"The principle of the Gospel is this: the Gospel always brings life to the receiver, and death to the giver. If the Gospel brought death to Jesus Christ, why would we think in preaching the Gospel it would be any different for us?" Jackie Pullinger
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV) "Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.""
Something has always bothered me about the story of Abraham and Isaac. It's just such a neat, tidy story. In v.2 of Genesis 22, God tells Abraham to "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."(ESV) And so Abraham does this immediately. No objections, no questions, no concerns. Too neat. What has bothered me is the why? Why is this story so neat? Let's look past the obvious fact it was written much, much later by Moses in an effort to record Israel's history. Because this is the Word of God. And everything God does and says has purpose and meaning. Unlike the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, I believe everything relating to God has purpose under the sun. So why is this story so tidy?
I referenced a quote from a missionary above. Jackie Pullinger moved to Hong Kong at the age of 21 wanting to make a difference in people's lives who needed help. And for the past 50 years, she has worked with drug addicts in the slums of Hong Kong. People who were unwanted and with no hope. No future. Probably headed to their death. A job that, frankly, I wouldn't want. But she has embraced this role for Christ, calling herself "privileged to answer His call."
I had never heard of Ms Pullinger until today. I stumbled upon a video of her talking, and it moved me. She was completely committed to the call of Jesus Christ, and showed no fear of losing her own life, but was joyful over the fact that God had called her. Had given her a way to show His love to others.
I referenced the verses above from Matthew Ch. 16 where Jesus describes what it takes to follow Him. It takes losing you life. Completely. His Love is something that cannot be accepted without causing change in you. Because it took Him dying to show it. And anyone who does not change but confesses Christ as savior is a liar, because this type of love cannot do anything but change you.
Thinking about Abraham again, I concluded that he showed the same type of belief, the same type of Hope that Jackie shows. Unafraid of the cost of belief in God. Unafraid of the consequences, of what might happen. This story is tidy because Abraham loved God so much, he was willing to do anything.
Which leads me to me. How do I deal with this? I am not sure yet. But I also heard
Ms Pullinger, which moved me the most.
"The poor people all over the earth, who have never heard of Jesus, they are the poorest people. They're desperate for food, blankets, medicine, water. The most number of people worldwide who have never heard about the love of our Lord Jesus Christ are desperately poor, and they are not going to come here to hear about the Gospel. We are going to have to go there. So why haven't people gone? [...] why don't you all go? You've tasted such good things! Go to the ends of the earth because those poor are not going to watch Jesus on TV. They haven't got electricity. They're not going to hear about them unless you go, so would you? If you've known the love of God,if you've tasted of His sweetness at all, there's no other way to serve him except giving up your life. And this is voluntary. This is not a sentence of death at all; we're not sentenced to death, we're just privileged to answer His call"
We are privileged to know a God that loves us this much. And to serve God in such a manner as Ms. Pullinger or as Abraham did would be the greatest priviledge of all.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, April 20, 2012
Conviction
Exodus 15:11
"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you; majestic in holiness, awesome in glory"
Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Luke 18:18-30
A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This is a different type of blog post. Not what you are used to from me. I usually do not get into social issues. But today is different. I just got an email from Change.org about a homosexual lady who was involved in Cub Scouts as a Den Leader, and was asked to step down from her position because she was gay. Upon my initial reading of the email, I felt a bit of sorrow for the lady, because she probably should not have been discriminated against. However, as I thought about the email, I was moved, shaken even, and I begin to think more closely about who I am and what I believe. As I pondered this, I begin to take issue with the email to the point I deleted it without signing the petition. Which was surprising to me, since I don't get strong emotions about that kind of stuff. But it did rise up in me feelings and stirrings which I am about to share with you.
The reason I have a problem with this is not that I am homophobic. One of my oldest son's friends in school in Nashville had 2 moms like this lady, and we went to a birthday party at their house that B and I were the only non-gay parents there. Honestly, I am really not that opinionated about Homosexuality one way or another. A person makes a choice, and then lives with it. Happens every day in world. Do I define it as sin? Yes. But lying is sin, too. Stealing is sin. Selfishness is sin. It's all disobedience, and in God's eyes, there is no distinction. So, if I can live with liars, thieves, people filled with selfishness, people who have hardened their hearts to God, then I can live with someone who sins in this manner. Besides, one of the two greatest commandments in the Bible is to "Love your Neighbor as yourself," and I would consider any person living my neighbor, of which she would qualify for. So that's not my point.
My issue is simply this: I am so convicted that we are to be holy, and that there is no alternative. Period. I just listed sins, which fall short of this goal. Any deviation from holiness is falling short of the standard barer, which is Jesus Christ. Any. And that is just not good enough. Being like Christ doesn't give you the right to choose what you want to obey, and what you can let go. It just doesn't. You either obey everything, or obey nothing. It really is black or white. Partial obedience is not obedience at all. Doing all things right but one is not good enough, because sin is separation from Christ, and it's impossible to be like Christ when you keep being the opposite of Christ. Being like the One who is blameless is pretty difficult when you're not. So my problem with the email was simply "I can't condone sin, no matter how I feel about the person." I just can't.
I need to clarify something here. We all sin, and are sinners, so try as we might, we are going to fail. So that is not what I am talking about. I am speaking of my sins and your sins that are held onto. Your deliberate disobedience. Knowing it is wrong, and continuing to do it. Your pornography. Your excessive spending on technology, when you don't need it. Your gluttony. Your homosexuality. Your stealing. Your refusal to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. That is what I am talking about. Deliberate disobedience.
I'm sure this stings the eyes and ears of some. But we live in a world like Isiah 6:9-10 where God says to Isiah to tell the Israelites "Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." We are just like the Israelites: seeing and hearing, but not perceiving and understanding. We see that we sin, we see that we are doing wrong, but we don't perceive that we need to do something about it. Like it's ok to God that we keep separating ourselves from Him.
I posted the passage about the rich man above because it makes a point that is applicable to this post. Christ wants all of you. All of you. And anything less than that, frankly, is not taking up your cross and following Christ. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but anything you hold onto in your life- any sin- separates you from following Christ. This here is one example. A man, who obviously believed in Jesus as Messiah, couldn't let go. So Jesus makes the statement "Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Which is mind blowing, because this man believed Jesus as Messiah. But the man couldn't give his all, and that wasn't good enough to Jesus.
Because Jesus is greedy- not in a sinning way, but in a way that is honoring to the only one in the universe who is worthy of being honored. He wants all of you. And if you can't give all, then He wants none. Because it's disrespectful to the Lord Most High to not give your best. He, and He alone is worthy of this. And if you can't give your best, it is better that you not give at all.
I realize this is different from what you here in your church on Sundays. "Come as you are." is a mantra that is pretty common on Sunday mornings. And I am not talking about what you are wearing. I am talking about the condition of your heart. What I am talking about is the attitude of "Bring your filthy heart to church each Sunday, it's ok. God understands. He knows you mean well." No, it's not ok. He doesn't understand, and it is not ok. The Holy One of Israel, our Reedeemer and Sustainer, our Hope deserves our best. Period.
When people are puzzled that a loving God can send people to Hell, it's because they don't get Holiness. Don't understand that God deserves your best. Don't understand that there is a penalty for disobedience. People don't understand what a Christian is, because lukewarm Christians have been such bad examples, and have been ok with so much sin, that there is no example anymore of what one should look like.
There is a penalty for refusing to give your life away and follow Christ. Why? Because He willingly died on a Cross for you. No one held his hands down, no one held his feet down. He willingly offered Himself for you. And in return, He asks you to willingly do the same. To put down all your sins, take up your cross and follow Him. This is what a follower of Christ must do to follow Him. And it is hard. Many times people came to Jesus asking what to do to be his disciple. His response was to leave everything, and follow Him. Right then. Not in a minute. Not after your affairs are in order. Right then. And that is so hard, because it requires us leaving our own lives and bending ourselves to the will of Christ. In everything. So how do we do this?
To do this we have to change the condition of our hearts. We have to be healed, and it starts at our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things and above cure. Who can own it?" God can, because he knows. He knows your heart, and He knows if you are truly following Him. What is our solution then? We should all cry out to God as Jeremiah did in Jeremiah 10:23-24 "LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, LORD, but only in due measure— not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing." Jeremiah cries out to God to discipline him for the disobedience of Israel. We need to cry out for discipline. Not just for us, but for all. Ask for discipline for all. Cry out to Jesus as King and Lord, and ask for forgiveness and redemption. Give up your sins-leave them, just like Lot had to leave Sodom. No turning back, keep on walking focused on Jesus.
We need to give up ourselves to attain Christ, because Christ gave up himself for you. He, and He alone is worthy of this great honor, and He has earned the right to be selective in what he accepts as devotion.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.”
“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”
Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”This is a different type of blog post. Not what you are used to from me. I usually do not get into social issues. But today is different. I just got an email from Change.org about a homosexual lady who was involved in Cub Scouts as a Den Leader, and was asked to step down from her position because she was gay. Upon my initial reading of the email, I felt a bit of sorrow for the lady, because she probably should not have been discriminated against. However, as I thought about the email, I was moved, shaken even, and I begin to think more closely about who I am and what I believe. As I pondered this, I begin to take issue with the email to the point I deleted it without signing the petition. Which was surprising to me, since I don't get strong emotions about that kind of stuff. But it did rise up in me feelings and stirrings which I am about to share with you.
The reason I have a problem with this is not that I am homophobic. One of my oldest son's friends in school in Nashville had 2 moms like this lady, and we went to a birthday party at their house that B and I were the only non-gay parents there. Honestly, I am really not that opinionated about Homosexuality one way or another. A person makes a choice, and then lives with it. Happens every day in world. Do I define it as sin? Yes. But lying is sin, too. Stealing is sin. Selfishness is sin. It's all disobedience, and in God's eyes, there is no distinction. So, if I can live with liars, thieves, people filled with selfishness, people who have hardened their hearts to God, then I can live with someone who sins in this manner. Besides, one of the two greatest commandments in the Bible is to "Love your Neighbor as yourself," and I would consider any person living my neighbor, of which she would qualify for. So that's not my point.
My issue is simply this: I am so convicted that we are to be holy, and that there is no alternative. Period. I just listed sins, which fall short of this goal. Any deviation from holiness is falling short of the standard barer, which is Jesus Christ. Any. And that is just not good enough. Being like Christ doesn't give you the right to choose what you want to obey, and what you can let go. It just doesn't. You either obey everything, or obey nothing. It really is black or white. Partial obedience is not obedience at all. Doing all things right but one is not good enough, because sin is separation from Christ, and it's impossible to be like Christ when you keep being the opposite of Christ. Being like the One who is blameless is pretty difficult when you're not. So my problem with the email was simply "I can't condone sin, no matter how I feel about the person." I just can't.
I need to clarify something here. We all sin, and are sinners, so try as we might, we are going to fail. So that is not what I am talking about. I am speaking of my sins and your sins that are held onto. Your deliberate disobedience. Knowing it is wrong, and continuing to do it. Your pornography. Your excessive spending on technology, when you don't need it. Your gluttony. Your homosexuality. Your stealing. Your refusal to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. That is what I am talking about. Deliberate disobedience.
I'm sure this stings the eyes and ears of some. But we live in a world like Isiah 6:9-10 where God says to Isiah to tell the Israelites "Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." We are just like the Israelites: seeing and hearing, but not perceiving and understanding. We see that we sin, we see that we are doing wrong, but we don't perceive that we need to do something about it. Like it's ok to God that we keep separating ourselves from Him.
I posted the passage about the rich man above because it makes a point that is applicable to this post. Christ wants all of you. All of you. And anything less than that, frankly, is not taking up your cross and following Christ. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but anything you hold onto in your life- any sin- separates you from following Christ. This here is one example. A man, who obviously believed in Jesus as Messiah, couldn't let go. So Jesus makes the statement "Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." Which is mind blowing, because this man believed Jesus as Messiah. But the man couldn't give his all, and that wasn't good enough to Jesus.
Because Jesus is greedy- not in a sinning way, but in a way that is honoring to the only one in the universe who is worthy of being honored. He wants all of you. And if you can't give all, then He wants none. Because it's disrespectful to the Lord Most High to not give your best. He, and He alone is worthy of this. And if you can't give your best, it is better that you not give at all.
I realize this is different from what you here in your church on Sundays. "Come as you are." is a mantra that is pretty common on Sunday mornings. And I am not talking about what you are wearing. I am talking about the condition of your heart. What I am talking about is the attitude of "Bring your filthy heart to church each Sunday, it's ok. God understands. He knows you mean well." No, it's not ok. He doesn't understand, and it is not ok. The Holy One of Israel, our Reedeemer and Sustainer, our Hope deserves our best. Period.
When people are puzzled that a loving God can send people to Hell, it's because they don't get Holiness. Don't understand that God deserves your best. Don't understand that there is a penalty for disobedience. People don't understand what a Christian is, because lukewarm Christians have been such bad examples, and have been ok with so much sin, that there is no example anymore of what one should look like.
There is a penalty for refusing to give your life away and follow Christ. Why? Because He willingly died on a Cross for you. No one held his hands down, no one held his feet down. He willingly offered Himself for you. And in return, He asks you to willingly do the same. To put down all your sins, take up your cross and follow Him. This is what a follower of Christ must do to follow Him. And it is hard. Many times people came to Jesus asking what to do to be his disciple. His response was to leave everything, and follow Him. Right then. Not in a minute. Not after your affairs are in order. Right then. And that is so hard, because it requires us leaving our own lives and bending ourselves to the will of Christ. In everything. So how do we do this?
To do this we have to change the condition of our hearts. We have to be healed, and it starts at our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things and above cure. Who can own it?" God can, because he knows. He knows your heart, and He knows if you are truly following Him. What is our solution then? We should all cry out to God as Jeremiah did in Jeremiah 10:23-24 "LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, LORD, but only in due measure— not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing." Jeremiah cries out to God to discipline him for the disobedience of Israel. We need to cry out for discipline. Not just for us, but for all. Ask for discipline for all. Cry out to Jesus as King and Lord, and ask for forgiveness and redemption. Give up your sins-leave them, just like Lot had to leave Sodom. No turning back, keep on walking focused on Jesus.
We need to give up ourselves to attain Christ, because Christ gave up himself for you. He, and He alone is worthy of this great honor, and He has earned the right to be selective in what he accepts as devotion.
Monday, April 9, 2012
The goodness of God
Job Chapter 1:20-21
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
Job Chapter 19:20-27
20 I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.21 “Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me. 22 Why do you pursue me as God does? Will you never get enough of my flesh?23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, or engraved in rock forever! 25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!I have never read the Book of Job before. Never. It's one of those books that is in that awkward category. I think you know what I am referring to. It's not the Gospels for sure, not a praise book like Psalms, not a wisdom book like Proverbs, not a prophetic book for sure. Not a historic book, such as one of the first five, or the books that tell the story of Israel and their kings. No, its kind of it's own entity. Which leaves it in the awkward category, because it doesn't seem to have any obvious application. Or so I thought. So I hadn't really ever read it. I had skimmed it some, but it seemed to be long monotonous dialogue, and my ADD brain couldn't, or more likely wouldn't, pay attention long enough to find out what was going on.
But I started reading it last week. And I have found it to be fascinating. And a very real and applicable book of the Bible. If you're not aware, Job was a very pious man who was devoted to God. However, through a series of trials allowed by God, everything that could go wrong to a person had happened to him. He lost everything. All his possessions, all his children, even his health. Everything.
So what you see is a broken man. Everything stripped away, and totally broken. His wife tells him to "curse God and die!" (2:9) His friends accuse him of getting punished for being wicked. So here is a man, left sitting in ashes, no family, no health, no hope. Nothing. Just a man you would expect to wait to die.
Yet, the most facinating thing to me was the dialogue. The words he used, the emotions he expressed to God. I totally get Job. I felt a similar response when Abigail died. Not to make this a teaching moment about grief, but here is where a parent is when they lose a child. Read the first 20 books of Job. See how Job is so angry, so depressed, so "why me?" and then talk to a parent that buried their child. I can speak to those feelings just the same. Job is angry, is hurt, is broken so deep. He yearns for death. He embraces it. Not in a suicidal way, but in a "this is how broken I am" way. That is where Job is. He is broken, hurting, saying "why me?"
Yet, the most facinating thing to me was the dialogue. The words he used, the emotions he expressed to God. I totally get Job. I felt a similar response when Abigail died. Not to make this a teaching moment about grief, but here is where a parent is when they lose a child. Read the first 20 books of Job. See how Job is so angry, so depressed, so "why me?" and then talk to a parent that buried their child. I can speak to those feelings just the same. Job is angry, is hurt, is broken so deep. He yearns for death. He embraces it. Not in a suicidal way, but in a "this is how broken I am" way. That is where Job is. He is broken, hurting, saying "why me?"
However, the most facinating thing happens. As you can see in the 2 passages above, Job praises God. Really praises Him- gives Him glory and honor. A man with no hope, no future- praises God. That is fascinating to me.
It's so easy to say "God is good" when good stuff happens. It really is. You see it on facebook, or in print everywhere. "God is good. The cancer is in remission! Praise Jesus!" Always something good has to happen to say God is good. You see it in sports, always some accomplishment followed up by a "I want to thank God", blah, blah, blah. And that really makes me mad. Because God is good irregardless of what happens to you. God was good the day Abigail died. God was good on 9/11/2001. God was good when the Israelites were taken into captivity, when the Romans came and took over rule of their land. God was good the day Jesus was beaten and died. God is good. Period. No qualifications.
I find it funny that we base God on how our individual lives are going. As if you have some control over whether or not God is good. That, to me, is completely laughable. When I speak of us having "pocket Gods" that is exactly what I am talking about. A god that is good when good stuff happens. A god that is good when we get the job, the girl, the child, the raise, the new car, etc... You get the picture.
It is just the opposite when your world is thrown upside down. When you are sitting in the same place as Job. Broken. No hope, no future. Because it's at that moment when God is best. When your life gets tough, how willing are you to say "God is good."? Because He is. And He and He alone is worthy of the praise and honor Job offered.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
God is... (part 2)
I hate typing. I really do. Which is funny, since that is exactly what I have to do to make this blog go. And yet, it is my kryptonite from posting more frequently. It's not really the words that are the problem. It's the typing. So unfortunately, or more likely fortunately for you, it prevents me from saying what's on my mind most of the time. My thoughts end up spoken by me on the road somewhere while I'm driving, instead of getting recorded for posterity's sake. So I say all that to say this- my part 2 post ended up in my car instead of on this blog. I really wanted to type it, I swear I did. But it just came out one morning when I was driving to work. And most of this stuff comes in waves, that I can't get back when it's gone. So, although the first version of this post was real good, it's gone. And I'm left trying to tie up a loose end. But the show must go on, and so I offer my best attempt at moving on with the blog.
Have you ever seen the movie "Grounghog's Day"? It was made in the '80's I think and had Bill Murray as the main character. Basically, the movie was about a guy who is stuck in the same day. Every day he wakes up and it's Grounghog's day. He can't die, can't age, and is stuck living the same day over and over. No matter what happens in one day, he wakes up and the same day starts over. So, he's stuck. But the kicker is he's the only one aware of it. Every one else is oblivious to this glitch in the matrix, for lack of a better phrase. Everyone he tries to explain this to thinks he's crazy. Every day he tries. He learns things only the people he tries to convince could know and tells them. Yet almost all think he is crazy- even with that kind of proof.
Have you ever thought God is in the same predicament? He works every day on us, just trying to get someone here to get a clue to who he is, and it's like we think He's crazy. That Love He shows, He freely gives, He yearns for us to acknowledge- we live oblivious to it. We wake up every day and it's Groundhog's Day and we're oblivious, and His job starts over again. We wake up every day and our Creator pursues us, and we're oblivious. God screams your name, my name, and we don't hear. We don't hear anything. This "privilege" of living in a country that screams religion, has made us deaf. Deaf to His cries of Love, of compassion. Deaf to His calling of Holiness. Deaf to his sobbing for sin. So it's no surprise we come so boldly to the Throne. Because we are deaf to God. And so every day, it's like we all are clean slates He is working on.
God offers us a Love that is not readily described. And the kicker is- He chases us around with it. Like a man giving out candy. But our problem is we are deaf. We don't hear Him anymore. People wonder why they have such a hard time knowing the will of God. It's because we don't hear Him. God's will is pretty easy to know. Make disciples of all nations. Follow Me. That's it. All the other stuff is noise.
But our problem is: How can you respond to something you don't hear? Why would you be receptive to something you don't acknowledge? This inability to acknowledge God's Love is a direct result of the inability to acknowledge the Holiness of God. That's why they are intertwined. To see the Holiness of God, truly, is to understand the Love of God. And vice-versa.
God loves you. But He, and He alone, has earned the right to be praised, to be lifted up. So, don't be so bold when you approach Him. Humble yourself before Him. Before you speak, listen. Because most likely, He has already approached you, and you weren't listening.
Have you ever seen the movie "Grounghog's Day"? It was made in the '80's I think and had Bill Murray as the main character. Basically, the movie was about a guy who is stuck in the same day. Every day he wakes up and it's Grounghog's day. He can't die, can't age, and is stuck living the same day over and over. No matter what happens in one day, he wakes up and the same day starts over. So, he's stuck. But the kicker is he's the only one aware of it. Every one else is oblivious to this glitch in the matrix, for lack of a better phrase. Everyone he tries to explain this to thinks he's crazy. Every day he tries. He learns things only the people he tries to convince could know and tells them. Yet almost all think he is crazy- even with that kind of proof.
Have you ever thought God is in the same predicament? He works every day on us, just trying to get someone here to get a clue to who he is, and it's like we think He's crazy. That Love He shows, He freely gives, He yearns for us to acknowledge- we live oblivious to it. We wake up every day and it's Groundhog's Day and we're oblivious, and His job starts over again. We wake up every day and our Creator pursues us, and we're oblivious. God screams your name, my name, and we don't hear. We don't hear anything. This "privilege" of living in a country that screams religion, has made us deaf. Deaf to His cries of Love, of compassion. Deaf to His calling of Holiness. Deaf to his sobbing for sin. So it's no surprise we come so boldly to the Throne. Because we are deaf to God. And so every day, it's like we all are clean slates He is working on.
God offers us a Love that is not readily described. And the kicker is- He chases us around with it. Like a man giving out candy. But our problem is we are deaf. We don't hear Him anymore. People wonder why they have such a hard time knowing the will of God. It's because we don't hear Him. God's will is pretty easy to know. Make disciples of all nations. Follow Me. That's it. All the other stuff is noise.
But our problem is: How can you respond to something you don't hear? Why would you be receptive to something you don't acknowledge? This inability to acknowledge God's Love is a direct result of the inability to acknowledge the Holiness of God. That's why they are intertwined. To see the Holiness of God, truly, is to understand the Love of God. And vice-versa.
God loves you. But He, and He alone, has earned the right to be praised, to be lifted up. So, don't be so bold when you approach Him. Humble yourself before Him. Before you speak, listen. Because most likely, He has already approached you, and you weren't listening.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
God is... (part 1)
Alright, pop quiz. I say God is _____. Fill in the blank. Ready. Go.
You said Love didn't you. I bet most of you did. I heard this question the other night in a class my family is taking. The speaker said "if you were to poll people on the street with that phrase, what would be the response?" Immediately, multiple people blurted out Love. And, of course, the speaker said "correct, it would be Love."
Apparently I was different. I immediately thought Holy. I almost blurted it out in fact, but caught myself when the chorus of "Love" came raining down from all over. It puzzled me at the time. Why did I think that? Love is obvious- that is an obvious answer. Think of all the John 3:16 signs we see at sporting events. Everyone wants God to be their best buddy. So it should have been obvious. Yet, here I was with a different answer. Why?
When we talk about the character of God, what strikes you the most? The Loving nature of God, or the Holiness of God? The first choice is obviously easier to deal with. I mean, who doesn't want a God that loves them unconditionally? No questions asked. No requirements. Just love. That is definitely the easier approach.
The Holiness of God? Tougher. Much tougher. But why?
Because it is not all encompassing. We are not holy. It makes us stand in stark contrast from God. It is not unconditional. It asks questions. It has requirements. We cannot stand before Him, are not worthy of uttering His name, should not be so bold to call ourselves Children of God when we consider the Holiness of God. Because instead of including us with God, it separates us from Him.
Consider what John said in Revelation 1:17, "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead..." Or what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 6, "Woe is me! For I am lost...". The Message version uses the phrase "I'm as good as dead!" These men, whom I imagine you would consider men of God (I do, at least), were so struck at the contrast, they either did die or wanted to. These were men that knew the Bible. Probably had memorized much of it. Lived in a world where faith in God was not only important, it was part of life. And yet the contrast they were faced with in the presence of Holiness, made them want to die. I guess the way I see it, they wanted to be separated.
So think about that. They wanted to be separate. From God. Doesn't that seem a little backward to you? Because it does to me. After all, those stories are straight from the Word. From the Bible.
But that is what God's Holiness does. It separates Him from us. Not only that, but it makes us want to remain that way. Because we are so fragile, His very essence can take our life, and because we are selfish with our lives, we would rather remain alive than draw close to Him that way. My only guess is that when we see Him, everything we try to hide is unhidden. And the shock from that reality is too much.
The High priests of Israel wore a rope tied around their waists when they entered the Temple of the Most High God. The reason was because there was a chance they might not come out alive. And so if that happened, they would have to be dragged out of the place, because no one else could enter to remove them.
So, for these men, entering near the Lord was literally hazardous to their health.
Yet for us it is so different, so simple. But, how are we any different? Why would we be better than these men who spent their entire lives living around the will of God? What makes us think we can belittle our relationships with a Creator this awesome? Why do we act so foolish in how we interact with Him? We act entitled. We feel like we have earned God the buddy. Not God the Consuming Fire.
I'm going to leave this post unfinished. For some reason, even though I want to tie this up with how God's Love is the balance, countering this separation between us and is the reason we can draw close to him. Is the reason He died for us, is the reason He offers us salvation.
But I feel like I don't need to yet, more like I can't yet. I'm not really sure why. Look, if this convicts you, I'm sorry. It's not me. It's God. I'm just a humble typist.
You said Love didn't you. I bet most of you did. I heard this question the other night in a class my family is taking. The speaker said "if you were to poll people on the street with that phrase, what would be the response?" Immediately, multiple people blurted out Love. And, of course, the speaker said "correct, it would be Love."
Apparently I was different. I immediately thought Holy. I almost blurted it out in fact, but caught myself when the chorus of "Love" came raining down from all over. It puzzled me at the time. Why did I think that? Love is obvious- that is an obvious answer. Think of all the John 3:16 signs we see at sporting events. Everyone wants God to be their best buddy. So it should have been obvious. Yet, here I was with a different answer. Why?
When we talk about the character of God, what strikes you the most? The Loving nature of God, or the Holiness of God? The first choice is obviously easier to deal with. I mean, who doesn't want a God that loves them unconditionally? No questions asked. No requirements. Just love. That is definitely the easier approach.
The Holiness of God? Tougher. Much tougher. But why?
Because it is not all encompassing. We are not holy. It makes us stand in stark contrast from God. It is not unconditional. It asks questions. It has requirements. We cannot stand before Him, are not worthy of uttering His name, should not be so bold to call ourselves Children of God when we consider the Holiness of God. Because instead of including us with God, it separates us from Him.
Consider what John said in Revelation 1:17, "When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead..." Or what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 6, "Woe is me! For I am lost...". The Message version uses the phrase "I'm as good as dead!" These men, whom I imagine you would consider men of God (I do, at least), were so struck at the contrast, they either did die or wanted to. These were men that knew the Bible. Probably had memorized much of it. Lived in a world where faith in God was not only important, it was part of life. And yet the contrast they were faced with in the presence of Holiness, made them want to die. I guess the way I see it, they wanted to be separated.
So think about that. They wanted to be separate. From God. Doesn't that seem a little backward to you? Because it does to me. After all, those stories are straight from the Word. From the Bible.
But that is what God's Holiness does. It separates Him from us. Not only that, but it makes us want to remain that way. Because we are so fragile, His very essence can take our life, and because we are selfish with our lives, we would rather remain alive than draw close to Him that way. My only guess is that when we see Him, everything we try to hide is unhidden. And the shock from that reality is too much.
The High priests of Israel wore a rope tied around their waists when they entered the Temple of the Most High God. The reason was because there was a chance they might not come out alive. And so if that happened, they would have to be dragged out of the place, because no one else could enter to remove them.
So, for these men, entering near the Lord was literally hazardous to their health.
Yet for us it is so different, so simple. But, how are we any different? Why would we be better than these men who spent their entire lives living around the will of God? What makes us think we can belittle our relationships with a Creator this awesome? Why do we act so foolish in how we interact with Him? We act entitled. We feel like we have earned God the buddy. Not God the Consuming Fire.
I'm going to leave this post unfinished. For some reason, even though I want to tie this up with how God's Love is the balance, countering this separation between us and is the reason we can draw close to him. Is the reason He died for us, is the reason He offers us salvation.
But I feel like I don't need to yet, more like I can't yet. I'm not really sure why. Look, if this convicts you, I'm sorry. It's not me. It's God. I'm just a humble typist.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A season of Hope?
Our problem:
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness. No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth. Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways. They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace. Isaiah 59:2-8
Our solution:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1
Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ Isaiah 58:8-9
So here I am, it's nice to see you again. Yes, I know I am a bad blogger. I'm sorry for that, and really I only have myself to blame for this. But enough of that, let's get to the meat of today's post.
I suggest everyone read the book of Isiah, if you already haven't. In my opinion, it's one of the more deep books in the Bible, because Isaiah doesn't shy away from either himself or humanity and our relation upon standing in the face of a Holy God. We fall short in so many ways. And it's that difference of who we think we are, versus who we really are in the sight of God that Isaiah gets.
I guess in this world of self-help and wanting to hear how good we are, this is a stark contrast. Because, let's be honest. Anyone that says "I want to hear how bad I am" is lying- you and I know this. But it's truth. Truth that hurts. Truth that causes pain. Truth that cuts to the core of who I really am.
As I sat here in quiet to collect my thoughts, I was drawn to a sermon I have linked to my browser. I am attaching it below. It is from Art Katz, and it is very convicting. It's from a sermon called "And They Crucified Him", and his point is simply, we fall short. Even our "best Christians" fall short of the plan of God. Looking at what the Apostles went through, we fall short. Even though we have every advantage concievable (such as most people have an idea who Christ is whether they believe or not, or that many of us live in such a manner that we can give to others both time and money), we fall so short of the mark of Christ, it's silly. And that point emphasizes the idea that I stated above, which is simply "we are not who we think we are."
Don't be deceived. You are not ok. I am not ok. This world is not ok. It's a corrupt, defiled, worthless piece of crap, and we, who are just as corrupt, just as defiled and just as worthless, are stuck right in the middle of it. It's no wonder that Jesus tells us to store up our treasures in Heaven. Because as far as I can see, whatever you get here on Earth is worthless. Worthless. Has no value. None.
This is a different take than what you typically hear at Christmas. "The season of Hope." It sounds kind of hopeless. And I guess that is what makes Christmas so amazing. Not the whole presents thing. Not the magic behind Santa- if you believe that. Not even that Christ came. No, the amazing thing is that God even entertained the idea to come. We are so screwed up, this world is so screwed up, the fact that God even entertained the idea is profoundly amazing in itself. And yet He did. That's the Love your Creator offers, and the same Love we take for granted, because "we are ok."
So I guess the obvious question now is what do we do with this?
Stop here and watch the video. And I'll pick up in a second.
It's funny that this blog comes out right before Christmas. I didn't plan it this way. Really, I didn't have a plan to begin with. A season that is supposedly filled with hope brought me this message. Kind of ironic if you ask me. And yet the truth offered here is real. We are full of ourselves. A false sense of hope that is offered when one is not honest with themself.
I wonder what Christ was thinking when he finally arrived as a human. Maybe it was something like, "What have I gotten myself into?" At Christmas, we celebrate His birth, and the love He brought that led to the Cross. However, without the Cross, what's the point of Christmas? I mean, does it even have a point? So, even now right in the middle of Christmas, it's the Cross that's still the message. And it's our inability to pick up our own crosses and follow Him that's still the problem.
So I asked you earlier, what do we do with this? I'm not sure about you, but this is a tough message for me to read. Cause truth hurts. And this is Truth. I have some choices that I as an individual, and that my family, as a family, have to make in the near future, that could completely re-shape the way, the how, and the where we function as a family. I need God's wisdom and leadership to do this. The only way to get that is to acknowledge the above, and acknowledge the Love He shows me, and humble myself to the point where God can use my family to do what He wants. It is only through that I can ask him for guidance, because I cannot do it on my own.
As far as you are concerned, my advice to you is to seek His face. Humble yourself, just like He did when He became a man, and take up your cross and follow Him. Cry out to the Lord. Ask the Lord to guide your steps. And do what He commands you. Don't just sit around and wait on God to put neon signs in your front yard.
There are commands in the Bible right now that "Christians" do not follow. Take care of orphans and widows, for example. Love your enemies. Those are just a couple of commands right off the top of my head.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken falsehood, Your tongue mutters wickedness. No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. They hatch adders’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a snake breaks forth. Their webs will not become clothing, Nor will they cover themselves with their works; Their works are works of iniquity, And an act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, And they hasten to shed innocent blood; Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity, Devastation and destruction are in their highways. They do not know the way of peace, And there is no justice in their tracks; They have made their paths crooked, Whoever treads on them does not know peace. Isaiah 59:2-8
Our solution:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins. Isaiah 58:1
Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ Isaiah 58:8-9
So here I am, it's nice to see you again. Yes, I know I am a bad blogger. I'm sorry for that, and really I only have myself to blame for this. But enough of that, let's get to the meat of today's post.
I suggest everyone read the book of Isiah, if you already haven't. In my opinion, it's one of the more deep books in the Bible, because Isaiah doesn't shy away from either himself or humanity and our relation upon standing in the face of a Holy God. We fall short in so many ways. And it's that difference of who we think we are, versus who we really are in the sight of God that Isaiah gets.
I guess in this world of self-help and wanting to hear how good we are, this is a stark contrast. Because, let's be honest. Anyone that says "I want to hear how bad I am" is lying- you and I know this. But it's truth. Truth that hurts. Truth that causes pain. Truth that cuts to the core of who I really am.
As I sat here in quiet to collect my thoughts, I was drawn to a sermon I have linked to my browser. I am attaching it below. It is from Art Katz, and it is very convicting. It's from a sermon called "And They Crucified Him", and his point is simply, we fall short. Even our "best Christians" fall short of the plan of God. Looking at what the Apostles went through, we fall short. Even though we have every advantage concievable (such as most people have an idea who Christ is whether they believe or not, or that many of us live in such a manner that we can give to others both time and money), we fall so short of the mark of Christ, it's silly. And that point emphasizes the idea that I stated above, which is simply "we are not who we think we are."
Don't be deceived. You are not ok. I am not ok. This world is not ok. It's a corrupt, defiled, worthless piece of crap, and we, who are just as corrupt, just as defiled and just as worthless, are stuck right in the middle of it. It's no wonder that Jesus tells us to store up our treasures in Heaven. Because as far as I can see, whatever you get here on Earth is worthless. Worthless. Has no value. None.
This is a different take than what you typically hear at Christmas. "The season of Hope." It sounds kind of hopeless. And I guess that is what makes Christmas so amazing. Not the whole presents thing. Not the magic behind Santa- if you believe that. Not even that Christ came. No, the amazing thing is that God even entertained the idea to come. We are so screwed up, this world is so screwed up, the fact that God even entertained the idea is profoundly amazing in itself. And yet He did. That's the Love your Creator offers, and the same Love we take for granted, because "we are ok."
So I guess the obvious question now is what do we do with this?
Stop here and watch the video. And I'll pick up in a second.
It's funny that this blog comes out right before Christmas. I didn't plan it this way. Really, I didn't have a plan to begin with. A season that is supposedly filled with hope brought me this message. Kind of ironic if you ask me. And yet the truth offered here is real. We are full of ourselves. A false sense of hope that is offered when one is not honest with themself.
I wonder what Christ was thinking when he finally arrived as a human. Maybe it was something like, "What have I gotten myself into?" At Christmas, we celebrate His birth, and the love He brought that led to the Cross. However, without the Cross, what's the point of Christmas? I mean, does it even have a point? So, even now right in the middle of Christmas, it's the Cross that's still the message. And it's our inability to pick up our own crosses and follow Him that's still the problem.
So I asked you earlier, what do we do with this? I'm not sure about you, but this is a tough message for me to read. Cause truth hurts. And this is Truth. I have some choices that I as an individual, and that my family, as a family, have to make in the near future, that could completely re-shape the way, the how, and the where we function as a family. I need God's wisdom and leadership to do this. The only way to get that is to acknowledge the above, and acknowledge the Love He shows me, and humble myself to the point where God can use my family to do what He wants. It is only through that I can ask him for guidance, because I cannot do it on my own.
As far as you are concerned, my advice to you is to seek His face. Humble yourself, just like He did when He became a man, and take up your cross and follow Him. Cry out to the Lord. Ask the Lord to guide your steps. And do what He commands you. Don't just sit around and wait on God to put neon signs in your front yard.
There are commands in the Bible right now that "Christians" do not follow. Take care of orphans and widows, for example. Love your enemies. Those are just a couple of commands right off the top of my head.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It's been a while
Hello again. As the title obviously states, it's been a while. I guess I am a bad blogger. But here I am, nonetheless.
There's a lot on my mind here lately. Some good, some bad. And I will get to that in the future. But today, I am here for a different reason. I come to you today to talk about my nephew Levi. Because of a giant hole in his diaphragm which allowed his organs to creep up onto his heart and lungs, Levi was born with undeveloped lungs and heart problems. In essence, he can't breathe and his heart doesn't work right. So he's been on a machine that has basically put oxygen in his blood and pumped it through his body. Because of that, he doesn't have baby/mommy time, baby/daddy time, baby/ big brother time. He is stuck on a table with a machine keeping him alive. And his time is running out.
When I started this blog back in December, the point was to lead people toward hope. Hope in each other, hope in our lives, hope in Christ. Hope. But how do you describe it? What is hope? It's not something definite. Not something tangible. You can't quantify hope. So what is it?
According to merriam-webster.com, hope can be defined as a noun and a verb. As a noun, one definition is "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment". So in a sense, it is something we want with an expectation to get it. The verb definition is similar in that it says "to desire with expectation of obtainment." So in our journey toward hope, we are not only looking for something, but are looking with an expectation of obtaining it.
So what does this have to do with Levi? There is not a lot of hope with Levi's family right now. To be honest, he is on death's doorstep. If his condition does not improve, when the machines are turned off, he will die. And the Valley of the shadow of death is not a place any parent wants to go. Brandy and I have lived there for 18 months. It is a living nightmare everyday.
I tell you all this, because I think you are important to him. I think you are just as important to him as the doctors are. Because you have the power to pray. God loves Levi, just as He loves you. Undescribeable love. And He definitely is in control of this. But there are times I think when He wants us to show Him we belive in His power. Not because we can make God do anything. That's ridiculous. But showing the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. Showing God we believe in Him. Showing God we have Hope in him. Looking toward Him to heal Levi and expecting it, because He can fix this, there is no doubt.
So I am here to implore you to pray. Fall to your knees now and cry out to God. Pray for Levi's healing. Pray that God fills his lungs with air. That his numbers get better so he can have the surgery he needs. Pray for forgiveness of a lack of belief, a lack of Hope. Pray for faith in God. We are weak only because we don't believe, because we don't hope in Him. Not because we are weak.
God is in control of this. So don't think I am telling you we can control what He does. And if He doesn't heal Levi, He is still in control. But we are so afraid of the result sometimes, we lose our ability to not only want something, but have expectation that it will happen. That's Hope. Don't lose it.
Like Andy Dufrense said in a letter to his friend Red in "The Shawshank Redemption," "Remember Red, Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things..." In Lamentations 3:25 (NIV), it says, "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."
Hope in the Lord, for He is good.
There's a lot on my mind here lately. Some good, some bad. And I will get to that in the future. But today, I am here for a different reason. I come to you today to talk about my nephew Levi. Because of a giant hole in his diaphragm which allowed his organs to creep up onto his heart and lungs, Levi was born with undeveloped lungs and heart problems. In essence, he can't breathe and his heart doesn't work right. So he's been on a machine that has basically put oxygen in his blood and pumped it through his body. Because of that, he doesn't have baby/mommy time, baby/daddy time, baby/ big brother time. He is stuck on a table with a machine keeping him alive. And his time is running out.
When I started this blog back in December, the point was to lead people toward hope. Hope in each other, hope in our lives, hope in Christ. Hope. But how do you describe it? What is hope? It's not something definite. Not something tangible. You can't quantify hope. So what is it?
According to merriam-webster.com, hope can be defined as a noun and a verb. As a noun, one definition is "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment". So in a sense, it is something we want with an expectation to get it. The verb definition is similar in that it says "to desire with expectation of obtainment." So in our journey toward hope, we are not only looking for something, but are looking with an expectation of obtaining it.
So what does this have to do with Levi? There is not a lot of hope with Levi's family right now. To be honest, he is on death's doorstep. If his condition does not improve, when the machines are turned off, he will die. And the Valley of the shadow of death is not a place any parent wants to go. Brandy and I have lived there for 18 months. It is a living nightmare everyday.
I tell you all this, because I think you are important to him. I think you are just as important to him as the doctors are. Because you have the power to pray. God loves Levi, just as He loves you. Undescribeable love. And He definitely is in control of this. But there are times I think when He wants us to show Him we belive in His power. Not because we can make God do anything. That's ridiculous. But showing the faith of a mustard seed can move a mountain. Showing God we believe in Him. Showing God we have Hope in him. Looking toward Him to heal Levi and expecting it, because He can fix this, there is no doubt.
So I am here to implore you to pray. Fall to your knees now and cry out to God. Pray for Levi's healing. Pray that God fills his lungs with air. That his numbers get better so he can have the surgery he needs. Pray for forgiveness of a lack of belief, a lack of Hope. Pray for faith in God. We are weak only because we don't believe, because we don't hope in Him. Not because we are weak.
God is in control of this. So don't think I am telling you we can control what He does. And if He doesn't heal Levi, He is still in control. But we are so afraid of the result sometimes, we lose our ability to not only want something, but have expectation that it will happen. That's Hope. Don't lose it.
Like Andy Dufrense said in a letter to his friend Red in "The Shawshank Redemption," "Remember Red, Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things..." In Lamentations 3:25 (NIV), it says, "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."
Hope in the Lord, for He is good.
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