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Richard Swenson provides a helpful insight and corrective in his book, Margin. The primary meaning of the word margin (it share a common origin with mark) is a border or limit. It has come to denote the area surrounding something (as the margin on a page, usually blank). We reflect this concept in the phrase, “margin of error.” To marginalize something is to push it to the borders or outside.

Swenson urges us to recognize the value of the margins of life. Rather than pushing one’s self to the absolute limit, consider the value of maintaining a margin. The margin is the space that exists between our reality and our limit. It is a reserve for meeting unanticipated situations and stressors. Today, one-third of Americans claim to live in extreme stress; nearly half say stress has increased in the last five years. Most of us live life to the limit with no available margin. Living lives “filled to the brim,” we do not have the emotional, physical, financial or time reserves essential to handle unexpected events in our lives. We operate on “overload,” drawing on all of our resources and even beyond our resources, in the same way that one can overload an electrical circuit so much that it eventually fails.

Swenson concludes that we must restore the reserves essential to handling the unexpected stresses of life. This requires adjusting our point of view. In a world that is driven by success and pushes capacity to the maximum, the biblical model provides a clear alternative. God gives rest, not only eternally, but in the present. Our world seems to thrive on commitment overload, information overload, technology overload, activity overload, choices overload….the list is almost endless. Protecting the emotional, physical, financial, and activity margins brings contentment, simplicity, balance, and rest. Most important, it makes us available to fulfill the purposes of God in our lives and in this world.

Christians committed to the purpose of God in this world cannot afford to live life without margins. Margins help us maintain a store of energy, vitality, and confidence so that we can seize the moments God provides.

Frainkly, I have had trouble getting the creative juices flowing over the past week.  Yet I feel the need to check in and say something to my friends and readers.  Seems that I just finished materials for the Leon, Mexico trip.  Now I am feeling the presssure to finish my presentation for the Pan-American Lectureship in Quito, Ecuador since we leave in a couple of days.  Along the way, I am keeping up with the normal teaching and preaching schedule, and thinking about the broad outlines of a Strategic Planning Initiative for a mission effort in which I am involved.

I am more convinced than ever that we (whosoever will) must call the people of God to resurrected, transformed living in this world as a foretaste of the resurrection and transformation we anticipate.  The challenge of Christianity is not found rules-keeping.  I fail when I measure any aspect of my Christ-relationship by mere actions and do’s and don’t’s.  The challenge of Christianity is new creation in Christ, putting the old behind, experiencing “resurrection” here as promise of future resurrection.  To conform to the image of Christ is no small task, yet it is the essence of our commitment.

If it ever dawns on the people of God that the simplicity of Christianity is in resurrected and transformed living, our lives will be so changed that those around us will wonder what has happened to us.  Talk about simplifying Christianity!  My hope is in Christ, for the resurrected, transformed life I seek is possible only with his presence and power.

A lady who visited our services last Sunday came by my office today.  She spoke of the power she felt as we worshiped.  If we are one of the best-kept secrets in our city–that is, the power of worship and adoration, submission, confession, and recommitment–I hope we will do all we can to make the secret known and to share the power of a people who bow before the throne of God and his Son solely out of adoration and desire to imitate.

Jesus’ resurrection is the first-fruits and promise of our resurrection.  We used to sing, “O to be like thee, Blessed Redeemer, this is my constant longing and prayer.”  The song has gone out of style, but the sentiment is eternal.  Longing and praying for Christlikeness in my life, I remain a struggling disciple, seeking a life that reflects resurrection power and transformational hope.

My computer has a problem.  When it is inactive for even a brief period of time, it loses its DSL connection.  Making sure it is connected before taking a few minutes for another project or activity doesn’t help.

One of my elders was in my office between Bible class and worship last Sunday.  We needed to look up something quickly–no problem, I’m online and it will just take a minute.  Wrong!  No connection!  (Do you want to work offline?–of course not!).

When I complained to Brother Dick that my computer loses it connection when it just sits there and does nothing, he astutely observed, just the same as with Christians.

My sister recently attended her high school class reunion—class of ‘68. Class reunions are interesting. My view on class reunions is this: “Everyone should attend a class reunion or two to find out that all the stuff that was a part of high school really wasn’t serious.” My sister laughed at my statement and proceeded with her story (names omitted to protect the innocent–or guilty!).

During the introductions, one classmate sincerely apologized for the mischief and difficulties he had brought upon another student. According to my sister, the offended student angrily acknowledged the wrong and refused the apology. The hurt was apparently still fresh in his mind after 40 years. She said, “He was really mad.”

Forty years is a long time to stay mad about a minor high school event. Even sadder, forty years is a long time to stay mad about perceived slights or problems down at the church. I like the practice of some churches who host a “day of reconciliation” periodically. Everyone needs reconciliation—to God, to others. Everyone benefits when they “go home” and rebuild broken relationships.

Some Christians just can’t let themselves forget. Some remember the wrongs a long time. Some ignore opportunities to repair relationships—and then one day, it is too late. Folks who retain grudges and anger start down a long road that leads nowhere. The Bible says, “Let not the sun go down you’re your wrath.” According to the Bible, even 40 days is too long to stay mad. In fact, 40 hours is too long. Whatever it is, settle it before sunset.

If you’re upset about some hurt or problem or disagreement, today is the day to settle it.

I went to the doctor last week. I jokingly told people it was my 20000 day checkup. You can figure out about how old I am! (If you’re really curious, 20000 is a rounded number–it’s really almost 22000 days.)

Nothing out of the ordinary. I watched the doctor write on my chart–well man. I presume that it an adjective and a noun–an indication that all is well and that I am healthy.

Perhaps it would have been better if he had written “healthy man.” Consider all of the ways you can punctuate and accent “well man.” Maybe well is an interjection, as in “Well, the news is not good.” Maybe man is an interjection. Maybe both are interjections.

No desire to ponder those possiblities too long. A few weeks ago, a good friend and I shared coffee and he told me he thought I had another good 20 years in me (another 7300 days more or less). Wow! 30000 days of serving God and glorifying him. What a privilege. What a blessing!

[Note: perhaps you’ve noticed that my blogging has slowed a bit. Today’s thoughts will provide some explanation.]

We’re moving again–about 10 days ago we purchased a house in McAlester and almost immediately succeeded in selling our home in Edmond. (God is good!) The only problem is that the buyers want to close at the end of the month. From past experience, I know at least this one thing–the next 10 days are going to be a whirlwind! A few years ago, an article by John Gipson quoted an ad, “Moving is like getting a root canal with a ‘Garden Weasel.'” Moving provides insights and lessons to be learned.

Jan and I have not moved much, as the experience of preachers goes. After working with three churches in the first 6 years of our ministry, we spent 26 years in three places–local ministry in two churches and seven years in Christian higher education at Ohio Valley University. Moving is not fun, but we have learned something of how to do it. We have also learned a lot of other things. Here is some of what we have learned.

Moving helps one travel light. The moving process keeps the accumulation down. The net weight of our move will be about the same as for a couple of recent newlyweds almost 40 years ago–and considerably less than a couple of moves during the “growing years” when the boys were at home. (Preachers don’t count their books, however. I always move my own library.) Through the years, there are a few things we’ve been tempted to buy but did not when we thought, “We don’t want to have to move that!” It is easy to forget that we are only pilgrims and strangers here–that our sojourn is temporary. Moving is a reminder.

Moving brings one face to face with the fact that we spend a lot of money for things that don’t satisfy very long. About two years after we married, we bought a new sofa–an expensive, high-quality, hide-a-bed. It may have looked a little nicer than the hand-me-down sectional we were using, but it didn’t sit any better. But, that sofa is still in the family after 38 years–it went to our middle son about four years ago. It’s heavy to move, but it refuses to wear out. Moving provides an opportunity for cleaning house, which is exactly why some people dread moving. I’ve noticed that after people move into a place, their garbage pile is extremely large. It is not comfortable to come face to face with how much money we have wasted on things that don’t matter.

Anticipating moves changes priorities. A few years ago, we decided that we would go through life accumulating memories rather than things. We have a few light and inexpensive mementos of our travels, and most of those things are gifts that represent special people in our Christian journey. Our goal is not to accumulate expensive things, but valued memories.

Moving reminds one that the things we often value here are temporary and fleeting. The only things that matter as we think back on our moves and ministries are the people. This world is about people. What we remember about the places we have lived is the people. It is not the house, the surroundings, the things. People enrich our lives far beyond the material things we can accumulate.

The article by Gipson concluded with the poignant words of Kipling with reference to worldly things. “Some day you will meet a man of such stature that he will care for none of these things…and then you will realize how poor you are.” Jesus said it this way, “This is the way it is with the man who accumulates things for himself, but is not rich toward God.”

A modern parable:  The kingdom of God is like a diamond.  Jesus never said it that way, but perhaps people in the first century weren’t as aware of diamonds as we are today.  Jesus instead said, “like a pearl of great price.”  What lessons could we glean if we were to compare the kingdom of heaven to a diamond?  At least this one: every time you turn it to reveal new facets and new reflections, its brilliance changes and it grows and is enhanced.

During the past few months, I have been reading, studying, thinking about kingdom principles.  What are they? Can I find a memorable “short list”? Here is what I have concluded:  one cannot put the kingdom in a box in order to see it more clearly.  Corraling and containing it does not reveal it.  One must make it visible, as a light on a hill.  One must let it shine in all its glory.  So So I have not found the panacea when it comes to kingdom principles–I think no “once-for-all list” exists.

However, the Beatitudes have wonderful possibilities for exploring the principles of the kingdom.  In the Beatitudes we have Jesus’ description of those who are promised kingdom inheritance.  This fall, the small group meetings in our congregation will explore the Beatitudes as kingdom guidelines.  We will not assume the list is all-inclusive, but we will listen and be changed.

Here’s a brief overview of the kingdom tensions in the Beatitudes.
Do I seek a life under control or one of humble dependence?
Is my goal a life filled with happy face stickers or a life of growth in difficulties?
Is my life filled with vengeance or am I committed to gentle non-violence?
Is my life focused on material things or is my life devoted to righteousness?
Is my life (and the lives of others) to be measured by performance or by compassionate mercy?
Do I focus on the brokenness of life or the possibilities of forgiveness?
Do I live in non-involvement or as an involved peacemaker?
How can I understand the real options: being liked by everyone or being persecuted?

Tough questions! Questions to help us become like our King.

The air conditioning went out on my car Tuesday afternoon.  Since the outside temperatures were in the mid-90s, I felt fortunate that I was only about 90 miles from my destination.

Because I am currently a one-car family (Jan has her car in Colorado where she is engaged in grandmothering chores for our new granddaughter) and I need my car every day, I have not yet gotten it fixed.

Since I now drive with the car windows down, I hear the birds in the early morning drive through the countryside to my office.  I smell the new-mown hay.  I also smell the “road kill”–and the “stink gas” from the oil and gas exploration sites.  I hear children laughing and playing when I drive by the park.  I feel the coolness of the breeze in the early morning, In the afternoon I remember the in-car “sauna” from childhood days before many cars had air conditioning.

All of this has caused me to think again about an important lesson.  Most of the time, I drive with the air conditioning on and the windows up.  I am in the world in one sense, but not really in the world.  In the midst of a stimulating and varied world, I remain secluded with my air conditioning and radio.  Now that I am forced to operate (at least temporarily) without air conditioning, I have a renewed sense of being in the world. 

I am reminded that two options are before us as Christians.  #1–We can be in the world and not of the world, living our lives in total isolation in our own little worlds, little touched and touching little.  #2–We can be in the world and not of the world, smelling and hearing and touching the world, feeling the hurts and struggles, and caring about the people around us.  God is calling us to #2.  Isolationism is not the Christian way.

Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? Had to give way in the last few days to a passing ambulance? I am amazed at the number of ambulances that go by my office on any given day. An ambulance tears around town with its siren blaring. It is always going to a crisis or leaving a crisis. It is built for emergencies.

Many people live the same way. They run their lives with the siren going. Every day is desperate and every moment a crisis–or preparation for one. Such a harried existence leaves no room for smelling the roses or enjoying sunsets. Even worse, it leaves no time for sharing friendships and building love.

Each day is an emergency, a crisis, or a matter of great urgency. Stress builds and strain overwhelms. We call it “living in the fast lane” as though we admire such a lifestyle. Students with complicated schedules, families with countless demands, and workers with keen competition–all face life with sirens blaring. One writer described the top stress factors in urban living as “traffic, travel, tie-ups, temper, time, taxes, and tensions.” Coping has become a national pastime.

Some people add to their personal problems by taking on the world’s problems. I read of a lady who became very disturbed when scientists announced that the sun was burning out and would one day cease to shine.

Many of the things you are tearing around to do will not get done despite your best efforts. Suppose you substituted a quiet walk around the block or time off to call a friend or time out to read a book? Suppose you wrote an encouraging note to someone who really needed it? Would your world fall apart? Or would it perhaps get back into perspective? “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

One of the great things God does for us, if we let Him, is make us realize how temporary some things are and how important it is to give our spirits the food they deserve and need.

[This article, along with several recent articles on a variety of subjects, is available on my Articles Index Page].

I walked down the street on a quiet Saturday morning. I was in Antigua, Guatemala, a few minutes before 7:00 the streets were almost deserted. A lone runner loped down the middle of the cobblestones. Here and there a few individuals or couples were walking. No car was in sight on the street where I was, nor on the first cross street. I was alone with my thoughts and my God.

The quietness of the morning was broken by an approaching couple–a young couple, speaking English, arguing in Antigua as they walked on a Saturday morning. I could not help but overhear. They were playing the “blame game”, trying to decide whose fault “it” was.

Perhaps there is nothing unusual about a couple arguing in public in Antigua on a Saturday morning walk, but it struck me as incongruent. Many would describe Antigua, Guatemala as a place of love and romance, charming, encouraging caring and relationships. They are in a place where they could easily enjoy the early morning quietness and share a very special time. They are in a place of beauty—volcanoes, flowers everywhere, the quaintness of the cobblestones and repeating paint colors, the smell of fresh-baked bread wafting through the air.

I wonder how God sees us. I could see the inconsistency because of the surroundings. He sees the inconsistency regardless of where we are. What does it really mean for me to be a follower of Jesus? How am I going to live that out in my life today?