I am originally from Missouri, the "Show Me State." While talk is cheap, our motto suggests that actions speak louder and more reliably. And, in Missouri, while hearing leaves room for doubt, seeing is believing. Only, it's not.
Actually, seeing is quite the opposite of believing. The very insistance of seeing before accepting is based on the fact that one does not believe - it is the antithesis of faith. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Heb 11:1). The essential element of hope in belief does not allow a faith based on sightt for "hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?" (Rom 8:24).
It was the unbelievers in Jesus day who demanded of him, "What sign can you show to prove your authority to do all this?" (Jn 2:18). They were not interested in faith or believing in the words of the Lord, they wanted proof, they wanted to see.
Not even the disciples were immune to this weakness of faith. Doubting Thomas (who was not from Missouri but lived in a show me state of mind) replied to those who said the Lord had risen, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my fingerr where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe" (Jn 20:25). He wouldn't believe then either, he would know.
By the way, Thomas wasn't the only one who struggled with believing: "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).
I'm going to go out on a limb here and assert that this stubborn refusal to believe in the risen Christ hasn't entirely been erased in the Christian Community even to this day. While we may talk a good game about our faith in him, how many of us truly live fearless lives, fully confident in the victory that is already our in Christ? Do you recall our Lord's words, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33).
Here's the deal: We don't have to see what the future holds in order to have confidence in the outcome. We have to have faith in the One who holds our future, for "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7). For again, "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Heb 11:1). Jus' Say'n.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Trading South
Manhattan Island has been purported to have been bought from Indians by the Dutch for $24, which has to be one of the all time deals gone south. Even when you factor in the exchange rate and inflation for the 60 guilders, it only comes to $951.08 USD (according to Google article by Matt Soniak). There might be a bit of a twist, however, as there is some evidence that the Indians who sold the land were just traveling through and sold a piece of land for which they had no property rights. So whose deal went south? Not sure but someone got something for nothing.
You've probably made one of those deals yourself, where you were taken to the cleaners by someone who was less than forthright and/or you were not taking the time and trouble to really think it through. Looking back on the deal you could just kick yourself for being so bone-headed. In the late 70s, I sold a 65 Mustang for $500. When I told the individual what I wanted, he immediately said, "Sold" and handed me five $100 bills. I had no notion of the potential value of that car, he apparently did. I have often wondered what that car is worth today.
In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau came in from hunting, extremely hungry. His younger twin brother, Jacob, was cooking some stew and Esau asked for some. Jacob agreed but only in exchange for his brother's birthright (his standing in the family and the lion's share of inheritance). Esau agreed saying, "Look, I am about to die. What good is that birthright to me?" (v. 32). Hmmm. I'm thinking "impulse buying," what about you? Yeah, he didn't really think this one through, did he?
But of course, that narrative is not in the Bible just for history's sake. It is there for our learning as a warning against trading off what is vitally important for what is immediately gratifying. For instance, trading away your marriage for a one-night stand. Or, trading away your job for a few under-the-table office supplies. How about trading everything you've worked for and everyone you love for life as a crack addict?
Far worse than all mentioned above, how many trade their life eternal in heaven for temporary material gain here on earth. How many trade their heavenly birthright for earthly stew. That's what the story of Jacob and Esau is all about relly. It's about the temptaton given rise by immediate desires that eclipses the eternal value of godliness. As Jesus queried, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mk 8:36). Jus' Ask'n.
You've probably made one of those deals yourself, where you were taken to the cleaners by someone who was less than forthright and/or you were not taking the time and trouble to really think it through. Looking back on the deal you could just kick yourself for being so bone-headed. In the late 70s, I sold a 65 Mustang for $500. When I told the individual what I wanted, he immediately said, "Sold" and handed me five $100 bills. I had no notion of the potential value of that car, he apparently did. I have often wondered what that car is worth today.
In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau came in from hunting, extremely hungry. His younger twin brother, Jacob, was cooking some stew and Esau asked for some. Jacob agreed but only in exchange for his brother's birthright (his standing in the family and the lion's share of inheritance). Esau agreed saying, "Look, I am about to die. What good is that birthright to me?" (v. 32). Hmmm. I'm thinking "impulse buying," what about you? Yeah, he didn't really think this one through, did he?
But of course, that narrative is not in the Bible just for history's sake. It is there for our learning as a warning against trading off what is vitally important for what is immediately gratifying. For instance, trading away your marriage for a one-night stand. Or, trading away your job for a few under-the-table office supplies. How about trading everything you've worked for and everyone you love for life as a crack addict?
Far worse than all mentioned above, how many trade their life eternal in heaven for temporary material gain here on earth. How many trade their heavenly birthright for earthly stew. That's what the story of Jacob and Esau is all about relly. It's about the temptaton given rise by immediate desires that eclipses the eternal value of godliness. As Jesus queried, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mk 8:36). Jus' Ask'n.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Know Peace or No Peace
The bumper sticker on the car ahead, honking anxiously and angerly at the next car up for not moving fast enough after the light turned green read, "TOO BLESSED TOO BE STRESSED." Somehow, I am not convinced.
Perhaps you've heard the story of the woman who rated and raved, honking her horn and screaming explitives at the car ahead, who was pulled over by the police. Embarrassed, she said to the officer, "I'm sorry I got carried away but I didn't think yelling at the car ahead was against the law. The officer replied, "I didn't pull you over for what you said in particular. It's just that reading your Christian bumper stickers and listening to frantic and angry way you dealt with the car ahead, I assumed you must have stolen this car."
I remember the very first time I ever heard the phrase, "I'm stressed out!" It was in the late 90s and it was uttered by the lips of a deacon's wife who was a Bible class teacher. It's not just the immature or fringe member of the church who get stressed, even some of the core members do not know peace. As a former preacher, I can tell you that some of the most tightly wound people I've known were other ministers.
How can this be? How can people of faith have no peace, when the word of Jesus run so counter to that reality? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this wold you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Knowing we have the victory, knowing that God's got this - how can we have no peace? How come we don't know peace?
Is it because people today are so much more difficult to deal with than they were when Christ walked the earth? I hardly think so. You have read about that whole crucifixion thing, right? Is it because circumstances of life are more difficult? Not likely. The entire planet was third-world and ruled by the iron fist of Rome.
We don't know peace because we refuse to accept it. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col 3:15). Did you notice that imperative, "let" rather than earn or achieve or find? The peace is available and we don't own it because we won't "let" it be so. Really? Really!
The power for peace comes from the God of Peace, which we by-pass trying to handle things on our own and relying on our own power to deal with it, whatever it may be. But the it so often turns out to be bigger, messier, more costly and more draining than we imagined. Somewhere along the line, we don't know how were going to get through it. But God knows and if we place our trust in Him, then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7). Jus' Say'n.
Perhaps you've heard the story of the woman who rated and raved, honking her horn and screaming explitives at the car ahead, who was pulled over by the police. Embarrassed, she said to the officer, "I'm sorry I got carried away but I didn't think yelling at the car ahead was against the law. The officer replied, "I didn't pull you over for what you said in particular. It's just that reading your Christian bumper stickers and listening to frantic and angry way you dealt with the car ahead, I assumed you must have stolen this car."
I remember the very first time I ever heard the phrase, "I'm stressed out!" It was in the late 90s and it was uttered by the lips of a deacon's wife who was a Bible class teacher. It's not just the immature or fringe member of the church who get stressed, even some of the core members do not know peace. As a former preacher, I can tell you that some of the most tightly wound people I've known were other ministers.
How can this be? How can people of faith have no peace, when the word of Jesus run so counter to that reality? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this wold you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33). Knowing we have the victory, knowing that God's got this - how can we have no peace? How come we don't know peace?
Is it because people today are so much more difficult to deal with than they were when Christ walked the earth? I hardly think so. You have read about that whole crucifixion thing, right? Is it because circumstances of life are more difficult? Not likely. The entire planet was third-world and ruled by the iron fist of Rome.
We don't know peace because we refuse to accept it. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" (Col 3:15). Did you notice that imperative, "let" rather than earn or achieve or find? The peace is available and we don't own it because we won't "let" it be so. Really? Really!
The power for peace comes from the God of Peace, which we by-pass trying to handle things on our own and relying on our own power to deal with it, whatever it may be. But the it so often turns out to be bigger, messier, more costly and more draining than we imagined. Somewhere along the line, we don't know how were going to get through it. But God knows and if we place our trust in Him, then the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7). Jus' Say'n.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Racial Divide
When I was a little boy, I learned to sing, "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of tthe world." The Bible clearly taught that. The church of my youth clearly believe that. Nonetheless, as a child of the 50s, I was raised in a truly black and white divide.
At that time, not only were the school segregated, so were churches. In some of the white churches that allowed people of color to attend, they would have a seperate entrance and a loft where blacks sit while the whites sat on the main floor. This practice reflected the civil separation seen in back-of-the-bus seating and separate washroom and drinking fountains. Yes, Jesus loved the little children but the church and the country wanted each in their own place.
Why is that? Why, even in the church, has it been taking so long to break down the dividing wall of hostility? Because, we live in a fallen world where sin divides. "In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one" (Gal 3:28), becasue Jesus "...destroyed the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:14). But in our sinful self, we keep the wall erected. We do that because, while we admire Jesus and are great fans, we are not such great followers.
I'm not saying this is true of everyone. Some Christians are truly color blind. Too many, however, are blind in many ways but color is not one of them. If we truly saw what Jesus saw, we would embrace every color and culture as children of our Father, therefore, brothers and sisters with us. When we truly follow Jesus, our path takes us directly to individuals and nations of all stripes. Followers of Jesus go down the same color-blind, culture neutral path as our Lord.
And if the Racial Divide is ever to completely erased, it will be becasue the Church is filled with followers, not fans. We can't depend on the government to unite us - there are too many in politics who, like Al Sharpton, have a vested interest in keeping the divide alive. The Church, one Christian at a time, reaching out to one individual at a time, can, and has been, closing the Racial Divide.
Each of us needs to be about the kingdom business of "Going into all the world and preaching the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15), "doing good to all people" (Gal 6:10). The Racial Divide starts with you and me. It also ends with us. Or, it continues because of us - because we act in divisive ways or fail to speak out against the divisiveness. Jus' Say'n.
At that time, not only were the school segregated, so were churches. In some of the white churches that allowed people of color to attend, they would have a seperate entrance and a loft where blacks sit while the whites sat on the main floor. This practice reflected the civil separation seen in back-of-the-bus seating and separate washroom and drinking fountains. Yes, Jesus loved the little children but the church and the country wanted each in their own place.
Why is that? Why, even in the church, has it been taking so long to break down the dividing wall of hostility? Because, we live in a fallen world where sin divides. "In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one" (Gal 3:28), becasue Jesus "...destroyed the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2:14). But in our sinful self, we keep the wall erected. We do that because, while we admire Jesus and are great fans, we are not such great followers.
I'm not saying this is true of everyone. Some Christians are truly color blind. Too many, however, are blind in many ways but color is not one of them. If we truly saw what Jesus saw, we would embrace every color and culture as children of our Father, therefore, brothers and sisters with us. When we truly follow Jesus, our path takes us directly to individuals and nations of all stripes. Followers of Jesus go down the same color-blind, culture neutral path as our Lord.
And if the Racial Divide is ever to completely erased, it will be becasue the Church is filled with followers, not fans. We can't depend on the government to unite us - there are too many in politics who, like Al Sharpton, have a vested interest in keeping the divide alive. The Church, one Christian at a time, reaching out to one individual at a time, can, and has been, closing the Racial Divide.
Each of us needs to be about the kingdom business of "Going into all the world and preaching the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15), "doing good to all people" (Gal 6:10). The Racial Divide starts with you and me. It also ends with us. Or, it continues because of us - because we act in divisive ways or fail to speak out against the divisiveness. Jus' Say'n.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Somebody Should...
As a chaplain, I don't hear it as much, but when I was preaching a near constant mantra from members who were not active in ministry was, "Somebody should do something about..." The elision (...) would be filled with anything from picking up the grounds to providing for the homeless. My response was to invite them to act on it.
The response I normally received in return was something like,"Well, I didn't mean me!" What I had to say in reply was very simply, "Why not? You are somebody." The conversation usually came to an end right about then with some stammering and stuttering as the member walked away without stepping up to the task. The point? Somebody should and somebody could but somebody wouldn't because too many don't want to be somebody when it comes to doing something about messy, real-life problems.
I hope you don't take this simply as a cutesy word play on an abstract idea but rather as a way of drawing attention to a real need in our world, in our individual lives and for the kingdom of God. We need to be the somebody everyone talks about that sees a need and sets about to meet that need. Our lives cannot be simply about us, our needs and our comfort zones.
I am not one who advocates that God has a purpose for everyone personally. What I do firmly believe and strongly advocate is that God has a purpose and he has plans in play to which he invites each of us to participate. There may be a major, long-standing mission or a divine intersection with a single individual in need - either can be a part of God's purpose intersecting with your life, inviting you into God's purpose and plans.
Here's the deal: We all can stop waiting for God to send an angel or a vision to let us know what our purpose in life is to be. Our purpose in life is to be servants of the King and to serve where we see a need within our time, talents and resources. Our kingdom calling is to be that "Somebody." In stead of just saying, "Somebody should...," we need to say, "Something needs to be done and I am going to see what I can do." Jus' Say'n.
The response I normally received in return was something like,"Well, I didn't mean me!" What I had to say in reply was very simply, "Why not? You are somebody." The conversation usually came to an end right about then with some stammering and stuttering as the member walked away without stepping up to the task. The point? Somebody should and somebody could but somebody wouldn't because too many don't want to be somebody when it comes to doing something about messy, real-life problems.
I hope you don't take this simply as a cutesy word play on an abstract idea but rather as a way of drawing attention to a real need in our world, in our individual lives and for the kingdom of God. We need to be the somebody everyone talks about that sees a need and sets about to meet that need. Our lives cannot be simply about us, our needs and our comfort zones.
I am not one who advocates that God has a purpose for everyone personally. What I do firmly believe and strongly advocate is that God has a purpose and he has plans in play to which he invites each of us to participate. There may be a major, long-standing mission or a divine intersection with a single individual in need - either can be a part of God's purpose intersecting with your life, inviting you into God's purpose and plans.
Here's the deal: We all can stop waiting for God to send an angel or a vision to let us know what our purpose in life is to be. Our purpose in life is to be servants of the King and to serve where we see a need within our time, talents and resources. Our kingdom calling is to be that "Somebody." In stead of just saying, "Somebody should...," we need to say, "Something needs to be done and I am going to see what I can do." Jus' Say'n.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Living By Faith
I was reading from Genesis chapterr 12 this morning, where God tells Abram (later Abraham), "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you" (vs 1). In this calling, God does not give any of the important details one would like to know before pulling up stakes and heading out such as where am I going and what will I do when I ge there. The Lord tells him to go and along the way he will be directed.
Abraham, the Father of Faith, begins his walk of faith, which will be the call of all disciples as "the righteous will live by faith" (Rom 1:17). We are not called to work out a detailed plan before making a commitment, we are called to make a commitmen to follow the Lord and then follow his lead in our lives.
It is not that we cannot or should not make plans in life but that we need to "seek first the kingdom and his righteousness" (Matt 6:33a) and accept the fact God may overrule or redirect at any point. As Solomon said, "Many are the plans in a pesons's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov 19:21). When we are committed to God, we willing embrace his contol in our lives and his right to make course corrections at any point.
Living by faith doesn't mean that we keep our eyes closed to reality but that we keep our hearts and minds open to the Spirit. Reality isn't only about the things we can see. So often there are things happening in the background of which we have no knowledge. That big promotion may put a big target on your back. You may now be in the crosshairs of enemies you never knew existed - you may even elevate your profile for Satan. A move may move you closer to trouble.
On the other hand, moves and job changes and such may be God opening your life to blessings and opportunities. The question is "Are you looking to and listening for the Lord or are you just making your own plans and doing your own thing regardless of or without thought of God's will? Remember, it is in followng God's prompting and seeking his will that "all these things (your needs) will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33b).
Living by faith is to accept the testimony of God's Word and listen to the prompting of His Spirit, which means that you are opening the Bible daily and daily opening your heart in prayer. Living by faith is not a leap in the dark, it is a walk in the Light. Jus' Say'n.
Abraham, the Father of Faith, begins his walk of faith, which will be the call of all disciples as "the righteous will live by faith" (Rom 1:17). We are not called to work out a detailed plan before making a commitment, we are called to make a commitmen to follow the Lord and then follow his lead in our lives.
It is not that we cannot or should not make plans in life but that we need to "seek first the kingdom and his righteousness" (Matt 6:33a) and accept the fact God may overrule or redirect at any point. As Solomon said, "Many are the plans in a pesons's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" (Prov 19:21). When we are committed to God, we willing embrace his contol in our lives and his right to make course corrections at any point.
Living by faith doesn't mean that we keep our eyes closed to reality but that we keep our hearts and minds open to the Spirit. Reality isn't only about the things we can see. So often there are things happening in the background of which we have no knowledge. That big promotion may put a big target on your back. You may now be in the crosshairs of enemies you never knew existed - you may even elevate your profile for Satan. A move may move you closer to trouble.
On the other hand, moves and job changes and such may be God opening your life to blessings and opportunities. The question is "Are you looking to and listening for the Lord or are you just making your own plans and doing your own thing regardless of or without thought of God's will? Remember, it is in followng God's prompting and seeking his will that "all these things (your needs) will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33b).
Living by faith is to accept the testimony of God's Word and listen to the prompting of His Spirit, which means that you are opening the Bible daily and daily opening your heart in prayer. Living by faith is not a leap in the dark, it is a walk in the Light. Jus' Say'n.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
What On Earth Are You Doing, For Heaven's Sake?
Cute title, huh? I can't take credit for it. It's one I heard or read somewhere, sometime from someone. I have no idea how I came upon it, only that it is not original with me. Of course, as one of my professors at Harding once quipped, "Original thought is the product of a poor memory." In other words, everything we think comes from some other source.
Nonetheless, the title, whatever it's origin, provides a foundation for a very important discussion: What are we doing on planet earth for the sake of God's kingdom? Are we serving kingdom interests in our earthly existence? Am I, are you, serving God or self? These are the questions that you and I need to answer.
To help answer those questions, I would begin by asking how big a role does comfort play in deciding what I will do? Serving God will often stretch us beyond our comfort zone. If I am unwilling to serve in uncomfortable situations or places, it is doubtful that God's will is my first concern. Consider the lives of the apostles and the life of Christ - how big a role did comfort play in what they chose to do? Answer: Not much. Remember Jesus' prayer in the garden: "Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mk 14:36).
How much weight does safety bear on your decision to serve other? Are you unwilling to go to places that have some risk attached? Are you unwilling to be in contact with street people, people struggling with addictions, people in prison, etc.? Are unstable countries written off your mission list?
Is a mission trip to a third world country out of the question because it will be uncomfortable and risky? Are you willing to give up comfort and safety to advance the cause of Christ and extend the borders of the kingdom? We can't go everywhere but are you willing to go anywhere? If not to another country, how about to another neighborhood? How about to a third world like journey to an American inner city effort? How about with the homeless in your own town?
Do you get the picture? What on earth are you dong for heaven's sake coompared to what your are doing for your own sake? Do you remember Jesus' words in Matthew 25:45? "...whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me." The least of whom? The hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, prisoners - people in uncomfortable and unsafe places (cf. Matt 25:44). People for whom service would take you out of your comfort zone.
So, what are you doing? Are you kingdom driven or self-serving? Jus' Ask'n.
Nonetheless, the title, whatever it's origin, provides a foundation for a very important discussion: What are we doing on planet earth for the sake of God's kingdom? Are we serving kingdom interests in our earthly existence? Am I, are you, serving God or self? These are the questions that you and I need to answer.
To help answer those questions, I would begin by asking how big a role does comfort play in deciding what I will do? Serving God will often stretch us beyond our comfort zone. If I am unwilling to serve in uncomfortable situations or places, it is doubtful that God's will is my first concern. Consider the lives of the apostles and the life of Christ - how big a role did comfort play in what they chose to do? Answer: Not much. Remember Jesus' prayer in the garden: "Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will" (Mk 14:36).
How much weight does safety bear on your decision to serve other? Are you unwilling to go to places that have some risk attached? Are you unwilling to be in contact with street people, people struggling with addictions, people in prison, etc.? Are unstable countries written off your mission list?
Is a mission trip to a third world country out of the question because it will be uncomfortable and risky? Are you willing to give up comfort and safety to advance the cause of Christ and extend the borders of the kingdom? We can't go everywhere but are you willing to go anywhere? If not to another country, how about to another neighborhood? How about to a third world like journey to an American inner city effort? How about with the homeless in your own town?
Do you get the picture? What on earth are you dong for heaven's sake coompared to what your are doing for your own sake? Do you remember Jesus' words in Matthew 25:45? "...whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me." The least of whom? The hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, prisoners - people in uncomfortable and unsafe places (cf. Matt 25:44). People for whom service would take you out of your comfort zone.
So, what are you doing? Are you kingdom driven or self-serving? Jus' Ask'n.
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