow the Great Physician’s orders.

I hope you don’t have the flu but I hope you realize you are sick. We all are! And that’s okay. Jesus didn’t come for those who think they are well but for those who admit they need the Great Physician.

Are you being honest? Are you following the Doctor’s orders?

Last week I shared with you my expertise in loading the dishwasher (https://jryansmallwood.com/2017/01/25/youre-loading-the-dishwasher-wrong). It was met with the applause of lots of men out there who share a similar plight. Considering that, this week I thought I would share with you my talent for doing laundry.

In our nearly 24 years of marriage, Amy has almost always done our laundry. I absolutely help and even do it from time to time but when it comes to the division of labor in our house, Amy has always taken the lead with keeping us in clean clothes. One evening several years ago, we were having a very innocent discussion and the topic of laundry came up. In that conversation, I simply stated that I would do the laundry differently than Amy does. I believe I said that I would do it more efficiently. (I know, next week’s blog is on ten things you should never say to your wife). Amy didn’t move things from the washer to the dryer and from the dryer to the closet as quickly as I preferred. So often, at my doing, her clothes ended up on the floor of her closet. I simply stated her method wasn’t as efficient as mine. And that was the day she went on strike. Amy continued to do everyone’s laundry except for mine. I was on my own. If I wanted clean underwear, I better make sure they get that way. And I did – my way. Very efficiently I might add.

Let’s just say my views on doing the laundry were religious. The word “religion” literally means “a particular system” and we usually relate that to faith and worship. But we can be religious about anything from the way we brush our teeth to the way we eat a hamburger and to the way we load the dishwasher or do laundry. The danger is when we begin to think our system is the only right one. Let’s admit it. There are lots of different ways to do laundry. And they can all be valid ways. They all get the clothes clean!

The point is this – instead of claiming our answers for the world’s problems are the only right ones, let us take note of those who see it differently than we do. Rather than attacking those on social media who express an opposing view, let us have open and meaningful conversations about our differences. Instead of propagating slander and using hurtful words, let us find common ground and use that to move forward for the common good.

The strike has since come to an end. Amy still takes the lead with doing most of our laundry – even mine – but we work together to get it done. May we be a people who work together to make the world a better place.

We had just finished a tasty dinner, cleaned up the kitchen and Amy asked me to start the dishwasher. I knew it wasn’t full enough to run because I had surveyed her loading it. So, as she walked out of the room, I took advantage of the opportunity to rearrange a few things. I moved a few bowls, repositioned a few cups and shifted a few plates. And, bingo – there was lots more room in the dishwasher! Running it as Amy had loaded it would have been a waste of soap and water. It had been stocked rather loosely, somewhat haphazardly and without much organization. But, I fixed it. And I stood there gloating over a job well done until…I felt her presence. I was caught in the act. Gloating over. And, it’s not necessary for you to know what happened next.

I can load dishes in the dishwasher like nobody’s business. I can stuff luggage in the trunk of a car like sardines. I can pack items in a shipping box two sizes smaller than it should be. It’s a gift. Unfortunately, I can pack my schedule just as tight.

I often view my calendar as I do the dishwasher. It’s not ready to run until it’s loaded to max capacity. If there are blank spaces, they need to be filled. Things need to be moved around, repositioned and placed differently to make room for more. There’s no excuse for stocking things loosely, haphazardly or without organization.

Guess what? I’m loading the dishwasher wrong. Gloating over. When my calendar is filled to the brim there’s no margin. You know, margin. Space. Like the room the barista leaves for cream in the coffee cup. Like the blank space a publisher leaves on the periphery of the page for marking notes. The opening for the unexpected that happens in life. The gap that leaves room for rest. The distance between breathing freely and suffocating.

Yes, I’m loading the dishwasher wrong. Gloating over. It’s time to unload some items. It’s time to make sure the most important things make it in and not the most urgent things. It’s time to say no to some things – they can wait till the next cycle. It will come around again. It’s even okay if the dishwasher doesn’t run today. It’s called Sabbath. And it’s a good thing.

Yes, I’m loading the dishwasher wrong? Gloating over. What about you?

I saw a cartoon recently that depicted a gentleman struggling to wake up and get out of bed with his wife standing over him pleading with him to get going. He tells her that he doesn’t want to go to church. And her response: “You have to go. You’re the pastor!”

I can relate to that! Can You?

Is church attendance important? Glad you asked! Let me tell you a story.

For Christmas this year, my wife surprised me and the boys with tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game. Isn’t she awesome? It was such a fantastic experience on the Monday night after Christmas versus the Detroit Lions along with 100,000 other Cowboy fans. Well, there were a few Lion’s fans – including the two sitting right next to me – but that’s another story.

I have been a Cowboys fan my entire life – not a bandwagon fan – a true fan. I have loved them through all the good, the bad and the ugly. But this was the first time I have ever gotten to see them play in person. And it brought me to a whole new level of being Cowboys fan.

I was a Cowboys follower long before I ever stepped foot into AT&T Stadium. Likewise, one can be a Christ follower without ever stepping foot in a church. Billy Sunday said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.” But experiencing the game in person was way more exhilarating than watching it on my TV. I did more than see the game – I participated in the game. I was one of many cheering and yelling at the top of my lungs. And I’m sure Dak and Zeke could hear me! I was part of a community. Even in the presence of those who weren’t like-minded (those pesky Lion’s fans). It was simply…breathtaking. Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20, NLT).

This past Sunday I watched the Cowboy’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers from my living room but with a whole new perspective. I cheered, I yelled and maybe I even cussed a time or two. But I missed being in the community of those who were there at AT&T stadium. I so longed to be there in person.

Did I have to go to AT&T stadium to be a Cowboys fan? No. But it sure brought me to a whole new level of being a follower.

Do you have to go to church? No. But I promise you it will bring you to a whole new level of being a Christ follower.

See you Sunday?

On Monday evening, I joined in with over 26 million others in watching the College Football Playoff National Championship game. What a great game! It was a rematch of last year’s championship game between Alabama and Clemson. Alabama prevailed last year but Clemson won in dramatic fashion Monday night. If you are a Crimson Tide fan don’t hold it against me but I was cheering for Clemson. It’s not that I really love Clemson but I was pulling for the underdog. Besides, Alabama won it last year – it was Clemson’s turn. And if you are not a fan of football and could care less about the game, don’t stop reading – this blog post is not really about football.

Standing on the trophy presentation stage after the game, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he knew his guys wouldn’t quit. He said, “I talked to them about letting the light inside of them always be brighter than the light that is shining on them. If they focused on that, they’d be okay.”

Well said, Dabo. Well said. I do believe this will preach! On a different stage of sorts, it was Jesus who said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

How’s your light shining? Are others more fixated on the light shining on you or the light shining in you? Who is seeing the light within? Your husband/wife? Your children? Do those at work see the light on you or the light in you? Your students? Your teachers? Your friends? Do those who read your Facebook posts see the light shining on you or the light within you? Strangers you run into throughout the day?

Let the light shining inside of you be brighter than the light shining on you!

 

What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Are you a fan of the holiday classics? Movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story.  Maybe you prefer the other holiday classics like Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. You might prefer the heart-warming flicks such as Miracle on 34th Street or A Christmas Carol or maybe you just relate more to Scrooged and the Grinch. Perhaps you are a fan of the animated shows such as A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman and you watch them every year even if you have already seen them 30 times. Or perhaps you will watch Die Hard again this year and belly laugh at Home Alone even though you know what’s coming.

My guess is you can engage in some pretty remarkable conversations about Christmas movies. Everybody has their favorites. You and your spouse probably don’t even agree on your preference. If my wife has the remote control, she’s curled up on the sofa with a cup of coffee totally lost in a Hallmark movie. Give me the remote control and I’ll also take the sofa but with a Dr. Pepper and a good bowl game (that’s Christmassy right?). I’m guessing you will be spending Christmas with family where it may be difficult to decide on which movie everyone should gather around to watch. And I bet you can also participate in some pretty interesting conversations at the work water cooler over the best Christmas movies. Just try it!

Whether you prefer sappy or action-packed, animated or onscreen, black and white or color, there is something we can all concede to – Christmas movies only exist because of the simple, down-to-earth birth of a peasant boy over two thousand years ago in the Middle East. Regardless of your background, religion, or life circumstances we recognize that billions of people set aside their normal routines this time of year to decorate their homes, buy gifts, go to Christmas parties, attend church services, sing Christmas songs and yes, watch Christmas movies.

You probably see the world very differently than those you live with, spend Christmas with, work with or those you just randomly rub elbows with. You probably vote differently. You land on opposing sides of “hot-topic” issues. You view the world and solutions to humanity’s problems through different lenses. You can’t even agree on the best Christmas movie for crying out loud. So, as you dig into the food, the opening of presents and yes, the Christmas movie watching binge, put those differences aside and focus on the reason for the season – Jesus. Beneath all the visible sights and sounds of Christmas is a simple yet profound truth that can transform our lives more than any present you will receive or movie you will watch. It’s not in It’s a Wonderful Life or Elf, it’s in a baby boy born in a manger. Let’s focus on Him this Christmas!

I’m a much better player from the couch. I call the plays blamelessly from the bleachers. I never would have made that pass. And the day after the game, they should just hire me I’m so good.

I can do it better. Or at least I would do it different. I would do it my way. And it would be excellent.

How about you?

How about the Christmas story? I would have done it different. God could have used my help. Jesus was born in a feed trough. That wasn’t the way it should have happened. The witnesses to the birth of the Savior stood on four legs and mooed. Is this the way it should have taken place? Not if I was calling the plays. It would certainly have been more extravagant with much more splendor.

And there were lots of others who thought so too. Those living in the first century had long been awaiting the Messiah. And guess what – they missed Him. They missed Christmas. They missed what God was doing in the world. They missed what God was doing in their own life. Why? Because it’s not the way they wanted it to happen.

I wonder how often we miss things that God is up to in our lives because we are looking for something else. Because we would call the plays a different way. Because it doesn’t fit our schedule. Because it’s not convenient for us. Because there’s not enough pomp and circumstance. Because it’s not happening the way I want it to happen.

I think I can do it better. Or at least I would do it different. I want it my way. And I would miss it.

How about you?