Give It a Rest!

    The screen on my phone is cracked so I took it in to get it replaced while it is still covered under its extended warranty. So I have a loaner phone. I’m kind of a techy, but since I only have the loaner for a couple of weeks, I am not bothering to learn how to use it too well. I wasn’t even able to answer it the first day. I now know the basics, but I think I’m even missing voice mails.
    But I’ve discovered something. The break has been nice. My other phone can pretty much do anything, from surfing the web, to giving me voice turn-by-turn directions to a specified address, taking high quality pictures and video, checking the news, weather & traffic, listen to music, and on and on I could go. But now while I am sitting and waiting at the dentist’s office, or forced into some other kind of idle time, it’s just that….idle. At first, I didn’t know what to do with myself; nothing electronic to play with. Then I learned that just sitting and waiting was actually enjoyable (been a while since I’ve done that!)
    Now, I just read an article in The New York Times about a series of studies conducted on the human brain. It seems that those of us who carry these high tech devices are becoming “learning disabled” so to speak, because we don’t give our brains enough down time to process all the info we are taking in. Well, it’s not just those with smart phones. It includes those who have to have their iPod playing while exercising and who need to turn the TV on when they have a chance to sit down at home. The problem these researches are finding is that the brain does not store information during high input time. It needs rest in order to process that information as it reorganizes the data and sends important items into long term memory. These scientists are telling us that being bored, at least for a short time, is good for our ability to remember things and reason through complex thought processes. A lot of us who think we are aging prematurely and becoming forgetful are just needing to give our brains more of a break.
    God told His people from the very beginning that we are designed to take breaks. That’s why He created the system of day and night, and told us to take a day off every week. Jesus was a pretty good example here. While He was the model of strength, He scheduled in his days, weeks and months, time away from the crowds and his ministry, to get away and alone. I’ve been trying to do that. The trouble is….I’ve been bringing my phone and my laptop!
    I think I’m learning a valuable lesson. I’m going to try to give my brain a rest so that I have it to use effectively when it is on. And I’m going to try to get away from all these electronic devices periodically (I did speak on addiction last week, remember?).
    How about you? Are you giving your brain the rest it needs? I’ve learned that the best rest for me is time away and alone with God! (I learned that from Jesus’ example.) Give it a try. You might find that in the end, you get more done. And when you need to be on, you really will be!

Why Does a Baby Smile?

    My wife, youngest son and I were on vacation last week. I have a funny way of relaxing on weekends when I am not preaching. I go to as many churches as I can. Believe it or not, my wife enjoys it as well (not sure that the kids saw it the same way growing up). So this last weekend, we visited three different churches between Saturday night and Sunday morning. We enjoyed great corporate worship with fellow believers of other congregations, learned about some different ways of going about ministry, and heard some really good messages from the Bible.
    But I have to tell you about one of the most profound illustrations I witnessed. Jesus used to love using children as object lessons in his teaching, and He did that for me last Sunday. I was sitting in a service behind a young family with an infant. I couldn’t help but notice the interaction between Dad and little boy. This baby was just old enough to begin smiling, and you could tell he was new at it. He stared at his father’s face just waiting to make eye contact and every time his father looked down, the corners of the infant’s mouth curved upward. Over and over I saw that baby go from smiling to staring to smiling and staring again. When his father was looking at the pastor, the baby just stared at Daddy’s face, waiting for him to make eye contact. When Dad looked down at his child, the baby grinned. He seemed to crave a connection with the man and he knew he would get it by smiling.
    Babies learn this very early in life. They get added affection and attention when they smile. (I know, they get it when the cry, too, which is all the more reason to give more attention for smiling than for crying!) Anyway, children have an innate desire to connect with other people. It’s something God created us all a craving for. We were created to be social beings and God takes joy in our bonding with one another.
    That’s one of the reasons He founded the church. God did not send His Son only to save you, He sent Jesus to procure a family! He wants you to be part of His family, which is what the Church is, God’s family. The Bridge exists to connect people with God AND to connect people with people.
    That’s why we keep saying that church is not a spectator event. Going to church is a weekly family activity to honor The Father together! That’s why we keep saying, “Everyone in the church should be committed to a small group!” It’s in the context of small groups where relationships are formed and family bonds are fortified. That’s why we also say that every Christian should have place of service in the church. Being part of the family means serving others and sharing in the family chores, so to speak.
    Like that little boy seeking to connect with his daddy, you’ve been created with an inborn need to relate with other people. Jesus established His church to fulfill that need. So come on, be part of the family. Be faithful in attending every Sunday. Join a small group. And get involved in a ministry where you can love and serve others. That’s what the church is all about!