C. Gene Wilkes's Blog, page 13

Jesus and the Heisman Trophy

RG IIIMy wife and I are Baylor Bears. ('75) My youngest daughter, her husband, and my oldest daughter's husband are Bears. (My oldest daughter is an Aggie, of whom we are equally proud.) The buzz in Baylor world--as you know unless you have been hiking in the Himalayas the last three months--is that the Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin III is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.You can only imagine how excited we are as a family and alumni of BU.

A small, private Baptist school in Central Texas usually lives under the shadow of schools like the University of Texas and seldom gets any national recognition. Waco is mostly known nationally for the Branch Davidian debacle, and most sports commentators can't pronounce the school's name like we do. Oh well, they are learning now.

I hope RG III receives the most votes for the coveted trophy, not because I want to be associated with it and him, but because he and his family clearly give God credit for his success and notoriety. I believe men like Griffin often find themselves on the nation's stage because they trust God and will use that platform to speak boldly for the One who got them there. (That's why I liked Kurt Warner winning the Super Bowl, and Tim Tebow defying the sport's world pundits about him as a player.)

RG III is the kind of guy we like to be our hero. He is exceptional at what he does. He is a leader among men. He brings honor to those who are connected to him. He is humble and smart. What else could you ask in someone who represents your school?

The irony of all this is that our true hero, Jesus, never got this kind of recognition while he lived on earth. When you read through Luke's account of Jesus' birth, for example, you see the contrast between Caesar, the ruler, writing edicts and living in a palace in Rome while Jesus is born in a barn to tax-paying parents who didn't have enough clout to get a room for the night. You also read his first admirers were shepherds--Texas cowboys--who happened to be on the night shift that evening and would not have known about one more Jewish boy's birth had it not been for the angels who tipped them off. I wonder if Jesus would have even lettered in football at Nazareth High School if there was such a thing.

My point? We look for saviors like R G III (though he does not in any way claim to be one, and I am so pleased a man like him represents the school), but our true Savior looks nothing like him. That's the mystery and message of Christmas. I still have not fully comprehended it, but I know that's how it happened, and that truth tells me Jesus is the Savior for all of us...no matter if our alma mater's quarterback gets the Heisman or not.

The Scandal of Advent

Advent is the season set apart to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. We look back at his first coming (Luke 2), and we look forward to his second coming. (Revelation 19:11-18) It is to be a sacred season in which we daily spend time with the Spirit and Word and the community of faith to see the hand of God in history to bring about the birth of incarnate God and the return as the risen, triumphant King.

But who has time for all that? Our culture has swallowed up the intent of this season and has seduced us to buy stuff and go into debt to give things people don't want to people we don't like--and those we do. And, we have gladly said yes to the "little g" god, consumerism.


Check out my friend, Jim Denison's blog, "What did Jesus think of Black Friday." The numbers and stories will stagger you. (You will want to subscribe to his daily email, too. It's good stuff.) He has pointed out the absurdity of our actions to get more for less.

One of my favorite posts on facebook on Black Friday was something like, "Isn't it ironic that we fight each other to get more stuff the day after we have just given thanks for all we have?"

This scandal of Advent is one of the reasons Legacy Church has joined the Advent Conspiracy movement rather than "Occupy Wherever" to make our statement that this Christmas we will worship fully, spend less, give more (presence), and love all.

We have applied the intent of the movement (rather than giving to build wells) to serving school age parents in the Plano Independent School District. (SAPP) We have asked people to buy at least one less gift in order to give a new "baby shower" item that will go to the young parents in the program. The gifts will go to support the parents and their children at the graduation event in May. Legacy Church will host the event, and these gifts will go to the students who have earned "bucks" throughout the school year. Legacy members also host their monthly meetings and are mentors to the students.

What is Advent to you this year? Are you making room for the Christ Child in your life? If you want some ideas of how your family can join the conspiracy, go to the Advent Conspiracy site or their idea site rethinking Christmas. Post some ideas here, too, if you like.

Join the conspiracy. Make your actions tell of the Good News of God's love in Christ Jesus.

Thanksgiving Heaven Style

If you have followed this blog for long, you know that Legacy Church hosts an annual Thanksgiving dinner for the students and their families connected to Legacy's English Language Program. Every year God reveals to us again a peek at heaven recorded in Revelation 7:9-10:

"After this I looked, and there in front of me was a huge crowd of people. They stood in front of the throne and in front of the Lamb. There were so many that no one could count them. They came from every nation, tribe, people and language. They were wearing white robes. In their hands they were holding palm branches. They cried out in a loud voice,
   'Salvation belongs to our God,
   who sits on the throne.
   Salvation also belongs to the Lamb.'" (NIRV; italics mine)

(I had concluded The Story that Sunday morning by teaching on The End! You can hear that message here. It was wonderful to get a glimpse of what we had seen in Scripture that morning the same evening.)

Here are some things I saw this year as the Church served "the world in our backyard."

A purpose of the church is to demonstrate to a fallen world what heaven on earth could look like. Granted, we do not know the spiritual relationship of all who attended, and the biblical vision is that of the saints in white robes worshiping the Lamb. However, we build relationships with those who attend, and over the years we have seen many become followers of Jesus. But, as you know, the church is notorious for being the most segregated organization in our country, and an event like this demonstrates the biblical value "all people matter to God."

We are foolish to think our way of life and ethnic origins are superior to others. Sitting with people from at least 25 other countries takes away the false assumption that somehow our ethnicity is better than all the others. To hear the stories of those around the tables remind us what people will sacrifice in order to provide a better way for their families and how they bring their talents and training that are far superior than ours to build a life of purpose and meaning. We see God's grace in Christ Jesus is for "all nations," not simply our own.

God's people are God's servants. I am always humbled with a lump in my throat to see the joy and energy of Legacy Church serving those who trust us to attend this event. From carving the meat to starting a conversation with people who speak another language (only!), I see the servant heart of Jesus displayed in the actions, smiles, and voices of those who follow Him and serve in His name. Thanks to Lue Kraltchev, our Director of Literacy Missions, who led the team of ELP faculty, volunteers who served and to those who prepared food for those they did not know. I am blown away by the servant hearts of those who are Legacy. If we would serve more like Jesus, more people would trust Jesus.


My life verse is Hebrews 12:1-3. I envision the "great cloud of witnesses" to look something like the multitude of faces from many nations I saw Sunday evening. This missional movement we belong to is not about us. The "race marked out" for us has a global expanse. We are "sent servants" who demonstrate the love of Christ to those who are near and afar. Join the movement. Reach the world. You will be surprised how close it is to you.


For more pictures of the dinner and other Legacy ELP happenings view them here.

Finishing Well

After last week's revelations about the goings on at Pen State and Coach Joe Paterno, I have realized again how hard it is to finish well. The older I get, I am more and more grateful for men like Billy Graham, whose recent birthday at 93 and his book, Nearing Home , let me know it IS possible to finish well. But, what about the rest of us?

I spoke on this topic this past Sunday at Legacy Church. (If you want to hear that message, you can hear it here.) I highlighted Paul's words to his protege, Timothy, that are recorded in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. I hope to state with confidence the words he confessed in his last season of life as I finish my race.

I have a mentor, Ray Rust, who is 86 now, and with whom I have shared my story and life for over a decade. He moved to the area after retiring as the leader of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. We met at 7th grade B-team basketball game when his grandaughter and my daughter were playing each other. We have been friends since.

Last week, I went to visit Ray and his wife of 65 years, Joy, as I often do. We caught up, and as we finished our slices of pumpkin pie and cups of tea, I asked him, "How would you tell someone to finish well?" He smiled and in humility hesitated to offer me anything. (His hesitation was one more piece of evidence that he is the kind of man I want guiding me.) 

Here are some excerpts from our time together that may help you finish well.

"If you compare your life to when you were 45 [He's 86], you will be disappointed. What we have now is a new normal. If you will accept that new normal, you will have a better shot at being happy and being productive."

How do you finish well spiritually? He shared this verse: "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." (Deut. 33:25; KJV) God promises strength for the season. Whatever that may be, God will provide the strength for those demands. "It's not my strength that is in question, but my trust in him."


How would you tell a couple to stay married for 65 years? "Hang around a long time. [He laughed.] It's been a partnership. I don't know of any other way to survive as a couple. Joy has been a partner in ministry wherever we have been. We traveled, and I arranged to go by car as much as possible so she could come with me. We shared ministry together wherever we went, but she had her hobbies, too."

One day his new assistant asked him what AWJ meant on his calendar. He told her, "Away with Joy. And, we don't cancel those. We may cancel that, but you consider that an obligation or appointment. We don't take anything on that day."

You have served Joy almost ten years since her stroke. How have you done that? "The preacher said something about in sickness and health, and he looked pretty serious! And, I think back on that every now and then. I have not been sick one day in the last 91/2 years since her stroke. That is nothing less than a miracle. By God's grace and provision we have made it."

In closing, he commented, "My parents taught my brothers and me to respect our elders. I'm having a hard time finding my elders. There are fewer and fewer elders."

Ray Rust is finishing well. I am blessed to be influenced by such a man. My prayer is that you will have such a person leading you to finish well.

Check out Bob Buford's Finishing Well book , too. The stories are great and the advice helpful.

a missionary with a corporate sponsor

Work as WorshipThis past Sunday at Legacy Church, I told the story of a running partner who told me how she had sent an email to her office inviting the women in it to a small group she led at her church. Her plan backfired when one of her peers scolded her for using company resources for religious use. She admitted that was a mistake, but invited her to the group anyway. She went on to tell me how the girl had come to the group, grown in her curiosity about God, and that she attended regularly now.

As we continued to run she told me more stories about how she leveraged her consulting and traveling as a platform for sharing her faith. (She no longer used company email for invitations to her faith activities.) I complemented her for seeing all of her life as a mission field and her network of relationships as her responsibility in serving others in the name of Jesus.

She smiled and said, "I guess I'm a missionary with a corporate sponsor."

I agreed, and that phrase has stuck in my head since. It describes for me a perspective every working follower of Jesus should have about work.  

Too many Christians separate their sacred Sundays from their secular Monday-Fridays, and by doing so offer to their co-workers a skewed view of faith. To live that way is to say, "My faith is my hobby on the weekend. What's yours?"

Last week some of our staff attended the Right Now conference in Dallas. J R Vassar of The Apostles Church in NYC, emphasized the conference's core value, "Work is Worship."At Legacy Church we describe a similar core value, "Worship is a lifestyle." Vassar called us to see ourselves as missionaries to our "neighborhoods, networks, and to the nations."

The world is in need of the message and the hands and feet of Jesus lived out in his followers. What if you saw your work as worship, or, yourself as "a missionary with a corporate sponsor?" If you did, I bet the world you touch would know the difference.

faithrunner schedule this week:

faith: Join Legacy Church, many others, and me for One Meal One Day this Wednesday. Skip a meal to feed a child through Compassion International .

runner: NTTR's annual club-sponsored run, the Rockledge Rumble, is this Saturday at Lake Grapevine. I am honored to serve as the race chaplain. The run is sold out, but if you happen to be on the North Shore Trail at Lake Grapevine cheer the trailrunners as they run in honor of our US Veterans. Veterans Day is this Friday. Thank those who have served so we are free to practice our faith.

Adopted into the Family

Team BowenOne of the biblical metaphors for how God brings us into right relationship with him is adoption. The picture is the intentional efforts of a loving parent who chooses to pay the price and meet the legal obligations to make a child part of the family.

When Paul wrote to the Romans, he used this adoption language to remind them that in Christ they were children of God, which made them not only heirs but co-heirs with Christ! (Romans 8:14-17) God intentionally chose those who trust him to be his adopted children. God paid the price (Jesus' death) and met the legal obligations (The Law) in order for this to happen. Today, those who trust His Son are God's adopted children through Jesus Christ.

Adoption of orphans today magnifies this beautiful picture of God's love for us.


Brent and Anne-Marie Bowen are in the adoption process currently, and this past weekend I ran with "Team Bowen" at the Chosen Marathon and Half Marathon in New Braunsfel, TX.

Here is Anne-Marie's race report. Read their other blogs that tell of their adoption journey and pray the process continues to go well for them.

Do you know an adopted child? Are you an adopted child of God? Share your story if you like.

Character Matters

I am finishing up a manuscript that I am writing with my friend, Dr. Norman Blackaby. We have facilitated a PhD seminar for three different cohorts at Dallas Baptist University called Biblical Servant Leadership. As part of the work in the seminar we ask the candidates to write case studies on biblical servant leaders in order to discover that leader's strengths and weaknesses as he or she led. We also look for principles and practices we can apply to current leadership theory and practice.

As we guided the seminar we observed the importance of character as a person called by God led and how character squarely centered on his or her relationship with God. Outward appearance, skills, and personality were not enough to lead effectively under God's guidance. Character matters. We also observed that not much had been written about character in leadership studies. So, we decided we would address the need and write something of our own.

As we began to talk to the publisher about the direction we would write, we came to the conclusion that character is an issue that applies to people in all walks of life. Yes, character directly affects one as a leader--you don't have to look far to read or hear about a leader who had failed because of character issues--but character plays a major role in our effectiveness as a Christ-follower, no matter where God has placed us.

So, we widened our scope of readers and write how God develops character and about the difference godly character makes in a person's life and others whether the person is a leader or not. We use biblical case studies, which lets the reader interact with the biblical material. We apply what we observe in the case studies to everyday situations and offer the reader ways to allow God to develop his or her character.

We share our own case studies of people like Hannah, Boaz and Ruth, Jonah, Mary and Martha, Barnabas, and Stephen. We write about Moses, Joseph, Peter and Paul, and Jesus, who models for us how to develop character in others and the difference a relationship with him makes in our character as we serve others in his name.

I'm excited about the project, and I pray Legacy Church and  Christians everywhere will benefit from our work. Pray for us as we finish things up and go through the editing and publishing process.

What have you read on character that may help us? Would love to hear from you, and we'll let you know when the book is available to purchase.

Crawling out of a Hole

Colonel Qaddafi's Final Hiding PlaceIt strikes me as odd that the two most feared and possibly most powerful dictators of the past twenty years ended their lives being pulled out of a hole in the ground.

Makes you wonder if all the power and wealth that they pursued was worth it?

Jesus asked the pointed question, "What good will it be for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? Or what can you give in exchange for your soul?" (Matthew 16:26) Being drug out of a hole by those who wanted them dead signals to me these two had lost their souls to gain the world. 

What did these two dictators really gain by all their efforts if the end of their life's work emerged from a hole in the ground while hiding from those they used to gain what they had?

 
   We will all go into a hole in the ground when we die. My prayer is that it will be after a celebration and eulogy of our lives, not to hide from those who pursue us because we have sold our soul to gain the world.
Saddam Hussein's Hole When Captured

barefoot running update

Okay, this is an installment for the "runner" part of "faithrunner," so bear with me if you are more interested in the faith side of things. I'll come back to that next week. This week, I want to update where I am in running barefoot or in minimalist shoes. The evolution of footwear in my running continues...(at 58, I don't know how many more renditions there will be :-)

I bought my first pair of Vibram five fingers KSOs two years ago this month after hearing Christopher McDougall pitch his book, Born to Run, at the Dallas Cooper Clinic. (You can read of some of my journey in previous posts in this blog.) I bought into the philosophy and technology of barefoot running and took off running in them--never to wear conventional shoes again. (And, I haven't.)

What happened, however, was that the concrete of my suburb and the rocky terrain of North Texas only allowed me to go so far in this running footwear. I could only run about a maximum of six miles in the five fingers on concrete until the balls of my feet hurt, and the cumulative effect of the pounding almost ended my running in them altogether. Trails in this area were impossible in this footwear, even in the five finger treksport. (A costly investment with no return on my investment.)

I my frustration, I went to Luke's Locker in Plano, and a salesperson introduced me to the new Altra Zero Drop (Instinct). It kept the foot-on-the-ground theory I had come to like (require) and it gave me a slight cushion for the concrete roads I have to run upon around here.They said more and more five finger runners were returning to find some cushion for running on roads.

I ran 10+ miles this morning on the concrete trails of the Chisholm Trail in Plano to train for a half-marathon in a couple of weeks, and I ran at my normal pace with no residual issues I had experienced in the past.  I'm sold on these shoes . The larger toe box allows my foot to fall on the ground as they were created to do and gave me the foot-strike and feel as the five fingers. AND, the cushion kept the ball of my foot from aching on the longer runs.

My trail running has returned with the Merrell Barefoot True Glove. (Thanks again to Luke's Locker folks.) This shoe is built upon the foot-on-the-ground principle while providing a "rock plate" in the front of the shoe to deal with the rocks of North Texas trails. It, too, is built more to the natural shape of the foot and makes room for my wider foot in the toe box. (I'll keep my Montrail Hard Rocks for extreme terrain.)

I continue to be sold on  minimalist theory and technology, and I will not return to the traditional heal-strike shoe. What I wear are the natural alternative to shoes that force our feet to fall on the ground other than the way they were designed to strike it. But, the terrain and needs of runners in my part of the world require more cushion and protection than what barefoot wear provides.

I will continue to experiment, I'm sure. I am grateful, however, shoe makers listen and adjust to the needs of the runners as this trend continues to unfold.

How has your footwear needs changed as you have run?

running in reverse

I'm training for my next half-marathon as part of the Chosen: Marathon for Adoption at the end of this month. I'm running with Team Bowen, who are raising money to adopt a child from Russia. (You can read their story here and contribute to their adoption if you like.)

I do my training for runs mostly on the Chisholm Trail in Plano. I can connect with the trail about a mile from my house, and it provides up to 13 miles of continuous running/riding trails. (I typically run in the grass alongside the concrete path.)

This morning I went out for a 6-mile run (64F, 97% humidity), and as I got close to the trail I decided to run my usual course in reverse. In doing so, I ran faster, fresher, and all the bridges, houses, crossings, and scenery looked different. Uphills became downhills and vice versa. Even the ducks along the banks looked different. That choice changed how I saw what I had seen hundreds of times before. I recommend you try running familiar training routes in reverse to get a fresh look on things.


Running in reverse provided a fresh perspective to a very familiar path.

We are reading through the New Testament this fall as Legacy Church. (If you want to jump in with us, you can find the reading plan here, or sign up for the daily emails here.) When I got home from my run and sat down to read my daily reading, I remembered my decision to run my usual course in reverse, and I read Mark 15 (NIRV) that way. No, I didn't read word-for-word in reverse. I read the paragraphs from end to beginning.

The chapter has editorial titles: Jesus Brought to Pilate, The Soldiers Make Fun of Jesus, Jesus in Nailed to a Cross, and Jesus Dies. I started with the last incident and read them in sequence backwards. This familiar story read in reverse, which is critically important to our faith, revealed fresh insights to the injustice, cruelty, and suffering Jesus faced on the cross for you and me.


Reading in reverse let me read with with the end of the story as the starting point. Jesus' death became the reference point for his trial, mockery, and suffering. It didn't change the message. Reading that way gave me a fresh look at an old story.


When you know the end of the story, it may take away some of the expectation and anxiety while in the story, but it will also give you hope in the middle of it. Knowing Jesus rose from the dead and that he will return triumphant gives a fresh perspective to the suffering and heartache he faced and we face each day.