Finding the way is an interesting process.
Sometimes I have specific directions to follow. Go 3/10 of a mile to the purple house and turn left. I love people who can give clear, concise directions.
Sometimes I know generally where I am going, and I use the trial and error method to find my way. I know it's got to be somewhere along here. No, this is a dead-end. It must be the next street. This works if I have some basic knowledge to start with, such as I know the park is near the top of the hill or I know her house is in this neighborhood.
Jesus doesn't give us detailed directions; he has a different approach. He tells us that he is the way. An odd statement, when you think of it. We are given a person, instead of a set of steps.
So, we examine his words to learn how to live. We examine his life to see what it looks like. We complain that there are too many expectations. We complain that the rules aren't clear enough. Either way, we make excuses for why we can't be just like Jesus.
Henry Blackaby writes, "Suppose you had to cross a field full of land mines. A person who knew exactly where everyone of them was buried offered to take you through it. Would you say to him, 'I don't want you to tell me what to do. I don't want you to impose your ways on me?' I don't know about you, but I would stay as close to that person as I could. I certainly would not go wandering off. His directions to me would preserve my life. He would say, 'Don't go that way, because that way will kill you. Go this way and you will live.'
Too many of us read that paragraph and think we would certainly follow the way if we thought there were land mines around, if we thought it was a matter of life or death . . . only later do we think: oh yeah, it IS a matter of life and death.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Nearness
Lately I've been noticing how often I run across the word "near" in the New Testament.
John the Baptist and then Jesus himself tell us that the kingdom is near (Matt 3:2, Matt 4.17) . Jesus instructs his disciples to preach the same message (Matt 10.7).
The power, the authority of the God of the Universe is close to us, is immediate, is imminent. The message seems to be, "Pay attention! Something BIG is going on right under your nose!"
Later on, Paul preaches in Athens and explains to his audience that God is not far from us. He too is telling his listeners, "You have the wrong idea about the Almighty God; he isn't up on Mount Olympus, sequestered in his palace. He is close at hand."
To impress this idea on us, Jesus emptied himself and came to this earth as a human. Emmanuel -- God with us!
Along with our other ideas about God -- omnipotent, omnicient, omnipresent -- we need to add the idea of nearness. Attentiveness. Involvedness. Immediacy.
When a family or friends have a strong relationship, we call them "close" and we mean that there is an intimacy between them. Our God offers us this kind of relationship with Him, and he has taken the first step, coming near to us.
He doesn't stop there. He works to move us closer to him. Eph. 2:13 mentions that we "who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."
This closeness changes our lives. We are to rejoice, be gentle, and not be anxious -- because the Lord is near and that gives us peace! (Phil 4:4-7) The writer of Hebrews advises us that by drawing near to God we can have assurance and hope (Heb 10:22-24) and can encourage each other.
And not only is God near us, but Christ's return is near too. And that nearness can help us be patient and stand firm, according to James (5:8).
John opens his Revelation (1:3) by saying that the time for Jesus' return is near. I hear this to mean more than hours/minutes of human time -- I hear this as comfort that our God has not abandoned us; He is near. Imminent.
His power is only lightly veiled from our consciousness. His love is juxtaposed against our daily decisions. Since God is omnipresent, being near can't speak just to physical proximity. Since God (and Jesus' return) is outside of the structure of time, being near can't just speak to days/months.
Perhaps nearness speaks more to accessibility. God is near.
John the Baptist and then Jesus himself tell us that the kingdom is near (Matt 3:2, Matt 4.17) . Jesus instructs his disciples to preach the same message (Matt 10.7).
The power, the authority of the God of the Universe is close to us, is immediate, is imminent. The message seems to be, "Pay attention! Something BIG is going on right under your nose!"
Later on, Paul preaches in Athens and explains to his audience that God is not far from us. He too is telling his listeners, "You have the wrong idea about the Almighty God; he isn't up on Mount Olympus, sequestered in his palace. He is close at hand."
To impress this idea on us, Jesus emptied himself and came to this earth as a human. Emmanuel -- God with us!
Along with our other ideas about God -- omnipotent, omnicient, omnipresent -- we need to add the idea of nearness. Attentiveness. Involvedness. Immediacy.
When a family or friends have a strong relationship, we call them "close" and we mean that there is an intimacy between them. Our God offers us this kind of relationship with Him, and he has taken the first step, coming near to us.
He doesn't stop there. He works to move us closer to him. Eph. 2:13 mentions that we "who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."
This closeness changes our lives. We are to rejoice, be gentle, and not be anxious -- because the Lord is near and that gives us peace! (Phil 4:4-7) The writer of Hebrews advises us that by drawing near to God we can have assurance and hope (Heb 10:22-24) and can encourage each other.
And not only is God near us, but Christ's return is near too. And that nearness can help us be patient and stand firm, according to James (5:8).
John opens his Revelation (1:3) by saying that the time for Jesus' return is near. I hear this to mean more than hours/minutes of human time -- I hear this as comfort that our God has not abandoned us; He is near. Imminent.
His power is only lightly veiled from our consciousness. His love is juxtaposed against our daily decisions. Since God is omnipresent, being near can't speak just to physical proximity. Since God (and Jesus' return) is outside of the structure of time, being near can't just speak to days/months.
Perhaps nearness speaks more to accessibility. God is near.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Restraint
I've been rereading The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey. I recommend it to you. There are so many interesting thoughts in it.
One of those thoughts has to do with what the author describes as God's restraint.
During the temptations in the desert, Jesus could have taken whatever action he wanted. He could have done any of the things Satan proposed. He could have done twice what was asked of him. He could have done something far more spectacular than Satan asked.
But he chose to leave Satan empty-handed.
In the garden. On the cross. In the manger. In so many contexts, Jesus could have taken action, but he chose to restrain his power. He chose to approach us gently.
He chose to leave us space to decide for ourselves. He protected us from his overwhelming might, giving us the option to love him or not.
And later when scoffers charged that the second coming was slow, God waited patiently not wanting any of us to perish. Restraint.
Absolute power in absolute control.
One of those thoughts has to do with what the author describes as God's restraint.
During the temptations in the desert, Jesus could have taken whatever action he wanted. He could have done any of the things Satan proposed. He could have done twice what was asked of him. He could have done something far more spectacular than Satan asked.
But he chose to leave Satan empty-handed.
In the garden. On the cross. In the manger. In so many contexts, Jesus could have taken action, but he chose to restrain his power. He chose to approach us gently.
He chose to leave us space to decide for ourselves. He protected us from his overwhelming might, giving us the option to love him or not.
And later when scoffers charged that the second coming was slow, God waited patiently not wanting any of us to perish. Restraint.
Absolute power in absolute control.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Mind control
The words "mind control" evoke such negative connotations. My brain conjures up helpless victims who suffer at the hands of evil governments or sinister scientists.
In a similar way, "brain washing" also makes the back of my neck crawl. The idea of someone taking over my thoughts is abhorrent.
It's not that my brain thinks such great thoughts that it shouldn't be disturbed. It isn't that my mind is always completely focused on right ideas. In fact, my mind, my thoughts are often part of my problem as I try to live the Christian life.
Much of the time we can keep from doing rotten things, but it is much more difficult to keep our thoughts in line. We can avoid stealing and murder, but how do we keep our minds from going where they shouldn't go? (Didn't Jesus tell us that it isn't just about what we do, but also what we think?)
And it's not just a matter of purity. What about other kinds of self-destructive thinking? What about the negative self-talk that can cripple our outreach or stunt our spiritual growth. And what about the debilitating anxiety that can shut down our faith or steal our joy?
The area inside our heads is a battlefield where Satan wins far too often. The father of lies knows just when to inject a little self-doubt, just when to whisper second-thoughts, just when to distract us with a focus on our failings. And often we can hide from others how much of our thinking belongs to Satan.
The Bible speaks to this struggle often and vividly: Take captive every thought (2 Cor 10:5). We should avoid anxiety and futility in our thinking (Eph 4:17) and instead pursue wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1) and uplifting thoughts (Phil 4:8). Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5b)
Clearly, what goes on between our ears is important, and when we are told to learn self-control, it surely means control not just of our arms and legs but also of our thoughts. We are told to love God with all our minds (and everything else) so we can't relinquish our heads to Satan; we must repell his advances, reserving our minds for God.
In this way, "mind control" becomes a spiritual discipline, and "brain washing" is the kind of cleaning that I should seek out for myself.
Empty out the bad, the destructive, the negative . . . and be filled with the Spirit, with praise, with thanksgiving and encouragement. We must actively avoid anxiety and similar mental dead-ends. We are advised to set our minds on better things, more fruitful things. It's a constant battle to keep Satan off the property that rightfully belongs to God.
In a similar way, "brain washing" also makes the back of my neck crawl. The idea of someone taking over my thoughts is abhorrent.
It's not that my brain thinks such great thoughts that it shouldn't be disturbed. It isn't that my mind is always completely focused on right ideas. In fact, my mind, my thoughts are often part of my problem as I try to live the Christian life.
Much of the time we can keep from doing rotten things, but it is much more difficult to keep our thoughts in line. We can avoid stealing and murder, but how do we keep our minds from going where they shouldn't go? (Didn't Jesus tell us that it isn't just about what we do, but also what we think?)
And it's not just a matter of purity. What about other kinds of self-destructive thinking? What about the negative self-talk that can cripple our outreach or stunt our spiritual growth. And what about the debilitating anxiety that can shut down our faith or steal our joy?
The area inside our heads is a battlefield where Satan wins far too often. The father of lies knows just when to inject a little self-doubt, just when to whisper second-thoughts, just when to distract us with a focus on our failings. And often we can hide from others how much of our thinking belongs to Satan.
The Bible speaks to this struggle often and vividly: Take captive every thought (2 Cor 10:5). We should avoid anxiety and futility in our thinking (Eph 4:17) and instead pursue wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1) and uplifting thoughts (Phil 4:8). Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5b)
Clearly, what goes on between our ears is important, and when we are told to learn self-control, it surely means control not just of our arms and legs but also of our thoughts. We are told to love God with all our minds (and everything else) so we can't relinquish our heads to Satan; we must repell his advances, reserving our minds for God.
In this way, "mind control" becomes a spiritual discipline, and "brain washing" is the kind of cleaning that I should seek out for myself.
Empty out the bad, the destructive, the negative . . . and be filled with the Spirit, with praise, with thanksgiving and encouragement. We must actively avoid anxiety and similar mental dead-ends. We are advised to set our minds on better things, more fruitful things. It's a constant battle to keep Satan off the property that rightfully belongs to God.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Goals
For a good many years I have had a personal tradition: every January, I take a day off from work on a day when I know I can be undisturbed at home.
I spend the day in Bible study, meditation, prayer, and goal setting for the year ahead.
I have a deep conviction that the goal setting cannot be done apart from the other three.
Although there is no set agenda for the day, I generally spend the morning in Bible study, meditation, and prayer. I rarely begin my goal setting until afternoon -- after I have spent several hours honoring God, devoting myself to Him and His will for me.
Most years I set a variety of goals for myself -- goals in my spiritual walk, in my interpersonal relationships (family/friends/etc), in my professional life, in my personal health/well being, and sometimes in general areas (learn a foreign language) or creative areas (write short stories). I write down whatever goals seem appropriate.
When I approach goal setting, I don't shy away from any area of my life because I believe all of my life to be wholly God's. I am certain that if I offer it to Him, God can use growth in any area of my life.
When I'm ready to start my goal setting, I generally begin with a statement of who I am at this point in my life. I describe myself. I begin with "I am a child of God." Then I describe the external facts about my self , such as my age, etc. (I usually write notes as I move through this day because it helps me remain focused.)
Next, I think back over my life experiences. I medidate on how God has been faithful to me in the past. I note His blessings.
Next, I think about the promises God has made concerning my future. I recall what I know about God's character and his relationship with His children.
Finally, I prayerfully list the goals that come to mind for the year ahead. I offer them up to God for His consideration. I end by praying my submission to His tender care.
This tradition has been a rich practice for me over the years. Often during the year, I see doors open and unanticipated opportunities blossom, allowing me to move forward in achieving some of the goals on my list. Occasionally I see doors close. Some years it seems that God adds His own (different) things to my list.
Perhaps God looks forward to these goal setting days of togetherness as much as I do.
" . . . those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." Prov 14:22
I spend the day in Bible study, meditation, prayer, and goal setting for the year ahead.
I have a deep conviction that the goal setting cannot be done apart from the other three.
Although there is no set agenda for the day, I generally spend the morning in Bible study, meditation, and prayer. I rarely begin my goal setting until afternoon -- after I have spent several hours honoring God, devoting myself to Him and His will for me.
Most years I set a variety of goals for myself -- goals in my spiritual walk, in my interpersonal relationships (family/friends/etc), in my professional life, in my personal health/well being, and sometimes in general areas (learn a foreign language) or creative areas (write short stories). I write down whatever goals seem appropriate.
When I approach goal setting, I don't shy away from any area of my life because I believe all of my life to be wholly God's. I am certain that if I offer it to Him, God can use growth in any area of my life.
When I'm ready to start my goal setting, I generally begin with a statement of who I am at this point in my life. I describe myself. I begin with "I am a child of God." Then I describe the external facts about my self , such as my age, etc. (I usually write notes as I move through this day because it helps me remain focused.)
Next, I think back over my life experiences. I medidate on how God has been faithful to me in the past. I note His blessings.
Next, I think about the promises God has made concerning my future. I recall what I know about God's character and his relationship with His children.
Finally, I prayerfully list the goals that come to mind for the year ahead. I offer them up to God for His consideration. I end by praying my submission to His tender care.
This tradition has been a rich practice for me over the years. Often during the year, I see doors open and unanticipated opportunities blossom, allowing me to move forward in achieving some of the goals on my list. Occasionally I see doors close. Some years it seems that God adds His own (different) things to my list.
Perhaps God looks forward to these goal setting days of togetherness as much as I do.
" . . . those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness." Prov 14:22
Saturday, October 13, 2007
One another
I have a 4" x 4" framed print that shows two jersey cows. Above their heads, are the words "Let us love" and below it says "One Anudder." I love this silly little knickknack because of who gave it to me.
When I first began teaching adult Bible classes, I taught a lesson on the "one another" verses in the New Testament. You know the ones I mean:
Love one another (John 13:34)
Honor one another above yourselves (Romans12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)
Accept one another just as Christ accepted you (Romans 15:7)
Serve one another in love (Gal 5:13)
Be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)
Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4 32)
Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another(Col 3:13)
Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom (Col 3:16)
Encourage one another and build each other up (I Thess 5:11)
Encourage one another daily (Heb 3:13)
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (I Peter 4:9)
And, there are more . . .
The relationships among us MUST be important if they are mentioned so often!
As I said, I had just started teaching adult Bible classes, and I wasn't sure I was capable. I worried that I wouldn't have anything worthwhile to offer.
A few days after my 'one another' lesson, a wonderful woman from our church brought me the framed cows with a note thanking me for the Bible study. Her simple gesture of encouragement came at a time when I thought I might not continue teaching. Her kindness led me to try again.
I've often looked at that knickknack and thought that she embodied the lesson of those 'one another' verses. I spoke the words of the lesson, but she -- through her actions -- she taught me the lesson.
She was a master at the art and power of "one-anothering."
When I first began teaching adult Bible classes, I taught a lesson on the "one another" verses in the New Testament. You know the ones I mean:
Love one another (John 13:34)
Honor one another above yourselves (Romans12:10)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)
Accept one another just as Christ accepted you (Romans 15:7)
Serve one another in love (Gal 5:13)
Be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)
Be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4 32)
Submit to one another (Eph 5:21)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another(Col 3:13)
Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom (Col 3:16)
Encourage one another and build each other up (I Thess 5:11)
Encourage one another daily (Heb 3:13)
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24)
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (I Peter 4:9)
And, there are more . . .
The relationships among us MUST be important if they are mentioned so often!
As I said, I had just started teaching adult Bible classes, and I wasn't sure I was capable. I worried that I wouldn't have anything worthwhile to offer.
A few days after my 'one another' lesson, a wonderful woman from our church brought me the framed cows with a note thanking me for the Bible study. Her simple gesture of encouragement came at a time when I thought I might not continue teaching. Her kindness led me to try again.
I've often looked at that knickknack and thought that she embodied the lesson of those 'one another' verses. I spoke the words of the lesson, but she -- through her actions -- she taught me the lesson.
She was a master at the art and power of "one-anothering."
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Making Jesus Angry
Mark tells a story about Jesus being angry.
If you are like me, your mind raced ahead to the cleansing of the temple. I have a vivid mental picture of Jesus (that may have originated in one of those colorful illustrations found in my childhood Bible), whip in hand, driving animals out as moneychangers fled.
But that was not the occasion of Jesus' anger as recorded in the second gospel. In fact, when I turned to read the several accounts of Jesus clearing the temple, I discovered that the text does not say that Jesus was angry.
In Mark 3:5, however, "Jesus looked around at them in anger." He had asked the people in the synagogue which was lawful on the sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill. This should have been an easy one for them, but they remained silent. That's when Jesus became angry.
He was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts."
In Nehemiah (9:29) we are told that the Israelites had stubbornly turned their backs on God, became stiff-necked and refused to listen to God.
The writer of Psalm 78 described his forefathers as a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. (v.8)
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Zechariah describe the Israelites as stubborn. And we are told that God was angered by their behavior (Deut 31:16-18, Judges 20:20; Ps 78:21; Ps 95:10).
I decided to explore the meaning of the word so I grabbed a handy American Heritage Dictionary, where I learned that the first definition of stubborn is "unduly determined to exert one's will."
What made Jesus angry? What has made God mad throughout all history?
People who choose their own will over God's will for us.
If you are like me, your mind raced ahead to the cleansing of the temple. I have a vivid mental picture of Jesus (that may have originated in one of those colorful illustrations found in my childhood Bible), whip in hand, driving animals out as moneychangers fled.
But that was not the occasion of Jesus' anger as recorded in the second gospel. In fact, when I turned to read the several accounts of Jesus clearing the temple, I discovered that the text does not say that Jesus was angry.
In Mark 3:5, however, "Jesus looked around at them in anger." He had asked the people in the synagogue which was lawful on the sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill. This should have been an easy one for them, but they remained silent. That's when Jesus became angry.
He was "deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts."
In Nehemiah (9:29) we are told that the Israelites had stubbornly turned their backs on God, became stiff-necked and refused to listen to God.
The writer of Psalm 78 described his forefathers as a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. (v.8)
Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Zechariah describe the Israelites as stubborn. And we are told that God was angered by their behavior (Deut 31:16-18, Judges 20:20; Ps 78:21; Ps 95:10).
I decided to explore the meaning of the word so I grabbed a handy American Heritage Dictionary, where I learned that the first definition of stubborn is "unduly determined to exert one's will."
What made Jesus angry? What has made God mad throughout all history?
People who choose their own will over God's will for us.
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