As Jesus looks toward his impending crucifixion and the culmination of his ministry he gets more and more confrontational with the religious leaders who are influencing God’s people to follow them in their hypocrisy. On the one hand he is certainly angry at their abuse of position and its results on the people who have depended on them for spiritual guidance. On the other hand, his purpose is to find a way to redeem even them into a reconciled relationship with the Father. So when we look at the Seven Woes in Matthew 23:13-36 we have to make a decision about how we hear Jesus’ words. Is he angry or is he speaking a lament? Is he preaching for them or is he preaching against them?
At times I have heard these woes in my mind as a rant against the scribes and Pharisees – “hypocrites!” But most of the time I hear them as a more pitiful dirge; an explanation of their arrogantly pathetic circumstances and the disastrous results of their self-righteousness.
The fifth and sixth woes particularly strike me as sad. The fifth one says, “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean.”
These people think that their religious activity is the essence of their relationship with God. Jesus proposes that they should work from the inside out; that when they are contrite and humble before God – when they devote their hearts to God – their bodies will follow their hearts' decision. Some have suggested that they were taking the opposite approach; that is, they were trying to work from the outside in, but that is not the case. They were completely neglecting the inside. In fact their motives for caring about the outside were corrupt from their conception. Jesus says they are motivated by greed and self-indulgence.
I think Jesus is preaching to two groups of people here. I think he is making a loving and frank attempt to jar the consciences of these leaders and he is also warning their followers and us about cultivating hypocrisy. Anyone can have a bad moment, a lapse in self-control, which they regret and bring to the Father for transformation and forgiveness. May we never attempt to hide behind a veil of religious practices, but be genuine in turning our hearts toward him.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
God is So Very, Extremely, Consistently, Unexpectedly, Unimaginably Good
God is good…..all the time. All the time….God is good!
When Christians are living in faith that God loves them and is involved in their lives, we can walk with a smile on our face. It means the realization and resignation that we don’t know everything, we’re not in charge of everything – and we don’t have to be. It is rest. It is the restfulness that trusts that whatever is happening to us, God is in control and will work all things to our ultimate blessing in Christ.
When Christians doubt, it is not always the kind of skepticism that leans toward agnosticism, it is often the questioning of God’s ways: “How could God (the god I have always thought God is), do or allow the things I see, (which I, personally, disapprove of)?” In other words, Christians doubt when they sit in judgment of God.
How much better to rest in his care and learn to trust. As Sara Groves writes in her song, “He’s Always Been Faithful,”
All that we have – all that we can ever have and hold onto is strictly by faith. Everything else melts away with the stuff of earth. When we trust and believe, we can see straight ahead to eternity. In that place everything is put right, everything makes sense. He has already given us his kingdom; we can live there now, by faith, when we trust that God is good….all the time. All the time….God is good.
When Christians are living in faith that God loves them and is involved in their lives, we can walk with a smile on our face. It means the realization and resignation that we don’t know everything, we’re not in charge of everything – and we don’t have to be. It is rest. It is the restfulness that trusts that whatever is happening to us, God is in control and will work all things to our ultimate blessing in Christ.
When Christians doubt, it is not always the kind of skepticism that leans toward agnosticism, it is often the questioning of God’s ways: “How could God (the god I have always thought God is), do or allow the things I see, (which I, personally, disapprove of)?” In other words, Christians doubt when they sit in judgment of God.
How much better to rest in his care and learn to trust. As Sara Groves writes in her song, “He’s Always Been Faithful,”
Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed,
In awe of the mystery of his perfect ways
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me
All that we have – all that we can ever have and hold onto is strictly by faith. Everything else melts away with the stuff of earth. When we trust and believe, we can see straight ahead to eternity. In that place everything is put right, everything makes sense. He has already given us his kingdom; we can live there now, by faith, when we trust that God is good….all the time. All the time….God is good.
Integrity of Life
There is the psalmist’s response to the accuser. It is simple humility. There is no defense or excuse, no explanation or privilege.
There is an undertone of indignation revealed in the hyperbole. What could he have done to merit such consequences?
There is a tacit belief that justice is for all; no one is above the law.
There is no “spin,” no “double-speak” to attempt to cover or side-step the issue.
But look, there is no contrition either. The “if” acknowledges possibility, but not guilt. The psalmist isn’t saying, “I did this.” rather, it seems as though by putting his life further out for closer scrutiny, he believes he will be seen clearly as innocent.
Anyone can be guilty of something. But this is the confident response of an honest life of integrity.
“O LORD my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands—
If I have done evil to him who is at
peace with me or without cause have
robbed my foe—
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust.”
Psalm 7:3-5
There is the psalmist’s response to the accuser. It is simple humility. There is no defense or excuse, no explanation or privilege.
There is an undertone of indignation revealed in the hyperbole. What could he have done to merit such consequences?
There is a tacit belief that justice is for all; no one is above the law.
There is no “spin,” no “double-speak” to attempt to cover or side-step the issue.
But look, there is no contrition either. The “if” acknowledges possibility, but not guilt. The psalmist isn’t saying, “I did this.” rather, it seems as though by putting his life further out for closer scrutiny, he believes he will be seen clearly as innocent.
Anyone can be guilty of something. But this is the confident response of an honest life of integrity.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Looking Forward
Memorial Day was first enacted in 1868 to remember the fallen Union soldiers of the civil war, although it was probably built upon practices already held in various areas around the country. The first documented communal remembrance after the civil war was a cemetery built by freed slaves in 1865 on the site of a former confederate prison camp in Charleston, SC, where union soldiers had been buried in a mass grave. The former slaves re-interred the bodies into their own individual graves, fenced the area, and posted an arched sign declaring the site a Union graveyard.
After World War II the holiday was expanded to the memory of all those United States men and women who had given their lives in war. In its earliest days the holiday was mostly called Decoration Day and on May 30th 1868, in keeping with the Memorial Day Order, those former slaves who had honored the Union dead by re-interring their bodies in Charleston, went back and decorated their graves with flowers they had picked from the countryside.
Honoring the dead is not about living in the past; rather it is about remembering what was so valuable that men and women were willing to lay down their lives for it. It is about gratitude for what we have received from their sacrifice. It reminds us of the cost that has been paid for our benefit. We honor their lives by not only remembering, but by living as stewards of what we have received.
In an even greater way, we also look forward from the cross to the lost world around us. We decorate the ugly place of death - the cross and the tomb – with our gratitude and praise. We remember and proclaim his death with a supper every Sunday. We draw inspiration and strength from the tragic moments of his death for our own transformation. We offer our bodies as living sacrifices so that his will may be accomplished through us. We remember while we look forward.
Memorial Day was first enacted in 1868 to remember the fallen Union soldiers of the civil war, although it was probably built upon practices already held in various areas around the country. The first documented communal remembrance after the civil war was a cemetery built by freed slaves in 1865 on the site of a former confederate prison camp in Charleston, SC, where union soldiers had been buried in a mass grave. The former slaves re-interred the bodies into their own individual graves, fenced the area, and posted an arched sign declaring the site a Union graveyard.
After World War II the holiday was expanded to the memory of all those United States men and women who had given their lives in war. In its earliest days the holiday was mostly called Decoration Day and on May 30th 1868, in keeping with the Memorial Day Order, those former slaves who had honored the Union dead by re-interring their bodies in Charleston, went back and decorated their graves with flowers they had picked from the countryside.
Honoring the dead is not about living in the past; rather it is about remembering what was so valuable that men and women were willing to lay down their lives for it. It is about gratitude for what we have received from their sacrifice. It reminds us of the cost that has been paid for our benefit. We honor their lives by not only remembering, but by living as stewards of what we have received.
In an even greater way, we also look forward from the cross to the lost world around us. We decorate the ugly place of death - the cross and the tomb – with our gratitude and praise. We remember and proclaim his death with a supper every Sunday. We draw inspiration and strength from the tragic moments of his death for our own transformation. We offer our bodies as living sacrifices so that his will may be accomplished through us. We remember while we look forward.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
What Mom Said
Dad often took the role of the enforcer in the home in which I grew up. He was the back-up whenever mom had a tough time getting us boys in line. I dreaded the words, “Go wait in your room till your father comes home.” It meant a long wait with a dismal end. I wanted all disciplinary issues to be settled by mom, if possible. So at that point there would be groveling and promises. Perhaps, if we hadn’t pushed things too far, she would accept our questionable penance.
It was always best just to obey mom. She was, of course, wiser than we thought. And she was always on our side – she believed in us (she still does) and enduringly sought the best for us. My mother used to tell me, “You can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it.” She absolutely believed it. I didn’t know she really meant it; I thought it was just one of those things that parents are obligated to tell their children. I didn’t understand the wisdom she was trying to impart, the confidence she felt for us, her hopes for our future. I was just a kid, after all. But I soaked it in through her repetition and eventually it came to have meaning that shapes me.
It means, “I believe in you.” Whatever foolishness I may have gotten into; whatever failure, or even success I may have experienced, that was not going to define her complete vision for my life. There was more ahead: more achievement, more joy, more success, more inside that can be tapped for the future. Children need to hear that their mother believes in them.
It means, “Focus on what is important.” Put yourself to what is worth accomplishing in school, in friendships, in life. Move the distractions to the sidelines and the bleachers and let the important stuff keep your attention.
It means, “You get to choose whether or not the world around you is a better place.” It is optimism, soaked in reality. You make the difference whether good things happen; life doesn’t just happen to you. Sure some things will be beyond your control and sometimes you are just blindsided by circumstances, but even then, you can change things.
That's what mom meant when she said, "You can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it." Her words continue to shape my life. Thank for believing in us, mom. Your blessing makes a difference in the course of our lives.
Dad often took the role of the enforcer in the home in which I grew up. He was the back-up whenever mom had a tough time getting us boys in line. I dreaded the words, “Go wait in your room till your father comes home.” It meant a long wait with a dismal end. I wanted all disciplinary issues to be settled by mom, if possible. So at that point there would be groveling and promises. Perhaps, if we hadn’t pushed things too far, she would accept our questionable penance.
It was always best just to obey mom. She was, of course, wiser than we thought. And she was always on our side – she believed in us (she still does) and enduringly sought the best for us. My mother used to tell me, “You can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it.” She absolutely believed it. I didn’t know she really meant it; I thought it was just one of those things that parents are obligated to tell their children. I didn’t understand the wisdom she was trying to impart, the confidence she felt for us, her hopes for our future. I was just a kid, after all. But I soaked it in through her repetition and eventually it came to have meaning that shapes me.
It means, “I believe in you.” Whatever foolishness I may have gotten into; whatever failure, or even success I may have experienced, that was not going to define her complete vision for my life. There was more ahead: more achievement, more joy, more success, more inside that can be tapped for the future. Children need to hear that their mother believes in them.
It means, “Focus on what is important.” Put yourself to what is worth accomplishing in school, in friendships, in life. Move the distractions to the sidelines and the bleachers and let the important stuff keep your attention.
It means, “You get to choose whether or not the world around you is a better place.” It is optimism, soaked in reality. You make the difference whether good things happen; life doesn’t just happen to you. Sure some things will be beyond your control and sometimes you are just blindsided by circumstances, but even then, you can change things.
That's what mom meant when she said, "You can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it." Her words continue to shape my life. Thank for believing in us, mom. Your blessing makes a difference in the course of our lives.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Heroes
There is a television series called Heroes about ordinary people who unexpectedly learn that they are extraordinary. It is comic book stuff. Some can fly, or read another’s thoughts, or be extra strong. One of the elements of the show that I like is exploring what it means to be a hero.
One character loses his special abilities so when he goes out to fight against the “bad guys” he has no extra protection. He’s not strong, or highly intelligent, or anything like what he had been, but he is very motivated by his idealistic vision of his place in the world. He sees himself as a hero and he is determined to do whatever he must in order to help others, regardless of the personal cost to him.
We get to choose that same course. We get to choose to be a hero for others. Dads, moms, brothers and sisters, neighbors…we get to choose who we will be in this world for all those we live with and around.
Many will choose to save the world from hunger; that’s a worthy cause. Others will choose to save the world and future generations from today’s pollution; also worthy . Some will save others from ignorance or violence. There are lots of ways you can be somebody’s hero even if it is just close around you, at home – our children need heroes at home too.
As you serve others, as you do good for those around you, remember why you are doing good. It is not only an ideal. It is an imitation of the Christ. Food saves from hunger; a job pays for food; education provides employment. As important as those things are, without Christ they become meaningless. The real heroes bring faith and life in Christ.
The real hero is not the stuff of comic books, he is real. He speaks the words that teach; he lives the grace of generosity; he shares his life as a symbol of Jesus’ life. You know these people. They are not perfect, but they showed you Jesus and they taught you the Way. They are our heroes.
There is a television series called Heroes about ordinary people who unexpectedly learn that they are extraordinary. It is comic book stuff. Some can fly, or read another’s thoughts, or be extra strong. One of the elements of the show that I like is exploring what it means to be a hero.
One character loses his special abilities so when he goes out to fight against the “bad guys” he has no extra protection. He’s not strong, or highly intelligent, or anything like what he had been, but he is very motivated by his idealistic vision of his place in the world. He sees himself as a hero and he is determined to do whatever he must in order to help others, regardless of the personal cost to him.
We get to choose that same course. We get to choose to be a hero for others. Dads, moms, brothers and sisters, neighbors…we get to choose who we will be in this world for all those we live with and around.
Many will choose to save the world from hunger; that’s a worthy cause. Others will choose to save the world and future generations from today’s pollution; also worthy . Some will save others from ignorance or violence. There are lots of ways you can be somebody’s hero even if it is just close around you, at home – our children need heroes at home too.
As you serve others, as you do good for those around you, remember why you are doing good. It is not only an ideal. It is an imitation of the Christ. Food saves from hunger; a job pays for food; education provides employment. As important as those things are, without Christ they become meaningless. The real heroes bring faith and life in Christ.
The real hero is not the stuff of comic books, he is real. He speaks the words that teach; he lives the grace of generosity; he shares his life as a symbol of Jesus’ life. You know these people. They are not perfect, but they showed you Jesus and they taught you the Way. They are our heroes.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Not Proud
Moses was under attack. It was the worst sort of attack because it wasn’t his enemies – it was his sister and his relative Aaron who were jealous of his position.
Think about that for just a moment…why would they be jealous of his position? They weren’t jealous when he went in to see Pharaoh, or when they were up against Pharaoh’s army on the one side and a horizon of water on the other. They were never jealous when the people of Israel complained about their hardships in the wilderness.
But when the Lord gave Israel quail to eat, things began to look a little different. Through Moses, God calls out 70 leaders among the clans to meet with Moses and he pours out his Spirit on them. Even the two that rejected or neglected Moses’ instructions to be at the Tent of Meeting prophesied in the camp. Joshua saw this as a “power grab” and volunteered to go stop it, but Moses, in typical humble fashion, is not worried about threats to his leadership.
Miriam and Aaron begin to talk against Moses under the pretext of his Cushite wife, but their true motives are revealed in their words, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (Were they among the 70 elders who prophesied by the Holy Spirit or were they referring to some other time that God spoke through them?) They are jealous. They want more recognition; they want more say.
Moses does not respond to them, but God does: First he defends Moses’ character and unique place under God’s rule. Then he punishes Miriam with leprosy.
You should probably catch verse three of Numbers chapter 12. It is a paragraph by itself. It is written in parentheses, yet it is a superlative: “(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)”
If love is not proud, then Moses was full of love for those rebellious people.
Don
Moses was under attack. It was the worst sort of attack because it wasn’t his enemies – it was his sister and his relative Aaron who were jealous of his position.
Think about that for just a moment…why would they be jealous of his position? They weren’t jealous when he went in to see Pharaoh, or when they were up against Pharaoh’s army on the one side and a horizon of water on the other. They were never jealous when the people of Israel complained about their hardships in the wilderness.
But when the Lord gave Israel quail to eat, things began to look a little different. Through Moses, God calls out 70 leaders among the clans to meet with Moses and he pours out his Spirit on them. Even the two that rejected or neglected Moses’ instructions to be at the Tent of Meeting prophesied in the camp. Joshua saw this as a “power grab” and volunteered to go stop it, but Moses, in typical humble fashion, is not worried about threats to his leadership.
Miriam and Aaron begin to talk against Moses under the pretext of his Cushite wife, but their true motives are revealed in their words, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” (Were they among the 70 elders who prophesied by the Holy Spirit or were they referring to some other time that God spoke through them?) They are jealous. They want more recognition; they want more say.
Moses does not respond to them, but God does: First he defends Moses’ character and unique place under God’s rule. Then he punishes Miriam with leprosy.
You should probably catch verse three of Numbers chapter 12. It is a paragraph by itself. It is written in parentheses, yet it is a superlative: “(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)”
If love is not proud, then Moses was full of love for those rebellious people.
Don
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Pride
Pride is a tricky word for us. We are proud of our children and loved ones when they have accomplished something good or important. We are proud of ourselves, when we do well; when we move beyond our own expectations of ourselves. We are proud of our soldiers and our nation.
But sometimes we are proud in a different sense: we may be haughty, which means to think too much of ourselves. I like one Greek word sometimes translated pride, but when translated literally means inflated or puffy. That gives the image, to me, of a balloon all blown up and ready to….POP! It is a thin superficial covering that is filled with something as vapid as air. When the covering is scratched or poked, even with a blade of soft grass – nothing is left and all appearance is shown for what it truly was.
The New Testament uses the word both ways:
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
Galatians 6:3,4
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
James 1:9-10
We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
2 Corinthians 5:12
We want to rejoice in our good accomplishments, and those of others, without becoming haughty. We want to be pleased with our diligence without believing we are better than someone else because of it. Sometimes that really can be tricky.
Don
Pride is a tricky word for us. We are proud of our children and loved ones when they have accomplished something good or important. We are proud of ourselves, when we do well; when we move beyond our own expectations of ourselves. We are proud of our soldiers and our nation.
But sometimes we are proud in a different sense: we may be haughty, which means to think too much of ourselves. I like one Greek word sometimes translated pride, but when translated literally means inflated or puffy. That gives the image, to me, of a balloon all blown up and ready to….POP! It is a thin superficial covering that is filled with something as vapid as air. When the covering is scratched or poked, even with a blade of soft grass – nothing is left and all appearance is shown for what it truly was.
The New Testament uses the word both ways:
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,
Galatians 6:3,4
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.
James 1:9-10
We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.
2 Corinthians 5:12
We want to rejoice in our good accomplishments, and those of others, without becoming haughty. We want to be pleased with our diligence without believing we are better than someone else because of it. Sometimes that really can be tricky.
Don
Saturday, February 28, 2009
My Personal Beliefs
I wrote this in 2001 during the pursuit of a ministry position. The church had asked me to write a statement outlining my beliefs. I found that intriguing; I was excited to cull through all the doctrines and traditions and try to prioritize the most important elements of my faith. After I had completed it I emailed a copy to my dad and asked him what he thought. Right off the bat he pointed out something I had comepletely missed - they didn't want this kind of a statement at all; they wanted to know where I stood on baptism, the Holy Spirit, "women's roles," denominationalism... He was so obviously correct. But they got this anyway.
I post this today because of Dell Kimberly's (Who Told You That) blog post today on Undeniable Truths. Thanks, Dell for making me think of this.
God exists and He loves. The fact that He is and that He loves is our only hope both in this life and forever in eternity with Him. Because He loves, we know what love is.
We receive His love through His promises. Promises given to Abraham and his descendants. Fortunately, we need not depend upon human ancestry for these promises – we are children of Abraham through faith, for he is the father of the faithful. But promises are not enough, especially when they are so veiled as to be indecipherable even by prophets who searched intently to understand them better.
We receive His love through His commands – that is how He chose to reveal His righteousness to us initially. But that is inadequate. Because of that revelation, sin gained power in our lives and God found fault with people.
This is where the story gets good . . .
We receive His love best of all through the presence of His Son and Spirit in our lives. Rather than pour out judgment because of our faults, He poured out redemption in the blood of Jesus. And His Spirit also was poured out on us by that same love. Just as we receive righteousness through the Son, so we are led into all righteousness by the presence of the Spirit. The Spirit works through His sword, the words of scripture, and through His presence. In fact we cannot discern spiritual words without some benefit from the Spirit of God. This presence of God among is an extravagant expression of God’s tender love for us. God desires that we all accept His extravagant love
But there will be a judgment against those who reject Jesus and do not accept His words. God is powerful Creator, so it is understandable that His judgment will be carried out with power. All His enemies will be destroyed: Satan, his angels as well as those souls whom God judges unworthy to enter His own glory; death, sorrow, confusion and fear – doubt, hunger, sin and sloth. These will all be destroyed to have no more power over us.
Praise God! His ways are just and forgiving. Judgment comes with power and mercy.
We have been redeemed from the worldly system and brought to life in Jesus. We have rejected the flesh to answer the Spirit. And so we have been given purpose by His mercy – we are ministers of reconciliation. We have left all to follow Him and so we call Him Savior and Lord. We desire to learn to love what Jesus loves, to hate what Jesus hates, to become unconcerned with those things He is not concerned with. We want to be like Him in righteous living and in purpose. So we place the Father at the highest place. We seek first His kingdom. And we love the people around us, honoring our brothers and sisters above ourselves, and even laying down our lives to reconcile people to God.
How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children.
Summary:
• I believe in the Father - Powerful Creator who willed us into existence through the force of His words.
• I believe in the story of redemption from before the fall into eternity. The words were spoken for life and for freedom.
• I believe in Jesus, the Son. Present and working with the Father at creation, He disavowed the glory and privileges of deity to become the perfect sacrifice, the ultimate expression of God’s love. He humbled Himself to death by His own volition. He raised from the dead by God’s power and so began the defeat of God’s adversary.
• I believe in the Spirit who leads us and aids us in understanding the righteousness of God – Who also comforts us in our present state of mortality, giving us a foretaste of the Heavenly Presence and sealing us for His sake.
• I believe in the first command: to love God with our entire being, to worship Him and bring glory to Him through our words and our lives.
• I believe in the second command: to love all others as they have need – especially those of God’s family.
• I believe in the mission of Christ to reconcile the world to Himself, thus fulfilling the Father’s design for Him. Which mission was first transferred first to His apostles and later to us as we accept His grace and call Him Lord.
• I believe God’s people have a bond that is greater than friendship or earthly family. We ought to encourage and admonish one another as brothers and sisters.
• I believe God is the ultimate Judge and we are not. But that we must be faithful to teach everything that is right. We cannot turn to the right or the left.
• I believe that God will deliver us from this world and its ways into a better world by the redemption that comes through faith in Jesus. (We share with Jesus in life by our baptism for the forgiveness of our sins – trusting in His grace toward us.) On that same day of deliverance for God’s people, most will meet their doom, having failed God’s righteous judgment since they have not trusted in the righteousness of Christ. Lord, have mercy on us all.
I wrote this in 2001 during the pursuit of a ministry position. The church had asked me to write a statement outlining my beliefs. I found that intriguing; I was excited to cull through all the doctrines and traditions and try to prioritize the most important elements of my faith. After I had completed it I emailed a copy to my dad and asked him what he thought. Right off the bat he pointed out something I had comepletely missed - they didn't want this kind of a statement at all; they wanted to know where I stood on baptism, the Holy Spirit, "women's roles," denominationalism... He was so obviously correct. But they got this anyway.
I post this today because of Dell Kimberly's (Who Told You That) blog post today on Undeniable Truths. Thanks, Dell for making me think of this.
God exists and He loves. The fact that He is and that He loves is our only hope both in this life and forever in eternity with Him. Because He loves, we know what love is.
We receive His love through His promises. Promises given to Abraham and his descendants. Fortunately, we need not depend upon human ancestry for these promises – we are children of Abraham through faith, for he is the father of the faithful. But promises are not enough, especially when they are so veiled as to be indecipherable even by prophets who searched intently to understand them better.
We receive His love through His commands – that is how He chose to reveal His righteousness to us initially. But that is inadequate. Because of that revelation, sin gained power in our lives and God found fault with people.
This is where the story gets good . . .
We receive His love best of all through the presence of His Son and Spirit in our lives. Rather than pour out judgment because of our faults, He poured out redemption in the blood of Jesus. And His Spirit also was poured out on us by that same love. Just as we receive righteousness through the Son, so we are led into all righteousness by the presence of the Spirit. The Spirit works through His sword, the words of scripture, and through His presence. In fact we cannot discern spiritual words without some benefit from the Spirit of God. This presence of God among is an extravagant expression of God’s tender love for us. God desires that we all accept His extravagant love
But there will be a judgment against those who reject Jesus and do not accept His words. God is powerful Creator, so it is understandable that His judgment will be carried out with power. All His enemies will be destroyed: Satan, his angels as well as those souls whom God judges unworthy to enter His own glory; death, sorrow, confusion and fear – doubt, hunger, sin and sloth. These will all be destroyed to have no more power over us.
Praise God! His ways are just and forgiving. Judgment comes with power and mercy.
We have been redeemed from the worldly system and brought to life in Jesus. We have rejected the flesh to answer the Spirit. And so we have been given purpose by His mercy – we are ministers of reconciliation. We have left all to follow Him and so we call Him Savior and Lord. We desire to learn to love what Jesus loves, to hate what Jesus hates, to become unconcerned with those things He is not concerned with. We want to be like Him in righteous living and in purpose. So we place the Father at the highest place. We seek first His kingdom. And we love the people around us, honoring our brothers and sisters above ourselves, and even laying down our lives to reconcile people to God.
How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His children.
Summary:
• I believe in the Father - Powerful Creator who willed us into existence through the force of His words.
• I believe in the story of redemption from before the fall into eternity. The words were spoken for life and for freedom.
• I believe in Jesus, the Son. Present and working with the Father at creation, He disavowed the glory and privileges of deity to become the perfect sacrifice, the ultimate expression of God’s love. He humbled Himself to death by His own volition. He raised from the dead by God’s power and so began the defeat of God’s adversary.
• I believe in the Spirit who leads us and aids us in understanding the righteousness of God – Who also comforts us in our present state of mortality, giving us a foretaste of the Heavenly Presence and sealing us for His sake.
• I believe in the first command: to love God with our entire being, to worship Him and bring glory to Him through our words and our lives.
• I believe in the second command: to love all others as they have need – especially those of God’s family.
• I believe in the mission of Christ to reconcile the world to Himself, thus fulfilling the Father’s design for Him. Which mission was first transferred first to His apostles and later to us as we accept His grace and call Him Lord.
• I believe God’s people have a bond that is greater than friendship or earthly family. We ought to encourage and admonish one another as brothers and sisters.
• I believe God is the ultimate Judge and we are not. But that we must be faithful to teach everything that is right. We cannot turn to the right or the left.
• I believe that God will deliver us from this world and its ways into a better world by the redemption that comes through faith in Jesus. (We share with Jesus in life by our baptism for the forgiveness of our sins – trusting in His grace toward us.) On that same day of deliverance for God’s people, most will meet their doom, having failed God’s righteous judgment since they have not trusted in the righteousness of Christ. Lord, have mercy on us all.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Love
I really like the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-8a)
There is no higher value than love. There is nothing more important than love. There is no greater commandment than love. There is no better marker for the “one true church” than love.
Conversely; there is no more pronounced deficiency in a person’s life than a deficit of love. There is no easier place to stir brother against brother, sister against sister than the one where love is in decline. There is no more caustic place to raise your children than a place where they are not loved.
We need love. We desperately need love. We need it so badly that we sometimes deny our need for it and pretend to be thick-skinned, self-sufficient, an island. But it’s not true – we all strongly feel the gaping hole that demands to be filled by love.
Thank God he loves us. And more, he intends for us to love one another…deeply, intently, sacrificially. To surround one another with protection and love. To give our very hearts to each other.
Love never fails.
I really like the first few verses of 1 Corinthians 13:
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-8a)
There is no higher value than love. There is nothing more important than love. There is no greater commandment than love. There is no better marker for the “one true church” than love.
Conversely; there is no more pronounced deficiency in a person’s life than a deficit of love. There is no easier place to stir brother against brother, sister against sister than the one where love is in decline. There is no more caustic place to raise your children than a place where they are not loved.
We need love. We desperately need love. We need it so badly that we sometimes deny our need for it and pretend to be thick-skinned, self-sufficient, an island. But it’s not true – we all strongly feel the gaping hole that demands to be filled by love.
Thank God he loves us. And more, he intends for us to love one another…deeply, intently, sacrificially. To surround one another with protection and love. To give our very hearts to each other.
Love never fails.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Grieving Your Loss
In some ways the essence of temptation is loss. And the question that goes with temptation is, “What will I lose?” or at least, what is the perceived loss?
From the first sin of Adam and Eve we can see what they were afraid of losing. They believed the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil could give them something superior to their current pursuit of righteousness. They were, in fact, tempted by a good thing, a spiritual thing – the desire to know what is good and the ability to avoid what is wrong. I think most things we are tempted by can be seen as good things: certainly we are only tempted by what we desire.
When faced with their temptation in the Garden, Adam and Eve could only resolve their circumstances by losing something. Either they would choose to honor God and trust in his provision and lose the ability to gain the special knowledge and wisdom they believed the fruit would provide. Or they would choose the fruit as a pathway to spirituality apart from God’s provision and lose something of the intimacy of that relationship.
Either way, when the decision had been made and all things done, they would feel the loss. What would have happened if we had…? That is what makes it temptation. Of course the stronger the desire, the deeper the sense of loss. If we choose wrong, we lose something of righteousness and relationship – and we will feel that loss. If we choose well, we lose the pleasure or reward we desired in the first place – and we will also feel that loss.
Innocence lost. Naiveté gone. So, this is what the world really looks like. Jaded, Cynical. Aren’t these just responses to our loss? Satan deceives, then he accuses.
Thank God for Jesus and restoration.
In some ways the essence of temptation is loss. And the question that goes with temptation is, “What will I lose?” or at least, what is the perceived loss?
From the first sin of Adam and Eve we can see what they were afraid of losing. They believed the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil could give them something superior to their current pursuit of righteousness. They were, in fact, tempted by a good thing, a spiritual thing – the desire to know what is good and the ability to avoid what is wrong. I think most things we are tempted by can be seen as good things: certainly we are only tempted by what we desire.
When faced with their temptation in the Garden, Adam and Eve could only resolve their circumstances by losing something. Either they would choose to honor God and trust in his provision and lose the ability to gain the special knowledge and wisdom they believed the fruit would provide. Or they would choose the fruit as a pathway to spirituality apart from God’s provision and lose something of the intimacy of that relationship.
Either way, when the decision had been made and all things done, they would feel the loss. What would have happened if we had…? That is what makes it temptation. Of course the stronger the desire, the deeper the sense of loss. If we choose wrong, we lose something of righteousness and relationship – and we will feel that loss. If we choose well, we lose the pleasure or reward we desired in the first place – and we will also feel that loss.
Innocence lost. Naiveté gone. So, this is what the world really looks like. Jaded, Cynical. Aren’t these just responses to our loss? Satan deceives, then he accuses.
Thank God for Jesus and restoration.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Refined
I have to admit that it frightened me to hear about salmonella in peanut products. But that turned to anger when it was reported that Peanut Corporation of America knew that their product was tainted with the deadly bacteria. Can you imagine how those sickened by the product must feel? And then there was the contaminated baby formula from China, where six babies died and over 1200 were sickened, and now thousands face atypically formed kidney stones.
Purity is important to our health. I never thought much about drinking from the stream when I was a child, but now I know what might be upstream. Pure clean water is essential to health and intellect.
Satan is the salmonella of our thoughts. He deceives, then he accuses. He is the impurity of our spiritual diet and the complications he brings when we indulge can be deadly. His deception is subtle - he takes what is good and makes it seem so much better under his terms. He gives every good thing new meaning. For the person desiring spiritual fulfillment, he brings spirituality. For the one needing deeper companionship and passion, he brings the depth of intimacy. For the one For the one seeking truth, he brings a truth that fits their size. But his spirituality is not a relationship with the Father, but a distraction from Him. His intimacy - his passion - is often based on sensuality, other times deception, sometimes substitution: satisfying for a moment, but self-imploding in the long-term. His truth resolves the crisis, but spins out more problems; more deception.
No wonder scripture sometimes describes our experiences in this life as refinement. The Spirit of God is working in our lives to rid us of the power and consequences of sin over us. God wants more for us than to merely escape the flames; he wants us to receive a purified life; he wants us to live a transformed life; he wants us to trust with a renewed, refined faith.
Purity is not just about eating and drinking: it is keeping ourselves for God’s service. Purity is another way of saying holy living. We are God’s holy people his pure refreshment. Let us feast on a pure life – a buffet of choices that glorify God in holiness.
I have to admit that it frightened me to hear about salmonella in peanut products. But that turned to anger when it was reported that Peanut Corporation of America knew that their product was tainted with the deadly bacteria. Can you imagine how those sickened by the product must feel? And then there was the contaminated baby formula from China, where six babies died and over 1200 were sickened, and now thousands face atypically formed kidney stones.
Purity is important to our health. I never thought much about drinking from the stream when I was a child, but now I know what might be upstream. Pure clean water is essential to health and intellect.
Satan is the salmonella of our thoughts. He deceives, then he accuses. He is the impurity of our spiritual diet and the complications he brings when we indulge can be deadly. His deception is subtle - he takes what is good and makes it seem so much better under his terms. He gives every good thing new meaning. For the person desiring spiritual fulfillment, he brings spirituality. For the one needing deeper companionship and passion, he brings the depth of intimacy. For the one For the one seeking truth, he brings a truth that fits their size. But his spirituality is not a relationship with the Father, but a distraction from Him. His intimacy - his passion - is often based on sensuality, other times deception, sometimes substitution: satisfying for a moment, but self-imploding in the long-term. His truth resolves the crisis, but spins out more problems; more deception.
No wonder scripture sometimes describes our experiences in this life as refinement. The Spirit of God is working in our lives to rid us of the power and consequences of sin over us. God wants more for us than to merely escape the flames; he wants us to receive a purified life; he wants us to live a transformed life; he wants us to trust with a renewed, refined faith.
Purity is not just about eating and drinking: it is keeping ourselves for God’s service. Purity is another way of saying holy living. We are God’s holy people his pure refreshment. Let us feast on a pure life – a buffet of choices that glorify God in holiness.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
The Higher Cost of “Unforgiveness”
All of us face hurts of many kinds. Others have threatened us, accosted us, betrayed our trust. We have faced loss and heartache. Sometimes we hold onto those events and they become touchstones in our lives that begin to define our response to the world around us. It’s one thing to forgive people when they are sorry and something else entirely to forgive someone who has become an enemy.
When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet he told Peter that unless he washed him, Peter could have no part with him. Jesus makes this connection of his service he performed for the twelve, in washing their feet, with the cleansing that he offers through the cross which must be received if we are to continue in a relationship with him. Jesus’ service to his disciples that evening was redemptive in that the cleansing he offered was especially needed since they would all run away. How would they have thought of Jesus' words and actions in retrospect when they came to believe in his resurrection?
But Judas was there also. Why did Jesus wash Judas’ feet? He knew that Judas would not return; he knew that he could not cleanse him and said as much (“you are clean, though not every one of you.”) Perhaps Jesus washed Judas’ feet because of what it did for himself. It was as much a redemptive act for his own sake as for the disciples. It was a way to bless his enemy and do good to the one who cursed him.
When we are hurt by others, our best course is to choose an active forgiveness. Unforgiven hurt leads to rejection of the perpetrator, but also to others who eventually become lumped into association with him/her. It leads to rebellion, retaliation, isolation and eventually a bitter life that rubs itself onto everyone around. Unforgiven hurt leaves the perpetrator in control.
When he washed Judas’ feet clean, I imagine Jesus wishing there was a way to break through and truly cleanse the dark heart of his betrayer. And when we find positive ways to approach our “enemies” we take a step forward in cleansing them as well – living in the likeness of Jesus.
All of us face hurts of many kinds. Others have threatened us, accosted us, betrayed our trust. We have faced loss and heartache. Sometimes we hold onto those events and they become touchstones in our lives that begin to define our response to the world around us. It’s one thing to forgive people when they are sorry and something else entirely to forgive someone who has become an enemy.
When Jesus washed his disciples’ feet he told Peter that unless he washed him, Peter could have no part with him. Jesus makes this connection of his service he performed for the twelve, in washing their feet, with the cleansing that he offers through the cross which must be received if we are to continue in a relationship with him. Jesus’ service to his disciples that evening was redemptive in that the cleansing he offered was especially needed since they would all run away. How would they have thought of Jesus' words and actions in retrospect when they came to believe in his resurrection?
But Judas was there also. Why did Jesus wash Judas’ feet? He knew that Judas would not return; he knew that he could not cleanse him and said as much (“you are clean, though not every one of you.”) Perhaps Jesus washed Judas’ feet because of what it did for himself. It was as much a redemptive act for his own sake as for the disciples. It was a way to bless his enemy and do good to the one who cursed him.
When we are hurt by others, our best course is to choose an active forgiveness. Unforgiven hurt leads to rejection of the perpetrator, but also to others who eventually become lumped into association with him/her. It leads to rebellion, retaliation, isolation and eventually a bitter life that rubs itself onto everyone around. Unforgiven hurt leaves the perpetrator in control.
When he washed Judas’ feet clean, I imagine Jesus wishing there was a way to break through and truly cleanse the dark heart of his betrayer. And when we find positive ways to approach our “enemies” we take a step forward in cleansing them as well – living in the likeness of Jesus.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Forgiveness Costs
When I got resigned from one of my ministries many years ago, it was painful. (Ministers sometimes have the option of resigning or being fired. It can be a difficult decision. In my case the elders agreed to keep the terms of our contract (severance) only if I resigned. If I had made them go through the turmoil of firing me and defending their decision to the church, they threatened to turn us out on the street (violating the terms of our contract). We picked up and moved to the edge of the known universe: Florida.
After living in Tampa for a couple of years, we were going back to our previous town to visit. The drive was moving along uneventfully. We were about halfway through our journey when suddenly I became aware of something that was happening to me. I felt this heat that was rising up inside me from deep down. It was the anger and resentment I felt over the circumstance surrounding my resignation.
I had been away for two years. I had prayed about it. I had said, “I forgive them.” And I thought I had meant it. Why was it rising up inside me with such strength and control? I knew that I would see those people I held responsible for those events. I knew that they would want to shake my hand and act like everything was clean, but I felt violated and angry. I had said I forgive them, but I had not and I didn’t really know how.
Once a friend of mine was talking about the power of forgiveness and he told a story of a girl who had been raped yet was able to speak words of forgiveness to her rapest during his trial. She realized something I did not: That forgiveness is the only way to take control of past hurt. Her perpetrator had power over her for a few minutes – if she had held his violation inside her soul she would have given him power over her for the rest of her life. She regained control over her heart and mind by forgiving her attacker. Further, she had the spiritual depth to actually pull it off, to actually forgive and not just to mouth the words.
Later, at a seminar our church was sponsoring, one of my coworkers began by asking the question, “How do you feel about the church?” I thought to myself, “Well, there are some brothers and sisters I am so thankful for; they have loved me far beyond what I deserve. But there are others that I would rather not set near at worship.” I was thinking, again, about those who had hurt me.
But then the speaker reminded me of something I had not considered: “Christ died for his Church. He gave his life to make us presentable.” That is the essence of forgiveness that someone has to take the “hit” and Christ did that for me. And now he expects me to take the “hit” for others. And how can I have fellowship with him if I reject this fact of forgiveness?
As Dell commented, “forgiveness costs.”
When I got resigned from one of my ministries many years ago, it was painful. (Ministers sometimes have the option of resigning or being fired. It can be a difficult decision. In my case the elders agreed to keep the terms of our contract (severance) only if I resigned. If I had made them go through the turmoil of firing me and defending their decision to the church, they threatened to turn us out on the street (violating the terms of our contract). We picked up and moved to the edge of the known universe: Florida.
After living in Tampa for a couple of years, we were going back to our previous town to visit. The drive was moving along uneventfully. We were about halfway through our journey when suddenly I became aware of something that was happening to me. I felt this heat that was rising up inside me from deep down. It was the anger and resentment I felt over the circumstance surrounding my resignation.
I had been away for two years. I had prayed about it. I had said, “I forgive them.” And I thought I had meant it. Why was it rising up inside me with such strength and control? I knew that I would see those people I held responsible for those events. I knew that they would want to shake my hand and act like everything was clean, but I felt violated and angry. I had said I forgive them, but I had not and I didn’t really know how.
Once a friend of mine was talking about the power of forgiveness and he told a story of a girl who had been raped yet was able to speak words of forgiveness to her rapest during his trial. She realized something I did not: That forgiveness is the only way to take control of past hurt. Her perpetrator had power over her for a few minutes – if she had held his violation inside her soul she would have given him power over her for the rest of her life. She regained control over her heart and mind by forgiving her attacker. Further, she had the spiritual depth to actually pull it off, to actually forgive and not just to mouth the words.
Later, at a seminar our church was sponsoring, one of my coworkers began by asking the question, “How do you feel about the church?” I thought to myself, “Well, there are some brothers and sisters I am so thankful for; they have loved me far beyond what I deserve. But there are others that I would rather not set near at worship.” I was thinking, again, about those who had hurt me.
But then the speaker reminded me of something I had not considered: “Christ died for his Church. He gave his life to make us presentable.” That is the essence of forgiveness that someone has to take the “hit” and Christ did that for me. And now he expects me to take the “hit” for others. And how can I have fellowship with him if I reject this fact of forgiveness?
As Dell commented, “forgiveness costs.”
Forgiveness
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
As I spoke these words recently I was thoughtful about the phrase, “forgive us our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
It’s hard to forgive people who have hurt you. It’s even hard to want to. It’s not so hard to say the words, but it is difficult to live them in reality.
Forgiveness starts with a decision and a commitment to righteousness. It is believing that God’s command to forgive others is a righteous command and will bless us. Forgiveness depends on actions before emotions. The actions of forgiveness are prayer for the forgiven one; blessing them in conversation with others by pointing out their good qualities; treating them by the standard of the Golden Rule. Eventually forgiveness is loving the forgiven with genuine affection; being able to acknowledge their fault, yet not defining your relationship solely by it; allowing their other qualities to obscure the fault. Finally, forgiveness defends – just as Jesus has become our advocate.
Blessings,
Don Morrison
Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
As I spoke these words recently I was thoughtful about the phrase, “forgive us our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
It’s hard to forgive people who have hurt you. It’s even hard to want to. It’s not so hard to say the words, but it is difficult to live them in reality.
Forgiveness starts with a decision and a commitment to righteousness. It is believing that God’s command to forgive others is a righteous command and will bless us. Forgiveness depends on actions before emotions. The actions of forgiveness are prayer for the forgiven one; blessing them in conversation with others by pointing out their good qualities; treating them by the standard of the Golden Rule. Eventually forgiveness is loving the forgiven with genuine affection; being able to acknowledge their fault, yet not defining your relationship solely by it; allowing their other qualities to obscure the fault. Finally, forgiveness defends – just as Jesus has become our advocate.
Blessings,
Don Morrison
Monday, January 26, 2009
Yes, Lord
Before Paul began stumbling around in the darkness, Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. As far as we know, God had never spoken to Ananias, personally, before the moment he told him to go visit Saul of Tarsus. And, as far as we know, God had never spoken to Saul until, one day, walking along the road, he was blinded in the same moment that he met God. He lost the vision he had for his life – whatever goals or dreams he may have had immediately faded into the darkness that surrounded him. Where once, he saw clearly, now… nothing.
Ananias, on the other hand, was beginning to see God’s ever-working grace more clearly than he had wanted to imagine. God spoke to him and called him to step into faith. At first he objected, Lord, it’s not safe, Saul (aka Paul) was a dangerous enemy of the faith. Notice that God does nothing to reassure Annanias of his safety, instead, God simply says “Go!” and insists that it is part of his purpose. Ananias obeyed.
I am not sure how much to read into this, but I like the way Ananias begins his conversation with God. God calls him by name and Ananias answers, "Yes, Lord." That’s why I say that Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. Saul said, “Who are you , Lord?” which is fine, but Ananias said, “Yes.”
Those two words can say a lot about who we are. They are the most important wards we say. "Yes"..."Lord." Not “no” and not “buddy”. Not “What do you want? Perhaps after I evaluate your request I can give you a better answer.” and not “BFF.”
“Yes” is accepting, affirming, intentional. “Lord” is relationship, priority, humility. That simple phrase says, “I don’t know where this conversation is going, but it is going your way, Jesus.” And then, Ananias and Paul saw things they never imagined. With their eyes and with their hearts they saw mercy and mission as they could not have seen otherwise; mercy and mission that endures beyond that time.
All because Ananias said, “Yes, Lord.”
Before Paul began stumbling around in the darkness, Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. As far as we know, God had never spoken to Ananias, personally, before the moment he told him to go visit Saul of Tarsus. And, as far as we know, God had never spoken to Saul until, one day, walking along the road, he was blinded in the same moment that he met God. He lost the vision he had for his life – whatever goals or dreams he may have had immediately faded into the darkness that surrounded him. Where once, he saw clearly, now… nothing.
Ananias, on the other hand, was beginning to see God’s ever-working grace more clearly than he had wanted to imagine. God spoke to him and called him to step into faith. At first he objected, Lord, it’s not safe, Saul (aka Paul) was a dangerous enemy of the faith. Notice that God does nothing to reassure Annanias of his safety, instead, God simply says “Go!” and insists that it is part of his purpose. Ananias obeyed.
I am not sure how much to read into this, but I like the way Ananias begins his conversation with God. God calls him by name and Ananias answers, "Yes, Lord." That’s why I say that Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. Saul said, “Who are you , Lord?” which is fine, but Ananias said, “Yes.”
Those two words can say a lot about who we are. They are the most important wards we say. "Yes"..."Lord." Not “no” and not “buddy”. Not “What do you want? Perhaps after I evaluate your request I can give you a better answer.” and not “BFF.”
“Yes” is accepting, affirming, intentional. “Lord” is relationship, priority, humility. That simple phrase says, “I don’t know where this conversation is going, but it is going your way, Jesus.” And then, Ananias and Paul saw things they never imagined. With their eyes and with their hearts they saw mercy and mission as they could not have seen otherwise; mercy and mission that endures beyond that time.
All because Ananias said, “Yes, Lord.”
This from AP. Don't you know neighbors are asking themselves how this could have happened. What can be done to help others? How would you get involved?
93-year-old froze to death, owed big utility bill
Mon Jan 26, 3:32 pm ET
BAY CITY, Mich. – A 93-year-old man froze to death inside his home just days after the municipal power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills, officials said.
Marvin E. Schur died "a slow, painful death," said Kanu Virani, Oakland County's deputy chief medical examiner, who performed the autopsy.
Neighbors discovered Schur's body on Jan. 17. They said the indoor temperature was below 32 degrees at the time, The Bay City Times reported Monday.
"Hypothermia shuts the whole system down, slowly," Virani said. "It's not easy to die from hypothermia without first realizing your fingers and toes feel like they're burning."
Schur owed Bay City Electric Light & Power more than $1,000 in unpaid electric bills, Bay City Manager Robert Belleman told The Associated Press on Monday.
A city utility worker had installed a "limiter" device to restrict the use of electricity at Schur's home on Jan. 13, Belleman said. The device limits power reaching a home and blows out like a fuse if consumption rises past a set level. Power is not restored until the device is reset.
The limiter was tripped sometime between the time of installation and the discovery of Schur's body, Belleman said. He didn't know if anyone had made personal contact with Schur to explain how the device works.
Schur's body was discovered by neighbor George Pauwels Jr.
"His furnace was not running, the insides of his windows were full of ice the morning we found him," Pauwels told the newspaper.
Belleman said city workers keep the limiter on houses for 10 days, then shut off power entirely if the homeowner hasn't paid utility bills or arranged to do so.
He said Bay City Electric Light & Power's policies will be reviewed, but he didn't believe the city did anything wrong.
"I've said this before and some of my colleagues have said this: Neighbors need to keep an eye on neighbors," Belleman said. "When they think there's something wrong, they should contact the appropriate agency or city department."
Schur had no children and his wife had died several years ago.
Bay City is on Saginaw Bay, just north of the city of Saginaw in central Michigan.
___
Information from: The Bay City Times, http://www.mlive.com/bay-city
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
93-year-old froze to death, owed big utility bill
Mon Jan 26, 3:32 pm ET
BAY CITY, Mich. – A 93-year-old man froze to death inside his home just days after the municipal power company restricted his use of electricity because of unpaid bills, officials said.
Marvin E. Schur died "a slow, painful death," said Kanu Virani, Oakland County's deputy chief medical examiner, who performed the autopsy.
Neighbors discovered Schur's body on Jan. 17. They said the indoor temperature was below 32 degrees at the time, The Bay City Times reported Monday.
"Hypothermia shuts the whole system down, slowly," Virani said. "It's not easy to die from hypothermia without first realizing your fingers and toes feel like they're burning."
Schur owed Bay City Electric Light & Power more than $1,000 in unpaid electric bills, Bay City Manager Robert Belleman told The Associated Press on Monday.
A city utility worker had installed a "limiter" device to restrict the use of electricity at Schur's home on Jan. 13, Belleman said. The device limits power reaching a home and blows out like a fuse if consumption rises past a set level. Power is not restored until the device is reset.
The limiter was tripped sometime between the time of installation and the discovery of Schur's body, Belleman said. He didn't know if anyone had made personal contact with Schur to explain how the device works.
Schur's body was discovered by neighbor George Pauwels Jr.
"His furnace was not running, the insides of his windows were full of ice the morning we found him," Pauwels told the newspaper.
Belleman said city workers keep the limiter on houses for 10 days, then shut off power entirely if the homeowner hasn't paid utility bills or arranged to do so.
He said Bay City Electric Light & Power's policies will be reviewed, but he didn't believe the city did anything wrong.
"I've said this before and some of my colleagues have said this: Neighbors need to keep an eye on neighbors," Belleman said. "When they think there's something wrong, they should contact the appropriate agency or city department."
Schur had no children and his wife had died several years ago.
Bay City is on Saginaw Bay, just north of the city of Saginaw in central Michigan.
___
Information from: The Bay City Times, http://www.mlive.com/bay-city
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sincere Love
A mother races to scoop up her toddler who happens to be toddling through the front yard toward the street. She wraps the child into her arms and looks into dancing eyes and giggling smile.
Mother smiles while baby squirms; arms and legs in constant motion; writhing for freedom.
Mother protects, guards, nurtures, teaches, observes, watchfully drinking in the fresh dew of her baby’s morning.
Baby knows love, yet knows nothing of it. Receiving, needing, asking, crying, demanding.
Mother, only loving.
Scripture says,
“Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
“When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.” (excerpted from Romans 12:9-15 TLB)
God smiles with sincere love for his children. He cares for us and provides for us in ways we cannot even know or understand. We all receive one thing after another from his hand and he is joyfully content to give.
We follow his example of sincerity when we love others in the same way: when we see beyond immaturity or our own selfish evaluations of others and receive one another just as we are. We love sincerely, affectionately, from the heart.
A mother races to scoop up her toddler who happens to be toddling through the front yard toward the street. She wraps the child into her arms and looks into dancing eyes and giggling smile.
Mother smiles while baby squirms; arms and legs in constant motion; writhing for freedom.
Mother protects, guards, nurtures, teaches, observes, watchfully drinking in the fresh dew of her baby’s morning.
Baby knows love, yet knows nothing of it. Receiving, needing, asking, crying, demanding.
Mother, only loving.
Scripture says,
“Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.”
“When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night. When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.” (excerpted from Romans 12:9-15 TLB)
God smiles with sincere love for his children. He cares for us and provides for us in ways we cannot even know or understand. We all receive one thing after another from his hand and he is joyfully content to give.
We follow his example of sincerity when we love others in the same way: when we see beyond immaturity or our own selfish evaluations of others and receive one another just as we are. We love sincerely, affectionately, from the heart.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Treasure
Solomon sought meaning for his life; he wanted to believe that his life would be more valuable than its mere length. Perhaps he measured himself by his father’s accomplishments – driven to achieve. But Solomon approaches meaning from a broad perspective, in some ways like Victor Frankle’s work, Man’s Search for Meaning. In Ecclesiastes 2 he briefly mentions his search for meaning through pleasure, only to turn abruptly, “Laughter is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” So he searched in other ways:
But in the end he says, “…when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:3-11).
Verse 8 reveals a lot about humankind, Solomon drew to himself all the delights of the heart. Interestingly, this is the only verse in the Bible where “treasure” and “heart” both appear, other than when Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Solomon’s search for meaning is really a search for what to worship.
Where do we search for meaning in our lives? That is where we keep our treasure, and that is our god. Remember…We follow Him!
Don Morrison
Solomon sought meaning for his life; he wanted to believe that his life would be more valuable than its mere length. Perhaps he measured himself by his father’s accomplishments – driven to achieve. But Solomon approaches meaning from a broad perspective, in some ways like Victor Frankle’s work, Man’s Search for Meaning. In Ecclesiastes 2 he briefly mentions his search for meaning through pleasure, only to turn abruptly, “Laughter is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?” So he searched in other ways:
I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man.
I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.
But in the end he says, “…when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2:3-11).
Verse 8 reveals a lot about humankind, Solomon drew to himself all the delights of the heart. Interestingly, this is the only verse in the Bible where “treasure” and “heart” both appear, other than when Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Solomon’s search for meaning is really a search for what to worship.
Where do we search for meaning in our lives? That is where we keep our treasure, and that is our god. Remember…We follow Him!
Don Morrison
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