It can be tricky, being a team player. Because while love IS for everybody--freely we have been given love, freely we ought to give love--you really shouldn't put yourself, or keep yourself, in a bad situation. On a bad team, if I can say it that way. So it takes a bit of wisdom to decide whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze. Because there's a difference between building something, and banging your head against the wall. Because the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I mean, Jacob worked for like 8 years to earn his wife, right? Some things are worth putting maximum effort into. And some things aren't. Wisdom is knowing the difference. Giving something everything you have and everything you are is always my litmus test. Because once you've given something eveything you have and everything you are, its either enough... or its not. And either way, you've done what you can do. You should never be expected to do more than you can do. You can't give what you don't have. And you can only give what you do have. Now, having said that, I do want to qualify it. Love is all powerful. Which doesn't mean MOST powerful. It means ALL of the power. There is nothing that can stand against the power of love. But love isn't about getting what you want. You don't love someone in order to make them do something. Love is never about getting. That kind of nonsense is manipulation and control. Love IS giving. Seeing a need and meeting it. Living out of our abundance. Freely giving what we've been freely given. So love people. First, last, and always. But turning the other cheek doesn't mean stand there and let someone keep hitting you. It means don't retaliate. Long suffering doesn't mean you have to suffer for a long time. It means you have the patience and the fortitude to withstand what you're going through. Its so important, when we're going through something, to make sure it doesn't go through us. To know that all things are under our feet--because all things are under Jesus' feet--and be able to rise above the things that would try to pull us down. To lay aside the sin and the weight that so easily besets us. To let go and let God. As the Gambler said, "You gotta know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." Not every hand is a winner. Not every team is for life. So stand when its time to stand. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. But move when its time to move. In the Old Testament God lived in a tabernacle. And it was portable. When He moved, the people of Israel moved. Don't stay where you're at JUST because its where you're at. That's called being stuck. In a rut. Which is a grave. With the ends kicked out. Death, in other words. Going through the motions. Banging your head against the wall and coming away with nothing but a headache. That's not what life is for. That's not what life is about. That's not what life is. Life is for love. Life is about love. Life IS love. To live is to love, and to love is to live. And life's a mystery. So don't get stuck on one team. Go where God leads. And enjoy the ride!

I want to switch tactics a little bit today. Because in order to be a team player... you have to be willing to do for others. I know I've been talking about being a team player... and also knowing your worth and not settling. I think that's valid and important. But there's also this: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:3-4). And, listen, I don't think being humble means thinking less of yourself. I simply think it means thinking of yourself less. If I take care of you, and you take care of me, neither one of us needs to worry about ourselves. Its literally the difference between being self-centered, and Christ-centered. Because being Christ-centered is being people-centered. Whatever you do unto the least of them you do unto God, right? How we treat each other is how we relate to our God. If we try to take, take, take... get one over on people... make ourselves look better by making other people look worse... its because our relationship with our heavenly Father is out of whack. Because if we're trying to GET... it means we don't know what we've GOT. And if we're trying to get for ourselves, we surely aren't being a team player. So I guess what it comes down to is faith. Having faith that our heavenly Father can, will, is, and has taken care of us. Because if I'm taken care of, I don't have to try to take care of myself. I can look past myself and see what's going on with you. I can see a need and meet it. I can give what I've got because I have something to give. I have what you need. And you have what I need. So when we share what we've got, everybody has enough. Nobody has to lack. That's what love is; giving what you've got. Living out of your abundance. Knowing that everything God requires... He first provides. Knowing that you're never expected to give MORE than you've got. How could you? You can't give what you don't have. And you can only give what you do have. But being a team player, really, is about showing up. Participation IS the battle. If you don't show up, people WILL be missing something. YOU. Your presence, literally, can be a present. A gift. Just being there for someone can be everything they need. It can make all the difference in the world. Because it makes a connection. Builds a relationship. And that's what its all about. Its all about connection. Relationship. No man is an island. It is not good that man should be alone. We need to be part of a team. We need to understand that we are all members of the same body. We're all in this together. One of my favorite songs has the line, "Nobody wins in a fight." And that was a lesson my son learned from a superhero movie--when friends fight, everybody loses. So let nothing be done through strife. Blessed are the peacemakers. Let's start esteeming each other. Thinking about each other. Taking care of each other. Loving each other!

Love is giving. I hope if I've established anything through these Rants... its that. But you can't give what you don't have. You can only give what you do have. So when you give and give and give... when you love and love and love... sometimes it feels like you give all you've got, and you have nothing left. Now, listen, we're connected to the unlimited supply of love. The God who IS love lives inside us. So we can never give so much that we actually run out of what we've been given. But I'm a realist. I know that we CAN get to the point where it FEELS that way. I've felt that way many times. Because I try hard. Well, I either try hard... or not at all. So if I DO try... I try hard. Maximum effort. And while we don't do what we do (or, I should say, we SHOULDN'T do what we do) for a pat on the back, when we give maximum effort and it gets taken for granted... that's hard. That's hard to accept. That's why I was talking about knowing your worth. And not settling for less. Its on thing to be a team player. Its something else entirely to be a doormat. To let people walk all over you. If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. And I believe there's a big difference in turning the other cheek (not retaliating), and letting people continue to use and abuse you. Now let me say this: If you do something for someone--or they know you're willing to do something for them--they probably will take advantage of it. And, to a degree, I think that's ok. Because people need help. And you can't be a team player without being on a team. We're all in this together. If I can help you, chances are I will help you. But there has to be a line. Because we are called to live out of our abundance, not to burn ourselves out. If you have TWO coats, give one to someone without one. But don't freeze to death by giving away your only coat. Know your limits. Stay in your lane. Do your job. And if someone expects you to go above and beyond what you can do... learn to say no. No is not a four letter word. Its not a bad word. Setting limits is ok. Because burning out doesn't do anybody any good. That's why they tell you to put your oxygen mask on before you try to help someone else get theirs on, right? Because you can't do anything if you're passed out on the floor. But what I really wanted to say tonight was this: When you feel like you're empty... fill yourself up. I like 1 Samuel 30:6. I think it says it better than I can. "And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was greived, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." We all need encouragement. Even cheerleaders need cheerleads. So while we don't do what we do for the recognition, or the applause, or that pat on the back... sometimes we need encouragement. And sometimes we need to encourage ourselves. And the best (the only?) way to do that is to go to the source of our love. Remember the words spoken over Jesus by His heavenly Father, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." Because the approval of the Father will always empower the Son. When we fill ourselves to overflowing with what we've already been filled with... that's when we can keep on giving. Keep on loving. Keep on living!

I said this today, "If she keeps pushing me I'm gonna light her up." And this was the response--given by someone who knows me very, very well-- "That doesn't sound like you. You're too nice for that." And its true. I like to think of myself as a team player. I like to think that I try hard, not just to go along to get along, but to make things as good as I can for all involved. So when I (and, remember, I always try to use myself as an example so no one else gets offended) get pushed to the edge... its important to be able remember who it is that's holding me up. Who it is that's keeping me from going over the edge. And passages like this help: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15). That's me. For the most part. "Lord, I never complain, I never ask why, so please don't let my dreams run dry..." to quote Jason Aldean. Because I don't think complaining really helps things. I think it makes things worse, because if you're complaining about something that means you're dwelling on it. What you feed is what will grow, right? What you magnify is what will manifest in your life. So, like I said, when I start to get caught up in all this--and it takes a LOT for me to get caught up in things, because I'm basically all or nothing. I either care about something... or I don't. But at the same time, I can only be pushed so far. Then something's gotta give. I usually say it like this, "I'm not trying to make any waves... until I'm reay to tip the whole boat over." I'm a big believer in turning the other cheek. In not taking things personally, even if they are. In being a team player. Because I truly believe that we're all in this together. And I think shining a light is better than trying to fight the darkness. When God arises, His enemies are scattered. When the light shines, the darkness flees. Its about taking the high road. What did Mark Twain say? "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience." So I don't spend a lot of time arguing. With stupid people or otherwise. I generally just let people be who they are. I let them do what they're going to do. And I love them anyway. I try to help... everybody. Whenever and however I can. But I'm telling you, you can't just let people walk all over you. You have to know your worth. And never settle for less. Settling is one of the worst things we can do. Because there is so much that is available to us. Kingdom economy. God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. He has blessed us with all Spiritual blessings. We have what we need. We simply need to know what we have. Know who we are. Know what we're worth. My test, as always, is to give something everything you've got. And at that point its either enough... or its not. And either way, you've done what you can do. You can't do more than you can do. How could you? And you'll wear out, and burn out, if you try. So be a team player. But take care of yourself. Give what you've got. But (as we'll probably see tomorrow) make sure you're filling yourself up so you don't feel like you're running on empty!

To end this Rant series I want to connect the two verses that I think speak most about the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16, "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." I think that's so important. So important. Because people always want to talk about how "The Lord works in mysterious ways." Which I can actually get behind, because I believe God works through people. And people are mysterious. Life's a mystery. It very rarely makes sense. It very rarely goes the way we think it should. But the point I'm trying to make with this first verse is that we HAVE the mind of Christ. Its not something we need. He already gave it to us. When He gave us His Son, His heart, His Spirit, Himself. So when we look at the second verse, Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus," we have to look at it from that perspective. From the truth that we are not letting something "come" into us. Its already in us. We already have it. We're letting it BE in us. We're letting what's already true about us BE true about us, by knowing and believing it. Because you can't believe something you don't know. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the Word of God. So stop trying to "fake it 'til you make it." And, by the way, real quick, I don't think its "fake" to be nice to people you don't like. I think its mature. Like I always tell my seven year old, "Feel what you feel, but don't let it control you." We can be kind to people no matter what. We can love people no matter what. And we should. Because that's what's in the mind of Christ. That's ALL that's in the mind of Christ. Love, love, love. What else could the God who is love think about? What else WOULD He think about? Because He is mindful of men. Of us. His mind of full of... us. Think about the people you love most in this world. You probably already were thinking about them. Because that's what we do--we think about the people (and things) that are important to us. Where we get twisted around is when we spend too much time, attention, and effort on the things that aren't important. When we make mountains out of molehills and dwell on those things that are not good, and lovely, and peaceful. And we end up robbing ourselves of that peace. That goodness. That loveliness. When all we have to do is bring our thoughts under captivity to God. By letting the mind of Christ--that's already in us--BE in us. By USING the mind of Christ. Not trying to think God's thoughts, but just letting Him think His own thought (singular, love) in us, and as us, and through us. We make loving people so much harder than it really is because we make people need to deserve it. Guys. Deserve's got nothing to do with it. Or, in another way, we all deserve it. Simply by being humans. So stop making people jump through hoops. Stop making people fit in boxes. Let them be who they are. And love them anyway. Because that's who YOU really are. You are loved. That's what the mind of Christ reveals. And because you are loved... you can love. We love because He first loved us. Its in there. Let it BE in there, and let it come out! With every move you make. And every thought you take!

The thought is singular: I love you. But the method in which the thought is expressed is unlimited. There are so many ways to love people. Something as simple as a smile can brighten someone's whole day. And I've found that the little things ARE the big things. It doesn't always have to be some huge dramatic gesture. And I'm not saying that those aren't cool. They're pretty cool. I'm saying, do what you can do, with what you've got, where you are. I believe we are supposed to live out of our abundance. Look at Luke 3:10-11, "And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." I don't think we're supposed to overextend oureslves. That's how we get burned out. I think we're supposed to stay in our lanes. As a famous football coach is fond of saying, "Do YOUR job." If I do my job, and you do your job, it'll all get done. But if I'm expected to do everything... things are going to fall through the cracks. I always say, "I can do anything, but I can't do everything." Its not good that man should be alone, right? No man is an island? So while we all have this one thought from our one mind... its not up to any one of us to do it all. Look at 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." Just do your job. Maybe you plant a seed, and never get to see it blossom. That's ok. As long as you do what you can do... its enough. I believe there are people in your life that you are uniquely positioned and equipped to reach. So reach them. And don't worry about those that you can't. I know that I'm not for everybody. But I'm going to give what I've got, regardless. If I see a need, and I can meet it, I'm going to try. Maximum effort. But that, to me, is the line. Once you've given something everything you've got, its either enough... or its not. And if its not, just shrug your shoulders and move on. Hearts and minds clear. Because even if you give it all you've got... that doesn't guarantee you'll get the result you want. Life doesn't work that way. Like I said, you might plant a seed and then never see how it turns out. And that's ok. Because unlike natural farmers, we aren't planting in order to get something. We're planting simply because we have seeds. We're giving simply because we have something to give. Living out of our abundance, like I said earlier. God has given us everything we need. And the best way (perhaps the only way) to experience what we've been given is to give it away. To share it. To share ourselves. To lay our lives down for our friends. To give everything we have and everything we are, without worrying about how its received. And, listen, there's a difference between not worrying about how its received and not caring how its received. The difference is wisdom. Relationship. Knowing what people really need instead of just shoving what you think is best for them down their throats. That's why God's thoughts are thoughts of peace. He wants what's best for us... and He KNOWS what's best for us. That's why He gave the best--Himself, His Son, His Spirit, His heart, His mind, His life--to us!

One mind means one thought, right? And the thought is, "I love you." What else would the God who is love think towards us--we who He created in order to have something to love. But there are lots of different ways to express that thought. Charity is love in action, right? And, really, actions DO speak louder than words. I read today that giving in order to get is an investment. Giving because you have something worth giving... is love. Love IS giving. But people give what they've got in different ways. People receive that gift in different ways. And sometimes, unfortunately, people are too proud to accept charity. That's when you need to get a little bit creative. Because while that might seem stupid--you have a need, I'm willing to fill that need, and you're refusing?--that doesn't mean it isn't happening. And you can't force Jesus--God, love--down people's throats. They'll choke on it. Sometimes you have to sensitive to HOW that person needs what they need. Because if they won't (can't) receive what you're trying to give them... then you're not doing them any good. And, its important to remember, its not about you. Its about them. If you're doing it in order to get something--be it even a "thank you"--then its not love. Love is giving. Giving has nothing to do with getting. It has everything to do with knowing and believing that you have what you need. That you have what THEY need. And then giving what you've got. And not worrying about how its received. And, again, I'm not saying you should shove it down their throats. I'm not saying you should hit them over the head with your love to the point where it beats them down. I'm saying, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Sometimes its not what you say. Its how you say it. Sometimes its not what you do. Its how you do it. So while--when we let the mind of Christ that's in us BE in us--we're all thinking the same though, "I love you," there are lots of different ways to express that thought. And the best way, almost every time, is soft and sweet. 1 Corinthians 13:5 in the Message Bible, speaking about love, says, "Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others." Love doesn't demand its (HIS) own way. Love supports, and edifies, and lifts people up... while still letting them be who they are. It (HE) doesn't make people jump through hoops. It (HE) doesn't make people earn it. Deserve's got nothing to do with it. Love is all for one and One for all. But we have to do it right. We have to make sure people can pick up what we're laying down. And that's where relationship comes in. Getting to know people. Meeting people where they're at--not where we think they should be. Judging righteous judgment instead of judging by appearance. We can get together on this. Because we all have one mind. The mind of Christ. The heart of God. And the mind only thinks one thing. Love. The heart only beats with one thing. Love. The trick is expressing that thought... that love... in a way that can be received by the people we're in contact with. And I'll say it one more time to end this one tonight: That's where relationship comes in!

The mind of Christ is the heart of God. Because the only thing on the mind of Christ--the only thing in the heart of God--is love. God is mindful of men. Of us. His mind is full of us. He's thinking about us all the time. Just like we think about the people we love. That's one of the best ways to show love--putting time, and thought, and effort into someone. But for this Rant series, at least for this day of it, I want to focus on the singularity of mind. I mentioned this yesterday, and I want to really hit it home today. God giving US (plural) ONE new heart (mind) does NOT mean we are robots without independent thoughts. God doesn't want robots. He created individuals... on purpose. God created you... to be you. You're unique. And that's how its supposed to be. Thinking thoughts of peace and not of evil doesn't mean everything thinks exactly the same thing all of the time. There's more than one way to skin a cat, as they say. There's more than one way to love people. The same thing won't work with everybody. People give love in different ways, and people receive love in different ways. That's why its important to get to know people. To build relationships. To use wisdom when you're giving the love that you have inside. Sometimes coming on too strong does more hurting than helping. Even when your intentions are good. And, worse yet, trying to be like everybody else almost always does more hurt than good. Because if you're not being you... but you were created for a reason... that reason isn't being fulfilled. People will miss out on what you bring to the table, if you don't bring it to the table. Makes sense, right? And there are people in this life that can only be reached by you. If you don't... who will? So I think what I'm trying to say today is: Be you. But use that mind of Christ. That heart of God. Let the mind of Christ (that's already in you) BE in you. Recognize that the heart of God is beating (with love) in your chest! Stop trying to be someone you're not. You can't. And the harder you try the more frustrated you'll get. When you bang your head against the wall, all you really end up with is a headache. So be you. Do what you do. Because only you can do it the way you do it. Only you can uniquely reach the people in your path. Just do what you do... with love. Don't try to fit in a religious box. You can't. Don't try to be someone you're not. You can't. And don't try to get something you think you haven't got. Its not about earning anything. Its about receiving (and releasing) the gift you've been given. Giving away what you HAVE got. Sharing the love that's inside. And in that way, experiencing it. You can't conform and still be yourself. And people need you. People need you... to be you. Unity. Having one mind. Working together. None of that excludes you from being the miracle that you are. "Get in where you fit in" is all well and good. You SHOULD be where you're celebrated, not where you're tolerated. But that doesn't mean you should force yourself to fit in. Why fit in, when you were created to stand out? To be special? The point here is: Do what you do. But do it in love. Do it because of love. "Love made me do it." But do it wisely. Love people the way THEY need to be loved, not the way YOU think they should. The one heart beats with love. The one mind is full of love!

This one might take a little while. Which, as I always say, is why I started doing a series in five parts for these Rants. It lets me dig into things a little deeper. So, to set the foundation, we're going to talk about the mind of Christ. THE mind of Christ. Singular. Which is why the title says, "One Mind." So let's start with 1 Peter 3:8-9, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." And let's get this out of the way right away: It's not about earning a blessing. That's not even what the Scripture says. It says "inherit." And you can't earn an inheritance. I think, as usual, its more about how to EXPERIENCE what we've already been given. Your inheritance is experienced when you turn the other cheek. When you rend not evil for evil. When you don't rail against what's railing against you. When you have compassion. When you love. When you're pitiful--full of pity, not doing something that needs to BE pitied. That's how you experience Jesus' life. That's how you let Him live His life in you, and through you, and as you. You let the love that's inside come out. Remember the other day when I quoted Jeremiah 29:11? Well, I'm going to do it again: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." That's what the mind of Christ thinks. Peace. Not evil. To give an expected end. And, if you notice, Jeremiah was written before the cross. That expected end WAS the cross. The cross--the second death that freed us from death and brought forth the new life of the New Man--is what the mind of Christ was pointing to in the Old Testament. One thought. One purpose. One mind. The only thing ON God's mind... is man. Look at this: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4). God is mindful of man. His mind is full of man. Which means the only thing on God's mind... is love. Because God IS love. He is the Creator, and He Created us for the single purpose of loving us. He wanted to express Himself to us, and in us, and through us, and as us. He wanted us to know love. So He gave us His Spirit--the Spirit of Truth that leads and guides us into all truth. The ultimate truth of the universe that says, "God is love and He loves you." Its one thought coming from one mind. Let me end with this: "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 11:19). The mind. The heart. Its the same thing. The mind of Christ. The heart of Christ. And the point I want to make, and will continue to try to make in this Rant series, is that God gave THEM... ONE... heart. His heart. One for all and all for one. Its not a mind for me and a different mind for you. Its one mind for US. Because WE are all part of ONE New Man. The many-membered body of Christ. Its about unity. But its NOT about conformity. But we'll get to that.

Faith. Hope. Love. Peace. Forgiviness. Grace. Mercy. Did I mention love? Those should be our priorities. But... well... watch this: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matthew 23:23). Priorities. What's important. I like it even better in the Message Bible, "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God's Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment--the absolute basics!--you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required." Its like this, money is necessary... but not necessarily important. Certainly there are more important things. So, if we're working for a living, why do we kill ourselves working? Like my mom always says, if you work your fingers to the bone, all you get is bony fingers. And I'm not saying you shouldn't work for a living. I'm just saying you need balance. You can't neglect the stuff that actually IS important. God and people. Loving God and loving people. Loving God BY loving people. Letting God love us and filling ourselves to overflowing with that love so that it comes out. Naturally. Love has to be the number one priority. Because to live is to love and to love is to live. You can't live without loving people. And Jesus came that we might have life, and that more abundantly. He came that we might know love... and be able to love WITH that love. He gave His life for us on the cross, to free us from death. But He also gave His life TO us on the cross. So that we could have it. So that we could live. Not by trying to live Jesus' life. Nobody can live Jesus' life except Jesus. But so that we could EXPERIENCE His life as HE lives it in us, and through us, and as us. And we let Him live His life in us, and through us, and as us, by having our priorities straight. By knowing and believing that His love is in there. Because what's you believe is inside WILL come out. It has to. Whatever it is, its too big to keep inside. So don't get distracted by stuff that doesn't really matter. And don't get stuck in a bad situation. Inner peace is so vitally important because it produces outer peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, right? When you have peace inside it flows out and brings peace to any situation you find yourself in. Love brings peace to any situation. Maybe not immediately, and maybe not in the way you think it should. But that's the thing about love--He doesn't demand His own way. He lets things be what they are, and loves anyway. Lets PEOPLE be who they are, and loves them anyway. Don't let religion be your priority. Make people your priority. And I'm not talking about controlling people. I'm talking about loving people. If the Holy Spirit can't set them straight, you probably don't have much chance. So stop trying. People are who they are. And the only reason someone would ever REALLY change is if they saw a more excellent way. So do what you've gotta do. Take care of business. But not at the expense of the really important things in life. God and people. Love...