Well, a triumphant cry echoes throughout the land now: ‘I made it through Christmas!!’ Another season of anxious gift buying, present-wrapping and pithy conversation with relatives has ended. There were additional stresses of double checking cards to find the Christmas stamp. Immediate judgment passed if the phrase ‘Happy Holidays’ was used. Combine that with the absolute insistence to avoid Target stores made the Christmas season that much harder. Darn them for not allowing the Salvation Army to stand sentry at their doors.
Forgive me if I sound cynical. I heard too much clarion calling this season; forced Merry Christmases, structured avoidance or tactical boycotting. I wonder what the goal is for all of this. Before I go any further, I fear I have to state the necessary clarifications so that my credentials are not questioned. I support Christmas with every fiber of my being. Jesus coming to this earth to redeem us, to consider us a treasure worth walking amongst astounds me. However, I remember a much simpler time: a time when we put on a Christmas pageant in my public elementary school. A time when Merry Christmas was said without hesitation to anyone and everyone. It was respectful for members of all races and religions to wish happy tidings of the season without offending or disregarding.
So, now that it’s forced, what does it mean? Does a banner waving ‘Merry Christmas’ from a store mean anything if it is contrived and forced? No, I am not okay with winter solstice witchcraft celebrations at schools. I also think personally believe that everyone should support the Salvation Army. Those bell-wringers have been an American icon for as long as I can remember.
This is just a continuation of a feeling I’ve had for a while now. Christmas is a perfect season to demonstrate love, not strife. I can stand for Jesus and say Merry Christmas, and mail a check to the Salvation Army and accomplish just as much for the sake of Christ. I can smile and share love, and celebrate the birth of my Savior without bringing attention to what is wrong with the world.
Enough about that. My real topic for tonight is how I get through the Christmas season. I did not make it through the family get-togethers without feeling disappointed with myself. I always feel like I have things to prove. I was a junkie; a disaster to my family once upon a time. To the casual observer, one who is skeptical about the power of Jesus, I look like a pull-up-your-bootstraps kind of success story. I feel this pressing need to prove Jesus to them. The main reason is that I want them to know how amazing Jesus really is. I want them to know He is the one who changed my life. I want eternal joy for my family.
But, I feel like it’s my job to ram that message home. And when I don’t appear as holy as I want, or my husband and children don’t live up to my expectations, I feel like I’m the one who lets God down.
If I’m feeling down on myself, I rely on the passage from when Jesus returns to His hometown. The people are shocked and amazed of who Jesus thinks He is. They ask, ‘Isn’t He the carpenter’s son?’ They end up offended at Him and not believing who He says He is. Jesus says to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” (Matthew 13.57) He says He was unable to perform miracles because of their lack of faith.
FINALLY, THE POINT…
My only point is that love is the key. Does my striving to make myself, my husband and my children look perfect prove anything? Actually, it only serves to prove that I’m a phony. It also perhaps could intimidate someone into believing that Christianity leaves no room to be human and fail.
Funny thing is, I am a complete sinner, and I always will be. Yes, God strives to make me more and more like His Son, but I will always be human. Isn’t that the whole point of the whole story? We are human, we screw up, sometimes we have bad tempers and our children act up; but Jesus loves me, I am forgiven, and I will always be His child. What does it prove to my family if I fake perfection?
So, as the year winds up to a close, I take time for personal reflection. I pray, I read my Bible, I prepare for a month-long fast. And I hone in on the pure love that is truly the most important,
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they [His disciples] know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus in John 17.25-26
Friday, December 30, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Christmas
DIAMONDS…OR SOMETHING ELSE
I was watching a jewelry commercial today. Of course, during various woman-friendly holidays, jewelry commercials are all the rage. You see a man dazzling a woman with a sparkling necklace or a nifty tennis bracelet.
That is all fine and good. What else does a woman want for Christmas? It even seems like a win-win for both parties in the deal: the woman has a new bauble to prove her man’s love and he gets the adoration that accompanies said bauble.
What really made me stop and consider the commercials was the fact that I was not getting any jewelry for Christmas. With the advent of children, anything shiny under our tree is fallen tinsel. Just kidding honey.
What truly struck me about the ads was what the announcer was saying. He said two things that I could not stop thinking about. Those two things were: ‘What would you do for love?’ and ‘Celebrating 100 years of love.’
I started thinking; what would I do for love? I do not believe for a moment that the cost of the present or the size of the diamond indicates the amount of love, that is not the issue at hand. And since when are gold and silver sales indicative of a hundred year celebration? With just a cursory glance at my heart, it would seem that the issue bothering me is the mass commercialization of Christmas. Of course, that is a big part of it, but I think there is more. I wish that for my children and for my family that Christmas was not about presents at all. I do not know about you, but my distraction level is so high around the holiday season that I have to consciously focus on Christ in order to remember the truth. I have to second guess what the other person will buy, what they will think of my gift, etc etc. None of this is love in my book. No, in fact my book describes love very differently. Here is just a fraction of how important love is supposed to be:
“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Jesus (Luke 6.35)
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” Jesus (John 10. 17-18)
“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus (John 15.12-13)
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus’ prayer to His Father (John 17.25-26)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” And “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1.1-2, 14)
And then,
“Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ …When He had received His drink, Jesus said ‘It is finished.’ and gave up His spirit.” (John 19.29, 30)
That love turns diamonds into nothing more than rocks. I do not find mention of monetary gifts as evidence of love. This Christmas, we should be celebrating over 2000 years of love. The Son of God came down here to show us the true, pure, simple yet complex love. He showed us a love that was many-faceted and a love that sparkles like no other.
We know the Christmas story, right? The baby born in the manger. The man who died on the Cross for us. But do we think about the Jesus who is alive and active right now, still loving us so completely?
Where has our love gone I wonder. Have we been so removed from our simple Jesus birth that we forgot what it means to just love one another? Will you love me despite the flaws I try to keep hidden? Will you love me despite my sin and my shame?
Will I love you the way He commands me to?
Oh Father, I am on my knees asking for a heart full of wonder this Christmas season. May every person I see remind me of your love for us. May I see a reflection of the Word in each man and woman. Father, pour out love on this world that seems to have lost touch with what love really feels like. Renew in us the love that you intended us to have. Help me show the love you have for me regardless of my imperfections.
What will you do for love this year?
Merry Christmas
I was watching a jewelry commercial today. Of course, during various woman-friendly holidays, jewelry commercials are all the rage. You see a man dazzling a woman with a sparkling necklace or a nifty tennis bracelet.
That is all fine and good. What else does a woman want for Christmas? It even seems like a win-win for both parties in the deal: the woman has a new bauble to prove her man’s love and he gets the adoration that accompanies said bauble.
What really made me stop and consider the commercials was the fact that I was not getting any jewelry for Christmas. With the advent of children, anything shiny under our tree is fallen tinsel. Just kidding honey.
What truly struck me about the ads was what the announcer was saying. He said two things that I could not stop thinking about. Those two things were: ‘What would you do for love?’ and ‘Celebrating 100 years of love.’
I started thinking; what would I do for love? I do not believe for a moment that the cost of the present or the size of the diamond indicates the amount of love, that is not the issue at hand. And since when are gold and silver sales indicative of a hundred year celebration? With just a cursory glance at my heart, it would seem that the issue bothering me is the mass commercialization of Christmas. Of course, that is a big part of it, but I think there is more. I wish that for my children and for my family that Christmas was not about presents at all. I do not know about you, but my distraction level is so high around the holiday season that I have to consciously focus on Christ in order to remember the truth. I have to second guess what the other person will buy, what they will think of my gift, etc etc. None of this is love in my book. No, in fact my book describes love very differently. Here is just a fraction of how important love is supposed to be:
“Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Jesus (Luke 6.35)
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” Jesus (John 10. 17-18)
“My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus (John 15.12-13)
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” Jesus’ prayer to His Father (John 17.25-26)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” And “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1.1-2, 14)
And then,
“Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ …When He had received His drink, Jesus said ‘It is finished.’ and gave up His spirit.” (John 19.29, 30)
That love turns diamonds into nothing more than rocks. I do not find mention of monetary gifts as evidence of love. This Christmas, we should be celebrating over 2000 years of love. The Son of God came down here to show us the true, pure, simple yet complex love. He showed us a love that was many-faceted and a love that sparkles like no other.
We know the Christmas story, right? The baby born in the manger. The man who died on the Cross for us. But do we think about the Jesus who is alive and active right now, still loving us so completely?
Where has our love gone I wonder. Have we been so removed from our simple Jesus birth that we forgot what it means to just love one another? Will you love me despite the flaws I try to keep hidden? Will you love me despite my sin and my shame?
Will I love you the way He commands me to?
Oh Father, I am on my knees asking for a heart full of wonder this Christmas season. May every person I see remind me of your love for us. May I see a reflection of the Word in each man and woman. Father, pour out love on this world that seems to have lost touch with what love really feels like. Renew in us the love that you intended us to have. Help me show the love you have for me regardless of my imperfections.
What will you do for love this year?
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Give a little bit...
GIVE A LITTLE BIT…
I bring breadstuffs to a housing project in the city every week. My friends had their inner-city mission closed down to build a restaurant-condo complex. They did not want to see the opportunity for blessing go to waste, so they asked me if I wanted to take it over. Of course, there was no need for the bread at the decimated mission, so I was left with finding out exactly who to bless with the bread.
My friends had mentioned a Native-American housing project in the city that could use the load of bread. Unbelievably, my thoughts were that the Lord would certainly find me a place closer to my home. The total drive one way is about sixty miles. God would never inconvenience me like that, seeing as I’m doing a charitable work for Him, and doesn’t charity begin at home?
So, I started asking around for a place that could use my blessing closer to home. I made at least half a dozen phone calls, and some of those phone calls were to umbrella organizations with ties to community. Would you believe that not only could I not find someone who wanted it, but also that no one would even return my phone calls? Unless there’s a prank phone call going around with fake donations, people surely should have called back I thought. Heck, I thought they would leap at my generosity.
Finally, with three-day old bread heaped in my van, I made a run down to the city. I couldn’t stomach the idea that the bread would go to waste, and truthfully, I need to go down there anyway. I called a friend for support and took her with me to drop it off at the project. I lugged in the Hefty bags, and my friend stopped to make small talk with an older lady standing in the food shelf area. I had no desire to engage in conversation that frankly might guilt me into driving this bread down every week.
After a few moments my friend walked out of the room and I couldn’t resist asking her what was said. My friend said, “Oh, the lady said she was down to her last two loaves for the food shelf and she had no idea what she was going to do next.”
I make that sixty-mile journey every week now. And I do it with a smile on my face.
WHAT’S THE POINT?
What a point it truly is. I don’t deny that taking the bread every week is partly an altruistic motion on my part. I’m only human after all. But there’s an even deeper, more primal feeling that tells me I’m in the center of God’s will on this one. Combine that feeling with the closed doors from the other charities and a stranger who speaks God’s words to me and I get the impression that I’m doing what He wants.
That feels good. And sure, being generous is with your cash, your time, your available resources, but it’s even more than all that.
The true nature of being generous the way God intends it is with your being. I feel great taking the bread, and I love getting that smile and thank you from the Salvation Army people when I drop a handful of change. But do I drop a handful of change because it looks like more? And am I disappointed when they don’t notice me? We hardly have the option here of doing things with pure motive, but we sure can try. Unless we try instead to give all of ourselves to Him.
I take the bread there now because I am doing what God wants me to do. I am an extension of Jesus on the earth doing what He would have me do. I enjoy doing it, but I also enjoy the knowledge that His children are being blessed with extra food each week.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. People don’t light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In that same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5.14-16)
When we give things other than our being, it is just an extension of our light. Perhaps it’s a flashlight. Our true lights are found and turned on when we give ourselves to Jesus entirely. We need to be generous of ourselves in order for the world to see exactly who He is in the Kingdom of God on earth. Our bodies and our being need to be turned over as vessels to the only One who can properly fill and pour out at the same time.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12.1)
One last thought. I heard a passage of scripture last week that I can’t get out of my head; and as luck would have it, it ties in nicely here.
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.” (Isaiah 58.10)
Oh, and if you’re reading this and you like to volunteer and be active for causes, but you don’t know Christ; consider this: Here’s a way to be involved 100 percent without draining yourself. Here’s a way to do something for a cause that’s truly greater than you are or anything else could ever be. Here’s a way to have joy and fulfillment no matter the outcome. Consider being a part of a movement that’s permanently changing humanity one person at a time. Think about it.
I bring breadstuffs to a housing project in the city every week. My friends had their inner-city mission closed down to build a restaurant-condo complex. They did not want to see the opportunity for blessing go to waste, so they asked me if I wanted to take it over. Of course, there was no need for the bread at the decimated mission, so I was left with finding out exactly who to bless with the bread.
My friends had mentioned a Native-American housing project in the city that could use the load of bread. Unbelievably, my thoughts were that the Lord would certainly find me a place closer to my home. The total drive one way is about sixty miles. God would never inconvenience me like that, seeing as I’m doing a charitable work for Him, and doesn’t charity begin at home?
So, I started asking around for a place that could use my blessing closer to home. I made at least half a dozen phone calls, and some of those phone calls were to umbrella organizations with ties to community. Would you believe that not only could I not find someone who wanted it, but also that no one would even return my phone calls? Unless there’s a prank phone call going around with fake donations, people surely should have called back I thought. Heck, I thought they would leap at my generosity.
Finally, with three-day old bread heaped in my van, I made a run down to the city. I couldn’t stomach the idea that the bread would go to waste, and truthfully, I need to go down there anyway. I called a friend for support and took her with me to drop it off at the project. I lugged in the Hefty bags, and my friend stopped to make small talk with an older lady standing in the food shelf area. I had no desire to engage in conversation that frankly might guilt me into driving this bread down every week.
After a few moments my friend walked out of the room and I couldn’t resist asking her what was said. My friend said, “Oh, the lady said she was down to her last two loaves for the food shelf and she had no idea what she was going to do next.”
I make that sixty-mile journey every week now. And I do it with a smile on my face.
WHAT’S THE POINT?
What a point it truly is. I don’t deny that taking the bread every week is partly an altruistic motion on my part. I’m only human after all. But there’s an even deeper, more primal feeling that tells me I’m in the center of God’s will on this one. Combine that feeling with the closed doors from the other charities and a stranger who speaks God’s words to me and I get the impression that I’m doing what He wants.
That feels good. And sure, being generous is with your cash, your time, your available resources, but it’s even more than all that.
The true nature of being generous the way God intends it is with your being. I feel great taking the bread, and I love getting that smile and thank you from the Salvation Army people when I drop a handful of change. But do I drop a handful of change because it looks like more? And am I disappointed when they don’t notice me? We hardly have the option here of doing things with pure motive, but we sure can try. Unless we try instead to give all of ourselves to Him.
I take the bread there now because I am doing what God wants me to do. I am an extension of Jesus on the earth doing what He would have me do. I enjoy doing it, but I also enjoy the knowledge that His children are being blessed with extra food each week.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. People don’t light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In that same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5.14-16)
When we give things other than our being, it is just an extension of our light. Perhaps it’s a flashlight. Our true lights are found and turned on when we give ourselves to Jesus entirely. We need to be generous of ourselves in order for the world to see exactly who He is in the Kingdom of God on earth. Our bodies and our being need to be turned over as vessels to the only One who can properly fill and pour out at the same time.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12.1)
One last thought. I heard a passage of scripture last week that I can’t get out of my head; and as luck would have it, it ties in nicely here.
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.” (Isaiah 58.10)
Oh, and if you’re reading this and you like to volunteer and be active for causes, but you don’t know Christ; consider this: Here’s a way to be involved 100 percent without draining yourself. Here’s a way to do something for a cause that’s truly greater than you are or anything else could ever be. Here’s a way to have joy and fulfillment no matter the outcome. Consider being a part of a movement that’s permanently changing humanity one person at a time. Think about it.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
In the spirit of the Christmas celebration, I thought I would revive an old classic with some new lyrics. I remember, “Santa Claus is coming to Town” from when I was a little girl. I remember thinking about the lyrics when I was about to break the rules, especially as it got nearer to present time. Heck, I’ve even used the threat of nothing under the tree on my own kids.
But what if we replace ‘Santa’ with Jesus? What if we support our change with some scripture verses? Who is Santa but an idea of a man who is somehow omniscient and omnipresent? He watches, and he takes notes. Kind of funny in a sad sense if you think about it.
“You better watch out.”
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” Romans 8.19
“You better not cry.”
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21.4
“You better not pout.”
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will be rewarded what he has promised.” Hebrews 10.35-36
“I’m telling you why,”
“I want you to know, brothers (and sisters), that the Gospel I preached is not something that man made up.” Galatians 1.11
“Jesus Christ is coming to town”
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Jesus Revelation 22.12-13
“He’s making a list”
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139.16
“And checking it twice.”
“…Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Jesus Luke 10.20b
“Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”
“Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3.22-24
“Jesus Christ is coming to town.”
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3.8-9
“He sees you when you’re sleeping.”
”Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5.14
“He knows when you’re awake.”
“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13.11
“He knows if you’ve been bad or good,”
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you…that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5.19-22
“So be good for goodness sake”
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3.12,17
Sure, Santa was a nice thought when we were younger. But eventually, someone broke our little hearts by telling us that he wasn’t real. Now we have a true Jesus, who is not even comparable to anyone else. And He makes this song a whole lot better.
In the spirit of the Christmas celebration, I thought I would revive an old classic with some new lyrics. I remember, “Santa Claus is coming to Town” from when I was a little girl. I remember thinking about the lyrics when I was about to break the rules, especially as it got nearer to present time. Heck, I’ve even used the threat of nothing under the tree on my own kids.
But what if we replace ‘Santa’ with Jesus? What if we support our change with some scripture verses? Who is Santa but an idea of a man who is somehow omniscient and omnipresent? He watches, and he takes notes. Kind of funny in a sad sense if you think about it.
“You better watch out.”
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.” Romans 8.19
“You better not cry.”
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21.4
“You better not pout.”
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will be rewarded what he has promised.” Hebrews 10.35-36
“I’m telling you why,”
“I want you to know, brothers (and sisters), that the Gospel I preached is not something that man made up.” Galatians 1.11
“Jesus Christ is coming to town”
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Jesus Revelation 22.12-13
“He’s making a list”
“All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139.16
“And checking it twice.”
“…Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Jesus Luke 10.20b
“Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.”
“Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3.22-24
“Jesus Christ is coming to town.”
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3.8-9
“He sees you when you’re sleeping.”
”Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5.14
“He knows when you’re awake.”
“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13.11
“He knows if you’ve been bad or good,”
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you…that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5.19-22
“So be good for goodness sake”
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3.12,17
Sure, Santa was a nice thought when we were younger. But eventually, someone broke our little hearts by telling us that he wasn’t real. Now we have a true Jesus, who is not even comparable to anyone else. And He makes this song a whole lot better.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
GOD BLESS YOU
I started thinking about the subject of blessings recently, and rather than waste the thought, I thought I'd write about it instead. I looked up the origination of 'God Bless you' after a sneeze. Apparently, that was started as a blessing during the plague in the 500's. People were instructed to pray for God's healing and intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately prayed for, in hopes the person would not develop the plague themselves.
I find it amazing that simple prayer has lasted thousands of years. Oh sure, sometimes you catch the 'God' being left off, but what else is new? The point is, somewhere, somehow; we still believe in the blessing.
The concept of blessing is not the same for everyone. Webster's writes that it is 'the divine favor or invocation of it.' Perhaps that's why to someone in North Korea, where the persecution of Christians is the highest in the world, it could mean another day of life. Here in America it could mean a prime parking space. I realize that sounds harsh. But it's just fact that life here isn't as hard here. It also fact that people perceive blessings to be anything at all that makes their day or their life better. If you couldn't even be sure you would make it through the day without being killed, where would your priorities be?
Anyhow, that's not the point.
The point it, what's a blessing, and who is it for?
Sure, we're His children and it brings Him joy to bless us. Right? But in the long run, our blessings should serve Him. In Ezekiel, the Lord promises that one day this life full of struggle and tears will all be over and blessings will fall like rain. That's the blessing at the end of the race. What happens until then?
The Lord blessed me by delivering me from drug abuse, restoring my marriage and most importantly, restoring me as a child of His. That sounds good, but it can't be the end. The only true blessing to me is the one that James speaks of. 'Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.' James 1.12 If I don't redeem God's blessing into a life of service for the Kingdom, was it a blessing at all? If I lose focus on the One who gave His life for me, if I don't bother with the ones who don't know Him yet, then haven't I extorted it? I've deceived myself into thinking I deserved a blessing, or earned it somehow. A blessing must be returned to the One who gave it in order to be a blessing.
Sure, that's done by thanking Him and praising Him. But that's not all either. Throughout each day on earth, we are meant to stand up and persevere with faith, everyday, until the end. Stand up and be counted. Whatever the trial, whatever the lesson to be learned. That's the blessing.
I started thinking about the subject of blessings recently, and rather than waste the thought, I thought I'd write about it instead. I looked up the origination of 'God Bless you' after a sneeze. Apparently, that was started as a blessing during the plague in the 500's. People were instructed to pray for God's healing and intercession. When someone sneezed, they were immediately prayed for, in hopes the person would not develop the plague themselves.
I find it amazing that simple prayer has lasted thousands of years. Oh sure, sometimes you catch the 'God' being left off, but what else is new? The point is, somewhere, somehow; we still believe in the blessing.
The concept of blessing is not the same for everyone. Webster's writes that it is 'the divine favor or invocation of it.' Perhaps that's why to someone in North Korea, where the persecution of Christians is the highest in the world, it could mean another day of life. Here in America it could mean a prime parking space. I realize that sounds harsh. But it's just fact that life here isn't as hard here. It also fact that people perceive blessings to be anything at all that makes their day or their life better. If you couldn't even be sure you would make it through the day without being killed, where would your priorities be?
Anyhow, that's not the point.
The point it, what's a blessing, and who is it for?
Sure, we're His children and it brings Him joy to bless us. Right? But in the long run, our blessings should serve Him. In Ezekiel, the Lord promises that one day this life full of struggle and tears will all be over and blessings will fall like rain. That's the blessing at the end of the race. What happens until then?
The Lord blessed me by delivering me from drug abuse, restoring my marriage and most importantly, restoring me as a child of His. That sounds good, but it can't be the end. The only true blessing to me is the one that James speaks of. 'Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.' James 1.12 If I don't redeem God's blessing into a life of service for the Kingdom, was it a blessing at all? If I lose focus on the One who gave His life for me, if I don't bother with the ones who don't know Him yet, then haven't I extorted it? I've deceived myself into thinking I deserved a blessing, or earned it somehow. A blessing must be returned to the One who gave it in order to be a blessing.
Sure, that's done by thanking Him and praising Him. But that's not all either. Throughout each day on earth, we are meant to stand up and persevere with faith, everyday, until the end. Stand up and be counted. Whatever the trial, whatever the lesson to be learned. That's the blessing.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
THE TRANSCENDENT TRUTH
There's a lot of hype that's disguised as truth out there. I used to think that articles I read in the newspaper, or things I heard on television were guaranteed to be the objective truth. The same goes for magazine articles. It never occurred to me that the phrasing of a sentence, or the inflection of a word could change tone and meaning. It took me a long time to realize that information is indeed biased.
Let me assure you that changing my mind about objectiveness was not a product of my being liberal or conservative. In a blog not yet written, but congealing in my mind, I would like to argue that this whole politics thing is getting way too old. I resent being categorized, and so should anyone who follows Christ. I think that when Christianity follows party lines it loses it beautiful shine. It detracts from the truth.
And the truth is what this is really all about, isn't it? In a world where you can't believe what anyone tells you, how do you know the truth when it's really in front of you? If you're like me, you can do your best to pick around the bias and the adjectives to find the nugget of truth hiding inside. Or, you can tune out entirely and go about your business at hand. Sometimes I think that would be easier; to live in a haze of busyness and ignore what doesn't directly affect me.
Of course I can't do that. I believe that the actions happening on the other side of the world do affect me. I just have to dig deep enough to find out the truth.
JESUS SETS THE TRUTH IN MOTION
Of course, I know where to find the real truth. If I were smarter, I would go into great detail about how the Bible has been preserved throughout generations. If I were concerned, I would justify just how accurately the text records God's word to us. However concerned I could be, I am only a human who you would choose to either believe or dismiss. The beauty is, God already took care of that for me. Believe it or not, the Bible is a living, breathing Word that transcends human bias. Whether you choose to accept or deny, the Bible will go on being true. With or without your belief, it will be.
Seventy-eight times Jesus says, "I tell you the truth." I guess one could assume He does that to convince. But that's not why. He says that because on the other side of the ring is the father of lies. Jesus is exclaiming the truth each time He says that.
Transcendent: adj. Beyond normal limits, surpassing Being above and independent of the limitations of the matierial universe.
"I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." -Isaiah 45.19
"We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1.14
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. " Jesus in John 5.24
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. " Jesus in John 14.6
I could list hundreds more, but why? His truth transcends me, it transcends party lines, it transcends media outlets. No one can change God's truth. No one. I simply report on what I know is true. With bias? Sure. I have saving grace and knowledge of He who rescued me. Think about it.
There's a lot of hype that's disguised as truth out there. I used to think that articles I read in the newspaper, or things I heard on television were guaranteed to be the objective truth. The same goes for magazine articles. It never occurred to me that the phrasing of a sentence, or the inflection of a word could change tone and meaning. It took me a long time to realize that information is indeed biased.
Let me assure you that changing my mind about objectiveness was not a product of my being liberal or conservative. In a blog not yet written, but congealing in my mind, I would like to argue that this whole politics thing is getting way too old. I resent being categorized, and so should anyone who follows Christ. I think that when Christianity follows party lines it loses it beautiful shine. It detracts from the truth.
And the truth is what this is really all about, isn't it? In a world where you can't believe what anyone tells you, how do you know the truth when it's really in front of you? If you're like me, you can do your best to pick around the bias and the adjectives to find the nugget of truth hiding inside. Or, you can tune out entirely and go about your business at hand. Sometimes I think that would be easier; to live in a haze of busyness and ignore what doesn't directly affect me.
Of course I can't do that. I believe that the actions happening on the other side of the world do affect me. I just have to dig deep enough to find out the truth.
JESUS SETS THE TRUTH IN MOTION
Of course, I know where to find the real truth. If I were smarter, I would go into great detail about how the Bible has been preserved throughout generations. If I were concerned, I would justify just how accurately the text records God's word to us. However concerned I could be, I am only a human who you would choose to either believe or dismiss. The beauty is, God already took care of that for me. Believe it or not, the Bible is a living, breathing Word that transcends human bias. Whether you choose to accept or deny, the Bible will go on being true. With or without your belief, it will be.
Seventy-eight times Jesus says, "I tell you the truth." I guess one could assume He does that to convince. But that's not why. He says that because on the other side of the ring is the father of lies. Jesus is exclaiming the truth each time He says that.
Transcendent: adj. Beyond normal limits, surpassing Being above and independent of the limitations of the matierial universe.
"I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right." -Isaiah 45.19
"We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1.14
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. " Jesus in John 5.24
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. " Jesus in John 14.6
I could list hundreds more, but why? His truth transcends me, it transcends party lines, it transcends media outlets. No one can change God's truth. No one. I simply report on what I know is true. With bias? Sure. I have saving grace and knowledge of He who rescued me. Think about it.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
AN OPEN APOLOGY
I can't take credit for this idea myself. I read a fascinating book this weekend. It's titled, Blue Like Jazz and it was written by Donald Miller. I couldn't put it down. Anyhow, he wrote about this time he and some friends were on a college campus, and they decided to set up a confessional booth. But, rather than having the visitors confess their sins, Miller and his friends confessed the sins that people in the name of Christ have done to Christianity. I thought about it and thought about it; all weekend. I've been frustrated for a long time at how fragmented and disingenuous we can appear to people. This isn't how things were meant to be. Take 20 people off the street and ask them what 'Christian' means to them. Wildly different answers I'd imagine. Heck, that is the reason I started writing this blog. Because we go out there and try to do things our own way, and interpret the bible to suit our own theological bent, and we expect everyone else to try and get it.
So, in light of that; here is my confession.
I am sorry that I am judgmental toward others. I am sorry that in some pathetic attempt at false bravado I feel superior to others sometimes. I am sorry that anyone has ever told you that you are going to hell. That isn't something that we can even imagine to presume ourselves. Several years ago, I was headed there too. I am sorry that anyone has ever told you that God hates you. I don't know how anyone could presume to know that either; rather, God loves you. I am sorry that Christ-followers don't appear to believe the same things, that we can tend to be critical and spiteful of one another, and that we mix messages. I am sorry that we've turned the bible and Christian doctrine into 5,602 steps to life achievement. I am sorry to everyone I've ever turned my back on in an attempt to become more spiritual. I am sorry that I hide behind my Christian bumperstickers as a cheap way to tell you the real Good News of Jesus. I am sorry that most of the time I don't put my money where my mouth is. I am sorry for all the killing that has ever been done in the name of Christ. I am sorry that I don't love enough. I am sorry that some of the time I'd rather be alone that around others. I'm sorry that I can tend to forget the greatest commandment.
HERE'S WHAT HE SAID...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself. That is the greatest commandment" Jesus-Matthew 22.37-39
I don't know about you, but I love myself quite a bit. Heck, I'm on my mind more than anything else. Most of the time anyway. So, if I were indeed to attempt to love the people I come into contact with even half as much as I love myself, how much would that demonstrate to you?
One more, and that's it tonight. The bible is full of passages that speak of how simple things should be. This is about loving others, about caring for the world around us, about sharing Good News. I'm sorry if it's been anything else.
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these should be lost." Jesus in Matthew 18.12-14
Think about it.
I can't take credit for this idea myself. I read a fascinating book this weekend. It's titled, Blue Like Jazz and it was written by Donald Miller. I couldn't put it down. Anyhow, he wrote about this time he and some friends were on a college campus, and they decided to set up a confessional booth. But, rather than having the visitors confess their sins, Miller and his friends confessed the sins that people in the name of Christ have done to Christianity. I thought about it and thought about it; all weekend. I've been frustrated for a long time at how fragmented and disingenuous we can appear to people. This isn't how things were meant to be. Take 20 people off the street and ask them what 'Christian' means to them. Wildly different answers I'd imagine. Heck, that is the reason I started writing this blog. Because we go out there and try to do things our own way, and interpret the bible to suit our own theological bent, and we expect everyone else to try and get it.
So, in light of that; here is my confession.
I am sorry that I am judgmental toward others. I am sorry that in some pathetic attempt at false bravado I feel superior to others sometimes. I am sorry that anyone has ever told you that you are going to hell. That isn't something that we can even imagine to presume ourselves. Several years ago, I was headed there too. I am sorry that anyone has ever told you that God hates you. I don't know how anyone could presume to know that either; rather, God loves you. I am sorry that Christ-followers don't appear to believe the same things, that we can tend to be critical and spiteful of one another, and that we mix messages. I am sorry that we've turned the bible and Christian doctrine into 5,602 steps to life achievement. I am sorry to everyone I've ever turned my back on in an attempt to become more spiritual. I am sorry that I hide behind my Christian bumperstickers as a cheap way to tell you the real Good News of Jesus. I am sorry that most of the time I don't put my money where my mouth is. I am sorry for all the killing that has ever been done in the name of Christ. I am sorry that I don't love enough. I am sorry that some of the time I'd rather be alone that around others. I'm sorry that I can tend to forget the greatest commandment.
HERE'S WHAT HE SAID...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind...Love your neighbor as yourself. That is the greatest commandment" Jesus-Matthew 22.37-39
I don't know about you, but I love myself quite a bit. Heck, I'm on my mind more than anything else. Most of the time anyway. So, if I were indeed to attempt to love the people I come into contact with even half as much as I love myself, how much would that demonstrate to you?
One more, and that's it tonight. The bible is full of passages that speak of how simple things should be. This is about loving others, about caring for the world around us, about sharing Good News. I'm sorry if it's been anything else.
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these should be lost." Jesus in Matthew 18.12-14
Think about it.
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