It's what comes after the comma

Listening to some sports talk on TV about the steroid scandal, I heard Mike Greenberg say, that keeping your name and reputation clean is of huge importance. I liked his quote, "It's what comes after the comma, that determines your reputation."

I like that thinking. Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches;to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." NIV

What do you want after the comma behind your name?

I look at Scripture and see several descriptions that I would like to see after my name.

• David, a man after God's own heart
• Abraham, a friend of God
• John, the disciple whom Jesus loved

There's also some I wouldn't want.

• Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus
• Demas, who deserted me

Currently, there is a big push towards personal branding. It's our attempt to control what's after the comma. But the reality is, others will fill in the blank after the comma. They ultimately decide how we will be known.

There are probably several audiences that will write the phrase that comes after your name.

• Your spouse will write one phrase.
• Your children will write another.
• Your boss or employees will write still another.
• Your friends will write something different that describes your relationship

Most importantly, God will write the only phrase after your name that really counts. The one I want after my name is: Marcus Bigelow, good and faithful servant.

Share your Stories

This Sunday I listened to a sermon in which the preacher shared the incredibly heart-rending story of how his daughter had been killed in an auto accident on the way to church and how that had been used of God to change the lives of so many.

I realized that everyone who reads my blog has stories of places where they have been bruised and broken but not snuffed out.

I would love for you to share your stories of brokenness. Some of them, with your permission, might be useful for my book. If you will respond and let me know of your stories, I will treat them as precious. David says of God Ps 56:8You have taken account of my wanderings;Put my tears in Your bottle.Are they not in Your book? NASU

If you don't mind them being shared, please indicate. Otherwise, all responses will be treated as confidential.

Life Joy

I have been reading the Beatitudes everyday for the past week. Today I read from the Amplified Bible. Notice their translation of "Blessed"

Matt 5:3
3 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous — with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!AMP

That phrase "life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions" really caught my attention. I am far too swayed by my physical health, tired-ness, amount of adrenalin I have expended, how people look at me, or by how much money is or isn't in my account, etc..

When I was in India, I had the chance to preach in a small village. The worship team, 7 or 8 older men, all of whom had been beaten and threatened with death, lead vibrant worship with dancing and praises. Their scars from beatings were overcome by the joy that broke through onto their beaming faces. Though poor and having worked a full day (10-12 hours not 8) their circumstances didn't determine their response to Jesus.

I am humbled. I commit myself to being poor in spirit , considering myself as second this week, praying that life-joy will suffuse my being and radiate to those around.

The Joys of a small wedding

Last week, my daughter got married in our backyard. Over the past 4 years as a missionary she has become increasingly un-enamored by American excess in almost everything we do. So, she wanted a simple wedding with a few close friends and family around her.

At first, her mom and I felt like she would be missing too many things, she wanted no attendants, no cake, no processional, no recessional, no professional photographer, no professional musicians, no catered dinner. We kept saying, we can afford it, she kept saying, "It's not about the money".

I have to confess it was one of the most wonderful weddings I've ever been to. The atmosphere was relaxed. The bride and groom greeted each guest as they arrived, walked among them visiting and when it was time, they stood up in front of the people. Both of Anna's grandfathers had a part, they exchanged vows, Jonathan (her husband) sang to her, they exchanged rings and then invited everyone to sit down to sandwiches and ice cream from Anna's childhood favorite ice cream place, Leatherby's. People visited and laughed and ate for 2 hours, people came back for thirds of ice cream, family helped clean up and by 8:30 that evening, the couple was on their way to their honeymoon, without stress and without exhaustion.

As I think about this a week later, the words that come to mind are joy, friends, wonderful, family, God, closeness, gratitude.

It was all a wedding should be. An added benefit, I'm not in debt up to my neck, so we are able to share more with them on their mission.

I'm wondering how many other things I could simplify in my life!

I've Arrived

Last night, on the way home from work, I saw a brand new sports car driven by a 35 year old with the license plate frame, "I've Arrived". It struck me as bad on a number of levels.

It struck me first as arrogant. If you have to flaunt it and tell the world you've arrived, you really haven't arrived at any place very important.

I then thought about how sad it was that at 35 this person had reached his destination. What now? At 35 is there no place left to go, is there no adventure left?

And then I thought, "How does he know?" My experience has been that when I think I've finally made it, God has another place for me to go or person to love.

Finally, I thought, "How short sighted!" As a Christ follower, I won't have arrived until I arrive in heaven to bask in the glory of God. Until Jesus says, "Well done, you good and faithful servant!" I won't have arrived.

Until then, I'll drive my perfectly fine 8 year old car, with no license plate frame and follow Jesus by faith. I also pray that someday I'll get a chance to talk to introduce that person to Jesus Christ and the joy of the journey.

Accountability

I have an accountability partner and thus am interested in accountability questions. Ed Stetzer at edstetzer.com on July 17 had a good article about accountability groups.

Here is one list of questions, attributed to Chuck Swindoll. I think that every Stadia planter should be in an accountability relationship. Try these on:

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:
In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.
1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?
4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
5. Have you given priority time to your family?
6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?
7. Have you just lied to me?

Finishing Well

Bobby Clinton, no relation to Billy Clinton, has done some of the most important work on leadership in the Christian realm. This past week I have spent time with his Leadership Commentary. He concludes based upon years of study, that in the Bible of the 50 leaders for whom we have extensive data, only 1 in 3 finished well. In his study of 1300 other contemporary leaders, he concludes that the ratio continues or is even less.

Here is a link to his study on Finishing Well. http://www.bobbyclinton.com/articles/downloads/3FinishWellArticles.pdf

I would highly recommend.