"I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations....
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,..."
From Isaiah 42
The Left seeks justice.
The Right seeks righteousness.
Both are needful. One values people as they are, accepts them, and affirms them.
But the other calls them to higher levels of personal behavior.
And we humans take our pick - one, or the other. But God calls us to seek both.
It is such a difficult balancing act. "Hate the sin, love the sinner." But the sinner certainly does not feel loved when we show them a better, a purer way. Even if we LIVE the godly life, without preaching about it, they get mad. And it's hard to pick out one sin that we NEVER commit, and advocate for it . . . while ignoring the 99 other sins that we do all the time, without thinking. Non-believers (and many believers) have a word for that: hypocrisy.
The Left calls out the Right - saying why are you judging others? You're not perfect. But in making this assertion, they are admitting that a sin has indeed been committed. Children desperately desire acceptance, even when, especially when, they do wrong. Adult sinners living publicly and defiantly in lifestyles that clearly are not pure, nor particularly loving (a word whose definition we have lost); lash out when questioned, even gently. In the dark of the night, cockroaches skitter away when a light turns on. This is us. We hate . . . HATE . . . to be called out. And we all are deserving of it.
But God wants BOTH from us: desire justice until your head aches. But live in righteousness (self-control, purity, charity), until your desire to taste the world's delicious poison bends you to the breaking point. The search for justice can break your bank. Your giving in to temptation can waste your bank. Your elevation in both areas is painful and backbreaking.
But you HELP others by doing both. Justice helps the physical needs of others by protecting them. Righteousness helps the spiritual needs of yourself by keeping your soul pure.
We need both. Go for broke. Go for both.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Monday, January 2, 2017
He Carries Me
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
Isaiah 63
I am excited to revive my Reflectionary blog this year. I hope that my four readers enjoy it.
The year begins with me having endured an on-line pommeling, for expressing my emotions about the danger of auto traffic, and the too-real hazards of being in an accident.
People said I was too "preachy." Hmm . . .
How many would-be preachers never enter the ministry, because nobody wants to be considered "preachy"? Most people just don't want the trouble. Research shows that most people just want safety and security. There are very few outliers. Unfortunately, in our times, the outliers seem to have the advantage.
The Mainstream is being tugged along by the nose, by people on the fringe.
But our first promise from God this year, is that He will "carry us."
In the midst of all of the trouble and discord . . . surrounded by people that want to violate us in the most fundamental of ways: they want to silence us - - - God promises to carry us.
The advantages to being carried by God are numerous:
If you are under attack, yet at the same time comfortably in the arms of the Lord, then He surely will take our case. Remember that.
In our on-line angst . . . just remember: God is carrying you. Let HIM deal with it. Say a prayer. Get your guidance from Him. And if no answer comes, it's because He wants you to just forget about it. Give it time.
In my post this morning, about the auto accident in our neighborhood, two people confronted me, and as I said, accused me of being "preachy," (the first thing to notice is . . . these are the same people that consider it a virtue if you don't care what others think).
But someone very close to me, that I really trust, called me, and called me out. On her advice alone I deleted the comment, and then wrote a more gracious comment regarding the accident, with an apology.
But let me move on forward a little bit. My response was to take my things and go climb up into God's arms. As soon as I read the Isaiah reading above, from the Lectionary, I received a notification that someone had posted a response to my apology. She said that I did not need to apologize, that I had done nothing wrong.
That was God carrying me.
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.
Isaiah 63
I am excited to revive my Reflectionary blog this year. I hope that my four readers enjoy it.
The year begins with me having endured an on-line pommeling, for expressing my emotions about the danger of auto traffic, and the too-real hazards of being in an accident.
People said I was too "preachy." Hmm . . .
How many would-be preachers never enter the ministry, because nobody wants to be considered "preachy"? Most people just don't want the trouble. Research shows that most people just want safety and security. There are very few outliers. Unfortunately, in our times, the outliers seem to have the advantage.
The Mainstream is being tugged along by the nose, by people on the fringe.
But our first promise from God this year, is that He will "carry us."
In the midst of all of the trouble and discord . . . surrounded by people that want to violate us in the most fundamental of ways: they want to silence us - - - God promises to carry us.
The advantages to being carried by God are numerous:
If you are under attack, yet at the same time comfortably in the arms of the Lord, then He surely will take our case. Remember that.
In our on-line angst . . . just remember: God is carrying you. Let HIM deal with it. Say a prayer. Get your guidance from Him. And if no answer comes, it's because He wants you to just forget about it. Give it time.
In my post this morning, about the auto accident in our neighborhood, two people confronted me, and as I said, accused me of being "preachy," (the first thing to notice is . . . these are the same people that consider it a virtue if you don't care what others think).
But someone very close to me, that I really trust, called me, and called me out. On her advice alone I deleted the comment, and then wrote a more gracious comment regarding the accident, with an apology.
But let me move on forward a little bit. My response was to take my things and go climb up into God's arms. As soon as I read the Isaiah reading above, from the Lectionary, I received a notification that someone had posted a response to my apology. She said that I did not need to apologize, that I had done nothing wrong.
That was God carrying me.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
The Seventh Month of Christmas
In Preparation for a recognition of the Twelve Days of Christmas in 2016, we list, each month, the elements of each of the twelve days.
And so on the 6th day of each month, which, in January is the day following the Tweflth Day, I'll provide some background with limited commentary.
On the Seventh Day, we may focus on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
It is also suggested that we receive instruction in the seven sacraments. Now granted, these are the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. But upon further reflection we may well consider how all Christians may elevate the role of each, in their daily walk:
And so on the 6th day of each month, which, in January is the day following the Tweflth Day, I'll provide some background with limited commentary.
On the Seventh Day, we may focus on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
It is also suggested that we receive instruction in the seven sacraments. Now granted, these are the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. But upon further reflection we may well consider how all Christians may elevate the role of each, in their daily walk:
Historically, also, January begins the Forefeast of the Theophany.
And so the 7th day of Christmas, New Year's Eve, gives us a chance for one more secular type of celebration. Of course, in our culture, there will be many opportunities to do this, from college bowl games to New Years Eve parties. I would suggest that, this year anyway, all readers of this blog avail themselves of a New Year's Eve party. And if you are not invited to one, have your own! Or visit some local watering hole that will be open.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Utmost Patience
"...with the utmost patience in teaching."
- 2 Timothy 4
Paul urges his young disciple, Timothy to convince people, to preach, to exhort, without ceasing. Yes, "urges." And do we stop to think that, when you "urge" someone, there is a sense of "urgency"?
The message is urgent. Not because Christ was fooling people by promising He'd return soon, and then taking at least two thousand years to do so, but because the day of salvation is today. The time for salvation is now.
The Kingdom of God is eternal. It's neverending now. It's this very moment, continuing.
And so we have to preach now. We need them to receive Christ now. We can't put it off, because now is always right now. You cannot put off this present moment. And that's the point.
And Paul says to proceed in any manner that is practical, and practicable.
But this part here was very impactful to me this afternoon: "with the utmost patience."
That's where we blow it. We take an urgent message, and then ruin it by sharing it in a way that is too pushy. If it's urgent, you need to take time to do it right. And so Paul says to be patient. We all know what "patient" is. We know what it looks like. We know when we're around a patient person, versus someone who is impatient. And we know which is more appealing.
So remember that we do have an urgent message to spread. But also remember that it will not spread if we are not patient.
- 2 Timothy 4
Paul urges his young disciple, Timothy to convince people, to preach, to exhort, without ceasing. Yes, "urges." And do we stop to think that, when you "urge" someone, there is a sense of "urgency"?
The message is urgent. Not because Christ was fooling people by promising He'd return soon, and then taking at least two thousand years to do so, but because the day of salvation is today. The time for salvation is now.
The Kingdom of God is eternal. It's neverending now. It's this very moment, continuing.
And so we have to preach now. We need them to receive Christ now. We can't put it off, because now is always right now. You cannot put off this present moment. And that's the point.
And Paul says to proceed in any manner that is practical, and practicable.
But this part here was very impactful to me this afternoon: "with the utmost patience."
That's where we blow it. We take an urgent message, and then ruin it by sharing it in a way that is too pushy. If it's urgent, you need to take time to do it right. And so Paul says to be patient. We all know what "patient" is. We know what it looks like. We know when we're around a patient person, versus someone who is impatient. And we know which is more appealing.
So remember that we do have an urgent message to spread. But also remember that it will not spread if we are not patient.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Search. Seek.
Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
- Ezekiel 34
This idea of painstakingly seeking for the lost sheep of Israel;
This unending mission of God, actively looking for His own.
He will gather all of them. They will be placed in Zion, in Israel, and will be treated as people born there. Israel and Zion are the home of God's people . . . all of God's people, no matter where on earth they began their journey.
This seems like a practical lesson for us. When we are separated from someone else - a family member, a friend, a neighbor - our response should be as one that searches. We seek them out. We don't give up.
What's God's will for your life? Search for His sheep.
Do walls divide you from others? Walls of denominationalism or of political party? Walls of family strife? Walls of geographical separation? Walls of hate?
Seek them out.
God doesn't berate His sheep when they are found. When they leave He doesn't say "Good riddance!"
He smiles, he laughs. He hollers with glee that His sheep has been found. And then He carefully cradles the sheep, once lost, and carries him or her home.
Today I'm thinking about two things:
1) Alienation on social media. When you're having a really rough time debating people on Facebook, stop thinking of them as a rival, or opponent. They are God's own, as are you, and some artificial wall is erected that keeps you apart. Seek them out. Welcome them. Do NOT judge or treat them harshly.
2) Family. Always family. The lost sheep narrative has special relevance in the family setting. Families are automatically connected through DNA. And when there is a separation it's like you've torn a rift into nature itself. You must go seek out your estranged family member . . . for your own good.
(Yes, I know . . . love lets go. And Christ came to divide father from daughter, etc. That's another lesson).
"Feed my sheep."
- Ezekiel 34
This idea of painstakingly seeking for the lost sheep of Israel;
This unending mission of God, actively looking for His own.
He will gather all of them. They will be placed in Zion, in Israel, and will be treated as people born there. Israel and Zion are the home of God's people . . . all of God's people, no matter where on earth they began their journey.
This seems like a practical lesson for us. When we are separated from someone else - a family member, a friend, a neighbor - our response should be as one that searches. We seek them out. We don't give up.
What's God's will for your life? Search for His sheep.
Do walls divide you from others? Walls of denominationalism or of political party? Walls of family strife? Walls of geographical separation? Walls of hate?
Seek them out.
God doesn't berate His sheep when they are found. When they leave He doesn't say "Good riddance!"
He smiles, he laughs. He hollers with glee that His sheep has been found. And then He carefully cradles the sheep, once lost, and carries him or her home.
Today I'm thinking about two things:
1) Alienation on social media. When you're having a really rough time debating people on Facebook, stop thinking of them as a rival, or opponent. They are God's own, as are you, and some artificial wall is erected that keeps you apart. Seek them out. Welcome them. Do NOT judge or treat them harshly.
2) Family. Always family. The lost sheep narrative has special relevance in the family setting. Families are automatically connected through DNA. And when there is a separation it's like you've torn a rift into nature itself. You must go seek out your estranged family member . . . for your own good.
(Yes, I know . . . love lets go. And Christ came to divide father from daughter, etc. That's another lesson).
"Feed my sheep."
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Extreme Measures
"...that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins."
- Isaiah 40
The setup for John the Baptist (this verse precedes the "A voice cried out" passage), was a reminder that Jerusalem has just paid heavily, for sinning against God. It says that she received the punishment from the Lord's own hand.
So, a couple of things. As we go about considering the terrible acts of a "loving God," ("Why would a loving God permit evil?"), we have it right here that, not only does He permit evil to happen, but His punishments may very well be twice as bad as we deserve.
We say "why do bad things happen to good people?" But the point is, they're not good people, or the bad things would not happen. John the Baptist preached repentance, and we all need to repent. Yes, it is true that within Jerusalem, there were charitable people. There were kindly grandparents that loved their grandkids. There were artists and philanthropists. There were people that worked hard and saved. There were people that did not lie, or cheat others. There were faithful husbands and wives. There were very friendly and respectful teenagers that got all A's and called adults "sir" and "ma'am."
But still those people died, eventually. And really . . . what's worse than death, itself?
God hates sin so much (it is a blot on His creation), that the penalty for it is twice the worth of the sin, (except that you can't be "twice" as dead.). God's judgment is horrible.
And when it says that the penalty comes "from the Lord's hand," it means that even if it's the Assyrians coming in and terrorizing everybody . . . it's still the Lord's doing.
This is heavy material. The Isaiah passage is all good. It has a beautiful ending. It points to John the Baptist and Christ. It leads to life and liberty. But it starts out with this reminder.
And so it's not for us to question God and His wise judgment (why would He want selfish people to go on, unimpeded, for all eternity? And we're all selfish). But rather to realize how excessively, and even lovingly, He wants us not to sin.
He wants us to get the point. And this requires extreme measures.
- Isaiah 40
The setup for John the Baptist (this verse precedes the "A voice cried out" passage), was a reminder that Jerusalem has just paid heavily, for sinning against God. It says that she received the punishment from the Lord's own hand.
So, a couple of things. As we go about considering the terrible acts of a "loving God," ("Why would a loving God permit evil?"), we have it right here that, not only does He permit evil to happen, but His punishments may very well be twice as bad as we deserve.
We say "why do bad things happen to good people?" But the point is, they're not good people, or the bad things would not happen. John the Baptist preached repentance, and we all need to repent. Yes, it is true that within Jerusalem, there were charitable people. There were kindly grandparents that loved their grandkids. There were artists and philanthropists. There were people that worked hard and saved. There were people that did not lie, or cheat others. There were faithful husbands and wives. There were very friendly and respectful teenagers that got all A's and called adults "sir" and "ma'am."
But still those people died, eventually. And really . . . what's worse than death, itself?
God hates sin so much (it is a blot on His creation), that the penalty for it is twice the worth of the sin, (except that you can't be "twice" as dead.). God's judgment is horrible.
And when it says that the penalty comes "from the Lord's hand," it means that even if it's the Assyrians coming in and terrorizing everybody . . . it's still the Lord's doing.
This is heavy material. The Isaiah passage is all good. It has a beautiful ending. It points to John the Baptist and Christ. It leads to life and liberty. But it starts out with this reminder.
And so it's not for us to question God and His wise judgment (why would He want selfish people to go on, unimpeded, for all eternity? And we're all selfish). But rather to realize how excessively, and even lovingly, He wants us not to sin.
He wants us to get the point. And this requires extreme measures.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
The Angry Wicked
"The wicked will see it and be angry . . . "
Did the writer of Psalm 112 have some magic mirror that saw into the future? Could he or she summon images of the year 2016 AD, and look upon the mess that is the modern world?
How is it that the "wicked" of our times, can be so stirred up in rage against God's people, that they would want churches taxed and Christians punished simply for expressing their faith?
Consider the phenomenal charitable work that is done by the Roman Catholics, the Mormons, the Methodists, and hundreds of other associations of local churches, in disaster relief, food for the poor, home-building, doctors without borders, World Vision, Operation Christmas Child, etc., etc., etc.
Are the wicked really so agitated about the proclaimed moral code of pure Christianity, that they would be willing to shut down such organizations that, frankly, run circles around what governments are able to do, to help the world's needy?
That's hate. And the Psalmist of 112 (it was not David) understood that, it didn't matter what the people of God did; even if they did "good" deeds, the wicked would still hate them. Indeed, they hate them the MORE they express the love of Christ, if that can be believed.
So let's look back earlier into this Psalm. It says that the righteous are "merciful and full of compassion."
They are "generous in lending." They manage their affairs with "justice." Justice? Isn't that everything to the Left?
They give "freely to the poor."
And all of these are done today, by God's people, both through their churches, and many times over, in private, via their own personal donations.
Is it true that the wicked are angry at this? Yes it is, indeed. Look about you!
And if you want a biblical definition of a "wicked" person, perhaps you need look no further than at a person that is angry about something being done by churches.
Now . . . if we come across believers that are not merciful, or generous, or just in their dealings . . . well, that's another matter entirely!
Did the writer of Psalm 112 have some magic mirror that saw into the future? Could he or she summon images of the year 2016 AD, and look upon the mess that is the modern world?
How is it that the "wicked" of our times, can be so stirred up in rage against God's people, that they would want churches taxed and Christians punished simply for expressing their faith?
Consider the phenomenal charitable work that is done by the Roman Catholics, the Mormons, the Methodists, and hundreds of other associations of local churches, in disaster relief, food for the poor, home-building, doctors without borders, World Vision, Operation Christmas Child, etc., etc., etc.
Are the wicked really so agitated about the proclaimed moral code of pure Christianity, that they would be willing to shut down such organizations that, frankly, run circles around what governments are able to do, to help the world's needy?
That's hate. And the Psalmist of 112 (it was not David) understood that, it didn't matter what the people of God did; even if they did "good" deeds, the wicked would still hate them. Indeed, they hate them the MORE they express the love of Christ, if that can be believed.
So let's look back earlier into this Psalm. It says that the righteous are "merciful and full of compassion."
They are "generous in lending." They manage their affairs with "justice." Justice? Isn't that everything to the Left?
They give "freely to the poor."
And all of these are done today, by God's people, both through their churches, and many times over, in private, via their own personal donations.
Is it true that the wicked are angry at this? Yes it is, indeed. Look about you!
And if you want a biblical definition of a "wicked" person, perhaps you need look no further than at a person that is angry about something being done by churches.
Now . . . if we come across believers that are not merciful, or generous, or just in their dealings . . . well, that's another matter entirely!
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