tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20281434529719587612024-03-04T22:50:43.264-08:00Unapologetically AnglicanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-52913485820620936232014-12-28T13:38:00.000-08:002014-12-28T13:39:01.581-08:00Facebook Jesus<br />
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I must offer a couple of caveats before I get too far along.
First, as the name of this blog declares, I am unapologetically Anglican. For
me, it is the best way to live out my faith. It has a depth and breadth of
faith and spirituality that allows me to worship the Lord, grow in my faith and
serve the Lord. Plus, as a priest, there is sartorial splendor to it that just
adds to the whole worship experience. The other caveat is that I am very guilty
of everything I am going to criticize here. It is that awareness that brought
me to this point.</div>
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I confess I am on Facebook. I further confess that I check
it regularly to see what is happening in Vern world. I have many friends on
Facebook and appreciate reading about what is happening in their lives, if they
even post at all. Many are really acquaintances though. Without Facebook I probably
would not know anything about them. With Facebook, I have limited contact, very
superficial really. Very few of my Facebook friends I would rank as close
friends. I know some people on Facebook that have several hundreds, even
thousands of friends. Yet, when they are in trouble, in need of help, they have
only handful (if that many) that they can truly count on. This is a commentary
on the sad state of affairs of society today. We possess thousands of friends
who are arm’s length friends at best. </div>
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And this brings me to Jesus. Too many people have this type
of relationship with Jesus. They have him as a Facebook friend but they do not
have him as Lord and Savior. They check in to see what he is doing without it
affecting their lives. Occasionally, they may even hit the like button for
something he said but it will little impact on what they are doing. They will
check their page when they have time, respond if they feel like it, and
basically go about their business. In many ways this reminds me of the recent
Twitter barrage about bringing our girls back after they were kidnapped by the
terrorist group Boko Haram. Lots of efforts put in by fingers on iphones but no
real change in the circumstances for those girls. Lots of efforts and little
results, good intentions without impacting anything. </div>
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I can only imagine how disappointed Jesus is at all of his Facebook
friends. They miss the point of Jesus saying, “I have called you friends.”
(John 15:15) In the previous verse Jesus sets out the parameters for being “his
friend.” “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14) Being a friend
of Jesus is much more than just pressing a button to accept his friend request.
Too many times we accept this as sufficient. Yet, Jesus wants, dare I say it expects,
much more. We settle for so much less than the very best Jesus has to offer.
What we do not realize is that we jip ourselves by settling. We give him just
enough to make ourselves feel good without ever wondering what he requires. We
settle for about an hour a week and no more, without getting involved and going deeper. We
prefer performances rather than his presence, productions rather than
participation. </div>
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The biggest consequence of all of this is the impersonal
quality in all of our relationships. We rationalize that we are keeping in
touch by sending a message or posting on Facebook. I did this at Christmas and now
need to repent of it. I devalued my relationship with some people by just
sending them a greeting online. Yes, I did make some effort to contact them. What I
really should have done was send a Christmas card – personalized of course – or
made an old fashioned phone call. A phone call allows you to hear their voice,
to interact in a more personal way. Is the reason the Church is failing in its
mission because we can no longer recognize the voice of Jesus because we do not
take the time to listen, to engage, to talk to him face to face? I feel guilty
sometimes when I have to text my son to get an answer from him. He is just
upstairs in the house but is preoccupied with his computer and headphones. It
is effective but not too personal. I guess the Church will produce more fruit
once Jesus learns to Facebook us back or text! This will just perpetuate this
crisis in the Church though. </div>
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I do not think that Facebook is of the devil. But I see the
devil exploiting it to make us complacent in our faith and ineffective in our
witness. Jesus does call us his friend and we can call him our friend. But
Jesus is more than that. Jesus deserves more than a platonic relationship and a
couple of presses on keys to keep in touch. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He
wants – he deserves – more of our time and effort. Let us turn Facebook Jesus
into Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. This New Year,
make Jesus more than just a friend. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-3222236937230324932014-11-23T15:10:00.002-08:002014-11-23T15:10:24.815-08:00TGIBF (Thank God It’s Black Friday)
There’s a big sale day coming this week. Many people will do
outrageous things just to save a few bucks on gifts that they want to give to
others at Christmas (or keep for themselves!). People will trample others in
order to get to those deals. Every year we hear horror stories about some
tragic incident that certainly doesn’t demonstrate the supposed meaning of the
season. In those situations we put aside common courtesy or peace on earth goodwill
towards men in order to obtain those precious gifts we delude ourselves into
thinking we need. But I digress.<br />
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Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving Day. The name
derives from the economic fact that many retailers come out of the red and into
the black based on holiday sales. The holiday sales season traditionally begins
the day after Thanksgiving. There are other explanations but this one seems to
be most plausible based on recent history. </div>
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But there was another black Friday about 2000 years ago. It
was possibly the first black Friday. It didn’t happen the day after
Thanksgiving as we know it. It did happen the day after Jesus instituted the “Lord’s
Supper” which many people know as the “Eucharist.” In Greek, eucharist means “thanksgiving.”
So, there may be historic precedence in Black Friday occurring after
Thanksgiving. This Black Friday is commonly known as Good Friday. It is not biblically
unreasonable for it to be referred to as Black Friday. Matthew 27:45 states: “<span>From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the
land.” (also Luke 24:44-45) This fulfills what the prophet Amos foretold in his
utterances 750 years before Christ. “In that day,” declares the Sovereign </span><span><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span>,</span> “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth
in broad daylight.” (Amos 8:9) It really was a black Friday. </div>
<span><br /></span><br />
<span>For Christians it was also a Good Friday.
As Christians, we are Easter people, people of the resurrection, which took
place on Sunday. But you cannot have Easter without Good Friday. As a famous
sermon was named, “It’s Friday But Sunday’s Comin!” We do not focus on the
violence of the cross – although that is very important – but we focus on the
empty tomb. Yet, the empty tomb only comes as a result of death on the cross.</span><br />
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<span>While I must acknowledge that all analogies
breakdown at some point, I do believe we can see similarities between the
modern Black Friday and the black Friday 2000 years ago. First and foremost is
the bargain we receive through Jesus’ death on the cross. It costs us nothing
to accept what Jesus did for us. On that cross he took all of our sins – past,
present and future – upon himself and he gives us his righteousness. “God made
him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God.</span>” (2 Corinthians 5:21) This has been called the “Great
Switch.” </div>
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<span>When you place this on the scale of deals
available on any Black Friday, this one is exceptional, fantastic, out of this
world. We do not pay a thing for this deal. Our wallets stay in our pocket. No
charge is added to any credit card, as if we could afford to pay for it at all.
This cost Jesus Christ everything. We don’t have to camp out for weeks in
advance or get up before dawn to take advantage of this offer. We don’t even
have to leave our homes. You won’t see this deal advertised in newspaper fliers
or on billboards (much to the church’s shame). When you compare this to other Black
Friday markdowns, this one is extraordinary. Whatever is purchased on the
current Black Friday will wear out or become obsolete sooner than we care to
admit. What is gained at the other Black Friday will last through eternity. Now
that’s a deal!</span></div>
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However, we cannot dismiss the fact that this deal will cost
us everything, our whole life. While we cannot earn it or do anything to obtain
it. But upon acceptance we must commit the entirety of our lives to this
transaction. As the words in the Communion service states: “And here we offer
and present to you, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable,
holy, and living sacrifice.” So yes it does cost us something. There are no
discount coupons or bogo’s here. This is serious business between us and God
and in his kingdom nothing less than all we have and all we are will do.</div>
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While I do not want to go too deep into this and loose the
point, suffice it to say that, as Christians, we celebrate a Black Friday. In
fact, in God’s economy, any day can be your <span>Black Friday</span>.
As Paul told the Corinthians, “<span>I tell you, now is the time of
God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) You do not have
to wait for the calendar or day timer to register Friday. But this week,
especially Black Friday, let us remember what was purchased for us on that
other Black Friday. After a day of thanksgiving, what could be more
appropriate? </span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-64521730268740804712014-10-03T20:34:00.000-07:002014-10-03T20:41:10.106-07:00St Francis, Where Art Thou?<br />
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October 4<sup>th</sup> is the feast day for St. Francis of Assisi. Since I
am not Roman Catholic, there are many saints – capital “S” saints - days that I
do not celebrate. Even so, Francis is a good day to celebrate. <br />
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Francis was an interesting person. He renounced his wealth, affluence and
worldly possessions. He is reported to have run out of the church naked after
leaving his clothes behind because they came from his well-to-do father’s
money. Later, he started his own religious order for which he is best known
today. He is reputed to have said, “Preach the gospel and if necessary use
words.” This would have been a strange saying for someone who started an order
that included preaching. He created the first Christmas crèche or Nativity
scene. This happened long before political correctness made it offensive to
some to display the birth of the Christ child in public. He is known as the
patron saint of animals and the environment. It is because of his being the
patron saint of animals that the Blessing of Animals service is conducted on
Francis’ feast day. <br />
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The Church – big “C” – is missing an exciting opportunity for evangelism by
ignoring this day. So many people love their pets – some more than people! I
know what a loss our two silly puppies would be to our family. Why? It is
because they are part of the family. They normally mind better than the kids.
They have no laundry to be done for them. They keep their bedrooms clean. Their
food costs are a lot less. In many respects, they are better behaved than the
kids. The truth is that we love our pets.<br />
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In addition, they are part of God’s creation. After God created all the
animals the Bible says, “And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25) All
creatures are worthy of having the blessing of God. There was a movie entitled
“All Dogs Go to Heaven.” I do not think this untrue. In fact, dog spelled
backwards is God! I was asked once if there were animals in heaven. After a
thoughtful pause, I replied, “There must be or where else would the four horses
of the apocalypse come from?” (Revelation 19:11) I’m not sure snakes make it
though. They were cursed at the Fall. (Genesis 3;24) Blessing animals seems
logical and thoroughly biblical.<br />
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I had always envisioned the Blessing of the Animals service to be a big
deal. It is a wonderful safe way to attract people to the church. People may
not come for themselves but many may come to receive a blessing for Fido or
Rover. Imagine inviting the whole K-9 unit from the local police force.
Advertising their presence would lend an air of a community outreach event to
the proceedings. Allow the local pet rescue organization to set up shop with
some of their adoptable pets. They could be introduced to a whole cadre of
prospective pet owners. This is the kind of community outreach that can reap benefits.<br />
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Of course, the will have to be a sermon during the course of the “service.”
This would be true to the order that St. Francis started. Ruminate on these
themes for the sermon. If you focusing on adopting a pet you can point to the
love, care and concern it takes from the potential new owner. Then, point the
people to these same themes in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ
and our adoption into God’s family and our becoming children of God. Another
perspective would be to remind pet owners of their love and devotion their pets
have for them and the love and devotion they have towards their pets. Then you
can remind them that God feels the same way about them and sent Jesus Christ to
prove it. Both subjects allow the gospel to be preached without beating people
over their head with the Bible. One of the drawbacks at any service where
animals and kids are present is to keep to short and to the point. Use this as
an opportunity to invite people to join you for a regular Sunday service. After
all, if you treat their pets right, you will certainly treat them right too!
Then they can hear a more complete gospel massage.<br />
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My fear is that as we let “out of the box” chances slip away we limit our
prospects for reaching those outside the church. And we do so at our peril as a
church. How hard is it to invite your neighbors to something as innocuous as
this? They will hopefully see the benefits for their beloved pets. How could
blessing them hurt? Yet it is a wide open door. Allow them to see that the
walls of the church are structurally sound to withstand their visit.
Invitations to events like this take the edge off of approaching friends about
coming to church. Congregations need to think more evangelistically and come up
with creative ways to help depopulate the kingdom of hell. Blessing the animals
in memory of St. Francis is not the only way. Think of all the sermon fodder
you can obtain from St. Valentine’s Day. This is in remembrance of man who gave
his life – he was beheaded - for his commitment to Jesus Christ. Or think about
St. Patrick. Celebrate his day with more than just green beer or corned beef
and cabbage! Patrick was sold into slavery in Ireland as a child. He escaped
and decided to return to Ireland to bring them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both
of these feasts have lost their original meaning and thus their potential
impact on an unbelieving world. As we attempt to draw people back to their true
meaning, they will hopefully see the depth of commitment to Jesus Christ that
those being commemorated demonstrated. Maybe we will be able to impress on them
that this “Jesus thing” is something real, something active, something life
changing. Who knows? It may even encourage our life and witness to Jesus Christ
as we hear and celebrate those who are part of that great cloud of witness that
goes before us. Thank you Francis for your witness and testimony and the
opportunity you allow us to have to tell others about Jesus Christ.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-13107811798941977652014-09-27T13:40:00.000-07:002014-09-27T13:40:39.080-07:00Who’s in the Audience?
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I was reminded the other day of a precious promise from the
Bible. I was listening to the discussion on the Christian radio station about
knowing that God was always with us. When I hear things like that I am always
drawn to the Collect for Purity which is read at almost every Anglican Communion
(Mass, Eucharist) on Sunday’s. It states in part, “For to you all hearts are
open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hid.” While I know Jesus
knows all and sees all, I think part of this statement is true because Jesus is
a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus' close proximity
to those who know him, love him and serve him brings comfort, strength and
assurance. Jesus’ departing words at his Ascension were, “<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age</i></span>.”
(Matthew 28:20) The can be no denying this fact. We are always in an audience
of one. </div>
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<span>That promise stuck with me most of that day.
I was pleased to know that I was never alone. I drew immense comfort from this.
That is until I realized that with this promise, this blessed assurance, there
comes a responsibility. This is the opposite side of the same coin. If Jesus is
present with me all the time, every time, wherever I am, that means I am never
alone. There is never a time when I can get away with something because Jesus
won’t see me. Just because other people are not with me does not mean I am free
from the responsibility of being, acting, striving to be Christ-like. This became a profound reality for me very quickly.</span></div>
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<span>At my other employment I have to deal with
difficult people on a regular basis. I am used to it. In fact I am so used to
it that I am becoming jaded and somewhat irreverent when they are not around. I
really did not realize how far I had backslidden until I remembered that Jesus
was with me all the time. As one of those difficult people left my office the
other day, I said under my breath, almost inaudible to even me, something not
very flattering about that person. I guess I have done that a lot lately
without even being aware of it. This time I became acutely aware of it because
Jesus reminded me he was there. I realized that even though no one else had
heard what I said, Jesus did! Immediately I got image in my mind of Jesus covering
his ears, closing his eyes, disappointed in my actions. He looked like two of
those monkeys: see no evil and speak no evil both at the same time. I was
instantly convicted. He reminded me of the many passages of Scripture that speak
to what I had just done. I was certainly not proud of myself. We are always in the
audience of one.</span></div>
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Here are two of the passages he brought to my attention. Proverbs
29:20 states: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do you see someone who <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">speak</span>s in haste? There is more hope
for a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">fool</span> than for them</i>.”
This verse can bring a smile to your face when you think there is more hope
for a fool than for you. I know it did for me. I had no idea what that person was going through other
than the imposition they were placing on me. Instead of seeking to offer
comfort, understanding or support, I basically cursed them when they left.
Jesus’ rebuke of my verbal assault was justified. It did not make me feel good
either! Being a fair weather Christian is easy. It is not hard to pretend in
public, to put on the good, pious Christian mask. But as Paul encouraged the church at Colossae, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing
fruit in every good work</i>.” (Colossians 1:10) Life is not just lived in
public but before an audience of one. And, make no mistake about it; my actions
did not bear good fruit. It was not a good work and any fruit coming from it
was rotten, tainted and worthless. I should know better. If I did not then, I
do now. </div>
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The one thing about Jesus rebuking you is that he does not leave
off with a reprimand. He offers you a solution, a positive way forward,
something to change about yourself to make your life more in line with his will and purpose.
So, he prompted me to another verse of Scripture. In the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus said: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But I tell you, love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you</i>.” (Matthew 5:44) Some people
make it so hard to love them. And these difficult people are not really
persecuting me. They just aggravate, disturb and inconvenience me. I know those
are not the same things. But I think from Jesus’ point of view these are
distinctions without a difference. We can try to rationalize that they are not
really our enemies. They do not want to see any real harm come to us. They
certainly do not want to end our lives – at least I think not. As such, we really
do not have to pray for them, much less love them, right? Jesus sets the bar so
high, impossibly high. If we find people aggravating, disturbing and
inconvenient, then we should love and pray for them. Our job, our duty, our goal is to
present Jesus Christ in a favorable light whenever possible. We should attempt
to do this most especially when no one is looking, except Jesus himself.</div>
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I know there are times when I will not live up to the
expectations of Jesus Christ. But I also know there is never a time when I should
not try! Jesus’ teachings are difficult and hard to adhere to. If they were
easy, everyone would do them and we would have no need for a Savior. Even in my
meager attempts, I know that I could – I should – try to do better. If only
because I am always in an audience of one – the ONE!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-8163948887531824982014-01-03T14:19:00.000-08:002014-01-03T14:19:06.617-08:00“Can’t Touch That” (Simple Math)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I guess God has presented a theme for me as I begin the New
Year. I have several devotionals that I read (almost) daily. One has me reading
the opening of St. Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. This is a powerful
indictment of society overruling the precepts of God for their own enjoyment
and amusement. There is a lengthy list of things that God considers “sin” and
yet people keep on participating in them. When I put that alongside a pull
quote from another devotional I can see dimly. Patrick Morley wrote: "The
American gospel has evolved into a gospel of addition without subtraction. Many
believe we can add Christ to our lives but not subtract sin. We change our
belief without changing our character. A changed life is one that added Christ
and has subtracted sin - that attracts a world weary of empty words. Jesus is
the answer. Our obedience is the proof."<o:p></o:p><br />
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This makes me wonder and it is so convicting as well. It got
my little pea brain to ruminate. What subtractions have I made to accommodate
the presence of Jesus Christ in my life? How much have I compromised the
commands and promises of the gospel message to make room for my “beloved” sins?
There are some – probably too many – that I have rationalized that, if God is
the loving God he claims to be, he would allow me to have, to participate in,
because they make me happy. But are they good for me? In this life, they may
actually be neutral: they neither harm not benefit me. Yet, if they are
contrary to the decrees of God, there is no way on God’s green earth they could
benefit me! <o:p></o:p></div>
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On television lately, they have been airing many
advertisements about the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The children on those
ads tug at my heart strings and cause me to at least pray for them and thank
God that I have been blessed with healthy children. Many of them did not do
anything to cause these horrid diseases they are suffering from. They haven’t
lived long enough to cause sustained damage to their own bodies. They are way
too young to ignore the Surgeon General’s warning on the side of certain
products. In these times of mental calisthenics, I wonder how I would handle
some kind of devastating news about my health. How would I react to my doctor
admonishing me to stop doing some habit or I will die. Or, suppose he told me that,
if I wanted to live, I would have to eat liver three nights a week. Now, it may
seem I’m making light of a serious situation but I’m not. I really hate liver,
even to the point of gagging the last time I tried it. This is how much I
dislike – because my grandmother always told me don’t hate anything – liver!
Yet, I think I would acquire a taste for this life giving meal if it was my
only choice. Or, suppose the doctor told me that my eyesight was failing and I
would have to stop reading books altogether? I can’t tell you how quick I would
pull out the old cassette player and my New Testament tapes and wear them out
until the new cd’s arrived. What I am saying is that life threatening issues
will have to be dealt with. Yet too many people ignore the Surgeon General’s
warnings and God’s too.</div>
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Now, take this calamity to the Church. As Morley so
correctly mentions, we may be good at addition but we are not so good at
subtraction. God wants both. While I don’t want to mention the peril
unbelievers may suffer for their ignorance, I am acutely aware of the risk many
in the church are subject to. We do not take seriously God’s admonitions
against, well everything. Our feel good mentality will not allow us to speak
about people’s transgression. How many people hear the word “sin” mentioned in
church on an average Sunday? I dare say that Joel Osteen doesn’t even know how
to say the word. If we don’t talk about it, if we ignore it, it must not exist,
right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Why do we allow this to happen? Here is where the second
pull quote becomes relevant. It is from CS Lewis. “We are like ignorant
children who go on making mud pies in a slum because we can’t imagine God’s
offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. We settle for so
little.” Some deny that God’s ways are best for us. Others choose to ignore
what God says. Either way, we do so at our peril. And the church is complicit
in this situation. We focus on addition. The question is always, “Have you
found Christ?” We never ask, “Have you repented of those willful things in your
life God speaks against?” We have tried to have one without the other and then
cannot understand why the church is ineffective and docile. This is becoming
harder as the church itself allows its leaders to do and say all kinds of
ridiculous things. Here is a very brief sample. The so-called bishop of the
Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC said: “if someone were to discover a tomb
with Jesus remains in it the entire enterprise would not come crashing down.”
(Marianne Budde) Or this jewel from the former archbishop of South Africa Desmond
Tutu: “If God disagrees with me about the sinfulness of homosexual behavior,
I’m prepared to spend eternity without Him, because Satan would be the
preferable alternative.” As I recollect God has not given us ten suggestions. I
have not read in God’s Word God saying, “I think maybe” or, “if you want to.” If
he did he would not be God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is at this point that I find GK Chesterton’s comments so
insightful: "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it
has been found difficult and left untried." I think I have heard the Great
Physician lately calling to me, “STOP! THAT WILL KILL YOU!” I feel him nudging
me and encouraging me to follow the warning labels all around. I was never good
at math. I never cared what “X” equaled. But this is simple math. And I love
simple: KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid! I have the addition. Praise God for that.
I need the subtraction. I need to take away the stuff in my life that hinders
my relationship with God. I need to get out of the slums and get to the
seashore. Only God can do that through simple math and our reading and
following the warning labels. Make 2014 the year of simple math. God will show
you how.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-79789345622445046512013-04-07T12:49:00.008-07:002013-04-07T12:49:54.541-07:00Who’s Rules Anyway?
I must confess that I was inspired by the election of Pope
Francis. His words and actions seem to embody Jesus Christ and his humility is
refreshing from a former “prince” of the church. Even though I am not Roman Catholic,
and have no intention of ever crossing the Tiber to become one, I think Francis
will be a blessing to all Christians worldwide, including Anglicans.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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Due to the nature of Francis’ elevation and the historic resignation
of his predecessor, the politics and intrigue of the papal selection were unusually
heightened. Since Benedict abdicated instead of dying, as every pope for the
last 600 years has done, the pundits and propagandists had a field day for over
a month. Their wagging tongues and sharp pencils generally attacked the Roman
Catholic Church with their version of what ails the church and how to fix it.
Most of the media focused on how out of date the church was and how it must
modernize and join the rest of us in the 21<sup>st</sup> century. The two main
issues were gay marriage and the ordination of women. From their perch in the
cheap seats next to Bob Uecker, without the church getting on-board with these
progressive issues, it was destined to be cast on the dung heap of irrelevancy.
It appears that the church did not cave into the hysterics and has chosen a man
who will uphold the orthodoxy and doctrines of the church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Watching all of this as an interested bystander was
fascinating. It raised several matters which got my attention. Thus, I have entitled
this article, “Who’s Rules Anyway?” There are so many implications on so many
levels but I will just explore a couple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The one I had the most trouble with was the gay marriage issue.
The teaching of the church has remained constant on this subject for over 2000
years. This does not include the Old Testament which begins at creation with
one man and women. What makes this juicy is that by redefining marriage as society
or a small minority of that society dictates makes people believe they can
improve on what God has instituted. How arrogant for the creatures to tell the
creator how things ought to be! That would be like Pinocchio telling Geppetto
what he should do, how he should act. It is hard to imagine how in the world
people can think they can tell God how to act and what to bless. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The first argument that is always raised concerns love. If
God is love they suggest, he would want me to be able to marry the person I
love. We tend to think that there are no boundaries or restraints on who we
love, how we love or what we can love. Even without exploring the implications
of this slippery slope, it is not hard to see how far this mutation can lead us
away from God. God’s love is so much higher, purer and perfect than human love
(or lust). God just doesn’t love, he is love. It is not an action he engages in
it is his who and what he is. God is pure unadulterated love. Who knows more
about love than the One who is love? Our fallen humanity can never have a
concept of God’s true love.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Same sex marriage is also a life issue. God, who is the
author of life, has proscribed relationships that foster life. This is more
than just about pre-creation, it’s about health. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to deny the statistical fact that
gay men live, on average, 12 years less than their heterosexual counterparts.
Women average about ten years less. There is also a higher chance of suicide,
drug abuse, depression and other physical and mental ailments associated with
same sex desire. How can society encourage a life style that is so evidently
pro-death? The God who created all life, who raised Jesus Christ back to life,
is anything but pro-death. He is decidedly anti-death. He is pro-life! It is
hard to imagine him, under any circumstances, supporting any institution that
leads to premature death. When Jesus said that he came that we might have life
and have it abundantly, I am fairly certain he had in mind a quantity and
quality that is diametrically opposed to this. True love supports life, not
destroys it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Many supporters of same sex marriage will claim that this is
a social justice issue. You will hear them whine, “If heterosexuals can, why
can’t we?” At this point answering, “Because God said so,” offers little solace
or help. That answer just does not sit well with them. Like little children
they feel they are being denied or cheated because they do not get what they
want. Good parenting requires saying “no” quite often, especially when it is in
the best interest of the child. When I was young – and I must admit I still
want this today – I wanted to eat candy for all of my meals. I think God
allowed Reese’s Cup to be invented to tempt me beyond what I can handle! But,
then as now, a steady diet of those delicious peanut butter cups would do great
damage to my health. I would not be getting the proper nutrients my body
required and the sugar alone would rot my teeth. Sometimes a “no” means love.
Love means saying no and not indulging whims just because the child feels they
are getting a raw deal. Here again, who is more just than God Almighty? He
invented the principle and the practice and instituted the action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The church inspires strong loyalties and those can be tough
to overcome. During the pre-papal election coverage, I heard a lot of people
spewing about “their” church. These people forget that the church is a
voluntary institution and they are free to belong or not to belong. I think it
really is the height of arrogance to try to tell something as big and as old as
the Roman Catholic Church how she should act. In my wildest imagination, I
would never think to the join the Rotary Club and try to tell them what they
should be doing and why. That is the definition of the tail wagging the dog.
What I would do is try to find a group whose principles and ideals I agree with
and join them. Instead of constantly rowing against the rest of the boat, I
would be rowing with them and making more of an impact in the process. If the
Roman Catholic Church does not meet your expectations, find a church that will.
(This goes for any church or denomination.) I realize this opens up a whole
other can of worms about “true” churches etc. but we will save that for a later
date. Freedom of association also means freedom from association. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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These are just a couple of observations from the papal
election. I dare say they are unique to the Roman Catholic Church or to me.
There are many tails out there trying to wag the dog. The biggest dog of all is
God. The distortion of reality is huge. The presumption is overwhelming. God is
God because he is God. He has instituted desirable behavior for his creatures. Throughout
history, we have perverted God’s pattern. We have revised Psalm 100:3. The
verse states: “It is he who made us and not we ourselves.” We have made it much
more palatable: "It is we who have made him and not he himself.” Both
versions have implications for the way we live. The only question is, “Who’s
rules anyway?”<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-32053676562314172882013-03-28T14:24:00.000-07:002013-03-28T14:26:00.548-07:00Sympathetic PainsI’m not a big fan of sympathetic pain. I suffer from it. If
you tell me you have a tooth ache, I will feel pain in my own mouth. Stomach,
head ache, any other ache, I suffer the same thing. This may make me more
compassionate and caring but it can be a real pain, literally. When my wife was
pregnant with our son I had real issues with her morning sickness. Maybe that
is why we didn’t have any more children. At this time of year my malady becomes
acute when I think back on all that Jesus went through for me on Good Friday. <br />
<br />
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I love Holy Week. I am thankful – grateful – for all that
Jesus endured on my behalf. His suffering was my gain. When we read the
biblical accounts of the Passions Narrative, they seem to be sanitized. They do
not adequately portray what Jesus actually underwent at the hands of his
tormentors. With the release of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” the
actual brutality of Jesus’ suffering jumps out of the screen with such force it
knocks you over, if not out. I do not know how anyone cannot suffer some form
of sympathetic pain watching those scenes. It is gory and grotesque. When I
viewed the film – and mind you, I could only stand to see it once – I was graciously
spared from the full impact of the whipping part. I was summoned to answer the
phone at the portion where Jesus was flogged. I returned at the point where
Mary was wiping up the blood. Even that was too much for my fragile
constitution. That movie indelibly etched the true nature of the Passion in my
mind and the minds of millions of viewers. Then, each year those images are
reawakened in my mind as I remember our Lord’s Passion.</div>
<br />
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The question remains, though, will the events that are
portrayed in that movie have any impact on your Good Friday? For me, suffering
from sympathetic pain, it does. Even writing this I am getting prickly feelings
on my back just thinking about Jesus being scourged. If I take the time – which
I probably will not – I could feel sensations in other areas of my body too.
But these little sympathetic pains bear little resemblance to what Jesus truly suffered
and endured. His pain was real. Mine is only a figment of my imagination. His
blood was real. His torn flesh was real. Jesus can sympathize with the pains
and our true condition we have in life because he has suffered real true pain
too. These are not sympathetic pains but actual true suffering. And on the
cross, when he took on all of our sins as the sacrificial Lamb of God, for the
first time in his life, he knew what it meant to be cut off from intimate
fellowship with God. We are used to it, he was not. For us it is normal, for him it was rude awakening. He came to return the
possibility of that full relationship with God for us, and to us. It was at
this point that Jesus exclaimed, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” The
closeness of their relationship was ripped away from him just as brutally as
the skin on his back. </div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While Jesus Christ can sympathize with us, we can never
sympathize with him. Even in our most pathetic efforts to understand what he
went through we come up short. The implications of what he did echo through
eternity, praise God! We tend to minimize or sanitize what Jesus endured. We
seldom try to fill in the details in the biblical account left out by the
gospel writers. We rarely engage our imaginations to even partially enter into
his suffering and pain. I was overwhelmed several years ago when I came across
a medical doctor’s diagnosis of what Jesus’ body was going through during all
of this. He explored all of the possible ramifications of the brutal beating,
the crown of thorns, the cross bar of the execution cross, in addition to the
hunger, thirst and myriad other physical ailments that were occurring. After
perusing the medical record I was astounded at how Jesus even lived long enough
to make it to the cross. Needless to say, for the faint-hearted like me, this
was somber reading. But Jesus had a mission to complete and nothing short of
the cross would accomplish the purpose for which he came. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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To enter fully into Easter, we must go through Good Friday.
We need to understand what Jesus accomplished on Good Friday. That is where we
find its meaning, not in sympathy but in actuality. We don’t stay on Good Friday because we are resurrection
people. We cannot minimize what was accomplished on that fateful day Friday
2000 years ago. With my sympathetic pain, all I can say is that I would not
have survived. I am eternally grateful. I am also eternally grateful that the
cross wasn’t the last word! The empty tomb is the last word. As St. Paul wrote
to the Corinthians, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is
your victory? Where O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55) Or as Tony Campolo wrote about, “It’s
Friday, but Sunday’s comin!” Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen
indeed. Alleluia.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-48349623439467630902013-03-06T16:33:00.001-08:002013-03-06T16:33:41.024-08:00Hedging Your Bets
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Have you ever “hedged” a bet? Have you ever not gone “all
in,” holding a little back just in case? Whatever the topic or issue, you have
chosen to keep something “in reserve.” Well, I doubt you are alone. I doubt you
are the only one who has ever done this. Two main areas of hedging occur in our
finances and in our love relationships. In these we tend to be leery of going
all in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
This realization hit last week when I heard a song on the
radio from many years back. My son said he knew of the song and it was not from
the oldies radio station so I felt a little better. It was from Supertramp and
it was called “Give A Little bit.” Here is the verse that caught my attention:
“Give a little bit; Give a little bit of your love to me; I'll give a little
bit; I'll give a little bit of my life for you.” There are times in life when
going all is not prudent. I’m not sure how smart you would be to invest heavily
in pet rocks or eight track tapes. Those would not be wise investments and I
would stay away from any financial manager who recommended such purchases. These
certainly couldn’t be good for your portfolio. But we do tend to operate under
this philosophy in many aspects of our lives, especially in our relationship
with Jesus Christ. We want to hedge our bets, not go all in; just in case Jesus
isn’t who he says he is or does not fulfill his promises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hedge because we have some uncertainties about
heaven or hell. So, just in case, we hold something back so as not to look silly
or foolish. It’s a way of saving face. We may even believe it helps our
reputation around town and with our neighbors. We won’t be known as a religious
“freak” or “zealot.” The ultimate question is, “What does Jesus Christ think
about this?” Interestingly enough Jesus had a lot to say on this subject. Jesus
never did anything half way and he expects the same attitude from those who
claim to be his disciples. Jesus wants us – his followers – to act as he did.
When confronted with the seemingly unanswerable question, or at least
unanswerable without offending someone, Jesus said that the greatest
commandment was this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30) The
key word that Jesus used to negate any hedging was “all.” When Jesus said all,
he meant all and nothing less than all. If we do not give him our all as he
asks we fall short – way short – of what he calls us to do and be. There are
times in life when part of something is better than all of nothing. This isn’t
one of those times.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
If it were possible, this would put us into a quandary.
Which part of the blessings of being “in Christ” would you want to forego? This
reminds me of some churches that go by the moniker of “Full Gospel” churches. These
churches are unique because they have it all, practice it all, and believe in
it all. At the same time, this implies that not all churches are full gospel.
Thus, some must be partial gospel. I must confess I have attended a couple of
partial gospel churches but they would never advertise that fact. These
churches would view the blessings and promises of Jesus as a smorgasbord of
services and rewards that are available. You choose which ones you want to receive
and those you want to do without. Picture yourself in front of Jesus saying, “I’ll
have a half healing with a side of medium love and an extra-large mercy! Hold
the sacrifice and obedience!” Do you see where that would leave you? Far too
many people though are willing to settle for less than all Jesus Christ can and
will provide. It’s a shame but it is reality. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This is further compounded by our secret agent status as
Christians. We are so deep under cover that nobody would suspect that we belong
to Jesus Christ (if we ever truly do at this point!). This too is an aspect of
hedging our bets. And, surprise, surprise, Jesus speaks to this also. “Whoever
acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in
heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in
heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) This is an important issue. If we imagine it from
an eternal perspective, where should someone end up who only gave Jesus 50%?
Are there levels or degrees in heaven? I don’t think so. Heaven and entrance
into it is certainly an all or nothing proposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are either in or you are out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entrance requirements are simple – yet wholly
complete. In fact there may even be a sign at the pearly gates saying, “NO
HEDGERS ALLOWED!” What a disappointment that will be to so many people. At that
point it will be too late to correct having been a practical less than 100% disciple.
It will be in that moment people will realize that being a sold out follower of
Jesus Christ is what it takes to get in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Think about other relationships you may be involved in. The
one that closest resembles what Jesus has in mind is the marriage relationship.
Too many couples view marriage as a 50-50 deal. This comes up short by at least
50% each. The marriage relationship is based on an all in mentality with no
hedging your bets. This may explain why the divorce rate is so high because
people never knew the price they should or would have to pay for their marriage
to be successful. Jesus sets the bar high even to the extent that looking on another
woman with lust is considered adultery. (Matthew 5:28) If your spouse is not front
and center in your thoughts and in your life – constantly – you have to ask
yourself if you are really married. Repeated violations of this adds more
credence to the hedging your bet principle. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
God doesn’t want just part of us. He gave us his all in his
Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us his all when he died for us on the cross.
Imagine for a moment if Jesus had said, just prior to his passion, “Well, I’ve
done enough for them. I know it was only a portion of my Father’s plan, but it
is good enough. Besides, there are so many who will never believe or commit
wholeheartedly. Why should I give them my all?” We would be plumb out of luck!
We would be disappointed and without hope. We would still be lost. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When we accept the challenge – and trust me, it is a huge, relentless
challenge – to follow Jesus Christ and love him with all of our heart, mind,
soul and strength we have not hedged our bets or held anything back. The
rewards are worth it. Go all in with Jesus and you will never regret not
hedging your bet. Why? Because it’s not a bet, it is a sure thing!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-10748024978241669012013-01-22T12:26:00.001-08:002013-01-22T12:26:31.539-08:00Magnitude
Now that Christmas is over and the giving season is at a
close (well except for birthdays, anniversaries and other special events) people
are probably quickly forgetting who gave them what for Christmas. I would dare
say that thank you notes have not even been written for said gifts. Every once in
a while, people will be more thankful for other types of favors that they
may receive. I am reminded of a story about a two veterans on a train. One has an
epileptic seizure during the trip. The other promptly puts his arms around the
first vet and holds him tight until the seizure passes. Another passenger
remarks about the kind gesture. The second vet responds that the first man
saved his life during the war. He goes on to tell about selling all he owned
after his friend discovered he had this condition so he could be there for him.
The passenger was impressed. The vet stated, “After what he did for me, there
is not anything I would not do for him.” This veteran remembered who gave him a
gift and spent the rest of his life repaying the gift.<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There are times when the gift received is so enormous that,
no matter what we do, it can never be repaid. If you look at the current US government
borrowing, the debt accumulated is so large that it may never be repaid. My
head hurts when they start mentioning trillions and actually how large of a number
that is. The number is overwhelming and it is hard to wrap your mind around it.
Forgiving that size debt would also be overwhelming. Having a debt of that
magnitude wiped away is just what God is all about. This was the original
intent of the Jubilee Year in the Old Testament. Every fifty years, the Israelites
were to cancel all their debts and include the property to their original
owners. Also, freeing all slaves was included. The justification for this is
stated by God himself, “<em>Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God</em>.”
(Leviticus 25:17) It does not matter the reason you had to incur the debt or
sell the property, it was forgiven with no penalty and no adverse effect to their reputation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Many people today have accrued large amounts of debt. The economy
is not as brisk as it once was and people are receiving the burden of their
lifestyle choices in a down economy. The stress from this circumstance adds to
the situation in a negative way. Many will never climb out of this mountain of
debt. If someone came along and paid that debt, wiped the slate clean and gave
them a fresh start, how much gratitude should or would they be expected to
show. Lottsa! I was told that is an Italian word for "a whole bunch." How indebted would
they feel to the person who paid that debt for them? Again, lottsa. In fact,
people would view any expression that borders on anything less as insincerity.
Jesus tells a similar story in Matthew 18. It is entitled, “The Parable of the
Unmerciful Servant.” In this story, a king forgives a servant a vast debt
because the servant begged him. Upon receiving this forgiveness, the servant
goes out and demands another servant repay him a very miniscule amount in
comparison. When the king hears about these shenanigans, he canceled his deal
with the first servant and had him “tortured” until he repaid the whole debt. I guess
there are many people today who are thankful that mortgage and credit
card companies cannot do the same thing to deadbeats. There are times
when I am thankful they aren’t able to do it either. <o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Each of us has accumulated an enormous debt that we can
never cancel or repay. I am not speaking of the US federal debt here (although Americans for generations do have a rather large sum to repay). I am
speaking of the results of our sin in God’s economy. From God’s perspective,
sin is sin. He does not have misdemeanors and felonies where sin is concerned.
It is all the same in his eyes. You do not get a lesser sentence for one and a larger sentence for another. Imagine a perfect white piece of paper. Draw a huge black circle and a microscopic circle on it. From God's point of view, both are the same. Both circles offend his sense of holiness. All sin deserves punishment, which as God set
out, is death. This death is not physical but spiritual. It is eternal
separation from God forever. There is no time off for good behavior in hell. If you are not sure what this will look like, read
Luke 16, “The Rich Man and Lazarus.” This story gives an accurate picture of
how eternity will be for those who go to heaven and those who don’t. It is
not a pretty story and there is a way to avoid the fate of the rich man. Being
saved is more than just eternal fire insurance. While that is one result of
having a relationship with Jesus Christ, it is not the main motivation. As with
the story of the two vets, “After all he did for me there isn’t anything I wouldn’t
do for him.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
The enormous debt, the enormous mercy, the enormous
forgiveness I have received because of the life, death, resurrection and ascension
of Jesus Christ just “blows my mind.” Much like trying to think about the
actual value of a trillion, my heads hurts at the magnitude of the gift I have
received from Jesus. I am driven to my knees in thanksgiving for something I could
never accomplish on my own. The problem I have with myself is that I diminish
the magnitude by forgetting. I go about my business with no concern of the forgiveness
I have received. I take it for granted and do not do “anything for him.” As the
song says, “Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed it white as snow.” The best analogy for this is a Kool-Aid stain in
the carpet. As a parent, I have seen my share of these. There is nothing you
can do to get it out. Our sins are Kool-Aid stains on our lives and hearts.
They are so deep and destructive they keep us from having a right relationship
with God. Thank God that the blood of Jesus removes the Kool-Aid stain of sin
from our lives. I don’t know about you, but Jesus paid a whole lot to cover my
misdeeds. And that is only the ones I have done or will do today. I would hate
to think about adding in what the rest of my life will bring! <o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p> </o:p><br />
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The Church (big “C”) tends to forget this aspect of our
faith. Too many preachers talk about the victory we have in Jesus and how
to live that out. I am afraid that living in victory is very different than living
in gratitude. While we live in both, victory tends to make us arrogant and
proud. Gratitude makes us humble and thankful. It is a fine line between the
two and we need to portray both to the world. Yet, if we waver to one side or
the other, we need to waver to the gratitude side. Why? Because “Jesus paid it
all for me.” And, after what he did for me, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do
for him. My prayer for the Church is that everyone who claims to be a follower
of Jesus Christ will live this out daily and make an impact on this hurting
world. After what he did for me, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-29193885918554375492013-01-05T21:34:00.000-08:002013-01-05T21:34:18.820-08:00Not Just a Passing Paragraph
Sometimes things hit you like a ton of bricks. The little
light of insight burns dimly even when you finally get it. The wattage of my
light seems lucky to get to 25 even at its brightest. It happened while I was
watching one of my favorite movies of all time, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Patriot</i>.” If Mel Gibson had played Rhett Butler he would have
starred in all of my favorite movies as “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gone
With The Wind</i>” ranks ahead of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Braveheart</i>”
and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Patriot</i>” as my top flicks. “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Passion of the Christ</i>” is a close
fourth and Mel did have something to do with that one also. But in “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Patriot</i>” Mel plays the part of a
patriot militia colonel who hassles the British army of General Lord Cornwallis
throughout South Carolina. The movie ends with the American victory at Yorktown
and sealing the future fate of the United States as a country. Watching the
movie I realized how few Americans today could tell you anything about this
portion of the founding of our country. It is sad and our country is paying a
rather high price currently for our ignorance. I realize that as a history buff
with a Bachelor’s degree in history, as someone who would rather watch The
Military History Channel over ESPN, who could watch “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Patriot</i>” for the umpteenth time and still be interested (except
for the part where the cannon ball blows the guy’s head off), I am sort of a
geek (or nerd or whatever the current lingo would label me) in this respect. I
am well aware of this. But it so discouraging to know that history is a
forgotten subject and not studied or known. I find it rather absurd for people
to call themselves Americans and not know the true story (not manipulated rewritten
version that passes for history nowadays) of how this great country came
to be. The blood of all of those who have paid the ultimate price cries out as
a testimony against this current misinformed generation.<br />
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As I sat watching Mel tomahawk several British soldiers to
death, it occurred to me the same thing is happening to Anglicanism worldwide. No, not the tomahawking but the ignorance!
We have no sense of our history or our place in it as a church. My son showed
me his world history book the other day. The paragraph on Henry VIII spoke of his
seeking a divorce from his wife, Catherine of Aragon, as the impetus for
forming the Anglican Church (Church of England). This is such a simplistic view
but it is probably all that high school students need to know. Unfortunately,
it seems to be all that Anglicans need to know or want to know. There is so
much more to the story that goes untold. So, people inside and outside the
Anglican Church believe this branch of the church was formed to secure the king
a divorce. And since then nothing much has happened until the recent unseemly
decline (or advance depending on your point of view) the church has suffered
for being “inclusive.” </div>
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One of my problems with many churches today that claim to be
“non-denominational” is that they have no collective history but for that of
the founding pastor and congregation to this point. They are rarely part of the
wider Church (big “C” universal or “catholic” church) except in the use of the
name “church.” While they may be making in rather large impression on their
locales their history could be written in a few short pages. I am not against
these churches per se because I know that the main line denominations have
squandered their inheritance in this aspect and lost the respect they once held.
Since my crystal ball is black and has an “8” on it, I am sure not the one to
predict the impact these churches may have in the future or how many histories
will be written about them at a later date. But one thing is for sure, they
have a long way to go to catch up to the volumes about Anglicanism and
Anglicans.</div>
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As the aforementioned history buff, this subject may only
interest me. In our modern times, hero worship seems to involve more of
knocking people off their pedestals than remembering their great feats.
A recent show about Abraham Lincoln made a point of talking about how he slept with men when Mrs. Lincoln was not around. It was as if this was more important that the role he played during the Civil War. However, there are many heroes whose names and faces we do not recognize or even know about. Just
watch any History Channel story about some battle that was instrumental in the
victory and the cause they are reporting on. In a country with such a storied
background, this is so true. The same is true for Anglicanism. Many of the
names and stories are not recognized for their contribution to history. When
speaking of Anglicans and their contributions the list is extensive. The likes of Sir Isaac Newton, Sir Francis Bacon, Marconi, John
Locke, Charles Darwin and many others all had some connection to the Anglican
Church. In the literary field the likes of John Donne, George Herbert, Dorothy
Sayers and C.S. Lewis all had Anglican roots. The influence of this church
reaches far and wide. There are just too many people to name. </div>
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As an ordained priest in the Anglican Church, I have a special
affinity for those who were ordained and championed the faith. Included in this
list are Charles and John Wesley, George Whitefield and even Desmond Tutu. Many
died for their stance but their influence has lasted through the centuries. The
father of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Common Prayer</i>,
Thomas Cranmer, is one of the foremost in this category. He was a tireless
warrior during the Reformation in England and was burned at the stake for
his participation in it. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Book of Common
Prayer</i> (BCP), no matter what version or edition you choose, is the glue
that holds the Anglican Church together. The idea of the people being able to
worship and participate in worship is a uniquely Anglican innovation. The BCP
is based on Scripture and reformed in theology. Cranmer authored prayers in the early versions that are still be used today. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit
is not bound by time or location. Those prayers still evoke the same experience
and sense of awe in our God and his Son as they 450 years ago. Unfortunately, Cranmer
was burned at the stake on March 21, 1556. He was placed there by Queen Mary,
otherwise known as “Bloody Mary” for her burning of over 300 Protestant “heretics.”
This date has been claimed as the day that Roman Catholicism died
in England. As the flames grew hotter and higher, Cranmer stuck his hand into
the flames first. He wanted the hand that signed several of the recantations of
the Protestant doctrine to suffer the first loss. In his death, he recanted his
recantations and died solidly convinced that his life accomplishments were well
worth the effort. Two other victims of Queen Mary were bishops Nicholas Ridley
and Hugh Latimer. They were placed on trial along with Cranmer and they were
burned at the stake on October 16, 1555. Bishop Latimer is reported as saying
to Bishop Ridley, just as the flames were rising, “Play the man, Master Ridley;
we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust
shall never be put out.” He never realized how true his words would be. </div>
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I am not saying the being an Anglican is the best choice for
everyone. I am a little prejudiced in this regard. Although, I am convinced
that entrance into heaven will be alphabetical by denomination. Thus, Anglicans
will get in ahead of the Assemblies of God and the Baptists! My friends in
those branches of the church hate it when I say this and I know (and hope they
do too) that it is not really true. Like America, the Anglican Church has a rich
history and tradition. Too many people fail to remember or understand how we
got where we are today. I love being connected to the past. I am thankful for
all those people who paved the way for me. I am especially thankful for all of
those who paid the ultimate price for everything I enjoy today, be it my
denomination or my country. Our history is not just a passing paragraph but a
living expression that carries us into the future. As Edmund Burke wrote, “Those
who don't know history are destined to repeat it.” History is our friend. We
learn from it and we are encouraged by it. Take some time to learn about the
people who forged the faith you practice and the country where you practice it.
It will be worth your time and effort because it was worth theirs.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-25101754013574390572013-01-02T14:26:00.000-08:002013-01-02T14:26:23.861-08:00New Year’s Resolutions Anytime!
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You have to admit that around January 1<sup>st</sup>, hope
springs eternal. People make resolutions and attempt to make a commitment to
change certain things in their life for the better (usually). They look forward
to the new year being better than the one that has just past. Very rarely do
you hear someone say that they want the New Year to be the same as, or worse
than, last year. Almost everyone has high aspirations and wants to achieve more
this year than they did previously. Many set goals with the optimism of
achieving them. Some will, some will not. Most give up or forget about their
resolutions before the month of January closes. But that does not deter us from
making new resolutions next year. We try to convince ourselves we will do
better and try harder because the change we seek will benefit us and those around
us. As I said, hope springs eternal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p> </div>
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The problem with these resolutions is that we think that
just because there was a change in the digits on a calendar, it will change the
outlook and disposition of our life. I will not say this is foolhardy but it does
seem to be inconsistent. What makes us think that a vow in January is going to
have more impact than a change in July? There are not too many heart transplant
patients – or other vital organs for that matter – who would say that they
would wait for their transplant until next year because they are going to make
a resolution to live healthier in the up-coming year. This past year we heard
much about the Mayan calendar and the end of the world as we know it. While the
loss of Twinkie and Ho-Ho production is a major setback to humanity, the world
is still here and plugging along much as it has for centuries. In our arrogance
we seem to believe that our calendar is the correct one. So, when it changes
the numerals of the year, we think it is a brand new start. Yet, even our calendar
in not in sync with the motions of the galaxy. We have to have a leap year
every four years to compensate for the variance in accurate time measurement.
While this little adjustment solves our problem it still is not perfect.<o:p></o:p></div>
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New Year’s Resolutions have their place and many people need
them to focus and commit to needed changes. Becoming proactive to correct a
lingering problem may take time but the effort will be worth it. Unlike the Lenten
practice of giving up something for the duration of Lent (40 days prior to
Easter), New Year’s resolution changes are sought to be permanent. I met an
Anglican priest once who gave up smoking cigarettes for Lent every year. It was
a laudable and noble endeavor. However, when Easter arrived and Lent was over,
he could be seen lighting up just before the Easter services. He made it
through Lent but his sacrifice was not life changing and he returned to his old
unhealthy habits. This too occurs with New Year’s Resolutions. We quit before
we are transformed, before the changes have a chance to make a positive impact
on our lives. If we do follow through, we are blessed and thankful that we
tried and succeeded. In and of themselves, these resolutions are not bad or
ungodly. It does give us hope that we can change and change for the better.
But, what does God have to say about this subject?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nowhere in Scripture are New Year’s Resolutions mentioned.
Basically I believe that since God is eternal and outside of time as we know
it, calendars have no influence on him at all. Time was invented by God for our
sake to keep everything from happening at once. Linear time is a creation of
God for the benefit of man. I think of time like a piece of string. It has a
definite beginning and a definite end. God holds both ends in his hands. He can
see the beginning and the end at the same moment. So, from his perspective, the
years all run together and there is really no clear delineation from one year
to the next. Just because our calendars end and numbers change, time rolls on
and on and on until Jesus comes back. It does not matter when you make a choice
to do anything. God sees when you do it and he sees the results of that choice in the
same instant. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Bible is clear that God’s mercies are new every day.
(Lamentations 3:23) Every day is a new start and a chance to have a different
kind of life, a different quality to life. We don’t have to wait until the
first of the year. God doesn’t wait and we don’t have to either. Paul wrote to
the church in Corinth, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the
day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Our resolution should be to daily carry
our cross and follow Jesus. (Luke 9:23) When that resolution is entered into,
things come into proper perspective. I have quoted the saying many times about “loving
Jesus and doing what you want.” I don’t know who to attribute it to but it is
worth repeating. When you love Jesus to the fullest extent, with all of your
heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), your wants and desired get
rewired. You no longer desire to do the things you used to do because you love
Jesus. We do not have to wait for the New Year to come to change this in our lives.
You never know what may happen in the intervening period. Do you really have time
to wait? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though New Year’s for 2013 has officially passed it is
not too late to make a resolution. According to some study somewhere, it only
takes 21 days to make something a habit. If you started today (January 2<sup>nd</sup>),
whatever you endeavor to do could become a habit before the next Super Bowl
game (February 13<sup>th</sup>). But even if you don’t do it before the Super
Bowl, that does not make it too late. Resolutions can and should change your
life. They should change it for the better. That is what God wants for you. It is what God wants from you. If
you do not know Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, today is the day to
accept him. January first only comes around once a year and after it passes you will
have to wait 364 days (365 in leap years) for it to come around again. Can you afford to wait? Make
that resolution right now. If you do know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,
is there some issue that is blocking, delaying, or stunting your spiritual
growth and maturity? Make that resolution here and now to change that issue. Three
hundred and sixty four days is way too long to wait. As Nike used to say: “Just
do it!” Resolutions are hard to keep. We may achieve them and feel good about
ourselves. But the true life transforming resolutions, the ones that have
eternal consequences, have Jesus at the center of them. Do not let the change
in numerals on a calendar restrict you from making decisions, modifications and
transformations that will bring you eternal security. The best year of your
life can start at any point. It can start today. The great thing about Jesus is
that he is not bound by a calendar or a falling lighted ball in Times Square. He will
take your resolution for him anytime, anywhere. In Christ, every day is a new
day, every year a new year. He is a resolution you will never regret making or
keeping because hope in him really does spring eternal. Start today and see
what happens because Jesus is the Lord of Life.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-82243060834620685812012-12-31T15:09:00.000-08:002012-12-31T15:10:57.716-08:00Prince of Peace<br />
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It is still the Christmas season and contrary to current
culture the season begins on Christmas Day and goes on for twelve days. Thus,
the twelve days of Christmas take us through Epiphany, which is January 6<sup>th</sup>,
not the pre-Christmas sale season. Since we are still in the season it is okay
to talk about the meaning of “the season.” There has been much talk lately, due
the secularization of this holiday, to remember that Jesus is the reason for
the season. This causes much consternation with the secularists because
anything to do with Jesus is verboten. But, having come from a denomination
that claimed to be Christian yet held Jesus Christ to be optional, one has to
ask: “Which Jesus?” There are many neutered versions of Jesus that have nothing
to do with the Son of God whose birth we celebrate on December 25<sup>th</sup>.
This is especially true when he is labeled the “Prince of Peace.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having heard it read at Christmas each year, many of us can
recite Isaiah’s prophecy about the coming of the Christ-child. Isaiah 9:6 says:
“<i>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.</i>” Now, he is called more than Prince of Peace but
that is the title that has come under much distortion. The notion of “peace”
has been so skewed that we cannot <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">envision </span>what it truly means. Since we live in
a fallen and tainted world we have never experienced true peace. There are many
definitions of peace that we may have experienced personally. Some from
Merriam-Webster are: a state of tranquility or quiet; harmony in personal
relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or
agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state
of enmity. But none of these go far enough to describe the peace that Jesus
brings. The Prince of Peace brings a peace that “<i>transcends all
understanding</i>.”(Philippians 4:7) It goes beyond our wildest imagination. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I cannot count the number of “peace treaties” that have been
entered into by warring factions during my lifetime, and I'm not really that
old (contrary to what my kids think!). Sometimes those treaties last a long
time and sometimes the ink doesn’t even dry before they start attacking each
other again. Either way, a cessation of hostilities, while one definition of
peace is not the peace we will experience when Jesus comes and ushers in his
kingdom. For many of us we just remember the Arab-Israeli conflicts and their
attempts at “peace.” Their hatred for each other – or at least the Arabs innate
hatred of Israel – makes true peace impossible. The animosity continues even
when the bombs and bullets aren’t flying. While they are not physically
attacking each other, the hatred remains. While there may be mutual concord
they are devising new ways to get retribution. The conflict is not occurring
externally but inwardly the battle rages on. What really happens is that people
try to pretend that everything is copasetic - the Rodney King gospel of “why
can’t we all just get along?” – but they are just waiting, hoping for an
opportunity to try to overwhelm and overpower the enemy. The opposition remains
because deep down they continue to be enemies. When one reads Jesus’ Sermon on
the Mount (Matthew 5-7) we find the rules for kingdom living, living in peace
with one another. It can be summed up as turning enemies into friends. That is when true peace is possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The prophet Isaiah gave us a vision of how this peace that
Jesus brings will finally be lived out on earth. In two different chapters he
gives us this picture of peace. Isaiah 11:6-7 tells us: “<i>The wolf will live
with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion
and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed
with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like
the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child
put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all
my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as
the waters cover the sea</i>.” And later in chapter 65, he says: “<i>The wolf
and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but
dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my
holy mountain,” says the Lord</i>.” (v. 25) Think back on any National
Geographic special about Africa or the wilds anywhere for that matter. How many
times have you had tears in your eyes because a young animal has become food
for another animal that is too ugly to appreciate? The picture Isaiah draws for
us is something that is humanly impossible. No human endeavor at peace could
ever achieve this kind of harmony in nature or civilization. But the animal
kingdom will one day live at peace and harmony together. I maintain that part
of the fall was having carnivores. And Isaiah 65 seems to add evidence to this
conclusion. It is hard to conceive of Isaiah’s perfect world when we look at the
world around us. A friend in seminary told us his dad, an overly educated man,
finally agreed that he saw no hope of man ever perfecting himself. It took the
collapse of the World Trade Center to bring him to that pronouncement.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Like much in this life, people are looking for peace in all
the wrong places. They want to have “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the
peace that passes understanding</i>,” without having the one person who is
capable of giving it, Jesus Christ. This is impossible and we have a whole
decade to prove it. The 1960’s were called the decade of peace. Many people
adhered to the mantra of making peace not war. (Some advanced the notion of
making love not war because that was easier to do than to make peace.) They
took John Lennon’s song “Imagine” as a sort of proto-Isaiah portrait of the
peace they so desired and wanted to work towards. “Imagine” is a sentimental version of peace. The song itself is certainly a godless version of
peace and fairly impractical. It is a partial truth because it does not take into consideration the underlying cause of the problems of the world: fallen
humanity. It is a partial truth because it does not consider the ultimate
solution: Jesus Christ. He is the peace that Isaiah foretold would come. While
the song contains some laudable objectives, many of which will one day happen,
they cannot be come into being apart from the person and work of Jesus Christ.
He will be the one who will bring about those achievements. St. Paul summed it
up perfectly. In his letter to the church at Ephesus he wrote, “<i>For he
(Jesus) is our peace</i>.” (2:14) He does not impart peace, teach peace or
inspire peace. He doesn’t preach about it, write about it or pontificate upon
it. He is it. He IS peace, he IS the Prince of Peace. It not just part of his
character, it is who he is. Looking for peace anywhere else or in anyone else
is futile. You can imagine all you want but it ain’t going to happen. The peace
we seek, we desire, is available in one and only one place, one person, Jesus
Christ. All other forms of peace are counterfeit and will not satisfy our
desire for peace. This Christmas you can find the “<em>peace that passes
understanding</em>.” But you can only find it in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
This year, don’t imagine it, experience it!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-44153712298442531522012-12-17T16:52:00.000-08:002012-12-17T16:52:40.887-08:00Coal Again!
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In the Christmas season we find a more than usual amount of
accountability about what we have done during the year. I cannot tell you how
many parents I have heard coaxing their kids by saying that if they aren’t good
Santa will not bring them anything on Christmas. This Christmas coercion
usually begins about the Black Friday. The other night I was kidding a young
man about a video game he was playing. The idea of the game was for Santa’s
reindeer to kick him in the bottom and knock him down the chimney. I jokingly
said to the kid that if he knocked Santa too much he would get coal in his
stocking. I guess it was the vacant stare I received that made me realize he
had no idea what I was talking about. Being raised on “A Charlie Brown
Christmas” I knew too well the supposed disappointment at having a stocking
full of coal. The idea of coal in the stocking was to signify that the person
who received the coal was not good during the year. However, it seems rather
cruel to give someone coal so it is not done much, if at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The impetus behind coal is the recognition that our behavior
has consequences. It seems we only worry about this just before the Christmas
season. It is only then that we worry about our conduct and what it may mean to
our stocking contents on Christmas morning. It reminds me of a story about the
Visigoths. When they became Christians they would have four priests – two on
each side of a river – and the Visigoths would walk through the river holding
their swords above the water line. They would be baptized up to their swords
which allowed their swords to continue to conquer and pillage without eternal consequences
or reprisals. They devised a loophole to continue their way of life and still
be “Christians.” We contort things to avoid an avalanche of coal on Christmas.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Our accountability ends up being a year-end review. We see
this examination as a chance to rationalize our actions throughout the year and
try to justify them. It is amazing how short our memories are when we are
involved in this type of situation. It is also amazing at how lucidly we can create
rationalizations for each and every misstep. Personally, I can barely remember
last week, much less last month or last January. While I am sure this saves me
from suffering from too much guilt I am sure it does not saves me from the need
for confession and repentance. This is why it is good to keep short accounts
with God. I may not remember what I have done but God surely does. If the
contents of my stocking are based solely on my year-long behaviors, without
Jesus Christ in my life I would get coal, coal, coal! In fact, there is not
enough coal in all of West Virginia to fill my stocking to the level of my
misdeeds. Even if the coal deposited in the stocking was just symbolic, the
stocking would still need to be full. Coal is actually a sign of our need for a
Savior, even one born in a manger. There is a song by the Newsboys that says: “When
we get what we don’t deserve, it’s a real good thing. When we don’t get what we
deserve, it’s a real good thing.” This is especially true on Christmas. Just
think of the run on coal if all of loved ones had to be honest and give as our
deeds deserve. Thank God he does not act like that.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When we repent and confess, God is faithful and just to
forgive our sins. (1 John 1:9) The Bible has three promises about our sins that
offer us a sense of relief. It says that God puts them as far away as the east
is from the west (Psalm 103:12); he puts them behind his back (Isaiah 38:17);
and he remembers them no more (Jeremiah 31:34). If you look at the earth, going
from north to south you eventually hit the opposite direction. This does not
occur however when you are going from east to west. You can keep going east as
far as you would like and you will never reach west. When God puts our sins
behind his back it means they are no longer in his sight. Now, my mother always
said that she had eyes in the back of her head. This doesn’t mean God is incapable
of seeing behind him but that once he places them behind his back they are no
longer in his line of sight. Finally, the Bible says that God remembers our sins
no more. This does not mean he is a giant senile grandfather in a rocking chair
and he can’t remember things he should. This is a choice on God’s part that
once confessed he will erase the board clean and not recall them ever again.
This is eternal coal abatement for those of us that deserve coal in our
stocking. So, as we approach Christmas and hang our stocking by the
chimney with care, or wherever you hang them if you don’t have a chimney, remember
this: God will not give you coal this Christmas. He will give you a Savior! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-87116569397038794942012-12-10T18:07:00.000-08:002012-12-10T18:07:46.428-08:00It’s Just Not Fair
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As I drive my son to taekwondo there is a stretch of road
that is under construction. One evening while going home, I was fooling with
the GPS in the car and not paying the proper amount of attention to the road or
that traffic signs. We were taking this route for the first time so I wasn’t
familiar with the thoroughfare anyway. Seeing four lanes I just gunned the
engine and went. I was traveling at 42 MPH, so I have been told. Until of
course, the nice police officer decided to flash his colorful lights in my
rearview mirror. He was nice and understood my dilemma about driving my wife’s
car, the new road and speed limit and thus he only gave me a warning. I was
very thankful because being in a “work zone” the speeding fines are double. In
Oklahoma, the law calls for double fines in any speed zone regardless of
whether there are workers present or not. That’s just not fair! It’s not like that in other
states. Regardless, I got a warning and not a fine. Now, I know there are
people who will say, “That’s just not fair!” You may be right. But nonetheless I was
upset and I obsess about the speed limit through that section of road every
time I drive it. I get upset when I get passed on that section of road by
vehicles ignoring the big sign that advises of a speed limit of 25 miles per
hour. I cry to the Lord for justice and fairness that they would get stopped
like I did. I appeal to his sense of fairness and good that there would be a
police officer anxious to apprehend speeders just over the next hill. That
indeed would be true justice. That indeed would be fair! It rarely happens
(okay never!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have been intrigued by the notion of fairness lately as it
is an overused and misunderstood word. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary
defines fair as: “marked by impartiality and honesty: free from self-interest,
prejudice, or favoritism or conforming with the established rules: allowed.” Fairness
to me means that it is not arbitrary or showing favoritism to one party over
another. Fairness should be equal to all without regard to any other factors or
influences. It should affect all parties to the same degree and proportion. Keep
this in mind when reading the following. Ask yourself, is it fair?</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There is a lot of talk politically about the “rich” paying
their fair share. While in the US, over 80% of all taxes are paid by just 10%
of the population, the battle cry now is for the rich to just pay their fair share. In
this parlance, fair means more because that would just be fair. After all, they can
afford it. Yet, their tax rate is currently higher based solely on the fact
that they make more money. If fair means equal in proportion and degree, then
the tax rates would be the same for everyone regardless of how much they make.
If fairness means not arbitrary then the rich are already paying more than
their fair share. When we look at the Bible, we don’t see God expecting some
people to give more just because they have been blessed to make more. The tithe
is proportional at the same level for everyone regardless of how much they make.
God didn’t give everyone the same amount of talent, but he does expect each
person to maximize their potential based on the talents he has given them. God expects each person to return to him the same percentage of what he has allowed them to make as everyone else. The tithe is God's standard and he applies it equally to all based on that standard and not on where or how they obtained it. I
must confess that I have been part of congregations that thought that the
richer members should carry more of the churches financial burden thus
relieving the other members of having to tithe and contribute their fair share
just because they can. This is man’s idea not God’s.</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I also hear frequently that same sex marriage would be fair.
It would offer the same privileges and advantages to same sex couples as their
married heterosexual counterparts. The rationale behind this is that love has
no barriers so the church and the government should not erect barriers either.
How can it be fair to love someone and not receive the benefits and societal
protections that other heterosexual couples enjoy? Here fairness has more
weight and thus the argument gets cloudy. However, in the quest for fairness
the culture is scuttling several thousands of years of tradition. While it may
seem fair from one point of view, is it really fair to devalue and tamper with
all that history. Can something be fair for one party and not the other? Whose
values are to determine which is correct and valid? In the United States, until
this recent election, every state that had a marriage amendment on the ballot
passed them by overwhelming margins. Is it fair for courts to overturn the will
of the people in the name of fairness? Now the Supreme Court will be settling the issue. You know after their decision, someone will cry, "It's just not fair!"</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Another cry is that
it's just not fair that everyone will not enter heaven as if entrance should be based on some arbitrary, human notion of fairness. God would never
be that exclusive, restrictive and judgmental. After all, God is a loving and
just God and he should want everyone to “get in (which he does by the way). While
this sounds good, it goes against the very nature and character of God. God has
set the bar high because he is holy and righteous. He cannot even stand to be
in the presence of sin, whether it is a small tiny spot or a large cankerous
blotch. Neither can sin ever be in the same space God inhabits. Since heaven is
God’s dwelling place, since he is the one who created it and resides in it, he sets
the requirements for admission. While many people want to impose on God their
view of fairness it does not mean God will accept it. Fairness seems to be a
moving target based on what we want. If we do not get what we want, it's just not
fair. If it is beyond our ability to reach it, it’s just not fair. If someone who
has more talent and ability has “stuff” we want it’s just not fair. Something must
be done to level the playing field in the name of and for the sake of fairness. If we don’t like
God’s standards because he sets the bar so high, we just need to lower the bar
instead of raising our expectations and endeavors. We confuse fairness and love
with caving in and being underachievers. Like much of what has been discussed
here, it is not God’s plan. It is not God’s intent to lower his requirements to
make us happy or give us a sense of fairness. We want the creator and sustainer
of the universe to bow to our wishes instead of the other way around. Now,
that’s just not fair! And I am sure God has a few things to say about that. The next
time you want to complain about fairness, try looking at things from God’s
perspective. He sacrificed his Son for us and yet we ignore him, deny him or just plain don't give him a second thought. If anyone has a RIGHT to cry, “it's just not fair!” it is God!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-5692607043805135762012-12-01T09:20:00.000-08:002012-12-01T09:20:07.790-08:00Oh No, It’s “Oh Ho the Mistletoe”
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last Sunday, on our way to church, one of the local Christian
radio stations was playing the Burl Ives song, “Holly Jolly Christmas.” I must
confess that hearing that song only three days after Thanksgiving Day was a little
disconcerting. Hearing it on the way to church put me in a rather foul mood
entering worship. Hearing it on the Christian radio station, well . . . enough
said. Then, when we entered worship the first song the praise team played was “O
come all ye faithful.” I must admit that my Anglican sensibilities were
offended. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What ever happened to Advent,
the time of preparation for the coming of the Messiah?</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The past two years we have endured so much political
commentary and musing that by the time the election came around, we were just
worn out and disinterested in the whole affair. We grew tired of all of the
posturing and name calling and opinions of people who really had no idea what
was going on. We had election fatigue.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In today’s consumer society, we tend to get seasonal fatigue
because the Christmas season begins after Halloween or sooner and not
Thanksgiving as it used to be not too long ago. By playing Christmas music, viewing
Christmas ads, and seeing Christmas displays everywhere we turn, we seem to get
sick and tired of the whole season long before Christmas day comes. We are
robbed of our Christmas joy by retailers who want to rob us of our hard earned
dollars by having Black Friday deals continue for three weeks. The new Christmas theme is "more is better." Instead of not
participating, we endure it all for the sake of the kids and try to pretend it
does not affect us. Well, ask yourself, how is this long Christmas season
working out for you? If we are all honest, we would admit that while we don’t
like to admit it, it has caused us some consternation and aggravation.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As an Anglican, I enjoy the season of Advent as a time of
preparation for Christmas. I need time to get into the mood and leave the rest
of the world behind and get ready to welcome the Christ child. I also need the
time to remind me that, as I look back to the manger and Christ’s birth, I must
look forward to his coming again. I must not only look forward to it with joy,
I must assess my life to find out if I am ready when he finally does come. This is an
important time and it brings the future into the present as a reality that will
one day soon be upon us. As a period of reflection and correction, this is time
well-spent.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Seasons are an ever-present reality in life. We may not
notice the change in seasons until it is too late, but they do actually occur
on a schedule. No one season is extended, delayed or otherwise changed on the whims
of our pocketbooks or thermometers. Each one happens like clockwork at its
prescribed time. Never early, never late, but they happen right on schedule. We can
change the method of observing time – like daylight savings time - but that
does not stop time from rolling on. The seasons exist for a reason regardless
of how we think or feel. Often it is better to participate in the season than
to ignore it. Advent requires the same response from us. We don’t jump ahead to
Christmas too soon and get worn out about it by the time it comes. We get to prepare
and absorb the enormity of what we are going to celebrate.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The problem with Christmas, especially when it is all about
what happens before, is that we quickly forget the reason for the season the
day after Christmas is over. We do not celebrate the joy and appreciate the
meaning long enough for it to have a profound impact on our life. The Christmas
season actually begins on Christmas Day and ends 12 days later at Epiphany.
Those are the true 12 days of Christmas. That is the season to celebrate the
birth of the Christ child. But during this time period we focus only on the consumer
driven excitement of the cashing in gift cards and the exchange of unwanted or foolish
gifts. The celebration ends and we get back to normal as quickly as possible.
In my house, my wife has to have the Christmas tree up right after Thanksgiving
and down right after New Year’s Day. She gets mad – actually tired of the
Christmas mess – when we keep the signs of the season up until Epiphany. She
becomes fatigued with it and I really do too. To date, I haven’t been able to
get her not to decorate for Christmas any later than the middle of December. A
nice compromise but even with this the fatigue still sets in. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Now, please do not call me a Grinch. I really love
Christmas. I love all of the Christmas hymns and music. But Christmas is more
than just about the music, the presents and the decorations. Our secular world
would like us to believe otherwise. To diminish the “reason for the season” is
to remove from Christmas its identity and meaning. To take it lightly means we
see only a babe in a manger and not the Son of God. I was once told by a wise
bishop about the purpose of pre-marriage counseling. He said we should be more
concerned about the marriage than the wedding. The same principle should be
applied to Christmas. We must be more concerned about who the Christ child is
rather than when or how he came into the world, if we even recognize those
parts of Christmas at all. I am not advocating the mass distribution and
dissemination of Advent music, but the proper use of an Advent wreath can add
meaning to the Christmas preparation. Most of those hymns are unsingable and
sound more like funeral dirges. The contemporary Christian music scene would
never gravitate to this suggestion. Instead of using Christmas music, maybe we
should just forego it until we get closer the day and continue it through the
true Christmas season.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It is tough not to cave into the secular environment which
we inhabit. But that is the call of being a follower of Jesus. Let us prepare wisely
for the season of which we are looking forward to. Sunday December 2<sup>nd</sup>
is the first Sunday of Advent. Participate in the preparation. Enjoy the
experience so that when Christmas comes, you can not only appreciate what God
has done and will do, but you will be ready for it like Jesus calls us to. I am
holding tight to a new motto this time of year, “Experience Christmas again for
the first time!” Make this the best Christmas of your life by preparing for it
properly and intentionally. Focus and enjoy because Jesus is the Lord of Life.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-386914397965559522012-11-28T16:31:00.001-08:002012-11-28T16:31:41.021-08:00The War on Poverty
The “War on Poverty” which has been fought here in the
United States since the 1960’s is far from over. After trillions of dollars
spent to wage this war, we are no closer to having poverty defeated than we are
to watching pigs fly. I think the Chicago Cubs have more of a chance of winning the World Series that the US has of ever defeating this societal nemesis. Merriam Webster online dictionary gives one definition
of “POVERTY” as “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable
amount of money or material possessions.” Just debating that will send us down
a rabbit hole I have no intention of entering. But the synonyms for “poverty”
are listed as “scarcity” and “dearth.” For something to be “scarce” is to have
“want of provisions for the support of life.” To be “dearth” is to lack supply.
In any case, poverty does not just apply to economic means. When Jesus said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The poor you will always have with you</i>,”
(Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; John 12:8) I think he was not only speaking of the poor
financially. While they are included in this, I really feel Jesus was making a
broad statement including poor in health, emotional well-being and spiritual
well-being among others. Being poor includes anything that causes dearth (a lack) that holds people
back from living the abundant life that Jesus came to give them. (John 10:10)
Jesus came to alleviate “dearth” and bring abundance. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am sure when Jesus pronounced that there would always be
the poor among us, many of his hearers focused only on the economic aspects of
what he was saying. For a long time, I did too. In Jesus’ day, his hearers
would assume that being poor meant the person lacked the blessing of God for
some sin or sins which they had committed. Being rich was a demonstration of
God’s blessing upon them and an attestation of their righteousness. Well, we can
just look around today and see how false that view is. Very few of the rich in
our times even try to pretend they are righteous much less give credit for
their material well-being to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A problem arises from the standpoint of the Church. The
Church has acquiesced to the misguided notion that a government hand-out is
actually charity. With that mind-set, the Church (big “C”) had abdicated its
responsibility in helping the poor. When I say poor here I mean all of
poverties aspects: financial, spiritual, physical and emotional and all the others too
numerous to name. Knowing that we will always have people - the poor - to minister to
because Jesus said so, we (the Church) need to engage – or re-engage – in our
calling. Our mission, our calling, our ministry, should be the same as that of
Jesus. Jesus announced his mission, his vision and his purpose – all statements
or slogans “good” churches have and need – by reciting the words of Isaiah the
prophet. Quoting from chapter 61, verses one through three, Jesus said: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he
has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the
oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.</i>” (Luke 4:18-19) In
essence, part of Jesus’ ministry was to help overcome financial, physical,
emotional and spiritual poverty in those he ministered to.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It is a small point that is often overlooked and seems
almost contradictory. But notice that he does not claim that he will end poverty
altogether. Jesus knows there are some who will never accept his message and
his prescription for their own healing. Preaching the good news to the poor
doesn’t alleviate it, just as government largesse doesn’t alleviate it. In this
area, I agree with Ezra Taft Benson who wrote: “The Lord works from the inside
out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of
the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves
out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment.
Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape
human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.” Jesus isn’t worried about
our “socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions” - one definition of poverty - that we have or
do not have because those will not last. Our abundant life is not found in the
phrase, “the one with most toys wins!”<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The obvious question becomes, if we will always have the
poor with us, why should we try to help change their circumstances. Always is a
long time to fight such a consistent malady. Why waste our time if we are never
going to win? The simple answer is that Jesus told us to. The New Testament
gives examples of the early church doing it. God reminded Israel over and over
again not to neglect the poor and needy. When we help out, pitch in, offer
assistance, we are engaging in the ministry of Jesus. We get a chance to
minister like Jesus did to people like those to whom Jesus ministered. In this
way we get to live out his calling which is our calling. We will not win the war
on poverty, but God willing, we can bring people to the place where they can be
transformed in a way like Ezra Taft Benson wrote about. The government is not
the entity that can bring about this type of transformation. Only Jesus Christ
working through the power of the Holy Spirit in his church can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Jesus said we would always have the poor with us. They even inhabit the Church. There are many within the Church who are
impoverished in some form or fashion. Too many within the Church suffer some
dearth and are not willing to allow Jesus to help alleviate it from their lives,
not willing to enter into that abundant life he came to give. There is a myth
about St. Paul that he once healed a blind beggar. The man stands up, looks
around and promptly rips out his eyeballs. The man knew how to be a blind beggar. He
didn’t know how to be a sighted person. He reverted to the known because this
new unknown reality was way too scary for him. He was comfortable being
dependent upon the kindness of others. It had worked sufficiently until this point.
Now, his need for being dependent was gone. His opportunities for “making it”
were completely different. The prospect of having to rely on his own resources
scared him back into a dependent mode. This poor fellow chose dependence instead
of abundance, a life of relying on charity rather than a life filled to
overflowing with the fullness that only Jesus Christ brings.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The enormity of the problem, the impossibility of the task,
does not diminish or negate our call to do what we can and pitch in. Not every
congregation has the wherewithal to be directly involved. But again, the call
is still present. It reminds me of a story about thousands of starfish stranded on
a beach. A little boy was walking down the beach throwing beached starfish back
into the water. Someone commented to him that it was such a big task he could not
expect to make a difference. The boy picked up another starfish, threw it back
in the water and said, “I made a difference for that one.” Then he moved on to
the next. If Jesus call was to deal with the poor, and he passed that call onto
us, then we must do it. We need to meet the various poverties head on with all
of the power and authority Jesus gave us. We may not defeat poverty but we can
make a difference, one starfish (or person) at a time. It is impossible to win
a war without engaging in a battle. So Church, let’s get busy. It is what Jesus
wants us to do. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-26896378448174145302012-11-19T16:02:00.000-08:002012-11-19T16:02:23.538-08:00Look For The Cross
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Each week I drive the highways around Oklahoma City
generally taking my son the over thirty miles each way to taekwondo class. In town we
have a hospital named St. Anthony’s. They have several billboards around town
advertising their services. But one caught my attention. It says, “<em>Look for the
cross</em>.” The main St. A’s hospital building has a big blue cross on the side of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the blue cross is trying to
draw people to their facilities, their advertising slogan is more important
than they imagined. It has implications for every believer in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The whole New Testament is full of references to the “cross.” With that much ink, the cross must
be important. But not just any cross. It is only the Cross of Christ that we
should look for. I am always amazed at how the cross has turned from an
excruciatingly painful execution method and God's chosen method of redeeming our sins into elaborate pieces of jewelry. We
have glorified the cross in a way that would be foreign to Jesus’ way of thinking.
How many people do you know who would wear a guillotine or electric chair around
their neck? While I would love to see Madonna (not the one who was Jesus’
mother) wear a guillotine but I am not sure it would make the fashion statement
she is looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While crosses as jewelry have received much attention (just
look at any jewelry section of any department or specialty store), so have
people who make a sign of the cross on their body. I am not talking about body
art or tattoos but a series of four motions. This has drawn a lot of ridicule
from some branches of Christianity as a ritual that borders on the
superstitious. While in some circles that may be true I am afraid that
ignorance of the meaning behind this motion looms large. When I discuss this
with people I am always reminded of the movie (I know, here we go again with
the movie references) “Keeping the Faith” with Ben Stiller and Edward Norton. Stiller
plays Rabbi Jake Schram and Norton plays his best friend Father Brian Finn. The
story is about their friendship and how they are both attracted to the same
girl, played by Jenna Elfman. In one part of the story, when the two guys are
younger, they check each other’s way of worship. Schram asks Finn about making
the sign of the cross on your body. Finn replies with a simple method of
remembering. The method tells the order of touching your body to make the sign
of the cross: “spectacles, *~&+^ (a man’s private parts that rhymes with
spectacles) wallet, watch.” While the wallet watch steps may be either left or
right depending on which side you keep them, the head and lower torso must be done
in that order.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Many people practice this order religiously without ever
knowing why they do it or what it means. If everyone else is doing it I
probably should too. Some people do it at the drop of a hat and at every
mention of a certain word or phrase. In essence, many people drain the motion
of its meaning. As one who does not do anything like that without understanding
its wider implications, it took me a while after becoming a Christian before
joining in this practice. No one could explain the practice satisfactorily to
me. When I lived in Florida, I was on our Vestry (church board) and we had
bought a new building. Someone wanted to paint the front doors red. I asked
why? I got two not so good answers. The first was that every church “up north”
had red doors. In Florida that is a common excuse for doing many things. The
other explanation was that if the church had a mortgage then the doors were
painted red. Needless to say, I was the only “nay” vote on the proposal. It is
not that I am opposed to red doors per-se but we must know why we do what we
do. God in his infinite wisdom redeemed this situation. The following Sunday
was Palm Sunday and we always reenacted the Triumphal Entry from the back of
the building outside and in through the front doors. A dear retired priest who saw every
moment as a teaching opportunity explained how and where the procession would
go. He reminded everyone that we would go around the building and enter through
the newly painted red doors. He went on to explain that in walking through the
red doors, we were walking through the shed blood of Christ. Now that made
sense! At the next Vestry meeting I changed my vote. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So, what significance does making the sign of the cross on
our bodies have? I realized this significance of this while in seminary. The
church we attended had a cross hanging over the altar at a slight tilt. The
cross was constructed out of wood molding. The design was an outline and the
interior void was in the shape of a cross. Every time I received Communion, I
felt God was looking through the cross at me while I was receiving the Body of
Christ. Wow, what a powerful reminder of the cross. This is also a powerful
reminder of why we make the sign of the cross on our bodies. The cross is not
just a piece of jewelry. The cross is the only thing that can make me
acceptable in God’s sight. When I make the sign of the cross on my body that is
how I want God to view me, through the cross of Christ. That motion means
something: something powerful, something meaningful, something eternal. In an
Anglican service of worship, there are appropriate times when this is done. The
reason to do it is to bring home the importance, the significance of what Jesus
has accomplished for us. There is a big difference between ritual and reminder.
If what we do does not bring us to the cross, the sacrifice Jesus made on our
behalf, then we probably should not do it. We miss the depth of meaning when
doing things by rote. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I am not trying to shame people into doing something they do
not feel comfortable with. I am explaining the reason why certain things are done. I do
not want people to jettison meaningful portions of their religious practice but
to understand the deeper meaning contained in them. And I don’t want people to
take on things that are not meaningful to them either. I know when I make the
sign of the cross it helps me understand the price Jesus paid for me. It also
calls me to something that is beyond my total comprehension. Think about this.
Evaluate all of the religious stuff (baggage) you are carrying to see if there
is something you need to participate in to add significance to your
relationship with Jesus Christ. Also evaluate to see if you really need to stop
doing something because you have no idea why you do it. Just remember, making the
sign of the cross points to the foundation of our faith. It points to Jesus,
our redeemer and the Lord of Life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In closing, this subject reminds me of the words of Jeremy
Riddle’s song “<em>Sweetly Broken</em>.” I hope you will remember why the cross is
important. Go ahead and make the sign over your body. Go ahead and wear one as
a piece of jewelry. Just never forget what it points to. The first verse of the
song say it best: “To the cross I look. To the cross I cling. Of its suffering
I do drink. Of its work I do sing. On it my Savior, both bruised and crushed, showed
that God is love, and God is just.” Because every cross should remind us of Jesus
Christ, the Lord of Life.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-80586551527690283812012-11-13T15:38:00.001-08:002012-11-13T15:42:36.528-08:00“'Cause They Don’t Know the Difference”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In the movie “The American President,” (1995) a scene takes
place in the Oval Office involving President Shepherd, played by Michael
Douglas, and his aide Lewis Rothschild, played by Michael J. Fox. They are in a
heated discussion about the president’s poll numbers and what is happening on
the political landscape. As you read this you must remember that there is music
appropriate for the intensity of the situation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Lewis: "People want leadership. And in the absence of
genuine leadership, they will listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want
leadership, Mr. President. They're so thirsty for it, they'll crawl through the
desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink
the sand."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
Shepard: "Lewis, we've had Presidents who were beloved, who couldn't find
a coherent sentence with two hands and a flashlight. People don't drink the
sand, 'cause they're thirsty, Lewis. They drink it 'cause they don't know the
difference."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I have always loved this exchange and even used it in a
sermon. I think it relates to the state of the church currently and the
seemingly steep decline the church has suffered in recent years. It does help
to explain certain aspects of this most recent election and the condition of
the church here in America. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
We all know people who are living the Waylon Jennings song: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I was looking for love in all the
wrong places</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Looking for love in too many faces</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Searching your eyes, looking for
traces</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Of what.. I'm dreaming of...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
These people are seeking to find something fulfilling in
life but don’t seem to know where to look. Too many are trying to find it in
the bottom of an alcohol or pill bottle or some other recreational drug. And
when that doesn’t work, they numb themselves in other drugs and alcohol. The
recent trend of people seeking institutional rehabilitation for drug abuse is
due to prescription drugs. Now that Colorado has legalized (decriminalized not
legalized my son tells me) marijuana, you have to wonder how many people will
be taking their vacations there to really check out after they check in. This
new law could help the restaurant business and may offer munchies hour that
would really be happy! In today’s culture, this is the sand that people are
drinking because they don’t know the difference. The church has been complicit
in this downward spiral. In fact, the church has been dining on sand too. We –
by this am I making a huge generalization about the church and not referring to
any specific congregation or denomination – have not presented the gospel of
Jesus Christ in a way that answers the problems in people’s lives. Trying to
pinpoint the cause of this would take too long to write here. But the main
culprit is a lack of biblical knowledge, insight and application.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The Bible speaks throughout of the human condition and the
simple solution to that condition. Nowadays, too many people view sin – missing
the mark; not living up to the standards that God has set – as passé,
out-of-date, irrelevant. Most people feel they should get a slap on the wrist
and have most of their sins decriminalized. They have not broken the big “10”
so anything else is just a misdemeanor. They fail to see how their actions or
inactions violate any precept of God. They are unaware that Jesus reduced the
Ten Commandments down to two and that, in doing so, expanded their application
more broadly. I always chuckle at the joke about the elderly women who
approached her priest and said: “I may be a lot of things but I am NOT a
manifold sinner.” “Manifold sinner” is a term used in one of the confession
prayers in one of the many previous Books of Common Prayer. The priest replied,
“Let’s go talk to your husband!” There are two things certain for all human
beings: sin and death. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
If people knew how to use the Bible I am sure that our
culture would not be in such decline. The psalms particularly speak to the problem
of eating sand. Psalm 63 states: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O God,
you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs
for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water</i>.” Any person who
has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior knows that Jesus is the
answer to this problem. He said in John 4:13: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">but whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty again.
Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to
eternal life</i>.” This is just one example of the Bible pointing to Jesus as
the answer to life’s most important questions. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I know people who will question my trust in a book that was
written so long ago. And no matter how hard J.K. Rowling tried through her
“Harry Potter” series, or any other book or series for that matter, they still
cannot outsell the Bible. So, why is the Bible so important?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As an Anglican I believe what the traditions of our
denomination have said about the Bible. In the “Articles of Religion”, otherwise
known as the “39 Articles,” it is stated that “Holy Scripture contains all
things necessary to salvation.” There are no other volumes or tomes needed. The
Book of Mormon, the Qur’an, Think and Grow Rich, the Kama Sutra, The Little Red
Book from Chairman Mao, or any other work is useless in comparison to the Holy
Bible. There is no need for Dianetics or Psycho-Cybernetics, just Jesus and the
Bible. Another reason for seeking answers in the Bible is listed in “An Outline
of the Faith commonly called the Catechism.” This is a question and answer
document about many foundational principles of the faith. On the topic of the
Holy Scriptures one of the questions is: “Why do we call the Holy Scriptures
the Word of God?” It is answered as follows: “We call them the Word of God
because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us
through the Bible.” There is the answer. If God, the creator of the universe
from the smallest particle to largest galaxy, and us too, speaks through the
Bible, why would we look elsewhere for answers? Like Mao or Napoleon Hill knows
more about life and living than the Lord God Almighty! In the Bible we
encounter the answers to every pressing issue we may encounter on our journey
here on earth. We don’t have to drink sand and think it is water. We can go to
the source of living water and drink and be satisfied. I am still at a loss to
think that people would actually think sand could be tasty and beneficial. I
have eaten my share of sand at the beach – swimming in the usually mild Gulf of
Mexico after a hurricane makes sand eating a more likely prospect – and it
doesn’t taste good. It only makes you thirstier. We, the church, have something
better than sand. We have something that could never be mistaken for sand
except if we ourselves accept it as a viable alternative. We need to let people
see the difference, know the difference. That difference is Jesus! Then, and
only then, will they be able to seek after the true living water and not settle
for a mirage of water known as sand. Go ahead and read the Bible again for the
first time. Try it, you’ll like it. Jesus will quench your thirst because he is
the Lord of Life.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-29848779747414064072012-10-29T12:49:00.000-07:002012-10-29T12:49:22.356-07:00“There Is Nothing Inside Worth Dying For”On one of my recent jaunts through our new neighborhood I
approached a house with a sign that stated: “There Is Nothing Inside Worth
Dying For.” The sign was a warning to any intruder to consider before actually invading
this dwelling. I found this sign interesting yet not surprising. There were
several signals up to this point in the yard and driveway that the resident(s)
had some form of military experience. I do not want denigrate any particular
branch of the military but I am sure I noticed some Marine paraphernalia in the
yard. Not a real surprise. Hurrah!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Being a preacher, I ruminated on that sign for a good while.
Also, having a fertile mind – that being one that is well fertilized and we
know what fertilizer mostly consists of – I pondered that sign with great
intensity. It really had spiritual implications while giving insight into the
resident of that house. There was something in that sign that could be preached
on. But, of course, all preachers think that about almost anything. I will
never forget Henny Youngman (I know many of you have no idea who he was because
you are way too young) who was known as the “King of the one liners.” I
remember seeing him on Johnny Carson one night (you may be too young to know
Johnny Carson too!). Youngman told Carson to say a word and he had a joke about
it. Carson picked “penguin” and lo and behold Youngman had a joke. I told my
son the other night to pick a word and I could make a sermon about it. I did
okay with pineapple but got kind of lost on walrus! So, as I walked along
ruminating about that sign I did realize a couple of things that may preach. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
While I am sure the sign’s warning was supposed to be a partially
humorous attempt to dissuade anyone from breaking into the house, I believe it
revealed something about the resident. Did he think his stuff was of little
worth compared to any intruder’s life? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
one respect the answer would be yes. That is of course until you don’t heed the
warning and attempt to break in and he is willing to protect his stuff at the
cost of your life. This sign clearly displays his values. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
At my own house I always thought that if somebody wanted my
stuff they could have it. Obviously they needed it more than I did. Besides, my
stuff was old and I had insurance to replace it. I know the replacement stuff
would be better than what was stolen! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Later on during the week, I saw the same sign again at
another house. As I began to ruminate on it again, my first vivid thought was
how glad I am that Jesus doesn’t feel that way! Applying Jesus’ perspective to
the sign made me see things in a different light. Too many people today have
the same sign posted on the door of their heart and life. It is almost as if Jesus comes
to knock on their heart and there is another big and clear sign on display “No
Soliciting!” They want to chase Jesus away and anyone else who wants to have an
effect on their hearts for that matter.. They agree with the premise of the
sign that “there is nothing inside worth dying for.” They feel they have
nothing in their life worth having anyone dying for, even the Son of God. They
are not trying to be heretical but they see no need for what Jesus Christ did
and think he was basically a fool and so are all of those who believe in him.
Their arrogance will be their undoing. Let’s hope they come to their senses
before it is too late. Eternity is real and apart from having Jesus Christ as
our Lord and Savior, eternity will be HOT!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
In reality, Jesus DID die for what is inside of them and us. And,
in his estimation it was worth dying for. Jesus Christ wants to redeem the
image of God that is resident in all of us, all human beings. It was given to
us at creation and it is what sets us apart from all of the other animals,
regardless of whatever nonsense PETA bloviates. There is a reason why, in the first
Genesis account of creation, God calls everything “good” until he creates
mankind. Only after man comes on the scene does God call his work “very good.” We are the crowning jewel of God’s magnificent work in creation. You have to
wonder sometimes if God spoke too soon. But Jesus died for that portion of each
and every life that lives in opposition to God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>There are always going to be a group of people that do not
feel worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for them. And, they are not alone in
their unworthiness but they don’t know it. They just feel that there really
isn’t anything worth dying for in their lives. There isn’t one thing that is
redeemable, that is worth saving. In our disposable culture, they feel they are not worth
anything more than ending up on the trash heap of life. Their self-esteem is so
low, their psyche so disoriented and abused, their pain so deep and thorough,
they cannot image one scenario that would lead Jesus Christ to want to save
them. I have actually heard people say that if God knew how bad they had been,
he would not give them the time of day. I love that one because they imagine
that their life of sin and its severity will come as a surprise to God! That is
arrogance of another form. In essence they deny God his almighty power
believing they are the only one he cannot or will not save. Everything is
possible with God except for them. The other end of the spectrum is the worthless
wasted life that has no meaning, purpose or quality and thus would not be of
interest as something God would waste his time over. How sad, truly sad, that
people actually believe this. The good news – the gospel – is that Jesus
ignores the sign that says “There Is Nothing Inside Worth Dying For.” In God’s
economy, every life has value and Jesus came to die for each and every one of
those. When Jesus restores a life through the work of salvation he wrought on
the cross, he reinstates the worth back into that life by his precious shed
blood. Regardless of what you have done, what you continue to do, or what you
will someday do (again and again and again as our former taekwondo instructor
used to say) Jesus still feels that you are worth dying for. He is not going to
wait for you to come to your senses, to wake up and smell the coffee. He has
already done everything necessary for you to receive what he has to offer. The
rest is up to you because there is something inside worth dying for and Jesus
is the Lord of Life.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-8140819032323441242012-10-22T15:48:00.000-07:002012-10-22T15:48:34.229-07:00Only 20%? WHERE IS THE CHURCH?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Only 20%? WHERE IS THE CHURCH?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My family and I recently moved to a new city. In an effort
to find out more about our new area I searched for demographic information
on-line. One web site contained a lot of information including religious affiliation.
I realize that Oklahoma is the outer ring, the sort of fly-over waste land of
the western portion of the Bible belt. In fact, when we first moved to Oklahoma
City, we were jokingly told (at least I think it was a joke) that there was a law that there had to be at least one
Baptist church on every corner. It is good to remember that most jokes have
some element of truth in them. Even though we only moved less than 10 miles
away, we have entered another universe. I was surprised – okay literally
appalled – that in my new zip code of at least 16,000 households, only about
20% of the people claimed any religious affiliation. Many people may not answer
surveys but I don’t think that is the reason this number is so low. While this
statistic is a disturbing, it also offers some hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
First, let’s discuss the appalling thing. WHERE IS THE
CHURCH? Where are all of the disciples that Jesus gave the great Commission to?
I just read a Barna Group survey revealing that between 1991 and 2004 the number
of unchurched people in North America almost doubled. The number increased from
39 million to 75 million people. I think there was a very wise man who once
said the fields were white with the harvest. It is very obvious that North
America is the one of the world’s largest mission fields. It is evident that
the Church (big “C”) is not fulfilling her calling given to her by Jesus
Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A recent excursion through my new neighborhood gives a
little insight into this phenomenon. As of this week, we are about two weeks
shy of Halloween. From the looks of things in this area, it must be the most
celebrated “holiday” in America. I am not sure everyone celebrates the true
"meaning" of Halloween but the decorated houses tell a different story. I will
have to wait for a couple of months to see if they put as much effort into
decorating for Christmas. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I remember at seminary one of the biggest debates was about
recognizing Halloween and letting our kids participate in trick-or-treat. At
that time my kids did not know much about the day except that you went to as
many houses as possible to get as much candy as possible. In my house, we have
a rule that all Reese’s Cup go to dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, not wanting to deny my kids their candy or mine, we let them go.
They were never to dress in “scary” costumes and they had to say “thank you” at
every house. As they got older, I would tell my son to find out which houses
gave away Reese’s Cup and come home and change so he could back for more. Alas,
he is too big now to pull this off with any sincerity, much to my dismay and
Reese's cravings! I’ll just have to hope his being new to the neighborhood will
not be a detriment to my sugar fix. As with my kids, I assume many people have
no idea what the real meaning of the day is. That may make it worse. I am
reminded of Paul’s admonition to the Philippians: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything
is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things</i>.” I suspect that some
of these decorated houses are even inhabited by “professing” Christians. I
don’t want to condemn them but it does make one think. Does this send the right
message?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
As I walked along, I kept wondering why people would put so
much effort into this type of decorating. Some were very elaborate and took a
lot of time and trouble to construct. As the seasons change, the weather gets
colder, the sunlight shrinks, it just seems people need something to get
excited about. Again, WHERE IS THE CHURCH? If people only have a release of celebration
in Halloween decorations, then the Church has fallen woefully short in being
able to reach people with the excitement in the love, grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There is good news in this statistic though. If Christians
want to truly be Christians and obey Jesus’ commands (which I think is part of being a Christian), they will not have to
travel far to find someone in need of what Jesus has to offer. The
mission field is right in your own backyard (Jerusalem), in your own subdivision
(Judea), in your own zip code (Samaria). You don’t even have to go to the ends
of the earth! Your neighbor may be the next person you introduce to Jesus. When
Jesus says that he stands at the door and knocks, it is probably at the house
right across the street. In fact, he may be knocking at several doors on your
block alone. Just think of how many he may be knocking at in your subdivision
or in your zip code? The opportunity for the Church is enormous. Yet, we miss
these opportunities for a variety of reasons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The really good news for me as an ordained person is that
with numbers like that I have job security. In my own zip code accepting these
numbers means there are almost 13,000 households who do not have a religious
affiliation much less a relationship with Jesus Christ. My congregation does
not need transfer growth – swapping or stealing sheep – when we can go through
our own neighborhoods and find many “lost” people, which up to 80 percent of them seem to be. And,
we are even willing to share our catch with other congregations who want to
reach the unchurched. Our nets won’t break but our facilities might. While
it is a headache I would love to have, how would you deal with an influx of
huge numbers of people? Any church would have to ramp up everything they do in
order to meet the needs of those coming in. I would love to be in that
situation and find a way to deal with it. With those kinds of numbers, it
should be really easy to fill ministry positions, not to mention the congregation’s
softball lineup. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I could go on and on about this topic. But you will have to
excuse me. I have to go through my neighborhood and tell some more people about
Jesus being the Lord of Life! Want to join me?<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-37360071928180682372012-10-05T09:56:00.000-07:002012-10-05T10:04:06.594-07:00Generic or Specific?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Generic or Specific?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>Isn’t it wonderful that, even after three years of seminary
and many years in the pastorate, God can show you new things? I must admit that
it is humbling and overwhelming at the same time. But it happened today and I
am thankful. It occurred during my daily devotional time when I sit in my “prayer
chair” and study God’s Word and commune with him in and through prayer. Except
for the dogs having to have their affection time, I try to reserve this time
for God and me. Most days I am able to accomplish this. I don’t say this to pat
myself on the back for my piety but to mention that this has become a “habit”
for me, and the dogs! What I found out today radically shook my world and my
equilibrium.</div>
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As an Anglican I gain perspective by saying the Collect for
Purity. I start with this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Almighty God, to you all hearts
are open, all desires known, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of my heart
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly
love you, <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ my
Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
It centers my thoughts and actions for what I am about to
do. It gives me the proper perception about who God is and what I want him to
do for and in me. For you purists, I have changed the wording from the
corporate emphasis to the individual emphasis that pertains to me in this situation.
My hope and prayer is that at the end of my time with God, I have a cleansed
heart, inspired by the Holy Spirit allowing me to perfectly love him. Not a bad
day if you can accomplish that!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
that I say the Confession. Again I use a personal version instead of
the corporate version. I know that I am a sinner and that confessing daily
still isn’t enough to keep short accounts with God. When I got to the part
where it says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I have left undone those
things which I ought to have done, and I have done those things which I ought not
to have done</i>,” this is where the seismic rumble began. There are times when
I feel as if God is speaking to me. I don’t hear audible sounds but, as someone
once said, “knowing’s” in my heart that God is communicating with me. I sensed
he was asking me, “What do you mean?” I responded, “Do you want me to get
specific, Lord? Boy, you are asking a lot here.” I realized at this point that
I was good at the generic confession. I think we all are. We are able to
generalize sin and can admit, with no sense of guilt or shame, that we are all
sinners. We can admit without confessing. We can agree but we don’t normally
name our sins. The generic is always less convicting, less guilt inducing, less
shameful than naming each individual transgression. So, I felt compelled to
take pen and paper and write down where I missed the mark (one definition of sin).
I started with the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things done</i>.”
This was easy because I could agree with God on some of them. I suffer from
fear, anxiety and worry. But, don’t we all. Yes, they are sins but they are
typical of most human beings. But since I committed these offenses I need to
confess them. Just when you think you are doing fine God has to interrupt. “Dig
deeper,” he said. “Okay.” I also have envy, greed, denial, and pride. “Yes and,”
God continued. “Oh, how deep do you want me to go?” Well, true confession means
not leaving any stone unturned. As I went deeper, I found more that left me
separated from the holy, righteous God of the universe. I will not regale you
with the rest of this (it’s not as salacious as much as it is disappointing) but
I found I’m not as righteous and pious as I thought. But it didn’t end there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t
you hate it when God won’t let go? At times like these, he reminds me of our
little Chihuahua Teenie. She is pesky and will bark and nip at strangers who
enter our house. She will not settle down until she is satisfied that all is
well and safe. God reminded me that I had not addressed the other portion of
the confession. I was leaving out, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have
left undone those things which I ought to have done</i>.” I guess I was
settling for “good enough” instead of “best.” God wants the best for us and from
us. It is amazing how fast my pen went as I rummaged through my life the past
week or so. The first thing I had not done was live with the fruit of the
Spirit. Galatians tells us: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control</i>.” (Galatians 5:22) <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That is a rather extensive list
to neglect in any life that claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, this was just the beginning. I wish it wasn’t but alas I am not
as perfect as I thought (hoped) I was. It becomes more apparent with each
passing moment of this exercise, that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. The “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">left undone</i>” list continues but you get the
picture. Later, reading the word of God reinforced this notion powerfully.
Micah 6:8 states: </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has showed
you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly
and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God</i>.” God sets the bar high
and he does not lower it because we cannot attain his standards. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I must admit that after this careful examination, I realized
my need, my failures and my lack of anything remotely resembling holiness. I
had a glimpse of me from God’s perspective apart from the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. The only word that can best describe this is hopelessness.
Wow! What a revelation. But I also had a sense of thankfulness. Without the
person and work of Jesus Christ, I will end up being a sinner in the hands of
an angry God. He did everything he could do through Jesus Christ and I am glad I have accepted it. I
have faith that all of the promises of Jesus are “yes.” That is the only thing
that overcomes this hopelessness. Praise God!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Many Christians know, accept and believe the above. And,
they think that is enough. But I am here to tell you more is needed. Not in
terms of salvation but in terms of a growing, thriving relationship with Jesus
Christ that bears fruit and light and life. Too many people though are stuck in
the generic. They realize they are sick but have no intention or inclination to
get to the specific. I recently went to my family physician. He accessed my
ailment and prescribed a treatment. He did not tell me to take two aspirins and
call him in the morning. I am so glad he got specific. The generic answer
probably would not have solved my problem and left me in the pain and agony in
which I was suffering. God, the great healer, the great physician, works with
us in the same fashion. Take a pen and paper and record all the things and
areas where you have failed to confess your specifics, things done and things
left undone. And allow God to deal with you in his mercy and grace for each
thing listed. See what a difference this exercise will make in your life. We
have a specific God not a generic god and he is the Lord of Life!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-19863268808885472472012-09-19T12:34:00.001-07:002012-09-19T12:36:59.176-07:00M*A*S*H as Church?Monday September 17<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> was the 40<sup>th</sup>
anniversary of the premier of the television series M*A*S*H. I must admit that
over the years I have probably seen every episode at least twice. Next to “<em>Gone
with the Wind</em>,” “<em>Caddyshack</em>,” “<em>Animal House</em>,” and “<em>Braveheart</em>,” I am sure I
know the most lines from this franchise. Yet, they are still good and worth
watching every once in a while. I gleaned three things from years of M*A*S*H
viewing which have shaped my vision of mission and ministry. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The first is in this name. “M” stands for mobile. The Church
(capital “C”) needs to be on the go. We serve a God who is constantly moving. We
need to be like John Wesley who said “the world is my parish.” And Wesley was
an Anglican despite claims from the Methodists. He rode over 250,000 miles on
horseback to carry the gospel message. I think Col. Sherman T. Potter would
have loved Wesley. Remember, the main imperative in the Great Commission is “GO!”
The Church on the go needs to take the gospel message to a dark and hurting
world. The hurting, in whatever form, fashion or manner, are the ones we need to
seek out as we go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
This leads to the second point. The Church should be a
M*A*S*H unit. We may need to change the acronym a little. Instead of a “Mobile Army
Surgical Hospital” we would be the “Messiah’s Army Spiritual Hospital.” The
main objective of the mobile surgical units was to patch up those severely wounded
so they could make it to a bigger and better hospital where they would receive
the treatment they needed. Those with less severe wounds were patched up and
sent back to the front lines. Even self-inflicted wounds are treated with
compassion and care. The call the Church possesses should have the same
objectives. When people come face-to-face with Jesus Christ – as they should
each and every Sunday or other day of the week during a worship service – they
will realize the extent of their alienation from him. Much of this alienation,
otherwise called sin, is due to our pursuit of our own agenda (self-inflicted
wounds) which keep us apart from God. These are the “simple” cases of
restoration and renewal. The Church patches them up and send them back to the
front lines of life. It is not that the Church puts a Band-Aid on their booboos
and sends them back. It is not an “I’m okay, you’re okay” approach. These
ailments require heartfelt confession and contrition and true repentance. The
Church helps cure the problem, returns people to spiritual health and then
returns them back to their unit in the Messiah’s army. Too many churches handle
self-inflicted and other wounds much like the incident that got Gen. Patton in hot water.
He is reputed as saying that cowards who hurt themselves to get out of the battle
should be shot. We, the Church, are not real good at admitting our shortcomings
in this area. We tend to shoot our wounded instead of offering healing. Our treatment of these issues needs some recalibration. But that’s
not the topic at hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The more severe cases take time and effort. There are many
maladies that require deep spiritual healing. The efforts of the patient and
the healing team to obtain the maximum benefits of therapy are not achieved in a
single prayer session or one-time laying on of hands. There is counseling and
prayer and deep inner healing required. A whole life of affliction and baggage
needs to be dealt with. This requires specialists in that area of healing.
These patients need more than the local congregation can usually provide. We
need to send them on. More and more people are becoming aware of these
spiritual realities and are taking the time and effort to be released from
their pain and bondage. Specialists are also training to extend the care needed
to release these patients from their afflictions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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The biggest thing I learned from M*A*S*H was from the
character Fr. Francis Mulcahy played by William Christopher. He was a quiet
Roman Catholic chaplain. But underneath the calm and composed exterior was a
strong warrior. While he was a make believe character in a sitcom, his actions
and demeanor gave me insight into the role of a priest. Fr. Mulcahy showed that
no job was beneath him as he changed bedpans with a song and a smile in one
episode. In another, he undertook a dangerous mission to get needed drugs from
black market bandits. The mild-mannered priest allowed one soldier to take sanctuary in the mess hall, which was used as the chapel, when the situation arose. He then stood toe to toe with the soldier when he wielded his gun to prevent his being taken back to his unit. The episode that had the most impact on my life and
ministry was when Fr. Mulcahy had a discussion with Dr. Hawkeye Pierce. Pierce
complained about losing a patient and how much more tragic that was for him
than for anything that Fr. Mulcahy was involved in. The dear father responded, “When you lose a patient, they
lose their life. When I lose a patient, they lose their immortal soul!” WOW!
How is that for a description of ministry? Anyone involved in the ministry who
does not have that perspective is missing the point. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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I have learned that M*A*S*H is a good model for church. A
mobile spiritual hospital is what I think Jesus had in mind. He called us to be
mobile, to be on the go to the ends of the earth. Jesus claimed his mission was
not to the healthy but to the sick. We follow in his footsteps. Many spiritual
afflictions can lead to physical infirmities. Thus we diagnose and respond with the level of care required. And, we do it all with the mindset and
attitude of Fr. Mulcahy who knew that souls were on the line with each and
every patient. For Fr. Mulcahy knew that losing a patient had eternal
consequences. While the television show is still in reruns, I would love to see
the Church experiencing these reruns too. Week after week the church reproduces
the results that are exemplified in being a M*A*S*H unit, a Messiah’s (mobile)
Army Spiritual Hospital: mobilization of the army, healing of soldiers and civilians, and service with a smile andan encouraging word. With a church like this, the Kingdom of God would advance at a great rate and with much success. Praise God!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-6679957070911810762012-09-11T16:07:00.000-07:002012-09-11T16:07:03.630-07:00You Have Permission to Praise!
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A funny thing happened at church last Sunday. I usually go
to two different churches each week. At the second church they had a new praise
and worship leader. He was pretty good but during his leading he said something
interesting. He invited everyone to feel free to worship in a manner that made
us feel comfortable. If you wanted to raise your hands that was fine, he said.
If you wanted to kneel silently that would be okay too. Kneeling is quite
difficult in their setting as they are in a theatre building. But it was nice
to hear it was okay. As strange as it was to hear it seemed even stranger to be
given permission. It made me wonder – hum! – what has the Church (big “C”) done
to people – to worshipers – to make it necessary to tell them they have permission
to exhibit freedom of expression in worship. I must confess that as Anglicans
who are overly @#*%@ (fill in whatever colorful anatomical term that I am
loathe to write here) when it comes to doing things “in a fitting and orderly
way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) The King James Version states: “Let all things be
done decently and in order.” Either way, Paul must have been an Anglican! I
imagine there are many other faith traditions that have placed limits on being
expressive during worship. Worshiping “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) is
interpreted to mean: in a manner acceptable and approved by us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I suspect that “decently and in order” becomes more valuable
and less negotiable the older we get. I am reminded of a scene from the movie “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Courageous</i>” when father Adam Mitchell
(played by Alex Kendrick) is asked by his daughter Emily (Lauren Etchells) to
dance in the bank parking lot. Dad refuses because of the exposure his dancing
may generate in such a public setting. He says he was dancing with her in his
heart. Later, after Emily is killed in a car accident, Adam is in tears and
asks, “Why didn’t I dance with her?” I wonder if our failure to dance with God
during church brings tears to his eyes? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When Jesus asked us to have the little children come to him
it was because they were uninhibited. They have no adult neurosis, complex or baggage
that keeps us adults from freely worshiping Jesus. Read Matthew’s gospel – also
Mark and John – and you will read about extravagant worship. (Matthew 26:6-13) It
was not only extravagant but it was also costly. Read the story of David
dancing before the Ark of the Lord as it was being brought to Jerusalem. (2
Samuel 6:13) When confronted by his wife Michal about his “distinguished”
behavior, David replied: “I will become even more undignified than this.” (2
Samuel 6:22) David was not worried about what people thought of his display as
long as his heart and body were actively engaged in praising God. Most football
games at any level get more exuberant praise for a touchdown than God gets on
Sunday mornings! </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
My first exposure to liturgical dance was at my first Easter
service at my the new church I started attending when I moved to Florida. It
was a small mission church located in a strip mall. The pews were unmatched and
not consistent in length. I had only been attending for a couple of weeks. The
bishop was present for this Easter celebration. The bishop was a former Baptist
and a former Marine. Liturgical dance was a little out of his comfort zone to
say the least! I still remember the mortified look on his face when the ladies
performed. I do not remember a thing about their contribution so I cannot
comment on it. But I do remember the bishop’s face. I am not sure he considered
that “decently and in order.” While he watched, I am not sure he was impressed
or moved. And I do not want to blame that on either the Baptist’s or the Marines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
There are many different ways to worship. Different things affect
people in different ways. There are some who commune with God in quiet
solitude. Others see his face as they are drawn higher through praise music. For
some a good pipe organ is all they need. None is necessarily better, nor is any wrong.
Many styles can be incorporated into the same worship service. I say this
because I am “Unapologetically Anglican” and know that most Anglican worship
services offer a variety of settings to foster engagement by the congregation.
Join a typical Anglican service and see what I mean. You will encounter an assortment
of experiences during any one service. Experience seems to be gaining
popularity as many churches now use this term instead of worship or service. The
questions is: What are we supposed to experience? Too many people miss the
point of worship in the first place. Worship experiences should really be
worship encounters. Can you really worship if God is not present? Is there such
a thing as faux worship? Can you truly experience “worship” in a godless
environment? The answer is emphatically NO! No matter what style floats your
boat if you have not come into the presence of the risen Savior you have not
worshiped. You may call it whatever you like – experience, worship, or service –
but without coming face-to-face with Jesus it is just a waste of time. You
could call it a lollapalooza if you want but please do not call it worship.
Without God, the service would be like the earth before God spoke life into it.
It is </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
formless and empty. (Genesis 1:2)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
You cannot fake real true worship. You cannot leave church
unchanged after worshiping in spirit and in truth, if you have participated wholeheartedly.
Loving the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark12:30)
cannot be a passive activity. It centers on God – who he is and what he has
done – and it requires us to move. We move literally and figuratively into God’s
presence. If God seems far off, guess who has moved? We need to move back, to
engage, to seek his face. I once observed a man with hands held high checking
the time on his watch. I had to wonder if he was fully involved in worshiping
God. His hands were up but his mind was elsewhere. And, before you chastise and
attack me for knowing he was looking at his watch, I admit I probably was not
as engaged as I should have been either. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Worship is our personal expression of our love and devotion
to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is done in a public setting that
should allow for free flowing moments of intimacy with Jesus. Inhibited worship
is not what God requires or approves. Our freedom in Christ allows us to become
more undignified in a childlike manner. Being in a congregation that stifles your
expression of worship, of your being yourself in front of God, is not doing you
any favors. I will offer one caveat here that there is a proper time and place
for certain expressions. Liturgical dance would not always work during prayers
and singing praises may be considered rude during the sermon. But please find a
congregation that allows you the time and space to encounter, to experience,
Jesus at some point during the worship service. Whatever fashion or style is
valuable to you I give you my permission to demonstrate it. I know of at least
two churches where this is possible and acceptable. As the old commercial said:
“Try it, you’ll like it!” And God will too!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-11444306482505746332012-09-08T13:13:00.000-07:002012-09-08T13:13:08.268-07:00Is Prayer Redundant?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I used to dread praying. I know that sounds ridiculous for a
priest – an ordained person in the Church of God - or for anyone calling Jesus
Christ their Lord and Savior. I thought prayer was rather redundant. If God
knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:8), then why bother the Master any
longer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, if He is omnipotent
(from Merriam Webster: having unlimited authority or influence), omniscient
(possessed of universal or complete knowledge) and omnipresent (present in all
places at all times), all at the same time, it would be obvious that our
prayers, our requests, intercessions and supplications, would not come to Him
as any surprise. I must admit that I had a hard time to see the benefits of
prayer until I actively participated in it. It is amazing what results can do
to inspire you further.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p>My first insight into prayer came when I realized that prayer
was a vital part of Jesus’ life. If it was good for Him, and He is the Son of
God, how much more could I profit from trying it? Jesus prayed in the morning
(Mark 1:35), He prayer during the day (Matthew 14:23) and He prayed all night
(Luke 6:12). He would often spend time in prayer after a long day of ministry (Matthew
14:23) and He prayed for strength before He entered into His passion. (Luke
22:44) Because Jesus modeled a life of prayer, His disciples thought it was
important to learn how to pray. (Luke 11:2) <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What is more, our prayers can help to others. (2 Corinthians
1:11) Paul continually asked for the prayers of the saints for his ministry.
(Romans 15:30) Why would he ask if he thought prayer was useless? Scripture
also teaches that not praying for someone else is a sin. (1 Samuel 12:23) It
would seem that prayer is an integral component to a solid Christian life. That
seems obvious but there are still very few Christians for who prayer is not
more than a short grace at the evening meal (never in public but only in the privacy
of your own home!). <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I had to learn about prayer and engage in it to appreciate
it. It is true that the more you pray, the more you get from it. I got to the
point of asking God every morning to blow my mind that day. He was answering
prayer and things were happening. I became like a child being thrown up in the
air by an adult. I must brag here because I have done this with many kids.
Being of above average height – read not being vertically challenged and never having
been lost in a crowd, although I do run into cobwebs nobody else hits – I am
able to get kids closer to the ceiling and the ceiling fan far better than most
adults. Because of my majestic height, my grandmother and mother until their
deaths, and now my wife keep me around to reach the top shelf without a stool
or tiptoes. When I hoist kids in the air the first thing I check for is nose
bleeds as those kids have never been to those heights before! They get an
excited look on their face as they are able to look down on things. They gain a
different perspective, a higher perspective. And when you fling them – okay
well just lift high and drop – they get very excited about the exhilarating
feeling of being free, of almost flying. They also learn to trust as you catch
them right before they crash onto the floor. Wee, let’s do it again! One
drawback to aging is not being able to do this as often and with as large a
child as I once was. But, I digress. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
prayer becomes enjoyable, when God shows up, you will want to say, “Wee, let’s
do it again!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When you catch a child and build that trust, they start
trusting you for more. They depend on you. When Paul admonished the
Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:17) to “pray continually” (NIV) or “pray without
ceasing” (KJV), he was asking something that many people think is an extreme
burden. With everything we have to do each day, with all of my duties and
responsibilities, all my cares and anxieties, how can we spend that much time
in prayer? As a pastor, I have heard all the excuses. The sum of these
conclusions is that anything more than one hour on Sunday morning is a demand
no one can satisfy. Besides, weren’t prayers offered in church last week? That
should be good enough. Living a life of dependence and thanksgiving on God asks
the opposite question: “How can I not pray continually to God for all He does
and all he provides?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
I remember when I was dating my wife. We would spend hours
together talking and getting to know each other. It didn’t hurt that we met at
church. We avoided some of the relationship building hassles because we knew what
was most important in each of our lives. The more time we spent together, the
more time we wanted to spend together. Now, we are spending the rest of our
lives together. Our relationship had to build though. We had to work on it and
we continue to do so. Any relationship needs to be worked on, worked at to
grow. Anything that is not growing is only doing one thing: dying! There is no
other option. Spending time in prayer brings us closer to Jesus Christ. It
helps give our relationship with Him the solid foundation that will make it
thrive. Being a novice in prayer makes one a novice Christian. If you do not
work on your relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer, then your
relationship is dying and Jesus will not recognize you. We know the results when
that happens (Matthew 25:12).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>But more than that, we have the blessed assurance that
because of whom Jesus is and what He did, we are praying directly to Him. We do
not need to go through any intermediaries or even His mother. We can approach
the throne of grace directly. (Hebrews 4:16) There is a confidence in prayers like
that. </div>
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I have come to appreciate time spent in prayer, time spent
in communication with my Lord and Savior. I now know that prayer is not to
inform God. It is strengthen and encourage me. I need to pray. I need to spend
time with God. I need to thank Him for all He has done in my life and in the
lives of those around me. Based on His actions in the past, I can confidently
ask for His intervention in the my life and those around me. Now, I look
forward to prayer. I know God is listening. I know He wants to spend time with
me and me with Him. Lord, blow my mind again. Ask Him! It’s not redundant. Try
it; you’ll like it and so will God!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2028143452971958761.post-32525464006325942032012-09-01T20:32:00.000-07:002012-09-01T20:32:21.039-07:00The Cheerful Receiver
One of my favorite John Wayne movies is “McClintock” (1963).
It’s not quite the shoot ‘em up flick that the Duke is known for but it has a
lot of classic lines. Of course it is set in the old west and there are
Indians. Sorry, I’m not trying to be politically incorrect but that is what
they were called back then. At one point in the movie, McClintock is asked to
speak (translate) for the Comanche chiefs in front of an Indian Commission
trying to decide whether to move the whole tribe to Ft. Sill or not. It sets
out what I would imagine is a principle of leaders of tribes at that time. I
think it also described what “used” to be a philosophy of people in the era just
prior to mine. I tried to transcribe while watching the video on YouTube so I
hope there are not too many errors. But you can watch the whole movie on
YouTube as it is part of the public domain. So, here it is, pilgrim:<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This that
the white man calls charity is a fine thing for widows and orphans but no <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>warrior can
accept it for if he does, he is no longer a man. He is nothing and better <o:p></o:p><br />
off dead. You say to the Comanche
you are widows and orphans, you are not men. <o:p></o:p><br />
And, we the Comanche say we would
rather be dead. It will not be a remembered <o:p></o:p><br />
fight when you kill us because we
are few now and have few weapons. But we will <o:p></o:p><br />
fight and we will die Comanche.”<br />
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Those that we call the “greatest” generation, those who
endured and won World War II, used to understand this principle. Many would
rather have swept streets, as many did during the Great Depression, than
receive charity. Our forefathers and the Comanche lived by Paul’s words from 2
Thessalonians 3:10: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If a man will not
work, he shall not eat</i>.” The responsibility for provision for the family
was up to the man. Widows and orphans do not have anyone to take care of them
and thus can and should accept charity when offered and needed. I am not trying
to pick on slackers or those who receive charity. Although I will point out that
the government subsidies cannot be considered charity! <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the profound insights I have gained from being in the
ministry runs counter to the aforementioned principle. I am not remarking on
the dependency class but on those who occasionally get in a tight spot and need
help or are just blessed by others generosity. I think God loves a cheerful receiver too! Here is why. It is hard, when
you need or receive charity of any type or form, to accept that which your own
efforts and energy have not produced. We hate to admit we needed help. The
recent comment by President Obama that “you didn’t build that” irks self-made,
self-sufficient people. In giving we tend to take for granted the blessings God
has given us. Our superiority in being able to give makes us more content, more
able to share. To receive from others tends to make us feel inferior. Yet, in
receiving, we should become more aware of the mercies of God, of how he
provides and takes care of all our necessities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Being a cheerful receiver almost feels like we are taking
advantage of those who seek to bless us. I used to feel that way. While I am
not a Comanche I am a man. The responsibility to take care of my family is my
responsibility. I know it’s a guy thing. Men are from Mars and this is a
Martian principle. Our pride is hurt when we are not able to do that. It is
humbling and drives us to our knees. Yup, there you have it. Being humble is
difficult for many people, especially men. There is nothing new in that
statement. But Jesus does not call us to be proud. There are times in life when
we need to be grateful. Again this is a God thing. We may not like where the
charity comes from (someone else), or feel guilty about accepting it (pride),
but we are provided for. There are times when we simply need to admit we
require help. In many situations, this may lead to soften even the hardest
heart. When we receive it gratefully, we model the behavior of Jesus. He
allowed a woman of questionable reputation to anoint his feet with oil and wipe
them clean with her tears. It was an extravagant gesture and Jesus accepted her
gift with gratitude and thankfulness. Others were not as cheerful at her act
and they were duly rebuked. (Mark 14:1-9)</div>
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When I was in youth ministry a thousand years ago I was
given a Christmas gift of cash – please don’t tell the IRS – from a parishioner
at the church. She was a grandmother and none of her family attended our church
or was part of the ministry. I was a little overwhelmed by the size and
generosity of the gift. I complained to the rector that that money could be
used for better, more kingdom oriented purposes than giving it to the youth
minister. A noble and pious statement if ever there were one! I must admit that
I do not remember much of what that man ever said to me and what I do remember
never seemed to be encouraging. It suffices to say that he and I very rarely saw
eye to eye. But he told me that if I refused this gift I would be denying her
the blessing of giving it. She was following Paul’s advice to be a cheerful
giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) It was tremendous blessing to her to be able to do
this. She had been blessed and wanted to pass that blessing along to others. I
was cut to the quick. Who was I to deny her such a blessing? I learned a valuable
lesson that day that I have tried to practice ever since. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I know God has richly blessed me and I want to pass that
blessing on. But I also want to be able to bless others when they cheerfully
want to give to me. In the end, it is not about me but about what God has
enabled them to do. Through it, we all give glory to God for his being ready,
willing and able to provide for all our needs because he is a God who will meet
all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians
4:19) As the Comanche say, “charity is a fine thing for widows and orphans but
no warrior can accept it for if he does, he is no longer a man.” I still tend
to believe that. Yet, I have been convinced that, at times, being a man means
accepting the fact that you need help and in receiving you are allowing others
to be blessed by blessing you. While I don’t want to be dependent on the
government or other people, I want to thank God for those people who have
blessed me in their giving. You were cheerful in giving and I am cheerful in
receiving. I thank God for you because of your generous actions I have become
more aware of God mercies. It’s a hard lesson but without it how can we ever be
cheerful for what Jesus has given us? <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06266007213390962064noreply@blogger.com0