I have spent the previous five days fighting a migraine. It came on at full force at approximately 2 pm on Christmas day. I managed to spend Christmas morning with the family, doing our normal Christmas routine (stockings first thing, breakfast, and then the presents) ... We even played some games together, listened to some new CDs, and enjoyed the morning.
But then, inexplicably, I was hit with the beginnings of a terrible migraine. Immediately, I went to the medicine cabinet and downed a few pills. It was my hope the early medication would minimize the event, making it possible to enjoy Christmas dinner with the family.
But by 2:30 I was flat on my back in bed with a wet cloth covering my eyes. I lay there until Saturday morning, eating Christmas dinner in bed.
Saturday, the pain continued and because the details of the individual days are not important, I'll fast-forward to day five; the pain was still there on Tuesday morning. I had missed work on Sunday, I had been in bed with a wet cloth on my head far too long, I had watched far too many videos (finding the diversion helped me focus beyond the pain). Most importantly, I had filled my body with pills (something I've walked away from in recent years) because of the pain.
It wasn't until late Tuesday morning, after reading an email from a life group member, that healing began. In that email, Eric asked me had I taken my migraine to God? Yes I was taking medication, yes I was making plans to visit my chiropractor, yes I was dulling the pain with videos; but had I invited God's healing for my pain?
This hit me with great conviction. Why do we (and by we, I mean me) so quickly reach for modern medicine, push drugs and other 'healing' substances in our bodies, and yet forsake the Great Physician, the Great Creator, our Father when we are sick or hurting, or in need?
So with prompting from my friend, and a humbled heart at my own personal arrogance, I went to my Heavenly Father asking for His healing. Within a very short time, I felt less pain, was able to focus for the first time in days, and didn't feel that hopelessness that had overwhelmed me the previous five days.
So it is my prayer this gentle reminder helps you. I'm not sure what you are facing right now. I'm not sure what 'earthly' solutions you are using to mitigate your suffering. But if you have not sought God to be with you in this, stop and ask. He is waiting for your invitation.
I can't promise that you will see immediate healing as I did. I can promise that God wants to be with you, wants to comfort you, and wants community with you; all of which are good.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The Shepherds
Our church has been in a series called "How to Steal Christmas." It is about the ways our actions steal the true meaning of Christmas. Week one was "Give in to Greed." Through a 'greed based' outlook at Christmas (I want, I want, I want or worse I need, I need, I need), we miss the truth of this marvelous season. Week two was "Unwrap Unbelief" which focused on our tendency, especially in America, to simply not seek actual truth, but to settle for what society calls truth, or worse simply do nothing to pursue what our heart so desperately seeks.
Today we learned so many "Waste the Wonder." The pastor asked, "Have we allowed this story to become so familiar, we waste the wonder?" Or have we become so focused on our 'to do list' that we simply don't have time to revel in the wonder that God became man simply to save us.
Enter the shepherds. As you read the story in Luke 2, you learn a heavenly host came to the shepherds and told them of the birth of Christ in neighboring Bethlehem. And what was the shepherds response? They LEFT THEIR SHEEP to go find this baby.
Now I wonder how often you've been like me and read the story and never marveled at this simple act. Shepherds would defend their sheep, even to death if necessary. They certainly would not leave them in the fields. This announcement had to be something that was so important to them, their primary focus would shift.
Which is exactly what happened. Because even after going to meet the messiah, the shepherds did not immediately return to their herds, they continued to neglect their charges in order to spread the word of Jesus' birth. Please don't miss the importance of these acts we so frequently gloss over as we 'sterilize' the birth of our Lord. This one event some two thousand years ago has literally changed the world. It split history in two.
And it took shepherds from their flocks. Please don't waste the wonder this year. Please find some new truth in the story of the Incarnation. Please follow the lead of the shepherds and forsake everything you hold dear to meet this Christ and then tell everyone you meet about the encounter!
You will not regret the decision and it might just split the history of your life in two as well!
Today we learned so many "Waste the Wonder." The pastor asked, "Have we allowed this story to become so familiar, we waste the wonder?" Or have we become so focused on our 'to do list' that we simply don't have time to revel in the wonder that God became man simply to save us.
Enter the shepherds. As you read the story in Luke 2, you learn a heavenly host came to the shepherds and told them of the birth of Christ in neighboring Bethlehem. And what was the shepherds response? They LEFT THEIR SHEEP to go find this baby.
Now I wonder how often you've been like me and read the story and never marveled at this simple act. Shepherds would defend their sheep, even to death if necessary. They certainly would not leave them in the fields. This announcement had to be something that was so important to them, their primary focus would shift.
Which is exactly what happened. Because even after going to meet the messiah, the shepherds did not immediately return to their herds, they continued to neglect their charges in order to spread the word of Jesus' birth. Please don't miss the importance of these acts we so frequently gloss over as we 'sterilize' the birth of our Lord. This one event some two thousand years ago has literally changed the world. It split history in two.
And it took shepherds from their flocks. Please don't waste the wonder this year. Please find some new truth in the story of the Incarnation. Please follow the lead of the shepherds and forsake everything you hold dear to meet this Christ and then tell everyone you meet about the encounter!
You will not regret the decision and it might just split the history of your life in two as well!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Musings on my Life Group
I have joined a new church and a new life group since my last post. On October 1, 2009 I joined the staff of Hope Springs Community Church. Today (December 13, 2009), I became a member of the church. It is kind of funny to me that I've been on staff for 10 weeks but was not a member of the church. I guess that is common, there are some churches who encourage certain staff to attend a separate church so they can experience worship without having to feel like they are 'working' ...
However, joining the new church also brought me and my lovely bride to a new Life Group. Our old church called them small groups, you church might have a completely different name, but here at Hope Springs, we call them Life Groups.
And that brings me to my musings from our time together today. Our group has studied the book of Philippians since our inception in October, wandering from home to home, taking a verse, section, or chapter at a time. Because we meet every other week, we didn't finish this four chapter book until today ... and quite honestly, I don't feel we are actually finished.
But during the conversation on contentment (Paul states he has learned to be content in any circumstance in Philippians 4:11) ... the talk turned to the more communal living style of the first century Christians. We wondered if part of the contentment was from truly "doing life together" as opposed to what you find in most modern church life groups.
Unfortunately, we were not able to come to any answers, leaving only questions. Our group isn't ready to sell everything (like the first century church in Acts) and move into a community of faith house ... but some good questions were asked that I'd like to challenge anyone who reads this blog (which is very few, I imagine):
1. We have a member who was unemployed for over a year. The question I'd like to challenge you with today is who do you know that is unemployed? Who do you know that you can connect that person with in hopes of getting them a job? Have you asked your friend if they are able to make their mortgage payment this month, and are you willing to help or find those who can if the answer is "no, I'm short on money"? What if that unemployed friend needs food? Will you help?
Unfortunately, these questions were never asked of our life group member ... fortunately, shortly after the group coming together, he found employment. I'd like to think that had his situation continued, our group would have done the right thing. I certainly hope we will should a similar situation arise in the future.
2. We are a young group, but almost immediately, we began to support each other in daily prayer. Are you connected to a community that prays for you daily? Do you have a list of people for whom you pray daily? If the answer is no, why not?
I know this is far from what the early church experienced. I know that deep in my soul I long for deeper community. But I believe this group is going in the right direction. We will never sell everything and become communal, but I do hope that as a group living lives in separate houses we will be as close to the Acts model as is humanly possible.
That is my prayer ... I'm starting to believe it is also the prayer of many of my life group partners.
Be blessed!
However, joining the new church also brought me and my lovely bride to a new Life Group. Our old church called them small groups, you church might have a completely different name, but here at Hope Springs, we call them Life Groups.
And that brings me to my musings from our time together today. Our group has studied the book of Philippians since our inception in October, wandering from home to home, taking a verse, section, or chapter at a time. Because we meet every other week, we didn't finish this four chapter book until today ... and quite honestly, I don't feel we are actually finished.
But during the conversation on contentment (Paul states he has learned to be content in any circumstance in Philippians 4:11) ... the talk turned to the more communal living style of the first century Christians. We wondered if part of the contentment was from truly "doing life together" as opposed to what you find in most modern church life groups.
Unfortunately, we were not able to come to any answers, leaving only questions. Our group isn't ready to sell everything (like the first century church in Acts) and move into a community of faith house ... but some good questions were asked that I'd like to challenge anyone who reads this blog (which is very few, I imagine):
1. We have a member who was unemployed for over a year. The question I'd like to challenge you with today is who do you know that is unemployed? Who do you know that you can connect that person with in hopes of getting them a job? Have you asked your friend if they are able to make their mortgage payment this month, and are you willing to help or find those who can if the answer is "no, I'm short on money"? What if that unemployed friend needs food? Will you help?
Unfortunately, these questions were never asked of our life group member ... fortunately, shortly after the group coming together, he found employment. I'd like to think that had his situation continued, our group would have done the right thing. I certainly hope we will should a similar situation arise in the future.
2. We are a young group, but almost immediately, we began to support each other in daily prayer. Are you connected to a community that prays for you daily? Do you have a list of people for whom you pray daily? If the answer is no, why not?
I know this is far from what the early church experienced. I know that deep in my soul I long for deeper community. But I believe this group is going in the right direction. We will never sell everything and become communal, but I do hope that as a group living lives in separate houses we will be as close to the Acts model as is humanly possible.
That is my prayer ... I'm starting to believe it is also the prayer of many of my life group partners.
Be blessed!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Ramblings on Acts 19 ... an assignment for Church
I was asked today to post a blog for our church's newest series. We are studying the book of Acts and several people from the congregation have been assigned a chapter and have been asked to blog about what they've read. My assignment was Acts 19, which is really not a great chapter to write about. While it is a good historical account of the life of Paul and the persecution he encountered spreading the gospel of Christ, it isn't a great chapter like Acts 2 (the pouring out of the Holy Spirit), Acts 9 (the conversion of Saul, who later became Paul) or Acts 16 (the Philippian jailer - "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved").
So I was to read my assigned chapter, choose a key verse, blog a few paragraphs about what I encountered reading the passage, and then leave the readers with a few questions to ponder as they study the passage themselves.
Here is my first pass. I'm not sure if I'll send this version on for publication, but I wanted to make sure my initial thoughts did at least find its way to my own personal blog.
Key Verse – Acts 19:20 “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”
In the early days of the church, God used several key people and numerous miracles to demonstrate his power. First Peter at Pentecost, then later Paul as he traveled throughout the Asian provinces, performed miracles in the name of Jesus. As a result, many turned to follow Jesus, leaving their past lives behind.
And when these new converts began to fully devote themselves to “The Way,” some local merchants felt the pinch. In Acts 19 we learn that because of Paul’s teachings, local silversmiths endured an economic downturn because they were selling fewer idols. Because former idol worshipers learned there is only one true God, they stopped frequenting the silversmith shops. I believe following Jesus should result in our lifestyles changing. Material things that were once important to us should now seem insignificant when compared to the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
The transformation in the lives of the followers of Christ in Ephesus was so great, people who live and work around them noticed. Men who had once profited off the sale of idols became so worried about their future, they incited a riot. While the culture has changed, and while we enjoy many freedoms in America, a life devoted to following Christ should look different than the lives of those around us. I don’t imagine our choices in the 21st century will lead to anyone inciting riots; however I do believe our daily choices, especially on things where we choose to spend our time and money, demonstrate where our hearts are truly focused.
When the world around us notices the changes in our lives, they will want to know more about what has caused us to change. As you tell them what has motivated your lifestyle metamorphosis, Acts 19:20 will continue to ring true in our communities: “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”
As you read through Acts 19 today, ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I live my life each day in a manner that permits the word of the Lord to continue to spread to all I encounter?
2. Are there any areas in my finances that I have yet to turn over to God and if so, am I willing to surrender them to Him today?
3. What can I do today to show the love of God to someone, causing them to desire to know more about my Savior?
So I was to read my assigned chapter, choose a key verse, blog a few paragraphs about what I encountered reading the passage, and then leave the readers with a few questions to ponder as they study the passage themselves.
Here is my first pass. I'm not sure if I'll send this version on for publication, but I wanted to make sure my initial thoughts did at least find its way to my own personal blog.
Key Verse – Acts 19:20 “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”
In the early days of the church, God used several key people and numerous miracles to demonstrate his power. First Peter at Pentecost, then later Paul as he traveled throughout the Asian provinces, performed miracles in the name of Jesus. As a result, many turned to follow Jesus, leaving their past lives behind.
And when these new converts began to fully devote themselves to “The Way,” some local merchants felt the pinch. In Acts 19 we learn that because of Paul’s teachings, local silversmiths endured an economic downturn because they were selling fewer idols. Because former idol worshipers learned there is only one true God, they stopped frequenting the silversmith shops. I believe following Jesus should result in our lifestyles changing. Material things that were once important to us should now seem insignificant when compared to the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
The transformation in the lives of the followers of Christ in Ephesus was so great, people who live and work around them noticed. Men who had once profited off the sale of idols became so worried about their future, they incited a riot. While the culture has changed, and while we enjoy many freedoms in America, a life devoted to following Christ should look different than the lives of those around us. I don’t imagine our choices in the 21st century will lead to anyone inciting riots; however I do believe our daily choices, especially on things where we choose to spend our time and money, demonstrate where our hearts are truly focused.
When the world around us notices the changes in our lives, they will want to know more about what has caused us to change. As you tell them what has motivated your lifestyle metamorphosis, Acts 19:20 will continue to ring true in our communities: “In this powerful way the word of the Lord was spreading and gaining strength.”
As you read through Acts 19 today, ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I live my life each day in a manner that permits the word of the Lord to continue to spread to all I encounter?
2. Are there any areas in my finances that I have yet to turn over to God and if so, am I willing to surrender them to Him today?
3. What can I do today to show the love of God to someone, causing them to desire to know more about my Savior?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Church - The Way it Should Be
It has been a long time since I've been able to post. In part, because I've been finishing the transformation of a warehouse in Lexington, Kentucky into a hip, innovative worship space for Hope Springs Church (www.hopespringschurch.com).
This is a great church; church the way it should be. This church understands God's design for His people is to help those around us who are in need. They have a laundry ministry for homeless people, a place for them to get clean clothes, conversation, and biblical instruction. They have a bible study at a local McDonald's where homeless people are able to get two dollar menu items along with community and Biblical teaching. They have a Friday night Celebrate Recovery service where 100+ people meet to continue their journey to recovery through worship, small groups, and fellowship over a meal. They send vans out each Sunday morning to pick up homeless people, people living in local shelters, and people living in half-way houses and rehab facilities to bring them to church. They also have a Sunday morning coffee ministry at Rupp Arena (home of the Kentucky Basketball Wildcats) to the homeless. The pastor is often heard saying, "God send us the people other churches don't want."
And as if this wasn't enough, this church that "gets it" also has a Hispanic congregation (Fuente de Avivamiento) that meets on Sunday and Wednesday nights for worship and teaching, and several days throughout the week for prayer. This isn't a separate congregation that "uses" the Hope Springs buildings, this is a congregation of a different language, yes, but the leaders at Hope Springs (David Calhoun for the Anglo congregation and Iosmar Alvarez for the Hispanic congregation) make every effort to ensure this is one church.
And it showed as we started in late May to transform a second warehouse off Versailles Road and Angliana in Lexington, Kentucky into a great new worship space. To see details of the transformation, where they were to where they are now, check out the post by my partner in this journey, Matt E. Cooper of Bargeheights. His post (http://bargeheights.com/?p=577) shows what the space was and what the new space looked like opening Sunday. Over the two plus months, members from both congregations worked side-by-side, often 10 to 12 hours a day, to make this dream a reality. As we sat together around midnight on the Saturday before the opening, I told the team that in the morning, this won't simply be a building, it will be your church. All your hard work will pay off as you stand up for the first time in this space to worship the King for whom we have all given so many hours this summer.
Sure, there is a lot left; we have the old space to transform into a new kids / youth space along with a college-age coffee house in one section. We have an additional 1,000 square feet that will become the new office wing. But I know one thing: this team of volunteers that loves Jesus enough to "get their hands dirty" with laundry ministries, homeless bible studies at McDonald's, coffee ministries at the place so many associate with basketball greatness but have no idea of the great needs that are right under their noses as they walk into the game, and understand that we serve one God regardless of skin color, language, or past sins will be able to accomplish this task. They have already won, they took an old warehouse and they turned it into a wonderful new worship center in just a few short months.
This is a great church; church the way it should be. This church understands God's design for His people is to help those around us who are in need. They have a laundry ministry for homeless people, a place for them to get clean clothes, conversation, and biblical instruction. They have a bible study at a local McDonald's where homeless people are able to get two dollar menu items along with community and Biblical teaching. They have a Friday night Celebrate Recovery service where 100+ people meet to continue their journey to recovery through worship, small groups, and fellowship over a meal. They send vans out each Sunday morning to pick up homeless people, people living in local shelters, and people living in half-way houses and rehab facilities to bring them to church. They also have a Sunday morning coffee ministry at Rupp Arena (home of the Kentucky Basketball Wildcats) to the homeless. The pastor is often heard saying, "God send us the people other churches don't want."
And as if this wasn't enough, this church that "gets it" also has a Hispanic congregation (Fuente de Avivamiento) that meets on Sunday and Wednesday nights for worship and teaching, and several days throughout the week for prayer. This isn't a separate congregation that "uses" the Hope Springs buildings, this is a congregation of a different language, yes, but the leaders at Hope Springs (David Calhoun for the Anglo congregation and Iosmar Alvarez for the Hispanic congregation) make every effort to ensure this is one church.
And it showed as we started in late May to transform a second warehouse off Versailles Road and Angliana in Lexington, Kentucky into a great new worship space. To see details of the transformation, where they were to where they are now, check out the post by my partner in this journey, Matt E. Cooper of Bargeheights. His post (http://bargeheights.com/?p=577) shows what the space was and what the new space looked like opening Sunday. Over the two plus months, members from both congregations worked side-by-side, often 10 to 12 hours a day, to make this dream a reality. As we sat together around midnight on the Saturday before the opening, I told the team that in the morning, this won't simply be a building, it will be your church. All your hard work will pay off as you stand up for the first time in this space to worship the King for whom we have all given so many hours this summer.
Sure, there is a lot left; we have the old space to transform into a new kids / youth space along with a college-age coffee house in one section. We have an additional 1,000 square feet that will become the new office wing. But I know one thing: this team of volunteers that loves Jesus enough to "get their hands dirty" with laundry ministries, homeless bible studies at McDonald's, coffee ministries at the place so many associate with basketball greatness but have no idea of the great needs that are right under their noses as they walk into the game, and understand that we serve one God regardless of skin color, language, or past sins will be able to accomplish this task. They have already won, they took an old warehouse and they turned it into a wonderful new worship center in just a few short months.
Friday, June 12, 2009
On the Books
It's been over a month since I last published anything here ... in part because I'm working two projects in Lexington, Kentucky ... one at Southern Acres Christian Church (www.southernacres.org) and one at Hope Springs Community Church (www.hopespringschurch.com) ... and in part because I really haven't had much to say in the past month. Maybe the two things go together. Maybe my being tired from working so much causes my creativity to diminish.
As I thought about it more, I came to believe the reality is that spending so much time on the jobsite, even church jobsites, causes me to lose my connection to God. Sure I continue to pray, I continue to "think on these things" as Paul encourages us to do in Philippians 4:8, but I truly don't believe I allow God to truly penetrate my life like I do when I'm not so overly busy.
But something hit me the other morning at breakfast. I noticed the back of my cereal box had the phrase "On the Books" in bold letters. Around the phrase were nine pictures with a short description ... all laws from various states in America that were or are currently "on the books."
Let me list them for you:
1. Blue Earth, MN: Law declared that no child under the age of twelve may talk on the phone unless accompanied by a parent.
2. Alaska: It is forbidden to push a moose out of a plane in motion.
3. California: It is illegal to set a mousetrap without a hunting license.
4. Utah: It is against the law to fish from horseback.
5. Nevada: It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.
6. Washington: Goldfish can ride the city buses in bowls only if they keep still.
7. Vermont: Whistling underwater is illegal.
8. Baltimore, MD: It is illegal to take a lion to the movies.
9. Kentucky: Transport of an ice cream cone in your pocket is prohibited.*
Now some of these laws were just ridiculous. Did they really have a problem with people taking lions to the movies in Maryland? Are swimming goldfish really a distraction on a bus in Washington? Do people often drive camels on the highway in Nevada?
However, some did make a little sense. For instance, if too many children were dialing 911, making it difficult for actual emergency calls to come in to the switchboard, making a phone usage law for children in Minnesota would be prudent. A cash-strapped state like California could easily raise additional funds by collecting hunting license fees for each mousetrap sale, helping reduce the state's deficit. Or was I over thinking this?
In the end, no matter how much I considered what would compel a local or state jurisdiction to complete the process to turn any of these ideas into law, I could find no good solution for any of them. These laws had no business being discussed in a public forum, and certainly should have never passed a vote by elected officials or a local community.
Yet that is how it often becomes between us and God. He is always there for us, always wanting to be in community with us, yet we try to make crazy rules we need to come before His throne. Why do I feel so far from God, even when I'm working on improving two of His churches? It's not because God has moved away from me. He is still there, waiting for me to get over myself and simply lean into Him. Instead, I create some insane barrier of some type ... some nonsense law if you will, that widens the gulf originally created by sin.
My desire to do it on my own ... that age old struggle all humans battle ... gets in the way. As I recognize it, I am able to simply turn around and find my God waiting right where He was when I left. And the more I do this, turn to face God and forget myself, hopefully fewer "on the books" types of distractions will be allowed to penetrate my life, keeping me focused where I need to be; on God.
*Taken from the back of a Kroger Apple Cinnamon Toasted Oats Cereal box
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Feel Close to God?
I've been wondering something lately, how do I continue to move closer to God. Kelly and I have been in a conversation with someone in our life who has moved away from God during the years we've known this person, so much so they are now a self-proclaimed atheist. In a recent email exchange, Kelly mentioned that while this person has moved away from God, she has been drawing closer to God. It got me thinking, what does moving closer to God look like?
It wasn't until I spent some time on YouTube this morning (imagine that, finding God on YouTube), that I found an answer.
Are you struggling with the same question? Do you desire to be closer to God in your life? Then take a look around you. Are you living like Jesus did? Are you surrounded by the poor, hurting, broken-hearted misfits of this world?
I am currently working with a church here in Lexington that finds itself in the midst of the crowd I imagine Jesus would attract were he to walk the earth in the 21st century. This church is based on recovery programs, attracting recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, ex-convicts, gang members, homeless people, and everyone else the modern church has neglected. In a recent project meeting, the pastor actually said, in his opening prayer, "Lord send us the people the other churches don't want."
Do you want to find closeness to God? It will cost you everything you have: family, friends, home, and savings (Matthew 10:37-39, Mark 10:29, Luke 9:58); so be sure you truly want to draw closer to God before you take the first step. But if you do, God will meet you there.
Have I drawn closer to God in recent years? Only enough to know that taking any additional steps will cost me everything, and I simply don't have enough faith to continue. Maybe God will show me where that faith comes from in the next chapter of my life. Right now, I more resonate with another bit of wisdom from Rich Mullins; here are the words from his song "Hard to Get:"
It wasn't until I spent some time on YouTube this morning (imagine that, finding God on YouTube), that I found an answer.
"When I read the lives of the great saints, they didn't necessarily feel close to God. When I read the Psalms, I get the feeling that David and the other Psalmists felt quite far away from God for most of the time. Closeness to God is not about feelings. Closeness to God is about obedience. ... I don't know how you feel close to God. And no one I know that seems to be close to God knows anything about those feelings either. I know if we obey, occasionally the feeling follows. Not always, but occasionally. I know if we disobey, we don't have a shot at it. Jesus said, 'Whatever you do to the least of these, my brothers, you've done it to me.' and this is what I've come to think; that if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. ... Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved, and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."(Rich Mullins live in concert in Lufkin, Texas)
Are you struggling with the same question? Do you desire to be closer to God in your life? Then take a look around you. Are you living like Jesus did? Are you surrounded by the poor, hurting, broken-hearted misfits of this world?
I am currently working with a church here in Lexington that finds itself in the midst of the crowd I imagine Jesus would attract were he to walk the earth in the 21st century. This church is based on recovery programs, attracting recovering alcoholics and drug addicts, ex-convicts, gang members, homeless people, and everyone else the modern church has neglected. In a recent project meeting, the pastor actually said, in his opening prayer, "Lord send us the people the other churches don't want."
Do you want to find closeness to God? It will cost you everything you have: family, friends, home, and savings (Matthew 10:37-39, Mark 10:29, Luke 9:58); so be sure you truly want to draw closer to God before you take the first step. But if you do, God will meet you there.
Have I drawn closer to God in recent years? Only enough to know that taking any additional steps will cost me everything, and I simply don't have enough faith to continue. Maybe God will show me where that faith comes from in the next chapter of my life. Right now, I more resonate with another bit of wisdom from Rich Mullins; here are the words from his song "Hard to Get:"
"You who live in heaven, hear the prayers of those of us who live on earth. Who are afraid of being left by those we love, and who get hardened by the hurt.
Do you remember when You lived down here where we all scrape to find the faith to ask for daily bread? Did You forget about us after You had flown away? Well I memorized every word You said still I'm so scared, I'm holding my breath while You're up there just playing hard to get.
You who live in radiance, hear the prayers of those of us who live in skin. We have a love that's not as patient as Yours was still we do love now and then.
Did You ever know loneliness? Did You ever know need?Do You remember just how long a night can get?
When You were barely holding on and Your friends fall asleep and don't see the blood that's running in Your sweat.
Will those who mourn be left uncomforted while You're up there just playing hard to get?
And I know you bore our sorrows, and I know you feel our pain, and I know it would not hurt any less even if it could be explained.
And I know that I am only lashing out at the One who loves me most, and after I figured this, somehow all I really need to know
Is if You who live in eternity hear the prayers of those of us who live in time? We can't see what's ahead and we can not get free of what we've left behind. I'm reeling from these voices that keep screaming in my ears all the words of shame and doubt, blame and regret.
I can't see how You're leading me unless You've led me here where I'm lost enough to let myself be led. And so You've been here all along I guess, it's just Your ways and You are just plain hard to get."
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
All Because of Jesus I'm Alive
Have you heard Steve Fee's song, "All Because of Jesus I'm Alive?" It plays on Christian radio each day; it's a very popular song. Our church sang it as our worship opener on Easter, so the song has really been ringing around in my mind since.
So when I heard a short spot from Steve Fee on a national Christian radio station a few days ago, I knew I needed to blog about his comments. If you haven't heard the song, or just simply want to hear it again, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8.
Steve Fee is the Worship Leader at North Point Community Church. If you are not familiar with North Point, this is Andy Stanley's church outside Atlanta, GA. As Mega Church, North Point is often imitated by other smaller, local churches. As such, North Point is often blazing a trail for the modern church while ensuring the integrity of the Gospel of Jesus.
As Worship Leader, I'm sure Steve is very in tune with the responsibility of ministering to his own church family while also carrying the additional load from the eyes of other worship leaders around the country, and possibly the globe, watching his every move, seeking something they can bring to their own churches. So when I hear a Steve Fee song, I often tune in, listening beyond the simple background noise of the radio, trying to hear the word Steve intended all churches across the globe to receive.
All Because of Jesus has taken on new meaning, however, after hearing Steve's comments on the radio the other day. He said: "Jesus did not die to make bad people good people; he died to make dead people living people."
This comment resonated with me, because as much as I try to be good, I can not. Certainly I am to do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13), but so often I fail to keep an eye on my savior. I turn to do things on my own. In the words of Paul, "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19).
So it was a comfort to me to hear that the object of Jesus' death was not to make me good; it was to give me life. I'm not espousing "worm theology" here. I believe I have value and do not beat myself up daily over my continuous sinful nature. However, I also recognize that without Jesus, I would have no good in me. The only good that is seen by others from me is because of the transformation that Jesus has made, and continues to make, in me.
(If you are not familiar with "worm theology," then let me help. Basically, there was a belief a few hundred years ago that we were worthless, and had to come to God as "worms in the despair and dirt of our sin." The origins are sketchy, but can be traced to an old Isaac Watts song, "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed" as well as some teachings by John Calvin and John Wesley. Basically I believe "worm theology" to be self-deprecating, and do not believe the God of the universe sees me as a worm, even in the midst of my sin. I believe that because Jesus humbled himself to become man, died on the cross, and was raised from the dead, that I have value in the sight of God. Certainly God hates my sin, but in His infinite wisdom, He can separate the sin from the sinner, something mankind finds extremely difficult, if not impossible.)
Knowing I am not being held to the standard of "good," understanding that God's love is sufficient, that the blood of Jesus has once and for all paid the price of my sin, past and future (Romans 5:17), was transformational to me. After all, if only God is good (Psalm 53:3 and Romans 3:10), how can I be expected to live into a standard of good, even with God's help? Hearing God did not come to make me good, but to give me life, put it all in perspective.
Certainly, as I begin to walk in God, I will begin to develop the fruit of His spirit (Galations 5:16-18 and I John 5:18), but where I begin, the starting point of my journey was not "good" it was simply "life." To me, this was freeing.
Thank you Steve Fee for sharing truth, not just to your own home church in Georgia, but to the entire world. It's all because of Jesus I'm alive!
So when I heard a short spot from Steve Fee on a national Christian radio station a few days ago, I knew I needed to blog about his comments. If you haven't heard the song, or just simply want to hear it again, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8.
Steve Fee is the Worship Leader at North Point Community Church. If you are not familiar with North Point, this is Andy Stanley's church outside Atlanta, GA. As Mega Church, North Point is often imitated by other smaller, local churches. As such, North Point is often blazing a trail for the modern church while ensuring the integrity of the Gospel of Jesus.
As Worship Leader, I'm sure Steve is very in tune with the responsibility of ministering to his own church family while also carrying the additional load from the eyes of other worship leaders around the country, and possibly the globe, watching his every move, seeking something they can bring to their own churches. So when I hear a Steve Fee song, I often tune in, listening beyond the simple background noise of the radio, trying to hear the word Steve intended all churches across the globe to receive.
All Because of Jesus has taken on new meaning, however, after hearing Steve's comments on the radio the other day. He said: "Jesus did not die to make bad people good people; he died to make dead people living people."
This comment resonated with me, because as much as I try to be good, I can not. Certainly I am to do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13), but so often I fail to keep an eye on my savior. I turn to do things on my own. In the words of Paul, "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19).
So it was a comfort to me to hear that the object of Jesus' death was not to make me good; it was to give me life. I'm not espousing "worm theology" here. I believe I have value and do not beat myself up daily over my continuous sinful nature. However, I also recognize that without Jesus, I would have no good in me. The only good that is seen by others from me is because of the transformation that Jesus has made, and continues to make, in me.
(If you are not familiar with "worm theology," then let me help. Basically, there was a belief a few hundred years ago that we were worthless, and had to come to God as "worms in the despair and dirt of our sin." The origins are sketchy, but can be traced to an old Isaac Watts song, "Alas and Did My Savior Bleed" as well as some teachings by John Calvin and John Wesley. Basically I believe "worm theology" to be self-deprecating, and do not believe the God of the universe sees me as a worm, even in the midst of my sin. I believe that because Jesus humbled himself to become man, died on the cross, and was raised from the dead, that I have value in the sight of God. Certainly God hates my sin, but in His infinite wisdom, He can separate the sin from the sinner, something mankind finds extremely difficult, if not impossible.)
Knowing I am not being held to the standard of "good," understanding that God's love is sufficient, that the blood of Jesus has once and for all paid the price of my sin, past and future (Romans 5:17), was transformational to me. After all, if only God is good (Psalm 53:3 and Romans 3:10), how can I be expected to live into a standard of good, even with God's help? Hearing God did not come to make me good, but to give me life, put it all in perspective.
Certainly, as I begin to walk in God, I will begin to develop the fruit of His spirit (Galations 5:16-18 and I John 5:18), but where I begin, the starting point of my journey was not "good" it was simply "life." To me, this was freeing.
Thank you Steve Fee for sharing truth, not just to your own home church in Georgia, but to the entire world. It's all because of Jesus I'm alive!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Has the Modern Church Lost Its Relevance?
I rarely read for entertainment any more. Most of the books I choose are some kind of non-fiction: leadership, Christian living, societal issues, etc. This is true of the book I am currently reading. In 1998, Barbara Enrenreich, an author, did some journalistic research on living at or below the poverty level in America and published her experiences in several US cities as an "unskilled laborer" in the book "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. I'm only part way through this book, but something Ms. Enrenreich wrote at the beginning of her second experience stopped me short.
Ms. Enrenreich has just arrived in Portland, ME. Knowing nobody, she notices there is going to be a revival tent meeting, and decided to attend. As a self proclaimed atheist, I'm not entirely sure why she chose this event as her first means of entering the community, but her description of the evening caught my attention.
"The preaching goes on, interrupted with dutiful 'amens.' It would be nice if someone would read this sad-eyed crowd the Sermon on the Mount.... But Jesus makes his appearance here only as a corpse; the living man, the wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist, is never once mentioned, nor anything he ever had to say. Christ crucified rules, and it may be that the true business of modern Christianity is to crucify him again and again so that he can never get a word out of his mouth."*
As a Christ-follower, it often pains me to hear how atheists, agnostics, and other people outside of the church describe Christianity, but I have to admit, Ms. Enrenreich was pretty accurate in her assessment of modern Christianity. Churches today have become more about religion and self-perpetuation and moved away from the actual message of love Jesus brought to earth.
Sure, I can't agree with every word Ms. Enrenreich wrote; I don't consider my Savior to be a wine-guzzler. Vagrant? Yes. Socialist? Certainly.
Jesus came to dispel organized religion. He constantly fought against the Pharisees and teachers of Jewish law, telling them they were too caught up in their religious traditions to see God. If Jesus walked into the modern church, I'm certain His message would be identical to that given to the first century Jews. We have lost the message of Christ.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," still finds it way into many sermons and churches. Even great motivational speakers like Zig Ziglar tout: "The best way to get what you want is to help someone get what they want," a modernization of the golden rule.
But this is simply because it can be self-serving. You won't hear, "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same." (Luke 6:33 - NASB) taught from many churches. Why would you when we live in a "What's in it for me?" society?
But that is what Jesus taught. "Love your enemy. Care for the widows and orphans. Do not repay evil with evil. Do not consider yourself better than anyone else. Sell all you have and give to the poor. Pick up your cross and follow me."
In the 21st century, where the wealth and prosperity gospel reigns, is Jesus muted by His church as Ms. Enrenreich suggests? In many congregations, yes. I hope those become fewer as His followers dig deeper on their own, searching for the Jesus that accepted women of ill repute to wash His feet in tears, ate with sinners, touched the unclean lepers, and showed the world women and children are as valued as men in every society.
May that Jesus reign in your life.
* Enrenreich, Barbara: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. Metropolitan Books, 2001, pages 68 - 69.
Ms. Enrenreich has just arrived in Portland, ME. Knowing nobody, she notices there is going to be a revival tent meeting, and decided to attend. As a self proclaimed atheist, I'm not entirely sure why she chose this event as her first means of entering the community, but her description of the evening caught my attention.
"The preaching goes on, interrupted with dutiful 'amens.' It would be nice if someone would read this sad-eyed crowd the Sermon on the Mount.... But Jesus makes his appearance here only as a corpse; the living man, the wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist, is never once mentioned, nor anything he ever had to say. Christ crucified rules, and it may be that the true business of modern Christianity is to crucify him again and again so that he can never get a word out of his mouth."*
As a Christ-follower, it often pains me to hear how atheists, agnostics, and other people outside of the church describe Christianity, but I have to admit, Ms. Enrenreich was pretty accurate in her assessment of modern Christianity. Churches today have become more about religion and self-perpetuation and moved away from the actual message of love Jesus brought to earth.
Sure, I can't agree with every word Ms. Enrenreich wrote; I don't consider my Savior to be a wine-guzzler. Vagrant? Yes. Socialist? Certainly.
Jesus came to dispel organized religion. He constantly fought against the Pharisees and teachers of Jewish law, telling them they were too caught up in their religious traditions to see God. If Jesus walked into the modern church, I'm certain His message would be identical to that given to the first century Jews. We have lost the message of Christ.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," still finds it way into many sermons and churches. Even great motivational speakers like Zig Ziglar tout: "The best way to get what you want is to help someone get what they want," a modernization of the golden rule.
But this is simply because it can be self-serving. You won't hear, "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same." (Luke 6:33 - NASB) taught from many churches. Why would you when we live in a "What's in it for me?" society?
But that is what Jesus taught. "Love your enemy. Care for the widows and orphans. Do not repay evil with evil. Do not consider yourself better than anyone else. Sell all you have and give to the poor. Pick up your cross and follow me."
In the 21st century, where the wealth and prosperity gospel reigns, is Jesus muted by His church as Ms. Enrenreich suggests? In many congregations, yes. I hope those become fewer as His followers dig deeper on their own, searching for the Jesus that accepted women of ill repute to wash His feet in tears, ate with sinners, touched the unclean lepers, and showed the world women and children are as valued as men in every society.
May that Jesus reign in your life.
* Enrenreich, Barbara: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America. Metropolitan Books, 2001, pages 68 - 69.
Monday, March 9, 2009
When God Ran
Sunday I was producing at our Georgetown campus, thinking about what to share during the creative team's communion time, and the lyrics of a song came to mind. The song, "When God Ran" was originally recorded by Benny Hester, but I was introduced to it by Phillips, Craig, and Dean.
Based on the story of the Prodigal Son, this song talks about God in a way many people often miss. Since we our church is currently studying Jesus through the eyes of Doctor Luke (author of the Gospel of Luke), and since the story of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke 15, I felt this song and a reflection on the Prodigal Son would be a great lesson for communion. I was amazed, however, at how much it hit me.
To better gain context, please click over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1O4eS9jxfM and watch Phillips, Craig, and Dean set up, and then sing the song, "When God Ran." Then come back here and check out my thoughts.
Having watched the video (I sincerely hope you did prior to reading on), maybe the rest of this will also have a profound impact on you today.
As part of our study of the book of Luke, we are hearing from different people through video clips, people who study the scriptures: historians, theologians, priests, etc. On commented in his video spot at our small group last night that we often miss the important things of scripture because we read scripture with our 21st century bias. In order to really understand scripture, you have to look through the eyes of the people to whom Jesus was speaking. Doing that, there is a new appeal to the story of the Prodigal.
Asking for his share of the inheritance wasn't a simple request of an heir asking for an advance on his trust fund. We see that every day in America (think Paris Hilton, et. al.), so we can often miss the importance of the request that was readily understood in first century Judea. This young man insulted his father by asking for his inheritance. He was in essence saying, "Dad, I want you dead so I can get what is coming to me. My life would be much better enjoying the riches of your labors than it is simply living in your house."
As a father, the pain of our father in the story, becomes real when I understand this version of the request of the son.
Another point that is easy to miss is in the midst of the story, the point when the Prodigal returns home. Reading "And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20 - NLT) in the 21st century doesn't really carry much meaning. We can easily gloss beyond the three letter word "ran," jumping straight to the embrace and kiss.
"Yes! The love of a father. Unconditional acceptance of his Prodigal," we say. But skipping that three letter word misses another truth not lost on the first century Jews. Men did not run in public in Jesus' day. To do so would bring dishonor to that man. Running towards a son who had wished him dead, squandered his money, and now is returning would be much worse. Jesus' listeners understood this. Unfortunately, many twenty-first century readers don't.
So, seeing this father run would have caused shock and horror in the minds of the listeners. Those who understood the deeper meaning (this story is an illustration of how God treats us, His children), would have been unconscionable for Jesus' original listeners.
Yesterday was a good day of resting in God's gracious arms. Knowing the "Immovable Rock" ran towards me, wrapped His arms around me, kissed me, and welcomed me home after I'd told Him I much rather He was dead was a good place to be.
I hope knowing a bit of the "story behind the story" also helps bring new life to the Prodigal for you. Rest knowing the God of the Universe ran to you when you after you had rejected Him and wished Him dead to you. Know His love for you eclipses anything you may believe, feel, or dread. He is your resting place. Find solace in that today.
Based on the story of the Prodigal Son, this song talks about God in a way many people often miss. Since we our church is currently studying Jesus through the eyes of Doctor Luke (author of the Gospel of Luke), and since the story of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke 15, I felt this song and a reflection on the Prodigal Son would be a great lesson for communion. I was amazed, however, at how much it hit me.
To better gain context, please click over to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1O4eS9jxfM and watch Phillips, Craig, and Dean set up, and then sing the song, "When God Ran." Then come back here and check out my thoughts.
Having watched the video (I sincerely hope you did prior to reading on), maybe the rest of this will also have a profound impact on you today.
As part of our study of the book of Luke, we are hearing from different people through video clips, people who study the scriptures: historians, theologians, priests, etc. On commented in his video spot at our small group last night that we often miss the important things of scripture because we read scripture with our 21st century bias. In order to really understand scripture, you have to look through the eyes of the people to whom Jesus was speaking. Doing that, there is a new appeal to the story of the Prodigal.
Asking for his share of the inheritance wasn't a simple request of an heir asking for an advance on his trust fund. We see that every day in America (think Paris Hilton, et. al.), so we can often miss the importance of the request that was readily understood in first century Judea. This young man insulted his father by asking for his inheritance. He was in essence saying, "Dad, I want you dead so I can get what is coming to me. My life would be much better enjoying the riches of your labors than it is simply living in your house."
As a father, the pain of our father in the story, becomes real when I understand this version of the request of the son.
Another point that is easy to miss is in the midst of the story, the point when the Prodigal returns home. Reading "And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20 - NLT) in the 21st century doesn't really carry much meaning. We can easily gloss beyond the three letter word "ran," jumping straight to the embrace and kiss.
"Yes! The love of a father. Unconditional acceptance of his Prodigal," we say. But skipping that three letter word misses another truth not lost on the first century Jews. Men did not run in public in Jesus' day. To do so would bring dishonor to that man. Running towards a son who had wished him dead, squandered his money, and now is returning would be much worse. Jesus' listeners understood this. Unfortunately, many twenty-first century readers don't.
So, seeing this father run would have caused shock and horror in the minds of the listeners. Those who understood the deeper meaning (this story is an illustration of how God treats us, His children), would have been unconscionable for Jesus' original listeners.
Yesterday was a good day of resting in God's gracious arms. Knowing the "Immovable Rock" ran towards me, wrapped His arms around me, kissed me, and welcomed me home after I'd told Him I much rather He was dead was a good place to be.
I hope knowing a bit of the "story behind the story" also helps bring new life to the Prodigal for you. Rest knowing the God of the Universe ran to you when you after you had rejected Him and wished Him dead to you. Know His love for you eclipses anything you may believe, feel, or dread. He is your resting place. Find solace in that today.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Are You Where God Wants You to Be?
I've been struggling with something for the past several weeks: "Am I where God wants me to be?" Most specifically, are my current career choice and my vocational goals in line with God's plan for my life.
Many may think I'm being too religious here ... does God really care how I pay my bills as long as I am in a legal, moral, and ethical position? I believe He does. I have a friend at church who I've had the "macro vs. micro" God conversation; does God delve into each and every part of our lives (micro God) or simply step in during the big moments (macro God). I believe that as a friend, God desires to be micro God, but as free-willed individuals we often relegate Him to macro God.
So you may believe I am placing too much at the feet of my God when I wonder if my current career choices are where He desires me to be, but I believe my thought processes are "spot dead on."
I've known for years my calling is to help the local church. I've simply struggled against the call because of personal financial goals. I want to be debt free (something Kelly and I continue to strive to achieve), I want to have a "safe" retirement portfolio (something nobody can seem to define in today's economic reality), I want to have a house, a boat, another motorcycle (Kelly is tired of riding on mine and wants her own -- or so I tell myself). I want the two week family vacation at the beach condo (rented, I don't need to own it), I want to be able to go out to a great restaurant simply because the urge comes along.
Yet experience tells me that people working in full-time church vocation don't tend to have those things; not those who can stand up to a 20/20 or 60 Minutes telecast, that is. So I've struggled through everyday life, chasing the almighty dollar at work, knowing I was not following the passion God had placed in my heart.
Until a year ago, when Kelly and I sold the Allstate agency and I began to contract for tech installations in churches. It went well the first several months, while I wasn't constantly working, I earned enough to keep the household afloat (when combined with Kelly's income). But lately, things have not gone so well. The company that was able to keep me working several projects in 2008 has not had sufficient work to keep me going so far in 2009. Money has dwindled and bills are going to pile up if I don't find income soon.
So I've been struggling with "where does faith in 'God will provide' intersect with 'I need to pay my mortgage'?"
While I still struggle to find the answer, I want to share the following I received from some friends today ...
A few questions to ponder as you are discerning:
1) Do you have a peace about where you are heading?
2) Does it line up with God's word? God definitely won't be leading you to something that does not align with His word!
3) Does it align with how God has uniquely shaped and wired you (your passions, talents, gifts, life roles, etc.)?
4) STOP doubting and trust that "still small voice."
5) Are you "abiding?" (John 15:5)
6) Is there fruit? If you make it your business to abide, there will be fruit (although not all fruit is visible).
7) Are there any confirmations?
8) Would your steps "bring glory to God?"
9) Could you be in a "waiting place" where character is being developed, or where you should focus on some learning before your next step?
10) Are your steps "surrendered?" i.e. If they don't go how you plan, what will your reaction be?
I hope my struggle to understand where God is leading in my life, and the questions my friends Kelly T. and Rosalie G. have offered will help you with some quandary you face in your life today. Remember, Lisa Hammond says "the most important thing you will ever do is become who you were meant to be."
Many may think I'm being too religious here ... does God really care how I pay my bills as long as I am in a legal, moral, and ethical position? I believe He does. I have a friend at church who I've had the "macro vs. micro" God conversation; does God delve into each and every part of our lives (micro God) or simply step in during the big moments (macro God). I believe that as a friend, God desires to be micro God, but as free-willed individuals we often relegate Him to macro God.
So you may believe I am placing too much at the feet of my God when I wonder if my current career choices are where He desires me to be, but I believe my thought processes are "spot dead on."
I've known for years my calling is to help the local church. I've simply struggled against the call because of personal financial goals. I want to be debt free (something Kelly and I continue to strive to achieve), I want to have a "safe" retirement portfolio (something nobody can seem to define in today's economic reality), I want to have a house, a boat, another motorcycle (Kelly is tired of riding on mine and wants her own -- or so I tell myself). I want the two week family vacation at the beach condo (rented, I don't need to own it), I want to be able to go out to a great restaurant simply because the urge comes along.
Yet experience tells me that people working in full-time church vocation don't tend to have those things; not those who can stand up to a 20/20 or 60 Minutes telecast, that is. So I've struggled through everyday life, chasing the almighty dollar at work, knowing I was not following the passion God had placed in my heart.
Until a year ago, when Kelly and I sold the Allstate agency and I began to contract for tech installations in churches. It went well the first several months, while I wasn't constantly working, I earned enough to keep the household afloat (when combined with Kelly's income). But lately, things have not gone so well. The company that was able to keep me working several projects in 2008 has not had sufficient work to keep me going so far in 2009. Money has dwindled and bills are going to pile up if I don't find income soon.
So I've been struggling with "where does faith in 'God will provide' intersect with 'I need to pay my mortgage'?"
While I still struggle to find the answer, I want to share the following I received from some friends today ...
A few questions to ponder as you are discerning:
1) Do you have a peace about where you are heading?
2) Does it line up with God's word? God definitely won't be leading you to something that does not align with His word!
3) Does it align with how God has uniquely shaped and wired you (your passions, talents, gifts, life roles, etc.)?
4) STOP doubting and trust that "still small voice."
5) Are you "abiding?" (John 15:5)
6) Is there fruit? If you make it your business to abide, there will be fruit (although not all fruit is visible).
7) Are there any confirmations?
8) Would your steps "bring glory to God?"
9) Could you be in a "waiting place" where character is being developed, or where you should focus on some learning before your next step?
10) Are your steps "surrendered?" i.e. If they don't go how you plan, what will your reaction be?
I hope my struggle to understand where God is leading in my life, and the questions my friends Kelly T. and Rosalie G. have offered will help you with some quandary you face in your life today. Remember, Lisa Hammond says "the most important thing you will ever do is become who you were meant to be."
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Finally Home
Yesterday I was introduced to a new song, "Finally Home" by Mercy Me. A friend has been posting the first lines of the second chorus as his facebook status for the past few days, and I asked him where the line originated. He provided me with a link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EkI0WE4Aps) to the Mercy Me video.
"Then I'll gaze upon the throne of the King, frozen in my steps, and all the questions that I swore I would ask; words just won't come."
It hit me at that moment, like a ton of bricks, as we stare into the face of God, everything that has come before won't matter. Questions like I've posted here on this blog, questions like I'm asking in my newest book "18 Inches," all will be wiped away as we stand frozen in our steps.
"God is God and I am not," Steven Curtis Chapman wrote. This is something I struggle with daily in my life as I journey towards the 10:10 promise. I want to be in control. I want to be the boss. I want things to work out to my benefit. Don't you?
Yet when they don't, we don't blame ourselves. We blame God. We took the reigns away from Him, and then have the audacity to blame Him when we wreck.
Most intriguing to me is we then say, "I'm going to ask God why ________" (fill in your own blank here). But on that day we won't ask "Why did bad things happen to good people? Why did you take my baby? Why did you allow so much pain and suffering?"
Mercy Me brings new reality with "Finally Home." Standing in the throne room of God, no questions will be asked, words will fail us as surly as our steps will falter and we fall to our knees (Romans 14:11).
This could be a sad song, a song of torment, standing speechless before God in anguish over the sins we have committed as He reads to us from "The Book." Isn't that how many people see God? Judge, jury, and executioner. God sitting on His throne, writing down each sin we commit, holding us accountable on "Judgment Day?" (Matthew 12:36)
Fortunately, Mercy Me wrote about a homecoming. Going back to verse one we hear, "I'm going to wrap my arms around my daddy's neck and tell him that I've missed him, and tell him all about the man that I became, and hope that it pleased him. There's so much I want to say, there's so much I want you to know."
Yes, we will stand before God speechless, how could we not, mere mortal standing in the presence of our creator, God. But our speechlessness will not be fear of judgment for those who have followed God, it will be awe. Awe that He loved us enough to send His very own son to restore the relationship He created in Eden. Awe that He wants us to live eternity with Him. Awe that He wants to hear about the man (or woman) I've become, and to celebrate that with me.
Finally Home. Can't you imagine it now?
"Then I'll gaze upon the throne of the King, frozen in my steps, and all the questions that I swore I would ask; words just won't come."
It hit me at that moment, like a ton of bricks, as we stare into the face of God, everything that has come before won't matter. Questions like I've posted here on this blog, questions like I'm asking in my newest book "18 Inches," all will be wiped away as we stand frozen in our steps.
"God is God and I am not," Steven Curtis Chapman wrote. This is something I struggle with daily in my life as I journey towards the 10:10 promise. I want to be in control. I want to be the boss. I want things to work out to my benefit. Don't you?
Yet when they don't, we don't blame ourselves. We blame God. We took the reigns away from Him, and then have the audacity to blame Him when we wreck.
Most intriguing to me is we then say, "I'm going to ask God why ________" (fill in your own blank here). But on that day we won't ask "Why did bad things happen to good people? Why did you take my baby? Why did you allow so much pain and suffering?"
Mercy Me brings new reality with "Finally Home." Standing in the throne room of God, no questions will be asked, words will fail us as surly as our steps will falter and we fall to our knees (Romans 14:11).
This could be a sad song, a song of torment, standing speechless before God in anguish over the sins we have committed as He reads to us from "The Book." Isn't that how many people see God? Judge, jury, and executioner. God sitting on His throne, writing down each sin we commit, holding us accountable on "Judgment Day?" (Matthew 12:36)
Fortunately, Mercy Me wrote about a homecoming. Going back to verse one we hear, "I'm going to wrap my arms around my daddy's neck and tell him that I've missed him, and tell him all about the man that I became, and hope that it pleased him. There's so much I want to say, there's so much I want you to know."
Yes, we will stand before God speechless, how could we not, mere mortal standing in the presence of our creator, God. But our speechlessness will not be fear of judgment for those who have followed God, it will be awe. Awe that He loved us enough to send His very own son to restore the relationship He created in Eden. Awe that He wants us to live eternity with Him. Awe that He wants to hear about the man (or woman) I've become, and to celebrate that with me.
Finally Home. Can't you imagine it now?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Living in Community
I recently joined facebook. I'd heard about this social networking phenomenon from friends, but never really thought much about it. The night I joined, I was warned by people accepting my "friend requests" I should watch out, facebook can be addictive. I didn't pay much attention to those warnings, I've been online in one form or another since 1995 (yes, I was an early Internet adopter ... even learning HTML in 1994), so another forum wouldn't change my life that much. Would it?
What I didn't realize, what I couldn't realize until I joined facebook was how starved people are for community. I have "friends" on facebook who post their status almost hourly. It appears they can't survive the day without letting everyone know what they are doing.
I have other friends that I don't believe have posted a status change since I joined nearly six weeks ago.
The interesting thing to me, is how much people share. This is a relative safe place, if you've set your account up properly, only your friends can see what you write. Yet there are options where friends of friends can also see. So, assuming social networking theory is correct (only six steps are required to move from any person in the world to any other person in the world), there are a lot of people who could read about your life.
I have friends who post about illnesses, both personal and family. I have friends who post travel schedules. I have friends who post their thoughts. One friend recently became engaged, another recently left a relationship.
The most interesting posts (one I also have been known to do) is the dinner post. I often see people going for sushi, baking bread, cooking some great meal. There are friends who then post recipes when requested and those that simply post them, regardless of having been asked. I often have friends comment about what I've shared we are eating, sometimes having them boldly ask when they can come over to share the meal with us.
Beyond status updates, people share pictures, and some post strings like: "25 Random Things," or "The Bucket List," the "BBC Book List," or "I've Seen ... of 239 Films," and even "Senior Year of High School."
Some people are creative, some are funny, some are simply lonely and looking for community. It truly has been eye opening. In this modern world, where we are only six degrees of separation from anyone, we have to go online to find community.
I guess that is why the new Dentyne chewing gum "Make Face Time" advertisement is so appealing to me (the Youtube video of this commercial is linked to the title of this post). If you want community, true community, you have to make time. Sitting alone on your couch, in your office, or in the airport keying your status into your laptop, blackberry, or cell phone is a cheap substitute for true face time.
Get off the couch and go outside. Spring is teasing, so it should be easier. Find the time (I know, who has time) and make some friends; flesh and blood, right there with you friends. It may get hard, relationships come with all kinds of issues, but you will ultimately be grateful to have people with whom you are sharing your life.
I know I have some new friends, my small group that started in October, and we are grateful three other couples have joined the friendship journey with us. Where will your next "friend request accepted" be found? I hope not inside a computer.
What I didn't realize, what I couldn't realize until I joined facebook was how starved people are for community. I have "friends" on facebook who post their status almost hourly. It appears they can't survive the day without letting everyone know what they are doing.
I have other friends that I don't believe have posted a status change since I joined nearly six weeks ago.
The interesting thing to me, is how much people share. This is a relative safe place, if you've set your account up properly, only your friends can see what you write. Yet there are options where friends of friends can also see. So, assuming social networking theory is correct (only six steps are required to move from any person in the world to any other person in the world), there are a lot of people who could read about your life.
I have friends who post about illnesses, both personal and family. I have friends who post travel schedules. I have friends who post their thoughts. One friend recently became engaged, another recently left a relationship.
The most interesting posts (one I also have been known to do) is the dinner post. I often see people going for sushi, baking bread, cooking some great meal. There are friends who then post recipes when requested and those that simply post them, regardless of having been asked. I often have friends comment about what I've shared we are eating, sometimes having them boldly ask when they can come over to share the meal with us.
Beyond status updates, people share pictures, and some post strings like: "25 Random Things," or "The Bucket List," the "BBC Book List," or "I've Seen ... of 239 Films," and even "Senior Year of High School."
Some people are creative, some are funny, some are simply lonely and looking for community. It truly has been eye opening. In this modern world, where we are only six degrees of separation from anyone, we have to go online to find community.
I guess that is why the new Dentyne chewing gum "Make Face Time" advertisement is so appealing to me (the Youtube video of this commercial is linked to the title of this post). If you want community, true community, you have to make time. Sitting alone on your couch, in your office, or in the airport keying your status into your laptop, blackberry, or cell phone is a cheap substitute for true face time.
Get off the couch and go outside. Spring is teasing, so it should be easier. Find the time (I know, who has time) and make some friends; flesh and blood, right there with you friends. It may get hard, relationships come with all kinds of issues, but you will ultimately be grateful to have people with whom you are sharing your life.
I know I have some new friends, my small group that started in October, and we are grateful three other couples have joined the friendship journey with us. Where will your next "friend request accepted" be found? I hope not inside a computer.
Friday, February 13, 2009
God Doesn't Know Who I Am?
"God doesn't know who I am." This frightful sentence was uttered on the February 12, 2009 episode of Grey's Anatomy. Dr. Addison Montgomery was in the chapel, desiring to pray for her very sick brother, but felt inadequate and incapable of prayer. "We only go to church on Christmas," she uttered. "God doesn't know who I am."
It could have been a terrific cinematic moment, even if it was only shot for the small screen. This vulnerable time in a great doctor's life could have been used to show just how much God cares. But then this is Hollywood, and if you've read some of my previous posts, you know how little regard I hold for finding God in Hollywood.
Dr. Callie Torres was with Addison, got on her knees, and said a little prayer about her love life, her lesbian love life, much to the delight and dismay of Dr. Montgomery.
When Dr. Torres got off her knees she said, "You're an amazing doctor, you save babies. God knows who you are."
Isn't that the quintessential Hollywood or human response to God? God knows me because of who I am and what I do. Stop to think about it, don't we relate to each other based on who we are and what we do? Isn't the initial instinct of each person walking into a room to size up everyone and determine where we fit in with this group? Don't we all want to ask, within seconds of meeting someone new, "What do you do?"
Why would we consider God any differently? Isn't He simply "one of us?" Isn't He to be treated just like one of the guys?
Yes, and no. God wants to be our friend, He wants to be in relationship with us. But He is more than "just one of the guys." He is THE guy.
We read in scripture God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24). He alone should be the object of our worship and desire. He alone deserves our praise.
Yet we try to place ourselves on a pedestal, only turning to God when things go wrong. That is where Addison found herself. She would not have gone to the hospital chapel, never have thought to turn to God, had her brother not been about to die. Without this tragedy in her life, Dr. Montgomery would have continued to believe she was the source of her strength.
Oh yes Addison Montgomery, God knows you. Not because of who you are or what you've done. God knows you because He made you.
"Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are." That is the message I would have sent to Addison. Just say what's on your heart, God will listen because that's who He is.
It could have been a terrific cinematic moment, even if it was only shot for the small screen. This vulnerable time in a great doctor's life could have been used to show just how much God cares. But then this is Hollywood, and if you've read some of my previous posts, you know how little regard I hold for finding God in Hollywood.
Dr. Callie Torres was with Addison, got on her knees, and said a little prayer about her love life, her lesbian love life, much to the delight and dismay of Dr. Montgomery.
When Dr. Torres got off her knees she said, "You're an amazing doctor, you save babies. God knows who you are."
Isn't that the quintessential Hollywood or human response to God? God knows me because of who I am and what I do. Stop to think about it, don't we relate to each other based on who we are and what we do? Isn't the initial instinct of each person walking into a room to size up everyone and determine where we fit in with this group? Don't we all want to ask, within seconds of meeting someone new, "What do you do?"
Why would we consider God any differently? Isn't He simply "one of us?" Isn't He to be treated just like one of the guys?
Yes, and no. God wants to be our friend, He wants to be in relationship with us. But He is more than "just one of the guys." He is THE guy.
We read in scripture God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24). He alone should be the object of our worship and desire. He alone deserves our praise.
Yet we try to place ourselves on a pedestal, only turning to God when things go wrong. That is where Addison found herself. She would not have gone to the hospital chapel, never have thought to turn to God, had her brother not been about to die. Without this tragedy in her life, Dr. Montgomery would have continued to believe she was the source of her strength.
"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God - you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration - what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day."
Psalm 139:13-16, The Message
Oh yes Addison Montgomery, God knows you. Not because of who you are or what you've done. God knows you because He made you.
"Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are." That is the message I would have sent to Addison. Just say what's on your heart, God will listen because that's who He is.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Darwin or Lincoln?
Today, February 12, 2009 is the 200th anniversary of two historical men's birth. Both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born on this date 200 years ago. Both men have had a significant impact on history, one creating a new religion, calling it science, and one allowing a nation to be torn apart knowing it was the only way to ultimately ensure "that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure." So how does Google, perhaps one of the iconic businesses of that nation celebrate today? They change their logo in honor of Darwin, not Lincoln. Google may not realize it was the efforts of Abraham Lincoln and each and every American to come since that has ensured their success. It is the liberties they enjoy in this great nation, the opportunities that only America can provide that have given them the incredible growth they have experienced. Larry Page and Sergey Brin, you may believe Darwin is a hero, many do. But on this day, February 12, 2009, the hero you should be celebrating is not the man who has brainwashed a world into thinking he created science when he only created a new religion. You should honor and celebrate the man who saved the great nation that provided you the opportunity to become two of the first billionaires of the Internet economy.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Product of My Generation?
I used to think my generation did not have that one great "where were you when?" moment. Now I know we don't. We have far too many.
My great-grandparents remember where they were when Wall Street crashed, my grandparents can remember where they were when Pearl Harbor was bombed, my parents remember where they were when President Kennedy was shot. My generation can remember:
1. Where I was when a President resigned in disgrace.
2. Where I was when our entire nation was held hostage for 444 days along with 52 of our diplomats in Iran.
3. Where I was when President Reagan was shot.
4. Where I was when the Marines were bombed in Lebanon.
5. Where I was when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on national television.
6. Where I was on "Black Monday" and the job I lost because of this stock market "adjustment."
7. Where I was when the Berlin Wall fell.
8. Where I was when the US started "Shock and Awe" against the Iraqi nation.
9. Where I was when a President was Impeached.
10. Where I was when a 0.009% margin determined a Presidential election.
11. Where I was when terrorists used planes as bombs and missiles against our nation.
12. Where I was when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on national television.
13. Where I was when the United States once again invaded Iraq.
14. Where I was when the first African-American President was elected.
It is no wonder our generation has difficulty finding an identity. We have so many from which to choose. We were the product of a generation that questioned everything, and so did we. We became the "Me" generation, pursuing everything, no matter the cost.
We lived fast lives, drove fast cars, ran with fast women, and our drugs were designed to speed us up, not mellow us out like those of our parents. Our anthem was "Life in the Fast Lane," and we did whatever it took to stay there.
We created "Dot Com" companies based on nothing but a dream, and made millions, sometimes billions, of dollars. We bought water in a bottle and just listening to music wasn't enough, we needed to see it on TV.
My generation didn't have a "great evil" to fight. We were not faced with Fascism or Communism as enemies. Our enemies are terrorists who use human shields and send children and pregnant women strapped with bombs into our midst. There is no longer the "honor" of men facing each other on the battlefield. Now every person, every place is a potential target. We fight an "unseen" enemy who is willing to break every rule of engagement simply to annihilate our way of life.
As we turn 40 and beyond, will we finally realize there is a bigger purpose than "Me?" Will we finally step up and take control of our lives, responsibility for our actions, and begin to lead? Our parents are ready to retire, turn over the reigns if you will. Are we going to take them, or are we simply going to continue to focus on ourselves, leaving our children the repsonsibility to lead because we chose "Me."
I hope my generation decides soon. I'd hate to wind up simply being a footnote of history, the "dash" that connected our parents to our children. Because our children are seeking an identity and many of them want to lead. I just hope we don't acquiesce, but let them know their time will come, but right now is our time to give back. We've taken so much, don't you think we need to leave a little for those who come behind?
My great-grandparents remember where they were when Wall Street crashed, my grandparents can remember where they were when Pearl Harbor was bombed, my parents remember where they were when President Kennedy was shot. My generation can remember:
1. Where I was when a President resigned in disgrace.
2. Where I was when our entire nation was held hostage for 444 days along with 52 of our diplomats in Iran.
3. Where I was when President Reagan was shot.
4. Where I was when the Marines were bombed in Lebanon.
5. Where I was when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded on national television.
6. Where I was on "Black Monday" and the job I lost because of this stock market "adjustment."
7. Where I was when the Berlin Wall fell.
8. Where I was when the US started "Shock and Awe" against the Iraqi nation.
9. Where I was when a President was Impeached.
10. Where I was when a 0.009% margin determined a Presidential election.
11. Where I was when terrorists used planes as bombs and missiles against our nation.
12. Where I was when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on national television.
13. Where I was when the United States once again invaded Iraq.
14. Where I was when the first African-American President was elected.
It is no wonder our generation has difficulty finding an identity. We have so many from which to choose. We were the product of a generation that questioned everything, and so did we. We became the "Me" generation, pursuing everything, no matter the cost.
We lived fast lives, drove fast cars, ran with fast women, and our drugs were designed to speed us up, not mellow us out like those of our parents. Our anthem was "Life in the Fast Lane," and we did whatever it took to stay there.
We created "Dot Com" companies based on nothing but a dream, and made millions, sometimes billions, of dollars. We bought water in a bottle and just listening to music wasn't enough, we needed to see it on TV.
My generation didn't have a "great evil" to fight. We were not faced with Fascism or Communism as enemies. Our enemies are terrorists who use human shields and send children and pregnant women strapped with bombs into our midst. There is no longer the "honor" of men facing each other on the battlefield. Now every person, every place is a potential target. We fight an "unseen" enemy who is willing to break every rule of engagement simply to annihilate our way of life.
As we turn 40 and beyond, will we finally realize there is a bigger purpose than "Me?" Will we finally step up and take control of our lives, responsibility for our actions, and begin to lead? Our parents are ready to retire, turn over the reigns if you will. Are we going to take them, or are we simply going to continue to focus on ourselves, leaving our children the repsonsibility to lead because we chose "Me."
I hope my generation decides soon. I'd hate to wind up simply being a footnote of history, the "dash" that connected our parents to our children. Because our children are seeking an identity and many of them want to lead. I just hope we don't acquiesce, but let them know their time will come, but right now is our time to give back. We've taken so much, don't you think we need to leave a little for those who come behind?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Too Honest?
Kelly was telling me the other night about a client's son-in-law. It appears this son-in-law recently tried to find employment at a grocery store, but was turned down.
I'm not sure the store, the town, or the name of anyone involved, but I just had to tell the world about this.
It seems the interview process included several scenarios. Our doomed candidate was asked, "If a family member or friend were to come through your lane, would you bag some of their items without scanning them?"
His answer? "No."
Another question was, "If someone came through your line, but did not have enough money for the items they had chosen, would you let them go with all the items if they promised you they would return with the balance of the money?"
Not having fallen off the turnip truck the morning of the interview, our subject recognized the potential for a scam, and answered, "No."
At the end of the interview our applicant was told he would not be offered the job because he was too honest.
I wonder what our future holds if honest people can't even find gainful employment at the neighborhood grocery? Oh, I know: corporate barons who steal from the masses to line their own pockets. Hey wait, isn't that already our reality?
I'm not sure the store, the town, or the name of anyone involved, but I just had to tell the world about this.
It seems the interview process included several scenarios. Our doomed candidate was asked, "If a family member or friend were to come through your lane, would you bag some of their items without scanning them?"
His answer? "No."
Another question was, "If someone came through your line, but did not have enough money for the items they had chosen, would you let them go with all the items if they promised you they would return with the balance of the money?"
Not having fallen off the turnip truck the morning of the interview, our subject recognized the potential for a scam, and answered, "No."
At the end of the interview our applicant was told he would not be offered the job because he was too honest.
I wonder what our future holds if honest people can't even find gainful employment at the neighborhood grocery? Oh, I know: corporate barons who steal from the masses to line their own pockets. Hey wait, isn't that already our reality?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
God is Suffering?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, in a 1943 letter to his sister Sabine, "It is good to learn early enough that suffering and God are not a contradiction but rather a unity, for this idea that God himself is suffering is one that has always been one of the most convincing teachings of Christianity. I think God is nearer to suffering than to happiness, and to find God in this way gives peace and rest and a strong and courageous heart."
I read those words last night in the book Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul, written by David L. Goetz. It struck me like a kidney punch; I almost dropped the book.
God is suffering? I had to know more. Enter BibleGateway.com. I ran a search for suffering and found thirty (30) passages that combined suffer(ed) or suffer(ing) as it pertains to Jesus. But each of these passages were either prophesies or historical references to the suffering he must endure on the cross. I understand Jesus suffered on the cross, but does that mean he continues to suffer? Bonhoeffer used the present tense: "God himself is suffering." Is God still suffering today?
I had to find the scripture Bonhoeffer used to write these words. So I looked at other words that would show suffering in God. I chose to search wept, anguish and grieve (all searches were run using the New International Version).
Other than John 11:35 (Jesus wept ... Jesus crying at the grave of his friend Lazarus), Jesus was only recorded in the gospels as having wept one other time. Luke 19:41 records Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem as he is about to enter during his final days before the crucifixion. This chosen city of God, the center of His nation on earth, is about to crucify the God who has watched over her for centuries. This causes Jesus to weep in anguish. He has cared for this city and it will now crucify him. Jesus was in distress, but it appears to be tied to the crucifixion, not anything else. I still do not believe I have found scriptural justification for Bonhoeffer's ascertain.
The only use of anguish relating to God was Luke 22:44, where Jesus was in anguish as he prayed in the garden prior to his capture and eventual crucifixion. Again, this reference is tied to the crucifixion. I feel no closer to understanding Bonhoeffer's statement.
It wasn't until I searched grieve(d), that I was finally able to understand Bonhoeffer's statement. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines grieve as: "to cause to suffer." Searching the New International Version I found eleven (11) references to God being grieved.
Genesis 6:6-7 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because he created man.
I Samuel 15:11, 35 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because he appointed Saul king of Israel.
II Samuel 24:16 and I Chronicles 21:15 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) as He doles out punishment on David and all of Israel for David's sin in conducting a census. God causes the punishment to end as a result of His grief.
Psalm 78:40 - the psalmist is talking about how frequently God was grieved (caused to suffer) by the Israelites as they wandered in the desert after leaving Egypt.
Isaiah 63:10 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) each time His people rebelled.
Jeremiah 42:10 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because His people are suffering under the hands of Babylon. God promises to "build you up and not tear you down."
Ezekiel 6:9 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because of the adulterous heart of His nation.
Ephesians 4:30 - The only New Testament scripture: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit."
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? By straying from His teachings; going our own adulterous ways. So Dietrich Bonhoeffer was right, God is suffering. He suffers each time we sin. And because I know myself, God truly is suffering a whole lot more than He is happy as he looks at me.
Thankfully I have Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 10:12, and I John 1:9 to assure me that God forgives and the price for my sin is paid in full. While God is grieved (suffering) when I sin, He has forgiven me of my sin and provided for me eternal salvation. Thank you Jesus for suffering on my behalf so that God does not have to eternally suffer over my sin.
I read those words last night in the book Death by Suburb: How to Keep the Suburbs from Killing Your Soul, written by David L. Goetz. It struck me like a kidney punch; I almost dropped the book.
God is suffering? I had to know more. Enter BibleGateway.com. I ran a search for suffering and found thirty (30) passages that combined suffer(ed) or suffer(ing) as it pertains to Jesus. But each of these passages were either prophesies or historical references to the suffering he must endure on the cross. I understand Jesus suffered on the cross, but does that mean he continues to suffer? Bonhoeffer used the present tense: "God himself is suffering." Is God still suffering today?
I had to find the scripture Bonhoeffer used to write these words. So I looked at other words that would show suffering in God. I chose to search wept, anguish and grieve (all searches were run using the New International Version).
Other than John 11:35 (Jesus wept ... Jesus crying at the grave of his friend Lazarus), Jesus was only recorded in the gospels as having wept one other time. Luke 19:41 records Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem as he is about to enter during his final days before the crucifixion. This chosen city of God, the center of His nation on earth, is about to crucify the God who has watched over her for centuries. This causes Jesus to weep in anguish. He has cared for this city and it will now crucify him. Jesus was in distress, but it appears to be tied to the crucifixion, not anything else. I still do not believe I have found scriptural justification for Bonhoeffer's ascertain.
The only use of anguish relating to God was Luke 22:44, where Jesus was in anguish as he prayed in the garden prior to his capture and eventual crucifixion. Again, this reference is tied to the crucifixion. I feel no closer to understanding Bonhoeffer's statement.
It wasn't until I searched grieve(d), that I was finally able to understand Bonhoeffer's statement. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines grieve as: "to cause to suffer." Searching the New International Version I found eleven (11) references to God being grieved.
Genesis 6:6-7 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because he created man.
I Samuel 15:11, 35 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because he appointed Saul king of Israel.
II Samuel 24:16 and I Chronicles 21:15 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) as He doles out punishment on David and all of Israel for David's sin in conducting a census. God causes the punishment to end as a result of His grief.
Psalm 78:40 - the psalmist is talking about how frequently God was grieved (caused to suffer) by the Israelites as they wandered in the desert after leaving Egypt.
Isaiah 63:10 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) each time His people rebelled.
Jeremiah 42:10 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because His people are suffering under the hands of Babylon. God promises to "build you up and not tear you down."
Ezekiel 6:9 - God is grieved (caused to suffer) because of the adulterous heart of His nation.
Ephesians 4:30 - The only New Testament scripture: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit."
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? By straying from His teachings; going our own adulterous ways. So Dietrich Bonhoeffer was right, God is suffering. He suffers each time we sin. And because I know myself, God truly is suffering a whole lot more than He is happy as he looks at me.
Thankfully I have Psalm 103:12, Hebrews 10:12, and I John 1:9 to assure me that God forgives and the price for my sin is paid in full. While God is grieved (suffering) when I sin, He has forgiven me of my sin and provided for me eternal salvation. Thank you Jesus for suffering on my behalf so that God does not have to eternally suffer over my sin.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Movie Clip, Motiviational Story, Life Application
It seems to me the nondenominational church I attend has become stuck in a "movie clip, motivational story, life application" rut. Each weekend as I attend I can be assured a movie clip of some sort (recent choices have been Spiderman III and The Bucket List) an inspirational story as part of the sermon (someone struggling with cancer who continues to place God first in their life ... focusing on living, not dying), and a life application section where I'm given a few points to help me improve my life.
Please understand, I don't believe my church has strayed from the gospel message. They continue to have weekends where people's lives are changed from all accounts, yet I feel I've gone back in time. There was a joke in the late 1970's, early 1980's that a good Baptist Seminary taught a great sermon consisted of three points and a joke. I guess the updated version for the twenty-first century is movie clip, motivational story, and a life application.
I wonder what the Desert Fathers would think of this approach. These people wandered into the desert of Egypt in the third century to escape persecution. They remained in the desert after the persecution ended under Constantine I because they had found God.
True, Jesus told us to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), so maybe the hermit approach of the Desert Fathers is not the best approach, but is trying to find God in a Hollywood movie a better alternative?
Consider Romans 12:1-2: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (The Message)
How does placing Hollywood front and center in each service measure against "don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking?" Doesn't placing Hollywood in a service demonstrate we have become so adjusted to twenty-first century living it doesn't faze us to place the world right in the middle of church?
I understand people coming through the doors of the modern church are looking for a bridge. I understand that in order to reach the world, you have to attract the world. But where is the line crossed between going to the world and becoming the world? Where does the pursuit of God get so muddied with our use of worldly images, those seeking don't see God anymore?
Jesus himself taught us to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). Jesus was talking about worry in this passage, but I believe that if we truly seek God's kingdom, not only will clothing and food be provided, but spiritual life as well. I simply can't believe that watching Spiderman helps me seek God.
I think the best modern example of seeking the kingdom of God was provided by Donald Miller in his book Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road*:
Please understand, I don't believe my church has strayed from the gospel message. They continue to have weekends where people's lives are changed from all accounts, yet I feel I've gone back in time. There was a joke in the late 1970's, early 1980's that a good Baptist Seminary taught a great sermon consisted of three points and a joke. I guess the updated version for the twenty-first century is movie clip, motivational story, and a life application.
I wonder what the Desert Fathers would think of this approach. These people wandered into the desert of Egypt in the third century to escape persecution. They remained in the desert after the persecution ended under Constantine I because they had found God.
True, Jesus told us to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19), so maybe the hermit approach of the Desert Fathers is not the best approach, but is trying to find God in a Hollywood movie a better alternative?
Consider Romans 12:1-2: "So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." (The Message)
How does placing Hollywood front and center in each service measure against "don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking?" Doesn't placing Hollywood in a service demonstrate we have become so adjusted to twenty-first century living it doesn't faze us to place the world right in the middle of church?
I understand people coming through the doors of the modern church are looking for a bridge. I understand that in order to reach the world, you have to attract the world. But where is the line crossed between going to the world and becoming the world? Where does the pursuit of God get so muddied with our use of worldly images, those seeking don't see God anymore?
Jesus himself taught us to "seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). Jesus was talking about worry in this passage, but I believe that if we truly seek God's kingdom, not only will clothing and food be provided, but spiritual life as well. I simply can't believe that watching Spiderman helps me seek God.
I think the best modern example of seeking the kingdom of God was provided by Donald Miller in his book Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road*:
I’ve learned, too, that I don’t really know very much about anything. I mean, I used to have all these theories about life. I thought I had everybody figured out, even God, but I don’t. I think the woods, being away from all the clingy soot of commercialism, have taught me life is enormous, and I am very tiny in the middle of it. I feel, at times, like a droplet of water in a raging river. I know for a fact that as a grain of sand compares in size to the earth itself, I compare in size to the cosmos. I am that insignificant. And yet the chemicals in my brain that make me feel beauty when I look up at the stars, when I watch the sunset, indicate I must be here for a reason. I think I would sum it up this way: life is not a story about me, but it is being told to me, and I can be glad of that. I think that is the why of life and, in fact, the why of this ancient faith I am caught up in: to enjoy God. The stars were created to dazzle us, like a love letter; light itself is just a metaphor, something that exists outside of time, made up of what seems like nothing, infinite in its power, something that can be experienced but not understood, like God. Relationships between men and women indicate something of the nature of God—that He is relational, that He feels love and loss. It’s all metaphor, and the story is about us; it’s about all of us who God made, and God Himself, just enjoying each other. It strikes me how far the commercials are from this reality, how deadly they are, perhaps. Months ago I would have told you life was about doing, about jumping through religious hoops, about impressing other people, and my actions would have told you this is done by buying possessions or keeping a good image or going to church. I don’t believe that anymore. I think we are supposed to stand in deserts and marvel at how the sun rises. I think we are supposed to love our friends and introduce people to the story, to the peaceful, calming why of life. I think life is spirituality.So go, find your group of people to learn to love, and hope they learn to love you in return. Share the story with them, let them understand life is spirituality. Help heal the pains and hurts of people who have been turned off by commercialism, especially commercialism in Christianity. Let them understand the beauty of God, the purpose of man, is relationships. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God so we can enjoy Him again. I don't think Hollywood will ever be able to show me that.
If I could, if it would be responsible, I would live in these woods forever: I would let my beard grow, hunt my own food, chart the stars, and write poems about mountains. But I know these days are passing. This morning I made a call to Colorado, and the camp out there offered me a job. I will be leaving Oregon in a week, leaving behind Paul, Henry, and the boys. Leaving behind the meadow. I start wondering if, when I leave this place, when I leave all these guys who don’t share my faith, when I leave these militant women always complaining about men, when I leave the starlight above the mountains, if I will go back to my old faith habits, jumping through hoops, trying to please God or, worse, subscribing to self-help formulas and calling it faith. I hope not. I hope I never lose this perspective. Walking through the meadow on the way over to see Paul, I promise myself if I ever get frustrated with life again, if I ever get into river-deep debt, I will sell it all and move out into the woods, find some people who aren’t like me and learn to love them, and do something even harder, let them love me, receive the love of somebody who doesn’t share my faith system, who doesn’t agree with me about everything, and I will sleep beneath the stars and whisper thank you to the Creator of the universe, as a way of reacquainting myself to an old friend, a friend who says you don’t have to be smart or good-looking or religious or anything; you just have to cling to Him, love Him, need Him, listen to His story.
*Donald Miller: Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, 2005, pp. 244-246
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Heaven or Hell
Kelly has developed an addiction to Grey's Anatomy. This is surprising because Kelly really doesn't like TV. For years she has attempted to get me to limit my TV viewing. Finally, a few years ago I was able to give her a small gift, one night a week without TV.
But I've recently noticed this addiction to Grey's Anatomy. It became apparent when I was traveling frequently last quarter. Kelly would rush home from her Thursday night meeting to turn on Grey's Anatomy. Fortunately for me, work hours were such that her calling me after 10 pm (once the show was off) wasn't too dificult. Most nights we had just finished for the day so her timing was perfect.
It was the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Stairway to Heaven," (original air date January 22, 2009) that got me thinking. In this episode, Izzie is continuing to have conversations with her dead fiancee, Denny. During the episode, Denny asks Izzie if one person's heaven could be another person's hell.
I possed that question to Kelly this morning over pancakes and she said no. Kelly didn't believe the person "in heaven" would be so oblivious as to not recognize they were causing a "hell" for their partner.
I disagree with my lovely wife. In part, the episode also explored this option. Denny actually asked if his continued presence with Izzie were causing her hell. It certainly appeared to be so. Yet he continued to hang around, talk to her, and make her life difficult. His desire to remain with her (he died the night he proposed, so they never really did have a chance to develop a relationship outside of the hospital), to experience what he imagined to be heaven, was causing extreme pain for Izzie as she attempted to finally move her life beyond Denny.
Yet even had Grey's Anatomy not gone there with the script, I believe there are daily instances where someone is "in heaven" (no, not the literal heaven) and the one they love is in hell. Take for instance every man at the mall with his wife and teenage daughter. Those men are certainly not in heaven.
Or what about the woman who sits at home alone while her husband is "out with the guys?" Maybe they are both in heaven, but in many cases, the women I've encountered are in a hell of their own. "What is he doing tonight? Who is he with? Why do I have to sit here with the screaming baby while he gets to go out?"
I believe that until the world learns the love of God, until we live daily into His edict "love your neighbor as yourself," each of us will find moments when we are in heaven and those around us are in hell.
I hope each day brings me closer to causing fewer of those moments for the ones I love.
But I've recently noticed this addiction to Grey's Anatomy. It became apparent when I was traveling frequently last quarter. Kelly would rush home from her Thursday night meeting to turn on Grey's Anatomy. Fortunately for me, work hours were such that her calling me after 10 pm (once the show was off) wasn't too dificult. Most nights we had just finished for the day so her timing was perfect.
It was the most recent episode of Grey's Anatomy, "Stairway to Heaven," (original air date January 22, 2009) that got me thinking. In this episode, Izzie is continuing to have conversations with her dead fiancee, Denny. During the episode, Denny asks Izzie if one person's heaven could be another person's hell.
I possed that question to Kelly this morning over pancakes and she said no. Kelly didn't believe the person "in heaven" would be so oblivious as to not recognize they were causing a "hell" for their partner.
I disagree with my lovely wife. In part, the episode also explored this option. Denny actually asked if his continued presence with Izzie were causing her hell. It certainly appeared to be so. Yet he continued to hang around, talk to her, and make her life difficult. His desire to remain with her (he died the night he proposed, so they never really did have a chance to develop a relationship outside of the hospital), to experience what he imagined to be heaven, was causing extreme pain for Izzie as she attempted to finally move her life beyond Denny.
Yet even had Grey's Anatomy not gone there with the script, I believe there are daily instances where someone is "in heaven" (no, not the literal heaven) and the one they love is in hell. Take for instance every man at the mall with his wife and teenage daughter. Those men are certainly not in heaven.
Or what about the woman who sits at home alone while her husband is "out with the guys?" Maybe they are both in heaven, but in many cases, the women I've encountered are in a hell of their own. "What is he doing tonight? Who is he with? Why do I have to sit here with the screaming baby while he gets to go out?"
I believe that until the world learns the love of God, until we live daily into His edict "love your neighbor as yourself," each of us will find moments when we are in heaven and those around us are in hell.
I hope each day brings me closer to causing fewer of those moments for the ones I love.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Angry with God?
Sunday night at small group, the conversation turned to anger. One of our group asked if I would consider a post about being angry with God. This was a topic that really intrigued me, so I sat down this morning and did a little probing into the Psalms.
Psalm 22:1-3 (the Message)
"God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?"
Psalm 10:1 (New International Version)
"Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Psalm 6:3 (New International Version)
"My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?"
David was not afraid to tell God how he felt. He was able to lay out some very raw emotions, showing us God can handle the truth. How could He not, God created us. He knows everything about us.
Psalm 139:1-4 (Contemporary English Version)
"You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say ..."
This God who created us, knows what we are thinking, what we are going to say, even before we do. As God, living outside of time, He understands where we will be emotionally.
So is it OK to be angry with God? I believe so, but there are some guidelines:
1. Do not sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26). While anger is an acceptable emotion (Jesus was angry in the temple), it is imperative you do not sin in your anger.
2. Do not curse God (Job 2:1-10). Even after he lost his children, his wealth, and his health, Job did not curse God. Job, like David, understood you had to accept the good from God along with the trouble.
3. Allow God to have a place in your heart (Psalm 139:23). Even in our anger with God, we still need to allow Him access to our heart to be able to work healing in our pain. Keep your heart open to Him as you are honest with your emotions.
4. Remember your faith and remain connected to a group of believers (Hebrews 10:22-25). Even in the depths of despair, we need to remember our faith. Being connected to a group of believers who can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
God is not shocked when we are honest with Him. I believe He is relieved. Trust Him enough to be honest with your emotions. Then, you will be able to experience the healing David felt in Psalm 51, the Psalm of forgiveness after the Prophet Nathan confronted him on his affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband Uriah.
Psalm 51:12-17 (New International Version)
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 22:1-3 (the Message)
"God, God...my God! Why did you dump me
miles from nowhere?
Doubled up with pain, I call to God
all the day long. No answer. Nothing.
I keep at it all night, tossing and turning.
And you! Are you indifferent, above it all,
leaning back on the cushions of Israel's praise?"
Psalm 10:1 (New International Version)
"Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"
Psalm 6:3 (New International Version)
"My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?"
David was not afraid to tell God how he felt. He was able to lay out some very raw emotions, showing us God can handle the truth. How could He not, God created us. He knows everything about us.
Psalm 139:1-4 (Contemporary English Version)
"You have looked deep into my heart, Lord,
and you know all about me.
You know when I am resting or when I am working,
and from heaven you discover my thoughts.
You notice everything I do
and everywhere I go.
Before I even speak a word,
you know what I will say ..."
This God who created us, knows what we are thinking, what we are going to say, even before we do. As God, living outside of time, He understands where we will be emotionally.
So is it OK to be angry with God? I believe so, but there are some guidelines:
1. Do not sin in your anger (Ephesians 4:26). While anger is an acceptable emotion (Jesus was angry in the temple), it is imperative you do not sin in your anger.
2. Do not curse God (Job 2:1-10). Even after he lost his children, his wealth, and his health, Job did not curse God. Job, like David, understood you had to accept the good from God along with the trouble.
3. Allow God to have a place in your heart (Psalm 139:23). Even in our anger with God, we still need to allow Him access to our heart to be able to work healing in our pain. Keep your heart open to Him as you are honest with your emotions.
4. Remember your faith and remain connected to a group of believers (Hebrews 10:22-25). Even in the depths of despair, we need to remember our faith. Being connected to a group of believers who can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
God is not shocked when we are honest with Him. I believe He is relieved. Trust Him enough to be honest with your emotions. Then, you will be able to experience the healing David felt in Psalm 51, the Psalm of forgiveness after the Prophet Nathan confronted him on his affair with Bathsheba and subsequent murder of her husband Uriah.
Psalm 51:12-17 (New International Version)
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise"
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God Bless the President
Today is Inauguration Day in America, the peaceful passing of the baton from one administration to another. But today is a very special day ... not only is there a changing of the guard from one political party to another, today history is made.
Today Barack Obama becomes the the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. Congratulations Mr. Obama! May God bless you as you take the leadership of this great nation I love. While I don't agree with many of your political views, I pray for your presidency and ask God to bless America.
Today Barack Obama becomes the the first African American to hold the office of President of the United States. Congratulations Mr. Obama! May God bless you as you take the leadership of this great nation I love. While I don't agree with many of your political views, I pray for your presidency and ask God to bless America.
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