Forced Joy

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. - Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities"

2011 has been a hard year in many ways for us, especially financially. And yet, Jill and I agree this has been the best Christmas season we've ever enjoyed together as a family... bar none. There's something real and good about this year that that has always eluded us for the past 22 years. This has been a season of forced joy.

Now, we've never been the type of people to get too caught up in the consumerism of Christmas. It's not like we've ever gotten in a fist-fight with strangers over that last "hot" toy of the season on the shelf at Target. That said, however, we have traditionally gotten caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season... the stress and temptation of spending more money than we really have... waiting in long lines to buy our treasures.. getting just the right Christmas tree (and getting it home, decorated, etc.)... wading through horrible traffic at the mall, going through our list hoping we can find something for everyone so we don't have to come back to this god-foresaken frenzy of people, stuff, cars, overpriced lattes... and lines as far as the eye can see. Stress is in the air at Christmas time! The songs romanticize it, but the reality is that many people are on edge from over-stimulation.

I remember one time getting our tree in early December when we lived in Orting. We were on our way home, driving carefully so as not to spill the overpriced tree tied to the roof of our Ford Escort. We were shocked when a young couple, also loaded down with Christmas goodies and packages... passed us (illegally), honked their horn, gave us the stink-eye, and - in unison - flipped us off as they sped around our car. Wow... merry Christmas to you too!

 

We've all seen them, right? The bah-humbugs of the shopping mall or cafe or gas station. Songs that celebrate peace on earth playing in the background everywhere you go... but there ain't nothing peaceful or joyous about some folks this time of year. Perhaps we've all been that grumpy person...?

I remember one time when the kids were around six and ten years old. We were broke as broke gets... but wanted to give our kids the "best Christmas ever" So we did what all well-meaning parents do in that situation... used the good old plastic to buy happiness. At least we attempted to use it. Let me tell you, nothing is more embarrassing than having a shopping cart full of toys rung up at Wal-Mart... only to be told that your credit card has been rejected. Like a Southwest Airlines ad... we just wanted to get away! Nothing screams shame and failure quite like the impersonal voice of the (rushed and annoyed) cashier informing us that our card has non-sufficient funds. Talk about humiliating!

However, this year is different. This year we don't have any extra money... so we decided to make an otherwise stressful situation into an opportunity. It may have been forced upon us... but nevertheless, we made a decision together... and it has reaped the surprising harvest of abundant joy within our family. No gifts this year. No (living) tree. No charge cards. No arguments. No stress. No shopping. No hassle. No consumerism... period. Just Jesus, and food... and family... and a quiet, simple, hassle-free holiday season.

 

For many years now, Jill and I have understood the true meaning of Christmas... and have always wanted to escape the trap of go, go, go. Truth is, we've always just wanted to enjoy the brighter (and romantic) aspects of the Christmas season. But frankly, we've never been willing to do it... it's too easy to give in at the last minute. Consequently, we have never received the joy of simple faith... not like this year. We all talk about getting away from the ugly side of Christmas... the hectic pace that consumerism puts us through unwittingly... but when it comes down to it, most all of us give in to the sin of overindulgence (both with our time and money) sooner or later... and one way or another, suffering the consequences. Nothing's worse than getting a massive Visa bill for a bunch of junk no one really needed or appreciated in the first place. Especially when you consider that the toys and trinkets (not to mention the gift cards) will be used up, forgotten and/or destroyed long before the bill may be paid off.

 

But this year is different for us. I've not even thought about the stress of Bellevue Square or Southcenter... and all that implies. Heck, I've not even gone to Yakima... the good old shopping stand-by of Ellensburgers everywhere! Our big splurge was a trip to Fred Meyer (the "Mall" of Ellensburg)... to buy an assortment of stocking stuffers for the kids (and dogs). It feels weird, but no lists of gifts for this person or that... no last-minute rush to the store to find gifts. Nothing that smacks of stress or guilt. We don't have it... and (at least for this year), we don't miss it either.

Christmas is about the gift of Christ into the world. Christmas is about celebration of life... real life that is found in the mindset of humbleness and gratitude.  Christmas is about relationships with people. Family... even those who kind of drive you nuts... and special friends of all varieties. Christmas is about special foods that make you fat (and happy)! Christmas is about simple pleasures like fresh-fallen snow, tree ornaments, Bing Crosby (and Nat King Cole and so many others). Christmas is about lights, and poems, and touching stories of generosity and kindness. Christmas is about caroling, and blessing, and giving. Sure, giving gifts can be a huge blessing... but somehow, the beauty of Christmas has infected our culture with the curse and bondage of expectations out of control. Maybe our time is more valuable anything else?!

 

Somehow, I think Jesus had it right when he said that the most important thing we can do is love God and love our neighbor. Essentially, the Incarnation is the ultimate personification of that truth, right? For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son... the Son who loved God so much he did His will... and the Son who loved people so much he came to be the Way... Our Way, Truth and Life. Jesus didn't shop at Macy's or Wal-Mart... but that doesn't mean he wasn't utterly and completely generous. He gave us the ultimate gift of Emmanuel... and He invites us to celebrate the reason for the season... NOT by overwhelming our pocketbooks, but through obedience to the Father, and generosity to our neighbor.

I thank God for the gift of forced joy this Christmas. Circumstances have caused me and my family to look to Him more closely (rather than the things of this world)... and depend on Him more profoundly this season. Though none of us knows exactly where we're headed on this earthly journey...  disciples of Christ can know that they know that God is good... and that He cares about people as a Shepherd cares for His sheep. 

 

May you experience the joy of living as you learn to trust in His provision, fully and completely. Merry Christmas.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 

“ Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”   - Luke 2:8-14

Good Friday?

Good Friday Text:  Mark 15

Seems weird to call the day Jesus was crucified, "Good" Friday... but oh well. I'm sure there's a historic reason. Not much that was good about it though.

Here's a sample of how it went for Jesus.

²⁵ It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶ A sign was fastened to the cross, announcing the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” ²⁷ Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

 ²⁹ The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. ³⁰ Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”

 ³¹ The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! ³² Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.

So, here's a question... who was responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus? Was it the Jewish leaders, who plotted his death? Was it the Roman soldiers, who enjoyed toying with and torturing Jesus? Was it the crowds, who on Palm Sunday cheered, "Hosanna" to Jesus... only to shout (a mere five days later) "Crucify him!"? Was it the disciples... who turned their back on him in the Garden of Gethsemane when the gang of thugs came to take him away? Or was it you and me... when we rebel against Him?

Seems we all have blood on our hands.

Nope... there ain't much that's good about Good Friday. That is, except we know it's not the end of the story.

Maundy Thursday

Biblical Text:  Mark 14:12-72

Today is Thursday of Holy Week. So what does that mean... what could that mean to us followers of Jesus 2000+ years after His crucifixion? Well, if nothing else, it's an opportunity for us to reflect on what happened that fateful night oh so long ago.

Reading the above passage in the gospel of Mark, I have a question I'd like to explore:  If Peter was ready to die for Christ, why wasn't he willing to live for Christ?

V. 31 - “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Vv. 71-72 - Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

   Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

I am so just like Peter, aren't you? We want to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength... but way too often we find that we don't love Him the same way He loves us. We want to reflect the light of Christ in this dark world... but way too often we find ourselves immersed in the same darkness that covers non-Christians. We want to stand for what is right... but when the going gets tough, we fall backwards and fail to stand at all.

Jesus went through so much for us. Not just the crucifixion itself, but coming to our world in the first place. Enduring hardship. Putting up with our refusal to draw near to God. Experiencing persecution. Suffering an agonizing death. So why do we so quickly deny Him with our words and actions? Why does the spirit of Peter... the spirit of cowardice permeate believers even to this day?

Don't know. But I'm glad Jesus went through with God's plan. I'm glad He's a forgiving God. I'm glad He stepped in through the gates of Hell, so that we don't have to. I'm glad He is faithful to humanity, even though humanity continuously fails to be faithful to Him. I'm glad God loves us even though we don't deserve it.

We are invited to dine at the table with Christ, and some of us plot his death. We are invited to pray with Him in the garden, and all of us scatter when danger comes. We are confronted about our relationship with Him, and most of us deny knowing Him. What a mess we are! What a fountain of grace He is!

Rob Bell: Response to a Concerned Friend

I admit it... I'm getting worked up all the controversy about Rob Bell. What follows is my response to a friend and brother in Christ who voiced his concern about Rob Bell's new book, Love Wins.

It seems as though a new divide is taking place among evangelicals in recent days and - though I appreciate their passion for Scriptural teaching - I'm getting increasingly frustrated with Christian "celebrity" leaders like John Piper and Mark Driscoll, especially when they decide to call out (and even demonize) pastors and teachers that dare explore what I perceive as extraordinarily Christ-centered (albeit out of the box) ideas about the love of God. There are, and always have been two primary sides to the great debate within evangelicalism... Calvin and Wesleyan/Arminian. Nevertheless, more often than not, the two sides have respectfully (if not always gently) disagreed on issues such as sovereignty vs. freewill, inerrancy of Scripture, etc. When it comes down to it, for many centuries now, many groups of so-called Bible-believing Christians have recognized a core of shared beliefs, most clearly articulated in the ancient creeds. As I reflect on both the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed... neither of which have a lot to say about the afterlife. I think it's safe to say it is not much. Scripture itself veils the whole matter in mysterious language - not at all clear or comprehensive. I'm guessing that is on purpose. Perhaps because it is beyond our human capacity to comprehend, except "through a glass darkly", i.e., the revelation of the Holy Spirit to our spirit. God gives us exactly what we need for our salvation, right? Regardless, I think we can agree that one thing about eternal judgment is very clear: God is in total and complete control. He will surely do it with justice and grace... all motivated by and infused with His perfect love.

Regarding judgment, the Nicene Creed merely affirms:

He [Christ] will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.

And, by the way, regarding generosity of spirit among Christians it says:

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

What it all means to me is this: important as it may be, nevertheless, eternal judgment is simply not our domain - it is God's alone. And though we need to be wise and discerning... still, we absolutely must approach the issue with humility, fear and trembling. I don't think I would call anyone a heretic unless I truly felt they were setting up theological barriers, effectively preventing people from receiving the free gift of grace... that is, a renewed and restored relationship with God, available to the "whole world" through Jesus Christ. Our job is to be witnesses to the light of Christ, all while understanding the implications of continuing to live in darkness (both here and in the life to come). Honestly, with that in mind I don't see how Rob Bell qualifies as a false teacher. He doesn't deny the "bad" news of eternal judgment - he only challenges our modern assumptions about the degree and scope by which God will carry it all out in His perfect love.

Unfortunately though, I don't sense very much generosity among fundamentalist Calvinists these days. As a Wesleyan/Arminian Christian... I find that kind of insulting. More and more, I'm hearing and reading some pretty divisive things from leaders among the Reformed camp, which saddens me. Obviously, this has really come into focus with the Rob Bell book. It seems as though they believe they have a corner on truth (Truth?)... and the rest of us are false teachers, leading people to destruction. Where is the generosity of spirit between the differing camps of orthodox Christianity? Where is the gentleness of correction and disagreement? Where is iron sharpens iron? I've read some alarmingly mean-spirited things written by the aforementioned pastors... and of course, their vast crowd of blogger followers. As I said, many of them wrote Bell off as a heretic even before the book was released! All because of a four minute video? Really? Honestly, I wonder if many of the bloggers are merely perpetrating what their heroes tell them they should believe. For the past several years, Brian McLaren has been a favorite target of theirs... and now it's Rob Bell, who dared to write a book exploring the afterlife... a book he audaciously decided to call Love Wins. Yes, I saw the video... and yes, Rob Bell certainly seems to be enjoying stirring the pot just to sell more books... but nothing he has said or done seems to deserve the tone of the attacks by his chorus of angry critics. Come on... why not attack real heretics and false messiahs like Oprah, or Tom Cruise, or any number of New Age spiritual wackos that lead people into the lie of self-glorification? Yes, Bell asked some controversial, thought-provoking questions... and he even inferred the possibility that Gandhi could be in heaven. But does any human being know for certain where God might send someone like Gandhi in the afterlife? Do you or I know? Does Driscoll? I'm pretty sure only God knows. And clearly, God looks at the heart. So, is it evil to ask questions about our time-honored doctrines, so firmly planted in the Enlightenment and rooted in rationalism? Is it so evil to think God may have another way of invoking pure justice on his creation than by sending all non-Christians to hell forever? Does the concept of God allowing "evil" people into His embrace (beyond what we can ascertain from the pages of Scripture) really that offensive to us? Is the Bible crystal clear about these things... or has the Church been shaped by cultural truisms that may not be biblically-based whatsoever? So Piper disagrees on Bell's view of the afterlife... is that disagreement borne more out of what Scripture clearly says, or what contemporary Christian tradition says? Biblical interpretation has always been, and always will be, a difficult, humbling process. But more and more, it seems as though if you don't interpret the Bible the way some people do, then you're labeled a false teacher. And therefore, attacks can be justified. My question is this: at what point does protection of Scripture become Phariseeism? They killed Jesus for his outrageous claims about the love of the Father... all in the name of protecting the law of Moses.

I don't need everyone to agree with me, not by any means. Nevertheless, I do hope and pray that we brothers and sisters in Christ can continue to dialogue, can continue to debate, can continue to encourage one another... and in humility, help one another discover and embrace the love of God more profoundly as we journey along together on this beautiful, yet extraordinarily difficult path called Christian discipleship. In the words of my home-boy, Jesus (found in John 13:35), "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Amen and Amen! What a concept.

The Book of Hebrews

Focus book: Hebrews (NLT)

Wow,

The book of Hebrews is a fascinating, beautiful, yet extremely troubling book. It's not long, only 13 chapters... but nevertheless, it is very d-e-e-p-! As I read it this week, I couldn't help but think of a symphonic masterpiece... something designed to start out in a hushed intensity... then slowly but surely build to a thundering crescendo that moves the hearer in a profound way. Something like Handel's Messiah, maybe? Anyway, Hebrews does that to me. Rather than comment on a small section, this week I thought I'd share a small snippet of thought from each chapter... kind of a quick overview of what I hear the author sharing with the reader along the way. Hopefully you'll be able to sense the need for reading this book in full context... it was never meant to be picked apart for sound bytes. The brilliance in this book is in it's dramatic unfolding of truth.

(Of course, people often hear me say that about all the books of the Bible... but I really do believe Hebrews has a special quality that makes context even more necessary than most other books.)

Anyway... this is what I heard in each chapter... serious food for thought!  

Chapter 1 - Christ is greater than Angels

• Jesus is God's Son, through whom everything was created
• The Son is greater than angels, who are powerful, but created beings

Chapter 2 - Christ is fully Man

• So we must listen carefully to the truth, or we will drift away
• Jesus is fully man - made in every respect as we were, and who suffered as we do
• He came to help the descendants of Abraham, not angels
• For only as a human being could He die, and only through dying could he break the power of the devil

Chapter 3 - Christ is greater than Moses

• Jesus is greater than Moses, Israel's savior from Egyptian slavery
• The ministry of Moses was the building, but the ministry of Jesus is the Builder - deserving more praise
• Be careful not to harden your hearts against Jesus as the Israelites did against Moses
• Because of their disobedience (to God), they did not enter the rest of the Promised Land

Chapter 4 - Christ is our Spiritual Rest

• Resting in God is not merely Sabbath, that is physical (on the seventh day), but spiritual (through the Son)
• Sabbath rest in the Law was a foreshadow of the rest we have in Christ
• Resting in God comes about through a softened heart that trusts in Him
• Christ is our Great High Priest who understands our weaknesses, and pours out mercy and grace

Chapter 5 - Christ is our perfect High Priest

• A High Priest whom the Father qualified Him as perfect, through the obedience of things He suffered
• A High Priest in the order of Melchizedek
• You who have been believers for a long time now ought to understand these things and teach others
• But instead you are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food
• Solid food is for those who are spiritually mature

Chapter 6 - Because of Christ, we can persevere in our faith

• So let's stop going over the basics over and over again
• It is impossible to bring back to repentance those who - once enlightened - reject the Son of God, nailing Him to the Cross all over again
• But surely, that is not you - you are meant for better things that come with salvation
• Our great desire for you that you will love others - and not become spiritually dull and indifferent
• That you will live by faith like our forefather, Abraham
• Thus, by faith, we understand that Christ leads us through the curtain to God's inner sancuary
• He is our great High Priest

Chapter 7 - Christ is our heavenly priest

• Melchizedek is greater than Moses
• Abraham gave him a tenth, and Melchizedek gave Abraham a blessing
• Unlike earthly priests, Melchizedek lives on
• Jesus is like Melchizedek, guaranteeing a better covenant with God
• His priesthood is by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed
• Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever
• He is the kind of High Priest we need, because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin

Chapter 8 - The new covenant Christ mediates is superior

• This is the main point: we have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven
• Christ is our High Priest, far superior to the old priesthood
• He is the one who mediates a far better covenant with God, based on better promises
• Because of what Jesus did, the first covenant - the old one - has become obsolete 

Chapter 9 - Christ is the perfect sacrifice, made once for all

• That first covenant had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth
• This system was only in effect only until a better system could be established
• Worship under the old covenant were a shadow of things to come
• Nearly everything was purified with the blood of an animal
• But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals
• Christ is the perfect sacrifice, dying once for all time
• He entered into heaven itself to offer to appear before God on our behalf
• He will come again, to bring salvation to all who are eagerly awaiting Him

Chapter 10 - The blood of Christ cleanses us forever

• The old system of Moses, was a shadow, a dim preview of things to come
• Christ canceled the first covenant in order to put the second (new) one in effect
• By His one offering, he forever made perfect those who are being made holy
• So we too can now enter heaven's most holy place, because of the blood of Jesus
• Our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with blood to make us clean,
• And our bodies have been washed with pure water
• But if we keep on sinning after receiving the knowledge of truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins
• So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord
• We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved

Chapter 11 - We can follow the Scriptural examples of faith

• Faith is confidence that what we hope for will happen, giving us assurance about things we cannot see
• By faith we understand the entire universe was formed by God's hand
• Examples: faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, etc.

Chapter 12 - We need to keep our eyes on Christ

• Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us strip off sin that burdens us
• Let us keep our eyes on Jesus
• He endured the cross because He had His eyes on the joy awaiting Him at the Father's side
• So too can we keep our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith
• God disciplines those He loves, so endure it as Christ did
• So work at living a holy life
• And be careful not to refuse to listen to the One who is speaking
• Let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe
• For God is a devouring fire  

Chapter 13 - We need to remain steadfast in our faith

• Show hospitality, love those who are mistreated
• Stay on the path, don't let others take your eyes off of Jesus
• Earth is not our permanent home
• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow
• Pay attention to the words of this letter (exhortation)
• May God's grace be with you all

Amen and amen!

Jesus Junkie

This week's focus book(s) to read is: TITUS / PHILEMON


From Titus 1:1-3

 ¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. ² This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. ³ And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

That pretty much says it in a nutshell for me. I am a slave of Jesus Christ. And, by nature of my calling to ministry, am an apostle, "sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God- who does not lie- promised them before the world began."


What is a more important role than that for a preacher? Ya, I know as a church-planter I am forced to wear a lot of hats... but frankly, I don't like that part of this job. I suck at administrative tasks... and people remind me of that often. Ya, I know paperwork is important. I know organization is necessary. I know communication is paramount. I know tasks have to be delegated. I know emails have to be answered and phone calls have to be returned, and websites need to be updated, etc., etc., etc.


But when it comes down to it... all I really want to do is two things: (1) spend time with God, listen to God, pray to God, serve God, cry out to God, and seek God's Word for wisdom and revelation... and (2) sit with people, talk with people, laugh with people, cry with people, pray with (and for) people, learn from people, debate with people (sometimes), wrestle with biblical issues with people... heck, sometimes even argue with people! All to accomplish one thing: to stand in the gap as a shepherd between God and the people of my flock to, "proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives." And allow that truth to give them, "confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began."


You see, I believe in the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. I don't always act like a holy man... far from it. I'm a work in process. But nevertheless, I'm a legitimate, authentic sold-out Jesus Junkie... a nutjob for Christ who really and truly believes that...


1. God made us to be whole and good and eternal, but...


2. Individually and collectively, we all have chosen to rebel against God's boundaries. Consequently, the curse of sin that we invited into our world prevents us from living the fulness of life God originally intended, but...


3. God did not give up on us. Through Abraham He called a people, and...


4. Raised a nation. God spoke to them and blessed them, taught them, warned them, and promised to save everyone through their obedience to His law, but they could not live up to their high calling, so...


5. God did the craziest thing imaginable. The Son of God came to our world and obeyed for us vicariously... He lived a human life for us... died a sacrificial death for us... obeyed the Law for us, and was resurrected to fully and completely reveal the power and grace of the Father... all for our sake. Then He...


6. Established His Messianic presence right here on earth. With mercy and forgiveness we can't begin to imagine, through His Holy Spirit God continues to reveal Himself to those who live by faith and trust and obedience to His invitation to EVERYONE to become reconnected to eternity and therefore become whole again (holy), reflecting the gift of His love. Finally, He will...


7. Come again at the right time to fully and completely establish His kingdom. He will create a new heaven and a new earth, fusing the two together He will live among His people (His true disciples) who choose to love Him seek to be with Him for ever and ever and ever.


I know. Crazy, huh?

Spiritual Fitness

This week's focus book(s) to read is: 1 & 2 TIMOTHY

I re-learned something recently that I already knew intuitively. Fasting is a great spiritual discipline, but a lousy way to lose weight (in the long run). Many of you already know, just less than a couple of weeks ago I completed a 40-day fast, whereas I only drank water, juice, broth, and a lot of yukky tea and some other distasteful things. And I lost 30 pounds in the process. But here's the kicker: since I started eating again, I've gained much of it back already... yep, I'm growing the gut again.  :-(  Oh well, that's because fasting as a diet is a really lousy, rather unhealthy way of shedding weight. During the famine you lose weight (though not at first, since your body goes in to starvation mode)... but eventually it comes off. However, during the feast you gain it back again in a great big hurry! 

I firmly believe that losing weight is more about paying close attention to eating a balanced diet (less carbs in my case)... moderating the portions (listening to my body)... EXERCISE... and frankly, giving my health/vanity over to God (recognizing it first and foremost as a spiritual battle). All of those things are key if I ever want to lose the gut once and for all (and perhaps live longer too).

Want to know the truth? I kinda do the same thing with Daily Bread too... that is, I have a feast or famine approach to chewing on the words of Holy Scripture. I might go a few days without reading a word... then spend several hours immersing myself in seeking what God has to say to me through the stories of His people. Why am I like that? Why do I starve myself for awhile, only to piggishly slop around in it later? Wouldn't a more mature approach be to marinate my soul (to continue the food analogy) in the Word daily... tuning my ear to God's Spirit, and seeking to know the will of God through an intentional, disciplined time of prayer?

⁶ If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. ⁷ Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. ¹⁰This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Man, I really do want to get into shape. I want to look better, feel better, and live life more fully by getting into good physical condition. But more than that... much, much more than that - I want to train myself for godliness - and consequently, teach others how to receive the, "promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." I am not a perfect person... far from it. But God has called me to grow and mature in my faith, and passionately encourage others to bear down, to breathe deeply, and discipline themselves to do the necessary hard work so they can walk in the narrow path... the path of holiness... the Way of our Lord and our salvation... the resurrected life.


Thank you, Cole, for constantly and continually reminding me of my need to feed on the Words of God daily... and spend enough time in prayer to really and truly hear what He wants to whisper into my ear. You indeed are my Timothy, as well as my son.

PHILIPPIANS - Working Out Our Salvation

This week's focus book to read is PHILIPPIANS (NLT)


There's a passage in chapter two that has always kind of jumped out at me. At first sight, verses 12 and 13 seem to throw a curveball at us "by faith alone" kind of believers.

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Wait a minute. Work out my salvation with fear and trembling? What's there to work out, Jesus? Ahem, I seem to remember the little detail in the four gospel accounts that YOU worked out our salvation already! I mean, you died on the cross for us, right? You paid the price for our salvation, correct? It's not something we could earn on our own... we're not capable of bringing about our own salvation... are you with me so far? SALVATION AIN'T POSSIBLE APART FROM GOD... so how in the world are we supposed to "work out our salvation"? And, for that matter, why the fear and trembling? Didn't Jesus absorb the punishment for the sins of mankind on that same cross (hence, "salvaging" us from God's garbage heap)? What's to fear?


Well... I learned this amazing phrase in seminary that helps to explain this kind of situation. Yes/and. (Wait... I can hear you asking: you went to seminary for the better part of a decade to learn that?) Yep, but rest assured, I learned a couple of other tidbits too.  :-)  Anyway, yes/and. YES, our High Priest (Jesus) stepped into our world and took our place on the altar of death... shedding his priestly robes and becoming the sacrificial lamb on the cross. Yes, in so doing, he did indeed bring about our salvation. That is God's gracious act in this covenant relationship. AND, we Christians - having accepted the gift of life, now are called to fulfill our part of the bargain... by living our lives by faith, seeking to reflect the nature and character - a.k.a. love - of our Lord and Savior. As it says in Matthew 5:48 (The Message), "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."


Exactly... you've been given the gift of salvation... now live like it. Act like it. Believe it. Let that eternal fact saturate your soul. Work it our in your life each and every day. And, while you're at it... do it with fear and trembling. No, not the kind of fear you experience when you watch Saw IV... that's carnal fear. The kind of fear (and trembling) this passage is getting at is the kind that comes from being overwhelmed by the presence of something... or someone that make you draw back in total awe. Like if you met the President or something (hmmmm... perhaps Sarah Palin is a better example if meeting the current president wouldn't get your adrenaline pumping)! You get the idea, right? God is big, He's powerful, He's awesome, He's holy... and because of that, mere humans couldn't help but shrink in His presence. He may be GOOD, but I guarantee you... He ain't safe. He's GOD for goodness sake! If the thought of encountering Him someday (and we all will) doesn't bring about a sense of fear and trembling... then you are what the Palmists would call a fool. An Englishman might call you a bloody fool. But I would just call you very, very brave... or maybe just plain stupid.


Anyway, you gotta admit... this whole thing is a yes/and situation. You and I are saved and salvaged, brothas and sistas who embrace the cross... so let's respond to and confirm the covenant by doing what we ought... by working out our salvation with fear and trembling!

Ephesians - Slaves Obey Your Masters

So, I'm trying something different, and yes, Glenn... I'm planning on sticking with it for a long time!  :-)

As shepherd of the people who claim The River as their spiritual home (and anyone else who may listen), it is my heart's desire to get everyone reading the Word of God regularly - so that they may hear the voice of, and better discern the love and grace continually poured out by our Father in heaven.


So just to keep everyone on the same page... and to make it easy, I've been encouraging everyone to read (at a minimum) one book of the Bible per week. As it is, we've been making our way through the New Testament for a few weeks now, and at our current pace, we'll be on track to finish it by Easter Sunday.


This week's focus book is EPHESIANS (This link sends you to the NLT translation, which, along with The Message, are my personal preferences). My sermons will not necessarily follow the reading schedule, so instead I'll resurrect this blog site to journal about something I read each week... while continuing to blog about the upcoming sermon at River Ramblings. Clear as mud?


Anyway, today, I was struck by Ephesians 6:5-8, as follows:

 ⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. ⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

Okay, so it's not likely anyone reading this is a slave - at least in the sense of slavery as we know it, marked by it's brutality and bondage. However, all of us who claim that Jesus is Lord is considered a "slave to righteousness"... so as far as I'm concerned, this is a passage for you and me just as much as anyone else.


We are willing subjects of God's kingdom, bond-servants of the One who sits enthroned above and has all power and authority to rule over us as He sees fit. So, if we are not "independent" contractors, but indeed slaves to the cause of Jesus Christ (as Paul so often described himself in various ways) - then what do you think it means to serve Him, O Christian? Haphazardly? Once in awhile? However and whenever we want? When it fits our busy schedule? When it's fun? When it stays within our comfort zone? When it doesn't hurt?


Um... no. I don't think so. Serving the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind and strength can be a pretty frightening experience sometimes. And yes, servanthood can potentially bring about a huge amount of pain and suffering on our part. Let's face it... being a disciple of Christ is not easy. Sometimes it's lonely and often it's frustrating doing what you hear the voice of God calling you to do.


But it's worth it. I heard someone say once... "God isn't interested in our happiness, He's interested in our holiness." However, even though that expression may have a ring of truth to it, I tend to think the gospel of Christ goes much deeper than that. I definitely don't think following Christ was ever meant to be easy, but on the other hand, God is eager to pour out His Spirit on His children, to make even the most difficult of circumstances lead to joy. Joy isn't what's felt on the surface when we get what we want out of life... it's what is felt deep down inside when we humbly obey God's will for our lives. Joy is what comes about when we, "Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."