In John 8:58, Jesus rightly claimed the name of God when he told the Pharisees who were arguing with him that he was the "I Am." Of the many names of God recorded throughout the Bible, Jesus used the name that would have the most meaning and, actually, be the most offensive to his critics in that moment. He was unmistakenly claiming to be the eternal God when he made that statement. In fact, when they heard this, they tried to stone him on the spot.
Jesus never denied his deity, but he never flaunted it either. He never sought glory from his listeners; he only sought their faith. He was willing to patiently wait for the Father to glorify him at just the right time.
John 13:31, 32
Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once."
I find it fascinating that the way Jesus many times referred to himself was as, " the Son of Man." More than a dozen times the gospels record Jesus referring to himself this way. In Luke 17:22-26, he refers to himself as the Son of Man five times in a single conversation.
It's a name that applies to every human being. I wonder if referring to himself this way was just an aspect of his humility? I wonder if he were trying to emphasize that he understood all of us because he was experiencing humanity in the same way we do?
Sometimes I wonder if he called himself the Son of Man just because it remained a daily surprise to him that all his power and deity was contained in flesh? Like, "Wow! I wole up human again!" After an eternity in the heavenly realms and existing pure spirit, how strange it must have been to be in a human body with human frailties and human needs and human temptations.
This may not be a very deep theological exegesis of this phrase, "Son of Man," but it is deeply moving to me that my Lord became flesh. When I read this phrase, I pause in wonder. May be that's why he said it.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Thrills
Yesterday I did the zip line across Swamp Creek--over on one scary line and back on a scarier line. It was bold. It was daring. When I reached the platform for the trip back across the creek (after a harrowing climb up a pole like a trapeze artist would ascend), I immediately sat down. Brandon, the zip line king assisting zippers at the top told me to walk to the edge.
"Oh, no!" I said, firmly planted on my bottom. "I can scoot to the edge of this platform, but there is no way I can summon the courage to walk out there." So, as I had on my way over (where the platform was much more accessible and much more stable and much less scary), I sat for one final gulp of air before tightly closing my eyes and zipping into a fall that pitched my full weight onto a cable strung across the murky water.
Today adults and kids alike are asking me if it was fun. I tell them, "No. It was not fun by my definition of fun, but it was a very important event for me." I am afraid of heights, speed, murky water--plus, I'm elderly and everyone would have understood if I had declined this adventure. So, why, you may ask, did I do this?
Here's why. Sometimes on TV I catch a glimpse of someone on a zip line (this is usually just long enough for me to change channels, but I always think, "Hmmmm, that looks like fun. I think I'd like to do that someday."). I guess I picured the zip alone, not the take off or the landing. Just like with flying an airplane, these are the treacherous times. But the deciding factor was I knew that forever after when I saw someone zipping on TV or I heard someone talking about their experience, I'd regret that I didn't really know what it felt like to soar that way. Now I know..
"Oh, no!" I said, firmly planted on my bottom. "I can scoot to the edge of this platform, but there is no way I can summon the courage to walk out there." So, as I had on my way over (where the platform was much more accessible and much more stable and much less scary), I sat for one final gulp of air before tightly closing my eyes and zipping into a fall that pitched my full weight onto a cable strung across the murky water.
Today adults and kids alike are asking me if it was fun. I tell them, "No. It was not fun by my definition of fun, but it was a very important event for me." I am afraid of heights, speed, murky water--plus, I'm elderly and everyone would have understood if I had declined this adventure. So, why, you may ask, did I do this?
Here's why. Sometimes on TV I catch a glimpse of someone on a zip line (this is usually just long enough for me to change channels, but I always think, "Hmmmm, that looks like fun. I think I'd like to do that someday."). I guess I picured the zip alone, not the take off or the landing. Just like with flying an airplane, these are the treacherous times. But the deciding factor was I knew that forever after when I saw someone zipping on TV or I heard someone talking about their experience, I'd regret that I didn't really know what it felt like to soar that way. Now I know..
Morning Music at CampHOPEforKids
A solitary songbird began his daybreak vocals
summonning his friends to join his reveille.
An insect heard the call and single-handedly
(or footedly or leggedly) contributed his tympanic rhythm.
They rocked out energetically for near an hour
before the other birds awoke in full force
to take up the morning anthem and stir the world into action.
Then a holy choir crescendoed in volume and sweetness
as the chatter and laughter of children filled air.
summonning his friends to join his reveille.
An insect heard the call and single-handedly
(or footedly or leggedly) contributed his tympanic rhythm.
They rocked out energetically for near an hour
before the other birds awoke in full force
to take up the morning anthem and stir the world into action.
Then a holy choir crescendoed in volume and sweetness
as the chatter and laughter of children filled air.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
The Happiest Place on Earth
Okay, so Disney made the claim first, and probably even copyrighted it, but I really can't imagine any place happier than where I am right now. One hundred and twenty campers decended today on CampHOPEfor Kids in Swenksville, PA.
Sweet eagerness fills the air. Cabins are loading up with kids in color-coded tee-shirts. College-age counselors are relieving parent of a week's worth of responsibility after they have deposited their kids for 7days of swimming, canoe-ing, rock climbing, zip-lining across Swamp Creek; volleyball, basketball, gaga (new to me--its a sort of dodgeball in an enclosed court), night-time pranks, singing, praying and dramatic presentation of Jesus' Parables.
You can see the friendships already developing. Companionship for the vulnerable--these bonds will last. There's also a bit of hero-worship here. And why not, when your cabin counselor is the coolest college kid you've ever seen and they are making you laugh, reassuring every insecurity and basically, being your slave?
I have a few words left to describe these counselors.
--spiritual
--visionaries
I'm overwhelmed with the comforting feeling that this generation has the world well in hand. They are the face of Christianity for this half of the 21st century. They are wholesome to the core. Their commitment and integrity will bless all whose lives they touch.
I'd been told for years that I needed to come and see this camp. I'm so grateful it finally happened. I'm praying for the funding that will enable this camp to last for generations to come.
Sweet eagerness fills the air. Cabins are loading up with kids in color-coded tee-shirts. College-age counselors are relieving parent of a week's worth of responsibility after they have deposited their kids for 7days of swimming, canoe-ing, rock climbing, zip-lining across Swamp Creek; volleyball, basketball, gaga (new to me--its a sort of dodgeball in an enclosed court), night-time pranks, singing, praying and dramatic presentation of Jesus' Parables.
You can see the friendships already developing. Companionship for the vulnerable--these bonds will last. There's also a bit of hero-worship here. And why not, when your cabin counselor is the coolest college kid you've ever seen and they are making you laugh, reassuring every insecurity and basically, being your slave?
I have a few words left to describe these counselors.
--spiritual
--visionaries
I'm overwhelmed with the comforting feeling that this generation has the world well in hand. They are the face of Christianity for this half of the 21st century. They are wholesome to the core. Their commitment and integrity will bless all whose lives they touch.
I'd been told for years that I needed to come and see this camp. I'm so grateful it finally happened. I'm praying for the funding that will enable this camp to last for generations to come.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
CampHOPEfor Kids
I'd heard all the stories--"It's awesome;" "It changed my life;" "I met all my best friends there;" "I never want to miss another summer there for the rest of my life." These quotes are mostly from our grandkids, but everyone we've ever talked to who has been here has voiced equivalent praise.
I thought, "That's nice." Then I came. This is the end of my 4th full day here and I have no words to express how it has affected me--but I'll try.
--BEAUTIFUL. As we pulled into the camp in a rural area of Philadelphia it felt like we were a million miles from nowhere. Lush sylvan beauty enveloped us. It is pretty easy to feel close to the
Creator when you are standing in awe of His creation. I could see immediately that praying, singing and reading my Bible in some forested nook every morning was going to be a rich spiritual experience--and that was before I'd hiked down to the creek or crossed the footbridge in hearing of the waterfall, or seen the deer or the funny camo-clad frog on the forest floor.
--INSPIRING. There are about 75+ kids here (some of them would be offended to be called "kids"--whatever! I'm elderly and they are kids to me). This is the week the Americorp and Youthcorp prepares the camp for the onslaught of young campers. There are cobwebs to remove, toilets to clean, raking and weeding, moping and scrubbing, gathering and hauling. None of it is eaasy.
The quality of character, heart, service, joy, respect, diligence....I could go on. I have not seen one complainer. What I have seen is very, very hard work, sweet spirits and stellar leadership among them. And the thing is, any of them could lead, but there is not an evident ego in the bunch. They are eager and cooperative at a level I think I've never seen. they stand fully behind anyone who is in charge of any given task no matter the task.
Let me give you an example. As a joke, the camp director (who is maybe 22 yrs. old) told the assembled group that they would be dredging the lake the following day. He gave strict instructions about the dangers of infection because of the obvious polution. It has a certain beauty, but no one would want to go in.
The plan was for outraged complaints to ensue before the volunteers were told they didn't really have to jump in the lake. The prank failed because there was not a negative word. Every one of these kids willlingly offered themselves. (Willingly, not necessarily enthusiastically).
I have a few more words I need to offer you to give you a fuller picture of what I am experiencing, but that will be in my next post. Stand by--I'm trying to find the words.
I thought, "That's nice." Then I came. This is the end of my 4th full day here and I have no words to express how it has affected me--but I'll try.
--BEAUTIFUL. As we pulled into the camp in a rural area of Philadelphia it felt like we were a million miles from nowhere. Lush sylvan beauty enveloped us. It is pretty easy to feel close to the
Creator when you are standing in awe of His creation. I could see immediately that praying, singing and reading my Bible in some forested nook every morning was going to be a rich spiritual experience--and that was before I'd hiked down to the creek or crossed the footbridge in hearing of the waterfall, or seen the deer or the funny camo-clad frog on the forest floor.
--INSPIRING. There are about 75+ kids here (some of them would be offended to be called "kids"--whatever! I'm elderly and they are kids to me). This is the week the Americorp and Youthcorp prepares the camp for the onslaught of young campers. There are cobwebs to remove, toilets to clean, raking and weeding, moping and scrubbing, gathering and hauling. None of it is eaasy.
The quality of character, heart, service, joy, respect, diligence....I could go on. I have not seen one complainer. What I have seen is very, very hard work, sweet spirits and stellar leadership among them. And the thing is, any of them could lead, but there is not an evident ego in the bunch. They are eager and cooperative at a level I think I've never seen. they stand fully behind anyone who is in charge of any given task no matter the task.
Let me give you an example. As a joke, the camp director (who is maybe 22 yrs. old) told the assembled group that they would be dredging the lake the following day. He gave strict instructions about the dangers of infection because of the obvious polution. It has a certain beauty, but no one would want to go in.
The plan was for outraged complaints to ensue before the volunteers were told they didn't really have to jump in the lake. The prank failed because there was not a negative word. Every one of these kids willlingly offered themselves. (Willingly, not necessarily enthusiastically).
I have a few more words I need to offer you to give you a fuller picture of what I am experiencing, but that will be in my next post. Stand by--I'm trying to find the words.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Trouble come my way....
John 16:33
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Guaranteed by Jesus himself: trouble gonna come my way. This seems like a strange promise from our Savior. But we learn the truth of this warning everyday--either in our own lives or in the lives of people we love. Or maybe it hits us when we see the morning headlines. The world is a hard place to live. There is trouble everywhere.
Sometimes we can avoid it; other times it chases us down. Trouble on a broad spectrum is a human fact. We will experience trouble at one time or another ranging from temporary inconveniences to tradgedies that alter our lives permanently.
Every trial is an oportunity to deepen our faith and our dependence on God. It's wonderfully encouraging to know that God cheers us on and feels proud of us when we persevere in godliness. He compares life sufferings to the refining of precious metals with fire.
I have friends on my prayer list right now that I wish I could rescue from the flames. I pray that God will. But while I believe that God cares and that he hears my prayers with compassion, he sees my friends from a different perspective from mine. He knows they can survive and be the stronger and wiser on the other side. He knows they'll be more beautiful, like refined gold or silver. In my shortsightedness, I liked them just the way they were with all the dross still strewn thoughout their characters.God has a higher plan for using their trials.
When I am the one suffering, I love turning to Zechariah 13:7-9. It assures me that followers of the Great Shepherd will be tested. It's a price worth paying to be counted among his flock. He lets us know that not everyone willl make it through the flames with their faith intact. But, oh, those who do....
Zechariah 13: 9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, "They are my people," and they will say, "The Lord is our God."
Wow! If going through this refining by fire is what it takes for God to look at me and say, "She's mine!" If refining is part of the process that makes me God-dependent and pure, the value of the fire is as great as the gold! How wonderful for God to be proud to claim me as his very own!
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Guaranteed by Jesus himself: trouble gonna come my way. This seems like a strange promise from our Savior. But we learn the truth of this warning everyday--either in our own lives or in the lives of people we love. Or maybe it hits us when we see the morning headlines. The world is a hard place to live. There is trouble everywhere.
Sometimes we can avoid it; other times it chases us down. Trouble on a broad spectrum is a human fact. We will experience trouble at one time or another ranging from temporary inconveniences to tradgedies that alter our lives permanently.
Every trial is an oportunity to deepen our faith and our dependence on God. It's wonderfully encouraging to know that God cheers us on and feels proud of us when we persevere in godliness. He compares life sufferings to the refining of precious metals with fire.
I have friends on my prayer list right now that I wish I could rescue from the flames. I pray that God will. But while I believe that God cares and that he hears my prayers with compassion, he sees my friends from a different perspective from mine. He knows they can survive and be the stronger and wiser on the other side. He knows they'll be more beautiful, like refined gold or silver. In my shortsightedness, I liked them just the way they were with all the dross still strewn thoughout their characters.God has a higher plan for using their trials.
When I am the one suffering, I love turning to Zechariah 13:7-9. It assures me that followers of the Great Shepherd will be tested. It's a price worth paying to be counted among his flock. He lets us know that not everyone willl make it through the flames with their faith intact. But, oh, those who do....
Zechariah 13: 9
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, "They are my people," and they will say, "The Lord is our God."
Wow! If going through this refining by fire is what it takes for God to look at me and say, "She's mine!" If refining is part of the process that makes me God-dependent and pure, the value of the fire is as great as the gold! How wonderful for God to be proud to claim me as his very own!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
But I Thought....
Many theologians speculate about the funk Elijah sunk into after the victory on Mt. Carmel. Certainly, the defeat of the priests of Baal was better than any action and revenge movie we see on the big screen.
The drama there ticked every box: bad guys versus good guys and the good guys win--dramatically, resoundingly, against all odds! (I Kings 18) The stakes were high: Elijah was risking his life, his reputation, God's reputation, the entire consequence of his life's work to that point. Then there's our hero, Elijah's confidence and swagger as he taunts God's enemies while they appealed to their false god to prevail--poor things; they even tried to elicit Baal's sympathetic response by cutting themselves and bleeding all over the place. Who wants to worship a god who only takes note of your plight if you mutilate yourself? Anyway, as expected, the priests of Baal fail, thus proving Baal's impotence, but the best is yet to come.
Elijah takes his time overseeing the construction of an altar. He makes sure to create an impossible challenge for Jehovah. Of course, nothing is impossible for God, so the stones, the water- filled moat around it, the drenched wood, the soggy sacrifice--how ya gonna set that on fire? I have trouble at the barbeque with lighter fluid and matches! But Elijah didn't even rub sticks together! He just prayed.
Boom! Fire from heaven! The sacrifice goes up in flames along with the wood, the water, the stones and the soil. Then Elijah marches all Baal's prophets down the mountain and slaughters them. (This would make such a great movie! I'd love to be in charge of casting. Russell Crowe comes to mind. Oh, but I digress...). Really--this would make "Fast and Furious" look like a rom-com.
It is the aftermath that usually draws out the life lessons for us. Elijah's amazing conquest with God is followed by him running fearfully for his life. Few of us are going to publically humiliate false teachers, but we all know what it's like to sink after reaching heights. Was this clinical depression, dehydration, simple exhaustion, a collapse of faith, post-Adrenalin lag?
I Kings 19:1, 2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."
My theory is that Eligah expected something different. Maybe he it was one of those horrible disorienting and disappointing moments when you say: "But I thought...." Maybe Elijah sunk into discouraged confusion with this going through his head: "But I thought Mt. Carmel would be the end of it! I thought after this everyone, including Ahab and Jezebel would turn to God. I thought there would be a great harvest of idol worshippers turning to the living God! I got nothing left! If that didn't do it, where do we go from here?"
I think all of us get derailed when things do't turn out the way we thought they would. We put way too much stock in what we think should be outcomes of our faithful actions. Maybe that wasn't what was going on with Elijah in this situaltion, but I've seen it played out again and again. It is easy to mistake fantasy and wishful thinking for faith.
God wasn't confused or discouraged when that spectaular display of his power on didn't convert Ahab and Jezebel. God has an ultimate victory in view far greater than Mt. Carmel. I'd still like to cast the movie!
The drama there ticked every box: bad guys versus good guys and the good guys win--dramatically, resoundingly, against all odds! (I Kings 18) The stakes were high: Elijah was risking his life, his reputation, God's reputation, the entire consequence of his life's work to that point. Then there's our hero, Elijah's confidence and swagger as he taunts God's enemies while they appealed to their false god to prevail--poor things; they even tried to elicit Baal's sympathetic response by cutting themselves and bleeding all over the place. Who wants to worship a god who only takes note of your plight if you mutilate yourself? Anyway, as expected, the priests of Baal fail, thus proving Baal's impotence, but the best is yet to come.
Elijah takes his time overseeing the construction of an altar. He makes sure to create an impossible challenge for Jehovah. Of course, nothing is impossible for God, so the stones, the water- filled moat around it, the drenched wood, the soggy sacrifice--how ya gonna set that on fire? I have trouble at the barbeque with lighter fluid and matches! But Elijah didn't even rub sticks together! He just prayed.
Boom! Fire from heaven! The sacrifice goes up in flames along with the wood, the water, the stones and the soil. Then Elijah marches all Baal's prophets down the mountain and slaughters them. (This would make such a great movie! I'd love to be in charge of casting. Russell Crowe comes to mind. Oh, but I digress...). Really--this would make "Fast and Furious" look like a rom-com.
It is the aftermath that usually draws out the life lessons for us. Elijah's amazing conquest with God is followed by him running fearfully for his life. Few of us are going to publically humiliate false teachers, but we all know what it's like to sink after reaching heights. Was this clinical depression, dehydration, simple exhaustion, a collapse of faith, post-Adrenalin lag?
I Kings 19:1, 2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them."
My theory is that Eligah expected something different. Maybe he it was one of those horrible disorienting and disappointing moments when you say: "But I thought...." Maybe Elijah sunk into discouraged confusion with this going through his head: "But I thought Mt. Carmel would be the end of it! I thought after this everyone, including Ahab and Jezebel would turn to God. I thought there would be a great harvest of idol worshippers turning to the living God! I got nothing left! If that didn't do it, where do we go from here?"
I think all of us get derailed when things do't turn out the way we thought they would. We put way too much stock in what we think should be outcomes of our faithful actions. Maybe that wasn't what was going on with Elijah in this situaltion, but I've seen it played out again and again. It is easy to mistake fantasy and wishful thinking for faith.
God wasn't confused or discouraged when that spectaular display of his power on didn't convert Ahab and Jezebel. God has an ultimate victory in view far greater than Mt. Carmel. I'd still like to cast the movie!
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Energize Me
Colossians 1:29
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Just this verse alone used to energize me! I've always loved knowing that God would give me strength for every task. I knew I was tapping into a secret weapon when people would tell me to slow down or that they didn't know how I did so much. I loved the busyness of my life.
I was dazzled and inspired by the elderly Caleb claiming to have still possess the undiminished vigor of his youth. I was pretty sure I'd never slow down. Here's what Caleb said at
85 years old:
Johsua 14:11
I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
The other day, as Ron and I were co-ordinating our very full pages of appointments, he said he'd like to catch an afternoon movie. I said maybe we could work it in on Thursday.
"I can't live working things in anymore," he said. "I need a little breathing room between appoinments--a little space to breathe."
How well said! I needed this concept put into words. "Me, too!" I said. It was like an epiphany on a psychiatrist's couch for me.
With humility and gratitude I accept that God still gives me the energy to work for him. It's just not at the same levels I experienced in my youth. I can no loger "work it in." I think this is part of His plan. Maybe this slower pace makes room for the next generation to take their place in advancing the kingdom. Maybe it's to give us the opportunity to sit back and assess the wisdom that has accumulated over the years and figure out the best ways to pass it on.
Whatever it is, it is a fact that I am foolish to ignore. Every lesson of life matters. The trasitions in life are lessons within themselves.
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Just this verse alone used to energize me! I've always loved knowing that God would give me strength for every task. I knew I was tapping into a secret weapon when people would tell me to slow down or that they didn't know how I did so much. I loved the busyness of my life.
I was dazzled and inspired by the elderly Caleb claiming to have still possess the undiminished vigor of his youth. I was pretty sure I'd never slow down. Here's what Caleb said at
85 years old:
Johsua 14:11
I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.
The other day, as Ron and I were co-ordinating our very full pages of appointments, he said he'd like to catch an afternoon movie. I said maybe we could work it in on Thursday.
"I can't live working things in anymore," he said. "I need a little breathing room between appoinments--a little space to breathe."
How well said! I needed this concept put into words. "Me, too!" I said. It was like an epiphany on a psychiatrist's couch for me.
With humility and gratitude I accept that God still gives me the energy to work for him. It's just not at the same levels I experienced in my youth. I can no loger "work it in." I think this is part of His plan. Maybe this slower pace makes room for the next generation to take their place in advancing the kingdom. Maybe it's to give us the opportunity to sit back and assess the wisdom that has accumulated over the years and figure out the best ways to pass it on.
Whatever it is, it is a fact that I am foolish to ignore. Every lesson of life matters. The trasitions in life are lessons within themselves.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)