C. Gene Wilkes's Blog, page 4

How do I please God? A Reflection on Hebrews 11:6

My Son-in-law and Granddaughter. A pleased father.I believe at some time in our lives we wonder, "How do I please God?" We have metrics for pleasing our employer and teachers, and we have learned through experience how to please our parents, friends and family members. We know these things, and we choose to please them through meeting their expectations or not. 

But, you may ask one day, "How do I please God? What are the expectations of that relationship, and how can I choose to meet them?" 

I returned to a familiar passage of Scripture this morning, and I was reminded the answer to our deep longing to please God.

At the beginning of a  lengthy passage to encourage his readers to be strong in their faith as they face trials and doubt, the writer to the Hebrews wrote this:

Without trust it is impossible to please God. It is necessary that the one drawing near to God trust God exists and that God is a 'rewarder' to those who seek Him. (Heb. 11:6, my translation)

How do you please God? 
 
1. Trust God exists, and 
2. Trust God responds as someone who rewards you if you seek Him.  

Trust is key to pleasing God. (That is what the entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is about.) We talk about worship or putting God first in our lives as the key to our relationship with God, but if you do not trust God exists or that God responds to you, how can you show worth-ship to Him? 

For me, to trust Father-Son-Spirit with my life--like trusting a mountain guide on a climb I cannot complete on my own--I must first trust God exists. That sounds easy, but there is a difference between trust and belief. It's like the difference between trusting my father and only believing my father.

Can I say I trust my father if I only believe he exists (I know he lives in East Texas with my mother.), but I never call, go see, or ask anything of him? No, I acknowledge and live out my trust in him by talking to him, going to see him, doing chores on the farm with him, and asking him advice and for things I may need. I can never have a deep relationship with him unless I trust that he is there for me and that he will respond if I seek a relationship with him or ask him for something. 

I can believe things about my father (and God) all day long, but until I act as though he will respond, I do not trust him. 

The concept of a "rewarder" may seem like God is the jolly, old gift giver in the sky, but that is not the word picture here. The sentence before our verse 6 tells that Enoch "was commended as having pleased God." (Heb. 11:5; ESV) Enoch was praised as having pleased God, and the proof of that trust was that he did not experience death. To please God is to trust it is beneficial for me to seek God.

My father is pleased when I say and show I trust him. He is pleased when I announce we are coming to see them or that I need his advice. As a father myself, I am pleased when my daughters trust me enough to call me or to call upon me, or, desire to do things with me like in the picture of my Son-in-law and granddaughter above. Graham looks pleased to me!

So, how do you please God? Trust God is there for you, and that God will respond to you as one who rewards you if you seek God's help or friendship. 

Like a loving father, God is pleased when you move beyond believing in him and actually trusting him with your life through words and actions.

Why not try moving beyond believing in God to trusting God today? God will be pleased, I know.

Six Reasons Why We Love Katniss Everdeen

The Hunger Games TrilogyMy wife has read all three of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I have not, but I have seen the first two films based on the books, and after seeing the second one, Catching Fire , this weekend, I came home and started reading the third book, Mockingjay in order to discover the ending. 

Why? 

I became intrigued with the main character, Katniss Everdeen, the Victor from District 12 and the Mockingjay. It was not Jennifer Lawrence's performance in the films alone. She captures our imagination and pulls us into the story by her acting. No, my intrigue came from our love for her character as the heroine of the saga.  

Why do we love her so much? 

Here are six reasons why I think we love Katniss Everdeen so much.

1. We love her because she is a reluctant rescuer.  Katniss was thrust into her role by fate and choice. She did not seek to be the heroine, but as she realizes the importance of her life in connection with the well being of others, she reluctantly accepts and embraces her place in the larger scheme of things. We want our rescuer to save others out of calling and duty rather than driven by ambition and fame. We love Katniss because she did not seek her place of heroine but accepted it and played it well.

2. We love her because she put her life on the line for her family and community. Her motivation for all she does is her love for her sister, family, and her community. Her sister, Prim, is her first mission. Family and community friends drive her next. The Revolution grew from those roots, not a lust for power or authority. We love those whose motives are those things that ultimately matter most to all of us.

3. We love her because her childhood skills serve her best to survive. Instinct and skills learned outside the fence of District 12 are what make her a Victor and ultimately the Mockingjay. Her dependence on what she knows from life and natural instinct do not come from her formal training. We love those who have a knack for survival. We lean toward those who have more natural skills than degrees. 

4. We love her because she does not fear evil in its highest places. President Snow has a death grip on her world, and he holds every card of power to manipulate and destroy people for his personal gain. The Capitol embodies the dominion of evil that rapes the other Districts to maintain its lifestyle of opulence while others starve and are slaves to the system. Katniss refuses to fear the evil President and the dominion of his power. We love those who acknowledge evil and resists those who embody it. We want someone to stand up to those who abuse power at the ultimate cost of others. Katniss does this for us.

5. We love her because her love is torn between two men. Gale, her childhood hunting companion, and Peeta, who willingly suffered after he gave her bread on a rain-soaked day, tear at her heart everyday. We wonder if she truly loves either one, or, does she play act her affection simply to survive? We all relate to Katniss sometime in our lives. Whether it is a junior high crush on two people at once or affections torn between family and career, the liquid-like love of our hearts seduces and governs our lives every day.

6. We love her because we see ourselves as the people living in the Districts. The people in the Districts represent the human condition, and we know this. We know evil exists and has personified itself on our planet. We know life is taken from us by decree and incident. We sometimes feel like slaves to powers beyond our control. We long to be freed from evil's influence. We want more for our families. We long deeply for a rescuer to end the systems of oppression and darkness. Suzanne Collins has painted our deepest fears and longings as the backdrop for her story. The plot of Katniss, her family and their plight irresistibly expose our fears and hopes.


Whenever a series of stories like Hunger Games captures our nation's psyche I cannot help but wonder what it is that draws us to them? I believe in this case it is our connection to the larger story and our longing for a rescuer like Katniss and the new life for which she fights.

I relate to these stories like you do. I may, however, have a different attitude toward them. I believe The Hunger Games story finds its finale in the Story of Jesus, who rescued us from Evil, defeated death, and gives us new lives to live now and for eternity.  His story is not fiction. His story is the Story behind the stories. We who have been rescued by him hope you will see this reality too. 

I invite you to ask yourself why you love the films and books of The Hunger Games so much. Find a friend who will hear your honest thoughts, and let the journey go from there. Who knows? Maybe you will find you have been rescued and have a new meaning for living.

3 Leadership Lessons from Running

I enjoy running, climbing and cycling. I do not win any medals nor do I finish first in my age group, so if you are wanting lessons from a winner, check out Runner's World Training or training and racing at Ultrarunner Online. But, I have discovered connections between my running and leading an organization. I also make the connection between physical wellness and spiritual maturing in my book A New Way of Living. (I figured if Paul, the Apostle, made those connects, I could too.)

Here are three lessons I have learned from my 15+ years of running that I shared with our Board of Governors and Hub staff at B. H. Carroll as I have begun my new role as President of the Institute.

1. Your core determines your strength.

A runner's core is key to provide the strength to complete whatever distance he or she chooses. Most people have lower back problems because their abdomens are week. In running, when the core goes the back and legs go, and you are done reaching your PR. You may crawl across the finish line, but you cannot perform at your peak with a weak core. (I like these core exercises by Josh Cox.)

The same is true of organizations. Your core determines your strength. Focus on your core competencies, core practices, and what Jim Collins calls your "economic engine." Do you have the infrastructure, communication, and support needed to do what you do best?  If you spend all your time adding new initiatives or products and you do not strengthen your core, your organization will be crushed under the weight of the new programs.

2. Your base determines your distance.

You don't decide on Monday to run a marathon on Sunday. The key to distance is a slowly built base of miles over a long period of time. Most programs say you need a weekly base of 25 miles per week before you start training seriously. Yes, there are couch-to-5k programs, but you most likely not do another one if you prepare this way. Training is a lifestyle, and your base mileage determines how far you can go. Of course, if your goal is a 100-mile ultra, your base better be much larger than that for a 5k. Base is built gradually. The norm is no more than 10% increase over last week's distance.

Organizations fail when they seek to achieve goals beyond their base or capacity. What make up an organization's base? I'm not an expert here either, but common sense tells me resources are primary to expansion. Do you have the funds, the people, and the support to extend your reach? If your core is strong, what can you add that will lengthen your base without causing injury to the body? Organizations fail when they seek to add to their base too quickly in order to reach a goal that is worthy buy beyond their base.

3. Your goals propel you to excel.

Without a goal, you will never put down the chips and get off the couch. Goals or the vision of crossing the finish line of your first organized run motivate you to improve and excel beyond your last event. From pacing someone on their first half marathon to climbing Mt. Rainier in Washington, goals give you a destination for your daily trek of preparation. Goals force you to plan and re-structure  your status quo in order to accomplish what you have seen in your heart to complete. I keep an event on my calendar at all times in order to motivate me to train on days I would rather not.

Much has been written on the importance of goals for organizations, and I have some for Carroll as we launch our second decade of equipping men and women called to serve Christ and his church. Whatever you call them, BHAG goals, or however you measure them, SMART goals, have goals! Oh, yes. A friend told me once a goal is not a goal until it is written down and told to others. The same is true of plans. Without goals your organization will remain eating chips on the couch while the world runs past them to reach theirs.

A Trip to Ancient Corinth

View of Acrocorinth from Temple of ApolloI recently traveled to Greece for a speaking engagement, and I had a day to make a side trip to the ancient ruins of Corinth. This was my first trip to Greece and Corinth. Both made a significant impact on my life and perspective on the biblical record of Paul, the Apostle's, ministry there. While the overall experience was deeply meaningful, I will stick to my day in Corinth.

The Lechaion RoadAs you know from Acts 18:1-17, Paul came to Corinth from Athens and stayed there for a year and a half. He would have most likely walked through the city on the Lechaion road with Acrocorinth towering in the background and lined with shops. Here he may have met the Jewish couple from Rome who made tents like him. (Acts 18:2-3) The agora, or, marketplace, was the primary mission point for Paul. This was his habit most every where he went. (Acts 17:17)

Inscription of "synagogue of the Hebrews"







 Luke, the author of Acts, tells us Paul was in the "synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks." (Acts 18:4) The remains of the sign of the synagogue and a capital with menorahs engraved on it has been found in the ruins. The rhythm of marketplace and places of worship marked his strategy to engage the people he came to tell the Good News.



A couple of historical markers in the biblical record give us handles on verifying the dating of events while Paul was in Corinth. The most important one in both the biblical record and in the ruins of the ancient city is Paul's appreance before Gallio , who was "proconsul of Achaia." The dates of Gallio in Corinth can be externally supported to have begun around the autumn of AD 51. (Bruce, 351-352) This marker helps us date Paul's travels on either side of this incident and also addresses the challenged historical accuracy of Luke's writings.

The Bema or "place of judgment"The second item that vividly sheds light on the biblical record is the "place of judgment," or bema, from which Gallio would have heard the case brought against Paul by the local Jewish leaders. (Acts 18:12) To see the steps that led to the podium or platform where the Roman official would have sat above the crowd in the forum and to stand above where the mob shouted their case against Paul gave me a visual of God's servant's courage and unwavering commitment to the One who sent him. Looking out on the crowd with the Temple of Apollo and the agora in the background must have been a daunting experience, but Paul never wavered in his message or resolve to complete his mission to the Ethnics.




Veiled Statue of Caesar Augustus One last of many items I could comment upon was the statue of Caesar Augustus found in the city. The interesting tidbit, brought to my attention by Bruce Winter in a B. H. Carroll Colloquy and in his book After Paul Left Corinth , was that Augustus was veiled. (So was the bust of Nero housed in the Museum at Corinth.) Winter and the docent on our tour said they were veiled to reflect the practice of covering one's head while offering a prayer or libation to a god or gods. (Winter, 122) This documented practice may have been behind Paul's injunctions to men not to cover their heads when they pray or prophesy since Jewish men did this regularly in their worship. (Acts 11:2-16)

Yes, just as I carried a flag for B. H. Carroll to the summit of Mt. Rainier, I carried it to Greece with me. Since I did not have time to climb Acrocorinth, I chose the next most prominent object in the ruins, the "place of judgment" or bema.  

I have so much more to share and show, but I will have to save those for the next time I teach Paul and his writings, or 1 and 2 Corinthians.

The Summit

Guided by RMI Guides, Geoff and Bridgette at about 0850 PDT on 12 August 2013 we crested the summit of Mt Rainier, WA. Few other thrills have matched the accomplishment and exertion of effort. Although the wind and blowing snow only allowed us about 20 minutes in the crater of the summit, I savored every second. 
I carried a flag to honor those on my new journey with B. H. Carroll Theological Institute. I want all who are part of that community of faith and learning to reach the summits to which God has called them. 

We left Camp Muir about 0100, and began our climb on the Disappointment Cleaver route. By the time we reached the top of the cleaver, three of our group had turned back. As I sat where I turned back two years ago, I knew I would make it unless something outside my control happened. 

The most frightening section of the climb was the section of trail the had you climbing on a 2-foot wide path that led around a blind corner while changing moving belays to cross a ladder and then climb a second ladder over two cravasses. It was harrowing, and your adrenaline pumped through your veins like you were being chased by a wild animal. 

The hardest part was above "high break" when the winds picked up to 30 mph and we were pummeled by flying snow pellets. Waking against the wind, pounded by ice pellets, uphill at 14,000 feet was the hardest thing I've ever done. But, that's mountaineering, and it made the trip be all it was supposed to be. 
The highlight of the event was coming off the climb into Paradise and there was my wife, Kim, who had flown up with Sarah Craig to surprise me on my 60th birthday. I cried as I hugged and thanked her for the best birthday ever! I could not have asked for a more wonderful experience as Jim's family had also made a birthday cake for me as they greeted their family members. (The rope teams who were with me sang happy birthday to me as we sat in the summit crater and were pushed around by the blasts of wind.)
Thanks to Jim Craig for his friendship, encouragement, and orchestrating this entire adventure. Having family-like friends like Jim, Amy Nash and Jason Smith along made the whole thing meaning-filled. Thanks to the group, Don, Greg, Amnon, Scott, and my other rope partner, Ryan. The chemistry was the best, and there was never a dull moment. 

Words and pictures cannot describe the beauty and majesty of climbing on the side of a mountain like Rainier. The mountain reminds you that you are but a speck of dust and a second in time compared to its size and age. You are fully aware you climb at the mercy of God and Creation. This is not your doing. The experience is the mountain's gift to you. 

My verses for the climb were Philippians 3:12-14 and Hab. 3:19. The tune I sang when I wavered on the way was "One Things Remains." The Holy Spirit guided my steps and made our way secure. 
Thanks to Jason Smith for the photos on the climb. Check out his Facebook page for more. 

To Camp Muir

Saturday was training day, and for a flat lander like myself who only hikes Class 1 walk ups I was happy for the refresher mountaineering class. We left Paradise parking lot about 10 and made it back to our rooms about 5. A full, but very fun day. The guides were informative and patient with all of our jokes and jabs at each other. Chemistry matters in group sports, and we have excellent chemistry.   We all now have been trained in self arrest, team arrest with and without an ice axe, running belays, rest step, crampons and more. 
The most helpful exercise to me was walking in crampons on the rock face. The is the terrain of Cathedral Gap and Disappointment Cleaver. We walked both individually and as roe team. I am ready for that challenge this time. 
Everyone completed their training and returned to base without injury and in good spirits. We all should summit, and the gives us all confidence. 
Today, Sunday, we head to Camp Muir, and head out on our summit climb around midnight tonight. I am anxious. I am before every big endeavor-like preaching-but experience, preparation and training combine to give me the confidence to summit and descend safely. 
I also trust the One who rescued me and called me to His service will be with me and strengthen me. (Hab. 3:19) The prayers of my wife, Kim, my family and friends also strengthens me. Today will be a Sunday worship experience like no other. 
I also have a personal goal to summit with a flag I had made for B H Carroll. The incentive to climb for the Institute is an honor and privilege. 

I will sign in when we return on Monday. 

Mt Rainier day 2

Day two started early  with breakfast at The Kitchen in Enumclaw, Jim's hometown. We then drove to the Sunrise parking lot on the other side of Mt. Rainier than where we will be climbing Monday. 
 We hiked to Frozen Lake and got lost for the first time on the trip-but not for long or seriously, but glad we have guides on Rainier. 
 You can see Little Tahoma, Cathedral Rock and Disappointment Cleaver, my nemesis from the last trip, from an opposite angle. It was good to see and know the landmarks. 
We got to RMI guides base area in time for orientation and gear check. We met Jeff and Peter (Bridgette later) our guides. Jeff was fun and informative. He will be awesome. 
Off to the day of training on the Muir Snow field. 

Mt. Rainier the Beginning

We are in Seattle to make my second attempt of Mt. Rainier. We saw our goal from the sky as we flew in and then spent the rest of the day wandering around in the lowlands constantly looking over our shoulders at its beauty and power. We had fish and chips at a seaside shop called Spuds and then sat on Alki Beach to eat. Flawless weather and idyllic backdrop to a restful day waiting for the rest of the team to arrive and allowing Jim to host us on his home turf. Why did he ever move to Dallas? (I'm glad he did, but we have none of this to offer. A ride on the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry gave us a taste of the ocean and beauty of the landscape and cityscape. I love the international flavor of the population and the culottes that roam the streets like the breezes that come in off the seas. Your own ethnocentricity fades when walking among them. We made our final purchases at the REI Flagship store with its artificial waterfall but great gear and then headed out to meet the rest of the party, have dinner (salmon on a bed of pasta), hit the local Walmart for snacks, and go to the motel. The scene is set. Let the cameras begin to roll. 
Verse for the day:
Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead,
14 with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

You have all you need to get started

Ever wonder who to get a group started or form people around a cause to meet a need?

Here is a conversation I had with a friend in facebook.

Bottom line: you already have all you need to start with those you meet with now. 

My Friend:

Hey, any suggestions on how to go about putting together a men's fellowship group? Ideas to get us started and make us successful. Is there "An Idiot's Guide to... " for this? ha ha It is me and some friends and we want to assemble something. Any input or advice is appreciated!
My Response:

This is great! You know about grass root movements and how they start and grow. You probably have all you need in the group to get started: 

a common cause or interest, [this is what has brought some of you together]
a natural or spiritually gifted leader, [someone who can champion the cause or interest and influence others to do so]
supporters, [those who are attracted to the cause and will help where needed]
connectors, [those who will naturally invite others and know ways to include others] and
a list of activities that serve the cause. [things you already like or want to do when you get together]

The first question is, " So, why do we want to hang out together? What does this group of guys offer me that others don't or can't ?" The answers that arise from the existing group who are already connected, and that will become what you invite others to join.

As you also know, the surroundings match the purpose of the group. Wherever you are meeting now may be sufficient to get going, so, no need to rent a joint or design the national headquarters just yet.

Start where you are with who is there for the reason you have gathered. 

You will be surprised at what can come of what you already have.

Look at the Birds of the Air

Picture by Chris HowlettOutside Cedar Ridge Lodge in the Glen Eyrie Conference Center near Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods stands an outcrop of rock. It was one of those formations I am told that laid flat on an ocean floor until the violent shifting of the earth's crust stood it at a 90-degree angle to the earth like a giant vanilla wafer in a bowl of banana pudding. It dwarfed all the other outcroppings in the area. It formed a tiara crowning the valley where it stood.

One Sunday morning on a break from my pastoral duties back home I walked out from the lodge and was shocked by the sun-splashed, sandstone skyscrapper rising out of the valley. I was not as overcome by its height as its shining and sheer audacity to stand erect in a sea of contours. It stood like a six-foot sixth grader among its peers--gwaky and obtrusive, yet powerful.

I noticed that the face of the rock formation had become an apartment complex to the native birds of the region. They had built their homes in bubble holes formed in the rock face. Like a million moths circling a light bulb on your patio, the birds glided, fell, dove and floated on drafts that rose beside the structure. Lifeless rock sustained life. Building birds, feeding birds, procreating birds whirled around the ancient rock.

Staring like a child into an aviary at the zoo, I listened to the racket of life. As I watched the Spirit reminded me of Jesus' words about birds from his mountain-side sermon. I stilled to listen.

Look at the birds of the air. They do not draw up plans, or seek financing, or build earth-quake proof edifices to themselves; and, still your Father in Heaven provides for them. They never sow or reap, but they have all the moths and flies they need. Surely you are more valuable than birds in rock apartments. (Matthew 6:26)

I stood stunned by Light and Word. Chronos stopped for Kairos. Birds locked wing in flight. Wind and Breath joined in my breast. Silence spoke, and its voice echoed down the valley.

Stumbling for words to express myself, I quoted what I could of St. Francis of Assisi's Sermon to the Birds hoping the winged worshipers would benefit from the moment as I had. I didn't have anything to build an altar to memorialize the moment so I picked up a gum wrapper to sanctify the place where I stood and walked silently to breakfast.