Deep Calls To Deep

Great article by Gordon MacDonald over at Leadership Journal, titled Going Deep. Some great thoughts on spiritual depth and how it's created. Spending time with Jesus and a spiritual mentor is a great combination. It takes time, but it's worth it. There are no short cuts in life.

Tonight I spent time with Jon over coffee (he drank chai), talking about marriage, life and calling. He had a long list of great questions and we talked honestly about our failings, grace and God's design. Wednesday mornings I meet with two young dads. We eat breakfast and talk about what it means to be a follower of Jesus, a father of boys and husbands who is a servant leaders. Thursday Sharon and I will meet with a couple we were assigned to us through Marriage Mentors. We hope they can see Christ and the hope of the gospel as we share honestly about our marriage and what we are learning about grace.

Spiritual depth and mentoring takes time. But the results are well worth the work! I want to help people fall more in love with Jesus and to care about the things He cares about. To be His disciple. People who organize their lives around Jesus!

Recently I have been drawn to the word deep as a descriptor when I speak of mature Christians. My earliest appreciation for the term came when I read a comment by Richard Foster: "The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."

What does it mean to be a deep Christ-follower today when unlimited options, noisy distractions, and a million versions of truth swamp the soul? How is it possible to be a deep person while being swept up in a 50-60 hour work week (if you're working), community and school events, shopping, networking, laundering, family-building … oh, and staying on top of things at church too? Is deep even thinkable for anyone living outside of a monastery? I'm just asking.

Of course we can't even attempt to answer these questions until we explore what deep means. Here's my working definition: Deep people are those whose lives are organized around Jesus, his character, his call to a serving life, and his death on the cross for their sins. The abilities (or giftedness) of deep people may be quite diverse, but each has the power to influence others to follow Jesus, grow in Christ-likeness, and live a life of faithful service. They love the world, mix well with people, but are wary of spiritual entrapments. They are known for their wisdom, their compassion for others, and their perseverance in hard times.

How important is depth? Now, consider this statement: A church's greatest treasure is its deep people. I know recent church emphasis has valued seekers, young people, and people that reflect diversity—all important elements of a healthy church. But absent a core of deep people, a church is in trouble. Deep people do not just happen; they are cultivated. Let's take this thought one step further. Deep people are a treasure greater than a church's preacher; greater than its hottest program; even greater than its worship band.

Once I Was Afraid of Dying

Grab the tissues and watch the video. During the past 24 hours Coach John Wooden was been referred to as a leader of men, icon, someone who made you want to be a better person, humble, loyal, one of a kind, and loving husband.

You can read all about his life and achievement, and they are many. But the thing that is probably least understood about Coach Wooden was his steadfast devotion to his wife Nellie. Nellie was John's childhood sweetheart. They met when he was 14 and were married six years later. They celebrated 52 years together before Nellie passed away of cancer on March 21, 1985.

Since her death, John Wooden has written a love letter to his beloved wife on the 21st of every month, placed in an envelope and added it to a stack of similar letters on the pillow she slept on during their life together.

In 2003, UCLA dedicated the basketball court in Pauley Pavilion in honor of John and Nell Wooden. Named the "Nell and John Wooden Court," Wooden asked for the change from the original proposal of the "John and Nell Wooden Court," insisting that his wife's name should come first.

Former player, Swen Nater wrote the following poem titled Yonder for John Wooden after being inspired by John's life-long devotion to Nellie.

Once I was afraid of dying.
Terrified of ever-lying.
Petrified of leaving family, home and friends.
Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,
Drew a melancholy tear once.
And a lonely, dreadful fear of when life ends.
But those days are long behind me;
Fear of leaving does not bind me.
And departure does not host a single care.
Peace does comfort as I ponder,
A reunion in the Yonder,
With my dearest who is waiting for me there.

The Worth of A Man

We heard Dave Dravecky speak tonight at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet. Dave's story is one of endurance, encouragement and hope. You can read more about the Dravecky's and their ministry on their website.

Dave's message is about finding our value and meaning in who we are, not what we do. He shared this poem, called The Worth of A Man by Carla Muir.

I once believed that what I did
placed value on my worth.
And walking where great men have walked,
I saw my dream give birth.

But dreams don't always last through life;
in fact, they often die.
The day I watched my dream pass on-
all alone stood I.

And in the searching of my soul,
God gave to me new peace.
Today I'm living other dreams-
the kind that will not cease.

In Jesus' eyes I'm valued so
much greater than I see
My worth is not in what I do;
it's in Christ's death for me.

Tonight, Dave Dravecky inspired us to persevere through adversity in order to reach a dream. He encouraged us to make a difference with our lives. That who we are and who we are becoming is more important that what we do. That cancer can take a man's limb, but that it can never rob him of his worth.

Tonight, Dave Dravecky reminded us about the source of the worth of a man.

Did You Learn Anything?

By now you've probably seen the new Tiger Woods Nike commercial. The voice you hear in the video is that of Earl Woods, Tiger's father who passed away in 2006. The commercial was timed to coincide with Tiger's return to golf, playing in the Masters tournament this week after a five month lay off.

This commercial is strange on many levels. First, Tiger's blank stare is very strange. Then we learn that Earl Woods wasn't even talking about Tiger. He was talking about his wife, Kultida Woods, Tiger's mother! The audio has been all edited together to give the impression that Earl is speaking about and to his son.

At times, as I've watched the life of Tiger Woods played out in public view, I've thought I was watching scenes from The Truman Show. The film chronicles the life of a man who discovers he is living in a constructed reality soap opera, televised 24/7 to billions across the globe.

I can't decide, am I watching The Tiger Show or The Truman Show? I can't tell them apart. Both feature men who are living a constructed reality soap opera. Both are televised 24/7. Both are watched by billions across the globe. Both feature lives that are lived from the outside in for all the public to see.

And just when we thought Tiger was going to reinvent himself - to focus on character, integrity and honesty -  this commercial shows up. And we're reminded all over again that Tiger is a brand. He's owned by Nike and other corporations. His lines are scripted and his image is carefully managed. He's an entertainer and all the world is his stage.

This week, Tiger is once again playing golf. He's playing in the famed Masters at Augusta after five months of introspection and therapy. I guess I had hoped for more. For more authenticity and less publicity. For more substance and less facade. Instead I'm left to wonder, Tiger, did you learn anything?