Reflectionary VIII

"Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel."

I'm not sure our present generation can have any sense of the power and meaning behind the simple prophecy of Isaiah, quoted above.

For any meaning to be clear, there must be a frame of reference. When wearing the lenses of an early 21st-Century person, these messianic prophecies lose all of their magic, their poetry, and majesty. There is no frame of reference. No common themes. The words do not even mean the same thing.

"Look." or, "Behold." To truly look at something, or behold it, as Isaiah intended, you have to be willing to stop and wait. We are enjoined to cease what we're doing, read, ponder, even pray, for understanding of what we are about to hear. This takes patience. It takes the ability to put off anything that does not stimulate our physical senses, instantaneously. It requires a willingness to learn, to gain understanding, to be proven wrong, to reach new levels of awareness, or actualization.

We can't do that. We don't know how to "look."

"The young woman." To the ancient Hebrew culture, it was a given that a "young woman" was what we would call today, a "virgin." But we can't access that concept. When a pre-Christian Era Hebrew woman was a "virgin," that meant she hadn't done "any" of "it." None of the substitute acts that are common today. No "dates." No time alone with another boy. No hand-holding. Her eyes had not seen everything imaginable on cable TV, in her parents' home and even in their presence, with their tacit approval. It was also assumed that the "young woman" was unmarried. If you were a virgin, you were not married, and vice versa. But it also entailed a certain expectation that she would one day become married . . . which was understood to be, to a man . . . and that the marriage itself would result in children . . . many of them . . . because God had created beings in His image . . . like Him . . . which meant we could create others (reproduce) in our own image (our children), just as our creator created us.  The culture believed that God was both Love and Life, and that when you combined the two, new generations of God-imaged humans would result.

No, I am not being naive. I am not suggesting that everybody in Hebrew culture, even in those times, were happy prudes. But when Scripture talks about "the fullness of time," perhaps it's an indication of how rare it is to find a person, let alone a woman, like Mary . . . who could so perfectly fulfill the requirements of her calling.

"With child." Meaning, if you were "with child," then you had to be married . . . prior to getting in that state. Mary was not. To understand the emotional scandal that this entailed, think about what it's like if your best friend unfriends you on Facebook, without telling you ahead of time, or worse yet, your significant other unfriends you as a way to break up. Think about how that feels, now multiply it a couple hundred times and you may begin to understand the feelings of people around Mary, when they discovered she was pregnant.

And I will leave the rest of the text to another time. 

My prayer is that, in the midst of a world that is awash with images that no one should see, or think about (let alone children), that has perhaps eaten too freely of a Tree of Knowledge for which we, as a species, are not morally ready; that you find the power to erase all those images from your mind, and be able truly to look . . . behold . . . see . . . and be blessed.

Reflectionary VII

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. 

How did the season of Advent become the most frantic, stressful, and hectic of the whole year?

Even nature itself, with the onset of an earlier sunset, colder weather, snow on the ground, bids us to take it easy. Get indoors, relax. Put another log on the fire. Brew up some hot cocoa. Watch a movie. Read.

The debate goes on about taking "Christ" out of "Christmas." But the Christian movement, with its fast-paced, road-raged, halls-bedecked demeanor during these months, provides plenty of fodder to the atheistic assault against our favored institution.

And even on Christmas Eve this month, we may very well hear the same intonations from the preacher:

"(long sigh) . . . well . . . we made it!"

Made what? Has this been a sea voyage to the New World? Achieving the chance to run the Marathon in the Olympics? The end of an arduous multi-year campaign for the Presidency?

Advent is all about waiting. And if we have made it through a period of rest and prayer, of contemplation and reflection, then indeed we have earned the right to heave a sigh of relief and proclaim "We made it!"

The Body of Christ should be doing anything BUT acting on edge this month.

Our peaceful demeanor, our refusal to take the bait and complain about traffic, crowds, and the weather, will provide volumes of positive testimony to the rightness of trusting in the Lord.

Glenn Frey once said "Take it easy." The Southern California rockers of the 1970s had this right. In the end, all that other stuff is not so important.

Patience. Please.

Reflectionary VI

Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger?

The LORD sets the prisoners free

the LORD opens the eyes of the blind

the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down.

The LORD loves the righteous

the LORD cares for the stranger

he sustains the orphan and widow

but frustrates the way of the wicked.

If I were interested in social justice. . . .

That's all.

If I were interested in social justice, and that was my chief driving passion . . . . 

And if I had no particular religious convictions about the matter. If I were a humanist, a Liberal, a Progressive, even an atheist . . . .

If I in fact secretly considered myself superior to these religious people, especially the Christians in their fine homes and comfortable lifestyles, preaching at others about sin and morality, while doing little more than creating some window-dressing as evidence of my charity . . . . 

But if the thing more important to me than anything, was that people live in freedom, with all their needs supplied, with all their ills cured, with all their hopes fulfilled . . . . 

Then I would swallow my pride and take biblical verses like the ones referenced above (from the Psalms), and create common ground with the millions and millions of Christians on earth - - - a mass of people that want more than anything to be told they reminded others of Christ.

I would cheerfully quote these verses, and with a glad spirit invite my Christian brethren to join with me in bringing to pass these beautiful words from the Bible.

I would put away all of my predispositions regarding lifestyle, orientation, politics, pop culture, morality, for these are all minor considerations compared to the dire needs of the dreadfully sick and starving throughout the world.

I wouldn't let the Christians know that in my mind I felt I was using them. For the needs of those in poverty far outweigh my need to be thought of as intelligent and relevant.

If I really cared about the sick, the poor, those in prison, the homeless, the immigrant, the widow, and the orphan, this is what I would do.

I would put away my personal agenda, and join up with others whose driving passion is also to serve the needy. 

And I wouldn't care if they were religious.

I would even force myself to say "Merry Christmas," if it helped the helpless.

Reflectionary V

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

The older we get, the more we pine for the days of our youth, or that is, for youth itself. The memories of playing on our street with good friends; of family events with lots of cousins running around; of young love; the birth of our first child, and experiencing all of his and her events and activities; our grandchildren when they visit . . . 

I pine for my Autumn Lane Neighborhood, and my good friends there, that I would see every day, that I grew up with. I long for one more overnight stay at the Turnbow Farm with my cousins; or one more Darr Christmas Party while Grandpa and Grandma were still living, except that the family members that came later would be miraculously transported to that time and place, so that they would understand what we're talking about.

The Kingdom of God is like that. It is like going back to those times. Our wonderful event of the future, will be just like going back to the best days of our lives. Therefore the redeemed of the Earth "shall return."

It's too bad "Zion" has taken on such a politically-charged meaning. It's only talking about that return - going back to glory days, to plenty, to peace and happiness. And no matter what culture you come from, this is something everybody wants.

It is something worth waiting for. If you could return to the very best of life . . . . wouldn't you think it worthwhile to become one of the "ransomed"?

Reflectionary IV

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

And they cast lots to divide his clothing.


When we separate ourselves into camps, or divisions, or denominations, we are not much different than those at the Cross, that cast lots to gain possession of a piece of Christ's garment. But where they only divided up His clothing, we have successfully divided His body, for two millennia.

Why must we divide? The enemy on the battlefield can only dream that we may become "divided." Divide and conquer has always been a classic and effective military strategy!

Do we separate out our camps, so that we may individually gain more control, or power? (Power is a highly recognized dysfunctional need of humans). Once we have established control over our camp, is it not our next goal to grow it, so that it may swallow up its rivals?

Humanity, when unified against God, is a terrible thing. The more power we have, the more evil we become.

Humanity, when unified in obedience to God, is an amazing instrument of good works, of charity, and of love.

Human divisions are called "Kingdoms," or "nations." But this is not the best way for us. Together we can do great things. And Christ commanded that His Body, The Church, not be divided!

The anti-Christian forces in the world today marvel that we are so divided and scattered, as it makes their job that much easier. We need to do whatever it takes to grow, to unify, and to expand. And we need to do it as Christ would: by sacrificing ourselves in acts of kindness and love, to the Lord's most needy children, found in every corner of the Earth.

Reflectionary III

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth.

One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your power.

...we beg you, brothers and sisters, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as though from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here.

Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.

This morning, I came across this wonderful quote by the great 19th Century Scottish clergyman, Thomas Chalmers:

"With the magnificence of eternity before us, let time, with all its fluctuations, dwindle into its own littleness."

Our crazy generation.... I believe that in eternity all those that went before us, and that may come after us, will ridicule and cajole us, perhaps good-naturedly, about our errant, childlike, narcissistic and narrow-minded view of life and morality. It's like, with all our knowledge of biology and ecology; with all of history behind us, as a clear model of how to, and how not to run a civilization; with all of these advantages, why are we such . . . children?

We can't wait for anything. We must have what we want . . . NOW! We have not been taught to wait for anything.

We want a fancy car, NOW. We want to get married, NOW. We want a house, NOW. We want good health, NOW. We want to look more youthful, NOW. We want to have sex, NOW. We can't even wait for Advent season anymore, before we begin immersing ourselves in the theme of Christmas, (Advent is supposed to be a practical exercise in waiting.)

If only we had the eternal view.

The 3rd grader says "Why did I act like such a baby when I was younger?"

The 10th grader says "Why was I so obsessed with My Little Pony?"

The College student says "Why did I put so much into having a date for the Prom?"

The Bride and Groom say "Well actually it would have been nice to have waited."

The middle-aged couple says "Why didn't I spend more time with my kids?"

The person on his or her deathbed says "Why didn't I spend more time in prayer?"

And likewise, I believe that in eternity, it will be so clear to us:

"Actually, I could have waited until marriage to have sex. Why didn't I?"

"Hmmm . . . I should NOT have chosen abortion."

"Well . . . I really should have stopped drinking so much.

"Wow . . . so I really DIDN'T need a divorce!"

"Why did we buy that house when we could have instead helped so many homeless?"

"What an idiot I was, to obsess so much about Miley Cyrus, while in my own neighborhood are single-parent homes that can use my help!"

And so on . . .

We don't get it. It all comes back to accepting the fact that there is an eternal situation off in the distance. To the eternal being, the problems and concerns of this life are simply ridiculous. And many of us will find ourselves immortal, indeed, one day.

Don't live your life so that you look back on yourself, from the purview of immortality, and say "Why was I so stupid?"

Reflectionary II

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through fire and water; but you brought us out into a place of refreshment.

… warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.

Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?

Who are your enemies?

Your ex-wife or husband? Your boss? Your in-laws? A neighbor? A friend that has been gossiping about you? A co-worker? Someone in your distant past, that has influenced every bad decision you made in your life?

Or is that too harsh of a word: "enemies"?

If you're like me, you find yourself wishing ill upon another person, or other people, maybe several times a day. When we observe children expressing such views, we recognize it instantly as immature and self-centered. Nevertheless, when you wish bad things would happen to someone else, is it fair to say that that person is your "enemy"? (Someone will protest and say - "No, that person is not my enemy. I love her and that's why I want her to learn a lesson." But I guess that makes it okay, as long as it's not a child making the same case.)

But God tells us that, when we are in some unfavorable situation, to pray for the ones responsible for it, and to work for their welfare! Your ex-spouse continues to be someone whom you should serve and help!

God says that these hateful circumstances that others visit upon us, are things God lets happen; but in the end He gives us peace and rest! Your clueless boss is actually working on your behalf, as God's agent! (She just doesn't know it!)

These people that are spreading hateful, and harmful gossip about you, are actually bringing ruin to the people they are talking to!! In fact, anybody gossiping about you, or fostering divisions among us, are actually not hurting you at all, unless you listen to it!  

And in the end, the people that end up getting words of wisdom like the above, end up being the one you would least expect: someone on the edge of society, an outsider, a foreigner, an underprivileged person - - - people that come first to mind when you think of "enemy". They are a deep minority, like 10%, or less, of the total population. You do not see them because you are looking in the wrong places for people that will lead you to God. In fact, I daresay that many of us will discover grace and wisdom outside the walls of our Church, from the least likely places. 

So I think that we need to let go of the very concept of "enemy." In the first place, the person you think is your friend may very well not be. The person you would think is your enemy is the one with your back. But what matter? You're supposed to pray for your enemies anyway. And if you're busy enough serving others, and thinking good thoughts about everybody, you will not have any space in your mind for negativity and gossip. 

And while you're at it, you might try avoiding gossip, from the very start. It looks like listening to it is as bad as repeating it.

Reflectionary I

"How lonely sits the city that once was full of people!"

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD."

"So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails."

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him."

"Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

"So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, `We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"

There is a sense in history, that despite the best efforts of good men and women, to advance the cause of justice, peace, purity, honor, and wealth - that the world itself conspires to return to violence, carnality, poverty, slavery, and chaos.

Every Moses has his Pharaoh. Every Ghandi, his Pol Pot. Every Lincoln, his Booth. Every Christ, his Caesar.

If the Universe is expanding, becoming more random and disorderly, then it makes sense for the Great Designer to create the method for it to be attracted back to that good state that was at the very beginning. We stray, and God calls us back to Him. We stray again, and the process repeats itself. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God and the Word was toward God." I write "toward," because I have read that this is much more accurate translation than "with", as in "The Word was with God." It denotes God's Word, His plan, being simply this: the plan that would draw everything back to Himself. God lets us go our own way, knowing that we will choose violence and slavery. Yet He speaks a Word (and that's all it takes) - and, hearing it, we may choose to return back to Him, to progress back, if you will, to the original state of innocence and peace. Except that, having lived our lives in this realm, we have gained the knowledge that comes from pain, disappointment, failure, and heartbreak. A hurt being is an empathetic being is a compassionate being is a loving being, and so on.

Western culture has twisted the meaning of slavery, so that it can never mean something good. But as Dylan said, you've got to serve somebody. We are never without being subject to someone's whim. Our response to God's word, our return to Him, is hastened by our becoming His slave. If your master builds you into your true self; If He provides your needs; If he cares for you more than anyone else. If he can, and does, offer you eternal life, then this is a slavery worth having. It's all in the return to the Universe's first voice. You can either go out and make your own way, and take the randomness that will follow. Or you can get with the program - - - with the team, if you will. Like a well-tuned instrument, your willingness to be bent and adjusted to your own best fit, puts you in sync with the world's true Social Network. You get into a zone like no other.

The world and its programs, even the good ones, lead nowhere. But listen, wait, be still, and hear the voice that calls gently, but more persistently and lovingly than any other. 

The Difference Between the Testaments

`What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' (From Acts 11)

He . . .  gave them a law which shall not pass away. (Psalm 148: 6)

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." (From Revelation 21)

 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. (From John 13)

If you had to pick the one thing that made the New Testament truly new, what would it be?

The faith of a friend of mine was severely weakened by his lifelong ponderings about the inconsistencies within Scripture - facts that don't match up with other accounts, or statements which seem to go directly counter to what is known in Science and history, etc.  The usual stuff.

This friend also believes that the first generation Church had every reason to believe Christ would return in its lifetime. And when He didn't, that represented a complete lack of follow-through, and a sense that the most important promise of God never happened, at the time it was supposed to happen.

The New Testament is called "new," because of a rather notable departure from the basic tenets of the Old. Why call it "new" unless something was different, enough so to merit making a distinction between the two? The difference would have to be distinct enough, that someone well-versed in the Old, would not recognize it, without an element of faith that would tie it all together.

In Christ, God turned everything upside down. Suddenly, things that were forbidden: foods to eat, associations to make, habits to cultivate, were now allowed. The outward manifestation of one's faith was no longer to be based on these specific requirements. You could not as easily identify a believer by his clothing, his daily routine, his associations.

God said to John, on Patmos, that He is making all things new. Not promised, not far off, but now. Christ's new commandment was now, and it was a law that will not pass away. It was to be eternal, present, and clear: love one another.

Yes - love. Not the way the world loves. Not through physical touch that benefits the giver as much (or more) than the taker. No - love that is totally self-sacrificing. We no longer sacrifice animals. We sacrifice ourselves. And how do we do this? By truly loving . . . as Christ loves.

This is the difference. Christ should be evident, and present, in the world today, because of a Church that loves, and is growing. Let the Church follow this one and only important commandment, "Love one another," and the case will be harder to make, that Christ has tarried too long.