Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy according to your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
God gives each of us gifts--strengths, if you will--to enable us to serve the needs of others. These are the qualities, that because of God's empowerment, seem to come naturally to some and not to others. (A similar list is found in I Corinthians 12:4-11). Interestingly, most of these characteristics don't seem extraordinary at all, but are things we aspire to as Christians, anyway. I want to serve; I want to encourage; I want to show mercy, but not all of these things are second nature to me. Some, I have to really work at, and I very much need an example of what it looks like in real life.
I Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you havve received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
I believe one of the main reasons God sent Jesus to live on earth for 33 years instead of just having him come here and die right away, is because we needed the example of his life to know what it looks like to live an others-centered life--to love, to serve, etc. I also believe that it is the reason he has given you to me, us to eachother. I need your example of strength to imitate in my weakness.
3 John 1:11
Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
It was not arrogance that made the apostle Paul tell the Corinthians, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me." (I Corinthians 4:16) It was his unselfish desire to give away the gift he had received from God. When I see the spiritual strengths in you to which I aspire, I see God. I need to be a witness to your strengths. You are a gift to me!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Was It Something I Said?
Someone recently told me that I have a way with words. That could be taken in so many ways! Do you know how many times I have opened my mouth and stupid has fallen out on the floor? It dribbles down my dress and leaves a stain there and an unsightly puddle and, sometimes, even after my mouth is too-late-sealed, people are stepping around the puddle--at least it seems that way to me!
I know you want an example. Okay. The other day I was at my granddaughter Emma's soccer game. She made a rather spectacular goal and I cheered somewhat loudly and called out her name exuberantly--maybe more than once. Someone nearby commented that none of the other players on the field were receiving quite as much attention from the stands as Emma. I clarified that I was her grandmother and added that if the other players needed similar encouragement their grandmothers should have come. A nearby fan said, "I'm sure they'd like to be here if they could."
I felt thoroughly chastised. I immediately pictured elderly, perhaps bedridden, women at home pining in solitude, and longing to be cheering at this game, all the while waiting for news of how their precious grandaughter's team had fared today. I pictured forlorn hearts within the athletes on the field suffering because of the absence of their beloved grannies. I watched the game for a few more minutes sensing the silent scorn of the fan behind me who had bravely put me in my place. I couldn't stand it any longer.
I turned in my seat and got her attention. "Um, I was only jesting when I said the other grandmothers should have come," I offered. She responded that she knew that when she made her comment and waws only teasing herself.
Well, that turned out better than it might have. Communication is just such a tricky thing! I mean well. I especially err when some thought strikes me as funny--it will often just slip right out of my mouth and surprise even me! Sometimes it's a hit and sometimes it's a miss. I'm pretty good at apologies.
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man....
James 3:2
I offered." She acknowledged that she knew that, and said her reply had been a joke, too. Sadly, I had missed the humor.
Well, that turned out better than some encounters! I can't count the times I've regretted something I've said, lost sleep, questioned how it had been received, wished I could take it back, argued with myself about an apology wondering if it might be best just not to call attention to it again. I have even appealed to Ron (who has, without exception, declined to get involved) to offer an explanation on my behalf.
Who can tame the tongue? Goodness knows, I try! How very much I long to be flawless and gracious in every word I speak.
We all stumble in many ways. Any one who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check. (James 3:2)
I'm just not humble enough today to tell you my failures in keeping my whole body in check! But I want to assure you that I aspire to "only speak what it helpful for building others up according to their needs." (Ephesians 4:29). I feel another New Years' resolution coming on....
I know you want an example. Okay. The other day I was at my granddaughter Emma's soccer game. She made a rather spectacular goal and I cheered somewhat loudly and called out her name exuberantly--maybe more than once. Someone nearby commented that none of the other players on the field were receiving quite as much attention from the stands as Emma. I clarified that I was her grandmother and added that if the other players needed similar encouragement their grandmothers should have come. A nearby fan said, "I'm sure they'd like to be here if they could."
I felt thoroughly chastised. I immediately pictured elderly, perhaps bedridden, women at home pining in solitude, and longing to be cheering at this game, all the while waiting for news of how their precious grandaughter's team had fared today. I pictured forlorn hearts within the athletes on the field suffering because of the absence of their beloved grannies. I watched the game for a few more minutes sensing the silent scorn of the fan behind me who had bravely put me in my place. I couldn't stand it any longer.
I turned in my seat and got her attention. "Um, I was only jesting when I said the other grandmothers should have come," I offered. She responded that she knew that when she made her comment and waws only teasing herself.
Well, that turned out better than it might have. Communication is just such a tricky thing! I mean well. I especially err when some thought strikes me as funny--it will often just slip right out of my mouth and surprise even me! Sometimes it's a hit and sometimes it's a miss. I'm pretty good at apologies.
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man....
James 3:2
I offered." She acknowledged that she knew that, and said her reply had been a joke, too. Sadly, I had missed the humor.
Well, that turned out better than some encounters! I can't count the times I've regretted something I've said, lost sleep, questioned how it had been received, wished I could take it back, argued with myself about an apology wondering if it might be best just not to call attention to it again. I have even appealed to Ron (who has, without exception, declined to get involved) to offer an explanation on my behalf.
Who can tame the tongue? Goodness knows, I try! How very much I long to be flawless and gracious in every word I speak.
We all stumble in many ways. Any one who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check. (James 3:2)
I'm just not humble enough today to tell you my failures in keeping my whole body in check! But I want to assure you that I aspire to "only speak what it helpful for building others up according to their needs." (Ephesians 4:29). I feel another New Years' resolution coming on....
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
The Party's Over
I love all holidays and all the decor that accompanies them. Naturally, Christmas tops the list with festive trimming--the wreaths, the tree, the garlands, the candles. I almost always get it all on display the day after Thanksgiving.
But the minute the branches are hovering over an empty tree skirt, all that holiday decoration looks like clutter to me! I can't wait to get it packed away! It has rarely lasted past Dec 26th at our house. By then I am ready for miminalism and organization!
Oh, I've suffered my share of ridicule for this small compulsion! I've been called a Scrooge--to which I say a defensive, "Bah, humbug!" Time to start filling in next year's calendar, sort through the Christmas cards a see which need replies, plan the menus that will use up all the leftovers, and decide on an exercise routine for the coming year! "Martha, Martha...." I aim for Mary but I have a Martha personality. Maybe I've just landed on my new year's resolution: Be Mary in 2013.
(Luke 10:38-42)
But the minute the branches are hovering over an empty tree skirt, all that holiday decoration looks like clutter to me! I can't wait to get it packed away! It has rarely lasted past Dec 26th at our house. By then I am ready for miminalism and organization!
Oh, I've suffered my share of ridicule for this small compulsion! I've been called a Scrooge--to which I say a defensive, "Bah, humbug!" Time to start filling in next year's calendar, sort through the Christmas cards a see which need replies, plan the menus that will use up all the leftovers, and decide on an exercise routine for the coming year! "Martha, Martha...." I aim for Mary but I have a Martha personality. Maybe I've just landed on my new year's resolution: Be Mary in 2013.
(Luke 10:38-42)
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
MERRY Christmas
In my childhood my family visited my maternal grandparents every year, sometimes at Christmas. No matter the time of year, my grandmother's farewell always included: "I wish you could stay longer." She said this with the most pitiful expression on her face--almost a pout. She probably meant it as a way of expressing how much she had enjoyed our visit, but to me it felt like a joy-killing admonition.
As I got older, I would retort: "Just say, 'I'm glad you could come.' Don't make us feel bad that we're leaving too soon." This was perhaps not the most sensitive or respectful reply. It had no effect in changing her future goodbyes, anyway.
What if the Christmas story had focused on how God hated to see Jesus leave heavento come to earth rather than His joy in sending Jesus to save us? What if the brightness of the star had been replaced with the heavy daytime darkness of the crucifixion? What if the angels' song had been a dirge?
The selfless love of God is made all the more evident by His joy in this incarnation knowing what it would mean for us--blessings of intimacy, relatability, and eternity for everyone who would accept His gift.. His loss, our great gain! In that sacred birth announcement He made sure it was obvious that it was a gift for everyone--from lowly shepherds to wealthy, learned magi. What a spectacular gift! Joy to the world!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
As I got older, I would retort: "Just say, 'I'm glad you could come.' Don't make us feel bad that we're leaving too soon." This was perhaps not the most sensitive or respectful reply. It had no effect in changing her future goodbyes, anyway.
What if the Christmas story had focused on how God hated to see Jesus leave heavento come to earth rather than His joy in sending Jesus to save us? What if the brightness of the star had been replaced with the heavy daytime darkness of the crucifixion? What if the angels' song had been a dirge?
The selfless love of God is made all the more evident by His joy in this incarnation knowing what it would mean for us--blessings of intimacy, relatability, and eternity for everyone who would accept His gift.. His loss, our great gain! In that sacred birth announcement He made sure it was obvious that it was a gift for everyone--from lowly shepherds to wealthy, learned magi. What a spectacular gift! Joy to the world!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Shepherd's Tale
One of my favorite writers, my daughter-in-law, Lisa Brumley, sent me this lovely account of the shepherd's experience the night Jesus was born.
It was a silent night. A cold, lonely, clear silent night. Two young shepherds kept watch over their flock far out of town. This was their favorite time of night, when the sheep settled in groups just outside the ring of light cast by their small fire, and the shepherds could rest.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Then the dark midnight sky erupted in a blaze of light and song, as a great company of the heavenly host filled the sky, praising God and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Heaven could not contain the angel's celebration...all the love and joy in heaven spilled out in sweet hymns of hope.
Lying in a manger? The shepherds looked at each other, then turned their gaze across the field. On a low hill, they could just barely see the small abandoned shack they occasionally used for shelter. As the bright lights faded, one star remained. The largest, brightest star they had ever seen shone over the humble hut. The shepherds did not understand, but they believed.
Across the field, Joseph held open the door for Mary so she could see the sky. She knew the angels sang for her son; she treasured this up in her heart as she held her baby close for warmth. Joseph saw the shepherds approaching, and smiled protectively as he welcomed them in.
This was no place for a mother and child, and yet the room was joyful and at peace. The shepherds crept close to see the child and were moved by the quiet, deep, soulful gaze of the baby. The shepherds were in awe. Hope had been born. Love's pure light.
As they walked back to their flock, they saw that the star remained like a peephole into heaven. In the days that followed, the shepherds watched over the young family from a distance until they were strong enough to travel.
They told everyone of what they had seen that night; all were amazed, but no one else had seen the heavenly outburst. The boys wondered at their fortune to witness such a special moment. They didn't realize that God honored the simple shepherd's heart, that innate drive to nurture and care for their flocks. The shepherds would be old men before they understood the miracle they saw that night, and that the King of kings was also The Good Shepherd.
They tended their flocks together for many years, and late at night, they would lay wide-eyed, gazing at the sky, humming the angels' song, and dreaming of when they could get a glimpse into heaven again....
It was a silent night. A cold, lonely, clear silent night. Two young shepherds kept watch over their flock far out of town. This was their favorite time of night, when the sheep settled in groups just outside the ring of light cast by their small fire, and the shepherds could rest.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Then the dark midnight sky erupted in a blaze of light and song, as a great company of the heavenly host filled the sky, praising God and singing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Heaven could not contain the angel's celebration...all the love and joy in heaven spilled out in sweet hymns of hope.
Lying in a manger? The shepherds looked at each other, then turned their gaze across the field. On a low hill, they could just barely see the small abandoned shack they occasionally used for shelter. As the bright lights faded, one star remained. The largest, brightest star they had ever seen shone over the humble hut. The shepherds did not understand, but they believed.
Across the field, Joseph held open the door for Mary so she could see the sky. She knew the angels sang for her son; she treasured this up in her heart as she held her baby close for warmth. Joseph saw the shepherds approaching, and smiled protectively as he welcomed them in.
This was no place for a mother and child, and yet the room was joyful and at peace. The shepherds crept close to see the child and were moved by the quiet, deep, soulful gaze of the baby. The shepherds were in awe. Hope had been born. Love's pure light.
As they walked back to their flock, they saw that the star remained like a peephole into heaven. In the days that followed, the shepherds watched over the young family from a distance until they were strong enough to travel.
They told everyone of what they had seen that night; all were amazed, but no one else had seen the heavenly outburst. The boys wondered at their fortune to witness such a special moment. They didn't realize that God honored the simple shepherd's heart, that innate drive to nurture and care for their flocks. The shepherds would be old men before they understood the miracle they saw that night, and that the King of kings was also The Good Shepherd.
They tended their flocks together for many years, and late at night, they would lay wide-eyed, gazing at the sky, humming the angels' song, and dreaming of when they could get a glimpse into heaven again....
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Christmas Poetry
Last Sunday at a special Christmas service in San Diego, a young man named Lindsey Dominguez took the stage to read an original Christmas poem. His reading was preceded and followed by many impressive and inspiring performances--choirs, solos, readings, scriptures--but Lindsey alone received a spontanious standing ovation. With a little beatboxing in the background, it could have passed for a rap, but Lindsey's unaccompanied voice and his passionate delivery captured the hearts of the entire audience, young and old. He gave me permission to post it here.
The greatest challenge of any engineer,
given tool and a blank space,
is simply to create.
Like desperate ants rebuilding broken homes,
imagination and innovation run rampant.
Was it even a creation or has it always been?
So, before the architect could even pick up his pen,
a simple question makes him question the foundation:
who is the author of creation?
Before there were people scattered in every nation;
before the living oceans divided the land;
or the counting of the grains of sand;
before the depths were measured
or the mountains scaled;
before the sun was flung into space,
and the moon set to sail
on an eternal star treasure chase;
before planets were suspended from nothing,
and before a word was ever spoken,
there was something.
Within this dark unknown
lies the true place our Savior was born.
as soon as God spoke
He was given His form
for He is the Word of God,
and has always been.
He was there when she got got her name, Wisdom.
It was through this pair
that light shined into existence
and earth was given its dimensions.
Heaven, made as His dwelling place to be,
where the great Leviathan fearfully runs free;
where Love meets Faith for breakfast dates
and the Lion and Lamb enjoy dinner of honey glazed ham.
See, it was through Him
that Authority and Dominion were given their names;
that Power and Strength have stakes to claim.
It's no wonder people spoke so long of His coming
for we were in a mess,
and needed a Messiah slain.
but consider for a second the costs He had to count
to commit to pay the full price of our sins--
there was no discount--
but we often discount his sacrifice
to leave His Father and absolute perfection
to chase after an unsure election.
My vote? Hardly worth it!
But He still decided to make the purchase.
So, by no means was the manger the birthplace of our Savior,
but rather the first resurrection of its kind,
as He showed what it meant to die to yourself for the first time.
And His name shall be Immanuel,
so the world would know
that God was among us--
every prophecy spoken would come true--
even those of long ago
wouidl shift in their graves because they knew,
but the world did not
or, at least, chose not to.
At last the anxious artist
gets to visit an awaited artful masterpiece,
and neither regarded Him as master
nor gave Him peace.
Instead, they became masters
at carrying pieces with which to afflict the righteous,
unrecognized and unreceived--
don't be deceived!
He was indeed a man just like you and me,
humbled to the very nature of a servant
with a desire for nothing more.
No credit was given where credit was due.
Instead, they credited to His account abuse.
But little did they know
He was a financial guru1
He knew for every credited abuse
He could debit at least one truth.
Complicated math taught Him
your sickness plus His cloak equals healed;
His spit plus your eyes equals see;
your sins' debt plus His sacrifice equals freed!
So, He spent himself
knowing He'd only be bought
for thirty coins and a tree.
So, our balance sheets would always level out
because A=L+E:
Assets equal Liability plus Equity.
Translate that heavenly,
and Atonement equals Lord plus Everything!
For He is a miracle worker
and Redeemer.
He is the One and Only who rides a white horse
followed by Heaven's army.
His name IS Faithful, Compassionate, and Truth!
He is the Commander who fights for you!
He is the King who wages war,
and whose eyes are blazing fire!
He is the Unconditional Lover who loves you without tire!
He is a Comforter and sovereign to rule
Even in the midst of twenty dead children
in a Connecticut elementary school.
He is our Shepherd when there's no way out.
Seek Him first and He'll provide you with everything you need
without a doubt.
He is the Bread of Life so you'll never be hungry.
He is the teacher on how to handle your money.
He is the Alpha and Omega,
Beginning and End.
He is god's Son sent Begotten.
He is a gift to those without this season;
He is more than just a reason.
His words are more than just pleasing--
He is Life and life itself.
he is more than just a book on the shelf.
He is the depths of the seas
and the wisdom of an ant.
He is the innocence of a baby
and a storm's strong current.
Don't you get it?
He is All in All--
through all and with all!
He is the King of Kings;
the Cornerstone that supports this whole thing!
He is Lord of Lords.
From His mouth is a drawn sword--
I mean everlasting is His role call--
but more than anything,
He is Lord of All!
And if I could just step a foot
into the radius of the radiance of God's glory,
I know I'll be sustained by His and my love story.
Firstborn of all craeation,
and Firstborn from among the dead--
I hope to follow in His footsteps, as he said,
for His is Jesus Christ my Savior,
Living, not dead!
The greatest challenge of any engineer,
given tool and a blank space,
is simply to create.
Like desperate ants rebuilding broken homes,
imagination and innovation run rampant.
Was it even a creation or has it always been?
So, before the architect could even pick up his pen,
a simple question makes him question the foundation:
who is the author of creation?
Before there were people scattered in every nation;
before the living oceans divided the land;
or the counting of the grains of sand;
before the depths were measured
or the mountains scaled;
before the sun was flung into space,
and the moon set to sail
on an eternal star treasure chase;
before planets were suspended from nothing,
and before a word was ever spoken,
there was something.
Within this dark unknown
lies the true place our Savior was born.
as soon as God spoke
He was given His form
for He is the Word of God,
and has always been.
He was there when she got got her name, Wisdom.
It was through this pair
that light shined into existence
and earth was given its dimensions.
Heaven, made as His dwelling place to be,
where the great Leviathan fearfully runs free;
where Love meets Faith for breakfast dates
and the Lion and Lamb enjoy dinner of honey glazed ham.
See, it was through Him
that Authority and Dominion were given their names;
that Power and Strength have stakes to claim.
It's no wonder people spoke so long of His coming
for we were in a mess,
and needed a Messiah slain.
but consider for a second the costs He had to count
to commit to pay the full price of our sins--
there was no discount--
but we often discount his sacrifice
to leave His Father and absolute perfection
to chase after an unsure election.
My vote? Hardly worth it!
But He still decided to make the purchase.
So, by no means was the manger the birthplace of our Savior,
but rather the first resurrection of its kind,
as He showed what it meant to die to yourself for the first time.
And His name shall be Immanuel,
so the world would know
that God was among us--
every prophecy spoken would come true--
even those of long ago
wouidl shift in their graves because they knew,
but the world did not
or, at least, chose not to.
At last the anxious artist
gets to visit an awaited artful masterpiece,
and neither regarded Him as master
nor gave Him peace.
Instead, they became masters
at carrying pieces with which to afflict the righteous,
unrecognized and unreceived--
don't be deceived!
He was indeed a man just like you and me,
humbled to the very nature of a servant
with a desire for nothing more.
No credit was given where credit was due.
Instead, they credited to His account abuse.
But little did they know
He was a financial guru1
He knew for every credited abuse
He could debit at least one truth.
Complicated math taught Him
your sickness plus His cloak equals healed;
His spit plus your eyes equals see;
your sins' debt plus His sacrifice equals freed!
So, He spent himself
knowing He'd only be bought
for thirty coins and a tree.
So, our balance sheets would always level out
because A=L+E:
Assets equal Liability plus Equity.
Translate that heavenly,
and Atonement equals Lord plus Everything!
For He is a miracle worker
and Redeemer.
He is the One and Only who rides a white horse
followed by Heaven's army.
His name IS Faithful, Compassionate, and Truth!
He is the Commander who fights for you!
He is the King who wages war,
and whose eyes are blazing fire!
He is the Unconditional Lover who loves you without tire!
He is a Comforter and sovereign to rule
Even in the midst of twenty dead children
in a Connecticut elementary school.
He is our Shepherd when there's no way out.
Seek Him first and He'll provide you with everything you need
without a doubt.
He is the Bread of Life so you'll never be hungry.
He is the teacher on how to handle your money.
He is the Alpha and Omega,
Beginning and End.
He is god's Son sent Begotten.
He is a gift to those without this season;
He is more than just a reason.
His words are more than just pleasing--
He is Life and life itself.
he is more than just a book on the shelf.
He is the depths of the seas
and the wisdom of an ant.
He is the innocence of a baby
and a storm's strong current.
Don't you get it?
He is All in All--
through all and with all!
He is the King of Kings;
the Cornerstone that supports this whole thing!
He is Lord of Lords.
From His mouth is a drawn sword--
I mean everlasting is His role call--
but more than anything,
He is Lord of All!
And if I could just step a foot
into the radius of the radiance of God's glory,
I know I'll be sustained by His and my love story.
Firstborn of all craeation,
and Firstborn from among the dead--
I hope to follow in His footsteps, as he said,
for His is Jesus Christ my Savior,
Living, not dead!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Shoes and Resolve
I haven't yet decided what my New Year's resolutions will be, but the truth is, I make resolutions all the time. It gives me fodder for guilt. I'm really good at guilt--and really bad at keeping resolutions.
Every December I resolve to only spend money on gifts for others--nothing for myself. But then I'm out shopping all the time. I see so many things!
This year it was shoes. I wasn't even in the shoe department! But there they were in the front and middle of the store--practically blocking the front door! I do have a slight weakness for cute shoes. And these shoes were really, really cute (maybe the cutest shoes I have ever seen)! Plus, they were 20% off!!! In the ways I measure wrong, wronger, and wrongest, it would have been the wrongest possible choice to leave these shoes behind--much wronger than the wrong of breaking a resolution. I think it was a bad resolution to begin with. (I may have lost some bit of objectivity in the presence of such cute shoes)!
Which reminds me: I always resolve to exercise more. So, last month I bought a pair of walking shoes called "Shape-Ups." They have been on my feet every morning for my daily walk (except for the days I miss, which, I guess discounts the daily part of that resolution). Ron says he had such hope when I bought Shape-Ups, but my behavior hasn't improved at all and he's still waiting for me to shape up.
I agree. They aren't especially comfortable either, and the only advangtage I see in wearing them is that they make me about three inches taller. Actually, this is no advantage at all unless I happen to run into some very tall person that I want to hug. So far, not an issue. I walk so early I have never encountered anyone, tall or short, on my walks--maybe if I waited until dawn....
Maybe for 2013 I'll resolve to buy more shoes--really cute, comfortable shoes. I'm ready for some resolutions I can keep!
Every December I resolve to only spend money on gifts for others--nothing for myself. But then I'm out shopping all the time. I see so many things!
This year it was shoes. I wasn't even in the shoe department! But there they were in the front and middle of the store--practically blocking the front door! I do have a slight weakness for cute shoes. And these shoes were really, really cute (maybe the cutest shoes I have ever seen)! Plus, they were 20% off!!! In the ways I measure wrong, wronger, and wrongest, it would have been the wrongest possible choice to leave these shoes behind--much wronger than the wrong of breaking a resolution. I think it was a bad resolution to begin with. (I may have lost some bit of objectivity in the presence of such cute shoes)!
Which reminds me: I always resolve to exercise more. So, last month I bought a pair of walking shoes called "Shape-Ups." They have been on my feet every morning for my daily walk (except for the days I miss, which, I guess discounts the daily part of that resolution). Ron says he had such hope when I bought Shape-Ups, but my behavior hasn't improved at all and he's still waiting for me to shape up.
I agree. They aren't especially comfortable either, and the only advangtage I see in wearing them is that they make me about three inches taller. Actually, this is no advantage at all unless I happen to run into some very tall person that I want to hug. So far, not an issue. I walk so early I have never encountered anyone, tall or short, on my walks--maybe if I waited until dawn....
Maybe for 2013 I'll resolve to buy more shoes--really cute, comfortable shoes. I'm ready for some resolutions I can keep!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Newtown, Connecticut
The Father approached the young man before the conception of his child: "I'm going to give you someone precious to adore. You'll experience love and joy and pride you never knew were possible! But this child will only be yours for 6 to 10 years. Then the child will return to me. Under those conditions, do you still want this child?"
"Of course," said the would-be parent, "I wouldn't want to miss this blessing for anything! I'll savor every minute or those wonderful years!"
"Good," the Father replied. "There is one other thing I should tell you."
"Yes?"
"The death will be horrible. It will sap you of strength and steal your dreams and haunt you for years to come."
The parent hesitated. "Will I have to watch this child suffer a slow, painful wasting away?"
"No. This death will be sudden and violent," the Father admitted.
"Perhaps that will be more bearable?" There was a pause and then the parent asked, "But 6 to 10 years--this child will be so young; still full of youthful innocence."
"Oh, indeed." the Father whispered sadly. "It is always hardest to see the innocent suffer and die. It will plunge you into an agony of darkness (Matthew 27:45) which will feel interminable and leave you raging at the injustice of it all."
"I don't understand," said the parent and then fell silent.
"There is no undersatnding to be had, although you will spend many sleepless nights trying to make sense of the irrational. You'll often awake hoping it was just a bad dream, but you'll only move into another day of a living nightmare."
The parent neither responded nor lifted his eyes from the floor.
"There is more." The Father spoke gently but clearly. "Other children will die with your child and it will be near Christmastime. The loss will be beyond anyone's comprehension. You'll have already purchased gifts for this child, already wrapped and hidden for placing under your tree later. But the child you'd hoped would awake Christmas morning and gleefully unwrap those packages will be gone. You'll have to decide what to do with those gifts. Every future Christmas, every carol and decoration will be a reminder of your terrible loss. 'And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.' (Luke 2:35) It will feel discordant and insulting that others are unaware of your grief and that they celebrate unmindful of your pain."
"You say that other children will die, too. Will there be some measure of comfort in sharing my grief with other parents?"
"It will most likely compound your grief. Everyone experiences grief so personally and uniquely, it is hard to feel understood. Many well-meaning people will try to comfort you, but some of them will only exacerbate your pain. 'Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy.' (Proverbs 14:10) You will feel very alone and often misunderstood. But I understand and I will be with you!"
"Will that ease my pain?"
"Well," the Father said carefully, "it will when you are able to discern my presence and compassion. I will offer you healing and transcendence. (II Corinthians 1:3, 4) I hope it will greatly comfort you to know your child is with me and happier than you could ever have imagined or provided. But for awhile the magnitude of your anguish may block your ability to feel my presence. You may even feel it dishonors the memory of your child to accept my healing, but I will never give up on you. I will weep with you; my tears will match your own. (Romans 12:15) This will be a consuming agony. For a time, you may even blame me."
"But aren't you to blame? Can't you prevent this tragedy?"
"I am bound to hold my power in abeyance in order not to interfere with free will. These horrors were never my will from the beginning, but portions of my power have been imprisoned by forces of evil which were invited to inhabit the earth by human choice. (Genesis 3:6,7) Much of your pain will come from being unable to make sense of this carnage."
"Then, as much as I long for this child, even for its short lifetime, I think I must decline this offer. The cost is too great. I could never enjoy a single day of this child's life while anticipating such a tragic end."
"You won't remember this conversation," the Father assured the parent. "You'll rejoice at the birth and everyday of your child's young life. You'll delight as you watch your child grow physically, intellectually, spiritually, and socially. (Luke 2:52) It will be a very happy time!"
"I want to be able to experience and celebrate the birth of this child!"
"Oh," the Father said wistfullly, "I know how to celebrate a birth! Think a new star and choirs of angels!" (Matthew 2:2; Luke 2:13, 14)
"But I never want to experience the death of my child!"
"I understand," the Father affirmed. "I know intimately what it is to witness the violent and unjust death of a dearly loved Son. I knew it would be horrible for you to undergo. In my own case, I had solace in knowing that great good would come from the life and death of my child. It will always be best for you at this time of year to focus on the birth of my child instead of on the death of your own."
"I'm not sure I can do that. This great good that comes from your Son's death--will good come from my child's death?"
"I promise that it will. While I cannot prevent every evil, I can guarantee that I will bring good from every tragedy." (Romans 8:28)
"What possible good," the parent challenged, "could you bring from my child's death?"
"I could tell you all the details, but this problem is not solved by foreknowledge. It is solved by faith alone. Can you trust me with this?"
The parent frowned and cleared his throat. He reflected for awhile on what he already knew of this Father. "I trust you," he said quietly and resolutely. "Bless me with this child."
"Of course," said the would-be parent, "I wouldn't want to miss this blessing for anything! I'll savor every minute or those wonderful years!"
"Good," the Father replied. "There is one other thing I should tell you."
"Yes?"
"The death will be horrible. It will sap you of strength and steal your dreams and haunt you for years to come."
The parent hesitated. "Will I have to watch this child suffer a slow, painful wasting away?"
"No. This death will be sudden and violent," the Father admitted.
"Perhaps that will be more bearable?" There was a pause and then the parent asked, "But 6 to 10 years--this child will be so young; still full of youthful innocence."
"Oh, indeed." the Father whispered sadly. "It is always hardest to see the innocent suffer and die. It will plunge you into an agony of darkness (Matthew 27:45) which will feel interminable and leave you raging at the injustice of it all."
"I don't understand," said the parent and then fell silent.
"There is no undersatnding to be had, although you will spend many sleepless nights trying to make sense of the irrational. You'll often awake hoping it was just a bad dream, but you'll only move into another day of a living nightmare."
The parent neither responded nor lifted his eyes from the floor.
"There is more." The Father spoke gently but clearly. "Other children will die with your child and it will be near Christmastime. The loss will be beyond anyone's comprehension. You'll have already purchased gifts for this child, already wrapped and hidden for placing under your tree later. But the child you'd hoped would awake Christmas morning and gleefully unwrap those packages will be gone. You'll have to decide what to do with those gifts. Every future Christmas, every carol and decoration will be a reminder of your terrible loss. 'And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.' (Luke 2:35) It will feel discordant and insulting that others are unaware of your grief and that they celebrate unmindful of your pain."
"You say that other children will die, too. Will there be some measure of comfort in sharing my grief with other parents?"
"It will most likely compound your grief. Everyone experiences grief so personally and uniquely, it is hard to feel understood. Many well-meaning people will try to comfort you, but some of them will only exacerbate your pain. 'Each heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy.' (Proverbs 14:10) You will feel very alone and often misunderstood. But I understand and I will be with you!"
"Will that ease my pain?"
"Well," the Father said carefully, "it will when you are able to discern my presence and compassion. I will offer you healing and transcendence. (II Corinthians 1:3, 4) I hope it will greatly comfort you to know your child is with me and happier than you could ever have imagined or provided. But for awhile the magnitude of your anguish may block your ability to feel my presence. You may even feel it dishonors the memory of your child to accept my healing, but I will never give up on you. I will weep with you; my tears will match your own. (Romans 12:15) This will be a consuming agony. For a time, you may even blame me."
"But aren't you to blame? Can't you prevent this tragedy?"
"I am bound to hold my power in abeyance in order not to interfere with free will. These horrors were never my will from the beginning, but portions of my power have been imprisoned by forces of evil which were invited to inhabit the earth by human choice. (Genesis 3:6,7) Much of your pain will come from being unable to make sense of this carnage."
"Then, as much as I long for this child, even for its short lifetime, I think I must decline this offer. The cost is too great. I could never enjoy a single day of this child's life while anticipating such a tragic end."
"You won't remember this conversation," the Father assured the parent. "You'll rejoice at the birth and everyday of your child's young life. You'll delight as you watch your child grow physically, intellectually, spiritually, and socially. (Luke 2:52) It will be a very happy time!"
"I want to be able to experience and celebrate the birth of this child!"
"Oh," the Father said wistfullly, "I know how to celebrate a birth! Think a new star and choirs of angels!" (Matthew 2:2; Luke 2:13, 14)
"But I never want to experience the death of my child!"
"I understand," the Father affirmed. "I know intimately what it is to witness the violent and unjust death of a dearly loved Son. I knew it would be horrible for you to undergo. In my own case, I had solace in knowing that great good would come from the life and death of my child. It will always be best for you at this time of year to focus on the birth of my child instead of on the death of your own."
"I'm not sure I can do that. This great good that comes from your Son's death--will good come from my child's death?"
"I promise that it will. While I cannot prevent every evil, I can guarantee that I will bring good from every tragedy." (Romans 8:28)
"What possible good," the parent challenged, "could you bring from my child's death?"
"I could tell you all the details, but this problem is not solved by foreknowledge. It is solved by faith alone. Can you trust me with this?"
The parent frowned and cleared his throat. He reflected for awhile on what he already knew of this Father. "I trust you," he said quietly and resolutely. "Bless me with this child."
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Speaking of Traditions....
For two or three years after moving to Seattle, our son, Greg, and his family had enjoyed the traditon of going together to see a live performance of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." One year Greg thought it would be a great idea to add variety by seeing "The Nutcracker."
As his family waited for the performance to begin, they noticed a commotion a few rows in front of them. Two ushers, one very young (possibly a college student), and the other an elderly man, were in an argument with a very tall man. After a bit, the ushers began leading the man out, the younger man in the rear and the older usher leading the way. Just as they approached the row where Greg and his family were sitting the tall man socked the older usher in the jaw (it was an audible connection and, as it turned out, it broke the poor man's tooth).
Greg then flew out of his seat while the lights were dimming and the music was starting and tackled the aggressor. As the dancers began piroetting onto the stage, Greg found himself grappling on the floor with a very drunk man. Police were called, an arrest was made (there is a bit more to this story, but I will spare you).
Greg's summation of this event was: "I've been to Seahawk games, Sounders' games, Sonic's games and Mariners's games--I've never even seen a fight, but then I take my family to the ballet at Christmas and I get into one!"
As his family waited for the performance to begin, they noticed a commotion a few rows in front of them. Two ushers, one very young (possibly a college student), and the other an elderly man, were in an argument with a very tall man. After a bit, the ushers began leading the man out, the younger man in the rear and the older usher leading the way. Just as they approached the row where Greg and his family were sitting the tall man socked the older usher in the jaw (it was an audible connection and, as it turned out, it broke the poor man's tooth).
Greg then flew out of his seat while the lights were dimming and the music was starting and tackled the aggressor. As the dancers began piroetting onto the stage, Greg found himself grappling on the floor with a very drunk man. Police were called, an arrest was made (there is a bit more to this story, but I will spare you).
Greg's summation of this event was: "I've been to Seahawk games, Sounders' games, Sonic's games and Mariners's games--I've never even seen a fight, but then I take my family to the ballet at Christmas and I get into one!"
The Traditions of Christmas
There are the universal traditions--trees and presents, red and green, nativity scenes and Santa, reindeers and elves--and the personal ones handed down in families, sometimes for generations. They call up sweet memories--comfort and joy!
Traditions are interesting things. Some are sacred and some are mundane. Some are mundane that we hold as sacred. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their traditions. (Matthew 15:1-9)
Christmas, itself, is a tradition that was man-conceived. It was never suggested, much less commanded, by God that we celebrate the birth of his Son. That said, how do we evaluate Jesus' attitude toward this holiday with it's many traditions? I think he made that clear in his address to the Pharisees.
Jesus' concern was that some traditions can "nullify the word of God." That is quite a charge to bring against the most rigidly religious people of his day! It suggests that we all would do well to measure any act of worship against this standard: "Does it nullify the word of God?" In other words, have we or the church we are a part of replaced the original intent or command of God with a ritual of human origin?
Certainly using Christmas as an excuse for sin--greed and over-indulgence--is wrong. But there may be a sneakier issue. The religious world's attention to Christmas (and I would add Easter) has made many people believe that if they make it to church on these special holidays, they have fulfilled God's yearly minimum requirement and they get a pass on more serious involvement with his church. This nullifies everything God intended his church to be in our lives: a family (Eph 2:19), a functioning body (I Cor. 12:12-31), a caring community (Gal. 6:10), a committted fellowship (Heb.10: 24, 25), a group of like-minded people dedicated to unity, service and spiritual growth (Eph.4:1-16).
Some denounce "organized religion" and replace church with inspirational activities that have meaning in their own lives. But church was God's idea. When our personal ideas replace the commands of God, they nullify his word.
May every part of your Christmas celebration draw you closer to Jesus and to his church and give you a deeper appreciation for a God who would become flesh! Merry Christmas!
Traditions are interesting things. Some are sacred and some are mundane. Some are mundane that we hold as sacred. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their traditions. (Matthew 15:1-9)
Christmas, itself, is a tradition that was man-conceived. It was never suggested, much less commanded, by God that we celebrate the birth of his Son. That said, how do we evaluate Jesus' attitude toward this holiday with it's many traditions? I think he made that clear in his address to the Pharisees.
Jesus' concern was that some traditions can "nullify the word of God." That is quite a charge to bring against the most rigidly religious people of his day! It suggests that we all would do well to measure any act of worship against this standard: "Does it nullify the word of God?" In other words, have we or the church we are a part of replaced the original intent or command of God with a ritual of human origin?
Certainly using Christmas as an excuse for sin--greed and over-indulgence--is wrong. But there may be a sneakier issue. The religious world's attention to Christmas (and I would add Easter) has made many people believe that if they make it to church on these special holidays, they have fulfilled God's yearly minimum requirement and they get a pass on more serious involvement with his church. This nullifies everything God intended his church to be in our lives: a family (Eph 2:19), a functioning body (I Cor. 12:12-31), a caring community (Gal. 6:10), a committted fellowship (Heb.10: 24, 25), a group of like-minded people dedicated to unity, service and spiritual growth (Eph.4:1-16).
Some denounce "organized religion" and replace church with inspirational activities that have meaning in their own lives. But church was God's idea. When our personal ideas replace the commands of God, they nullify his word.
May every part of your Christmas celebration draw you closer to Jesus and to his church and give you a deeper appreciation for a God who would become flesh! Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Christmas and Eternity
What small town can boast a birth that is commemorated with yearly celebrations, much less one celebrated for centuries? Does Bethlehem stand alone? It is a birth, afterall, that put it on the map! But even if we consider other memorials and national holidays--even international--there are none that will have an impact beyond this planet and time as we know and measure it. The birth of Jesus, however, has impact for eternity. For those who have claimed Jesus as Savior, our eternity is determined by his incarnation and the life he now lives with the Father, ever interceding for us. (Hebrews 7:25)
And how should this acknowledgement of the eternal impact of Jesus effect my own life perspective? First of all, gratitude, then security and joy, then....
As I have aged, and now admit that I may be in the final decade of my life, I have a greater urgency to make these last years count. It is typical, I think, to look back on life to assess it's meaning and value. It is another thing to determine that your final years have impact--impact for eternity. How is this achieved? In many ways, perhaps, but certainly through the conversations that influence someone else to have faith in Jesus. Small investments, big returns!
I have spent time with a number of people over the years who credit their grandmothers with the inception of their faith. I've always dreamed of being that kind of grandmother. I pictured a rocking chair with little bodies clustered around and maybe a cat curled at my feet and knitting needles in my hands while I waxed eloquent, wise and captivating on profound spiritual truths. Seems I can't inhabit that persona; plus, Ron won't let me have a cat and I can't knit. But there is nothing I love more than having one (any of the 10) of my grandchildren all to myself. I love the way they think, and their dreams, and unique talents and aptitudes, and their favorite song lyrics,
and--well, just everything!
My grandaughter, Sara, a junior at the University of Washington, is going to do a study abroad program next semester in London. I will be taking her cousin, Emma, my 15yr. old grandaughter to London for her spring break. We hope to see Sara if her program does not occupy her too fully. In any event, Emma and I will be joyful, gawking tourists.
There was a time when this trip would have only held an anticipation of fun, maybe some cultural enrichment, and some memories stored away. But today, I long for this special time together to impact their faith and their futures--their eternities. I'm praying God has a plan for doing that. I won't be preaching to either of them, but I hope there is something about my faith that informs their own through our daily conversations. I don't think it takes a trip abroad to accomplish this, but it's an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss. I can't wait!
And how should this acknowledgement of the eternal impact of Jesus effect my own life perspective? First of all, gratitude, then security and joy, then....
As I have aged, and now admit that I may be in the final decade of my life, I have a greater urgency to make these last years count. It is typical, I think, to look back on life to assess it's meaning and value. It is another thing to determine that your final years have impact--impact for eternity. How is this achieved? In many ways, perhaps, but certainly through the conversations that influence someone else to have faith in Jesus. Small investments, big returns!
I have spent time with a number of people over the years who credit their grandmothers with the inception of their faith. I've always dreamed of being that kind of grandmother. I pictured a rocking chair with little bodies clustered around and maybe a cat curled at my feet and knitting needles in my hands while I waxed eloquent, wise and captivating on profound spiritual truths. Seems I can't inhabit that persona; plus, Ron won't let me have a cat and I can't knit. But there is nothing I love more than having one (any of the 10) of my grandchildren all to myself. I love the way they think, and their dreams, and unique talents and aptitudes, and their favorite song lyrics,
and--well, just everything!
My grandaughter, Sara, a junior at the University of Washington, is going to do a study abroad program next semester in London. I will be taking her cousin, Emma, my 15yr. old grandaughter to London for her spring break. We hope to see Sara if her program does not occupy her too fully. In any event, Emma and I will be joyful, gawking tourists.
There was a time when this trip would have only held an anticipation of fun, maybe some cultural enrichment, and some memories stored away. But today, I long for this special time together to impact their faith and their futures--their eternities. I'm praying God has a plan for doing that. I won't be preaching to either of them, but I hope there is something about my faith that informs their own through our daily conversations. I don't think it takes a trip abroad to accomplish this, but it's an opportunity I wouldn't want to miss. I can't wait!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
An Appeal for Grace in Friendship
I don't like the view of me
reflected in your eyes,
overshadowed by inadequacies
you choose to criticize.
I'm all too well aware
of my weaknesses and flaws
to bear your disapproval
and the tension in your jaws.
I need your love to cover
my multitude of sins,
and your faith in me to conquer
the darkness in your lens.
If you could only access
some grace within your heart,
we might find a healing place
for our freindship to restart.
reflected in your eyes,
overshadowed by inadequacies
you choose to criticize.
I'm all too well aware
of my weaknesses and flaws
to bear your disapproval
and the tension in your jaws.
I need your love to cover
my multitude of sins,
and your faith in me to conquer
the darkness in your lens.
If you could only access
some grace within your heart,
we might find a healing place
for our freindship to restart.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Noel
I put on a Christmas CD this morning and found myself hearing a disorienting mix of jolly songs about Santa and sacred carols about Jesus. I usually don't even notice and I enjoy both, but the emotional segue is not always intuitive.
It makes me sad to acknowledge that much of our society needs no transition at all to accomodate both views of this holiday. The Bethlehem manger inhabited by animals has come to be perceived as mythological as the North Pole workshop manned by elves.
Surely the shepherds who heard the angel chorus announcing the miraculous birth of Jesus were awe-inspired and the message the angels delivered motivated them to investigate further. Leaving their flocks, they journeyed to Bethlehem to see for themselves. Luke 2:15 says:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
It inspires me this season to pray that many will be intrigued by the lyrics of a noel and bother to investigate further and find the "myth" to be a life-giving truth.
It makes me sad to acknowledge that much of our society needs no transition at all to accomodate both views of this holiday. The Bethlehem manger inhabited by animals has come to be perceived as mythological as the North Pole workshop manned by elves.
Surely the shepherds who heard the angel chorus announcing the miraculous birth of Jesus were awe-inspired and the message the angels delivered motivated them to investigate further. Leaving their flocks, they journeyed to Bethlehem to see for themselves. Luke 2:15 says:
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
It inspires me this season to pray that many will be intrigued by the lyrics of a noel and bother to investigate further and find the "myth" to be a life-giving truth.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Deck the Halls
"I have never been able to reconcile myself to the gaities of the Christmas season. They have appeared to me to be so inconsistent with the life and teaching of Jesus."
--Gandhi
If Gandhi was referring to the gluttonous materialism that pervades the Christmas season, I understand his concern. If he meant hedonistic partying, he was also right in his judgments. Both of these excesses have contaminated our celebrations of the birth of Christ.
If, however, by referring to "the gaities of the Christmas season," he meant the near obsessive focus and intense labor and exuberance that accompanies pageants and choral presentations and plays re-enacting the nativity, I might have asked him to reconsider. Or if he intended to denounce the festive decorations that sometimes cross the line into the gaudy, embellishing the holiday atmosephere, I might have appealed to him to have a different view.
There is no human effort that could exaggerate the rejoicing due the incarnation of the Messiah. Heaven itself sent angel choruses to announce this holy birth. If Gandhi meant to point out that we are overly generous in our gifting to one another, he may not have understood that we seek to imitate a Giver of inordinate generousity when God's love compelled him to give his one and only Son. (John 3:16)
Oh, yes, the celebration will be and has been abused, misunderstood, and desecrated by commercialism and greed. It seems that centuries of trying to expose and shame the opportunists who seek their own gain by exploitation of this holiday has done nothing to quell the trend. Still, not every festive display nor every extravagant gift is worthy of judgment. Perhaps we should delight in the joy of welcoming the Savior rather than decry our errant efforts to commemorate his birth.
Unfortunately, it is a common human tendency to assume our own moral outrage is so divinely informed that we have revealed the very heart of God in our castigations. I don't know how God feels about Christmas. My humble guess is that he evaluates it one heart at a time. Perhaps, like Jesus defending the woman who poured perfume on his head from an alabaster jar (Mark 14:6-9), God might defend each pure hearted tinsel hanger, tree trimmer, or gift giver. Christmas better lends itself to personal examination than to global condemnation.
--Gandhi
If Gandhi was referring to the gluttonous materialism that pervades the Christmas season, I understand his concern. If he meant hedonistic partying, he was also right in his judgments. Both of these excesses have contaminated our celebrations of the birth of Christ.
If, however, by referring to "the gaities of the Christmas season," he meant the near obsessive focus and intense labor and exuberance that accompanies pageants and choral presentations and plays re-enacting the nativity, I might have asked him to reconsider. Or if he intended to denounce the festive decorations that sometimes cross the line into the gaudy, embellishing the holiday atmosephere, I might have appealed to him to have a different view.
There is no human effort that could exaggerate the rejoicing due the incarnation of the Messiah. Heaven itself sent angel choruses to announce this holy birth. If Gandhi meant to point out that we are overly generous in our gifting to one another, he may not have understood that we seek to imitate a Giver of inordinate generousity when God's love compelled him to give his one and only Son. (John 3:16)
Oh, yes, the celebration will be and has been abused, misunderstood, and desecrated by commercialism and greed. It seems that centuries of trying to expose and shame the opportunists who seek their own gain by exploitation of this holiday has done nothing to quell the trend. Still, not every festive display nor every extravagant gift is worthy of judgment. Perhaps we should delight in the joy of welcoming the Savior rather than decry our errant efforts to commemorate his birth.
Unfortunately, it is a common human tendency to assume our own moral outrage is so divinely informed that we have revealed the very heart of God in our castigations. I don't know how God feels about Christmas. My humble guess is that he evaluates it one heart at a time. Perhaps, like Jesus defending the woman who poured perfume on his head from an alabaster jar (Mark 14:6-9), God might defend each pure hearted tinsel hanger, tree trimmer, or gift giver. Christmas better lends itself to personal examination than to global condemnation.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Immanuel
Getting past the glitter and chaos of the Christmas season, to think about the incarnation of Jesus can be a challenge. But it's worth the effort. I love the name "Immanuel"--it means "God with us." Contemplating the implications of Jesus leaving the Father and the Spirit and heaven to come to an ungrateful, sin-laden world is beyond my grasp in many ways. The resolve, the humility, the love, the sacrifice--I can only imagine this in the most superficial way, but I try.
Dr. John Feeney was a young physician doing a summer internship at Balboa Naval Hospital when he came to stay in our home for those few months. He was a new Christian and exuberant about his new faith. He rose early each day to spend time reading and praying before heading off to the hospital. I was always in the kitchen making breakfast and packing lunches when John would arrive before the rest of the family. He loved to share with me whatever he had read in the Bible that day.
The reason I think of John especially at this time of year is because of a praticular morning when he burst into my kitchen with unusual excitement. "I know why Jesus wept when he learned Lazarus was dead and he knew that he was going to raise him from the dead," he exclaimed! (John 11:1-44)
I asked "why?" more as a courtesy than a genuine curiousity, distracted as I was by my morning preperations.
"Becuase Jesus loved Lazarus, and he was going to raise him from the dead and he knew what it was like--how terrible it was--to leave heaven to come to earth."
Dr. John Feeney was a young physician doing a summer internship at Balboa Naval Hospital when he came to stay in our home for those few months. He was a new Christian and exuberant about his new faith. He rose early each day to spend time reading and praying before heading off to the hospital. I was always in the kitchen making breakfast and packing lunches when John would arrive before the rest of the family. He loved to share with me whatever he had read in the Bible that day.
The reason I think of John especially at this time of year is because of a praticular morning when he burst into my kitchen with unusual excitement. "I know why Jesus wept when he learned Lazarus was dead and he knew that he was going to raise him from the dead," he exclaimed! (John 11:1-44)
I asked "why?" more as a courtesy than a genuine curiousity, distracted as I was by my morning preperations.
"Becuase Jesus loved Lazarus, and he was going to raise him from the dead and he knew what it was like--how terrible it was--to leave heaven to come to earth."
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Gloria
I visited my friend, Gloria, this week. She is radiant as ever. One would never guess that she is in her 5th month of heavy duty chemotherapy for a rare cancer. Her wig is adorable; her smile and the twinkle in her eyes, the same as ever.
Gloria had already decked her halls for Christmas. The tree was up, Christmas china was on display. Garlands and ornaments and red velvet ribbons were everywhere. Gloria and her husband, Al, have traveled extensively and have collected numerous exotic souvenirs that grace their living room decor. These artifacts, however, were obscured by the Christmas embellishments. I commented that I was surprised she had found the energy to decorate so lavishly given the fatigue that accompanies chemo. Al admitted he had tried to slow her down.
We chatted without pause, the way old friends will, about a wide and disconnected range of topics--hardly a segue needed. But suddenly, I burst out laughing when my eyes fell on a white rhino sculpture near the hearth. He stood about a foot high.
"Gloria," I said, "there's a rhinoceros in your living room wearing a red velvet bow! You have even decorated your rhinoceros!"
"Yes," Gloria replied without missing a beat, "and if you sit still long enough, I will put a red velvet bow on you, too!"
Way to go, Gloria! I don't think there was a rhino in that manger, but let all the world rejoice!
Like Mary said, when she found out she would bear the son of God:
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46, 47)
What a blessing to have friend who is a living example of joy in the face of trials, at peace in the hands of God and focused on delighting in every day no matter the extenuating circumstances.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
Gloria had already decked her halls for Christmas. The tree was up, Christmas china was on display. Garlands and ornaments and red velvet ribbons were everywhere. Gloria and her husband, Al, have traveled extensively and have collected numerous exotic souvenirs that grace their living room decor. These artifacts, however, were obscured by the Christmas embellishments. I commented that I was surprised she had found the energy to decorate so lavishly given the fatigue that accompanies chemo. Al admitted he had tried to slow her down.
We chatted without pause, the way old friends will, about a wide and disconnected range of topics--hardly a segue needed. But suddenly, I burst out laughing when my eyes fell on a white rhino sculpture near the hearth. He stood about a foot high.
"Gloria," I said, "there's a rhinoceros in your living room wearing a red velvet bow! You have even decorated your rhinoceros!"
"Yes," Gloria replied without missing a beat, "and if you sit still long enough, I will put a red velvet bow on you, too!"
Way to go, Gloria! I don't think there was a rhino in that manger, but let all the world rejoice!
Like Mary said, when she found out she would bear the son of God:
"My soul glorifies the Lord and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior." (Luke 1:46, 47)
What a blessing to have friend who is a living example of joy in the face of trials, at peace in the hands of God and focused on delighting in every day no matter the extenuating circumstances.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
Friday, November 30, 2012
God's Timing
I never pray with a conscious time limit on God's answer, but unconsciously I know I have expectations. I know this because I'll pray for something for awhile and then mark it off my prayer list assuming the answer is "no."
When the angel Gabriel came to tell Zechariah that he and Eliabeth would have a son, he said, "...your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son...." (Luke 1:13) Zechariah's response to this was not faithful glee. Instead, he doubted whether it was true or even possible. His response was: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18) They may not have understood everything about hormonal changes, but they knew there was a time when you grow to be past childbearing.
So, this question comes to mind: how long had it been since Zechariah stopped praying for a child and gave up? I love thinking of this when I pray. God is faithful no matter how shortlived my prayers or how limited my faith. He's got it!
"...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
When the angel Gabriel came to tell Zechariah that he and Eliabeth would have a son, he said, "...your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son...." (Luke 1:13) Zechariah's response to this was not faithful glee. Instead, he doubted whether it was true or even possible. His response was: "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." (Luke 1:18) They may not have understood everything about hormonal changes, but they knew there was a time when you grow to be past childbearing.
So, this question comes to mind: how long had it been since Zechariah stopped praying for a child and gave up? I love thinking of this when I pray. God is faithful no matter how shortlived my prayers or how limited my faith. He's got it!
"...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (II Timothy 1:12)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Love and Marriage
My friend, Rashmi was from India. Her marriage had been arranged by her parents. I was curious about this custom. I knew it to be common to many cultures throughout history, but I had many questions about how one adjusted to commiting one's life to a stranger. Rashmi's perspective was enlightening.
"In America," she explained, "little girls dream of marrying the man they fall in love with. In my home, we dream of loving the man we marry. We only pray he will be kind."
Clearly, the basis of these unions is different from the beginning. And each holds very different expectations. When little girls dream of "falling in love" they have a whole definition of what falling in love is, and it is likely a very personal definition. It embodies their idea of what is and is not romantic. But somehow they can hold as a conviction that each component of their romantic ideal is their inalienable right. It can detract significantly from what love really is. God gives us a very concrete definition of love (I Corinthinas 13). Love is active and selfless and other-centered and romance is fluidly defined by feelings. These feelings are often fantasy-based and fed to us largely by Hollywood and novels.
I am surely not suggesting that romance is somehow bad--consider The Song of Solomon! But I am drawn to consider that there is great value in a mindset from childhood on that you love the one you marry, not just marry the one you love.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidnece in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)
"In America," she explained, "little girls dream of marrying the man they fall in love with. In my home, we dream of loving the man we marry. We only pray he will be kind."
Clearly, the basis of these unions is different from the beginning. And each holds very different expectations. When little girls dream of "falling in love" they have a whole definition of what falling in love is, and it is likely a very personal definition. It embodies their idea of what is and is not romantic. But somehow they can hold as a conviction that each component of their romantic ideal is their inalienable right. It can detract significantly from what love really is. God gives us a very concrete definition of love (I Corinthinas 13). Love is active and selfless and other-centered and romance is fluidly defined by feelings. These feelings are often fantasy-based and fed to us largely by Hollywood and novels.
I am surely not suggesting that romance is somehow bad--consider The Song of Solomon! But I am drawn to consider that there is great value in a mindset from childhood on that you love the one you marry, not just marry the one you love.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidnece in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Friendship
"Constant use had not worn ragged the fabric of their friendship."
Dorothy Parker
Do you have a friend you just can't get enough of? Is there someone who, even though you know them well, you still have a million questions for them because you want to know them better and better? Does their thinking inspire you and inform you? Old friend, new friend, renewed friend-it doesn't matter. What matters is the quality of the relationship.
"I find it shelter to speak to you."
Emily Dickenson
Do you have a friend whose very presense is a comfort? Is there someone in whose love you are so secure that they are a refuge? Does their every word make you feel valued and protected? Can you feel their love and concern for you even when they point out things you need to change?
I Cointhians 13:7 say of love: "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
"Oh, the comfort...of feeling safe with a person--having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are...certain that a fatihful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
Dinah Cralk
There is an inherent vulnerability in friendship when you entrust you heart to someone. God knew this when he instructed us to "...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed." (James 5:16) God forgives but a friend heals. How deeply we need a healing friendship!
I am overcome today with gratitude for the friends who supply this love and grace in my life. You know who you are.
"...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
Dorothy Parker
Do you have a friend you just can't get enough of? Is there someone who, even though you know them well, you still have a million questions for them because you want to know them better and better? Does their thinking inspire you and inform you? Old friend, new friend, renewed friend-it doesn't matter. What matters is the quality of the relationship.
"I find it shelter to speak to you."
Emily Dickenson
Do you have a friend whose very presense is a comfort? Is there someone in whose love you are so secure that they are a refuge? Does their every word make you feel valued and protected? Can you feel their love and concern for you even when they point out things you need to change?
I Cointhians 13:7 say of love: "It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
"Oh, the comfort...of feeling safe with a person--having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are...certain that a fatihful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
Dinah Cralk
There is an inherent vulnerability in friendship when you entrust you heart to someone. God knew this when he instructed us to "...confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed." (James 5:16) God forgives but a friend heals. How deeply we need a healing friendship!
I am overcome today with gratitude for the friends who supply this love and grace in my life. You know who you are.
"...there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thank You, I Think?
Matt was only 4 years old when he began a philosophical struggle with a good God allowing bad things in the world. This angst was reflected in his nightly prayers. For about a week, he sorted through conflicts in his little heart as he prayed.
The progression of these nightly prayers began like this: "Father, thank you for all the things you made. I really like all the things you made, but I don't like the lions when they eat people, but I like all the things you made. Amen"
He was being very careful not to insult or accuse God, but he did need to point out to God that he did not find himself living in a perfect world. This theme in his prayers continued:
"Father, I really like all the things you made. Thank you for all the things you made. But I don't like the devil. But I know you made him good and he just got bad. But I like all the things you made. Amen"
There were other prayers in the same vein: "I don't like it when people are mean to eachother." "I don't like it when people get hurt."
On the final night he brought this type of concern to God, he seemed to have worked it all out in his little mind. He must have found peace, at last, because (to my knowledge) he never returned to this qualified thankfulness again. Here's what he told God:
"Father, thank you for all the things you made. I really like all the things you made. But I don't like the sharks when they eat people, but I wish they'd eat the devil! Amen."
"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
The progression of these nightly prayers began like this: "Father, thank you for all the things you made. I really like all the things you made, but I don't like the lions when they eat people, but I like all the things you made. Amen"
He was being very careful not to insult or accuse God, but he did need to point out to God that he did not find himself living in a perfect world. This theme in his prayers continued:
"Father, I really like all the things you made. Thank you for all the things you made. But I don't like the devil. But I know you made him good and he just got bad. But I like all the things you made. Amen"
There were other prayers in the same vein: "I don't like it when people are mean to eachother." "I don't like it when people get hurt."
On the final night he brought this type of concern to God, he seemed to have worked it all out in his little mind. He must have found peace, at last, because (to my knowledge) he never returned to this qualified thankfulness again. Here's what he told God:
"Father, thank you for all the things you made. I really like all the things you made. But I don't like the sharks when they eat people, but I wish they'd eat the devil! Amen."
"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
Thanksgiving
It is a season that reminds us to be grateful. It is also a season full of memories. I hope your memories of this holiday are happy ones!
I was remembering my children's prayers. They always included expressions of gratitude. There is something about the purity and innocence of children (all the time, but especially when they pray) that can hold so many lessons for us!
Each of my children went through a stage of repeating the same prayer for days--maybe months--even though their prayers were original compositions of their own. My daughter, Meredith, was about 3 years old, and still unable to pronounce her R's. I can almost hear her little voice as I remember this oft-spoken prayer of hers:
"Favah [Father], thank you fo [for] we food and we lothes [clothes] and we dwahs [drawers]."
Our drawers--someplace to put "we lothes"! It had never occurred to me to extend my gratitude to a gift I took so completely for granted! It made me realize I am, indeed, grateful for our drawers! It was just a little off my radar until Meredith called it to my attention. This is a good time of year to try to recount all the blessings we take for granted and, thus, omit from our prayers. I think any time is a good time to aim for the humility and simple faith of a child.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:16, 17)
I was remembering my children's prayers. They always included expressions of gratitude. There is something about the purity and innocence of children (all the time, but especially when they pray) that can hold so many lessons for us!
Each of my children went through a stage of repeating the same prayer for days--maybe months--even though their prayers were original compositions of their own. My daughter, Meredith, was about 3 years old, and still unable to pronounce her R's. I can almost hear her little voice as I remember this oft-spoken prayer of hers:
"Favah [Father], thank you fo [for] we food and we lothes [clothes] and we dwahs [drawers]."
Our drawers--someplace to put "we lothes"! It had never occurred to me to extend my gratitude to a gift I took so completely for granted! It made me realize I am, indeed, grateful for our drawers! It was just a little off my radar until Meredith called it to my attention. This is a good time of year to try to recount all the blessings we take for granted and, thus, omit from our prayers. I think any time is a good time to aim for the humility and simple faith of a child.
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:16, 17)
Monday, November 19, 2012
Unmerited Favor
I have heard grace described as unmerited favor. That may be slightly oversimplified, but it's a pretty accurate definition. The funny thing about human nature is that we keep trying to merit God's grace, to be "good enough." We try to place our good deeds and good intentions on a scale to balance out our iniquities.
Proverbs 6:16-19 says there are seven things that are "detestable" to God. At one time or another I've commited 6 out of the 7. The only one I've missed so far is murder. What are the chances I could do enough good deeds to tip the scale in my favor? Hopeless! God doesn't even keep score that way! And he doesn't grade on a curve. I'm lost without grace!
Even if I make a list of my good deeds, I don't get credit for them. I Peter 4:10 says:
""...use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Go'd grace...."
So, whatever abilities I have to serve others are gifts given me by the grace of God. How can I take credit for that?
How about if I take credit for using my time and energy? I work really hard. Really sacrificial, right? Wrong! Colossians 1:29 tells me that any work I do is with energy supplied by God. I work with "all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." And I Corinthians 15:10 informs me that "By the grace of God I am what I am....I worked harder than all of them--yet not I , but the grace of God that was with me." By grace I am able to serve God and by grace I am saved.
Okay, then, let me take credit for having a good enough heart to even think of ways to serve. I can take credit for the ideas, can't I? Nope! Philippians 2:13 tells me that "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Any good thing I think of that coincides with the will of God did not originate with me. I have nothing to bring to set on the scales to balance out my sins. I am fully dependent on God's grace. His favor is completely unmerited in my life.
I brought Jesus only brokenness and emptiness and sin,
But he took the pieces of my life and offered to come in.
And he made of all those fragments something whole and straight and tall--
Yes, there's a hand to lift us when we fall
When we've got access to the grace of God, we've got it all!
Proverbs 6:16-19 says there are seven things that are "detestable" to God. At one time or another I've commited 6 out of the 7. The only one I've missed so far is murder. What are the chances I could do enough good deeds to tip the scale in my favor? Hopeless! God doesn't even keep score that way! And he doesn't grade on a curve. I'm lost without grace!
Even if I make a list of my good deeds, I don't get credit for them. I Peter 4:10 says:
""...use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Go'd grace...."
So, whatever abilities I have to serve others are gifts given me by the grace of God. How can I take credit for that?
How about if I take credit for using my time and energy? I work really hard. Really sacrificial, right? Wrong! Colossians 1:29 tells me that any work I do is with energy supplied by God. I work with "all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." And I Corinthians 15:10 informs me that "By the grace of God I am what I am....I worked harder than all of them--yet not I , but the grace of God that was with me." By grace I am able to serve God and by grace I am saved.
Okay, then, let me take credit for having a good enough heart to even think of ways to serve. I can take credit for the ideas, can't I? Nope! Philippians 2:13 tells me that "it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Any good thing I think of that coincides with the will of God did not originate with me. I have nothing to bring to set on the scales to balance out my sins. I am fully dependent on God's grace. His favor is completely unmerited in my life.
I brought Jesus only brokenness and emptiness and sin,
But he took the pieces of my life and offered to come in.
And he made of all those fragments something whole and straight and tall--
Yes, there's a hand to lift us when we fall
When we've got access to the grace of God, we've got it all!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
In Jesus' Name
It was an angel who came to Joseph and told him regarding the child to whom Mary would give birth, "...you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) It is a remarkable name! This name means, "The Lord saves." Paul in Hebrews 1:4 confirms this assessment: "So he became as much superior to angels as the name he inherited is superior to theirs." It captures the imagination, doesn't it--a name superior to the angels? It's a powerful name--it opens the door of the throne room of heaven.
It's a welcoming name and a summoning name. When any two or three come together to fellowship in that name, Jesus himself joins them (Matthew 18:20), and it is that name in which believers are baptized (Matthew 28:19). Luke attested in Acts 4:12 that "there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
It is a name that, when invoked in prayer, bestows the privelege of access to the attention and favor of God. (John 14:13; 15:16) Indeed, Jesus told his disciples on the day before his death: "Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." Such a promise! I wonder if his hearers were confused? It probably had not even occurred to them before to ask for anything in his name. Still, it makes sense that any father would be more attentive to any request made in the name of his beloved son. But when Jesus died for our sins and rose to give new life, the very power of that resurrection offered us joyful access to the willing ear of God!
This name--this majestic name--is a name honored by God. "therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippinas 2:9, 10)
It is a name not to be taken lightly or spoken casually. It is the name that should inform, motivate and direct every action and word. "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)
It is this holy name that guarantees heaven. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (John 5:13)
I end every prayer I speak "in Jesus' name." I don't do this simply by habit. I am always a little surprised when I hear Christians omit this name in their prayers. Its not that I think they will go unheard, as if God isn't sure we belong to Jesus unless we tell him or that he legalistically requires some rote phrase as part of a ritual. But for me it is humbling and reassuring--a reminder that I have no right to access to an audience with the King except through His Son's name. It is because "I have been washed, I have been sanctified..., and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
The name of Jesus--because of who he is, and the blood he shed--has made me clean enough to go before a holy God. My righteousness could never buy me this privelege. In fact, I would be rejected, unheard, and condemned! But because I can pray in the name of Jesus, I am heard as a dearly loved and perfect child. It makes it very precious to me to say to God, "Father, I am coming to you in the name of Jesus."
It's a welcoming name and a summoning name. When any two or three come together to fellowship in that name, Jesus himself joins them (Matthew 18:20), and it is that name in which believers are baptized (Matthew 28:19). Luke attested in Acts 4:12 that "there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
It is a name that, when invoked in prayer, bestows the privelege of access to the attention and favor of God. (John 14:13; 15:16) Indeed, Jesus told his disciples on the day before his death: "Until now you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete." Such a promise! I wonder if his hearers were confused? It probably had not even occurred to them before to ask for anything in his name. Still, it makes sense that any father would be more attentive to any request made in the name of his beloved son. But when Jesus died for our sins and rose to give new life, the very power of that resurrection offered us joyful access to the willing ear of God!
This name--this majestic name--is a name honored by God. "therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippinas 2:9, 10)
It is a name not to be taken lightly or spoken casually. It is the name that should inform, motivate and direct every action and word. "And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)
It is this holy name that guarantees heaven. "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (John 5:13)
I end every prayer I speak "in Jesus' name." I don't do this simply by habit. I am always a little surprised when I hear Christians omit this name in their prayers. Its not that I think they will go unheard, as if God isn't sure we belong to Jesus unless we tell him or that he legalistically requires some rote phrase as part of a ritual. But for me it is humbling and reassuring--a reminder that I have no right to access to an audience with the King except through His Son's name. It is because "I have been washed, I have been sanctified..., and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)
The name of Jesus--because of who he is, and the blood he shed--has made me clean enough to go before a holy God. My righteousness could never buy me this privelege. In fact, I would be rejected, unheard, and condemned! But because I can pray in the name of Jesus, I am heard as a dearly loved and perfect child. It makes it very precious to me to say to God, "Father, I am coming to you in the name of Jesus."
My Attorney
I would feel no great need of legal counsel if I were innocent, but I am very guilty, indeed. I have violated the law on many scores and dare not undertake my own defense! I need a merciful judge and a persuasive advocate to plead my case.
Considering the validity of the charges against me, I would hate to be looking through the Yellow Pages or on the internet to find a suitable lawyer. I need someone with experience and influence. I need someone with a spotless reputation who has by association won the respect of the judge I will stand before. I need someone who knows me and is sympathetic to my case, who knows all the ins and outs of the law--especially if there might possibly be any loopholes.
Well, I have heard there is a loophole. I have heard that if someone perfectly innocent in every way pays the penalty for my crimes, I can claim his innocence and he can take the blame for my sins. This amazes me. But who is perfectly innocent? It seems hopeless, but I have to go to court, anyway. I don't know the date of my trail, but I know the date has been set.
It will be really scary, I think, to stand before a judge who insists on perfect compliance with laws I have broken many times. I know that he'd be just in condemning me.
I picture the scene sometimes. My lawyer will already be there. The judge will be behind the bench. The prosecutor will be smug. He knows he's got me dead to rights. He is ready to vehemently accuse me. But when he speaks, my lawyer intervenes. My lawyer objects to the charges as unfounded because the debt has already been paid. Then he will approach the bench and show the judge his irrefutable evidence.
My lawyer will say, "Father, my client is innocent. I am the guilty one and I have paid the penalty for every crime for which this woman is accused." The evidence? The nail marks in his hands and his feet.
The judge will smile and his gavel will come down. "I find no basis for a charge against this woman."
My lawyer will embrace me and we will laugh and cry together. He might even pick me up and swing me around! Who could have more pull with this judge than the judge's own Son?
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...." (I John 2:1,2)
Considering the validity of the charges against me, I would hate to be looking through the Yellow Pages or on the internet to find a suitable lawyer. I need someone with experience and influence. I need someone with a spotless reputation who has by association won the respect of the judge I will stand before. I need someone who knows me and is sympathetic to my case, who knows all the ins and outs of the law--especially if there might possibly be any loopholes.
Well, I have heard there is a loophole. I have heard that if someone perfectly innocent in every way pays the penalty for my crimes, I can claim his innocence and he can take the blame for my sins. This amazes me. But who is perfectly innocent? It seems hopeless, but I have to go to court, anyway. I don't know the date of my trail, but I know the date has been set.
It will be really scary, I think, to stand before a judge who insists on perfect compliance with laws I have broken many times. I know that he'd be just in condemning me.
I picture the scene sometimes. My lawyer will already be there. The judge will be behind the bench. The prosecutor will be smug. He knows he's got me dead to rights. He is ready to vehemently accuse me. But when he speaks, my lawyer intervenes. My lawyer objects to the charges as unfounded because the debt has already been paid. Then he will approach the bench and show the judge his irrefutable evidence.
My lawyer will say, "Father, my client is innocent. I am the guilty one and I have paid the penalty for every crime for which this woman is accused." The evidence? The nail marks in his hands and his feet.
The judge will smile and his gavel will come down. "I find no basis for a charge against this woman."
My lawyer will embrace me and we will laugh and cry together. He might even pick me up and swing me around! Who could have more pull with this judge than the judge's own Son?
"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...." (I John 2:1,2)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Faulty Reasoning
"Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment." (John 7:24)
Isn't this a classic human problem? We pass judgment so quickly on circumstances, ideas, people, etc. based on mere appearances. We respect our own frame of reference so much that it makes it hard to pause and consider other viewpoints. With finite data we presume to discern infinite truth. In this case in John 7, the crowd in the temple was so legalistic in their judgment of appropriate Sabbath day behavior that they missed the obvious implications of Jesus' healing: they were in the presence of divine power!
"But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one willl know where he is from." (John 7:27)
It's terrible how illogical we can become when we are trying to defend a point--especially if we fear our argument is weak or our opponent a more skilled debater. So, now that they are confronted with considering that he really might be the Messiah, they offer this theory that Jesus couldn't be the Messiah because they knew what town he was from! These guys needed to read their Old Testaments. The Scriptures told very accuraltely where Jesus would be born and even where he's go temporarily (Micah 5:2 and Hosea 11:1)..
But we're still like this today--having our little theories about God, drawing conclusions on faulty reasoning and missing who Jesus really is and the work he's like to do in our lives!
Isn't this a classic human problem? We pass judgment so quickly on circumstances, ideas, people, etc. based on mere appearances. We respect our own frame of reference so much that it makes it hard to pause and consider other viewpoints. With finite data we presume to discern infinite truth. In this case in John 7, the crowd in the temple was so legalistic in their judgment of appropriate Sabbath day behavior that they missed the obvious implications of Jesus' healing: they were in the presence of divine power!
"But we know where this man is from; when the Christ comes, no one willl know where he is from." (John 7:27)
It's terrible how illogical we can become when we are trying to defend a point--especially if we fear our argument is weak or our opponent a more skilled debater. So, now that they are confronted with considering that he really might be the Messiah, they offer this theory that Jesus couldn't be the Messiah because they knew what town he was from! These guys needed to read their Old Testaments. The Scriptures told very accuraltely where Jesus would be born and even where he's go temporarily (Micah 5:2 and Hosea 11:1)..
But we're still like this today--having our little theories about God, drawing conclusions on faulty reasoning and missing who Jesus really is and the work he's like to do in our lives!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Essential Elements
Feeling loved and valued is essential to a sense of fulfilling happiness. Love has many elements (I Corinthians 13:4-7) and so many ways of being expressed (I John 3:18), but we don't always internalize other's efforts to show love to us. Paul elaborated on the love he had demonstrated for the Christians in Thessalonica. Even though he had lived out this love among them, it had to feel great to them to hear it proclaimed again. We never tire of hearing about how someone loves us, do we?
...we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well. (I Thessalonians 2:8)
Paul here seems to expose two elements of love not identified in I Corinthians: delight and investment. These are two of the most satisfying aspects of love. Not everyone who loves us delights in us or is willing to invest in our growth.
Delight suggests a sweet joy--the kind that makes someone's eyes light up when they hear your name, or hear your voice, or catch sight of you, or even when they think of you.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.... (Philippians 1:3, 4)
Delight has to do with an eagerness, not just a willingness, to spend time with, to listen to, to get to know and to enjoy someone. It is best felt when you have a sense that someone "gets" you and loves you anyway--perhaps not in spite of , but because of who you are.
Then there is that investment part. People pay money--lots of it--to be mentored by "life coaches". But what if someone values you enough to invest time and attention in you free of charge, just because they believe in your potential? Who isn't encouraged by having their worth affirmed? Who doesn't love to have someone in their life not just interested, but fascinated by them? In the context of I Thessalonians, the investment is boundless--more than just a transfer of knowledge, it is life-giving mentorship.
Being mentored may not be essential for survival, but it surely is essential for personal growth. It is such an honor to have someone willing/delighted to invest themselves in you. It makes you feel they believe in your potential and care about your future.
He is the one we proclaim admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present eveyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28, 29)
Most of us need an objective, outside look at ourselves, but it is rarely palatable--whether flattering or critical--unless it comes from someone who loves us. Those of us given to self-doubt especially need others to remind us how God feels about us. It reminds me of the lyrices to Jason Gray's beautiful song, "Remind Me Who I Am":
When I lose my way,
and forget my name
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don't wanna be.
Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places
When I can't remember what grace is
Tell me once again
Who I am to you, who I am to you
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am, that I belong to you
To You
When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home
Remind me who I am.
If I'm your beloved can you help me believe it?
Tell me once again
Who I am to you, who I am to you.
I believe one of the reason God designed the church, instead of our just having a one on one relationship with him, is so that he could speak to us through one another of his love. He has filled the New Testament with what he would like that fellowship to look like. God is always trying to tell us who we are to him--the cross says it most profoundly, but he wants us to hear it from one another, too. We all need words of affirmation. We need people willing to mentor us. We need warm embraces. We need to see in each other's eyes the same look that I believe Jesus had with everyone he met--unmistakable, unconditional love. We can bring God's love into clearer focus for each other if we'll delight in one another and share our lives and our faith with one another.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. (Romans 1:11, 12)
Perhaps Paul wasn't talking about a miraculous gift of the Spirit here. Maybe he was talking about the gift of love, or mentoring or encouragement. Be a gift to someone today. Let someone know you delight in them.
...we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well. (I Thessalonians 2:8)
Paul here seems to expose two elements of love not identified in I Corinthians: delight and investment. These are two of the most satisfying aspects of love. Not everyone who loves us delights in us or is willing to invest in our growth.
Delight suggests a sweet joy--the kind that makes someone's eyes light up when they hear your name, or hear your voice, or catch sight of you, or even when they think of you.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.... (Philippians 1:3, 4)
Delight has to do with an eagerness, not just a willingness, to spend time with, to listen to, to get to know and to enjoy someone. It is best felt when you have a sense that someone "gets" you and loves you anyway--perhaps not in spite of , but because of who you are.
Then there is that investment part. People pay money--lots of it--to be mentored by "life coaches". But what if someone values you enough to invest time and attention in you free of charge, just because they believe in your potential? Who isn't encouraged by having their worth affirmed? Who doesn't love to have someone in their life not just interested, but fascinated by them? In the context of I Thessalonians, the investment is boundless--more than just a transfer of knowledge, it is life-giving mentorship.
Being mentored may not be essential for survival, but it surely is essential for personal growth. It is such an honor to have someone willing/delighted to invest themselves in you. It makes you feel they believe in your potential and care about your future.
He is the one we proclaim admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present eveyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28, 29)
Most of us need an objective, outside look at ourselves, but it is rarely palatable--whether flattering or critical--unless it comes from someone who loves us. Those of us given to self-doubt especially need others to remind us how God feels about us. It reminds me of the lyrices to Jason Gray's beautiful song, "Remind Me Who I Am":
When I lose my way,
and forget my name
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see
Is who I don't wanna be.
Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places
When I can't remember what grace is
Tell me once again
Who I am to you, who I am to you
Tell me, lest I forget
Who I am, that I belong to you
To You
When my heart is like a stone,
And I'm running far from home
Remind me who I am.
If I'm your beloved can you help me believe it?
Tell me once again
Who I am to you, who I am to you.
I believe one of the reason God designed the church, instead of our just having a one on one relationship with him, is so that he could speak to us through one another of his love. He has filled the New Testament with what he would like that fellowship to look like. God is always trying to tell us who we are to him--the cross says it most profoundly, but he wants us to hear it from one another, too. We all need words of affirmation. We need people willing to mentor us. We need warm embraces. We need to see in each other's eyes the same look that I believe Jesus had with everyone he met--unmistakable, unconditional love. We can bring God's love into clearer focus for each other if we'll delight in one another and share our lives and our faith with one another.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. (Romans 1:11, 12)
Perhaps Paul wasn't talking about a miraculous gift of the Spirit here. Maybe he was talking about the gift of love, or mentoring or encouragement. Be a gift to someone today. Let someone know you delight in them.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Love Affair with Words
I am completely enamored of words! I can neither explain nor defend this affection. I am pretty sure it's not a virtue, but I genuinely hope it's not a fault.
I am captivated by a clever turn of phrase or a little romantic rhetoric or a description that transports me vicariously to an emotion or a sensation or a vista. I am charmed by a meaningful metaphor or allegory. A forceful, compelling avowal of conviction causes me to approach ecstacy (if it's a conviction that I share--oh, shame)! Witty repartee makes my heart soar.
I collect quotes. I have a little box with scraps of paper on which I have jotted someone's musing, or philosophy, or observation, or hilarious remark that has struck a chord with me.
It is to my shame, I suppose, that I am not a Hemingway fan. The sparseness of his prose leaves me cold. I feel quite purile (in a literary arena) in this assessment. But honesty demands this confession.
Calvin Miller writes so beautifully that it is rare for me to read his works without weeping. his wonderul allegory in the trilogy "The Singer," "The Song," and "The Finale," leaves me awestruck and unsppeakably grateful to God.
I am especially delighted when an author uses a term that is unfamiliar to me. It sends me eagerly to my dictionary to discover and savor a new word.
Then there is the Bible. I don't read the Bible for well-phrased concepts or eloquence, although it is devoid of neither. I read the Bible for substance, direction, inspiration, perspective and wisdom. I read the Bible to fall ever more deeply in love with it's author. In fact, the Holy Spirit is not given to embellished language. This is never more evident than in the understated descriptions of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. Consider a single verse in John 19:1, "Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged."
Secular history gives a fuller portrayal of Roman floggings. Many criminals, thus beaten, died from blood loss and shock before ever making it to a cross. The Bible does not go into detail about how the victim was stretched over a board to expose taut flesh to a whip. These whips were most commonly made of strands of leather embedded with rough stones and fragments of metal, designed to shred skin and muscle. But the Bible simply says he was flogged.
God does not attempt to manipulate our emotions. He just gives us the facts and lets us do with those facts whatever our hearts lead us to. Such restaint! And such respect for us--offering us freedom of choice in our responses.
Then there are passages in the Bible that capture the imagination in their articulation of God's very heart. These make me catch my breath and ponder and reread. Here are a few that thrilled me this morning:
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 44:22, 23 "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
I am captivated by a clever turn of phrase or a little romantic rhetoric or a description that transports me vicariously to an emotion or a sensation or a vista. I am charmed by a meaningful metaphor or allegory. A forceful, compelling avowal of conviction causes me to approach ecstacy (if it's a conviction that I share--oh, shame)! Witty repartee makes my heart soar.
I collect quotes. I have a little box with scraps of paper on which I have jotted someone's musing, or philosophy, or observation, or hilarious remark that has struck a chord with me.
It is to my shame, I suppose, that I am not a Hemingway fan. The sparseness of his prose leaves me cold. I feel quite purile (in a literary arena) in this assessment. But honesty demands this confession.
Calvin Miller writes so beautifully that it is rare for me to read his works without weeping. his wonderul allegory in the trilogy "The Singer," "The Song," and "The Finale," leaves me awestruck and unsppeakably grateful to God.
I am especially delighted when an author uses a term that is unfamiliar to me. It sends me eagerly to my dictionary to discover and savor a new word.
Then there is the Bible. I don't read the Bible for well-phrased concepts or eloquence, although it is devoid of neither. I read the Bible for substance, direction, inspiration, perspective and wisdom. I read the Bible to fall ever more deeply in love with it's author. In fact, the Holy Spirit is not given to embellished language. This is never more evident than in the understated descriptions of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. Consider a single verse in John 19:1, "Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged."
Secular history gives a fuller portrayal of Roman floggings. Many criminals, thus beaten, died from blood loss and shock before ever making it to a cross. The Bible does not go into detail about how the victim was stretched over a board to expose taut flesh to a whip. These whips were most commonly made of strands of leather embedded with rough stones and fragments of metal, designed to shred skin and muscle. But the Bible simply says he was flogged.
God does not attempt to manipulate our emotions. He just gives us the facts and lets us do with those facts whatever our hearts lead us to. Such restaint! And such respect for us--offering us freedom of choice in our responses.
Then there are passages in the Bible that capture the imagination in their articulation of God's very heart. These make me catch my breath and ponder and reread. Here are a few that thrilled me this morning:
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."
Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."
Isaiah 44:22, 23 "I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."
Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
ELECTION DAY
I Timothy 2:1,2
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Monday, November 5, 2012
love and loss
I have freinds who have recently lost spouses. Each is experiencing their grief in different ways and they are at different stages. I pray for them daily. I talk to them regularly, but grief is a lonely path. Everything I offer is inadequate. The path of greif is very dark until a light of hope appears for a reshaped future. And it is largely a futrue they must conceive with God alone.
DREAMS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Amid the rubble of shattered dreams
perhaps there lies buried a tiny, surviving seed of hope.
Disaster clean-up is slow--
excavating layers of raw devastation.
Danger--hard hat area!
Tears mingle with sweat;
the effort intense
to shovel out the heavy debris.
The search is for salvagable fragments
to incorporate into new construction.
Grief concedes that new dreams are frightening,
holding elements of dread and betrayal.
Hope can be treacherous.
Reconstruction must begin on level ground.
No way to hasten the process.
Dreams under construction--
What architects will draw the plans
that give shape to the future?
These dreams must weather storms!
These dreams must have footings
buried deep in a sturdy heart.
They must be framed with steel,
but clad in gossimer beauty.
These dreams must fully occupy today
while reaching into eternity.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Intent and Impotence
Last week a Canadian earthquake threated a tsumani-effect on Maui. My son and family live on Maui. Hurricane Sandy devastated many on the east coast. I have lots of dear friends on the east coast. Two close friends are mourning the recent loss of their husbands. They live in distant cities. Other freinds are suffering fearful financial prospects in the current economy. I have nothing to offer. Two other friends are going through cancer treatment. I pray for all of these, but cannot be present or exert any power to assuage their suffering or avert disaster. Jesus was right:
In this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33)
The human heart can be filled with great compassion and long to always be available to assist, to comfort, to encourage. There are promises I'd like to make and promises made that I'd like to keep, but.... It is often very painful to find that we are helpless to be what someone we love needs. Our intense longing and anxiety are many times inadequate to open the right doors. The apostle Paul was familiar with this inner struggle:
But, brothers and sisters we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan blocked our way.
(I Thessalonians 2:17-18)
Did you ever notice that many popular songs are written about pledges from loving hearts to be everything the object of their love could ever need--especially in the face of sorrow, trouble, saddness or loss? We would love to be the answer for each other's most profound needs. But the purity of that desire does not surmount human inadequacy or limiting circumstances. Our highest hopes and greatest efforts often fail to supply the needs of those we love. It's very humbling. It drives us to God, who alone is ever-present and all-powerful.
God is our refuge and our strengthm an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Popular songs reveal the longing of human beings to be that ever-present help in times of trouble. I weep when I hear the Pretenders sing Gina Glocksen's moving lyrics to "I'll Stand By You". How I'd love to unfailingly go through a dear one's "darkest hour." I'd love to vow that I'd "let nobody hurt you" and this:
"When you're standing at the crossroads
And you don't know which path to choose
Let me come along, 'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you....."
Or how about "I Won't Let Go" recorded by Rascal Flatts? Every word of the song is a heartfelt pledge to be available for someone with empathy, assistance and faithfulness no matter what!
Do you remember Carole King's recording of "Just Call Out My Name"? Who of us can guarantee this kind of a response to a friend? We can guarantee our desire to be the all in all for someone in trouble or sorrow, but how can we ever be sure that we can be sufficient?
"You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend."
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Jesus in Matthew 11:28)
There are a lot of promises that only God can keep; a lot of circumstances that only he can fix; a lot of sorrows that only he can comfort. There are a lot of songs that we need to hear as if they were sung to us by God because he alone can deliver on the promises of their lyrics.
In this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33)
The human heart can be filled with great compassion and long to always be available to assist, to comfort, to encourage. There are promises I'd like to make and promises made that I'd like to keep, but.... It is often very painful to find that we are helpless to be what someone we love needs. Our intense longing and anxiety are many times inadequate to open the right doors. The apostle Paul was familiar with this inner struggle:
But, brothers and sisters we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again--but Satan blocked our way.
(I Thessalonians 2:17-18)
Did you ever notice that many popular songs are written about pledges from loving hearts to be everything the object of their love could ever need--especially in the face of sorrow, trouble, saddness or loss? We would love to be the answer for each other's most profound needs. But the purity of that desire does not surmount human inadequacy or limiting circumstances. Our highest hopes and greatest efforts often fail to supply the needs of those we love. It's very humbling. It drives us to God, who alone is ever-present and all-powerful.
God is our refuge and our strengthm an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Popular songs reveal the longing of human beings to be that ever-present help in times of trouble. I weep when I hear the Pretenders sing Gina Glocksen's moving lyrics to "I'll Stand By You". How I'd love to unfailingly go through a dear one's "darkest hour." I'd love to vow that I'd "let nobody hurt you" and this:
"When you're standing at the crossroads
And you don't know which path to choose
Let me come along, 'cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you....."
Or how about "I Won't Let Go" recorded by Rascal Flatts? Every word of the song is a heartfelt pledge to be available for someone with empathy, assistance and faithfulness no matter what!
Do you remember Carole King's recording of "Just Call Out My Name"? Who of us can guarantee this kind of a response to a friend? We can guarantee our desire to be the all in all for someone in trouble or sorrow, but how can we ever be sure that we can be sufficient?
"You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come runnin' to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend."
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Jesus in Matthew 11:28)
There are a lot of promises that only God can keep; a lot of circumstances that only he can fix; a lot of sorrows that only he can comfort. There are a lot of songs that we need to hear as if they were sung to us by God because he alone can deliver on the promises of their lyrics.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Undying Love
While the word "love" typically calls to mind I Corinthians 13, and the book of Ephesians is not usually thought to have love as a central theme, Ephesians has a whole lot to say about the subject. In fact, I would venture to say that Ephesians rivals I John in it's depth of revelation about love. While Ephesians is among the smaller books in the New Testament, it mentions the word "love" 16 times in just 6 short chapters.
I'd like to focus on three of those references here. In the familiar and heart-lifting passage in chapter 3:17-19, Paul prays for his readers to be "rooted and established in love." What meaning would you garner from this if an apostle of Jesus told you he was praying for you to be rooted and established in love? It would tell me I had some work to do. It would tell me I have a lot to learn about what love is and how to make it the foundation and core of my life. It would speak to me of a hope of being unshakably grounded in love in spite of living in a unstable and often hateful world.
Later in chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, Paul tells us to imitate the love of God as we live out our lives--a high calling, for sure! I'll never reach this level of completely unselfish love, but I'm so glad God gave us the Bible and then his Son to live out a love that stirs our hearts and challenges our very souls! At least I have a picture of what I'm aiming for so that I can try each day to come closer to the kind of sacrificial love that Christ demonstrated throughout his life and most magnificently in his death. It reminds me of a favorite definition I once heard of love: "Love is seeking the highest good of others at your own expense."
Finally, in the last verse of the last chapter, we're admonished to "love Christ with an undying love." He surely deserves nothing less! In our weakness, our love may ebb and flo in its manifestations, but we need to be very careful that we not lose our "first love." (Revelations 2:4) Holding Christ pre-eminant on our hearts is worthy of every effort! There is an old hymn that states the plea, "never let me outlive my love for thee." The surest way to accomplish this is to be sure our love is growing day by day. How to grow in love? I John 4:19 says that "We love because he first loved us." That fact leads us right back to Ephesians 3:17-19 that tells us to know this unknowable love. The more we focus on the love of God, the more we understand it, embrace it and imitate it, the more the love in our hearts will grow for the author and embodiment of love and for everyone around us.
I'd like to focus on three of those references here. In the familiar and heart-lifting passage in chapter 3:17-19, Paul prays for his readers to be "rooted and established in love." What meaning would you garner from this if an apostle of Jesus told you he was praying for you to be rooted and established in love? It would tell me I had some work to do. It would tell me I have a lot to learn about what love is and how to make it the foundation and core of my life. It would speak to me of a hope of being unshakably grounded in love in spite of living in a unstable and often hateful world.
Later in chapter 5, verses 1 and 2, Paul tells us to imitate the love of God as we live out our lives--a high calling, for sure! I'll never reach this level of completely unselfish love, but I'm so glad God gave us the Bible and then his Son to live out a love that stirs our hearts and challenges our very souls! At least I have a picture of what I'm aiming for so that I can try each day to come closer to the kind of sacrificial love that Christ demonstrated throughout his life and most magnificently in his death. It reminds me of a favorite definition I once heard of love: "Love is seeking the highest good of others at your own expense."
Finally, in the last verse of the last chapter, we're admonished to "love Christ with an undying love." He surely deserves nothing less! In our weakness, our love may ebb and flo in its manifestations, but we need to be very careful that we not lose our "first love." (Revelations 2:4) Holding Christ pre-eminant on our hearts is worthy of every effort! There is an old hymn that states the plea, "never let me outlive my love for thee." The surest way to accomplish this is to be sure our love is growing day by day. How to grow in love? I John 4:19 says that "We love because he first loved us." That fact leads us right back to Ephesians 3:17-19 that tells us to know this unknowable love. The more we focus on the love of God, the more we understand it, embrace it and imitate it, the more the love in our hearts will grow for the author and embodiment of love and for everyone around us.
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