Chipotle of Freebirds?

When Is The Last Time You Really Changed Your Mind?

I can be stubborn... Those of you that know me well would agree I'm sure. My pastor Tim and I have a long running, spirited debate on Texas vs Arizona. Anything is up for discussion and any argument on any grounds is worth mentioning. We've discussed weather, activities, scenery, history, and more. Neither one of us has budged, and I can say with some certainty that neither of us will. Now you and I both know there's no competition. Texas is in its own category. Truthfully, I don't own any boots, I hate country music, and I haven't ridden my horse to work in years! But I do fancy a good debate every now and again, and I'll defend my state to the Arizonian any day.

There's a much more important discussion that we've had recently. Chipotle vs. Freebirds. For those of you that don't have access to both... I do apologize. Write your congressman. But these two "make it your way" burrito places happen to be right across the street from one another. Now I've always been an avid fan of Chipotle and would argue about anything from guacamole consistency to restaurant ambiance. I've been this way for years and anytime the discussion comes up, I've got new ammo prepared. But you know what? We went to Freebirds not too long ago and I Change My Mind! It wasn't easy. I felt like a betrayer. I felt like I'd let all my fellow Chipotle aficionados down... Most of all. I had to admit to Tim that I was wrong... And he was right. 

On our way back I began thinking about my conversion and how difficult it was to actually say, "You know, I think Freebirds is better." I've been a little tongue in cheek about the fun day at Freebirds, but it did get me thinking. If it's somewhat difficult for me to switch my burrito loyalty, it's got to be straight up impossible for a nonbeliever to switch his loyalty from himself to a God he's never seen. To admit that his whole belief system is wrong. He's got to submit to an authority that's not himself... Man that's tough. I've had my share of conversations with my non-believing friends and to be honest, I have yet to "convince" any of them that they're wrong. The conversation can't be about that. It is only through God drawing that they will respond.... And not my logic. Darkness hates light and will not understand it (John 1:5, 3:20). My little Freebirds experience helped me understand how difficult it is for someone to actually change their mind and admit, "I was wrong before." We don't Share Christ to win arguments.. If the conversation becomes becomes right vs wrong, we've lost. We have no reason to boast or brag about what we know to be true (Rom. 3:27). We must talk about Jesus and the cross, about sin and repentance, about faith and hope and the resurrection... And we must remember that we are no better than those we speak with. We've simply been given the gift made available to all and we lovingly, and humbly communicate that gift to others. And we pray. And then we pray again. And we pray again... For God to open their eyes, soften their hearts, for Him to pierce through stubbornness and pride and human wisdom and self idolatry... And to save others like He saved us, for His glory.

When was the last time you really changed your mind? Have you had conversations with people in which you came to realize you were wrong but wouldn't admit it? One goal I have in 2014 is to be less stubborn and admit when I'm wrong, even in the small things. Even when it really does not matter. Because I realize how hard it can be for people to change their minds and admit their folly when it does.

Are You Nicer This Time of Year? I Hope Not!

Excluding Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping (don't get me started on that), people are for the most part noticeable nicer this year. I've noticed... Have you? It seems more likely that someone will take my cart while I pack my car, or let me in their lane (I know...) My kid loves dogs right now. She will stand at our front door and stare and shout "Duu!" at people throwing their Frisbees with their dogs. This time of year I have more walks with people who will stop and let my kid play with their dog and chat with me. It just seems people are more inclined in some small but significant way to lift my spirits or ease my life a bit. Significant, because although the act may be small, the very fact that it is occurring makes it significant because these things just don't happen too often. I've taken the opportunity to be nicer this time of year as well. I ride mountain bikes and keep tools in my car. Not too long ago I drove by a man struggling with the chain on his bike so I threw on the hazards, got out  and got him running again. Not a huge deal. But I'm not positive I would have stopped had it not been December. It's not because I'm filled with Christmas cheer or whatever. I'm nicer because I know it won't freak people out as much. They expect it... It's the season. If I stop and chat or take their cart back, it's not as awkward, because it's December and it's ok to go a bit further this month. It made me think...  

Why have I not been insanely nice year round? It's because I don't want to freak people out. It's awkward to go above and beyond in April or August because people don't expect it... We all get what's going on in December. There's an understanding between people. That's just not the case the rest of the year. Which is exactly why I should be awkwardly, freakishly nice year round. People, don't expect it, so when it does occur... sure it's awkward, but it's also really cool. Now don't get the idea that I'm arguing for "Nice Act Evangelism" or whatever you want to call it. You know what I mean. The thought that if we're really different and really nice to people, they'll notice and ask us what makes us so different. Seriously, has this ever happened to anyone?

We are to be this way because it's what Christ calls us to. He tells us to be over the top nice to all people, all year. Even those we don't agree with. Who don't see it like we do.  Even those who can't stand us. Especially those guys. We're to act this way because the rest of the world doesn't. But it's not just going to happen. None of us will ever drift towards holiness. We've got to be intentional about it. I've got to leave my house early so that if I see someone, I'll not be able to use time as an excuse. I've got to look for those people with the cart return a mile away. I've got to go outside and engage those dog/frisbee people in the park and let their dog lick my kid's face so that we can meet and chat. I've got to be prepared. Because I know me, and my selfishness will attempt to justify not helping, not stopping. It'll give me a reason to ignore and move on.

So are you nicer this time of year? I have been... But I don't want to be. I want to be this way all the time. Even when it's awkward... Especially then.

My students opposed me! (and I'm glad they did)

Growing up, church business meetings weren't really high on the priority list. Lectures, occasional conflict, motioning and seconding... Thanks, but no thanks. 

Our church had a business meeting this weekend and over 50% of my midweek Bible study crowd attended. That in itself was encouraging. It's been well established that one cause of the oft-quoted 80% dropout rate is that students don't connect to their church. They just connect to the youth group. These guys care way more than I did when I was their age. These guys are invested in their church, and that is so good to see. That was surprise number one.

So I was encouraged, but also fearful that they'd get turned off by the whole process. There was a vote on the table and it doesn't really matter what it was, just know it wasn't a huge deal (like carpet color) and there wasn't a clear right and wrong way to vote. It was a preference kind of thing... Still my kids are leaning forward constantly and asking questions... grown up questions... lots of them. Some I didn't even have answers to. They desperately wanted to understand the issue. So we vote and the vote was split somewhat evenly... Another fearful moment because I knew these guys just saw that our church was not all on the same page. I wanted their experience to be positive. I wanted them to see unity. I wanted them to see unanimous voting! Which brings me to:

Surprise number two. 
The vote was so close that a simple "yea" or "nay" wouldn't do. So we do the stand up thing to count... And I stand up. And my students sitting behind me? Some of them.... Don't stand up.

They voted differently than I did. Which surprised me because I was really voting on their behalf. In other words, I was voting the way I expected them to vote. They completely destroyed my assumptions. Right after the vote I turned around and said, "We just voted differently... Still love me?" One spoke up and said, "I just voted differently than my dad, so yeah..." Why did this make me so happy? Because on some level I saw them owning and expressing their own feelings, not regurgitating mine or their parents. They are owning this whole church thing and it's one more step towards them totally owning their faith. The vote was small, but the moment was a big encouragement for me... And though they might not realize it yet, it was huge for them as well.