Bucket List Practice #11 - Reconciling

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The second week January we'll explore practices about how we relate to others.

We are changing gears again this week to move into our third theme, which focuses on how we relate to other people.  With today being Martin Luther King, Jr. day, there's not a better day to start such a theme!

Today's practice is reconciling.  I'm sure that at various points in your life you may have experienced conflict with others, albeit from a family dispute, racism, some form of abuse, or even the guy who cut you off on the expressway.  If we really think about it, most of the hurt we find in our lives comes from people. And we find ourselves both being the offenders and the offended.

Dave Schmelzer, pastor in Boston and author of Not the Religious Type, says that this is a result of "sin".  We think of sin as being a bad person and having vices.  But Schmelzer says that the Bible really describes sin (the antithesis of righteousness) as a breakdown of relationships.  So "sin" embodies our shortcomings that destroy relationships, starting first with God, and then with other people.  And so he has an insightful description of what makes Jesus so unique as a "religious" figure, referring to him as the Great Reconciler, the one who breaches broken relationships.  His take is that no other religious figure has it in their agenda to tear down walls the way Jesus does.  Whereas we as sinful humans want to exclude, draw lines, and bear grudges, the Bible shows that Jesus wants to include, draw in, and forgive.  And the Bible also says that this is something that he has passed on to us.

So today, in honor of and inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr., begin the process of reconciling whatever kind of broken relationship you're facing.  Resolve recent arguments, surrender any racist or prejudices attitudes, seek forgiveness from someone you've harmed, forgive someone who has harmed you.  It's not easy, trust me. But it's the only way.

Bucket List Practice #10 - Downsizing

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The second week January we'll explore practices related to ourselves.

Today's practice is to downsize. However, our American culture is always about supersizing. Bigger, more, faster. But indulging ourselves more causes us to lose balance in our lives.  When "bigger" and "more" are served for dinner, then obesity, greed, debt, and exploitation are what's burped out. We need to integrate the concept of "enough" if we want to live to the fullest.  I like how Charles Wesly put it:

"Christians should give away all but the plain necessities of life; that is...wholesome food, clean clothes, and enough to carry on one's business."

So today we will practice simplifying our consumption habits. There are many ways to practice that within one day. Maybe when you eat, don't go for seconds (and don't load up your plate either!), or eat about a fourth of what you would normally eat.  If you tend to work a lot and get caught up in the rat race, then maybe just work a standard shift tomorrow.  Or if you're thinking about making a purchase in the next couple days, maybe go for the generic brands, or decide steer away from a loan for something you don't really need.  Either way, look at what you tend to gobble up the most, and just take much smaller bites today.  You'll be fine.

Bucket List Practice #9 - Flossing

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The second week January we'll explore practices related to ourselves.

Today's practice is flossing. If you brush your teeth regularly, but your breath still stinks a little, flossing will help because you've got to get rid of the food that's marinating between your teeth and gums. But flossing is much more critical to an integrated, healthy life besides just improving your breath. Studies are showing that unhealthy teeth and gums can lead to heart problems and diabetes.  So just the simple practice of flossing and rinsing (in addition to regularly brushing of course) can have a broad impact on your overall life and health.

So today, get some floss and get in between those teeth.  And make a dentist appointment too while you're at it.

Bucket List Practice #8 - Moving

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The second week January we'll explore practices related to ourselves.

We're changing gears a little this week. Last week our focus was related to us and God. This week's focus is related to yourself.

Today's practice is to move around and be active. Exercise is typically the number one New Year's resolution, and rightly so if you want to live an integrated life. It boosts our energy, strengthens our muscles and bones, helps our heart, lowers stress and much more. Those are all things that we engage on a daily basis, so I think we all agree how important exercise is! But many of us reading this probably have desk jobs where we sit  most of the day. And the more electronic gadgets we have created, the more sedentary our lifestyle has become.  At least Nintendo Wii was brilliant enough to combine video games and exercise. 

But, keeping in the spirit of the Bucket List, the point of this suggestion is not to turn you into Richard Simmons over night.  (Actually, I would never wish over anyone to turn into Richard Simmons.) The point is for you to get a taste of integrated, healthy living. And if you choose to be more active or exercise regularly, even better!  Bonus 50 points for me.

So today, let's get the blood flowing and practice moving around more often than you normally would. Integrate a little more activity into your daily routine. If you usually use an elevator, take the stairs. Do some pushups when you get up in the morning. Instead of driving, walk or bike if the place is near enough.  Or maybe catch a pick-up basketball game before or after work. Those are just some ideas. Of course, don't over-do it, especially if you decide to walk 30 miles to work or if your health currently limits some of your physical activity. Oh, and make sure to stretch. I'd hate to hear about people pulling hamstrings walking up a flight of stairs.

Bucket List Practice # 7 - Resting

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.

Today's practice is resting.  To rest means to stop working!  I'm ashamed that I have to define it, but we are workaholics. One of the best ways to live an integrated life by connecting with God is simply to do nothing.  The narrative in Genesis 1 shows the ultimate "to do" list. Then chapter two describes something remarkable that God did:

 ¹ Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
 ² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

God made the universe, and then he took a break. I'm sure I'd be tired after doing that; I have a hard enough time keeping up with my own non-universe related tasks.  And as hard as we work ourselves, we seldom take a break.  It's interesting, though, because God doesn't actually need rest. But the story says that he blessed that day and made it holy.  Making it holy doesn't mean that you need to read a Bible or go to church all day.  To be holy or sacred in this sense means that it's set apart as a special day to take a load off.  God is giving us permission, and almost insisting, that we take a day off.  It's an example for us that shows how important it is to set aside regular time to relax and recharge.

So, you've worked very hard all these last 6 days with this bucket list. It's day 7. The Boss took a day off, so you should too!

Bucket List Practice #6 - Fasting

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011. (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.) Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below. We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life. The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.

Today's practice is fasting. Fasting is intentionally abstaining from food for spiritual purposes (whether that be for guidance, overcoming temptation, healing/deliverance, or for times of crisis). People often react to the concept of fasting like they do to running - "Why in the world would you choose to do that?"  But there's something very powerful about fasting that makes it important to living an integrated life.  Mahesh Chavda, pastor and author of The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting, explains why:

It is likely that at some point in your life and ministry, you have been stopped cold or greatly hindered by obstructions. That thing, whatever is...will not budge until you combine your prayers with fasting.  When you combine your prayers with fasting, you suddenly drop a hydrogen bomb on the mountain that is blocking your call and divine assignment. Fasting boosts the intensity and effectiveness of our prayer at least tenfold, and often a hundredfold!

There are lots of difficult situations that you may be carrying into 2011; fasting helps us overcome them by weakening ourselves in order to rely on God's power.  But in addition to giving us a boost over challenges, fasting helps to reorient our priorities and bring balance to our life against our overly indulgent culture that wants to appetize us to consume more and more.  Fasting reminds us that we don't live on food alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

So today, practice fasting. A standard fast means no food, only water.  That would be the ultimate challenge for one day.  But at the very least, follow a basic principle of making some kind of substantial sacrifice in your eating habits for 24 hours.  Maybe skip one or two meals. Maybe just eat vegetables or only drink juice. And then just spend the the time you would normally eat (or when you are hungry) gobbling up some prayer or sacred reading instead, to fill yourself with the food of God. If you want an inspiring example, check out how Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before he began his ministry. Imagine starting 2011 that way!  But let's just take it one day at a time.

Bucket List Practice # 5 - Trusting

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011.  (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.)  Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below.  We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life.  The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.

Today's practice is trusting.  Many think that success is a combination of hard work or good luck  And we worry whether we've done enough or whether we're going to catch a break.  And when we fail, we either feel inadquate or absurd. There is definitely a hard work side. We have to give our best efforts to our responsibilities. And yes, we all know that there are a lot of factors that are beyond the control of hard work. 

But let's drop this idea of luck because there is a personal God who has purposes for the world and a calling for you.  So I think St. Augustine nailed it when he said, "Pray as if everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you."  Things are not left entirely up to chance, nor are they entirely dependent on you. It's you and God. But God takes the lead and the burden, as well as your inadequacy and your absurdity.  The main question is, do you trust in God to accomplish your goals?

A proverb from the Bible says, "Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."  That word commit used in this verse literally means to roll something away. Basically, we are encouraged to let go of our plans and turn them over to God. So essentially you no longer hold on to your goals; you entrust them to God.  Trust is critical to an integrated life because those who trust in God will not only achieve, but will experience satisfaction.  Plus it helps with our humility, which is essential to integrity.

So today, take your greatest goals for 2011, and roll them over to God.  And then work your butt off to accomplish them. Does that make sense? If not, no worries. It will work. Trust me.

Bucket List Practice #4 - Sacred reading

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011.  (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.)  Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below.  We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life.  The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.

Today's practice is sacred reading. By sacred reading, I mean the divine writings that are the foundation of your beliefs. For Christians, that is the Bible.  But it may well be the Sunday morning comics for you. Who knows?  I have included sacred reading as an integrated practice because the authors of the Bible refer to scripture as the bread of life--the spiritual nourishment that strengthens a person's character.  A lot of New Year's resolutions focus on eating healthier, but does that ever include soul food? (I don't mean fried chicken and greens.) 

When it comes to spiritual dieting, it is true that you are what you eat.  As Jesus said to his followers, who you are flows from what is in your heart.  So if your life has been feeling like an upset stomach lately (i.e., making poor decisions, mistreating people, feeling depressed, cynical, or envious), evaluate what you have been feeding your soul. A steady diet of sacred reading offsets the junk food that we consume from TV, tabloids, the internet, and even from conversations. It gives us a bigger picture of life. It helps us know what God wants from us.

So today, I suggest a reading of the hearty poem in Psalm 119.  And you might need to lean back and loosen your belt when you're done.

Bucket List Practice # 3 - Praying

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011.  (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.)  Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below.  We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life.  The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.


Today's practice is prayer. Prayer is just having conversation with God. It really is that simple; there are no magic words or special occassions. But once we let that thought of "talking with God" sink in, the profound weight of it can be intimidating. It's kind of like the double-take feeling I had when I found out I was going to be a dad. "We're having a baby!  Wait...we're having a baby!!" So, yes, the immensity of prayer can leave us speechless. Yet, I like how N.T. Wright describes prayer in his Simply Christian,
 



Pulling the Rope of Life
Andrius Kovelinas



We are called to live at the overlap both of heaven and earth--the earth that has yet to be fully redeemed as one day it will be--and of God's future and this world's present. We are caught on a small island near the point where these tectonic plates--heaven and earth, future and present--are scrunching themselves together. . . . Christian prayer is about standing at the fault line . . . holding heaven and earth together like someone trying to tie two pieces of rope with people tugging at the other ends to pull them apart.

Prayer gives us the opportunity to cause earthquakes of positive change in the world around us just by having a simple conversation with God.

So today, pray the the Lord's prayer. It's a basic prayer that many of us grew up reciting. I have provided a different translation in order to help you walk through each line with fresh attentiveness.

   Our Father in heaven,
      may your name be kept holy.
   May your Kingdom come soon.
   May your will be done on earth,
      as it is in heaven.
   Give us today the food we need,
   and forgive us our sins,
      as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
   And don’t let us yield to temptation,
      but rescue us from the evil one.

   For yours is the kingdom, and the power,
      and the glory forever.
   Amen.

Bucket List Practice # 2 - Celebrating

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011.  (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.)  Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below.  We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life.  The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.


Front: celebrating a victory and popsicles after the game.
Rear: only popsicles. But even that's not so bad.

 Today's practice is celebration. Yes, we are bombarded in our society by negativity and trouble. Jesus even affirmed that to his followers, but he also told them, "Take heart, for I have overcome the world."  Celebration is based on victory. And the big picture of life, as Jesus says, is that there are winners on his team. But celebrating in life is easier said than done. As I have written elsewhere, a life of joy and celebration will not come to you. You must come to it. Richard Foster, in his Celebration of Discipline says,

The decision to set the mind on the higher things of life is an act of the will. That is why celebration is a discipline. It is not something that falls on our heads. It is the result of a consciously chosen way of thinking and living. When we choose this way, the healing and redemption in Christ will break into the inner  recesses of our lives and relationships, and the inevitable result will be joy.

So take a moment to reflect on the victories in your life and celebrate them (everybody has at least one victory if you're reading this today because you woke up and you're alive). But actually celebrate them. I mean, act as if your football team just scored a 50 yard touchdown to win the Super Bowl. Do something. Sing a song. Do a little dance. Share some good news with a friend. Let out a yelp for joy or clap your hands. It may feel silly, but let loose and do something tangible to practice celebration. It will be like a ray of sunshine bursting through the clouds of cynicism and depression around you.

Bucket List Practice # 1 - Listening

Throughout the month of January I am creating a Bucket List in which I will suggest one New Year’s Practice each day that will give you a taste of living an integrated life for 2011.  (By integrated, I mean one in which your faith, your character, your relationships, your responsibilities--all elements of your life--are in agreement.)  Each one is meant to be exercised in one day. Please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section below.  We will move through four different themes of living an integrated life.  The first week January we'll explore practices related to our relationship with God.

I'll start us off this year with a bit of a paradox for a New Year's resolution Bucket List.  The most powerful line (and perhaps most well-known) in Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life is this: "It's not about you."  It seems a little counter-intuitive to put that out there in a conversation related to New Year's resolutions for ourselves. We live in a task-oriented, "doing" culture where we are always on the go asking, "What do I have to do?" That's usually the pick-up line that sparks our courtships with New Year's resolutions. But to live an integrated life means that we have to "be" a certain kind of person in order to "do" those resolutions. And it's usually our own shortcomings that cause us to resolve to live better. So I think the best place to begin this year is humbly acknowledging that this life is bigger than us. And could it be that God actually has something in mind for us this year, even something better than what we want for ourselves? 

The only way to find out is to zip the lip and listen. That is today's practice. Unplug everything and do what the Psalmist writes:  "Be still, and know that I am God."  Let there be no other voice today, not even yours, but the voice of God telling you what to be about this year. And let that set the course for your life in 2011.