Posts
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Apple
A long time ago (to me), perhaps as many as thirty-five years, I was attending community college. I carpooled with my best friend. I drove. Until one day he suggested we ride with his father and I leave my car at his place.
I agreed, but it didn't set well with me, and by lunch time I was walking back to his house to get my car. Any reason to skip class, you know.
It was a hot September day, and the walk was something like seven miles.
Back in those days we didn't carry backpacks, water bottles, or things like that. And so at about the halfway point I was thirsty.
The route I chose was the shortest I could think of. It followed the divided highway. Along the one side was a residential district, separated from the highway by a four foot chain link fence. A path through the tall grass showed I was not the first to take this route.
I got to thinking about apples, and how a nice juicy Macintosh apple would taste just wonderful. The more I thought about it the more I wished I had one. I decided that when I got back to my car I was going to drive to a store and buy me a bag of Macintosh apples. That's what I was going to do. And then I would savor it's juiciness and flavor.
All of a sudden I stopped walking. There, laying on the path before me, was a bright red Macintosh apple. I looked around. Aside from the cars whizzing by there were no people to be seen. There was no apple tree from which the apple could have fallen. But it was there.
Now normally I would not have paid this apple any mind. Fallen food on the ground is just that: Food on the ground. Dirty. Germs. Disgusting.
But I had been thinking about an apple. Specifically, a Macintosh apple. And here before me now was exactly what I had been wishing for.
I picked it up and made a cursory examination. No bruises. No bite marks or cuts of any kind. I thanked God for the apple and ate it. It was as cool, juicy, and refreshing as I hoped.
So how did the apple get there? And why?
Logically, it was there because some other person had put it there. Either accidentally or on purpose. It could have been thrown from a car. It could have been dropped by a previous walker. Or, perhaps God just created an apple right there. The truth is, I don't know. I may never know. What I believe is that God answered the prayer of my heart and gave me an apple. I expect it was a small thing to do, but much appreciated. So much so that I still remember it with thanksgiving.
There are people who are searching for God but say they cannot find him. Why not?
Read this piece of scripture and think about it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:7-12 Revised Standard Version
God is always at hand to be found. He really is. However, when we restrict ourselves to only seeing him in a way of our choosing, we are probably going to miss him. Kind of like hiding in plain sight.
God nearly always uses the things and people of this world to answer prayer. We don't want that. We want the parting of the Red Sea. We want to walk on water. We want to raise the dead.
When things seem to happen as a natural order of events we wonder if God was involved. "It would have happened anyway," we say. Do we really know that? When much needed money arrives in the exact amount we need we rejoice. Then we find the money was sent days, or weeks, before we even knew we needed it. Was God involved?
It all comes down to faith, doesn't it? And faith is NOT what we feel about a thing. It's what we CHOOSE to believe. And we know we believe because we ACT accordingly.
If we really believe God forgives everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love, then we will forgive everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love.
If we really believe that salvation is based on forgiveness and not our own self-righteous efforts, then we will not be troubled about admitting our failings, for we will be relying on forgiveness to get to heaven.
What we feel is often at odds with what we believe. And this confuses us.
Read what Paul wrote:
I do not understand my own actions. For I do what I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. Romans 7:15-20 Revised Standard Version
Often we hear ourselves and/or other Christians - or people of faith - wail that they desire to be more patient. This cry from the heart is based on a misunderstanding about what patience really is.
We think patience is how we feel during stressful times. It is not. It is how we behave.
Think of the baseball player, standing with a bat in his hand and waiting for the pitch. It comes. His mind processes that it is a curve ball. Every muscle in his body wants to swing NOW. His emotions are screaming for action. But his will forces himself to wait. Just a fraction of a second longer. And WHAM! He gets the hit. Maybe even a home run. The impatient hitter feels all of these things - and swings early, striking out.
Patience isn't how we feel. It is how we discipline ourselves to not make decisions based on feelings.
When we see someone behaving patiently we assume they are not feeling the pressure. Wrong! They are simply holding back their actions.
God is here. With us. He grants us what we want through the people and things of the world. Sometimes to receive it we must wait. And wait. And wait.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 Revised Standard Version
The above verse is, of course, speaking of Christ's return to earth. However, I believe we should keep it in mind when waiting for other things, too.
We forget that this life is just a short blot in history. We are in a nursery of sorts. When we are ready, God will let us into the wide place of heaven and everything else.
I agreed, but it didn't set well with me, and by lunch time I was walking back to his house to get my car. Any reason to skip class, you know.
It was a hot September day, and the walk was something like seven miles.
Back in those days we didn't carry backpacks, water bottles, or things like that. And so at about the halfway point I was thirsty.
The route I chose was the shortest I could think of. It followed the divided highway. Along the one side was a residential district, separated from the highway by a four foot chain link fence. A path through the tall grass showed I was not the first to take this route.
I got to thinking about apples, and how a nice juicy Macintosh apple would taste just wonderful. The more I thought about it the more I wished I had one. I decided that when I got back to my car I was going to drive to a store and buy me a bag of Macintosh apples. That's what I was going to do. And then I would savor it's juiciness and flavor.
All of a sudden I stopped walking. There, laying on the path before me, was a bright red Macintosh apple. I looked around. Aside from the cars whizzing by there were no people to be seen. There was no apple tree from which the apple could have fallen. But it was there.
Now normally I would not have paid this apple any mind. Fallen food on the ground is just that: Food on the ground. Dirty. Germs. Disgusting.
But I had been thinking about an apple. Specifically, a Macintosh apple. And here before me now was exactly what I had been wishing for.
I picked it up and made a cursory examination. No bruises. No bite marks or cuts of any kind. I thanked God for the apple and ate it. It was as cool, juicy, and refreshing as I hoped.
So how did the apple get there? And why?
Logically, it was there because some other person had put it there. Either accidentally or on purpose. It could have been thrown from a car. It could have been dropped by a previous walker. Or, perhaps God just created an apple right there. The truth is, I don't know. I may never know. What I believe is that God answered the prayer of my heart and gave me an apple. I expect it was a small thing to do, but much appreciated. So much so that I still remember it with thanksgiving.
There are people who are searching for God but say they cannot find him. Why not?
Read this piece of scripture and think about it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:7-12 Revised Standard Version
God is always at hand to be found. He really is. However, when we restrict ourselves to only seeing him in a way of our choosing, we are probably going to miss him. Kind of like hiding in plain sight.
God nearly always uses the things and people of this world to answer prayer. We don't want that. We want the parting of the Red Sea. We want to walk on water. We want to raise the dead.
When things seem to happen as a natural order of events we wonder if God was involved. "It would have happened anyway," we say. Do we really know that? When much needed money arrives in the exact amount we need we rejoice. Then we find the money was sent days, or weeks, before we even knew we needed it. Was God involved?
It all comes down to faith, doesn't it? And faith is NOT what we feel about a thing. It's what we CHOOSE to believe. And we know we believe because we ACT accordingly.
If we really believe God forgives everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love, then we will forgive everybody, including those who have been especially horrible to us or those we love.
If we really believe that salvation is based on forgiveness and not our own self-righteous efforts, then we will not be troubled about admitting our failings, for we will be relying on forgiveness to get to heaven.
What we feel is often at odds with what we believe. And this confuses us.
Read what Paul wrote:
I do not understand my own actions. For I do what I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. Romans 7:15-20 Revised Standard Version
Often we hear ourselves and/or other Christians - or people of faith - wail that they desire to be more patient. This cry from the heart is based on a misunderstanding about what patience really is.
We think patience is how we feel during stressful times. It is not. It is how we behave.
Think of the baseball player, standing with a bat in his hand and waiting for the pitch. It comes. His mind processes that it is a curve ball. Every muscle in his body wants to swing NOW. His emotions are screaming for action. But his will forces himself to wait. Just a fraction of a second longer. And WHAM! He gets the hit. Maybe even a home run. The impatient hitter feels all of these things - and swings early, striking out.
Patience isn't how we feel. It is how we discipline ourselves to not make decisions based on feelings.
When we see someone behaving patiently we assume they are not feeling the pressure. Wrong! They are simply holding back their actions.
God is here. With us. He grants us what we want through the people and things of the world. Sometimes to receive it we must wait. And wait. And wait.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 Revised Standard Version
The above verse is, of course, speaking of Christ's return to earth. However, I believe we should keep it in mind when waiting for other things, too.
We forget that this life is just a short blot in history. We are in a nursery of sorts. When we are ready, God will let us into the wide place of heaven and everything else.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Possible Ending
I am seriously considering turning off access to this blog and shutting it down. Should know by Thanksgiving. But even if I choose to keep it going it may only be temporary.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
We are all Fools, And We Continue to Go Astray
It's been a while since I've posted. Posting here has become difficult. As much because this blog gets so few hits as because of weariness. But I just read something this morning which bothers me to no end, and I have to post about it. What is it? What else?
Religious Intolerance acting in the name of Christ.
If you are curious about what I read you may find it here. The blog is maintained by Lee Wind. It is a blog supporting the Gay->Bi-sexual->Lesbian->Transgender segments of society.
This hatred in the name of Christ has to be the most disgusting thing on the planet. It's worse than pedephilia, terrorism, murder, rape, or any other crime you can think of. Why? Because if you accept this kind of hatred - hatred in the name of God - then you are capable of ALL of those crimes - and much more.
Who in the Bible did Christ hate?
NOBODY!
He didn't even hate the Pharisees and Sadduces who plotted to kill him. He wept for them because of the horrors which were coming.
So how can anyone who claims to have Christ's spirit in them hate so much?
I was reading in Romans today.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 Revised Standard Version
When we focus our attention on banning books, or withholding social rights to others are we not focusing on the flesh?
When we create entire political action organizations using the name of Christ, have we not set our minds on the things of the flesh?
We do these things and we claim we are doing them for God. We claim we are representing God.
THAT IS A LIE!
Read what Jesus Christ himself said about governments and politics.
He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 Revised Standard Version
The laws of our society are NOT Christ's concern. How much, or even whether, we pay taxes. Where should speed limits be set? What books should be allowed here or there? These are the things of the flesh. They are NOT Christ's concern.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. That slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put you rsword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup with the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11 Revised Standard Version
Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 18:36 Revised Standard Version
We are NOT to fight. That is a direct order from Jesus himself. If he refused to allow it when he went to the cross, how much more will he refuse to allow it over the matter of books?
This is what Paul says.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashpemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version
I hilighted the portions which come to mind when I see and hear people who talk and act like Christian Conservatives.
I can't think of a single person on the planet who associtates Christian Conservatism with love.
What did Jesus say to the church of Ephaesus?
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love.Revelation 2:2-4 New King James Version
God does not want us wasting our time hating other people who are different from us. Not even if we are absolutely convinced they are horrible, sinful, people. Because is that not what we are without Christ? Nobody is holy and pure except that God, through Christ, forgives their sins. There is no degree of sin to get in or be excluded from heaven. One sin. Any sin. Keeps us out. And we have all sinned. God says so.
You worried about worldly influences on yourself, your family, your children? Don't be. Hear what God has to say.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Revised Standard Version
Spend less time worrying about the "don't" and more time on the "do's".
The "do's" of God are love and forgiveness.
Please, Please, Please remember that. I wish I could only make the Political Religious understand this.
Religious Intolerance acting in the name of Christ.
If you are curious about what I read you may find it here. The blog is maintained by Lee Wind. It is a blog supporting the Gay->Bi-sexual->Lesbian->Transgender segments of society.
This hatred in the name of Christ has to be the most disgusting thing on the planet. It's worse than pedephilia, terrorism, murder, rape, or any other crime you can think of. Why? Because if you accept this kind of hatred - hatred in the name of God - then you are capable of ALL of those crimes - and much more.
Who in the Bible did Christ hate?
NOBODY!
He didn't even hate the Pharisees and Sadduces who plotted to kill him. He wept for them because of the horrors which were coming.
So how can anyone who claims to have Christ's spirit in them hate so much?
I was reading in Romans today.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5 Revised Standard Version
When we focus our attention on banning books, or withholding social rights to others are we not focusing on the flesh?
When we create entire political action organizations using the name of Christ, have we not set our minds on the things of the flesh?
We do these things and we claim we are doing them for God. We claim we are representing God.
THAT IS A LIE!
Read what Jesus Christ himself said about governments and politics.
He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Luke 20:25 Revised Standard Version
The laws of our society are NOT Christ's concern. How much, or even whether, we pay taxes. Where should speed limits be set? What books should be allowed here or there? These are the things of the flesh. They are NOT Christ's concern.
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave and cut off his right ear. That slave's name was Malchus. Jesus said to Peter, "Put you rsword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup with the Father has given me?" John 18:10-11 Revised Standard Version
Jesus answered, "My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world." John 18:36 Revised Standard Version
We are NOT to fight. That is a direct order from Jesus himself. If he refused to allow it when he went to the cross, how much more will he refuse to allow it over the matter of books?
This is what Paul says.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blashpemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 New King James Version
I hilighted the portions which come to mind when I see and hear people who talk and act like Christian Conservatives.
I can't think of a single person on the planet who associtates Christian Conservatism with love.
What did Jesus say to the church of Ephaesus?
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left you first love.Revelation 2:2-4 New King James Version
God does not want us wasting our time hating other people who are different from us. Not even if we are absolutely convinced they are horrible, sinful, people. Because is that not what we are without Christ? Nobody is holy and pure except that God, through Christ, forgives their sins. There is no degree of sin to get in or be excluded from heaven. One sin. Any sin. Keeps us out. And we have all sinned. God says so.
You worried about worldly influences on yourself, your family, your children? Don't be. Hear what God has to say.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Revised Standard Version
Spend less time worrying about the "don't" and more time on the "do's".
The "do's" of God are love and forgiveness.
Please, Please, Please remember that. I wish I could only make the Political Religious understand this.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sometimes it Just Isn't Easy
Sometimes it seems that life and I are not friends at all anymore, if ever we were.
It gets hard when things refuse to go right. When the money is gone and one is reduced to the kindness of others only to find there are few who wish to be kind because they don't particularly like me.
Many times I have considered people who have given up completely, and I have always said to myself that they should just have hung on a little longer. And yet I find that now I, too, consider the merits of giving up.
It's hard.
His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, "yes once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." This phrase, "yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 Revised Standard Version
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That's just the way it is. So what of faith? My faith?
It's hard to keep going. It's hard to endure. It's hard when one doesn't know what to do anymore.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 Revised Standard Version
My scripture reading just a few minutes ago was Acts, chapter 27. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is being transported to Italy. The ship encounters a storm and all is lost - except the lives of the 276 people on board. They suffered without food fourteen days, fearful of their lives. An angel of God came to Paul to assure him all would be well. Many is the time I have wished God would send an angel to assure me.
But there is no need for the assurance of angels. God has given us the Holy Scriptures, and we must believe them or we will not believe an angel should one come.
Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:29-31 New King James Version
So to endure is weariness. It is hard.
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The Just shall Live by faith." Romans 1:14-17 New King James Version
It gets hard when things refuse to go right. When the money is gone and one is reduced to the kindness of others only to find there are few who wish to be kind because they don't particularly like me.
Many times I have considered people who have given up completely, and I have always said to myself that they should just have hung on a little longer. And yet I find that now I, too, consider the merits of giving up.
It's hard.
His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, "yes once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." This phrase, "yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 Revised Standard Version
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That's just the way it is. So what of faith? My faith?
It's hard to keep going. It's hard to endure. It's hard when one doesn't know what to do anymore.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 Revised Standard Version
My scripture reading just a few minutes ago was Acts, chapter 27. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is being transported to Italy. The ship encounters a storm and all is lost - except the lives of the 276 people on board. They suffered without food fourteen days, fearful of their lives. An angel of God came to Paul to assure him all would be well. Many is the time I have wished God would send an angel to assure me.
But there is no need for the assurance of angels. God has given us the Holy Scriptures, and we must believe them or we will not believe an angel should one come.
Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:29-31 New King James Version
So to endure is weariness. It is hard.
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The Just shall Live by faith." Romans 1:14-17 New King James Version
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Which Master Do You Serve
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24
The principal is true, and it doesn't only hold for God and money. It's true any time two or more priorities come into conflict. Sooner or later, in everything, you will be forced to choose one over the other. Spaghetti or roast beef for supper. Go to this movie or that. Go swimming or go to the zoo.
Those are minor decisions and the consequences of choosing one over the other seldom matter. But what happens when important things come into conflict?
Do I buy groceries or get my prescription filled? Do I go to daughter's soccer game over here, or son's soccer game on the other side of town?
At any given time we may find ourselves alternating between what is more important, but at any given moment one is more important than the other.
So what's my point?
Rules (laws) and people.
Which is more important to you? To me?
The Bible is replete with things identified by God as holy and as sinful. God cannot tolerate sin. He just can't. By definition sin is what is against God. The constant theme of scripture is that God loves people. People are sinners. All of us.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:21-25
So what about the law? I'm talking Biblical law. This is what Paul tells us in the first chapter of Romans.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling moral man or birds or animals or reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
26 For this reason god gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.
29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
Powerful words. Even frightening. But do you know what follows immediately after these words? Read on in chapter two.
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
Are you guilty of the entire list? No. Of course not. Who is? Hmm. Let's read what James has to say about that.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10
How can this be? Is it fair? Think of it this way.
There is a figure of a Bengal tiger on top of my computer monitor. Suppose I actually have two. Now suppose you come along and break off the ear of one. Someone else comes along and smashes the other into tiny pieces. How many of my tigers are broken? And who broke them?
Our tendency is to look at what someone else did and declare our offense wasn't nearly so bad. After all, we just broke off an ear. But we still broke it. Our error is ceasing to compare the tiger we broke with a perfect model. Paul talks about this.
But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12
So what do we say about people and the law? And what should our own attitude be?
We cannot love people and the law equally. God himself tells us this. So if we say we do we are liars. What should we do?
This is my opinion. I base it on Christ's forgiveness. God's forgiveness. I base it on warnings all through scripture, but particularly in the New Testament, about judging others without mercy.
I think the correct behavior is to love people and not worry about the law. God is not challenged by anything anyone does or say. His law will remain intact no matter what happens, and he will remain in charge. We need not fear for God or his law.
Our concern should be about people. We need to love them. Accept them as we hope to be accepted. I don't want to be punished for the things I am guilty of. That's why I rely on the forgiveness of God. Why should I wish for punishment for others. Especially when God keeps telling me that such an attitude will only guarantee my own punishment.
Let us not worry about who the sinners are. God has already told us they are us. All of us.
Which master will you serve? How about love? God is love. Let's serve him and not worry about the sins of others.
The principal is true, and it doesn't only hold for God and money. It's true any time two or more priorities come into conflict. Sooner or later, in everything, you will be forced to choose one over the other. Spaghetti or roast beef for supper. Go to this movie or that. Go swimming or go to the zoo.
Those are minor decisions and the consequences of choosing one over the other seldom matter. But what happens when important things come into conflict?
Do I buy groceries or get my prescription filled? Do I go to daughter's soccer game over here, or son's soccer game on the other side of town?
At any given time we may find ourselves alternating between what is more important, but at any given moment one is more important than the other.
So what's my point?
Rules (laws) and people.
Which is more important to you? To me?
The Bible is replete with things identified by God as holy and as sinful. God cannot tolerate sin. He just can't. By definition sin is what is against God. The constant theme of scripture is that God loves people. People are sinners. All of us.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:21-25
So what about the law? I'm talking Biblical law. This is what Paul tells us in the first chapter of Romans.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling moral man or birds or animals or reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
26 For this reason god gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.
29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
Powerful words. Even frightening. But do you know what follows immediately after these words? Read on in chapter two.
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
Are you guilty of the entire list? No. Of course not. Who is? Hmm. Let's read what James has to say about that.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10
How can this be? Is it fair? Think of it this way.
There is a figure of a Bengal tiger on top of my computer monitor. Suppose I actually have two. Now suppose you come along and break off the ear of one. Someone else comes along and smashes the other into tiny pieces. How many of my tigers are broken? And who broke them?
Our tendency is to look at what someone else did and declare our offense wasn't nearly so bad. After all, we just broke off an ear. But we still broke it. Our error is ceasing to compare the tiger we broke with a perfect model. Paul talks about this.
But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12
So what do we say about people and the law? And what should our own attitude be?
We cannot love people and the law equally. God himself tells us this. So if we say we do we are liars. What should we do?
This is my opinion. I base it on Christ's forgiveness. God's forgiveness. I base it on warnings all through scripture, but particularly in the New Testament, about judging others without mercy.
I think the correct behavior is to love people and not worry about the law. God is not challenged by anything anyone does or say. His law will remain intact no matter what happens, and he will remain in charge. We need not fear for God or his law.
Our concern should be about people. We need to love them. Accept them as we hope to be accepted. I don't want to be punished for the things I am guilty of. That's why I rely on the forgiveness of God. Why should I wish for punishment for others. Especially when God keeps telling me that such an attitude will only guarantee my own punishment.
Let us not worry about who the sinners are. God has already told us they are us. All of us.
Which master will you serve? How about love? God is love. Let's serve him and not worry about the sins of others.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wolf or Prophet
I was having a discussion with someone recently about my concern over how everyone is so filled with hatred, intolerance, and general animosity, that it's quite depressing to see. The topic of cults had come up and he had related that in his studies he had learned there were a frightening amount of cults just in the United States.
Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?
He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.
The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.
I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.
Am I a wolf?
I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!
Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version
Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?
He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.
The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.
I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.
Am I a wolf?
I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!
Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version
Monday, October 12, 2009
It Turns Out God Made Them After All
There are many divisive issues confronting us today. They range from race relations to religion to matters of law and even sexuality. For a person who grew up with very precise definitions of sex and sexuality I am a Johnny-come-lately to the discussion. There was a time I held a stance and was quite dogmatic about it. I wasn't willing to hear anything which didn't agree with what I had already decided.
But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.
The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.
I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version
I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.
Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version
So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.
So where does that leave us with regard to God?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version
Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.
How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?
Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version
Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?
That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?
But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.
So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?
I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version
People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.
But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.
The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.
I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version
I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.
Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version
So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.
So where does that leave us with regard to God?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version
Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.
How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?
Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version
Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?
That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?
But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.
So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?
I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version
People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A Random Word of Scripture
Do you know what I find odd? StatCounter. I put it on all of my blogs and I don't think it works well at all. For instance, just on an impulse, I looked at the hits my blogs have taken. According to StatCounter, this blog was visited twice today. So, out of curiosity, I checked on "Recent Visitors", just to see where the visitors lived. According to "Recent Visitors" this blog has not been visited since early August. Then I checked the map of visitors and found over forty visitors to this blog from all over the world. Well, not exactly ALL over. Lots from North America; many from Europe; a few from the Middle East; and even some from southeast Asia and Australia. Meanwhile, the main counter tells me the blog has had 72 visits total (don't know what the counter was at when the blog went silent). So, I don't really know if anyone is coming here or not.
However, on the chance someone is, let me put down something actually useful. I just opened my bible and it fell open to James 1:2. Kind of appropriate, as I have NOT been doing this.
James Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version)
2 Count it all joy, my breathren, when you meet various trials,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7,8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which god has promised to those who love him.
Something else. I had this marked in orange hi-light. I'll include the verses around.
James Chapter 2 (Revised Standard Version)
8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one points has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' said also, 'Do not kill.' If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumps over judgment.
It has been a difficult time. Mostly because I have made it so.
Don't know when I shall post again.
However, on the chance someone is, let me put down something actually useful. I just opened my bible and it fell open to James 1:2. Kind of appropriate, as I have NOT been doing this.
James Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version)
2 Count it all joy, my breathren, when you meet various trials,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7,8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which god has promised to those who love him.
Something else. I had this marked in orange hi-light. I'll include the verses around.
James Chapter 2 (Revised Standard Version)
8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one points has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' said also, 'Do not kill.' If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumps over judgment.
It has been a difficult time. Mostly because I have made it so.
Don't know when I shall post again.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Shut Down
This may be my final post for this blog. In three days I lose my internet connection and whether I get another remains to be seen.
The blog hasn't become what I hoped. Guess I make a poor spectacle for God. It was my hope to present a practical approach to living with God in this world. I still believe it can be done, and I still believe that loving people is the key. After all, God is all about love. I just haven't done a good job of it myself.
There was a verse I was hoping to find. Thought it was in John, Chapter Sixteen. Just looked it up and find that is the chapter wherein Jesus is telling his disciples that he is leaving. Am I that arrogant and prideful that my subconscious should dare compare my leaving this blog - even for a short while - is comparable to Jesus' dying on the cross?
As I indicated. I have not been a great example.
Here, instead, are Jesus' parting words to the world.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Revised Standard Version
Remember, it isn't about me. It's about Jesus. It's all about Jesus. Jesus is God. That is what I believe.
This song has nothing to do with Christianity, but it is a pretty song, and I leave you with it. Take care.
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea.
You became the light on the dark side of me.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh,
The more I get of you,
The stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain, My power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny.
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby?
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
...And if I should fall along the way
I've been kissed by a rose
...been kissed by a rose on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain
My power, my pleasure, my pain.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny, yeah
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Yes I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
The blog hasn't become what I hoped. Guess I make a poor spectacle for God. It was my hope to present a practical approach to living with God in this world. I still believe it can be done, and I still believe that loving people is the key. After all, God is all about love. I just haven't done a good job of it myself.
There was a verse I was hoping to find. Thought it was in John, Chapter Sixteen. Just looked it up and find that is the chapter wherein Jesus is telling his disciples that he is leaving. Am I that arrogant and prideful that my subconscious should dare compare my leaving this blog - even for a short while - is comparable to Jesus' dying on the cross?
As I indicated. I have not been a great example.
Here, instead, are Jesus' parting words to the world.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19-20 Revised Standard Version
Remember, it isn't about me. It's about Jesus. It's all about Jesus. Jesus is God. That is what I believe.
This song has nothing to do with Christianity, but it is a pretty song, and I leave you with it. Take care.
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea.
You became the light on the dark side of me.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh,
The more I get of you,
The stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain, My power, my pleasure, my pain, baby
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny.
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby?
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
...And if I should fall along the way
I've been kissed by a rose
...been kissed by a rose on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain
My power, my pleasure, my pain.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny, yeah
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Yes I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the gray
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Being Humane
Faith in Forgiveness got an award. It's the Humane Award, for downright sweetness, and you can find it at the top of the right sidebar.
Got it from Silver, who is currently the only official Follower of this blog, and perhaps the only one left who even reads it.
Don't know the rules surrounding this particular award, but I'm not bold enough to pass it on.
Recently saw a M*A*S*H episode in which Charles was assigned the task of collecting for a specific charity which was a pet project of some general. After trying unsuccessfully to get others to do it for him, he ultimately gave up and just wrote a check to contribute for everyone. I told Son that is what my solution would have been. Only I wouldn't have bothered trying to solicit donations in the first place.
I suppose it's a mindset. Those of us who have super egos tend to go one way or the other. Either we crave and demand adoration, or we shrink from it, knowing the potential hazards of being given too much. Kind of like Gandalf the Grey in Lord of the Rings. Frodo offered to give him the one ring of power, but Gandalf refused. Some temptations are too much to endure. Pride is less of a challenge for some than others. I am not so fortunate. It is a risky thing for me.
What's odd is that those of us who suffer the most from it, have the least to be proud of. Odd. Isn't it?
In any case, I am very grateful to Silver for the award, and for her continued reading of this blog. Ultimately, it is readers who make any writing worthwhile. So thank you, Silver.
Got it from Silver, who is currently the only official Follower of this blog, and perhaps the only one left who even reads it.
Don't know the rules surrounding this particular award, but I'm not bold enough to pass it on.
Recently saw a M*A*S*H episode in which Charles was assigned the task of collecting for a specific charity which was a pet project of some general. After trying unsuccessfully to get others to do it for him, he ultimately gave up and just wrote a check to contribute for everyone. I told Son that is what my solution would have been. Only I wouldn't have bothered trying to solicit donations in the first place.
I suppose it's a mindset. Those of us who have super egos tend to go one way or the other. Either we crave and demand adoration, or we shrink from it, knowing the potential hazards of being given too much. Kind of like Gandalf the Grey in Lord of the Rings. Frodo offered to give him the one ring of power, but Gandalf refused. Some temptations are too much to endure. Pride is less of a challenge for some than others. I am not so fortunate. It is a risky thing for me.
What's odd is that those of us who suffer the most from it, have the least to be proud of. Odd. Isn't it?
In any case, I am very grateful to Silver for the award, and for her continued reading of this blog. Ultimately, it is readers who make any writing worthwhile. So thank you, Silver.
Friday, July 31, 2009
It's Hard Being Down
There are those who by the words they choose seem to imply that faith in God means happiness all the time. I'm not sure that's scriptural, either in the Quran, the Torah, or the Bible. But it's what many preach.
And they have the audacity to wonder why others call them hypocrites.
In the Bible, the Apostle Paul talks about being content.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version
Like many people, I internally translated Paul's words to mean he was happy. But that's not the dictionary definition. The dictionary says content is an adjective meaning: satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
I suppose in a way that is happiness. Here is the dictionary definition for happy: delighted, pleased, or glad; characterized by or indicative of pleasure or contentment; joyful; fortunate or lucky; felicitous; skillful or apt.
The word "contentment" is used in the definition for happy, so I suppose there is a correlation.
I suppose happiness is when one is pleased about what one is not trying to change. Resignation would be the partner with that. Resignation is: to give over without resistance; to give up.
I suppose it's bad to resign. I know others hate it when I do so in a game. But when there is nothing left for me to do, what else can I do but stop and let what happens happen?
That's the way I'm feeling today. Another month is over and things have been set in motion for me to be out of this house within two weeks. For others, this is a time for rejoicing. It's something they can look forward to with joy and gladness. A new hope. For me not so. For me it is the ultimate failure. I was told to do something. I tried to do it. Nothing good happened. I mucked it up. And now I'm tired. Exhausted. I fought and lost. Nothing good happened.
True, it isn't over. But things are in motion now. The sense of absolute failure is overwhelming. It's the story of my life.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Revised Standard Version
But you know, it would be nice to win once in a while. To be right.
And they have the audacity to wonder why others call them hypocrites.
In the Bible, the Apostle Paul talks about being content.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want, for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version
Like many people, I internally translated Paul's words to mean he was happy. But that's not the dictionary definition. The dictionary says content is an adjective meaning: satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
I suppose in a way that is happiness. Here is the dictionary definition for happy: delighted, pleased, or glad; characterized by or indicative of pleasure or contentment; joyful; fortunate or lucky; felicitous; skillful or apt.
The word "contentment" is used in the definition for happy, so I suppose there is a correlation.
I suppose happiness is when one is pleased about what one is not trying to change. Resignation would be the partner with that. Resignation is: to give over without resistance; to give up.
I suppose it's bad to resign. I know others hate it when I do so in a game. But when there is nothing left for me to do, what else can I do but stop and let what happens happen?
That's the way I'm feeling today. Another month is over and things have been set in motion for me to be out of this house within two weeks. For others, this is a time for rejoicing. It's something they can look forward to with joy and gladness. A new hope. For me not so. For me it is the ultimate failure. I was told to do something. I tried to do it. Nothing good happened. I mucked it up. And now I'm tired. Exhausted. I fought and lost. Nothing good happened.
True, it isn't over. But things are in motion now. The sense of absolute failure is overwhelming. It's the story of my life.
For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Revised Standard Version
But you know, it would be nice to win once in a while. To be right.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Having Done All - Stand
Sometimes it feels like the walls of life are closing in, like those torture chambers in which the ceiling continues to drop, or the walls keep squeezing together. It's just a matter of time.
It can be hard trying to live by faith. It can also be easy. Kind of depends on what's happening at the moment.
Well, at the moment nothing is going as I would like it. I suppose that is an exaggeration. What would be more correct to say is that of the things which matter most to me, some of the most important are going contrary to my desires.
Does that mean God has let me down? Some people think so. They think that if God does not grant them their prayer - as they prayed - then he has failed them. Yet these same people seldom see how they have failed God. I, on the other hand, see at least some of my failings. As Paul wrote, "I am chief of sinners".
How can God fail us? There is only one way. God must make a promise - and not come through. Regarding what is going on in my life, that has not occurred. The fact things are not happening as I wish does not mean God has failed me. He made no promises in these areas. Therefore, any expectations I have are of my own design - not God's. And God is not under any obligation to fulfill my expectations. Still, he just may. There is still time.
Chapters three and four of the Book of Daniel kind of speak to me right now. Either my insanity is about to be cured as I am delivered from the fiery furnace, or I will be destroyed in the fire.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 Revised Standard Version
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to assemble the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the privinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace." Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accosed the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live for ever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no heed to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well and good; but if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god what will deliver you out of my hands?"
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
Daniel 3:1-18 Revised Standard Version
And with that, they prepared to die.
It can be hard trying to live by faith. It can also be easy. Kind of depends on what's happening at the moment.
Well, at the moment nothing is going as I would like it. I suppose that is an exaggeration. What would be more correct to say is that of the things which matter most to me, some of the most important are going contrary to my desires.
Does that mean God has let me down? Some people think so. They think that if God does not grant them their prayer - as they prayed - then he has failed them. Yet these same people seldom see how they have failed God. I, on the other hand, see at least some of my failings. As Paul wrote, "I am chief of sinners".
How can God fail us? There is only one way. God must make a promise - and not come through. Regarding what is going on in my life, that has not occurred. The fact things are not happening as I wish does not mean God has failed me. He made no promises in these areas. Therefore, any expectations I have are of my own design - not God's. And God is not under any obligation to fulfill my expectations. Still, he just may. There is still time.
Chapters three and four of the Book of Daniel kind of speak to me right now. Either my insanity is about to be cured as I am delivered from the fiery furnace, or I will be destroyed in the fire.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:10-17 Revised Standard Version
King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to assemble the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the privinces to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the herald proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace." Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accosed the Jews. They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live for ever! You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no heed to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image which I have made, well and good; but if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace; and who is the god what will deliver you out of my hands?"
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up."
Daniel 3:1-18 Revised Standard Version
And with that, they prepared to die.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Life as a Spectacle
I suppose at times I come across as some lousy know-it-all regarding my faith and what I believe. That's why I try to point out my own failings from time to time. To let others know I have "attained" something others have not. The truth is, I struggle as much as anyone. And sometimes it hurts my credibility. Take yesterday, for instance.
I've kept no secret about us having been told we must be out of our house in just over thirty days. This is a direct result of our own personal financial collapse. Not asking for pity. There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of others who have, or are going, through the same thing. It's what happens.
Perhaps one thing which does make a difference in my case is that I firmly believe God told me not to sell this house. To remain here until such time as He directs otherwise. Few (if any) people have believed this event in my life was anything more than some kind of emotional (or psychotic) experience, having nothing to do with the real God.
For some it's because they don't want to believe there really is a God. For if there is (and there is) it means they are accountable to a higher power, and they don't like that.
For others they are jealous, for they don't understand what I mean when I say "God told me not to sell this house." They get this idea it was some miraculous moment like Moses on the mountain. It was nothing like that. It was an epiphany. Suddenly, I just knew. I can't explain it any better than that.
Others don't want to believe it's real because they don't want to believe God interacts with us like that anymore. That was for the apostolic times, when the church began. There are no more miracles, or spiritual revelations, or anything like that. For if there are, then they feel they must be somehow inferior for not having experienced it themselves. But that's because they don't understand how and why God interacts with us. I am over fifty years old now, and what I have learned is that God virtually never acts in a manner in which there is no room for doubt.
Why?
Because God most often uses the things and people of this world to communicate and help us. When the Bible tells us that God is arranging our answers to prayer before we even ask it doesn't make the claim lightly. Some things he sets in motion years in advance, so when we pray for it, it's ready. And when that happens many wonder if God was involved at all. But God doesn't operate in a no room for doubt manner. He wants us to believe in him and trust him, so he always does things in a manner which the unbelieving can explain as having nothing to do with God.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith is is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6 Revised Standard Version
There are a variety of reasons why people do not believe what I experienced was real. I can't blame them. They weren't here. I was alone at the time. And I'm not exactly a stalwart of godliness.
But I believe it was real and have acted accordingly since.
Part of that "acting accordingly" has to do with what is going on now. We are down to two weeks before we are suppose to move. While kind of making myself ready to move, I cannot help but think like Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego. God is well able to deliver us from this situation, and if he means for us to remain in this house then something is going to happen soon to bring that about. If it happens it could be anything from a major miracle to something which was put into motion months or years ago. Or, maybe we will have to leave.
I don't know. God didn't tell me what the consequences of not selling the house would be. He just said, "Don't sell the house." So I didn't.
There is a cost to all of this. As I indicated above, I do not have a lot of credibilty with others as a result of my holding fast to what took place nearly seven years ago. Just yesterday, Spouse laughed at me and felt a need to apologize to our guests when I made mention of it.
But you see, it isn't about my credibility. And if we are evicted it proves less about God than it does about me. You see, I am weak and foolish, and that's as it ought to be.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 Revised Standard Version
I've kept no secret about us having been told we must be out of our house in just over thirty days. This is a direct result of our own personal financial collapse. Not asking for pity. There are hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of others who have, or are going, through the same thing. It's what happens.
Perhaps one thing which does make a difference in my case is that I firmly believe God told me not to sell this house. To remain here until such time as He directs otherwise. Few (if any) people have believed this event in my life was anything more than some kind of emotional (or psychotic) experience, having nothing to do with the real God.
For some it's because they don't want to believe there really is a God. For if there is (and there is) it means they are accountable to a higher power, and they don't like that.
For others they are jealous, for they don't understand what I mean when I say "God told me not to sell this house." They get this idea it was some miraculous moment like Moses on the mountain. It was nothing like that. It was an epiphany. Suddenly, I just knew. I can't explain it any better than that.
Others don't want to believe it's real because they don't want to believe God interacts with us like that anymore. That was for the apostolic times, when the church began. There are no more miracles, or spiritual revelations, or anything like that. For if there are, then they feel they must be somehow inferior for not having experienced it themselves. But that's because they don't understand how and why God interacts with us. I am over fifty years old now, and what I have learned is that God virtually never acts in a manner in which there is no room for doubt.
Why?
Because God most often uses the things and people of this world to communicate and help us. When the Bible tells us that God is arranging our answers to prayer before we even ask it doesn't make the claim lightly. Some things he sets in motion years in advance, so when we pray for it, it's ready. And when that happens many wonder if God was involved at all. But God doesn't operate in a no room for doubt manner. He wants us to believe in him and trust him, so he always does things in a manner which the unbelieving can explain as having nothing to do with God.
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. And without faith is is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:5-6 Revised Standard Version
There are a variety of reasons why people do not believe what I experienced was real. I can't blame them. They weren't here. I was alone at the time. And I'm not exactly a stalwart of godliness.
But I believe it was real and have acted accordingly since.
Part of that "acting accordingly" has to do with what is going on now. We are down to two weeks before we are suppose to move. While kind of making myself ready to move, I cannot help but think like Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego. God is well able to deliver us from this situation, and if he means for us to remain in this house then something is going to happen soon to bring that about. If it happens it could be anything from a major miracle to something which was put into motion months or years ago. Or, maybe we will have to leave.
I don't know. God didn't tell me what the consequences of not selling the house would be. He just said, "Don't sell the house." So I didn't.
There is a cost to all of this. As I indicated above, I do not have a lot of credibilty with others as a result of my holding fast to what took place nearly seven years ago. Just yesterday, Spouse laughed at me and felt a need to apologize to our guests when I made mention of it.
But you see, it isn't about my credibility. And if we are evicted it proves less about God than it does about me. You see, I am weak and foolish, and that's as it ought to be.
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth, but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 Revised Standard Version
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Fearing to Live by Faith
One of the basic problems in trying to truly live a life of faith is dealing with fear. Not just the fear of being physically hurt, or humiliated, but the fear that we really don't believe as we think we do. Maybe, just maybe, when all is said and done, we don't really believe after all. Ultimately, that is what we're afraid of. And we don't like admitting it. Certainly not to others, but not ourselves, either. Not even to God.
We want to pretend that we believe so we don't have to actually find out. It's the person who believes in their talent, but won't push themselves to find out just how talented they are. That way, when they fail, they can comfort themselves by saying, "I wasn't really trying." People who are afraid of being rejected often make themselves unattractive, either physically or socially. That way, they need not be rejected for who they are. Not really.
I think part of our fear to live a life of faith is we don't understand what it means. We read verses like the following:
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 Revised Standard Version
We read things like that and think that faith is the way to get the things we want. In a way. Probably, to be more precise, faith is the way to change what we want, and then we get it. Read this from the Book of James. Take note that this was written to believers, not as an effort to convert the unbelieving.
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not received, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 Revised Standard Version
The Apostle Paul was certainly a man of faith. It's all he preached: Faith in Jesus. Faith in God. Yet read what Paul says about his life.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version
Not all of Paul's prayers were answered according to his desire.
And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn ws given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a Revised Standard Version
Faith is trusting God to be in control even when everything goes wrong. We are sick and do not get well. We need work and cannot find any. We are in the path of war. Storms and famine ravage the land.
Faith does not mean these things will not touch us. We are physically in the world. Therefore, we will be physically touched by the things of the world. What the world cannot touch is our spirit. Only God can do that. And that is what faith is about: God touching our spirit.
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry he was led by God into the desert. He spent forty days there without food. Scripture confesses he was hungry. He was in a place where there were thousands of rounded stones which resembled bread loaves. Seeing them, the devil took the opportunity to cause Jesus to doubt himself.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Luke 4:3 Revised Standard Version
The operative word here is "if". Jesus was hungry, but suddenly that was no longer the reason for creating bread out of stones. Later, Jesus would create fish and bread out of nothing. (Read about the feeding of the four thousand and five thousand in Matthew 14 and Matthew 15.) So why not now? Because it wasn't about eating. It was about proving something. It was about pride. God is not keen on this kind of pride. Self-respect is one thing. Flat out pride is another. So Jesus gives his famous reply in verse 4.
And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
The quote is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three.
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
You see, this is what we're really afraid of: being put through something in order to teach us, help us, make us stronger, and bring us closer to God. The only way to do that is to deny the desires of the body and carnal will. In other words, suffering of some kind. That is what we're afraid of.
Faith is not about always coming through because you believed. It's about holding fast to God even when you don't come through. Do we love God because he's some kind of perpetual Santa Claus or Father Christmas? Or do we love him because of who he is? Think about Abraham.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises wsa ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19 Revised Standard Version
When people die, it does not mean God has taken them from us. God raises people from the dead. They are not gone. They are just ahead of us on a journey. We will be reunited. There is no cruelty. Loneliness, yes. But faith can help us through that.
One more example.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a choice: deny God and live, or hold to their faith and die. This was their answer.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in the matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 Revised Standard Version
I think it important to point out that these three men were NOT counting on God to save their lives. They knew he could, but had no reason to believe he would. It didn't matter. It wasn't about whether they survived or died. Their faith was in God.
We all face challenges in our daily lives. Not all of these challenges deal with life and death, but sometimes they do. Most often, however, they are matters of fear and comfort.
This is true for me right now.
Seven years ago I was told by God (I believe this with all my heart) not to sell my house when I lost my high-paying job. For seven years we have remained in this house, each year being blessed with some last minute financial salvation to see us through another year. This year the miracles appear to have run out. We have just over thirty days to come up with about $300,000, or we're out of this house.
For some reason I am reminded of Nebuchadnezzar in that he was struck with insanity for seven years. Then he was restored. My seven years is just about up. But, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I will not quit believing even should not miracle come and I be kicked out. It isn't about surviving, or getting what we want, or expect. It's about God being in control. He is well able to send us the money. but even if not I will not cease to worship him. As Peter said to Jesus:
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68b Revised Standard Version
We want to pretend that we believe so we don't have to actually find out. It's the person who believes in their talent, but won't push themselves to find out just how talented they are. That way, when they fail, they can comfort themselves by saying, "I wasn't really trying." People who are afraid of being rejected often make themselves unattractive, either physically or socially. That way, they need not be rejected for who they are. Not really.
I think part of our fear to live a life of faith is we don't understand what it means. We read verses like the following:
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:23-24 Revised Standard Version
We read things like that and think that faith is the way to get the things we want. In a way. Probably, to be more precise, faith is the way to change what we want, and then we get it. Read this from the Book of James. Take note that this was written to believers, not as an effort to convert the unbelieving.
What causes wars, and what causes fightings among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not received, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:1-4 Revised Standard Version
The Apostle Paul was certainly a man of faith. It's all he preached: Faith in Jesus. Faith in God. Yet read what Paul says about his life.
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me; you were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 Revised Standard Version
Not all of Paul's prayers were answered according to his desire.
And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn ws given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:7-9a Revised Standard Version
Faith is trusting God to be in control even when everything goes wrong. We are sick and do not get well. We need work and cannot find any. We are in the path of war. Storms and famine ravage the land.
Faith does not mean these things will not touch us. We are physically in the world. Therefore, we will be physically touched by the things of the world. What the world cannot touch is our spirit. Only God can do that. And that is what faith is about: God touching our spirit.
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry he was led by God into the desert. He spent forty days there without food. Scripture confesses he was hungry. He was in a place where there were thousands of rounded stones which resembled bread loaves. Seeing them, the devil took the opportunity to cause Jesus to doubt himself.
The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." Luke 4:3 Revised Standard Version
The operative word here is "if". Jesus was hungry, but suddenly that was no longer the reason for creating bread out of stones. Later, Jesus would create fish and bread out of nothing. (Read about the feeding of the four thousand and five thousand in Matthew 14 and Matthew 15.) So why not now? Because it wasn't about eating. It was about proving something. It was about pride. God is not keen on this kind of pride. Self-respect is one thing. Flat out pride is another. So Jesus gives his famous reply in verse 4.
And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"
The quote is taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter eight, verse three.
And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know; that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but that man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.
You see, this is what we're really afraid of: being put through something in order to teach us, help us, make us stronger, and bring us closer to God. The only way to do that is to deny the desires of the body and carnal will. In other words, suffering of some kind. That is what we're afraid of.
Faith is not about always coming through because you believed. It's about holding fast to God even when you don't come through. Do we love God because he's some kind of perpetual Santa Claus or Father Christmas? Or do we love him because of who he is? Think about Abraham.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises wsa ready to offer up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaaac shall your descendants be named." He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19 Revised Standard Version
When people die, it does not mean God has taken them from us. God raises people from the dead. They are not gone. They are just ahead of us on a journey. We will be reunited. There is no cruelty. Loneliness, yes. But faith can help us through that.
One more example.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a choice: deny God and live, or hold to their faith and die. This was their answer.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in the matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18 Revised Standard Version
I think it important to point out that these three men were NOT counting on God to save their lives. They knew he could, but had no reason to believe he would. It didn't matter. It wasn't about whether they survived or died. Their faith was in God.
We all face challenges in our daily lives. Not all of these challenges deal with life and death, but sometimes they do. Most often, however, they are matters of fear and comfort.
This is true for me right now.
Seven years ago I was told by God (I believe this with all my heart) not to sell my house when I lost my high-paying job. For seven years we have remained in this house, each year being blessed with some last minute financial salvation to see us through another year. This year the miracles appear to have run out. We have just over thirty days to come up with about $300,000, or we're out of this house.
For some reason I am reminded of Nebuchadnezzar in that he was struck with insanity for seven years. Then he was restored. My seven years is just about up. But, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I will not quit believing even should not miracle come and I be kicked out. It isn't about surviving, or getting what we want, or expect. It's about God being in control. He is well able to send us the money. but even if not I will not cease to worship him. As Peter said to Jesus:
Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68b Revised Standard Version
Thursday, July 9, 2009
It Can Be Hard
Sometimes it's hard to continue in faith. To believe. I struggle with this more than anything else I know. And not just believing and having faith in God. For me, it's believing and having faith in anything. I'm jaded and cynical. I'm worn out and beaten up. The old vaudeville comedy sketch of the sad clown holds true in my heart so often: "Nothing good ever happens to me."
Sometimes it's hard to believe, and what makes it harder is the constant teaching that we believe what we feel. Our culture is so about feelings. How do we know if we love somebody? We feel good about them. How do we know we hate them? We feel bad toward them. How do we know what's right? We go with our feelings. How do we know we're spiritual? We feel it. How do we trust God? With our feelings.
What a crock! And we all fall for it to some degree or another. Some poor souls are completely lost in this Gospel of Feelings.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8 Revised Standard Version
Sometimes I have been just like that. I haven't been able to "grab on" and hold. I'm tossed hither and yon by my emotions.
Emotions are powerful things, and if we let them they will rule our lives. Not a good way to live.
My mother used to adhere strongly to the Gospel of Emotions. It was here belief that she the truth was what she was feeling. Thus, when she was happy with us (me) she lavished love and praise. However, let her emotions falter and her tune changed drastically. Suddenly, she "hated" us, and felt no qualms about telling us so. To this day I don't know that she fully understands the faultiness of emotions.
Emotions are like a logic test in which so many people have reversed things. Consider this question, similar to one I took on an intelligence test years ago. I will pick something foremost in a lot of people's thoughts right now.
If all coins are money, then which of the following is true?
If love contains happy feelings then what is true?
It works true with faith, too. Faith is not how we feel about a thing any more than love is.
Here is how God defines love. (emphasis mine)
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Revised Standard Version
If you read this carefully, you will not find any stress on feelings. What is stressed are decisions and attitudes. So, if you think you are loving others as God intended, then let me ask you this: what is your opinion on using torture against terrorists? How does that fit into God's definition of love and his commission that we should love everyone as we love ourselves?
Here is what God has to say about faith.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Revised Standard Version
This is what Merriam-Webster says about assurance.
Main Entry:
as·sur·ance Listen to the pronunciation of assurance
Pronunciation:
\?-'shu?r-?n(t)s\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century
1: the act or action of assuring: as a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property ; also : the instrument by which it is conveyed cchiefly British : insurance 2: the state of being assured: as a: security b: a being certain in the mind assurance of salvation> c: confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty ; also : excessive self-confidence : brashness, presumption 3: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence assurances of goodwill>
Faith is not a feeling. It is a belief. It is demonstrated through our actions. If we have faith the ice is thick enough to hold our weight, we walk across it. If we do not have this faith, we avoid the ice. Walking across the ice can be one of two things: acting in faith; acting in pride.
Jesus gave this example when he was tempted in the wilderness.
And he (Satan) took him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Luke 4:9-12 Revised Standard Version
What does this teach us? That sometimes we have to use our brains and determine what it is we believe and why. Are we acting in faith, fear, or pride? Only faith will keep us right with God. When in doubt, remember to act in love. Love is greater than faith. That you can count on.
Sometimes it's hard to believe, and what makes it harder is the constant teaching that we believe what we feel. Our culture is so about feelings. How do we know if we love somebody? We feel good about them. How do we know we hate them? We feel bad toward them. How do we know what's right? We go with our feelings. How do we know we're spiritual? We feel it. How do we trust God? With our feelings.
What a crock! And we all fall for it to some degree or another. Some poor souls are completely lost in this Gospel of Feelings.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:5-8 Revised Standard Version
Sometimes I have been just like that. I haven't been able to "grab on" and hold. I'm tossed hither and yon by my emotions.
Emotions are powerful things, and if we let them they will rule our lives. Not a good way to live.
My mother used to adhere strongly to the Gospel of Emotions. It was here belief that she the truth was what she was feeling. Thus, when she was happy with us (me) she lavished love and praise. However, let her emotions falter and her tune changed drastically. Suddenly, she "hated" us, and felt no qualms about telling us so. To this day I don't know that she fully understands the faultiness of emotions.
Emotions are like a logic test in which so many people have reversed things. Consider this question, similar to one I took on an intelligence test years ago. I will pick something foremost in a lot of people's thoughts right now.
If all coins are money, then which of the following is true?
- All money is coins
- No money is coins
- Some money is coins
If love contains happy feelings then what is true?
- All happy feelings mean love
- Some happy feelings mean love
- The absence of happy feelings means the absence of love
It works true with faith, too. Faith is not how we feel about a thing any more than love is.
Here is how God defines love. (emphasis mine)
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-13 Revised Standard Version
If you read this carefully, you will not find any stress on feelings. What is stressed are decisions and attitudes. So, if you think you are loving others as God intended, then let me ask you this: what is your opinion on using torture against terrorists? How does that fit into God's definition of love and his commission that we should love everyone as we love ourselves?
Here is what God has to say about faith.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Revised Standard Version
This is what Merriam-Webster says about assurance.
Main Entry:
as·sur·ance Listen to the pronunciation of assurance
Pronunciation:
\?-'shu?r-?n(t)s\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century
1: the act or action of assuring: as a: pledge, guarantee b: the act of conveying real property ; also : the instrument by which it is conveyed cchiefly British : insurance 2: the state of being assured: as a: security b: a being certain in the mind assurance of salvation> c: confidence of mind or manner : easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty ; also : excessive self-confidence : brashness, presumption 3: something that inspires or tends to inspire confidence assurances of goodwill>
Faith is not a feeling. It is a belief. It is demonstrated through our actions. If we have faith the ice is thick enough to hold our weight, we walk across it. If we do not have this faith, we avoid the ice. Walking across the ice can be one of two things: acting in faith; acting in pride.
Jesus gave this example when he was tempted in the wilderness.
And he (Satan) took him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written, 'He will give his angels charge of you, to guard you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" And Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.'" Luke 4:9-12 Revised Standard Version
What does this teach us? That sometimes we have to use our brains and determine what it is we believe and why. Are we acting in faith, fear, or pride? Only faith will keep us right with God. When in doubt, remember to act in love. Love is greater than faith. That you can count on.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
We Are the Reason We Should Be Ashamed
Yesterday I brought my son to Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN, for his saxophone lesson. While there I found a copy of the July, 2009, edition of Minnesota Christian Chronicle. On page 4 I found a short editorial by Carl Nelson who, as it is explained at the end of the editorial, is president and CEO of the Greater Minnesota Association of Evangelicals.
I won't take word-for-word excerpts from the paper (as I would probably find myself sued for copyright infringement), but I will give the gist of what Mr. Nelson wrote.
Apparently, Pew Research did a national survey and found that "62 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe 'the use of torture against suspected terrorists to gain important information' to be often or sometimes justified." The greater frequency of church attendance and the more likely this was true.
Now, Mr. Nelson is against this trend. In fact, he writes that he added his name to the National Religious Campaign to Ban Torture, and participated in a speaking event at the Center for Victims of Torture. He gives a web address: www.evangelicalsforhumanrights.org. Good for Mr. Nelson.
So many of us Christians get self-righteous about the fact the the world hates us so much. And let's be honest - the world does hate us. But when we support torture, hatred, intolerance, exclusionism, imperialism, and a host of other evil practices, I don't think we have much to be proud of. In fact, we are in danger of hell fire.
One of the main biblical themes God gives us in Holy Scripture is the the concept of sowing and reaping. "As a man soweth, so shall he reap." Spew out hatred, and that is what you will get in return.
So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version
If you are in favor of torturing suspected terrorists in order to gain information, think about what it is you are in favor of. What if someone - anyone - suspects you of something? What you are saying is that they should torture you in order to find out about it. This is true whether you know anything or not.
You say these people would not be in custody if they weren't guilty? What are you saying? Think about it. This means if anyone thinks you are guilty they should put you in prison and torture you.
Carry your thoughts through, people! Don't base your actions on fear. We live in a culture of fear. We are constantly being told by all kinds of people that we should be afraid. Politicians want us afraid so we will vote for them. Merchants want us afraid so we will buy their products. News and weather people want us afraid so we will watch/listen to/read their reports. Preachers want us afraid so we will come to them for guidance.
People. God is NOT about fear.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 New King James Version
Jesus set us the example when he was here. How did he react to sinners? And I mean real sinners, and not just people who were different, or hated him. The woman caught in adultery is probably the finest example Jesus gave. (I still find it amazing that only the woman was brought. It takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery.)
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 Revised Standard Version
So, what am I saying? We should do nothing with these suspected terrorists? Yes. I guess so. Without proof, we are as evil as the evil we purport to fight if we hold them. With proof, we should deal with them according to the law - the real law and not invented law based on fear. Real law forbids torture.
People, the saying is true. God started it, but it has been modernized. "What goes around, comes around." Whatever we unleash on others will eventually come back to us. It's a boomerang.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Revised Standard Version
We live in a world of fear. Jesus told us it would be so. Let us learn to relax in God's will and in the truth that God is in control. It is a learning experience, and it takes effort as well as time.
Luke Chapter 21 (emphasis mine)
[8] And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.
[9] But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immeidately."
[10] Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
[11] And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and tehere will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to th synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
[13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
[14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
[15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
[16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
[17] And you will be hatd by all for My name's sake.
[18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
[19] By your patience possess your souls.
[20] But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee t othe mountains, let those who are i nthe midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
[22] For thse are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
[23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
[24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
[25] And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
[26] men's hearts failing them from fear and the expecation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the hevens will be shaken.
I won't take word-for-word excerpts from the paper (as I would probably find myself sued for copyright infringement), but I will give the gist of what Mr. Nelson wrote.
Apparently, Pew Research did a national survey and found that "62 percent of white evangelical Protestants believe 'the use of torture against suspected terrorists to gain important information' to be often or sometimes justified." The greater frequency of church attendance and the more likely this was true.
Now, Mr. Nelson is against this trend. In fact, he writes that he added his name to the National Religious Campaign to Ban Torture, and participated in a speaking event at the Center for Victims of Torture. He gives a web address: www.evangelicalsforhumanrights.org. Good for Mr. Nelson.
So many of us Christians get self-righteous about the fact the the world hates us so much. And let's be honest - the world does hate us. But when we support torture, hatred, intolerance, exclusionism, imperialism, and a host of other evil practices, I don't think we have much to be proud of. In fact, we are in danger of hell fire.
One of the main biblical themes God gives us in Holy Scripture is the the concept of sowing and reaping. "As a man soweth, so shall he reap." Spew out hatred, and that is what you will get in return.
So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 Revised Standard Version
If you are in favor of torturing suspected terrorists in order to gain information, think about what it is you are in favor of. What if someone - anyone - suspects you of something? What you are saying is that they should torture you in order to find out about it. This is true whether you know anything or not.
You say these people would not be in custody if they weren't guilty? What are you saying? Think about it. This means if anyone thinks you are guilty they should put you in prison and torture you.
Carry your thoughts through, people! Don't base your actions on fear. We live in a culture of fear. We are constantly being told by all kinds of people that we should be afraid. Politicians want us afraid so we will vote for them. Merchants want us afraid so we will buy their products. News and weather people want us afraid so we will watch/listen to/read their reports. Preachers want us afraid so we will come to them for guidance.
People. God is NOT about fear.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 New King James Version
Jesus set us the example when he was here. How did he react to sinners? And I mean real sinners, and not just people who were different, or hated him. The woman caught in adultery is probably the finest example Jesus gave. (I still find it amazing that only the woman was brought. It takes two people to be caught in the act of adultery.)
So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." John 8:7 Revised Standard Version
So, what am I saying? We should do nothing with these suspected terrorists? Yes. I guess so. Without proof, we are as evil as the evil we purport to fight if we hold them. With proof, we should deal with them according to the law - the real law and not invented law based on fear. Real law forbids torture.
People, the saying is true. God started it, but it has been modernized. "What goes around, comes around." Whatever we unleash on others will eventually come back to us. It's a boomerang.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 Revised Standard Version
We live in a world of fear. Jesus told us it would be so. Let us learn to relax in God's will and in the truth that God is in control. It is a learning experience, and it takes effort as well as time.
Luke Chapter 21 (emphasis mine)
[8] And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.
[9] But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immeidately."
[10] Then He said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
[11] And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and tehere will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.
[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to th synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake.
[13] But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.
[14] Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;
[15] for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
[16] You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
[17] And you will be hatd by all for My name's sake.
[18] But not a hair of your head shall be lost.
[19] By your patience possess your souls.
[20] But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.
[21] Then let those who are in Judea flee t othe mountains, let those who are i nthe midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
[22] For thse are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
[23] But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
[24] And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
[25] And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
[26] men's hearts failing them from fear and the expecation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the hevens will be shaken.
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