Monday we had a great time at the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and "Talking Points", on "What is the gospel?". It was definitely a highlight for me, in getting to see Scot McKnight again- and kind of meeting him again, since I really didn't stick around long enough to chat with him last time he was here.
My wife and I picked Scot up 7:25 in the morning, and we headed off to IHOP near Celebration Cinema. Had a great time with some Evangelical Covenant folks there, pastors and leaders. We were starting to get into theology when it was time to go. Scot remarked how he could have been there earlier for more time visiting.
Meanwhile I was struggling with personal anxiety over a health issue. I just didn't feel like myself. But in God allowing this, he is at work to help me trust him more. Don't ask about the issue. It's really not the point. But I hate it when I am under something like that. Just can't relax and be myself very well then. But learning some good things through it, and hopefully growing as well. Especially in seeking to better apply faith in God through thick and thin.
The sessions at Talking Points were tremendous. I'm sure glad we can download them (here), because I was having flashbacks to my seminary days there when I worked third shift, and all too often, was dozing off. Yes, if Jesus himself were speaking, I'm convinced- even while thoroughly enjoying it, I could nod off anytime. I got the hang of it better, into the afternoon; a Pepsi did help.
Each speaker was very good. I really enjoyed David Turner's fine Biblical theological talk on "The 'Gospel' According to Matthew: What is the gospel of the kingdom of God?" Good reflections on his background, similar to the backgrounds of many of us there, and Matthew's impact on his theology. I look forward to hearing that again. And Ruth Tucker's fine presentation on "The 'Gospel' in our world today: Contextualization or Confrontation?" She's one of a kind, and was very moving; her husband also had a nice part. I think what she spoke of is increasingly important for us, in our growing pluralistic society, and mission to the world.
Best of all, was Scot. His first talk, "The Individualistic 'Gospel': What are the weaknesses of an individualistic gospel?" was tremendous. Though I'd read something of it before from him, it was good to hear it anew, and get a little more light on it. This talk went excellently (ha) with his second speak (I was "high" on Pepsi by then): "The 'Gospel' of Embracing Grace: What are the implications of a gospel that embraces grace?" While echoing the heart of what he says in Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, he added some additional significant stuff, we need to reflect further on. Really good and challenging for our call in Christ, in the world today.
Then last, but not least of all, was the question and answer time, moderated very well by Professor Peter Osborn. He ended it, while we were all wanting more. Better though than when we've had more than enough, though I think a few of us would have still been around hours afterwards. All three were good here. But Scot was the one mostly looked to. Maybe the questions written in advance by individuals in the audience, were mostly directed to him. But that was a great cap, to a great time together.
One thing I noticed about Scot was his high energy. During the sessions, but between them, as well. He got around, visiting people. He is a one who thoroughly enjoys people and life, you can tell. The love of God in Christ, I see as very evident in him.
All in all it was a great time. If you ever get the chance to hear Scot do so. The folks at GRTS did a great job for us. Dr. Doug Fagerstrom, their president, exemplified what I think GRTS is all about, a humble yearning to be a true servant of Christ.
So that is my reflection. An impression from it is coming soon....
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
let's be in prayer for Bob Robinson and his family
A great video from Bob and from his family. Let's "hold" him and his family "up" in prayer in regard to all of this.
embracing grace 4: cracked Eikons
Along with the beauty and wonder of us Eikons, reflecting the image and glory of God in our original creation, and especially in the new creation in Christ, there is another equally important truth. We are cracked. Cracked Eikons.
In western theology this means we're "fallen" in the sense of loss (like "Humpty-Dumpty" who had the great fall, and could not be put back together again). The Eastern Orthodox theologian, Auxentios says, that it "was not a departure from an originally static and perfect nature; it was the interruption--the cessation of a priceless process." As Scot adds to that: "They were on their way and they got lost."
Scot recounts a story in his childhood, depicting his own crackedness in the throwing of snowballs at unsuspecting cars. We can all relate with stories from our own lives. That while there is much good, there is also something wrong at the core of who we are. Particularly in our relations to God, and to each other.
Of course this all started in the garden. This is when the "tohu va-bohu" (see Genesis 1:2: Hebrew; this means a mess) entered into the human race, and through that, into the world. The garden was gone. In its place would be a struggle, at the heart of which is disrupted relationships.
Sin, to be understood correctly is about violating relationships. Toward God, and toward other human beings. Jesus' teaching emphasizes this, as reflected in "the Jesus Creed". And in his instruction to the rich man. After naming the second part of the Ten Commandments- violations against other humans (the first being violations against God), Jesus adds the command from Leviticus: "and love your neighbor as yourself." Sin is not, at its heart law breaking. Certainly God is King. And humankind ought to obey their king. But more so, sin is relational. Our union with God is diminished, and obliterated. Our communion with each other is under strain, and involves struggle. As Scot puts it:
Scot gives the interesting, and in some ways, inspiring story of Alexander Cruden, called "Alexander, the Corrector". He was a person who was devout towards God, but cracked in his relations to humans. He got in trouble, but in the midst of that worked for years in compiling the first complete concordance of the Bible. As well as working for prison reform and against the practice of putting those considered ill according to society, into "madhouses".
Sin disrupts relationships across the board, but it also disrupts God's good creation. The garden is indeed, gone. The problem is not only relational with personal responsibility. But it is also systemic; the system is wrong. In the words of Cornelius Plantinga:
(In this posting is a little more of my own interaction than usual, so hopefully there is not any misrepresentation of what Scot is saying in this chapter.)
In western theology this means we're "fallen" in the sense of loss (like "Humpty-Dumpty" who had the great fall, and could not be put back together again). The Eastern Orthodox theologian, Auxentios says, that it "was not a departure from an originally static and perfect nature; it was the interruption--the cessation of a priceless process." As Scot adds to that: "They were on their way and they got lost."
Scot recounts a story in his childhood, depicting his own crackedness in the throwing of snowballs at unsuspecting cars. We can all relate with stories from our own lives. That while there is much good, there is also something wrong at the core of who we are. Particularly in our relations to God, and to each other.
Of course this all started in the garden. This is when the "tohu va-bohu" (see Genesis 1:2: Hebrew; this means a mess) entered into the human race, and through that, into the world. The garden was gone. In its place would be a struggle, at the heart of which is disrupted relationships.
Sin, to be understood correctly is about violating relationships. Toward God, and toward other human beings. Jesus' teaching emphasizes this, as reflected in "the Jesus Creed". And in his instruction to the rich man. After naming the second part of the Ten Commandments- violations against other humans (the first being violations against God), Jesus adds the command from Leviticus: "and love your neighbor as yourself." Sin is not, at its heart law breaking. Certainly God is King. And humankind ought to obey their king. But more so, sin is relational. Our union with God is diminished, and obliterated. Our communion with each other is under strain, and involves struggle. As Scot puts it:
Union with God was weakened, communion with others was twisted, life became mortal, and the glory faded."Post-moderns" recognize this. They have a healthy scepticism about the goodness of humanity. There is more to it. Humanity is flawed. And their approach to life is measured in their view of politicians, religious leaders, and really everyone (themselves included).
Scot gives the interesting, and in some ways, inspiring story of Alexander Cruden, called "Alexander, the Corrector". He was a person who was devout towards God, but cracked in his relations to humans. He got in trouble, but in the midst of that worked for years in compiling the first complete concordance of the Bible. As well as working for prison reform and against the practice of putting those considered ill according to society, into "madhouses".
Sin disrupts relationships across the board, but it also disrupts God's good creation. The garden is indeed, gone. The problem is not only relational with personal responsibility. But it is also systemic; the system is wrong. In the words of Cornelius Plantinga:
Sin is the disruption of created harmony and then resistance to divine restoration of that harmony.And,
God is for shalom and therefore against sin....Sin is culpable shalom-breaking.
In sum, shalom is God's design for creation and redemption; sin is blamable human vandalism of these great realities and therefore an affront to their architect and builder.Scot adds:
If Shalom is another term for the kingdom of God Jesus came to establish, then sin is anything that impedes the kingdom of God.How do we view our sin and sinning? Do we see it as violating relationships? Or just as breaking a law (and getting caught and convicted)? How should this view of "cracked Eikons" help us? We conclude with Scot's words in his fine study guide of this book (there is also a helpful study guide to The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others):
Commit yourself to confessing your crackedness and to the plan of God to restore cracked Eikons.Amen.
(In this posting is a little more of my own interaction than usual, so hopefully there is not any misrepresentation of what Scot is saying in this chapter.)
Sunday, September 24, 2006
let's pray...
...for fellow blogger Steve McCoy's mother, who has cancer. And, for Steve and the rest of her family and friends.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
the kingdom of God in Christ is political, but...
The kingdom of God, come, in Christ Jesus is political, but this doesn't mean we're now to take over, politically, the United States or any other nation, much less the world. Or that we're to be about our Father's business through political means.
I believe politics in the world is important. Don't get me wrong. But God's kingdom come (already, though not yet in its fullness) in Jesus, while political, since it concerns ALL of life, does not deal with life, as governments of this world do, and in some ways, must do.
I'm reminded of God's word to Joshua, as, in the angel of the LORD, Joshua is confronted by him. Joshua asks: "Are you for us, or for our enemies?" God's reply through this being: "Neither. But as Commander of the LORD's armies, I stand before you." (my paraphrase) Then Joshua falls down in reverence. And the work of God begins.
Remember, we march to the drum that the world cannot hear. It cannot join us. Except in Christ. Not either in the Democrat or Republican party. Nor through any other entity in this world. The victory of God in Christ is not a victory for either, or any of these.
Let's not forget it. Let's remember where our allegiance lies. And learn to live in that allegiance. As those in Jesus who have our feet on the ground, but whose orders are ultimately always from "God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15; TNIV)- Amen.
I believe politics in the world is important. Don't get me wrong. But God's kingdom come (already, though not yet in its fullness) in Jesus, while political, since it concerns ALL of life, does not deal with life, as governments of this world do, and in some ways, must do.
I'm reminded of God's word to Joshua, as, in the angel of the LORD, Joshua is confronted by him. Joshua asks: "Are you for us, or for our enemies?" God's reply through this being: "Neither. But as Commander of the LORD's armies, I stand before you." (my paraphrase) Then Joshua falls down in reverence. And the work of God begins.
Remember, we march to the drum that the world cannot hear. It cannot join us. Except in Christ. Not either in the Democrat or Republican party. Nor through any other entity in this world. The victory of God in Christ is not a victory for either, or any of these.
Let's not forget it. Let's remember where our allegiance lies. And learn to live in that allegiance. As those in Jesus who have our feet on the ground, but whose orders are ultimately always from "God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15; TNIV)- Amen.
Monday, September 18, 2006
embracing grace 3: the story of the Eikon
Scot McKnight now helps us see the importance of looking at God to understand who we, as human beings, are. We are not Eikons of creation, but Eikons of God himself.
Before getting there, it should be noted that humans have a sense that something is amiss, something is terribly wrong. In that is a realism of life, but with it a sense of something far better. Leo Tolstoy was a clear example of this. What the issue is here is our eikonic status. What does it mean to be Eikons of God?
Who is God? What is at the heart of who he really is? Jonathan Edwards, considered America's greatest theologian, saw God in terms of intratrinitarian love. And a love that desired to share itself and pulsate throughout all God's creation.
In the thought of earlier theology, from Gregory of Nyssa based on the gospel of John, God is all about perichoresis. This is the teaching of Jesus, that he is in the Father, and the Father is in him. Speaking of the Trinity, it is about the interpenetrative movement and relationship of mutually indwelling love- of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And God created humans as his eikons, to share in this communion, through union with him.
This leads Scot to make a modification to his earlier definition of the gospel:
Before getting there, it should be noted that humans have a sense that something is amiss, something is terribly wrong. In that is a realism of life, but with it a sense of something far better. Leo Tolstoy was a clear example of this. What the issue is here is our eikonic status. What does it mean to be Eikons of God?
Who is God? What is at the heart of who he really is? Jonathan Edwards, considered America's greatest theologian, saw God in terms of intratrinitarian love. And a love that desired to share itself and pulsate throughout all God's creation.
In the thought of earlier theology, from Gregory of Nyssa based on the gospel of John, God is all about perichoresis. This is the teaching of Jesus, that he is in the Father, and the Father is in him. Speaking of the Trinity, it is about the interpenetrative movement and relationship of mutually indwelling love- of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And God created humans as his eikons, to share in this communion, through union with him.
This leads Scot to make a modification to his earlier definition of the gospel:
the gospel is the work of the triune, interpersonal God to restore Eikons to God and others into that divine communion, and to unleash it into the rest of the world.What do we see in our world that reminds us of this perichoresis? What is at the heart of our existence and purpose? What is the antithesis of this, experienced by humankind at the Fall (Genesis 3)? What does God's restoration of us look like now? And what will it look like when God is "all in all" (1 Corinthians 15; also Revelation 21, 22; note Scot's reference to Dante's Divine Comedy)? Heavy theological questions. We do need to boil these down to where we live, as well as where all of us eikons live, throughout the earth.
embracing grace 2: the beginning of the gospel
In chapter two, Scot McKnight takes us to the beginning of the Bible:
Humans are said to be created in the very image of God. The Greek word used to translate the Hebrew (in the Septuagint- LXX- the very first Bible translation, and used by the apostles) is eikon. An eikon reminds us of icons in Orthodox churches, or computer icons. They are like windows, that can lead the viewer into the reality which they represent.
Humans are not just individuals, to fend for ourselves as to our identity. Instead, we are Eikons of God, made to embrace God, ourselves, each other and the world. In response to God's embracing grace of us, in Christ, by the Spirit. And thus, we can "glorify God by enjoying him forever." And live in community for the good of each other and the earth. God's gifts to us of "freedom and relationships with others" are inherent to us being eikons. We freely relate to God, ourselves, each other and the world, as God relates to us and his creation.
Mister Fred Rogers, himself an ordained Presbyterian minister, impacted a generation of young people in helping them see that they are not dirt or scum. But very special. And as such are to live as those in their neighborhood- seeing others also, as very special.
The rampant individualism of our culture has left people out in the cold as to who or what they are. In isolation from the Story of God, they can only fend for themselves. But as C.S. Lewis wrote:
How do you see yourself? How do you see others? Why are these considerations the beginning of understanding the gospel of God's embracing grace? And what would this embracing grace look like in your world? What changes may this involve?
(These postings are more or less interactive with Scot's chapters. And therefore do not necessarily represent precisely Scot's thoughts. Though my goal is mainly to represent his thoughts. We can do more interaction with them on comments.)
The gospel begins at the Bible's beginning. If we fail to begin there, we will miss the gospel.This beginning has to do with our identity as human beings. First, God creates the heavens and the earth. And only after he creates humankind, does he pronounce his creation "very good." (Genesis)
Humans are said to be created in the very image of God. The Greek word used to translate the Hebrew (in the Septuagint- LXX- the very first Bible translation, and used by the apostles) is eikon. An eikon reminds us of icons in Orthodox churches, or computer icons. They are like windows, that can lead the viewer into the reality which they represent.
Humans are not just individuals, to fend for ourselves as to our identity. Instead, we are Eikons of God, made to embrace God, ourselves, each other and the world. In response to God's embracing grace of us, in Christ, by the Spirit. And thus, we can "glorify God by enjoying him forever." And live in community for the good of each other and the earth. God's gifts to us of "freedom and relationships with others" are inherent to us being eikons. We freely relate to God, ourselves, each other and the world, as God relates to us and his creation.
Mister Fred Rogers, himself an ordained Presbyterian minister, impacted a generation of young people in helping them see that they are not dirt or scum. But very special. And as such are to live as those in their neighborhood- seeing others also, as very special.
The rampant individualism of our culture has left people out in the cold as to who or what they are. In isolation from the Story of God, they can only fend for themselves. But as C.S. Lewis wrote:
Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.Then Scot McKnight adds: "The gospel begins right here."
How do you see yourself? How do you see others? Why are these considerations the beginning of understanding the gospel of God's embracing grace? And what would this embracing grace look like in your world? What changes may this involve?
(These postings are more or less interactive with Scot's chapters. And therefore do not necessarily represent precisely Scot's thoughts. Though my goal is mainly to represent his thoughts. We can do more interaction with them on comments.)
Saturday, September 16, 2006
against prosperity message
Ben Witherington put up a great post (see the Time article, also) in response to the prosperity message/gospel that seems to be sweeping our country with signficant popularity. This prosperity teaching has a good dose of American thinking that is not in line with the truth of the gospel as it is in Jesus. Both Jesus and Paul, as well as the rest of the New Testament come from quite a different perspective. And my reading of Bonhoeffer, of late, has cast even more of a shadow on that thinking, for me, as well as bringing to light the word of truth, in this matter, in Scripture.
Thought this might be helpful to others, who, like myself, while never having bought into this propserity (or "health and wealth") gospel, still struggle with "worldly" thinking in regard to money, making money, and the like. It helps me better embrace the lot in life that I have. And want to get back to square one, in following Jesus, even if "poor", at least by the standards of "the American dream".
Thanks to Drew Moser, on his fine blog, rural praxis for calling my attention to the Time article.
Thought this might be helpful to others, who, like myself, while never having bought into this propserity (or "health and wealth") gospel, still struggle with "worldly" thinking in regard to money, making money, and the like. It helps me better embrace the lot in life that I have. And want to get back to square one, in following Jesus, even if "poor", at least by the standards of "the American dream".
Thanks to Drew Moser, on his fine blog, rural praxis for calling my attention to the Time article.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Real Mary
From Scot McKnight:
This Christmas Hollywood is handing us an opportunity we simply have to seize: for the better part of at least 200 years most Protestants have ignored Mary as if she were an exotic aunt who shows up for the entire month of December to celebrate Christmas with us. With the production of The Nativity Story, we will all be confronted not only with a sketch of the events that led to the birth of Jesus — the movie is a traditional account of the birth of Jesus with no controversies — but also with the significance of Mary.Two reviews of the upcoming book:
"[The] domesticated image of Mary, and the silenced Mary of Protestantism who only shows up quietly at Christmas, need to be dismissed as unhistorical. It is time for a Mary upgrade in the Evangelical world, and Scot McKnight has both the hardware and the software to deliver the goods. Highly recommended!”
-Ben Witherington, Professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary
"In all of the gospels, Mary may be the most overlooked character. She has become an unwitting dividing line between Catholics and Protestants while we have missed the remarkable story of her life. Scot McKnight peels back the layers of controversy to reveal this compelling woman in whom God found such great favor."
-Nancy Ortberg, columnist, Today's Christian Woman
Click here for:
The Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Why a book about the real Mary?
Chapter 2: "May it be" Woman of Faith
And click here for a special offer from Paraclete Press.
Here's the website of the film to be released December 1, The Nativity Story.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
embracing grace 1: performing the gospel
Scot McKnight describes and depicts the gospel as something to be done:
Jesus' and Paul's teaching are "designed to transform life as it is lived in the here and now." Jesus makes that clear when he tell us that it is by their fruit, or works, that we know a person. Profession or proclamation must be backed by performance.
People today don't care what churches say. They want to see what they do. And what churches do, needs to conform to the real gospel. People want a real gospel for real people in the real world. Not easy or spectacular. But a story, as part of the Story, performed. To draw people closer to God, to each other, and for the good of the world (to slightly paraphrase one of Scot's sentences).
Patrick of Ireland, St. Patrick's grand story is told along with a couple of present day churches, which are performing the gospel, and seeking to do so in holistic ways.
What do you think of using the word perform, in thinking of how we are to live out the gospel? Do you find it postive or negative, and why? Also, what does performing the gospel look like to you? Is it individual-oriented, community-oriented, and how does it relate to those who really may not be tuned in?
The gospel is more like a piece of music to be performed than a list of ideas to endorse.Another key thought in this chapter:
A local church always performs the gospel it proclaims....because its performance is its proclamation.This can be either good or bad.
Jesus' and Paul's teaching are "designed to transform life as it is lived in the here and now." Jesus makes that clear when he tell us that it is by their fruit, or works, that we know a person. Profession or proclamation must be backed by performance.
People today don't care what churches say. They want to see what they do. And what churches do, needs to conform to the real gospel. People want a real gospel for real people in the real world. Not easy or spectacular. But a story, as part of the Story, performed. To draw people closer to God, to each other, and for the good of the world (to slightly paraphrase one of Scot's sentences).
Patrick of Ireland, St. Patrick's grand story is told along with a couple of present day churches, which are performing the gospel, and seeking to do so in holistic ways.
What do you think of using the word perform, in thinking of how we are to live out the gospel? Do you find it postive or negative, and why? Also, what does performing the gospel look like to you? Is it individual-oriented, community-oriented, and how does it relate to those who really may not be tuned in?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
intro to "the gospel of embracing grace"
With Scot McKnight's book: Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, I'd like to interact one chapter at a time.
In the prologue Scot gives this definition of the gospel:
God's grace in Jesus is seen, in this picture, to embrace all. Christ's salvation is cosmic in its proportions (Colossians). All of God's good creation is included in his redemption. Those who refuse that redemption and good kingdom of God are judged in the end. All else is saved and united together in Christ (Ephesians).
We therefore, must not truncate the gospel, and make it something less than what it is. It must include the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus and his death and resurrection for us. It also must include justice, living according to the promise that all things will be made right by God through Jesus. This especially pertains to us humans, the broken Eikons (image-bearers) of God that we are. And also to the creation that awaits humanity's full redemption in Christ, so that it too may be set free from its own bondage to decay (Romans 8). And it concerns a community: the people of God in Jesus. This is a community of the kingdom of God come to earth in Jesus. And a partaker in the dynamic union and communion of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This salvation does bring us into that community, and as part of that- missionally, to bring this gospel of God's embracing grace, to the world.
As we go through Scot McKnight's book, we will focus in on these points closer. Though our thoughts on this blog will be only summations as well as trying to interact with the main point, or points of each chapter.
I invite participation. In questions. Thoughts you may have. Or perhaps in just reading. Both for those who have yet to read the book. And for those of us who have read it.
To begin here: What comes to your mind as to what the gospel is? Or, how would you define the gospel?
In the prologue Scot gives this definition of the gospel:
The gospel is the work of God to restore humans to union with God and communion with others, in the context of a community, for the good of others and the world.Scot describes "the flow of grace":
God embraces you and me andHe summarizes:
God embraces others and
God embraces the whole created order.
Then:
You and I embrace God back and
We embrace others and
We embrace the entire created order.
...the gospel is about forgiveness, about justice, and about the community of faith. And it is about each of them, together.This sets the groundwork for the book.
God's grace in Jesus is seen, in this picture, to embrace all. Christ's salvation is cosmic in its proportions (Colossians). All of God's good creation is included in his redemption. Those who refuse that redemption and good kingdom of God are judged in the end. All else is saved and united together in Christ (Ephesians).
We therefore, must not truncate the gospel, and make it something less than what it is. It must include the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus and his death and resurrection for us. It also must include justice, living according to the promise that all things will be made right by God through Jesus. This especially pertains to us humans, the broken Eikons (image-bearers) of God that we are. And also to the creation that awaits humanity's full redemption in Christ, so that it too may be set free from its own bondage to decay (Romans 8). And it concerns a community: the people of God in Jesus. This is a community of the kingdom of God come to earth in Jesus. And a partaker in the dynamic union and communion of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This salvation does bring us into that community, and as part of that- missionally, to bring this gospel of God's embracing grace, to the world.
As we go through Scot McKnight's book, we will focus in on these points closer. Though our thoughts on this blog will be only summations as well as trying to interact with the main point, or points of each chapter.
I invite participation. In questions. Thoughts you may have. Or perhaps in just reading. Both for those who have yet to read the book. And for those of us who have read it.
To begin here: What comes to your mind as to what the gospel is? Or, how would you define the gospel?
getting ourselves together
For various reasons, we probably have a sense of needing to "get ourselves together", when we've reached the end of a week into a weekend. Weekends are at least a good change of pace, though they can be packed with different kinds of pressure. I at least want some time away from pressure.
The work week takes its toll on us, and really takes a part of us. This is especially true for some. Especially for those of us working in jobs that, while we are blessed to work, really are not up our alley. Getting the job done, even when we have good relationships going on (which itself takes work) is part of what are the high points of such days, yet we go home spent, and by the end of the week we're glad for a break from it all.
That gets to the point of this post. How do we "get ourselves together"? I know as one in Jesus that we really do need God's help in all of this. How do you get yourself together after a challenging week? Of course we all have some "to-do" list, if only in our heads. The tyranny of things that need to be done. Though without the pressure of the expectations of the workaday world.
While we need to work at "attending" daily to Jesus, in our prayers, in "devotions", surely it is good when we magnify such times during weekends. It is all too easy to let that get buried in work at home, entertainment, nice getaways or just sheer doing nothing- all of which, of course, have their place. I like to do all of this in the context of family. I have a sense of at least needing to be with others, even if we're engaged in our own projects or past times. Yet spending time together.
And of course, there is the vital need for meeting with the community of Jesus. To work at the fellowhips and edification of the Body of Christ, of which we are a part.
Are there any thoughts out there on this anyone would like to share with us?
The work week takes its toll on us, and really takes a part of us. This is especially true for some. Especially for those of us working in jobs that, while we are blessed to work, really are not up our alley. Getting the job done, even when we have good relationships going on (which itself takes work) is part of what are the high points of such days, yet we go home spent, and by the end of the week we're glad for a break from it all.
That gets to the point of this post. How do we "get ourselves together"? I know as one in Jesus that we really do need God's help in all of this. How do you get yourself together after a challenging week? Of course we all have some "to-do" list, if only in our heads. The tyranny of things that need to be done. Though without the pressure of the expectations of the workaday world.
While we need to work at "attending" daily to Jesus, in our prayers, in "devotions", surely it is good when we magnify such times during weekends. It is all too easy to let that get buried in work at home, entertainment, nice getaways or just sheer doing nothing- all of which, of course, have their place. I like to do all of this in the context of family. I have a sense of at least needing to be with others, even if we're engaged in our own projects or past times. Yet spending time together.
And of course, there is the vital need for meeting with the community of Jesus. To work at the fellowhips and edification of the Body of Christ, of which we are a part.
Are there any thoughts out there on this anyone would like to share with us?
Thursday, September 07, 2006
a glorious day
Glad the day is over. The plate was full. But it was a glorious day. God was with us. Through thick and thin, in the challenges as well as the struggles. Emmanuel.
We need that sense together, that God is with us. How much he loves his children! How much he loves the world! To be in Jesus is to be in communion with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Being in that communion together as the people of God in Jesus. And living that out before the world.
We live now, as Christ's Body on earth, in the humiliation preceding the glory. Sharers together in his sufferings, that we might be sharers together in his glory. Seeing, in our weakness, his strength made perfect. That means it won't always look pretty, or spectacular. In fact, I take it that often it won't! But God will make it beautiful, with true greatness.
This looks like love; the love of God. What God teaches us and works in us by his Spirit. A love which is creative. But especially committed to each other. A love which doesn't stop when difficulties inevitably arise. Even relational struggles. But refuses to be moved out of love for Jesus. Keeping God's command to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another, as he has commanded us (1 John).
This means avoiding the bad, our oft propensity towards darkness through various sins, especially against others and therefore against God. Instead doing the good- including confessing our sins, and thus living as the light in the Lord, that we are.
Every day, a new day for this! Every day, Emmanuel, God-with-us! Amen.
We need that sense together, that God is with us. How much he loves his children! How much he loves the world! To be in Jesus is to be in communion with God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Being in that communion together as the people of God in Jesus. And living that out before the world.
We live now, as Christ's Body on earth, in the humiliation preceding the glory. Sharers together in his sufferings, that we might be sharers together in his glory. Seeing, in our weakness, his strength made perfect. That means it won't always look pretty, or spectacular. In fact, I take it that often it won't! But God will make it beautiful, with true greatness.
This looks like love; the love of God. What God teaches us and works in us by his Spirit. A love which is creative. But especially committed to each other. A love which doesn't stop when difficulties inevitably arise. Even relational struggles. But refuses to be moved out of love for Jesus. Keeping God's command to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another, as he has commanded us (1 John).
This means avoiding the bad, our oft propensity towards darkness through various sins, especially against others and therefore against God. Instead doing the good- including confessing our sins, and thus living as the light in the Lord, that we are.
Every day, a new day for this! Every day, Emmanuel, God-with-us! Amen.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
running on empty
I think too often in our lives we can be running on empty. Yes. We're still running. Maybe busy, doing this and that. Even trying to serve Christ. Yet, nevertheless, empty.
I have felt that way, as of late. Going back to work, back into the challenging grind of factory work, albeit for a Christian ministry. Back into the challenge of often fast pace, and all one meets in the real, work world.
What about it? What does one do, when they seem to be running on empty?
First, an inventory. Look at our life. What we've been doing. And not doing. What about sleep? How about our life in God? Our family life? The use of our time?
Next, I think we try to do what is right. Make adjustments we think should be made. Then wait. Yes wait.
Times of empty can be preparation for God's filling. When we realize our emptiness, that can open the door to his fullness. Yes, we're already full in Christ (Colossians). So we need to wait. Take care. Don't get overly worked up. This too shall pass. We will find him. Better, he will get through to us. And meet us. As we seek him. Amen.
I have felt that way, as of late. Going back to work, back into the challenging grind of factory work, albeit for a Christian ministry. Back into the challenge of often fast pace, and all one meets in the real, work world.
What about it? What does one do, when they seem to be running on empty?
First, an inventory. Look at our life. What we've been doing. And not doing. What about sleep? How about our life in God? Our family life? The use of our time?
Next, I think we try to do what is right. Make adjustments we think should be made. Then wait. Yes wait.
Times of empty can be preparation for God's filling. When we realize our emptiness, that can open the door to his fullness. Yes, we're already full in Christ (Colossians). So we need to wait. Take care. Don't get overly worked up. This too shall pass. We will find him. Better, he will get through to us. And meet us. As we seek him. Amen.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Christians disagreeing in the blog world (and really, anywhere)
I have been blessed today, and in recent days, in seeing Christians in the blog world, talk through disagreements. In an agreeable spirit. At times disagreeing. But at other times coming to a better understanding of each other's postion -and maybe their own (my experience).
There are times to take a strong stand. This is when someone is denying the truth, and in essence in danger of denying the Truth himself. In fear and trembling, along with love and even with a spirit of tears (if not the reality), we need to gently, yet firmly warn such. But first of all really probe, so as to understand. So as to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
What about those Christian bloggers who blast those who don't see eye to eye with them on theology or on the culture war, or various other issues? I think we need to let them know that our blog or conversation, will not allow for that kind of exchange. Hard words of disagreeing are okay, if done in a way that is respectful. Out of that can come an exchange that could result in change, or better understanding. But otherwise, there is nothing left but the smoke from heat, not warmth and vision from light.
Back to the original point: I think listening to each other, and respecting positions, regardless of whether or not we have any agreement with them, or not- is important. And like Jesus. Susan Arnold and Allan Bevere have been a blessing to me, in talking through an issue about which they each deeply care about. We must be careful, that in our discussions, and even debates, that we keep the spirit of Jesus. In listening, speaking truth in love, with humility. Knowing that we haven't arrived. And willing to learn and concede when we are wrong, or can improve our understanding on something.
There are times to take a strong stand. This is when someone is denying the truth, and in essence in danger of denying the Truth himself. In fear and trembling, along with love and even with a spirit of tears (if not the reality), we need to gently, yet firmly warn such. But first of all really probe, so as to understand. So as to avoid any possible misunderstanding.
What about those Christian bloggers who blast those who don't see eye to eye with them on theology or on the culture war, or various other issues? I think we need to let them know that our blog or conversation, will not allow for that kind of exchange. Hard words of disagreeing are okay, if done in a way that is respectful. Out of that can come an exchange that could result in change, or better understanding. But otherwise, there is nothing left but the smoke from heat, not warmth and vision from light.
Back to the original point: I think listening to each other, and respecting positions, regardless of whether or not we have any agreement with them, or not- is important. And like Jesus. Susan Arnold and Allan Bevere have been a blessing to me, in talking through an issue about which they each deeply care about. We must be careful, that in our discussions, and even debates, that we keep the spirit of Jesus. In listening, speaking truth in love, with humility. Knowing that we haven't arrived. And willing to learn and concede when we are wrong, or can improve our understanding on something.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
one of those days
Today was one of those days. It seemed like nearly whatever might go wrong, did. There were a few highlights. Getting to visit some with an overly busy daughter. Purchasing a cheap copy of Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship at Bakers. And last, and almost least, since it was so hard to watch, yet worth it- Deb and I watched World Trade Center.
I won't go into all the craziness that happened today. But in this case, I think, much more important than the adversities and disappointments, was my reaction to them. Not the best. The day started and was hit with difficulty. But ended with some good time reading and reflecting.
I realize anew and afesh, in the words of Rich Mullins: "Oh, we are not as strong, as we think we are." We may know that in our heads, but little appreciate it, until we get a fresh baptism in it.
Lord. I know you are there in my weakness and woe. Thank you that such days end up driving me to seek you, as I know afresh my deep and utter need of you. And also deepen my sense that it is not I, but you by whom I live, in this life of faith. Amen.
I won't go into all the craziness that happened today. But in this case, I think, much more important than the adversities and disappointments, was my reaction to them. Not the best. The day started and was hit with difficulty. But ended with some good time reading and reflecting.
I realize anew and afesh, in the words of Rich Mullins: "Oh, we are not as strong, as we think we are." We may know that in our heads, but little appreciate it, until we get a fresh baptism in it.
Lord. I know you are there in my weakness and woe. Thank you that such days end up driving me to seek you, as I know afresh my deep and utter need of you. And also deepen my sense that it is not I, but you by whom I live, in this life of faith. Amen.
daily following Jesus
I like the Lukan version of the Jesus saying:
This intimates to me that unless we're following the Lord daily, we're not following him at all. It must become engrained, as part of who we are, as what characterizes our lives.
Now Jesus is no longer present with us in the same way he was with the disciples. He is glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father, someday to return. However, we in Jesus are his Body. We remain here on earth. And by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is intimately with all of his own. Therefore we can continue to follow him, by the Spirit, in fellowship with his Body, living missionally as a light in him to the world.
But it must be daily. Whatever that might mean for you, or for me- it certainly does mean denying ourselves. In other words, no longer living for ourselves, or with ourselves at the center. But living as those who by faith have Christ living in them. Living with Jesus as the center of our focus and walk. And it means taking up our cross. Each of us has one. And with it, following Jesus. Which I see as simply losing our lives in this world, for Jesus and the gospel. That should be our passion. That, by the Spirit, should become our daily way of life.
This doesn't mean that we live by a set of hum-drum rules and regulations. Instead it is an adventure with God. Into the unexpected. Especially in blessing. And really living in our Father's world. Yet ready to face hardship and trials. And even die on our cross. Lord, help us to so follow you. Amen.
23 Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9
This intimates to me that unless we're following the Lord daily, we're not following him at all. It must become engrained, as part of who we are, as what characterizes our lives.
Now Jesus is no longer present with us in the same way he was with the disciples. He is glorified and seated at the right hand of the Father, someday to return. However, we in Jesus are his Body. We remain here on earth. And by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is intimately with all of his own. Therefore we can continue to follow him, by the Spirit, in fellowship with his Body, living missionally as a light in him to the world.
But it must be daily. Whatever that might mean for you, or for me- it certainly does mean denying ourselves. In other words, no longer living for ourselves, or with ourselves at the center. But living as those who by faith have Christ living in them. Living with Jesus as the center of our focus and walk. And it means taking up our cross. Each of us has one. And with it, following Jesus. Which I see as simply losing our lives in this world, for Jesus and the gospel. That should be our passion. That, by the Spirit, should become our daily way of life.
This doesn't mean that we live by a set of hum-drum rules and regulations. Instead it is an adventure with God. Into the unexpected. Especially in blessing. And really living in our Father's world. Yet ready to face hardship and trials. And even die on our cross. Lord, help us to so follow you. Amen.
Friday, September 01, 2006
intimacy with God
(A friend and co-worker asked me to be among those, who would write for him- in a paragraph or two, something like, what intimacy with God means to you. This is to help him in a ministry at his church. So I thought I'd share this here.)
Of course that comes through Jesus Christ, and in fellowship with his Church.
I think it comes from obedience. If we don’t obey, than our faith is spurious. We seek to follow Christ, and express love for him by keeping his commands. I don’t mean to sound legalistic here. Anyone who knows me knows also that I make an effort to avoid that, and sometimes get carried away in doing so.
But the friendship we receive from God in Christ by the Holy Spirit in the communion of the Church, is one that, while having similarities with our friendships, also has stark differences. Look at the life of Jesus. Also look at people in Scripture like Job, Joseph (both of the OT and NT) and Mary, the mother of our Lord. And read “the Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7), which tells us what our kingdom living is all about (as well as the rest of the gospels and the New Testament).
Intimacy with God means to begin to truly walk with him. It’s a path, by the Spirit, that shares in his sufferings and becomes like him in his death (Philippians). But that is the path on which we begin to see his glory. And know he is present with us, even when, at times, it seemed he wasn't.
Of course that comes through Jesus Christ, and in fellowship with his Church.
I think it comes from obedience. If we don’t obey, than our faith is spurious. We seek to follow Christ, and express love for him by keeping his commands. I don’t mean to sound legalistic here. Anyone who knows me knows also that I make an effort to avoid that, and sometimes get carried away in doing so.
But the friendship we receive from God in Christ by the Holy Spirit in the communion of the Church, is one that, while having similarities with our friendships, also has stark differences. Look at the life of Jesus. Also look at people in Scripture like Job, Joseph (both of the OT and NT) and Mary, the mother of our Lord. And read “the Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7), which tells us what our kingdom living is all about (as well as the rest of the gospels and the New Testament).
Intimacy with God means to begin to truly walk with him. It’s a path, by the Spirit, that shares in his sufferings and becomes like him in his death (Philippians). But that is the path on which we begin to see his glory. And know he is present with us, even when, at times, it seemed he wasn't.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Christians and the Sermon on the Mount
Lately I've been focusing a little, and reflecting on our Lord's, "the Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7). As I'm thinking through the text, having just read Dietrich Bonhoeffer's treatment of it in The Cost of Discipleship, I am wondering what difference it would make in the average American Christian's life, the average American evangelical Christian's life, and to the average American church and evangelical church, if all of the sudden this "Sermon on the Mount" no longer existed. My answer so far: I think, in general, very little if any at all.
When I first thought of reading Bonhoeffer (who I had read very little before) and of considering anew this passage in Matthew, I did so in seeking to understand what we as Christians are to be in relation to the world. And how this relates to how we view politics, or how we live in a political world (as Scot McKnight stated it, the last phrase). After reading Bonhoeffer's work on this passage, and now, spending some time meditating on it, I'm concluding that this passage has so much more to say to us than just how we Chrisitans relate to the political world. It really would speak to us about all of life. Who we are. And how we're to live out this identity in the world. It speaks of our heart and the actions which spring from it, both as individuals and as community. And I believe, it surely is foundational to understanding the rest of the content of the Gospels (especially Matthew and Luke, but including Mark and John) and of our Lord's teaching and life revealed in them.
What challenges me is to look at my own life, and the life of the Church as I know it, with the question: What difference would it make, if all the sudden Matthew 5-7 and any parallel accounts elsewhere as in Luke 6, were suddenly no longer in our Bibles, and never had been? Also I wonder how that may alter the rest of the New Testament? (This last question is more for the scholars). What do you think? Do you think this matters? (a trick question)
When I first thought of reading Bonhoeffer (who I had read very little before) and of considering anew this passage in Matthew, I did so in seeking to understand what we as Christians are to be in relation to the world. And how this relates to how we view politics, or how we live in a political world (as Scot McKnight stated it, the last phrase). After reading Bonhoeffer's work on this passage, and now, spending some time meditating on it, I'm concluding that this passage has so much more to say to us than just how we Chrisitans relate to the political world. It really would speak to us about all of life. Who we are. And how we're to live out this identity in the world. It speaks of our heart and the actions which spring from it, both as individuals and as community. And I believe, it surely is foundational to understanding the rest of the content of the Gospels (especially Matthew and Luke, but including Mark and John) and of our Lord's teaching and life revealed in them.
What challenges me is to look at my own life, and the life of the Church as I know it, with the question: What difference would it make, if all the sudden Matthew 5-7 and any parallel accounts elsewhere as in Luke 6, were suddenly no longer in our Bibles, and never had been? Also I wonder how that may alter the rest of the New Testament? (This last question is more for the scholars). What do you think? Do you think this matters? (a trick question)
fellowship
We can spend our lives on so many worthwhile and interesting (to us, at least) activities. These draw our full attention. And we want nothing to get in the way of them. But in the end, what do we often have?
Fellowship with God, and with each other is really a treasure we should seek daily. As Paul reminds us, "10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3; NIV).
Fellowship is mutual. It is a loving interactivity of "give and take" with each other. First with God in Christ by the Spirit. We are in fellowship, by faith in Jesus, with no less than the Triune God. And for us in Jesus, as we've already been reminded, it is a participation in him, which includes fulfilling something of his sufferings as his Body here on earth. We are marked people here. Even if many don't know that. Our fellowship with him marks us as those who are of another place. Who work to bring good into this world, but really are not of this world (John 17:14-16).
I was laying in the medical facility awaiting a standard procedure, with my dear wife. Thinking about how much deeper I need to go in fellowship (those places sometimes inspire "the end" thinking). With God, and with my loved ones, with friends and now, as I sit here, extending that fellowship, even as Jesus did, to sinners like myself (after all, we're all, in Jesus, recovering sinners). This will involve alot of prayer, even as our Lord lived that out on earth. And good listening. And then conversing, speaking and acting out of love. The love of Jesus.
Father, Let me love my wife and daughter, my sisters and brothers, my friends, neighbors and co-workers, with the love of Jesus. By the love of the Spirit. In your family love. Amen.
Fellowship with God, and with each other is really a treasure we should seek daily. As Paul reminds us, "10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death," (Philippians 3; NIV).
Fellowship is mutual. It is a loving interactivity of "give and take" with each other. First with God in Christ by the Spirit. We are in fellowship, by faith in Jesus, with no less than the Triune God. And for us in Jesus, as we've already been reminded, it is a participation in him, which includes fulfilling something of his sufferings as his Body here on earth. We are marked people here. Even if many don't know that. Our fellowship with him marks us as those who are of another place. Who work to bring good into this world, but really are not of this world (John 17:14-16).
I was laying in the medical facility awaiting a standard procedure, with my dear wife. Thinking about how much deeper I need to go in fellowship (those places sometimes inspire "the end" thinking). With God, and with my loved ones, with friends and now, as I sit here, extending that fellowship, even as Jesus did, to sinners like myself (after all, we're all, in Jesus, recovering sinners). This will involve alot of prayer, even as our Lord lived that out on earth. And good listening. And then conversing, speaking and acting out of love. The love of Jesus.
Father, Let me love my wife and daughter, my sisters and brothers, my friends, neighbors and co-workers, with the love of Jesus. By the love of the Spirit. In your family love. Amen.
Monday, August 28, 2006
"the American dream" and following Christ
I heard a professing Christian medical doctor, who works in helping the poorest of the poor in Washington D.C. He was remarking on how we who enjoy a slice (or more) of "the American dream" without seeking to bring justice to the poor, share in something that obscures and is a hindrance to our fellowship with God. And how, when he sensed something was wrong, and finally he and his family went to D.C., and actually work and live among the poorest there, including those dying of AIDS, he then had a sense of really knowing God.
His thoughts were not easy for me to grasp. He spoke about the Old Testament prophets' call for justice (specifically, Jeremiah): while it is good for us to give to charities, what is needed even more is changes resulting in systemic justice. In other words, we need to be concerned that these people can and would get on their feet, and be enabled, rather than held down.
I really wonder about some of the money making in our country. How much of it comes at the expense of the poor, as well as those just making ends meet? People need help, yes, to get back up, and on their feet. But also to be able to make a living, and even have hope to fulfill who they are, as human beings.
Our individualism results in every person for themselves. But following Christ means every person for the other. It means stopping at the roadside. Cleaning up and bandaging the wounded man. And helping him get back on his feet. And not forgetting about him, afterwards.
As I consider how we live, even as those who profess to follow Christ, I wonder. If I am blessed with alot of money and a good job, how am I using that? (Or even for us who are closer to the widow who gave two mites, all she had to live on. Often the most generous are those who have the least.) And how am I using my time? Do we seek to understand the plight of those less fortunate- not only in our head, but in a personal, experiential way? Do we befriend them? And have them over for a meal? Is this becoming a part of our way of life in Christ Jesus? And if not, why not?
His thoughts were not easy for me to grasp. He spoke about the Old Testament prophets' call for justice (specifically, Jeremiah): while it is good for us to give to charities, what is needed even more is changes resulting in systemic justice. In other words, we need to be concerned that these people can and would get on their feet, and be enabled, rather than held down.
I really wonder about some of the money making in our country. How much of it comes at the expense of the poor, as well as those just making ends meet? People need help, yes, to get back up, and on their feet. But also to be able to make a living, and even have hope to fulfill who they are, as human beings.
Our individualism results in every person for themselves. But following Christ means every person for the other. It means stopping at the roadside. Cleaning up and bandaging the wounded man. And helping him get back on his feet. And not forgetting about him, afterwards.
As I consider how we live, even as those who profess to follow Christ, I wonder. If I am blessed with alot of money and a good job, how am I using that? (Or even for us who are closer to the widow who gave two mites, all she had to live on. Often the most generous are those who have the least.) And how am I using my time? Do we seek to understand the plight of those less fortunate- not only in our head, but in a personal, experiential way? Do we befriend them? And have them over for a meal? Is this becoming a part of our way of life in Christ Jesus? And if not, why not?
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Ethics and the Will of God: the Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer
If you have time, maybe doing a project in the house, I would encourage you to listen to this program on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I think it gives us an important look and feel for who he was, and what he lived through, as well as his thought and acts in doing so. It also gives us a good sense of his humanity, that he struggled with feet of clay, as the rest of us do, but with a remarkable faith not dependent on circumstances, but cast on God and his will.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
blessed, salt and light
In Dietrich Bonhoeffer's, The Cost of Discipleship, he looks at our Lord's "the Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7). It seems a kind of manifesto by Jesus, of the kingdom of God come in him.
Reading Bonhoeffer, I see ourselves as evangelicals to have widely missed the mark. Is what we're all about congruent to and in harmony with this kingdom that Jesus describes? It does make it hard, when one of our theologies, dispensationalism, has in the past declared this sermon to be for another time and people, not for the church in this age. And when another one of our theologies, reformed, has certainly practiced (Calvin's Geneva) and thought on community. Yet not as those sufficiently hearing our Lord's words in this sermon.
We're blessed as those who are completely countercultural to the world. Is cross bearing no longer necessary (and perhaps dying on that cross) since our Lord has died, been resurrected and is now exalted at the right hand of God in power? Not if we are his Body on earth, sent by him, as he was sent by the Father. This blessedness seems a curse in the world's eyes, and they would cast us out. But God's promises are true, as to what this blessedness consists. Really all things, in our Father's home. On those who are no-things (or at least, curiosities), in the world's eyes.
We're salt and light to this world. We're to not lose that saltiness, nor hide our light under a bowl. Instead, people are to see our good deeds as given to us from Christ. It is to be no less than Christ, and our becoming like him in his death, that is to be the life we live by faith in this world. People must see Jesus and his cross in our lives: in our words and deeds.
Having said all that, as moved to do so from reading Bonhoeffer, I must say I fear we are in danger of not really taking our Lord's "manifesto" of God's kingdom seriously. It is a life individually and in community, lived out before the world (and each other) that is Jesus-oriented to the bone. Not oriented to any entity here on earth. Impacting the world in an unworldy way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading Bonhoeffer, I see ourselves as evangelicals to have widely missed the mark. Is what we're all about congruent to and in harmony with this kingdom that Jesus describes? It does make it hard, when one of our theologies, dispensationalism, has in the past declared this sermon to be for another time and people, not for the church in this age. And when another one of our theologies, reformed, has certainly practiced (Calvin's Geneva) and thought on community. Yet not as those sufficiently hearing our Lord's words in this sermon.
We're blessed as those who are completely countercultural to the world. Is cross bearing no longer necessary (and perhaps dying on that cross) since our Lord has died, been resurrected and is now exalted at the right hand of God in power? Not if we are his Body on earth, sent by him, as he was sent by the Father. This blessedness seems a curse in the world's eyes, and they would cast us out. But God's promises are true, as to what this blessedness consists. Really all things, in our Father's home. On those who are no-things (or at least, curiosities), in the world's eyes.
We're salt and light to this world. We're to not lose that saltiness, nor hide our light under a bowl. Instead, people are to see our good deeds as given to us from Christ. It is to be no less than Christ, and our becoming like him in his death, that is to be the life we live by faith in this world. People must see Jesus and his cross in our lives: in our words and deeds.
Having said all that, as moved to do so from reading Bonhoeffer, I must say I fear we are in danger of not really taking our Lord's "manifesto" of God's kingdom seriously. It is a life individually and in community, lived out before the world (and each other) that is Jesus-oriented to the bone. Not oriented to any entity here on earth. Impacting the world in an unworldy way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, August 21, 2006
obey
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his, The Cost of Discipleship, points out to us how it's all about obedience, in becoming and in being a follower of our Lord. And a radical obedience. He takes passages such as Jesus' dealing with the rich young ruler, and points out how they are often watered down to mean something less than our Lord meant. With the danger that they miss the faith that was to be found, in responding to the call of Jesus in the command.
Those passages can be understood in a metaphorical way that meets those whose lives are already set on pilgrimmage with Christ. After all, we know the crux of the matter is not money, how much one has or doesn't have. But the crucial matter is where one's heart is. Is it in worshiping and serving God? Or in idolatry? As Bobby Dylan sang, we do indeed, "gotta serve somebody". There are no acceptable grays here.
We do have to seek to stay in the path of radical obedience to Christ. Just because we start out with him, doesn't mean now we're free to not take his commands seriously. After we put our hand to the plow of the kingdom of God, we must refuse to look back. And when we do falter, to confess and receive forgiveness, then continue on with our Lord.
Jesus, Let us not lean on our own understanding. But submit to you in obedience, in all of life. Knowing that you are there with us, to keep us on the straight and narrow to the end. To your glory. Amen.
Those passages can be understood in a metaphorical way that meets those whose lives are already set on pilgrimmage with Christ. After all, we know the crux of the matter is not money, how much one has or doesn't have. But the crucial matter is where one's heart is. Is it in worshiping and serving God? Or in idolatry? As Bobby Dylan sang, we do indeed, "gotta serve somebody". There are no acceptable grays here.
We do have to seek to stay in the path of radical obedience to Christ. Just because we start out with him, doesn't mean now we're free to not take his commands seriously. After we put our hand to the plow of the kingdom of God, we must refuse to look back. And when we do falter, to confess and receive forgiveness, then continue on with our Lord.
Jesus, Let us not lean on our own understanding. But submit to you in obedience, in all of life. Knowing that you are there with us, to keep us on the straight and narrow to the end. To your glory. Amen.
Friday, August 18, 2006
please read and pray
Thursday, August 17, 2006
following Christ's passion
In the beginning of my reading of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's, The Cost of Discipleship, I am reminded of our Lord's words to a wondering Peter, about the rumor that John would live to see the Lord's return.
It is easy to slip into the notion that following Jesus means getting the desires of our hearts. And certainly we're promised that as our delight is in the Lord, this will indeed be fulfilled (Psalm 37).
Bonhoeffer adeptly reminds us, that it's not at all about us. It's about Christ. And following him. And ultimately fulfilling his passion. Our desire and passion becoming more and more one with his.
Only by grace through faith. Only through Christ by the Spirit. And daily. Certainly setbacks and wanderings, but coming back. To so follow must become for us, what it's about.
And what was Peter's end? Our Lord had just given him a "heads up" on that. It was to be a literal cross. And tradition has it that Peter requested he be so executed, upside down, as he did not deem himself worthy of dying in the same way as his Lord. This following is what it meant for Peter, what it meant for Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and indeed, what it means for each one of us, here and now.
Lord. Let it not be about us. Forgive us that so often that's what it's been about. Let us joyfully follow you. Though we do not know where we're going. Let us know your passion, and your glory. Amen.
...what is that to you? You must follow me
John 21:22; TNIV
It is easy to slip into the notion that following Jesus means getting the desires of our hearts. And certainly we're promised that as our delight is in the Lord, this will indeed be fulfilled (Psalm 37).
Bonhoeffer adeptly reminds us, that it's not at all about us. It's about Christ. And following him. And ultimately fulfilling his passion. Our desire and passion becoming more and more one with his.
Only by grace through faith. Only through Christ by the Spirit. And daily. Certainly setbacks and wanderings, but coming back. To so follow must become for us, what it's about.
And what was Peter's end? Our Lord had just given him a "heads up" on that. It was to be a literal cross. And tradition has it that Peter requested he be so executed, upside down, as he did not deem himself worthy of dying in the same way as his Lord. This following is what it meant for Peter, what it meant for Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and indeed, what it means for each one of us, here and now.
Lord. Let it not be about us. Forgive us that so often that's what it's been about. Let us joyfully follow you. Though we do not know where we're going. Let us know your passion, and your glory. Amen.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Christians and the world of politics: a challenging issue
Bob Robinson (here, here and here) and dlw (here) on their blogs, are grappling with and critiquing Gregory Boyd's new book, The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church. In the book, Boyd, an evangelical pastor known for his stands and books as a proponenet of open theism, complains about Christian involvement by evangelicals of "the religous right" as well as those of the religous left.
Paul E. Koptak in the NIV Application Commentary: Proverbs in his "Contemporary Significance" section of Proverbs 28:1-28 (pp 632-633) seems to me to steer a course between, on the one hand Christians refusing to bow to the state ("Caesar") as Lord. But rather living as those to whom Jesus is Lord, and doing so as those of another kingdom, counter and subversive to government in this world. Yet on the other hand hopefully sought out to serve in areas of leadership in government and thus bringing this other kingdom, the kingdom of God, as an influence on the state or government (local, state, national, international). He quotes Robert Webber: "The social and political work of evangelicals is counter cultural. However, the calling of the church is not to 'clean up America,' but to be the church, a radical counter cultural communal presence in society. The ultimate question is not 'How is America?' but 'How is the church?' (from R.E. Webber, Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World)
Koptak, after acknowledging Christians serving in community leadership roles adds: "We should cooperate and lend support when we can, but we should also speak when we disagree---and at root, Christians disagree with the rest of the world over the question of political authority, that is, who really is in charge. If we serve and speak as though we had no higher allegiance than the One who calls us to learn and live wisdom, we may be cheered, but we may also be jeered or something worse." He then quotes William Willimon: "...the church is, for better or worse, God's answer to what is wrong in the world. Just let the church begin telling the truth, speaking the truth to power, witnessing to the fact that God, not nations, rules the world, that Jesus Christ is really Lord, and the church will quickly find how easily threatened and inherently unstable are the rulers of this world." (from Willimon: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry)
Koptak's position probably aligns to some extent with Boyd's (and hopefully I am representing his position in this commentary, accurately). Bob Robinson and dlw, influenced by Abraham Kuyper (two links), see Boyd's position as at least tending towards a dualism that would evidently see God leaving the state to itself, God's rule being in the Church, and providentially- including even through the state (e.g., Cyrus and Caesar), aside from and in spite of the state. The state not being the entity of God's rule and kingdom, but nevertheless ordained by God to humans and accountable to him. Though some of Boyd's thought may be inconsistent (an interview in which he states that he is not saying Christians shouldn't serve in politics or be an influence there), the burden of what he seems to be saying is that Christians are to bring God's kingdom to earth in Jesus through fulfilling their calling as the Church. And that to be heavily engaged in politics (such as those of "the religious right"), is to at least be in danger of missing our calling as Church.
At this point I would side more with Koptak's thinking. I do believe the two extreme positions of H. Richard Niebuhr's classic, Christ and Culture: Christ against culture, and Christ transforming culture, have truth from Scripture on Christians' relation to culture and government. This is where the difficulty lies for me. We in Jesus as salt and light to this world, are surely to be influencers for good of human culture, which is simply all that is involved in how human societies live. And part of humanity's original call from God was to rule over the earth, which would inherently involve order and cooperation with other humans, itself a part of culture. Something most theologians do not believe was ever taken back by God because of the fall of humankind.
At this point I'm not sold on what I understand of the Kuyperian view. It seems to see Christ's victory at the cross, over the powers, as opening the door wide to God's full rule in government. I believe that is true. But though, this is post-cross and resurrection, and the beginning of the new creation through God's kingdom establishing itself on earth in Jesus, I just can't see all of this as fulfilled yet (such as in Psalm 2 or Revelation 11- note especially verses 15-18) in such a way that we can think of the possibility of the kingdom of God fully at home in any one human government/state. This seems to me to be a case of the present tension of "already/not yet", in that the kingdom of God is already present in Jesus, but has not yet come in its fullness as in the final judgment and restoration of all things.
What do you think on this, I believe- difficult and challenging issue?
Paul E. Koptak in the NIV Application Commentary: Proverbs in his "Contemporary Significance" section of Proverbs 28:1-28 (pp 632-633) seems to me to steer a course between, on the one hand Christians refusing to bow to the state ("Caesar") as Lord. But rather living as those to whom Jesus is Lord, and doing so as those of another kingdom, counter and subversive to government in this world. Yet on the other hand hopefully sought out to serve in areas of leadership in government and thus bringing this other kingdom, the kingdom of God, as an influence on the state or government (local, state, national, international). He quotes Robert Webber: "The social and political work of evangelicals is counter cultural. However, the calling of the church is not to 'clean up America,' but to be the church, a radical counter cultural communal presence in society. The ultimate question is not 'How is America?' but 'How is the church?' (from R.E. Webber, Ancient-Future Faith: Rethinking Evangelicalism for a Postmodern World)
Koptak, after acknowledging Christians serving in community leadership roles adds: "We should cooperate and lend support when we can, but we should also speak when we disagree---and at root, Christians disagree with the rest of the world over the question of political authority, that is, who really is in charge. If we serve and speak as though we had no higher allegiance than the One who calls us to learn and live wisdom, we may be cheered, but we may also be jeered or something worse." He then quotes William Willimon: "...the church is, for better or worse, God's answer to what is wrong in the world. Just let the church begin telling the truth, speaking the truth to power, witnessing to the fact that God, not nations, rules the world, that Jesus Christ is really Lord, and the church will quickly find how easily threatened and inherently unstable are the rulers of this world." (from Willimon: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry)
Koptak's position probably aligns to some extent with Boyd's (and hopefully I am representing his position in this commentary, accurately). Bob Robinson and dlw, influenced by Abraham Kuyper (two links), see Boyd's position as at least tending towards a dualism that would evidently see God leaving the state to itself, God's rule being in the Church, and providentially- including even through the state (e.g., Cyrus and Caesar), aside from and in spite of the state. The state not being the entity of God's rule and kingdom, but nevertheless ordained by God to humans and accountable to him. Though some of Boyd's thought may be inconsistent (an interview in which he states that he is not saying Christians shouldn't serve in politics or be an influence there), the burden of what he seems to be saying is that Christians are to bring God's kingdom to earth in Jesus through fulfilling their calling as the Church. And that to be heavily engaged in politics (such as those of "the religious right"), is to at least be in danger of missing our calling as Church.
At this point I would side more with Koptak's thinking. I do believe the two extreme positions of H. Richard Niebuhr's classic, Christ and Culture: Christ against culture, and Christ transforming culture, have truth from Scripture on Christians' relation to culture and government. This is where the difficulty lies for me. We in Jesus as salt and light to this world, are surely to be influencers for good of human culture, which is simply all that is involved in how human societies live. And part of humanity's original call from God was to rule over the earth, which would inherently involve order and cooperation with other humans, itself a part of culture. Something most theologians do not believe was ever taken back by God because of the fall of humankind.
At this point I'm not sold on what I understand of the Kuyperian view. It seems to see Christ's victory at the cross, over the powers, as opening the door wide to God's full rule in government. I believe that is true. But though, this is post-cross and resurrection, and the beginning of the new creation through God's kingdom establishing itself on earth in Jesus, I just can't see all of this as fulfilled yet (such as in Psalm 2 or Revelation 11- note especially verses 15-18) in such a way that we can think of the possibility of the kingdom of God fully at home in any one human government/state. This seems to me to be a case of the present tension of "already/not yet", in that the kingdom of God is already present in Jesus, but has not yet come in its fullness as in the final judgment and restoration of all things.
What do you think on this, I believe- difficult and challenging issue?
Saturday, August 12, 2006
This I believe: faithfulness
Listen to (or read) this testimony on faithfulness, which I recently heard on NPR.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
blowin' in the wind
Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
No. This isn't decrying the war in Iraq. Instead it's to call our attention to this song's simple, eloquent expression of the human heart cry for shalom. Shalom is the peace and prosperity that only God can bring about, through his kingdom in Jesus. How the world ought to be.
Of course we come to know that the answer to these good questions Dylan poses, does not lie in ourselves. We're, after all, part of the problem. But the fact that we can ask such questions, and that we long for something better, for wrongs being made right, for good "happy forever after" endings, speaks of our dignity as humans, being image bearers, or eikons of God. This is something in our hearts that, if let go, diminishes something fundamental to being human. The desire for a world of love, justice and peace.
Today at work I was going over Psalm 48. Looking at this psalm with the reminder of this song to recall our lack and need of shalom, gave me new eyes as I pondered its lines. It is largely about how God, as King over the earth, in justice brings shalom to all peoples. If I were of the third world, I would naturally read the psalm in that way. But I tend to look at it in some kind of religious way, that easily misses God's answer to the questions I may fail to even ask. People here often settle for much less than a heart's cry for shalom, such as "the American dream".
Of all people on earth, we Christians, followers of Jesus, ought to have a passion for God's shalom in this world. As Jesus taught us to pray: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." And we need to remember that God, in his grace in Christ, actually enables us to be part of the solution to this problem of the lack of shalom.
Let us not give up or lose sight of this ideal. But press on, as those who know the One who has the answers in hand. In the Son from the Father by the Spirit to us. And through us to the world. Amen.
Bob Dylan
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.
No. This isn't decrying the war in Iraq. Instead it's to call our attention to this song's simple, eloquent expression of the human heart cry for shalom. Shalom is the peace and prosperity that only God can bring about, through his kingdom in Jesus. How the world ought to be.
Of course we come to know that the answer to these good questions Dylan poses, does not lie in ourselves. We're, after all, part of the problem. But the fact that we can ask such questions, and that we long for something better, for wrongs being made right, for good "happy forever after" endings, speaks of our dignity as humans, being image bearers, or eikons of God. This is something in our hearts that, if let go, diminishes something fundamental to being human. The desire for a world of love, justice and peace.
Today at work I was going over Psalm 48. Looking at this psalm with the reminder of this song to recall our lack and need of shalom, gave me new eyes as I pondered its lines. It is largely about how God, as King over the earth, in justice brings shalom to all peoples. If I were of the third world, I would naturally read the psalm in that way. But I tend to look at it in some kind of religious way, that easily misses God's answer to the questions I may fail to even ask. People here often settle for much less than a heart's cry for shalom, such as "the American dream".
Of all people on earth, we Christians, followers of Jesus, ought to have a passion for God's shalom in this world. As Jesus taught us to pray: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." And we need to remember that God, in his grace in Christ, actually enables us to be part of the solution to this problem of the lack of shalom.
Let us not give up or lose sight of this ideal. But press on, as those who know the One who has the answers in hand. In the Son from the Father by the Spirit to us. And through us to the world. Amen.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
I've been tagged...
...by Scot McKnight.
1. One book that changed your life: How to Pray, by R.A. Torrey. As a young Christian. Many have impacted me since.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, by Scot McKnight. And I'll read it again.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: (besides the Bible, of course) Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis. Because it more or less sketches the whole picture.
4. One book that made you laugh: Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States, by Dave Barry. I enjoy the humor section oftentimes at bookstores.
5. One book that made you cry: What's So Amazing About Grace?, by Philip Yancey. Good and moving stories.
6. One book you wish had been written: The Gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, by the Apostle Paul.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Mein Kampf, by Adolph Hitler. Can't think of a more destructive book.
8. One book you’re currently reading: The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology, by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Not disappointed.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I need to work on reading Bonhoeffer.
10. Tag 5 others: Drew Moser, Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Lukas McKnight, Michael Kruse, Rusty Peterman. I read from Michael Barber on Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed that we're to contact those we tag by e-mail.
1. One book that changed your life: How to Pray, by R.A. Torrey. As a young Christian. Many have impacted me since.
2. One book that you’ve read more than once: Embracing Grace: A Gospel for All of Us, by Scot McKnight. And I'll read it again.
3. One book you’d want on a desert island: (besides the Bible, of course) Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis. Because it more or less sketches the whole picture.
4. One book that made you laugh: Dave Barry Slept Here: A Sort of History of the United States, by Dave Barry. I enjoy the humor section oftentimes at bookstores.
5. One book that made you cry: What's So Amazing About Grace?, by Philip Yancey. Good and moving stories.
6. One book you wish had been written: The Gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, by the Apostle Paul.
7. One book you wish had never been written: Mein Kampf, by Adolph Hitler. Can't think of a more destructive book.
8. One book you’re currently reading: The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology, by Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Not disappointed.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read: Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I need to work on reading Bonhoeffer.
10. Tag 5 others: Drew Moser, Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Lukas McKnight, Michael Kruse, Rusty Peterman. I read from Michael Barber on Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed that we're to contact those we tag by e-mail.
Monday, August 07, 2006
faithfulness
Faithfulness means "adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, cause, or idea" (The Free Dictionary by Farflex). In Scripture faithfulness and faith are closely related, often possible translations of the same word in Old and New Testament passages. So part of true faith is faithfulness. And faithfulness is an expression of true faith.
Faithfulness is God, becoming one of us humans, in Jesus. And in Jesus bringing his kingdom down to earth. Then dying on the cross and being resurrected to new life, to ultimately bring in the fullness of the kingdom in the new creation. Which is present now in his people, the Jesus community.
God has covenanted (a promise commitment) with humankind in Jesus. The human response is faith, manifested in faithfulness within this covenant ("a binding agreement" -The Free Dictionary by Farflex) of committed love from God. So this give and take, at its heart is a matter of being faithful, faithfulness.
Faithfulness for us in Jesus means following Jesus no matter what. Trusting in Jesus and in God's promises in Scripture when one is tempted to give up in despair, or to take matters into one's own hands. Faithfulness means to be true to the revelation of God in Christ, together as a community, and as individuals in our everyday worlds.
Look at Scripture to find out what faithfulness means and how it is expressed. It's not always pretty. Just look at the psalms. Hearts poured out to God with mask removed. Repentance. Faith. Acts and words of faith often in spite of circumstances.
Certainly we fall short. Good for our humility, understanding who we really are. Then we confess to God, and to another if we've offended someone. And we accept God's forgiveness and cleansing for us in Christ. And we go on. Seeking to follow the Savior with his followers, by the Spirit.
Father, You have been and are and ever will be faithful to us in your Son. Let us in him be faithful in return. By your Spirit. And by your grace. Amen.
Faithfulness is God, becoming one of us humans, in Jesus. And in Jesus bringing his kingdom down to earth. Then dying on the cross and being resurrected to new life, to ultimately bring in the fullness of the kingdom in the new creation. Which is present now in his people, the Jesus community.
God has covenanted (a promise commitment) with humankind in Jesus. The human response is faith, manifested in faithfulness within this covenant ("a binding agreement" -The Free Dictionary by Farflex) of committed love from God. So this give and take, at its heart is a matter of being faithful, faithfulness.
Faithfulness for us in Jesus means following Jesus no matter what. Trusting in Jesus and in God's promises in Scripture when one is tempted to give up in despair, or to take matters into one's own hands. Faithfulness means to be true to the revelation of God in Christ, together as a community, and as individuals in our everyday worlds.
Look at Scripture to find out what faithfulness means and how it is expressed. It's not always pretty. Just look at the psalms. Hearts poured out to God with mask removed. Repentance. Faith. Acts and words of faith often in spite of circumstances.
Certainly we fall short. Good for our humility, understanding who we really are. Then we confess to God, and to another if we've offended someone. And we accept God's forgiveness and cleansing for us in Christ. And we go on. Seeking to follow the Savior with his followers, by the Spirit.
Father, You have been and are and ever will be faithful to us in your Son. Let us in him be faithful in return. By your Spirit. And by your grace. Amen.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
overcoming as victorious ones
Nike is a transliteration of the koine Greek word meaning, "victory", nikao the verb, meaning, "conquer, overcome; win the verdict (Ro 3.4)" (Barclay M. Newman, Jr., A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament).
Christus Victor is a view of the atonement that sees Christ as the victor, by the cross and empty tomb. By his death, resurrection and ascension (resulting in the coming of the Spirit), to be completely and fully realized at his return, Jesus has conquered. And we, in Jesus, are to follow in his steps. We too, by simple faith are to be victorious, sharing in the victory of Jesus. Who defeated sin, death, and all the hosts arrayed against him.
This sounds good, and we believe it as a confession (from Scripture) of our faith. But where the rubber meets the road, do we really live it out? Do we live as overcomers, or victorious ones, and what does that really mean, and look like?
It looks like a person, taking up their cross. Following the Savior. To better come to know him and become like him in his death. So as to share in his resurrection life. Sharing with Jesus in his death, means sharing with Jesus in his resurrection. And this sharing, which begins at baptism, is to be part and parcel of our lives in the here and now. Meaning a life like Jesus lived. In union with Jesus. In the triune God. By the Spirit.
It means a new prayer ("the Lord's prayer"- Matthew 6) and a new perspective when the trials inevitably come. We are living out in the here and now, what Jesus lived out before us. He blazed the way for us, in the days of his humiliation. And he is our glorified head now, as we, his body, live in the days of our humiliation, prior to our glorification in him. Called to be, in him, victorious ones who call and invite others to join us in this new life and humanity. No matter what we run up against, knowing that there is always God's answer and help.
We need this "shot in the arm". We need to remember who we belong to. And what he has done. And what that means. We're not to go around, hanging our heads down, trying merely to survive and keep our heads above water. But in God's love, together, and even perhaps by ourselves, as both Jesus and Paul experienced- though such times should be exceptions to the rule; we're meant to be in this journey, and triumphal procession in Jesus, together, not by ourselves- we are to thrive, and be victorious, more than conquerors through him who loved us. Amen.
Christus Victor is a view of the atonement that sees Christ as the victor, by the cross and empty tomb. By his death, resurrection and ascension (resulting in the coming of the Spirit), to be completely and fully realized at his return, Jesus has conquered. And we, in Jesus, are to follow in his steps. We too, by simple faith are to be victorious, sharing in the victory of Jesus. Who defeated sin, death, and all the hosts arrayed against him.
This sounds good, and we believe it as a confession (from Scripture) of our faith. But where the rubber meets the road, do we really live it out? Do we live as overcomers, or victorious ones, and what does that really mean, and look like?
It looks like a person, taking up their cross. Following the Savior. To better come to know him and become like him in his death. So as to share in his resurrection life. Sharing with Jesus in his death, means sharing with Jesus in his resurrection. And this sharing, which begins at baptism, is to be part and parcel of our lives in the here and now. Meaning a life like Jesus lived. In union with Jesus. In the triune God. By the Spirit.
It means a new prayer ("the Lord's prayer"- Matthew 6) and a new perspective when the trials inevitably come. We are living out in the here and now, what Jesus lived out before us. He blazed the way for us, in the days of his humiliation. And he is our glorified head now, as we, his body, live in the days of our humiliation, prior to our glorification in him. Called to be, in him, victorious ones who call and invite others to join us in this new life and humanity. No matter what we run up against, knowing that there is always God's answer and help.
We need this "shot in the arm". We need to remember who we belong to. And what he has done. And what that means. We're not to go around, hanging our heads down, trying merely to survive and keep our heads above water. But in God's love, together, and even perhaps by ourselves, as both Jesus and Paul experienced- though such times should be exceptions to the rule; we're meant to be in this journey, and triumphal procession in Jesus, together, not by ourselves- we are to thrive, and be victorious, more than conquerors through him who loved us. Amen.
wisdom and work
I was talking with someone who trains people to think in terms of work and not job. I picked up from him that he means approaching vocation as something fluid rather than fixed. And that these are the kinds of employees employers want today. My dad worked in one place for forty-three years, and generally stayed at one job there for long periods of time. I generally have stayed at the same job until I had good reason to move on. Things have changed in this day and age. I notice that some people switch jobs where I work, quite often. Work is seen not merely as a job, but as vocation that can be inclusive of many jobs.
I was talking to another person who mentioned what he sees in another country. The people there think only in terms of living from day to day. Thinking ahead or planning is a foreign concept to them. Whereas in our country, it is much more common to see people plan their future, realizing there are many contingencies.
Proverbs has alot of wisdom on this. It is a book that ought to be read and studied by all of us, particularly by young people who are just beginning their work lives. It can help us see the need for counsel, using one's gifts, working hard at it, having balance in life, seeing life in good perspective (including during those times when not all goes well) and living in the fear of the Lord. A book like Ecclesiastes is good too, in giving us some helpful perspectives- knowing what life really is, in a fallen world in which many things are wrong, and do go wrong.
We need to be those who apply wisdom from God in our work and in our lives. That we may see work as part and parcel of our calling from God. And an important expression of who we are. But that we might also realize its limitations because of the Fall.
We also need to see our work in terms of the kingdom of God. How it relates to God's kingdom having come in Jesus. In terms of our gifting, of our call from God, of our own families, and of others that our work, in one way or another, may impact. God's word/Scripture does not seem that concerned about what we are doing as vocation (1 Corinthians 7). But rather that we are doing all for the glory of God. And that we do so as stewards who will give account of our lives and work to God.
What have you learned about wisdom and work? That maybe, as is true in my case, you wish you would have known years ago? Or that you are learning now?
I was talking to another person who mentioned what he sees in another country. The people there think only in terms of living from day to day. Thinking ahead or planning is a foreign concept to them. Whereas in our country, it is much more common to see people plan their future, realizing there are many contingencies.
Proverbs has alot of wisdom on this. It is a book that ought to be read and studied by all of us, particularly by young people who are just beginning their work lives. It can help us see the need for counsel, using one's gifts, working hard at it, having balance in life, seeing life in good perspective (including during those times when not all goes well) and living in the fear of the Lord. A book like Ecclesiastes is good too, in giving us some helpful perspectives- knowing what life really is, in a fallen world in which many things are wrong, and do go wrong.
We need to be those who apply wisdom from God in our work and in our lives. That we may see work as part and parcel of our calling from God. And an important expression of who we are. But that we might also realize its limitations because of the Fall.
We also need to see our work in terms of the kingdom of God. How it relates to God's kingdom having come in Jesus. In terms of our gifting, of our call from God, of our own families, and of others that our work, in one way or another, may impact. God's word/Scripture does not seem that concerned about what we are doing as vocation (1 Corinthians 7). But rather that we are doing all for the glory of God. And that we do so as stewards who will give account of our lives and work to God.
What have you learned about wisdom and work? That maybe, as is true in my case, you wish you would have known years ago? Or that you are learning now?
Thursday, August 03, 2006
I can't believe I lost my links!
But will be correcting that when I have time. Thanks.
In future when I have more time (not real soon), I want to change to wordpress. That is, if I keep blogging, which I'm leaning towards. Thanks.
(Though I liked the appearance better, I switched back to this. Most of my "ministry" in pastoring is to older folks. So I'm acutely aware of some having the need for large letters. So I'll stick with this format for now.)
In future when I have more time (not real soon), I want to change to wordpress. That is, if I keep blogging, which I'm leaning towards. Thanks.
(Though I liked the appearance better, I switched back to this. Most of my "ministry" in pastoring is to older folks. So I'm acutely aware of some having the need for large letters. So I'll stick with this format for now.)
love/intimacy from God
Jesus' creed (the new Shema for the new Israel), called "the Jesus creed", tells us that to love God with all of our being and doing, and to love our fellow human ("neighbor") as ourselves is getting to the heart of and what is central to Scripture. In it we read of God's love expressed in creating, redeeming, restoring and renewing his creation. We read of God's call to a family that would become his holy nation, blessed to be a blessing to all nations on the earth. This would occur through Abraham and his seed. Paul points out that this "seed" (singular) is Christ. He would be the promised one to come, who would bruise/"crush" (TNIV) the serpent's head. Thus lifting the curse of God from his creation, and seeing his blessing come and flourish on it all. Of course while the beginning of that is here, in the present kingdom of Christ on earth, we await for its fullness when Jesus returns and the new Jerusalem comes down to earth.
Having said that, we still live in a world that experiences the blessings of God's love daily: in sunshine, health, food and drink, etc. (though let us be mindful of those who are lacking in needs). Yet few know his intimacy in their lives. The intimacy which is grounded in the love communion of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People look for it in other things: in each other, in that ideal (from their imagination) person, even from pornography. Dangerously they may seem to have an intimacy from sources that really are impersonal and destructive. Or they may just give up, and become secluded and hard. Not knowing any intimacy in their hearts and lives.
This is where the love of God in Jesus comes in. This love is to be experienced by all humankind. And it is experienced in the heart of each individual in Jesus. And expressed to loved ones (spouse, children, family; friends), and to be expressed to all believers in Jesus, in and before this world. God's goodness in his creation of human love, though broken in us all, is experienced potentially by all people on earth- his gift to all. Though the greater love, found only in Jesus is the kind of intimacy we're referring to here.
Kathleen Norris in The Cloister Walk writes about how we need to look in our relationships, for Christ's intimacy. For us who are married, we need to find his intimacy in our spouses, and they need to find the same in us. Infatuation strikes at the heart of many, and perhaps is an early stage of "true love". But it is misleading, for intimate love must go beyond infatuation, to know and embrace the real person, warts and all. And to love them, and be loved by them with Jesus' own love.
This is in keeping with the truth that God wants us to enter into the reality of the communion of love found in the Trinity. This needs to be more and more our own practice and experience in a world that sorely needs to see and experience this love.
Jesus, Let us know your love. The love of the Father in the Son. By the Holy Spirit. To each other and to the world you died for. Amen.
Having said that, we still live in a world that experiences the blessings of God's love daily: in sunshine, health, food and drink, etc. (though let us be mindful of those who are lacking in needs). Yet few know his intimacy in their lives. The intimacy which is grounded in the love communion of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. People look for it in other things: in each other, in that ideal (from their imagination) person, even from pornography. Dangerously they may seem to have an intimacy from sources that really are impersonal and destructive. Or they may just give up, and become secluded and hard. Not knowing any intimacy in their hearts and lives.
This is where the love of God in Jesus comes in. This love is to be experienced by all humankind. And it is experienced in the heart of each individual in Jesus. And expressed to loved ones (spouse, children, family; friends), and to be expressed to all believers in Jesus, in and before this world. God's goodness in his creation of human love, though broken in us all, is experienced potentially by all people on earth- his gift to all. Though the greater love, found only in Jesus is the kind of intimacy we're referring to here.
Kathleen Norris in The Cloister Walk writes about how we need to look in our relationships, for Christ's intimacy. For us who are married, we need to find his intimacy in our spouses, and they need to find the same in us. Infatuation strikes at the heart of many, and perhaps is an early stage of "true love". But it is misleading, for intimate love must go beyond infatuation, to know and embrace the real person, warts and all. And to love them, and be loved by them with Jesus' own love.
This is in keeping with the truth that God wants us to enter into the reality of the communion of love found in the Trinity. This needs to be more and more our own practice and experience in a world that sorely needs to see and experience this love.
Jesus, Let us know your love. The love of the Father in the Son. By the Holy Spirit. To each other and to the world you died for. Amen.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
living in this (hot) place and time
We're sweltering this weekend in Michigan. I picked a hot weekend to paint our bathroom. But even hotter still is the Middle East, both in the Hezbollah/Israeli conflict and in the Iraqi war.
Scripture characterizes humankind and the times of the Gentiles as being warlike (the dream of the four beasts in Daniel 7). A succession of empires denoting kingdoms in history is finally crushed and replaced by the rock cut out of a mountain, not by human hands, then becoming a mountain that fills the entire earth (Daniel 2). This is nothing less than the kingdom of God destined to reign over all the earth forever. Of course the Daniel 7 picture is one of a son of man reigning over the earth, given that authority by the Ancient of Days.
How do we look at our world today, and the heat of the Middle East in light of this truth? Do we distrust human governmental power, the power of earthly empires? In our time we speak of the United States as the world power. While other nations seem to be emerging on the horizon as important powers, particularly China.
I say we in Jesus as those belonging to the final, forever kingdom, should look at all such worldly power with profound suspicion. Can empires do good? Of course. We see that in Cyrus and the Persian empire, used by God to bring his people Israel back to the land. Even true of the Roman empire whose roads and freedom paved the way for the spread of the gospel and Christianity through the known world of that time. America too has contributed plenty of good in a number of ways (along with Britain preceding it). Missionaries sent from these latter two, evangelizing and translating Scripture has been a blessing to the world.
But the United States and Britain have their sins and excesses. And for all the good they've done, they cannot be made to be an exception to the rule of the worldly empires that are all to ultimately come down, in judgment by the King of kings and Lord of lords. The standard of the kingdom of God is high. That is the standard by which all nations are judged throughout history, to the end (see the OT prophets and their judgments pronounced from God on nations of their time).
Let us, like a Joseph, a Daniel, or an Esther be good participants, as best as we can, doing God's will in the midst of life lived in this kind of world. Let us do so, knowing we have only one King who we bow to in worship, with full allegiance. Amen.
Scripture characterizes humankind and the times of the Gentiles as being warlike (the dream of the four beasts in Daniel 7). A succession of empires denoting kingdoms in history is finally crushed and replaced by the rock cut out of a mountain, not by human hands, then becoming a mountain that fills the entire earth (Daniel 2). This is nothing less than the kingdom of God destined to reign over all the earth forever. Of course the Daniel 7 picture is one of a son of man reigning over the earth, given that authority by the Ancient of Days.
How do we look at our world today, and the heat of the Middle East in light of this truth? Do we distrust human governmental power, the power of earthly empires? In our time we speak of the United States as the world power. While other nations seem to be emerging on the horizon as important powers, particularly China.
I say we in Jesus as those belonging to the final, forever kingdom, should look at all such worldly power with profound suspicion. Can empires do good? Of course. We see that in Cyrus and the Persian empire, used by God to bring his people Israel back to the land. Even true of the Roman empire whose roads and freedom paved the way for the spread of the gospel and Christianity through the known world of that time. America too has contributed plenty of good in a number of ways (along with Britain preceding it). Missionaries sent from these latter two, evangelizing and translating Scripture has been a blessing to the world.
But the United States and Britain have their sins and excesses. And for all the good they've done, they cannot be made to be an exception to the rule of the worldly empires that are all to ultimately come down, in judgment by the King of kings and Lord of lords. The standard of the kingdom of God is high. That is the standard by which all nations are judged throughout history, to the end (see the OT prophets and their judgments pronounced from God on nations of their time).
Let us, like a Joseph, a Daniel, or an Esther be good participants, as best as we can, doing God's will in the midst of life lived in this kind of world. Let us do so, knowing we have only one King who we bow to in worship, with full allegiance. Amen.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
being there
In our weekly "chapel" on Wednesday, we had an emergent-like voice and young man (young to me, anyhow) in Roy Clark. The guy was funny, but above all, passionate, about living out his faith and doing so to meet the needs of boys in the west Michigan (largely Grand Rapids) community, a majority in the inner city having no father.
And Roy's main point was, week after week after week after week, yes- after week.... being there! Meeting with them. And simply listening. Not saying a word. Just listening.
These are boys caught in a web of systemic evil or vicimization and poor choices. A good number mixing it up in gangs. Some, I believe in prison, or on tether. Many on waiting lists for many months. One for five years. No one to meet with him. No one has the time.
So Roy figured he could take on 12-24 a month. And recruit men to meet with hundreds and hundreds more (into the thousands- I should have taken notes I guess).
Roy was meeting with a rough gang guy, week after week after week... Then one day the guy said something that Roy thought was dumb and offensive. Namely that he didn't need Roy to mentor him, but maybe just meet with him as a friend. And that Roy in his life was no better off than him! Roy, in looking back on it, in pride, missed a week!
The phone rang. A mother's voice. The boy's mother! And emotional, persistent. And being used by God to bring Roy to his senses. Yes, Roy agreed he would be seeing her son the next week, and the week after that....
So the next week they meet again. Roy admits why he did what he did (as he had to his mother). And then the boy asks Roy about his wife and adopted children. He wanted to know how the adoptions took place. That in itself is another story, and a good, God story: of God's goodness, mercy, faithfulness and love. Roy saw that this big boy was being moved emotionally as Roy told him that story. Roy was able to begin to really share about his faith in Jesus, and of God's goodness and work in the life of his family.
Being there. At least half the battle. Are we stepping into God-possibilities? Often the greatest blessing comes when we go when we really would rather not.
And knowing where to be, at what time, is also important. Too many have left their families behind. Are we being there for them, as well?
Lord, Help us to be there, and in being there, so find you there with us. In your work and transforming love. Amen.
And Roy's main point was, week after week after week after week, yes- after week.... being there! Meeting with them. And simply listening. Not saying a word. Just listening.
These are boys caught in a web of systemic evil or vicimization and poor choices. A good number mixing it up in gangs. Some, I believe in prison, or on tether. Many on waiting lists for many months. One for five years. No one to meet with him. No one has the time.
So Roy figured he could take on 12-24 a month. And recruit men to meet with hundreds and hundreds more (into the thousands- I should have taken notes I guess).
Roy was meeting with a rough gang guy, week after week after week... Then one day the guy said something that Roy thought was dumb and offensive. Namely that he didn't need Roy to mentor him, but maybe just meet with him as a friend. And that Roy in his life was no better off than him! Roy, in looking back on it, in pride, missed a week!
The phone rang. A mother's voice. The boy's mother! And emotional, persistent. And being used by God to bring Roy to his senses. Yes, Roy agreed he would be seeing her son the next week, and the week after that....
So the next week they meet again. Roy admits why he did what he did (as he had to his mother). And then the boy asks Roy about his wife and adopted children. He wanted to know how the adoptions took place. That in itself is another story, and a good, God story: of God's goodness, mercy, faithfulness and love. Roy saw that this big boy was being moved emotionally as Roy told him that story. Roy was able to begin to really share about his faith in Jesus, and of God's goodness and work in the life of his family.
Being there. At least half the battle. Are we stepping into God-possibilities? Often the greatest blessing comes when we go when we really would rather not.
And knowing where to be, at what time, is also important. Too many have left their families behind. Are we being there for them, as well?
Lord, Help us to be there, and in being there, so find you there with us. In your work and transforming love. Amen.
Monday, July 24, 2006
review of You Converted Me: The Confessions of St. Augustine
You Converted Me: The Confessions of St. Augustine with Introduction and notes by Tony Jones and with a contemporary translation by Robert J. Edmonson, CJ. This is a faithful translation of what may be considered the greatest Christian classic by the greatest and most influential theologian of the western Church, Augustine. Actually it is the first eight books, the most famous part of it, that is translated. This is a book meant to get people to read this classic. The books following book eight, are more philosophically oriented in such a way as to lose many readers, though worthy in themselves of consideration and study as has been done for centuries. Tony Jones provides a helpful introduction and helpful notes along the way, in the text.
Classics are considered classics for a reason. Surely in my society we are weak in reading them. This is true in my case. I have had a copy of this classic for some years now, but hadn't even read through the first eight books in their entirety (as far as I remember, anyhow; some of my reading during that time was not well absorbed). Rather it had been a selective reading of it for me. So I am grateful for this edition, which, by the way, I did read all the way through. And I see it as a good way of getting young and old alike to read it.
The Confessions of Augustine are both in regard to his God, and in regard to himself and his struggle towards conversion. And his mother, Monica is a chief player in this story.
And that is what this book essentially is: a story. Told by Augustine in speech, largely to God. But also thinking his way through it. In these ways reminding one of a psalm and perhaps something of a letter of Paul, melded together.
And you get to meet, through his writing, a man, bearing his soul. As well as sharing the gift God had given him for us.
Many lines stand out in this reading. I'm not one to underline in books (I've ruined some, doing so, lines everywhere!), but I would recommend an exception here. Maybe take a pencil and do so lightly. And not too often. But there are gems to be found. Here is one in which he is describing the near end of his long struggle towards conversion:
So I highly recommend purchasing this volume. It is all you need in reading and rereading Augustine's struggle and account of his conversion. If you're of a scholarly bend, this is still a great place to start. You could borrow a copy that includes books nine through thirteen, from the library. And eventually choose to purchase such. Most of us will not care to spend alot of time in those books, some of which are hard to understand and follow.
Paraclete Press graciously gave this book to the first fifty who responded to the offer on Scot McKnight's blog, Jesus Creed. And asked us to review it on Amazon or a blog we might have. I would highly recommend that you check out their website. They publish good books written by Christians from all the Christian traditions. This is ecumenical in a good sense. In the sharing of our common faith in Jesus Christ, bringing in the rich diversity among us in our various thought and practice.
Lord, Let many read and appreciate anew the gift of your servant, Augustine. Let us so follow, in seeing our lives totally and increasingly changed from glory to glory into your likeness. Hold us to that; that we might hold to it. By your grace. Amen.
Classics are considered classics for a reason. Surely in my society we are weak in reading them. This is true in my case. I have had a copy of this classic for some years now, but hadn't even read through the first eight books in their entirety (as far as I remember, anyhow; some of my reading during that time was not well absorbed). Rather it had been a selective reading of it for me. So I am grateful for this edition, which, by the way, I did read all the way through. And I see it as a good way of getting young and old alike to read it.
The Confessions of Augustine are both in regard to his God, and in regard to himself and his struggle towards conversion. And his mother, Monica is a chief player in this story.
And that is what this book essentially is: a story. Told by Augustine in speech, largely to God. But also thinking his way through it. In these ways reminding one of a psalm and perhaps something of a letter of Paul, melded together.
And you get to meet, through his writing, a man, bearing his soul. As well as sharing the gift God had given him for us.
Many lines stand out in this reading. I'm not one to underline in books (I've ruined some, doing so, lines everywhere!), but I would recommend an exception here. Maybe take a pencil and do so lightly. And not too often. But there are gems to be found. Here is one in which he is describing the near end of his long struggle towards conversion:
"I still didn't quite make it, or touch it, or lay hold of it, hesitating to die to death and to live to life." (p 224)The greatest aspect of this book is to hear the story of God's work in Augustine's life, bringing him to his true self in God through Christ (Luke 15:17). And to know that this is from one of the great lights of the Church. A light that has helped others in God from his time right up to the present.
So I highly recommend purchasing this volume. It is all you need in reading and rereading Augustine's struggle and account of his conversion. If you're of a scholarly bend, this is still a great place to start. You could borrow a copy that includes books nine through thirteen, from the library. And eventually choose to purchase such. Most of us will not care to spend alot of time in those books, some of which are hard to understand and follow.
Paraclete Press graciously gave this book to the first fifty who responded to the offer on Scot McKnight's blog, Jesus Creed. And asked us to review it on Amazon or a blog we might have. I would highly recommend that you check out their website. They publish good books written by Christians from all the Christian traditions. This is ecumenical in a good sense. In the sharing of our common faith in Jesus Christ, bringing in the rich diversity among us in our various thought and practice.
Lord, Let many read and appreciate anew the gift of your servant, Augustine. Let us so follow, in seeing our lives totally and increasingly changed from glory to glory into your likeness. Hold us to that; that we might hold to it. By your grace. Amen.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
stepping back
I've never kept at journaling consistently over the years. Though I do look back on some that I did. And it is interesting. I see where some of my struggles I had then (for me, mostly struggles of the mind, and anxiety) are still present but much smaller now. Sometimes hardly, if at all, in the picture.
I think it is good to step back, so to speak, and try to look at the big picture of one's own life. What has been going on, over a period of time- say weeks, months, even years. And from that, trying to decipher what the Lord is doing in one's life, what progress has been made, what changes- in character, thought, priorities, activities- would seem to be a good natural step one should take, or already may be taking.
Included in this inventory, of course will be the input we receive from others. Patterns we see in our lives. Maybe in matters that keep coming up until we finally learn the lesson God has for us. Areas in which we recognize good growth and thus can thank God for. Maybe areas of substantial or significant growth that hopefully, in the Lord, we can "cement", so to speak, or better, become more and more settled in.
In the life in Jesus, as we see God at work in all things working together for good (Romans 8), we will, on the one hand begin to see some of the dreams and visions God has given us in earlier years begin to come true. But on the other hand, marvel at God's work in it all. And how it is all truly something beyond ourselves!
I think we need to do this individually. But also in our communities of faith. We need to step back and ask ourselves, together, "What can we see God doing in our midst and through our gatherings and activities?" What kind of vision has God been giving us? What have we learned the "hard way", in our learning how not to do things?
All of this takes some time, reflection, consideration. But life not lived thoughtfully is hardly life worth living. God wants us to stop and look, with an eye and ear to what he may be doing and undoing in our lives, individually and together. That having stepped back, we can better keep in step, especially in the hard times and places, in him. Amen.
I think it is good to step back, so to speak, and try to look at the big picture of one's own life. What has been going on, over a period of time- say weeks, months, even years. And from that, trying to decipher what the Lord is doing in one's life, what progress has been made, what changes- in character, thought, priorities, activities- would seem to be a good natural step one should take, or already may be taking.
Included in this inventory, of course will be the input we receive from others. Patterns we see in our lives. Maybe in matters that keep coming up until we finally learn the lesson God has for us. Areas in which we recognize good growth and thus can thank God for. Maybe areas of substantial or significant growth that hopefully, in the Lord, we can "cement", so to speak, or better, become more and more settled in.
In the life in Jesus, as we see God at work in all things working together for good (Romans 8), we will, on the one hand begin to see some of the dreams and visions God has given us in earlier years begin to come true. But on the other hand, marvel at God's work in it all. And how it is all truly something beyond ourselves!
I think we need to do this individually. But also in our communities of faith. We need to step back and ask ourselves, together, "What can we see God doing in our midst and through our gatherings and activities?" What kind of vision has God been giving us? What have we learned the "hard way", in our learning how not to do things?
All of this takes some time, reflection, consideration. But life not lived thoughtfully is hardly life worth living. God wants us to stop and look, with an eye and ear to what he may be doing and undoing in our lives, individually and together. That having stepped back, we can better keep in step, especially in the hard times and places, in him. Amen.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
the most important thing; the one thing needed
For many of us, we could wish as we look back on decades, that we would have done some things differently. So as to achieve goals. Goal setting is not bad in and of itself. In fact it is good, as long as it and everything else is kept in perspective. To be sure, some sacrifice their souls or their families to achieve their goals. Their goal may be a good one, but it becomes their life, an idol in their lives.
When all is said and done, what is the most important thing; the one thing needed? It is to follow Jesus, individually and together with those of the Jesus community. This means becoming like the one we follow. And at the heart of this is the Jesus creed: loving God with all of our being and doing, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
This involves character issues that we all need to keep working on. Issues of priorities in our lives. What we are doing and not doing. Ongoing confession of sins. Involvement with others in the Jesus community. And loving others in the world. All with the goal of following Jesus in our lives. Individually and together with other followers.
This means alot in everyday life. When someone gives us the shrift. Or labels us a certain way. Or belittles us in front of others. Or shows no respect for us as a person. What do we do? How do we respond? Do we react? Hopefully we can learn to stay our ground as a simple follower of Jesus. And find others as soul partners in this following.
I can be a big talker. For me following Jesus oftentimes means keeping my mouth shut. And working extra hard at listening. Letting someone else get the last word in a discussion or debate. And above all loving. Even the unlikeables and in the difficult places and times. Sometimes all we can do is pray. Of course prayer is always vital and so easily lagging behind in our practice, causing us to lag behind in our following Jesus.
Lord, Let us truly be your followers. Day in and day out. By your grace and by your Spirit. Together. As well as in those lonely, difficult places and times. Let us know you better, and true fellowship with you. And do so with others. To your glory. Amen.
When all is said and done, what is the most important thing; the one thing needed? It is to follow Jesus, individually and together with those of the Jesus community. This means becoming like the one we follow. And at the heart of this is the Jesus creed: loving God with all of our being and doing, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
This involves character issues that we all need to keep working on. Issues of priorities in our lives. What we are doing and not doing. Ongoing confession of sins. Involvement with others in the Jesus community. And loving others in the world. All with the goal of following Jesus in our lives. Individually and together with other followers.
This means alot in everyday life. When someone gives us the shrift. Or labels us a certain way. Or belittles us in front of others. Or shows no respect for us as a person. What do we do? How do we respond? Do we react? Hopefully we can learn to stay our ground as a simple follower of Jesus. And find others as soul partners in this following.
I can be a big talker. For me following Jesus oftentimes means keeping my mouth shut. And working extra hard at listening. Letting someone else get the last word in a discussion or debate. And above all loving. Even the unlikeables and in the difficult places and times. Sometimes all we can do is pray. Of course prayer is always vital and so easily lagging behind in our practice, causing us to lag behind in our following Jesus.
Lord, Let us truly be your followers. Day in and day out. By your grace and by your Spirit. Together. As well as in those lonely, difficult places and times. Let us know you better, and true fellowship with you. And do so with others. To your glory. Amen.
Monday, July 17, 2006
repulsion replaced with love
While watching Munich with my little family last evening, I caught myself becoming caught up in the horrific wanton violence of the Israeli assassins, out to get those who had murdered (and planned the murder) of their eleven olympic athletes at Munich (1972). I was viewing this as events that really happened (and the film is based on an allegedly accurate account of the events then). In horror and disgust I said out loud, "You Jew!" Quickly I said to any hearers (my wife had fallen asleep, though Tiffany was awake), "I should never call anyone that." I used "Jew" in a derogatory manner, not refering to the ethnicity, but as a slur. I was surprised, because I don't believe I've ever done that before (in my fifty years). Such was the emotion and gut feeling this portrayal of violence brought up out of my heart (or, that my heart brought up from this portrayal- is more accurate).
I was reflecting some on that today, and on my earlier post refering to this film. I am not of the John Hagee evangelical crowd who believe we Christians need to stand by Israel in a unique way with political support since, after all, they are the apple of God's eye. I see true Israel today, as consisting of all Jews and Gentiles who place their faith in Jesus the Messiah, as Savior and Lord.
Paul, who I believe believed something similar (or not too far from) this theological understanding, was greatly stirred in his emotions and heart in love for his people, Israel, as we see in Romans 9 and 10 (by the way, Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed has an excellent blog through of Romans this summer, interacting with N.T. Wright's treatment of Romans as well as with the text himself. Can't wait to get to Romans 9-11, though it's just fine that we don't since it is so good along the way!). Paul was willing to be separated from Christ himself, if it would mean that his people, the people of Israel, would be saved. That was his heart's desire and prayer to God in regard to them.
Israel then was in just as much unbelief as they are now (excepting those who receive Jesus and believe in his name). If we're to be followers of Jesus, we should weep over Israel, rather than use the name "Jew" as a derogatory slur. We can't follow what Christianity in general has done through the centuries, and is fortunately repenting of now, and be truly following Jesus. Jews were derided and much worse, yes, by professed followers of Christ.
I believe (lean toward the teaching) that Romans 9-11 indicates that God is not finished with ethnic Israel (Israel according to the flesh). Indeed Scripture indicates that from every tribe and nation the Lamb will have a people, the people of God.
Concerning Israel, we need to look at them as Jesus and Paul did. And see them contextually in our own time. We need to look with compassion, likewise, on the Arabs and Palestinians. Even on those, who in the name of Allah, would kill. This is so, if we're truly to be followers of Jesus.
Lord, Let us love as you love. Seeing past others' sin with forgiveness and prayers for them and for their salvation. Let us hate violence and evil. Yet love all with your love. In our neighborhood. To the ends of the earth. Amen.
I was reflecting some on that today, and on my earlier post refering to this film. I am not of the John Hagee evangelical crowd who believe we Christians need to stand by Israel in a unique way with political support since, after all, they are the apple of God's eye. I see true Israel today, as consisting of all Jews and Gentiles who place their faith in Jesus the Messiah, as Savior and Lord.
Paul, who I believe believed something similar (or not too far from) this theological understanding, was greatly stirred in his emotions and heart in love for his people, Israel, as we see in Romans 9 and 10 (by the way, Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed has an excellent blog through of Romans this summer, interacting with N.T. Wright's treatment of Romans as well as with the text himself. Can't wait to get to Romans 9-11, though it's just fine that we don't since it is so good along the way!). Paul was willing to be separated from Christ himself, if it would mean that his people, the people of Israel, would be saved. That was his heart's desire and prayer to God in regard to them.
Israel then was in just as much unbelief as they are now (excepting those who receive Jesus and believe in his name). If we're to be followers of Jesus, we should weep over Israel, rather than use the name "Jew" as a derogatory slur. We can't follow what Christianity in general has done through the centuries, and is fortunately repenting of now, and be truly following Jesus. Jews were derided and much worse, yes, by professed followers of Christ.
I believe (lean toward the teaching) that Romans 9-11 indicates that God is not finished with ethnic Israel (Israel according to the flesh). Indeed Scripture indicates that from every tribe and nation the Lamb will have a people, the people of God.
Concerning Israel, we need to look at them as Jesus and Paul did. And see them contextually in our own time. We need to look with compassion, likewise, on the Arabs and Palestinians. Even on those, who in the name of Allah, would kill. This is so, if we're truly to be followers of Jesus.
Lord, Let us love as you love. Seeing past others' sin with forgiveness and prayers for them and for their salvation. Let us hate violence and evil. Yet love all with your love. In our neighborhood. To the ends of the earth. Amen.
man's inhumanity to man
Saw Steven Spielberg's latest: Munich. He says that the true story on which this film is based has been attacked, but never discredited. For several reasons I really cannot recommend this film.
However it does make a powerful statement. Though Spielberg says in a clip one can play before the film, that he had no intention of making any political statement, this film certainly does. Spielberg says that hopefully this movie will spur discussion on the political angle. A moral and spiritual statement is made as well, interwoven and really not divorced from the political side.
One of the memorable lines is when the Israeli bomb expert in backing away from participation in the revenge assassinations at least temporarily, says that for him as a Jew, it is all about being righteous. That without that he has nothing. And that he was fearful he was losing his soul. Yes.
This is exactly what we see depicted in this film. In the process of taking human life, the assassins were losing their souls, their very humanity. And with that is portrayed a kind of maddening along with a spiral wave of violence set in motion so as not to stop. An aftermath of division and desolation is left. And for what? Not the shalom of God, to be sure.
Father, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life. Amen.
However it does make a powerful statement. Though Spielberg says in a clip one can play before the film, that he had no intention of making any political statement, this film certainly does. Spielberg says that hopefully this movie will spur discussion on the political angle. A moral and spiritual statement is made as well, interwoven and really not divorced from the political side.
One of the memorable lines is when the Israeli bomb expert in backing away from participation in the revenge assassinations at least temporarily, says that for him as a Jew, it is all about being righteous. That without that he has nothing. And that he was fearful he was losing his soul. Yes.
This is exactly what we see depicted in this film. In the process of taking human life, the assassins were losing their souls, their very humanity. And with that is portrayed a kind of maddening along with a spiral wave of violence set in motion so as not to stop. An aftermath of division and desolation is left. And for what? Not the shalom of God, to be sure.
Father, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Through Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life. Amen.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
God's ongoing work
Today (actually Wednesday) was a good day experientially for me, as far as sensing God's work. Though it quite came with its challenges. I guess that is part of what keeps us out of ruts and into the freshness of the reality of what God is doing in the world and in our world.
One of the matters I'm working on, and on which God's working is evident, I believe, is in my tendency to overreact to difficulties, disappointments or trials. I have grown over the years in such matters, but still can overreact. My wife reminds me that this is not faith on my part. She is so right.
Something happened today at work which was not good in my eyes (nor in others' eyes, for that matter). More of a poor taste (though the taste of my coffee from the coin put in by the coffee joker was not affected), annoyance kind of event. Not a moral issue, and I wouldn't want to call it a sin issue either. My first reaction, though kept in control, did not attempt to cover my displeasure completely. In the process, all ended well. God's Spirit was at work, both in my life, and in the life of the other, and I think for that matter with others who were present. And it was great to pray over and meditate on Psalm 57, before, during and after that event.
God's work is ongoing in us who belong to the Jesus community. God is at work to renew our inward person daily (2 Corinthians). And his mercies and faithfulness are new each morning (Lamentations). Our goal must be to live before him, and to work out what he is working in. Together with others. This means we have to be willing both for our sake, and for their sake to really be involved in each others lives, particularly here those of the Jesus community.
Father, Thank you for your ongoing work in us in your Son and by your Spirit. Let us eagerly be a part of it. Both the exhilerating part, and the normal plodding along with the inevitable trials that come with life. Let us grow and see growth, having our being and doing, together, in your love. Amen.
One of the matters I'm working on, and on which God's working is evident, I believe, is in my tendency to overreact to difficulties, disappointments or trials. I have grown over the years in such matters, but still can overreact. My wife reminds me that this is not faith on my part. She is so right.
Something happened today at work which was not good in my eyes (nor in others' eyes, for that matter). More of a poor taste (though the taste of my coffee from the coin put in by the coffee joker was not affected), annoyance kind of event. Not a moral issue, and I wouldn't want to call it a sin issue either. My first reaction, though kept in control, did not attempt to cover my displeasure completely. In the process, all ended well. God's Spirit was at work, both in my life, and in the life of the other, and I think for that matter with others who were present. And it was great to pray over and meditate on Psalm 57, before, during and after that event.
God's work is ongoing in us who belong to the Jesus community. God is at work to renew our inward person daily (2 Corinthians). And his mercies and faithfulness are new each morning (Lamentations). Our goal must be to live before him, and to work out what he is working in. Together with others. This means we have to be willing both for our sake, and for their sake to really be involved in each others lives, particularly here those of the Jesus community.
Father, Thank you for your ongoing work in us in your Son and by your Spirit. Let us eagerly be a part of it. Both the exhilerating part, and the normal plodding along with the inevitable trials that come with life. Let us grow and see growth, having our being and doing, together, in your love. Amen.
Monday, July 10, 2006
being ourselves
God created each of us unique. And in Christ Jesus, God is recreating each of us unique. We are not the same. We will approach life differently according to the differences God has put in us. And according to the different life experiences we have as well, in which God works in them all, good and bad, for our good.
There is so much we can learn from each other. Especially during our formative years, in learning to follow Christ, or in learning to develop an interest according to our gifts- we may seek to copy another. In some ways that is good. Some things that work for them, as to how they do what needs to be done, may work for us. We will learn much from such mentors. But in the end, it will have to be ourselves, in us being ourselves in the Lord, by the Spirit, that will be blessed by God. Why? Because God made and is making us unique. Each of us. Together, in our separate part, contributing to the whole (as Paul repeatedly says in his letters).
What might this possibly mean? Well, for one thing we need to stop comparing ourselves with others. Paul says that those who do so, are not wise. I can always be learning something from those who are mentors, or like spiritual fathers or mothers to me in the Lord. But how I work that out will be according to my own unique gifting from God. I can thank God for the way they do something, without thinking that I need to do the same. While thanking God for what he gives me in what I am enabled to do.
In my gifting I long ago learned not to try to be someone else. That took time, however. But one learns, in whatever gift they are operating in, that they must be themselves in the Lord, to carry it out in serving others.
Being myself doesn't mean I'm an island to myself. And what others think doesn't matter. The point here is that each of us are unique as part of the whole. We have our part to contribute to the body of Jesus as one part of that entire body in our local community, and in the world.
So let us relax and lose our lives for Christ and the gospel- and in so doing we will find our true selves/life. And then work at growing and doing well in our God-given niche and corner, as we seek to follow Christ together. Amen.
There is so much we can learn from each other. Especially during our formative years, in learning to follow Christ, or in learning to develop an interest according to our gifts- we may seek to copy another. In some ways that is good. Some things that work for them, as to how they do what needs to be done, may work for us. We will learn much from such mentors. But in the end, it will have to be ourselves, in us being ourselves in the Lord, by the Spirit, that will be blessed by God. Why? Because God made and is making us unique. Each of us. Together, in our separate part, contributing to the whole (as Paul repeatedly says in his letters).
What might this possibly mean? Well, for one thing we need to stop comparing ourselves with others. Paul says that those who do so, are not wise. I can always be learning something from those who are mentors, or like spiritual fathers or mothers to me in the Lord. But how I work that out will be according to my own unique gifting from God. I can thank God for the way they do something, without thinking that I need to do the same. While thanking God for what he gives me in what I am enabled to do.
In my gifting I long ago learned not to try to be someone else. That took time, however. But one learns, in whatever gift they are operating in, that they must be themselves in the Lord, to carry it out in serving others.
Being myself doesn't mean I'm an island to myself. And what others think doesn't matter. The point here is that each of us are unique as part of the whole. We have our part to contribute to the body of Jesus as one part of that entire body in our local community, and in the world.
So let us relax and lose our lives for Christ and the gospel- and in so doing we will find our true selves/life. And then work at growing and doing well in our God-given niche and corner, as we seek to follow Christ together. Amen.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
'Talking Right': Why the Left Is Losing, Linguistically
From NPR's "Fresh Air", this is an interesting interview with Geoff Nunberg. Regardless of your political persuasion, I think you will find this to have some ramifications related to my last post as to how we speak, as well as to the political context. And I think ramifications, not only pro but also con with reference to simple speaking/communication: catch words and slogans, etc.
how do we speak?
In speaking "truth" to others, in the grace of our Lord, how do we speak?
I remember graduating from seminary. In the course of our education we had to plow through some heavy reading. Using concepts certainly foreign, not only to most people, but to ourselves as well. Not to mention some of the classes we had. A good learning experience.
Inevitably, when you come out of such a setting, you speak in a language, unbeknownst to you, that others often can't comprehend, as in "talking over their heads".
I was reminded, while reading a new translation of Augustine's Confessions entitled, You Converted Me (with helpful notes and intro by Tony Jones) of Augustine's struggle to accept the plainness (compared to what he had read) and humility of Scripture. But how the beauty and depth of it gradually did take hold of him.
After seminary we were involved in a church in which I agreed to help with "children's church" for a time. I had to learn to cut out (or probably more like down, for me) abstract speaking into concrete words. It wasn't easy at the time. But it was a good exercise for me, as I learned to communicate on their conversational and cognitive level.
I think, in teaching and preaching, in sharing our faith, in speaking of it at home, etc., it needs to be in terms that are our heart language. How we think and talk about other things (such as the World Cup, house projects, etc.). And above all in a way that is reflective of Scripture itself. Note how simple, direct and yet profound are the words of Jesus, and the words of Scripture, in general. This kind of exercise to so speak and think is really helpful to me as well, as it forces me to get some of these lofty concepts down on a level I myself can relate to.
Of course there are things in Scripture, that as Peter wrote, are hard to understand. But even those passages are put in language that on the surface is accessible. It's the reality they refer to that is not as simple.
Lord, Let us follow you, in deed and words. Teach us to speak, by your Spirit, in ways that will connect with and bring your presence to others. As you have met and continue to meet with us. Amen.
I remember graduating from seminary. In the course of our education we had to plow through some heavy reading. Using concepts certainly foreign, not only to most people, but to ourselves as well. Not to mention some of the classes we had. A good learning experience.
Inevitably, when you come out of such a setting, you speak in a language, unbeknownst to you, that others often can't comprehend, as in "talking over their heads".
I was reminded, while reading a new translation of Augustine's Confessions entitled, You Converted Me (with helpful notes and intro by Tony Jones) of Augustine's struggle to accept the plainness (compared to what he had read) and humility of Scripture. But how the beauty and depth of it gradually did take hold of him.
After seminary we were involved in a church in which I agreed to help with "children's church" for a time. I had to learn to cut out (or probably more like down, for me) abstract speaking into concrete words. It wasn't easy at the time. But it was a good exercise for me, as I learned to communicate on their conversational and cognitive level.
I think, in teaching and preaching, in sharing our faith, in speaking of it at home, etc., it needs to be in terms that are our heart language. How we think and talk about other things (such as the World Cup, house projects, etc.). And above all in a way that is reflective of Scripture itself. Note how simple, direct and yet profound are the words of Jesus, and the words of Scripture, in general. This kind of exercise to so speak and think is really helpful to me as well, as it forces me to get some of these lofty concepts down on a level I myself can relate to.
Of course there are things in Scripture, that as Peter wrote, are hard to understand. But even those passages are put in language that on the surface is accessible. It's the reality they refer to that is not as simple.
Lord, Let us follow you, in deed and words. Teach us to speak, by your Spirit, in ways that will connect with and bring your presence to others. As you have met and continue to meet with us. Amen.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
we believe in the Holy Spirit
It is good that in the twentieth century there has been an emphasis in theology on the Trinity: God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That we are to understand God and his acts/words from that revelation of him. Likewise, I think it is good that for so many Christians during that century, beginning in the early part of it, there has come a renewal of the Holy Spirit. So that more and more Christians per capita see the Holy Spirit as an important part of their lives, not only part of their doctrine or theology.
In my faith journey of over 30 years I have been a part of a number of traditions. I would prefer that it had only been one, or at the most two, but that's the way it has fallen out. One of our encampments was in a "Third Wave" church. I had always believed in the "charismatic" gifts as being for today (I think, always). Now we were part of a church in which they were practiced. During our five years there, I had kind of a love/hate relationship to that practice of the charismatic phenomena side. On the one hand, through the counsel of a pastor, I was able to enter into something of that experience, which goes on even as we're now members of a church which may be open in theory to charismatic gifts, but not really in practice, it seems. On the other hand I was often frustrated by what I saw as an emphasis on those gifts in our smaller gatherings, so that other gifts, such as teaching, were considered less important. In fairness to them, I think a 1 Corinthians 14 model was more or less the goal.
There are many pitfalls in what I'm saying here. Some may be surprised to read that I absolutely do not claim any special baptism of the Spirit that others, such as those who are part of our church now, do not themselves have. I see the Spirit of God in the people of the church we attend now, if anything more clearly, many times, than I see the Spirit in my own life. Also I would want to distance myself from much of what is seen on "Christian" (sadly in quotes for certain reasons) television that is on the Pentecostal or charismatic side (not all, but many). Nor do I think that Christians who don't believe or practice "charismatic" gifts today, have less of the Spirit's dynamic at work in their lives. They may have more or less. But it is not dependent on that.
What I do believe is that the Spirit plays a major role in all we do. And that we should be open to all the gifts. I take the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 as primarily referring to a prayer language from God, since it can only be used in a gathering on a limited basis and with an interpreter. I believe this is just another way of many, to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). That any Christian can enter into it, in answer to prayer. Like all spiritual gifts it requires our volition and action along with the work of the Spirit. I see no Scriptural reason why the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14 are not for today.
In reality every child of God is charismatic. We all have the same dynamic of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Too often those on the "charismatic" side look down on their brothers and sisters who just don't get it (or have it), in their eyes. Instead, we need to encourage one another in the dynamic of the Spirit in all of our lives. And thank God for the gift that each of us brings in a gathering, and outside of it.
The work of the Holy Spirit is to be unifying among all those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus. Any time it is not, we need to step back and ask ourselves why.
I'll remain mostly underground. And in reality, being a part of a church that doesn't practice such gifts, means my own practice, even in private, usually is minimal. Though whenever the Spirit is stirring in my heart, as he so powerfully did at the service this past Sunday at Pike Mennonite Church in Ohio where Pastor Philip Clemens (an older man, I could sit at his feet always) so ably by the Spirit serves (not a "charismatic" service or church), this can stir up my practice along that line. I went into that service down, but by the ministry of congregational singing and the Word, etc., I was lifted up, into the strengthening grace of our Lord.
Holy Spirit, Come. Minister your grace and power to and through us all. Let your river flow out of us into each others' lives and into this desert world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In my faith journey of over 30 years I have been a part of a number of traditions. I would prefer that it had only been one, or at the most two, but that's the way it has fallen out. One of our encampments was in a "Third Wave" church. I had always believed in the "charismatic" gifts as being for today (I think, always). Now we were part of a church in which they were practiced. During our five years there, I had kind of a love/hate relationship to that practice of the charismatic phenomena side. On the one hand, through the counsel of a pastor, I was able to enter into something of that experience, which goes on even as we're now members of a church which may be open in theory to charismatic gifts, but not really in practice, it seems. On the other hand I was often frustrated by what I saw as an emphasis on those gifts in our smaller gatherings, so that other gifts, such as teaching, were considered less important. In fairness to them, I think a 1 Corinthians 14 model was more or less the goal.
There are many pitfalls in what I'm saying here. Some may be surprised to read that I absolutely do not claim any special baptism of the Spirit that others, such as those who are part of our church now, do not themselves have. I see the Spirit of God in the people of the church we attend now, if anything more clearly, many times, than I see the Spirit in my own life. Also I would want to distance myself from much of what is seen on "Christian" (sadly in quotes for certain reasons) television that is on the Pentecostal or charismatic side (not all, but many). Nor do I think that Christians who don't believe or practice "charismatic" gifts today, have less of the Spirit's dynamic at work in their lives. They may have more or less. But it is not dependent on that.
What I do believe is that the Spirit plays a major role in all we do. And that we should be open to all the gifts. I take the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 as primarily referring to a prayer language from God, since it can only be used in a gathering on a limited basis and with an interpreter. I believe this is just another way of many, to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). That any Christian can enter into it, in answer to prayer. Like all spiritual gifts it requires our volition and action along with the work of the Spirit. I see no Scriptural reason why the gifts of 1 Corinthians 12-14 are not for today.
In reality every child of God is charismatic. We all have the same dynamic of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Too often those on the "charismatic" side look down on their brothers and sisters who just don't get it (or have it), in their eyes. Instead, we need to encourage one another in the dynamic of the Spirit in all of our lives. And thank God for the gift that each of us brings in a gathering, and outside of it.
The work of the Holy Spirit is to be unifying among all those who call on the name of the Lord Jesus. Any time it is not, we need to step back and ask ourselves why.
I'll remain mostly underground. And in reality, being a part of a church that doesn't practice such gifts, means my own practice, even in private, usually is minimal. Though whenever the Spirit is stirring in my heart, as he so powerfully did at the service this past Sunday at Pike Mennonite Church in Ohio where Pastor Philip Clemens (an older man, I could sit at his feet always) so ably by the Spirit serves (not a "charismatic" service or church), this can stir up my practice along that line. I went into that service down, but by the ministry of congregational singing and the Word, etc., I was lifted up, into the strengthening grace of our Lord.
Holy Spirit, Come. Minister your grace and power to and through us all. Let your river flow out of us into each others' lives and into this desert world. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Jesus' view of freedom
Today in the USA we celebrate our freedom as a nation. A freedom which means an aspiration of opportunity for all- in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In John 8 we read something of how Jesus viewed freedom. His fellow Israel longed to be delivered from under the boot of Rome. They saw themselves as in a kind of captivity, as many of them looked forward to a coming deliverer from God, who would fulfill God's promises to them so that they, from their beloved Jerusalem as capital, would be the governor of the world.
We find Jesus, in that passage, pointing to himself as that deliverer they were longing for. And that this deliverance was not only from the enemy without, but from the enemy within. Sin. Jesus made it clear to them that they were slaves- slaves to sin, regardless of whether they were under foreign rule or not. And really why they were under foreign rule and not under God's kingdom. This was a bitter pill for them to swallow. In fact many of them refused Jesus' words. Only a minority, and small at that, really openly embraced them at that time.
One of our biggest enemies of freedom, which is still a popular concept to the masses today, is that we view it in terms of our own imagination. And if our imaginations are not steeped in the Story of God found in Scripture, then we can miss the boat as to what freedom really is.
Therefore we have all the self-help books and new-old spiritualities as people seek to do something about the bondage they sense within. Here in the United States we give our attention to that, since we have relative freedom externally (except for those whose circumstances are difficult due to systemic evil).
What are the bondages people are wanting to be set free from? And what is their view of freedom? These are important questions. Jesus made it clear to his contemporaries that their concerns and belief about freedom were mistaken. That their real bondage and real freedom would only be found through him. Sin was their trouble, and is ours. Only knowing the truth through being set free by the Son would bring them, and us, to true freedom.
I am one who is often wrestling to get free of something. Those somethings are problems and part of the problem, often the biggest part, or the real problem can become my response to them. But one needs to slow down, and stop, and listen to what Jesus is saying here. "Look to me. I alone can set you free. And I will if you will listen and follow me."
We must do this as individuals, but we also must do this together, as those of the Jesus community. As we do so, we display what true freedom is really like, in the love and truth of the reality of the kingdom of God. And we seek to bring this kingdom to bear on all the tyrannies of this world. We begin with ourselves in our own little worlds. But we move out from there. To our loved ones. To our neighbors. To those who are troubled and hurting. To those in need. Ultimately to the ends of the earth. We bring this same message of freedom in Jesus. If we follow Jesus, then this is where this freedom will take us. A freedom that would embrace all, and help all to live in God's good kingdom, as no less than his very children, no longer slaves at all. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In John 8 we read something of how Jesus viewed freedom. His fellow Israel longed to be delivered from under the boot of Rome. They saw themselves as in a kind of captivity, as many of them looked forward to a coming deliverer from God, who would fulfill God's promises to them so that they, from their beloved Jerusalem as capital, would be the governor of the world.
We find Jesus, in that passage, pointing to himself as that deliverer they were longing for. And that this deliverance was not only from the enemy without, but from the enemy within. Sin. Jesus made it clear to them that they were slaves- slaves to sin, regardless of whether they were under foreign rule or not. And really why they were under foreign rule and not under God's kingdom. This was a bitter pill for them to swallow. In fact many of them refused Jesus' words. Only a minority, and small at that, really openly embraced them at that time.
One of our biggest enemies of freedom, which is still a popular concept to the masses today, is that we view it in terms of our own imagination. And if our imaginations are not steeped in the Story of God found in Scripture, then we can miss the boat as to what freedom really is.
Therefore we have all the self-help books and new-old spiritualities as people seek to do something about the bondage they sense within. Here in the United States we give our attention to that, since we have relative freedom externally (except for those whose circumstances are difficult due to systemic evil).
What are the bondages people are wanting to be set free from? And what is their view of freedom? These are important questions. Jesus made it clear to his contemporaries that their concerns and belief about freedom were mistaken. That their real bondage and real freedom would only be found through him. Sin was their trouble, and is ours. Only knowing the truth through being set free by the Son would bring them, and us, to true freedom.
I am one who is often wrestling to get free of something. Those somethings are problems and part of the problem, often the biggest part, or the real problem can become my response to them. But one needs to slow down, and stop, and listen to what Jesus is saying here. "Look to me. I alone can set you free. And I will if you will listen and follow me."
We must do this as individuals, but we also must do this together, as those of the Jesus community. As we do so, we display what true freedom is really like, in the love and truth of the reality of the kingdom of God. And we seek to bring this kingdom to bear on all the tyrannies of this world. We begin with ourselves in our own little worlds. But we move out from there. To our loved ones. To our neighbors. To those who are troubled and hurting. To those in need. Ultimately to the ends of the earth. We bring this same message of freedom in Jesus. If we follow Jesus, then this is where this freedom will take us. A freedom that would embrace all, and help all to live in God's good kingdom, as no less than his very children, no longer slaves at all. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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