in the midst of troubles

It is often easier to have faith for someone or something that is more or less removed from us, than it is for something or someone more or less near to us. I wonder in part why that is. We ought to be most in prayer for what is going on around us. Surely there are a number of factors at work.

We see the problems firsthand, and indeed are often part of the problem ourselves, perhaps just as often unknown to us. This is the beauty of faith and of God's working. It includes everyone. One of the reasons I love the "Our Father", "Lord's Prayer." Sometimes it takes more faith to believe God will change something we've lived with for a long time, than it does to believe God can change something else removed from us. This is why we need to be praying for others with reference to the troubles they live in, as well as persevering in our weakness to hold before God our own troubles, and not give up. We in Jesus need each other, and we need to persevere in faith ourselves in the midst of ongoing problems.

Of course there's much more to say on this, and draw out on it. What would anyone like to add here?

true pastors needed

These days we hear talk about how terrible it is to make a divide between God's people as in clergy and laity. I agree with that in large part. We're all members of the same Body who need each other, and we all have the same Spirit who gives to all for the benefit of all.

Just the same, in needing each other we must not discount the important place and role that pastors occupy. We need those in the church who have a shepherd's heart for the sheep. As shepherds under the Good and Great Shepherd, Jesus, we need those who hear God's call to feed and take care of the Lord's sheep, his people.

Yesterday at church my heart was hard and fearful. I couldn't get into worship, though I tried. I tried to listen well to the good message. Toward the end I realized we do have a pastor (and pastors, actually), and that I need to share my over-burdens with them. As soon as I realized that, the burden lifted and I was able to weep and be open to the Spirit. So I did seek one out later, and they gave me a good word of counsel and prayed for me.

I know the shepherd analogy has no direct connection with most of us in our experience; we understand it only from what we read and hear from others. But it's a powerful analogy that remains apt for us today, I believe, in helping us understand at least in part what is at the heart of being a good and true pastor.

What do you think, or what would you like to add here?

being yourself

While we need to listen to what others might think, and take wisdom from wherever we find it, especially from friends and those in Jesus, we need to beware of thinking we have to fit into a jacket that really doesn't fit us.

This is a precarious balance to keep, because a critique or suggestion may sound like it is off, yet it may have something important to offer.

A blogging friend recently told me that I ought to quit reading so much of this and that, and concentrate on God's word and working that into my life. Ouch, of course! But I think they had a valid point, and one I've been working on anyhow, lately. That at least validated part of what is on my heart, and what I'm seeking to work better into my life.

At the same time I have to be who I am. I can't be like that person, or someone else. So that I gladly began to read and work through a most challenging book, part of the time last evening when my wife and I were playing Super Scrabble. A very fun evening, by the way.

While at the same time seeking to hold close to my heart how God seems to be moving me in my life, which includes slowing down, which I mentioned in a recent post.

I am thankful for my wife who lets me be myself and even blesses that. But she gets after me where I need it. But I want to hear others as well, from whom God may speak into my life.

What about you on this?

what unites Christians

Recently I've been reminded again at just how Christians can differ over important matters such as politics, science, theology, and we can add more: spiritual gifts, culture, views on disputable issues like dancing, etc. So often these are brought to the forefront and end up dividing us who are actually one in Jesus.

We need a clarion call back to the unity we have in Jesus by the Spirit. We are to pray, "Our Father....", and we're to be united as one. Do I always do well in this? No. Sometimes I grow weary of disputes over what divide us as Christians, and just seek to withdraw. There is a time and place for that. But in the end we're all in this together, and we need to learn to live well together with all our differences.

We need to quit looking at other Christians under this label and that, and see that essentially we're all one in Christ, members of his Body, together as God's people in this world. We don't have to resolve all our differences to live well in this way. But it is a challenge at times.

What do you think the answer is to this problem? Maybe you encounter this reality over different matters, such as differing opinions by people who essentially agree on most everything else.

What ways any reader out there has found helpful towards the hard work of keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4)?

we need help

Over at Mart DeHaan's Been Thinking About blog, there is a good post on Michael Phelps, and how what he achieved in winning the unprecedebted eight good medals was impossible apart from the help he received from his teammates in the relay races.

This reminded me of the importance Scripture gives to the truth that we are dependent to some degree on other people. This is true in so many ways in society, and true in the church as revealed in the New Testament, as well.

I really believe that what we do or fail to do can mean the difference between life and death for others. And for ourselves, as well. We need to believe in the truth in Scripture, that we need help from others, and that others need help from us.

This does not mean we're no longer responsible for our own failures and sins. But it does mean that God has made it so that we're not to see the life in Christ as just a life between us and God, but a life that includes all others who are "in Christ." And a life which calls others to faith in Christ, as well.

We need help. I believe this. I want to plug in better to other Christians and what they have to say, to receive the prayers of others, and likewise the warnings as well as the encouragements of others. And I want to help others through prayers and good counsel as well.

Too easily I can just be isolated, or when down go off somewhere to myself, even thinking of a getaway with just myself and God. Such a time has its place as we see even from Jesus' life on earth. But I'm seeing more and more that I need others, and in God's working of grace he uses me in other's lives, as well.

What about you? Do you believe you can make it on your own with God's help, or do you believe that God's help involves an interdependent relationship with others?

the Body

I think many of us tend to underrate and underestimate the importance of the Body of Christ in our lives. I think this plays out in our practice, individually and corporately. People might "go to church," but not really much to interact, though thankfully the church we're a part of is very strong in interacting.

For any who know me, they'll know I've struggled off and on with depression, most all my life. I have steered clear of meds, because the one I took wore off, and the other gave me splitting headaches at times. Recently, for some time now, I've struggled again with depression.

Sunday I went forward to get prayer from one of our pastors- Sharon (her husband, Jack, is our other pastor). She has a gift for praying and encouraging as well as counseling others. And she preaches quite well. Jack and her are a wonderful team at our church! Anyhow after she prayed for me I soon felt the urge for the first time in many days to pray. And I did. And since then my depression has lifted and has gradually gone away. So that now, I feel okay, and ready for more life.

The Body of Christ. Just how important are our brothers and sisters in our lives? Do we have a reciprocal relationship of receiving from them, and giving back from what God gives us through them? Little do we know the blessing in Jesus we can be to each other. And the blessing we can receive from others. I received a good reminder firsthand of the truth and power of this on Sunday.

What thoughts would you like to add on this?

tomorrow: "Forest Star - humility" from L.L. Barkat, Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places