While I think that 1 Corinthians 10:13 is taken out of context when it is used as a proof text that God will never give us more than we can bear as it is in reference to temptation not burden per se, I do believe that the principle of God limiting what we bear is found there: "God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear." I most certainly believe that God does not put on us or allow us to be burdened beyond our ability to stand up under it.
However, that does not mean that he will not allow us to volunteer to bite off more than we can chew. In point of fact, Jesus warns us directly, "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matt 6:27). Or, in other words, why bite off more than you can chew?
As burdensome as worrying about tomorrow can be, dragging up yesterday can be even more so as both the burdens and the blessings of yesterday can weigh us down and hold us back, the positive and the negative from the past can become an anchor slowing or even preventing forward motion.
Our fears developed in childhood, the abuses that followed us into our teens, the regrets from our youthful rash decisions can keep us from taking the next step, from enjoying a loving relationship, from accepting personal value. The negatives of the past can easily be carried into the future and negate positives of today. Mental health clinics are filled with individuals struggling with their past, alcohol bottles are emptied trying to forget the past. The wounds of the past create the scars of today, which sometimes remain open wounds into the future.
Ironically, however, the positive memories from the past can mire us down in the present and keep us from progressing into the future. Really? Really! Jesus told the parable of the Rich Farmer, who decided to tear down his old barns and build new ones so that he could "'have plenty of grain laid up for many years [and told himself] take life easy; east, drink and be merry. But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded of you'" (Lk 12:19-20).
The abundance of his past harvest caused him to become selfish in his present life and steered him to a destructive future. How many individuals, resting on their accomplishments of the past have become dull in the present, denying them the bright future they once had dreamed about? How many children have been given everything only to become adults that don't have a clue how to provide for themselves?
The point is that living in the past or dragging the past with you into the present, keeps you from adequately progressing into the future. It doesn't really matter whether you are reliving your glory days or stuck in your gory days. The past must not be allowed to overshadow the present or cloud the future.
The circumstances and events of the past ought to be used only as lessons learned, which can help us choose our steps today that will guide us into the future. The things we did right ought to be remembered and repeated. The things we did wrong ought also to be remembered and avoided.
What we planted yesterday, we are reaping today (cf. Gal 1:7). Sometimes, we even reap what someone else (i.e. alcoholic or over-indulgent parent) planted in our lives. However, we can plant new seeds and have a new crop for the future. That is what Jesus' invitation to "take my yoke upon you" (Matt 11:28-30) is all about. He stands ready to help you plow up the old fields and plant a righteous and holy crop for a heavenly harvest. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Money "Whoas"
Despite all the terrorist nut jobs threatening "Death o America!", our own knot-heads rioting and looting, and drugged-out criminals in every neighborhood; the biggest problem continues to be "the love of money, the root of all evil" (1 Tim 6:10).
This love of money, "greed," is what fuels the wars, drives the looting and keeps the drugs flowing. It is the sponsor of political corruption and the greatest barrier to wiping out disease and hunger throughout the world. It is the foundation upon which the rapage of cancer and obesity rests in this country. And it is the primary culprit in erroding the foundation of the family in America as finances is the number one contributing factor in divorce.
If we could get our money under control instead of being controlled by our money, much of this country's ills and even the world's, would be arrested. Money is the root of all evil and the antidote to this poison is to "keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (Heb 13:5). Learning to trust God instead of money is the key to that transition from moneylust to godliness.
Paul said that he had "learned the secret of being content in every circumstance...whether living in plenty or in want" (Phil 4:11-12). And he revealed the secret in verse 13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Trusting in God, leaning on Christ rather than looking, longing and lusting for money is the answer. Putting money in its place as a servant instead of being a slave to money is the way to keep greed from taking root in your life and destroying your world.
Victory begins by "seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness [allowing] all these [material] things to be added to you" (Matt 6:33). Simple steps to align your finances to kingdom principles are to create a balance of generosity in spending, giving and saving.
Spending every nickel you have leads to want and even desperation. Saving everything leads to greed and stifles life. But when we learn to give generously, while saving sensibly and spending appropriately, then we reap the blessings of God-honoring behavior as we always "reap what we sow" (Gal 6:7).
Creating a balance of perhaps 80/10/10 or 70/15/15 or whatever seems to work best for you, allows you to spend without guilt, save without resentment and give freely from the heart. If one gives away 10%, saves 10% and spends 80%, the needs of today are being met, the needs of tomorrow are being prepared for and the needs others are being attended to.
Of course, what you do won't change to world or even our country, but it will change your life. And, if enough of us change our disposition toward money, the country and the world will begin to change a little at a time. The simple fact is that to begin to end money woes, we have to start saying "whoa" to money.
We have to rein it in one person at a time, which will alter the future of one family and enough families changes a community, enough communities changes a city and so on until the entire world is changed. And if that never happens in our lifetimes, wouldn't you rather spend your lifetime pursuing freedom instead of debt? Jus' Say'n.
This love of money, "greed," is what fuels the wars, drives the looting and keeps the drugs flowing. It is the sponsor of political corruption and the greatest barrier to wiping out disease and hunger throughout the world. It is the foundation upon which the rapage of cancer and obesity rests in this country. And it is the primary culprit in erroding the foundation of the family in America as finances is the number one contributing factor in divorce.
If we could get our money under control instead of being controlled by our money, much of this country's ills and even the world's, would be arrested. Money is the root of all evil and the antidote to this poison is to "keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" (Heb 13:5). Learning to trust God instead of money is the key to that transition from moneylust to godliness.
Paul said that he had "learned the secret of being content in every circumstance...whether living in plenty or in want" (Phil 4:11-12). And he revealed the secret in verse 13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Trusting in God, leaning on Christ rather than looking, longing and lusting for money is the answer. Putting money in its place as a servant instead of being a slave to money is the way to keep greed from taking root in your life and destroying your world.
Victory begins by "seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness [allowing] all these [material] things to be added to you" (Matt 6:33). Simple steps to align your finances to kingdom principles are to create a balance of generosity in spending, giving and saving.
Spending every nickel you have leads to want and even desperation. Saving everything leads to greed and stifles life. But when we learn to give generously, while saving sensibly and spending appropriately, then we reap the blessings of God-honoring behavior as we always "reap what we sow" (Gal 6:7).
Creating a balance of perhaps 80/10/10 or 70/15/15 or whatever seems to work best for you, allows you to spend without guilt, save without resentment and give freely from the heart. If one gives away 10%, saves 10% and spends 80%, the needs of today are being met, the needs of tomorrow are being prepared for and the needs others are being attended to.
Of course, what you do won't change to world or even our country, but it will change your life. And, if enough of us change our disposition toward money, the country and the world will begin to change a little at a time. The simple fact is that to begin to end money woes, we have to start saying "whoa" to money.
We have to rein it in one person at a time, which will alter the future of one family and enough families changes a community, enough communities changes a city and so on until the entire world is changed. And if that never happens in our lifetimes, wouldn't you rather spend your lifetime pursuing freedom instead of debt? Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Envy
"For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills" (Ps 73:3-5).
It sure seems that way, doesn't it? We see polluted politicians, lying lawyers, crooked corporate raiders, rancid rappers and the like - all prospering, enjoying life free of restraint and living on the crest of abundance. It seems the more they sin, the more they prosper and the more life opens the gateway to Easy Street. So it seems.
That is precisely what the psalmist David noted in the passage above: The wicked prospering and enjoying life to the full. But, in reality, they enjoy the life of a fool. Notice David's conclusion of the matter as we return to Psalm 73:
"When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies" (16-20).
The lives of the prosperous sinners don't just seem like fantasies, they are fantasies. They are not real for they are not lasting. They are only a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (Js 4:14). They have fallen prey to the lie that the treasures of this world are of true value and worthy of primary pursuit. They are wrong:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt 6:19-20).
And, we would be foolish to envy them for, while they may prosper here on earth for what seems a very long time, life here is only a moment compared to eternity. The time we spend here only has value in so far as it glorifies God and prepares us for the life to come. The prosperity of the wicked is as fleeting as the mouse who finds a tasty morsel of cheese just before the trap is sprung.
Whether on not their lives are as prosperous and trouble free as it seems is not truly relevant. And for the faithful, how difficult your life may be is not truly relevant. What is important, the only thing of true value is a life in Christ. To envy the sinful who prosper now is to envy the hog being fatten for slaughter. He's eating at the top of the trough now only to be skewered on the top of the pit later. Jus' Say'n.
It sure seems that way, doesn't it? We see polluted politicians, lying lawyers, crooked corporate raiders, rancid rappers and the like - all prospering, enjoying life free of restraint and living on the crest of abundance. It seems the more they sin, the more they prosper and the more life opens the gateway to Easy Street. So it seems.
That is precisely what the psalmist David noted in the passage above: The wicked prospering and enjoying life to the full. But, in reality, they enjoy the life of a fool. Notice David's conclusion of the matter as we return to Psalm 73:
"When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies" (16-20).
The lives of the prosperous sinners don't just seem like fantasies, they are fantasies. They are not real for they are not lasting. They are only a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (Js 4:14). They have fallen prey to the lie that the treasures of this world are of true value and worthy of primary pursuit. They are wrong:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt 6:19-20).
And, we would be foolish to envy them for, while they may prosper here on earth for what seems a very long time, life here is only a moment compared to eternity. The time we spend here only has value in so far as it glorifies God and prepares us for the life to come. The prosperity of the wicked is as fleeting as the mouse who finds a tasty morsel of cheese just before the trap is sprung.
Whether on not their lives are as prosperous and trouble free as it seems is not truly relevant. And for the faithful, how difficult your life may be is not truly relevant. What is important, the only thing of true value is a life in Christ. To envy the sinful who prosper now is to envy the hog being fatten for slaughter. He's eating at the top of the trough now only to be skewered on the top of the pit later. Jus' Say'n.
Monday, April 27, 2015
The Prayer of Jabez
In 2000, Bruce Wilkinson's book, The Prayer of Jabez, based on 1 Chronicles 4:10, became a best seller. Not only did the book take off, there were take offs in sermons, seminars and series of classes. It is fair to say that it took the Christian Community by storm.
I was a little slow to join the band wagon as the prayer seemed to be so self-centered. It seemed as those Jabez had but one over-arching thought in his prayer: Jabez. This morning, my chronological Bible reading brought me to this prayer again. 15 years after I first gave it consideration, it still has the same first blush: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain'" (1 Chron 4:10). Notice the me, my and I nature of the prayer?
Nonetheless, in 2000, I came to the conclusion that this was a valid and valuable prayer. I was persuaded, not by the fanfare or even the argument put forth by Wilkinson, I was persuaded by two brief statements in the text surrounding the prayer: 1) "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers" (4:9) and 2) "God granted his request" (4:10b). The Holy Spirit reveals Jabez to be honorable and his prayer worthy of yes. How could I conclude anything other than it is a righteous prayer, worthy of my embrace and imitation?
But what in it makes it worthy of the Lord's stamp of approval? I believe it to be what I choose to call "The Little Child Factor." Do you remember what Jesus said about little children in Matthew 18:3-4? "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." That lowly position is one of total dependency. A small child has no problem asking his/her parent for everything because he/she knows everything come from the parent. Small children ask with abandon and trust ferociously.
Jabez wasn't so much selfish as he was confident in God's ability and trusting in His willingness to do what Jabez himself could not do. Jabez freely accepted the truth that he was not the captain of his own destiny but that God was Ruler of all. This is my take-away from the prayer of Jabez - that we are more honorable when we come to God in total dependency and trust; and God is more than willing to grant our righteous and humble requests. Jus' Say'n.
I was a little slow to join the band wagon as the prayer seemed to be so self-centered. It seemed as those Jabez had but one over-arching thought in his prayer: Jabez. This morning, my chronological Bible reading brought me to this prayer again. 15 years after I first gave it consideration, it still has the same first blush: "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain'" (1 Chron 4:10). Notice the me, my and I nature of the prayer?
Nonetheless, in 2000, I came to the conclusion that this was a valid and valuable prayer. I was persuaded, not by the fanfare or even the argument put forth by Wilkinson, I was persuaded by two brief statements in the text surrounding the prayer: 1) "Jabez was more honorable than his brothers" (4:9) and 2) "God granted his request" (4:10b). The Holy Spirit reveals Jabez to be honorable and his prayer worthy of yes. How could I conclude anything other than it is a righteous prayer, worthy of my embrace and imitation?
But what in it makes it worthy of the Lord's stamp of approval? I believe it to be what I choose to call "The Little Child Factor." Do you remember what Jesus said about little children in Matthew 18:3-4? "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." That lowly position is one of total dependency. A small child has no problem asking his/her parent for everything because he/she knows everything come from the parent. Small children ask with abandon and trust ferociously.
Jabez wasn't so much selfish as he was confident in God's ability and trusting in His willingness to do what Jabez himself could not do. Jabez freely accepted the truth that he was not the captain of his own destiny but that God was Ruler of all. This is my take-away from the prayer of Jabez - that we are more honorable when we come to God in total dependency and trust; and God is more than willing to grant our righteous and humble requests. Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Lights
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matt 5:14-16).
As Christians, we are to be lights in a world of darkness, illuminating the path of righteousness, removing the cover of darkness from sin and becoming a beacon to a lost world. We are to be that light that serves to draw others to Christ. And being a light is not a loathsome task, it is a position of honor allowing us to be an instrument of peace. And yet, many shy away from being light. Why?
The reason? Before the light comes the burn. The lamp on the stand shines brightly and provides light to all that come near, but that light, the thing that draws others and provides such a blessing does not come without the burn of the wick. Light only comes after the burn. It is that burn part that keep people from being a light.
If I am to shine a light on the path to resiting temptation, I must first resist the temptation, which means denying myself what I might desire greatly. If I am to illuminate the way to overcome hardship, I must first endure hardship. If I am to cast away the shadows of fear, I must courageously face my own. If I am to be a lamp unto the feet of someone who must face the bitter night of the soul, I must be willing to step into that darkness with him.
We cannot be lights to the world if we hide under a bowl of safety. Neither can we be lights if we shrink away from the darkness. Nor can we burn brightly, showing others the way out of darkness if we do not allow ourselves to feel the burn that produces the light.
Lights cannot be those who would say "do as I say, not as I do." Lights must accept life's challenges and embrace the pain of suffering as an vital part of being a shining example, illuminating the way for others to come through their suffering, face their fears and overcome temptation. As Christians, we are to light the path to Christ, but to do that we must be walking on that path. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).
The bottom line is that lights are models of the faith and behavior others are to emulate: "Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do" (Phil 3:17). I've often thought of the caption on the tee-shirts we wore the first time I went on a mission trip to Honduras: Take the Gospel everywhere. Speak when necessary." Light-bearing is not about as much about telling as it is being. It isn't say the light or do the light, it is be the light. Jus' Say'n.
As Christians, we are to be lights in a world of darkness, illuminating the path of righteousness, removing the cover of darkness from sin and becoming a beacon to a lost world. We are to be that light that serves to draw others to Christ. And being a light is not a loathsome task, it is a position of honor allowing us to be an instrument of peace. And yet, many shy away from being light. Why?
The reason? Before the light comes the burn. The lamp on the stand shines brightly and provides light to all that come near, but that light, the thing that draws others and provides such a blessing does not come without the burn of the wick. Light only comes after the burn. It is that burn part that keep people from being a light.
If I am to shine a light on the path to resiting temptation, I must first resist the temptation, which means denying myself what I might desire greatly. If I am to illuminate the way to overcome hardship, I must first endure hardship. If I am to cast away the shadows of fear, I must courageously face my own. If I am to be a lamp unto the feet of someone who must face the bitter night of the soul, I must be willing to step into that darkness with him.
We cannot be lights to the world if we hide under a bowl of safety. Neither can we be lights if we shrink away from the darkness. Nor can we burn brightly, showing others the way out of darkness if we do not allow ourselves to feel the burn that produces the light.
Lights cannot be those who would say "do as I say, not as I do." Lights must accept life's challenges and embrace the pain of suffering as an vital part of being a shining example, illuminating the way for others to come through their suffering, face their fears and overcome temptation. As Christians, we are to light the path to Christ, but to do that we must be walking on that path. "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).
The bottom line is that lights are models of the faith and behavior others are to emulate: "Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do" (Phil 3:17). I've often thought of the caption on the tee-shirts we wore the first time I went on a mission trip to Honduras: Take the Gospel everywhere. Speak when necessary." Light-bearing is not about as much about telling as it is being. It isn't say the light or do the light, it is be the light. Jus' Say'n.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Stupid Grief?
One of the things I read this morning was written by a preacher from a past generation, who wrote, "How stupid is grief." He then went on to explain how grief is so misplaced in the life of a Christian as we know that our loved ones will be raised and that we will win the victory. I had to agree that grief seems foolish on the surface, but I could not disagree more as I drill down into the meaning and worth of a grieving heart for a true loss, however temporary it may be.
To begin with, let me set forth the Gold Standard for whether grief is acceptable Christian behavior or not: Jesus Christ. When he came to the tomb of his friend Lazarus and saw all his friends and family weeping in their grief, knowing he was about to raise him from the dead - WDJD (my new acronym, What Did Jesus Do)? Did he tell everyone to cheer up and stop their foolish displays of grief? Did he tell them how stupid it was in light of the fact that resurrection was near for Lazarus? No, instead, looking around, being filled with compassion for them, "Jesus wept" (Jn 11:35).
Not only do we have the Gold Standard of Jesus supporting the grief of others with his tears, we have His Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, directing us to do the same: "Mourn with those who mourn" (Rom 12:14). Grieving, far from being labeled "Stupid," is shown to be a holy pursuit to be encouraged and shared in times of true loss.
Grief is not an indication of a lack of faith, as some suppose, rather it is a reflection of the depth of one's love and a testimony to the degree of loss one feels. When C.S. Lewis lost his precious wife Joy, he grieved saying that the depth of his loss was a direct reflexion of the depth of the love he was allowed to share. He said he could not hurt so much had he not loved so much. While he had every hope of seeing her again in heaven, he knew he would finish his journey on earth without her, his loss was temporary as was his grief. But it was acute equal to his loss.
Loss of a loved one in Christ is temporary and their death means their ultimate gain in glory - so why the grieving? Because our loss is as real and as long as the rest of our lives. If your child is accepted at a renown university and given a full scholarship, isn't that something to rejoice about? Then why do parent weep so as they take their son or daughter to the airport? Don't they know they will see their child again? Don't they know that such an education will ensure a bright future? Yes, but they also know that life as they've experienced it to date is changed forever. Despite knowing what a blessing this is for their child, they feel a heaviness in their hearts that can only be worked out through active grieving.
Stupid grief? Not! Sacred grief! Yes! Jus' Say'n.
To begin with, let me set forth the Gold Standard for whether grief is acceptable Christian behavior or not: Jesus Christ. When he came to the tomb of his friend Lazarus and saw all his friends and family weeping in their grief, knowing he was about to raise him from the dead - WDJD (my new acronym, What Did Jesus Do)? Did he tell everyone to cheer up and stop their foolish displays of grief? Did he tell them how stupid it was in light of the fact that resurrection was near for Lazarus? No, instead, looking around, being filled with compassion for them, "Jesus wept" (Jn 11:35).
Not only do we have the Gold Standard of Jesus supporting the grief of others with his tears, we have His Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, directing us to do the same: "Mourn with those who mourn" (Rom 12:14). Grieving, far from being labeled "Stupid," is shown to be a holy pursuit to be encouraged and shared in times of true loss.
Grief is not an indication of a lack of faith, as some suppose, rather it is a reflection of the depth of one's love and a testimony to the degree of loss one feels. When C.S. Lewis lost his precious wife Joy, he grieved saying that the depth of his loss was a direct reflexion of the depth of the love he was allowed to share. He said he could not hurt so much had he not loved so much. While he had every hope of seeing her again in heaven, he knew he would finish his journey on earth without her, his loss was temporary as was his grief. But it was acute equal to his loss.
Loss of a loved one in Christ is temporary and their death means their ultimate gain in glory - so why the grieving? Because our loss is as real and as long as the rest of our lives. If your child is accepted at a renown university and given a full scholarship, isn't that something to rejoice about? Then why do parent weep so as they take their son or daughter to the airport? Don't they know they will see their child again? Don't they know that such an education will ensure a bright future? Yes, but they also know that life as they've experienced it to date is changed forever. Despite knowing what a blessing this is for their child, they feel a heaviness in their hearts that can only be worked out through active grieving.
Stupid grief? Not! Sacred grief! Yes! Jus' Say'n.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Exercising Faith
Solomon wrote, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Prov 3:5-6). It seems pretty simple doesn't it? Trust God, lean on him, yield to his power, let him take care of of our problem. Let Go and let God. How could it be any simpler? And yet, we so often just can't quite do that.
We know we can't handle it. We turn it over to God, who can deal with it. Then we take it back, hold it close while we fret over our inability to take care of it. Sound familiar? Our faith muscles and trust stamina and not very developed because fail to exercise our faith and stretch the limits of our stamina.
How many of us have started an exercise program in order to reach certain physical health, strength and weight goals only to pull back and even drop out because it seemed to hard, was taking too long and you lacked trust in the plan or the trainer to produce the results. So, instead of trusting in the plan or the process, we drop back, regroup and start fretting over our out of control weight and lack of overall good health.
We say things like, "I just can't do it. I don't have the self-control." Actually, you are exercising self-control by pulling back and stooping to fret instead of stepping in faith. It isn't self-control that you need, it is to release yourself to the control of a trainer or a plan that will bring about the results you desire but your lack of trust caused by your lack of exercising your faith keeps you controlled by your fears and doubts.
Listen to the words of the Psalmist and of the apostle Peter: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you: (Ps 55:22); "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:7). Did you note the word "cast"? Casting requires actually letting go, releasing control of, imparting to someone else. You cannot maintain a hands-on approach when you cast.
Did you notice what God's response is to your casting anxiety and fear on him? He sustains you and provides care for you. God acts in your behalf, God sees to your needs, God takes control of the situation. But the thing is, God doesn't wrench it from our hands, he takes what we place in his. If we hang on to it, keeping our trust in self to control, God does not take control. If we do not cast it into his hands, he will not take care of it.
Exercising faith requires that we place our trust in God and release control of our problem. We cannot lay it before the Lord and then wallow in it at the same time. We either exercise our faith our we exercise our fear. The one we exercise the most will develop the most muscle and stamina, and will ultimately control our lives. Jus' Say'n.
We know we can't handle it. We turn it over to God, who can deal with it. Then we take it back, hold it close while we fret over our inability to take care of it. Sound familiar? Our faith muscles and trust stamina and not very developed because fail to exercise our faith and stretch the limits of our stamina.
How many of us have started an exercise program in order to reach certain physical health, strength and weight goals only to pull back and even drop out because it seemed to hard, was taking too long and you lacked trust in the plan or the trainer to produce the results. So, instead of trusting in the plan or the process, we drop back, regroup and start fretting over our out of control weight and lack of overall good health.
We say things like, "I just can't do it. I don't have the self-control." Actually, you are exercising self-control by pulling back and stooping to fret instead of stepping in faith. It isn't self-control that you need, it is to release yourself to the control of a trainer or a plan that will bring about the results you desire but your lack of trust caused by your lack of exercising your faith keeps you controlled by your fears and doubts.
Listen to the words of the Psalmist and of the apostle Peter: "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you: (Ps 55:22); "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet 5:7). Did you note the word "cast"? Casting requires actually letting go, releasing control of, imparting to someone else. You cannot maintain a hands-on approach when you cast.
Did you notice what God's response is to your casting anxiety and fear on him? He sustains you and provides care for you. God acts in your behalf, God sees to your needs, God takes control of the situation. But the thing is, God doesn't wrench it from our hands, he takes what we place in his. If we hang on to it, keeping our trust in self to control, God does not take control. If we do not cast it into his hands, he will not take care of it.
Exercising faith requires that we place our trust in God and release control of our problem. We cannot lay it before the Lord and then wallow in it at the same time. We either exercise our faith our we exercise our fear. The one we exercise the most will develop the most muscle and stamina, and will ultimately control our lives. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
WDJS
Although you don't see the rubber bracelets much anymore or see the letters WWJD bandied about like they were a few years back, I still hear people raise the question, especially on the Internet: What would Jesus do? I have witnessed it especially in connection with the question of homosexual lifestyles and gay marriage, suggesting that Jesus would love and accept them just as they are. The argument extends to the entire LGBT community. WWJD with the LGBT community? The answer given is that he would support and encourage them just as they are, just as God made them.
How can anyone argue with that? Didn't God make us all? And, doesn't "God so love the world that he sent his one and only Son that whosever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life: (Jn 3:16)? Well, I actually can argue with their conclusion of WWJD as I believe they are actually operating on WIWJTD (what I want Jesus to do). They pose the question and then insert the answer that comes from their own desire.
Answering WWJD is not accomplished by simply inserting your desire or opinion. The answer to WWJD is found in discovering WDJS (shat did Jesus say?). And, in regard to the LGBT assertion that only Moses and Paul spoke out against the homosexual lifestyle (note Lev 18:22; Rom 1:26-27), not Jesus himself, I first would say that as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, their words are the words of Jesus.
However, I can also say that Jesus spoke personally on the subject of the homosexual marriage and whether one has a choice in sexuality. WDJS? He said, "from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female ,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'. So they are no longer two, but one flesh..." (Matt 19:4-6). God's design, from the beginning, was male and female to become one flesh - two halves becoming one whole, able to continue the human race through procreation - something one half cannot do. One man plus one woman equals one whole. One man plus one man equals two halves.
Also, in regards to choice, Jesus said, "there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:12). Jesus put the whole notion of sexuality in the realm of choice. He said that some choose to put sexuality on the shelf for life for the sake of the kingdom of God, regardless of how they were born.
We see this ability to choose played out daily. Men and women who are sent to prison often "change teams" while incarcerated and then change back when released. I have known of a good many individuals over the years that chose to change lifestyles.
Do we really want to say that people should remain the way they were born? Should someone born with pedophile tendencies go with that? Should one born deaf refuse attempts to correct the anomaly? The T in the GLBT is for transgenders - people who choose surgery to alter the way they were born. I don't agree with the decision but I certainly agree that they have a choice these days.
My point is that when people argue WWJD? They should then read his words to find out WDJS? Jesus' words, not our desires or our opinions, reveals WWJD. He does love everyone and we should love everyone. But that doesn't mean that we have to love or agree with their choices. I can accept your right to choose and still believe you are wrong. I can do this while respecting you and your right to choose. And God can love us as we are enough to call us to change to what we should be. Jus' Say'n.
How can anyone argue with that? Didn't God make us all? And, doesn't "God so love the world that he sent his one and only Son that whosever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life: (Jn 3:16)? Well, I actually can argue with their conclusion of WWJD as I believe they are actually operating on WIWJTD (what I want Jesus to do). They pose the question and then insert the answer that comes from their own desire.
Answering WWJD is not accomplished by simply inserting your desire or opinion. The answer to WWJD is found in discovering WDJS (shat did Jesus say?). And, in regard to the LGBT assertion that only Moses and Paul spoke out against the homosexual lifestyle (note Lev 18:22; Rom 1:26-27), not Jesus himself, I first would say that as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, their words are the words of Jesus.
However, I can also say that Jesus spoke personally on the subject of the homosexual marriage and whether one has a choice in sexuality. WDJS? He said, "from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female ,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'. So they are no longer two, but one flesh..." (Matt 19:4-6). God's design, from the beginning, was male and female to become one flesh - two halves becoming one whole, able to continue the human race through procreation - something one half cannot do. One man plus one woman equals one whole. One man plus one man equals two halves.
Also, in regards to choice, Jesus said, "there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:12). Jesus put the whole notion of sexuality in the realm of choice. He said that some choose to put sexuality on the shelf for life for the sake of the kingdom of God, regardless of how they were born.
We see this ability to choose played out daily. Men and women who are sent to prison often "change teams" while incarcerated and then change back when released. I have known of a good many individuals over the years that chose to change lifestyles.
Do we really want to say that people should remain the way they were born? Should someone born with pedophile tendencies go with that? Should one born deaf refuse attempts to correct the anomaly? The T in the GLBT is for transgenders - people who choose surgery to alter the way they were born. I don't agree with the decision but I certainly agree that they have a choice these days.
My point is that when people argue WWJD? They should then read his words to find out WDJS? Jesus' words, not our desires or our opinions, reveals WWJD. He does love everyone and we should love everyone. But that doesn't mean that we have to love or agree with their choices. I can accept your right to choose and still believe you are wrong. I can do this while respecting you and your right to choose. And God can love us as we are enough to call us to change to what we should be. Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Finding Purpose
So often I hear people say, "I know God has a purpose for me. I just wish He would show me what it is." Just yesterday, a woman in her 90s told me, "I know God still has a purpose for me still being here, I just wish He's show me what it is."
In response to her statement, I asked her to consider what she could do, considering her limitations of health and mobility. After I helped her chew on that idea a bit, we came up with a "before I kick the bucket list" of things she could do: Phone someone and offer a word of encouragement, write a note to someone she cares about, offer prayers for individuals and nations...
I suggested that each day she think of one thing she could do that would honor God and minister to another, and then do that. In so doing, she would be serving God with purpose. I suggested that his purpose for her might not ever be anything we consider grand or newsworthy but instead something small and within her ability to accomplish.
I think people, too often, look for and wait for some big, over-arching thing as purpose for their lives when they might find purpose daily in and around their common, everyday life. The prophet Zechariah warned, “Who dares despise the day of small things...?" (4:10). Jesus said, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward" (Matt 10:42).
There aren't going to be many apostle Pauls or Billy Grahams. Most of us will not plant a church or step foot on a mission field. Few will build and orphanage or start an inner city ministry. But everyone, every day, can serve God with purpose.
Look around you as you go through your day. What is it that makes you think, "Someone should do something about this"? Then ask, "What is something I can do about this?" Keep your eyes open for someone you can help, then try to help them.
Yesterday, while in a nursing home visiting a patient, a very elderly woman, more than a little confused, yelled out to me, "Come here." I walked over and sat beside her. She looked up at me and said, "Hold my head." As odd as the request sounded, I took her head in both my hands. Then she said, "I didn't mean to say that." "Could you brush my hair out of my eyes?" I did and she smiled. It wasn't much but it had purpose.
Solomon had a straight-forward way of finding purpose: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Eccl 9:10). It is really no more difficult than that. God's purpose is not normally laid out in some grand fashion before you begin. It is most often found after you begin doing things you find to do along the way. Those things may lead you to a hospital ministry, a mission opportunity, a daily blog, a church position, a neighbor, someone on the street, a mentoring program...
Don't waste your time sitting around waiting for a sign, get up and begin to do whatever your hands find to do and see where God leads you. He may lead you across the globe, across town, across the street or across your table. It doesn't matter where he leads you or what your hand finds to do, just go and do serving God along the way. You will have a life of purpose. Jus' Say'n.
In response to her statement, I asked her to consider what she could do, considering her limitations of health and mobility. After I helped her chew on that idea a bit, we came up with a "before I kick the bucket list" of things she could do: Phone someone and offer a word of encouragement, write a note to someone she cares about, offer prayers for individuals and nations...
I suggested that each day she think of one thing she could do that would honor God and minister to another, and then do that. In so doing, she would be serving God with purpose. I suggested that his purpose for her might not ever be anything we consider grand or newsworthy but instead something small and within her ability to accomplish.
I think people, too often, look for and wait for some big, over-arching thing as purpose for their lives when they might find purpose daily in and around their common, everyday life. The prophet Zechariah warned, “Who dares despise the day of small things...?" (4:10). Jesus said, "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward" (Matt 10:42).
There aren't going to be many apostle Pauls or Billy Grahams. Most of us will not plant a church or step foot on a mission field. Few will build and orphanage or start an inner city ministry. But everyone, every day, can serve God with purpose.
Look around you as you go through your day. What is it that makes you think, "Someone should do something about this"? Then ask, "What is something I can do about this?" Keep your eyes open for someone you can help, then try to help them.
Yesterday, while in a nursing home visiting a patient, a very elderly woman, more than a little confused, yelled out to me, "Come here." I walked over and sat beside her. She looked up at me and said, "Hold my head." As odd as the request sounded, I took her head in both my hands. Then she said, "I didn't mean to say that." "Could you brush my hair out of my eyes?" I did and she smiled. It wasn't much but it had purpose.
Solomon had a straight-forward way of finding purpose: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Eccl 9:10). It is really no more difficult than that. God's purpose is not normally laid out in some grand fashion before you begin. It is most often found after you begin doing things you find to do along the way. Those things may lead you to a hospital ministry, a mission opportunity, a daily blog, a church position, a neighbor, someone on the street, a mentoring program...
Don't waste your time sitting around waiting for a sign, get up and begin to do whatever your hands find to do and see where God leads you. He may lead you across the globe, across town, across the street or across your table. It doesn't matter where he leads you or what your hand finds to do, just go and do serving God along the way. You will have a life of purpose. Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Past Prime
It appears that my house is haunted. Every time I go to look in the mirror, there is this old, gray-haired man that stands in front of me, looking back in the mirror. Or, of course, that just might be my own image peering back at me. Of course it is, and I don't need a mirror to inform me of that fact. Daily I am reminded of the fact that I am past prime.
The gray hair actually is a welcomed part of the aging process as hair that doesn't turn gray, tends to turn loose. And, when it turns completely white, I can let it and my beard grow a bit and supplement my retirement playing Santa at the mall. It's all good, when it comes to gray.
It's the other parts of growing older that I'm not so crazy about - the aches and pains; the reduction of strength and speed; the lack of stamina; the blurring of vision; the decrease in hearing; the challenge of memory.... Uh, where was I? Oh yeah, past prime.
I am past prime but I'm not passed by. The Lord is not through with me any more than he was through with Abraham who, being past 100 "faced the fact that his body was as good as dead...yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promises of God" (Rom 4:19-20) that he would father a son. Now, I'm nowhere near 100 but I do qualify for the senior discount. And while 60 is predicted tot he be the new 40 in 2050, it isn't just yet. Middle age is past tense for me.
However, being past prime, as Abraham illustrates so boldly, does not mean past promise. I still have a future, you still have a future. God has plans that include us, work to be accomplished that is to be accomplished by us, divine appointment to be kept by us.
I minister to people who are old and near death daily. Some have given in and given up on life. Others continue to find value and purpose. One particular nursing home I see patients in is frequented by a particular old gentleman who, though bent and frail and slow, comes daily to play dominos with residents. He helps them pick out their tiles, coaches them in playing, encourages them with his smile and tender patience. He is well past prime but not nearly past purpose.
In the world of ministry, I would not be considered up and coming or riding the crest, I would be considered over the hill and heading to the back 40. But that viewpoint is quite wrong. I am on the other side of my years as a preacher, deep into my work as a chaplain but working on a new phase of ministry with God's help involving veterans.
I've been working on research and development for the past year and the implementation phase has begun. I don't know where this work will take me exactly but I know that God is using me still to reach out to people in need and in the margins of society. I know that while I am past prime, I am not past purpose. Even my blogging is something I've started doing little more than a year ago.
What I'm getting at and hope you are hearing is that God has kingdom work for us at every point along life's way. Our life is not over just because we are past prime or even if everything and everybody seems to have passed us by - God always has a place for us, purpose for us and power for us "to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10). Jus' Say'n.
The gray hair actually is a welcomed part of the aging process as hair that doesn't turn gray, tends to turn loose. And, when it turns completely white, I can let it and my beard grow a bit and supplement my retirement playing Santa at the mall. It's all good, when it comes to gray.
It's the other parts of growing older that I'm not so crazy about - the aches and pains; the reduction of strength and speed; the lack of stamina; the blurring of vision; the decrease in hearing; the challenge of memory.... Uh, where was I? Oh yeah, past prime.
I am past prime but I'm not passed by. The Lord is not through with me any more than he was through with Abraham who, being past 100 "faced the fact that his body was as good as dead...yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promises of God" (Rom 4:19-20) that he would father a son. Now, I'm nowhere near 100 but I do qualify for the senior discount. And while 60 is predicted tot he be the new 40 in 2050, it isn't just yet. Middle age is past tense for me.
However, being past prime, as Abraham illustrates so boldly, does not mean past promise. I still have a future, you still have a future. God has plans that include us, work to be accomplished that is to be accomplished by us, divine appointment to be kept by us.
I minister to people who are old and near death daily. Some have given in and given up on life. Others continue to find value and purpose. One particular nursing home I see patients in is frequented by a particular old gentleman who, though bent and frail and slow, comes daily to play dominos with residents. He helps them pick out their tiles, coaches them in playing, encourages them with his smile and tender patience. He is well past prime but not nearly past purpose.
In the world of ministry, I would not be considered up and coming or riding the crest, I would be considered over the hill and heading to the back 40. But that viewpoint is quite wrong. I am on the other side of my years as a preacher, deep into my work as a chaplain but working on a new phase of ministry with God's help involving veterans.
I've been working on research and development for the past year and the implementation phase has begun. I don't know where this work will take me exactly but I know that God is using me still to reach out to people in need and in the margins of society. I know that while I am past prime, I am not past purpose. Even my blogging is something I've started doing little more than a year ago.
What I'm getting at and hope you are hearing is that God has kingdom work for us at every point along life's way. Our life is not over just because we are past prime or even if everything and everybody seems to have passed us by - God always has a place for us, purpose for us and power for us "to do good work, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph 2:10). Jus' Say'n.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Taking Hold
I read a story told by a preacher who was remembering a youth who was riding a bicycle of a hill, against the wind. The boy was having great difficulty, barely making it and it seemed certain that he would have to soon give up his effort when a trolley car came by, which was pulling up the hill at a speed that allowed the boy to take hold. Finishing the ride uphill and against the wind was no longer a problem as long as he held on until he reached the top.
A few years back, my wife and I attached our bikes to the rack on the back of our car and headed to Texas to do a little riding with the two granddaughters, who had been riding with training wheels but were gaining in confidence. The oldest, warned us, "I'm really, really fast!" We assured her we could keep up and she added, "I'm just saying, I'm really, really fast!"
The really, really fast part was true compared to her little sister but was just enough for us to keep our bikes upright in 1st gear and somewhat faster going down grade (there are no actual hills to go down in that part of Texas). However, all forward motion stopped when going up the grade until we took hold and helped pull them along. They did well to hang on to their bikes while we walked ours, pulling them along.
Not everyone has a trolley car experience or even a day out with grandparents who pulled your bike along. But all of us have faced and uphill experience, against the wind, where we needed something or someone to take hold of in order to continue to the top. We all reach the point where we need to take hold or someone to take hold of us if we are to make it any further.
This is precisely what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 11:28-30, when he invites us to "Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is an instrument used to allow farm animals to pull a load. Getting in one does not produce a resting experience unless one is moving from a single yoke to a double yoke, where there is help to pull the over-burden.
When we are yoked with Jesus, we still have to face the uphill climb, against the wind. But now, what was too much is well within our grasp as we hold on to his hand. And sometimes, all we can do is let him hold on to us. Do you recall the poem, "Footprints?" Sometimes there were two sets, while he walked with us and then only one when he had to carry us.
I read an updated version where the Lord points out the two sets of prints where we walked together, the one set where he was carrying us then the long grooves where he was dragging us, kicking and screaming. If you question whether or not God would ever do such a thing, check out the Book of Jonah. While princibly we are always free to choose, there are occasions when God will apply discipline to encourage us in the right direction (see Hebrews 12:4-13 "God chastens everyone he accepts as a son").
What I hope you take away from this message is that, while God can and will take hold of us at times, generally, he waits for us to take hold of him when we are facing a burden too great for us to handle alone. When the hill is too steep and the wind is too strong, reach out for the Lord and take hold of his hand. He will ease your burden by adding his strength. As Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). Jus' Say'n.
A few years back, my wife and I attached our bikes to the rack on the back of our car and headed to Texas to do a little riding with the two granddaughters, who had been riding with training wheels but were gaining in confidence. The oldest, warned us, "I'm really, really fast!" We assured her we could keep up and she added, "I'm just saying, I'm really, really fast!"
The really, really fast part was true compared to her little sister but was just enough for us to keep our bikes upright in 1st gear and somewhat faster going down grade (there are no actual hills to go down in that part of Texas). However, all forward motion stopped when going up the grade until we took hold and helped pull them along. They did well to hang on to their bikes while we walked ours, pulling them along.
Not everyone has a trolley car experience or even a day out with grandparents who pulled your bike along. But all of us have faced and uphill experience, against the wind, where we needed something or someone to take hold of in order to continue to the top. We all reach the point where we need to take hold or someone to take hold of us if we are to make it any further.
This is precisely what Jesus is talking about in Matthew 11:28-30, when he invites us to "Come to me, all you who are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." A yoke is an instrument used to allow farm animals to pull a load. Getting in one does not produce a resting experience unless one is moving from a single yoke to a double yoke, where there is help to pull the over-burden.
When we are yoked with Jesus, we still have to face the uphill climb, against the wind. But now, what was too much is well within our grasp as we hold on to his hand. And sometimes, all we can do is let him hold on to us. Do you recall the poem, "Footprints?" Sometimes there were two sets, while he walked with us and then only one when he had to carry us.
I read an updated version where the Lord points out the two sets of prints where we walked together, the one set where he was carrying us then the long grooves where he was dragging us, kicking and screaming. If you question whether or not God would ever do such a thing, check out the Book of Jonah. While princibly we are always free to choose, there are occasions when God will apply discipline to encourage us in the right direction (see Hebrews 12:4-13 "God chastens everyone he accepts as a son").
What I hope you take away from this message is that, while God can and will take hold of us at times, generally, he waits for us to take hold of him when we are facing a burden too great for us to handle alone. When the hill is too steep and the wind is too strong, reach out for the Lord and take hold of his hand. He will ease your burden by adding his strength. As Paul writes, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Just Stand There
I grew up in a world of catch phrases to live by: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." "Don't cry over spilt milk." "Measure twice and cut once." "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." "You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind, you don't pull the mask of the ole Lone Ranger and you don't mess around Jim." No, wait, that last one was a Jim Croche song. But you have to admit that don't spit into the wind part is important.
Sorry for the departure, I just couldn't resist. Back to the point: There was one particular catch phrase that seemed to be my Dad's favorite and one that you, no doubt, have heard many, many times as well - "Don't just stand there, do something." That particular phrase is an American iconic thought. It reflects the pilgrim spirit, the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the spirit of our Industrial Revolution, the Spirit of American Exceptionalism. It is a catch phrase that symbolizes the birth and development of this nation.
However, it is not necessarily a good idea in and of itself. I think it led to our entanglement in Mid-East. I think it is the driving force behind the Nuclear proliferation deal with the Iranians, even though we know that have not, are not and never will live up to any agreements with the West. But at least we're trying - right?
Yes, we're trying but are we listening? Are we listening? Are we listening to what they are saying, are we listing to what history has said and, most importantly, are we seeking after the Word of the Lord? The deal would be something, just like the preemptive strike on Iraq was something. But is it something we ought to be doing. What if, instead, we left the sanctions in place, called the nation to a period of national prayer. And, waited to see what the Lord would direct?
Of course, such an idea is radical. Such radical minds as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with every president since with the exceptions of Jefferson and Jackson (both believed prayer to be a private not national matter), who have signed a Day of National Prayer Proclamation. Which, by the way is May 7th this year. It is a radical idea and one, though endorsed by proclamation, it doesn't seem endorsed by actual preference.
I know we don't, as a nation, really seek God's word before acting anymore and not for a very long time. I also don't expect to see us do that anytime soon, if ever. However, what if you and I began to do that faithfully in our own live? What if, when there didn't seem to be a good way forward, blocked to the right an left and no way to really retreat, we stood stood there and didn't do anything. What if we looked to and listened for the Lord's word and watched to see what he would do?
This is not just an idea I've conjured up to muse about, it is a biblical principle that has been lost on American in modern times: “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Sam 12:16). "Be still an know that I am Lord" (Ps 46:10). The idea isn't just to do nothing, it is to seek out the Lord's will, prepared to do what he directs when he directs it, but to stand still, not doing something, until then, trusting in him over self. Jus' Say'n.
Sorry for the departure, I just couldn't resist. Back to the point: There was one particular catch phrase that seemed to be my Dad's favorite and one that you, no doubt, have heard many, many times as well - "Don't just stand there, do something." That particular phrase is an American iconic thought. It reflects the pilgrim spirit, the spirit of our Founding Fathers, the spirit of our Industrial Revolution, the Spirit of American Exceptionalism. It is a catch phrase that symbolizes the birth and development of this nation.
However, it is not necessarily a good idea in and of itself. I think it led to our entanglement in Mid-East. I think it is the driving force behind the Nuclear proliferation deal with the Iranians, even though we know that have not, are not and never will live up to any agreements with the West. But at least we're trying - right?
Yes, we're trying but are we listening? Are we listening? Are we listening to what they are saying, are we listing to what history has said and, most importantly, are we seeking after the Word of the Lord? The deal would be something, just like the preemptive strike on Iraq was something. But is it something we ought to be doing. What if, instead, we left the sanctions in place, called the nation to a period of national prayer. And, waited to see what the Lord would direct?
Of course, such an idea is radical. Such radical minds as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln along with every president since with the exceptions of Jefferson and Jackson (both believed prayer to be a private not national matter), who have signed a Day of National Prayer Proclamation. Which, by the way is May 7th this year. It is a radical idea and one, though endorsed by proclamation, it doesn't seem endorsed by actual preference.
I know we don't, as a nation, really seek God's word before acting anymore and not for a very long time. I also don't expect to see us do that anytime soon, if ever. However, what if you and I began to do that faithfully in our own live? What if, when there didn't seem to be a good way forward, blocked to the right an left and no way to really retreat, we stood stood there and didn't do anything. What if we looked to and listened for the Lord's word and watched to see what he would do?
This is not just an idea I've conjured up to muse about, it is a biblical principle that has been lost on American in modern times: “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Sam 12:16). "Be still an know that I am Lord" (Ps 46:10). The idea isn't just to do nothing, it is to seek out the Lord's will, prepared to do what he directs when he directs it, but to stand still, not doing something, until then, trusting in him over self. Jus' Say'n.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Living By Faith
Along with several other passages, Romans 1:17 says, "The righteous will live by faith." It is a well established biblical principle but what does it mean? Other expressions that indicate our understanding of this principle are: "Taking a leap of faith," "Stepping out in faith" and "Walking by faith." Each of these contains an element of forward motion without clear vision of what it ahead. A conclusion easily drawn from 2 Cor 5:7, "For we live by faith, not by sight."
And, to be sure, there is an element of "sightless progression." However, that element is not the key to living by faith, it is only an element. The thing that makes forward motion paralyzing or possible is the real key to this kind of living. Consider this: What is it that makes forward motion without sight so difficult? Is it the fact that we can't see where we're walking? No. We walk in our houses all the time in the dark, unable to see. Why? Because we do not fear. We feel safe to move forward in our own house. Would you feel as safe or be as likely to do the same in a dark alley? Would you be OK to continue driving at night if your headlights stopped working?
What makes sightless forward motion difficult if not impossible for us is fear. We fear what might be there, we fear what might happen, we would feel much better moving forward if we could see what it it that we are walking into - normally. However, we might even fear it more if we could see. What if we saw a hungry lion up the path? What if we saw a group of gang members down a well-lit alley? Would you feel comfortable walking ahead even though you could see clearly in those cases?
Not seeing and not knowing what is ahead can be a deterrent to forward motion, for sure, but that is not the primary reason. For instance, if you were moving up a path where a lion might well be but you were with Jack Hannon and a film crew, could you keep going? If you were walking down an alley where gangs were known to hang out but you were surrounded by Seal Team Six, would you worry much about it?
The presence of fear, not the absence of sight, is the real barrier to forward motion. Sightlessness often produces fear, which prevents it, but sight is not the foundation upon which paralysis is built. Listen to the Word of the Lord: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back" (Heb 10:38). Living by faith is juxtaposed with shrinking back. Faith vs. fear.
Living by faith is to live without fear, knowing God is with you, not necessarily to see or not see what is ahead. The Lord's words to Joshua are also His words to us: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Josh 1:9). Living by faith is to walk with the knowledge of God's nearness. Jus' Say'n.
And, to be sure, there is an element of "sightless progression." However, that element is not the key to living by faith, it is only an element. The thing that makes forward motion paralyzing or possible is the real key to this kind of living. Consider this: What is it that makes forward motion without sight so difficult? Is it the fact that we can't see where we're walking? No. We walk in our houses all the time in the dark, unable to see. Why? Because we do not fear. We feel safe to move forward in our own house. Would you feel as safe or be as likely to do the same in a dark alley? Would you be OK to continue driving at night if your headlights stopped working?
What makes sightless forward motion difficult if not impossible for us is fear. We fear what might be there, we fear what might happen, we would feel much better moving forward if we could see what it it that we are walking into - normally. However, we might even fear it more if we could see. What if we saw a hungry lion up the path? What if we saw a group of gang members down a well-lit alley? Would you feel comfortable walking ahead even though you could see clearly in those cases?
Not seeing and not knowing what is ahead can be a deterrent to forward motion, for sure, but that is not the primary reason. For instance, if you were moving up a path where a lion might well be but you were with Jack Hannon and a film crew, could you keep going? If you were walking down an alley where gangs were known to hang out but you were surrounded by Seal Team Six, would you worry much about it?
The presence of fear, not the absence of sight, is the real barrier to forward motion. Sightlessness often produces fear, which prevents it, but sight is not the foundation upon which paralysis is built. Listen to the Word of the Lord: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back" (Heb 10:38). Living by faith is juxtaposed with shrinking back. Faith vs. fear.
Living by faith is to live without fear, knowing God is with you, not necessarily to see or not see what is ahead. The Lord's words to Joshua are also His words to us: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go"(Josh 1:9). Living by faith is to walk with the knowledge of God's nearness. Jus' Say'n.
Friday, April 17, 2015
The Cut
I read of a diamond found in an African mine that was so magnificent it was presented to the King of England to adorn his crown of state. The King sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was taken to an expert lapidary (diamond cutter), who cut a notch in it and struck it hard with his cutting tool, splitting the gem in two.
To the untrained eye it looked too much, it seemed careless and wasteful, if not criminal to split such a superb jewel. But far from reckless, the lapidary studied the uncut diamond for weeks. Drawings and models were made. The diamond's qualities, defects and lines were mapped out to the smallest detail. The man who was to make the cut was one of the finest lapidaries in the world. His cut was not careless, it was care-filled.
The diamond cutter knew exactly how to bring out the best in the gem, creating the twin jewels that only his trained eye saw in the stone, which would adorn the King's crown of state. What appeared to have been the destruction of the diamond actually was the redemption of the rough, uncut stone taken from the mine.
Although Job did not truly understand it himself, in response to the accusation that he was evil, told told his friends to ask the animals and the birds, for "Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:9). Not understanding why it was happening to him, he knew it was God's hand upon him.
Like the diamond in the rough and Job who went through such rough treatment, perhaps you have been going through rough times as well. Maybe you feel like you have been sliced and diced, cut asunder. Perhaps you cannot believe just how roughly you've been treated or deeply you've been cut. But perhaps it is just that you do not have the eye of the Master Lapidary, who knows exactly what needs to be cut away to allow you to properly adorn the King's Crown.
Maybe what appears to be your ruin is instead your redemption. As the apostle Paul put it, we "glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5). Jus' Say'n.
To the untrained eye it looked too much, it seemed careless and wasteful, if not criminal to split such a superb jewel. But far from reckless, the lapidary studied the uncut diamond for weeks. Drawings and models were made. The diamond's qualities, defects and lines were mapped out to the smallest detail. The man who was to make the cut was one of the finest lapidaries in the world. His cut was not careless, it was care-filled.
The diamond cutter knew exactly how to bring out the best in the gem, creating the twin jewels that only his trained eye saw in the stone, which would adorn the King's crown of state. What appeared to have been the destruction of the diamond actually was the redemption of the rough, uncut stone taken from the mine.
Although Job did not truly understand it himself, in response to the accusation that he was evil, told told his friends to ask the animals and the birds, for "Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? (Job 12:9). Not understanding why it was happening to him, he knew it was God's hand upon him.
Like the diamond in the rough and Job who went through such rough treatment, perhaps you have been going through rough times as well. Maybe you feel like you have been sliced and diced, cut asunder. Perhaps you cannot believe just how roughly you've been treated or deeply you've been cut. But perhaps it is just that you do not have the eye of the Master Lapidary, who knows exactly what needs to be cut away to allow you to properly adorn the King's Crown.
Maybe what appears to be your ruin is instead your redemption. As the apostle Paul put it, we "glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom 5:3-5). Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Sealed Orders
In order to insure secrecy in a time of war, a commander of a ship or a squadron would be given orders that were sealed up and not to be opened until they had sailed a certain distance into the open sea. They would head out not knowing where they were going or what would be expected of them once they arrived. They set sail not in the security of knowing what they were going to do or where they were going to go but in whom was sending them.
One of the most notable characters in the Bible was also sent out with sealed orders, not knowing where he was going or what would be expected of him once he arrived: "The Lord had said to Abram, “'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you'" (Gen 12::1). With no more than the knowledge of who it was sending him, Abraham (then called Abram) gathered up his family and possessions and faithfully headed out.
I remembered when I felt called into ministry. I had no idea where it would take me or what exactly I would be doing. I had no idea how I would support my family as I began ministry training, where we would go when studies were complete or even if I would be hired as a minister. I just knew God was sending me. I remember Lott Tucker at Harding suggesting I complete a business degree as I already had so many hour from previous studied. He said it would be good to have something to fall back on. My response was, "If I fall, I expect God to catch me." I may have been foolhardy, I know many of my friends and family thought so, but I truly trusted in God to direct and provide, which he always has.
In a sense, all of us in all of life are being sent out with sealed orders. We really do not know what the future holds, where we will live, what we will do or what will be expected of us. As James put it, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow" (Js 4:14). That being true, Jesus tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 6:34). Instead, we are called to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things [necessities of life] will be given to us as well" (Matt 6:33).
The bottom line is that we are not to worry ourselves over what the future holds. Rather, we are to take confidence in Who holds our future. Though our orders may be sealed, preventing us from knowing into what waters we sail or what threat we may meet, we are given assurance from the Lord Jesus Christ, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me" (Jn 14:1). Jus' Say'n.
One of the most notable characters in the Bible was also sent out with sealed orders, not knowing where he was going or what would be expected of him once he arrived: "The Lord had said to Abram, “'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you'" (Gen 12::1). With no more than the knowledge of who it was sending him, Abraham (then called Abram) gathered up his family and possessions and faithfully headed out.
I remembered when I felt called into ministry. I had no idea where it would take me or what exactly I would be doing. I had no idea how I would support my family as I began ministry training, where we would go when studies were complete or even if I would be hired as a minister. I just knew God was sending me. I remember Lott Tucker at Harding suggesting I complete a business degree as I already had so many hour from previous studied. He said it would be good to have something to fall back on. My response was, "If I fall, I expect God to catch me." I may have been foolhardy, I know many of my friends and family thought so, but I truly trusted in God to direct and provide, which he always has.
In a sense, all of us in all of life are being sent out with sealed orders. We really do not know what the future holds, where we will live, what we will do or what will be expected of us. As James put it, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow" (Js 4:14). That being true, Jesus tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matt 6:34). Instead, we are called to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things [necessities of life] will be given to us as well" (Matt 6:33).
The bottom line is that we are not to worry ourselves over what the future holds. Rather, we are to take confidence in Who holds our future. Though our orders may be sealed, preventing us from knowing into what waters we sail or what threat we may meet, we are given assurance from the Lord Jesus Christ, "Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me" (Jn 14:1). Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Balance
I read a post on Facebook yesterday declaring how Republicans don't want children to be fed, don't want the rich to be taxed, don't believe in science, don't believe in equality, etc. As a registered Republican, I was trying hard to see myself in any of that and couldn't. On the other hand, a little further down was another declaration of how Democrats hate America, want to tax everyone to death, are trying to drown us in debt, are tying to keep the minorities under control with welfare, etc.
I just don't believe the average Republican or the average Democrat look anything like the extreme portrait painted by most bloggers and political commentators. I do believe that the extreme of either position promotes thinking that is out of balance, being long on emotion and short on logic, which will lead to ineffectual and unrealistic choices that bring harm not good.
I think that the Republican led post 9/11 war on Iraq was fueled by emotion that probably eclipsed better alternatives. I equally think that Democrat pushed Affordable Care Act, which no one read prior to voting into law was emotionally based and no doubt would have been modified had full disclosure been utilized.
My point is that left and right are both viable directions when used in tandem. If you only make right turns or only make left turns, you only go in circles. If you make a left or right turn and never deviate from that trajectory, you will eventually run off the road or into a building or over a cliff. Extremism always leads to extreme outcomes. That is why Solomon warned, "It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes" (Eccl 7:18).
Our Constitutional Framers understood that. Employing the biblical principle, they developed a bicameral legislature with a two-party system. They knew that there was a need for one side to balance out the other, to pull each other back from the edge. They also had the common sense to know that it is just as far to the bottom whether you go off the right or left side of the bridge.
Maybe, in light of the biblical truth of balance, we could spend more time comparing and weighing the ideas of each party. looking for the best alternative or compromise instead of vilifying one another and refusing to consider something less than 100% of what either demands. How about, instead of always finding things to spar over, we "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24)? How about we try to balance one another instead of blasting each other? Jus' Ask'n.
I just don't believe the average Republican or the average Democrat look anything like the extreme portrait painted by most bloggers and political commentators. I do believe that the extreme of either position promotes thinking that is out of balance, being long on emotion and short on logic, which will lead to ineffectual and unrealistic choices that bring harm not good.
I think that the Republican led post 9/11 war on Iraq was fueled by emotion that probably eclipsed better alternatives. I equally think that Democrat pushed Affordable Care Act, which no one read prior to voting into law was emotionally based and no doubt would have been modified had full disclosure been utilized.
My point is that left and right are both viable directions when used in tandem. If you only make right turns or only make left turns, you only go in circles. If you make a left or right turn and never deviate from that trajectory, you will eventually run off the road or into a building or over a cliff. Extremism always leads to extreme outcomes. That is why Solomon warned, "It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes" (Eccl 7:18).
Our Constitutional Framers understood that. Employing the biblical principle, they developed a bicameral legislature with a two-party system. They knew that there was a need for one side to balance out the other, to pull each other back from the edge. They also had the common sense to know that it is just as far to the bottom whether you go off the right or left side of the bridge.
Maybe, in light of the biblical truth of balance, we could spend more time comparing and weighing the ideas of each party. looking for the best alternative or compromise instead of vilifying one another and refusing to consider something less than 100% of what either demands. How about, instead of always finding things to spar over, we "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24)? How about we try to balance one another instead of blasting each other? Jus' Ask'n.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Being
One of the things I pray for daily is that the Lord will cause me to be the disciple he has called me to be. By that I don't mean to say that I ask him to cause me to do more stuff, more service. While I certainly ask him to direct my words and my actions, those are separate requests from being. The doing is the what of discipleship, being is the why.
I want to first be faithful and then faithfully carried out the work he has for me to accomplish, to embrace, prepare for and to keep the divine appointments God has for me daily. To be righteous is not to do righteous stuff or refrain from unholy things. Many people do righteous or holy things for unrighteous or unholy reasons. I can think of a widely known televangelist who spent a great deal of air time calling out infidelity in others, giving cover to his personal adultery.
There have been many a faithful church goer who faithfully attend that church in order to expand their book of business. Young men have been known to attend church regularly until they win the hand of a certain young lady and then suddenly feels called to fish and/or hunt every weekend, often saying, "I can worship God on the lake or in the wood just as easily as in a building." Why, then was he in that building until he won her hand? Not for worship, that is obvious.
Churches are filled with hypocrites, people who say and do one thing but inwardly are something else entirely. So often there is a great disconnect between what people do and who people are. While being will always lead to doing, doing will rarely, if ever, change who or what one is. For instance, one who is a fisherman at heart will find time and opportunity to fish. On the other hand, someone who goes fishing in order to spend time with someone, make a sales pitch or make an impression, will not likely become a true fisherman.
Doing, by the way, is so much easier than being because doing lies on the surface and being drills deep into the soul. Becoming is a lifelong process. I am daily in the process of becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. My pursuit is daily and it will last a lifetime. Going to church is something I can do one week and not the other, I can study my Bible today and not pick it up for a month, I can do all kinds of disciple like things with little or no committment or effort. But I cannot be a disciple without a constant and permanent change.
I don't have to pray to go to church, read my Bible or make a contribution, I can just do those things at will. But to become, to be a disciple, a true follower of Jesus Christ, for that I must pray daily for God's hand in my life. I can do but I cannot become unless he empowers me, unless he calls me, unless he changes me by His Spirit. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day" (Jn 6:44). Jus' Say'n.
I want to first be faithful and then faithfully carried out the work he has for me to accomplish, to embrace, prepare for and to keep the divine appointments God has for me daily. To be righteous is not to do righteous stuff or refrain from unholy things. Many people do righteous or holy things for unrighteous or unholy reasons. I can think of a widely known televangelist who spent a great deal of air time calling out infidelity in others, giving cover to his personal adultery.
There have been many a faithful church goer who faithfully attend that church in order to expand their book of business. Young men have been known to attend church regularly until they win the hand of a certain young lady and then suddenly feels called to fish and/or hunt every weekend, often saying, "I can worship God on the lake or in the wood just as easily as in a building." Why, then was he in that building until he won her hand? Not for worship, that is obvious.
Churches are filled with hypocrites, people who say and do one thing but inwardly are something else entirely. So often there is a great disconnect between what people do and who people are. While being will always lead to doing, doing will rarely, if ever, change who or what one is. For instance, one who is a fisherman at heart will find time and opportunity to fish. On the other hand, someone who goes fishing in order to spend time with someone, make a sales pitch or make an impression, will not likely become a true fisherman.
Doing, by the way, is so much easier than being because doing lies on the surface and being drills deep into the soul. Becoming is a lifelong process. I am daily in the process of becoming a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. My pursuit is daily and it will last a lifetime. Going to church is something I can do one week and not the other, I can study my Bible today and not pick it up for a month, I can do all kinds of disciple like things with little or no committment or effort. But I cannot be a disciple without a constant and permanent change.
I don't have to pray to go to church, read my Bible or make a contribution, I can just do those things at will. But to become, to be a disciple, a true follower of Jesus Christ, for that I must pray daily for God's hand in my life. I can do but I cannot become unless he empowers me, unless he calls me, unless he changes me by His Spirit. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day" (Jn 6:44). Jus' Say'n.
Monday, April 13, 2015
Confession
Growing up in the church, I got to hear a lot of confessions butt very little confessed. Much of the time, the confession went something like, "I have committed sin" or "I want to repent of my sins." What sin was committed against whom was seldom to never mentioned I almost never heard of what the individual was repenting. Asking for forgiveness often sounded like, I'm sorry if anyone was offended or perhaps I'm sorry if I offended anyone.
The Lord says, "Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another and you will be healed" (Js 5:16). He didn't say to confess that you had sinned, that's a forgone conclusion as "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom3:23). What needs to be confessed is the sin you committed and against whom you sinned. Then we have something to pray for specifically. And, the offended party is given an opportunity to forgive as well.
We don't want to name our sin because it is so embarrassing. Our pride is wounded and we loose face. However, pride is not our friend but our enemy and the first among things that keeps us from doing God's will in preference of our own. By not naming the sin, we are not accepting full responsibility and we are not acknowledging the injury done to another. There is no chance of release from a sin that we hold close to our chest.
There is also no chance for another to forgive you of something no named or admitted. The offended individual does not know that you are repenting from the hurt or suffering you caused if you have not named it. They do not know if you even begin to understand the offence or the pain you have inflicted if you approach it generically. We must be specific.
Confession is good for the soul, it frees us from the grip of the sin and allows others to move past the offence. Don't let Satan keep you in the grip of guilt and regret, instead, allow God to forgive and free you from its power. Go ahead, name it and claim it as your own and let the offended party know for what you are sorry and repent. Healing for you both will follow. Jus' Say'n.
The Lord says, "Confess your sins one to another and pray for one another and you will be healed" (Js 5:16). He didn't say to confess that you had sinned, that's a forgone conclusion as "all sin and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom3:23). What needs to be confessed is the sin you committed and against whom you sinned. Then we have something to pray for specifically. And, the offended party is given an opportunity to forgive as well.
We don't want to name our sin because it is so embarrassing. Our pride is wounded and we loose face. However, pride is not our friend but our enemy and the first among things that keeps us from doing God's will in preference of our own. By not naming the sin, we are not accepting full responsibility and we are not acknowledging the injury done to another. There is no chance of release from a sin that we hold close to our chest.
There is also no chance for another to forgive you of something no named or admitted. The offended individual does not know that you are repenting from the hurt or suffering you caused if you have not named it. They do not know if you even begin to understand the offence or the pain you have inflicted if you approach it generically. We must be specific.
Confession is good for the soul, it frees us from the grip of the sin and allows others to move past the offence. Don't let Satan keep you in the grip of guilt and regret, instead, allow God to forgive and free you from its power. Go ahead, name it and claim it as your own and let the offended party know for what you are sorry and repent. Healing for you both will follow. Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Good Soil
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown" (Matt 13:3-8).
The farmer, in this parable, is the Lord. The seed is the Word of God. The ground represents the hearts of people. The good soil represents the hearts of those who are faithful followers of Christ. As Christians, we assume that the good soil represents us and the other three soils represent the rest of the world. However, that ain't necessarily so.
The good soil doesn't represent a class of people, it represents a state of the heart. The good soil, free of hardness, thorns and rock, is able to receive the word of God, allow it to grow and produce fruit of the Spirit. Good soil, however, doesn't just exist, it must be cultivated. As Hosea said, "break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord" (10:12).
What might otherwise be wonderful ground for producing a rich harvest will remain fallow or unproductive until it is cultivated. The ground must be plowed, the weeds must be plowed under and the rocks removed before the seed is sowed into the ground in preparation of the harvest. In other words, our hearts must be prepared to receive the Word of God in order for it to take root and grow.
Another thing about good soil and harvest, it doesn't just keep on being good and producing a harvest - it must be continuously cultivated. The weeds will return, rocks can work their way to the surface, the ground can become dry and hardened. A farmer doesn't just sow his seeds and then go on vacation until harvest time, he is in the fields working the land up until the harvest. And then, after the harvest, the ground is worked again in preparation for the next season.
Although you may be a Christian, who has received the Word of God, which has taken root, you may have allowed thorns to grow up in the rows. The ground may have hardened again or rock may have worked their way back to the surface. Your heart may have grown hard over the years, your fears and anxieties may have overwhelmed your faith, the soil of your heart may be fallow or unproductive once again.
As Christians, we need to continuously be seeking after the Lord. We must be daily in prayer and in the Word. We must be serving in the kingdom. We must be looking for divine opportunities to share our faith and serve our God. We must be reaching out to other, giving them a helping hand, pointing them to heaven's shores. Good soil, is soil that is cultivated often in order to keep it receptive to the seed, allowing it to take root and continue to grow.
What about you? Are you actively cultivating your heart? Is the soil of your heart still broken and receptive to the Word? Is it's soil worked daily to keep out the weeds and the rocks and the hardening effect of inactivity? Is your heart still good soil? Jus' Ask'n.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
The Coin of The Realm
Every civilization, every culture, every country apart from a purely barter system has a currency or coin of some kind, something of value with which to purchase things of need or desire. It might be something of assigned value in itself such as gold or silver, or it might be a representative of that value such as paper money, hard coin or even digital money. Whatever it is, that is the thing of value we need to have in order meet our needs in that society.
Some, unwilling to work for and earn coin of the realm, attempt to substitute for the real currency. They may use fake gold, imitation diamonds or counterfeit bills; the point is that what they use isn't authentic currency and has no real value. And while it may fool some temporarily, it will be found out in time as only that which is real will stand the test of time. Counterfeiters are not unaware of this truth, which is why they try to get rid of the counterfeit as soon as possible, trading it in on real currency.
In the heavenly kingdom, a coin of the realm exists as well. It is not in gold or silver as Jesus plainly teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, where he warn us not to waste our time gathering up "treasures on earth" but instead to "store up treasures in heaven." All the things of this earthly realm that are considered valuable have no value in heaven. Not even the entire world contains enough value to trade for a single soul (cf. Matt 26:26).
The coin of the heavenly realm is but one thing: FAITH. As the writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals to us, "without faith it is impossible to please God." As he goes on to say, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." It is God's "grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) that affords our salvation - our place in the kingdom.
As with all coin of the realm, there are those who will attempt to supplant it with a counterfeit. But counterfeit faith, while it may fool some for a time, maybe even a lifetime, it will not fool God for a moment: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Heb 4:12-13).
The coin of God's realm is faith and authentic, acceptable faith is a living, working faith while the counterfeit is dead. As James put it, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (Js 2:26). Our need is to to have faith - real, active, living faith. Anything less is counterfeit. anything less will not be accepted as coin of the realm. Jus' Say'n.
Some, unwilling to work for and earn coin of the realm, attempt to substitute for the real currency. They may use fake gold, imitation diamonds or counterfeit bills; the point is that what they use isn't authentic currency and has no real value. And while it may fool some temporarily, it will be found out in time as only that which is real will stand the test of time. Counterfeiters are not unaware of this truth, which is why they try to get rid of the counterfeit as soon as possible, trading it in on real currency.
In the heavenly kingdom, a coin of the realm exists as well. It is not in gold or silver as Jesus plainly teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, where he warn us not to waste our time gathering up "treasures on earth" but instead to "store up treasures in heaven." All the things of this earthly realm that are considered valuable have no value in heaven. Not even the entire world contains enough value to trade for a single soul (cf. Matt 26:26).
The coin of the heavenly realm is but one thing: FAITH. As the writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals to us, "without faith it is impossible to please God." As he goes on to say, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." It is God's "grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) that affords our salvation - our place in the kingdom.
As with all coin of the realm, there are those who will attempt to supplant it with a counterfeit. But counterfeit faith, while it may fool some for a time, maybe even a lifetime, it will not fool God for a moment: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Heb 4:12-13).
The coin of God's realm is faith and authentic, acceptable faith is a living, working faith while the counterfeit is dead. As James put it, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (Js 2:26). Our need is to to have faith - real, active, living faith. Anything less is counterfeit. anything less will not be accepted as coin of the realm. Jus' Say'n.
Friday, April 10, 2015
Sharpening Iron
It doesn't seem possible that I went through basic training in the Air Force over 40 years ago. Many of the memories have dimmed but one thing is crystal clear: Everything we were called on to do was against the grain. We were pushed to extremes to not simply test our limits but to stretch our limits, sharpening and honing our skills, increasing our abilities. Our training instructor was not there to "grease the skids" but to add resistance to our forward motion.
This may seem counter intuitive at first, putting resistance in the way of progress but it is based on tried and true principles of growth and development. We find this principle in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Prov 27:17). For iron to sharpen iron, both pieces cannot be moved in the same direction. The sharpening requires that each piece goes against the other, causing resistance and friction that allows a stripping away and honing of the edge, leaving it sharp and ready for battle or field or kitchen.
In order to build muscle, resistance must be applied and increased as one develops. This is true of brain development, skill development, all development. We learn to stand,walk and run because we increasingly go against the resistance of gravity until we develop the strength of muscle, knowledge of forward motion and skill of balance to a degree that we can ambulate at will.
Marriages develop, not when the couple always agree on everything, that would leave them where they started, but rather when they work through the resistance of disagreements and struggle against the disparate will and understand of the other, seeking to come to a common ground. That struggle against the grain of one another with purpose causes the sharpening of married life.
This is how God develops us. When we wonder why a difficulty is allowed into our life, instead of trying to determine fault as in "What did I do to deserve this?", we ought to seek the answer to "How can I grow and develop from this?" of "What is God sharpening me to accomplish?" Listen to the words of the apostle Paul, "… suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame..." (Rom 5:3-5).
I don't want to suggest that the sharpening process is easy, far from it. I don't think that we can be expected to necessarily enjoy the process. But we can find purpose and have hope, which will allow us to embrace what God allows, experiencing the growth and development God desires for us. Jus' Say'n.
This may seem counter intuitive at first, putting resistance in the way of progress but it is based on tried and true principles of growth and development. We find this principle in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another" (Prov 27:17). For iron to sharpen iron, both pieces cannot be moved in the same direction. The sharpening requires that each piece goes against the other, causing resistance and friction that allows a stripping away and honing of the edge, leaving it sharp and ready for battle or field or kitchen.
In order to build muscle, resistance must be applied and increased as one develops. This is true of brain development, skill development, all development. We learn to stand,walk and run because we increasingly go against the resistance of gravity until we develop the strength of muscle, knowledge of forward motion and skill of balance to a degree that we can ambulate at will.
Marriages develop, not when the couple always agree on everything, that would leave them where they started, but rather when they work through the resistance of disagreements and struggle against the disparate will and understand of the other, seeking to come to a common ground. That struggle against the grain of one another with purpose causes the sharpening of married life.
This is how God develops us. When we wonder why a difficulty is allowed into our life, instead of trying to determine fault as in "What did I do to deserve this?", we ought to seek the answer to "How can I grow and develop from this?" of "What is God sharpening me to accomplish?" Listen to the words of the apostle Paul, "… suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame..." (Rom 5:3-5).
I don't want to suggest that the sharpening process is easy, far from it. I don't think that we can be expected to necessarily enjoy the process. But we can find purpose and have hope, which will allow us to embrace what God allows, experiencing the growth and development God desires for us. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Encouraging Words
When I was a young boy, one of the lyrics I would often sing went something like "Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play. Where seldom is heard a discouraging word. And the sky is not cloudy all day." The song captured the image of an idyllic world, which included freedom from discouraging talk.
We don't live in an ideal world, not since the fall of man recorded in the Book of Genesis. And despite the climate change/carbon footprint theology of our day, we can't control the weather to suit us. We can't ensure ample crops or adequate hunting. We simply are not in control of our environment or circumstances of life.
However, we are in control of our expressions. We can't always control our attitude and feelings aren't choices at all. But we can absolutely decide our responses to circumstance and stimuli. We can choose to utter words that build up or tear down. Regardless of the weather or whether we live in abundance or want, we decide if words of encouragement or discouragement will come out of our mouths.
Not that "Home on The Range" is a hymn of the Church, but it does reflect God's will concerning the choice in negative or positive verbiage: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29).
Human beings are designed to respond well to encouraging words, we, in point of fact, need them. It isn't just enough to know or believe we are valued, we need to hear it. Why do you keep telling your wife you love her? Didn't you let her know that when you got married? Why do you keep telling your son how smart he is? Haven't you done that already? You keep on saying encouraging things because you innately know it is needed and helpful.
Did you know your employees, co-workers, church members, pastors, friends, etc. all would benefit from those same encouraging words? We all do for one very simple reason, we focus on what is pointed out to us. If positive things are pointed out, that's what we tend to see. If negative things are pointed out then that is what we see.
The reason that is so important is that what we see conditions how we perceive ourselves. Listen to the words of Jesus: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, c your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, d your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23). If we focus on positives, we brighten up. If we focus negatives, we are darkened or depressed in spirit.
By our words, we contribute to the spiritual, emotional and mental health of another and our self. What should you choose? What will you choose? Will you follow the teaching and example of our Lord Jesus Christ or not? Jus' Ask'n.
We don't live in an ideal world, not since the fall of man recorded in the Book of Genesis. And despite the climate change/carbon footprint theology of our day, we can't control the weather to suit us. We can't ensure ample crops or adequate hunting. We simply are not in control of our environment or circumstances of life.
However, we are in control of our expressions. We can't always control our attitude and feelings aren't choices at all. But we can absolutely decide our responses to circumstance and stimuli. We can choose to utter words that build up or tear down. Regardless of the weather or whether we live in abundance or want, we decide if words of encouragement or discouragement will come out of our mouths.
Not that "Home on The Range" is a hymn of the Church, but it does reflect God's will concerning the choice in negative or positive verbiage: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29).
Human beings are designed to respond well to encouraging words, we, in point of fact, need them. It isn't just enough to know or believe we are valued, we need to hear it. Why do you keep telling your wife you love her? Didn't you let her know that when you got married? Why do you keep telling your son how smart he is? Haven't you done that already? You keep on saying encouraging things because you innately know it is needed and helpful.
Did you know your employees, co-workers, church members, pastors, friends, etc. all would benefit from those same encouraging words? We all do for one very simple reason, we focus on what is pointed out to us. If positive things are pointed out, that's what we tend to see. If negative things are pointed out then that is what we see.
The reason that is so important is that what we see conditions how we perceive ourselves. Listen to the words of Jesus: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, c your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, d your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23). If we focus on positives, we brighten up. If we focus negatives, we are darkened or depressed in spirit.
By our words, we contribute to the spiritual, emotional and mental health of another and our self. What should you choose? What will you choose? Will you follow the teaching and example of our Lord Jesus Christ or not? Jus' Ask'n.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Collateral Damage
I was reading a horrible narrative in Judges 19-21 this morning of a Levite whose concubine was offered up to a group of evil men who surrounded the house where he was staying demanding he be sent out so they might have sex with him.
They settled on the concubine, took turns raping her throughout the night and in the morning the Levite came out to find her dead at the doorway. He put he on his donkey, took her body home where he cut it up in twelve pieces and sent it to each of the tribes of Israel, calling for justice against the evil men of Gibeah, a town of Benjamin.
Israel came together sending a fighting force to Gibeah, demanding the evil men be turned over, which was denied by the city leaders. A word was sent out to the tribal leaders of Benjamin, who sent a large fighting force to defend the city and war broke out in Israel. Tens of thousands of deaths later, the matter was settled when the tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped off the face of the earth.
Israel stopped short of total annilation and even helped to reestablish the decimated tribe but the lost of life and property was staggering. The amount of collateral damage in bringing justice to the land was geometrically greater than that of the original injustice. And yet, the fighting was sanctioned by God: "The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, 'Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?' The Lord answered, 'Go up against them'" (Judg 20:23).
War is a terrible thing, but evil unchecked is worse. Allowing evil men to openly take, use, abuse and kill strangers seeking hospitality as in the case of Gibeah could not be allowed to take cultural root in Israel, the evil had to be excised, regardless of the cost. Just as a leg or a lung might be cut away to stop a cancer from spreading throughout the body. The loss of limb or vital organ is lamentable but necessary for the greater good.
Look at the horrible amount of collateral damage required to stop the aggression of Japan in WWII. It was absolutely unparalleled in its terrible cost. But to have left Imperial Japan's agenda for world domination go unchecked was unthinkable. They had to be stopped.
I hate war. I particularly hate the collateral loss of innocent lives in war. Doing all we can to avoid war through diplomatic channels and other non-violent means ought always be the first choice but never the last effort if it is not successful in abating evil. Where do you think ISIS will stop if they are not stopped by outside forces? What about Russia? Did they stop at the border of Crimea? Has it stopped taking ground in Ukraine? What about China building islands for landing strips in the international waters of the China Sea - will they stop there? Iran?
I don't know the answers to all the geo-political problems we face. I wish we could just withdraw and walk away from the aggression, but history tells us we cannot. Evil men, and there are evil men with evil intentions in the countries I've just mentioned, do not stop until someone stops them. We have to be involved despite the collateral loss of innocents or worse will come. However, we cannot afford to be involved without God. We need to be in prayer daily, asking for ways around military conflict and protection for the unintended victims. But ready for the fray.
War is here and it seems will be for some time if not until Christ comes again. The radical Muslims have not stopped fighting the Crusades. They are still intent on overcoming and dominating or destroying all non-Muslims. If they get nuclear weapons and a delivery system, the whole world may be the collateral damage of their ideology. Jus' Say'n.
They settled on the concubine, took turns raping her throughout the night and in the morning the Levite came out to find her dead at the doorway. He put he on his donkey, took her body home where he cut it up in twelve pieces and sent it to each of the tribes of Israel, calling for justice against the evil men of Gibeah, a town of Benjamin.
Israel came together sending a fighting force to Gibeah, demanding the evil men be turned over, which was denied by the city leaders. A word was sent out to the tribal leaders of Benjamin, who sent a large fighting force to defend the city and war broke out in Israel. Tens of thousands of deaths later, the matter was settled when the tribe of Benjamin was nearly wiped off the face of the earth.
Israel stopped short of total annilation and even helped to reestablish the decimated tribe but the lost of life and property was staggering. The amount of collateral damage in bringing justice to the land was geometrically greater than that of the original injustice. And yet, the fighting was sanctioned by God: "The Israelites went up and wept before the Lord until evening, and they inquired of the Lord. They said, 'Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites?' The Lord answered, 'Go up against them'" (Judg 20:23).
War is a terrible thing, but evil unchecked is worse. Allowing evil men to openly take, use, abuse and kill strangers seeking hospitality as in the case of Gibeah could not be allowed to take cultural root in Israel, the evil had to be excised, regardless of the cost. Just as a leg or a lung might be cut away to stop a cancer from spreading throughout the body. The loss of limb or vital organ is lamentable but necessary for the greater good.
Look at the horrible amount of collateral damage required to stop the aggression of Japan in WWII. It was absolutely unparalleled in its terrible cost. But to have left Imperial Japan's agenda for world domination go unchecked was unthinkable. They had to be stopped.
I hate war. I particularly hate the collateral loss of innocent lives in war. Doing all we can to avoid war through diplomatic channels and other non-violent means ought always be the first choice but never the last effort if it is not successful in abating evil. Where do you think ISIS will stop if they are not stopped by outside forces? What about Russia? Did they stop at the border of Crimea? Has it stopped taking ground in Ukraine? What about China building islands for landing strips in the international waters of the China Sea - will they stop there? Iran?
I don't know the answers to all the geo-political problems we face. I wish we could just withdraw and walk away from the aggression, but history tells us we cannot. Evil men, and there are evil men with evil intentions in the countries I've just mentioned, do not stop until someone stops them. We have to be involved despite the collateral loss of innocents or worse will come. However, we cannot afford to be involved without God. We need to be in prayer daily, asking for ways around military conflict and protection for the unintended victims. But ready for the fray.
War is here and it seems will be for some time if not until Christ comes again. The radical Muslims have not stopped fighting the Crusades. They are still intent on overcoming and dominating or destroying all non-Muslims. If they get nuclear weapons and a delivery system, the whole world may be the collateral damage of their ideology. Jus' Say'n.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Enough
One of the icons of my youth was the cartoon character Popeye the Sailor Man. His secret to his great strength was eating a can of spinach, which he carried somewhere in his shirt and would consume just at the climax of peril. You knew it had arrived when he would say, "Enough is enough and enough is too much!" Having reached the limit, out came the can of spinach and his super-salad strength saved the day.
Two important lessons were taught in that children's cartoon: 1) Eat your veggies and 2) there is a limit to what we can contain. I'll let you chew on the first truth (pun intended) while I take a moment to entertain the second.
There is a flash-point in each of us, that point where enough is enough and enough is too much and we either implode or explode, neither being particularly healthy. And while there are times when our stress level comes from an outside source entirely, far too often we are the true source of our own stress. We say yes to that final straw that pushes our ability to stand up under the load to the breaking point. We say yes when our psyche is screaming "No!" deep inside us.
Perhaps you've heard the old adage, "If you want something done, find a busy person to ask." Why? Because those who busy themselves tend tto get things done and they seldom form the word "no" and force it through their lips. Even when they are beginning to wobble under the strain, "Yes, of course I'll do it," seems to escape from their mouths before their brain evaluates the overload.
What happens to these people? Generally speaking: Burnout! Were you aware that by the seventh year, two-thirds of preachers leave the ministry? Were you aware that of the ones who don't leave, 50% would if they could find something else? Why? We keep asking more of them and they keep saying yes to us. Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc.....
None of us, preacher, teachers, volunteers, et. al., are unlimited in our ability to take on burdens. Not even in the cause of Christ are we unlimited in our ability to take on one more thing. God is unlimited and his power working within us "can do more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20) but that is the collective "we" of the body of Christ not each individual member. The church can accomplish all that God has purposed but you cannot as one part of that body. Eyes can't walk, ears can't talk.
God uses us individually with and within our weaknesses. Rather than take away Paul's limitation, God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). We are not equipped nor do we need to say "yes" to everything. We need to use a sacred "no" to ministry, family, community and vocational requests at times. Enough is enough. Jus' Say'n.
Two important lessons were taught in that children's cartoon: 1) Eat your veggies and 2) there is a limit to what we can contain. I'll let you chew on the first truth (pun intended) while I take a moment to entertain the second.
There is a flash-point in each of us, that point where enough is enough and enough is too much and we either implode or explode, neither being particularly healthy. And while there are times when our stress level comes from an outside source entirely, far too often we are the true source of our own stress. We say yes to that final straw that pushes our ability to stand up under the load to the breaking point. We say yes when our psyche is screaming "No!" deep inside us.
Perhaps you've heard the old adage, "If you want something done, find a busy person to ask." Why? Because those who busy themselves tend tto get things done and they seldom form the word "no" and force it through their lips. Even when they are beginning to wobble under the strain, "Yes, of course I'll do it," seems to escape from their mouths before their brain evaluates the overload.
What happens to these people? Generally speaking: Burnout! Were you aware that by the seventh year, two-thirds of preachers leave the ministry? Were you aware that of the ones who don't leave, 50% would if they could find something else? Why? We keep asking more of them and they keep saying yes to us. Tic toc, tic toc, tic toc.....
None of us, preacher, teachers, volunteers, et. al., are unlimited in our ability to take on burdens. Not even in the cause of Christ are we unlimited in our ability to take on one more thing. God is unlimited and his power working within us "can do more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20) but that is the collective "we" of the body of Christ not each individual member. The church can accomplish all that God has purposed but you cannot as one part of that body. Eyes can't walk, ears can't talk.
God uses us individually with and within our weaknesses. Rather than take away Paul's limitation, God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). We are not equipped nor do we need to say "yes" to everything. We need to use a sacred "no" to ministry, family, community and vocational requests at times. Enough is enough. Jus' Say'n.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Normal Monday
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are behind us. The eggs are all gone, the baskets put away and the Peeps have been gobble up along with the Cadbury Bunnies. The rituals have been completed, the Resurrection sermons preached and the special services have come to a close. Now its Monday after Easter and life can get back to normal.
It could and likely will for most, but should it? I'm not suggesting that we keep up all the dressing and extras of Easter but I am questioning what is normal. Is normal to not darken a church building doorway again until Christmas? Is normal not to consider the Resurrection and it's implications to our lives until next Easter? Is normal setting aside all this religious trappings and get back to your real life, a life hammered out on the anvil of worldly enterprise instead of spiritual expectation?
What if instead, we lived in the shadow of the Resurrection? What if the Resurrection were a weekly celebration and a daily reality? What if the message of the empty tomb filled our empty lives? What if we walked according to the Spirit, embraced the Presence of the Living Lord and engaged the world as victorious children of Almighty God? What if the Resurrection set the tone for Monday?
What would normal Monday look like if each of us truly experienced a "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?" (1 Pet 1:3). If we were daily experiencing the presence of the Living Lord, how could any day be normal in the sense of mundane or placid. What is normal like for one who one who daily "denie himself taking up his cross and following Jesus?" (Mk 8:34).
Easter is a once yearly celebration in ritual and tradition to memorialize an epic event - the Resurrection. But the Resurrection is more than an event in history, it is a reality in daily life, a constant in the spiritual walk of the believer. Because he rose from the grave, he is not there and then, he is here and now. My Lord and yours did not leave us, indeed "he will never leave us as orphans, he will come to us" (Jn 14:18).
Yes, today is Monday, an average, normal Monday. But what will normal be for you? Will you walk lockstep with the crowds in worldly mediocrity and sameness or will you choose to follow the Resurrected Lord, praying and looking for divine appointments along the way as you allow the Spirit of the Living God to shine out of your life like the Risen Christ shining out of the empty tomb? Jus' Ask'n.
It could and likely will for most, but should it? I'm not suggesting that we keep up all the dressing and extras of Easter but I am questioning what is normal. Is normal to not darken a church building doorway again until Christmas? Is normal not to consider the Resurrection and it's implications to our lives until next Easter? Is normal setting aside all this religious trappings and get back to your real life, a life hammered out on the anvil of worldly enterprise instead of spiritual expectation?
What if instead, we lived in the shadow of the Resurrection? What if the Resurrection were a weekly celebration and a daily reality? What if the message of the empty tomb filled our empty lives? What if we walked according to the Spirit, embraced the Presence of the Living Lord and engaged the world as victorious children of Almighty God? What if the Resurrection set the tone for Monday?
What would normal Monday look like if each of us truly experienced a "new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?" (1 Pet 1:3). If we were daily experiencing the presence of the Living Lord, how could any day be normal in the sense of mundane or placid. What is normal like for one who one who daily "denie himself taking up his cross and following Jesus?" (Mk 8:34).
Easter is a once yearly celebration in ritual and tradition to memorialize an epic event - the Resurrection. But the Resurrection is more than an event in history, it is a reality in daily life, a constant in the spiritual walk of the believer. Because he rose from the grave, he is not there and then, he is here and now. My Lord and yours did not leave us, indeed "he will never leave us as orphans, he will come to us" (Jn 14:18).
Yes, today is Monday, an average, normal Monday. But what will normal be for you? Will you walk lockstep with the crowds in worldly mediocrity and sameness or will you choose to follow the Resurrected Lord, praying and looking for divine appointments along the way as you allow the Spirit of the Living God to shine out of your life like the Risen Christ shining out of the empty tomb? Jus' Ask'n.
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Rolling Stone
The backdrop of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a spiritual spectacular that fuels our imaginations but empties our human capacity to properly articulate or even understand. The heavenly forces set in motion by the power of the Holy Spirit of God on that first Easter Sunday are equal to the power unleashed in the creation of the universe: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive...has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Pet 3:18-22).
Books could and have been written on the backdrop of the Resurrection. The finest minds and the greatest artists could collaborate and produce a masterpiece that would only the hem of the garment of the Resurrection reality in its fullness. But there are two facts, witnessed by humans, understood by humans and easily communicated by humans:
1. Jesus' lifeless body was placed in a tomb and a stone was rolled in front of the opening to seal and secure his dead body. The disciples bore witness to this, the Romans bore witness to this, the crowds bore witness to this and the Jewish leaders responsible for for the mock trial and unjust execution also bore witness to this rolling stone coming to rest over an inhabited tomb.
2. That same stone was not sealing that same tomb on the third day. The rolling stone that came to rest over the entrance of an inhabited tomb began rolling again and exposed an empty tomb. The grave cloths were there but the body around which they were wrapped was not. To this day, that once filled tomb remains empty of the Savior's body.
We could say that his disciples moved it during the night but they would have to have gotten by a detachment of Roman soldiers whose very lives were on the line if they allowed their charge to be taken. We could say Jesus only swooned on the cross and awoke in the grave but the Romans were experts at such things and he was pierced in his side with a spear to insure death. Besides, how would someone so weakened by a crucifixion roll the stone away from the inside?
Really there is only one reasonable answer to the empty tomb: By the power of the Living God, He overcame death, rising from its clutches, causing the stone to roll away, not so that he could exit as no power and no thing could hold him, but that others could enter to see that he was not in the tomb, that he was not in the grip of death, that he had risen! "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay'" (Matt 28:5-6). Jus' Say'n
Books could and have been written on the backdrop of the Resurrection. The finest minds and the greatest artists could collaborate and produce a masterpiece that would only the hem of the garment of the Resurrection reality in its fullness. But there are two facts, witnessed by humans, understood by humans and easily communicated by humans:
1. Jesus' lifeless body was placed in a tomb and a stone was rolled in front of the opening to seal and secure his dead body. The disciples bore witness to this, the Romans bore witness to this, the crowds bore witness to this and the Jewish leaders responsible for for the mock trial and unjust execution also bore witness to this rolling stone coming to rest over an inhabited tomb.
2. That same stone was not sealing that same tomb on the third day. The rolling stone that came to rest over the entrance of an inhabited tomb began rolling again and exposed an empty tomb. The grave cloths were there but the body around which they were wrapped was not. To this day, that once filled tomb remains empty of the Savior's body.
We could say that his disciples moved it during the night but they would have to have gotten by a detachment of Roman soldiers whose very lives were on the line if they allowed their charge to be taken. We could say Jesus only swooned on the cross and awoke in the grave but the Romans were experts at such things and he was pierced in his side with a spear to insure death. Besides, how would someone so weakened by a crucifixion roll the stone away from the inside?
Really there is only one reasonable answer to the empty tomb: By the power of the Living God, He overcame death, rising from its clutches, causing the stone to roll away, not so that he could exit as no power and no thing could hold him, but that others could enter to see that he was not in the tomb, that he was not in the grip of death, that he had risen! "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay'" (Matt 28:5-6). Jus' Say'n
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Grave Thoughts
Good Friday was the day in which everything seemed to have gone wrong but was vindicated by the glorious resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday. The abrupt end of Jesus' life on Good Friday would erupt in endless life on Easter Sunday. Friday death wins for the last time for on Sunday death is defeated for all time and eternity.
But what about Saturday? What happened in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? No nails were driven through flesh into wood, no stone was rolled away from an empty tomb - one might easily be tempted to say, "Move along, there's nothing to see here." Jesus' disciples were among that group who believed nothing was happening.
While the guards watched over the tomb, the disciples gathered to lick their wounds in disbelief of all that had happened instead of gathering to praise the Object of their faith in expectation: "Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (Mk 16:14).
If I were from Jersey, I might say, "Not for nothing Christ went to tomb." In truth, it was not for nothing, it was the place where death and the Deliverer met and our deliverance was found: "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit" (1 Pet 3:18). His body was laid to rest but his Spirit was wakened in the darkness. The victory over death celebrated on Easter was the result of the encounter with death in the tomb.
It appeared to human eyes that there was nothing to see here. But I can tell you that the armies of heaven and hell saw plenty. The Christ was not quiet in the tomb, only his body lay there. The Deliver and death were coming face to face, and the armies of the Lord of Light were in holding their breath in expectation while the armies of the Despot of Darkness were gasping in dread as they encountered the presence of the Living God.
Perhaps you are going through a period where it doesn't seem that God is at work in your life. Your prayers seem to go unanswered, there doesn't seem to be any forward motion in your life or circumstance. Don't make the mistake of thinking that God is inactive just because you can't see what is happening. As Jesus clearly proclaimed, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (Jn 5:17).
The seeming defeat of Friday and the spectacular victory of Sunday are connected by the grave darkness of Saturday in which God is working out his plans beyond human sight. Jus' Sayn.
But what about Saturday? What happened in between Good Friday and Easter Sunday? No nails were driven through flesh into wood, no stone was rolled away from an empty tomb - one might easily be tempted to say, "Move along, there's nothing to see here." Jesus' disciples were among that group who believed nothing was happening.
While the guards watched over the tomb, the disciples gathered to lick their wounds in disbelief of all that had happened instead of gathering to praise the Object of their faith in expectation: "Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen" (Mk 16:14).
If I were from Jersey, I might say, "Not for nothing Christ went to tomb." In truth, it was not for nothing, it was the place where death and the Deliverer met and our deliverance was found: "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit" (1 Pet 3:18). His body was laid to rest but his Spirit was wakened in the darkness. The victory over death celebrated on Easter was the result of the encounter with death in the tomb.
It appeared to human eyes that there was nothing to see here. But I can tell you that the armies of heaven and hell saw plenty. The Christ was not quiet in the tomb, only his body lay there. The Deliver and death were coming face to face, and the armies of the Lord of Light were in holding their breath in expectation while the armies of the Despot of Darkness were gasping in dread as they encountered the presence of the Living God.
Perhaps you are going through a period where it doesn't seem that God is at work in your life. Your prayers seem to go unanswered, there doesn't seem to be any forward motion in your life or circumstance. Don't make the mistake of thinking that God is inactive just because you can't see what is happening. As Jesus clearly proclaimed, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (Jn 5:17).
The seeming defeat of Friday and the spectacular victory of Sunday are connected by the grave darkness of Saturday in which God is working out his plans beyond human sight. Jus' Sayn.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Friday Good
At the end of the work week, when I'm asked how I'm doing, I often say, "I'm Friday good!" As I encounter co-workers on this day of the week, I even wish them a "Happy Friday!" Friday is, without doubt, our favorite day of the work week. And yet, it is a day in which we have a lengthy weekly meeting and often a day when we must catch up and finish out the week, causing it to be busier and potentially more stressful than other days.
So why is Friday good? Why do we all look forward to Friday? Why is TGIF a universal rally cry for workers all over America? Why? What is the great thing about Friday? Saturday! It isn't that Friday is so good in itself, it's that Friday lives right next door to Saturday and we really like Saturday. Without doubt, the best thing about Friday is Saturday.
Today is not just Friday, which is good. Today is Good Friday, the day set aside to memorialize and celebrate the day our Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross. When you think about it, why would that be a good Friday? What is so good about being scourged, humiliated and nailed to a cross? What is so good about facing condemnation and death? What makes this Good Friday? Sunday!
Friday Jesus went to the cross. Friday his bloodied, beaten body was hung from a tree. Friday he was in the hands of sinners and under the curse of the crucifixion. Friday he was tortured, killed and placed in a tomb. Friday didn't seem to have any good to it. In fact, his disciples, feeling defeated, ran away, returning to their fishing nets. To them, Friday was anything but good.
But then came Sunday! On Sunday an angel rolled back the stone (cf. Matt 28:2). On Sunday the disciples found the empty tomb (cf. Jn 20:6). On Sunday they saw the Risen Lord (cf. Jn 20:19). On Sunday our Lord broke the strangle hold of death (cf. Rom 6:9). On Sunday his disciples were afforded the power of the Resurrection (cf. Rom 6:4). Friday was good because Sunday was great!
Friday was good because Sunday was coming. Today is Good Friday because Easter is coming. Friday may be a day of darkness but it in contrast with the light of Sunday. Your whole life may have been a Friday, filled with darkness and gloom. You may have more trouble just now than you have the time or energy to talk about. But, if you are in Christ, Sunday is coming and your Friday is good. Therefore, regardless of the stress you are under, in Christ, you are Friday Good! Jus' Say'n.
So why is Friday good? Why do we all look forward to Friday? Why is TGIF a universal rally cry for workers all over America? Why? What is the great thing about Friday? Saturday! It isn't that Friday is so good in itself, it's that Friday lives right next door to Saturday and we really like Saturday. Without doubt, the best thing about Friday is Saturday.
Today is not just Friday, which is good. Today is Good Friday, the day set aside to memorialize and celebrate the day our Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross. When you think about it, why would that be a good Friday? What is so good about being scourged, humiliated and nailed to a cross? What is so good about facing condemnation and death? What makes this Good Friday? Sunday!
Friday Jesus went to the cross. Friday his bloodied, beaten body was hung from a tree. Friday he was in the hands of sinners and under the curse of the crucifixion. Friday he was tortured, killed and placed in a tomb. Friday didn't seem to have any good to it. In fact, his disciples, feeling defeated, ran away, returning to their fishing nets. To them, Friday was anything but good.
But then came Sunday! On Sunday an angel rolled back the stone (cf. Matt 28:2). On Sunday the disciples found the empty tomb (cf. Jn 20:6). On Sunday they saw the Risen Lord (cf. Jn 20:19). On Sunday our Lord broke the strangle hold of death (cf. Rom 6:9). On Sunday his disciples were afforded the power of the Resurrection (cf. Rom 6:4). Friday was good because Sunday was great!
Friday was good because Sunday was coming. Today is Good Friday because Easter is coming. Friday may be a day of darkness but it in contrast with the light of Sunday. Your whole life may have been a Friday, filled with darkness and gloom. You may have more trouble just now than you have the time or energy to talk about. But, if you are in Christ, Sunday is coming and your Friday is good. Therefore, regardless of the stress you are under, in Christ, you are Friday Good! Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Abandoned
When I was four or so, my family was moving, I think to Fort Leonardwood in Missouri. We stopped at a service station (back in the days when service was provided at gas stations) to fuel up and empty out our bladders. When I came out of the restroom, I saw our family car pulling away. I stood there in disbelief as the tail lights shrank out of view. My little heart sank as the feeling of abandonment grew within me. My family had left me behind, I would never see them again.
At least that was what I thought. The service station attendant saw me standing near the pump crying. He came over and said, "Don't worry, your folks will be right back to get you." I looked up with tear-filled eyes and replied, "No they won't. We're moving away. They are never coming back!"
Well, it wasn't long before someone noticed the blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid wasn't in the car and they turned around (possibly at the protest of my siblings) and came back for me. I never was actually abandoned, there were simply so many kids and so many distractions that I was overlooked in the general mayhem of the Kensers on the move. What appeared to me to be a singular, world-shaking event, was actually a fairly common oversight. Even Jesus himself was overlooked when his family was returning home from Jerusalem (cf. Lk 2:43)
Jesus, however, as a boy of 12, did not feel abandoned when his family traveled on without him. He was busy in his Father's house (cf. vs 49), talking with the elders. He would not feel abandoned until much later, at the age of 33 as he hung from the cross, overwhelmed in pain and life ebbing from his body. In a moment of human desperation he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mk 15:34).
God, of course, was not forsaking him. Everything that was happening was part of His plan for Jesus' victory over death and our redemption from the power of death: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:56-57). What was God's plan in action looked and felt like God abandoning his Son. But nothing could have been further from the truth - a truth that Jesus wrapped his mind around in his final moments saying, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).
As a child of God, there may well be times when your overburdened humanity may lose sight of God's purpose and presence. You may very well feel abandoned due to the awful circumstance of the moment. But it is not true, you will never be abandoned by God, who promises, "I will not leave you as orphans" (Jn 14:18). The feeling is real but that reality is only a feeling. The truth is that God never abandons his children. He is always near, even when we don't feel his presence. Jus' Say'n.
At least that was what I thought. The service station attendant saw me standing near the pump crying. He came over and said, "Don't worry, your folks will be right back to get you." I looked up with tear-filled eyes and replied, "No they won't. We're moving away. They are never coming back!"
Well, it wasn't long before someone noticed the blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid wasn't in the car and they turned around (possibly at the protest of my siblings) and came back for me. I never was actually abandoned, there were simply so many kids and so many distractions that I was overlooked in the general mayhem of the Kensers on the move. What appeared to me to be a singular, world-shaking event, was actually a fairly common oversight. Even Jesus himself was overlooked when his family was returning home from Jerusalem (cf. Lk 2:43)
Jesus, however, as a boy of 12, did not feel abandoned when his family traveled on without him. He was busy in his Father's house (cf. vs 49), talking with the elders. He would not feel abandoned until much later, at the age of 33 as he hung from the cross, overwhelmed in pain and life ebbing from his body. In a moment of human desperation he cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mk 15:34).
God, of course, was not forsaking him. Everything that was happening was part of His plan for Jesus' victory over death and our redemption from the power of death: "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 15:56-57). What was God's plan in action looked and felt like God abandoning his Son. But nothing could have been further from the truth - a truth that Jesus wrapped his mind around in his final moments saying, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).
As a child of God, there may well be times when your overburdened humanity may lose sight of God's purpose and presence. You may very well feel abandoned due to the awful circumstance of the moment. But it is not true, you will never be abandoned by God, who promises, "I will not leave you as orphans" (Jn 14:18). The feeling is real but that reality is only a feeling. The truth is that God never abandons his children. He is always near, even when we don't feel his presence. Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Tolerance
I have some friends and co-workers that smoke. I like them, I accept them as smokers, I believe they have the right even an over-whelming compulsion to smoke, but I do not think they are right to smoke nor do I condone or encourage them to smoke. This is true tolerance. I am not required to agreed with them nor do I have to rail against them. I don't get in the way of their smoking and they do not expect me o join in. I wouldn't run to the store and pick up a pack for them or even offer to light their cigarette. They know I do not approve or appreciate their addiction, but that I do approve of and appreciate them.
If I lived in Colorado, where using marijuana recreationally is legal, I would not be partaking. I would, no doubt, have friends and co-workers who bought, sold and used the drug. I would not use it with them, I would not purchase it for them nor would I encourage their using in any way. I would not be in their face, I would not insist they give it up, but I would easily tolerate their choice, which runs so counter to mine. If we talked about it, I would not pretend I was in favor of it to make them feel good or rail at them to make them feel bad. I would tolerate their drug use and accept them as friends and co-workers.
I know that many, if not most believe that one is either born homosexual or heterosexual and has no choice in the matter. That may or may not be so. I have my doubts as I personally know of individuals who insist they were gay and now they are straight. I choose to believe the individual who went through the change. I also have noticed that individuals who are straight, when in prison often adopt a same-sex lifestyle and return to a heterosexual one when released.
I also know that being born with a particular sexual preference does not mean that one has to act on it. Jesus said that "there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:12). In other words, we don't have to act on our sexual urges at all. We can modify our sexual behavior "for the sake of the kingdom."
This is the distinct difference in one "born gay" and one born of a particular color or ethnic group. While one can go to prison and adopt the gay lifestyle, he will not be able to change his color. We are the color we are, regardless of how we act. Being gay or straight only matters when we exercise our choice of sexuality. I can become asexual for the kingdom if necessary, I cannot become a different race. There is a difference.
I have friends and co-workers that are practicing homosexuals. I love them and accept them as they are but I do not accept or encourage the lifestyle choice. I have no doubt that it would be hard to impossible for them to change without the inner work of the Spirit. I don't challenge them or encourage them in their choice but I am honest in my opinion when the subject comes up, which is not very often. I tolerate their choice and they tolerate mine. We appreciate each other but do not agree on this issue.
Their stance is that they were born this way and therefore God must be OK with the way they are. My position is that "from the beginning, the Creator made us male and female, and for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh" (Matt 19:5). We both have the right to come to the conclusions we have in the manner that we came to them. But that does not mean that we are both right.
I will tolerate the beliefs of others, whether homosexual, pagan, Muslim, fundamentalist, alarmist, whatever. But I do not intend to give up my God-given and First Amendment upheld right to embrace my faith and live it out in the manner I believe to be true. I do not seek to impose my beliefs on others and I would welcome the attempts of others to impose their beliefs on me. I believe in tolerance, do you? Jus' Ask'n.
If I lived in Colorado, where using marijuana recreationally is legal, I would not be partaking. I would, no doubt, have friends and co-workers who bought, sold and used the drug. I would not use it with them, I would not purchase it for them nor would I encourage their using in any way. I would not be in their face, I would not insist they give it up, but I would easily tolerate their choice, which runs so counter to mine. If we talked about it, I would not pretend I was in favor of it to make them feel good or rail at them to make them feel bad. I would tolerate their drug use and accept them as friends and co-workers.
I know that many, if not most believe that one is either born homosexual or heterosexual and has no choice in the matter. That may or may not be so. I have my doubts as I personally know of individuals who insist they were gay and now they are straight. I choose to believe the individual who went through the change. I also have noticed that individuals who are straight, when in prison often adopt a same-sex lifestyle and return to a heterosexual one when released.
I also know that being born with a particular sexual preference does not mean that one has to act on it. Jesus said that "there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:12). In other words, we don't have to act on our sexual urges at all. We can modify our sexual behavior "for the sake of the kingdom."
This is the distinct difference in one "born gay" and one born of a particular color or ethnic group. While one can go to prison and adopt the gay lifestyle, he will not be able to change his color. We are the color we are, regardless of how we act. Being gay or straight only matters when we exercise our choice of sexuality. I can become asexual for the kingdom if necessary, I cannot become a different race. There is a difference.
I have friends and co-workers that are practicing homosexuals. I love them and accept them as they are but I do not accept or encourage the lifestyle choice. I have no doubt that it would be hard to impossible for them to change without the inner work of the Spirit. I don't challenge them or encourage them in their choice but I am honest in my opinion when the subject comes up, which is not very often. I tolerate their choice and they tolerate mine. We appreciate each other but do not agree on this issue.
Their stance is that they were born this way and therefore God must be OK with the way they are. My position is that "from the beginning, the Creator made us male and female, and for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh" (Matt 19:5). We both have the right to come to the conclusions we have in the manner that we came to them. But that does not mean that we are both right.
I will tolerate the beliefs of others, whether homosexual, pagan, Muslim, fundamentalist, alarmist, whatever. But I do not intend to give up my God-given and First Amendment upheld right to embrace my faith and live it out in the manner I believe to be true. I do not seek to impose my beliefs on others and I would welcome the attempts of others to impose their beliefs on me. I believe in tolerance, do you? Jus' Ask'n.
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