Living life with steps of faith

The gospel as resurrection and restoration!

2012-01-22T22:57:00.000-05:00

A friend wrote me an email asking how one can evangelize when being a Christian often carries a cost. My answer was that the story of Jesus does not end on the cross, but it continues through the resurrection! Too often when we witness we focus on hell/heaven, the crucifixion, or even the Kingdom of God as the right way to live. But the gospel is the Word and the Word is Jesus Christ! When I share Christ, I want to share that Jesus is a personal savior who brings restoration and resurrection to that which is broken and needs restoration and brings life to that which is dying. We aren't leading people to heaven or leading them to the cross (although we do this too), rather we are leading people to Jesus Christ and He'll lead them the rest of the way!

Redefining Purity in Teaching Sex Ed in Christian Education

2012-01-19T16:27:00.001-05:00

I came across another youth ministry article today that was addressing purity in teenage dating relationships. Since getting married I have some very strong feelings about how the Christian sex/dating/marriage education thought-process is missing the target. Here are just a few of my thoughts:

1. When I was a teenager much of the focus of "purity" lessons was on the physical aspect of purity, but little was said about the "heart" aspect. I remember people commenting on how quickly a young man could undress a young lady with his mind, but little was said of how quickly a young woman may marry a young man in her mind. (And of course nothing was said of how quickly a young woman may undress a young man in her mind or how quickly a young man might marry a young woman in his mind.) Instead of focusing on what a young woman should wear or how she should keep physical boundaries (which so often is focused upon), shouldn't we address how quickly she commits her heart and her thoughts to a young man? This obsession or desire often comes before she considers connecting physically with someone. This is where she bonds - in her heart and mind. We worry so much about the bond created by sexual intimacy, but what about the bond created by emotional intimacy and mental energy. Doesn't this bond also create potential baggage to be carried into marriage? "Purity" is not only a matter of behavior, but also a matter of the heart and mind.

2. I also believe we need to redefine "purity." Instead of focusing on specific behaviors, we need to define it as "living in a way that pleases God." This is important, because when one freely gives herself physically to her spouse in marriage, she does not lose her "purity." When we associate "losing one's purity" with certain physical behaviors, a young woman may have a sense of losing "purity" on her honeymoon, even though she has not. By redefining it this way, we also provide some sense of protection for one's personal worth for a person who has been victimized sexually. She who has been raped has not lost her "purity" because she continues to "live in a way that pleases God."

3. On more than one occasion I have heard an adult respond to a young person's question of "Where is the line?" by saying, "If you have to ask where it is, you've gone to far." This is not helpful! We need to help young people define what is appropriate and what is not. How are they to know what the line is if they've never crossed it? Only those of us who are married or who have "experience" know the impact that certain physical connections have, someone who hasn't experienced those physical connections shouldn't be expected to know where the "line" is for themselves. We invite young people to experiment when we don't explain specifics about the "line" or even how they will know once they have approached or crossed it. Why don't we talk about passion and explain that there is a difference between a passionless kiss and a kiss of passion, a difference between holding hands and passionately holding hands? Why don't we talk about different forms of physical contact and how they do or do not express intimacy? Why don't we help young people define "the line"?

Citizen Pastor - response to Iowa caucus?

2012-01-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

A good friend of mine who is a pastor in Iowa recently blogged about the tension she feels as a person and a pastor in regards to her attendance at a caucus. I appreciate what she wrote, so I want to share a link to this post: "Confession of Repentant - Iowa Caucus"

Here is my response to what she wrote:

"I'm glad you wrote about this. I was wondering the same question this morning. I know how Iowans feel about pastors expressing themselves politically - more than one pastor has lost his/her job as a result. I understand and respect the boundaries of the pastoral role, but I too wondered how this works itself out in a caucus situation. If you attend the Republican caucus, no one may know how you voted, but they know that you attended the Republican caucus. If you attend the Democrat caucus, everyone who also attends knows exactly how you vote. I thought about the importance of attending to show the value of participating in this US American privilege, but then how I might have to refrain from vocalizing my opinion because of the weighted influence it may have. That would be difficult, because in those type of settings I like to express myself. But, I think that may be the responsible way to at first balance out the tension of citizen pastor. To attend and vote, but to not vocally applause a candidate.

I understand why you stayed home and your silence spoke its own message. Thanks."

Yesterday's caucus was of particular interest to me because I feel personally connected to one of the candidates. I'm sure if I wanted to I could have emailed all of my family and friends in Iowa and encouraged them to vote for this candidate. Based upon the results yesterday, my emails may have actually changed the result! But that wouldn't have been an appropriate use of the influence I have among those I care for in Iowa. I am a pastor, not a politician. And I know from the way I was scrutinized during my ordination candidacy interviews about my work doing ministry among congressional staff that pastor and politics don't mix well in this Midwestern state.

But then I realize that I am part of a denomination that is very political in how it interacts with itself. We love controversy and we love diversity of thought! Academic debate is our natural language. In some parts of the country we are known for being very politically engaged! Our General Minister and President is an adviser to our nation's President. (Do you know what denomination I am talking about now?) And so I live in a place of even greater tension. I am an Iowa native with Iowa political values, yet I have lived and done ministry in our nation's capital and have been impacted by the relationships formed there. I first attended a denominational seminary where a lot of political discussion was taking place and "public church" is a core subject matter to be discussed and studied. And then I transferred to a seminary that is known for its political stances. I am an Independent politically which oddly gives me some release from the tension, because it gives me permission to create my own smorgasbord of values & beliefs. I get frustrated with the way that candidates flaunt Jesus' name in order to gain votes, and yet I want them to make decisions which reflect an awareness of the Kingdom of God. And as a youth I dreamed of following Billy Graham's footsteps, the fruitful evangelist who had a quiet influence on politics as the President's pastor.

Yes a citizen pastor I am!

Giving God the Glory through Poetry

2012-01-03T23:09:00.000-05:00

Holy ecstasy
that is what I feel in Your
Divine Presence
Holy ecstasy

I feel selfish
in the joy I discover
in Your presence
Nothing can compete with this pleasure
of honoring Your holy Name.
When I put you first,
my whole world changes,
it improves faster than overnight.
You must be jealous
of this change in me.

Work was part of God's original plan

2012-01-03T10:02:00.000-05:00

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” – Genesis 2:15

The beginning of the year is a great opportunity to begin reading through the Bible. Ever do the Bible in a year reading plan? I have several times. What amazes me each time is how a different verse or passage will stand out each time. This time around, Genesis 2:15 grabbed my attention. God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Wait a second! I thought work was part of the curse! Does this mean that work was part of God’s original plan for us? When the world was perfect and no one had yet sinned, one of our purposes was to work and care for God’s creation. The curse, which was the consequence of the first sin, just made our work more difficult. Genesis 3:17-19 reads:

“Curses is the ground because of you;

through painful toil you will eat of it

all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,

And you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow

You will eat your food

Until you return to the ground,

Since from it you were taken;

For dust you are

And to dust you will return.”

So even though the curse made our work more difficult, work was originally considered a “good” part of God’s plan.

I don’t know if your job is a joy or a burden, or if you find home chores a blessing or a tedious task, but in God’s original design working and taking care of creation was a gift.

As we begin and continue in this New Year together, let us look at our work, our chores, and our responsibilities with new eyes. Let us see how work is part of God’s good plan for our lives. When we get frustrated with the curse aspects of it, let us rejoice in the opportunity we have to care for God’s creation, remembering that there are blessings hidden in disguise!

Lord God, thank you for creating me to work and to care for your creation. Help me to be motivated this year to give my best at work and to do the chores we have around our home. Help me to give you my best and to rejoice in what I have. Amen.

Homosexuality: Some Beginning Thoughts (Leviticus 18:22)

2011-11-26T09:51:00.001-05:00

For over a year now, God has been speaking to me about the topic of homosexuality. I am now waiting anxiously for a book on "Gay Theology" to arrive in the mail. This morning I read the 5th chapter of 1 Corinthians which addresses a sexual immorality "that does not occur even among pagans" and that is of a Christian man having intercourse with his father's wife.

Yesterday I had a conversation with a co-worker about homosexuality. She asked me about the passage in the Old Testament that is dismissed by people because it is "just an Old Testament law and we don't follow those anyways." I believe she was referring to Leviticus 18:22.

SACRIFICIAL LAW SYSTEM

I find it a bit amusing when people choose to discredit this verse. Yes, there are different types of laws in the Old Testament and many Christians choose to no longer follow those laws. For example, Christians believe they are released from the priestly laws of the sacrificial system because of the promises of Hebrews 7 which tell us that Jesus is our forever priest who offers a greater sacrifice. Verse 18-19 reads, "The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God." Later in 22, "Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant." And in 24-25, "but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." And the verse that stands out the most is the 13th verse of chapter 8, "By calling this covenant 'new,' he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear." Thus, Christians accept the idea that we no longer need to follow the sacrificial law system of the Old Testament.

MORAL LAW SYSTEM

Interestingly though in the Sermon on the Mount, we don't hear Jesus abolishing the law, but rather fulfilling and giving new meaning to it. In Matthew 5:17 we read:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

And then Jesus moves forward by re-explaining the moral codes of the Ten Commandments and the Old Testament Law. Thus he gives credibility to these moral commandments, while in many ways making it far more difficult to fulfill them by one's own strength. (An entire blog entry could be written on the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us to fulfill these moral codes.)

DIETARY LAW SYSTEM

So in one place we have Jesus completing the sacrificial law system and in another place we have Jesus upholding the moral law system. But what about those dietary laws? The ones that tell us what we should not eat and those practical living laws that tell us how we are to handle mold? Well, Mark 7 very clearly addresses the idea of what makes a person clean or unclean. Jesus teaches that it is the heart of the law that matters. He explains in 7:18-23:

"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him 'unclean'? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.")

He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'

And we learn more about the food restrictions being lifted in Peter's vision recorded in Acts 10 and the new explanation of when and when not to eat certain foods in 1 Corinthians 8.

This is all to say that there are different types of Old Testament laws and the different types were reinterpreted in different ways with the dawn of the New Covenant in Jesus Christ.

SEXUAL IMMORALITY

Throughout the New Testament moral laws are upheld and even further explained. Sexual immorality often finds its place beside greed and envy in lists of sins.

So, when someone suggests that perhaps we can dismiss the law against homosexuality found in Leviticus 18:22, I am reluctant to agree. The New Testament clearly states that sexual immorality is forbidden. In chapter 18 of Leviticus we get a lengthy list explaining what God defines as sexually immoral. The list begins with these words of the LORD speaking to Moses:

Speak to the Israelites and say to them: "I am the LORD your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.

From there begins the list defining sexual sin:

Having sex with a close relative: your father's wife, your mother, your sister, your half-sister, your grandchild, your aunt, your uncle's wife, and your child's spouse (18:1-16).

Having sex with two people who are related to one another: a mother and her daughter, a mother and her grand-daughter (18:17).

Claiming as one's wife two sisters while both are still living (18:18).

Having sex with a woman during menstruation (18:19) - Note: this is the first of the laws included in this list that we as a society consider unnecessary. Although, it should be recognized that many couples do abide by this law because of their own negative feelings or pain associated with intercourse for some women during this stage of her cycle.

Having sex with your neighbor (18:20). - Note: this one may be disputed in our culture if both you and your neighbor are single and uncommitted. But there are clear parameters of acceptability around this (concern about what happens if a break-up occurs). Here we see the influence of the television series FRIENDS and Desperate House Wives.

Sacrificing your child to Molech (18:21). - This law seems a bit out of place in this series. The way that it fits is that it was a "detestable" sin that the people (Canannites) who had previously lived in the land performed. It also fits in that it is a sin committed against another human being - a family member.

Having sexual relations with another man (18:22). - Note: Although this type of sexual relationship has occurred for thousands of years, it hasn't been until the last twenty years that this sexual act has gained some acceptance in North American culture. It is still not accepted in many countries/cultures around the world.

Having sex with an animal (18:23).

Following the list of sexual restrictions, the LORD speaks the following:

Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.

Everyone who does any of these detestable things--such persons must be cut off from their people. [Sounds like 1 Corinthians 5]. Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the LORD your God.

CONCLUSION

When I read through this list, the only items that were forbidden that we now to some degree consider acceptable are the following: 1) having sex during menstruation, 2) having intercourse with one's neighbor, 3) having sexual relations with a person of the same sex. The rest of the list of sexual sins most of us still consider to be "detestable." So the argument that Leviticus 18:22 can be dismissed because it is an Old Testament law is invalid.

Advent Devotion: Orphans and Widows

2011-11-10T23:53:00.000-05:00

^"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." –James 1:27 NIV

Do you know any orphans? Have any family members, friends, or colleagues who are widows? How are you showing them that you care? Are you involved in their lives in a meaningful way?

Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are alone. Sometime around 2004, my cousins became temporary orphans. Although they were adopted into our immediate family, they had suffered great loss. Christmas and other holidays were difficult times. They were more likely to get in trouble at school and at home around the holidays. It is hard to be a good kid when you are experiencing such deep pain.

During the holidays it is important for us to be aware of the needs and losses of those around us. A coworker may be grumpier than usual because of the loss of a spouse or tensions may arise amidst family members because of the absence of a parent. The me-focused world of our consumer-driven Christmas has the potential to pollute our vision so that we are less compassionate towards those around us who require extra compassion.

This Christmas turn on your personal wind-shield wipers—push back the to-do list and mindless ads—and see the world again through the vision of pure religion—a religion that cares for widows and orphans in their distress and remains unpolluted by the world.

Lord, help me to see past people’s negative behavior to the heart that is melting in loss. Make me aware of the needs of others and show me how to respond with care.

Bethany Frank

2011-11-08T22:45:00.000-05:00

I had a dear friend in late elementary school named Bethany Frank. I think of her often and wonder where she is now. We corresponded for a while after she moved away. I remember going to her house and watching her mom make applesauce. I remember going Christmas caroling with her church. I remember our celebrating my birthday at a theme park in Kansas and I even have one of those old fashioned pictures that we had taken while there.

There are a lot of Bethany Franks in this world. I've searched Google & Facebook and found they were no help in reconnecting with this friend. So, I'm taking a chance and writing this post. Hoping that someday she Googles herself (I'm assuming she is married now and the name by which I know her is her maiden name) and comes across this post and contacts me.

So, Bethany, if by chance you are reading this and you share these memories, I would love to connect and hear about where God has carried you thus far in your adult life. My parents still live at the same address and I believe their phone number is the same as it was then. I'm sure you could call the Curves in our hometown and they would help us to connect - in fact that might be the best way for us to reconnect. I no longer live there, but I would love to hear from you.

Oddly, about a year ago, I prayed and asked God that I would run into one of our mutual classmates who had attended your church. God answered that prayer, but for some reason I didn't go up to them and ask if they were still in contact with you. I can't believe I passed up that opportunity. Anyways, I pray that you are well!

God Sightings

2011-10-29T08:24:00.000-04:00

This has been a week of God sightings.

This past Monday immediately after receiving a phone call that could have made me very nervous, a beautiful, bright rainbow with clearly defined colors appeared perfectly framed by my living room window on a sunny day. It was as if God was saying "I promised" and "It will turn out alright."
This morning I had a dream where an acquaintance came to my door and asked me to intercede in prayer for him.
And this past week my mom encouraged me to contact this pastor who lives 1,000 miles away whom I have never met to see if he would be willing to meet. I contacted a member of his church and within 24 hours I received an email response saying that this pastor will be in my neighborhood this upcoming week and was given his cell number!

In none of these circumstances was I expecting to hear from God. Perhaps I should be listening more!

My Personal Mission

2011-10-15T10:59:00.003-04:00

Note - this is in process and may be edited from time to time.

Personal Mission

To recognize and highlight the Imago Dei in all of God's human creation.

1) As a child of God, I am inspired to embody the aroma of Jesus Christ while daily taking steps of faith that reflect my reliance on the ever-present love and wisdom of God.

2) As a family member and friend, I am committed to being a prayerful, honest, and loving presence; a loved one who is willing to take the risk, to create and preserve sacred space. What I seek in return is a space where I can also be vulnerable and admit my sin and receive God's grace.

3) As a minister of God's healing grace, I am called to be a messenger--translating across cultural ravines--for the purpose of: a) building unity in the church, b) furthering the kingdom of God, c) sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and life in the Spirit.

My Core Values:

Serving and ministering to those marginalized by church and society.
Protecting and honoring key relationships: my husband, my immediate & extended family, my closest friends.
Creating environments of empowerment where others are able to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Honoring the Sabbath and using time in a manner that honors God.
Fully trusting God - a.k.a. "Letting Go and Letting God."
Seeing the image of God (Imago Dei) in every human being - standing up and fighting on issues related to the scaring of Human Dignity.

Jesus and Moses - a Christmas parallel

2011-10-08T12:11:00.001-04:00

“So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” Matthew 2:14-15

In Matthew’s version of the Christmas story, we discover that much of Jesus’ early life is reminiscent of the prophet Moses’ early life. Both Jesus and Moses were born to a family line that was respected and recognized as set-apart by God: Jesus, a descendent of King David, and Moses, born into the house of the Levites. Jesus was born during the oppressive rule of King Herod and Moses was born during the oppressive rule of Pharaoh. Both political leaders chose to kill infants and toddlers that would have been the peers to these babes, and in the process, if it weren’t for divine intervention, both of these men would have been killed.

When we read about the early life of Jesus, we learn that his father responded to God-given dreams by moving their family to and then out of Egypt. One might wonder, why the Bible would record such a seemingly unimportant detail, but then we realize that here again there is a parallel between the life of Moses and Jesus. We remember that Moses was called by God to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt.

This parallel between the stories and lives of Jesus and Moses continues in the book of Matthew past the birth narrative. Moses receives the Law from God on a mountain and Jesus re-interprets the Law from the mountainside, in what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount.

Christmas is about more than the birth of a baby, it is also about the birth of a New Testament, a new way for God’s people to interact with and connect with God. Christmas is about the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Covenant, the birth of the One who would complete the message of Moses and the prophets. The people were waiting for the fulfillment of these promises and the birth of Jesus Christ testifies to the fact that God remains active in the lives of His people.

Prayer: Holy and Wise God. This Christmas, help me to grasp the deeper meanings of this holiday. Amen.

Corporate Sin

2011-10-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

“If the entire Israelite community sins by violating one of the LORD’s commands, but the people don’t realize it, they are still guilty.” – Leviticus 4:13

Before I went to seminary, I had never heard of corporate sin, or at least I had never heard it named that way before. Of course, I was aware of pollution, racism, and the like, but I had thought of these social issues as individual problems – a bunch of individuals acting sinfully, not as a community sinning in one accord. Then I was challenged to read an Emilie M. Townes book on womanism. Womanism is the feminism of African-Americans who carry the weight of both gender and racial injustice. And I was amazed and convicted by what I read. I learned that there are both systems we establish and support and cultural rhythms that we practice as a community that are sinful. I learned that when we concede to a cultural habit or system that perpetuates a sin, we are corporately sinning. And when we sin corporately, we are called to repent corporately. We are called to act as a community in naming the sin, in changing our habits so that we no longer sin, and in helping to change the structures and the culture that perpetuates sin. In some ways, we as a church are already responding to corporate sin in our mission and service outreach activities. But our response doesn’t need to stop there. There are a lot of ways that we sin corporately. The challenge for us as a Christian community is to invite God to both make us aware of these sins and to give us the courage to repent. We are also challenged to remember that God’s grace is present in every circumstance and nothing takes place that is beyond the reach of God’s redeeming grace.

Almighty and Powerful God, Help us to see our corporate sin and give us the courage to band together in seeking forgiveness, changing our behavior, and calling others to repentance as well. Remind us that even though we have fallen short, your grace is sufficient and your love overflows both in our lives and those harmed by our sin. Amen.

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 13:

2011-09-19T12:04:00.000-04:00

Jesus is a great teacher. He teaches with wisdom and great deeds of power. In Matthew 13 we find him teaching about the kingdom of heaven. He recognizes that at some point evil will be removed from the earth.

Jesus claims to be a prophet. He uses parables to teach so that those who are to hear do hear the message and those who are not to hear remain hard of hearing. Yet, he wants his disciples to understand so that they can record and pass down his message. He reveals to them the secrets that have been hidden since the beginning of the world.

Jesus walks among the people and uses agriculture as an illustrative tool. He teaches the crowds (strangers) along the shoreline, his disciples in a private home, and his family and neighbors in the synagogue.

Jesus is part of a family that includes brothers and sisters.

Big Idea: Jesus walks among the people teaching and prophesying about the kingdom of heaven.

Profound Identity

Jesus left the house (Matthew 13:1).
Jesus sat by the sea (Matthew 13:1).
Crowds gathered around Jesus after he found a place to sit along the shoreline (Matthew 13:2).
In response to being surrounded by crowds, Jesus separated himself by getting into a boat nearby (Matthew 13:2).
Jesus chose to sit in the boat while the crowd gathered on the beach (Matthew 13:2).
Jesus taught the crowd in parables (Matthew 13:3).
Jesus begins to teach by commanding the crowd to "Listen!" (Matthew 13:3).
Jesus used a parable drawn from agriculture to teach a lesson (Matthew 13:3-9).
Jesus tells the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9).
Jesus begins and concludes his parable with the directive to "Listen!" (Matthew 13:3, 9).
After addressing the crowd in parables, Jesus was approached by the disciples for an explanation for his approach to teaching (Matthew 13:10).
Jesus spoke in parables because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven had not been given to everyone (Matthew 13:11).
Jesus taught the same message in a variety of ways. He responded to the disciple's question about teaching in parables, by responding in a variety of ways (Matthew 13:11-17).
Jesus knew that not everyone would understand. In fact he purposely taught in such a manner that not everyone would understand (Matthew 13:13).
Jesus quotes Isaiah in responding to the disciples question regarding his teaching style (Matthew 13:14-15).
[I think that in Matthew 13:17 Jesus is pointing to the fact that many people had waited for the day when they would see and hear the Messiah and now that day has arrived and the disciples are blessed by the opportunity.]
Jesus acknowledges that the disciples see, hear, and understand (Matthew 13:16).
Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to his disciples, he begins by saying "Hear" (Matthew 13:18).
Jesus speaks the "word of the kingdom" (Matthew 13:18).
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to the one who sows good seed in the field (Matthew 13:24).
Jesus uses parables to teach about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:29, 24, 31, 33).
Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that grows into a large and fruitful tree (Matthew 13:31-32).
Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to yeast (Matthew 13:33).
Jesus taught several parables about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13).
"Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing." (Matthew 13:34).
Jesus fulfilled Psalm 78:2 (Matthew 13:35).
Jesus speaks in parables - as God speaks in parables (Matthew 13:35).
Jesus proclaimed what had been hidden since the foundation of the world (Matthew 13:35).
After teaching how the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed and yeast, Jesus left the crowd and went into a house (Matthew 13:36).
In private the disciples asked him to explain the parables (Matthew 13:36).
Jesus says that the "Son of Man" is the one who sows good seed/children of the kingdom in the world (Matthew 13:37-38).
Jesus recognizes that the Son of Man has authority to command the angels (Matthew 13:41).
Jesus speaks of the value of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:44-50).
Jesus speaks of causes of sin, evildoers, and evil being separated away from the righteous and the then being thrown into the "furnace of fire" (Matthew 13:41, 43, 49-50).
Jesus checked the understanding of his disciples/his listeners (Matthew 13:54).
Jesus treated his disciples as scribes (Matthew 13:52).
Jesus taught in parables (Matthew 13:53).
When Jesus completed his work in a place he left it (Matthew 13:53).
Jesus traveled to his hometown (Matthew 13:54).
Jesus taught the people in the synagogue of his hometown (Matthew 13:54).
Those in his hometown who heard Jesus recognized that he had wisdom (Matthew 13:54).
Those who heard Jesus teach in his hometown, recognized his deeds of power (Matthew 13:54).
Jesus' human father was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55).
Jesus' mother was Mary (Matthew 13:55).
James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas were Jesus' human brothers (Matthew 13:55).
Jesus had human sisters (Matthew 13:56).
The people in Jesus' hometown wondered where he had gained all of his wisdom and power (Matthew 13:54, 56).
Jesus giftedness offended the people in his hometown (Matthew 13:57).
Jesus recognized himself as a prophet (Matthew 13:57).
Jesus recognized that prophets do not receive honor in their own country or home (Matthew 13:57).
Jesus felt unhonored in his hometown and with his family (Matthew 13:57).
Because of people's unbelief, Jesus did not do many "deeds of power" (Matthew 13:58-59).
Jesus did not do many deeds of power in his hometown, because of the people's lack of belief (Matthew 13:58-59).

Additional Thought:

I recognize that I've barely touched answering the question "who is Jesus?" according to this the 13th chapter of Matthew.

Prayer: Jesus, I want to be a part of your kingdom and I want to help your kingdom to grow. Teach me how to do so. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Created in God's Image

2011-09-06T13:15:00.000-04:00

^“So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. “
Genesis 1:27

This is the foundation of our identity as human beings – created beings made to reflect the image of God. As such, we are blessed with authority and abilities that no other living creation possesses. We create. We think. We value relationships. Our existence is a testimony to God’s existence.

And as Christians, this identity becomes the heartbeat of our ethics. We make decisions and behave in manners that recognize the value of human life. We look at our relatives, our friends, our colleagues, and even the stranger on the street and take the time to see the image of God in each of them. We know that each and every life is precious, including our own.

We also recognize the intimacy with God that this identity engenders. As ones created in God’s image, we are invited into a deep and purposeful relationship with God. One in which we are both respected and cherished, and one in which there can be mutual love and care.

Almighty God, Creator of the Universe and Creator of me, help me to begin to grasp the value we have as human beings created by You. Open my eyes to see how this reality impacts how I live, how I do my job, and how I interact with others. Envelope me in your love so that I might better reflect your image in my love for others. Amen.

Message to Christian Bloggers from the Scripture

2011-08-29T14:32:00.000-04:00

"Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." - Matthew 13:52

Mainline and Evangelical Lexicon Differences or Similarities

2011-08-28T22:03:00.000-04:00

I'm actually creating this blog for the purpose of receiving responses. I want to hear from the people on the world wide web what they have learned about the differences in the lexicon or dictionary of evangelical and mainline Christians. From my experience dancing between and in both worlds, I have discovered that often these two practices of Christianity will talk past each other even when they are discussing the same thing. I think there are times when representatives of each perspective will agree with each other even though they don't really agree. There are other times where representatives will be having heated arguments and they are saying the same thing, but using different terms. So, I want to hear what you have heard - how do you translate the conversation?

For example. My evangelical friends may ask, "When did you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?" While my mainline friends would ask, "When did your faith become your own?" or "Tell me about a time in your adult life when what it means to be a Christian changed for you."

Most everyone will acknowledge that they received some of God's grace through baptism, but it may be debated even within each community when and how God initiated that grace and how it was first received.

Another example may be in the disagreement over creation and evolution. Theologically, both evangelicals and mainline Christians agree that human life was intentionally created by God and that humans are made in God's likeness. The acceptance of evolution is not necessarily the denial of the Genesis creation story nor is the confidence in a 6 literal days of creation a denial of the fact that in the public school this must be taught as one of many theories.

While some evangelicals will use the term "infallible" to describe the Bible, mainline Christians will not deny that the Bible is God's Word.

Both evangelicals and mainline Christians confess the gospel message. Evangelicals tend to focus on the eternal salvation aspect, while mainline Christians tend to focus on the temporal salvation aspect. Evangelicals tend to see salvation through the Four Spiritual Laws, while mainline Christians tend to see salvation through the coming of the Kingdom of God. For evangelicals salvation comes through the action of acceptance of Christ as Savior of one's soul. For mainline Christians salvation comes through the action of responding to the reality that Christ is the Savior of the world.

Also evangelicals tend to say "God's Kingdom," whereas mainline Christians tend to say "Kingdom of God."

So, what have you seen in the differences and similarities between the mainline and evangelical lexicon/dictionary?

Where do you agree/disagree with what I have already brainstormed here on this blog?

Imagine the Word alive!

2011-08-22T11:32:00.000-04:00

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.” Matthew 13:1-2 (NRSV)

Do you ever just sit and imagine Scripture? Visualize the words as if they are taking place right before you. Imagine yourself as a first-hand witness to the events that are taking place?

I sat down to read Matthew 13 today and paused and imagined. I invite you to imagine with me the first two verses of this chapter.

“Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.”

Hear the ocean waves lap against the shore. Smell and taste the salt of the sea as it infiltrates the sky, your clothes, your nostrils. Do you hear the birds? Then look, observe, Jesus just stepped out of the home where he spent the night. He takes a step out the door, pauses, and breathes deeply. Scanning the horizon, his eyes lift to the sky in a silent prayer, then he takes a humble step into the deep sand that he and his father created.

Jesus walks along the shoreline, a song of praise in his heart, a deep sense of appreciation for all of the life that surrounds him. He slows his pace, looks down and picks up a shell, studies it for a while, and then sets it back in the rolling waters. Peacefully he makes a seat for himself in the sand.

“Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.”

A child notices Jesus and pulls on his mother’s sleeve, “Look, Mom, Jesus is over there.” The mother looks and hurries back to her house to announce to her relatives gathered there the exciting news, “Jesus is on our beach!” Siblings and cousins, children, nieces and nephews rush their way out the door to catch a glimpse of Jesus. The neighbors notice and soon word spreads, “Jesus is here!”

As the people flood out of their homes and onto the shore, Jesus quietly gets up and walks toward a small boat tethered to a wood post raising its arm to the heavens. He loosens the cord connecting the boat to the raised arm, wades into the water, steps into the boat, and rows himself gently away from the shore. The crowd watches and Jesus begins to speak.

Prayer: God, this day as I read Your Word, help it to come alive in my heart, my mind, and in my imagination. Amen..

Ready for a life change of pace?

2011-08-19T11:03:00.000-04:00

No wonder it is so hard for me to slow down!

As I've previously mentioned, I am going through the workbook "The Significant Woman" during my daily devotional time. Today I'm on the part where one discerns her uniqueness. I like the approach this book takes, as it not only takes into consideration gifts, skills, training, and passions, but also includes relationships, life experiences, and core values.

I've just completed the section on life experiences. I've done a similar exercise before, but what is interesting about this exercise is that it has you break down your life experiences by identifiable age categories. I feel like I've lived a long and full life already, but when I look at the break-down of ages I see that I fill only four out of the twelve boxes. I've accomplished a lot in my first 30 years!

What is especially interesting about this break-down is that I see that I've been operating at a very fast pace since 7th grade and that my 21st through 27th year of life were particularly taxing. During that time I finished my last two years of college, earning my Bachelor of Arts with a double major and a minor. I volunteered for a ministry with high-risk youth in a community near my college. A close relative of mine went through a horrible legal battle. My aunt died and my cousins became my brothers. My great-grandmother, who meant the world to me, died. One of the youth I had nannied died. I won a national competition. I moved home. I started a non-profit. I went through a series of jobs, one of which was being an interim minister. I moved again and began graduate school. All of my closest friends got married. One of my dearest friends lost her baby. My sister met her husband and got married. My long term crush got married to someone else. I met my future husband, fell in love, and got married. Facebook came into existance. Cell phones became popular. I moved again as I transferred graduate programs. I completed a chaplaincy program. I became involved in a ministry that serves highly influential people. I moved into my first home. All of that in just 6 years!!! I tried adding up my total level of stress according to the Holmes and Rahe Stress scale for that time period, and I gave up.

Then I realized that just in the last two years I have been through a lot of changes as well. It has been a blessing that these changes have all been positive.

This makes me realize why it is so difficult for me to slow down, why I have a fear of normalcy, and how I can feel like I am currently being unproductive. I haven't really been at a stage like this since my early childhood.

So, it is perhaps time for me to take the time to embrace this new stage and recognize it as a gift. A time to breathe and build again, like the first few years of my life. I need to not mark or compare these years to the last 20, for a lot was accomplished and lost in the last 20, but rather I need to see them as a new stage and time in life. A stage for something new--a change of rhythm and pace.

This is a good thing.

Jesus' testimony about Himself. John 3:16

2011-08-16T22:32:00.002-04:00

I just realized that John 3:16 is Jesus' words about himself prior to his crucifixion and resurrection! Crazy, huh! Jesus, in a private conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee who admits that he and his fellow Pharisee's recognize that Jesus is a teacher sent by God, gives this lengthy testimony to his own identity.

- Jesus speaks of what he knows and what he has seen.
- Jesus has chosen to speak of earthly things, recognizing that if they can't believe the earthly things it will be difficult for them to believe the heavenly things.
- he speaks of the future has if it is already past - "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven"
- he basically identifies himself as "the Son of Man."
- he claims that as the people were healed by looking at the snake Moses lifted up in the wilderness, so those who look at him when he is lifted up like the snake will be healed/receive eternal life.

and it goes on from there. Just take a look at it again from the perspective of this being words Jesus spoke to seeking Pharisee prior to the crucifixion. The Pharisee, Nicodemus, didn't know what was to come. Imagine hearing these words from that perspective! Changes things a bit, doesn't it!

Jesus speaks as God!

Fear of Normalcy

2011-08-16T21:34:00.000-04:00

I've just begun reading through the facilitator's guide for "The Significant Woman." I realize as I finish this first chapter that I am afraid of normalcy. I am terrified of living a normal life. I feel that if I do, I will have failed. I will have failed God, failed my family, and failed myself.

I believe this fear comes from a deep sense that I am called for something great. Is that too arrogant of me? This sense of calling leads me to always be watching for that thing that I am called to do and leaves me with the question "Have I already completed it?" There is a part of me that wonders if I have already done what God destined me to do and if so, will the rest of life be boring?

Recently I heard a story on the radio about a man who had been respected as a faithful/devout Christian who did not finish his life well. I fear that too -- not finishing well.

In many ways I think the older I get the harder it is to be a Christian. As I depart from the "indestructible" and then the "save the world" stages of life, I'm not sure what this next stage will be. Will I be just normal and if so, why do I think that is such a horrible thing? Is it because I have never felt normal and so normalcy will be a new experience? Am I afraid of normalcy because it is the unknown? Or have I deceived myself into thinking that I've lived an abnormal life where all along I have lived a rather normal life?

I know that people say "what is normal?" or "who is normal?" and when they ask these questions they are making the statement that we define "normal" by who we are and that with which we are familiar. But I've never felt normal and I must admit I'm beginning to feel that way. It is a bit disconcerting.

I've always been either the odd kid or the successful dreamer, but what am I to be next and who is going to help me on this journey?

I realize that as a pastor being normal is probably a good thing. It will mean I will better relate to my congregation or those I serve. But I really can't imagine myself ever truly being able to fully relate with those around me. I'm an odd duck in popular clothing. As a teenager I struggled with this identity not fully wanting to embrace it, but then when I became a youth pastor I realized it was better to embrace and even sometimes over-exaggerate it than to deny or even worse run from it.

So, who am I now? I am in a person in a liminal state (I'm so glad I learned that term - liminal). I'm in between what was and what will be and I have no clue what my identity will be or how I will be formed in the "what is yet to be."

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 12:

2011-08-14T19:04:00.001-04:00

In many ways Jesus was a regular guy, he walked through the grainfields with his buddies, broke the religious rules of his day, debated the law, and had siblings and a mother who demanded his attention. But Jesus wasn't and still isn't your regular guy. He had the authority to interpret the meaning of the Sabbath, cure the sick, release the demonized, confront the religious leaders, call a hypocrite a hypocrite, and predict his own death and resurrection. In his humility and gentleness he fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah while seemingly simultaneously condemning those who uttered words carelessly and produced bad fruit. Jesus was and is greater than the temple, greater than Jonah, and greater than Solomon in all his wisdom. Jesus brings the kingdom of God to the people by the power of God's Spirit and invites us to be a part of that kingdom!

Big Idea: Jesus brings the kingdom of God to the people by the power of God's Spirit and invites us to be a part of that kingdom!

Profound Identity:

Jesus walked amongst agriculture (Matthew 12:1).
On a Sabbath day Jesus led his disciples through a grainfield (Matthew 12:1).
When Jesus' disciples began to pluck heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath, Jesus did not stop them (Matthew 12:1).
Jesus' disciples broke the Sabbath rules (Matthew 12:1-2).
The Pharisees saw that Jesus did not condemn his disciples for breaking Sabbath laws (Matthew 12:2).
Jesus did not instruct the disciples to break the Sabbath rules, he just didn't condemn them for doing so (Matthew 12:1-8).
Jesus references Scripture as a historical fact (Matthew 12:3-4).
Jesus responded to the Pharisees rebuke/condemnation by referencing a historical and Scriptural event which was similar (Matthew 12:3-4).
Jesus responds to the Pharisees' rebuke by pointing to places in the Law which went against their rebuke (Matthew 12:3-5).
Jesus is greater than the Temple (Matthew 12:6).
Jesus chooses to show mercy to the disciples, allowing them to pick heads of grain, rather than requiring them to sacrifice their hunger (Matthew 12:1, 6-7).
"the Son of Man is lord of the sabbath" (Matthew 12:8).
Jesus entered the Pharisees' synagogue (Matthew 12:9).
The Pharisees were trying to trip up Jesus so that they had a reason to accuse him (Matthew 12:10).
In response to the Pharisees trickery, Jesus uses an example from everyday life in which the Pharisees would find themselves condemned by the same criteria that they were trying to condemn Jesus (Matthew 12:10-12).
Jesus says that humans are more valuable than sheep (Matthew 12:12).
According to Jesus, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12).
Jesus commands a man to "Stretch out your hand" and the man's hand is healed (Matthew 12:10, 13).
Jesus heals on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:13).
Jesus models what is appropriate on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12-13).
Jesus responds to the Pharisees trick question as to whether or not it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath by both explaining why it is lawful and then by actually healing a person (Matthew 12:10-13).
Jesus heals completely (Matthew 12:13).
The Pharisees conspired against Jesus (Matthew 12:1-14).
The Pharisees were trying to find a way to destroy Jesus (Matthew 12:14).
When Jesus became aware that the Pharisees were conspiring to destroy him he moved to a new location (Matthew 12:14-15).
Crowds followed Jesus as he traveled (Matthew 12:15).
Jesus cured all who followed him (Matthew 12:15).
Jesus ordered those he cured, those who followed him, to not make Jesus known (Matthew 12:15).
The fact that Jesus healed the crowds and asked them not to proclaim him was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 42 (Matthew 12:15-21).
Jesus is the servant of God (Matthew 12:18).
Jesus is chosen by God (Matthew 12:18).
Jesus is the chosen servant of God (Matthew 12:18).
Jesus is God's beloved (Matthew 12:18).
God's soul is well-pleased with Jesus (Matthew 12:18).
God's Spirit is upon Jesus (Matthew 12:18).
It was prophesied that Jesus would proclaim justice to the Gentiles (Matthew 12:18).
It was prophesied that Jesus would not "wrangle" (Matthew 12:19).
It was prophesied that Jesus would not "cry out" (Matthew 12:19).
It was prophesied that Jesus' voice would not be heard in the streets (Matthew 12:19).
It was prophesied that Jesus would not "break a bruised reed" "until he brings justice to victory" (Matthew 12:20).
It was prophesied that Jesus would not "quench a smoldering wick" "until he brings justice to victory" (Matthew 12:20).
It was prophesied that the Gentiles would hope in his name (Matthew 12:21).
People brought a demoniac to Jesus expecting Jesus to heal the person (Matthew 12:22).
Jesus healed a blind and mute demoniac, so that the man could speak and see (Matthew 12:22).
All crowds were amazed at Jesus healing the demoniac (Matthew 12:23).
After Jesus healed the demoniac the crowds suspected that Jesus was the Son of David (Matthew 12:23).
The crowds wondered if Jesus was the promised Son of David (Matthew 12:23).
The Pharisees were not willing to recognize that Jesus gift of healing was a sign of his identity as the Son of David, they preferred to see it as a sign that Jesus was the ruler of demons (Matthew 12:24).
Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking (Matthew 12:25).
Jesus addressed the Pharisees unspoken thoughts (Matthew 12:25).
Jesus argued that he couldn't be the ruler of demons, because a house/kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25-27).
Jesus claimed that he cast out demons by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28).
Jesus saw the fact that he cast out demons by the Spirit of God as a sign that the kingdom of God has come to the people (Matthew 12:28).
Jesus claimed that those who were not with him were against him (Matthew 12:30).
Jesus claims that he was a gatherer and those who did not gather with him were scatterers (Matthew 12:30).
Jesus said that all sins and blasphemies could be forgiven, including speaking a word against the Son of Man, but speaking against the Holy Spirit (a.k.a. blasphemy) would never be forgiven (Matthew 12:31-32).
Jesus claimed that one can tell that a tree is good by its fruit. Jesus fruit was good (Matthew 12:33).
Jesus recognized that the words of one's mouth was a reflection of one's heart (Matthew 12:34).
The scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign, Jesus responded by telling them that they would receive the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-39).
The Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights, just like Jonah was in the "belly of the sea monster" (Matthew 12:40).
Jesus is greater than Jonah, yet the people do not repent as the Ninevites did in the day of Jonah (Matthew 12:41).
Jesus is greater than Solomon, yet the people do not seek after him as the queen of the South sought after the wisdom of Solomon (Matthew 12:42).
While Jesus spoke to the crowds his mother and brothers sought him (Matthew 12:46).
Jesus recognized his disciples as his mother and brothers (Matthew 12:48-49).
Jesus recognized those who did the will of his Father in heaven as his brothers, sisters, and mother (Matthew 12:47-50).

Questions:

Who is the "guiltless" that is being condemned? Are the "guiltless" the disciples in picking heads of grain or is the "guiltless" Jesus Christ who is being judged for having disciples who break the Sabbath laws (Matthew 12:7)?
It would be interesting to do a study on all the passages of the Bible containing "I desire mercy not sacrifice" to discern exactly what this means as defined by God (Matthew 12:7).
What about the paparazzi (Matthew 12:15-16)? ;)

Prayer:

I am humbled by who You are. I must admit I don't fully or rightly understand Your law and I don't fully embrace and live out Your kingdom or the power that You give us through the Holy Spirit. Help me to believe more fully in the reality of who You are, so that I might find the freedom of grace, the righteousness of reverence, and my place in the Kingdom of God! Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Moral or Ethical Dilemma: Do the right thing, even when it is tough.

2011-08-12T11:38:00.000-04:00

“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, ‘Look, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath.’ But He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he became hungry, he and his companions, how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent? But I say to you that something greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, “I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’

Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, ‘Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?’—so that they might accuse Him. And He said to them, ‘What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’ Then He said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand!’ He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.” Matthew 12:1-14 (NASB)

The Pharisees were out to get Jesus. They watched his mentees, waiting for a moment when they would do something wrong. They set up difficult situations in which it seemed that no matter how Jesus could respond he would be condemned. They wanted to trick up Jesus so that they could destroy him.

But Jesus didn’t let it get under his skin. He responded by using the Law, the very thing the Pharisees were using against Jesus, to reveal both his and his followers innocence. He gave examples from everyday life that showed the Pharisees that they did the very same things for which they tried to condemn him. Jesus moved forward in doing good and doing the right thing even though by doing the right thing he seemed to be moving even deeper into their trap, but because he was doing the right thing they could not use it to destroy him.

I don’t know what your circumstances are like at work or school right now, but I do know that whatever they are it is worth the cost to do the morally and ethically right thing, even if it is difficult. You are not alone. God is with you. Jesus has been there and done that. He has faced the adversity and continued to do what was right. As Jesus said, “it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” It is good and right to do the right thing. Go ahead, do it!

Prayer: Lord of the Sabbath and Lord of everyday of the week, Help me to live each day in a manner that is honoring to you. Help me to do the right thing today, tomorrow, and on into the future. Thank you for not leaving me alone and for giving me the strength to do what is right. Amen.

Do you judge?

2011-08-09T23:10:00.000-04:00

This is a devotional I wrote for our church daily e-devotional:

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'” - 1 Samuel 16:7

As a teenager I held tightly to this verse. When I felt judged by my peers or socially inadequate, I would remind myself that God doesn't judge me by my outside appearance, but God judges me based upon my heart. And in regard to heart issues, I felt like I was doing pretty good.

Now as an adult I've begun looking at this verse differently. Instead of seeing it as a prop to my self-esteem, I view it as a standard in my interactions. Do I see other people with God's eyes or do I evaluate people based upon the standards of the world?

When I meet the teenaged girl dressed all in black do I take the time to discover she has a very compassionate heart and a polite disposition?

When I meet the large intimidating man covered with tatoos and piercings do I take the time to hear his story and to discover that he is much more devout in his faith than I am?

When I meet the successful well-loved executive do I just assume the best about him or her or do I allow time for his or her character to be revealed?

God chose David, the youngest brother, the least likely to be chosen as king, because God evaluates people and circumstances differently than we do.

Perhaps we in the contemporary church need to begin to evaluate people and circumstances differently as well.

Some questions to consider:

1. What are the differences between God's definition of success, the world's definition, and my own? Which do I use when evaluating other's?

2. Being honest with myself, do I judge people by their wealth or lack-of? Do I expect a person of a different social class to meet the standards and rules of my own social class? Do I socialize on a regular basis with people of differing social classes and do I consider any of them my friend or even role model?

3. Do I judge others based upon their appearance? What physical traits am I most likely to judge harshly? Why? Is that a fair assessment?

4. Is there a time when it is appropriate to judge or evaluate another person or group of people? Is there a time when it is inappropriate? What makes the difference? Who is one person whom I've judged that God may be calling me to take the time to get to know better?

Prayer: God who sees differently, help me to be honest with myself and with You regarding my all to human vision. Humble me, forgive me, heal me, and give me restored sight, that I may no longer be blind.but rather able to see. Amen.

Everyone is pregnant!

2011-07-20T20:26:00.000-04:00

So this blog is a blog of personal bewilderment. Everyone is pregnant! Yes, indeed they are. Let's see:

Of my two best female friends - one is already a mother & the other found out this spring that she is carrying a little one in her womb. I'm so glad that she was the first person to tell me that she was pregnant.
Then there is our couple's small group leaders - they are expecting their first.
Next up, is my closest guy friend from seminary - his wife is expecting.
Then my best guy friend from middle school through high school - his wife is expecting.
Then there is one of my closest clergy friends - she is expecting. In fact she told me she was pregnant when I called her to confirm that she wasn't. Everyone else was expecting - so why shouldn't she?
Then there is one of the women from seminary who was my theology partner. She recently announced that she is expecting.
My roommate from college called to tell me she is pregnant.
And today I received a phone call from another very close friend - in fact I considered her my closest friend in middle school. She is expecting.

I would think that I just have a pregnancy radar on high sensitivity scale, but these are all people who are very close to me. I'm not overly aware - this is a reality!

Potluck Culture - Midwest

2011-07-18T11:43:00.002-04:00

Since moving to a new region of the country I have been very confused by potlucks. I can't seem to bring the right item and I sense that in some unknown way I have offended the host/ess in what I have brought. The potlucks here are different. At church they have stuffed olives and fancy displays of unrecognizable finger foods. At parties, everyone seems to bring wine or elegant desserts.

Today while doing research on cultural socio-economic class differences I came across a video clip of Dr. Ruby Payne telling about the time she took a casserole dish to a woman who was sick and inadvertently offended the woman. I guess that the gift was offensive because for this woman and her social-class it wasn't so much about the food as it was about the display of the food, which included the serving dish. I guess in this cultural setting the dish was also a part of the gift!

So, I decided to research the culture of potlucks and I came across this blog about potluck etiquette. VERY different etiquette from the etiquette I learned in the Midwest. Thus, I wrote the following response:

I'm glad I came across your blog. I've lived on the east coast for three years and I've been completely confused by what is appropriate to bring to a potluck. Potlucks here are not like potlucks in the Midwest.

In the Midwest you bring your favorite family casserole, marshmallow salad, crock-pot dish, pie, or chips. The point of a potluck is the relationships and the saved time that everyone gains by not having to cook the entire meal. In the Midwest guests are not to out-do each other in the food that they prepare, unless it is a family recipe that your family has brought to potlucks for generations. Simplicity is respected. Fatty foods are good. Presentation does not matter. It is an informal affair where guests are expected to take seconds and/or thirds. And often single guests are excused from bringing a dish, although the single man will usually bring chips, purchased KFC chicken or a pizza and the single woman will bring a dessert.

Each person labels his/her dish with the family name and takes the left-overs home once the event has passed. Sometimes one may offer to leave a few servings for the host (if it is a person/family, not a church/organization) and this is often left in a separate container so that the host is not obligated to clean and return the serving dish. If it is left, as in the case of a wedding, funeral, or birthday, the cleaned dish is personally returned to the owner with a thank you note placed neatly inside.

The challenging part of Midwest potlucks is the manner of complement. One must recognize that the person standing next to you in the buffet line may be the person who prepared the food that you are currently dishing on your plate. It is about saying kind words about all of the food that has been prepared and raving about the one or two items of which you cannot get enough. It is about the relationships.

Thank you for blogging about the etiquette of a potluck. I would love to know what region of the country, what ethnic culture, and for what social class these rules apply, as I do not want to inadvertently offend anyone. I now have a better idea of what to take to my next east coast potluck. Thank you.

So, what are the unwritten potluck rules in your part of the country? I invite you to respond.

2011-07-16T23:51:00.000-04:00

Read Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired? Too exhausted to carry on? Does life’s burdens just seem too much for you to carry alone? Want to give up? Run to Jesus. He is waiting for you. Trade your yoke for his. For the one you carry is too heavy and the one he offers is light and easy. Jesus is gentle. Jesus is humble. He offers you rest for your soul. He calls out to you, “Come. Come to me.” Run, my friend. Run to Jesus. He is waiting for you.

[breathe in] Come Jesus.

[breathe out] I rest in you.

[breathe in] I come running.

[breathe out] Here I am God.

[breathe in] I trust in you.

[breathe out, open your hands so that your palms are facing up]

Here is my yoke, it is heavy and tiresome.

[breath in] I trust in you.

[breathe out] Free me.

[breathe in] Peace and calm You bring to me.

[breath out] Thank you Jesus.

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 11:

2011-07-16T23:45:00.000-04:00

Jesus travels and teaches/proclaims his own message, a message that is revealed in miraculous works and testifies to His identity as Messiah. By being witnesses to the miraculous works, the unrepentant cities are condemned. Jesus' message is offensive to them. Nonetheless, His message can be understood by infants. He comes to bring rest to those who are weary.

In Matthew 11, Jesus offers a profound declaration of His own identity: "All things have been handed over to me by my Father [Lord of heaven and earth]; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him" (Matthew 11:25, 27).

Big Idea: Jesus has authority over all things. The use of this authority is a testimony to His profound identity. As a result, we should turn towards Him and trust in His care.

Profound Identity:

Jesus was a teacher (Matthew 11:1).
He had twelve disciples/students (Matthew 11:1).
Jesus taught and proclaimed his own message (Matthew 11:1).
Jesus taught and proclaimed his message in several cities (Matthew 11:1).
He traveled to teach (Matthew 11:1).
He is the Messiah/Christ (Matthew 11:2).
News of the work of Jesus reached John in prison (Matthew 11:2).
John asked Jesus, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? (Matthew 11:3).
Jesus confirmed that he was the "one who is to come" by pointing to his miraculous works (Matthew 11:3-5).
Jesus interacted with John while John was in prisoners through John's disciples (Matthew 11:1, 4).
Jesus gave the blind sight - this was a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus heals the lame so that they can walk - this was also a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus cleanses the lepers - this was also a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus heals the deaf so that they hear - this was also a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus raises the dead to life - this was also a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
Jesus brings good news to the poor - this was also a testimony to Jesus' identity as the promised one (Matthew 11:5).
People will take offense to Jesus (Matthew 11:6).
Jesus blesses those who are not offended by him (Matthew 11:6).
Before the crowds, Jesus recognized John as a prophet (Matthew 11:7-9).
Jesus recognized John as the one who fulfilled prophecy by going before him, by doing this Jesus also recognized his own identity (Matthew 11:10).
Jesus, born of a woman, recognizes that "among those born of women no one has risen greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11). (See question listed below.)
Jesus recognized John as the prophet Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:14).
Jesus called himself "Son of Man" (Matthew 11:19).
Jesus ate and drank and was accused of being a "glutton and a drunkard" (Matthew 11:19).
Jesus recognized that the fact that he hung out with "tax collectors and sinners" was viewed negatively (Matthew 11:19).
Jesus saw the fact that he ate, drank, and hung out with tax collectors and sinners as wisdom (Matthew 11:19).
Jesus expected that the results of his powerful deeds would be the repentance of the people (Matthew 11:20).
Jesus condemns the unrepentant cities in which his miraculous work had been done (Matthew 11:21-23).
Jesus claims that if he had done the powerful deeds in the cities of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, those cities would have repented (Matthew 11:21-23).
Jesus pronounces judgment on several cities - Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (Matthew 11:21-24).
Jesus says that the punishment of some cities will be worse than that of Sodom (Matthew 11:24).
Jesus gave thanks to God his Father for revealing things to the infants, rather than to the wise and intelligent (Matthew 11:25).
Jesus refers to God as "Father" (Matthew 11:25, 26).
Jesus refers to his Father as the "Lord of heaven and earth" (Matthew 11:25).
God as "Father" has handed over to Jesus "all things" (Matthew 11:27).
Only the Father knows the Son (Matthew 11:27).
Only the Son, and anyone to whom the Son gives the revelation, knows the Father (Matthew 11:17).
Jesus calls all who are weary and heavy burdened to come to Him (Matthew 11:28).
Jesus will give rest to all who are weary and heavy burdened (Matthew 11:18).
Jesus is gentle (Matthew 11:29).
Jesus is humble in heart (Matthew 11:29).
Jesus will give rest to the souls of those who are weary and heavy burdened who come to him (Matthew 11:18-29).
Jesus tells the weary to take upon themselves his yoke because it is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:28, 30).

Questions:

In Matthew 11:11 does Jesus consider himself to be born of woman? If so, how does this impact the interpretation of this verse?
What does verses 16-17 have to do with Jesus identity? What Old Testament scripture do these verses reference? What exactly does this mean? What is Jesus' point?

Prayer: God who Is, help me to hear and see your miraculous deeds and repent, turning away from the burdens of this world and turning towards You. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 10:

2011-07-02T11:23:00.001-04:00

Jesus is not about complacency! Jesus has the authority to give supernatural authority to His disciples. With this authority, Jesus expects His disciples to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus blesses them with this power, commissions them, and says that His laborers are worthy of their having their needs met, yet they are to freely (without compensation) give God's gifts of healing and freedom.

Jesus does not promise freedom from persecution, trouble, or conflict in this life. In fact, Jesus says that those who follow him will be persecuted just as He was persecuted. In many ways Jesus is saying that He will be embodied in His disciples. Those who honor them honor Jesus. In a like manner as the Father is embodied in Jesus, those who honor Jesus, honor the Father.

Jesus also clearly states that he did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Big Idea: Jesus delegates authority and responsibility to His disciples and by doing so the disciples become embodied representatives of Jesus Christ.

Profound Identity:

Jesus had twelve disciples (Matthew 10:1).
Jesus has the authority to delegate authority (Matthew 10:1).
Jesus gave his disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits and cure every disease/sickness (Matthew 10:1).
Jesus was betrayed by one of the disciples to whom he had delegated authority (Matthew 10:1, 4).
Jesus commissioned his disciples to be witnesses among the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6).
Jesus gave his disciples specific instruction not to go to the Gentiles or Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6).
Jesus recognizes "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6).
Jesus defines the good news as "The kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 10:7).
Jesus expects his disciples to not only cast out the unclean spirits and cure every disease, but also while doing these things they proclaim the good news of God's kingdom (Matthew 10:1, 7).
Jesus associates the nearness of the kingdom of God with the sick being cured, the dead being raised, lepers being cleansed, and demons being cast out (Matthew 10:7-8).
Jesus taught that the gifts of the kingdom of heaven are not purchased, but freely given (Matthew 10:8).
Jesus taught that those who work for the kingdom of heaven are laborers who deserve to have their needs met (Matthew 10:10).
Jesus has a concept of "worthiness" in regard to those who host his laborers (Matthew 10:11-12).
Jesus condemns those who do not welcome or listen to the words of his commissioned disciples (Matthew 10:14-15).
Jesus sends out his disciples "like sheep into the midst of wolves" and instructs them to be "wise as serpents and innocent as coves" (Matthew 10:16).
Because of Jesus, the disciples will be "hand[ed] over to councils," flogged "in their synagogues," and "dragged before governors and kings" (Matthew 10:17-18).
The persecution of the disciples will be an opportunity for them to testify to the persecutors and the Gentiles about Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:17-18).
The persecution will push the disciples to move from town to town as a witness to Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:23).
The Son of Man will come before the persecution has reached every town in Israel (Matthew 10:23).
Since the disciples are to be like Jesus, they will receive similar persecution and name-calling to that of Jesus (Matthew 10:24-25).
Jesus told the disciples to not fear those who persecute, because what has been done in darkness will be brought to light (Matthew 10:26-27).
What Jesus says in a whisper or in the dark to his followers is to be told in the light and proclaimed from the housetops (Matthew 10:27).
Jesus speaks to his disciples in secret and in whispers that which will be proclaimed by them in public (Matthew 10:27).
Jesus says that his disciples aren't to fear physical death, but spiritual and physical destruction in hell (Matthew 10:28).
Jesus will acknowledge before His heavenly Father those who acknowledge Jesus before others (Matthew 10:32).
Before His Father in heaven, Jesus will deny those who denied Him (Matthew 10:33).
Jesus did not come to bring peace to the earth, rather Jesus came with a sword (Matthew 10:34).
Jesus came to bring division among family members, in other words to make family members opposed to one another and enemies (Matthew 10:35-36).
No one is worthy of Jesus who loves any human more than Jesus (Matthew 10:27).
No one is worthy of Jesus who does not take up the cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:38).
Jesus says that those who lose their life for His sake are the ones who will find life (Matthew 10:39).
Jesus recognizes that those who welcome His disciples will be welcoming Jesus (Matthew 10:40).
Jesus says that those who welcome Him welcome the one who sent Him (Matthew 10:40).

Questions:

In Matthew 10:11-15, Jesus talks about the worthiness of a host to host laborers of the kingdom of heaven. What defines "worthiness"?
How did Jesus understand the concept of "peace"? (Matthew 10:13)

Prayer: Jesus - I am sobered by what I read in Matthew 10. I know not what you are all about. Save me! I cannot save myself.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Good News is that God Offers Healing Today

2011-07-02T10:38:00.000-04:00

"As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons." - Matthew 10:7-8

Do you ever wonder why these miracles don't seem to happen anymore? I've been reading through the gospels and I am struck by the loudness of the theme of healing. The good news in the gospel accounts isn't just that God has came to us through Jesus Christ, but that the healing authority of God has come to us through Jesus Christ. Do you think this is still true today?

Sometimes I think we U.S. Christians have it all wrong. I think we've missed the message and missed out on the supernatural aspect of faith. God can still work miracles today! And it seems in my reading of Scripture that God wants to work those miracles through us. So, why aren't we letting Him?

Prayer: God, You Created, You gave Life, You Healed. Help me to experience Your miraculous, supernatural power today. Amen.

The Harvest is Plentiful

2011-07-02T10:01:00.000-04:00

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." - Matthew 9:37b-38.

"The harvest is plentiful,..."

I don't always believe this. I look around and I see people of different faiths or no faith at all. I'm told to be polite and courteous in my witnessing, respecting the beliefs of others. I don't know many recent converts to Christianity. Most of the people I know who are Christians grew up in the church or came to know Christ in college. I know that I've been a part of people coming to know Christ as personal Lord, but I've only witnessed the entire process once or twice. How can the harvest be plentiful?

Jesus continues, "but the laborers are few..."

Perhaps this is why I don't always believe that the harvest is plentiful, there just aren't that many laborers. I can count the number of full time missionaries I know on one hand. Every once and a while I catch a glimpse of someone sharing their faith on the metro or at work, but I don't see it that often. And how many times have I been a witness with not only my actions, but my words also? Perhaps I don't recognize that the harvest is plentiful, because it isn't that often that I witness a laborer harvesting.

"ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Oh boy, I know where this goes. If I ask "the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers" I know what the result will be. Ever share a need with a pastor only to have the pastor respond "perhaps God is calling you to respond to that need"? Ever tell your boss an idea, only to have your boss respond "Great! Gather a team, I put you in charge of implementing this"? Ever ask your parents for help tieing your shoes and your parents responded, "Here, I'll teach you how to tie your own shoes."

If I want to see evidence of this harvest, I need to ask God to "send out laborers into his harvest," "but the laborers are few." Perhaps I'm not only to pray that God send out laborers, but perhaps I am to become a laborer myself. And if the harvest truly is plentiful and God has prepared the harvest, why should I be afraid? If the harvest is large, there are many crops that are ready to harvest. My harvesting will be successful! Perhaps I need to instead pray "God send me as a laborer into Your fields and show me how great is the harvest!"

Prayer: Lord of the harvest, send out laborers into Your harvest. While doing that, grant me the eyes to see how great is the harvest! And if I happen to be one of those laborers you call, give me the skills I need to be successful in expanding Your kingdom on this earth.

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 9:

2011-06-27T15:41:00.001-04:00

Wow - Jesus Is Amazing! The 9th chapter of Matthew alone is an incredible witness to the identity of Jesus Christ. Jesus is not only human: traveling by boat, touching his fellow human beings, and having a hometown; Jesus is also divine! Jesus forgives sin, heals the sick, and revives the deceased. Jesus also "gets" people. He reaches out to the outcast and is attentive to his audience's level of faith. He seems to care a lot for the people around him, yet he doesn't interfere with their lives unasked.

Big Idea: Jesus is the Great Physician who heals not only physical ailments, but spiritual as well.

Profound Identity:

Jesus traveled by boat (Matthew 9:1).
Jesus had a town that people identified as his hometown (Matthew 9:1).
His hometown was somewhere near a sea (Matthew 9:1).
Jesus is attentive to people's faith (Matthew 9:2).
Jesus honors people's faith (Matthew 9:2).
Jesus forgave sins prior to his crucifixion, death, and resurrection (Matthew 9:2).
When a person was disabled, Jesus responded to the person by saying "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven" (Matthew 9:2).
Jesus perceives thoughts (Matthew 9:3).
His claim to forgive sins was considered blaspheming by the scribes (Matthew 9:3).
Jesus confronted the thoughts of the scribes, asking "Why do you think evil in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4).
Jesus recognizes that it takes the same authority to forgive sins as it takes to command miraculous healing (Matthew 9:5).
Jesus wanted the people to know that He had the authority on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6).
Jesus identifies Himself as the "Son of Man" (Matthew 9:6).
Jesus has the authority on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6).
Jesus commanded the man who he had just forgiven to "Stand up, take your bed and go to your home" and the paralytic did exactly as He asked (Matthew 9:7).
In this story, Jesus first forgave and then he healed (Matthew 9:2-7).
Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed (Matthew 9:6-7).
The crowds glorified God as a result of Jesus' teachings and work of healing (Matthew 9:8).
Jesus had a physical body - he walked (Matthew 9:9).
Jesus invited Matthew to "follow" Jesus (Matthew 9:9).
Jesus invitation to a tax collector to "follow" was met with an obedient response (Matthew 9:9).
Jesus associated/socialized with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10).
Jesus ate and socialized (Matthew 9:10).
Jesus enjoyed a meal with his disciples (Matthew 9:10).
Jesus' disciples also socialized with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10).
It was surprising to the religious leaders, the Pharisees" that a teacher would eat with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:11).
Jesus considers himself to be a physician for those who are sick (Matthew 9:12).
Jesus recognizes that the tax collectors and sinners are in need of healing/a physician (Matthew 9:12).
Jesus responds to the Pharisees objections/criticisms (Matthew 9:11-13).
Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 (Hosea 6 seems to have some Messianic prophetic tones.) (Matthew 9:13).
Jesus recognizes that God prefers mercy over sacrifice (Matthew 9:13).
Jesus' mission is to "call not the righteous but sinners" (Matthew 9:13).
Jesus considers himself to be the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15).
Jesus says that someday he would be taken away from them - the wedding guests (Matthew 9:15).
Jesus associates fasting with mourning (Matthew 9:15).
Jesus says that his wedding guests will fast when he is taken away from them (Matthew 9:15).
Jesus is doing something new (Matthew 9:16-17).
A synagogue leader believes that Jesus can return his daughter who has just died to life (Matthew 9:18).
Jesus responds to a request to bring life to a deceased daughter (Matthew 9:18).
Jesus responds to the request of a kneeling synagogue leader (Matthew 9:18).
A woman believed that she only needed to touch Jesus' clothing and she would be healed (Matthew 9:21).
Jesus is gracious with the woman who interrupts him (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus recognizes faith (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus says that a person's faith heals them (Matthew 9:22).
When Jesus recognizes the faith of a person, the person is healed (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus' work of healing is instantaneously associated with his recognition of the healing (Matthew 9:22).
Jesus turned away a mourning crowd prior to bringing life to the deceased (Matthew 9:23-24).
Jesus said that the deceased daughter was really just sleeping (Matthew 9:24).
Jesus was mocked by the mourning crowd for his perspective on things (Matthew 9:24).
Jesus touched the "sleeping" girl and she was made alive (Matthew 9:25).
News about Jesus' miraculous healing of the dead spread (Matthew 9:26).
Two blind men recognized Jesus as the Son of David (Matthew 9:27).
The blind men also called Jesus "Lord" (Matthew 9:28).
Before miraculously giving sight to the blind, Jesus asked the "patients," "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" (Matthew 9:28).
A person's faith seemed to play a role in Jesus decision to heal (Matthew 9:28).
Jesus touched the blind men's eyes and they were healed (Matthew 9:28-29).
Jesus healed according to the faith of the patient (Matthew 9:29).
At times it seems that Jesus did not want the news of his miraculous ability to heal to be shared (Matthew 9:30).
News about Jesus ability to heal spread (Matthew 9:31).
Jesus cast out a demon that made a person mute (Matthew 9:32-33).
The miracles Jesus performed were unique (Matthew 9:33).
Not everyone attributed Jesus' miraculous powers to God (Matthew 9:34).
Jesus traveled and visited both cities and villages (Matthew 9:35).
Jesus taught in synagogues (Matthew 9:35).
Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 9:35).
Jesus cured every type of disease and sickness (Matthew 9:35).
Jesus had compassion upon the crowds (Matthew 9:36).
Jesus saw the crowds as being helpless without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36).
Jesus saw that there was potential for a large harvest and recognized that the laborers were few (Matthew 9:37).
Jesus challenged the disciples to ask the Lord to send out harvesters (Matthew 9:37).

Questions:

When Jesus refers to himself as "Son of Man" in Matthew 9:6 is he only identifying himself, or is he also speaking of all of humanity? In other words did Jesus mean capitalized, singular "Son of Man" or did Jesus mean lower case, generalized "son of man"? What does the Greek tell us? (In Matthew 9:8 it seems that the crowd is in awe that God has given the authority to forgive and heal to "human beings." Again, I wonder about the Greek.)
How can Jesus "sternly order" those who were healed of blindness to "See that no one knows of this"? Isn't it quite obvious that they have now regained sight? Did Jesus really mean this, or did he mean something else? How can this be?

Prayer: Jesus - you are amazing! Help me to recognize how truly incredible You are. Help me to embrace your miraculous ability to heal and forgive. Help me to be connected to You! Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

A Day of Good News

2011-06-15T09:09:00.000-04:00

2 Kings 7:9 “Then they said to each other, ‘We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go out at once and report this to the royal palace.’”

Israel was in a bad place. They were surrounded by their enemy, the Arameans, overwhelmed by famine, and prices were exorbitant. The government had given up.

Four men with leprosy met outside the city gate. As the marginalized of the community, they realized their fate had been set. They were going to die.

One man suggested to another, “let us desert to the Aramean camp; if they spare our lives, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

At twilight they set off to the enemy camp and when they arrived they were surprised to find it deserted! God had defended the Israelites by making the Arameans hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army. The Arameans fled in fear, leaving everything behind!

The men with leprosy went from tent to tent eating and collecting great prizes. And then with a sense of guilt, one noted “We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go out at once and report this to the royal palace.”

When I first read this story as a teenager, I was convicted by these words. I had good news! Jesus was my best friend, my savior, my helper, and my God. Life as a teenager was difficult, but I gained strength from this faith. I had hope. Some of my friends and family members were discouraged, were making poor choices, and lacked faith. What was I doing, keeping the good news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God from them? I had been nourished by the Word of God and yet these people I loved were spiritually starving. I felt wealthy in my faith, yet my peers were spiritually deprived. How could I be so selfish and not share with them the good news?

“We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.” – 2 Kings 7:9

Recently, I found the piece of paper where I had written down the words of 2 Kings 7:9 as a reminder. On the opposite end of the paper I had recorded, Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Amen.

Prayer: God, help me to realize how good the news is that you have given us in Christ Jesus! Help me to share this good news with faith and without fear. Amen.

God speaks and it is.

2011-06-06T12:38:00.004-04:00

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;  

I will be exalted among the nations,  

I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

Jesus just says the word and it is! An officer in the Roman army approaches Jesus and tells him that one of his servants is sick. The officer asks Jesus to heal the servant. Jesus says “Go” and the servant is healed. Two people possessed by demons approach Jesus and Jesus says “Go!” and the demons depart and the people are healed. A leper approaches Jesus, Jesus responds, “Be made clean!” and we know what happens, the leper is healed. A paralytic is brought to Jesus and Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven… Stand up, take your bed, and go to your home” and the man stands up and walks. (See Matthew 8-9)

Hmmm. Does this remind you of anyone else? “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’ and there was light.” “And God said, ’… let the dry land appear. ‘ And it was so.” “And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind…’ And it was so.” (See Genesis 1)

God as the creator of all things has authority over all of creation. God says the word, and it is. Perhaps this is what God was pointing to when Moses asked for God’s name and God responded “I Am.” God is. Jesus is. The Holy Spirit is. (See Exodus 3)

If God just Is, can I also just be? The first part of Psalm 46:10 reads “Be still, and know that I am God.” What does this mean? I am finite and God is infinite. I am created and God is the creator. I may act and do things, but it is God who has given me the ability, the desire, and the environment to do those things. Without God, I am nothing. But because of God, I exist.

God, the great I Am, spoke the word and I became.

Have you been still lately and just recognized that God is God?

Prayer: You are! I am only because You are! Help me to recognize this and to worship You today.

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 8:

2011-05-23T09:02:00.030-04:00

In this chapter Jesus is identified as "Lord," "teacher," "Son of Man," and "Son of God." Jesus is one with authority to heal the sick, deliver the possessed, and command the weather. He only needs to say the word and the current conditions immediately change. Thus, he fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which reads, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."

To become a follower of Jesus, one needs to be willing to give up the temporary of this life: our homes, our families, and our traditions.

Big Idea: Jesus has the real authority to command both the physical and spiritual realm with only a word and they both respond in obedience.

Profound Identity:

Crowds followed Jesus (Matthew 8:1).
A leper knelt before him and called him "Lord" (Matthew 8:2).
A leper believed that Jesus had the ability to choose to make the leper clean (Matthew 8:2).
With a touch and a few words, Jesus cleansed/healed a leper (Matthew 8:3).
Jesus chose to heal (Matthew 8:3).
Jesus spoke with authority, saying such things as "be" and it was (Matthew 8:3).
There is an immediate response to the words of Jesus (Matthew 8:3).
Jesus respected the traditions of the Mosaic law and taught other's to respect them as well (Matthew 8:4).
Jesus entered Capernaum (Matthew 8:5).
A centurion addressed Jesus as "Lord" (Matthew 8:5).
Jesus responds to hearing about a paralyzed man, by saying "I will come and cure him" (Matthew 8:7).
The centurion felt unworthy of Jesus' presence in his home (Matthew 8:8).
The centurion recognized that Jesus only needed to speak the word and the servant would be healed (Matthew 8:8).
The centurion recognized that Jesus did not need to be physically present in order to heal a person (Matthew 8:8).
Jesus was one with authority to give orders that were obeyed (Matthew 8:9).
Jesus was amazed with the centurion's faith (Matthew 8:10).
Jesus is attentive to people's faith (Matthew 8:10).
Jesus is aware of the reality of the conditions for entering the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 8:11-12).
Jesus said the word and the servant was healed (Matthew 8:13).
Jesus was impressed with the centurion's faith and healed according to it (Matthew 8:13).
Jesus was physically present on the earth (Matthew 8:14).
When Jesus observed that someone was sick, he didn't even need to be asked in order to heal the person (Matthew 8:14-15).
Jesus touched Peter's mother-in-law's hand and the fever left her (Matthew 8:15).
People brought other people who were possessed with demons to Jesus to be healed (Matthew 8:16).
With a spoken word Jesus drove out demons (Matthew 8:16).
Jesus cured all who were sick who were brought to him (Matthew 8:16).
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4 when he "took our infirmities and bore our diseases" (Matthew 8:17).
When crowds surrounded Jesus, he went elsewhere (Matthew 8:18).
A scribed offered to follow Jesus (Matthew 8:19).
Jesus was called "teacher" by a scribe (Matthew 8:19).
Jesus explained that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20).
A disciple calls Jesus "Lord" (Matthew 8:21).
Sometimes the words of Jesus seemed harsh (Matthew 8:20, 22).
Jesus seemed to say that following Him would be difficult (Matthew 8:19-22).
Jesus disciples followed him (Matthew 8:23).
Jesus used a boat for transportation (Matthew 8:23).
Jesus was able to sleep through a storm on the water (Matthew 8:24).
The disciples called on Jesus to save them when they thought their boat would sink (Matthew 8:25).
The disciples asked Jesus to save them when they thought they were perishing (Matthew 8:25).
The disciples called Jesus "Lord" (Matthew 8:25).
Jesus commands the wind and the sea and nature obeys (Matthew 8:26-27).
Jesus pointed out the emotional reality of the situation when he acknowledged that the disciples were needlessly afraid (Matthew 8:26).
The disciples recognized that Jesus was no ordinary man (Matthew 8:27).
Two people possessed by evil approached and confronted Jesus (Matthew 8:28).
Two demoniacs recognized Jesus as the "Son of God" (Matthew 8:29).
Two demoniacs were afraid that Jesus had come to them to torment them prior to an appointed time (Matthew 8:29).
The demoniacs recognized that Jesus could cast out the evil spirits (Matthew 8:31).
Jesus only had to offer the command "Go" and the demons left the people and went into the swine, just as they had suggested (Matthew 8:32).
One town did not want Jesus to remain in their neighborhood (Matthew 8:34).

Prayer:

What amazing power and authority! Gracious God, sometimes I forget that you really are God! Forgive me in my unbelief and help me to recognize your power in my life, but also in all of reality. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Youth Ministry Response to Harold Camping's May 21st' end of world prediction.

2011-05-21T23:59:00.000-04:00

It really amazes me that it isn't easier to find youth ministry Bible studies that apply to contemporary events. I would think that youth ministers across the country would be ready to blog about how they are creatively addressing these big news stories. But they are not. Or at least I cannot find them.

I want to take advantage of the passing of May 21st to speak with my students about Bible prophecy, cults, and true hope and I was hoping to find some helpful youth ministry resources online.

So, this is what I have in mind for class tomorrow morning. I have on hand the following Scriptures: Matthew 24:36-44, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, Mark 13:32, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; Mark 13:32.

I want to talk about how we respond as Christians when others claim that tomorrow is the end of the world. I think I'll start by asking them about their thoughts on Harold Camping and his failed prediction for the end of the world. (Yes, I am writing this 2 minutes before midnight on the 21st.) We'll discuss how we respond when people make claims like his. (examine his claims, compare them to Scripture, prayer, etc.)

I then want to look at his followers. What did they give up? I want to use this to transition to talking about the cults and the different religious groups that may approach them when they are in college. How are they to discern what is right and true and what is not. What are the warning signs of a cult? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_checklist

Then, I want to conclude by talking about where we find our hope. We will look at 1 Peter 1:3-9, as well as Romans 5:3-4.

Anyone else have any ideas as to how to use this "event" as a teaching tool in a Christian education setting?

Doing only God's will?

2011-05-16T19:14:00.001-04:00

"'Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?" Then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers."'"
Matthew 7:21-23 (NRSV)

Oh, wow! I just finished re-reading Matthew 7:21-23 and I am left stunned. This passage tells us that people will do miraculous things in the name of Jesus Christ, yet Jesus will claim that He never knew them! That gives me pause. How can this be? People will prophesy, cast out demons, and even do deeds of power and give Jesus Christ the credit, yet Jesus will claim that He didn’t know them? Why?

I look back at verse 21 where Jesus says that the ones who enter the kingdom of heaven are those who do “the will of my Father in heaven.” Huh. So is there a difference between my doing good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds and my doing good deeds that God calls me to do? Is there a difference between my volunteering to teach a Sunday School class because I enjoy teaching any subject and my teaching Sunday School class because God has touched my heart and called me to it? Is there a difference between “doing church” the way we think we should “do church” and searching Scripture and waiting patiently on God to reveal to us how He wants us to “be church”?

I know that God is love, but I also think the Bible gives me good reason to fear or respect God in a manner that recognizes God’s ultimate authority. A few verses later we are told that “the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”

Hmmm. I’m one of those scribes. A lot of us in the church are like the scribes, people of authority in our homes, at work, and at church. But really, God is the one with the authority in all those places. Maybe it is time that we really seek God’s wisdom and ask God to reveal God’s will to us rather than just deciding it for ourselves based on our own will power

How would things change if you and I did this? Even if we did this just for one day. I’d wake up in the morning and pray “Lord, help me to do only Your will today.” How would that change my day? How about my life? The church’s life?

Lord, help me to live today in a manner that matches with Your will. Amen

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 7:

2011-05-16T19:07:00.001-04:00

Jesus has a keen sense of the reality of the human condition and He is not afraid to address it:

You who judge - take care of yourself first.
You who know how you want people to treat you - treat other people in the same way.
You who claim to be righteous - do your fruit testify to the accuracy of your claim?
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Jesus obviously sees that the human condition leans toward sin. He says that people will turn towards him crying "Lord, Lord" and expect to be received into heaven. But those who don't do the will of his Father will be turned away because He, Jesus, never knew them.

Jesus offers the listener wisdom, but the listener must hear His wise words and put them into practice or else he will reap the consequences of foolishness.

Jesus is one who speaks with an authority that stands out among human authorities.

Big Idea: Jesus understood the human condition and offered words of wisdom with authority that could guide people away from foolishness and towards the kingdom of heaven.

Profound Identity:

People will address Jesus as "Lord" (Matthew 7:21).
Not everyone who calls Jesus "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).
There is a relationship between doing the Father's will and personally being known by Jesus (Matthew 7:21).
People will prophesy in the name of Christ without knowing Christ (Matthew 7:22).
People will cast out demons in the name of Christ without knowing Christ (Matthew 7:22).
People will do deeds of power in the name of Christ without knowing Christ (Matthew 7:22).
Jesus will send away people he did not know (Matthew 7:23).
Jesus will call people who did good in his name, but did not do the will of God, "evildoers" (Matthew 7:23).
The words of Jesus are words of wisdom that should be put into practice in one's daily life (Matthew 7:24).
Wise people will put Jesus' words into practice (Matthew 7:24).
Jesus' words are like a solid rock or foundation that can be built upon (Matthew 7:24-25).
It is foolishness to not act upon the words of Jesus (Matthew 7:26).
Crowds were astonished at Jesus' teaching (Matthew 7:28).
Jesus taught with an authority that was different than that of the scribes (Matthew 7:29).
Jesus had real authority (Matthew 7:29).

Prayer:

Jesus, please help me to listen to Your authority in my life. Help me to live my life in responsive obedience to Your Father's Will. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Protect Those Pearls!

2011-05-12T21:46:00.001-04:00

"Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you." – Matthew 7:6

Have you ever shared something special with someone and they didn't appreciate what you shared? Perhaps it was a meal you cooked, a photo you took, or some time and talents that you sacrificially gave.

When I was a child I encountered God in a profound and life-changing manner. As I have shared the story of my God-encounter over the years, I have learned that not everyone knows how to respond to it nor is everyone ready to hear it. Some people respond by saying, "there is no way that actually happened." Others act like they are listening, but really their attention is focused elsewhere. And still others tell me that my interpretation of the event is wrong.

Over the years though, I have learned that there are some people who can appreciate the preciousness of the spiritual event and in their response they make it all the more precious. For example, when I first shared the story with my now husband, he responded by sharing how he had read about a similar experience in a book and the story had left quite an impact on him. When I shared the story in witnessing to a close acquaintance, the spiritual encounter grabbed her attention and she wanted to hear more. And when I shared the story with a good friend, she listened intently and experienced God in the telling.

In Matthew we hear Jesus warning us to "not give what is holy to dogs" and to "not throw your pearls before swine." I've interpreted these words to mean not sharing what is sacred in places where it may be trampled. But consider that these words may also be instructing us to not correct a person who is not ready to receive the correction. Or perhaps it means, as one commentary suggests, to only give to one who is ready to receive. Perhaps these words of Christ carry similar meaning to the old adage, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."

What do these words of Jesus mean to you? What are the pearls in your life? What is holy and set apart as precious in your life? How have you protected your pearls? How have you given that which is holy to the swine?

Precious, Loving, and Merciful God. Help me to be aware of the pearls in my life and the places where I am tempted to give them to swine. Guide me in knowing what is holy and then show me how to protect the holy gifts that you have given me. Amen

Who is Jesus?: According to Matthew 6

2011-05-11T22:29:00.000-04:00

Jesus encouraged people to practice their faith with humility and in secret, in a manner that would please their Heavenly Father while not attracting praise from humans. Jesus also taught that one's focus should be on God, rather than the things of this world. He believed in and expected others to trust in God's good provision.

Big Idea: A central aspect of Jesus' reality was His understanding of the relationship between believers and God the Father. Jesus encouraged the listener to evaluate and live life from the perspective of recognizing the existence and care of a personal Father God.

Profound Identity:

Jesus was concerned that his listeners receive the reward of Father God (Matthew 6:1, 4, 6, 18).
Jesus recognized God as the Father of His listeners (Matthew 6:1, 4, 6, 9, 14, 18, 26, 32).

Prayer:

"Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us to the time of trial,

but rescue us from the evil one."

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Who is Jesus?: According to Matthew 5

2011-05-09T12:18:00.001-04:00

Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, a kingdom in which the guidelines for social interactions are almost counterintuitive to human nature. He taught his followers that the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, and those who are reviled and persecuted on Christ’s account will receive blessings and honor that answer their need.

He taught his followers to preserve their saltiness and shine forth as the light in the world.

Jesus clearly stated that he did not come to “abolish the law or the prophets,” but rather to fulfill them. Jesus calls the people to live righteously and to respect the law.

Jesus clarified the meaning of the law and the Ten Commandments by explaining how they were to be practiced in the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke harshly about sin and recognized the reality of being condemned to hell as a punishment for sin.

Big Idea: Jesus clarified the meaning of the law and laid the groundwork for a righteous social order in which the weak are honored, unrighteousness is condemned, and love wins.

Profound Identity:

§ Jesus had disciples (Matthew 5:1).
Jesus moved and sat like any other human being (Matthew 5:1).
§ Jesus lived near a mountain (Matthew 5:1).
§ Jesus taught his disciples (Matthew 5:2).
§ Jesus called “blessed” those who the world may not recognize as “blessed” (Matthew 5:5-11).
§ People will be reviled, persecuted, and slandered on Jesus’ account (Matthew 5:11).
§ Those who are persecuted on Jesus’ account will be blessed and rewarded in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).
§ Those who are persecuted on Jesus’ behalf are like prophets for Christ and are treated as such (Matthew 5:12).
§ Jesus did not come to “abolish the law or the prophets” (Matthew 5:17).
§ Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).
§ Jesus taught about the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3, 10, 19-20).
§ Jesus was acquainted with the law, the prophets, and the sayings of ancient times (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43).
§ Jesus clarified the heart and meaning of the law (Matthew 5:21-48).
§ Jesus promoted reconciliation between people as the fulfillment of the command to not murder (Matthew 5:21-26).
§ Jesus taught that one should avoid lust and remain faithful to one’s spouse in order to fulfill the command to not commit adultery (Matthew 5:27-32).
§ Jesus spoke of the existence of hell and its use for punishment (Matthew 5:22, 29).
§ Jesus taught that it is better for one to give his or her clear word than to take a vow (a.k.a. swear falsely). Integrity mattered to Jesus (Matthew 5:33-37).
§ Jesus taught that we are to submit to the evildoer and to provide for those who ask (Matthew 5:38-42).
§ Jesus taught that we, as children of God, are to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,…” (Matthew 5:44).

Prayer:

Condemnation and grace: what a strange combination? Sometimes God, it is so difficult to know which one of these you want to be more pronounced. We are to pray for and love our enemies and at the same time we are to cut off the body part that causes us to sin. You are so clear, yet in our everyday lives when we try to apply your teachings it can seem difficult. Please help us to understand what you truly meant and be receptive to the guidance you offer us. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Who is Jesus?: According to Matthew 4

2011-05-03T23:40:00.006-04:00

Jesus is the Son of God! Yet Jesus fully knew what it meant to be human. After being baptized, the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted. Satan tempted him by appealing to physical hunger, doubt, and worldly desire (greed). Jesus responded by pointing to Scripture and noting that through God we are nourished. Jesus warned that we are not to put God to the test. He also recognized that only God is worthy of our worship and service.

After John's imprisonment, Jesus found a home for himself in Capernaum and then took up the torch where John had left off, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

As he began his ministry he recruited fisherman to become his disciples and fish for people. As he preached about the kingdom of God, he also brought about the kingdom of God, by curing the sick and teaching in the synagogues. As a result large crowds began to follow this fascinating man.

Big Idea: After a time of testing, which further revealed his identity as Son of God, Jesus began to spread the good news of the kingdom of God through both preaching and healing.

Profound Identity

Jesus followed the lead of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 4:1).
The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1).
Jesus fasted for 40 days & nights. As a result of fasting he was hungry (Matthew 4:2).
The tempter believed that Jesus was the Son of God (Matthew 4:3, 6).
The tempter recognized that Jesus could transform stones into bread (Matthew 4:3).
Jesus quoted scripture in a defensive/offensive response to temptation (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
Jesus believed the words of Scripture (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).
Jesus understood that one not only needs physical food, but also spiritual nourishment (Matthew 4:4).
Words spoken by God mattered to Jesus (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus was in the holy city and it was recognized as holy prior to his arrival (Matthew 4:5).
The tempter recognized that the angels of God would physically protect Jesus (Matthew 4:6).
Jesus believed that one should not put the Lord God to the test (Matthew 4:7).
The tempter unsuccessfully wanted Jesus to worship him (Matthew 4:9-10).
Jesus knew his limits and commanded the devil to depart (Matthew 4:10).
Jesus understood and agreed with the Old Testament Scripture that said we should only worship and serve the Lord God (Matthew 4:10).
The devil obeyed Jesus command (Matthew 4:10-11).
Angels waited on Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11).
Jesus was in Galilee (Matthew 4:12).
Jesus went from Nazareth to Capernaum (Matthew 4:12).
Jesus made his home in "Capernaum, by the sea, in the territory of Zebulan and Naphtali" (Matthew 4:13).
Jesus fulfilled prophecy of Isaiah by choosing to live near the sea in Capernaum (Matthew 4:14-15).
Jesus is the prophesied great light (Matthew 4:15-16).
After John had been arrested, Jesus moved to Capernaum and picked up where John had left off, preaching, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matthew 4:17).
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:18).
Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew from fishing in the Sea of Galilee to fishing for people (Matthew 4:18-19).
Jesus invited Simon Peter and Andrew to follow him (Matthew 4:18-19).
Simon Peter and Andrew immediately followed and obeyed Jesus request to "follow me" (Matthew 4:20).
Jesus continued to walk along the Sea of Galilee and he extended the same invitation to James and John, sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21).
James and John immediately left their father and their boats to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:22).
"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people" (Matthew 4:23).
Jesus taught in synagogues in Galilee (Matthew 4:23).
Jesus proclaimed the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23).
Jesus cured every disease and sickness (Matthew 4:23).
Jesus was famous throughout Syria as a result of this teachings and miraculous deeds of healing (Matthew 4:24).
The sick, including the demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics from all of Syria were brought to Jesus to be healed (Matthew 4:24).
People from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him around (Matthew 4:25).

Prayer:

Gracious God,

In times of temptation help me to remember your holy word and what is right and true. May I stay on your right path so that I may follow Jesus' example and boldly preach and bear testimony to the nearness of the kingdom of God. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 3:

2011-05-02T12:17:00.004-04:00

Jesus came at just the right time. People were ready to respond to the preparatory call of John in the wilderness, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." And this call helped fulfill the words of Isaiah 40 by preparing the hearts and lives of the people for Jesus.

A contrast was drawn by John between an earthly judgment and a heavenly judgment. According to John, Jesus carries the "winnowing fork" that separates the wheat from the chaff. The wheat is gathered, but the chaff is burned. The wheat is baptized by the Holy Spirit, but the chaff is baptized by an unquenchable fire. Repentance and water baptism is just preparation for what is to come through Christ.

Jesus, the Lord, is far more powerful than John and even John is not worthy enough to carry his sandals. Yet, in order to fulfill all righteousness, Jesus is baptized in water by John. And at his baptism, "the heavens are opened to him," God's Spirit descends upon him, and the voice of God proclaims from heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

Big Idea: God introduced Jesus to the world by sending John with an important preparatory message of repentance and baptism by water. When Jesus responded to this message, God verbally announced, "This is my Son."

Profound Identity:

The nearness of the kingdom of heaven is somehow related to the life of Jesus (Matthew 3:2).
Repentance is somehow connected with the nearness of the kingdom of heaven and Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:2).
John came to prepare and make the path straight for Jesus (Matthew 3:3).
Jesus is the Lord (Matthew 3:3).
Jesus is more powerful than John the baptist (Matthew 3:11).
John is not worthy to carry Jesus' sandals (Matthew 3:11).
Jesus will baptize with both the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).
Jesus carries a winnowing fork and will "clear his threshing floor" (Matthew 3:12).
Jesus will gather "his wheat into the granery; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12).
Jesus traveled from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John (Matthew 3:13).
John seemed to think it was more appropriate to be baptized by Jesus then to baptize Jesus and was reluctant to baptize Jesus (Matthew 3:14).
Jesus said that it was proper for John to baptize Jesus in order "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15).
Jesus said "Let it be so now,.." (Matthew 3:15).
Jesus was baptized in water by John (Matthew 3:16).
As Jesus came up out of the water the following took place: "the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him" (Matthew 3:16).
At the conclusion of his baptism, " a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased'" (Matthew 3:17).
Jesus is God's Son (Matthew 3:17).
God is pleased with and loves His son, Jesus (Matthew 3:17).

Prayer:

Sometimes God I forget how important repentance is in preparing for You. I also sometimes desire to deny Your coming wrath. Thank you for reminding me of these two things in a context that announces Your Son, whom You love. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

How should we respond?

2011-05-02T11:16:00.002-04:00

I like this post by a fellow blogger: The Pangea Blog, "Mourning the Death of Osama Bin Laden... and the Loss of Every Other Life"

"when the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy." - Proverbs 11:1

"Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." Ezekiel 33.11

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5.43-45

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave itto the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 2:

2011-04-28T08:13:00.007-04:00

Astrological signs announced the birth of the Messiah, King of the Jews. The maji responded by seeking this new born king in order to give him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. King Herod responded fearfully and killed all children born near Bethlehem who were under the age of two. God sent an angel an additional three times to give Joseph directions to relocate his family in order to protect the child's life.

Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy. He was born in Bethlehem of Judah, as foretold in the prophecy of Micah 5:2-4, which also said that he would have an ancient origin, rule Israel, care for and feed his flock, be recognized as great everywhere, be one of peace, and bear the majesty of God's name. He spent his early years as a child in Egypt. Once Herod died his family moved to the town of Nazareth in Galilee. Thus fulfilling both the prophecy of Hosea 11:1 and the historical type of the Israelites being called out of Egypt, as well as the expectation that the Messiah would come as a branch or Nazareth from the family of Jesse and be filled with the Spirit of the LORD (Isaiah 11:1-2). Jesus and his family were also refugees, fleeing from the wrath of Herod, and fulfilling the strangely depressing few words of Jeremiah 31:15 which interrupt a longer prophecy of hope, and herald in a time of restoration, redemption, fruitfulness, fulfillment of prophecies, and return from exile.

Big Idea: The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus testify to the fact that he is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies of Scripture.

Profound Identity:

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judea (Matthew 2:1).
Jesus was born during the time of King Herod (Matthew 2:1).
Maji/astrologers/wise men from the East recognized Jesus as the king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2).
There was a star that signified his birth (Matthew 2:2).
King Herod recognized that the king of the Jews would be the promised Messiah. Thus royalty or national government leaders feared Jesus' birth (Matthew 2:3).
Scribes knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, Judea (Matthew 2:4-5).
Jesus birth in Bethlehem was a clue to his identity as the Messiah (Matthew 2:6).
Jesus would be a ruler of Judah (Matthew 2:6).
Jesus would shepherd God's people - Israel (Matthew 2:6).
The star that signified the birth of the king of the Jews "stopped over the place where the child [Jesus] was" (Matthew 2:9).
Mary was Jesus' mother (Matthew 2:11).
The maji knelt and paid homage to Jesus as a child (Matthew 2:11).
Jesus received gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh from the maji (Matthew 2:11).
God spoke to people in dreams regarding the circumstances surrounding Jesus (Matthew 2:12-13).
Herod intended to kill Jesus (Matthew 2:13).
An angel of the Lord told Joseph to move the family to Egypt in order to protect Jesus' life (Matthew 2:13).
Joseph obediently protects Jesus by moving the family at God's command (Matthew 2:13-14, 19-22).
Jesus grew up in Egypt until the death of Herod, which was a fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 2:13-15).
Jesus is God's son (Matthew 2:15).
The story of Israel points to the story of Jesus (Matthew 2:15).
Many children died in an attempt by Herod on Jesus' life (Matthew 2:16-18).
The circumstances surrounding Jesus early escape from genocide fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah (Matthew 2:18).
An angel welcomed Jesus and his family back to Israel, after the death of Herod (Matthew 2:19-21).
Jesus was a child during the time of Archelaus, the son of Herod (Matthew 2:22).
After leaving Egypt, Jesus was raised in the town of Nazareth, in the district of Galilee, in Israel (Matthew 2:22-23).
Jesus was called a Nazorean. This also fulfilled prophecy (Matthew 2:23).

Prayer:

Lord, I am amazed as I read the story of the early circumstances of your life. From the very beginning the world was against you, yet God took great care to protect you. I can't even imagine what life must have been like for your human family. What a great responsibility? Yet, what an amazing way to live each day in faith, bearing the Son of God!

Sometimes God we get overwhelmed by our circumstances and forget that we also bear Jesus. We forget the care you took to guard your Son's life and that of His family. You provide similar care for us today. Help us to remember and be aware of this. Help us to be obedient to your voice of protection and care, just as Joseph was obedient. Help us to remember that when You call us to move, You have our best interest in mind. Thank you God for being a caring Father, a good and personal Divine One, and the definition of Love!

Lord, as we read Your story in Matthew 2, we are also reminded of the many children who gave their lives for You. What an odd thought? They carried the cross before their was even an understanding of what it meant to carry the cross. They were Christian martyrs before their was even a concept of Christian martyrdom. And yet, children still cry out today. They may not be dieing for a great cause such as these children did, but their mothers are still weeping and lamenting. Lord, be with them too!

I also hear in this passage a recognition of your royalty! You really are the king, not only of the Jews, but of the universe! As you are aware, today is Prince William's and Catherine's wedding. What an amazing royal affair! Lord, be with them and bless their marriage, may it be a Christian one and may it last a lifetime.

Someday Jesus, we get to be your bride. What a long wait You must have. Yet You wait patiently, until we are all ready to put on the bride's dress and walk down the straight and narrow aisle to our moment of union with You. Thank you Jesus, that the day of the wedding is coming soon. How lucky we all our, to be the bride of truly divine royalty!

Amen.

Fun link: Cartoon characters reading Matthew 2

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Who is Jesus? According to Matthew 1:

2011-04-25T15:33:00.007-04:00

Jesus is the embodied history and the fulfillment of the promises made to and through the family of Abraham, starting with Abraham and following the lineage of Isaac through King David, on to Jechoniah (at the time of the Babylonian captivity) and finding its completion in his birth as a child of Joseph. As the embodied history and fulfillment of the promises Jesus is recognized as the Messiah or the Christ and the continuation of the story of God's interaction with God's people as begun in the Old Testament.

Joseph and Mary, an engaged couple, were considered righteous in God's sight, and an angel of the Lord informed Joseph that they would become parents not in the usual way, but through a miraculous Holy Spirit conception. He was also told that this male child would "save his people from their sins," and be the promised sign of Isaiah 7:14, which meant that this son would be God's presence amongst them.

Big Idea: Jesus is the Messiah--the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament.

Profound Identity:

Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 1:1, 16, 18).
Jesus was of the Abrahamic and Davidic line (Matthew 1:1-17).
Jesus was born to Mary and her husband Joseph (Matthew 1:16).
Jesus was conceived by a virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 20).
Jesus' conception and identity was revealed/announced by an angel (Matthew 1:20).
Jesus' gender was revealed prior to his birth (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus was named by God (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus will save the people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus will be called Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is God's presence (Matthew 1:23).
Jesus is the promised sign and the fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14).

Questions Left: Why 14 generations, not 13 or 15? Does the birth and life of Jesus relate to the rest of the prophecy contained in Isaiah 7 and surrounding chapters? If so, how? If not, why not?

Prayer:

In one chapter so much is said about Your Son. More than I can fully comprehend/understand. It is amazing how easy it is to deny Your claims and Your announcement at a time when the world experienced a dramatic shift of reality.

God, right now, our society feels like it is going through another shift. There are many who are claiming or at least trying to claim that they know what this shift is all about. But I'm not sure any of us really know. God are you doing a new thing?

What must it have been like for Joseph hearing the news from Mary and then encountering your angel in a dream? I doubt I will ever hear a message as profound as that revealed to Joseph, but am I open to receiving the messages that you have for me? Help me to be open and responsive to You, O Lord.

Help me to recognize and embrace Jesus Christ for who Jesus really is! Help me to understand Your identity and to not be distracted or confused by the claims that others make for You. Help me to believe even when I doubt and to stand strong as a witness for You!

Be present amongst us and make us aware of Your presence. Save us from our sins and help us to remember that we have already been saved. Anoint us as witnesses of Your holy grace. Amen.

This blog entry is one of a series of entries in my quest to go chapter-by-chapter through the New Testament answering the question "Who is Jesus?"

Palm Sunday School Lesson for Teenagers

2011-04-14T13:53:00.004-04:00

Scripture: Luke 22:17-20

Topic: When Jesus ate with his Disciples

Background: This lesson would be taught during a Sunday morning breakfast club for teenagers. Once a month the youth meet to cook breakfast and then we try to relate the lesson to food. Last time the Middle School breakfast club met a middle school student led his peers in a devotional that went through the various stories of Jesus sharing food with his disciples. This Sunday we are going to focus on one of those stories and how it relates to Easter.

Opening:

1. Ask, “Have you ever helped plan a party?”

a. Ask the students to share about the various things they did to prepare (send invites, decorate, blow up balloons, set the table, plan games, order food).

2. Say, “For some families, Easter is a time of celebration, a party of sorts.”

a. Ask, “What does your family do to celebrate Easter?” (family gets together, we eat dinner together, Easter egg hunt, attend church services, go to Maundy Thursday or Good Friday at church)

b. Ask, “How do you prepare for those celebrations?” (set the table, buy new Easter clothes, fill and hide eggs, go to special church services)

3. Say, “Jesus helped his disciples prepare for the first Easter by celebrating the Passover with them.”

Bible Study:

1. Ask a volunteer to read Luke 22:7-13

a. What Jewish holiday were they celebrating?

b. What did Jesus ask Peter and John to do? What did he ask them to say?

c. Who helped Peter and John? Could you imagine being that person who helped them? What would that have been like? How do you think you or your parents/guardians would have responded?

d. Who prepared the room? Who made sure the room was prepared?

2. What is the Passover?

a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passover

b. http://www.jewsforjesus.com/

3. Ask a volunteer to read Luke 21:14-16

a. Describe this scene – what do you think this looked like? (table, chairs, table cloth, disciples lounging around, everyone listening attentively)

b. What crazy thing did Jesus just say? Do you think the disciples heard and understood his words? Why or why not?

c. What did Jesus mean by his words?

4. Ask a volunteer to read Luke 21:17-20

a. How many cups were there? Loaves of bread?

b. What did Jesus say after the first cup? What does this mean?

c. What did Jesus say after the bread? What does this mean?

d. When did they drink the second cup? What did Jesus say after the second cup? What does this mean?

e. So Jesus, says he will not drink of the vine until the Kingdom comes, then he shows that his body will be broken, and finally he says that his blood will be poured out with a new promise.

Summary:

When Jesus held up the cup and the bread he was claiming that he was the Passover Lamb that would take away their sins and release them from the power of death.

Do any of you remember how in the story of the Exodus the Israelites placed lamb’s blood on the outside of their homes above the door? Why did they do this? (so that death would pass over and the first born dwelling inside would not die.) In a similar way Jesus’ blood has covered our lives!

Life Application:

The disciples Peter and John and the unnamed person prepared the Passover meal for the disciples. What are some ways that we can prepare for God in our lives?

In many ways God prepared the meal and helped connect all of the people in order to make the meal happen. How have you seen God connect people in your life?

Jesus used the meal to tell the Disciples what would happen to him on the cross. Jesus said that through his crucifixion a new promise would be made. This promise offers us new life.

When we live by the old promise, we are trying to, however unsuccessfully, follow God’s law. But when we live by the new promise, we discover that we can’t successfully follow God’s law, but we can receive God’s love and grace and eternal life anyways. What is one way this next week you can cherish God’s love, grace, and the gift of eternal life?

Conversion - Realization I can't save myself

2011-04-09T13:56:00.004-04:00

Can one be converted again and again? I suppose so. This past week I had a conversion experience of sorts. I was driving to work and reflecting upon a reoccurring theme in my life that I found quite frustrating. I asked God to reveal to me what He had for me to learn from these reoccurring experiences, because it seemed obvious to me that there was a lesson to be learned.

A year ago there was a day when on several occasions I went out of my way to help people just for the sake of helping people. Throughout that day each kind deed I did was returned with ungratefulness and anger. It was quite confusing. For example, when I waited in line to go through a toll booth, I realized that the person in the vehicle at the front of the line did not have money to pay the toll. As this was a toll booth with a swinging guard arm, the first vehicle and all vehicles in line behind it could not pass through until the first vehicle paid its toll. I decided to get out of my car, walk to the front of the line, and pay the toll. On my way back to my car, after paying the toll, I accidentally bumped my body into the back of the body of the first vehicle. The woman in the car got out and started yelling at me. Yes, she yelled at me - the kind stranger who just paid her toll! This was the first of many such experiences that day. In fact, that evening I sat on the floor in my kitchen with my cell phone to my ear, listening to an angry woman yell at me for doing something that I had not done.

Early this week I once again passed through a toll booth, this time one without the swinging guard arm. I put $1.25 of quarters in the toll and waited for the light to turn from red to green, it did not. I decided to pay my toll a second time. I put $1.25 of quarters in the toll and again waited for the light to turn. It did not. So I decided to drive forward as if it accepted my toll. As I drove off a loud alarm went off signifying to the attendant nearby that I didn't pay the toll.

I was very frustrated by the experience and asked, "Why is it that I can do the right thing and be accused of doing something wrong?" Memories from my full day experience the year prior flooded my mind.

As I reflected upon these moments on my way to work and asked God to reveal to me the meaning of it, I was reminded of relationships that I attempted to reconcile, but just couldn't reconcile. Then I heard God speak to my heart. It seemed that God was pointing out to me that in all of these situations I wanted to save the day, I wanted to make things right. But, the message for me was that I care so much about doing the right thing that I forget that I can't be my own or other's savior. I need a savior too. A savior to save me from the situations where no matter how hard I try I can't fix or make right. I need saved from unsavable situations!

This was quite a moment of insight and turning towards the cross for me. Jesus died on the cross and saved the unreconcilable situations for us all!

So I had this moment of conversion driving down the road. I really do need Jesus as my savior! Not just savior because of my sins, but savior from those situations that I just can't make right! I need released, I need saved from the urgency and need to reconcile when reconciliation isn't possible. But I also need saved from the belief that I am able to reconcile that which is broken on my own. In any situation where reconciliation is needed, it is an act of God's grace that creates the space and the movement for repentance and change. It is God who reconciles, not me!

I also realized that I need saved from the fear of being punished for something for which I am innocent. Jesus died on the cross. Christians around the world are persecuted and face death and false imprisonment. What I need is not escape from false accusations and punishment, but rather the refreshing, life-giving mercy of God that transcends all ill-willed and mistaken or negligent transactions of humankind. I can receive mercy from God even when I can't receive mercy from the world and it is God's mercy that counts.

My conversion was also a conversion of recognition. Recognition of the reality and over-arching influence of original sin. When driving, people often feel anonymous. If you just watch the driving habits of people you begin to realize how powerful and selfish is the force of original sin is in our lives. I need saved from this and from the people on the street. We all need saved from seeing vehicles as just motorized transportation devices to seeing vehicles as a impersonal modes of transportation that are directed by real living in-the-flesh human. We need saved from being confused over what is inanimate and what is animate. We need saved from our worldly thinking.

So, my conversion experience on the highway to work, led me to write the following as my Facebook status update:

I've been struck during this Lenten season by my sins & the fact that I just can't save myself. There are times when we sin where it's impossible for us to make it right. I'm now realizing that these times remind us of God's grace through Jesus Christ.

It is a conversion experience that I do not want to forget and it is also one I don't yet have the words to fully explain.

Can I pay my own restitution?

2011-03-27T21:29:00.005-04:00

Driving home from a long weekend of youth ministry, this evening I had an epiphany. Restitution. I always seem to want to pay restitution and I get frustrated when I cannot. I harm someone with my words or actions and I want to make it right. I accidentally break something that belongs to someone else, so I replace it with something better. I seek forgiveness, but in seeking forgiveness it is so much more about what I am doing to fix the situation then it is about my receiving forgiveness as an unmerited gift. Hmmmm. Do I act a similar way in my relationship with God?

When I get that anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach because I can't make something right, is that anxiousness a sign that perhaps I'm not the One to make it right?

What was that question asked in confirmation class tonight, "Whose debt did God redeem?" Well, I suppose it was mine, but then again it was no longer mine when God redeemed it. Yeah, that is right, it somehow became Jesus' debt. Woe!

Can I do that? The next time I sin against my brother or sister in such a way that I am not able to make it up, can I accept that I am forgiven anyways? Can I do that or do I need to keep searching for that opportunity to make things right?

I mentally keep track of my financial debt - the kind that can never be repaid. That new school sound equipment that I dropped and broke during undergrad - someday I'll make a donation to make up for that. Those scholarships that were given to me, someday I'll contribute and refill those funds. That bill that I already paid, but the other person thinks I still owe,... someday I'll pay for that. The person who paid my towing expenses when I was in a difficult place financially. Yeah even them, I'll pay back someday, somehow. NO! That is not what it is about. So, why do I carry about me this sense of debt? Because I have this internal need to pay it back, to make restitution for my wrongs, even if the person has already forgiven me and moved on.

And here is where the epiphany comes. If I really understand God's grace, I won't be afraid that someday those debts are going to come back to bite me. Instead I will pause and realize that my need to make restitution for my wrongs is minimizing what Jesus did for me on the cross! I'm not the Savior, Jesus is! Can I just accept Jesus gift of grace just as it is? An unmerited gift that covers all sins and makes full restitution on my behalf without my doing anything?!?! Deep breathe - breathe it in - it is called grace! It is that beautiful power of God that covers those spaces where I haven't yet let myself off the hook. Why do I keep track if no one else is? Why do I keep track if even God doesn't? GRACE. God's perfect grace. My debt transferred to Jesus debt, which has already been paid in full!

I must admit, this is difficult for me to comprehend. How is it that I am to live in and fully accept this grace? How am I to truly understand that Jesus has already made restitution for the broken relationships and harm done? How am I to truly accept and fully embrace this gift when accepting it means just being and not doing? Jesus covers it all! I don't and won't. GRACE - it belongs to God and He has shared it with me!

Lord help me to live into and accept your grace. You don't keep record of my wrong. Oh Lord, You know who I owe and who I no longer owe. Help me God to understand this and to see my life and my human debts from your perspective. Give me the freedom and joy of grace that allows me to move on. Help me to know what it is okay to forget, erasing it from my mental list. Help me to know that you are the one who makes restitution and I need not be anxious about anything. Amen.

What type of apologies are meaningful to you?

2011-03-19T22:04:00.003-04:00

Wow! I am not a fan of assessments personally - I usually find that they tell me what I already know. But this assessment is incredible! I had never before really considered that people have different languages of apology and that different people need different types of apology.

This assessment showed me why some people's apologies never fully feel acceptable to me (and even at times seem insensitive) while others really speak to my heart and make it much easier to forgive.

Here is the assessment: Apology Language Profile

It is created by the same person who wrote about the 5 love languages.

My results:

9	Expressing Regret
5	Accepting Responsibility
3	Making Restitution
2	Genuinely Repenting
1	Requesting Apology

I also re-took the 5 love languages assessment. What I discovered was that my love languages are different for my husband than what they are for my family and friends.

My results as a Wife:

10	Words of Affirmation
10	Quality Time
5	Receiving Gifts
1	Acts of Service
4	Physical Touch

Parent Resource: How to respond to questions of faith regarding tragedy in Japan

2011-03-17T16:47:00.002-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians,

For many young people, the tragedy of Japan is their first memorable experience of a major natural disaster. I’m sure that many parents have been asked some difficult questions by their teenage children. I want to encourage you as a parent to be responsive to their questions, even if your responsiveness is a simple, “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand either.”

I also want to provide you with some resources that will help you to answer your children’s questions as well as initiate some discussions of your own.

Here are a few good websites:

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/talk-to-kids-media-violence.shtml

http://birmingham.patch.com/articles/finding-time-to-talk-learn-during-time-of-tragedy

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7ZZWYWNX

Family Devotion Option:

Watch this video: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9CC9FFNU (You may want to screen this first to decide if it is appropriate for your children.)

Pray together for Japan and people around the world.

Family Discussion & Prayer:

In the midst of any tragedy it is important for those experiencing or aware of the crisis to learn how to tell the story of what has taken place. Take time to listen to your teenagers and invite them to explain in their own words what is taking place in Japan and in other parts of the country. Pay attention to where your children may have misunderstood news stories or believed a rumor (such as the idea that they need to be taking potassium-iodine pills). Ask them to share their fears. Listen attentively to how they interpret what is taking place and how they believe it will impact their lives and that of their family/friends.

After discussing the tragedy take time to pray for both those who are directly and indirectly impacted. Ask God to show you a way that you can help.

Theology – Scriptural Resources for the Tough Questions

I know that some of our kids (and even some of us adults) have questions and are wondering what the Bible and God have to say about natural disasters and human tragedy. I’m not going to pretend to have all the answers, but I do want to point out a few key passages that I have found personally helpful.

The Earth Groans

Why do natural disasters happen? If God is in control of nature, why would God allow the earthquake and tsunami to happen?

In Romans 8 we learn that the earth is in bondage to decay and groans in eager expectation for the redemption of its body. We humans wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies as well. When in Christian theology we talk about sin, we discuss how the first man‘s and woman’s decision to disobey God broke open the door for sin to have power in our world. This not only means that we as humans can become slaves to sin, but it also means that the natural world order that God created became broken. Eden was perfect, but sin has allowed nature to become imperfect. Natural disasters happen.

One thing I love about this passage in Romans is that after describing how creation was subjected to frustration, we are told that when we do not know how to pray the Spirit will pray on our behalf.

^“18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ thatthe creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. “ – Romans 8 (NIV)

Birth Pains

Will more earthquakes happen? Is this the end of the world?

Jesus warned us that there would be wars and natural disasters. He explained that these are birth pains in preparation for Christ’s return. Yet, we are not to worry.

“ ⁴ Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.” – Matthew 24 (NIV)

“²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6 (NIV)

Jesus Christ Suffered

Does God care about the people suffering in Japan?

It is comforting for me to know that God, although divine, understands our suffering. The experience of suffering is something that one who is divine could avoid. But God, who is the definition of love, suffered in that his son Jesus Christ died on the cross. Jesus suffered a painful death.

“Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). ¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.” – John 19 (NIV)

^“45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection andwent into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” - Matthew 27

^“8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.” – 2 Corinthians (NIV)

Last Minute Salvation?

Did a lot of people in Japan go to hell?

We really don’t know what happens in the spiritual realm in those last few minutes of our lives. We do know though that God is both just and merciful. Two criminals hung on crosses beside Jesus, one added to the ridicule and opposed Jesus, while the other recognized Jesus’ innocence and his own guilt and Jesus assured him, “today you will be with me in paradise.” We don’t decide who spends eternity with Jesus, rather Jesus, as judge, has the final say. We know that he is the way, the truth, and the life! Note that in Luke 23, in the last few moments of the thief’s life, Jesus gave him life!

³² Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³ When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23 (NIV)

God’s Comfort

Should I be scared?

We may search for answers as to why the earthquake, tsunami, and even the nuclear disaster took place and be left with even more questions then when we started. But we can find comfort in knowing that no matter what happens God comforts us and comforts the people of Japan!

^“1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.” – Psalm 46 (NIV)

“The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.” – Psalm 46:11 (NIV)

Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Jesus Christ!

Has God abandoned the people of Japan?

This next passage of Scripture is one that I think every Christian should memorize:

^“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8 (NIV)

As we journey through the next several days, weeks, and months listening and learning more about the crisis in Japan, my prayer is that we might all find the hope and light of Christ shining in the midst of the darkness and through that light we may become better aware of both God’s love and the manner that we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet in a hurting world.

Prayers for Healing.

How Christian Parents Might Respond to Tragedy in Japan

2011-03-16T19:57:00.004-04:00

Dear Parents/Guardians,

For many young people, the tragedy of Japan is their first memorable experience of a major natural disaster. I’m sure that many of you have been asked some difficult questions by your teenage children. I want to encourage you as a parent to be responsive to their questions, even if your responsiveness is a simple, “I don’t know” or “I don’t understand either.”

I also want to provide you with some resources that will help you to answer your children’s questions as well as initiate some discussions of your own.

Here are a few good websites:

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/talk-to-kids-media-violence.shtml

http://birmingham.patch.com/articles/finding-time-to-talk-learn-during-time-of-tragedy

Family Devotion Option:

Watch this video: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9CC9FFNU (You may want to screen this first to decide if it is appropriate for your child.)

Pray together for Japan and people around the world.

Family Discussion & Prayer:

In the midst of any tragedy it is important for those experiencing or aware of the crisis to learn how to tell the story of what has taken place. Take time to listen to your teenager and invite him/her to explain in their own words what is taking place in Japan and in other parts of the country. Gently clarify for them any parts of the story that seem misunderstood or confusingly vague. Ask them to share their fears. Listen attentively to how they interpret what is taking place and how they believe it will impact his/her life and that of their family/friends.

After discussing the tragedy take time to pray for both those who are directly and indirectly impacted. Ask God to show you a way that you can help.

Theology – Scriptural Answers to the Tough Questions

I know that some of us have some theological questions and wonder what the Bible and God have to say about natural disasters and human tragedy. I’m not going to pretend to have all the answers, but I do want to point out a few key passages that I have found personally helpful.

The Earth Groans

In Romans 8 we learn that the earth is in bondage to decay and groans in eager expectation for the redemption of its body. We humans wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies as well. When in Christian theology we talk about sin, we discuss how the first man and woman’s decision to disobey God broke open the door for sin to have power in our world. This not only means that we as humans can become slaves to sin, but it also means that the natural world order that God created became broken. Eden was perfect, but sin has allowed nature to become imperfect. Natural disasters happen.

One thing I love about this passage in Romans is that after describing how creation was subjected to frustration, we are told that when we do not know how to pray the Spirit will pray on our behalf.

Birth Pains

Jesus warned us that there would be wars and natural disasters. He explained that these are birth pains in preparation for Christ’s return.

Jesus Christ Suffered

⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Last Minute Salvation?

³⁵ The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

³⁶ The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷ and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

³⁸ There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

³⁹ One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23 (NIV)

Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Jesus Christ!

This next passage of Scripture is one that I think every Christian should memorize:

^“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

As we journey through the next several days, weeks, and months listening and learning more about the crisis in Japan, my prayer is that we might all find the hope and light of Christ shining in the midst of the darkness and through that light we may become better aware of God’s love and the manner that we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet in a hurting world.

Prayers for Healing,

My Arrogance - Accountability Questions for Integrity

2011-03-15T20:02:00.004-04:00

There are times that my arrogance makes it difficult for me to recognize my sins. At other times I realize that things are sins that I hadn't previously recognized as sin. Most of the time though, when I read passages about controlling the tongue, I am convicted of sin.

When I was in college the idea of having an accountability partner was a big deal. Staff at our school would talk about meeting with another Christian or a small group of Christians to ask each other questions that would keep us accountable. The problem for my roommate and I when we decided to become accountability partners was that we had no clue what questions to ask each other. The lists provided by the school were not helpful and the questions we created for ourselves were too specific and they touched areas of our lives that we were not yet ready to change. Our hearts were not ready and we had not been given adequete resources.

Yesterday I read the assigned lectionary Scriptures for this past Sunday. They surrounded the theme of sin. I decided that since the scope of resources on the Internet has expanded since I was in college that perhaps I might be able to find a list of questions of accountability. I succeeded!

On the "Marked By Faith" blog is a compilation of various classical lists of accountability questions. This includes lists provided by John Wesley, Steven Manasker's book "Accountable Discipleship," Chuck Swindoll, James Bryan Smith & Richard Foster, Phil Heifer, the Highway Community in Palo Alto, Ca, Florent Varak, Neil Cole, Dave Guiles, Paul Klawitter, and the blog of Stephen Altrogge. Some of these names are more well known than others, but all seem to be commited to Christ.

Out of the several lists of questions, the one list that most powerfully spoke to me was John Wesley's list of Small Group Questions. These are taken from "John Wesley's Class Meetings; a Model for Making Disciples." I've copied and pasted them below:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
6. Did the Bible live in me today?
7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
8. Am I enjoying prayer?
9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
16. How do I spend my spare time?
17. Am I proud?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?
19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

Romans 5:12-21 - my most difficult passage

2011-03-14T11:30:00.002-04:00

We all have passages of Scripture that we find difficult to understand and wonder about its meaning. There are two passages that stand out to me as confusing and other worldly. The first is Romans 5:12-21. Like so many passages, one of the reasons this section of Scripture is difficult for me is because of the various interpretations that I have heard of this text and the different theological beliefs that influence how one interprets this text.

Some use this Scripture to explain original sin. They point out that through Adam we all have sinned. They look at the power of Christ's one sacrificial act and point out how the sin of the original human being could have such a universal appeal. But then I look at this passage and wonder, if this passage is used to justify or explain original sin, then wouldn't it also stand to reason that there is universal salvation. Because if all have sinned and all have gained death as a result of that sin, a parallel reading would mean that through Jesus Christ all died on the cross, all rose from the dead, and all have been given new life through Jesus Christ.

But then there is the interpretation that references this Scripture to argue that all have been saved through Jesus Christ. That Christ's death was atoning for everyone and his resurrection was also life-affirming for everyone. That even if we do not believe in Jesus, we will be saved, because he has made the way for us all. The difficulty with this interpretation is when we hold it up to other passages of Scripture, including passages in Romans. Ironically, the 10th chapter of Romans in my Bible has been given the title "Salvation Is for All" even though it is in this chapter that we read verses such as, verses 9-10, "if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved." Then there is the clarification that everyone who is saved includes both Jews and Gentiles, but more specifically it includes everyone who calls on the Lord. (9:12-13)

So I read Romans 5 and I try to forget what I've been taught and I invite the Scripture to speak for itself. Yet at the same time, I read it from the New Revised Standard Version and acknowledge that the translators had interpretive lenses when translating the Greek, even if they tried to be professionally neutral.

So, this is what I get from my own personal reflection:

vs. 12 - sin entered the world when the first person sinned.
12 - death entered the world at the time that the first sin was committed. It seems as though death did not exist prior to this moment.
12 - all people have sinned - since death is linked with sin, this means that all who have sinned, which is everyone, will die.
13 - before God gave the law to Moses and the Israelites/Hebrew people, sin existed in the world. So sin does not require law in order to exist. Does this mean that sin cannot be given the limited definition of "breaking the law of God" or "breaking the 10 Commandments?
13 - the significance of the relationship between sin and law is that sin is only reckoned or counted when there is law. So sin brought death before sin could be reckoned.
14 - so without the reckoning of sin, death still powerfully reigned over sinful people and it didn't matter the severity of their transgression.
14 - Adam is a type - a model that points to someone in the future - of the "one who was to come"
14 - the transgression of Adam was unique - and somehow his transgression was a type related to the "one who was to come" ?
14 - Moses sinned as well.
15 - There is a difference between the gift that God gives for free and Adam's sin.
15 - Many died through Adam's sin, yet God's gift of grace was more abundant than sin.
15 - Question: Did the grace of God through Jesus Christ abound more in covering the larger quantity of sins than Adam's individual sin or did the grace of God through Jesus Christ abound more in forgiving more people than just Adam? When it says "abounded for the many" does "many" refer to sins, sinful people, or both?
15 - the free gift that is within God's grace is Jesus Christ.
15-16 - the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ is greater than the effect of Adam's sin.
16 - there is a difference between the effect of Adam's sin and God's grace through Jesus Christ.
16 - The judgment of one sin brought condemnation.
16 - The free gift following many sins brought justification.
17 - Though one man's sin, death "exercised dominion through that one"
17 - Through many people, the free gift of righteousness and the abundance of God's grace "exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."
17 - Death exercised dominion through one person, God's grace and righteousness exercises dominion through many people. (WoW - Is that not powerful! I had not caught this before! I think this means that God's gift of grace and righteousness, although given through Jesus Christ, is exercised powerfully through His followers! See the impact difference?!)
17 - God gives an abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.
17 - Jesus Christ!!!
18 - Adam's sin, led to the condemnation for all. (In the sense that he sinned, and thus his influence led to all sinning)
18 - Jesus' act of righteousness led to the the justification and life for all. (Jesus acted righteously which influenced others to live righteously.
18 - Result of Jesus Christ's obedient/faithful life = justification and life!
19 - (Hmmm, here is a thought, when it says "one man" and is referring to the one who sinned, is it possible for "one man" to refer to both Adam and Eve since they were seen as one flesh?)
19 - By one man acting disobediently, many became sinners.
19 - By one man's act of obedience, many became righteous.
20 - The consequence of the giving of the law was that more people sin. (Makes me think of kids and how telling them to not do something often leads to them doing it, even though if you had not said anything, they probably wouldn't have done what they did.)
20 - Where sin increased, Grace abounded more.
21 - Sin exercises its power with death.
21 - Grace exercises its power with justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
21 - Sin leads to death, God's grace leads to eternal life.
21 - Eternal life comes through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I realize that this passage is more about death and life than it is about Old Testament types and the question of who is saved. The big idea is that when sin entered the world, death entered the world, but when God's grace and righteousness appeared through Jesus Christ, eternal life replaced death. Also God's grace is more abundant than sin.

Jesus for Barabbas

2011-02-25T14:55:00.001-05:00

One More...

Read Romans 5

I was listening to the book of Mark being read on my audioBible on my way to work and I was struck by the fact that the crowd demanded the release of a known murderer in place of Jesus Christ! In Mark 15, Pilate offers the crowd the option of either releasing Barabbas or the King of the Jews. The crowd requests Barabbas!
Then I read Romans 5:8, “But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” In a very physical, literal way, Jesus took Barabbas’s place and died for him. What injustice!

Imagine for a moment that you are the leader of a new religious movement that promotes service, taking care of the outcast, and following the ways of God. You’ve been brought before a judge who does not consider you a criminal. The judge thinks that a trial by jury will be your best defense and that an even better defense will be a jury that has to choose between releasing you or a known felon. You are brought before the jury and the known felon is released and you are convicted! Worse yet, your punishment is equivalent to the punishment that would have been set for the criminal! Injustice!

Yet, here in Romans we learn that this injustice is actually a form of God’s mercy. God’s mercy shown to the guilty. We also find that the outcome of this trial is exactly what Jesus had hoped. This was all part of the plan? “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.”

The punishment for sin is death. Someone had to pay for the crime. Jesus, the innocent one, chose to take our punishment for us.

But why him, not me? Because Jesus could fulfill the second part of the plan, which was to move past paying for the crime to rising to something new and better. We are reconciled through his death, but we are saved and given new life through his resurrection!

Now that is crazy, amazing love!

Dry Bones?

2011-02-25T14:35:00.001-05:00

Another one...

“Then he said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act, says the LORD.’” (Ezekiel 37:11-14)

“dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones…. Now hear the word of the Lord.”

Do you ever feel like you are dry bones? Israel did. In fact, God described their condition as “desolate indeed, and crushed… from all sides, so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations, and you became an object of gossip and slander among the people.” (Ez. 36:3) Ever felt that way?

Israel had become dry bones as a result of their rebellion against God. God let them reap the consequence of their rebellion. They were exiled to Babylon and their beloved, sacred city of Jerusalem was destroyed!

Then one day, God breaks Ezekiel’s silent exile in Tel Aviv in order to give Israel a message. “I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people.”

What is this? God is going to bring life again to Israel? In order for the world to know that God is still the great God of Israel, God is going to restore Israel! “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken and will act.”

God is great at restoring life! Isn’t that what the Easter story is all about – the restoration of life? It seems that at times, things must die in order for life to be revived. We plant a dormant seed in the ground and soon we see its sprouts. Jesus dies on the cross, and at his resurrection life is given victory over death. And at times aspects of our lives must die in order to make way for the new.

Are your bones dry? Feel like there is no life left in you? Hold on to hope, because Life is coming! If I know anything about God’s character, it is that the God we serve, the God of the universe, finds pleasure in bringing life to dry bones!

Almighty Restorer of Life, these bones are dry and they need some refreshing. Amen.

Forbidden Fruit

2011-02-24T14:38:00.002-05:00

At church we've each been assigned certain Scriptures to use to write Lenten devotionals. I'm not sure I like how this one turned out. What do you think?

"The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Genesis 2:15-17)

“'You will not certainly die,' the serpent said to the woman. 'For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." (Genesis 3:4-6)

Someone recently asked me, “If God didn’t want us to eat of the fruit, why did He put it in the garden?” I had just finished reading the prequel to C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series and had Lewis’s answer in mind. “That is what happens to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. The fruit is good, but they loathe it ever after…” In “The Magician’s Nephew” Lewis seems to argue that eventually Adam and Eve would have been given the opportunity to eat the forbidden fruit, just the timing was not yet quite right.

Growing up, I always hated it when my mother would say,, “I’ll explain it to you when you are older.” I knew this meant that she didn’t think I was ready to know whatever information it was that she and the adult world kept hidden from me.

Sin. What is it? Is it only the forbidden fruit? Or perhaps it is fruit that is forbidden for a time so that we can fully enjoy the pleasures of it once it is ripe and we are mature? Or perhaps it is fruit that is good, but when consumed at the wrong time or in the wrong quantity it makes us sick?

For example, shopping could be considered a fruit. There is nothing necessarily wrong with shopping in and of itself. What can make shopping sinful is when we shop at the wrong time, such as when we should be at work or spending time with our children, or when we shop in the wrong quantity, such that we spend more than we have or purchase more than what we need.

In a similar way, there is nothing necessarily wrong with playing video games in and of itself. What can make playing video games sinful is when we play them at the wrong time, such as during the middle of Thanksgiving dinner, or in the wrong quantity, such that we are not meeting our responsibilities.

So often in the season of Lent we give something up in a form of self-sacrifice that reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Perhaps during this season of Lent we should give up consuming “fruit” outside of its proper season or in larger quantities than necessary. What is your forbidden fruit?

God of all Creation, during this season of preparation, help me to recognize the fruit in my life that I am consuming at the wrong time or in the wrong portions.

Servant Leadership: Wash Each Other's Feet

2011-02-19T11:40:00.004-05:00

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” - John 13:1-20

When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.

“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:31-35

The church I attended during college had the tradition of having a monthly potluck. On the first Sunday of each month, members would bring in casserole dishes of food and we would all gather in the basement after the worship service had concluded. While we were all busy eating and enjoying each other’s company, our pastor would slip into the kitchen. He would take each casserole dish and transfer the contents to a smaller seal-able container. Then he would wash the casserole dish and its matching spoon and replace it on the serving table in the exact place where he had found it. Once he had finished he would rejoin the conversation at the tables and act as if he had never left.

When I first caught him doing this my world was turned upside down! The pastor of the church was doing the dishes! Even more shocking, he was doing the dishes on his own and in secret! When I caught him a second time, I decided to help him and from that experience I learned that this act of service was an act of love.

Since that first time of catching my college pastor doing dishes, I’ve never thought of leadership the same. I realized that leadership isn’t so much about what you do in front of people as it is about how you care for people when no one is watching. Are you someone people want to follow even when no one is aware of what you are doing?

In the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet, the disciples were caught in as much or more surprise than I was when I caught my pastor washing dishes. Here at the Passover meal their Rabbi was acting like a servant, as he knelt down and washed their gritty, dirty feet.

I love Simon Peter’s response “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Then there is the moment of realization, where Peter recognizes that it is about more than washing feet and asks Jesus, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

In this story Jesus sets an example for how we are to behave as believers. It is one of many acts of service and submission that Jesus performs on his way to the crucifixion. And in this moment of leadership he tells us “So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Let us take the time to care for one another. We are a family and we are called to follow Jesus the Messiah’s example and be leaders who serve one another in absolute humility.

Prayer: Jesus, Savior, Master, Friend, I have so much to learn from you. Thank you for being a mystery and for revealing yourself to the Church in ways that change how we as Christians see and act in the world. I don’t yet fully understand all of who you are, but I desire to know you better. Help me to see how I can follow your example and wash the feet of my brothers and sisters of Creation. Amen

Devotional - Perfection & Grace

2011-02-19T10:52:00.002-05:00

"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." - Romans 4:1-5 (New International Version, ©2010)

I am a recovering perfectionist. For the longest time I had trouble understanding God’s grace. As a child I was told that when someone does a favor for me, I need to repay them. These three statements may seem unrelated, but as I read Romans 4:1-5 I know that they are related. So often I try to earn my own salvation. I want to be the perfect Christian. Doesn’t it say somewhere in the Bible that we are suppose to “be perfect”?

But throughout the New Testament we are told that it is through God’s unmerited grace that we are saved. Our salvation is not an earned payment, rather it is a gift. And here in the first part of Romans 4 we learn that righteousness is not something we earn by doing good works or acts of service, rather it is something God gives us in response to our faith.

If our salvation or righteousness came about as the result of our doing good, then we would have a lot to boast about. But the story of Judaism and Christianity came about before God even gave the law, the direction for how we are to live righteously. The monotheistic faith as we know it today, started with one man, Abraham, “who believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”

In Hebrews 11 we learn that we are made perfect by Christ’s example, his choice to die on the cross, to sacrifice himself for us. In the moment of his offering, “he made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb. 10:14), for Jesus is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Heb. 12:2)

See, nothing was gained by Abraham according to his fleshly obedience, but everything was gained by his belief or trust in God.

So we are left with the question, “Are we trying to earn our salvation or are we following Abraham’s example and trusting God to supply for us what we are not able to do for ourselves?”

Prayer:

I believe in you God. Help me to understand that it isn’t so much about what I do as it is about what you are doing in and through me. Help me to have faith in my unbelief and to trust you as Abraham trusted you. Amen.

Present to the Passion

2011-01-29T19:05:00.000-05:00

Matthew 27:26-31

It is hard for me to read the story of the events leading up to Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. At some point in my life, I told myself that I could no longer just read the words, but rather I needed to imagine them. I think this transition took place at around the same time as Mel Gibson’s film, “the Passion of the Christ” came out in theatres. For those of you who remember, at the time it was almost expected that Christians would go to see this movie. I didn’t want to see the movie, because I said that if Jesus was crucified today, I wouldn’t be in attendance.

When we think about what happened to Jesus Christ, it can be so easy to be desensitized. We watch violent movies and our everyday news includes horrific images from around the world. But the passion of Jesus Christ was not a movie and it is not an image on television. Christ’s passion was and continues to be a reality. Jesus Christ really was tortured and deserted by his friends.

It is so easy to move forward to the resurrection, but sometime, at least during the season of Lent, perhaps we should take some time to be present in the passion. To read the story slowly and to really think about what happened. What if we had been there?

Lord Jesus, help me to not turn away from your suffering, but rather to read, listen, and learn from it.

Write that Down!

2011-01-29T18:27:00.001-05:00

“Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:4 (The Message)

“You should write that down.” How often do I hear those words? I tell a story about a way I have witnessed God in either my life or someone else’s and I get the response, “you should write that down.” Why? So I don’t forget? How could I possibly forget? So, I don’t write it down and I forget.

One of the gifts of faith that can be passed down from generation to generation are the stories about our encounters with God. These stories are powerful and they are part of our legacy. The stories don’t have to be about something out of the ordinary, they can be quite simple. How I found strength when someone shared a kind word at just the right time. About that job promotion that was unexpected, but much needed. Or that moment when I witnessed a red full moon for the first time and just knew that God exists.

They are stories about why we believe, why we worship, and why Christian community matters. They are the stories that proclaim God’s mighty acts and encourage the next generation to have faith as well. They are stories that give hope and remind younger generations that they do have a future that is greater than today.

Do we stand in awe of God’s works? Do we have stories of God’s mighty acts? If so, then lets stand in awe with the generations ahead and behind of us and let us share those stories!

Almighty God, thank you for being God of eternity. Thank you for the faith of those who came before me, who encouraged me, and helped me to believe. Help me to stand in awe of you and to tell the stories of your greatness with those of other generations. Amen

Storms of Life

2011-01-08T10:09:00.002-05:00

In the midst of the storm, Jesus is sleeping. When he is awoken by the disciples he asks, "Why are you fearful?"

Sometimes in the midst of trouble people ask, "Where is God?" There is talk of a Dark Night of the Soul. People question whether God is always alert to their troubles. Has He left me? Has God fallen asleep? Does God not care?

Yet, in Matthew 8, we have the disciples in a boat, in the midst of a storm, afraid! And Jesus, although sleeping, is with them. "O you of little faith" he comments.

What if God is sleeping during the midst of our trials? What if God does not seem fully alert to what is taking place? What does it mean for God to be present, even if He is not present in the ways that we desire?

The disciples were safe, because God was with them, even though He, in the presence of His Son, was asleep.

In the midst of our trials and tribulations, the storms that make life seem difficult, God is with us - Immanuel! He has not forgotten us nor has he forsaken us. God remains faithful, even when we are faithless. Just think about that. Jesus was asleep. He seemed unaware of the storm. Yet the disciples were completely safe - for God was with them.

Is God with you today? If you doubt His presence, seek His face. Be as the disciples, cry out "Help my unbelief!"

Prepare the Way

2011-01-07T19:19:00.004-05:00

Repentance prepares the way for Christ. That is pretty simple, isn't it. Or is it?

Why is it so difficult for us to repent? Is it because it requires that we swallow our pride? Is it because repentance makes us face the reality of who we really are? Is it because we don't have the time to truly repent? Or is it because it is a lot of hard work?

In Matthew 3 we read that John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Christ. How did he do this? By preaching a message of repentance. See, repentance must be a requirement for us to be prepared for Christ. It is a manner by which we prepare mentally and whole-heartedly for the presence of Christ in our lives.

I can't fully see who Jesus Christ is, unless I recognize who I am and who I am not. In order to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, I need to first recognize that I am not the Messiah. I must see what makes up my own humanity in order to see the unique divinity and perfect humanness of the Anointed One. If I am unwilling to take the time to do this, to prepare myself, will I really be ready and have the time for Christ when he comes?

The Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep, The Prodigal Son

2010-12-19T09:02:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, an Amber Alert was posted for one of my relatives. As a family we talked to his school, tried to contact as many friends as possible, explored the possibilities of where he might have gone. We were on a search, a search that felt helpless. And then my relative was found and we rejoiced!

This morning during my devotional time I thought about what this meant theologically. I was struck with the number of passages that dealt with the lost object or person. I saw how this is a parable of our lives and a message regarding the Kingdom of Heaven.

I considered how the search felt so foolish in our sense of being helpless, yet we searched nonetheless. What does it mean for the shepherd to leave the flock to go after the one wandering sheep? What are the risks of doing so? How does this make the shepherd vulnerable? Why does the one animal value so much?

We were sitting around family Christmas when we learned the news. We are a very large family - one of us was missing.

The Church is a very large family. In this season of Advent many of us are sitting around celebrating Christ's birth. What do we do when we discover that one of us is missing? How do we react? How do we search for the lost coin, sheep, or son? Or do we?

Luke 15:8-10 (New International Version, ©2010)

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Fatherhood - a call for redemption & movement

2010-12-05T19:48:00.002-05:00

Fatherhood. This is a word with much power. When we hear the word a variety of emotions and images come to mind, how they are shaped are dependent upon our personal experiences with our own father. In the church, there is a wide range of attitudes toward the title “Father” and its use in the church. There are movements that encourage men “to be men” and other movements that strive for gender equality and sensitivity in addressing God as Father. I suspect that there is a profound reason for God choosing to reveal Himself as “Father.” Perhaps God knew just how much this role would need to be redeemed.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2004 Current Population Survey Report “Household Relationship and Living Arrangements of Children Under 18 Years, by Age, Sex, Race, Hispanic Origin,” 23.6 million children (that is basically 1 in 3 children) in the U.S. are “orphaned” by absent biological fathers. The absence of a father makes it 5 times more likely that a child will grow up in poverty. An absent father also increases the likelihood that a child will be diagnosed with asthma, incarcerated for criminal activity, sexually over-active, and obese. These same children are more likely to use illegal substances, be in abusive relationships, drop out of school, and have failing grades. (see www.fatherhood.org) 7 of 10 Americans consider the physical absence of fathers to be the most significant social problem facing our U.S. society. (Fathers.com)

The absence of biological fathers and positive father figures is a key concern in our culture. As a church, we have an opportunity to respond. First, we can encourage the fathers who are positively involved in their children’s lives. Applaud them for their involvement and provide opportunities for them to do activities with their children (both male and female) within the Christian community. We can also provide resources for those dads who are either uninvolved or negatively involved in order to redirect their steps. Most importantly we can help these men to connect with men who might act as a positive father figure in their own lives, because they are more than likely missing this themselves. We need to have discussions about how best to support the men in the church – asking questions such as: “how do we help the men to be strong in their faith and balanced in their interactions with their families?” and “how do we help wives and mothers to provide healthy opportunities for dads to be dads?”

But, we can also be mentors. We can reach into the lives of young people and show that we care. This includes taking time to know the kids at our church and in our neighborhood (as well as their guardians). It can include volunteering with a mentoring program or starting one at your church. For those who are fathers, it may mean attending your children's special events, eating dinner with them on a regular basis, reading a book together once a week, or just sitting and listening to them tell a story about their lives.

So how do we influence our culture - so that this societal problem of absentee fathers might be overcome?

The first step is the conversation. It is becoming better informed ourselves about the important role of fathers and building a strong theological foundation for our understanding of what it means for a man to be a positively involved dad. It means struggling with our nation’s President’s belief that all children have a “father-shaped hole” that needs to be filled, and asking what it means for God as Father to fill that hole and what it means for us in our limited human capacity to follow God’s example. There are some great resources available to start this conversation. The National Fatherhood Initiative is a government supported organization with Christian leadership that has done some great research and has some wonderful resources. Their website is www.fatherhood.org Another organization also with Christian leadership that is striving to change the tide is the National Center for Fathering in Kansas. Their website is www.fathers.com.

The next step is to change ourselves. How does our own relationships with our own fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and children need to be transformed? How does our theology of God’s revelation of self influence our perspective on this topic? Where are our own hurts and places of healing? How does our own behavior need to change? Where have we failed in the past? What fears keep us from succeeding in the future?

Then we need to reach out. We need to find ways to either support dads or become a better dad or role model ourselves.

And throughout all of this we will seek God’s wisdom. Because it is in God as Father that we find the image of father both modeled and redeemed.

So, are you ready to make a difference? Are you prepared to reduce poverty, crime, poor health, and lack of education by supporting the dads in your community? Lets make a difference together.

Amen.

Truly Letting Go

2010-11-07T21:10:00.004-05:00

Tonight God taught me a very important lesson. Over the years when I have "let go, let God" I have handed over aspects of my life to God and said "here God, if you want to take it away, I trust you." But what I realize now is that this is an Old Covenant way of thinking. When Abraham took Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him, he was ready for God to take Isaac away. But that is not what God did--instead God redeemed Isaac! God redeems!

So, to "let go" and to "Let God" is to trust God in what we know to be God's character. God is a giver of life. God redeems. God brings fruit! So tonight I hand over with joy all aspects of my life and I hand over everything with a sense of giving out of my abundance, knowing that God receives this gift and will handle it in a manner that is truly good and life-giving! Tonight I "let go, Let God" knowing that God does and will redeem!

Another book completed

2010-09-26T22:07:00.000-04:00

My Bridges of Hope by Livia Bitton-Jackson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an enjoyable autobiography that was quite easy to read. It is written in a style that would appeal to a teenager, while carrying the sophistication of a wise college professor.

This is the story of a young Slovak girl in the years following her and her mother's liberation from Auschwitz. The reader becomes a witness to Elli's development from a 14-year-old to a very talented young woman. The story gives the reader insight into the challenges of life as a refugee and an immigrant.

I was surprised by how learning more about Elli's story made me want to better understand the stories of "illegal" residents in the United States today.

View all my reviews

Colossians: The Mystery of God Revealed

2010-08-01T17:13:00.004-04:00

What would happen if I went through every verse in a book of the Bible and recorded what it says about Jesus Christ? What would I find?

According to the book of Colossians, Jesus is:

The Son of God (1:3)
Lord (1:3; 2:6; 3:17)
The Christ (1:1, 3 - and many of the verses that follow.)
Image of the Invisible God (1:15)
Firstborn of All Creation (1:15)
Firstborn From the Dead (1:18)
Before Everything / The Beginning (1:17, 18)
Head of the Body--the Church (1:18)
Head of Every Ruler and Authority (2:10)
The Hope of Glory (1:27)
God's Mystery (1:27; 2:2)
Risen (3:1)
In Us (1:2)
Proclaimed by the Apostles (a.k.a the Embodiment of the Good News/Gospel) (1:28)
Seated Above (3:1)
Seated at the Right Hand of God (3:1)

But, this is not it! There is so much more. We also learn from Paul and Timothy in the letter to the believers in Colossae, that:

Jesus appointed followers to spread His word:

Jesus had apostles. (1:1)
There are ministers of Christ. (1:7)
Jesus powerfully inspires energy in the apostle Paul. (1:29)
We are servants of Jesus Christ. (4)

We are brothers and sisters in Christ. (1:2)

It is all about faith in Jesus Christ!

Life is all about faith in the Messiah Jesus. (1:3)
We are to have faith in Christ. (2:5)
The Christian faith is all about Jesus! (2:7)

The Kingdom belongs to the Son, Jesus Christ. (1:13)

Jesus is the way through which we are reconciled to God:

In Christ, we have redemption, which is the forgiveness of sins. (1:14)
Through Jesus all things were reconciled to God. (1:20)
Jesus reconciled us, the sinful, through his bodily death. (1:21)
Jesus made peace through the shedding of his own blood on the cross. (1:20)
The record of our faults and the legal consequences of them were nailed to the cross. (2:14)
The Lord has forgiven us, so we should forgive each other. (3:13)

There is a peace of Christ. (3:15)

Jesus died in order to present us as holy and blameless (and irreproachable). (1:21)

All things were created through Christ:

All things were created in, through, and for Jesus Christ - both earthly and heavenly, as well as the physical and spiritual, and all ideas/concepts. (1:16)
All things hold together through Him. (1:17)

It is important that Jesus has first place in everything. (1:18)

God dwells in Christ:

The fullness of God dwells in Jesus. (1:19)
In Christ, the whole fullness of Deity dwells physically. (2:8)

Jesus is the head of the Church:

The Body (a.k.a. The Church) belongs to Christ. (1:24)
Christ was afflicted for the sake of the body/Church. (1:24)
We are to hold fast to Jesus Christ, the head of the body. (2:19)

There was something lacking in Christ's suffering that is fulfilled in his follower's suffering? (1:24)

Jesus is the mystery of God revealed!

The mystery of God is Christ in us. (1:27)
God's mystery is Jesus Christ. (2:2)
We can receive Jesus Christ. (2:6)
We are to live our lives in Christ. (2:7)
The word of Christ dwells in the believer. (3:16)
Paul was in prison for declaring the mystery of Christ. (4:3)

Christians mature through Jesus Christ:

There exists a maturity in the believer that is found in Christ. (1:28)
Christians are rooted and built up in Christ. (2:7)
We come to fullness in Christ. (2:10)
We grow through Christ. (2:19)

True wisdom comes through Jesus Christ:

In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (2:3)
Wisdom and knowledge come through Christ. (2.8)
We Christians are being renewed in knowledge, according to the image of our creator. (3:10)

In Christ we are circumcised spiritually (put off body of flesh). (2:11)

Christ died and we died with Him:

In baptism, we are buried with Christ. (2:12)
Christ died to the elemental spirits of the universe. (2:20)
We died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the universe. (They no longer have control.) (2:20)

Christ rose to life and in Christ we now have life!

We were raised to life with Christ through faith. (2:12)
Jesus was raised from the dead by God. (2:12)
We have been raised with Christ. (3:1)
We are dead, but Christ is our life! (3:4)

Jesus trusted the power of God. (2:12)

Jesus is in the future:

The substance of what is to come belongs to Jesus. (2:15)
Christ will once again be revealed. (3:4)
When Christ is again revealed, we too will be revealed with Him in glory. (3:4)
In the renewal through Christ, Christ is all and in all (no matter our social status). (3:10)

Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. (3:3)

Our response to Jesus:

We are to do everything in the name of Jesus. (3:17)
We give thanks to God through Jesus Christ. (3:17)

Goal-Driven or Trust-Oriented?

2010-07-19T11:44:00.004-04:00

This past week I had a conversation with someone who lived her life driven by her personal goals. I saw a lot of myself in her, and yet there was something distinctly different between the two of us and our manner of being goal-driven. For this friend, she had complete control over choosing, changing, and meeting her goals. No other force was at play and if at any point she would "unfathomably" be unable to achieve a goal, then it would be due to her own inability to choose appropriate goals. The ultimate source of her own life happiness was herself. She needed no one else.

In many ways I felt like she was hiding behind her goals. Using them as a barrier to keep people away. But as I reflected more on our conversation, I realized that her goal-centered orientation is more a reflection of her view of the ultimate reality of life. Her god is herself. There is no divine will that is greater than hers.

I could be like that. God has humbled me and shown me over and over again that there is something, Someone greater than myself, who has better plans than I could ever imagine! I can let go, because I can place my trust in the ultimate Creator of it all. Life is so much more freeing to live this way. I can still set goals and dream dreams, but I know that the author and perfecter of my life is involved in my life and will thwart my plans if necessary. God wants me to live life to its fullest - good and bad, success and failure, joy and tears. To avoid pain and to seek worldly success is not enough. To live in relationship with others, to experience the fullness of human emotion and experience, and to have intimate encounters with God is more-fulfilling to me then to meet every goal I set to achieve.

On Sunday, with these thoughts and a sermon about gratefulness in mind, I once again "let go." It has been hard for me to let go since some troubles hit and nearly overcame my family seven years ago. I've had trouble trusting Jesus. I've been afraid that God would send me and give me only the bad, only the troubles. But even if this were the case (which it isn't), in some strange way, the troubles help us to really feel and become alive! I don't want the hard things in life, but they are a reality - they come and go and life goes on. I do want the joys and the celebrations - the hopes and the overwhelming experience of love. As a Christian, I believe these remain present through the tough times.

It is precious that God redeemed humanity through the death of his son on the cross. I've heard that the death of a child is the worse pain that one may ever experience. Yet God lost his son to death. But this is the mystery and the profoundness of the moment - while all was lost, God redeemed - God resurrected (not just resuscitated) His son to life! Life and hope in the midst of the darkest of times - the worse of troubles and pain. Jesus Rose!

My plans, my dreams, my goals, are not good enough for my life. God's are far better than I feel I am worthy of receiving. I do now once again trust God and know that the rain and the sun are both for good. I will receive them both with thanksgiving! For God is good! He is my Savior and He reigns! His goals are perfect.

The Church is overcommercialized!

2010-06-14T09:14:00.001-04:00

Call me old fashioned, but sometimes the church just feels too overcommercialized. This morning I was looking at a resource book for church leaders (a.k.a. catalogue) and saw a new “package” of church materials that promotes something that I believe in. The problem with it is that it is a “package.” The idea that if you buy this audio-devotional for your teens, this video curriculum for your adults, these banners and postcards, and everyone goes and sees a certain movie and talks about it together afterwards you will start a movement. Perhaps I am just a bit jealous because it requires resources to do this. But at the same time, I am just weary of marketing fads. But then again if they work, why should I complain?

Why do we need all of this pizzazz in order to convince people of the message that is already contained in the Scriptures? The message of God’s Kingdom – which is very different from the message of the kingdoms of this world. Kind of ironic using “cultural tools” to spread a message that is counter-cultural. Actually, is it possible that the material and means we use to embody the message counteracts the message? When we make something “cool” so that kids will use it to reach out to those who are seen as “uncool” aren’t we propagating “coolness”?

The megachurch movement makes me uncomfortable. Yes, it creates resources for smaller churches that the smaller church wouldn’t have been able to produce itself. But, is the mega church to culturally imbedded. I want to live differently from the world. I want to be a Christian who practices the Sabbath, conserves resources, manages money generously, and is not moved by the whims of this world. Are there other Christians like this?

Of course, I know the answer to that question is “yes” because many of them are my friends. But I also have to admit that the humility and plainness of the mainline church attracts me.

Perhaps I need to become a hermit. Close off my world to all of technology. Sometimes I wonder if this would actually be a greater witness then directly engaging in the world.

How do we live in such a way, that not only how we treat people, but also how we interact with culture, technology, the non-living material world, and all of the beauty of creation is a witness to Christ’s transforming power in our lives? How do we live differently as aliens on this planet while still remaining salt and light? Wait a second – it is Christ who makes us the salt and light while we are aliens. How do we embrace this reality?

It just makes me think of a comment I have heard my grandmother say on several occasions to myself as a teenager and to other teenagers, “What is so bad about being a nerd?”

Review: Three Cups of Tea

2010-06-13T21:23:00.000-04:00

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Greg Mortenson is blessed with an incredible aptitude for culture. This is the story of his surprising mission to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, starting in the mid-1990s, extending through September 11, 2001 to the present. A great read for anyone interested in sociology, culture, religion, or even gaining a new perspective on the United State's "influence" in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Expect to have your worldview altered!

View all my reviews >>

Friendship

2010-06-04T15:56:00.001-04:00

I am cleaning my room and I came across a note I wrote after having a good friend visit me.

I wrote, "With your best friend you can talk without thinking and when you are thinking and not talking she knows exactly what you are not saying."

"Days of Fire and Glory."

2010-05-27T17:19:00.000-04:00

Days of Fire and Glory:The Rise and Fall of a Charismatic Community by Julia Duin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In a narrative style that is enriched with journalistic touches, Washington Times writer, Julia Duin writes about the birth of the 1960s charismatic movement in Houston, Texas and its growth all the way to its demise in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She writes of the power of community and the joys of life experienced through Holy Spirit inspired personal sacrifice. She also hints throughout the book to the dangers of such power not being held in check and warns of how leaders lacking accountability can lead to the demise of a community. She writes historically and she writes theologically. This book would be great for anyone who is interested in church history, movements of the Spirit, church leadership, or community living. I also encourage the reading of this book by anyone who has encountered the charismatic movement but has been left confused by this encounter.

Good read.

View all my reviews >>

Freedom to Read!

2010-05-27T16:46:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I finished my first book since graduating from seminary. Ahhh, refreshing!

It feels good to read again just to read. No assignments, no papers, no exams, just personal pleasure and growth. It feels so good that I am back to my pre-seminary habit of reading more than one book at a time, each from a different genre. I'm reading Richard Foster's, "Celebration of Discipline" at about one or two pages a day, for my own spiritual growth. My husband and I are reading together Christopher Moore's "Lamb: The gospel according to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal," for the sure pleasure and shared laugh that Moore offers. And I just completed, Julia Duin's "Days of Fire and Glory: The Rise and Fall of a Charismatic Community." Julia actually sent me this book about a year ago and we finally met today to discuss it.

I actually have several books on my "to-read" list that I have been given by authors. I've started several of them - but in the midst of my school work, it was just too much to continue. So, over the next few months, I hope to pick up Os Guinness's book "The Case for Civility: And Why Our Future Depends On It," Bob Fryling's "The Leadership Ellipse: Shaping How We Lead By Who We Are," and one of Nigel Cameron's books, just to name a few.

My neighbor and I are also planning to read and discuss books together this summer. We are starting with the number one New York Times bestseller, "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson.

In the midst of reading all these books, I also hope to begin writing two of my own. One on racism and the other,... well, I'll let that remain a secret for the time being.

Anyways - the first book I've completed since graduation was Duin's "Days of Fire and Glory." It was a great book to read prior to being ordained and starting as the minister at a church. In a narrative style that is enriched with journalistic touches, Julia writes about the birth of the 1960s charismatic movement in Houston, Texas and its growth all the way to its demise in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She writes of the power of community and the joys of life experienced through Holy Spirit inspired personal sacrifice. She also hints throughout the book to the dangers of such power not being held in check and warns of how leaders lacking accountability can lead to the demise of a community. She writes historically and she writes theologically. This book could be considered for study in a church history class, absorbed by someone seeking healing from past charismatic church pains, or reviewed as a lesson on leadership.

Morality Statistics

2010-05-26T19:29:00.002-04:00

I think it is interesting that only a little over 1/3 of women surveyed think abortions are morally acceptable, while about 70% of all people surveyed think divorce is acceptable.

Why are the conservatives spending so much time fighting against homosexuality - shouldn't they be saying something about divorce?

Pastoral Responsibilities

2010-05-17T11:12:00.002-04:00

As a pastor, one of my responsibilities, or should I say roles, is to help bring people back into communion or connection with God.

Richard J. Foster in "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth" writes,

"The truth of the matter is that the great God of the universe, the Creator of all things desires our fellowship. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve talked with God and God talked with them--they were in communion. Then came the Fall, and in an important sense there was a rupture of the sense of perpetual communion, for Adam and Eve hid from God. But God continued to reach to his rebellious children, and in stories of such persons as Cain, Abel, Noah, and Abraham we see God speaking and acting, teaching and guiding."

29 Minutes for 29 Miners: Unplug to Remember Lives Lost

2010-04-21T06:54:00.005-04:00

29 Minutes for 29 Miners: Unplug to Remember Lives Lost

Type:

Causes - Rally

Date:	Thursday, April 29, 2010
Time:	7:00pm - 7:30pm
Location:	Everywhere and Anywhere

Description

At the end of every plug and light switch, thousands of hard workers are toiling away in the dark in order to keep our lights on.

On April 29th remember the cherished lives of the 29 people who died in the April 5th Upper Big Branch mine disaster by powering down from 7 to 7:29 pm EST.

Unplug electronics, switch off your lights, or turn off your cell phone. Let's honor those who provide the fuel for over half of our electricity!

Please help me to promote this event by adding a similar post to your blog and encouraging others to do the same!

Just one blog post - pretty simple!

In January I went on an immersion study trip to eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian Mountains. The team that I joined was made up of seminary students from across the country. We wanted to do something in response to the recent mine disaster in West Virginia which would show our support and solidarity with the miner's families and also raise awareness of how our lives are impacted daily by their lives. This is what we came up with - 29 Minutes for 29 Miners.

While in Appalachia, we were often encouraged by locals to think of miners whenever we switched on and off a light. We also noticed that at the majority of the homes and businesses we visited, appliances that were being unused were not only switched off, but also unplugged! Plugged in appliances and electronics that are not being used still use electricity!!! Here are some sites where you can learn more about this:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/small_appl.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/11/science/11qna.html

Check out this website in particular: http://standby.lbl.gov/summary-chart.html

Abide In Christ!

2010-04-18T20:30:00.001-04:00

Sermon Series, Women of Faith, Future Congregation...

2010-02-28T08:09:00.004-05:00

This morning as I took a shower I dream about a sermon series I will do once I am the pastor of a church. It was a series that would take place in the summer and the theme would be bio-ethics. I thought about how I would start collecting information in different files for different possible sermon topics, speakers I would have come for an adult Sunday afternoon VBS, and a fun children's Sunday School/VBS curriculum that I could design.

Switching between regions of the United States gives me access to whole new kind of resource. My current job has connected me with Christians who are experts in their fields and have learned how to integrate their faith with their work. There is a gift in this.

But there is also a gift in my home region and that is a sense of stability and intimacy among a Christian community. In that region I imagine myself doing sermon series that go deeper into one's spiritual walk in a different way. I would still do a bioethics series, but it would probably only be a sermon series with an adult Sunday school class. The focus there might be more on one's personal experience of bioethics, where in this region there would be more of a professional aspect to the series.

This also led me to think about the differences in the types of ministry positions that are available to me. If I was at home, I would be applying for solo or senior Pastor positions. Here, I don't know what will be the outcome of the process. My boss (in a non-church position) actually was surprised when he heard me say that I would be open to a senior pastor role. He hadn't realized that this was a position a recent graduate could take. I really want to pastor a church.

Yesterday I preached the first sermon in a sermon series for my preaching class. It felt so right. It is what I am made to do. I haven't been able to use this gift as frequently the last two years, but the three or four sermons that I have prepared during that time have confirmed that preaching is part of my call.

My mother recently commented that she thinks the Women of Faith conferences are looking for new speakers. I use to sense more of a call to do that, but I also want to shepherd a congregation. Do I ask if they are looking for applications?

I have peace about what will happen after I graduate. I don't know exactly what that will be, but I have peace. I suspect there will be a break between my graduating and my starting at a church or whatever ministry God calls me to, and I don't mind. It would be nice to have some time to switch modes from school to work, to organize our home, to paint some walls, to catch up with friends, and to better explore our community. I would like to have a position by the time I am ordained. And I trust that will occur.

I am at peace. It will be fun to see where God takes me next!