It is often easier to have faith for someone or something that is more or less removed from us, than it is for something or someone more or less near to us. I wonder in part why that is. We ought to be most in prayer for what is going on around us. Surely there are a number of factors at work.
We see the problems firsthand, and indeed are often part of the problem ourselves, perhaps just as often unknown to us. This is the beauty of faith and of God's working. It includes everyone. One of the reasons I love the "Our Father", "Lord's Prayer." Sometimes it takes more faith to believe God will change something we've lived with for a long time, than it does to believe God can change something else removed from us. This is why we need to be praying for others with reference to the troubles they live in, as well as persevering in our weakness to hold before God our own troubles, and not give up. We in Jesus need each other, and we need to persevere in faith ourselves in the midst of ongoing problems.
Of course there's much more to say on this, and draw out on it. What would anyone like to add here?
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trouble. Show all posts
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
continuing on in Jesus
In this 1 John 2 passage, we are told that we are taught by God to abide or remain in Christ. And that if we continue in him, when he appears we won't shrink back or be ashamed at his coming (same Greek word, each of the italics).
There are so many things that hit us day by day, some hard, others not so, but maybe subtly so, to get us off track from continuing on in Jesus. But our only hope is to remain and abide in him. To be at home with him more and more. Not just by ourselves, but with others in Jesus, and not just for ourselves, or just for them, but for the world. We need to keep all of this together in our perspective, and as to what we're all about.
Continuing on in Jesus is vital for ourselves, but also for others. We need to not waver, and when we do waver, to simply endeavor to carry on in Jesus. We can be sure this will be tested time and time again, and that such testing surely won't end in this life. But we need to make such testings occasions to bind us closer in our weakness to Christ. To make us more dependent on him.
We don't know what a day may bring forth, but we want to be those who continue on in Jesus, no matter what. So that God will have his way in our lives, together, and for the world.
What might you like to add to this?
There are so many things that hit us day by day, some hard, others not so, but maybe subtly so, to get us off track from continuing on in Jesus. But our only hope is to remain and abide in him. To be at home with him more and more. Not just by ourselves, but with others in Jesus, and not just for ourselves, or just for them, but for the world. We need to keep all of this together in our perspective, and as to what we're all about.
Continuing on in Jesus is vital for ourselves, but also for others. We need to not waver, and when we do waver, to simply endeavor to carry on in Jesus. We can be sure this will be tested time and time again, and that such testing surely won't end in this life. But we need to make such testings occasions to bind us closer in our weakness to Christ. To make us more dependent on him.
We don't know what a day may bring forth, but we want to be those who continue on in Jesus, no matter what. So that God will have his way in our lives, together, and for the world.
What might you like to add to this?
Monday, August 31, 2009
accepting difficulty
I have found that accepting difficulty is part and parcel of being human in a responsible way, and especially of being a Christian. A big part of walking by faith is to walk through the most difficult places, looking to God prayerfully in the midst of it. There is no doubt that life is full of difficulties and challenges. Obstacles which can make the strongest heart faint, if we let it.
Though we must remember that in our weakness we can find God's strength. And we must also remember that we're not in this life alone. No, we are part of a community of faith, faith growing mutually, by that communion with each other. And we're called to be in mission in this world.
Perhaps the biggest problem with difficulties is not the difficulties themselves, but our attitude toward them. We need to learn to accept them, knowing that in such acceptance we will find the God of peace, as we persevere through these difficulties by faith. We place our faith in God's word, and praying- we await God's good work in everything.
And we do this seeking to keep in mind, Jesus' Creed: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor- including our enemies- as ourselves. Knowing that this is at the heart of what God is seeking to work in and out of us to the world through Christ.
How do you accept difficulty? What might you like to add here?
Though we must remember that in our weakness we can find God's strength. And we must also remember that we're not in this life alone. No, we are part of a community of faith, faith growing mutually, by that communion with each other. And we're called to be in mission in this world.
Perhaps the biggest problem with difficulties is not the difficulties themselves, but our attitude toward them. We need to learn to accept them, knowing that in such acceptance we will find the God of peace, as we persevere through these difficulties by faith. We place our faith in God's word, and praying- we await God's good work in everything.
And we do this seeking to keep in mind, Jesus' Creed: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbor- including our enemies- as ourselves. Knowing that this is at the heart of what God is seeking to work in and out of us to the world through Christ.
How do you accept difficulty? What might you like to add here?
Monday, August 10, 2009
accepting difficulty
I agree with Rich Mullins in his song, Hard. More importantly, it's in line with what Jesus taught us. If we're to be true followers of Jesus in this world, the way won't be easy. We will experience something of the love, peace and joy of God through the Spirit in our lives. But we live in a world at odds with God, and we ourselves are in stages of growth. God loves us just the way we are, but too much to leave us that way, as he works in us to conform us more and more to the image of his Son. And that involves difficulty in various ways.
Accepting difficulty is an important lesson that every would be disciple/follower of Jesus needs to learn early on, and hold on to. Often it's how we accept difficulty that is important. Troubles and trials are part of our lot, along with the good times. We find that part of the blame for our troubles rests on us, part of it is just living in a fallen world, and another important part will come in our desire and endeavor to follow Jesus. This world is still a world in which we must take up our cross in identity with Jesus, in becoming like him in his death, as God's resurrection people.
But does accepting difficulty make difficulty easy? Ha. It may make it easier, but of course not! Otherwise it would no longer be difficult, of course. Life gives us its challenges due to our sins or weaknesses, due to simply existing in a world which in itself provides no lasting security, and due to our desire to be true followers of Jesus here.
But I've found that these difficulties tend to drive me to God in prayers and in getting into and remaining in God's word. And through those difficulties, over time, and mostly imperceptible to us, we grow in the grace, knowledge and likeness of our Lord Jesus.
What would anyone like to add on this?
Accepting difficulty is an important lesson that every would be disciple/follower of Jesus needs to learn early on, and hold on to. Often it's how we accept difficulty that is important. Troubles and trials are part of our lot, along with the good times. We find that part of the blame for our troubles rests on us, part of it is just living in a fallen world, and another important part will come in our desire and endeavor to follow Jesus. This world is still a world in which we must take up our cross in identity with Jesus, in becoming like him in his death, as God's resurrection people.
But does accepting difficulty make difficulty easy? Ha. It may make it easier, but of course not! Otherwise it would no longer be difficult, of course. Life gives us its challenges due to our sins or weaknesses, due to simply existing in a world which in itself provides no lasting security, and due to our desire to be true followers of Jesus here.
But I've found that these difficulties tend to drive me to God in prayers and in getting into and remaining in God's word. And through those difficulties, over time, and mostly imperceptible to us, we grow in the grace, knowledge and likeness of our Lord Jesus.
What would anyone like to add on this?
Saturday, August 08, 2009
God's care
God's care for us extends to us in so many ways in this life. We tend to focus on what might happen or what has happened, in the troubles which do beset us in a fallen world.
But with and in spite of the troubles that are inevitable, we need to see that God's goodness and love do follow us all the days of our lives, in Jesus. That God has likely kept us from much harm in ways we little know, surely at times through his ministering angels.
And we need to learn to rest in God and his care for us, bringing our every care to him. To make every effort, or struggle, paradoxically, to enter into God's rest.
We will have our moments, and maybe even hours, and for some even longer, when this seems impossible. But God will help us as we look to him in faith. He is present for us, and indeed watches over us, our coming and going both now, and forevermore, through Jesus and by the Spirit. I have found this to be so, that we can live in his peace.
How have you found this to be true in your own life? Or what might you like to say here?
But with and in spite of the troubles that are inevitable, we need to see that God's goodness and love do follow us all the days of our lives, in Jesus. That God has likely kept us from much harm in ways we little know, surely at times through his ministering angels.
And we need to learn to rest in God and his care for us, bringing our every care to him. To make every effort, or struggle, paradoxically, to enter into God's rest.
We will have our moments, and maybe even hours, and for some even longer, when this seems impossible. But God will help us as we look to him in faith. He is present for us, and indeed watches over us, our coming and going both now, and forevermore, through Jesus and by the Spirit. I have found this to be so, that we can live in his peace.
How have you found this to be true in your own life? Or what might you like to say here?
Monday, June 29, 2009
God our Refuge and Strength
God's greatness, along with his goodness knows no bounds. God is infinite and limitless, but in a way that is beyond our finitude and limitations, in other words not infinite of what we are in our finitude, but beyond that.
We live in our limits; we are frail, weak and broken. Nothing about us has arrived, in fact the strongest aspect in us can become our undoing (example: Moses once angry, becoming the meekest man on the earth, and later lashing out in anger at Israel as he disobeyed God's command as to what he was to do).
In this psalm God is the Refuge and Strength of his people. We are surrounded by troubles on every side, and there's always more at stake than meets the eye. We are walking the path our Savior has blazed by his work for us, in his death and resurrection. Now we are both living in the old world, but explicitly said to be part of the new world that has come in in Christ. This means we have to embrace, take up our cross, and follow Jesus in this life, in the way he lived, somehow sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings here, so as to become like him in his death.
God is our Refuge. He will protect us to the end, that we may live well before him, and before the world, no matter what is happening around us. Is that going to be easy? No. But by faith we must stay in the protection of the Almighty.
God is our Strength. We are weak, but in our weakness his strength is revealed. His strength, not our own, but in his strength we too will find strength so we can mount up with wings like eagles, walk and not be weary, run and not faint.
Let's not succumb to our own weaknesses, to the voice suggesting to us that our end has come, that there is no hope for us, that we can't make it. Instead we need to remember the God who is near. We need to find our protection and all that we need in him.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
What "amens" or thoughts would you like to add here?
We live in our limits; we are frail, weak and broken. Nothing about us has arrived, in fact the strongest aspect in us can become our undoing (example: Moses once angry, becoming the meekest man on the earth, and later lashing out in anger at Israel as he disobeyed God's command as to what he was to do).
In this psalm God is the Refuge and Strength of his people. We are surrounded by troubles on every side, and there's always more at stake than meets the eye. We are walking the path our Savior has blazed by his work for us, in his death and resurrection. Now we are both living in the old world, but explicitly said to be part of the new world that has come in in Christ. This means we have to embrace, take up our cross, and follow Jesus in this life, in the way he lived, somehow sharing in the fellowship of his sufferings here, so as to become like him in his death.
God is our Refuge. He will protect us to the end, that we may live well before him, and before the world, no matter what is happening around us. Is that going to be easy? No. But by faith we must stay in the protection of the Almighty.
God is our Strength. We are weak, but in our weakness his strength is revealed. His strength, not our own, but in his strength we too will find strength so we can mount up with wings like eagles, walk and not be weary, run and not faint.
Let's not succumb to our own weaknesses, to the voice suggesting to us that our end has come, that there is no hope for us, that we can't make it. Instead we need to remember the God who is near. We need to find our protection and all that we need in him.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46
What "amens" or thoughts would you like to add here?
Thursday, June 18, 2009
under pressure
We don't need pressure all the time. As the psalmist points out, we need those seasons of quietness and refeshing.
But it's interesting to me how I often see the Lord's hand on my life most clearly, and see the most blessing during the hard, challenging times. If I'm not pushed to the limit, I can easily end up eventually drifting, and becoming lax in my faith and walk in God.
Life inherently in this existence comes with it problems, without and within. Compounded as we seek to follow Jesus with others in mission. Jesus' life is made manifest through us in the crucible of our struggles and weaknesses. So we should never give into despair, but see all of life as an opportunity to glorify God in seeking to follow Christ through good times and bad.
What would you like to add from your own life, or thoughts, on this?
But it's interesting to me how I often see the Lord's hand on my life most clearly, and see the most blessing during the hard, challenging times. If I'm not pushed to the limit, I can easily end up eventually drifting, and becoming lax in my faith and walk in God.
Life inherently in this existence comes with it problems, without and within. Compounded as we seek to follow Jesus with others in mission. Jesus' life is made manifest through us in the crucible of our struggles and weaknesses. So we should never give into despair, but see all of life as an opportunity to glorify God in seeking to follow Christ through good times and bad.
What would you like to add from your own life, or thoughts, on this?
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
God's goodness
God is good. We have that to rest on from Scripture and in Christ.
That truth and all attending truths, one getting probably even more at the heart of everything: God is love, these truths should help us through difficult days. Sometimes we have to live in the midst of troubles without and fears within. True of me for the past several days, actually.
But God is good. We can see it in Providence, that is in God's blessings in our lives. The sunshine-filled blue skies with the green Spring-ing to life trees. What beauty! The warmth in the air, the birds singing.
Strength for another day. The desire to know God and his will in Jesus. To follow Jesus. To love God and love our neighbor. All gifts out of the goodness of our Creator.
I want to learn well during the hard times. They exist for a reason, and like all else can be used by God in our lives for our good. And I thank God for all his goodness to me, to my brothers and sisters in Jesus, to all people, and to the world.
"Your kingdom come, Father. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
What signs do you see of God's goodness in your life? What helps you through the difficult days?
That truth and all attending truths, one getting probably even more at the heart of everything: God is love, these truths should help us through difficult days. Sometimes we have to live in the midst of troubles without and fears within. True of me for the past several days, actually.
But God is good. We can see it in Providence, that is in God's blessings in our lives. The sunshine-filled blue skies with the green Spring-ing to life trees. What beauty! The warmth in the air, the birds singing.
Strength for another day. The desire to know God and his will in Jesus. To follow Jesus. To love God and love our neighbor. All gifts out of the goodness of our Creator.
I want to learn well during the hard times. They exist for a reason, and like all else can be used by God in our lives for our good. And I thank God for all his goodness to me, to my brothers and sisters in Jesus, to all people, and to the world.
"Your kingdom come, Father. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
What signs do you see of God's goodness in your life? What helps you through the difficult days?
Saturday, February 14, 2009
God's goodness
A big part of the life of faith consists in really learning to trust in God's goodness. We affirm what Scripture says, that God is good. Yet we struggle when bad things happen to us and around us. And we struggle with fears over what might happen, since we live in a world which is full of trouble. And there's no doubt that we will have troubles in this life.
To learn to begin to really rest in God's goodness is an important aspect of the life of faith for us in Jesus. As we persist in that, through the bad times and good, we will begin to see God's goodness at work in our lives, in a kind of unfolding way. In a way in which we can see progress in ourselves. And seeing change towards becoming holy and more like the Lord, is at the same time satisfying to us. We are becoming more as our Creator made us to be, more human. By grace we are tasting more and more that the Lord is good, and we are remaining in that goodness.
I am learning this in my own life. Certainly requires faith, and sometimes prayers from others to help us overcome our lack of faith, as well as dependence on God to keep going on in that. True for myself!
When we depart, of course the Lord is faithful to work to bring us to our senses. We all need to keep learning more and more to trust in God's goodness. To learn more and more to rest in that. And to even revel in it. Seeing it in the little things of life, as well as the bigger. And trusting through the dark and difficult times that God's goodness will prevail.
Anything you'd like to share on God's goodness?
Friday, January 30, 2009
life's challenges
Often it seems we grow the most when faced with challenges. Challenges which are beyond us, beyond our ability to often understand or cope with. This is when we most have to lean on God. And in the process, I can be growing in significant measure in both understanding, as well as necessary change- from God. Yet those can be some of the most difficult places, as well as times, to live in. And we won't ever understand it all, nor fathom the work of God even in our own lives. A case in point from Scripture is Job.
I like it when I have some respite from challenges. Although in a true sense I see all of life as a challenge to follow on with the Lord. But we need those green pastures, and still waters, along with the restoration/refreshing of our souls. So it's good to just be able to relax and rest in God's presence as well, away from the noise and tumult of the times. I have to testify that my wife helps me immensely in that. And hopefully we are a buffer for each other through our help and prayers. Hopefully we can learn to be that way with each other in Jesus in our sojourn here.
We need to see life's inevitable challenges as opportunities to grow in Jesus. To do so as those in community with others in Jesus, and before the world. Living out together the very life of Jesus in this world. Showing the love of the Father, the image of the Son, and the life of the Spirit in a world that needs to see this.
What words or insights would you like to add to this?
I like it when I have some respite from challenges. Although in a true sense I see all of life as a challenge to follow on with the Lord. But we need those green pastures, and still waters, along with the restoration/refreshing of our souls. So it's good to just be able to relax and rest in God's presence as well, away from the noise and tumult of the times. I have to testify that my wife helps me immensely in that. And hopefully we are a buffer for each other through our help and prayers. Hopefully we can learn to be that way with each other in Jesus in our sojourn here.
We need to see life's inevitable challenges as opportunities to grow in Jesus. To do so as those in community with others in Jesus, and before the world. Living out together the very life of Jesus in this world. Showing the love of the Father, the image of the Son, and the life of the Spirit in a world that needs to see this.
What words or insights would you like to add to this?
Thursday, December 18, 2008
the hard places
What about those tired, hard places during which one has little or no sense of God's presence? We encounter this on certain days, and during certain times on most days. We find life has hit us with some hard knocks, big and little, and it doesn't seem like it's getting easier.
When one studies Israel during the time of Jesus, you find the sense of being in a hard place. They were under Rome's heel, so to speak, and not all was good and pleasant. Taxes was one obvious weight, as was the sense that in spite of a good number of them being back in the land with the temple rebuilt (albeit Herod's temple) this just couldn't be even close to the fulfillment promised by the prophets in Scripture, as in Isaiah. The LORD was not ruling, and what was going on, even amongst themselves, was not all right or kosher.
Then comes Jesus. Yes, God-with-us, Emmanuel. This brought joy at its inception for the few insiders who did share the news with others. But this coming turned into another way which in itself was hard, the way of the cross. This was to a large extent at the heart of Jesus' first coming. It was not an easy road, this Calvary road. Jesus was fulfilling the promises of God in ways unexpected.
Of course the place of Jesus' birth in its circumstances and setting, was not pleasant or comfortable. After a long trip, especially for a woman near delivering her child, they end up perhaps in a cave, but using a feeding trough (manger) as a bed for the newborn with animals possibly nearby.
Jesus made a new way for us, and in this life we in him share in that way. We must therefore take up our cross and follow, not adding to, but in proclaiming and seeking to live in and live out this salvation which has been accomplished for us in Jesus. But the way we do that is to learn to accept and to live well in our hard places.
Not easy, and though I've come a long way in my life, God is not finished with me yet in this. I see that God's necessary work continues, when I really am not dealing with the difficulty in a way which sees it as God's way for me, or when I'm off track in being taken up with my own way, not the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. This includes all that comes to me. Something I'm working on. Something Jesus lived out and by his salvation, gives to us to live out here and now, in our witness to the world of him.
Any thoughts or sharing from your own life, here?
When one studies Israel during the time of Jesus, you find the sense of being in a hard place. They were under Rome's heel, so to speak, and not all was good and pleasant. Taxes was one obvious weight, as was the sense that in spite of a good number of them being back in the land with the temple rebuilt (albeit Herod's temple) this just couldn't be even close to the fulfillment promised by the prophets in Scripture, as in Isaiah. The LORD was not ruling, and what was going on, even amongst themselves, was not all right or kosher.
Then comes Jesus. Yes, God-with-us, Emmanuel. This brought joy at its inception for the few insiders who did share the news with others. But this coming turned into another way which in itself was hard, the way of the cross. This was to a large extent at the heart of Jesus' first coming. It was not an easy road, this Calvary road. Jesus was fulfilling the promises of God in ways unexpected.
Of course the place of Jesus' birth in its circumstances and setting, was not pleasant or comfortable. After a long trip, especially for a woman near delivering her child, they end up perhaps in a cave, but using a feeding trough (manger) as a bed for the newborn with animals possibly nearby.
Jesus made a new way for us, and in this life we in him share in that way. We must therefore take up our cross and follow, not adding to, but in proclaiming and seeking to live in and live out this salvation which has been accomplished for us in Jesus. But the way we do that is to learn to accept and to live well in our hard places.
Not easy, and though I've come a long way in my life, God is not finished with me yet in this. I see that God's necessary work continues, when I really am not dealing with the difficulty in a way which sees it as God's way for me, or when I'm off track in being taken up with my own way, not the way of the cross, the way of Jesus. This includes all that comes to me. Something I'm working on. Something Jesus lived out and by his salvation, gives to us to live out here and now, in our witness to the world of him.
Any thoughts or sharing from your own life, here?
Monday, December 08, 2008
trouble and change
We all run into troubles in life. And sometimes they're quite devastating. I think of the Joseph story in the Old Testament. Joseph in the New Testament has some parallels. Faith in the midst of trying and difficult circumstances was important for them both, and is indeed important for us all. Trouble marked the lives of Naomi and Ruth. We know the good from God that came out of all these troubles.
None of us either like or want change. But change is a big part of what happened to those named above, as well as many others in Scripture, including Jesus himself. For many where I live this has meant being laid off from their jobs. For some others it takes the form of sickness, or some other physical trouble. Or maybe an unexpected (or even, expected) divorce. All kinds of troubles can press in on us, big and small.
God is at work in the midst of it all to bring good, and change into our lives, in Jesus. I know this is true in my life. Alot of my troubles have been relatively small. But they all tend to be used by God to awaken me to needed change in my life, in one way or another. This can involve growth in becoming more like Christ in character, or growth in trusting God more, not to mention new things God may want to do. I've learned to just keep walking through and pressing on during the hard times. It seems like those are the times in which I've grown the most.
What have you learned about trouble and change?
None of us either like or want change. But change is a big part of what happened to those named above, as well as many others in Scripture, including Jesus himself. For many where I live this has meant being laid off from their jobs. For some others it takes the form of sickness, or some other physical trouble. Or maybe an unexpected (or even, expected) divorce. All kinds of troubles can press in on us, big and small.
God is at work in the midst of it all to bring good, and change into our lives, in Jesus. I know this is true in my life. Alot of my troubles have been relatively small. But they all tend to be used by God to awaken me to needed change in my life, in one way or another. This can involve growth in becoming more like Christ in character, or growth in trusting God more, not to mention new things God may want to do. I've learned to just keep walking through and pressing on during the hard times. It seems like those are the times in which I've grown the most.
What have you learned about trouble and change?
Friday, November 28, 2008
the gospel for crises
What is happening in Mumbai has captured our attention in the news. It is certainly troubling, and is an attack on the very foundations of civilization, or civilized society. Of course it reminds us of what happened on "9/11."
What does the gospel of Christ have to say to this, and how does it address it? This is challenging. The stock answer for many Christians is that it may affect such only indirectly, through the regeneration of people, in which lives are changed. And of course we know in one way or another that wars and violence are inevitable in this world until God in Christ puts a final end to it in the completion of the shalom of the kingdom.
I believe the gospel does have more to say in addressing these crises. The good news in Jesus also is about an alternative way to be human. And there is only one way to move toward being a human in the full sense of what God intended in God's creation of humans. But in this world, in Jesus, it's a way which is marked by suffering.
How do we defeat evil? The stock answer of the world is to fight fire with fire. And indeed there would seem to be justification for that when we read Romans 13. The state is there seen to be "servants of God" no less in bearing "the sword" against evil doers. But is this the way God prescribes through the gospel? I think all Christians would agree that it is not. Though we would disagree on what relationship Christians can have with the governing authorities, or "the state". Some of us would say we should not engage in "the sword" aspect of the state, while others of us would say we can, and perhaps even should.
But let's lay that last question aside, as we consider the gospel way in Jesus of fighting evil. We overcome evil with good. And specifically with the good that is rooted in Jesus and in his death, which is the epitome and ground of overcoming evil with good, and of righting all wrongs. We're to live out in Jesus his redemptive life and even death, doing so as God's resurrection people in Jesus in this world. I believe this is at the heart of what it means to live as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Of course we must start locally in how we live before others among us. But back to Mumbai. What are we to think and do about that? We must pray for all involved, including the terrorists. We must pray for God's intervention and for God's justice and mercy. And we should be praying for Christians who in these places can live out the light of the gospel in Jesus by the Spirit, even in the most troubling and trying circumstances. And for the church to be active in such places and times, as well as in every place and time.
Too often we've settled for a gospel that doesn't address all the needs of this world. I suggest that while this world will always have trouble and great need, the good news in Jesus does address these needs on every level. That the gospel has something to say about everything, while not losing sight of the reality that it's the power of salvation for all who believe.
What would you like to add to this?
What does the gospel of Christ have to say to this, and how does it address it? This is challenging. The stock answer for many Christians is that it may affect such only indirectly, through the regeneration of people, in which lives are changed. And of course we know in one way or another that wars and violence are inevitable in this world until God in Christ puts a final end to it in the completion of the shalom of the kingdom.
I believe the gospel does have more to say in addressing these crises. The good news in Jesus also is about an alternative way to be human. And there is only one way to move toward being a human in the full sense of what God intended in God's creation of humans. But in this world, in Jesus, it's a way which is marked by suffering.
How do we defeat evil? The stock answer of the world is to fight fire with fire. And indeed there would seem to be justification for that when we read Romans 13. The state is there seen to be "servants of God" no less in bearing "the sword" against evil doers. But is this the way God prescribes through the gospel? I think all Christians would agree that it is not. Though we would disagree on what relationship Christians can have with the governing authorities, or "the state". Some of us would say we should not engage in "the sword" aspect of the state, while others of us would say we can, and perhaps even should.
But let's lay that last question aside, as we consider the gospel way in Jesus of fighting evil. We overcome evil with good. And specifically with the good that is rooted in Jesus and in his death, which is the epitome and ground of overcoming evil with good, and of righting all wrongs. We're to live out in Jesus his redemptive life and even death, doing so as God's resurrection people in Jesus in this world. I believe this is at the heart of what it means to live as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Of course we must start locally in how we live before others among us. But back to Mumbai. What are we to think and do about that? We must pray for all involved, including the terrorists. We must pray for God's intervention and for God's justice and mercy. And we should be praying for Christians who in these places can live out the light of the gospel in Jesus by the Spirit, even in the most troubling and trying circumstances. And for the church to be active in such places and times, as well as in every place and time.
Too often we've settled for a gospel that doesn't address all the needs of this world. I suggest that while this world will always have trouble and great need, the good news in Jesus does address these needs on every level. That the gospel has something to say about everything, while not losing sight of the reality that it's the power of salvation for all who believe.
What would you like to add to this?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
God's love, in spite
There are so many in spites in our lives. We often are at our wit's end for one reason or another. Just a part of living in a fallen world in which even though we're in Jesus, we are not fully recovered.
This is where we need to remember God's love, in spite of all those things that hit us here and there. God's love is made clear to us in Jesus and in Jesus' reference to God as Abba or Father, as Scot McKnight points out in his excellent book, The Jesus Creed. Jesus chose Abba, the Aramaic word for father, and taught us to pray, "Our Father". He referred to God in prayer as "Father," except when on the cross he cried out, "My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?" as he prayed the psalm.
There is the certainty of trouble in this life. But there is a certainty that nothing whatsoever can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus our Lord. We need to learn to rest better in that love and live our lives, steadily in that love, more and more. It is most independent of whatever circumstances we face.
And that Abba love is made known to us in Jesus, in his life, death, resurrection and ascension, as well as his coming return. In him we share in the victory to come, which actually begins now as the new creation breaks in both through us as God's new eschatological people and through the multifaceted good works we do in the Lord which usher in something of God's new creation in Jesus by the Spirit.
But in all of this, while God's love reaches everywhere towards his creation, we must not lose sight, as Scot reminds us, that it's a personal love, this Abba love to each one of us from God in Jesus. And as we learn to live in that love, we can end up helping others do the same. Truth is more caught than taught. So it must become a way of life with us, and more and more who we are in Jesus.
What would you like to share to help us in this?
This is where we need to remember God's love, in spite of all those things that hit us here and there. God's love is made clear to us in Jesus and in Jesus' reference to God as Abba or Father, as Scot McKnight points out in his excellent book, The Jesus Creed. Jesus chose Abba, the Aramaic word for father, and taught us to pray, "Our Father". He referred to God in prayer as "Father," except when on the cross he cried out, "My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?" as he prayed the psalm.
There is the certainty of trouble in this life. But there is a certainty that nothing whatsoever can separate us from God's love for us in Jesus our Lord. We need to learn to rest better in that love and live our lives, steadily in that love, more and more. It is most independent of whatever circumstances we face.
And that Abba love is made known to us in Jesus, in his life, death, resurrection and ascension, as well as his coming return. In him we share in the victory to come, which actually begins now as the new creation breaks in both through us as God's new eschatological people and through the multifaceted good works we do in the Lord which usher in something of God's new creation in Jesus by the Spirit.
But in all of this, while God's love reaches everywhere towards his creation, we must not lose sight, as Scot reminds us, that it's a personal love, this Abba love to each one of us from God in Jesus. And as we learn to live in that love, we can end up helping others do the same. Truth is more caught than taught. So it must become a way of life with us, and more and more who we are in Jesus.
What would you like to share to help us in this?
Friday, October 10, 2008
walking through, not around
In Psalm 23:4 we read,
This is not to say that God doesn't deliver us from troubles at times, or that he can't heal, etc. It's only to say that whatever we face, we must be willing to walk through it with the Lord.
Of course Paul wanted God to remove his thorn in the flesh, no less than a messenger of Satan which no less than tormented him. He rightfully pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it, but God wanted Paul to learn to walk through this trial, not around it. And in Paul's case it was to remain a trial, as far as we know, all the rest of his days.
In my life I have been beset with inner "demons" (not to say actual demons weren't involved at times) which have honestly kept me back, often at times, from really venturing forth in God's will. And that's true even if the holding back was with reference to my attitude at the time. Nothing but dread, fear and paralyzed anxiety. But God is reminding me again, through another bout like this yesterday that I must be willing to walk through whatever anxiety I may have, whether we're speaking about what I fear, or the fear actually happening. Only then, when I decided that I must go on (only after many hours in which I operated with relative inward misery) regardless did a sense of the dread lift. And I realized this lesson again, that I must walk through any darkness with the Lord, and not seek to escape from it.
When we look at Scripture, we often see that God's servants had to face trouble in this life, even death, of course the epitome of this found in God's suffering servant, Jesus. This can be a help for people like me, who at times like before I have had to preach have suffered much through one fear or another to the point where I was rendered quite weak in my thought and strength. Of course God can use the weakest things, and does. But we also need to find the glory of walking through our fears and actual troubles with the Lord, instead of living in a pseudo-faith world in which when all is well our faces are radiant, but when not, we are cast down. That is not the walk of faith. I'm learning, I hope.
What might you like to add to this for us?
Even though I walkAn important "lesson" for me to remember and keep remembering, since I have such an excellent forgetter, is the importance of me maintaining the attitude and posture of faith, as well as the continued walk of faith and way of life, that I will be willing to walk through whatever it is that I'm facing or fear, with the Lord. And not seek a detour or way out from God.
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me
This is not to say that God doesn't deliver us from troubles at times, or that he can't heal, etc. It's only to say that whatever we face, we must be willing to walk through it with the Lord.
Of course Paul wanted God to remove his thorn in the flesh, no less than a messenger of Satan which no less than tormented him. He rightfully pleaded with the Lord three times to remove it, but God wanted Paul to learn to walk through this trial, not around it. And in Paul's case it was to remain a trial, as far as we know, all the rest of his days.
In my life I have been beset with inner "demons" (not to say actual demons weren't involved at times) which have honestly kept me back, often at times, from really venturing forth in God's will. And that's true even if the holding back was with reference to my attitude at the time. Nothing but dread, fear and paralyzed anxiety. But God is reminding me again, through another bout like this yesterday that I must be willing to walk through whatever anxiety I may have, whether we're speaking about what I fear, or the fear actually happening. Only then, when I decided that I must go on (only after many hours in which I operated with relative inward misery) regardless did a sense of the dread lift. And I realized this lesson again, that I must walk through any darkness with the Lord, and not seek to escape from it.
When we look at Scripture, we often see that God's servants had to face trouble in this life, even death, of course the epitome of this found in God's suffering servant, Jesus. This can be a help for people like me, who at times like before I have had to preach have suffered much through one fear or another to the point where I was rendered quite weak in my thought and strength. Of course God can use the weakest things, and does. But we also need to find the glory of walking through our fears and actual troubles with the Lord, instead of living in a pseudo-faith world in which when all is well our faces are radiant, but when not, we are cast down. That is not the walk of faith. I'm learning, I hope.
What might you like to add to this for us?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
life is messy
Nancy in yesterday's post from L.L.'s book brought up a great point in a comment and I'd like to quote it here:
Just this realization has helped me to relax more with things as they are, and cope better with the problems and issues that will come. There's no getting around them, for sure.
So I think half the battle is to accept whatever comes, and the other half is to live through whatever comes with faith in the Lord. To go and grow through it in him and in fellowship with his people as we seek to live as children of light for others in this world.
What would you like to add to this?
i also do not like the mess. mess that i have brought on myself or has been brought on by someone else has been able to drive me and can still drive me at times. there have been so many times that i have just wanted to have things neet and clean and tidy. wanting to be done with something or over something. wrapped up tidy with a bow so i could move on. well, i am starting to live with knowing that nothing will ever be perfect and lovely and tidy in life here on this earth. that it will always be one thing or another...or many things that make a mess. so no need to let it drive me crazy or anywhere else. it is really good to know that God is with me throuth it all and in it all. i know that i will always desire what it should have been here...and what i will be in heaven. and i know that God will give me help when i ask, maybe not in the way i expect it, but, maybe something like l.l. had...a smooth warm stone to sit upon in a fresh green forest when i need it the most. enough to get me through what i have to go through and get me to the next place.It is so true that life is never tidy for long in this present world. Once you think you might have at least some kind of handle on something, something else is thrown at you. Seems the nature of things.
Just this realization has helped me to relax more with things as they are, and cope better with the problems and issues that will come. There's no getting around them, for sure.
So I think half the battle is to accept whatever comes, and the other half is to live through whatever comes with faith in the Lord. To go and grow through it in him and in fellowship with his people as we seek to live as children of light for others in this world.
What would you like to add to this?
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