The four different Gospel writers give us a fuller view of the entire story. It is like hearing the same story told from four different perspectives. The agreement of the four authors actually lends a lot of support to the truth of the story. While at the same time it gives us their individual perspectives of the story.

We will find Mary the Mother of Jesus was at the cross. John writes about that in the Gospel of John. He remembers that fact quite clearly because Jesus told John to take care of His mom.

I am not so sure that we can separate joy and happiness into two completely separate categories.  Although I think there is a difference; however, I also think that happiness is part of joy.  I don’t know that there is a knife so sharp that it can cleanly separate the two.  

I would love to get some of your thoughts on the subject of joy versus happiness.

More times than we care to admit, we simply don't know what the next step is.  But if our hearts are bound to the heart of God, we are never lost.

Forward facing faith; hearts bound to the heart of God; life is really all about who you are with rather than where you are going. 

It reminded me how crazy this time of year can be.  Coming and going, running here and there.  So often we miss it, I miss it.  I miss God, I miss who He is, waiting for Him to do something spectacular.  When I forget that He already is spectacular.  I just have to stop, stop and see, stop and listen.  Just stop. 

And to be able to share this experience with a friend, priceless! 

Wouldn't it be great if he could test drive the car for about 6 months to make sure it was what he wanted? Just to be certain that the transmission was good to go, to know that the car would start every morning and to make sure there were no hidden problems.

Even if he could test drive it for 6 months, we all know what would happen at 6 months and 1 day.  The engine would fall out! Then he’s stuck with it. 

That is where many people are in their relationships: stuck. They entered into the relationship thinking that it was perfect. Many times they even "test drove” the relationship to make sure things were the way they wanted them to be. The problem is, like cars, people change. Sometimes there is hidden damage that no one is aware of.  Five, ten or fifteen years go by and then the hidden damage becomes visible. Many times, the words "I am just not happy anymore," follow that exposed damage.

Buyer’s remorse sets in… If they only knew then what they know now...

But not my son!  If the engine fell out, that would be ok. He would have purchased the car not because it was perfect, but because he loves old Mustangs. 

Granted, relationships are a lot more complicated than buying an old car.  It takes two people, actually three counting God, to make a relationship work.  When the sole basis for the relationship is a temporary feeling of happiness, or that we've tried this out and it seems to work, something important is missing. 

Love.

Not just the feeling of love, but the commitment to love whether or not the engine falls out. 

When I see couples who have been married 50, 60+ years, I know they are not the same people they were 40 years ago. Life has brought change into each of their lives. There had to be days the car didn't start, or the tire was flat.  How did stay together?  How did they stand the test of time? 

It was a committed decision on both parts to love each other. One that we need to make in our own relationships.

I wonder how many relationships have been formed based solely upon what you do for me today; based solely upon the test drive.  But when the rust starts showing, the engine starts knocking, when things start to change, it becomes all too easy to trade that old car in.

Unless you love old Mustangs.

It made me think about living with closed or open hands.  He was holding on so tightly to his current situation that even if God wanted to bless him with a new position He couldn't. 

Made me wonder how many things am I holding on too because I don't want to lose them, but God might have something more wonderful in mind for me. 

Unless I open my hand and trust God I will never know.

Normally when I think of opening my hands and trusting God with my life, I hear this command from God, "Drop it! Stop it! Run from it!"  And of course He is right.  He is God.  But old habits are comfortable and hard to break. 

Sometimes God might say, "This needs some work."  That is always a painful process because I have to face the reality of me.  I have to face my insecurities, my failures, my mistakes.  Each time the dentist aims his needle into my gums I want to jump even though I know it is best for me.  Even though I know the pain will be temporary, I still push back from it.

Rarely do I think that God  might just say, "Are you ready for an upgrade?"  I've got something so much better for you in mind.  You simply have to trust me.  Let's get rid of what's in your hand and trust me with what is going to come.  This is the hardest one for me.  Because what is in my hand isn't bad.  It is not wrong, it is not even broke.  It is rather good.  It is comfortable! But as Jim Collins writes, "The Good is always the enemy of the Great."  Do I trust that God has my best interest in mind?

Or maybe He might just say, "Wow, that is pretty.  I hope you are fully enjoying it."  Would God really say that?  I think He would.  I think He does!  I just wish I could hold my hand open longer.

I think about that scenario as it relates to our growth as a follower of Christ. I believe God has uniquely wired each person with different passions. It is what makes us unique. It is those same passions skewed a mere 10 degrees off focus that leads us into trouble. 

So for instance if a person is wired up as a leader, it is that very passion skewed 10 degrees that leads to danger, great danger.  That person can quickly become domineering and just steam roll over people, leading to haughtiness, self-righteousness, and a whole lot of other ugly stuff.

Some would say, stay away from the edge.  But then you are denying who you are. This is we're maturity comes in. Just as you would not send a 4 year old out to look out over a ledge by himself, nor would you send a 13 year old out there without a warning, if we are going to fully exercise our God given passions in a healthy godly way, we must do so with a sense of spiritual maturity and growth.

That is one reason why the spiritual disciplines of prayer, study, and accountability are so important. These disciplines help us to focus our passions.  If we allow our passion to run amuck in our lives they can lead to disaster; however, when we yield our passions to Holy Spirit, inviting Him to guide our passions, we come alive. Others are blessed. God is glorified. 

This past weekend at NewSong we talked about how our true passions are often high jacked by the enemy to lead us away from becoming the best version of me. It is the one thing that will get us out of the flow of the Spirit of God in our life. Below is a list of strengths and their accompanying weaknesses (10 degrees off) from John Ortberg’s book, “The Me I want to be.” 

• Which category best describes you?

• Tell a friend or two, and see if it matches their observation of you.

• What does this tell you about your sin pattern and temptation?

REFORMER

STRENGTHS: Lives with an internal standard of what is good, noble, and beautiful. Calls others to live better lives.

WEAKNESSES: Can be arrogant when unredeemed. Has high standards that can lead to a secret inner sense of inadequacy.

Example: The prophet Amos, who carried a plumb-line to show Israel the standard God expected of society.

SERVER

STRENGTHS: Lives out love in action. Has a natural other-centeredness that makes people feel cared for.

WEAKNESSES: Can use “giving” to manipulate others. Sometimes mistakes servanthood with fear or low esteem.

Example: Martha, who was busy serving while her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.

ACHIEVER

STRENGTHS: Has a strong desire to grow. Has the ability to accomplish things and add value in the lives and world around them.

WEAKNESSES: Has the temptation to be preoccupied with one’s own success. Sometimes uses other people to receive applause or approval.

Example: Solomon, who sought achievement in education, finance, culture, government, and the arts.

ARTIST

STRENGTHS:  Loves beauty and goodness. Brings imagination to life, love, and faith.

WEAKNESSES: Finds that the need to be different can become an end in itself. Can be tempted to give in to impulses and live an undisciplined life.

Example: King David, who had strong gifts as a poet, dancer, and composer of many psalms.

THINKER

STRENGTHS: Is a discoverer, inventor, and lover of logic. Holds a passion for truth—even when it is costly.

WEAKNESSES: Having conviction of being right can lead to arrogance. Can be tempted to withdraw from relationships and love.

Example: The apostle, Paul, who loved to study, reason, explore and teach.

LOYALIST

STRENGTHS: Is faithful and dependable when the chips are down. Loves to be part of a great team.

WEAKNESSES: Is prone to skepticism or cynicism. When threatened, can be pushed into isolation by fear.

Examples: Elisha, who became Elijah’s steadfast companion and protégé.

ENTHUSIAST

STRENGTHS: Has high capacity for joy and emotional expression. Has enthusiasm that is contagious for others.

WEAKNESSES: Can have a need to be the center of attention. Has a need to avoid pain that can lead to escape and addiction.

Example: The apostle, Peter, who was the first one to leap out of the boat—even if it meant sinking.

COMMANDER

STRENGTHS: Has a passion for justice and desire to champion a great cause. Has charisma to lead and inspire others.

WEAKNESSES: Has a need for power that can cause others to feel used. Sometimes relies on fear and intimidation to get one’s own way.

Example: Nehemiah, who was moved to action—rallying followers and defying opponents—when he heard Jerusalem was in ruins.

PEACEMAKER

STRENGTHS: Has a natural ability to listen well and give wise counsel. Has an easygoing, low-maintenance relational style.

WEAKENSSES:  Has a tendency to smooth things over and avoid conflict. Is passive.

Example: Abraham, who was a peacemaker with his wife, his nephew Lot, and foreign leaders—even attempting to mediate between God and Sodom and Gomorrah.

Many Christians also like categories.  As I am preparing a sermon from the Acts 15 passage, "Should all Christians look alike, act alike?"  A discussion board that I am part of asked the participants to define the terms evangelical, conservative, liberal, fundamentalist, charismatic, etc from a Biblical perspective.  You see we like categories. 

The problem with categories is that they are arbitary at times and instead of bringing people in they keep people out. 

It seems that James states that we should remove the barriers that keep people from coming to Christ.  Specially in that context that surgery is not required neither is following the Mosaic worship practices (Acts 15:19).  However; he also states that we should respect difference in worship practices and avoid the 4 mentioned things in vs. 20.  3 of which refer to eating of meat with blood and the 4th dealing with sexual immorality which is to be avoided. 

I wonder what are the barriers that we unintentionally put up in the church? at NewSong?  While at the same time the things that we do help define who we are.  Christianity is not a behavior modification program, but like all relationships it does change our behavior? 

How does one manage the tension tearing down the barriers without losing who you are?  What are the non-negotiables? 

We've been talking about the difference between being a bold follower of Jesus and simply being weird?  John the Baptist stood out from amount the crowds.  He wore clothing made of camels hair and he ate wild locust and honey. He stood by the waters or in the water calling people to repent of their sins.  Some would call that weird.

Now in reality all of us are a little weird.  We all have our quirks.  We all have those things that we do spiritually to help us focus on Christ. Yet when people who don't understand us or our relationship with Christ can easily think that a person who attends a worship service every week and joyfully gives 10% of their income is simply weird. 

My concern is that people who are not followers of Jesus are turned off and away because of our weirdness.  Some of that is just to be expected.  But... Sometimes followers of Jesus, in my opinion over spiritualized things to the point that they simply become weird.

The first followers of Jesus believed in this "new" religion based on the resurrection of Jesus. They left everything to follow Him.  And they would eat a meal which would include a time of sharing bread and wine that they said represented Jesus' body and blood. That's weird. 

Or is it based in reality?   The first followers of Jesus did not go around saying this is what we believe.  Rather they said this is what we have witnessed.  We saw this. There is no magic here.  Jesus was crucified.  We saw Him die. He was buried in the tomb right over there, which is now empty. And we have seen Him alive. We are witnesses!

For me weird happens when we over spiritualized things. Jesus is real!  He died was buried and is now alive. That is the fact that the first followers based their life on. Not some feeling not some saying not some magic words or formula. 

People want something that is real.  There will always be an large part of following Christ that is filled with mystery. He is God!  But the mystery is just that, the unknown known.

Was John the Baptist weird.  Depends on who you ask.  But his teachings were solid grounded in reality. There is one coming greater than I.  Repent of your sin.  Seek God to find life! 

To me that is solid, not weird.