Questions

It is interesting to listen in on a conversation, where both parties are trying hard to get their points across but are hardly tyring to listen to the other.  Over speak, wherein each try to talk over the other as they try to continue advancing their ideas without having to consider what the other has to say, is a fairly common phenomenon.

At the end of a presentation by someone who is an expert on the subject, when questions are solicited, even though you know everyone did not get everything being said - silence, no one ventures to ask for illumination.  And then one hand goes up, not to truly ask a question but to demonstrate his/her knowledge on the subject queries, "Dont you think that...?"

In an effort not to appear foolish or ignorant, we often insure that we remain ignorant by our foolish reluctance to ask questions.  In stark contrast, Jesus, of whom the Bible says "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man" (Lk 2:52), when left behind at the temple, was later found "sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions" (Lk 2:42).

Here we have 12 year-old, God incarnate Jesus, the source of wisdom and knowledge, asking questions.  Of course, in human form, he needed to grow and develop, but how many almost-thirteen year-old are in to asking questions?  Do you remember when your kids were becoming teens?  Do you remember when you were that age?  We knew so much more than our parents at that age, what could anyone over 30 have to share with us?

But Jesus, who actually was developing well beyond his years, knew enough to ask questions and quietly listen to his elders.  When he was questioned by them, because he did listen and learn, "Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers" (Lk 2:47).

When I began my journey of formal religious and theological education, I was quick to answer when a professor asked a question.  I had all the answers.  By the time I was working   on my doctorate, I had discovered that I had almost no answers and was eager to ask questions.  At the completion of my formal studies, I walked away with more questions than I had answers.  I had finally learned enough to know how little I actually knew.

I'm not saying that I go dumber (more ignorant) as I advanced in my studies.  What I am saying is that I learned to sit dumber (less talkative) as I listened to what was being said and asked question at the end of lectures to insure I had a grasp of what was being shared in order to pursue further study on the subject.

If couples actually asked questions and then listened closely to the answer instead of formulating a rebuttal, their would be so much less divorce.  If politicians would come to the table, ready to hear the other side before coming to a decision, they would have so much more bi-partisan bills moving forward.  If church members asked questions, listened intently for the answer before adding to the discussion, like our Lord Jesus, would grow in wisdom and stature.

Any questions?  Jus' Ask'n.

Seeing Everything

When someone sees something that is incredible, amazing, shocking or beyond the pale, so to speak, it is common to hear them say, "Now I've seen everything!"  Of course, they haven't seen everything, their ability to accept what they have seen has simply been stretched to the limits of credulity.

There are some exceptions, however.  God, for instance, has seen everything: "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 4:13).  That would be something that we should keep in mind the next time we're about to do something thinking, "No one will ever know."

Of course, you're not surprised to hear that God has seen everything, that should go without saying that the Creator of all things has seen everything.  But there is another, a regular Joe like you or me, referred to in the Bible as simply, "a man named Simeon."  This nondescript individual, incredible as it may seem, actually saw everything.

And when he did, finally see everything, said what many have said, tongue in cheek, when they have witnessed something really awesome, "Now I can die happy."  He didn't say it in exactly those words and he wasn't overstating his case employing hyperbole.  He did see everything and he could now die happy: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations" (Lk 2:29-31).

Simeon was there when Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus at the temple.  His eyes bore witness to what the Spirit had promised him and that for which all of creation had been waiting, the Coming Christ, God incarnate.  Simeon saw the One "Through [whom] all things were made; without [whom] nothing was made that has been made" (Jn 1:3).  Simeon saw everything.

The Bible is very clear that in seeing and accepting Jesus we have everything, while refusing to do so leaves us with nothing for he is "the way, the truth and the life [and] no one comes to the Father without [him]" (Jn 14:6).

Have you seen Jesus?  Have you accepted him?  Jus' Ask'n.

Leaving Room For Mystery

I am a left-brain, linear thinking, 1-2-3, abc, Missouri show me, kind of guy.  Theologically, I was molded from the 19th Century Restoration Movement, which is often referred to as Campbellism after the leading thinker of the movement, Mr Left Brain himself, Alexander Campbell, who was famous for his capacity to logically work through difficult texts and systematically present biblical doctrine and theology.

I have spent my entire adult life seeking to be a thorough-going biblicist, who "correctly handles the Word of Truth" (2 Tim 2:15).  My religious and theological training extends through college, graduate school and seminary, earning enough degrees to become a thermometer.  My left brain went on an  educational journey of a lifetime.

For a time, I knew everything.  I was the answer man.  If you had a question, I probably had an answer.  If I didn't, just give me a few day to search through my 1,000+ volume personal library and I would uncover the answer, deducing it with laser-focused, left-brain accuracy.  Yes indeed, I had all the answers - Not!

I had all the conclusions my doctoral training could conjure up, but, in actuality, I had only begun to scratch the surface of biblical, divine truth.  The problem with me or anyone fully knowing and understanding divine truth is  “...my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Is 55:8-9).

God's thoughts and his ways are a mystery to be revealed to us, not simply by study alone but require revelation: "The person without the Spirit...cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit" (1 Cor 2:14).  Despite our best academic efforts, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us..." (Deut 29:29).

So, I don't and won't fully understand the nature of God.  I don't understand why everything is the way it is or even what way everything is.  There are some things that I accept just because God said it.  Somethings I don't understand at all.  Sometimes, I just scratch my head and to pursue the topic further just makes my brain hurt.  Some things are just a mystery.  And that is OK for God is not one I am capable of fully deciphering.  I have no choice but to leave room in my theological and religious constructs for the mystery of the Almighty.  Jus' Say'n.

No Way? Yahweh!

There was a cartoon of Jesus talking to his disciples, telling them of their Divine calling to which they replied, "No way!"  And then Jesus responded, "Yahweh!"  While I don't usually like jokes involving Jesus or the Father, this one is really spot on theologically.  The disciples incredulous, "This can't be done!" is being me with Jesus' affirmation, "Yes in God it can!"  Luke 18:27, "Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.'"

I was reading from Luke 1 this morning, where Zechariah the priest was being informed by the angel Gabriel that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son and Zechariah's incredulous response was, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years" (vs. 18).  The angel's response was definitive: “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news" (vs. 19).

How can I be sure?  God said it!  And as the Lord himself says, "...my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isa 55:11).  There us to be a bumper sticker that read, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it."  I would shorten that slogan to simply, "God said, that settles it."  As we see with Zechariah, it doesn't matter if we believe it or not, God's affirmations are firm and will happen.

So, when God promises, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt 6:33),  why do you "...worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. (vs. 25)?  Why don't you relax about tomorrow and rejoice in the comfort of God's promises?

As you look at your circumstances, you may be saying to yourself, "This is impossible, there is no way I can do this!"  And you may be right about your ability.  With you there may be no way, but then there is Yahweh!  With God, impossible is not a barrier.  The only barrier to his blessings in your life is your unwillingness or inability to "believe and receive" for "...whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mk 11:24).

No way?  Not even close!  Yahweh?  Absolutely!  Jus' Say'n.

Doing The Math

We had our weekend all planned out.  We were going to lower our new portable shed by 6 inches, build a ramp for our motorcycles and wire the out building with receptacles and a light.  With these things completed we could then move our bikes to the shed and finally get my car into our garage.

It was a perfect plan, except for one thing, we didn't do the math.  We decided how big a ramp we wanted and what we wanted wired inside the shed, went to Lowes with our card that had a credit on  it to cover the costs of materials, which we purchased and returned ready to tackle the job.

With the help of a friend who knew how to build a ramp, we decided to get the ramp out of the way first.  However, the first leg of our journey to completing the the shed project, was the last leg we were standing on at the end of the weekend when we collapsed in defeat.  The ramp, which had been laid out by our friend and brought to a point that we could finish it on our own, ran into a snag or two (including burning the motor out of a table saw) but was completed to the dimensions we had decided would be adequate.  Again, however, we didn't do the math.

With the ramp complete, we were ready to take our bikes inside.  Tandie suggested I take mine in first since I she hadn't taken a bike up a ramp in a while, so off I went.  It was smooth sailing until I high-centered on the entrance way due to fact that - What?  Right, I didn't do the math.  Due to the length of my wheel base and the distance of the lowest part of my frame to thee ground, it seemed our ramp was probably about two feet too short to allow clearance.  It was a loud and sudden stop inside the doorway.

The ironic thing about this is that my wife, Tandie, is taking college algebra and knows how to figure slope ratios to allow the needed clearance.  Of course, it would have helped if I had asked her to do the math before I jumped in to build the ramp.  It would have helped if I had spent some time praying and thinking about it before tackling it as I might have been reminded of my Lord's warning to do the math in Luke 14:28, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

Of course, He wasn't talking about ramps and slopes in particular, he was using an analogy warning us to add up the cost of commitment required to be His disciple before taking that step - do the math. Ha I applied his analogy to my project, I could have spared us a weekend on a project that came to such a disappointing end.  Now, as we do the math, it is looking like it might be be more cost effective to hire someone who  does this kind of thing for a living than spend another weekend tearing up the one we built and trying to build another one.

Sorry Lord, you  warned me to do the math, had supplied me with an algebra-equipped mind but I failed to listen and do the math.  Oh, did I mention I am fighting the urge to jump in and try it again?  How does that even add up?  Will I multiply my losses with another run at it or divide my agony by hiring a professional?  WWJD?  Well, as a carpenter by trade and God of the universe, he would do it right.  What would he have me do?  I believe it would be to use the gifts he has given me, one of which is not ramp-building.  And don't even get me started on possibilities of angst if I were to try to wire this shed.

So, what's the takeaway?  Listen to Jesus.  Whatever you are about to do, take some time to prayerfully and carefully consider the cost.  Do the math before making a mess.  Jus' Say'n.

A Man Like Me

When Nehemiah, who had been given permission and provisions to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem by the king of Persia, had completed the task all but setting the massive gate, he was warned by Shemaiah to go with him and lock themselves in the Temple because men were coming by night to kill him.

His response was epic: "Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” (Neh 6:11).  Nehemiah knew the entire time he was building the wall that his life was at risk.  He also knew that Shemaiah was not prophesying for the Lord but for the money he had been paid by Sandballat and Tobiah, who were dead set against the wall being completed.

Regardless of the threat and the traitorous acts of some within his ranks, Nehemiah would not be derailed because he had a one-track mind: The mind of God.  He knew that he was doing the work God had set in his heart and he would not stop the work, even at the threat of his life.  His personal safety was not to be compared with his sacred duty.

That's what he meant when he said, "Shall a man like me run away."  He was not commenting on his status or stature or strength but rather on his servant status before the Living God.  He was saying, in effect, "Shall a man serving God Almighty, turn away from that service and run for cover or safety at the threat of man?"

Should anyone, who is a child of God, doing the work of God turn back because others don't like what he/she is doing?  Should we, as Christians, back off doing what we know to be God's will because discouraging or threatening rebukes from others?  Should we allow our personal safety or financial security determine the degree of our commitment to God?

The answer is a firm and resounding no! “'My righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.'  But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved" (Heb 10:38-39).  As Christians, we do not need to test the winds of public opinion or even the threat level to decide what course we should take, rather, we are to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt 6:33).  Jus' Say'n.

The Fathers Face

Too many years ago to remember, I came across the story of a young husband who lost his wife, leaving him with a small boy to raise on his own.  The night after his wife and the boy's mother was laid to rest, the little boy wanted to sleep with his father.

As they lay in the darkness, the child, unable to sleep asked, "Daddy?"  His father responded, "Yes son?"  "Daddy, is your face toward me?"  Through his tears, the young widower replied, "Yes son, my face is toward you.  Why do you ask?"  The reply he heard in the darkness was, "I think I will be OK as long as your face is toward me."

Do you remember those days when just knowing your parents were looking out for you, paying attention to what was going on around you, ready to step in and protect you or provide for your needs?  Do you remember how safe you felt, how worry free?

What if we knew that The Father's face was toward us, that he stood ready to protect and provide.  What if we knew that saw every hurt, heard every cry, knew every danger and was already working out our deliverance, already sending a blessing, already moving to act on our behalf?  What if we really believed that God's face was toward us?

Let me share some Good News: The Father's face is absolutely toward us!  "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Pet 3:12).  His eyes are watching over us and his ears are listening for our cries, ready to rush to our side, providing and protecting his children.

Of course, this isn't good news for those who do evil, who take advantage of the weak or ignore the needy.  God is fully aware of those individuals as well, only he turns his face away from them, allowing them to reap the evil they are sowing (Gal 6:7).

But for those of us who turn away from evil, seeking the Father's face, there grace and mercy and love abound - there the Father's face is toward us and his hands uphold us and he "will never leave us as orphans" (Jn 14:18) but always stand by us, watching over us.  Jus' Say'n.