Octomom, Nadya Suleman, recently posed (almost) naked for a British women’s magazine. If you’re like me, your first inclination is to condemn her in several different ways, which eventually come back to the price. $8000.00 is her rate for showing her modest parts to the world. Maybe $4.00 is the price others will pay to participate with her. It reminds me of a movie, I think the title was Indecent Proposal about the consequences to a married couple who entertained, and eventually accepted a proposal of a wealthy man to sleep with the wife in exchange for a million dollars. I know they are not exactly the same, but there are commonalities. It comes down to this: when I am convicted that something is wrong, what will it take to make me do it anyway?
First, let’s consider money. How much would it take to change one digit or one check box on your tax return? Plenty will do this for less than a thousand dollars. And no matter how it is rationalized, it is still lying, cheating, and stealing. How big would the jakpot need to be to entice you to win by fraudulent means?
Nadya sacrificed the sanctity of her body’s modesty for money, what would entice you? And how much would it take for you to cross that line?
The point is, without excusing anyone for breach of morality, why are we so eager to condemn Nadya, without first taking notice of the plank of wood impaling our own eye?
Showing posts with label character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label character. Show all posts
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Since God Chose You to be Holy…
One of my elders, Raymond, is known for his tender heart. He says he can cry at the drop of a hat, but that’s not really true – he cries for people. He is touched by the joys, the struggles, the losses of people who cross paths with him. His tenderheartedness is reflected in the compassion and dedication he exhibits in every encounter with people. And he is not the only one who cares. We all, who have decided to follow Christ, feel the struggle of balancing our responsibilities with our desire to serve the needs of others.
Colossians 3:12 says, in part, that tenderhearted mercy reflects our holiness. Indeed, this verse says that God chose us to be holy. He made his people unique when he selected them from out of the pool of humanity and set each one aside into his “keepers” bin. Then he says here is one way you need to reflect your uniqueness: treat people with a compassionate mercy.
Mercy is to not give people what they deserve. It is withholding punishment. It is also providing for them when they have not earned it. Mercy defies reason, since reason would dictate equity, but mercy freely slathers on much better than you could have expected. When you look back at mercy, you are still in wonder at how it could have worked out to be so beneficial for you.
Now, for all of those who have become immune to emotional entanglements with others; for those who often quote, “if a man will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thess 3:10); for those who love justice more than mercy; and who are perhaps more taken with the legal requirements of scripture, please note that this is an emphatic statement – a command. You must be completely enshrouded with a tender heart that expresses itself through mercy. Give, give, give to others more than they ought to responsibly expect. And don’t stop. Look, there’s someone else over there who could use a little compassion.
Colossians 3:12 says, in part, that tenderhearted mercy reflects our holiness. Indeed, this verse says that God chose us to be holy. He made his people unique when he selected them from out of the pool of humanity and set each one aside into his “keepers” bin. Then he says here is one way you need to reflect your uniqueness: treat people with a compassionate mercy.
Mercy is to not give people what they deserve. It is withholding punishment. It is also providing for them when they have not earned it. Mercy defies reason, since reason would dictate equity, but mercy freely slathers on much better than you could have expected. When you look back at mercy, you are still in wonder at how it could have worked out to be so beneficial for you.
Now, for all of those who have become immune to emotional entanglements with others; for those who often quote, “if a man will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thess 3:10); for those who love justice more than mercy; and who are perhaps more taken with the legal requirements of scripture, please note that this is an emphatic statement – a command. You must be completely enshrouded with a tender heart that expresses itself through mercy. Give, give, give to others more than they ought to responsibly expect. And don’t stop. Look, there’s someone else over there who could use a little compassion.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves You
In about 1997 the Mango Church of Christ and the Tampa Bay Church of Christ merged. They had come from very different backgrounds with very different personalities. The median age at one was about 37 and the other about 60. In the one, most of the brothers and sisters had grown up in the Church of Christ; in the other, most had been members less than 10 years and many had formerly lived very worldly lives. It is not hard to imagine many other differences between these two divergent groups of people. Yet they had made a decision to come together and work together.
The new congregation was named the Bay Area Church of Christ. Even after the merger was official, there were still many obstacles to be overcome. In a seminar each of the staff spoke about how the church could be united around and benefit from their respective areas of work. One of the ministers started his session by asking the question, “How do you feel about the Church?” My thoughts immediately wandered back through my experiences with the church. I thought of those who had cared for me and nurtured my spiritual growth. I had been the recipient of amazing love through the body of Christ. But I also thought of the pain that had come to me and to my family through our experience with the Church. I realized that there were people I didn’t want to sit next to in worship, or even be in the same room with ever again.
After his initial question, “How do you feel about the Church?” and a long pause, the speaker made what seemed to me to be a profound and convicting statement: “Christ, Jesus died for her.” That hit me in the face. Those brothers and sisters that I had felt so alienated from – Jesus died for them. The ones who had hurt me and I had kept my record of sins on them – Jesus died for them. The ones who were my enemies were worthy of the blood of Jesus, my very own Savior. How could I feel such enmity for those who Jesus loved so deeply and completely?
At that moment, another realization came to light: I was his enemy when he loved me. I was against him when he was for me. Those brothers and sisters who I had set myself against were no different than me and Christ poured out his life to purchase them and me together. How could I receive such love and grace from Jesus and refuse it to others? I was a hypocrite to love those who loved me and reject the rest. I had to learn to love the way Jesus loves.
“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you, rather it is an old one you have had from the beginning. This old commandment – to love one another – is the same message you have heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the the truth of this commandment and you also are living it.” (1 John 2:7-8a)
The new congregation was named the Bay Area Church of Christ. Even after the merger was official, there were still many obstacles to be overcome. In a seminar each of the staff spoke about how the church could be united around and benefit from their respective areas of work. One of the ministers started his session by asking the question, “How do you feel about the Church?” My thoughts immediately wandered back through my experiences with the church. I thought of those who had cared for me and nurtured my spiritual growth. I had been the recipient of amazing love through the body of Christ. But I also thought of the pain that had come to me and to my family through our experience with the Church. I realized that there were people I didn’t want to sit next to in worship, or even be in the same room with ever again.
After his initial question, “How do you feel about the Church?” and a long pause, the speaker made what seemed to me to be a profound and convicting statement: “Christ, Jesus died for her.” That hit me in the face. Those brothers and sisters that I had felt so alienated from – Jesus died for them. The ones who had hurt me and I had kept my record of sins on them – Jesus died for them. The ones who were my enemies were worthy of the blood of Jesus, my very own Savior. How could I feel such enmity for those who Jesus loved so deeply and completely?
At that moment, another realization came to light: I was his enemy when he loved me. I was against him when he was for me. Those brothers and sisters who I had set myself against were no different than me and Christ poured out his life to purchase them and me together. How could I receive such love and grace from Jesus and refuse it to others? I was a hypocrite to love those who loved me and reject the rest. I had to learn to love the way Jesus loves.
“Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you, rather it is an old one you have had from the beginning. This old commandment – to love one another – is the same message you have heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the the truth of this commandment and you also are living it.” (1 John 2:7-8a)
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
David, Grace, and Self-Control
It is not difficult to imagine some of the emotions of the deposed king as he furtively escaped the city for safety. His own son had usurped the throne, having spent four years planning and worming his way into the hearts of his father’s subjects by inferring promises he knew were baseless. Evidently, King David had chosen to look the other way while his son, Absalom, built his influence.
At this low point in his life, while fleeing for his life from his own son, David is confronted by Shimei – a man with a grudge. Shimei was related to the previous king, Saul and had quietly born his anger for years, since God had taken the kingdom from Saul and given it to David. Now he interpreted David’s misfortune as his just rewards and poured out his repressed anger on David and his companions. He threw rocks and vitriol as he cursed David, calling him a murderer.
Abishai went to David and offered to kill Shimei, but David’s response is meekly restrained, “If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him? ...My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.” (2 Samuel 16:10-12 NLT)
The rebellion is short-lived and David returns to the palace. But there is no rejoicing in David – he loved his rebellious son and now he is dead. The tangle of emotions must have left him raw. There was the betrayal of his son, some of his trusted officials, his own citizens whom he had served. There must have been questions about God’s design for all that had happened. There is painful victory mixed with humiliating defeat.
In the mixture of all the emotions Shimei has come to greet David on his way: “Please forgive me…forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. I know how much I have sinned.” (19:19, 20)
Here was David’s opportunity to unleash all the swirling emotions; to let go of his grief and anger on such a deserving recipient. David could surely be expected to deliver harsh justice to this one who represents the betrayal of an entire kingdom. David makes no such show. He controls his emotions and any vengeful desires; he looks at Shimei and makes a simple vow, “Your life will be spared.”
Grace is possible because of self-control.
At this low point in his life, while fleeing for his life from his own son, David is confronted by Shimei – a man with a grudge. Shimei was related to the previous king, Saul and had quietly born his anger for years, since God had taken the kingdom from Saul and given it to David. Now he interpreted David’s misfortune as his just rewards and poured out his repressed anger on David and his companions. He threw rocks and vitriol as he cursed David, calling him a murderer.
Abishai went to David and offered to kill Shimei, but David’s response is meekly restrained, “If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him? ...My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.” (2 Samuel 16:10-12 NLT)
The rebellion is short-lived and David returns to the palace. But there is no rejoicing in David – he loved his rebellious son and now he is dead. The tangle of emotions must have left him raw. There was the betrayal of his son, some of his trusted officials, his own citizens whom he had served. There must have been questions about God’s design for all that had happened. There is painful victory mixed with humiliating defeat.
In the mixture of all the emotions Shimei has come to greet David on his way: “Please forgive me…forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. I know how much I have sinned.” (19:19, 20)
Here was David’s opportunity to unleash all the swirling emotions; to let go of his grief and anger on such a deserving recipient. David could surely be expected to deliver harsh justice to this one who represents the betrayal of an entire kingdom. David makes no such show. He controls his emotions and any vengeful desires; he looks at Shimei and makes a simple vow, “Your life will be spared.”
Grace is possible because of self-control.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
One Woe
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Humble Yourself
I read a prayer called the "Litany of Humility," written by Merry Cardinal del Val (1865-1930) and I would like to share it here:
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated*
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected
Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
What do you think of this idea of humility? Is this a prayer we can or should pray?
I have not achieved humility, so I speak as an outsider, but I think that perhaps humility has less to do with me and more to do with the will of God being accomplished. If pride is the contrast to humility and if pride means to think highly of oneself, then does humility mean to think lowly of oneself, or, instead, to not think highly of oneself?
We can start by considering God’s will above our own. That sort of humility will surely teach us a lot about finding our proper place.
Don Morrison
*falsely accused
(The full version of the Litany of Humility can be found here along with some interesting comments and links.)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Candy Coated
I don’t know if you are old enough to remember what life was like before Skittles, but I am. I also remember before they removed the red M&Ms because of fears about a certain red food coloring. Anyway, I am not a fan of Skittles; they are okay and my family loves them, but I am more of a chocolate man. I remember the first time I ate a Skittle, when they first came on the market – it wasn’t at all what I expected; actually, it kind of weirded me out. I expected candy covered chocolate that would melt in my mouth, not my hand, instead I got this sugary sweet and sour fruit burst.
I have been thinking about hypocrisy: What does a hypocrite look like? How can I know when I am being hypocritical? The word, hypocrite comes from the greek word for actor, but we would not call actors hypocrites just because of their occupation. I suppose we could think of a hypocrite as superficial, putting up a front that doesn’t really reflect what is deep inside.
Why would someone want to act like a disciple of God superficially, and withhold what is deep within from him? Does that make sense to you? It seems to me that there is very little benefit to looking like a Christian when you are not really (unless you are running for office.) I have noticed that the idea of hypocrisy in the New Testament is almost exclusively aimed at Jews. Now, I don’t believe that Jesus was picking on them in particular – he did spend most of his time with them – but they had the greatest incentive to be hypocrites about their true devotion to God. The other cultures that are represented in the Acts and the epistles were not saturated with believers so that there could be any benefit in acting like a follower. Instead the opposite is true, the believers had every worldly incentive to hide their faith and act like the world around them.
So hypocrisy might be something like a candy shell that covers the inconsistencies on the inside.
But in our culture, we have become so accustomed to corruption, immorality, self-promotion – there hardly seems to be any purpose for hiding it anymore. Why would someone go to the additional trouble to trying to look like a Christian when the inside simply is not devoted to that faith and lifestyle?
I wonder if you have any ideas about hypocrisy that can help us to be aware of its allure.
I don’t know if you are old enough to remember what life was like before Skittles, but I am. I also remember before they removed the red M&Ms because of fears about a certain red food coloring. Anyway, I am not a fan of Skittles; they are okay and my family loves them, but I am more of a chocolate man. I remember the first time I ate a Skittle, when they first came on the market – it wasn’t at all what I expected; actually, it kind of weirded me out. I expected candy covered chocolate that would melt in my mouth, not my hand, instead I got this sugary sweet and sour fruit burst.
I have been thinking about hypocrisy: What does a hypocrite look like? How can I know when I am being hypocritical? The word, hypocrite comes from the greek word for actor, but we would not call actors hypocrites just because of their occupation. I suppose we could think of a hypocrite as superficial, putting up a front that doesn’t really reflect what is deep inside.
Why would someone want to act like a disciple of God superficially, and withhold what is deep within from him? Does that make sense to you? It seems to me that there is very little benefit to looking like a Christian when you are not really (unless you are running for office.) I have noticed that the idea of hypocrisy in the New Testament is almost exclusively aimed at Jews. Now, I don’t believe that Jesus was picking on them in particular – he did spend most of his time with them – but they had the greatest incentive to be hypocrites about their true devotion to God. The other cultures that are represented in the Acts and the epistles were not saturated with believers so that there could be any benefit in acting like a follower. Instead the opposite is true, the believers had every worldly incentive to hide their faith and act like the world around them.
So hypocrisy might be something like a candy shell that covers the inconsistencies on the inside.
But in our culture, we have become so accustomed to corruption, immorality, self-promotion – there hardly seems to be any purpose for hiding it anymore. Why would someone go to the additional trouble to trying to look like a Christian when the inside simply is not devoted to that faith and lifestyle?
I wonder if you have any ideas about hypocrisy that can help us to be aware of its allure.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Humility Or Humiliation
How can such similar thoughts be so very different? Both have to do with appearing “less than.” But the differences are many:
Humility is when someone is asked to take a back seat, and the person realizes that is not a reflection of his/her true value. It is the belief that by taking a lesser role and serving the roles of others we are imitating the character of God and advancing His kingdom by faith. Humiliation is the feeling a person may have when they are asked to take the back seat.
Humility is a decision; the ability to set aside feelings and think less of oneself than of others; to be aware of their needs and attentive to them instead of merely thinking of one’s own desires or needs. Humiliation is a mixture of feelings that can produce a variety of behaviors: anger may lead to retaliation, shame may lead to isolation, embarrassment may produce retaliation, defensiveness that stems from pride, or even humility that reflects a greater concern for others who are involved.
Humility costs in advance: it must be exercised daily for it to gain any strength in one’s life. It pays in arrears: one reason we use it so little is because the benefits are not always clear and they almost always go unnoticed by others. Humility is closely related to meekness and so is often seen by others as weakness. Humiliation costs in the moment and later, but our reaction to our humiliation can make a difference to the cost – self-control and graciousness toward others (both of which are produced by humility) can actually pay more than the cost.
Jesus chose to exercise humility long before his public humiliation. (cf. Philippians 2:1-11, John 5:31-47) It was his mastery of humility that allowed him to humbly say, “Father forgive them.”
How can such similar thoughts be so very different? Both have to do with appearing “less than.” But the differences are many:
Humility is when someone is asked to take a back seat, and the person realizes that is not a reflection of his/her true value. It is the belief that by taking a lesser role and serving the roles of others we are imitating the character of God and advancing His kingdom by faith. Humiliation is the feeling a person may have when they are asked to take the back seat.
Humility is a decision; the ability to set aside feelings and think less of oneself than of others; to be aware of their needs and attentive to them instead of merely thinking of one’s own desires or needs. Humiliation is a mixture of feelings that can produce a variety of behaviors: anger may lead to retaliation, shame may lead to isolation, embarrassment may produce retaliation, defensiveness that stems from pride, or even humility that reflects a greater concern for others who are involved.
Humility costs in advance: it must be exercised daily for it to gain any strength in one’s life. It pays in arrears: one reason we use it so little is because the benefits are not always clear and they almost always go unnoticed by others. Humility is closely related to meekness and so is often seen by others as weakness. Humiliation costs in the moment and later, but our reaction to our humiliation can make a difference to the cost – self-control and graciousness toward others (both of which are produced by humility) can actually pay more than the cost.
Jesus chose to exercise humility long before his public humiliation. (cf. Philippians 2:1-11, John 5:31-47) It was his mastery of humility that allowed him to humbly say, “Father forgive them.”
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