The Christmas celebration has come to an end and if you live in the north you are looking forward to several weeks of abbreviated frosty days and seemingly endless cold, dark nights. There is one bright spot as we look to the dreary days of January, the obnoxious "Christmas" songs ore gone for a another year. I am not speaking of the traditional hymns or even some of the new celebration songs surrounding the Christ child. There is always room for another composition of adoration for the new born King and Messiah of Israel. I am speaking primarily of those songs that have invaded the season and are broadcast from so many radio stations and plague your sensibilities in every retail outlet and shopping mall. Songs with horrible messages that wound the spirit and suck life out of one's soul. It is done so covertly we barely take notice. It appears the years of exposure have left us immune or insensitive to the attack. We simply absorb the lyrics without considering the messages of the pseudo Christmas songs. I am beginning to think "Santa Baby" is a conspiratorial plot to penetrate our cerebral cortex leaving us with the odd desire to add "get a lobotomy" to our Christmas wish list.
These holiday songs carry a quiet message of destruction. Take the Rudolf song. A song to teach our children that you must fit the norm to be accepted. Any abnormality means no one will play with you. Your only hope of acceptance is if your "handicap" is now of benefit to the collective. And then it is what you can do for them that they love, not for you or for who you are. Welcome years of therapy or a life time of trying to earn acceptance. Frosty the Snowman teaches our kids the valuable lesson that you better be quick to play with a friend for in a few short weeks they will be dead. All you have left is a puddle, an old silk hat and a corn cob pipe you should not be smoking. Yes, my child, death awaits when the sun comes out. What a happy Christmas thought. Speaking of therapy, What of the child who sees his mother having and affair with Santa Claus? There she is making out with Santa under the mistletoe while dad is away. Wink, wink, nod, nod, we are to assume that Santa really is dad but how do we know? The child certainly does not. What a traumatic thing for a child to deal with, thinking his mom is unfaithful, and at Christmas time.
Having brought up Santa, does it bother you that at any other time of year a jolly fat guy with a white beard would be charged with breaking and entering but now we leave him cookies? Like he needs the calories. Then there is the warning that Santa is coming to town and he doesn't like people who cry, so come on kids, suppress those emotions. Santa also seeing you when you are sleeping, so what about the shower? That is down right creepy. He also has conditional love so if you fall into the naughty list, no presents for you. And what makes you naughty? This determination comes from a guy who sneaks a peek at you while you are sleeping. Is it any wonder the kid just gives up and boldly declares, "I'm gettin nothin for Christmas, caus I ain't been nottin but bad." Why try when you might end up on the arbitrary naughty list and get nothing anyway? Inspiring messages to our children indeed. Oh, and don't forget Santa's snow dependence. If it doesn't snow on Christmas, how will Santa ever get to us. No wounder Bing was dreaming of a white Christmas. No snow, no Santa. It appears Santa only comes to the northern hemisphere. Wish all you want, there is no snow coming to Kenya, Sao Paulo, or Sydney. So, apparently no Santa either.
Just a couple of more thoughts as we learn that Elvis will have a Blue Christmas and another lonely soul will be home for Christmas, but "only in my dreams". How is that for depressing? Christmas is a time to highlight being abandoned, alone, and isolated. Add to this the "Christmas Shoes" song. One of those songs that would make Mr. Scrooge and the Grinch share a hanky. The song of a dying mom and a devoted son who leaves her bedside to go buy her shoes. Why? So she will look pretty for Jesus. Add in the heartless retail villain who won't cut the kid a break as the boy pours out every bit of change he owns to get the shoes. Love that Christmas spirit. Should someone tell the kid shoes nether get you to glory nor can they go with you? Still a stranger comes to the rescue and mom gets the shoes. And I get as teary eyed as I do when Linus recites Luke Chapter 2. Not a bad story, just a bit weepy, with a heartless guy, and some odd theology that troubles me a bit.
I conclude my Christmas song rant with a song that simply confuses me."Do you hear what I hear" has more questions than one would ever want to deal with at Christmas time. We simply sing it with our brains in neutral. We begin with the "Night Wind" talking to the little lamb. If you accept that the word for wind in both Greek and Hebrew can mean "spirit" we have a message from the Spirit concerning the birth of the Child. This is a reasonable thought, however, why is He talking to a lamb? Is there no one else who will listen? From there we go to the lamb talking to the shepherd boy. I guess this is like that Baalm and the donkey story where the donkey speaks. Here the shepherd boy has a conversation with a sheep and that is normal? How long has this been going on? The shepherd boy believes the little sheep and bounds off to the mighty king living in a palace warm. We are to believe that a shepherd boy with a message from a sheep has immediate access to the mighty king. How likely is that, really? The message from the shepherd boy is that the child "shivers in the cold". What does that say about Joseph and Mary? Give the kid some covers, throw a log on the fire, pick Him up and cuddle Him to your chest. What kind of parents are these? The shepherd's solution to avoid hypothermia? A wool blanket, a fleece? No, tuck some silver and gold around the shivering baby. A bunch of mettle will raise his body temperature I am sure. Hearing the news that the Child shivers in the cold, the mighty king, in his palace warm, says, "Pray for peace people everywhere!" How helpful is that? It is a reflection of James 2:16, "Be warmed and filled" as you walk away and do nothing to help. This wonderful Christmas song tells us Joseph, Mary, a shepherd boy, who knows what it is like to be out in the night watching sheep, have no clue as how to keep a child warm and the mighty king sits in his warm palace and does nothing to help. What a message. Kind of makes you feel warm all over, doesn't it?
Perhaps, I would be better off to just mindlessly sing the songs and suppress the teacher that lies within. I would write a little more but with warm weather on its way. Frosty will soon be puddling on his death bed so I'd best go play while I can.
Have a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Monday, December 25, 2017
Forgotten Heroes or God's Mercy on Mary.
I honestly love this time of year. I am aware of the commercialism and the fact that this is the celebration of the first advent, the birth of our Lord and not His precise birth date. However, I enjoy the lights and the trees and the crisp air. For at least twenty-five years I have done an Advent series leading up to Christmas Day. As an aside, I also do a resurrection series leading up to the Resurrection so there is balance in my preaching. I have had a few of these seventy-five to eighty lessons share a common theme, but I have never reused a message. There is always something new to consider. This year I spoke on the forgotten Heroes, the background folks from the Christmas story. People like Zacharias,Elizabeth, Simeon, and the messengers God sent to alert a few chosen people of the birth of His Son. In the process I spent some time looking at the visit of the angel, Gabriel, to the young maiden, Mary. It was in this exchange that I was given a fresh appreciation for the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father. Tucked into Gabriel's message is a profound message for us as well. Just a reminder of the tenderness of the God who loved us an sent His Son, Emmanuel, God with us, on that first Christmas Day.
In order to appreciate the power of the angel's message you must do two things. First, you must remove Mary's halo and allow her to be just a young Jewish girl who is looking forward to becoming the wife of Joseph, the town carpenter. Second, you must drop out of your American Culture and become a Jew form 2000 years ago. and for good measure, pretend you never read this account before. You are now Mary. A teen-aged young woman.Your marriage was arranged, as all marriages were, by your parents some time ago. A binding covenant had been publicly signed and a dowry paid. All that remained was for you to become of marriageable age and for Joseph to have a home and business to support you and the family you would build together. That time was drawing near. Today begins like any other day until you have an angelic visitation. The account is recorded as follows:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:26-38).
Mary is a Godly young woman. She is remarkably well versed in Scripture. Just consider how many verses and books she quotes from when she shares her praise with Elizabeth. She has just been told that she will give birth to the long awaited Messiah. Her son will reign on David's throne forever and ever. Quite a bit to take in as a teenage girl. She asked her obvious question. "How can this be as I have never known (had sexual relations with) a man?" Gabriel explains that this will be a supernatural God thing. And the child she bears will be called the Son of God. Mary accepts the assignment and the angel Gabriel departs. An amazing story of an amazing young woman.
As you read the story were you touched by the tender thing that God does for this young virgin? Did you see the depth of God's compassion and concern for a unwed girl who is to be found with child before her wedding night? She is a human woman. She is not "Super Girl" or some special genetically enhanced being. She is a young woman about to go through her first pregnancy as an unwed mother with a story that no one in town has been made aware of. And then there is Joseph. How could he ever accept her story? With all that in mind God does the most tender and compassionate thing He can do. Were your emotions stirred as you read verse 36? Let me highlight it for you as it may have been lost in the text and with the familiarity you may have with the story, "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren." If you did not catch what God did, Mary did. See Luke 1:39-40, "Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth."
God tells Mary there is a place to go. There are only two people on the whole planet who know who the Angel Gabriel is. There are only two people on the planet who know of the soon arrival, of the birth of Messiah. And one of the two cannot talk. Gabriel's message from God the Father is, Mary, you are not alone. You have a close relative who knows of the power of God, especially in matters of conception. She is a short distance away. Mary obviously knows of the couple, The Godly priest and his wife living close by in the hill country of Judah. Mary understands and heads to the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. She is greeted with exuberance and confirmation that the child she now bears is Emmanuel. She spends three months there with no questions to answer and time to get through those first months of pregnancy. Now, I do not know if Mary had morning sickness, odd cravings, or got nausea from the smell of gefilte fish. However, Our Lord did enter this would as a baby and He grew inside Mary's womb like any other child. So, just maybe Mary shared in some of the joys and challenges of those first months. The point is, God in His tender compassion did not have her go through this alone. She and Elizabeth shared a sacred bond that no one else could. Each carrying a son announced by God's Angel Gabriel, before they even conceived. Each aware of the hurtful things people can say. Each aware that the truth about their pregnancy would not be believed by those around them.
Mary returns home, after three months of comfort, encouragement, understanding, and the blessings of being with the older Elizabeth to face the town that would not understand. To face the man who was under a covenant to take her as his wife. To know an answer that could not be explained. God's mercy stretches to Joseph with a dream of an Angelic messenger telling him why Mary is with child. He does not hesitate to believe the angel and quickly takes Mary as his wife, knowing the questions would not go away.
We could play the "what if" game here. What if God had not directed Mary to Elizabeth? How challenging would those three months have been? Instead, in His great compassion and mercy the Lord gives Mary and Elizabeth each other. Mary had the comfort of an older woman who absolutely believed her, without question. And Elizabeth had a friend who understood the importance of her little one coming in the power and spirit of Elijah. It also gave her someone to talk to, Remember, Zacharias wasn't saying much.
The Story of our Lord's birth has a number of forgotten or overlooked heroes if we read the familiar passages too quickly. Take some time this Christmas Day, or even in the days to come, and reread the stories, Read them a bit more slowly. Think about the people and the times they lived in. Perhaps you will see the wonder of God's tenderness and grace in a new or surprising way. Merry Christmas and may the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In order to appreciate the power of the angel's message you must do two things. First, you must remove Mary's halo and allow her to be just a young Jewish girl who is looking forward to becoming the wife of Joseph, the town carpenter. Second, you must drop out of your American Culture and become a Jew form 2000 years ago. and for good measure, pretend you never read this account before. You are now Mary. A teen-aged young woman.Your marriage was arranged, as all marriages were, by your parents some time ago. A binding covenant had been publicly signed and a dowry paid. All that remained was for you to become of marriageable age and for Joseph to have a home and business to support you and the family you would build together. That time was drawing near. Today begins like any other day until you have an angelic visitation. The account is recorded as follows:
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:26-38).
Mary is a Godly young woman. She is remarkably well versed in Scripture. Just consider how many verses and books she quotes from when she shares her praise with Elizabeth. She has just been told that she will give birth to the long awaited Messiah. Her son will reign on David's throne forever and ever. Quite a bit to take in as a teenage girl. She asked her obvious question. "How can this be as I have never known (had sexual relations with) a man?" Gabriel explains that this will be a supernatural God thing. And the child she bears will be called the Son of God. Mary accepts the assignment and the angel Gabriel departs. An amazing story of an amazing young woman.
As you read the story were you touched by the tender thing that God does for this young virgin? Did you see the depth of God's compassion and concern for a unwed girl who is to be found with child before her wedding night? She is a human woman. She is not "Super Girl" or some special genetically enhanced being. She is a young woman about to go through her first pregnancy as an unwed mother with a story that no one in town has been made aware of. And then there is Joseph. How could he ever accept her story? With all that in mind God does the most tender and compassionate thing He can do. Were your emotions stirred as you read verse 36? Let me highlight it for you as it may have been lost in the text and with the familiarity you may have with the story, "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren." If you did not catch what God did, Mary did. See Luke 1:39-40, "Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth."
God tells Mary there is a place to go. There are only two people on the whole planet who know who the Angel Gabriel is. There are only two people on the planet who know of the soon arrival, of the birth of Messiah. And one of the two cannot talk. Gabriel's message from God the Father is, Mary, you are not alone. You have a close relative who knows of the power of God, especially in matters of conception. She is a short distance away. Mary obviously knows of the couple, The Godly priest and his wife living close by in the hill country of Judah. Mary understands and heads to the house of Zacharias and Elizabeth. She is greeted with exuberance and confirmation that the child she now bears is Emmanuel. She spends three months there with no questions to answer and time to get through those first months of pregnancy. Now, I do not know if Mary had morning sickness, odd cravings, or got nausea from the smell of gefilte fish. However, Our Lord did enter this would as a baby and He grew inside Mary's womb like any other child. So, just maybe Mary shared in some of the joys and challenges of those first months. The point is, God in His tender compassion did not have her go through this alone. She and Elizabeth shared a sacred bond that no one else could. Each carrying a son announced by God's Angel Gabriel, before they even conceived. Each aware of the hurtful things people can say. Each aware that the truth about their pregnancy would not be believed by those around them.
Mary returns home, after three months of comfort, encouragement, understanding, and the blessings of being with the older Elizabeth to face the town that would not understand. To face the man who was under a covenant to take her as his wife. To know an answer that could not be explained. God's mercy stretches to Joseph with a dream of an Angelic messenger telling him why Mary is with child. He does not hesitate to believe the angel and quickly takes Mary as his wife, knowing the questions would not go away.
We could play the "what if" game here. What if God had not directed Mary to Elizabeth? How challenging would those three months have been? Instead, in His great compassion and mercy the Lord gives Mary and Elizabeth each other. Mary had the comfort of an older woman who absolutely believed her, without question. And Elizabeth had a friend who understood the importance of her little one coming in the power and spirit of Elijah. It also gave her someone to talk to, Remember, Zacharias wasn't saying much.
The Story of our Lord's birth has a number of forgotten or overlooked heroes if we read the familiar passages too quickly. Take some time this Christmas Day, or even in the days to come, and reread the stories, Read them a bit more slowly. Think about the people and the times they lived in. Perhaps you will see the wonder of God's tenderness and grace in a new or surprising way. Merry Christmas and may the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday, December 18, 2017
"Tom and the Trust Factor"
Even though I have done a few posts on my friendship and remembrance of Tom Earl I feel a bit compelled to write one more. To be honest, it stems from the odd question of "why" that has haunted me a bit. I think fondly of Tom and really do miss him. I miss what we shared together as two guys trying to walk along with Jesus and finding ourselves, all to often, a bit off of the straight and narrow only to be drawn back by the grace of God. What haunted me was the truth that I was not sure why I felt such a bond with this man. Sure we were Elders together. Served together. We loved our wives and children and shared some of the frustrations and challenges that go with being human. Yet, I knew that there was something more than that. I just could not settle what it was in my mind or spirit. I believe the Lord knew of this unsettled feeling and the disquiet that touched my soul. He found an unusual way to help resolve this odd heart issue.
Strangely enough, the answer came from the last episode of the television series, "Enterprise". I am a bit of a Star Trek addict. I own all the movies. I have viewed the original series numerous times. I moved on to the "Next Generation", "Voyager", and "Deep Space Nine". There was Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, Captain Janeway, and Captain Sisko. I have viewed the bulk of all these episodes. However, Captain Archer never caught my attention. Then we dumped TV and subscribed to Netflix. There before me was the complete series "Enterprise". My Star Trek addiction returned. How does any of this have to do with my friend Tom? Well, it brought into focus the difference between a trusted friend verses a friend I can trust. Let me explain.
I have shared with a number of people that I shared a trust with Tom that let both of us be real. It was not that we met weekly to share in that trust but simply knew, without a doubt, it was there. In the last episode of "Enterprise" the writers combined the cast of "Next Generation" with the "Enterprise" crew. Forgive me if you are unfamiliar with the Star Trek series, however, that will not be necessary when I get to the odd point of God's revelation to me through this episode. In the story Commander Riker is faced with a difficult decision to make. Counselor Troy suggests he visit the crew of the first Starship Enterprise to gain some perspective. He does so via the holodeck where he can interact with the original crew. In one of the last scenes Riker poses as the ship's cook and has a conversation with Chief Engineer Charles "Trip" Tucker, who is also best friends with the Enterprise Captain, Jonathan Archer. Trip is sharing his admiration for his captain when he tells Commander Riker just why he feels this way. This quote captures and answers the question that has hidden in the shadows of the "why" for Tom Earl. Trip says, "I can count on one hand the number of people I trust. [not like] I only trust you like you aren't lying to me or I trust you won't steal my money. But, I'm talking about the kind of trust where you know someone's not going to hurt you no matter what. Where you know they will always be there for you no matter how bad things get, You ever know anybody like that?"
Yes, Trip, I knew a man like that. There have been and are a number of people I trust. People that I know would never lie or take something from me. People that would support me and even come to my defense. But very few that would never leave no matter how bad things got. I have been in church ministry for over forty years and most of that time it has been pretty positive and rewarding. However, there have been a few times when the leadership of the church was assaulted and I among them. In many of these instances, men I trusted, walked away. They didn't desert me in particular, they had just had enough of the battle and left the conflict behind. Leaving me, and the flock they were called to care for, behind as well. Tom didn't do that. There were times when those who disagreed came after me with a vengeance that few knew. On the surface they played nice, but in private and covertly, they came after me and even my children with little thought to the damage they accomplished. In the midst of these times it would have been easy to walk away, but my trusted friend never did. He actually made the suggestion, on an occasion, that I find a new ministry and leave the conflict behind. But, I could never leave and break that trust with him either.
Trusted friends are not easy to find. Actually, it seems you just find each other. You never intend to, God just extends grace to let you know there is someone who, like Him, will never leave or forsake you. They do not ignore your faults. They help you become better than you were. Like Trip, I can count these on one hand and the hand got smaller with Tom's passing.
So thanks to Star Trek, I understand a little better what I have lost. Perhaps, it is better and more honest to say, it helped me know what I had found. A trusted friend who helped me move upward on the path to glory. He just got a bit of a head start on me. I'll catch up in God's timing. Until them I just have one more thing to be thankful for. A trusted friend, no matter how long it lasts, is a gift from God. Merry Christmas Tom. See you soon.
Strangely enough, the answer came from the last episode of the television series, "Enterprise". I am a bit of a Star Trek addict. I own all the movies. I have viewed the original series numerous times. I moved on to the "Next Generation", "Voyager", and "Deep Space Nine". There was Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, Captain Janeway, and Captain Sisko. I have viewed the bulk of all these episodes. However, Captain Archer never caught my attention. Then we dumped TV and subscribed to Netflix. There before me was the complete series "Enterprise". My Star Trek addiction returned. How does any of this have to do with my friend Tom? Well, it brought into focus the difference between a trusted friend verses a friend I can trust. Let me explain.
I have shared with a number of people that I shared a trust with Tom that let both of us be real. It was not that we met weekly to share in that trust but simply knew, without a doubt, it was there. In the last episode of "Enterprise" the writers combined the cast of "Next Generation" with the "Enterprise" crew. Forgive me if you are unfamiliar with the Star Trek series, however, that will not be necessary when I get to the odd point of God's revelation to me through this episode. In the story Commander Riker is faced with a difficult decision to make. Counselor Troy suggests he visit the crew of the first Starship Enterprise to gain some perspective. He does so via the holodeck where he can interact with the original crew. In one of the last scenes Riker poses as the ship's cook and has a conversation with Chief Engineer Charles "Trip" Tucker, who is also best friends with the Enterprise Captain, Jonathan Archer. Trip is sharing his admiration for his captain when he tells Commander Riker just why he feels this way. This quote captures and answers the question that has hidden in the shadows of the "why" for Tom Earl. Trip says, "I can count on one hand the number of people I trust. [not like] I only trust you like you aren't lying to me or I trust you won't steal my money. But, I'm talking about the kind of trust where you know someone's not going to hurt you no matter what. Where you know they will always be there for you no matter how bad things get, You ever know anybody like that?"
Yes, Trip, I knew a man like that. There have been and are a number of people I trust. People that I know would never lie or take something from me. People that would support me and even come to my defense. But very few that would never leave no matter how bad things got. I have been in church ministry for over forty years and most of that time it has been pretty positive and rewarding. However, there have been a few times when the leadership of the church was assaulted and I among them. In many of these instances, men I trusted, walked away. They didn't desert me in particular, they had just had enough of the battle and left the conflict behind. Leaving me, and the flock they were called to care for, behind as well. Tom didn't do that. There were times when those who disagreed came after me with a vengeance that few knew. On the surface they played nice, but in private and covertly, they came after me and even my children with little thought to the damage they accomplished. In the midst of these times it would have been easy to walk away, but my trusted friend never did. He actually made the suggestion, on an occasion, that I find a new ministry and leave the conflict behind. But, I could never leave and break that trust with him either.
Trusted friends are not easy to find. Actually, it seems you just find each other. You never intend to, God just extends grace to let you know there is someone who, like Him, will never leave or forsake you. They do not ignore your faults. They help you become better than you were. Like Trip, I can count these on one hand and the hand got smaller with Tom's passing.
So thanks to Star Trek, I understand a little better what I have lost. Perhaps, it is better and more honest to say, it helped me know what I had found. A trusted friend who helped me move upward on the path to glory. He just got a bit of a head start on me. I'll catch up in God's timing. Until them I just have one more thing to be thankful for. A trusted friend, no matter how long it lasts, is a gift from God. Merry Christmas Tom. See you soon.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Should We Leave the Leaves Alone?
Is it Biblical to be raking the leaves out of your yard? Is it more an act of futility or a subtle sign of rebellion against God? I know some of you are reading this and wondering if I have suffered some minor brain damage or if this is one of those odd sarcastic posts that occasionally find their way to my blog. However, I think we might want to give this a little thought and see if there are lessons under the surface that we have missed before we leave the subject of leaves behind.
Leaves were designed by God to decorate trees, provide shade, and give the trees an opportunity to photosynthesize and survive. We could go into a tangent on the wonders of creation or the remarkable faith of evolutionist who believe trees and leaves came to us by random chance. For the sake of this argument we will go with the "God of all creation made trees of diverse kinds". Some of them came equipped with leaves. By the Lord's design many trees shed their leaves come fall. I have lived in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, and New York. They all have trees and leaves, admittedly some more than others. Sorry Kansas. Most of the trees drop their leaves come autumn. True, there are a few obstinate oaks that hang on to theirs until spring, but they are clearly the minority. One might ask why this is so. Some theorize that it is due to their sap retreating to the root systems when the weather turns chilly so the leaves lose their grip. Perhaps, it is to form a natural blanket to keep the roots warm. I think it may be a defense mechanism to avoid having wet snow stick to the leaves causing limbs to break off and get tangled in electric lines. I cannot think of anyone who would want their limbs to break and get zapped by electric lines. The trees are wise enough to shed their leaves and avoid the pain.
From my early years leaves were to be raked and carted away to be burned or dumped into the woods behind our house. I have come to question this practice. It seems to go against nature, against the divine design. I mean, God intended the leaves to fall off on purpose. They rot and add nutrients to the soil. We remove them and then add artificial fertilizer to the ground after the leaves are taken away. Leaf removal has become quite the process. We can purchase rakes, leaf blowers, nifty sweeping mechanisms to push or drag along behind a lawn tractor. Then there are the industrial strength vacuums to just suck the majestic colors into a box truck. We are conflicted as we marvel at the colors God paints across the landscapes of autumn and then gather the beauty for burning. Still, every year God grows the leaves back and then drops them in your yard. Perhaps this is an exercise in futility or going against that which is the natural order of things. I assume the leaves have value where they fall, though, as a steward of God's planet, I do bear some responsibility to the vegetation in my yard. A heavy layer of leaves could compromise the survival of my lush green crabgrass. So I have compromised by mulching leaves with my mower. True, neighbors wonder about my mowing the lawn in December; however, the leaves stay where they fall, they are just ground up to more easily return to the soil from wence they came.
I am guessing that there is a divine balance in leaf management. Left in undisturbed piles they not only rot but kill the grass under them. Left on a porch or deck they can, in time, compromise the integrity of the wood. However, investing significant time and resources for their removal does not seem to be the best answer either. I suppose it is one of those ambiguous areas of spirituality where the Scriptures leave room for differing opinions, No need to break fellowship over the doctrine of raking verses mulching.
For all our efforts to remove the leaves from our yards we may be less concerned with removing spiritual leaves from our lives. Wounds and disappointments can blow into the corners of our minds and slowly smother the very life that keeps us vibrant in our walk with the Lord. We may refuse to mulch up the thoughts that can fester into bitterness and darkness in our souls. On the other side we may spend time trying to reattach the leaves that God chose to cast off years ago. Old things are to pass away and new things will come. As painful as it might be, that can be true with relationships and dreams we once held dear. Clinging to the past can trap us in the autumns and winters of life. The God ordained spring may never be realized as the leaves of the past cover the promise of new growth. Perhaps, like leaves, we need to sort of grind up the past and allow it to improve the future. Laying aside that which drains life and absorb the nutrients that come from loss that only the Spirit of God can allow.
Life, like the trees around us, has its cycles. Times of remarkable growth, when the vision of leaves bursts forth in unexpected glory. And times of rest that comes from the shedding of those very leaves that used to fill life with meaning. For, in God's spring time, new growth will come. New visions, new dreams, new life. As the Apostle Paul told those in Philippi, "one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" (Phil 3:13). It is hard to move forward when we are anchored to the past.
Are there some leaves in your life that need to be cast off? Some leaves that need to be mulched by the Spirit of God so new growth can come? Some past leaves, whose brilliant colors need to be released, so spring can begin? Maybe we all can benefit from the lessons of the leaves.
Leaves were designed by God to decorate trees, provide shade, and give the trees an opportunity to photosynthesize and survive. We could go into a tangent on the wonders of creation or the remarkable faith of evolutionist who believe trees and leaves came to us by random chance. For the sake of this argument we will go with the "God of all creation made trees of diverse kinds". Some of them came equipped with leaves. By the Lord's design many trees shed their leaves come fall. I have lived in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, and New York. They all have trees and leaves, admittedly some more than others. Sorry Kansas. Most of the trees drop their leaves come autumn. True, there are a few obstinate oaks that hang on to theirs until spring, but they are clearly the minority. One might ask why this is so. Some theorize that it is due to their sap retreating to the root systems when the weather turns chilly so the leaves lose their grip. Perhaps, it is to form a natural blanket to keep the roots warm. I think it may be a defense mechanism to avoid having wet snow stick to the leaves causing limbs to break off and get tangled in electric lines. I cannot think of anyone who would want their limbs to break and get zapped by electric lines. The trees are wise enough to shed their leaves and avoid the pain.
From my early years leaves were to be raked and carted away to be burned or dumped into the woods behind our house. I have come to question this practice. It seems to go against nature, against the divine design. I mean, God intended the leaves to fall off on purpose. They rot and add nutrients to the soil. We remove them and then add artificial fertilizer to the ground after the leaves are taken away. Leaf removal has become quite the process. We can purchase rakes, leaf blowers, nifty sweeping mechanisms to push or drag along behind a lawn tractor. Then there are the industrial strength vacuums to just suck the majestic colors into a box truck. We are conflicted as we marvel at the colors God paints across the landscapes of autumn and then gather the beauty for burning. Still, every year God grows the leaves back and then drops them in your yard. Perhaps this is an exercise in futility or going against that which is the natural order of things. I assume the leaves have value where they fall, though, as a steward of God's planet, I do bear some responsibility to the vegetation in my yard. A heavy layer of leaves could compromise the survival of my lush green crabgrass. So I have compromised by mulching leaves with my mower. True, neighbors wonder about my mowing the lawn in December; however, the leaves stay where they fall, they are just ground up to more easily return to the soil from wence they came.
I am guessing that there is a divine balance in leaf management. Left in undisturbed piles they not only rot but kill the grass under them. Left on a porch or deck they can, in time, compromise the integrity of the wood. However, investing significant time and resources for their removal does not seem to be the best answer either. I suppose it is one of those ambiguous areas of spirituality where the Scriptures leave room for differing opinions, No need to break fellowship over the doctrine of raking verses mulching.
For all our efforts to remove the leaves from our yards we may be less concerned with removing spiritual leaves from our lives. Wounds and disappointments can blow into the corners of our minds and slowly smother the very life that keeps us vibrant in our walk with the Lord. We may refuse to mulch up the thoughts that can fester into bitterness and darkness in our souls. On the other side we may spend time trying to reattach the leaves that God chose to cast off years ago. Old things are to pass away and new things will come. As painful as it might be, that can be true with relationships and dreams we once held dear. Clinging to the past can trap us in the autumns and winters of life. The God ordained spring may never be realized as the leaves of the past cover the promise of new growth. Perhaps, like leaves, we need to sort of grind up the past and allow it to improve the future. Laying aside that which drains life and absorb the nutrients that come from loss that only the Spirit of God can allow.
Life, like the trees around us, has its cycles. Times of remarkable growth, when the vision of leaves bursts forth in unexpected glory. And times of rest that comes from the shedding of those very leaves that used to fill life with meaning. For, in God's spring time, new growth will come. New visions, new dreams, new life. As the Apostle Paul told those in Philippi, "one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead" (Phil 3:13). It is hard to move forward when we are anchored to the past.
Are there some leaves in your life that need to be cast off? Some leaves that need to be mulched by the Spirit of God so new growth can come? Some past leaves, whose brilliant colors need to be released, so spring can begin? Maybe we all can benefit from the lessons of the leaves.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Can You Be a Tender-Hearted Snail?
How soft is your heart? There are those who find it easy to be touched by the discomfort or joy of others. Their emotions are moved by the slightest tug on their hearts. They tear up during scenes portrayed by Hollywood to depict the sorrows and joys of life. Even commercials can break the barrier of the tear ducts and have them reach for a tissue. Others tend to be far more guarded and a bit stoic. Some of this is due to culture and our upbringing. However, God has instructed us to be "tender hearted" followers of Christ. Are those easily moved just more "Tender hearted" than those who feel deeply but reserve their tears? Just what does it mean to be tender hearted and how do we get there? It seems important to know, seeing as the Lord expects us to live that way.
To be honest, there are times when the personal nature of God's Word can be hard to grasp or accept. Vulnerability is not high on our "to do" list. We like to keep ourselves protected. To guard our hearts so we do not get wounded or abused. Every hurt or betrayal, no matter how trivial, puts a brick in our emotional wall. We may buy the lie that isolation from potential pain will keep us warm not knowing it leads to the disease called isolation that leaves us chilled to the core. I fear petrified hearts run rampant among the children of God. Yet, the Apostle Paul tells us to be gracious and tender-hearted toward one another. How do we integrate this truth into our lives in a world where self preservation and self protection are a priority in life? In addition, we have this growing movement that tells us almost any act of compassion or concern could be interpreted as sexual harassment. If you notice a person whose body language proclaims they are emotionally hurting do you dare ask if they need someone to talk to? Do you dare offer comfort or your time just to listen? What does Paul mean when he encourages us to have a tender heart toward one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? God knows there are times when we need more than just a verse, we need some flesh and blood warmth that tells us someone understands or at least cares enough to ask.
In Paul's letter to the believers in Ephesus he instructs them to, " Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32. Simple kindness is to be one of the marks of the believing community. However, to be tender-hearted is more. The Greek word is a compound word εὔσπλαγχνος or eusplagknos the εὔ means well or good the second part σπλαγχνος literally refers to your intestines. Thus the King James often translates the word as "bowels". It is a deep seated emotion that touches the core of our physical being. Even in American English we say something is "gut wrenching" or that we have a "gut" feeling about something. Tender-hearted people are moved deeply concerning other people, their needs and their emotional state. The NIV translates the word as compassionate. However, that really does not capture the intensity of how Paul is challenging us to relate to one another. The truth is we cannot respond to one another in a tender-hearted way and keep our distance. This sort of community takes vulnerability and time. Two commodities we often are not willing to part with. The tender-hearted expend themselves and open their lives to the possibility of being wounded. Sometimes deeply.
In my college days we had a large African-American guy in our dorm who was blind. He was a bit older than most of us and was lovingly known as Papa Bear. Some of us held the distinction of being his cubs. For a blind man he saw extremely well. He saw past the facade that most of us wear. He knew when you were discouraged and hurting. He would find his way to your room and ask how you were doing. Then sit on you, sometimes literally, until you told him of what you were in the midst of. He would never betray a confidence. He would grieve with you. He was tender-hearted. He once told me that the way God builds a tender heart was by repeatedly allowing it to be broken until our comfort was fully in Him so we could bear the pain of others. God uses broken people to heal the wounded. This is not the experience most of us invite into our lives. Caring for others is costly for they may not care in return. They may even turn back against you or leave you alone with barely a word. The depth of your sorrow may be splagknos, gut wrenching personal discomfort.
As followers of Christ we are to feel deeply about things, especially about people. This does not mean we are glum and pitiful, for joy can be felt deeply as well. It does mean that we must be vulnerable enough to care and allow ourselves to take the risk to enter into the life of someone else. And to let them enter into ours. Anything less misses the point of being tender-hearted. It also robs us of being able to truly forgive, as Christ has forgiven us. Until we experience some of the pain He did in being vulnerable for us we cannot see the depth of the forgiveness He so freely granted us.
Just briefly let me touch on the other aspect of being tender-hearted. This one is less intrusive and far easier to accomplish. Time. Time spent with others. Time spent listening. time used to let others know we care and are thinking and concerned for them. Let me suggest a profound yet simple way to achieve this. Send someone a "Snail-Mail" letter of encouragement. A typed or hand written tangible physical piece of paper that expresses your prayer and concern. Be honest if you do not know what to write. Just write, "I was thinking of you and praying for you. I honestly do not know how to put my thoughts into words for I cannot fully understand what you are going through ... " See how easy that was? We live in an impersonal world guarded by technology so we can avoid being vulnerable or the need to expend time. We can text, post on Facebook, express all we need to in the limited characters of a tweet.
We can hide behind our smart phones and never feel the pain of a real relationship. Or we can sit down and write, and rewrite, and maybe rewrite again, as we try to find the words that express our concern or joy for a brother or sister in grief or celebration. It may just be a few words on a card. I have noticed that the New Testament is mostly letters that people took time to write. We have Luke, who writes two massive letters to his friend, "I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3). Then there is John who sends a postcard to Gaius called Third John. We have some pretty diverse examples to follow when we add personal letters to Timothy, Titus and an appeal to Philemon. There is something different about that paper letter. It took time to write, fold, put in an envelope, address, add a stamp and drop it in the mail. It took time to care, to be a little tender-hearted and then trust the "snail-mail" folks to get it there. Something to arrive that was not an ad or a bill, just a note from a friend who cared. It just might lift someones day. It might be placed in a box to be read and reread when life seems more than they can bear. A simple reminder that they are not alone. For they have a tender-hearted friend.
To be honest, there are times when the personal nature of God's Word can be hard to grasp or accept. Vulnerability is not high on our "to do" list. We like to keep ourselves protected. To guard our hearts so we do not get wounded or abused. Every hurt or betrayal, no matter how trivial, puts a brick in our emotional wall. We may buy the lie that isolation from potential pain will keep us warm not knowing it leads to the disease called isolation that leaves us chilled to the core. I fear petrified hearts run rampant among the children of God. Yet, the Apostle Paul tells us to be gracious and tender-hearted toward one another. How do we integrate this truth into our lives in a world where self preservation and self protection are a priority in life? In addition, we have this growing movement that tells us almost any act of compassion or concern could be interpreted as sexual harassment. If you notice a person whose body language proclaims they are emotionally hurting do you dare ask if they need someone to talk to? Do you dare offer comfort or your time just to listen? What does Paul mean when he encourages us to have a tender heart toward one another as brothers and sisters in Christ? God knows there are times when we need more than just a verse, we need some flesh and blood warmth that tells us someone understands or at least cares enough to ask.
In Paul's letter to the believers in Ephesus he instructs them to, " Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:32. Simple kindness is to be one of the marks of the believing community. However, to be tender-hearted is more. The Greek word is a compound word εὔσπλαγχνος or eusplagknos the εὔ means well or good the second part σπλαγχνος literally refers to your intestines. Thus the King James often translates the word as "bowels". It is a deep seated emotion that touches the core of our physical being. Even in American English we say something is "gut wrenching" or that we have a "gut" feeling about something. Tender-hearted people are moved deeply concerning other people, their needs and their emotional state. The NIV translates the word as compassionate. However, that really does not capture the intensity of how Paul is challenging us to relate to one another. The truth is we cannot respond to one another in a tender-hearted way and keep our distance. This sort of community takes vulnerability and time. Two commodities we often are not willing to part with. The tender-hearted expend themselves and open their lives to the possibility of being wounded. Sometimes deeply.
In my college days we had a large African-American guy in our dorm who was blind. He was a bit older than most of us and was lovingly known as Papa Bear. Some of us held the distinction of being his cubs. For a blind man he saw extremely well. He saw past the facade that most of us wear. He knew when you were discouraged and hurting. He would find his way to your room and ask how you were doing. Then sit on you, sometimes literally, until you told him of what you were in the midst of. He would never betray a confidence. He would grieve with you. He was tender-hearted. He once told me that the way God builds a tender heart was by repeatedly allowing it to be broken until our comfort was fully in Him so we could bear the pain of others. God uses broken people to heal the wounded. This is not the experience most of us invite into our lives. Caring for others is costly for they may not care in return. They may even turn back against you or leave you alone with barely a word. The depth of your sorrow may be splagknos, gut wrenching personal discomfort.
As followers of Christ we are to feel deeply about things, especially about people. This does not mean we are glum and pitiful, for joy can be felt deeply as well. It does mean that we must be vulnerable enough to care and allow ourselves to take the risk to enter into the life of someone else. And to let them enter into ours. Anything less misses the point of being tender-hearted. It also robs us of being able to truly forgive, as Christ has forgiven us. Until we experience some of the pain He did in being vulnerable for us we cannot see the depth of the forgiveness He so freely granted us.
Just briefly let me touch on the other aspect of being tender-hearted. This one is less intrusive and far easier to accomplish. Time. Time spent with others. Time spent listening. time used to let others know we care and are thinking and concerned for them. Let me suggest a profound yet simple way to achieve this. Send someone a "Snail-Mail" letter of encouragement. A typed or hand written tangible physical piece of paper that expresses your prayer and concern. Be honest if you do not know what to write. Just write, "I was thinking of you and praying for you. I honestly do not know how to put my thoughts into words for I cannot fully understand what you are going through ... " See how easy that was? We live in an impersonal world guarded by technology so we can avoid being vulnerable or the need to expend time. We can text, post on Facebook, express all we need to in the limited characters of a tweet.
We can hide behind our smart phones and never feel the pain of a real relationship. Or we can sit down and write, and rewrite, and maybe rewrite again, as we try to find the words that express our concern or joy for a brother or sister in grief or celebration. It may just be a few words on a card. I have noticed that the New Testament is mostly letters that people took time to write. We have Luke, who writes two massive letters to his friend, "I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus" (Luke 1:3). Then there is John who sends a postcard to Gaius called Third John. We have some pretty diverse examples to follow when we add personal letters to Timothy, Titus and an appeal to Philemon. There is something different about that paper letter. It took time to write, fold, put in an envelope, address, add a stamp and drop it in the mail. It took time to care, to be a little tender-hearted and then trust the "snail-mail" folks to get it there. Something to arrive that was not an ad or a bill, just a note from a friend who cared. It just might lift someones day. It might be placed in a box to be read and reread when life seems more than they can bear. A simple reminder that they are not alone. For they have a tender-hearted friend.
"There in the Shadows, Tom's Friendship Remains"
I am just a little haunted by the shadows of November. For those in America, we just celebrated Thanksgiving. Some time ago our government set aside the fourth Thursday in November as a day of national thanksgiving. At least that seems to have been the original intent. Now it is more about overeating, football and early "Black Friday" sales. For me it is mixed time of remembrance. I am incredibly thankful for the privilege of living in the USA. Here we have bounty unlike any nation and freedoms that are hard to be compared to. We live with little fear of terrorist attack, though that is changing a bit, still we have far fewer threats than much of the planet. I have a loving and wonderful family, a devoted and supportive wife and many friends. Materially I am better off than most people in the world and enjoy pretty good health. In addition to this I hold a strong spiritual confidence in the God who loves me and gave His Son so that I might have life eternal. So, yes, I have much to be thankful for.
However, November holds some darker memories, as well. My mom went to be with the Lord just days before Thanksgiving over 34 years ago but I still remember trying to get from Kansas to Pennsylvania on one of the busiest air traffic days of the year. I remember a dear friend who passed a couple of years ago just weeks before the holiday. I still think of him and his beloved wife each time I pass by their road on the way to our Thursday Morning Bible Study. Another close friend had the home going of her mom just days after thanksgiving morning. The pain of that event still lingers and I understand a bit of that pain. The deepest cloud that overshadows my November remembrances is the departure of my friend Tom. He was taken into the presence of his Lord just a year ago today. The images of that day are burned into the grey folds of my mind in ways that keep the moments past all too present. Saying goodbye. Being, pretty much assaulted by an over-zealous hospital staff. Spending time with the family and seeing a hole form in my soul that will take more than time to heal. November reminds me that, like David, my life walks through the valley of the shadow of death. Shadows cannot hurt you; however, they are unsettling and can leave your soul with a measure of uncertainty. It can leave you with a feeling of quiet anguish even when you know that death's sting has been quenched and that it holds no victory. Still the loss remains.
I am aware that Tom dwells where there is no more pain or sorrow or tears or brokenness. But I do not dwell there. Life goes on and the days turn into weeks and months and a year has passed. I drive by his house three times a week on my way to the gym and pray for his cherished wife who will wake up alone again that morning. I pray for his son and daughter-in-law who live just downstairs and two beautiful grandsons. I understand that it will be hard for them to remember their loving grandfather and as a "Papa" myself, it grieves my heart. I think of his daughter just a few miles down the road and how amazing God's grace has been in all of their lives.Tom would be proud of how they have lived and loved and survived the days and nights that have passed without him present. How his son Jon stepped up to be more than a big brother at the celebration of his daughter Melody's wedding. My eyes still get a bit misty when I reflect upon the "Brother/Sister" dance as Jon tenderly held Melody in his dad's absence at the reception. Amazing grace, amazing love.
For me there have been days when I missed the brother who always had my back. I miss the Pizza Hut buffet and times at Dunkin Donuts. I miss ice cream at Friendly's with our wives and long talks in the parking lot after Elders and Council meetings. I miss the flipping of his high beams as I turned onto Greycourt Road just to say good night and know even then he was thinking of me. The Lord has brought some pretty amazing healing in the past year, but, I still miss my friend. There are still times when I want to reach for the phone to see if we could just have a little time to talk. Thinking back it seems that those times were pretty scattered and not as often as we would have liked. However, the reality is that if we needed to talk we would always find the time. For a Pastor to find a friend, a brother, who simply accepts you for the flawed person your are is rare. To have someone who holds no special expectations of your calling and allows you to be real is a treasure that cannot be replaced. That friendship hole continues and I have no real expectation for it to go away. It will just be a part of life to know that something is gone that used to make my life a little more complete.
I have no magic verses or visions from God to end this post with some remarkable spiritual revelation. No special passage that makes this any easier. No resolution for the loss. No expectation that I will forget. Instead I have two phrases from songs that rattle around in my head when I find myself in moments of this kind of reflection. One comes from Joni Mitchell's song "Parking Lot": "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til its gone." The other comes from Jim Croce, another musician and guitarist taken before I was ready to let go. Back in college days, when I could play a guitar, I played lots of his songs. The diversity that gave us "Leroy Brown","Roller Derby Queen", and "Rapid Roy" on one end and "Photographs and Memories, "Operator", and the one drifting through my mind even now "Time in a Bottle". Jim was right, "There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them."
I am left with the reality of an absence that continues to cast a shadow over my soul from time to time. I am left to treasure the moments I still have with the ones I love and the people I care for. It has been said that life is not lost in weeks or days but moment by moment. My mission now is to build memories and take time to enjoy what time I have. The truth is I still find my days too full and the moments passing so very quickly. For all of us who loved Tom Earl, whose lives were touched and made a bit better in his presence we share a common blessing of a friendship that is irreplaceable. But, I don't think I would want it any other way. Friendships like these are to be treasured, never replaced. The memories revisited to warm our souls one more time.
However, November holds some darker memories, as well. My mom went to be with the Lord just days before Thanksgiving over 34 years ago but I still remember trying to get from Kansas to Pennsylvania on one of the busiest air traffic days of the year. I remember a dear friend who passed a couple of years ago just weeks before the holiday. I still think of him and his beloved wife each time I pass by their road on the way to our Thursday Morning Bible Study. Another close friend had the home going of her mom just days after thanksgiving morning. The pain of that event still lingers and I understand a bit of that pain. The deepest cloud that overshadows my November remembrances is the departure of my friend Tom. He was taken into the presence of his Lord just a year ago today. The images of that day are burned into the grey folds of my mind in ways that keep the moments past all too present. Saying goodbye. Being, pretty much assaulted by an over-zealous hospital staff. Spending time with the family and seeing a hole form in my soul that will take more than time to heal. November reminds me that, like David, my life walks through the valley of the shadow of death. Shadows cannot hurt you; however, they are unsettling and can leave your soul with a measure of uncertainty. It can leave you with a feeling of quiet anguish even when you know that death's sting has been quenched and that it holds no victory. Still the loss remains.
I am aware that Tom dwells where there is no more pain or sorrow or tears or brokenness. But I do not dwell there. Life goes on and the days turn into weeks and months and a year has passed. I drive by his house three times a week on my way to the gym and pray for his cherished wife who will wake up alone again that morning. I pray for his son and daughter-in-law who live just downstairs and two beautiful grandsons. I understand that it will be hard for them to remember their loving grandfather and as a "Papa" myself, it grieves my heart. I think of his daughter just a few miles down the road and how amazing God's grace has been in all of their lives.Tom would be proud of how they have lived and loved and survived the days and nights that have passed without him present. How his son Jon stepped up to be more than a big brother at the celebration of his daughter Melody's wedding. My eyes still get a bit misty when I reflect upon the "Brother/Sister" dance as Jon tenderly held Melody in his dad's absence at the reception. Amazing grace, amazing love.
For me there have been days when I missed the brother who always had my back. I miss the Pizza Hut buffet and times at Dunkin Donuts. I miss ice cream at Friendly's with our wives and long talks in the parking lot after Elders and Council meetings. I miss the flipping of his high beams as I turned onto Greycourt Road just to say good night and know even then he was thinking of me. The Lord has brought some pretty amazing healing in the past year, but, I still miss my friend. There are still times when I want to reach for the phone to see if we could just have a little time to talk. Thinking back it seems that those times were pretty scattered and not as often as we would have liked. However, the reality is that if we needed to talk we would always find the time. For a Pastor to find a friend, a brother, who simply accepts you for the flawed person your are is rare. To have someone who holds no special expectations of your calling and allows you to be real is a treasure that cannot be replaced. That friendship hole continues and I have no real expectation for it to go away. It will just be a part of life to know that something is gone that used to make my life a little more complete.
I have no magic verses or visions from God to end this post with some remarkable spiritual revelation. No special passage that makes this any easier. No resolution for the loss. No expectation that I will forget. Instead I have two phrases from songs that rattle around in my head when I find myself in moments of this kind of reflection. One comes from Joni Mitchell's song "Parking Lot": "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got til its gone." The other comes from Jim Croce, another musician and guitarist taken before I was ready to let go. Back in college days, when I could play a guitar, I played lots of his songs. The diversity that gave us "Leroy Brown","Roller Derby Queen", and "Rapid Roy" on one end and "Photographs and Memories, "Operator", and the one drifting through my mind even now "Time in a Bottle". Jim was right, "There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them."
I am left with the reality of an absence that continues to cast a shadow over my soul from time to time. I am left to treasure the moments I still have with the ones I love and the people I care for. It has been said that life is not lost in weeks or days but moment by moment. My mission now is to build memories and take time to enjoy what time I have. The truth is I still find my days too full and the moments passing so very quickly. For all of us who loved Tom Earl, whose lives were touched and made a bit better in his presence we share a common blessing of a friendship that is irreplaceable. But, I don't think I would want it any other way. Friendships like these are to be treasured, never replaced. The memories revisited to warm our souls one more time.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
The Christmas Question, Is it Biblical?
It is that time of year of colored lights, brightly wrapped packages, cookies and carols. It is also that time of year when social media and my email account is invaded by the Christmas question. I have had believers come to me and ask if it is okay to celebrate Christmas. They have friends, fellow believers, who see Christmas as somewhat appalling. Their friends explain that the roots of Christmas stem from paganism and its symbols are elements of pagan worship. They are concerned with Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas lights, mistletoe, and those stockings hung by the chimney with care. These folks grew up with the celebration but their well meaning Christian friends present a good case to abandon, if not actively oppose, this "pagan based" festival. They do enjoy the holiday and focus on Christ but they want to be true to God's Word, thus the Christmas question.
The anti-Christmas scholars usually have three arguments to enlighten those who are trapped in this unbiblical tradition. First, unlike celebrations like Passover, there is no clear call by God in the Bible to set aside a day of celebration for Messiah's birth. Second, the festival was originally the celebration of the winter equinox, tied to the worship of Roman and Greek goddesses. And third, December 25 could not possibly be Christ's birthday. The arguments have a grain of truth, but is there more here than we might see at first glance?
I should make it clear that I have no objection to those who have an objection to the Christmas celebration. They are free to hold their opinion and to be obedient to their conscience and convictions. I do get concerned when they somehow feel that they have a better standing with God or that those who disagree are somehow immersed in some unbiblical celebration. That by celebrating the arrival of God's Son, Messiah, in December is an affront to God, if not an out and out sin. Let's take a look at each of these objections.
First, there is no call of God to have this Celebration. True, but does that make it wrong? There are required celebrations in God's Word. The three pilgrim festivals of Passover, The Feast of Tabernacles, and Pentecost. There is also the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kipper, Rosh Hashanah, among others. God also commanded an observation of the New Moon, (which, by the way has parallels among the pagans) and a weekly seventh day Sabbath observance. If these are commanded in Scripture shouldn't we observe these? It seems that, if no Biblical basis can be found for a Christmas celebration, we should eliminate such a celebration, then shouldn't finding a Biblical command for celebrations obligate us to those Biblical celebrations?
Speaking of celebrations, it seems reasonable to consider a well known Jewish holiday called Hanukkah. This tradition comes from Maccabees, writings that are recognized as valuable but not on the same level as Scripture. Also, the celebration of Purim comes from a decree signed by Queen Esther and Mordecai (See Esther 9). The Lord never commanded either of these celebrations, but God's people, the Jews, follow them faithfully. They are reminders of God's deliverance and His faithfulness. I could point out that Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and some Gentile Magi celebrated the birth of Messiah. If we choose to do so, it seems we are in good company. Many of those who find aspects of the Christmas traditions unpalatable tend to ignore the commanded celebrations and few would take off every new moon as a day of rest and reflection (Numbers 29). I am told, that the reason that these Biblical and traditional celebrations are not required, is that we are under grace, not the Law, so such legalities do not apply to believers today. So grace applies to celebrations we ignore but not to one, Christmas, we might choose to celebrate. I'm not sure I follow the logic in that argument.
Second, the festival was originally the celebration of the winter equinox tied to the worship of Roman and Greek goddesses. Actually this is not quite true. It is true that there was a long standing celebration in both Greek and Roman mythology of a goddess of fertility or love, or some such variant, who needed to fulfill her obligation to go to the god of the underworld at the time of the winter equinox. Her absence would bring cold and the apparent death of the earth. Come spring she returned and everything came back to life. The winter celebration was a sort of goodbye party filled with drinking and no small amount of debauchery. The Romans en masse enjoyed the celebration. Enter Constantine. Constantine credited his rise to power to an epiphany he experienced before a major battle. Constantine became a believer in God and His Son. He declared his empire to now be the Holy Roman Empire and required all Romans to believe. He was also no political novice. To retain favor he, along with the early church fathers, proclaimed a day of celebration for the birth of Christ to be held at the same time as the equinox celebration. The tradition of this Christmas celebration has been observed for the many centuries that have followed. Is there some element of a connection here? Well, yes and no. It was to appease the masses who wanted the equinox celebration to continue, but the celebration was not to honor the gods or goddesses of Greek or Roman mythology. It was to honor the birth of God's Son.
Third, December 25 could not possibly be Christ's birthday.This one is true and is backed up by scripture. Luke 2:8 informs us that the shepherds were in the fields keeping watch over their sheep. The only time of year this would be true would be the fall, around September, or the spring, around April. It would not have been true in the winter, in December. I lean toward the spring time due to the temple service of Zacharias and the timing of Elizabeth's and Mary's pregnancies. The reality is we do not know the precise date. It is also true that December 25 is not even close. Yet, the day was set up as a celebration of His birth, not necessarily His birthday. However, it is an event worth celebrating. By the way, you may have noticed the pagan goddess celebration pretty well died out. Few still honor her on the winter equinox. However, much of the world celebrates the birth of God's Son. I guess Constantine's idea won.
God's people, the Jews, determined that the events of God's deliverance in the days of Esther were worth remembering. They also decided that God's miraculous burning of the oil in the time of the deliverance in Maccabees was likewise worth celebrating, even if God did not command them. It seems the arrival of The Deliverer would be worthy of celebrating as well.
If you disagree, I am fine with that. I am actually a bit more miffed that we ignore the Jewish calendar for Passover, leading up to the resurrection of our Lord. Many call the day Easter, which is a variation of the name of that pagan goddess returning from the underworld she went to in December. But that is for another day. For now I wish you all a Merry Christmas, or not, I will leave that up to you.
The anti-Christmas scholars usually have three arguments to enlighten those who are trapped in this unbiblical tradition. First, unlike celebrations like Passover, there is no clear call by God in the Bible to set aside a day of celebration for Messiah's birth. Second, the festival was originally the celebration of the winter equinox, tied to the worship of Roman and Greek goddesses. And third, December 25 could not possibly be Christ's birthday. The arguments have a grain of truth, but is there more here than we might see at first glance?
I should make it clear that I have no objection to those who have an objection to the Christmas celebration. They are free to hold their opinion and to be obedient to their conscience and convictions. I do get concerned when they somehow feel that they have a better standing with God or that those who disagree are somehow immersed in some unbiblical celebration. That by celebrating the arrival of God's Son, Messiah, in December is an affront to God, if not an out and out sin. Let's take a look at each of these objections.
First, there is no call of God to have this Celebration. True, but does that make it wrong? There are required celebrations in God's Word. The three pilgrim festivals of Passover, The Feast of Tabernacles, and Pentecost. There is also the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kipper, Rosh Hashanah, among others. God also commanded an observation of the New Moon, (which, by the way has parallels among the pagans) and a weekly seventh day Sabbath observance. If these are commanded in Scripture shouldn't we observe these? It seems that, if no Biblical basis can be found for a Christmas celebration, we should eliminate such a celebration, then shouldn't finding a Biblical command for celebrations obligate us to those Biblical celebrations?
Speaking of celebrations, it seems reasonable to consider a well known Jewish holiday called Hanukkah. This tradition comes from Maccabees, writings that are recognized as valuable but not on the same level as Scripture. Also, the celebration of Purim comes from a decree signed by Queen Esther and Mordecai (See Esther 9). The Lord never commanded either of these celebrations, but God's people, the Jews, follow them faithfully. They are reminders of God's deliverance and His faithfulness. I could point out that Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds and some Gentile Magi celebrated the birth of Messiah. If we choose to do so, it seems we are in good company. Many of those who find aspects of the Christmas traditions unpalatable tend to ignore the commanded celebrations and few would take off every new moon as a day of rest and reflection (Numbers 29). I am told, that the reason that these Biblical and traditional celebrations are not required, is that we are under grace, not the Law, so such legalities do not apply to believers today. So grace applies to celebrations we ignore but not to one, Christmas, we might choose to celebrate. I'm not sure I follow the logic in that argument.
Second, the festival was originally the celebration of the winter equinox tied to the worship of Roman and Greek goddesses. Actually this is not quite true. It is true that there was a long standing celebration in both Greek and Roman mythology of a goddess of fertility or love, or some such variant, who needed to fulfill her obligation to go to the god of the underworld at the time of the winter equinox. Her absence would bring cold and the apparent death of the earth. Come spring she returned and everything came back to life. The winter celebration was a sort of goodbye party filled with drinking and no small amount of debauchery. The Romans en masse enjoyed the celebration. Enter Constantine. Constantine credited his rise to power to an epiphany he experienced before a major battle. Constantine became a believer in God and His Son. He declared his empire to now be the Holy Roman Empire and required all Romans to believe. He was also no political novice. To retain favor he, along with the early church fathers, proclaimed a day of celebration for the birth of Christ to be held at the same time as the equinox celebration. The tradition of this Christmas celebration has been observed for the many centuries that have followed. Is there some element of a connection here? Well, yes and no. It was to appease the masses who wanted the equinox celebration to continue, but the celebration was not to honor the gods or goddesses of Greek or Roman mythology. It was to honor the birth of God's Son.
Third, December 25 could not possibly be Christ's birthday.This one is true and is backed up by scripture. Luke 2:8 informs us that the shepherds were in the fields keeping watch over their sheep. The only time of year this would be true would be the fall, around September, or the spring, around April. It would not have been true in the winter, in December. I lean toward the spring time due to the temple service of Zacharias and the timing of Elizabeth's and Mary's pregnancies. The reality is we do not know the precise date. It is also true that December 25 is not even close. Yet, the day was set up as a celebration of His birth, not necessarily His birthday. However, it is an event worth celebrating. By the way, you may have noticed the pagan goddess celebration pretty well died out. Few still honor her on the winter equinox. However, much of the world celebrates the birth of God's Son. I guess Constantine's idea won.
God's people, the Jews, determined that the events of God's deliverance in the days of Esther were worth remembering. They also decided that God's miraculous burning of the oil in the time of the deliverance in Maccabees was likewise worth celebrating, even if God did not command them. It seems the arrival of The Deliverer would be worthy of celebrating as well.
If you disagree, I am fine with that. I am actually a bit more miffed that we ignore the Jewish calendar for Passover, leading up to the resurrection of our Lord. Many call the day Easter, which is a variation of the name of that pagan goddess returning from the underworld she went to in December. But that is for another day. For now I wish you all a Merry Christmas, or not, I will leave that up to you.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Is Thanksgiving Enough?
Have you ever thought about how vital thanksgiving is to the Lord God? As believers we may well toss the word around pretty freely. That is not a bad thing. We should be most grateful and thankful to the God of all creation. Everything we have, even the next breath you take, is a gift from Him. He is indeed worthy of our thanks and appreciation. God even included offerings of thanksgiving in Torah (see Leviticus 7:12). David records offering a thank offering in Psalm 116:17, "I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD." Hezekiah does the same in 2Ch 29:31. Thanksgiving and thank offerings were a part of the worship practices for the people of Israel. As those who now know Messiah, we are called to be thankful for ... well ... everything, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In writing to the Romans the Apostle Paul gives an indictment against those who reject God. In the midst of the record of man's rejection and ungodliness Paul says, "because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). Those who refuse to give thanks to God are designated as fools and futile thinkers. Not a group many of us would want to be included in.
Thankfulness is an essential part in our relationship with God, but is it enough? Gratitude and a thankful heart are pleasing to the LORD. However, bringing God a thank offering, or an offering of thanksgiving is not all that is required. Thankfulness also acknowledges who God is. It reflects on what He has done and His very nature. Thus Samuel reminds us, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). An attitude of thanksgiving without an attitude of submissive obedience falls short of what God deserves. It falls short of what He requires.
Perhaps our culture gets in the way when we consider the things that we learn are required to be pleasing God. We tend to look at the list of what we think God requires and do a little personal evaluation. I am to be thankful, trustworthy, faithful, humble, obedient, generous, and joyful. Just a few of the things we could put on our "pleasing to God" list. There are certainly many more that could come to mind. We should probably tack on the rest of the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit as they are of the Spirit. Then there are those negative things, like do not covet, do not be angry, do not judge. This could get cumbersome, maybe even intimidating or discouraging. We could opt out with the excuse/reason that we all fall short and apply the Jesus salve. You know, that soothing spiritual ointment that says all my sins are forgiven so the list doesn't really matter anyway. If this is so then we have a lot of irrelevant Scripture and unnecessary stories recorded in the Bible. It appears that all the stuff we could put on the list matters. So how do we prioritize? It seems obedience is better than sacrifice but thankfulness should be pretty high on the list as well.
The issue is not what is on the list or how to prioritize the list. The issue is the list itself. American/Western culture loves lists. We love to compartmentalize everything in life. God reveals Himself through a culture that is integrated. When Jesus said, "If you continually love Me it is imperative that you actively keep My commandments" (John 14:15). He was giving less of a rule and more of a statement. The natural outgrowth of honestly loving Him is obedience. Obedience is not a list of rules, it is the reality of a life that is integrated into the Person of God. All of those "do's" and "don'ts" listed above, and any other things you might add, are not to be a list but the substance of our relationship with God. In being thankful we are also loving and joyful and compassionate. Our gratitude is shown in our forgiving and generosity. Even what we choose not to do, like holding a grudge, gossiping, or coveting, is controlled by the attitude of gratitude that pervades our existence. Bringing a thank offering while being at odds with another reflects the truth that you are not really thankful. One who fully understands why they are thankful to a holy God would desire reconciliation before the offering.
Matthew 5:24 makes this pretty clear, “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." We are not being told to have a check list before we come to worship but to know that my relationship with my brother is related to, integrated with, my relationship with the Lord.
We might want to take a moment at this Thanksgiving Season and think about how all those things on our "how to be spiritual" list are connected. To consider the truth that the Lord has not called you to a list but invited you into a relationship where everything you do is integrated into Who He is. Go ahead and bask in the wonder that He really does care about every little aspect of your life. That the life He provided is to be lived abundantly, not chained to a list. Now go and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thankfulness is an essential part in our relationship with God, but is it enough? Gratitude and a thankful heart are pleasing to the LORD. However, bringing God a thank offering, or an offering of thanksgiving is not all that is required. Thankfulness also acknowledges who God is. It reflects on what He has done and His very nature. Thus Samuel reminds us, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22). An attitude of thanksgiving without an attitude of submissive obedience falls short of what God deserves. It falls short of what He requires.
Perhaps our culture gets in the way when we consider the things that we learn are required to be pleasing God. We tend to look at the list of what we think God requires and do a little personal evaluation. I am to be thankful, trustworthy, faithful, humble, obedient, generous, and joyful. Just a few of the things we could put on our "pleasing to God" list. There are certainly many more that could come to mind. We should probably tack on the rest of the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit as they are of the Spirit. Then there are those negative things, like do not covet, do not be angry, do not judge. This could get cumbersome, maybe even intimidating or discouraging. We could opt out with the excuse/reason that we all fall short and apply the Jesus salve. You know, that soothing spiritual ointment that says all my sins are forgiven so the list doesn't really matter anyway. If this is so then we have a lot of irrelevant Scripture and unnecessary stories recorded in the Bible. It appears that all the stuff we could put on the list matters. So how do we prioritize? It seems obedience is better than sacrifice but thankfulness should be pretty high on the list as well.
The issue is not what is on the list or how to prioritize the list. The issue is the list itself. American/Western culture loves lists. We love to compartmentalize everything in life. God reveals Himself through a culture that is integrated. When Jesus said, "If you continually love Me it is imperative that you actively keep My commandments" (John 14:15). He was giving less of a rule and more of a statement. The natural outgrowth of honestly loving Him is obedience. Obedience is not a list of rules, it is the reality of a life that is integrated into the Person of God. All of those "do's" and "don'ts" listed above, and any other things you might add, are not to be a list but the substance of our relationship with God. In being thankful we are also loving and joyful and compassionate. Our gratitude is shown in our forgiving and generosity. Even what we choose not to do, like holding a grudge, gossiping, or coveting, is controlled by the attitude of gratitude that pervades our existence. Bringing a thank offering while being at odds with another reflects the truth that you are not really thankful. One who fully understands why they are thankful to a holy God would desire reconciliation before the offering.
Matthew 5:24 makes this pretty clear, “leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." We are not being told to have a check list before we come to worship but to know that my relationship with my brother is related to, integrated with, my relationship with the Lord.
We might want to take a moment at this Thanksgiving Season and think about how all those things on our "how to be spiritual" list are connected. To consider the truth that the Lord has not called you to a list but invited you into a relationship where everything you do is integrated into Who He is. Go ahead and bask in the wonder that He really does care about every little aspect of your life. That the life He provided is to be lived abundantly, not chained to a list. Now go and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 13, 2017
The Disaster of Freedom
Wouldn't it nice to be really free? No one telling you what to do or where to go. Being free to express yourself and to follow your dreams unhindered. The opportunity to pursue study and educational prowess without boundaries or restrictions? There was a time when this was true for God's people. After generations of forced labor and captivity in Egypt they have been set free. God has brought them out of the land of bondage and into the land of promise. A land flowing with milk and honey and freedom. The Lord God Almighty has given them victory after victory and they now possess the land promised to their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel's twelve sons have become twelve tribes composing a nation of millions. They are a force to be reckoned with, lead by a God Who is above all gods. What more could you want? What better time could one want to live in?
Israel was free to make their own decisions. No taskmaster looking over their shoulders, no sound of a cracking whip to keep them in line. They now were their own people, their own nation. In addition the Mighty and Benevolent God who delivered them had given them clear instructions and directions as how to best live. Instructions on relationships, worship and how to live together in harmony. A moral standard to give reasonable boundaries in the midst of the freedom they now enjoyed. A moral standard that came from God Himself. With this came an opportunity to choose. No lightning bolts from heaven if you crossed the line into disobedience. The instructions from the Lord God gave measured consequences when that line was crossed. The priests and Levites held the responsibility to teach and instruct God's people so these things would be so. No all powerful king to hamper your freedom or confiscate what you earned and developed. No monarch to compel your sons into service or take your daughters for their harem. You simply had the obligation to come to your brothers defense should an enemy encroach. Life was good. Every man could rest under his fig tree and grapevine. We read of this Israelite utopia in the Book of Judges.
However, if you are familiar with the account found there, it is not a pretty picture. It is a record of the disaster of freedom. For the people of God determined that the instructions and directions from the Lord were too confining and limited their investigation and participation with the people and cultures they were to remove. If they adopted the worship of other gods it would make them culturally relevant and make trade agreements and their pursuit of wealth and acceptance far easier. Marriage unions with the nations would help keep peace and cooperation with their neighbors. God couldn't be that narrow minded and judgemental when compromise was so beneficial and enhanced their quest for freedom and free expression. Life could still be good even if they modified the rules and directions just a little. It was logical and reasonable to give a little for the sake of tolerance and peace.
Standards should be flexible. As society evolved it should be acceptable to let those archaic restrictions be placed in a museum so we know where we came from on our journey to enlightenment. No one could really be expected to walk in obedience to all those rules. Freedom demanded that they be seen as more like guidelines than actual instructions. "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). No one putting restrictions on anyone else. We can all just happily coexist. No absolutes and the freedom to pick and choose what is true and what is not. By the end of the Book of Judges it is no longer safe to sleep in the city square. You needed to be inside a locked door to feel secure and even then danger is just outside. Rape and murder is the new freedom. Justice is not to be found. Violent retaliation almost exterminates an entire tribe. The communities are not safe and people are afraid.
The answer is not a return to the directions and instructions the Lord God gave them. No, the answer is to demand a strong centralized government to rule over all twelve tribes. A government free to take their land, their sons, their daughters, and to impose taxes upon them. A new nation where freedom is now carefully distributed by the government. In time the worship of the very God Who gave them this land and freedom will become dismissed and eventually illegal. Child sacrifice and human trafficking is just a part of the business and accepted norm of culture. Marriage is optional and divorce rampant. It is only a matter of time before the once great and promising nation is overrun by their enemies and freedom is fully lost in the service of a series new tyrants.
The danger we face in freedom is our failure to learn from those who abused the privilege before us. Freedom with a disregard for the God who actually grants it is a road to destruction. Soon you will find yourself where unborn babies are sacrificed out of convenience. Determining to practice ones faith in accord with the instructions and directions the Lord God gave could be seen as intolerance and your freedoms removed. Your beliefs could become labeled "hate" speech and you will no longer be able to proclaim what you understand to be true. God's standards might be considered abrasive and abusive or too religious so they would no longer be able to be taught in the government controlled school systems and universities. It will be understood that everyone has the freedom to do what is right in their own eyes. Communities could become unsafe and people would live behind locked doors, afraid to walk the streets at night. But not to worry, the government will have armed police to keep the peace. Unless those doing what is right in their own eyes disregard the authority of the officers and pelt them with rocks or simply shoot them. It has happened before.
However, I am sure we, being intelligent students of history, would see the danger of freedom without God as the road to destruction and turn back to him. Understanding that doing what is right in God's eyes actually has far greater freedom that doing what is right in our own. Wouldn't we?
Israel was free to make their own decisions. No taskmaster looking over their shoulders, no sound of a cracking whip to keep them in line. They now were their own people, their own nation. In addition the Mighty and Benevolent God who delivered them had given them clear instructions and directions as how to best live. Instructions on relationships, worship and how to live together in harmony. A moral standard to give reasonable boundaries in the midst of the freedom they now enjoyed. A moral standard that came from God Himself. With this came an opportunity to choose. No lightning bolts from heaven if you crossed the line into disobedience. The instructions from the Lord God gave measured consequences when that line was crossed. The priests and Levites held the responsibility to teach and instruct God's people so these things would be so. No all powerful king to hamper your freedom or confiscate what you earned and developed. No monarch to compel your sons into service or take your daughters for their harem. You simply had the obligation to come to your brothers defense should an enemy encroach. Life was good. Every man could rest under his fig tree and grapevine. We read of this Israelite utopia in the Book of Judges.
However, if you are familiar with the account found there, it is not a pretty picture. It is a record of the disaster of freedom. For the people of God determined that the instructions and directions from the Lord were too confining and limited their investigation and participation with the people and cultures they were to remove. If they adopted the worship of other gods it would make them culturally relevant and make trade agreements and their pursuit of wealth and acceptance far easier. Marriage unions with the nations would help keep peace and cooperation with their neighbors. God couldn't be that narrow minded and judgemental when compromise was so beneficial and enhanced their quest for freedom and free expression. Life could still be good even if they modified the rules and directions just a little. It was logical and reasonable to give a little for the sake of tolerance and peace.
Standards should be flexible. As society evolved it should be acceptable to let those archaic restrictions be placed in a museum so we know where we came from on our journey to enlightenment. No one could really be expected to walk in obedience to all those rules. Freedom demanded that they be seen as more like guidelines than actual instructions. "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). No one putting restrictions on anyone else. We can all just happily coexist. No absolutes and the freedom to pick and choose what is true and what is not. By the end of the Book of Judges it is no longer safe to sleep in the city square. You needed to be inside a locked door to feel secure and even then danger is just outside. Rape and murder is the new freedom. Justice is not to be found. Violent retaliation almost exterminates an entire tribe. The communities are not safe and people are afraid.
The answer is not a return to the directions and instructions the Lord God gave them. No, the answer is to demand a strong centralized government to rule over all twelve tribes. A government free to take their land, their sons, their daughters, and to impose taxes upon them. A new nation where freedom is now carefully distributed by the government. In time the worship of the very God Who gave them this land and freedom will become dismissed and eventually illegal. Child sacrifice and human trafficking is just a part of the business and accepted norm of culture. Marriage is optional and divorce rampant. It is only a matter of time before the once great and promising nation is overrun by their enemies and freedom is fully lost in the service of a series new tyrants.
The danger we face in freedom is our failure to learn from those who abused the privilege before us. Freedom with a disregard for the God who actually grants it is a road to destruction. Soon you will find yourself where unborn babies are sacrificed out of convenience. Determining to practice ones faith in accord with the instructions and directions the Lord God gave could be seen as intolerance and your freedoms removed. Your beliefs could become labeled "hate" speech and you will no longer be able to proclaim what you understand to be true. God's standards might be considered abrasive and abusive or too religious so they would no longer be able to be taught in the government controlled school systems and universities. It will be understood that everyone has the freedom to do what is right in their own eyes. Communities could become unsafe and people would live behind locked doors, afraid to walk the streets at night. But not to worry, the government will have armed police to keep the peace. Unless those doing what is right in their own eyes disregard the authority of the officers and pelt them with rocks or simply shoot them. It has happened before.
However, I am sure we, being intelligent students of history, would see the danger of freedom without God as the road to destruction and turn back to him. Understanding that doing what is right in God's eyes actually has far greater freedom that doing what is right in our own. Wouldn't we?
Monday, November 6, 2017
Eliminating the Past
Do you ever struggle with past failures? Do you wish you could suck those spoken words back into your mouth? Are there memories that seem to haunt you when you try to move forward? This is probably true for most of us. Paul had a number of past actions he wanted to keep in the past. In his letter to the Philippians he writes, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). When you look at the context Paul includes a lot of things that have nothing to do with failure. They are things about his ancestry, his family line, a Pharisee, as to pursuing keeping the Law, blameless. They are about his education and accomplishments, the only sin mentioned is his persecution of the Messianic assemblies. Not that Paul's failures did not weigh on his mind from time to time. He does not refer to himself as, "the Chief of sinners", in 1 Timothy 1:15, for no reason at all.
God does not want us to live in the past. Old things are to pass away and all things are become new, (2 Corinthians 5:17). If we live in our accomplishments we can become proud, arrogant, and not strive to move forward in our relationship with Christ. If we live in our short comings then life is constricted by guilt and failure and we feel worthless and unworthy to serve the Lord. Either way we are crippled and ineffective with caring for the responsibilities God places in our hands. So the Apostle Paul says, let it go and keep pressing on toward that upward call in Christ Jesus. Onward and upward with the Lord.
This is all certainly true and should be applied to our lives so we have the opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. However, I do not think that Paul, or the Lord, is calling us to historic amnesia. God designed everything to flow in a cycle. Days, seasons, planting and harvest, as well as life itself, follows more of a reoccurring cycle than a linear progression of unrelated events. We realize true repentance, the turning away from a sinful behavior, only when a similar opportunity to sin returns and we have victory. History and our past is not to be eliminated but rather, learned from. If Paul's intent was that God wanted us to fully forget the past we would have a very abbreviated Bible. If we removed every failure and every success from the Scriptures we would be left with a rule book with no examples as how to put them into practice. God determined to reveal Himself through relationships with people and peoples relationships with one another. This gives us examples, instruction, and hope knowing God has been using imperfect failures to advance His Kingdom for generations.
Abraham believed God, was willing to offer Isaac, and lied about Sarah being his wife. Issac preferred the son who was not of the promised line while Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed but deceived his father, with the help of his mother. Moses is a friend of God, leads god's people out of bondage, kills the Egyptian, refuses to speak to Pharaoh, and strikes the rock. David defeats Goliath and commit adultery and murder. Solomon asks for wisdom and introduces idolatry to God's people. Peter denies and then becomes a foundation stone for the Messianic community. James mocks Jesus when the Lord has His earthly ministry and then becomes the head of the church in Jerusalem. Not to leave the women out, Rahab was a prostitute who believes God and ends up in the line of Messiah. Ruth a Moabite, a non Jew, who cares for her Jewish mother in law, is David's great grandmother. Mary of Magdala was possessed by demons but came to be the Lord's treasured servant. The entire history of God's people is one of failure and redemption. Virtually every book in the Bible deals with people not getting along. Even tiny books like 2nd and 3rd John deal with relational issues. If we are honest, the record God gives us is not very pretty. However, it is remarkably helpful.
There is a movement within the American culture to remove and eliminate reminders of past failures and the record of men and women who were flawed. We find something distasteful about their character and conclude that who they were and what they accomplished should not be remembered. History of any people is not a record of pure and blameless people. It is a record of flawed men and women who lived and worked to build a nation. Their examples are there to learn from, not to worship or emulate in every aspect. After giving us a historic list of remarkable, yet broken, people from the historic past, the writer of Hebrews begins Chapter 12 with, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." In other words, let us learn from their lives, avoid the sin they fought with, and run with endurance, for the road is long and fret with dangers. They bear witness to the power and grace of a God Who uses broken stones to build His Kingdom.
Our history, likewise, surrounds us with a great cloud of witnesses who built a nation and learned as they went. Not unlike England or France or China, or South Africa. Every nation has its damaged heroes and grievances that should not be repeated or perpetuated. Reliving the past is no way to live going forward. Ignoring the past or burying it along with those who lived it will invite us to perpetuate the same errors and acts of intolerance. If we fail to learn or determine to hide the truth, as ugly as it may be or as uncomfortable as it might make us feel, will simply give us the opportunity to relive it once again until we learn the lessons God has for us.
God does not want us to live in the past. Old things are to pass away and all things are become new, (2 Corinthians 5:17). If we live in our accomplishments we can become proud, arrogant, and not strive to move forward in our relationship with Christ. If we live in our short comings then life is constricted by guilt and failure and we feel worthless and unworthy to serve the Lord. Either way we are crippled and ineffective with caring for the responsibilities God places in our hands. So the Apostle Paul says, let it go and keep pressing on toward that upward call in Christ Jesus. Onward and upward with the Lord.
This is all certainly true and should be applied to our lives so we have the opportunity to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. However, I do not think that Paul, or the Lord, is calling us to historic amnesia. God designed everything to flow in a cycle. Days, seasons, planting and harvest, as well as life itself, follows more of a reoccurring cycle than a linear progression of unrelated events. We realize true repentance, the turning away from a sinful behavior, only when a similar opportunity to sin returns and we have victory. History and our past is not to be eliminated but rather, learned from. If Paul's intent was that God wanted us to fully forget the past we would have a very abbreviated Bible. If we removed every failure and every success from the Scriptures we would be left with a rule book with no examples as how to put them into practice. God determined to reveal Himself through relationships with people and peoples relationships with one another. This gives us examples, instruction, and hope knowing God has been using imperfect failures to advance His Kingdom for generations.
Abraham believed God, was willing to offer Isaac, and lied about Sarah being his wife. Issac preferred the son who was not of the promised line while Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed but deceived his father, with the help of his mother. Moses is a friend of God, leads god's people out of bondage, kills the Egyptian, refuses to speak to Pharaoh, and strikes the rock. David defeats Goliath and commit adultery and murder. Solomon asks for wisdom and introduces idolatry to God's people. Peter denies and then becomes a foundation stone for the Messianic community. James mocks Jesus when the Lord has His earthly ministry and then becomes the head of the church in Jerusalem. Not to leave the women out, Rahab was a prostitute who believes God and ends up in the line of Messiah. Ruth a Moabite, a non Jew, who cares for her Jewish mother in law, is David's great grandmother. Mary of Magdala was possessed by demons but came to be the Lord's treasured servant. The entire history of God's people is one of failure and redemption. Virtually every book in the Bible deals with people not getting along. Even tiny books like 2nd and 3rd John deal with relational issues. If we are honest, the record God gives us is not very pretty. However, it is remarkably helpful.
There is a movement within the American culture to remove and eliminate reminders of past failures and the record of men and women who were flawed. We find something distasteful about their character and conclude that who they were and what they accomplished should not be remembered. History of any people is not a record of pure and blameless people. It is a record of flawed men and women who lived and worked to build a nation. Their examples are there to learn from, not to worship or emulate in every aspect. After giving us a historic list of remarkable, yet broken, people from the historic past, the writer of Hebrews begins Chapter 12 with, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." In other words, let us learn from their lives, avoid the sin they fought with, and run with endurance, for the road is long and fret with dangers. They bear witness to the power and grace of a God Who uses broken stones to build His Kingdom.
Our history, likewise, surrounds us with a great cloud of witnesses who built a nation and learned as they went. Not unlike England or France or China, or South Africa. Every nation has its damaged heroes and grievances that should not be repeated or perpetuated. Reliving the past is no way to live going forward. Ignoring the past or burying it along with those who lived it will invite us to perpetuate the same errors and acts of intolerance. If we fail to learn or determine to hide the truth, as ugly as it may be or as uncomfortable as it might make us feel, will simply give us the opportunity to relive it once again until we learn the lessons God has for us.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Is There a Bird in Your Bed?
Do you ever wonder where those interesting colloquial sayings come from? Some are a bit dated and some are new enough that I have no clue what is being referred to. When I was growing up I learned that there is, "More than one way to skin a cat". I am sure this is true, however, I have never tried and have no desire to test the theory that cat skinning holds a variety of methodologies. I did see the truth in "not looking a gift horse in the mouth", just be happy you got a free horse and do not worry about it's dental hygiene. I also like the newer phrases, such as "A few fries short of a Happy Meal". Which is an upgrade from "A few bricks shy of a full load" seeing as, these days, Happy Meals are more common than loads of bricks. Hebrew and Greek had these back in the days of Christ. "Putting a camel through the eye of a needle" is one that has generated a lot of theological conjecture while it seems to be nothing more than a colloquialism in Jesus' day. I wonder if exegetical work will be done on Happy Meals some time in the future?
The phrase that has captured my interest is, "A little birdie told me so". If you are not immediately familiar it was a sort of cute way of not revealing your sources. The question, "Where did you hear that?" could be bypassed by explaining that "A little birdie told me so" and thus keep the perpetrator of the rumor or your source of information anonymous. Though I was familiar with the phrase I was not aware that it was Biblical. It is drawn from Scripture. Ecclesiastes 10:20 reads, "Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter." Apparently little birds have been eavesdropping for quite some time.
Two things come to mind when I came across this verse in Ecclesiastes. First, that colloquial phrases have found their way from Scripture into the common English language. This tells me that there was a time when Scripture so permeated society that phrases like these became acceptable and common. For history buffs the battle for Dunkirk might come to mind. The British forces were on the verge of annihilation when they sent this phrase to London: "But if not." I wonder if this would have any meaning today. Back during World War II people immediately recognized this to be from Daniel 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resolved that they would not bow to the golden idol but face the fiery furnace knowing that God could save them, "but if not" they would still not bow. Word spread of the pinned troops and every available fishing boat, yacht, and pleasure cruiser, headed into the Channel. The Germans hesitated in their advance, for no apparent reason, while the armada of little boats evacuated more than 338,000 soldiers. "But if not" became a colloquial phrase for standing firm, though it has pretty much died out today. We do toss around phrases like, "first remove the speck from your own eye" from Matthew 7:3 and "Don't put your light under a basket" from Luke 11. However, we might be hard pressed to come up with the reference. My point is simply that the influence of God's Word in Western society has certainly lost ground over the years. Which means the clear teaching of the Scriptures has waned as well.
The greater point is Solomon's warning. A warning a Jewish Rabbi named Jacob provided to the assemblies of believers back in the first century. We refer to his writings as a letter from James. In 3:6 he writes, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." Pretty strong words. James knows of the destructive power words can have. They are a gift from God that we can use to encourage and share the good news of Christ's offer of life and salvation. However, they are dangerous as well. Bringing reputations to ruin, damaging relationships, destroying ministries and families. Proverbs regularly warns of the use of the tongue. Reminding us that the Lord hates lies and deception.
The words of Messiah Jesus are even more convicting. Matthew 12:36, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they give account of it in the day of judgment." We will give an account for every idle word? That should take a chunk out of eternity. The Lord's point here is to be careful what you say. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 17:28, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." A variation of our own colloquial phrase, "that it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." The use of God's gift of language is not to be taken lightly.
The reason goes back to Solomon's words about the bird. What we say and do cannot be hidden forever. Speaking to the tribes from the east of the Jordan River, Moses tells them they are to help their brothers conquer the land to the west. If they do not Moses gives this warning, "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). Your sin will find you out. Achan found this to be true in Joshua 7 as did Ananias and his wife, Sapphira in Acts 5. Sinful words like sinful actions will find their way out into the open. A little bird will make it known and you may well pay the price, if not now, when you give the Lord an account of what words you have spoken. If a little bird can hear what is said, we better believe the Spirit of God has taken note.
I conclude with the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the Colossians, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one"(Colossians 4:6). It is good advice, a little birdie told me so.
The phrase that has captured my interest is, "A little birdie told me so". If you are not immediately familiar it was a sort of cute way of not revealing your sources. The question, "Where did you hear that?" could be bypassed by explaining that "A little birdie told me so" and thus keep the perpetrator of the rumor or your source of information anonymous. Though I was familiar with the phrase I was not aware that it was Biblical. It is drawn from Scripture. Ecclesiastes 10:20 reads, "Do not curse the king, even in your thought; do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, and a bird in flight may tell the matter." Apparently little birds have been eavesdropping for quite some time.
Two things come to mind when I came across this verse in Ecclesiastes. First, that colloquial phrases have found their way from Scripture into the common English language. This tells me that there was a time when Scripture so permeated society that phrases like these became acceptable and common. For history buffs the battle for Dunkirk might come to mind. The British forces were on the verge of annihilation when they sent this phrase to London: "But if not." I wonder if this would have any meaning today. Back during World War II people immediately recognized this to be from Daniel 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resolved that they would not bow to the golden idol but face the fiery furnace knowing that God could save them, "but if not" they would still not bow. Word spread of the pinned troops and every available fishing boat, yacht, and pleasure cruiser, headed into the Channel. The Germans hesitated in their advance, for no apparent reason, while the armada of little boats evacuated more than 338,000 soldiers. "But if not" became a colloquial phrase for standing firm, though it has pretty much died out today. We do toss around phrases like, "first remove the speck from your own eye" from Matthew 7:3 and "Don't put your light under a basket" from Luke 11. However, we might be hard pressed to come up with the reference. My point is simply that the influence of God's Word in Western society has certainly lost ground over the years. Which means the clear teaching of the Scriptures has waned as well.
The greater point is Solomon's warning. A warning a Jewish Rabbi named Jacob provided to the assemblies of believers back in the first century. We refer to his writings as a letter from James. In 3:6 he writes, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." Pretty strong words. James knows of the destructive power words can have. They are a gift from God that we can use to encourage and share the good news of Christ's offer of life and salvation. However, they are dangerous as well. Bringing reputations to ruin, damaging relationships, destroying ministries and families. Proverbs regularly warns of the use of the tongue. Reminding us that the Lord hates lies and deception.
The words of Messiah Jesus are even more convicting. Matthew 12:36, "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they give account of it in the day of judgment." We will give an account for every idle word? That should take a chunk out of eternity. The Lord's point here is to be careful what you say. Solomon tells us in Proverbs 17:28, "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." A variation of our own colloquial phrase, "that it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." The use of God's gift of language is not to be taken lightly.
The reason goes back to Solomon's words about the bird. What we say and do cannot be hidden forever. Speaking to the tribes from the east of the Jordan River, Moses tells them they are to help their brothers conquer the land to the west. If they do not Moses gives this warning, "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). Your sin will find you out. Achan found this to be true in Joshua 7 as did Ananias and his wife, Sapphira in Acts 5. Sinful words like sinful actions will find their way out into the open. A little bird will make it known and you may well pay the price, if not now, when you give the Lord an account of what words you have spoken. If a little bird can hear what is said, we better believe the Spirit of God has taken note.
I conclude with the Apostle Paul's encouragement to the Colossians, "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one"(Colossians 4:6). It is good advice, a little birdie told me so.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Trust In Car Alone
We have a variety of vehicles in our driveway. A Chevy Astro, Kia Sedona, Honda Civic, Nissan Rogue, and even a vintage 1988 AMC Eagle. My sons drive a Toyota and a Suzuki. Include my daughters and we add a Hyundai, a Dodge, and a Ford. We are fairly well covered in the automotive spectrum. All are road worthy, though some may question the Eagle. They are a pretty dependable means of transportation. We also occasionally use trains, planes, and buses to get where we might need to go, but cars are the transport of choice. Being privileged to live in the United States of America, owning a car, and having readily available transportation is pretty much a given. When living outside of a metropolitan area having a car is almost essential to survival. I have possessed a variety in my life time. Ranging from the 60's muscle cars (1964 Mustang, 1966 Barracuda, 1969 Camaro) to the family Ford wagon and Chevy minivan. When looking at these, or whatever your mode of transportation might be, I see a challenging parallel with my spiritual life.
We are to be people of faith. Trusting the LORD God with our future and our day to day existence. If you are aware of who God is, this should be a bit of a no-brainer. He is awesome in power and yet intimately concerned with my well being. Solomon explains that if we want to have clarity in where we want to go in life, trust is essential. He spells it out for us in Proverbs 3:5-6, " Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths." If we trust, if we believe, He will direct our paths. We do not need to understand, just trust, for there are times when things are simply beyond our understanding. No need for anxiety here, just relax and trust in the Lord.
However, this is not always my experience. I am the reason Paul wrote Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Anxiety is a result of a lack of trust. If we truly trusted we would be at peace and not be touched with worry or concern. We would treat God like we treat our cars. I drive a lot. I honestly enjoy being behind the wheel. I love road trips. Making a twelve hour straight drive to the Outer Banks is not an issue. It is actually pretty relaxing. So I put a lot of miles on my vehicles. I am not filled with anxiety wondering if my breaks work. In the hundreds of thousands of miles I have driven my brakes have failed once. They are dependable so I never stress over whether or not they will come through for me. I do maintain a relationship with them, checking the pads and fluid levels, occasionally replacing rotors and calipers. As long as I keep this proper relationship with them I am confident they will not fail me.
God, however, occasionally allows things to enter into my life that I am either not prepared for or simply do not like. Sickness, unexpected expenses, loss of people I love, and a variety of other things that make my existence uncomfortable. So when this happens I fret a little. I also complain about the circumstances and remind God that this is not what I want. Oh, I do pray, and I do get around to the trust thing. But I also have had sleepless nights, long walks in the rain, and an extra hour on the elliptical machine to burn off some frustrations. Why is it that I do not always go to the trust and relax mode? Why does it seem I have more confidence in my car getting me where I need to go and stopping when I hit the break peddle that I do with the Creator of the universe? Shouldn't I have the same, if not more, confidence in the LORD God Almighty? He certainly has proven that He is able to care for me. His love could not be more obvious through the gift of His Son. But, I still question just what He allows.
I marvel at the account of Peter in Acts 12. Herod had arrested James, John's brother, and had him executed. Seeing that it pleased the Jews he arrested Peter and intended to execute him as well. Peter is in the inner prison under guard. Acts 12:6, "And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison." Did you catch that? Peter's friend, business partner, fellow disciple and one of the inner circle with Messiah has been arrested and killed. Now he, Peter, awaits the same fate and he is asleep. Really asleep, check out verse 7, "Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, 'Arise quickly!' And his chains fell off his hands." The angel has to poke Peter to wake him up. The brilliant light was not enough. I would not be asleep. Praying, maybe. Having a few anxiety issues, perhaps. Wondering what God was doing? I am pretty sure that would be on my sleepless agenda. I guess I still have a ways to go with that trust issue.
Somehow, I hope to find the balance between trust and taking God for granted. To have the same quiet confidence that I have in my car's brakes. To know He is present at the moment those anxious events occur. To simply trust Him all the time. To escape my attempt at my own understanding and acknowledge Him as He directs my path.
So how goes the trust factor going in your life? Your car or your God. Who provides that quiet confidence that keeps you from doubt? Just something to think about.
We are to be people of faith. Trusting the LORD God with our future and our day to day existence. If you are aware of who God is, this should be a bit of a no-brainer. He is awesome in power and yet intimately concerned with my well being. Solomon explains that if we want to have clarity in where we want to go in life, trust is essential. He spells it out for us in Proverbs 3:5-6, " Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths." If we trust, if we believe, He will direct our paths. We do not need to understand, just trust, for there are times when things are simply beyond our understanding. No need for anxiety here, just relax and trust in the Lord.
However, this is not always my experience. I am the reason Paul wrote Philippians 4:6, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Anxiety is a result of a lack of trust. If we truly trusted we would be at peace and not be touched with worry or concern. We would treat God like we treat our cars. I drive a lot. I honestly enjoy being behind the wheel. I love road trips. Making a twelve hour straight drive to the Outer Banks is not an issue. It is actually pretty relaxing. So I put a lot of miles on my vehicles. I am not filled with anxiety wondering if my breaks work. In the hundreds of thousands of miles I have driven my brakes have failed once. They are dependable so I never stress over whether or not they will come through for me. I do maintain a relationship with them, checking the pads and fluid levels, occasionally replacing rotors and calipers. As long as I keep this proper relationship with them I am confident they will not fail me.
God, however, occasionally allows things to enter into my life that I am either not prepared for or simply do not like. Sickness, unexpected expenses, loss of people I love, and a variety of other things that make my existence uncomfortable. So when this happens I fret a little. I also complain about the circumstances and remind God that this is not what I want. Oh, I do pray, and I do get around to the trust thing. But I also have had sleepless nights, long walks in the rain, and an extra hour on the elliptical machine to burn off some frustrations. Why is it that I do not always go to the trust and relax mode? Why does it seem I have more confidence in my car getting me where I need to go and stopping when I hit the break peddle that I do with the Creator of the universe? Shouldn't I have the same, if not more, confidence in the LORD God Almighty? He certainly has proven that He is able to care for me. His love could not be more obvious through the gift of His Son. But, I still question just what He allows.
I marvel at the account of Peter in Acts 12. Herod had arrested James, John's brother, and had him executed. Seeing that it pleased the Jews he arrested Peter and intended to execute him as well. Peter is in the inner prison under guard. Acts 12:6, "And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison." Did you catch that? Peter's friend, business partner, fellow disciple and one of the inner circle with Messiah has been arrested and killed. Now he, Peter, awaits the same fate and he is asleep. Really asleep, check out verse 7, "Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, 'Arise quickly!' And his chains fell off his hands." The angel has to poke Peter to wake him up. The brilliant light was not enough. I would not be asleep. Praying, maybe. Having a few anxiety issues, perhaps. Wondering what God was doing? I am pretty sure that would be on my sleepless agenda. I guess I still have a ways to go with that trust issue.
Somehow, I hope to find the balance between trust and taking God for granted. To have the same quiet confidence that I have in my car's brakes. To know He is present at the moment those anxious events occur. To simply trust Him all the time. To escape my attempt at my own understanding and acknowledge Him as He directs my path.
So how goes the trust factor going in your life? Your car or your God. Who provides that quiet confidence that keeps you from doubt? Just something to think about.
Monday, October 16, 2017
On the Edge
I live in rural New York. It is not uncommon to be greeted by a variety of wild life as you drive down most any road or highway. I have waited while a black bear ambled across the road, dodged a few possums and a number of raccoons. I have encountered a fox and coyote making a dash across my headlights. I have found myself beeping at an entire flock of turkeys in the middle of the road and more woodchucks than I can count. They are agile and seem to want to avoid any real contact with this human being. However, there are other creatures that seem to be intent on contact. They are the indigenous white tail deer. They seem to have some peculiar desire to look in my living room window and munch the flowers next to my front door. They hang out in my back yard and when we had a pool they would stop by for a drink and to checkout the floating pool toys. In truth they are pretty impressive creatures. Slender legs that can bound over a fence from a stand still. They are a bit of a nuisance as they pass on the lush green clover in the neighboring field so they can devour my shrubbery and flowers. It is just a part of sharing the environment with God's creatures.
There is one thing that I do not understand when it comes to deer. The area we live in is pretty open. There are fields, farmland, and lots of wooded areas. There should be plenty of room for us to coexist. That being said, why to they graze on the side of the road instead of out in the field? What compels them to try to pay "chicken" with oncoming cars? It is not like there is nowhere else to go. Is the grass really that much better in the median between east and west bound major highways? Do they actually think they will win when they step in front of my seventy mile an hour van? Go hang out in the woods or the fields. Eat the daisies and wild flowers and get away from the edge of the highway. These deer seem compelled to live on the edge of the roads or even on the roads. Are they oblivious to the unfortunate carcasses of possible family members who have become vulture dinners left crumpled on the side of the road? Do they have some sort of bazaar death wish? How stupid can these creatures be to hang out on the edge of death and personal destruction?
Fortunately we, as human beings, as those created in God's image, are far wiser than deer. We would never dabble on the edge of destructive behaviors. We know better than to place ourselves at risk, positioning ourselves in the path of temptation. We are more prudent than to put ourselves on a path that leads us into an area of moral weakness. We are indwelt by the Spirit of God, so the idea of wandering willfully into areas that we know are places we should not go is foreign to us. Maybe not so much. We do live in a fallen world that is at odds with, if not aggressively challenging, everything we believe to be true. Every form of media is calling us to compromise our integrity. If not openly, to at least drag our thoughts to areas we really do know are not pleasing to the Lord.
This is why the Apostle Paul gave instruction to young Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" Simply put, if you want to live a Godly life you need to avoid the situations that can draw you into sin. Do not just think about it, Paul says to flee. Get out of there. Be like Joseph, drop your coat and run! (see Genesis 39 for the full account). We need to follow the counsel of the writer of Hebrews when it comes to living on the edge of temptation: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). As believers, it seems that we are susceptible to adopting the behavior of the New York white tail deer. We graze at the edge of the road called temptation and wonder what happened when a truckload of sin slams into us and sends us spiraling toward disaster. How much better to keep a little distance between us and what can cause us to fall.
We do live in a world that is filled with things to distract us and thus we must be vigilant. It seems obvious that our Lord's prayer in John 17:15 has been answered, at least in part, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." We have certainly been left in the world. However, we bear some responsibility for keeping from the evil one. Most of us know our weaknesses, be it wanting nice things, admiring an attractive person, or enjoying a good meal. Yet some of us know that, for us, this can lead to coveting, lust, or gluttony. Not for everyone. But, as I said, we know our weakness. We are experts in rationalization so we can feel comfortable standing on the edge of the highway called temptation somehow sure we will not step in front of the oncoming bus of moral failure. 1 Corinthians 10:12 was written for a reason, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
God knows us well. He also knows that being on the edge of the highway of temptation is no place for His children to live. He is kind enough to tell us to flee. Be aware of the highway. Stay out in the meadows of grace. Keep your distance from those other deer that say the grass is tastier on the edge of the road to destruction. However, the choice is still ours. Just keep in mind the vultures are circling for a reason.
There is one thing that I do not understand when it comes to deer. The area we live in is pretty open. There are fields, farmland, and lots of wooded areas. There should be plenty of room for us to coexist. That being said, why to they graze on the side of the road instead of out in the field? What compels them to try to pay "chicken" with oncoming cars? It is not like there is nowhere else to go. Is the grass really that much better in the median between east and west bound major highways? Do they actually think they will win when they step in front of my seventy mile an hour van? Go hang out in the woods or the fields. Eat the daisies and wild flowers and get away from the edge of the highway. These deer seem compelled to live on the edge of the roads or even on the roads. Are they oblivious to the unfortunate carcasses of possible family members who have become vulture dinners left crumpled on the side of the road? Do they have some sort of bazaar death wish? How stupid can these creatures be to hang out on the edge of death and personal destruction?
Fortunately we, as human beings, as those created in God's image, are far wiser than deer. We would never dabble on the edge of destructive behaviors. We know better than to place ourselves at risk, positioning ourselves in the path of temptation. We are more prudent than to put ourselves on a path that leads us into an area of moral weakness. We are indwelt by the Spirit of God, so the idea of wandering willfully into areas that we know are places we should not go is foreign to us. Maybe not so much. We do live in a fallen world that is at odds with, if not aggressively challenging, everything we believe to be true. Every form of media is calling us to compromise our integrity. If not openly, to at least drag our thoughts to areas we really do know are not pleasing to the Lord.
This is why the Apostle Paul gave instruction to young Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" Simply put, if you want to live a Godly life you need to avoid the situations that can draw you into sin. Do not just think about it, Paul says to flee. Get out of there. Be like Joseph, drop your coat and run! (see Genesis 39 for the full account). We need to follow the counsel of the writer of Hebrews when it comes to living on the edge of temptation: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). As believers, it seems that we are susceptible to adopting the behavior of the New York white tail deer. We graze at the edge of the road called temptation and wonder what happened when a truckload of sin slams into us and sends us spiraling toward disaster. How much better to keep a little distance between us and what can cause us to fall.
We do live in a world that is filled with things to distract us and thus we must be vigilant. It seems obvious that our Lord's prayer in John 17:15 has been answered, at least in part, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." We have certainly been left in the world. However, we bear some responsibility for keeping from the evil one. Most of us know our weaknesses, be it wanting nice things, admiring an attractive person, or enjoying a good meal. Yet some of us know that, for us, this can lead to coveting, lust, or gluttony. Not for everyone. But, as I said, we know our weakness. We are experts in rationalization so we can feel comfortable standing on the edge of the highway called temptation somehow sure we will not step in front of the oncoming bus of moral failure. 1 Corinthians 10:12 was written for a reason, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."
God knows us well. He also knows that being on the edge of the highway of temptation is no place for His children to live. He is kind enough to tell us to flee. Be aware of the highway. Stay out in the meadows of grace. Keep your distance from those other deer that say the grass is tastier on the edge of the road to destruction. However, the choice is still ours. Just keep in mind the vultures are circling for a reason.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
No Great Commission
Have you been called to fulfill the "Great Commission"? Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen" (NKJV). These two verses have been an anchor for the spread of the Christian faith, in general, and a particular verse of importance for evangelicals. It is a verse I have heard expounded upon from my college days even up to today. I was told that our Lord, God's Son, had given a command to GO and preach the gospel. One cannot stay and go at the same time, thus I was to leave where ever I was and launch out into the world and take the Gospel to every part of the earth. Evangelism was said to be key to the promotion and distribution of the Christian faith. "So when and where are YOU going? Where has the Lord called you to GO?" was delivered by a variety of preachers and missionaries. This was often followed by horrifying statistics of how many people were going to hell because of my slow response to the call to "Go".
Now, to be fair, there was the caveat that not everyone was called to a cross cultural "going". However, in one way, shape, or form Jesus was telling you to get up and get going. After all, didn't the Apostle Paul warn in Romans 10:14-15 about the desperate need to go? "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" The Lord already sent so if you do not go they will not hear, will not believe, will not call upon the Name and will be lost for all eternity. And it is your fault. Well, being a rather subdued personality with a gift to teach I always felt really short on the evangelism thing. Sure people came to faith through my teaching of God's Word. Lives have been changed, addictions broken,and families restored. But, that confrontational evangelism "go" thing has never been me. Then I took a closer look at Matthew 28.
The words translated as verbs are "go", "make", and "baptizing". The Greek text shows us that "go" is an aorist passive participle. Aorist is the least definite verbal ending in Greek. It can be a simple past however, it tends to be indefinite in its translation, not really something to build a commission upon. Passive is something done to you and participles are pretty easily understood by adding an "ing" ending. "Make" is to teach or instruct. It is an aorist, active, imperative. This is the only command we find in these verses. We are commanded to teach or instruct the nations how to follow Messiah. Then we are to be baptizing them, present, active, participle. So we should be actively baptizing people all the time. Our Lord's instruction to His disciples was pretty simple. As you go through your life, directed by the Spirit of God (remember you are passive here), you are commanded to teach those around you to be disciples. In Verse 20 we find that the word translated "teach" is a present, active, participle . This means you are to consciously actively, continually be offering instruction concerning everything the Lord has commanded. When they determine to become disciples of Christ we are to direct them to make a public display of their desire to be Christ's disciple through baptism. (By the way, the "go" command in Mark 16 is also passive so there is no command there either).
Now how do we fulfill these instructions? Fortunately, God left directions that everyone of the twelve, and whomever else was present, would know. It is passage they all have memorized and recited thousands of times as they grew up. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
We begin by loving God with all of who we are, mind, soul, and strength. Second we put all of God's words, commands, and statutes into our hearts. We integrate them into our lives. Third, you teach them diligently to your children. You are to put them on display when you sit in your house (what you watch on TV), when you walk by they way (how you treat the check out clerk at the store when no one has been there to help you find the item you needed), when you lie down (bed time prayers), and when you rise up (How do they see you approach each day with the Lord?). Everything your hands do reflects God's Word, everything you think demonstrates His truth in your life, They mark how you live in your city and in your home. Pretty practical stuff. Live like you say you believe.
When you do this be prepared for 1 Peter 3:15 to become true in your life, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." If you live separated unto God your behavior will be noticeable, maybe even irritating, to the people around you. So be prepared to give a clear, loving, gentle, answer as to what the Lord has done for you and what He can do for them as well. Begin to teach them of the Way, the Truth and the Life so they can come to the Father and know life eternal.
So you have no need to feel guilty for not going or not being that confrontational evangelist you may have been told to be. There isn't really any imposing "Great Commission" being held over your head. You are not responsible for every person who has not heard. You are not responsible to "go" anywhere, unless the Lord so directs you to go, (that passive thing kicks in here). You are responsible to live. To be who God made you to be. Your thoughts and actions need to be reflective of His thoughts and actions. We need to think about what answer to give concerning the hope within us so when people ask we are prepared.
Having read this post you will now be on your way with the rest of your day. God is not commanding you to go anywhere, but as you go where ever today might take you be aware of the opportunities to be teaching and developing relationships. Living in such a way that the hope in you is on display. The Lord will give you the opportunity to be making disciples as you are going. Oh, if that is a bit intimidating, remember He will be with you always, even to the end of the age.
Now, to be fair, there was the caveat that not everyone was called to a cross cultural "going". However, in one way, shape, or form Jesus was telling you to get up and get going. After all, didn't the Apostle Paul warn in Romans 10:14-15 about the desperate need to go? "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" The Lord already sent so if you do not go they will not hear, will not believe, will not call upon the Name and will be lost for all eternity. And it is your fault. Well, being a rather subdued personality with a gift to teach I always felt really short on the evangelism thing. Sure people came to faith through my teaching of God's Word. Lives have been changed, addictions broken,and families restored. But, that confrontational evangelism "go" thing has never been me. Then I took a closer look at Matthew 28.
The words translated as verbs are "go", "make", and "baptizing". The Greek text shows us that "go" is an aorist passive participle. Aorist is the least definite verbal ending in Greek. It can be a simple past however, it tends to be indefinite in its translation, not really something to build a commission upon. Passive is something done to you and participles are pretty easily understood by adding an "ing" ending. "Make" is to teach or instruct. It is an aorist, active, imperative. This is the only command we find in these verses. We are commanded to teach or instruct the nations how to follow Messiah. Then we are to be baptizing them, present, active, participle. So we should be actively baptizing people all the time. Our Lord's instruction to His disciples was pretty simple. As you go through your life, directed by the Spirit of God (remember you are passive here), you are commanded to teach those around you to be disciples. In Verse 20 we find that the word translated "teach" is a present, active, participle . This means you are to consciously actively, continually be offering instruction concerning everything the Lord has commanded. When they determine to become disciples of Christ we are to direct them to make a public display of their desire to be Christ's disciple through baptism. (By the way, the "go" command in Mark 16 is also passive so there is no command there either).
Now how do we fulfill these instructions? Fortunately, God left directions that everyone of the twelve, and whomever else was present, would know. It is passage they all have memorized and recited thousands of times as they grew up. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:5-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
We begin by loving God with all of who we are, mind, soul, and strength. Second we put all of God's words, commands, and statutes into our hearts. We integrate them into our lives. Third, you teach them diligently to your children. You are to put them on display when you sit in your house (what you watch on TV), when you walk by they way (how you treat the check out clerk at the store when no one has been there to help you find the item you needed), when you lie down (bed time prayers), and when you rise up (How do they see you approach each day with the Lord?). Everything your hands do reflects God's Word, everything you think demonstrates His truth in your life, They mark how you live in your city and in your home. Pretty practical stuff. Live like you say you believe.
When you do this be prepared for 1 Peter 3:15 to become true in your life, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." If you live separated unto God your behavior will be noticeable, maybe even irritating, to the people around you. So be prepared to give a clear, loving, gentle, answer as to what the Lord has done for you and what He can do for them as well. Begin to teach them of the Way, the Truth and the Life so they can come to the Father and know life eternal.
So you have no need to feel guilty for not going or not being that confrontational evangelist you may have been told to be. There isn't really any imposing "Great Commission" being held over your head. You are not responsible for every person who has not heard. You are not responsible to "go" anywhere, unless the Lord so directs you to go, (that passive thing kicks in here). You are responsible to live. To be who God made you to be. Your thoughts and actions need to be reflective of His thoughts and actions. We need to think about what answer to give concerning the hope within us so when people ask we are prepared.
Having read this post you will now be on your way with the rest of your day. God is not commanding you to go anywhere, but as you go where ever today might take you be aware of the opportunities to be teaching and developing relationships. Living in such a way that the hope in you is on display. The Lord will give you the opportunity to be making disciples as you are going. Oh, if that is a bit intimidating, remember He will be with you always, even to the end of the age.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Do You Believe In the Supernatural?
Do you believe in the supernatural? My guess is that most who read this would respond in the affirmative. There is more to this life than just the tangible stuff we absorb with our senses. We attempt to act as if the supernatural is real. We pray and we sing praises to a Being that is a bit beyond our cognitive abilities. Many accept the Scriptures as a revelation from this supernatural Being and that He desires for us to have a relationship with Him, not just an awareness of His existence. Belief in the supernatural has been around from the very beginning, from the time man first entered the world. The supernatural has had its influence upon every culture and society at some point in time. For those who hold a belief in Yahweh and His Son, Messiah Jesus, the supernatural should be an understood reality of daily life. The wonder of the supernatural should pervade our normal routine activities, making them anything but normal and routine. However, for many of us that is not the case. Life can, indeed, become very routine and seem boringly predictable. Should we just accept the norm and live that way? If we really do have a personal relationship with a supernatural God it seems that life should be more.
When we look to the Word of God and read the accounts of the people there, life has a greater vibrancy than what we often experience. From God coming to walk in the garden in search of Adam to His conversation with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, David and the ongoing list of interactions with the people of God. Those in Scripture see a connection between God and much of the normalcy of life. If there is a drought the question is asked of some supernatural involvement. The kings and prophets wondered if God was communicating to them through these natural events. Now I know that we live in a fallen world and that Paul tells us in Romans 8:22, " the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now," so some of what we see is the evidence of the weight of sin on creation. However, is it wise to chalk everything that happens around us to just be rationally explained away?
Our culture is Greek by nature. We are steeped in rational thought. Our search for understanding leads us to believe that everything can be explained if we just understand the facts or the underlying scientific principals behind things. Storms are explained to us through charts and diagrams and computer models so we understand why they form and how they may track. The same is true for earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. We can come up with a rational explanation for it all. We can even enter vast amounts of data into our computer programs and produce a computer model of what the climate will be one thousand years from now. It can all be explained if we just have enough data. The same is true for illness and economics. We have evolved to a point where the supernatural has little to do with ordinary life. Rationalism has become our answer to the unknown and unexplainable. Just give us a little more time and we can figure it out.
The challenge for those who believe in a supernatural God Who reveals Himself to us is to maintain balance. Accepting, even anticipating, the supernatural in our day to day lives while also knowing the simple truth that world events can have natural explanations. We do not need to proclaim Gods judgement after every storm (and often the claim that the end of the world is at hand). God does not punish people with cancer and illness. That is one thing we can learn from Job. On the other hand I give a nod to President Trump for his proclamation for a national day of prayer on September 3, 2017 in response to the devastating hurricane that crippled southern Texas. A call to ask for help from the Supernatural One was refreshing in the midst of our rational explanations of colliding atmospheric conditions.
I have known people who saw the supernatural in everything. Usually giving credit, or perhaps blame, to the devil and his demons for everything from insomnia to "stolen" parking spaces. Every sniffle needed to be prayed over and every good dental check up was a victory over the cavity demon. They found the books by Frank Peretti (This Present Darkness, and Piercing the Darkness) to be close to inspired texts rather than works of fiction. By the way, they are an interesting read and do remind us that there is an unseen supernatural world around us. Just remember they are fiction and you do not need to start praying for the good angels to win. I believe God has that covered. My point is that we tend to swing to extremes. There is honest danger in seeing supernatural warfare consuming every moment of your life. However, there is also danger in living in a rational world. We can fail to see God's warnings. We can miss opportunities to give Him praise or be encouraged to pray.
I have had more than a few incredibly close calls while driving. I am sure that diagrams could be drawn and an understanding of physics and kinetic energy could explain my survival. However, some of those instances left me with a intangible feeling of a presence beyond the rational. An emotional adrenaline rush? Perhaps, or it really was a touch of the supernatural? In truth all these things we see as rational explanations simply highlight the hand of the supernatural. Wind currents, high pressure systems, physics, all those rational computer programs are based on discovering what has always been there. Placed in motion by an intelligent, supernatural designer. One could argue the point; however, the rational thinker knows that the possibility of such complex systems evolving from nowhere is a significant leap of faith.
We are surrounded by the supernatural. From creation, to protection, to weather reminders that we are not in control. We have the opportunity every day to see the hand of God among us. Let creation proclaim His wonder. Be honestly thankful for His daily protection. If you drive in New York any day without someone driving into your car it is pretty much an act of God. The food we enjoy, the sights that we see, even the technology we employ has a foundation in the hand of the supernatural if we see it. Don't let your rational thoughts rob you of knowing His supernatural presence. As Francis Schaffer wrote, He is there and He is not silent, the question is, are we listening?
When we look to the Word of God and read the accounts of the people there, life has a greater vibrancy than what we often experience. From God coming to walk in the garden in search of Adam to His conversation with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, David and the ongoing list of interactions with the people of God. Those in Scripture see a connection between God and much of the normalcy of life. If there is a drought the question is asked of some supernatural involvement. The kings and prophets wondered if God was communicating to them through these natural events. Now I know that we live in a fallen world and that Paul tells us in Romans 8:22, " the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now," so some of what we see is the evidence of the weight of sin on creation. However, is it wise to chalk everything that happens around us to just be rationally explained away?
Our culture is Greek by nature. We are steeped in rational thought. Our search for understanding leads us to believe that everything can be explained if we just understand the facts or the underlying scientific principals behind things. Storms are explained to us through charts and diagrams and computer models so we understand why they form and how they may track. The same is true for earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. We can come up with a rational explanation for it all. We can even enter vast amounts of data into our computer programs and produce a computer model of what the climate will be one thousand years from now. It can all be explained if we just have enough data. The same is true for illness and economics. We have evolved to a point where the supernatural has little to do with ordinary life. Rationalism has become our answer to the unknown and unexplainable. Just give us a little more time and we can figure it out.
The challenge for those who believe in a supernatural God Who reveals Himself to us is to maintain balance. Accepting, even anticipating, the supernatural in our day to day lives while also knowing the simple truth that world events can have natural explanations. We do not need to proclaim Gods judgement after every storm (and often the claim that the end of the world is at hand). God does not punish people with cancer and illness. That is one thing we can learn from Job. On the other hand I give a nod to President Trump for his proclamation for a national day of prayer on September 3, 2017 in response to the devastating hurricane that crippled southern Texas. A call to ask for help from the Supernatural One was refreshing in the midst of our rational explanations of colliding atmospheric conditions.
I have known people who saw the supernatural in everything. Usually giving credit, or perhaps blame, to the devil and his demons for everything from insomnia to "stolen" parking spaces. Every sniffle needed to be prayed over and every good dental check up was a victory over the cavity demon. They found the books by Frank Peretti (This Present Darkness, and Piercing the Darkness) to be close to inspired texts rather than works of fiction. By the way, they are an interesting read and do remind us that there is an unseen supernatural world around us. Just remember they are fiction and you do not need to start praying for the good angels to win. I believe God has that covered. My point is that we tend to swing to extremes. There is honest danger in seeing supernatural warfare consuming every moment of your life. However, there is also danger in living in a rational world. We can fail to see God's warnings. We can miss opportunities to give Him praise or be encouraged to pray.
I have had more than a few incredibly close calls while driving. I am sure that diagrams could be drawn and an understanding of physics and kinetic energy could explain my survival. However, some of those instances left me with a intangible feeling of a presence beyond the rational. An emotional adrenaline rush? Perhaps, or it really was a touch of the supernatural? In truth all these things we see as rational explanations simply highlight the hand of the supernatural. Wind currents, high pressure systems, physics, all those rational computer programs are based on discovering what has always been there. Placed in motion by an intelligent, supernatural designer. One could argue the point; however, the rational thinker knows that the possibility of such complex systems evolving from nowhere is a significant leap of faith.
We are surrounded by the supernatural. From creation, to protection, to weather reminders that we are not in control. We have the opportunity every day to see the hand of God among us. Let creation proclaim His wonder. Be honestly thankful for His daily protection. If you drive in New York any day without someone driving into your car it is pretty much an act of God. The food we enjoy, the sights that we see, even the technology we employ has a foundation in the hand of the supernatural if we see it. Don't let your rational thoughts rob you of knowing His supernatural presence. As Francis Schaffer wrote, He is there and He is not silent, the question is, are we listening?
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