Rhetorical We

 to stand at the threshold of the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.

 - From Psalm 84

Have you ever tried to drop in at a friend's home, or better yet, the home of a close family member, and felt like they did not want you there? Let's say it is a place where you have always felt more than welcome. They've told you, more times than you can count, that you are welcome anytime. "You don't even have to call!" 

But this time, as you stood at the door, knocking, when they answered, they kept the door open to about a ten-inch crack, and the door between themselves and you. They were friendly enough, but the body language and tone spoke very clearly: "You're not coming in."

How did that make you feel?

The Psalmist says he'd rather be left on the threshold of God's door, than to be resting, eating, visiting, and laughing, in the warm, inviting domicile of a wicked person.

Ahhhhh . . . . but we do that all the time, don't we?

I've been resisted, recently, by others, when I use the rhetorical "we," as I just did in the previous sentence. They take it way too personally. With a haughty tilt of the head, they rejoin: "I do not include myself in your "we", Gordon!" 

Well, I did. Both you and me - - - I included both of us, or . . . all of us. 

We pick the bigger club, the richer friends, the cooler hobby, the more popular value system. 

We don't make waves. Keep the popular, the wealthy, the powerful person happy. You have to pay your bills! Be realistic!

We should prefer the proximity to God . . . even if it's a cold front porch, to the comforts of the wicked person. And the evil person always makes us feel comfortable doesn't he? We know that's how they control people. Except, they always control other people. But never me. 

Why do you really believe what you do? Does it have anything to do with the grades you may receive, the person you want to impress, the raise you may get, or the cool people you may get close to?

I really don't think we care to answer too honestly here. 

This Unreasonable Career

...he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver...''


 - From Malachi 3

The descendants of Levi. Artists. Writers. Scribes. Journalists. Bloggers. Preachers. Musicians. Teachers.

God has always been pretty serious about spreading the Gospel, and teaching the Law. He set aside an entire Hebrew tribe, to take on the task of making sure a few people were reading, studying, praying, reflecting . . . which turns out to be the most essential function in Israel or any other nation.

When a civilization has won all the wars, expanded all the boundaries, produced the most amazing inventions, and established the most just government . . . it always turns its sights on the arts, academics, and the pursuit of leisurely activities. We know our priorities, once we can afford them.

One of the great ancient Greek philosophers said something like this: "The questions are: Who is teaching the children, and what are they teaching them?"

God, who designed us, knows what we need to know. He knows what's important. 

And whether or not we value teachers, artists, and ministers; whether we work to ensure the right people are custodians of these highly, exceedingly influential professions (especially vis-a-vis future generations); it is certain that God will take care of them, some day. He has promised to do so. 

The reader may find himself in a conversation, in which people are disdained who follow a career in education, the arts, or the clergy. Why don't they go where the money is? If so, remember that God rewards them . . . . first. (Remember what a "tithe" is). 

And if you get a chance, if you cannot supplement the income of a teacher, or you are unable to provide a gift of supplies to a teacher's classroom; at least tell a teacher, or artist, or minister "Thank you. You are doing what I wish I could do. You are doing what I should be doing. What you are doing is more important than anything."

Furiously Enraged

Indeed, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against . . . 

 - From Acts 26

Ways to get normally centered/balanced people beside themselves in anger:

1) Suggest that we all try to become kinder towards, and accepting of, others. Utter Kindness.

That sounds okay, right? But what if you mean all others? As in . . . people with different opinions? What if it refers to people with different values? What if it means - - - be kinder to people that vote different than you do?

What if your acts of kindness mean: thinking so deferentially towards other people, that you are willing to entertain the idea that they may have information, or a perspective, that you are lacking? 

Do I really have to be open to Liberals? To Conservatives? To Bernie supporters? To Trump followers?

This is where people do more than draw the line. Despite their uplifting words about WWJD, etc, they think and act in ways that are decidedly hateful. Should we egg each other on, on-line? Should we stir the pot? Should we open up old wounds? Is it really smart to keep sharing articles, over and over again, that will "help" others understand how they should behave, or think, differently?

I was carrying on a rather respectful dialogue with a guy on-line recently. I think he is a Never-Trump Conservative. My point was, consistently, that we have to give some deference to people that vote differently. It's none of our business why they think differently. They are humans worthy of dignity and respect, and we should treat others accordingly, without qualification. This went back and forth, until finally he erupted in a barrage of vulgar invective against me. And all I did was suggest we be kind to each other. 

2) Take a good value that others are expressing, but nudge it a couple of levels further out, beyond their own definition of virtue. Utter Self-Control.

An interesting thing is how the great reform movements throughout history, always come back to issues raised by The Church, centuries before. Slavery is one example. And now, the "Me Too" movement is acting like it invented proper behavior between the sexes. I personally articulated such values for years, and for most of my life the people most likely to mock me for that, today are participating in "Me Too" events. 

Respect women. Absolutely. But take it one step further, and suggest people observe The Feast of St Agnes of Rome (January 21 - I'll leave it to the reader to research the background). What happens if we call on men to treat women as though they are equals . . . while simultaneously holding up as our example, history's model of chastity and virtue (self control)?

Well, on-line, the result is digital "crickets". Men of virtue absolutely control themselves, because they admire most, women that control themselves. Okay, I have just suggested "self-control" in the context of sexuality . . . which is fighting words in modern on-line debates. 

Suggest people be kind. Really kind. Suggest they be sexually proper . . . really proper; and you will get, not agreement, but anger.

Why?

Before Saul became The Apostle Paul, he was convinced he was doing the right thing. He was a religious guy. Of course, he believed in self-control. He had studied the Law and the Prophets. He knew about kindness and charity. He did all those things. 

By choosing to practice utter kindness, and utter self-control, these Christians, who agreed but preferred to ratchet up their values, a couple notches higher, frustrated and vexed Paul and his cohorts, desperately.

So much so . . . that he became "furiously enraged."

I don't get it, but I recognize it. I know that I have been subject to it before. 

Utter kindness. Utter self-control. 

It drives intelligent, successful, and respected people crazy.

And they know better.

Retirement

Follow me and I will make you fish for people.

 - From Mark 1

Glenn Beck said once, on his radio show, that he doesn't understand retirement. He mentioned figures in the Bible that never retired, (many of them died as martyrs). And then he mentioned Colonel Sanders, who at 65 was still an unknown . . . but built an empire that was way better than a retirement plan.

God has given us specific gifts. And I think it's clear that the purpose of the gifts is to build His Kingdom.

What does it mean, to be a fisherman, and to be made into a "Fisher of Men" by our Master? Does it mean that fishermen are never to fish again, for a livelihood? Probably not. Even Apostles have to eat and need shelter. They could still fish, for pay, or for food. But the unique skills it takes to fish would then be used specifically in building God's kingdom.

Does this mean that if you're a handyman, that you should spend your time replacing lightbulbs in the church, and repainting it every five years?

No, I doubt it. It means that as you are out and about, doing handy work, that you are to be purposefully adding people to the Kingdom. But the traits that good handymen have in common: spacial sense, problem solving, good with hands, a long, project-based view. Hopefully they take the long, effective path in working with others, helping solve their problems, fixing the little things, keeping their friends and family in great emotional and spiritual working order.

A church with a great handyman among it's membership shouldn't think in terms of having him replace a commode in the facility, when needed. Perhaps he should be supported as he goes out to neighborhoods in disrepair, lived in by people that cannot afford to maintain their homes . . . and help them.

Not during spring break. Not two weeks out of the summer.

But all the time. When needed. 

The Apostles did not reach some old age and move to Florida. 

Your skills, your talents, your passions. The things you do well. They must be utilized in building God's Kingdom. And unfortunately, you are most effective with people you know well. Your family. Your life friends. And yes, they are the most awkward ones to serve.

There was a very, very good teacher. The kids loved him. He was great at imparting math concepts. He got into teaching because he said that, as a kid, he struggled in school, and he wanted to take that attitude into his work with kids, because he understood them.

Partway into his teaching career, he became successful in an Amway-type business. He left teaching forever, but said to me: "I'm still teaching. Except, now I am teaching adults how to make money."

Right.

Or, I mean . . . not right. 

His skill was teaching children. And we desperately need good teachers that kids love, in our schools. Not holed up in their $500K home waiting for opportunities to go speak at MLM rallies. 

Your skills have been given to you to make the most good, where they can do the most good. And nothing is "more good" than ensuring that as many people as possible join the growing throng of citizens in God's eternal Kingdom. 

You're Crazy

For the present form of this world is passing away.

 - From 1 Corinthians 7

The scriptural excerpt that I am using today, has the phrase "passing away." We  talk about people "passing away," but what we actually mean is that they died. We think it sounds nicer, but we find it awkward to just say, straight up and biblically, that someone died.

In fact, when used in Scripture, "passing away" seems, almost always, to be referring to something bad that has gotten it's rightful due. He "passed away," meaning, his life was a whiff that came and went . . . and soon he will be forgotten, as well he should. 

Pass away - - - drift back into nothingness and no one will miss you. 

Or "fly away," which actually refers to the way a bird enters into our sight and field of attention, but then flits away beyond our view. In moments, we have forgotten there ever was a bird in our midst.

The present form of the world is passing away. Meaning, not that something nice and soft is going to happen to the earth. No . . . it's going to be gone and forgotten, and good riddance!

Paul states that, since this is the case . . . what are we so worried about so many pointless things for?

Probably because we don't want people to think we're crazy. Act as if I have no wife, or husband, when I do? What's that supposed to mean? Stop making deals and contracts in the world? What? Pretend like we have no possessions? 

You must be crazy! Here, I'll just continue acting according to the world's present state.

Now . . . it's probably true that what is really meant here, is that our attitudes should be as Paul mentioned. Of course we still have homes to maintain and bills to pay. 

But if we were convinced the world really was going to change into something more like the Garden of Eden . . . what changes would we make? Would we really retire early and take more vacations?

Or would we give more of our time and money, to people that really need it?

What would a crazy person do?

Table

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me . . . 

 - From the Twenty-Third Psalm

When I was a kid, and a member of and regular attendee at the Penfield Advent Christian Church in New York, I remember that the congregation recited the entire 23rd Psalm every week, as a part of the service. It had the same status as The Lord's Prayer; sort of an Old Testament version of a highly important and catch-all passage.

It's interesting that everyone talks about the violence and vice in the Old Testament. Humanity is not portrayed well. Even the heroes: Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, had serious moral lapses. 

But this most famous of all chapters in the Old Testament conveys the opposite of all the Old Testament's barrage of harsh language and characters. It is comforting and soothing. And while Christ had not been born yet . . . the picture running through my mind, is of a walk with Him, The Lord, the Son of God, the King of Kings, in a beautiful mountain meadow, or peaceful garden. Adam may have written it, as a reflection of a good day with God, in the Garden of Eden.

Consider the highlight words from the passage - - - action verbs that describe God's treatment of us:

• Shepherd
• Lie down
• Still waters
• Revives
• Guides
• Comfort
• Anointed
• Goodness
• Mercy
• Forever

Even when enemies are mentioned, it is in the context of the Lord setting a table for us. Our enemies are within view of it. It's not about the meal; and it's not about rubbing it in our enemies' faces. In ancient Middle Eastern times, a table represented dialogue, or people coming together. The table was inviting. Good people welcomed even strangers to their table. You relaxed, enjoyed great food and company. There are no enemies around the dinner table.

God doesn't just take care of our enemies for us. He invites them to the dinner He has provided for us. He smiles and asks us all to sit down, talk, relax, and enjoy peace and safety.

Maybe this is what should be on our mind, when we bow our heads before eating. 

Uneducated

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men . . . 

 - From Acts 4

The first shall be last.

The weak will be made strong.

The mountains and valleys will be made plains.

The oppressed will find justice.

Yes the four preceding sentences are paraphrases. But you get the point. 

Sometimes I want to go completely militant over this. God doesn't work through the wealthy, the educated, the sophisticated. Got it?

The world looks for the trappings of "success." It wants to see your new car, your house, your expensive things. 

The world does not value scribes, teachers, ministers, servants, artists. If it did, we probably would solve some of the most pressing problems like injustice, war, crime. 

A pastor once said these words to me . . . and I am quoting directly:

"Gordon, people don't take you seriously because you don't appear to be successful." 

A school superintendent once told somebody that the reason I had not been hired as a teacher, was that "Gordon's always trying to change the world."

A leader in my church, a "scientist" with a PhD was asking me about my work in the arts, and with kids. He started to say "Where do you get the time to . . . ?" and then stopped himself. 

The world does not value the highest things, and that type of superficial thinking has infected the Church, and Academia (ostensibly dominated by "liberals").

I share all of this, not to garner sympathy or draw attention to myself. I do it because I know my own experience better than anybody else's . . . and I understand. 

I've always preferred "uneducated" people to the "educated." I would casually observe, four decades ago, that I'd rather hear an enlisted military man give a sermon, than a guy with a Dallas Theological doctorate. The best preacher I ever heard was a career worker in a print shop. His hands and nails were stained and creased from years working in ink and heavy machinery. He did not have a college degree. But he could quote the Bible better than anybody . . . and harmonize it.

Our politics today are drawing a line between "educated" and "uneducated." I'm taking the side of the "uneducated."

And I've got two Master's Degrees.