If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, O Lord, who could stand?
- Psalm 130
The implication of this verse . . . what it truly means, is something quite groundbreaking.
In the Hebrew, whatever was translated into "to note" must have meant something different than what we would think. If I "note" something, it means that I pay some attention to it, although in passing.
But think of the deeper meaning of "to note." It is more than just seeing or observing something. If you really "note" it, you will move the observation into your conscious thinking. You will store it away in memory. You will write it down and file it away. You might end up taking some action on it.
The Psalmist talks about God "noting," or "taking notice of," or "noticing." In the South, where my first child was born, her Southern side of the family were very keen on "noticing" a baby. Your toddler would crawl up to you while you were reading or watching TV. If you didn't look up, a nearby adult would say, whimsically: "Daddy - notice me!"
If God were to make a conscious effort in observing us, and what we are doing wrong . . . if He really noticed . . . and jotted down some thoughts . . . if He stopped what He was doing to take care of us (i.e., like a mobster would "take care" of a rival gang member) . . then we would be in big trouble. We could not stand. He would sweep our feet out from under us and drive us to our knees. He would force us to look at the pain we have caused. He would show us how our selfish decisions have set the advancement of humanity, and of His kingdom, so far back that only His direct involvement (the Return of Christ) can make things right.
"Why would a loving God allow such evil to exist?" Why, indeed? If He took even a moment to notice us; to notice me, and to notice you . . . all of you, and all of us . . . then every hard and wicked thing we have done would be illuminated. We would see a dark side of ourselves that we didn't know was there. And the people that are the first to ask "Why would a loving God . . . " would be perhaps the first to see their own contributions to the world and its numerous messes.
Maybe it's not so smart to ask God to turn around and notice us; to pay attention to us. Is that what you really want?
Thank again.
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
My Bucket List Item
I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people . . .
- Ezekiel 37
We have a "Culture of Life" in our generation, and it's a problem.
Everything is all about "quality of life."
"You only live once."
"Life is short, and you have to go for the gusto."
We spend hours at the gym. We save up tens of thousands of dollars for retirement. We scour the ingredients of everything we eat, to make sure it's sufficiently "organic."
And stuff like this in moderation isn't bad.
We skip church and spiritual growth because we need time in our gardens (hobbies, reading, home projects, etc.) We work extra hours to get ahead of our peers. We make sure to go to DisneyWorld once a year.
Stuff like this is close to the edge.
We end our marriages because "I deserve more." We put our aging parents in homes because we're too busy to care for them. We travel all over the place for our jobs, and miss our kids' high school years. We spend precious dollars on tattoos, plastic surgery and other self-indulgences.
Now . . . that's bad.
But it's for "quality of life." Don't you deserve more than the hand you have been dealt?
We worship life. We worship this life as if there really isn't more to it!
If you're a Christian, a believer, then let me recommend some prayerful reconsideration of this philosophy.
When you believe your God will truly raise up your dead, lifeless, dry, decaying bones, back to life, one day . . . then really what else matters? We'd swim the Atlantic Ocean, if we knew at the end of it was eternal life for us. So what's so inaccessible about simple belief?
Yes, time is short. Our life now, this life, is about building God's Kingdom. Our one task, our sole objective, is to become witnesses to the event shown on the video, and to invite others to share in it as well.
I am not saying we should give up things that add quality to our life. If you are responsible for a spouse, parents, and/or children, of course providing security, safety, and fun; and urging excellence in school and career, is essential to assuring that all of them make it to Resurrection Day.
But there is a balance. Our 80 years here are not all there is. We need to start acting like our life here today is only about getting into the next life. And once you're there, you'll have forever to complete your bucket list!
- Ezekiel 37
We have a "Culture of Life" in our generation, and it's a problem.
Everything is all about "quality of life."
"You only live once."
"Life is short, and you have to go for the gusto."
We spend hours at the gym. We save up tens of thousands of dollars for retirement. We scour the ingredients of everything we eat, to make sure it's sufficiently "organic."
And stuff like this in moderation isn't bad.
We skip church and spiritual growth because we need time in our gardens (hobbies, reading, home projects, etc.) We work extra hours to get ahead of our peers. We make sure to go to DisneyWorld once a year.
Stuff like this is close to the edge.
We end our marriages because "I deserve more." We put our aging parents in homes because we're too busy to care for them. We travel all over the place for our jobs, and miss our kids' high school years. We spend precious dollars on tattoos, plastic surgery and other self-indulgences.
Now . . . that's bad.
But it's for "quality of life." Don't you deserve more than the hand you have been dealt?
We worship life. We worship this life as if there really isn't more to it!
If you're a Christian, a believer, then let me recommend some prayerful reconsideration of this philosophy.
When you believe your God will truly raise up your dead, lifeless, dry, decaying bones, back to life, one day . . . then really what else matters? We'd swim the Atlantic Ocean, if we knew at the end of it was eternal life for us. So what's so inaccessible about simple belief?
Yes, time is short. Our life now, this life, is about building God's Kingdom. Our one task, our sole objective, is to become witnesses to the event shown on the video, and to invite others to share in it as well.
I am not saying we should give up things that add quality to our life. If you are responsible for a spouse, parents, and/or children, of course providing security, safety, and fun; and urging excellence in school and career, is essential to assuring that all of them make it to Resurrection Day.
But there is a balance. Our 80 years here are not all there is. We need to start acting like our life here today is only about getting into the next life. And once you're there, you'll have forever to complete your bucket list!
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Not the Sin, but the Grace
. . . he was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him.
- John 9
We are so focused on fault. As much as we idealize the innocence of children, it is my lifelong observation that we are born fault-finders. It is very easy to criticize, which is one of the first behaviors manifested by children. Adults that do not mature continue to be good at it. The skill and virtue that is learned, is to note the good in others . . . all others.
Or to put it another way: we are born with an instinct to establish a legal code. We are comfortable with rules that say "do that, don't do that." "No" seems much more accessible than "yes." "No" is clear, but "yes" may involve multiple possibilities.
So it is with these pharisees that questioned Jesus: "Who sinned, so that this man was born blind." (Well, we all sin, which is why anything is wrong in our lives). But the point was, stop focusing on what was wrong with things. Christ brought us back to a connection with God's plan. In the end, we should not concern ourselves with whatever we did (I did, you did), but on what God is doing. God makes a point to everything. And it is to remind us that He is in charge.
The blind-man-given-sight is an under-sung hero of Scripture. He handles the Pharisees to perfection. All he does is answer their questions, plainly and simply. He makes no claim other than what he experienced. And that's all we need to do. Just state the facts and let God's grace handle the rest.
Sin is a reality. The result of it is death at worst, hardship and grief at best. We have our problems not directly because of some sin, or because of some sin of our parents. But because it's all tied together and we all share in the effects of sin, together.
So we don't need to point our fingers at one another, unless one of us is immortal (evidence that we have not sinned). But now that Christ has come and grace is in the world, every bad thing is transformed into an opportunity for God's power and love to be revealed.
- John 9
We are so focused on fault. As much as we idealize the innocence of children, it is my lifelong observation that we are born fault-finders. It is very easy to criticize, which is one of the first behaviors manifested by children. Adults that do not mature continue to be good at it. The skill and virtue that is learned, is to note the good in others . . . all others.
Or to put it another way: we are born with an instinct to establish a legal code. We are comfortable with rules that say "do that, don't do that." "No" seems much more accessible than "yes." "No" is clear, but "yes" may involve multiple possibilities.
So it is with these pharisees that questioned Jesus: "Who sinned, so that this man was born blind." (Well, we all sin, which is why anything is wrong in our lives). But the point was, stop focusing on what was wrong with things. Christ brought us back to a connection with God's plan. In the end, we should not concern ourselves with whatever we did (I did, you did), but on what God is doing. God makes a point to everything. And it is to remind us that He is in charge.
The blind-man-given-sight is an under-sung hero of Scripture. He handles the Pharisees to perfection. All he does is answer their questions, plainly and simply. He makes no claim other than what he experienced. And that's all we need to do. Just state the facts and let God's grace handle the rest.
Sin is a reality. The result of it is death at worst, hardship and grief at best. We have our problems not directly because of some sin, or because of some sin of our parents. But because it's all tied together and we all share in the effects of sin, together.
So we don't need to point our fingers at one another, unless one of us is immortal (evidence that we have not sinned). But now that Christ has come and grace is in the world, every bad thing is transformed into an opportunity for God's power and love to be revealed.
Shut Up and Love
For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly . . .
- Ephesians 5
Paul gives us great advice today, on how to deal with the rampant sin in the world. We all know what I'm talking about. From the Left to the Right, we hear valid and convicting words of great sin (always committed by someone other than the speaker): From sexual immorality, to mistreatment of the environment, to failure to care for the poor, to mismanagement of personal and public wealth, to the idolization of celebrities, tax-collectors and other government officials, to lying, cheating, wasting, hoarding, self-loving . . . . It goes on and on.
Paul says, don't even talk about the evil deeds of others (which is one reason why the Christian Right, at least, will always lose the morality debate - they aren't allowed to talk about the details!)
The rest of today's passage gives priority to being the light of the world. If our marriages are strong and healthy, if our parents raise their children with holiness and love. If our businesses are managed ethically. If our funds are used charitably. Do all of these things, and light will abound. What is truly evil will be revealed, and we won't have to say anything.
So basically we just all need to shut up and go about doing the right things. And we know what they are.
- Ephesians 5
Paul gives us great advice today, on how to deal with the rampant sin in the world. We all know what I'm talking about. From the Left to the Right, we hear valid and convicting words of great sin (always committed by someone other than the speaker): From sexual immorality, to mistreatment of the environment, to failure to care for the poor, to mismanagement of personal and public wealth, to the idolization of celebrities, tax-collectors and other government officials, to lying, cheating, wasting, hoarding, self-loving . . . . It goes on and on.
Paul says, don't even talk about the evil deeds of others (which is one reason why the Christian Right, at least, will always lose the morality debate - they aren't allowed to talk about the details!)
The rest of today's passage gives priority to being the light of the world. If our marriages are strong and healthy, if our parents raise their children with holiness and love. If our businesses are managed ethically. If our funds are used charitably. Do all of these things, and light will abound. What is truly evil will be revealed, and we won't have to say anything.
So basically we just all need to shut up and go about doing the right things. And we know what they are.
Our Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
- 23rd Psalm
How do you take one excerpt from this masterpiece of Scriptural prose? How do you reference anything but the King James version?
This most famous of Scriptural references, from the pen of King David himself, is called for in this week's Lectionary.
We have decided to let it speak for itself without comment. To the one or two people that will actually read this, we invite you to repeat it over and over again today.
In God's Eyes
Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
- 1 Samuel 1:16
I've been around for 54 years, and we still don't get it.
Sunday School teachers, pastors, teachers, civic leaders, elected officials, parents, friends, family . . .
Oh, we've commented on it. We nod our heads in approval. We point it out. We understand that when this aspect of the King David story is referenced (that he was not as impressive as any of his brothers, yet he is the one God chose to be king), that it is a very important truth. We like it, or pretend to.
But then we'll go look at our young people and select the brightest, most handsome, most athletic, most popular, as the future pastors. And in the US today, it's particularly pronounced: our Presidents and other elected officials are elected based on how well they play on camera. Do they look "cool"? That's about all that counts.
I have engaged down a path in life . . . one that is decidedly, deliberately, not towards wealth or fame. Call it weird. When I was in high school and college I decided that I was not going to have friends, or girlfriends, or wives, based on how much money I had. I would find my friends first, then go get the money.
I measured my success on my own terms. If you turn away from money, you should then turn towards God. I did the first, but not the second. And so I found myself stuck in a money-making career that I didn't belong. I got some wealth, and found that suddenly women were in fact more interested in me. I took it a step further and began acting more like the young men that I observed had the least trouble finding attractive women. It worked. I embraced what the world values, and the world rewarded me.
But the eternal side suffered. The godly part, the compassionate, the holy, the happy and contented part, withered away. I wound up with almost nothing, on almost every front. And today I am still in a sort of wilderness of waiting for things to open back up, or for me finally to just say "yes" to the Lord and let His wealth, His prestige, inform me.
I have been active in church for 15 years, quite high profile in the music ministry. With an MBA and an MA with teacher certification, as well as years of experience as a local elected official, I wondered why I never got asked to serve on any other committees. Finally one day, a pastor told me.
He said that I had no outward evidence of being successful at anything (meaning, I did not appear monetarily rich). This floored me. My circumstances are decidedly humble. The ways in which I privately use the funds I do have, are not available for public consumption. But that did not matter. A "man of the cloth" told me I needed money if I was to be taken more seriously in the Church.
So we have a long way to go.
Say something nice and encouraging today, to someone whose situation is not as good s yours; to someone that is not as good-looking as you, or as popular. For in God's eyes, they are at least as valuable as you.
- 1 Samuel 1:16
I've been around for 54 years, and we still don't get it.
Sunday School teachers, pastors, teachers, civic leaders, elected officials, parents, friends, family . . .
Oh, we've commented on it. We nod our heads in approval. We point it out. We understand that when this aspect of the King David story is referenced (that he was not as impressive as any of his brothers, yet he is the one God chose to be king), that it is a very important truth. We like it, or pretend to.
But then we'll go look at our young people and select the brightest, most handsome, most athletic, most popular, as the future pastors. And in the US today, it's particularly pronounced: our Presidents and other elected officials are elected based on how well they play on camera. Do they look "cool"? That's about all that counts.
I have engaged down a path in life . . . one that is decidedly, deliberately, not towards wealth or fame. Call it weird. When I was in high school and college I decided that I was not going to have friends, or girlfriends, or wives, based on how much money I had. I would find my friends first, then go get the money.
I measured my success on my own terms. If you turn away from money, you should then turn towards God. I did the first, but not the second. And so I found myself stuck in a money-making career that I didn't belong. I got some wealth, and found that suddenly women were in fact more interested in me. I took it a step further and began acting more like the young men that I observed had the least trouble finding attractive women. It worked. I embraced what the world values, and the world rewarded me.
But the eternal side suffered. The godly part, the compassionate, the holy, the happy and contented part, withered away. I wound up with almost nothing, on almost every front. And today I am still in a sort of wilderness of waiting for things to open back up, or for me finally to just say "yes" to the Lord and let His wealth, His prestige, inform me.
I have been active in church for 15 years, quite high profile in the music ministry. With an MBA and an MA with teacher certification, as well as years of experience as a local elected official, I wondered why I never got asked to serve on any other committees. Finally one day, a pastor told me.
He said that I had no outward evidence of being successful at anything (meaning, I did not appear monetarily rich). This floored me. My circumstances are decidedly humble. The ways in which I privately use the funds I do have, are not available for public consumption. But that did not matter. A "man of the cloth" told me I needed money if I was to be taken more seriously in the Church.
So we have a long way to go.
Say something nice and encouraging today, to someone whose situation is not as good s yours; to someone that is not as good-looking as you, or as popular. For in God's eyes, they are at least as valuable as you.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Water Sucks!
Our first Guest Blogger, Archie Woods, joins us this week with some reflections from the Fourth Chapter of the Gospel According to John.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picture this with me as we set the stage, a desert with barren ground far as the eye can see. A well-worn path leading into a small town, a stopping point for travelers heading from Judea north into Galilee. The reason to stop, some old stones piled in a circle, placed by Jacob. You remember Jacob, son of Isaac father of Joseph, the same guy who stole the birthright from his brother Esau. Jacob was ever the trickster, but he knew how to build a well, it had survived over a thousand years. Here at a Jacob’s well, one of few water sources around, Jesus chooses to have a juicy conversation. A small piece of home-turf in a land of foreigners, the land of Samaria. The time is roughly 6AM, Jesus is leaning on the well considering his early morning cup of Joe… or the equivalent in those days: fresh water.
Enter stage left, a Samaritan woman. Now this is awkward. Did I mention awkward? You see the Jews don’t speak to or deal with Samaritans. That’s the nice way of saying, the Jews despise Samaritans. The Samaritans used to be Jews, before the Samaritans adopted an Oprah Winfrey view of God. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, as Paul later says. The religion of Samaria became every road leads to salvation, and they merged all things with Judaism. You know Samaritans, they drive around with their “co-exist” and “tolerance” bumper stickers spelled in religious icons. All the while not realizing that those are offensive to each religion represented.
The tension builds.
Generations of animosity, cultural barricades. The Samaritan woman decides to just ignore the Jew, which would be the easy way. Just keep your head down and whatever you do don’t make eye contact.
Not an option, Jesus breaks the silence and asks the Samaritan for water. She fires back with the elephant-in-room tactic and asks, “Wait, what? How are you a Jew, talking to me I am obviously a Samaritan.”
Jesus cuts to the chase, as usual with, “If you knew what God offers and who I am, you would have asked and He would have given you living water.”
She responds, “Didn’t you see the sign that says BYOB, bring your own bucket? This is a deep well how are you going to get to that living water, none the less give me some? And no way are you greater than OUR father Jacob who gave us this well.”
Jesus answers, “If you drink this water, you will be thirsty again. If you drink the water I give, you will never thirst. In you will be a well, overflowing with eternal life.”
She doesn't catch what Jesus means and says, “I want what you’re having. Then I won’t have to take this long walk every morning.”
Knowing that she still doesn't hear him Jesus says to her, “Go get your husband and come back.”
She says, “I don’t have one.”
Jesus with a softer voice replies, “That is true, you have had five husbands and the guy you live with now is not your husband.”
So what? What does it matter that Jesus talked to this Samaritan woman? What is all this talk about living water, and wells?
Well, I am glad you asked. You see, Jesus was speaking directly to the gap between the Samaritans and the Jews. He knew that their spirituality had been so watered down (sorry I can’t resist a pun) that it was empty and meaningless. He presents Himself as the exclusive supplier of life to ALL mankind. This isn't just about living, it’s about living with Him. He offered a well inside of her, that springs up to eternal life. A poetic way of saying the Holy Spirit is coming, and He will be Christ in you. Jesus has complete disregard for human built cultural barriers, also known as being politically correct. After all he came to save ALL mankind. He is our water in the barren land, the one true way to God, the narrow path. He didn't save us just to prevent us from suffering death and thirst. He gives us the ability to be suppliers of water and life to those we meet, all who are thirsty. We become dealers of life, we share in the ministry,
and we get a place in the divine romance.
Jesus quenches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Archie lives with his wife Etta, and two children, in Dexter, Michigan, to which they recently returned following a two-year adventure in Nashville. We are glad to have them home! Archie is a skilled and talented songwriter and worship leader. You can read more by Archie at his blog:
www.worshipnt.blogspot.com
We want to thank Archie for accepting our invitation to be our first guest blogger!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Picture this with me as we set the stage, a desert with barren ground far as the eye can see. A well-worn path leading into a small town, a stopping point for travelers heading from Judea north into Galilee. The reason to stop, some old stones piled in a circle, placed by Jacob. You remember Jacob, son of Isaac father of Joseph, the same guy who stole the birthright from his brother Esau. Jacob was ever the trickster, but he knew how to build a well, it had survived over a thousand years. Here at a Jacob’s well, one of few water sources around, Jesus chooses to have a juicy conversation. A small piece of home-turf in a land of foreigners, the land of Samaria. The time is roughly 6AM, Jesus is leaning on the well considering his early morning cup of Joe… or the equivalent in those days: fresh water.
Enter stage left, a Samaritan woman. Now this is awkward. Did I mention awkward? You see the Jews don’t speak to or deal with Samaritans. That’s the nice way of saying, the Jews despise Samaritans. The Samaritans used to be Jews, before the Samaritans adopted an Oprah Winfrey view of God. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, as Paul later says. The religion of Samaria became every road leads to salvation, and they merged all things with Judaism. You know Samaritans, they drive around with their “co-exist” and “tolerance” bumper stickers spelled in religious icons. All the while not realizing that those are offensive to each religion represented.
The tension builds.
Generations of animosity, cultural barricades. The Samaritan woman decides to just ignore the Jew, which would be the easy way. Just keep your head down and whatever you do don’t make eye contact.
Not an option, Jesus breaks the silence and asks the Samaritan for water. She fires back with the elephant-in-room tactic and asks, “Wait, what? How are you a Jew, talking to me I am obviously a Samaritan.”
Jesus cuts to the chase, as usual with, “If you knew what God offers and who I am, you would have asked and He would have given you living water.”
She responds, “Didn’t you see the sign that says BYOB, bring your own bucket? This is a deep well how are you going to get to that living water, none the less give me some? And no way are you greater than OUR father Jacob who gave us this well.”
Jesus answers, “If you drink this water, you will be thirsty again. If you drink the water I give, you will never thirst. In you will be a well, overflowing with eternal life.”
She doesn't catch what Jesus means and says, “I want what you’re having. Then I won’t have to take this long walk every morning.”
Knowing that she still doesn't hear him Jesus says to her, “Go get your husband and come back.”
She says, “I don’t have one.”
Jesus with a softer voice replies, “That is true, you have had five husbands and the guy you live with now is not your husband.”
So what? What does it matter that Jesus talked to this Samaritan woman? What is all this talk about living water, and wells?
Well, I am glad you asked. You see, Jesus was speaking directly to the gap between the Samaritans and the Jews. He knew that their spirituality had been so watered down (sorry I can’t resist a pun) that it was empty and meaningless. He presents Himself as the exclusive supplier of life to ALL mankind. This isn't just about living, it’s about living with Him. He offered a well inside of her, that springs up to eternal life. A poetic way of saying the Holy Spirit is coming, and He will be Christ in you. Jesus has complete disregard for human built cultural barriers, also known as being politically correct. After all he came to save ALL mankind. He is our water in the barren land, the one true way to God, the narrow path. He didn't save us just to prevent us from suffering death and thirst. He gives us the ability to be suppliers of water and life to those we meet, all who are thirsty. We become dealers of life, we share in the ministry,
and we get a place in the divine romance.
Jesus quenches.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Archie lives with his wife Etta, and two children, in Dexter, Michigan, to which they recently returned following a two-year adventure in Nashville. We are glad to have them home! Archie is a skilled and talented songwriter and worship leader. You can read more by Archie at his blog:
www.worshipnt.blogspot.com
We want to thank Archie for accepting our invitation to be our first guest blogger!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
