Not long ago I posted on "meeting with God." From that exchange, specifically through Every Square Inch's comment which got me to thinking, and from whatever else along the way moved me to do so, I went back to having my quiet time first thing in the morning after I grab my coffee. It has been good, and I see that as in a sense my favorite time of the day when I seek to draw near to God.
I had reasoned that I am with God all day, in Jesus we live in God's Presence. So that I did not see any special need of a special time daily to draw near to God, since I was more or less trying to do that all day. But there is wisdom, I believe, in setting aside a time and not letting anything interfere with it, a sacred, quiet and cherished time when I seek to come near to God. Of course when we do we have God's promise that he will come near to us.
This move was verified by a retired professor who visited our church last Sunday during his excellent presentation in which he noted quiet time as one essential in the life of a follower of Jesus. Also contributing to my thoughts and reflection on this was a poem by Marcus Goodyear entitled "Stumbling out of Heresy."
This goes to show the impact blogging does have on us, surely in ways we don't realize, but also in ways at times when we do. And how we can impact each other for good.
Do you have anything you'd like to share on any of this?
Showing posts with label devotion to God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotion to God. Show all posts
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
the anointing
From chapter 1, "Joining Mary at the Feet of Jesus," in Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith, by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.
Kings in the Ancient Near East were anointed with specially prepared fragrant olive oil. This set them apart. As Ann and Lois point out in their most helpful book, we see this in some passages in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): Psalm 45:7-8; Song of Songs 3:6-7; 1 Kings 1:38-40.
The Mary who sat at the Lord's feet to drink in his words, is the one who anointed him with expensive perfume. Against the protests of his disciples who complain that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor, Jesus says that it was a good deed by Mary, and the perfume meant to be used for the day of his burial. And along with that, as the authors of the book point out, it would have been obvious that this deed and the lingering fragrance on Jesus, would point to and underscore that Jesus was indeed a king. And could have lingered into the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, "the King of the Jews" (and indeed of the entire world).
We know by faith that Jesus is King, and Messiah, in Greek the Christ (transliteration from Greek: christos), the word "anointing" (chrisma) related to that word. This is not only personal, but meant for the entire world, and in every sphere. But it begins with us who are in Jesus the Christ. In Christ we have the anointing by the Spirit, meant to set us apart as Jesus' royal servants and brothers and sisters in him. It is a reality that is meant to help us point others to Jesus, and so that others might see something of Jesus in us, in how we live, in our deeds and words.
Ann and Lois point us to this passage which caps off well what is being said here:
What thoughts do you have on this which you'd like to share?
Next week, chapter 2: "Why a Jewish Rabbi?"
Kings in the Ancient Near East were anointed with specially prepared fragrant olive oil. This set them apart. As Ann and Lois point out in their most helpful book, we see this in some passages in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament): Psalm 45:7-8; Song of Songs 3:6-7; 1 Kings 1:38-40.
The Mary who sat at the Lord's feet to drink in his words, is the one who anointed him with expensive perfume. Against the protests of his disciples who complain that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor, Jesus says that it was a good deed by Mary, and the perfume meant to be used for the day of his burial. And along with that, as the authors of the book point out, it would have been obvious that this deed and the lingering fragrance on Jesus, would point to and underscore that Jesus was indeed a king. And could have lingered into the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, "the King of the Jews" (and indeed of the entire world).
We know by faith that Jesus is King, and Messiah, in Greek the Christ (transliteration from Greek: christos), the word "anointing" (chrisma) related to that word. This is not only personal, but meant for the entire world, and in every sphere. But it begins with us who are in Jesus the Christ. In Christ we have the anointing by the Spirit, meant to set us apart as Jesus' royal servants and brothers and sisters in him. It is a reality that is meant to help us point others to Jesus, and so that others might see something of Jesus in us, in how we live, in our deeds and words.
Ann and Lois point us to this passage which caps off well what is being said here:
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.This at least strongly suggests that our very presence as followers of Jesus, and because of Jesus marks us out. This "aroma" is tied to "the knowledge of [Christ] everywhere" we go. So this means to me that first and foremost we need to be out and about in the world, and mix with others, befriending them (and with no strings attached). We can't change them, but Jesus can. They will eventually catch a whiff of the aroma of Jesus on us, and the Spirit will help us to share our lives and faith with them.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
What thoughts do you have on this which you'd like to share?
Next week, chapter 2: "Why a Jewish Rabbi?"
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
meeting with God
Devotions is something evangelicals are known for, not that that many of us practice it. It's called "personal devotions," and is a time when one gets into Scripture, a passage in God's word, and prays. It is normally done in quiet, and so is also called "my quiet time." Many use a booklet such as Our Daily Bread (I work where this is written, and made, and know some of the writers).
I think some such practice can be helpful if it's a time of one seeking to come near to God, and hear God's voice so as to follow. If one wants some sort of mystical experience or encounter with God, then it will likely be unfruitful over the long haul, because it would be beneficial only as part of one's walk of faith, and devotion to God. If practiced it should become precious and important as a chief priority, because one is seeking to be close to God. And Jesus who is our example often got up mornings, early, to meet with the Father.
If I had been raised in a denomination that used liturgical prayer, I would be prone to want to use a prayer book for such times on a regular basis- and even though not, I do want to. There are advantages to that, and it does get one into Scripture, as well. One ends up praying the same prayers others have. We need both our own words, and the words of others who have come up with helpful, Scriptural ways of praying. Those words in time are helpful in that they can become our own words to God, praying those same words with other believers who use the same book.
But if from these practices we expect something dramatic in and out from our lives, we won't keep it up. It's rather a question of priority, as we seek to live close to the person of God, and be open to God at all times. Not comfortable oftentimes, but for those who really practice this, they will more and more become settled in it as a part of them. And as part of their life in God through Christ.
Two caveats here. First, I myself haven't practiced any kind of personal devotions for years. And even when I did, it was probably not kept up consistently. Or was done rather poorly, perhaps legalistically as in just doing something with little heart in it, and being done with it. I failed to see the value in it. Not to say I haven't had special times of drawing near to God. And we must beware of a spirituality that is all about us and God. We will hear God's voice in part only through others. God chooses it that way, because God, who as Trinity is community, values community among us.
We need to be those who are daily seeking to draw near and devote ourselves to God, no matter how we do it. The word of God and prayer are important for this, and good use of a prayer book can help. I speak as one who seeks to do it throughout the day, and in the course of a day. But I'm beginning to see the value of having those special times, along with that.
How about any reader here? What would you like to share from your own life on this? Or any thoughts.
I think some such practice can be helpful if it's a time of one seeking to come near to God, and hear God's voice so as to follow. If one wants some sort of mystical experience or encounter with God, then it will likely be unfruitful over the long haul, because it would be beneficial only as part of one's walk of faith, and devotion to God. If practiced it should become precious and important as a chief priority, because one is seeking to be close to God. And Jesus who is our example often got up mornings, early, to meet with the Father.
If I had been raised in a denomination that used liturgical prayer, I would be prone to want to use a prayer book for such times on a regular basis- and even though not, I do want to. There are advantages to that, and it does get one into Scripture, as well. One ends up praying the same prayers others have. We need both our own words, and the words of others who have come up with helpful, Scriptural ways of praying. Those words in time are helpful in that they can become our own words to God, praying those same words with other believers who use the same book.
But if from these practices we expect something dramatic in and out from our lives, we won't keep it up. It's rather a question of priority, as we seek to live close to the person of God, and be open to God at all times. Not comfortable oftentimes, but for those who really practice this, they will more and more become settled in it as a part of them. And as part of their life in God through Christ.
Two caveats here. First, I myself haven't practiced any kind of personal devotions for years. And even when I did, it was probably not kept up consistently. Or was done rather poorly, perhaps legalistically as in just doing something with little heart in it, and being done with it. I failed to see the value in it. Not to say I haven't had special times of drawing near to God. And we must beware of a spirituality that is all about us and God. We will hear God's voice in part only through others. God chooses it that way, because God, who as Trinity is community, values community among us.
We need to be those who are daily seeking to draw near and devote ourselves to God, no matter how we do it. The word of God and prayer are important for this, and good use of a prayer book can help. I speak as one who seeks to do it throughout the day, and in the course of a day. But I'm beginning to see the value of having those special times, along with that.
How about any reader here? What would you like to share from your own life on this? Or any thoughts.
Monday, August 24, 2009
meltdowns
At times we can all fail. It's like we're cornered in our minds, with no way out; we feel trapped and think there is only one response. When that's not really the case at all!
When I say something I shouldn't, which normally happens with those one loves the most- sadly, then I not only want to get forgiveness immediately, or very soon. But I also want to learn from my sin and error. Sometimes that means I have to work through something, maybe with another, and maybe just with me and God.
Such times often bump us with the reminder of what we have been neglecting as of late. Quiet times in the word and in prayer before God. Seeking to draw near to God. Though we want to avoid meltdowns, they can work to our favor as we confess our sin to God, and to the offended party, and seek to start anew in our walk in Jesus in this world.
It's always good as well to be reminded of our weaknesses, so that in God through Christ and by the Spirit we can find his strength. And good for us to find our errors, so that we can find the truth as it is in Jesus.
What thoughts might you have on meltdowns?
When I say something I shouldn't, which normally happens with those one loves the most- sadly, then I not only want to get forgiveness immediately, or very soon. But I also want to learn from my sin and error. Sometimes that means I have to work through something, maybe with another, and maybe just with me and God.
Such times often bump us with the reminder of what we have been neglecting as of late. Quiet times in the word and in prayer before God. Seeking to draw near to God. Though we want to avoid meltdowns, they can work to our favor as we confess our sin to God, and to the offended party, and seek to start anew in our walk in Jesus in this world.
It's always good as well to be reminded of our weaknesses, so that in God through Christ and by the Spirit we can find his strength. And good for us to find our errors, so that we can find the truth as it is in Jesus.
What thoughts might you have on meltdowns?
Sunday, August 24, 2008
quote for the week - Augustine on devotion to God
In all things that I contemplate as I am consulting you, I find no secure place for my soul except in you. And in you, I pray that what is scattered in me may be brought together, so that no part of me may be apart from you.Early Will I Seek You: A 40-Day Journey in the Company of Augustine: Devotional Readings Arranged by David Hazard, p. 15
Sometimes when you are working within me, bringing my scattered self to you, you draw me into a state of feeling that is unlike anything I am used to, a kind of sweet delight. I know that if this spiritual state were made permanent in me it would be something not of this world, not of this life.
Confessions 10
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