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.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
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.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
politics and Christian responsibility
I was raised in a Mennonite denomination in the United States. We were not like the conservative Mennonites, many of whom, I do not believe, participated in the political process. Many of our number did on election days. But that's about where it ended. Of course another spectrum of Mennonites let their voices be heard for a pacifist stance that they believe should go beyond Christians to governments of this world. At least in influencing them towards peace.
What about us, of the Jesus community? What is our place and responsibility in the world of government and politics? Are we to participate, and if so, how?
I have to acknowledge that after years of separation from my anabaptist heritage, I find myself drawn back to it, Biblically and theologically when considering the kingdom that in Jesus, we are a part of. It is not rooted in this world. But from another place. (John 18) Yet it is to bear influence on this world. (Matthew 5-7) But as those whose citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians)
I believe that we Christians have largely fallen into a worldly way of thinking that is part of the old era that is passing away. Instead we should think and live in the new way, and in the new age, that, in Jesus, is already present. In doing so, we are to be a light to help others, even nations and governments. Even if in the end they have to answer for the rejection of the light they had through Christ followers. But hopefully, being influenced towards good seen in the society of this kingdom of God come, in Jesus. I am not saying we have to take a pacifist stance. Though I am inclined in that direction.
What does this mean? It means that by our lives of love to God and to our neighbor ("the Jesus creed") we are showing a better way. The way that does win out in the end. The way that Jesus brings in God's work of reconciliation in him. For us, in Jesus and in the Jesus community this means the way of the cross. But as we take this way, being obedient to Jesus' calling to us (Matthew 5-7), we serve as a light to the nations, not only to bring people to personal faith in Jesus, but to influence governments for good. We are engaged with reference to both personal and systemic evil.
This position is inherent with all kinds of issues and problems. For example, what about police action? What about military action when tyrants are running renegade engaged in genocide such as we see happening in Africa? Good Christians will continue to disagree here, as I see it. At this point I can't deny that the state has a certain function of carrying out God's wrath/judgment against such evil doers. At the same time I don't think we can get away from the influence that we're to bring, not only on individuals and families and those in the Jesus community. But even on governments. We, as the Jesus community, should be a microcosm of what the kingdom of God is.
This seems ambitious and impossible. And indeed, impractical, and to many Christians even unjustified in light of Jesus' predictions that there will be wars and rumors of wars, that an Armageddon is to come. That the world will never have real peace until the Prince of peace returns in person to reign.
But we are called to be nothing less than a light. Not a light of this world. But a light of another world. The light of the world in Jesus. This means a proclamation and full living out of the gospel of the kingdom of God. In that is certainly the grace of God in Christ, in his death and resurrection. And with that God's reconciliation of the world to himself in Christ. But it doesn't stop at just getting people saved. It goes on to call nations and governments to live and conduct their affairs in light of this new kingdom.
If this is really Scriptural, and if all Christians embraced and lived out this vision in a substantial way, could we expect the world to be largely converted (some kind of postmillennialism)? Would this hasten our Lord's return (2 Peter 3)? We don't know. But surely much good could be accomplished. Look at how one person, Mother Teresa, influenced not only Christians but even governments by her simple and profound following of Jesus. Charles Colson's prison ministry is having a profound effect, not only on many prisoners, but on how this institution is viewed by many of those in government.
Father, Let us be envisioned and live out what we are in Jesus in this world, a light. Let us not succumb to or participate in the darkness. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
What about us, of the Jesus community? What is our place and responsibility in the world of government and politics? Are we to participate, and if so, how?
I have to acknowledge that after years of separation from my anabaptist heritage, I find myself drawn back to it, Biblically and theologically when considering the kingdom that in Jesus, we are a part of. It is not rooted in this world. But from another place. (John 18) Yet it is to bear influence on this world. (Matthew 5-7) But as those whose citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians)
I believe that we Christians have largely fallen into a worldly way of thinking that is part of the old era that is passing away. Instead we should think and live in the new way, and in the new age, that, in Jesus, is already present. In doing so, we are to be a light to help others, even nations and governments. Even if in the end they have to answer for the rejection of the light they had through Christ followers. But hopefully, being influenced towards good seen in the society of this kingdom of God come, in Jesus. I am not saying we have to take a pacifist stance. Though I am inclined in that direction.
What does this mean? It means that by our lives of love to God and to our neighbor ("the Jesus creed") we are showing a better way. The way that does win out in the end. The way that Jesus brings in God's work of reconciliation in him. For us, in Jesus and in the Jesus community this means the way of the cross. But as we take this way, being obedient to Jesus' calling to us (Matthew 5-7), we serve as a light to the nations, not only to bring people to personal faith in Jesus, but to influence governments for good. We are engaged with reference to both personal and systemic evil.
This position is inherent with all kinds of issues and problems. For example, what about police action? What about military action when tyrants are running renegade engaged in genocide such as we see happening in Africa? Good Christians will continue to disagree here, as I see it. At this point I can't deny that the state has a certain function of carrying out God's wrath/judgment against such evil doers. At the same time I don't think we can get away from the influence that we're to bring, not only on individuals and families and those in the Jesus community. But even on governments. We, as the Jesus community, should be a microcosm of what the kingdom of God is.
This seems ambitious and impossible. And indeed, impractical, and to many Christians even unjustified in light of Jesus' predictions that there will be wars and rumors of wars, that an Armageddon is to come. That the world will never have real peace until the Prince of peace returns in person to reign.
But we are called to be nothing less than a light. Not a light of this world. But a light of another world. The light of the world in Jesus. This means a proclamation and full living out of the gospel of the kingdom of God. In that is certainly the grace of God in Christ, in his death and resurrection. And with that God's reconciliation of the world to himself in Christ. But it doesn't stop at just getting people saved. It goes on to call nations and governments to live and conduct their affairs in light of this new kingdom.
If this is really Scriptural, and if all Christians embraced and lived out this vision in a substantial way, could we expect the world to be largely converted (some kind of postmillennialism)? Would this hasten our Lord's return (2 Peter 3)? We don't know. But surely much good could be accomplished. Look at how one person, Mother Teresa, influenced not only Christians but even governments by her simple and profound following of Jesus. Charles Colson's prison ministry is having a profound effect, not only on many prisoners, but on how this institution is viewed by many of those in government.
Father, Let us be envisioned and live out what we are in Jesus in this world, a light. Let us not succumb to or participate in the darkness. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
how to be pragmatically prolife- from "The Anti-Manichaeist"
"dlw" over at his blog, "the Anti-Manichaeist" has an interesting take on the abortion debate, and how politically, something substantially could be done to stem the tide of abortions in our country.
I would encourage us to consider his thoughts and perhaps enter into a discussion there.
I would encourage us to consider his thoughts and perhaps enter into a discussion there.
Monday, June 26, 2006
take this to heart
I don't know how often I've heard or read good teaching. Or have shared it myself. But then really did not take to heart, at least not sufficiently, the counsel, for my own life. This can be with reference to teaching from Scripture. Or the counsel of one's friend, who is a person of God and prayed about a matter before giving their judgment regarding it.
There is nothing wrong with knowledge for knowledge's sake. It is good to know a variety of things, as this can help us better understand the whole of the story of our world, and of our Father's world. This is why I think it is good to have a liberal arts education before one goes to seminary, or serves the Lord in any other capacity in life. Or we can educate ourselves in a variety of ways: spending time at a bookstore like Barnes and Noble, or at our public library. Listening to NPR. Etcetera. While staying in Scripture; doing all of this from a posture, and as people of faith.
But we will inevitably be brought back to the question: "How should we then live?" And we must be listening. And taking to heart the good that we hear given to us. This means considering it carefully, in light of Scripture and of life. Praying about it. And seeking God and his will for us, with reference to it.
Yesterday I found a letter from a pastor that had given me counsel. It had impacted me at the time. But its impact could have, and I now see should have had a bigger impact for me, than what first met the eye. I just tucked it away somewhere. But failed to consider it, and its implications further. Now I need to do that, being in prayer, in the Word/Scripture, and in the community of faith.
The amazing thing is that in so doing, in listening to godly teaching and counsel, and maybe at times from some unexpected sources/people and at unexpected times, we may very well be hearing the voice of God to us. Do we really believe that? Then let me/us listen and take this possibility to heart. Amen.
There is nothing wrong with knowledge for knowledge's sake. It is good to know a variety of things, as this can help us better understand the whole of the story of our world, and of our Father's world. This is why I think it is good to have a liberal arts education before one goes to seminary, or serves the Lord in any other capacity in life. Or we can educate ourselves in a variety of ways: spending time at a bookstore like Barnes and Noble, or at our public library. Listening to NPR. Etcetera. While staying in Scripture; doing all of this from a posture, and as people of faith.
But we will inevitably be brought back to the question: "How should we then live?" And we must be listening. And taking to heart the good that we hear given to us. This means considering it carefully, in light of Scripture and of life. Praying about it. And seeking God and his will for us, with reference to it.
Yesterday I found a letter from a pastor that had given me counsel. It had impacted me at the time. But its impact could have, and I now see should have had a bigger impact for me, than what first met the eye. I just tucked it away somewhere. But failed to consider it, and its implications further. Now I need to do that, being in prayer, in the Word/Scripture, and in the community of faith.
The amazing thing is that in so doing, in listening to godly teaching and counsel, and maybe at times from some unexpected sources/people and at unexpected times, we may very well be hearing the voice of God to us. Do we really believe that? Then let me/us listen and take this possibility to heart. Amen.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
sleep for the night
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Psalm 127:2 (TNIV)
God made the night time on the first day (Genesis 1). We want to thank the Lord for the night time (Neil Diamond). Though some of us have worked or do work third shift ("nights"). Science has indicated that there is the release of melatonin (I believe it it) in our bodies at night, which is depreciated if we turn on a light (to go to the "bathroom"). This is to help us sleep. Poor third shifters don't get that, being in artificial light during the night. And such is not released during the day. All of this, according to science- whatever water it may, or may not hold.
Life has its built in rhythm and routine that comes with it for us humans from God. Even Jesus, just as human as the rest of us, had to sleep. He grew tired. Slept at night. Often times got up early to get away to spend time with the Father, before the others (his disciples) would arise.
Paul sometimes encountered sleepless nights (2 Corinthians). One time Eutychus paid for it, as Paul went on and on in his preaching. Of course, in that case, we know his life was revived in answer to prayer. (Acts) So sleepless nights are not anathema with God. Sometimes it is a part of how one serves God. Though, surely it should be as an exception to the rule.
I love sleep. But I just don't get around to doing it at times. Then there will be that day, when, besides visiting with my wife and daughter, I do little more than sleep. And I wake up rejuvenated. I've learned to function on lack of sleep, but I am closer to being irritable, and especially much more prone to feeling low, after my morning coffee high.
Your old men will dream dreams (Acts 2). Now that could be a ministry(?). I met Charles Colson in a dream last night. Inspiring. And one of the few dreams I remember. A man who was positive and busy in works of the kingdom. Must have been related to what I was saying in the evening about living as those of another kingdom. I'm not much into dreams or a believer in dreams meaning much. I guess that's coming (ha). Certainly dreams do have a significant part in Scripture, from Jacob (really beginning with Abraham) on.
What about you? What blessings or thoughts do you have about sleep?
Monday, June 19, 2006
strength for the day
"and your strength will equal your days."
Deuteronomy 33:25 (TNIV)
This promise in Moses' blessing from God to the tribe of Asher, I take as applicable to us today, who are in Jesus as God's covenant people. Just as the Church has taken Old Testament passages such as Psalm 23 to be for those in Christ, so this promise, I believe, resonates for us as well (cf., 2 Corinthians 1:20). Certainly the New Testament backs this, through story and precept. We can count on God to give us the needed strength and resources to fulfill each day's tasks and calling.
This promise is applicable to us as we seek, not to do our own works (cf., Isaiah 58), but the will of God. As we seek the Lord, drawing near to him in prayer, being quiet before him, and reading his inscripturated Word, we can deliberately, in all that our hands find to do, do it with all our hearts (Ecclesiastes). Though, I believe, so much of what we are wont to do, will increasingly fall by the wayside. More and more we'll have discernment to do what needs to be done. And let other things go. We must see all we do in light of "the Jesus Creed", our call to love God with all our being and doing, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
This promise is important to us all. It is so for me. There is so much in life I would like to do, but can't. And so much I have to do that I'd rather not. But this promise applies to me, only as I determine that, no matter what, I choose to do the will of God for me, in Christ Jesus. This will mean stops to rest and pray, even as Jesus did. It will never push people away, even when seeking to escape. But will maintain a steady, purposeful attitude of being a servant to all. And relationships to God, then to each other, will remain first priority. And there will still be the enjoying of our Father's world (including a world cup game, if you like).
By the way, this is our goal. We will fall short, and have to repent. But God's grace is always there for us, to receive, forgive and restore us.
Lord, Even as you lived out your life on this earth, so let us follow. Let us know your strength in our weakness, according to your will and call for us each day. Through you we pray this. Amen.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
love trumps everything
Justice. Vindication. Faith. Hope. These, and other realities are important, and not to be lost. But, rightfully understood, surely they are all expressions of love. And specifically the love found in the Trinity. From God in Jesus Christ. By faith we enter into this love of God as the reality that trumps all else.
This is important in our everyday lives, as we face the difficulties that inevitably come. Someone gives us the shaft, or we think so, anyhow. What do we act on? The need for justice or vindication? Or do we embrace the love of God in Jesus, even when we hardly can comprehend that love at the time? Yes. We must embrace this love as what we stake our lives on. And to do that, we must seek to live it out, even in the midst of mistreatment or misunderstanding or whatever it is we're facing.
Love includes the other factors, such as justice. A love bereft of justice and hope (in the Biblical meaning of hope) and truth (as found in God's revelation, supremely in Christ) is not the love of God or the love revealed in Jesus and in Scripture. So the love found in the world, really is diminished to the point that it lacks the traits that are found in God's love.
Our thoughts, attitudes and actions, in the midst of all the upheavals of life, must be characterized with this love. Otherwise we are living in a vain manner (1 Corinthians 13), even if God still takes some of it, to bring good.
If we're to walk in the way of Jesus, then we must live lives of love. As those who, ourselves, are dearly loved by God. We must extend our hearts and hands to love, especially when it is hard, or seems impossible to do so. This is a love which extends a grace that forgives. And a grace that brings with it the Truth that can change all of us.
Father, We thank you for your love expressed to us in your Son, Jesus. Jesus, We thank you for living out this love so faithfully before humans in this world and life. And doing so to the very end, even to the point of the death of the cross. Spirit, We thank you for your cleansing, healing, transforming love in our hearts, and through our lives, out to others. God, Let us live this love out. As you love, so let us love. Let us know your love, and make your love known. Amen.
This is important in our everyday lives, as we face the difficulties that inevitably come. Someone gives us the shaft, or we think so, anyhow. What do we act on? The need for justice or vindication? Or do we embrace the love of God in Jesus, even when we hardly can comprehend that love at the time? Yes. We must embrace this love as what we stake our lives on. And to do that, we must seek to live it out, even in the midst of mistreatment or misunderstanding or whatever it is we're facing.
Love includes the other factors, such as justice. A love bereft of justice and hope (in the Biblical meaning of hope) and truth (as found in God's revelation, supremely in Christ) is not the love of God or the love revealed in Jesus and in Scripture. So the love found in the world, really is diminished to the point that it lacks the traits that are found in God's love.
Our thoughts, attitudes and actions, in the midst of all the upheavals of life, must be characterized with this love. Otherwise we are living in a vain manner (1 Corinthians 13), even if God still takes some of it, to bring good.
If we're to walk in the way of Jesus, then we must live lives of love. As those who, ourselves, are dearly loved by God. We must extend our hearts and hands to love, especially when it is hard, or seems impossible to do so. This is a love which extends a grace that forgives. And a grace that brings with it the Truth that can change all of us.
Father, We thank you for your love expressed to us in your Son, Jesus. Jesus, We thank you for living out this love so faithfully before humans in this world and life. And doing so to the very end, even to the point of the death of the cross. Spirit, We thank you for your cleansing, healing, transforming love in our hearts, and through our lives, out to others. God, Let us live this love out. As you love, so let us love. Let us know your love, and make your love known. Amen.
Monday, June 12, 2006
encouragement trumping discouragement
Words are powerful. What is said and unsaid can make or break someone, especially when young. And it can affect the older too, weighing down one's spirit with grief and a more or less sense of despair. Or words or expressions of love can lift one to the grace of the Lord.
Recently I was down because of words spoken to me, and the posture of those who spoke them to me. I did let myself dwell on the words said, and the lack of give and take and conversation. It hurt. But life goes on. But in this case the grief and sense of despair hung over my soul. I just couldn't shake it, not in the escape and love of home, nor among the pleasantries of conversations with friends and the healthy busyness of work.
Later in the day, a brother, whom I rarely see, was in our room. We were busy, and I couldn't converse with him, as he worked on a cutter nearby. I lifted him to the Lord in prayer. At a certain point he made eye contact with me. We asked each other how we were doing. There was such a mutual sharing there, just in that simple, short exchange. A sense of brotherly love and esteem for each other.
For some reason, in God's providence, that exchange dissipated the cloud that had been hanging over me the last few days. It was like the sun breaking through the overcast. My sense of grace and of God's strengthening presence was restored. It was curious to me that this could break it, and so suddenly and thoroughly as it did.
Lord, Thank you for my brother today, whom you used to encourage me in the midst of my gloom and discouragement. Let us learn the art of encouraging each other, in ways that lift us out of ourselves and our darkness, into your grace and presence. Amen.
Recently I was down because of words spoken to me, and the posture of those who spoke them to me. I did let myself dwell on the words said, and the lack of give and take and conversation. It hurt. But life goes on. But in this case the grief and sense of despair hung over my soul. I just couldn't shake it, not in the escape and love of home, nor among the pleasantries of conversations with friends and the healthy busyness of work.
Later in the day, a brother, whom I rarely see, was in our room. We were busy, and I couldn't converse with him, as he worked on a cutter nearby. I lifted him to the Lord in prayer. At a certain point he made eye contact with me. We asked each other how we were doing. There was such a mutual sharing there, just in that simple, short exchange. A sense of brotherly love and esteem for each other.
For some reason, in God's providence, that exchange dissipated the cloud that had been hanging over me the last few days. It was like the sun breaking through the overcast. My sense of grace and of God's strengthening presence was restored. It was curious to me that this could break it, and so suddenly and thoroughly as it did.
Lord, Thank you for my brother today, whom you used to encourage me in the midst of my gloom and discouragement. Let us learn the art of encouraging each other, in ways that lift us out of ourselves and our darkness, into your grace and presence. Amen.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
rest
Recently some of us at work had a discussion/debate on the Sabbath. Do we keep it today? And if so, how? Those differing didn't arrive to a consensus that day, it seems. But it was good for me to reflect on, beyond that day.
What our relationship is today, to (what my tradition would call) the fourth commandment of the Decalogue (Ten Words/Commandments), is one that makes theologians and professors, more or less pull their hair out. It isn't as easy as some think. Nor are my thoughts intended to slough over the difficulties inherent in this study and discussion.
I, for one, believe that a keeping of the seventh day was given to Israel. In the new covenant, I do not see this command repeated, for us to keep. Whereas, we do see all the other commands repeated in the New Testament. Though I do believe there is a fulfillment of that, for us, as God's people.
For fulfillment today, I believe we need to go to Hebrews 3 and 4. The Sabbath rest there, for God's people is found in Jesus. And the teaching is echoed from Psalm 95. That psalm indicates that even Israel keeping a seventh day for rest, did not insure that they really entered into God's rest for them. This is because, this rest is internal, one of the heart. And it does work its way into one's life. It is a rest that requires faith.
We need to be resting in Jesus. Our relationship with him, he promises, will give us rest. But this rest will be into service with him. Yes, with him! We will learn from him. And will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30 and context). In other words, we should find this work that God has for us to not be burdensome, but a delight. Akin to what work was before Adam and Eve sinned?
Back to Hebrews. It is a resting in Jesus and specifically in God's work in Jesus. As I was taught recently, in a book by David Roper, God's seventh day rest remains. And we, by faith in Jesus, are to enter that rest. When you look at this teaching with Psalm 95 and all this tied back to the fourth commandment of the Decalogue, then we see that there "remains...a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also rest from their own work, just as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:9-10; TNIV). We're then told, paradoxically to "make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." (v 11)
Sometimes, I think, we try to do too much with this passage. Making it into some kind of deep, mystical resting in God, only for the elite few Christians who can find it. At other times, though, we make it too simple: simply believe in Jesus, and you are in this rest. What we're missing here is the profundity that faith in Jesus brings to us. Or is meant to bring to us. It is a rest in God's works, and a working that comes out of that rest. It is a delight to be enabled to be workers with God (2 Corinthians 6:1). Knowing that all does not depend on us, and on our working. All depends on God and his working. Yet we are called to work in that working, in the very works of God. (In a true sense, at least an important aspect of God's working today, includes us in our participation!) This can encourage us, in our humble works, that God can take them into his very workings. I think, also, this helps us to take the breaks we need to take from busy activity. To be able to say, "No". And to spend that time in quietness and rest, that we need. As well as learning to not crowd our families out with our busy, never ending labors.
Lord, You've called us to rest in you. Help us to follow you, and learn from you. To know your rest, and how you make our load seem light. Thank you for your finished work for us as our Savior, that we can rest in you and what you've done. Save us from our burdensome toiling. We know you'll call us back to yourself and to the rest you will give us. And we look forward to that final and perfect rest in you. Amen.
What our relationship is today, to (what my tradition would call) the fourth commandment of the Decalogue (Ten Words/Commandments), is one that makes theologians and professors, more or less pull their hair out. It isn't as easy as some think. Nor are my thoughts intended to slough over the difficulties inherent in this study and discussion.
I, for one, believe that a keeping of the seventh day was given to Israel. In the new covenant, I do not see this command repeated, for us to keep. Whereas, we do see all the other commands repeated in the New Testament. Though I do believe there is a fulfillment of that, for us, as God's people.
For fulfillment today, I believe we need to go to Hebrews 3 and 4. The Sabbath rest there, for God's people is found in Jesus. And the teaching is echoed from Psalm 95. That psalm indicates that even Israel keeping a seventh day for rest, did not insure that they really entered into God's rest for them. This is because, this rest is internal, one of the heart. And it does work its way into one's life. It is a rest that requires faith.
We need to be resting in Jesus. Our relationship with him, he promises, will give us rest. But this rest will be into service with him. Yes, with him! We will learn from him. And will find that his yoke is easy, and his burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30 and context). In other words, we should find this work that God has for us to not be burdensome, but a delight. Akin to what work was before Adam and Eve sinned?
Back to Hebrews. It is a resting in Jesus and specifically in God's work in Jesus. As I was taught recently, in a book by David Roper, God's seventh day rest remains. And we, by faith in Jesus, are to enter that rest. When you look at this teaching with Psalm 95 and all this tied back to the fourth commandment of the Decalogue, then we see that there "remains...a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also rest from their own work, just as God did from his." (Hebrews 4:9-10; TNIV). We're then told, paradoxically to "make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." (v 11)
Sometimes, I think, we try to do too much with this passage. Making it into some kind of deep, mystical resting in God, only for the elite few Christians who can find it. At other times, though, we make it too simple: simply believe in Jesus, and you are in this rest. What we're missing here is the profundity that faith in Jesus brings to us. Or is meant to bring to us. It is a rest in God's works, and a working that comes out of that rest. It is a delight to be enabled to be workers with God (2 Corinthians 6:1). Knowing that all does not depend on us, and on our working. All depends on God and his working. Yet we are called to work in that working, in the very works of God. (In a true sense, at least an important aspect of God's working today, includes us in our participation!) This can encourage us, in our humble works, that God can take them into his very workings. I think, also, this helps us to take the breaks we need to take from busy activity. To be able to say, "No". And to spend that time in quietness and rest, that we need. As well as learning to not crowd our families out with our busy, never ending labors.
Lord, You've called us to rest in you. Help us to follow you, and learn from you. To know your rest, and how you make our load seem light. Thank you for your finished work for us as our Savior, that we can rest in you and what you've done. Save us from our burdensome toiling. We know you'll call us back to yourself and to the rest you will give us. And we look forward to that final and perfect rest in you. Amen.
Monday, June 05, 2006
John Wesley's communities
John Wesley was quite possibly the leading light of the many gifted leaders of the 18th century (Bishop John Charles Ryle authored a good book on English leaders of that century). He may have been, primarily an evangelist at heart, as he summoned people in England to conversion in Christ. But he was apostolic like in his giftings: organizing communities after the model of the "holy club", he and Charles, his brother, and George Whitefield, along with others, had once been a part of.
These communities demanded discipline in attending the meetings, and in attending to what was expected of each member. In these communities, spiritual growth was not a solo flight. It was a community endeavor, taking with utter seriousness "one another" sayings of the New Testament. And as long as these communities were going, they seemed to flourish: in England, though not in the United States, where they never caught on in the same way, probably due to Francis Asbury not buying into the concept completely, and maybe more to the far flung distances, circuit riders had to travel horseback, between communities of churches.
I have noticed, through observing and through experience on both sides, that often those in leadership (certainly including "lay" people), especially on teams, in which they meet on a regular basis, often seem to show more evident growth in maturity in their Christian lives. As opposed to most of the rest, who simply come and go, and may serve here and there, as a Sunday school teacher, or whatever.
I don't think committees or serving on them is necessarily at all akin to being a part of a community like the ones of John Wesley. But I do think, in the fires of church problems and conflicts such groups work on, as well as even the stone cold rigamarole that can inflict itself on their meetings- there often does seem to be a dynamic going on that is largely missing or lacking from the rest of the church body.
Somehow we need to recover something of this dynamic across the board, to as many as possible of the church community. And hopefully see it become catching to all who are present, over time.
Many pitfalls here, to be sure. But there needs to be the willingness to risk in considering how we can better fulfill Scriptural injunctions to daily encourage or exhort each other. To look out for each other's good. To be accountable, men to men and women to women. In a general sense, all to each other.
Some of this sense has been brought into churches through paragroups such as "Promise Keepers". I see this in our own local church community in a men's class. These guys hear a clip from that organization, then at times "let their hair down" as to where they're really at in their lives. Or some really good, substantive sharing occurs on a subject. God has used, in this case, a less than perfect parachurch organization (what organization is perfect, anyhow?) and used it to get something of this dynamic into our churches.
I for one need more of this. I really get very little of it. But this is true for most of the rest of us as well. I think we need to have more of the sense of the necessity of relationship, not just to God through Christ. But to each other through Jesus, as well.
What are your thoughts, and experience, on this?
These communities demanded discipline in attending the meetings, and in attending to what was expected of each member. In these communities, spiritual growth was not a solo flight. It was a community endeavor, taking with utter seriousness "one another" sayings of the New Testament. And as long as these communities were going, they seemed to flourish: in England, though not in the United States, where they never caught on in the same way, probably due to Francis Asbury not buying into the concept completely, and maybe more to the far flung distances, circuit riders had to travel horseback, between communities of churches.
I have noticed, through observing and through experience on both sides, that often those in leadership (certainly including "lay" people), especially on teams, in which they meet on a regular basis, often seem to show more evident growth in maturity in their Christian lives. As opposed to most of the rest, who simply come and go, and may serve here and there, as a Sunday school teacher, or whatever.
I don't think committees or serving on them is necessarily at all akin to being a part of a community like the ones of John Wesley. But I do think, in the fires of church problems and conflicts such groups work on, as well as even the stone cold rigamarole that can inflict itself on their meetings- there often does seem to be a dynamic going on that is largely missing or lacking from the rest of the church body.
Somehow we need to recover something of this dynamic across the board, to as many as possible of the church community. And hopefully see it become catching to all who are present, over time.
Many pitfalls here, to be sure. But there needs to be the willingness to risk in considering how we can better fulfill Scriptural injunctions to daily encourage or exhort each other. To look out for each other's good. To be accountable, men to men and women to women. In a general sense, all to each other.
Some of this sense has been brought into churches through paragroups such as "Promise Keepers". I see this in our own local church community in a men's class. These guys hear a clip from that organization, then at times "let their hair down" as to where they're really at in their lives. Or some really good, substantive sharing occurs on a subject. God has used, in this case, a less than perfect parachurch organization (what organization is perfect, anyhow?) and used it to get something of this dynamic into our churches.
I for one need more of this. I really get very little of it. But this is true for most of the rest of us as well. I think we need to have more of the sense of the necessity of relationship, not just to God through Christ. But to each other through Jesus, as well.
What are your thoughts, and experience, on this?
Friday, June 02, 2006
change
Change in life is not easy. Especially for some people. But in a general sense, true for most all. It means a moving out of our comfort zones. It involves a willingness to be so moved. And to really change. In some ways we ought to rejoice over the possibility of change. After all, is every way we live really good? Are our comfort zones always good for us?
Change is an inevitable part of life. On top of that, for us in Jesus change is necessary, since we are to ever be changing from glory to glory into his resemblance. And God has new vistas for us, along the way. We need to have hearts and minds open, and keep moving, hopefully in the gentle, quiet move of God at work in our lives. We will fall behind, get ahead and get sidetracked. But we'll eventually find that the Lord is always there, to help us back, to find our way in his way for us.
Paradoxically, I think that we'll also find it true that the more we acclimate ourselves to live in God's will with the changes that will bring, the more a kind of refreshing sameness can be our experience, and can grow in our lives. The sameness that no matter what we encounter, God is with us. He will see us through. He is faithful no matter what. He is the same in his love, mercy and truth- for us. The sameness of the sense of his presence in our lives. Certainly that sense in our experience ebbs and flows, but he has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13).
Looking at lives in the Bible, we'll take a quick glance here, at Peter. What changes we see him going through! Often protesting along the way. Certainly being moved out, time and again, from his comfort zones. And being challenged to continue to follow Jesus. And really doing that. Even to the very end of his life, it wasn't always comfortable. But Peter knew that the Lord was with him. And he saw wonderful things he would have never seen if he would have refused to leave his old, familiar work of fishing behind. Though admittedly painful things, as well. Necessary for his continued transformation in becoming more and more like his Master.
This change will best take place in our lives together, as God's people in Jesus. Through relationships, not only with God, but with each other, we will find the Spirit drawing us to become, experientially more and more one with God, and with each other. Not in the sense of becoming clones, but of learning to live more and more harmoniously together with our God-given differences- and with those not God-given. And that will certainly involve change. Maybe in certain instances hopefully finding substantive change, though knowing God is not finished with us yet.
Lord, Give us the faith and courage to follow you. Your gentle blowing in our hearts and lives. Let us be open to your changing of us and of our lives. We know you are with us, to the very end. That your love for us never changes. Thank you for those you give us, to walk through this life together. May we help each other, and in your love encourage your change in one another. For your glory in our lives. Amen.
Change is an inevitable part of life. On top of that, for us in Jesus change is necessary, since we are to ever be changing from glory to glory into his resemblance. And God has new vistas for us, along the way. We need to have hearts and minds open, and keep moving, hopefully in the gentle, quiet move of God at work in our lives. We will fall behind, get ahead and get sidetracked. But we'll eventually find that the Lord is always there, to help us back, to find our way in his way for us.
Paradoxically, I think that we'll also find it true that the more we acclimate ourselves to live in God's will with the changes that will bring, the more a kind of refreshing sameness can be our experience, and can grow in our lives. The sameness that no matter what we encounter, God is with us. He will see us through. He is faithful no matter what. He is the same in his love, mercy and truth- for us. The sameness of the sense of his presence in our lives. Certainly that sense in our experience ebbs and flows, but he has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13).
Looking at lives in the Bible, we'll take a quick glance here, at Peter. What changes we see him going through! Often protesting along the way. Certainly being moved out, time and again, from his comfort zones. And being challenged to continue to follow Jesus. And really doing that. Even to the very end of his life, it wasn't always comfortable. But Peter knew that the Lord was with him. And he saw wonderful things he would have never seen if he would have refused to leave his old, familiar work of fishing behind. Though admittedly painful things, as well. Necessary for his continued transformation in becoming more and more like his Master.
This change will best take place in our lives together, as God's people in Jesus. Through relationships, not only with God, but with each other, we will find the Spirit drawing us to become, experientially more and more one with God, and with each other. Not in the sense of becoming clones, but of learning to live more and more harmoniously together with our God-given differences- and with those not God-given. And that will certainly involve change. Maybe in certain instances hopefully finding substantive change, though knowing God is not finished with us yet.
Lord, Give us the faith and courage to follow you. Your gentle blowing in our hearts and lives. Let us be open to your changing of us and of our lives. We know you are with us, to the very end. That your love for us never changes. Thank you for those you give us, to walk through this life together. May we help each other, and in your love encourage your change in one another. For your glory in our lives. Amen.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
God knows what he is doing
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
35 "Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?"
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
(Romans 11; TNIV)
There are times in our lives when we wonder what's up with our God. When things not only are not coming together, but seem to have fallen apart. Times when we're hardly thriving, but more like surviving (trying to).
This Romans passage is in view of the big picture of what God, in grace is doing in this world, through Christ. Good news. It is astonishing in its scope and wisdom for Paul. Beyond understanding. Yet believing that God is doing well, and knows what he is doing, even though Paul -and us, cannot really track with it.
In our lives we need that same kind of faith. God is at work in our lives also. In Jesus, we are his precious sons and daughters. In all things he works for our good and for his glory, to make us more like his Son, Jesus (Romans 8). But we need to hang on to this in faith, especially when we can make little or no sense out of our circumstances and lives.
God. You are great, and you are good. We trust that you know what you are doing in our lives. We know we can't track with you. But let us have the assurance that you know. And that, that is enough. Let us trust and rest in you. Together. In Jesus. By the Spirit. Amen.
Monday, May 29, 2006
remembering
Here in the United States it is Memorial Day. Many of us pause today, in remembering those in our military, who have given their lives for freedoms that we take for granted, here, everyday.
With reference to Scripture, I recently read a profound statement somewhere (I think, from Scot McKnight). Something like this (with my thought added): As we get older, as Christians, when reading Scripture it's not so much that we run into new insights not seen before. Though that does still happen, especially in that through experience and the Spirit's work, we're prepared to receive insights that before our hearts and minds were not ready to see/really understand or receive. It's much more that we are reminded, again and again, of truths vital to our life in God and in living that out, in this world.
Peter talks about reminding his readers of what they've heard before. So does John, who says he's not writing them a new truth, but one they had heard from the beginning. Though that truth becomes new in Jesus, and in us, as a light in this world.
Unfortunately we as Christians often approach Scripture with the attitude, "I already know this. Why should I keep going over what I know (and often, have memorized)?" So we can become slack in our Bible reading.
This is dangerous for us. The writer to the Hebrews warns the readers to be careful, lest they drift from the truth. And that they should have been teachers, but were in need to be taught over again, the beginning truths of God.
Scripture is living and from God. Not just a one time thing in coming from God. But a daily thing in the life of the Church and of us as individuals in the Jesus community. We need it, to ever be reminded and taught by God, of our life in him. So as to grow in him, as individuals and together.
God, Thank you for Scripture, which is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, in this dark world and in our darkness. Let us ever hold on to this light. Not only for our way, but for others to join us in your love and truth. In Jesus. Amen.
With reference to Scripture, I recently read a profound statement somewhere (I think, from Scot McKnight). Something like this (with my thought added): As we get older, as Christians, when reading Scripture it's not so much that we run into new insights not seen before. Though that does still happen, especially in that through experience and the Spirit's work, we're prepared to receive insights that before our hearts and minds were not ready to see/really understand or receive. It's much more that we are reminded, again and again, of truths vital to our life in God and in living that out, in this world.
Peter talks about reminding his readers of what they've heard before. So does John, who says he's not writing them a new truth, but one they had heard from the beginning. Though that truth becomes new in Jesus, and in us, as a light in this world.
Unfortunately we as Christians often approach Scripture with the attitude, "I already know this. Why should I keep going over what I know (and often, have memorized)?" So we can become slack in our Bible reading.
This is dangerous for us. The writer to the Hebrews warns the readers to be careful, lest they drift from the truth. And that they should have been teachers, but were in need to be taught over again, the beginning truths of God.
Scripture is living and from God. Not just a one time thing in coming from God. But a daily thing in the life of the Church and of us as individuals in the Jesus community. We need it, to ever be reminded and taught by God, of our life in him. So as to grow in him, as individuals and together.
God, Thank you for Scripture, which is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, in this dark world and in our darkness. Let us ever hold on to this light. Not only for our way, but for others to join us in your love and truth. In Jesus. Amen.
Friday, May 26, 2006
responding to rebuke
Proverbs talks about the wisdom of listening to a life-giving rebuke, and so coming to be at home with the wise. I remember Dallas Willard, in one of his books stating that in this day and age, rebuke or correction is not a viable option. When one is corrected today, they see their very person as being attacked. Willard is into philosophy, so he understands philosophical influences on people better than most of us.
But I think, somehow, there needs to be space to lovingly correct each other. I can hardly read the New Testament and think otherwise. We need to be open to receiving rebuke or correction. We should not be in a hurry to do this. And it should be done in much prayer.
Recently I received a life-giving rebuke. The person told me that it did not come from him in love, at the time. But it brought home to my mind and heart, a revelation about myself that I had not seen before. I found that in heeding that rebuke God was with me. No, I didn't feel that at first. I was doing what I believed I needed to do. But the Spirit's grace and confirmation of that, did follow. And I felt a true sense of repentance and grace at work, in my life.
Lord, Thank you for your continued working. Let us be a part of that, to, in grace, receive and give needed correction, in your love, and by your Spirit. Amen.
But I think, somehow, there needs to be space to lovingly correct each other. I can hardly read the New Testament and think otherwise. We need to be open to receiving rebuke or correction. We should not be in a hurry to do this. And it should be done in much prayer.
Recently I received a life-giving rebuke. The person told me that it did not come from him in love, at the time. But it brought home to my mind and heart, a revelation about myself that I had not seen before. I found that in heeding that rebuke God was with me. No, I didn't feel that at first. I was doing what I believed I needed to do. But the Spirit's grace and confirmation of that, did follow. And I felt a true sense of repentance and grace at work, in my life.
Lord, Thank you for your continued working. Let us be a part of that, to, in grace, receive and give needed correction, in your love, and by your Spirit. Amen.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
resisting the powers
One of the beauties of blogging is one can share thoughts that may be developing, so that they are not entirely thought through. And can have some improving or even correcting that can come in this process both individually and in community. Thoughts by nature, even theologically, should be open to revision for improvement, as we try better to say (maybe for our time and place) what God has revealed to us in Jesus and in Scripture.
Resisting the powers is with reference to thinking through our relationship, as the Jesus community, to nations and governments, said to have a God-given calling and authority in the world (see Romans 13). Many Christians in our nation are prone to a more or less strong nationalism based on an idealistic view and notion of our (the United States) founding as a nation. While we see, in many places in the world, Christians "up against it", having to live out their faith under authorities who, contrary to God's calling to them, make Christianity illegal or push it to the fringes (and beyond) as to what is acceptable and good for their society.
In Scripture we note that Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world. That it is from another place not of this earth (John 18). But that his kingdom, by his Person and words and work, and by his people, is present in this world. Inherent in that, and gathered from the New Testament as well as early Christianity, is the proclamation that "Jesus is Lord". Which flew in the face of what was believed then in the empire: "Caesar is Lord."
Paul accepted and used his Roman citizenship. But, like Daniel, he refused to bow his knees to the Emperor. He continued to proclaim the kingdom of God in Jesus until the end of his days. Do note, in Daniel's case, that he even served as a government official. But part of Daniel's proclamation, in his day, was that the Most High God is King of kings and Lord of lords. So, he too, I say, resisted the powers, as God has called all of us, his people, to do.
We are to honor those in power, at least with reference to their office and calling from God. And in terms of whatever honor they deserve. We are to pay taxes to them for their work of governing. But we are to resist them, whenever they impose laws on us, that contradict "the Jesus creed": loving God with our whole being and doing, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Obeying this "creed", means sharing the message of the gospel, that message being Jesus himself: the salvation and kingdom that is found in him.
When we may have to resist them, we need, like Martin Luther King, Jr., to do so as those of another kingdom, not of this world. As followers of Jesus, who taught us to bless those who curse us, and to repay evil with good. Resisting the powers is a vanquishing of them, in the power of the Spirit, by the blood of Jesus, proclaiming him, and by our own testimony, and it may even mean martyrdom (Revelation 12).
But in our country, and in western democracies (or the like of them, elsewhere), how do we resist the powers? We ought to be thankful to God for the good of our countries and our government, and in a certain sense, we can be patriotic. But we must avoid being nationalistic, in the sense of seeing our identity as steeped in being American or German or whatever. This is so, because our identity is in Jesus and in the kingdom of God. We are a holy nation (1 Peter), scattered all over the word as the Jesus community. We think of ourselves as Christians who happen to be American, or German, or whatever. But our chief citizenship is in heaven, as Paul himself, a Roman citizen, said (Philippians).
Jesus, We bow to you as Lord. Let us live and proclaim you and your Father's kingdom. Give us strength to be your servants in this world in whatever sphere you call us to. And give us discernment and strength to resist the powers when their call usurps your lordship, blatantly or subtely. By your Spirit and in your love. Amen.
Resisting the powers is with reference to thinking through our relationship, as the Jesus community, to nations and governments, said to have a God-given calling and authority in the world (see Romans 13). Many Christians in our nation are prone to a more or less strong nationalism based on an idealistic view and notion of our (the United States) founding as a nation. While we see, in many places in the world, Christians "up against it", having to live out their faith under authorities who, contrary to God's calling to them, make Christianity illegal or push it to the fringes (and beyond) as to what is acceptable and good for their society.
In Scripture we note that Jesus said that his kingdom is not of this world. That it is from another place not of this earth (John 18). But that his kingdom, by his Person and words and work, and by his people, is present in this world. Inherent in that, and gathered from the New Testament as well as early Christianity, is the proclamation that "Jesus is Lord". Which flew in the face of what was believed then in the empire: "Caesar is Lord."
Paul accepted and used his Roman citizenship. But, like Daniel, he refused to bow his knees to the Emperor. He continued to proclaim the kingdom of God in Jesus until the end of his days. Do note, in Daniel's case, that he even served as a government official. But part of Daniel's proclamation, in his day, was that the Most High God is King of kings and Lord of lords. So, he too, I say, resisted the powers, as God has called all of us, his people, to do.
We are to honor those in power, at least with reference to their office and calling from God. And in terms of whatever honor they deserve. We are to pay taxes to them for their work of governing. But we are to resist them, whenever they impose laws on us, that contradict "the Jesus creed": loving God with our whole being and doing, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. Obeying this "creed", means sharing the message of the gospel, that message being Jesus himself: the salvation and kingdom that is found in him.
When we may have to resist them, we need, like Martin Luther King, Jr., to do so as those of another kingdom, not of this world. As followers of Jesus, who taught us to bless those who curse us, and to repay evil with good. Resisting the powers is a vanquishing of them, in the power of the Spirit, by the blood of Jesus, proclaiming him, and by our own testimony, and it may even mean martyrdom (Revelation 12).
But in our country, and in western democracies (or the like of them, elsewhere), how do we resist the powers? We ought to be thankful to God for the good of our countries and our government, and in a certain sense, we can be patriotic. But we must avoid being nationalistic, in the sense of seeing our identity as steeped in being American or German or whatever. This is so, because our identity is in Jesus and in the kingdom of God. We are a holy nation (1 Peter), scattered all over the word as the Jesus community. We think of ourselves as Christians who happen to be American, or German, or whatever. But our chief citizenship is in heaven, as Paul himself, a Roman citizen, said (Philippians).
Jesus, We bow to you as Lord. Let us live and proclaim you and your Father's kingdom. Give us strength to be your servants in this world in whatever sphere you call us to. And give us discernment and strength to resist the powers when their call usurps your lordship, blatantly or subtely. By your Spirit and in your love. Amen.
Monday, May 22, 2006
I believe in creeds
Yes. I believe in creeds. Sunday morning on Speaking of Faith, there was a fascinating (to me) interview with the recently deceased Jaroslav Pelikan.
I was raised in and remain a part of the evangelical "low church" tradition. But one that increasingly does respect (at least in theory, even if not much in practice) traditions of our "high church" brothers and sisters.
Reciting the creeds, I think can be helpful. The Church, through the early centuries formulated creeds as expressing the heart of the faith of Christians in their place and time. They were hammered out with reference to heresies, such as the Gnostic and Arian heresies. Forms of these heresies, along with others the Church addressed, continue to arise. So these creeds continue to express the heart of our faith in a way that speaks against abberations claiming to represent the true faith. The formulation of the creeds was a part of the Church fulfilling our call to contend for the faith once for all entrusted to God's people (Jude).
Creeds are human attempts to express truth from Scripture on crucial matters, that matter as to salvation and orthodoxy (correct/right belief). Heresy, earlier from a New Testament Greek word simply meaning "schism" or what we might call today cliques (or maybe sects) among true believers, came to mean departures from the faith, so that the result is to no longer to be in the faith. Yet claiming to be Christian. In this sense Jews are not heretics. Whereas anyone or group denying Jesus' resurrection, while calling themselves Christian, would be classified heretical.
Here is the Nicence Creed, one of the early creeds of Christianity still believed in by Protestants, Anabaptists, Roman Catholics and Orthodox, to this day:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pelikan's 2003 interview with Krista Tippet is fascinating in his profound understanding of the creeds and their place. Also, to learn of creeds continuing to be made (as in Africa), to express the same faith in a different place was also interesting.
God, Thank you for enabling your people to have discernment by the Spirit and Scripture, to see what is true, and thus distinguish it from the false. Let us be those who can express the heart of our faith, and above all, let us be those who live out that faith, in all of life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, and is, and ever will be, world without end. Amen.
I was raised in and remain a part of the evangelical "low church" tradition. But one that increasingly does respect (at least in theory, even if not much in practice) traditions of our "high church" brothers and sisters.
Reciting the creeds, I think can be helpful. The Church, through the early centuries formulated creeds as expressing the heart of the faith of Christians in their place and time. They were hammered out with reference to heresies, such as the Gnostic and Arian heresies. Forms of these heresies, along with others the Church addressed, continue to arise. So these creeds continue to express the heart of our faith in a way that speaks against abberations claiming to represent the true faith. The formulation of the creeds was a part of the Church fulfilling our call to contend for the faith once for all entrusted to God's people (Jude).
Creeds are human attempts to express truth from Scripture on crucial matters, that matter as to salvation and orthodoxy (correct/right belief). Heresy, earlier from a New Testament Greek word simply meaning "schism" or what we might call today cliques (or maybe sects) among true believers, came to mean departures from the faith, so that the result is to no longer to be in the faith. Yet claiming to be Christian. In this sense Jews are not heretics. Whereas anyone or group denying Jesus' resurrection, while calling themselves Christian, would be classified heretical.
Here is the Nicence Creed, one of the early creeds of Christianity still believed in by Protestants, Anabaptists, Roman Catholics and Orthodox, to this day:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Pelikan's 2003 interview with Krista Tippet is fascinating in his profound understanding of the creeds and their place. Also, to learn of creeds continuing to be made (as in Africa), to express the same faith in a different place was also interesting.
God, Thank you for enabling your people to have discernment by the Spirit and Scripture, to see what is true, and thus distinguish it from the false. Let us be those who can express the heart of our faith, and above all, let us be those who live out that faith, in all of life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, and is, and ever will be, world without end. Amen.
Friday, May 19, 2006
the devil
Jim Martin has some helpful thoughts to remind us that God does hear his children's prayers, even when it seems especially difficult to pray, and that God is distant.
I now embark on a dangerous subject. As C.S. Lewis in Screwtape Letters points out: On the one hand you don't want to deny the devil's existence. On the other hand, you also don't want to be seeing the devil and his brood as the fact and factor in life (my paraphrase of what he's getting at). Also, I need to read Walter Wink's work on the powers. It is important to avoid a dualism that would ultimately minimize to oblivion the activities of either one world or the other.
I do believe in the existence of personal entities, including the devil, who are out to oppose the purposes of God in Christ. And are ultimately antihuman as well as antichrist.
Scripture acknowledges a personal intelligence using deception to deter humanity from faith in God towards either a languishing apathetic attitude that misses God's promise to and in them, or a pride that would ultimately see God as unnecessary to them or the world (see Mark Biddle's excellent book, Missing the Mark: Sin And Its Consequences in Biblical Theology).
"Satan" means opposer and the "devil" means slanderer. There is a host of demons in league with Satan. This is what these entities do. They oppose God's good purposes for humankind and slander God to humans, humans to God, and humans to humans (and God's good creation, as well).
Paul references them in Ephesians 6:10-18 in his passage on spiritual warfare. He makes it plain that the wrestling there is not against humans, but against entities at work in the world of humanity.
Paul, in dealing with a sin issue in the church at Corinth, tells the church to be sure to practice restoration of the repentant party, indicating that he is not unaware of Satan's schemes.
In Job, we have a remarkable story. What goes on behind the earthly scenes is between God and Satan. The story on earth involves scenes and settings that are made up of the stuff of this good and fallen world. The problem of evil. And God's silence, hand and work, in all of this. Job, from what we read there, never gets wind of a devil or demons he would then, have to take into account and fight against. But clearly, that aspect is not hidden from us. James in looking back at it for us, says we should learn from the perseverance of Job when suffering, and the Lord's compassion and mercy in blessing him in the end (5:10-11)
In Jesus, we have the victory of God over all the powers of this world and of the spiritual world interacting with us. We need not fear them. But, just as we need to better understand our own fallen propensities, so we need to understand that there are entities, which would fan these propensities into flame against God and his good will. Note how Jesus puts to flight the devil in the wilderness, in the same way we can (Matthew 4:1-11).
So back to Jim Martin's posting: he doesn't mention the devil, and has no need to necessarily do so in that context. You can read whole books in the New Testament that may mention this entity once or a few times, but for the most part in their content do not. Again, we need to be careful not to pay overdue attention to him, as I'm in danger of doing, by blogging on this subject today. But neither do we want to fail to take this entity into account as we look at life, temptation and evil in this world. And what God has given us to resist and triumph over it.
Jesus, We thank you that you have won the victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. We who are in you are in that victory. Let us truly follow your example and leading, by the Spirit. Help us not to give the devil and his minions more than they are due, but let us take into account your revelation in Scripture concerning them. Keep us in your love and grace and power. Amen.
I now embark on a dangerous subject. As C.S. Lewis in Screwtape Letters points out: On the one hand you don't want to deny the devil's existence. On the other hand, you also don't want to be seeing the devil and his brood as the fact and factor in life (my paraphrase of what he's getting at). Also, I need to read Walter Wink's work on the powers. It is important to avoid a dualism that would ultimately minimize to oblivion the activities of either one world or the other.
I do believe in the existence of personal entities, including the devil, who are out to oppose the purposes of God in Christ. And are ultimately antihuman as well as antichrist.
Scripture acknowledges a personal intelligence using deception to deter humanity from faith in God towards either a languishing apathetic attitude that misses God's promise to and in them, or a pride that would ultimately see God as unnecessary to them or the world (see Mark Biddle's excellent book, Missing the Mark: Sin And Its Consequences in Biblical Theology).
"Satan" means opposer and the "devil" means slanderer. There is a host of demons in league with Satan. This is what these entities do. They oppose God's good purposes for humankind and slander God to humans, humans to God, and humans to humans (and God's good creation, as well).
Paul references them in Ephesians 6:10-18 in his passage on spiritual warfare. He makes it plain that the wrestling there is not against humans, but against entities at work in the world of humanity.
Paul, in dealing with a sin issue in the church at Corinth, tells the church to be sure to practice restoration of the repentant party, indicating that he is not unaware of Satan's schemes.
In Job, we have a remarkable story. What goes on behind the earthly scenes is between God and Satan. The story on earth involves scenes and settings that are made up of the stuff of this good and fallen world. The problem of evil. And God's silence, hand and work, in all of this. Job, from what we read there, never gets wind of a devil or demons he would then, have to take into account and fight against. But clearly, that aspect is not hidden from us. James in looking back at it for us, says we should learn from the perseverance of Job when suffering, and the Lord's compassion and mercy in blessing him in the end (5:10-11)
In Jesus, we have the victory of God over all the powers of this world and of the spiritual world interacting with us. We need not fear them. But, just as we need to better understand our own fallen propensities, so we need to understand that there are entities, which would fan these propensities into flame against God and his good will. Note how Jesus puts to flight the devil in the wilderness, in the same way we can (Matthew 4:1-11).
So back to Jim Martin's posting: he doesn't mention the devil, and has no need to necessarily do so in that context. You can read whole books in the New Testament that may mention this entity once or a few times, but for the most part in their content do not. Again, we need to be careful not to pay overdue attention to him, as I'm in danger of doing, by blogging on this subject today. But neither do we want to fail to take this entity into account as we look at life, temptation and evil in this world. And what God has given us to resist and triumph over it.
Jesus, We thank you that you have won the victory over the world, the flesh and the devil. We who are in you are in that victory. Let us truly follow your example and leading, by the Spirit. Help us not to give the devil and his minions more than they are due, but let us take into account your revelation in Scripture concerning them. Keep us in your love and grace and power. Amen.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
being likeable
In the last post, becoming like Jesus, I pointed out that as followers of Jesus, those of the Jesus community, there ought to be a certain sense in which we seek to be likeable to others. This has its limits, for Jesus promised his disciples that the world would hate them, and not receive their message, because the world hates Jesus. Not only so, but Jesus points out that there will be a time when "all" people will hate them (all here, likely is a hyperbole).
When I think of likeable in this context, I am thinking in terms of friendship. The Proverbs has a number of passages of friendship: 17:17; 18:24; 22:11; 27:6; 27:9. In Romans 5:7 we see a good person contrasted with a righteous person: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." (TNIV) I think of "good" here, with pictures of "the good Samaritan" (Luke 10), and above all, pictures from the gospels of Jesus.
There he is, eating and drinking with tax-collectors and sinners. Jesus stated what was said of him: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" (Matthew 11:19; TNIV) Jesus was apparently liked by "the common crowd" who thronged to see and hear him (remember Zaccheus in the tree?).
There is more to this, of course. Jesus being liked did not translate into Jesus being followed. We know many of his disciples turned away from following him, in response to his hard sayings (John 6). And Jesus certainly had his enemies, especially among the leaders.
There is much to say on enemies, but to keep this post from being way too long I will mention a few things. Proverbs promises that when God takes pleasure in someone's way, that he will cause their enemies to live at peace with them. We are told to bless those who curse us. To pray for our enemies. Do good to them. On our side to do all we can to live at peace with everyone, doing what is right in everyone's eyes (Romans 12), to give food and drink to them, to not be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. This is important, because we're always going to be bumping into people who don't like us.
The Church and Christian spirituality, especially as practiced in evangelical, fundamentalist circles, often (not always) seems to see little if any value in being liked. This needs to be a part of our relationships with each another in the Jesus community. That we would be friends as those whom our Lord calls his friends. This takes commitment and must be ongoing in being exemplified, because it won't be automatic (some we like, and some we don't, in any group). We can train ourselves to genuinely like others by finding the good in them, as well as any common ground.
From there, we seek to build friendships of liking and being liked, with those in the world. Like Jesus, we want to be the good person, not just the righteous person, who would lay down our lives for others.
Lord, Teach us what it means to follow you among each other, and among those who are not your followers. Let us love our neighbors as ourselves. Take away from within us, all that would unneccessarily repel others. Put within us the fragrance of your love and joy; your fragrance. That we might be real friends to others, and see them won to you. Amen.
When I think of likeable in this context, I am thinking in terms of friendship. The Proverbs has a number of passages of friendship: 17:17; 18:24; 22:11; 27:6; 27:9. In Romans 5:7 we see a good person contrasted with a righteous person: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." (TNIV) I think of "good" here, with pictures of "the good Samaritan" (Luke 10), and above all, pictures from the gospels of Jesus.
There he is, eating and drinking with tax-collectors and sinners. Jesus stated what was said of him: "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'" (Matthew 11:19; TNIV) Jesus was apparently liked by "the common crowd" who thronged to see and hear him (remember Zaccheus in the tree?).
There is more to this, of course. Jesus being liked did not translate into Jesus being followed. We know many of his disciples turned away from following him, in response to his hard sayings (John 6). And Jesus certainly had his enemies, especially among the leaders.
There is much to say on enemies, but to keep this post from being way too long I will mention a few things. Proverbs promises that when God takes pleasure in someone's way, that he will cause their enemies to live at peace with them. We are told to bless those who curse us. To pray for our enemies. Do good to them. On our side to do all we can to live at peace with everyone, doing what is right in everyone's eyes (Romans 12), to give food and drink to them, to not be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. This is important, because we're always going to be bumping into people who don't like us.
The Church and Christian spirituality, especially as practiced in evangelical, fundamentalist circles, often (not always) seems to see little if any value in being liked. This needs to be a part of our relationships with each another in the Jesus community. That we would be friends as those whom our Lord calls his friends. This takes commitment and must be ongoing in being exemplified, because it won't be automatic (some we like, and some we don't, in any group). We can train ourselves to genuinely like others by finding the good in them, as well as any common ground.
From there, we seek to build friendships of liking and being liked, with those in the world. Like Jesus, we want to be the good person, not just the righteous person, who would lay down our lives for others.
Lord, Teach us what it means to follow you among each other, and among those who are not your followers. Let us love our neighbors as ourselves. Take away from within us, all that would unneccessarily repel others. Put within us the fragrance of your love and joy; your fragrance. That we might be real friends to others, and see them won to you. Amen.
Monday, May 15, 2006
becoming like Jesus
I like a Rich Mullins song that expresses that it's hard to be like Jesus (find here words to Hard from the album, a liturgy, a legacy & a ragamuffin band). I have to agree with (Saint) Benedict, that living out this faith and becoming, is best done together, in community, with other Jesus followers (I picked this up from Scot McKnight's new book, Praying With the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today). This is what Rich Mullins did with the Kid Brothers of St. Frank (an evangelical version of a Franciscan order).
Notice in Rich's lyrics of Hard, that he doesn't water down what becoming like Jesus means. It's not some Americanized Jesus. Who is on the side of the political left or the political right. Or on the side of America or any other nation. Nor is it a Jesus in the image of any other worldly power or idealogy. It is no less than the Jesus of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). The one who calls us together, to radical discipleship (see Dietrich Bonhoeffer), in turning the other cheek when slapped by an enemy, loving and praying for and doing good to our enemies, trusting in our Father's provision as we seek first his kingdom and righteousness in our lives, etc.
Becoming like Jesus involves a following which involves a focus on the goal. That goal is found in Jesus. It will be perfectly realized in God's kingdom to come. But it is to be pressed towards in the here and now. We're to press towards this mark, of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus (like Paul- Philippians 3). We're to take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9), becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3).
This can involve finding where we're in pain. Because where there's pain, there's usually some kind of "infection" or trouble. What is getting to us is usually an obstacle that can become an opportunity for growth towards Christ-likeness. This can be in the form of being hurt at other's (especially other believers) that we perceive are mistreating us. This is hard. But we must repent of our reactions to it, whether public or private. And we must set ourselves towards the goal of becoming like Jesus. In this case it means a love that is redemptive in its aim. That is willing, in love, to cover over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). That seeks to become likeable in a Jesus kind of way, rather than mired in our own kind of way (note Proverbs 16:7). But regardless, shows love to the end, as Jesus did to his disciples and even to Judas (John 13; Matthew 26).
It is important to remember that the picture of the kingdom to come is to be our goal now, even as it is already present among us, in Jesus. Sure, we won't realize that goal perfectly in this life. Someday we will love one another deeply from the heart in a complete and ever growing sense. But we must follow after, no less than this as our goal, now, if we're to be truly following after our Lord. And I believe, as Francis Schaeffer once said, that we can experience substantial (not perfect) righteousness, holiness and love in this life. (Though we can know the perfect love of God, which drives out all fear- 1 John 4).
Lord Jesus. Let us truly be your followers. Let us see you more and more, by faith. And be changed more and more by the Spirit into your image in all of our being and doing. Keep our eyes on you, and our steps to follow you, even after we've gone astray, we pray. Amen.
Notice in Rich's lyrics of Hard, that he doesn't water down what becoming like Jesus means. It's not some Americanized Jesus. Who is on the side of the political left or the political right. Or on the side of America or any other nation. Nor is it a Jesus in the image of any other worldly power or idealogy. It is no less than the Jesus of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John). The one who calls us together, to radical discipleship (see Dietrich Bonhoeffer), in turning the other cheek when slapped by an enemy, loving and praying for and doing good to our enemies, trusting in our Father's provision as we seek first his kingdom and righteousness in our lives, etc.
Becoming like Jesus involves a following which involves a focus on the goal. That goal is found in Jesus. It will be perfectly realized in God's kingdom to come. But it is to be pressed towards in the here and now. We're to press towards this mark, of the high calling of God, in Christ Jesus (like Paul- Philippians 3). We're to take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus (Luke 9), becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3).
This can involve finding where we're in pain. Because where there's pain, there's usually some kind of "infection" or trouble. What is getting to us is usually an obstacle that can become an opportunity for growth towards Christ-likeness. This can be in the form of being hurt at other's (especially other believers) that we perceive are mistreating us. This is hard. But we must repent of our reactions to it, whether public or private. And we must set ourselves towards the goal of becoming like Jesus. In this case it means a love that is redemptive in its aim. That is willing, in love, to cover over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). That seeks to become likeable in a Jesus kind of way, rather than mired in our own kind of way (note Proverbs 16:7). But regardless, shows love to the end, as Jesus did to his disciples and even to Judas (John 13; Matthew 26).
It is important to remember that the picture of the kingdom to come is to be our goal now, even as it is already present among us, in Jesus. Sure, we won't realize that goal perfectly in this life. Someday we will love one another deeply from the heart in a complete and ever growing sense. But we must follow after, no less than this as our goal, now, if we're to be truly following after our Lord. And I believe, as Francis Schaeffer once said, that we can experience substantial (not perfect) righteousness, holiness and love in this life. (Though we can know the perfect love of God, which drives out all fear- 1 John 4).
Lord Jesus. Let us truly be your followers. Let us see you more and more, by faith. And be changed more and more by the Spirit into your image in all of our being and doing. Keep our eyes on you, and our steps to follow you, even after we've gone astray, we pray. Amen.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
happy Mother's Day!!!
To all of you mothers out there, "Happy Mother's Day"!
I thank God for my own mother who, in the midst of many difficulties in caring for her own mother who had MS, brought me into the world as her firstborn. She sacrificed greatly and daily for many years for me and for my two sisters. She spoke to me the gospel in word and song, over and over. So that between her and Billy Graham, the Spirit brought me to a saving trust in Jesus.
I thank God for my wife- Deb, who has remained steadfast in doing good and being strong in her faith, as well as having fun with our daughter Tiffany. She is a blessing, as a mother here. Her contribution was crucial for Tiffany's life in every way, great and "small".
Thanks to all the mothers out there. Have a blessed and special day!
I thank God for my own mother who, in the midst of many difficulties in caring for her own mother who had MS, brought me into the world as her firstborn. She sacrificed greatly and daily for many years for me and for my two sisters. She spoke to me the gospel in word and song, over and over. So that between her and Billy Graham, the Spirit brought me to a saving trust in Jesus.
I thank God for my wife- Deb, who has remained steadfast in doing good and being strong in her faith, as well as having fun with our daughter Tiffany. She is a blessing, as a mother here. Her contribution was crucial for Tiffany's life in every way, great and "small".
Thanks to all the mothers out there. Have a blessed and special day!
Friday, May 12, 2006
humor
I'm not one who cares to watch much television. My main programs are "Meet the Press", and "This Week With George Stephanopoulos". Last evening my wife and I were laughing to a favorite show of her's, "Keeping Up Appearances", and to a kind of overall likeable show to me, "Red Green". Lately Lukas McKnight posted a link to Lark News on a supposed draft of seminary graduates into pastorates. Which I found funny, though some at the Christian organization I work at did not; some did. That kind of humor is another topic by itself. Though to touch on my take of it, I think it's good when we as people, and as Christians, can laugh at ourselves.
Humor is a gift from God (note Ecclesiastes 3:4) that sometimes, we as Christians, can view as unsanctified. Too be sure, much of the humor that we experience, even in the best of shows does go over the top at times. And what may not seem wrong to one, may come across as wrong to another. Some "humor", to be sure, is sinful. To find what I would call good, pure, clean humor, is not easy. Too often one has to wade through a swamp of moral filth to get some tidbits of actual humor. One has to use their own discretion and make their own judgment as to what they're willing to view or take in, to enjoy some humor. This includes reading, as anyone can testify, who goes to the humor section at a store like "Barnes and Noble."
Humor can be enjoyed, and I think at times it is good to be carried away in it. But we must be able to get our feet back on the ground quickly, or in the midst of that. We are told in 1 Peter 4:7-8: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (TNIV) We don't want to lose that edge, by overindulging in any gift from God. In this case humor. At the same time, we do not want to deny any gift from God. And we can give and receive it as those, who are walking with Christ, by the Spirit. So that in one minute we can have a good laugh. And in the next minute, we can be interceding in prayer for another, or reading Scripture.
Lord, Help us in this matter of humor. Let us enjoy the gift you give to us as humans, of humor. A gift evident in some of your sayings to us. Let us be those who walk in reverence, yet with a light step, as your people, in this world. Amen.
Humor is a gift from God (note Ecclesiastes 3:4) that sometimes, we as Christians, can view as unsanctified. Too be sure, much of the humor that we experience, even in the best of shows does go over the top at times. And what may not seem wrong to one, may come across as wrong to another. Some "humor", to be sure, is sinful. To find what I would call good, pure, clean humor, is not easy. Too often one has to wade through a swamp of moral filth to get some tidbits of actual humor. One has to use their own discretion and make their own judgment as to what they're willing to view or take in, to enjoy some humor. This includes reading, as anyone can testify, who goes to the humor section at a store like "Barnes and Noble."
Humor can be enjoyed, and I think at times it is good to be carried away in it. But we must be able to get our feet back on the ground quickly, or in the midst of that. We are told in 1 Peter 4:7-8: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (TNIV) We don't want to lose that edge, by overindulging in any gift from God. In this case humor. At the same time, we do not want to deny any gift from God. And we can give and receive it as those, who are walking with Christ, by the Spirit. So that in one minute we can have a good laugh. And in the next minute, we can be interceding in prayer for another, or reading Scripture.
Lord, Help us in this matter of humor. Let us enjoy the gift you give to us as humans, of humor. A gift evident in some of your sayings to us. Let us be those who walk in reverence, yet with a light step, as your people, in this world. Amen.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Christians and the tradition of partisan politics
Things are heating up again, on the political scene, as this November's congressional elections draw closer- and for other reasons, for that matter.
I grew up in Ohio in a county predominantly of registered voters of one of the two big parties here (Dems and Repubs). We were with the majority in that county, and quite partisan (I won't say which party).
Now it's certainly not wrong to be either a Democrat or Republican, or even have a sense of being partisan to your party. We need Christians active to influence both parties, and politics in general in our country.
What I do have a problem with, though, is Christian's propensity to generally "rubber stamp" whatever their party officials' positions are, on any given issue. I've seen problems related to this on both sides. It comes with this view: Our side is right, the other side is always wrong. With that view, comes a questioning of the other side's integrity. At least of their intelligence, and sooner than later- it seems, their very character.
The rationale (?, or is it, excuse) given for cutting down, usually character-wise, people from the opposing party (I call that: slander- Titus 3:1-2), is that these are elected officials. Somehow that is supposed to mean they are no longer in the position of "authorities", since they, in a sense, represent the people who voted for them. In no way, though, does that relieve the Christian of acting like a Christian is called to act, in this or any other context. Nor does a democracy mean there are no longer authorities we are to acknowledge as to their position, or love as our neighbor.
Does that mean we can't question and criticize a politician? No. I think we'd all agree on that. A democracy is meant to promote citizens' views to be on the table and everything open to debate. But how do we do it? Do we do it as those who love the politician? Or as a typical American response of "trashing" the politician?
What about our response to those governments participating in genocide or injustices? Here we must pray for justice to be done. Such are completely out of step with God's calling to governing authorities. And Christians can speak the truth in love. Though in doing so, we need to be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. And we are here to give the witness that there is one Lord: Jesus. And Caesar is not.
Father, Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Let us be a light in this world. In the way we think and speak of others, particularly here, of governmental officials. Let us work in this world, as those who would bring in, wherever and to whomever we can, your kingdom in Jesus. Amen.
I grew up in Ohio in a county predominantly of registered voters of one of the two big parties here (Dems and Repubs). We were with the majority in that county, and quite partisan (I won't say which party).
Now it's certainly not wrong to be either a Democrat or Republican, or even have a sense of being partisan to your party. We need Christians active to influence both parties, and politics in general in our country.
What I do have a problem with, though, is Christian's propensity to generally "rubber stamp" whatever their party officials' positions are, on any given issue. I've seen problems related to this on both sides. It comes with this view: Our side is right, the other side is always wrong. With that view, comes a questioning of the other side's integrity. At least of their intelligence, and sooner than later- it seems, their very character.
The rationale (?, or is it, excuse) given for cutting down, usually character-wise, people from the opposing party (I call that: slander- Titus 3:1-2), is that these are elected officials. Somehow that is supposed to mean they are no longer in the position of "authorities", since they, in a sense, represent the people who voted for them. In no way, though, does that relieve the Christian of acting like a Christian is called to act, in this or any other context. Nor does a democracy mean there are no longer authorities we are to acknowledge as to their position, or love as our neighbor.
Does that mean we can't question and criticize a politician? No. I think we'd all agree on that. A democracy is meant to promote citizens' views to be on the table and everything open to debate. But how do we do it? Do we do it as those who love the politician? Or as a typical American response of "trashing" the politician?
What about our response to those governments participating in genocide or injustices? Here we must pray for justice to be done. Such are completely out of step with God's calling to governing authorities. And Christians can speak the truth in love. Though in doing so, we need to be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves. And we are here to give the witness that there is one Lord: Jesus. And Caesar is not.
Father, Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Let us be a light in this world. In the way we think and speak of others, particularly here, of governmental officials. Let us work in this world, as those who would bring in, wherever and to whomever we can, your kingdom in Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
identification in prayer- 2
It is important in praying to be able to identify, at least in a general way, with the one or ones we are praying for. As we looked at on the previous post.
It is also important in our praying to be able, and really, enabled, to identify with God and his purposes. This is not static, but dynamic, and in need of the Holy Spirit's work in us, as well as Scripture's ongoing impact by God, on us.
This is part of what it means to pray in Jesus' name. It doesn't merely mean tack on "in Jesus' name, Amen," at the end of our prayers, though we can do that. And it certainly includes meaning that we come to God on the basis of Jesus and his work for us. But it also means we come to God as those who are identified with Jesus in his ongoing work by the Spirit through his people in the world.
The prayer Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13) illustrates this two-fold identification we are to have, in our praying. In the first part, we identify with our Father and his will and purpose in the world. Then in the last part, we identify with our needs as humans in the Jesus community. The two parts do overlap in that God's kingdom is for the good of all humankind, and our needs being met are in relation to God's righteousness being sought by us. And this prayer certainly includes the desire of God that all would be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-7).
God, Let us be those who love your will, and desire it- more and more. Let us be enabled to pray, as those who want no less than your good kingdom to come and and be increasingly realized, in our lives and the lives of others. In Jesus. Amen.
It is also important in our praying to be able, and really, enabled, to identify with God and his purposes. This is not static, but dynamic, and in need of the Holy Spirit's work in us, as well as Scripture's ongoing impact by God, on us.
This is part of what it means to pray in Jesus' name. It doesn't merely mean tack on "in Jesus' name, Amen," at the end of our prayers, though we can do that. And it certainly includes meaning that we come to God on the basis of Jesus and his work for us. But it also means we come to God as those who are identified with Jesus in his ongoing work by the Spirit through his people in the world.
The prayer Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13) illustrates this two-fold identification we are to have, in our praying. In the first part, we identify with our Father and his will and purpose in the world. Then in the last part, we identify with our needs as humans in the Jesus community. The two parts do overlap in that God's kingdom is for the good of all humankind, and our needs being met are in relation to God's righteousness being sought by us. And this prayer certainly includes the desire of God that all would be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-7).
God, Let us be those who love your will, and desire it- more and more. Let us be enabled to pray, as those who want no less than your good kingdom to come and and be increasingly realized, in our lives and the lives of others. In Jesus. Amen.
Friday, May 05, 2006
identification in prayer
A key element in praying is to be able to identify with the person one is praying for. This begins in the general level that whoever we're praying for is human, as we are. Being human means being an eikon of God, or, made in his image. With that is the potential of becoming like Jesus, no less. Also being human involves being broken in our lostness from God's goal for us as humans. This is a lostness that is moral- in us being sinners. And with that come consequences because of the soul and systemic damage that sin brings with it, in its wake/path.
The Old Testament priests are said, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, to have been able to sympathize with the people they represented to God, since they too were beset with human weakness and sin. Jesus, unlike them, is holy, undefiled and separated from sinners. But like them, he too was/is completely human. He too, was tempted in all points like us, yet without sinning. So Jesus too, is able to empathize with us humans. To help us in our weakness, as we call to him. And because of his work for us, here on earth, he intercedes/prays for us, his brothers and sisters, now.
We are told in Scripture, as those in Jesus, to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep- in the Jesus community. We are to identify ourselves especially with our brothers and sisters in Jesus. And also with the entire human race. We certainly see this with Jesus, who became like us as a human, and then took the sins of the world on himself in his sacrifice for humankind. He lived with his disciples and loved them to the end, and called Judas Iscariot "friend", to the end. And he wept over Jerusalem, since it refused God's kingdom coming- in him.
To really pray in interceding/petitioning God for another, it is good to have a sense, wrought in us, by the Spirit, through knowledge and experience, of an identification with the person we're praying for. So that we, by the Spirit, really love another, as we love ourselves. So that we have genuine empathy that is expressed with deep concern in prayer, and praise and thanksgiving when prayers are answered.
Jesus, Thank you for becoming one of us. Even taking on yourself our sin in the mystery of your redemptive work for us. Let us be those, who are like you, taking on ourselves the woes, including failures and sufferings of others. Draw us into this, for your glory. Amen.
The Old Testament priests are said, in the New Testament book of Hebrews, to have been able to sympathize with the people they represented to God, since they too were beset with human weakness and sin. Jesus, unlike them, is holy, undefiled and separated from sinners. But like them, he too was/is completely human. He too, was tempted in all points like us, yet without sinning. So Jesus too, is able to empathize with us humans. To help us in our weakness, as we call to him. And because of his work for us, here on earth, he intercedes/prays for us, his brothers and sisters, now.
We are told in Scripture, as those in Jesus, to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep- in the Jesus community. We are to identify ourselves especially with our brothers and sisters in Jesus. And also with the entire human race. We certainly see this with Jesus, who became like us as a human, and then took the sins of the world on himself in his sacrifice for humankind. He lived with his disciples and loved them to the end, and called Judas Iscariot "friend", to the end. And he wept over Jerusalem, since it refused God's kingdom coming- in him.
To really pray in interceding/petitioning God for another, it is good to have a sense, wrought in us, by the Spirit, through knowledge and experience, of an identification with the person we're praying for. So that we, by the Spirit, really love another, as we love ourselves. So that we have genuine empathy that is expressed with deep concern in prayer, and praise and thanksgiving when prayers are answered.
Jesus, Thank you for becoming one of us. Even taking on yourself our sin in the mystery of your redemptive work for us. Let us be those, who are like you, taking on ourselves the woes, including failures and sufferings of others. Draw us into this, for your glory. Amen.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Jesus
Jesus is at the center of God's revelation to humankind. This is especially clear in the gospel of John (see chapter 1). And consider the New Testament book of Hebrews. Then read the entire New Testament, and you'll find this to be true.
Jesus pointed to the Scriptures (our Old Testament) as bearing witness to him. The New Testament brings with it the story of God coming to its fitting end in Jesus. God becoming flesh/human is a key to God's revelation to humankind. God thus becomes what we are, so that we might become like him.
Jesus said that when he would be lifted up on the cross, he would draw all people to him (John 12). He was sent into the world to save sinners. To save us in our brokeness and incompleteness. To help us back to the purpose of God for us. To be completely human.
The Church is Jesus' body in the world. Unlike its head- Jesus- the Church is far from having it all together. But a key to finding Jesus is to find him in his body, the Church. One may have to look pretty hard, even in the confines of a local church or churches. But you'll find him, among his people (and at times- in spite of us), in spirit and truth.
Jesus came and shared the good news of God's kingdom, to set the world right. It's a good news for each one of us, and for no less than all of the world- which begins now. And someday it will completely take over. Now it begins to invade through Jesus' people, the Jesus community, spread throughout the world.
If you have trouble believing this, all I can say is, "Come and see." Amen.
Jesus pointed to the Scriptures (our Old Testament) as bearing witness to him. The New Testament brings with it the story of God coming to its fitting end in Jesus. God becoming flesh/human is a key to God's revelation to humankind. God thus becomes what we are, so that we might become like him.
Jesus said that when he would be lifted up on the cross, he would draw all people to him (John 12). He was sent into the world to save sinners. To save us in our brokeness and incompleteness. To help us back to the purpose of God for us. To be completely human.
The Church is Jesus' body in the world. Unlike its head- Jesus- the Church is far from having it all together. But a key to finding Jesus is to find him in his body, the Church. One may have to look pretty hard, even in the confines of a local church or churches. But you'll find him, among his people (and at times- in spite of us), in spirit and truth.
Jesus came and shared the good news of God's kingdom, to set the world right. It's a good news for each one of us, and for no less than all of the world- which begins now. And someday it will completely take over. Now it begins to invade through Jesus' people, the Jesus community, spread throughout the world.
If you have trouble believing this, all I can say is, "Come and see." Amen.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
relationships over being right
In a true sense to put relationships as being opposite of being right- is wrong. Truth is important. Grace and truth are put together in Scripture (John), of course. Meaning that truth without grace, or grace without truth- is missing something vital. Truth is the basis for our understanding grace and relationships. Yet grace is the way we receive truth, as a gift from God. Therefore both are really inseparable in God's universe.
I am sorry to see relationships take a back seat to being "right". None of us is entirely "right". Does that mean we vacate truth and say truth doesn't matter? Of course not. Does that mean that there are no evil people in the world, or people who in word and deed lead others astray? Scripture makes it clear that some "Christian" teachers can be false. And therefore they and their teaching must be rejected.
What I'm getting at is how we in the Jesus community seem, often times, in the tenor of our spirituality, to value being right over being in good relationship with God and with our fellow human beings. Jesus didn't say that the first and great commandment and the second like it amount to being right in one's orthodoxy or even orthopraxy (practice of the faith). But that one is to love God with their entire being and doing- and one is to love their neighbor as themselves. True, mind is included in our loving God. But this is still talking about relationship.
If we're to be like Jesus, let us put first things first. First, our relationship with God. Second, but like it, and parallel to it, our relationship with other human beings. Jesus didn't care that others misunderstood or were taken back by his association with the tax collectors and sinners. Nor did Jesus draw back from loving even Judas to the end, calling him "friend" on the eve of his crucifixion.
A healthy Jesus community is characterized by love for one another. And love for the world of people. And this love expresses itself in deed and word. Pointing others to the God who is love. And who so loved the world that he gave his Son to save it.
Lord, Let us love one another, just as you have loved us. And let us do so to the end. And let us open ourselves up to loving others, even the unloveables. Let us be known, not for being "right", but for how much we love. Amen.
I am sorry to see relationships take a back seat to being "right". None of us is entirely "right". Does that mean we vacate truth and say truth doesn't matter? Of course not. Does that mean that there are no evil people in the world, or people who in word and deed lead others astray? Scripture makes it clear that some "Christian" teachers can be false. And therefore they and their teaching must be rejected.
What I'm getting at is how we in the Jesus community seem, often times, in the tenor of our spirituality, to value being right over being in good relationship with God and with our fellow human beings. Jesus didn't say that the first and great commandment and the second like it amount to being right in one's orthodoxy or even orthopraxy (practice of the faith). But that one is to love God with their entire being and doing- and one is to love their neighbor as themselves. True, mind is included in our loving God. But this is still talking about relationship.
If we're to be like Jesus, let us put first things first. First, our relationship with God. Second, but like it, and parallel to it, our relationship with other human beings. Jesus didn't care that others misunderstood or were taken back by his association with the tax collectors and sinners. Nor did Jesus draw back from loving even Judas to the end, calling him "friend" on the eve of his crucifixion.
A healthy Jesus community is characterized by love for one another. And love for the world of people. And this love expresses itself in deed and word. Pointing others to the God who is love. And who so loved the world that he gave his Son to save it.
Lord, Let us love one another, just as you have loved us. And let us do so to the end. And let us open ourselves up to loving others, even the unloveables. Let us be known, not for being "right", but for how much we love. Amen.
Monday, May 01, 2006
expanding our horizon
In my current reading of Mark E. Biddle's book: Missing the Mark: Sin and Its Consequences in Biblical Theology, I am reminded of the phrase "expanding your horizons". There have been a series of posts on Jesus Creed concerning this book. And I am finding it to be one of those rare books that is pushing me to look at foundational matters, in this case sin (and along with that Jesus' atoning work) in a broader, and more Biblical way (even if I may not see eye to eye on every jot and tittle of what Biddle says). In any case, this is an example of letting ourselves be pushed so as to expand our horizons.
I think a great way to expand our horizons is to read books. Books by Christians and nonChristians. I do this as a person of faith in Jesus. Therefore I will be reading Scripture and seeking to follow Jesus through this all. And doing so as part of the Jesus community. So I don't open myself up to expanding my horizons as a supposedly neutral person. There really is no such thing as neutrality and pure objectivity anyhow. We all have our experiences and beliefs (presuppositions) that influence how we see things and our response to anything.
I try to listen daily to NPR , mostly their news features/stories (and BBC, the same, at times), to try to better understand the world and other's perspectives and insights. One program on Sunday morning I'm trying to get into the habit of listening to (it starts 7 am here) is Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippet. One can download their programs. I hear Christians and people from worldwide religions on there and can find out, sometimes with remarkable clarity, what people believe and practice as their religion.
I think one of the best ways we can expand our horizon is to listen to others. While being friends. And share with them. As those learning together. And appreciating each other's thoughts and experience. Even when they may not be a person of faith in Jesus. We do have the good news of Jesus and God's kingdom. But we share it as fellow travelers with them. Not as those who are superior. Yet we do so as those who have faith. And because of that faith we seek to live and speak accordingly. But we do so as fellow human beings together.
How do you expand your horizons?
Father, help us to ever be growing in our appreciation of this world, your world. Let us listen and learn and play our part. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Even here and now. Amen.
I think a great way to expand our horizons is to read books. Books by Christians and nonChristians. I do this as a person of faith in Jesus. Therefore I will be reading Scripture and seeking to follow Jesus through this all. And doing so as part of the Jesus community. So I don't open myself up to expanding my horizons as a supposedly neutral person. There really is no such thing as neutrality and pure objectivity anyhow. We all have our experiences and beliefs (presuppositions) that influence how we see things and our response to anything.
I try to listen daily to NPR , mostly their news features/stories (and BBC, the same, at times), to try to better understand the world and other's perspectives and insights. One program on Sunday morning I'm trying to get into the habit of listening to (it starts 7 am here) is Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippet. One can download their programs. I hear Christians and people from worldwide religions on there and can find out, sometimes with remarkable clarity, what people believe and practice as their religion.
I think one of the best ways we can expand our horizon is to listen to others. While being friends. And share with them. As those learning together. And appreciating each other's thoughts and experience. Even when they may not be a person of faith in Jesus. We do have the good news of Jesus and God's kingdom. But we share it as fellow travelers with them. Not as those who are superior. Yet we do so as those who have faith. And because of that faith we seek to live and speak accordingly. But we do so as fellow human beings together.
How do you expand your horizons?
Father, help us to ever be growing in our appreciation of this world, your world. Let us listen and learn and play our part. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Even here and now. Amen.
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