Lessons from Seinfeld

The last couple of days I have been thinking about the last episode of Seinfeld.  To be honest, I don’t know why…I haven’t seen it in many, many months, but I just keep replaying the absurdity of the story line.

Do you remember it?

While stranded in a small town in the south, the Seinfeld crew (Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer) watch as a heavy set man gets abused, ridiculed, and robbed just a few feet away.  Instead of offering to help/support/rescue, they heartlessly made fun of him and the situation.

At that point, an officer arrested them for their indifference and apathy.  If I remember correctly, they were charged under the Good Samaritan Act (unfortunately not a real thing).

These last few days, I have been thinking about how many times in our culture, we are guilty of the same things. 

We are surrounded by people who are hurting, hopeless, and confused.  They are being abused, ridiculed, and robbed by the world…actually by Satan himself (John 10:10), yet we barely notice and we rarely care.

Instead of the compassion and concern that Jesus showed, we often drift towards indifference and apathy. 

Makes me wonder if we would be found guilty under the Good Samaritan Act. 

Unto the Least of these

Most Christ followers of familiar with the scripture in Matthew 25:40 that tells us what we did to the “least of these” we did to Jesus (he said it, I didn’t).  And although from a physical standpoint I think many of us would be found wanting, I believe that this scripture also very much applies (and possibly more so) to spiritual poverty and pain. 

When we turn the other cheek, not in meekness, but in the intentional act of ignoring someone’s spiritual need for Jesus, we are not treating them the way Jesus would want us to.

When we huddle with our “own kind” unwilling to cross the street and engage the lost, margenelized, and forgotten, we are not representing Christ well.

And, when we choose to protect our comfort, convenience, and safety rather than share the message of hope that can change someone’s life, we are choosing to ignore their pain…we are not being a good neigbor.

If Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer were found guilty (which they were) under The Good Samaritan Act, how much more will we be found guilty if we have the message of hope, and the power of the Holy Spirit, and the truth that ensures eternity in Heaven behind us and we choose to not share it with those who need it desperately?

The greatest thing we can do for someone is to give them an answer for the hope that we have and the hope that they can find in Jesus.  We need to be sure to share what we know and who we know…we can’t just watch from a distance and people struggle in life and head to hell when we can come to their rescue. 

Dead birds can’t fly

This morning I happened upon evidence that someone had been murdered. 

Blood and feathers…and a wing were littering the front lawn and walkway of our office building allowing me with great certainty to say that a bird had lost his life.

Perhaps there was a cat that snuck up on the victim. Perhaps it was wounded previously and it couldn’t escape, but whatever the case we do know that yesterday the bird was alive, and now it is not. 

Now, I could turn this to ask the age-old preacher’s question, “if you were to get eaten by a cat tonight on your way home from church would you go to Heaven?” (is that how it goes), but instead, I would like to pose the question, “are you easy prey?”

See, I don’t think that the bird woke up yesterday and realized that he was vulnerable.  I don’t think he (or she) thought she would be stalked, caught, killed, and devoured, yet he was. 

So, what lessons can we learn from the bird that was? Here are a few off the top of my head…

• The moment you let you guard down you are in danger.  I Peter 5:8 tells us to be alert and of a sober mind because we have an enemy. He is patient and persistent.  He is waiting for us to let down our guard and forget that we are in a battle.  He is waiting for us to slip in our convictions.  Keep your guard up and you will not be caught off guard.
• Stay close to Jesus.  Now, this may be a stretch, and I can’t prove it, but I am pretty sure that no bird was ever snatched by a critter when he was within a few feet of Jesus.  Jesus would not allow a ferret, a raccoon, or a badger to get close to him.  So, according to my theory, if you stay close to Jesus you are going to be safe.  (Silly analogy with an animal, but true every time for the Christian).
• Surround yourself with animals of good moral strength.  Again, a stretch, (but I am in a strange mood this afternoon) but if you are surrounded with dozens of animals who don’t want to eat you but want to help protect you, no varmit is going to come near to you.  The problems come when all of those closest to you are looking out for themselves.  If that is the case, they will tear you down the moment they are able. 

Now, I could go on and make several other strange (but true) observations about the bird, how he died, what he was like, and such, but I will end it with this thought. 

Jesus doesn’t want you to die…he wants you to thrive.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10. 

Why Not

 

Why?  Why do I have to see commercials for E.D. multiple times during every sporting event that I watch? 

 

 

 

During political seasons, why am I forced to listen to the finger pointing, the posturing, and the propaganda of every candidate?

Why must I see the “glamour pics” of every pizza and burger joint (the food always looks better than when I visit these establishments) when i am trying to watch my diet? 

 

Why must I hear language that grates in my heart when I am just looking for a little mindless entertainment?

 

Why?  Because publicists, politicians, and promotional experts realize that “Faith comes by hearing.” They know that these messages, these images, and these suggestions will be embraced by people if they hear them enough.  So, they pay the money, they create the content, and they interrupt my life to share them with me…

 

This is their strategy…and it tends to work. They know that they can influence our beliefs and our behaviors if they force feed us their messages.

 

So…my next question…the real question.

 

Why Not?

 

Why wouldn’t we want the same audience? Why wouldn’t we want to share Christ with people who are solely looking for entertainment?

 

They might not go to our churches this weekend, but why wouldn’t we share about the Unconditional Lover with those who are watching shows that promote shallow and destructive love?

 

Why wouldn’t we suggest that He holds all the answers and that He can heal the broken hearted?

 

Why wouldn’t we invade mainstream media to tell of our merciful God?

 

Bottom line…we should.

 

We can.

 

We are.

 

Should we take Jesus into the heart of the culture…Absolutely. 

 

http://www.groundwire.net/donate

 

Looking for love in all the viral places

Before the internet the search for a dating partner/soul mate was much more random and complicated.  Now, in our culture, people that are “looking for love” or at least for someone worth dating gravitate towards a virtual experiment. 

Out of curiosity, I did a little bit of research and I was astounded. Did you know that out of the 54 million single people in the US that 40 million of them have tried online dating. 

According to the Online Dating Magazine there are approximately 2,500 online dating sites active currently (yes, there is an actual “online dating magazine”).

Match.com has 14 million users, Christian Mingle has 1.8 million, and in its history, EHarmony has served 33 million people and 15,000 people fill out their questionairre every day.  Wow!!!

I found some things that made me chuckle as well.  When asking what girls prefer, 38% said they are looking for a “nice guy”, 15% are looking for a “bad guy”, 34% are looking for a “blend of both, while 6% are looking for “any man I can get”.

This topic did not catch my attention because I am interested in Internet Dating.  I never have, and that is not in my future, but because I have done two weddings in the past couple of months of people who met online it has been at the front of my consciousness. 

As is typically the case, when I randomly ponder something for a while, I see the spiritual connect.

People are looking for love and connection online right?  The statistics prove that.  But, did you know that the Internet is currently being used to draw people into the relationship that really matters as well? It is not a bait and switch type thing where we are offering a date/relationship in the typical sense and then bombard them with the Bible until they choose to trust Christ.  It is simply an offer for conversation with a spiritual coach that can take many forms but where Jesus is talked about. 

Through www.groundwire.net our team of spiritual coaches are seeing people that are lonely, discouraged, disheartened, and overwhelmed come looking for hope and for purpose.  As they find a friend (online coach) that will listen to their questions and learn about their pain, they are open to hearing about the One (Jesus) who can answer their questions, heal their pain, forgive their sin, remove their shame, and give them direction.  That is when they come to faith.

That is what happened with a single mom who was making her living as a stripper.  She wasn’t looking for a man, but when she met Jesus, she was amazed by His love for her and she trusted Christ. 

Happens every day.

The internet has changed the dating game and it has changed the rules about evangelism and spiritual engagement as well…this is a tool that will help us connect hurting people with the One who can heal them.

If you “get” this and would like to help, let me share two ways that you can do that.

If you would like to be trained to be one of the spiritual coaches who is there when people are searching for someone to talk to, you can get your questions answered and begin the training process by going to www.groundwire.net/coaching.

Another way that you can help us advance the cause is by helping us get the word out.  The main online dating sites are growing because they advertise, Groundwire has the same strategy.  Check out the latest commercials at www.groundwire.net/tvcommercials.  And, to pay to place these commercials on stations like MTV, Vh1, Adult Swim, Comedy Central, and FX, you can make an online donation at www.groundwire.net/donate.

By getting involved with Groundwire you can be a match maker…not necessarily connecting soul mates, but connecting people who are lost and alone with their Savior who truly loves them more than they understand. 

Hello, my name is:

Today is an interesting day for me…I get to be someone else. 

A friend of mine is getting me into a meeting and the name tag says his name, not mine. I am finding it fun because at this particular convention he is “somebody” and I am nobody.  He is well known, has a great reputation, and sits on several boards.  Whereas I am unknown and ok with that.

So, today, by wearing his name, doors will be open and I will be treated like a favorite son. 

This morning, I was pondering how this mirrors my spiritual life.  In this life, I am nobody.  Definitely, the average/ordinary/underachieving/can walk into the room and impress no one type of guy.  However, when I trusted Christ, I got a new name tag.  In spiritual terms, I am no longer known as “Sean Dunn; sinner, screw up”, I am known as “Child of God; joint heir with Jesus”. 

When God looks at me, he doesn’t see my failures and mistakes…he doesn’t even see my limitations.  He sees Jesus and His righteousness.  He sees my savior. 

Jesus paid the price for my sin, and his shed blood provided me a name change.

So, today I get to pretend to be my friend, but everyday, I enjoy the benefit of being found in Jesus.  Enjoyed the reminder today…made me thankful.  Grateful for all God has done for me. 

Perfect God, Imperfect People.

It is amazing to me how diverse society is.  Different sizes, shapes, and shades.  Different interests.  Different temperaments.

Some thrive in the morning and die in the afternoon…others don’t get started until after dinner.

Some are loud and aggressive, some are quiet and strong. 

Although I have been pondering how different we all are, the thing that is resting on my heart today is the realization that God is completely faithful and consistent.  One God…one glorious, powerful, loving God.

Even though we change our minds, He never does.  Even though we fret, He does not.  You will not find insecurity in Him nor timidity. 

And, He is holy…let’s not forget that He is holy.

Yet, His love is unconditional and unwavering.  He loves the introvert and the extrovert.  He adores the accomplished and the person whose life is littered with failure. He wants a relationship about those who honor Him and those who have worked hard to discredit Him.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever…and His mercy extends to all people, of all backgrounds, who find themselves in a variety of circumstances.

The God of the Bible is perfect in every way and He extends His perfect love to all imperfect people.  That is why we celebrate His goodness and that is why we call Him Lord.   

Lessons from “In N Out”

Two days ago as I was killing some time between meetings I chose to go to one of my favorite places.  I chose In N Out Burger…

The In N Out chain has reached iconic status to many people.  I stop whenever I am close.  I have even been known to snap pictures of my food simply to make my friends from California jealous. 

Even though their footprint doesn’t venture far from Southern California, I have seen their T-shirts as far away as Australia and Africa.

Many California transplants that have ended up in other states of the union have begged the chain to venture their way. Unfortunately, they have been disappointed, because In N Out has one primary rule that they adhere to.  They will not put a store more than 6 to 8 hours from their approved meat supplier. 

Now, you might be wondering, why I am taking time to Randomly Interrupt your life with this simple fact…it is because as I was sitting there I realized they have discovered in this principle one of the main keys to a robust spiritual life.

In N Out determined that to have the best product they needed to have a close connection with their source…as Christians that is key for us as well.

The Bible says in John chapter 15, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

In effect it is saying that if you remain close to Him, you will bear much fruit. 

So, if you want your light to shine bright and if you want your faith to grow strong, you need to stay close to your source.

If In N Out will not move more than 6-8 hours from its source, should you go more than 24 hours without connecting with your?

Take time to connect to the vine.  Enjoy His presence and celebrate His goodness…and, secondarily, if you get a chance to check out In N Out, by all means, do it…it is worth your time.