Injustice as in God's righteous standard not being lived up to is part and parcel in this life. Of course we need to see God's righteous standard now in light of Jesus and the coming of God's kingdom in him, and the vision of shalom that this brings.
James informs us that we're to be slow to anger because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Human anger takes one aspect of reality, and our judgment of it, and makes it the all determining factor, when grace must be wed to truth so that we emphasize grace with the realization that we ourselves don't hold the entire truth, or anything that's true in its entirety.
If we harbor resentment, this will result in anger, and anger at least holds us back from expressing the love and truth in Jesus that God desires. But it often makes itself known in subtle and not so subtle ways which can be injurious to everyone. And violate the Jesus Creed.
If we don't let anger go it will increase, like a pot of water being heated on a stove. The steam will escape some way. And God will step in and rebuke us when we fail in this way. We shouldn't get this far, though at times we will. We need to be sensitive to pick up and accept God's rebuke and repent. We need to turn it over to God and let our anger go.
It is best if we could work through something entirely with one who we believe has mistreated us. Sometimes that's possible, but often it is not. Of course it's not like we're squeaky clean in the whole thing, as I pointed out in the post yesterday. But no matter what, we must turn over our perceptions and thoughts and all that is inside of us to God. And humble ourselves before God and let ourselves be humbled in the eyes of others even when we think it's not just, knowing that they don't know the worst about us. In time we will find ourselves walking in and with Jesus by the Spirit, if we persist in this way.
Any thoughts on this?
Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humility. Show all posts
Friday, September 18, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
the essence of humility
Yesterday's post on proud Christians is not one of saying I am not proud and they are. How subtle pride can be! When we think we're not proud, that can be, and most normally, or readily is for us, nothing more than a proud thought. We are often blind to our own pride.
At the same time, Jesus not only epitomized humility, but he calls us as his followers to humilty. All indeed is a gift from God, and we all are in this together. God lets no one out of the mix, and loves to show his blessing through the most humble of his servants. When we think we have a leg up on others, we'd best beware. We're treading on dangerous ground.
As we look to Jesus, as recorded in the gospels, we find one who shows us the way a life of humility. It is one essentially of love. Love for God, love for others. A love which is by God's grace and in the Spirit. A love from which true humility flows. The love of God in Jesus by the Spirit.
What would you like to share on this?
At the same time, Jesus not only epitomized humility, but he calls us as his followers to humilty. All indeed is a gift from God, and we all are in this together. God lets no one out of the mix, and loves to show his blessing through the most humble of his servants. When we think we have a leg up on others, we'd best beware. We're treading on dangerous ground.
As we look to Jesus, as recorded in the gospels, we find one who shows us the way a life of humility. It is one essentially of love. Love for God, love for others. A love which is by God's grace and in the Spirit. A love from which true humility flows. The love of God in Jesus by the Spirit.
What would you like to share on this?
Friday, April 17, 2009
meekness
Meekness has to do with strength under control. We may think we need to put someone in their place either verbally or nonverbally. Meekness refuses to do that, but continues in humility. To be meek means we must lead by example, all the time being gracious and sensitive to the one we are seeking to lead.
This is about our call to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. We don't do that by abandoing meekness and either setting someone straight, often bluntly in one way or another, nor by rolling one's eyes and shaking one's head. No. We need to lovingly seek to lead them by example, being sensitive to them and what they might need at that time. And being patient in letting it work out over time.
Something I'm working on, and important for us, who may be in higher stress work for one reason or another.
What about you? How would you describe meekness, and what challenges does being meek bring in life?
This is about our call to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. We don't do that by abandoing meekness and either setting someone straight, often bluntly in one way or another, nor by rolling one's eyes and shaking one's head. No. We need to lovingly seek to lead them by example, being sensitive to them and what they might need at that time. And being patient in letting it work out over time.
Something I'm working on, and important for us, who may be in higher stress work for one reason or another.
What about you? How would you describe meekness, and what challenges does being meek bring in life?
Friday, April 10, 2009
correction concerning yesterday's post
On yesterday's post I made the mistake of stating that Jesus commanded his disciples to wash each other's feet, just as he had washed their's. Actually it is not a command, though it could be interpreted as having the force of a command. But not necessarily so. More like an "ought", that they should do that.
I picked that up from reading somewhere, as I recalled it, that Maundy Thursday was so named because Jesus commanded (maundy meaning command) his disciples to do this. Actually the command comes soon after, the command to love one another just as Christ had loved them.
I picked that up from reading somewhere, as I recalled it, that Maundy Thursday was so named because Jesus commanded (maundy meaning command) his disciples to do this. Actually the command comes soon after, the command to love one another just as Christ had loved them.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
washing each other's feet
I was raised in a Mennonite church in which we had communion only once a quarter, four times a year (from what I can remember). And every communion we also had foot washing. The ladies would go downstairs to do theirs, as they had to take off their stockings.
I still remember doing that, how it felt. Ceremonial, but thought to be in obedience to Jesus' command that his disciples should wash one another's feet, just as he had done to them.
This Maundy Thursday in which this command was given is a good reminder that we are to be servants of each other, in Jesus. We are to serve each other humbly in love.
This is something we are both to do, and what should be a way of life for us. This should become second nature. I doubt that Jesus was telling his disciples to have a special service maybe once a year, washing each other's feet just as he had done, to symbollize the importance of serving one another. Washing feet was something servants routinely did, but not "regular folk". So what Jesus did was powerful in that context and culture.
But we need to have that same spirit in helping each other in our day. In a way which demonstrates the love we have for each other, a love in which we lay down our lives if need be, and in spirit live that out daily. But something not forced, but lived out by the Spirit in our midst, something both given and received.
Do any of you have something you'd like to share on this?
I still remember doing that, how it felt. Ceremonial, but thought to be in obedience to Jesus' command that his disciples should wash one another's feet, just as he had done to them.
This Maundy Thursday in which this command was given is a good reminder that we are to be servants of each other, in Jesus. We are to serve each other humbly in love.
This is something we are both to do, and what should be a way of life for us. This should become second nature. I doubt that Jesus was telling his disciples to have a special service maybe once a year, washing each other's feet just as he had done, to symbollize the importance of serving one another. Washing feet was something servants routinely did, but not "regular folk". So what Jesus did was powerful in that context and culture.
But we need to have that same spirit in helping each other in our day. In a way which demonstrates the love we have for each other, a love in which we lay down our lives if need be, and in spirit live that out daily. But something not forced, but lived out by the Spirit in our midst, something both given and received.
Do any of you have something you'd like to share on this?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
quote for the week: Thomas Merton on prayer
We do not want to be beginners [at prayer]. But let us be convinced of the fact that we will never be anything but beginners, all our life!
Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer, 37 from Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? 267
Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer, 37 from Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? 267
Saturday, February 21, 2009
bigger is not better
Yesterday, Deb and I finally played our third game of our new Super Scrabble Deluxe Edition. In the process of again rereading Scot McKnight's excellent book, The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others, specifically in the enlightening chapter, "A Society of Mustard Seeds," I mentioned to Deb that just maybe regular Scrabble, though smaller, and less explosive (as to the way you can get points) is better. Of course even a normal Scrabble game can be long, but each move is more significant than in the bigger version of the same. The verdict is still out for me on that one, as both are, one could say, different versions of the same game. And Scrabble has been "our game" over the years of our marriage.
In America it is nearly an accepted axiom that bigger is better. But not so according to Jesus. The kingdom of God does not work on or toward that basis. It's about humbly doing the little things well in loving God and loving others, in Jesus. From a parable of Jesus, a mustard seed, as Scot points out, does not become a mighty oak. Humble at its beginning, though becoming the largest of all the garden plants of Jesus' place and time. We must remember that unlike the world, God does not despise the day of small things.
We may think our calling is small. But by grace to faithfully seek to follow Christ daily in every matter, to pray for others regularly, to do our part God gives us no matter how small it may seem, in God's eyes is highly significant. We must embrace our part and seek to grow in grace in it. God in Christ in the end by the Spirit is what counts. And we need to find our place in this great work of God. A work in which the last are first, and little is big.
What would you like to add to this?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
the gentle breeze of God
After a day which I interpreted as the hand of God on me for needed discipline, a difficult day indeed, yesterday was quite the opposite. It was like a gentle breeze engulfing one and changing the atmosphere inside and out. The life-giving, life-changing, grace-filled presence of the Spirit of God.
We need the hard days at times. Sometimes we need a good glimpse at ourselves. Or we just need some discipline from the Lord's hand. Such days prepare us for better days. We are humbled and seek to be repentant and really live out a repentant life. That is all part of the work of the Spirit for us as well. God doesn't let us go by the wayside when we go off the way of Jesus. And this is not only a "me and God" thing, but involves fellowship in the community of God in Jesus.
So it was a wonderful day. Those two days contrasted side by side something for me to remember. Most days have their ups and downs. But regardless, I want to learn to live more and more in the presence of God. And just rest in that presence, while growing and continuing to meet the challenges that come before me.
Of course I won't arrive. I'll have other times when God needs to get through to me over something. In small ways perhaps daily. But I'm speaking of obvious wrongs which God brings to our attention.
The gentle breeze of God. We are thankful for "the disturbing and comforting presence of the Spirit of God." (The Holy Spirit, by F. LeRon Shults and Andrea Hollingsworth, 10)
What would you like to add to this?
We need the hard days at times. Sometimes we need a good glimpse at ourselves. Or we just need some discipline from the Lord's hand. Such days prepare us for better days. We are humbled and seek to be repentant and really live out a repentant life. That is all part of the work of the Spirit for us as well. God doesn't let us go by the wayside when we go off the way of Jesus. And this is not only a "me and God" thing, but involves fellowship in the community of God in Jesus.
So it was a wonderful day. Those two days contrasted side by side something for me to remember. Most days have their ups and downs. But regardless, I want to learn to live more and more in the presence of God. And just rest in that presence, while growing and continuing to meet the challenges that come before me.
Of course I won't arrive. I'll have other times when God needs to get through to me over something. In small ways perhaps daily. But I'm speaking of obvious wrongs which God brings to our attention.
The gentle breeze of God. We are thankful for "the disturbing and comforting presence of the Spirit of God." (The Holy Spirit, by F. LeRon Shults and Andrea Hollingsworth, 10)
What would you like to add to this?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
keeping up appearances
Jesus declared that religious leaders in his day, actually those who overall had the highest reputation, did everything to be seen by others. Their religion and their life was wrapped around what others thoughts of them. They wanted to be honored and held in high esteem. They were concerned about praise from people, not praise from God- that had no regard for them.
Reading that, it set me to wondering just how much we want others to think highly of what we do and say. Of course we want to be good examples to others. But this needs to stop short of others thinking just how great we are. Rather we should hope that others might see Jesus in us. And there is a beauty to that, but that beauty is not intrinsic to ourselves at all.
I like to think and talk about theological issues. I find that at times I can talk too much and we can lose out on the simple beauty of seeking to live it out in the ordinary every day aspects of life. And if I'm not careful, I too can fall into the trap of wanting others to think a certain way about me.
But Jesus told his disciples and he tells us, Don't call anyone your special or honorary teacher, don't think you're a head above anyone; you are all one family, brothers and sisters. We're to simply live in that grace and love we find in Jesus. To be humble and seek to learn from others. To be ready to confess our sins to another brother or sister.
What would you like to add to these thoughts about keeping up appearances?
Reading that, it set me to wondering just how much we want others to think highly of what we do and say. Of course we want to be good examples to others. But this needs to stop short of others thinking just how great we are. Rather we should hope that others might see Jesus in us. And there is a beauty to that, but that beauty is not intrinsic to ourselves at all.
I like to think and talk about theological issues. I find that at times I can talk too much and we can lose out on the simple beauty of seeking to live it out in the ordinary every day aspects of life. And if I'm not careful, I too can fall into the trap of wanting others to think a certain way about me.
But Jesus told his disciples and he tells us, Don't call anyone your special or honorary teacher, don't think you're a head above anyone; you are all one family, brothers and sisters. We're to simply live in that grace and love we find in Jesus. To be humble and seek to learn from others. To be ready to confess our sins to another brother or sister.
What would you like to add to these thoughts about keeping up appearances?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
humility
Humility involves a proper estimation of ourselves before God and before others. And it involves accepting and embracing the gift God has given us in Jesus, and going on. No matter what others might be doing. Yet in harmony with what others are doing.
I received a good dose of humility last night, as I listened with mostly rapt attention to a brilliant seminary professor on historical theology. I was kind of lost in awe and appreciation, not hardly knowing how to converse with him as this was in a field that I little know, yet so much appreciate (I mean the area he was explaining in reference to his field of study, and even outside of that). I hope it was a good time to unwind for him, and it was a nice visit Deb and I had with him and his gracious wife, as well as their youngest son, who was present.
Humility in Jesus means I accept with joy all the special gifts and places God has for his people. And that I refuse to compare myself to them. Except that I endeavor to learn from their lives what I can take for my own life and growth in Jesus. By that measure, even though I often felt rather lost, and outside my element, it was a splendid time.
And I'm reminded to just get back to first things: a devotion to God through Christ, continuing in God's word/Scripture to see it come alive in my life, and simply doing what God has for me to do- as simple as it seems, and is. So it was a good night for Deb and I. And I shouldn't fail to mention: Deb beat me in just our second game of Super Scrabble Deluxe. If you like Scrabble, you'll probably like this edition even better.
How has humility come alive in your life recently? Or any thoughts.
I received a good dose of humility last night, as I listened with mostly rapt attention to a brilliant seminary professor on historical theology. I was kind of lost in awe and appreciation, not hardly knowing how to converse with him as this was in a field that I little know, yet so much appreciate (I mean the area he was explaining in reference to his field of study, and even outside of that). I hope it was a good time to unwind for him, and it was a nice visit Deb and I had with him and his gracious wife, as well as their youngest son, who was present.
Humility in Jesus means I accept with joy all the special gifts and places God has for his people. And that I refuse to compare myself to them. Except that I endeavor to learn from their lives what I can take for my own life and growth in Jesus. By that measure, even though I often felt rather lost, and outside my element, it was a splendid time.
And I'm reminded to just get back to first things: a devotion to God through Christ, continuing in God's word/Scripture to see it come alive in my life, and simply doing what God has for me to do- as simple as it seems, and is. So it was a good night for Deb and I. And I shouldn't fail to mention: Deb beat me in just our second game of Super Scrabble Deluxe. If you like Scrabble, you'll probably like this edition even better.
How has humility come alive in your life recently? Or any thoughts.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
humbling ourselves
Augustine in the book I quoted from in Sunday's post has some good words on humbling ourselves. I really don't have permission to copy the words, and it makes me wonder about my "quotations of the week". Don't know what to think on that, as I believe in obeying every law, and this just occurred to me yesterday.
Augustine says that we ascend by descending, as followers of our Lord. We must descend into the valleys, before we can ascend into the mountains. It is really quite good, and spoke to me clearly today. I would have liked to copy it for here.
I find this true, but can do it falsely, left to myself. Self-deprecation is not helpful here. Obedience to Christ in letting God be God in our lives, as we seek to trust and obey, owning up to our sins, and in all this, embracing the way of our Lord Jesus, in all of life, is key here.
And it's not just a one or two event matter. It's to be a daily and regular ongoing practice and way of life for us. We must let go of all pride and humble ourselves. Whenever we are aware of pride, we should immediately confess it to God and forsake it. And we may need to confess it to another, if it has shown up in our actions or words. Just today a sister in the Lord pointed out to me a fault I have. I was glad for her help, because I failed to see it, or appreciate it for what it really was. This can help me set a new tone and goal for my life in that area.
What about you? What have you learned about the grace of humility in Jesus, in your life, which can help us?
Tomorrow: "Lava Rock - witness" from L.L. Barkat, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
Augustine says that we ascend by descending, as followers of our Lord. We must descend into the valleys, before we can ascend into the mountains. It is really quite good, and spoke to me clearly today. I would have liked to copy it for here.
I find this true, but can do it falsely, left to myself. Self-deprecation is not helpful here. Obedience to Christ in letting God be God in our lives, as we seek to trust and obey, owning up to our sins, and in all this, embracing the way of our Lord Jesus, in all of life, is key here.
And it's not just a one or two event matter. It's to be a daily and regular ongoing practice and way of life for us. We must let go of all pride and humble ourselves. Whenever we are aware of pride, we should immediately confess it to God and forsake it. And we may need to confess it to another, if it has shown up in our actions or words. Just today a sister in the Lord pointed out to me a fault I have. I was glad for her help, because I failed to see it, or appreciate it for what it really was. This can help me set a new tone and goal for my life in that area.
What about you? What have you learned about the grace of humility in Jesus, in your life, which can help us?
Tomorrow: "Lava Rock - witness" from L.L. Barkat, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
"Forest Star - humility" from L.L. Barkat
from Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
This chapter is for me an amazing take on humility cast in a light which I've not seen, and certainly not as thoroughly. Along with the "discussion questions," this so far is the epitome of what I've seen again and again in this book.
I've seen myself as much of the time, generally humble. Not that pride never rears its ugly head so that I never have to struggle against it, because sometimes I do have that struggle. But most of the time, and for good reason in my mind, I don't see this as a major issue in my life. But this chapter makes me think twice on that.
Again L.L. shares transparently from her own life, and looks at two who overcame: Thomas Merton and Moses, along with those who did not: Satan and Absalom. This chapter along with the penetrating, excellent "discussion questions" in the back, makes me wonder just where I really am when it comes to humility.
The point in a nutshell is whether or not we are seeking any glory for ourselves in what we do. Perhaps we're unaware of that, but in one moment the ugly truth can become clear.
If we're blessed like Thomas Merton and Moses to recognize and acknowledge this, so that we can confess it to God in a renunciation which accepts God's word of forgiveness to us, then we can end up finding a glory that lasts, in a close love relationship with God through Christ in which God receives the glory, but we share in his glory (also here and here). We become, as it were, lights in the Lord, in whom God's beauty and glory can be revealed and seen by others. In the case of Moses, God steps in and stops him with judgment, but through that Moses knows the lasting good.
This chapter shook me, and makes me question where I really am in this, and reenforces that I want to be among those who seek no glory of their own, but live and do all for the glory of God.
What would you like to share from your life on this, or any thoughts?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
9. Indiana Jones - fear
10. Old Stone Church - love
11. Goldworthy's Wall - sacrifice
12. Clefts of the Rock - responsibility
13. Olive Press - gratitude
Next week: "Seedstone - healing"
This chapter is for me an amazing take on humility cast in a light which I've not seen, and certainly not as thoroughly. Along with the "discussion questions," this so far is the epitome of what I've seen again and again in this book.
I've seen myself as much of the time, generally humble. Not that pride never rears its ugly head so that I never have to struggle against it, because sometimes I do have that struggle. But most of the time, and for good reason in my mind, I don't see this as a major issue in my life. But this chapter makes me think twice on that.
Again L.L. shares transparently from her own life, and looks at two who overcame: Thomas Merton and Moses, along with those who did not: Satan and Absalom. This chapter along with the penetrating, excellent "discussion questions" in the back, makes me wonder just where I really am when it comes to humility.
The point in a nutshell is whether or not we are seeking any glory for ourselves in what we do. Perhaps we're unaware of that, but in one moment the ugly truth can become clear.
If we're blessed like Thomas Merton and Moses to recognize and acknowledge this, so that we can confess it to God in a renunciation which accepts God's word of forgiveness to us, then we can end up finding a glory that lasts, in a close love relationship with God through Christ in which God receives the glory, but we share in his glory (also here and here). We become, as it were, lights in the Lord, in whom God's beauty and glory can be revealed and seen by others. In the case of Moses, God steps in and stops him with judgment, but through that Moses knows the lasting good.
This chapter shook me, and makes me question where I really am in this, and reenforces that I want to be among those who seek no glory of their own, but live and do all for the glory of God.
What would you like to share from your life on this, or any thoughts?
1. Stepping Stones - conversion
2. Christmas Coal - shame
3. Tossed Treasures - messiness
4. Heron Road - suffering
5. Sword in the Stone - resistance
6. Howe's Cave - baptism
7. Palisade Cliffs - doubt
8. Holding Pfaltzgraff - inclusion
9. Indiana Jones - fear
10. Old Stone Church - love
11. Goldworthy's Wall - sacrifice
12. Clefts of the Rock - responsibility
13. Olive Press - gratitude
Next week: "Seedstone - healing"
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Scripture- then tradition, reason and experience
Over at Jesus Creed, Scot McKnight has been going through John Stackhouse's book, Making the Best of It: Following Christ in the Real World. In this book Stackhouse talks about how Christians think through issues: Scripture, tradition, reason and experience. In the end, Christians sometimes come to different conclusions on how best to address a problem of society or who to vote for, etc. This is inevitable as we all vary with reference to all four entities. I need to add to this that the prerequisite to Stackhouse is the commitment to follow Jesus in discipleship.
Scripture involves interpretation, and though we have the Spirit to guide us, why is it that we Christians do have different interpretations and think differently on how to tackle the problems of this world? I think it involves in part the nature of our existence here. We know only in part and we see through a glass darkly. This makes us more dependent on God, and it should make us more humble about what we think with reference to everything, while not watering down at all our commitment to the Triune God and to the faith once for all entrusted to us, God's people in Jesus.
The realism Stackhouse seems to be advocating (I haven't read the book) is in light of the idealism we find in Scripture, but an idealism that does not deny the existence we live in here. So that God's will worked out in us in Jesus does involve experience, but an experience that is always being brought back to the touchstone of Scripture and then to our church tradition and various church traditions, as well as to the tradition of the Church at large. Then to our reason, and finally back to our experience.
We live out God's will mediated to us in Christ and from Scripture in a real world together as God's people with the gift of our reason. But oftentimes we're better off to acknowledge that we simply don't know what the best course is in a given situation. And in prayer along with fellowship with other Christians, we seek to make the best decision we can, and keep learning. All four of these are important, and probably in that order: Scripture certainly first always having priority- then tradition, reason and experience.
This is not a denial that Scripture is our basis for faith and practice. But how that is worked out, I believe, is through the church as best we understand it in real life. With an ever ready desire to change where need be and keep growing in our understanding of God's will, and in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What do you think about factoring in, along with Scripture: tradition, reason and experience?
Scripture involves interpretation, and though we have the Spirit to guide us, why is it that we Christians do have different interpretations and think differently on how to tackle the problems of this world? I think it involves in part the nature of our existence here. We know only in part and we see through a glass darkly. This makes us more dependent on God, and it should make us more humble about what we think with reference to everything, while not watering down at all our commitment to the Triune God and to the faith once for all entrusted to us, God's people in Jesus.
The realism Stackhouse seems to be advocating (I haven't read the book) is in light of the idealism we find in Scripture, but an idealism that does not deny the existence we live in here. So that God's will worked out in us in Jesus does involve experience, but an experience that is always being brought back to the touchstone of Scripture and then to our church tradition and various church traditions, as well as to the tradition of the Church at large. Then to our reason, and finally back to our experience.
We live out God's will mediated to us in Christ and from Scripture in a real world together as God's people with the gift of our reason. But oftentimes we're better off to acknowledge that we simply don't know what the best course is in a given situation. And in prayer along with fellowship with other Christians, we seek to make the best decision we can, and keep learning. All four of these are important, and probably in that order: Scripture certainly first always having priority- then tradition, reason and experience.
This is not a denial that Scripture is our basis for faith and practice. But how that is worked out, I believe, is through the church as best we understand it in real life. With an ever ready desire to change where need be and keep growing in our understanding of God's will, and in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
What do you think about factoring in, along with Scripture: tradition, reason and experience?
Monday, May 12, 2008
don't despise the simple things
We may want to do something great, not necessarily to call attention to ourselves- which would be a sin, but because we want to please the Lord and do well in his eyes. What was pressed home to me Saturday was the need to do well in the simple, humble things. In which the main thing one is doing is simply seeking to be faithful.
I met with a brother. We went over a study guide on forgiveness, beginning a lesson on Psalm 32. All we said I think was Scripturally sound, and it seemed to me inanely simple. So I have to admit I had a kind of contempt for it, probably thinking to myself I'd be glad when it's over. Yet I did enjoy fellowship with the guy I met with, and he seemed to genuinely appreciate our exchange as I sought to be a good listener and encourager, as well as our time of prayer afterwards. And I sensed that the Lord was pleased with that time.
This goes to show that I must beware of thinking I need to do something that is great in the sense of using my gift as well as I can. Yes, I want to do that, but what came home to me from this is that I simply need to be faithful. That this should be my goal. And not to despise the time of what seems to be simple things.
We do like to get beyond the milk to the meat of the word of God. We want to be challenged to grow to be like Jesus, which means to be missional since Jesus himself was missional (as our pastor Jack Brown pointed out to us yesterday). We want to move on. Yet even in the simplicity of those nearly two hours at a nearby bagel, coffee place, I could see that what we did really did move us to that end, as this man expressed the vision he has for a ministry that can impact others.
I want to have that sense of the Lord's approval in my life. Not just to hear it someday, which by grace we hope to. But also to sense it now, that God is pleased with us and what we do. And in that, let's be careful not to despise the humble things and seemingly little tasks. For in such we find ourselves in the way of Jesus.
What might you like to add to this?
I met with a brother. We went over a study guide on forgiveness, beginning a lesson on Psalm 32. All we said I think was Scripturally sound, and it seemed to me inanely simple. So I have to admit I had a kind of contempt for it, probably thinking to myself I'd be glad when it's over. Yet I did enjoy fellowship with the guy I met with, and he seemed to genuinely appreciate our exchange as I sought to be a good listener and encourager, as well as our time of prayer afterwards. And I sensed that the Lord was pleased with that time.
This goes to show that I must beware of thinking I need to do something that is great in the sense of using my gift as well as I can. Yes, I want to do that, but what came home to me from this is that I simply need to be faithful. That this should be my goal. And not to despise the time of what seems to be simple things.
We do like to get beyond the milk to the meat of the word of God. We want to be challenged to grow to be like Jesus, which means to be missional since Jesus himself was missional (as our pastor Jack Brown pointed out to us yesterday). We want to move on. Yet even in the simplicity of those nearly two hours at a nearby bagel, coffee place, I could see that what we did really did move us to that end, as this man expressed the vision he has for a ministry that can impact others.
I want to have that sense of the Lord's approval in my life. Not just to hear it someday, which by grace we hope to. But also to sense it now, that God is pleased with us and what we do. And in that, let's be careful not to despise the humble things and seemingly little tasks. For in such we find ourselves in the way of Jesus.
What might you like to add to this?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
sons and daughters of encouragement
It is wonderful to be around people who are encouraging. The atmosphere is different than your normal spaces of life in which, too often, cynicism seems to win the day. And it takes everyone in this mix to add their bits of encouragement. Some are especially gifted in this way and we need people like that.
The bottom line in all of this is love. Do we love one another enough to think well of each other? This can be hard when the one we're thinking about does not think well of others, themselves. The ones Jesus came down hard on in his day were those who were hard on others, always thinking they were better.
Some think it's less manly to bend over backwards to show love to others and not offend them unnecessarily. And to think otherwise is evidence that one is thin-skinned.
I'm not at all impressed with that kind of thinking, because even in sharing the truth, we're to do so in love, knowing that we're as prone to error and sin, in ourselves, as anyone else. Those who think they have it all together are the ones who need the most help. And it can be difficult to reach them since they think they're better, at least it seems that way as you hear them put others down in subtle and not so subtle ways. They are to be pitied, and maybe there's not much more we can do for them than to pray, which in itself is the greatest thing we can do for others, anyhow, and can lead to us helping them in deed and word. Not that we all haven't been there at times, because I'm afraid I have, even if mostly in reaction to such people.
But it's wonderful to be a part of a group in which encouraging and helping each other is at the forefront of all that is being done. We need more of that, and we need to be thankful for our brothers and sisters who are especially gifted there, and often in positions of leadership which help facilitate that among the people they are serving.
What thoughts might you like to share on this?
The bottom line in all of this is love. Do we love one another enough to think well of each other? This can be hard when the one we're thinking about does not think well of others, themselves. The ones Jesus came down hard on in his day were those who were hard on others, always thinking they were better.
Some think it's less manly to bend over backwards to show love to others and not offend them unnecessarily. And to think otherwise is evidence that one is thin-skinned.
I'm not at all impressed with that kind of thinking, because even in sharing the truth, we're to do so in love, knowing that we're as prone to error and sin, in ourselves, as anyone else. Those who think they have it all together are the ones who need the most help. And it can be difficult to reach them since they think they're better, at least it seems that way as you hear them put others down in subtle and not so subtle ways. They are to be pitied, and maybe there's not much more we can do for them than to pray, which in itself is the greatest thing we can do for others, anyhow, and can lead to us helping them in deed and word. Not that we all haven't been there at times, because I'm afraid I have, even if mostly in reaction to such people.
But it's wonderful to be a part of a group in which encouraging and helping each other is at the forefront of all that is being done. We need more of that, and we need to be thankful for our brothers and sisters who are especially gifted there, and often in positions of leadership which help facilitate that among the people they are serving.
What thoughts might you like to share on this?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
unity in love
It's wonderful to see unity by the Spirit. This joins truth and love together in Jesus among ourselves. Humility is at the forefront here. Humility is simply having that sense of who we are, good and bad, and seeing others as just as valuable or important as ourselves, and treating them as more so.
I saw this yesterday in our team at work. A good atmosphere of love and respect for each other, in reverence for the Lord.
From this we can do the will of God in Jesus, for each other and in mission for the world. And without this we can do none of it, at least not very well.
What thoughts might you have about "unity in love"?
I saw this yesterday in our team at work. A good atmosphere of love and respect for each other, in reverence for the Lord.
From this we can do the will of God in Jesus, for each other and in mission for the world. And without this we can do none of it, at least not very well.
What thoughts might you have about "unity in love"?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
integrity
I like the word, integrity. For me it's being who I am everywhere. Dropping the pretence. Not wanting to impress others, and working against that. Yet having tact and manners; in other words this doesn't mean just doing what I feel like doing, or want to do. It really means for us in Jesus, seeking to be a follower of Jesus and to walk in the Spirit, wherever we are and in whatever we're doing.
Integrity here is not merely "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." It is the desire to live in this life according to God's will and in dependence on God. This involves interdependence on others in Jesus. It is a life we must live, but a life we cannot do on our own. We need both God in Jesus, and those in Jesus- to receive from others and give back to them.
Integrity openly acknowledges the reality that we don't always walk in integrity in this life. Integrity in this way is to always seek to walk before God in Jesus, no matter what we face, or have done or failed to do. It is a life in which we ever need the Lord both to know how to live, to have that will to do so, and then to do it.
Let's look to Jesus, and to those who followed him, in Scripture. While we know we don't measure up, let's look at this as our goal. To be growing and moving towards the one perfect humanity, together, found in Jesus. As we look forward to the day when we will all walk in perfected, confirmed integrity forever, in the grace, truth and love of our God.
What thought might you like to share on this?
Integrity here is not merely "steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code." It is the desire to live in this life according to God's will and in dependence on God. This involves interdependence on others in Jesus. It is a life we must live, but a life we cannot do on our own. We need both God in Jesus, and those in Jesus- to receive from others and give back to them.
Integrity openly acknowledges the reality that we don't always walk in integrity in this life. Integrity in this way is to always seek to walk before God in Jesus, no matter what we face, or have done or failed to do. It is a life in which we ever need the Lord both to know how to live, to have that will to do so, and then to do it.
Let's look to Jesus, and to those who followed him, in Scripture. While we know we don't measure up, let's look at this as our goal. To be growing and moving towards the one perfect humanity, together, found in Jesus. As we look forward to the day when we will all walk in perfected, confirmed integrity forever, in the grace, truth and love of our God.
What thought might you like to share on this?
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
moving on
Someone somewhere, recently, in my reading, was stating how the bumbling of Christian in John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress, is so different from the way Christians and Christianity is so often portrayed today. I think they have a good point. Too often the Christian life is made up to be rather simplistic, a kind of formulaic endeavor, that if one just does this and that, they'll succeed. This is an indication, in part, of modernism's grip on us. The Biblical picture takes us beyond modernism and postmodernism and all the world views, which with all the good and bad in them each, essentially at their heart are not of God, or in line with the Story of God.
Moving on means we have to accept reality, and call sin sin in our lives, confess them- as well as when we don't do that well in a new situation or testing, to learn from that, and learn to do better.
I like Michael Card's album, The Hidden Face of God, because I think it flies in the face of the assumption that everything should be clean, cut and pasted well in our lives, so that we are Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms. "Have-it-all-together". Not so at all. We keep moving on in a dynamic of God on a journey, in which we have, oh so much to learn. We'd better quit pretending otherwise, and get on with it.
What might you add to these few words on our pilgrimage in this world?
Moving on means we have to accept reality, and call sin sin in our lives, confess them- as well as when we don't do that well in a new situation or testing, to learn from that, and learn to do better.
I like Michael Card's album, The Hidden Face of God, because I think it flies in the face of the assumption that everything should be clean, cut and pasted well in our lives, so that we are Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms. "Have-it-all-together". Not so at all. We keep moving on in a dynamic of God on a journey, in which we have, oh so much to learn. We'd better quit pretending otherwise, and get on with it.
What might you add to these few words on our pilgrimage in this world?
Friday, March 14, 2008
we belong, but are different
In Jesus we belong to each other. I mentioned somewhere in the blog world recently that I would like to take my Greek New Testament to church gathering on Sundays, but just can't do it, because I don't want the people there to think I'm not one of them. I also have to watch out for insidious pride, in thinking myself in any way to be superior. Though being able to read, in my case more than rusty and not an expert, but being able to read from that is no different than learning any language, and alot easier from what I've been told than classical Greek. And I could go into how having a good Bible translation, and there are many, is all one really needs with the help of God and helps God gives us, to hear his word and walk in his way in Jesus.
We are also different. Maybe this will help me to be able to take my Greek New Testament to church gathering. I happen to love language and trying to read from that book. I have my niche that I like to work on, though I'm no expert, really, on anything. More like a jack of some trades and master of none. But we have to accept the fact that though we're all one family in Jesus, and none better than the other, we also have different gifts, and we are a different gift to each other and the world, and even to ourselves, from God in the will of God in Jesus.
We each have something very special to share from God, whether in gifts of speaking or serving. Let's humbly accept who we are, and who others are, delighting in all the good gifts God has given to each one of us in Jesus.
What thoughts might you have here?
We are also different. Maybe this will help me to be able to take my Greek New Testament to church gathering. I happen to love language and trying to read from that book. I have my niche that I like to work on, though I'm no expert, really, on anything. More like a jack of some trades and master of none. But we have to accept the fact that though we're all one family in Jesus, and none better than the other, we also have different gifts, and we are a different gift to each other and the world, and even to ourselves, from God in the will of God in Jesus.
We each have something very special to share from God, whether in gifts of speaking or serving. Let's humbly accept who we are, and who others are, delighting in all the good gifts God has given to each one of us in Jesus.
What thoughts might you have here?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
glorying in weaknesses
2 Corinthians 12 has a most interesting passage in which the apostle Paul tells about a glorious revelation or experience he had of which he was not allowed to share the whole. The apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh, no less than a messenger of Satan, to torment him. Why? To keep him from becoming conceited because of the surpassingly great revelations he had received.
Paul then pleaded three times with the Lord, in prayer, that this weakness would be removed. But the Lord's answer came to him:
The lesson for us is obvious and rather in your face. Let's not shrink back from what might seem to be rendering us of no account in life. Or what might hit us at certain times, even with what I alluded to yesterday. The trials or issues may be hitting us to keep us from becoming conceited, or because we are being disciplined in love by the Lord, or they may just be the aftereffects of sin. Yet when we repent we can be assured of God's grace, and we can go on, even when our experience at the time does not follow with us. Knowing that in the weakness we experience, Christ can be made known.
I'm glad I don't experience many times like I did for almost an entire day beginning Monday evening. I don't seem to have to have much of any thorn in my flesh, though I am quite aware of deficiencies, and the Lord has humbled me over the years through my realizations of my own weakness and limitations.
I think we can take home Paul's words, and the word of God to us, both the Lord's words to Paul, and his response- quoted above. It's really not about us either looking or feeling good, but it's all about the Lord's power being made perfect, for the display of his person and glory. That others might see Christ in and among us. That is what counts.
What about you? How do you look at this in your life? Or what might you like to share here?
Paul then pleaded three times with the Lord, in prayer, that this weakness would be removed. But the Lord's answer came to him:
My grace is sufficient for you,Paul could then rest assured that it was okay. And he realized actually that it was more than okay. His response:
for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.When Paul realized that Christ would become more evident through his weaknesses, he not only accepted them, but embraced and even revelled in them.
The lesson for us is obvious and rather in your face. Let's not shrink back from what might seem to be rendering us of no account in life. Or what might hit us at certain times, even with what I alluded to yesterday. The trials or issues may be hitting us to keep us from becoming conceited, or because we are being disciplined in love by the Lord, or they may just be the aftereffects of sin. Yet when we repent we can be assured of God's grace, and we can go on, even when our experience at the time does not follow with us. Knowing that in the weakness we experience, Christ can be made known.
I'm glad I don't experience many times like I did for almost an entire day beginning Monday evening. I don't seem to have to have much of any thorn in my flesh, though I am quite aware of deficiencies, and the Lord has humbled me over the years through my realizations of my own weakness and limitations.
I think we can take home Paul's words, and the word of God to us, both the Lord's words to Paul, and his response- quoted above. It's really not about us either looking or feeling good, but it's all about the Lord's power being made perfect, for the display of his person and glory. That others might see Christ in and among us. That is what counts.
What about you? How do you look at this in your life? Or what might you like to share here?
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