Woody & Rooty: The Story of Two Fruit Trees

I wrote this many moons ago when I was a youth minister at a small church in Texas. Here’s hoping you can appreciate corny humor wrapped around some deep thoughts.

The Story of Two Fruit Trees: Woody & Rooty.

Both were planted at the same time by Farmer Brown. They grew up together, became fast friends, until one day Woody noticed the tumbleweeds blowing past. He became green with envy at their carefree way of life. The places they must get to see, the things they must get to do, he thought.

He decided to leave. Rooty tried to talk him out of it, but Woody just barked at him. “I want to branch out! I want to have fun and see the world.”

“I thought we were having fun,” Rooty said.

But Woody ignored him, packed his trunk, uprooted himself and took off after the tumbleweeds.

Rooty missed him greatly, but soon he noticed that he had become old enough to bear fruit — and what delicious fruit it was! It fed the birds, Farmer Brown and his family, and Farmer Brown even planted some seeds from the fruit that sprouted the next year and grew rapidly.

A few years later, Rooty was pruned so that he could bear even more fruit. The pruning was painful, but he knew it was necessary to be productive. He was very sappy, I mean, happy.

One day, Woody showed. Rooty was shocked at his appearance. Woody was just a stub of a tree, and he had only one root left.

“What happened?” Rooty asked.

“It was horrible,” Woody replied. “All was well until my friends the tumbleweeds hit the concrete highway – then they could travel great distances at fast speeds. I had problems keeping up because of my many roots, but most fell off which made things easier for me. That is, until I realized a few days later that I just couldn’t get enough to eat. The little roots I had didn’t supply my needs, and I began to shrink. Then I realized that those tumbleweeds were incredibly fickle. They just went wherever the wind blew. Sometimes, we’d end up right back where we started from. It was discouraging. And then I started to really examine my friends.”

“What did you find?” Rooty asked.

“They were all dead!” Woody cried to him. “There was no life in them! That’s when I started back here. I want to sink the root I have left deep so that I can grow and finally produce the fruit I was originally meant to.”

My Philosophy of Ministry

I have found that the working out of my salvation and my perceptions of theology to be most beneficial and enlightening. I am both challenged and enouraged by the task that is before me as I seek to be obedient not to my own perceptions but to the Spirit of God as He leads me through each circumstance. The principle that sticks out most to me is the complete dependence upon God and His sovereign authority that is necessary in order to truly “walk in the Spirit.”

In formulating “my theology,” I am sobered by how closely akin it is semantically to “mythology” and am persuaded by the very import of that fact of the necessity of transforming one’s theology into one’s biography. I cannot do this until I know the very basis of my faith and theology, which I will outline briefly before I detail the practical workings-out of my doctrinal beliefs.

First of all, I will most gladly and readily accept the mantle of conservatism as it applies to my doctrine. I have come to believe that many theologians have too quickly turned loose of some valuable traditional truths just because they were too uncomfortable to defend. However, I qualify my conservative doctrine by what many would consider a liberal methodology. It is interesting that what others have considered to be a liberal interpretation of God’s Word, I simply feel is the application of God’s Word to everyday life. That is the point of divergence that I feel my particular belief system has with contemporary conservatism. In short, I believe what they believe, but for the most part, I am distressed about how little of their beliefs they incorporate into the workings of life.

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I’m on Your Side

As I was re-reading Philippians this afternoon to get ready for church tomorrow, I came across this passage. It’s from “The Message” version:

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them.” (Philippians 4)

It struck me that in the midst of presidential debates and wrangling about words, that our nation is in the process of choosing sides in these days. However, the amazing thing about a true follower of Christ is that he becomes a proponent of people, period. In other words, I’m on your side.

It’s not about politics or opinions or issues. It’s about you. It’s about me. Can we get along as humans? Can we look past differences of mind and affirm one another’s being.

The only way to do this is to see life in perspective. To step back from the economy, from Iraq, from relevant issues like racism, poverty, and freedom and then to realize that there is a broader perspective. We get mentally constipated on the above issues (and others) and can’t pass on to what really matters, what will really relieve us. (Sorry for this gross analogy!) Bit I contend that your own ability to discover and view reality through a mentality of divine celebration is vital to your ability to perceive and enjoy life.

In other words, until you learn to celebrate God, to revel in Him, you will not find anything else worth celebrating that will last. Oh sure, you’ll find momentary joys and pleasures. A sunset, a walk on a beach or in the mountains, the hug of a child, a tender moment with friends… But each of those passes. Yet a person’s ability to discover the reality and love of God in Christ Jesus will determine their continued capacity to enjoy life. Period.

Can you revel in God? Or is being that happy in a relationship with God a foreign concept?

I’m on your side. I want you to enjoy living! To find your purpose. To rise above boredom and mediocrity and the mundane. I choose what ultimately matters for you. Ask me, email me, insult me, or ignore me. But don’t ignore your own deep joy and happiness. If you do, you’ll miss the dance of a lifetime. It’s like sitting at home while everyone else is at the prom.

I would urge you to learn to dance with our Creator! As you let Him lead, your toes will be safe, and you’ll drink deeply of the music of life.

Or… you could just get consumed by the debates. And choose sides.

Electoral Smectoral.. Reform Needed

It’s way past time for the Electoral College system to be revised, but not for the reasons you think…

I’ve been puzzling and studying over this since the divisive 2000 election and keep coming to the same conclusion. The Electoral College system needs to be revised. In a graphic on Real Clear Politics website dated today (10/29/04), it shows the current electoral breakdown four days before the 2004 election.

It strikes me as extremely ridiculous that Bush could win so many states in the 2000 election and perhaps in the 2004 election and still have the Electoral College totals so close. NO WONDER the rhetoric is so virulent from both the Bush and Kerry camps. The Bush camp sees their candidate carrying 70% of the actual states but, if the polls are correct (they’re not), being in a desperate scrape for electoral votes. The Kerry camp, on the other hand, sees that their candidate, at most will only carry 15 states (30%) and realize that he does not have the favor of most of the states, so they seize on every scrap and iota of unproved news they can find to try and curry favor.

I think it would be much wiser and more democratic for us to keep the current electoral college system in place BUT add a formula for the number of states carried as well. I think this would recognize the significance and autonomy of statehood in our incredible nation, as well as preventing those states with larger populations and thus more electoral votes, to sway elections. It’s easy to see that people with a certain world view or perspective gravitate toward certain parts of the country. This formula would require a presidential candidate to focus on all states, and not just those that they may be able to sway on the East or West coasts.

One idea of the formula would be EV (electoral votes) +5 for statehood. Whichever candidate wins the EV for that state receives that state’s electoral votes +5. It’s extremely fair (who wouldn’t want to recognize the importance and governance of the states?), and we already have a model for it: the US Congress! You see, in Congress, every state has a number of representatives in the House based on that state’s population (the Electoral College is also population-based). The Senate is composed of 2 senators from each state, regardless of size (where my proposal comes in… allowing a +5 to the EV). These two balance themselves out, ensuring that ALL states matter, and not just those with the larger populations (and sometimes similar political perspectives).

It’s time!

But I bet the Kerry-ites would prefer to continue seeking the approval of a few rather than appealing to ALL the states.

Key Thoughts from “A Long Obedience” by Eugene Peterson

First of all, anyone named Eugene that can write a book like this AND translate the entire Bible into what we now have as “The Message” Bible is worth reading!

I’ve basically gone through the book and typed up everything that I underlined. I hope some of these “thought bombs” help you process the book’s message and encourage you to read it!

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
Eugene Peterson (Intervarsity Press, 1980, 2000)
Notes compiled by Jeff Noble – June 8, 2004

•  World is an atmosphere, a mood. It is nearly as hard for a sinner to recognize the world’s temptations as it is for a fish to discover impurities in the water. There is a sense, a feeling, that things aren’t right, that the environment is not whole, but just what it is eludes analysis. – 15
•  It is not difficult in such a world to get a person interested in the message of the gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. -16
•  There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations for Christians called holiness.
•  Religion in our day has been captured by the tourist mindset. So many have a “bent” for religious entertainment.
•  Two biblical designations for people of faith: disciple and pilgrim. Disciple (mathetes) says we are people who spend our lives apprenticed to our master. We are in a growing-learning relationship, always. We don’t learn in a school, but at the work site of the craftsman. We seek not to acquire information about God but skills in faith.
• Pilgrim (parepidemos) tells us that we are people who spend our lives going someplace, going to God, and whose path for getting there is the way, Jesus Christ. – 17

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Trust & Delight

Two things that require great mental gymnastics

“Trust in the Lord and do good, then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalm 37.3-4

Trust & Delight

These two commands require a daily mind adjustment. You must consciously tell and then force yourself to TRUST Him any given day or moment rather than defaulting to self-sufficiency.

You must also daily reconvince and readjust your heart to DELIGHT in Him. To look at Him for your soul’s satisfaction rather than seeking to fill your life with other things due to unsubmitted and rebel “wants.” (ie., I “want” this to happen… or I “want” a new DVD recorder…).

Mental gymnastics! For our minds are ever out on the trapeze, swinging freely with no discipline to our thought life whatsoever. We are an entertained culture with soft minds. We cannot focus on the deep things of life. A 23 minute sitcom is about the limit of our attention (for free), or we’ll pay $7.50 to sit and allow the theater to guide our minds into story for 2-3 hours. Can you imagine the singular benefit to your life, your health, and your personal growth, to devote 23 minutes daily, and 2-3 hours once or twice a week to things that truly matter: your relationship with God, with your spouse, children, family… service to your community…. help for those truly needy.

As you learn to TRUST God and DELIGHT in Him, it will require great mental concentration, patience, and daily-ness. Do the hard work of submitting your mind and enjoyments in Him! You’ll be shocked at how ordered and peaceful your life will become.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” Jesus, in Matthew 6.33

Righteous Day Mapping

Just some simple thoughts on Proverbs 4.25-26 about how to orient your day to God. These verses , I believe show us how we might practice “righteous day mapping.”

“Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.”

It speaks of focus and day-long concentration. Here’s an experiment for you to try for five days:
1. In the a.m., read Scripture.
2. Spend time in prayer.
3. Take out a piece of paper, and prayerfully map out your day…

a. Your to-do list
b. Your goals
c. List ministry items you could do, realistically, that day. (i.e., writing a thank you or encouragement note, sending someone an anonymous love offering who is in need, devoting your lunch to prayer for a situation or person, dealing with a tough relational issue by finally taking initiative and talking to that person in a spirit of love, etc.)
d. Offer yourself to the Lord to be a “gospeller” that day. Be ready and watchful throughout that day to bear witness to someone about how much Jesus means to you.
e. Jot down some ideas for future service to your family, other Christians, or your community

4. Commit your ideas/plans/goals to the Lord and head into your day.

As you do so, “keep your eyes straight ahead…”

• Take your paper with you and review once an hour…
• Mark off what the Lord enables you to accomplish, ranging from the simple to the significant.
• Make notes on your paper as you head through the day
• Before or after meal-times review your day in prayer and re-devote your focus to Him

“Ignore all sideshow distractions…”
Don’t deviate from your course. Many of us are not used to living disciplined lives, and this is only the beginning for you. At first it will seem “forced,” but after a few days of trial and prayerful effort, you will discover that your day seems freer, more focused, and more enjoyable than ever before. You will be able to make decisions easier as you avoid “sideshow distractions.” Your written guide in the a.m. will help you focus and prioritize your life for the Kingdom that day.

“Watch your step and the road will stretch out smooth before you…”
You will be delighted and surprised as you begin to discover that you were CREATED to live a disciplined and focused life. Over the next several days, you may find that you need your written guide less to refer to. Many of these pratices will begin to ingrain themselves into holy habits. It will become part of who you are, part of what you do. It will move from feeling legalistic to become liberating as you see “the road stretch out smooth before you.”

“Look neither to the left or the right…”
Yea, but what about distractions and interruptions? Obviously, they will come. Today! Life is not about living from a piece of paper. What you produce in the a.m. is only a guide. Yet, here is how to handle interruptions as they come:

• As you realize you’re “off course,” breathe a simple prayer to the Lord for wisdom and grace. On the fly, evaluate if what you’re currently doing is urgent, necessary, or critical. If it’s not urgent, postpone it.. make a note to include it tomorrow or later. If it’s critical, do it. If it’s necessary, pursue it with cautious wisdom.
• If your interruption or distraction is a person… prayerfully consider if it’s someone the Lord has sent your way to hear from or minister to.
• If it’s simply the result of you being unfocused, STOP what you’re doing. Pray. Pull out an index card with some scripture you’ve written on it previously to refresh your mind. Then redevote yourself to what you need to do.

What about kids, you may ask? So many of us are in this boat right now. Kids are a gift! The Lord said that heaven is open to the innocent. So should we be. But you will need to use creativity, grace, and patience to order righteously map your day AND be a parent.

Please don’t think you can’t do any of this. Just try it for five days. Don’t crush yourself with it. Just move a step or two in the direction of a disciplined life. You’ll be delighted to discover how much it agrees with you. You were created for Him!

Stuff I’ve Read Lately

Just a list of books that I’ve read lately… Some have comments about them. Others don’t…

Here are some of the things I’ve been reading lately.

• The Roots of Endurance, John Piper
• The Unchurched Next Door, Thom Rainer
• The Last Juror, John Grisham
• Jesus in Beijing, Wonderful book that chronicles the history of Christianity in China up to modern, underground house churches and persecution. Written in 2002.
• Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them, John Ortberg – A must read for anyone wanting to experience authentic community.
• Deliver Us From Evil, Sean Hannity
• The Simarillion, JRR Tolkien – Incredible prequel to Lord of the Rings
• A Long Obedience, Eugene Peterson
• Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper – Excellent!