Did you hear?

“Because the word that God speaks to us is always an incarnate word—a word spelled out to us not alphabetically, in syllables, but enigmatically, in events, even in books we read and movies we see—the chances are that we will never get it just right. We are so used to hearing what we want to hear and remaining deaf to what it would be well for us to hear that it is hard to break the habit. But if we keep our hearts and minds open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize, beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear him, he is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, his word to us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling.” From Now and Then by Frederick Buechner

God seeks an audience. He is not speaking into the void just to hear his voice echo. He intends to be heard and to have a response. When God speaks, it is not a pompous, self-gratifying type of speech that increases his ego. Rather, God’s voice works with purpose, with a sincere hope that someone will hear and respond. Take the story of Adam and Eve as an example. After they ate the forbidden fruit, they hid themselves out of fear. What was God’s initial response? He came for his morning walk, looking for companionship and conversation. The omniscient God knew what had transpired that morning, yet still he came looking for his friends. Did he come in anger, in righteous indignation? No, he came seeking—“Adam, where are you? Are you there? I want to talk to you.” God spoke, and he expected a response.

God is still speaking these many centuries later. He speaks most clearly through the life of his Son Jesus and through the Scriptures he has given us. As Ambrose says, “As in Paradise, God is walking in the Holy Scriptures, seeking man.” God speaks to see if we will listen, to see if we will respond.

We have become so immersed in the noise of our age that we seldom “hear” God’s voice any more. Oh, his Spirit and abilities are still the same, but we have tuned our ears to a totally different wavelength of “white noise” that keeps us so preoccupied that we don’t even notice that God spoke to us. As Frederick Buechner notes above, God is still talking, and what he is saying is recoverable if we will listen. If we will really take time to listen.

How many of you have children? Do you ever have the feeling that your kids aren’t really “hearing” what you say? Their faces may register acknowledgement that your mouth moved or your voice sounded, but they aren’t “getting it.” I wonder sometimes if God doesn’t feel the same way. He speaks to us, even sometimes in the “white noise” of our lives, yet we don’t “hear” him. Like Adam and Eve, we record that God said something (“Oh, he said not to even touch that tree or else you would die, or something like that”), but we don’t catch the full ramifications or meaning of his words.

God speaks to me sometimes through movies. Yeah, that’s a little strange, but I often get a relevant message from God from the movies I watch (and I’m not just talking about “The Passion” either!). I remember when Lisa and I were dating, actually it may have been after we were married. At any rate, she wanted to see the Disney movie “The Lion King.” We found a theatre that was showing it and off we went. As I sat in that theatre, God spoke. When Mufasa chastised Simba for being forgetful of his ancestry, I heard the voice of God. “You have forgotten me and thus have forgotten who you are called to be.” I am called to be his child, of his nature, speaking his words, doing his deeds. I am called a priest, a king, a holy and precious possession of God. How then ought I to live?

I also remember watching "A Beautiful Mind" and wondering at the marvelous range of God's creation of humans. Here is a man whose mind works in such a way as to disrupt his life in bizarre ways, and yet the image of God is so strong in his person that he is able to sort out the "unreal" from the "real" in his life. He is able by diligent application of reason and thought to separate hallunications from reality. God made his mind that way! God created that ability! I mean, the guy could literally see things others couldn't, and over time he was even able to discern what was "reality" and what was not. What a marvelous creation! It was a reminder to me that God knit us together, he made us the way we are. We are lacking nothing physically to accomplish what God asks of us. We are fallen, yes, but we also have something of the image of God (the better angels of our nature). We stumble, yet we can also overcome. He made us so, and he longs to interact with us, to aid us in our journey to wholeness in his son, Jesus.

I wish I could say that these insights flash on my mind daily. They do not. God is certainly speaking daily, but sometimes I have such dull hearing or doubt the possibility of God’s communicating with me that I miss the conversation or completely misunderstand it. But there is hope—the same God who spoke the universe into existence is still speaking to me through various means. As Buechner says, if I listen, I will hear it, and what I hear will be beyond precious. Lord, help us to hear. Teach us the discipline of listening.

Thanks for reading!

Sad News . . . Jerry Falwell 1933-2007

Well, by now many of you have heard that the founder and chancellor of Liberty University, Dr. Jerry Falwell, went to be with the Lord today. Yes, the news is true. After 51 years of ministry, Dr. Falwell has completed his course and is at rest. I hope to write more in the next few days, but right now I am just a bit stunned at the news.

My heart hurts, but I am reminded of Isaiah 6 where Isaiah saw the Lord high and exalted on the day that Uzziah died. When people we respect pass away, the only proper response is to look to the One who made all of this possible. May Jesus give you peace and comfort as you need it!

“All God’s giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on his being with them.” J. Hudson Taylor

Thanks for reading!

Rich or simple?

“Consider that wonderful world of life in which you are placed, and observe that its great rhythms of birth, growth and death—all the things that really matter—are not in your control. That unhurried process will go forward in its stately beauty, little affected by your anxious fuss. Find out, then, where your treasure really is. Discern substance from accident. Don’t confuse your meals with your life, and your clothes with your body. Don’t lose your head over what perishes. Nearly everything does perish: so face the facts, don’t rush after the transient and unreal. Maintain your soul in quiet dependence on God; don’t worry; don’t mistake what you possess for what you are.” Evelyn Underhill, The House of the Soul and Concerning the Inner Life.

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Jesus, Matthew 6:20-21

Live simply, so that others may simply live.

I don’t remember where I first heard that simple little quote about the simple life, but it stuck with me. Not that I understood it or am even capable of properly appropriating and living it, but it stuck with me.

What does it mean?

Sometimes it makes me think of the rich young ruler in Luke 18. You remember the story. This fellow comes to Jesus and asks the important question—“What should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus gives him a list of the laws—don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t murder, honor your father and mother, etc. The fellow claims that he has done just these things since his youth. Then Jesus starts to meddle.

Yes, Jesus looked into the eyes of the young fellow, looked deep into his heart, and knew just where to hit, just where to wound him.

“Go,” Jesus said, “and sell all of your stuff and give it to the poor. Then come and follow me.”

You know the story—the fellow left crestfallen. His spirit was crushed, his enthusiasm for eternal life was snuffed out, his desire to know the “way” was destroyed.

Right?

Well, not really, he left downhearted because he owned a lot of stuff. Or, more precisely, a lot of stuff owned him.

What can we learn here? Well, maybe we can begin to try to discern what we can do without. What is there in the “stuff” of your life that you just really don’t need? TV? Multiple pairs of shoes? Dozens of shirts and pants? More food than a small village can eat? Extra money in a bank account?

Does it feel like meddling?

When I hear the quote “Live simply so that others may simply live,” I am compelled to ask Jesus to look deeply into my rich heart and see what I can do without.

It is a question that causes fear in my heart even as I type the words. Do I really want to know what Jesus wants me to do with my stuff? What if he answers me like the young fellow in Luke 18? Will I walk away with disappointment?

What would happen to the world if the followers of Christ really loved him and his plans more than all of the stuff they had accumulated? What would happen?

What would happen if we loved the people Jesus asks us to love--the oppressed, the poor, the ones we try to avoid? What kind of world would it be if we gave time and treasure to love those that no one else will love?

Paul reminds us that the stuff of this earth is mundane and temporary, and yet we latch onto it as though it were the stuff of life itself (yes, I’m guilty too!).

But I can’t do without my stuff! Can I?

I think most of us in the good old USA could use a bit of discipline—maybe we should abstain from some of the stuff we think we need just to see if we can get along without it. Go one week without something. See if your mind sharpens and your focus becomes more exact.

It won’t be easy—God knows I have so much stuff to surrender that I’m not sure where to start. The payoff however will be worth it.

The less I’m focused here, the more I’ll be focused on what really matters—on Christ and his eternal plans, on following my Lord in loving the ones he loved and doing the things he did. Paul says that those things are long lasting and never wasting away. I need to pry myself loose from my mundane anchors in this world and get my sights set on something bigger and more amazing than the latest edition of CSI or the newest electronic gadget.

To do that requires rigor, discipline, and desire. Are we up to it?

I hope so! We don’t need any more rich young rulers.

May God give me the grace to cut loose the apron strings of this temporary existence so that I may more securely latch on to his unfailing hand.

Thanks for reading!

Waiting for morning . . . is that hope shining?

The past 10 days have been a bit of a blur. I've been a bit overwhelmed in my mind and heart by circumstances and events, some of which are quite beyond my control. I haven't quite been sure how to put things into perspective lately. Part of it is the busyness of my job and the constant pressure to produce something that will win the approval of others, but that isn't all. My heart still hurts for the Virginia Tech community, my mind swirls with a hundred possible scenarios to make that hurt go away, and yet I know that sometimes life just has pain. The hope that comes to me first looks a bit like the sun at dawn. It peeks over the fog and the dark clouds of the night. It seems almost timid, not sure whether or not to make its presence known. Then, the bright light pierces some part of the darkness. That little bit of light brightens the space, makes it seem lighter, more accessible.

Hope has been like that to me the past few days. By God's grace I see hope peeking into a dark time of life. The sun has not fully risen to its zenith, but there is a shaft of light shining into a dark place, making it livable and alive. In the midst of this darkness, I have taken solace in some music. One song that has encouraged me is "Take Me Away" by Sarah Kelly. It can be found on her album by the same name. Here are the lyrics:

no more weary teary eyes
just sunny skies
never have I felt so alone my how I've grown
maybe that's the way it's supposed to be as I'm walking down this
street
maybe if it's just you and me we'll never even miss a beat
maybe

Take me away
Take me away
All that I love is you, is you

captured by your love I'm such a fool for you
the day you laid your hand upon my heart tore my world apart
there's been so many times that I have prayed to hear you speak my
name
and though I've never seen you face to face I search for you everyday

Take me away
Take me away
All that I love is you, is you

come what will and come what may
I know your love will remain through the joy and through all the pain
I surrender and it makes me want to fly

Take me away
Take me away
All that I love is you, is you

I have this sense that God is there. He cares. I want to run away to him, to be in his lap for a few minutes. I want the ugliness of this fallen world to disappear, just for a minute. I want to experience the joy of Narnia without any evil.

I know that a day will come, a day unlike any other, a day when we can tread the streets with no names and find what we are looking for. That hope is what drives me today. I'm not depressed, I'm sad that the ugliness of this world necessitates the death of so many who are too young to die. This tragedy has touched many of us because of our human condition. We are finite. We are fallible. We are lost without hope and without peace. Tragedy reminds us that we are breakable. It reminds us that we are not in control. Tragedy treads upon our chosen utopias and reminds us that this isn't Eden anymore.

God has known tragedy. The day his Son Jesus died as an innocent for our guilt was a tragedy to him. He understands unspeakable loss. God through Christ experienced with and for us the tragic consequences of sin, of our utter sinfulness as humans. As the inhumanity of the snarling crowd tortured and put to death Jesus, God stood and watched. He accepted the wounds of that very personal tragedy so that he can offer us the comfort and joy of his presence and grace. Jesus made a way through tragedy for us to come freely and without payment to receive God's kindness. Yes, God understands tragedy.

The tragedy at Virginia Tech has left scars. It has left grief. It has left sorrow.

But God is beyond that tragedy. He is there. I turn to him, he is my hope. Without him, it just isn't worth the work, it isn't worth the effort, I'd just stay in bed. He cares. He loves. He gives me fresh mercy like the dew every morning. He will see us through even the hurts and wounds of life. He will give comfort. Jesus waits for us to come, to receive his embrace, to cry in his arms. He is ready to take us into the comfort of his presence.

No, the circumstances will not disappear, the hurt will not "magically" go away. Our circumstances may not change dramatically, but in his presence, in the arms of Jesus we will see our worth in his eyes, we will receive his love, his hope. God is in charge! He is not asleep at the wheel.

Thanks to God for this hope, thanks to God for his inexpressible gift!

The sun will rise, life will continue, good will happen. Joy comes in the morning. I look forward to joy.

Thanks for reading!

A Response to Tragedy and Grief

I sit here in my comfortable office and realize that my almost 3 years in Virginia have been at times chaotic. The month before I moved here, my father passed away after an extended illness.

Ten months after moving here my cousin (about 40) passed away unexpectedly. He wasn't sick, it just happened. He left a wife and kids.

Then in October 2005, a pastor friend in Waco passed away unexpectedly. He was electrocuted during a baptism. He was 33, had a wife and children. More grief!

In December 2005, a very dear friend died in Waco. He was 44, healthy, and died in his sleep. They still don't know what happened.

In the Spring of 2006, my aunt (the mother of the cousin above) passed away after a time in the hospital.

Then in the summer of 2006, one of my best friends died in a plane crash. More grief for a wife and children!

All of these tragedies and experiences of grief have been documented on my blog.

Then comes Monday, April 16. A sick person kills over 30 people on the campus of Virginia Tech, a school some 90 minutes from where I teach.

I'm numb again. I don't know how to respond. I mean, so many lives snuffed out in an instance, added to the pain I already felt in my own circle of friends.

How do you move on? What do you do?

I feel so (what's the word?) angry, upset, sad. . . . I'm not sure what to say.

The shock of hearing about these untimely deaths (is death ever timely?) is bad enough, but this sudden bit of bad news has hit me harder than I would have imagined. You see, grief came knocking on my door, and he was not expected. I wasn't prepared, I didn't know how to act or what to say. I'm experiencing grief again!

Grief often shows up at the most inopportune time. He is seldom a welcome guest and even more rarely an invited one. He walks in unannounced and tries to take over the household. Grief immobilizes you. It makes you stop and hurt. I guess grief is useful, but when you are experiencing it you just want it to stop. You want the uninvited pest to go away. A part of our lives were taken away without our permission!

Grief has come to us, he came uninvited. We will walk a while, probably in silence. At the end, we will still miss our friends, but hopefully we will cherish life more.

Grief is not my friend, but he helps in some ways, I guess. Grief came knocking on my door, and I didn't check to see who it was before I answered. Now Grief is a guest in my home again. How long he'll stay is anybody's guess. He'll leave quietly one day and the only evidence that he was there will be the memory of our missing friends and a few tear-filled tissues. Grief will go, but hopefully he will leave us wiser and more grateful.

Don't misunderstand me . . . I'm still confident in God's character.

I know God is faithful and good.

But this whole thing just seems so wrong.

I hate death.

Yes, I hate it.

On the day when Death and Hades are kicked into the bottomless pit, I will stand and cheer. I will dance about wildly, flinging my arms and body in all sorts of directions in praise of a great accomplishment--greater than any touchdown, homerun, or pay raise. I will celebrate madly the final death of Death. I long for the day.

Pray and grieve, that is the season for now.

Remember that your grief is not in vain. Let it work a good work in you. Don't use it as an excuse to turn to anger or bitterness, but rather use it as a reminder to cherish those around you more, to revel in the friendships, the relationships, the life you have today.

Let grief drive you to enjoy the good in life today! Let it push you to a kind and merciful God who knows how to see you through it.

Let grief be the tool that causes you to appreciate life.

Life is precious, God is reminding us to cherish it and nurture it.

I know, it is time to turn off the rant. You've heard enough. And besides, I'll probably revisit this topic later.

Remember to pray for the community of Virginia Tech and the friends and families who are hurting now. Remember to express your grief, to develop an appreciation for life.

You are precious. You matter. So does your grief!

Thanks for reading!

Sounds of silence

Silence, cold eerie silence.

In this post-modern day and age, we rarely find ourselves in a place that is so utterly silent as to be practically without sound. We are surrounded by noise—the chattering of talk radio, the booming of the latest music craze, even in the shopping centers and elevators of life we encounter the ever-present reminder of Muzac to keep us company. At work we are assaulted with myriads of sounds, from the boss handing out assignments to the response of the secretary or the ringing of the phone. Even the internet is now wired for sound so that you can search for the latest piece of news or information with surround sound convenience. We return home from work only to turn on our cable TV to act as a kind of “white noise” in the background of our family lives. Some of us even go to sleep with the latest tunes playing on the radio to soothe our tired souls and “give us rest.” Today a human can actually go from womb to grave completely surrounded by the music of their personal soundtrack. Surely we are rarely without noise in our lives!

In this post-modern life we seem to have grown afraid of silence. We avoid it. We try to fill it with something that will give “meaning” to the emptiness. Why do we do that? Why do we fill our lives with sound?

Could it be that we are afraid of what we may actually hear if we are silent?

Could we be afraid that we may hear nothing? That we may be drowning in silence?

I believe we have grown accustomed to sound as a substitute for genuine communication with the transcendent. We have blocked out the very voice of the cosmos with our sound track so that we do not have to give our souls pause and just listen.

When was the last time you listened, really listened, to nature around you? I heard a cardinal this morning, the bark of a dog, the jingling of my cat’s tags as he walked up the walk. It was so quiet I swear I could hear the sun groaning as it rose from its sleep!

I sat there, in silence. I listened. After a few seconds I grew jittery, even panicky. I really should be doing something, listening to something, “accomplishing” something worthwhile with my time.

I heard a voice, quiet and still—“Hush, be quiet. Be still and know . . . .” I listened, and in that silence I found a reverence for life that I hope only grows throughout the day. The quiet voice didn’t offer any startling revelations, but my basking in silence lent a kind of sacred feel to my morning. God was there. We had coffee. We sat quietly like two old friends for whom words would be a waste of effort. We silently toasted the beginning of a new day, and I felt as though the Almighty smiled at me. That stillness of that moment had created an almost “holy” space for the two of us to share. I know he was there. I long for a few more quiet moments with my Friend.

Shhh . . .

Listen. . .

Was that the whisper of his voice?

What's Love Got to Do with It?

In the spirit of Hebrews 10:24, I offer the following rant to incite others to love and good works. May we in this Easter season find ourselves like our Lord wrapping a towel of humility around our collective waists as we pursue the greatest job ever--loving those God has loved in a way that they do not expect.

Want more? Then read on brave soul!

Today as I was driving to work, I was listening to an old Dana Key CD (came out in 1995 with the title "Part of the Mystery"). Nothing to write home about, but he has one song on the album that really caught my attention. Let me share the lyrics of the song and a few thoughts with you all (if you don't mind). The song is "That's What Love is About." Here are the lyrics:

Kindra's bed is on the floor
Windows aren't safe
That's life in war

Sometimes through the night she counts
The times she hears the shots ring out
Kindra taught her self to steal
It's been three days since she's had a hot meal

Kindra's learning how to hate
Who'll save her life, before it's just too late
She's found an angel of mercy in her destiny
He said he came in the name of the Lord
Kindra don't pay me a thing

Chorus:
Pay with a smile or pay with a kiss
It's all a days work, that's what love is
Pay with a song or pay with a shout
It's part of my job cause
That's what love is about

Kindra's quite a lady now
Makes her home
In the south

Grateful for all that she's got
She's been blessed and owes a lot
She thinks back on her old life
Those tattered clothes, those tears at night

She hurts for that side of town
She's going back to lay her life down
They've got an angel of mercy in their destiny
She says she comes in the name of the Lord
Friend you don't owe me a thing (the girl said)

Chorus:
Pay with a smile or pay with a kiss
It's all a days work that's what love is
Pay with a song or pay with a shout
It's part of my job cause
That's what love is about

You really need to hear this song as it is played in all of its 90s glory, but I think that the basic ideas are obvious.

This song comes after a song entitled "Invisible Kingdom," a song that deals with the power of prayer and its seeming lack of prestige in today's society. Nonetheless, this song brings to mind certain things Jesus said about being a disciple of his.

Remember when Jesus took a child and set the child in the midst of his disciples? He encouraged his disciples to develop a child-like tendency to trust God (see Matthew 18:1-6). He says to them "Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones to stumble . . ." Well, you probably remember the rest.

Earlier Jesus had told his disciples that to offer others even a "cup of cold water" in the name of Christ was considered a good thing to do.

Jesus also encouraged and admonished his followers to serve one another, to outdo one another in being kind and in service.

"The one who serves is the greatest" says Jesus.

Do we really believe it?

I don't think so.

The reason that this song got my attention (I think) is that it reminded me of my call as a Christ-follower--I am to offer debt-free love and service to others with no expectation of reward.

I am to love as Christ loves.

I am to lay down myself so that someone else may live.

I am to live simply so that others may simply live.

That isn't the American dream, now is it?

What person in your community has gone three days without a hot meal? Who are the "little ones" in your area who are wounded, hurt, dispossessed?

Will you love Jesus enough to love them?

Steve Camp used to sing a song that said something like "Can we taste the tears that they cried?" The song deals with loving the unloveable, embracing the unembraceable, touching the untouchable.

Jesus did that. He walked right up to people with leprosy. He put his clean hands on their decaying flesh. He touched them. He loved them.

Will we?

Who are our modern day lepers? Are they the drug addicts? The alcoholics? The divorcees? The liberal democrats? The conservative republicans? The victim of cancer, aids, etc.?

Are they the orphans of war? The ones left behind by our refusal to care?

Finding them isn't hard--they are out there.

Loving them is harder. They may even share a home with us.

May we learn today to offer debt-free love and service. Like Jesus may we learn to take joy in the smiles and laughter we receive. May we even be willing to be killed by those we love, even while we love them anyway.

I'm sorry this topic seems heavy. I didn't mean it to be so hard.

I'm under conviction.

Thanks for reading!

Shhh, did you hear that?

In my readings today I saw how God answers Job and I read Peter’s description of how God produces salvation through faith and perseverance. Job has always fascinated me for several reasons. First, his sheer audacity and boldness in challenging God is amazing. Sure, his circumstances were not so good, and yes, God could have stopped them. Yet, Job was determined to have God hear his complaint.

I know I do that myself, though in my false humility I tend to think that I’m not as arrogant as I perceive Job to be. That lie is obvious in God’s response to Job in chapter 38—“Where were you, Job?” It’s a question that reverberates throughout Scripture. God asks a similar question to Adam and Eve, to Moses, to the prophets (especially Ezekiel), and in many ways to other people.

It is a legitimate question—where were you when God was planning things and making provisions for all the events of your life? Were you on an ash heap, scraping sores and complaining to your “friends?” Or were you hiding in the fig trees, covering up the sin that has been uncovered by your sinful acts? Or were you hiding in a cave, depressed because you were the only child of God left standing for the truth? Where were you, o Job?

God never sleeps, he watches over his creation to provide grace and provision for it every day. While we were nodding off, God was providing. While we caught 20 winks, God made it rain, brought the sun up, set up circumstances for your life so that today his grace would abound to you. God, how foolish of us to think we somehow had better plans than you. We all believe that sometimes, and it is as stupid as it is audacious.

The second thing I like about Job is his humility. Oh, he could be bold in complaint, but when accosted by the truth, he was humble enough to shut up. God shows up and essentially tells Job—“Child, I’m God and you’re not.” God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind, and I wonder how he and his friends felt when it showed up. Were they morbidly curious, frightened, excited, or just downright confused? I think sometimes that I want God to “give me a sign,” to show up and do something amazing. Yet when he appears, often it is in the quiet whisper or in the whirlwind life of everyday activities. And, here is the really odd part, that is the time I tend to miss him.

Yes, I miss it when God whispers to me because too often I am complaining too loudly to listen. Then he comes when life is hectic and I’m too busy to notice. Lord, give us the wisdom of Elijah and Job to sit still when you show up. Teach us to listen in silent adoration as you speak words of life to us. How we need your Spirit to protect our hearts and minds, to guide us in the way everlasting. Father, be the center of our activity today. No matter what ash heap or cave we find ourselves in today, help us to be attentive to your communications and to your presence.

Pay attention today--God may be whispering to you.

He may be shouting.

Listen.

Thanks for reading!

Faithful in hard times

1 Thess 5:23-25

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
25 Brethren, pray for us. NASU

Job 5:17-27

17 "Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
18 "For He inflicts pain, and gives relief;
He wounds, and His hands also heal.
19 " From six troubles He will deliver you,
Even in seven evil will not touch you. . .
27 "Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is.
Hear it, and know for yourself." NASU

Faithful--God is faithful to finish what he starts.

Faithful--God is faithful to stand with us in our hour of desperation.

Faithful--God will not fail, he will not give up.

Faithful--if God has called us, he will complete that calling in us. He finishes what he starts (see Isaiah 66:9).

Think of Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Gideon, Samson, Deborah, Barak, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Habakkuk, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Jesus, the apostles, James, John, Peter, and Paul.

Think of poor young Timothy--his spiritual "father" Paul just died--he had his head removed by the Romans for preaching Christ. And there sits Timothy. He arrived at the prison, the final home of Paul, but Timothy arrived just a bit too late. "Come before winter" Paul requested. Timothy hurried to Rome with parchments and supplies, only he arrived too late. Paul was dead.

We might be tempted to ask Timothy--"Is God really faithful? Does God finish what he starts?"

Tear stained eyes look up at us. A smile shows on a face that was just a moment ago contorted with grief.

"Is God faithful?" Timothy responds incredously. He looks at us like we had three heads. "Of course God is faithful!" the disciple of Paul exclaims.

But, we might ask, you just lost your friend, your spiritual father. He is dead, gone, his life ingloriously snuffed out by the mad man Nero. Where is God's faithfulness in all of that?

Remember, dear reader, that God's constant faithfulness is not a guarantee against harm or even hard times. Paul knew that, and he knew the risks. But Paul was confident that God would empower him for the task at hand. He even wrote to dear Timothy--"If we are faithless, God is faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13).

Why is God faithful? Paul tells us it is because God cannot deny himself! God is always true to his own character.

Paul also reminded his disciple that hard times would come since "those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:2). In the midst of the storm, God is unable to deny his own essential nature of covenant love, of covenant fidelity, of faithfulness.

If God suddenly became unfaithful, the universe would literally fly apart at the seams, the world would cease spinning, the moon would crash into the ocean, life would cease, the sun would be snuffed out, the universe would cease its almost infinite growth. God can no more be unfaithful than a human can sprout wings or develop gills. God IS faithful because he is God! God does not change!

So, friend, what trial of darkness are we experiencing? Is it one of our own making, the result of mistakes and missteps in life? Is it an accident, simply the ebb and flow of life? Is it the result of righteousness?

I'll tell you a secret--it doesn't matter where it originated--God is faithful still! Romans 8:28 is still in effect.

Have we blown it? Hundreds of times no doubt! We need to make things right and remember--God works all things together for good.

Have you been treated badly for some good thing you've done? Be glad and remember that all things work together for good. Your present circumstances do not hinder God's faithfulness. God does not falter because your situation is too BIG.

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

For God to be unfaithful, he would have to deny himself. And that, dear friend, will never happen.

Thank you, God, for your steady commitment to us. Thank you for being constant and unmoving in your love for us. Thank you for your kindness that leads us to repent and for your faithfulness that calls us to faith. Thank you for the life and example of Jesus. Teach us to live as he lived. Thanks for listening to us!

Thank you, dear reader, for reading!

A reality TV show reminds me that God will turn mourning into dancing, ashes to beauty . . .

Last night my wife and I watched with anticipation as the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition built a home for the Tate family on Davis Island in Floriday. The Tates lost their home in a tragic accident last June when a plane crashed into their home and burned it down. They had no insurance and could not rebuild. The new home built by ABC is no doubt a blessing, and I think the Tates not only appreciate it but deserved it.

What was not well covered by ABC, however, is the fact that another family suffered loss in that tragedy. The Huisman family lost husband and father, Steve Huisman. His wife, Sonya, was left a widow with four children to raise. Although I know that Sonya does not expect ABC to do anything for her, I think it would have been a good thing for Ty and the crew to at least attempt to bless this family that lost a breadwinner, a father, and a husband all in on tragic event.

Of course, I am kind of biased because Steve Huisman was a good friend to me. One of the best friends I have ever had. I wanted my new readers to know his story, so I'm linking two posts form last June to this entry. They pretty adequately sum up how I am feeling today as I remember the loss of my friend.

Please pray for the Huismans as you read these posts. They can be found at these URLs: http://beyond-the-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2006/06/in-memoriam.html and http://beyond-the-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2006/06/and-now-song-from-jennifer-knapp.html.

Thanks for reading!

What is on the CD player?

Right now I am in an '80s rock mood, so I'm listening to some good old Christian bands from that era, including:

1. Petra
2. DeGarmo and Key
3. Servant
4. Rez Band

Thanks for reading!

What is Truth?

I just left my philosophy class. We talked there about how things attract us and about what "attractive" is. We did not come to a satisfactory conclusion, but on my walk back from the class room, I engaged in a bit of reflection and thought. I thought about truth. Please indulge me a bit as I share my rambling thoughts on this topic.

The Gospel of John uses "truth" a lot. Pilate even asks that famous question above in John 18:38, just after Jesus said that he had come to testify of the truth. So, what is truth?

Peter Kreeft says that truth is saying about what is that it is, that truth is saying what is real. Ronald Nash says that truth is "a property of propositions that correspond to the way things are." Andreas Koestenberger says that telling the truth is representing the facts accurately. Some in today's post-modern world would claim that truth is in the eye of the beholder, that it is a personal possession determined by the independent individual.

John's Gospel presents truth in this way--in chapter 1, verse 14, he describes the Incarnation as an event in which God's self-revelation (i.e., the Word) became flesh and lived among humans. This Incarnated Revelation of God is described as full of grace and truth. If truth is the way things actually are, then God's Word was full of reality, full of what is. Jesus is later represented as saying of himself that he is "the way, the truth, and the life" by which means alone can individuals come to have a relationship with God.

John describes Jesus as truth.

Think about that. He is the sum total of all propositions that correspond to the way things actually are, he is the great representation of reality, he is what is real!

He is Truth.

Truth in this sense (not the post-modern one) is an absolute standard to which all of reality is ultimately compared. Something then is true or real only insofar as it accurately corresponds to what Jesus is and what Jesus reveals about God.

If it is not true, it is not Jesus.

Any aspect of my life that does not correspond to Christ, that does not reflect his character is false. It is not true. It is a lie.

My mother used to say the "the truth is true." While this syllogism may have its share of logical problems, it is nonetheless accurate. What is true is real. It is true.

According to John's Gospel, Jesus is the final standard or measuring rod by which reality is judged.

If it isn't Jesus, it isn't true.

That hurts a bit as I look at my own life. How much of the stuff that I entertain as "real" is actually false when compared to Jesus? What lies do I continue to live while claiming to know the truth?

In John 17 Jesus prays to God that he will sanctify Jesus' followers in the truth. Jesus adds "your (God's) word is truth."

I think I understand the Psalmist now. In Psalm 139:6 he says "such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it."

I am boggled by this idea--if it does not correspond with Jesus, then it is false.

How much have I allowed in my life that is not "real" or "true"?

I'm afraid to try to answer honestly!

What is truth?

Think about it.

Thanks for reading!

Some C. S. Lewis Quotes

"The central story of my life is about nothing else . . . I call it Joy. . . . It might equally well be called a particular kind of unhappiness or grief. But then it is the kind we want. . . . All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still about to be." Surprised by Joy

"In reading Chesterton, as in reading MacDonald, I did not know what I was letting myself in for. A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful about his reading. There are traps everywhere--'Bibles laid open, millions of surprises . . . fine nets and strategems.' God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous." Surprised by Joy

Thanks for reading!

What I am listening to this week . . .

Here are the CDs in my player at the moment:

1) U2--All that you can't leave behind

2) Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians--Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars

3) Louis Armstrong--The Jazz Collector Edition

4) Jazz for the Quiet Times

5) U2--Rattle and Hum

Thanks for reading!

What kind of reader are you?

I took an on-line quiz and discovered what kind of reader I am. Here is the result:

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm You're probably in the final stages of a Ph.D. or otherwise finding a way to make your living out of reading. You are one of the literati. Other people's grammatical mistakes make you insane.
Dedicated Reader
Literate Good Citizen
Book Snob
Non-Reader
Fad Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

Go have a try yourself!

Thanks for reading!

What if you had no reputation?

Philippians 2:5-9 NASU
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

This passage may not usually be associated with Christmas, but for some reason that is how it comes to me this season. Look closely at the passage above, then read the quote from The Jesus Style by Gayle D. Erwin below.

“Christ Jesus . . . made himself nothing.

“He made himself nothing, he emptied himself—the great kenosis. He made himself no reputation, no image.

“I can recall my father shaking his head and repeating over and over to himself, ‘If only I knew what this meant. There is something powerful here. If I only understood it.’ Maybe that is why this Scripture has glued itself to my mind and equally disturbs me. Reputation is so important to me. I want to be seen with the right people, remembered in the right light, advertised with my name spelled right, live in the right neighborhood, drive the right kind of car, wear the right kind of clothing. But Jesus made himself of no reputation.”

Christmas in America means lots of things to lots of people. For some it becomes a political event that pits “the true meaning of Christmas” against the bias of some against religion. For others Christmas is just another time to visit dysfunctional families and to pretend to get along with each other. For others Christmas is a season that involves incredible profits (or expenses) and lots of activities. For still others Christmas is simply a winter break, a time to regroup for a new year.

I know I’ve left a big group out! There are those who see Christmas as the celebration of the birth of the world’s Savior.

But I want to twist the prism a bit and look at Christmas from a different angle. Almost all of the views above look at Christmas from the perspective of what humans gain from the season. I wonder if we can look at the season as something we can offer to others, a gift of sorts.

This passage from Philippians reminds me that Christmas for Jesus wasn’t about what he would gain. In fact, he lost just about everything! He left the comfort of his Father’s place, he became a tottering, dribbling little baby, he had to learn to talk, to walk, to eat, he left his riches behind for the poverty of a manger, and ultimately he would even become sin, something he had never experienced. As Paul says, he made himself of no reputation.

Imagine what Christmas would be like this year if those of us who follow Jesus would do as Paul admonishes here and have this approach to the season. What would Christmas look like if we didn’t care about what we got out of it?

Ronald Reagan is credited with the saying “There is no telling what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.”

We don’t like that approach though, do we? We kick against it! I mean, we deserve to be recognized, don’t we?

You came up with the idea that made the company money, shouldn’t you be rewarded? Maybe you found a problem and fixed it, and that fix saved someone’s job. Shouldn’t you be shown gratitude? Maybe you did some kindness for someone you knew couldn’t pay you back, shouldn’t you get credit for that?

Don’t we all think that we should be center stage, center of the world, the most important person in the world?

How many times have you heard “I quit going to that church because MY needs weren’t being met”?

No reputation.

Let that sink in.

NO Reputation!

No fame, no credit, no automatic acceptance, no celebrities, and no place where who you know or what you know earns you admittance.

Jesus made himself of no reputation.

Ouch!

We love our awards, the acceptance of others, the glamour of being “somebody,” or the wonderful happiness of fame, don’t we?

“Don’t neglect me” is the motto of many in our society and our churches.

The motto of Christ and his followers is “No reputation.”

God chooses such people to further his agenda. Will we be involved or do we like our perks too much?

What can you do this Christmas season that will bless others and garnish no reputation for you?
Will we do it?

Thanks for reading!

My Annual Christmas Post

Hey y'all:

Here is a little meditation I wrote about 3 years ago that sums up for me what is the "Mystery of Christmas." I hope you enjoy this rerun!

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny child was born in the bleakest of conditions. Oh, he wasn’t the only one born in a bad state. In fact, in some ways, he was one of the lucky ones. He and his mother actually survived childbirth and thrived. Still, this story is unique and amazing on several levels.

First, this child would literally change the way time is reckoned in the world. His life and abilities would so impress generations of others that a brand new movement would be created, one that would radically change the very face of the earth (sometimes for good, sometimes for bad). His name would become recognized among the names of the greatest of humans, yet he never forgot his humble beginnings or lost a sense of who he was.

The second thing about this child is tied to the first in that this baby, this helpless lad full of spittle and mush, was born as the very Son of God. When Mary held his little head to her breast, he drank human milk. Yet, he was (and is) the God of the universe. Can you picture this simply ridiculous, yet somehow poetic scene? God, who calls the stars by name, pressed to the human breast for sustenance. Humble, yet almighty, is how most folks would no doubt recall this child.

A little over 2000 years ago, God proposed that the only remedy for the human condition of sin would be if he humbled himself, stepped out of eternity and into human flesh, and suckled at Mary’s breast in preparation for the greatest, most impressive conversion of all. God, in Mary’s arms, toddling around Joseph’s shop, learning to talk, learning to walk, tasting and touching things with human hands. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “such knowledge is too wonderful for us, we cannot contain it.”

God knew that the only way to redeem us was if he did it himself. Haven’t you ever had that thought? You know, the one where you say, “If I want something done right, I’ll just have to do it myself?” Imagine God having that thought about bringing us back to proper relationship with him. Imagine again that the only way he knew he could do that is if he came to earth as a baby. Think of it—how vulnerable the almighty God was at that moment, how paradoxical that the God of all creation had to learn to walk! And why did he put himself in this situation? Out of his inexpressible love for each of us he acted in this manner.

He became insane that we may be sane. He became flesh so that we might walk in the Spirit. He became sin that we might be righteous. He became poor so that we might be rich. He became a toddling, dribbling, helpless babe so that we could become mature humans in the image of almighty God. What wondrous love! What humility and service! How then can anything he asks of us be too difficult?

Lord, in this Christmas season, remind me of your sacrifice and love so that I might be a light shining in darkness to others. May the grace of God and the peace of Christ rule in my family and my life.

Thanks for reading!

God's goodness, our gratitude

Ps 145:8-10 NLT

8 The LORD is kind and merciful,
slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.
9 The LORD is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All of your works will thank you, LORD,
and your faithful followers will bless you.

2 Co 4:11-12 NASU

11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death works in us, but life in you.

Today I am reminded of God's graciousness and mercy. He is good to all, not to just a "righteous remnant." Daily Jesus bestows on all of us some kind of goodness and mercy, and we either thank God for it or turn blind eyes away from the light of God's Son.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, people's eyes often are blinded by the enemy of their souls so that even when God's Word is read, they have a veil over their eyes and cannot see the truth. Therefore they fail to bless God for the goodness or mercy bestowed.

The godly, however, should not react in this way. They should speak of God's goodness, mercy, mighty works, kingdom, etc. God's people should recognize his mercy and grace quickly and readily. Why? Because God "has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

Experience, however, often shows that it is God's very own "chosen" people who ignore or overlook his grace and goodness. Why? Because we have not learned to allow our selves to be given over to death so that Christ's life might be manifested in us.

What is required? 1) Death to the recognition of ourselves as in any way the originator of any "good" in our life--we couldn't produce those things if our lives depended on it (and, in a sense, they do!). 2) Death to an ungrateful or unthankful heart or attitude. Oxygen is as much a gift from God as life, health, riches, etc., but we often complain about our situation using the very oxygen from God that is freely given to us so that we can breath and talk! 3) Grace is needed. 4) The life of Christ is needed--this comes by virtue of God's grace, but we have to accept it. 5) A thankful heart is needed--this requires effort of our own. God will not give it (although he'll be happy to teach us how to obtain one by giving us difficult circumstances through which we can practice gratitude!).

All of this is to say that we all have reasons to be grateful. Perhaps it is time we acted like we were grateful.

Thanks for reading!

What I am listening to at the moment . . .

The CDs playing today are:

1. Need To Breathe

2. Starfield

3. Family Force 5

4. Switchfoot

Thanks for reading!

Where is my zeal? What do I know?

Romans 10:1-4 NASU

Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:1-4 has opened up a new avenue of thought for me. In this passage, Paul notes that the Jews have a “zeal” for God, but it is a zeal that is not accompanied with “knowledge” (epignosis—knowledge or recognition). He goes on to say that the main problem for them is that their zeal leads them to attempt to produce a righteousness within themselves that will appease God; that is, they are “seeking to establish their own [righteousness], they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).

Now usually it is here that I missed the argument.

Paul isn’t saying that they were lost because they tried to keep the Law, he is saying that they were trying to substitute their OWN righteousness (one that Paul himself claims to have achieved in Philippians 3:5-6) in the place of God’s dikaiosune. In other words, they were making themselves just and thus expected that God would therefore accept them due to their own righteousness or justice.

We hear this all the time—“He was a good man, so now he is in a better place.” But the apostle Paul says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” That is, Christ puts an end to self-achieved righteousness.

The problem isn’t Law, for it is “holy, just, and good” as Paul notes in Romans 6 and 7. The problem is this unholy tendency to justify ourselves before a holy God. Adam did it, Job did it, the Pharisees and Sadducees did it, we all do it.

How does it usually manifest itself in me? In this manner—I get upset when things in life don’t go my way because I “deserve better.” That is self-righteousness talk. We deserve hell. We deserve any misery God chooses to place on us, but the good news is that in his incomparable mercy, God has chosen to give us not our OWN righteousness (which is, as Isaiah says, “filthy rags”), but rather, the righteousness that is the end, the righteousness of God in Christ. This righteousness is attained only by faith in Christ’s faithfulness to accomplish all that God has for us.

Paul’s problem with his own people is that they are zealous to prove themselves, not zealous for God to prove himself. Lord, how like them I am! Christ is the end, it is his honor and righteousness for which I should be zealous. Forgive us, oh Lord, for our pitiful attempts to make ourselves righteous, and grant through the life and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we should be found righteous through him.

Now back to the issue of “knowledge” in these verses. The word rendered knowledge is epignosis, which carries the meaning of knowledge or recognition. Thayers renders it something like “precise knowledge.”

Isn’t it interesting here that the Jews are described as having a zeal for God that lacks “knowledge”? Notice that it doesn’t say it lacks “faith.” Yet in this same passage Paul adds that Christ is the end of the Law with regards to righteousness to “every one who believes.” In other words, knowledge requires faith/faithfulness.

The Jews described here are faithful to pursuing their own righteousness in an apparent zeal for the things of God, but the best they accomplish is a passion without knowledge, a righteousness that pales in comparison to God’s own righteousness.

In fact, in the verses following Romans 10:4, Paul goes on to compare the two kinds of righteousness mentioned in the first four verses. Righteousness that is known by “faith” results in salvation. Why? It is dependent upon an intimate and precise knowledge of the author of that righteousness; namely, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Knowledge in this sense can have an intimacy to it, a precision that is almost scary. Like a married couple who finishes each other’s sentences or can communicate an almost physical intimacy by just a glance, so is the intimacy that is called for with Christ. This knowledge is based on faith. Unlike my physical spouse, Christ is not in this room for me to touch, to hold, but by faith (a means of knowing something) I can grasp him, I can hold him, even better, I can be held by him.

God show me how to live faithfully in this knowledge of you, in your righteousness, and forgive me for trying so often to make myself righteous in your sight instead of relying on your faithfulness to me. How slow I am to understand sometimes! How foolish! Now it is clear why Paul “counts all things as manure,” these things cannot make him righteous, they cannot affect his relationship with God at all! Christ is the end of the Law with regards to righteousness, he is true righteousness. Lord, help me to cultivate that relationship with you. Thank you for accepting even me in your grace and mercy.

Like Adam and Eve, we only have one rule to obey—believe in Jesus and confess him. Can we do that, or like our ancestors, will we choose the wrong tree?

Thanks for reading!

A lesson in faith

Lk 17:5-10 NASU

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" 6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.

7 "Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? 8 "But will he not say to him, ' Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? 9 "He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

In the passage above the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Notice that they did not ask him to strengthen their faith. They wanted more of what Jesus had already given them.

Jesus responds to this request in a rather unusual way. He tells his disciples that they need simply to do what they have been asked by God to do!

How does that increase faith?

Look at Romans 10:17. Paul says that faith comes from hearing, and hearing comes from the word of Christ. The word "hearing" has a similar root to the word for "obey." It isn't the "hearing" alone that matters, it is the response to what is heard that has an effect (see James 1:22-25). When we learn God's character by hearing and heeding his voice, we increase areas for us to practice (and thereby increase) our faith.

Jesus says in Luke 17 that faith the size of a mustard seed could plant trees in the sea and move mountains! It doesn't take a lot of faith to accomplish something--it simply takes applying faith in the proper character--the character of God!

We are called to strenghten feeble knees and weak arms, but we should increase our faith by learning what God is doing and by faith walking into it. Faith is a gift that says in our heart "God wants to do this--I'll do it with him!"

Our faith needs increasing by learning from God what his character is like and what he wants to accomplish through us. Then we need to do it. When we do it, we will find our faith increased.

Trees will be uprooted and mountains moved.

Will we let God do it in us?

Will you serve God for nothing?

Job 1:9-12
9 Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 " Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 " But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."
NASU

Job 13:15
15 "Though He slay me ,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
NASU

Oswald Chambers--"Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial fo faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. . . . Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts him--I will remain true to God's character whatever he may do. 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust him' is the most sublime of faith in all of Scripture."

Will a man serve God for nothing?

This tantalizing question is asked by Satan in the book of Job. A great contest has begun, a contest to see the limits of Job's trust in the character and faithfulness of God. In order to win the contest, Jobe would have to suffer the loss of many things, even the loss of whatever sense of God's approval he may have had.

What a test!

How would you do?

Will we serve God without expecting anything in return?

Will we love those around you (even those who don't "deserve" it or who mistreat you)? Will we pray for others, encourage them, live for them, without expectation that they will repay us?

At one point in his ministry, Jesus told his disciples to love on those folks who could not possibly pay them back. In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus reminds us that we should love those who even despise us, to love them without expectation of love in return. In fact, we are told that doing so is in some sense like God!

The recent news of the slayings of young Amish girls has startled our country. What you may not hear in the midst of all the "horrible" news is the fact that one of the families who lost a daughter have reached out to the parents of the killer. That's right, they have asked them to come to the funeral, to receive love from the community, to receive forgiveness and acceptance. This Amish family is willing to forgive the horrible injustice done to them.

During the latest violent protests of Muslims against the Pope and his statements regarding Islam, a group of Muslims killed a nun. Shot her in the back. Her response as she bled to death? "Forgive them, forgive them."

Will we relate to others with the same spirit? Are we willing to receive nothing for our efforts? No acclaim, no recogition, not even a "thank you"?

Will we be hidden for God or do we want the limelight too much?

Dear God, you alone have the words of life. Teach us to cease our selfish ambitions and to lose ourselves in loving you and loving others. Not a reciprocating kind of love, but an unconditional, no-holds-barred love that remains faithful even when the evidence for faith has ceased. Teach us to love as you loved. Thank you.

For God so loved the world that he gave . . .

Thanks for reading!

The Way Up is Down

Heb 5:8-10 NASU

8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Mk 10:41-45 NASU

41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

There is a spiritual secret to God's kingdom in these passages. One that often eludes the Western mind because of our rugged individualism and self-reliance. Simply put, the way to "exercise authority" in God's sight is to humble yourself and serve others. The way up is down.

I don't care what your level of education is, it doesn't matter how high your status may be, if you want genuine authority with others and with God you must learn to serve.

Look at Jesus, our example and the author and finisher of our faith! Even thought he was a "natural born" son of God, he learned obedience by suffering.

Who are we to think we will not necessarily learn obedience in the same way? You can count it as certain that we thick-headed, selfish, stubborn folk will necessarily learn obedience through our trials. And yet there is hope here that we can learn obedience by willful submission of ourselves to Jesus in the service of others.

What a balanced life Jesus lived! He found time for God and time to serve others. He left the riches of heaven to become poor so that we may inherit his riches. He became sin so that we might become righteous. He acted the fool so that we could be wise. He became human so that we could become children of God!

He left his high estate to hang out with us! He set aside his status as Master to wash the feet of a few dumb fisherman, and today he continues to humble himself so that he can love on us.

Philippians 2 tells us that he "emptied himself" and became a servant, and in his humility he showed us that we ought also to humble ourselves.

Are we willing to serve those we least like or appreciate? Are we willing to do for others what we think "ought" to be done for us? Can we lay aside our pride to serve the "least of these" in the name of our Lord who did the same thing for us?

How can we not?

Today's goal--serve someone unexpectedly and without thought of reward. Humble yourself in God's sight. Do something that someone of your position usually would not do.

And when you do, don't expect anyone to run over and thank you for your humility.

Humility grows best when it is not noticed or recognized.

Does that sound too harsh? If Jesus experienced it, should we expect any less?

Thanks for reading!

An oldie from my journal . . .

Several years ago I was in Waco and struggling with my circumstances. Things were not going as I had planned, and I felt that God had all but abandoned me. In the midst of a particularly difficult emotional struggle, I had a dream one night. In this dream, a person that I thought was Jesus came to me and offered words of comfort. When I awoke, I wrote down the words as I remembered them. This is what I remember he said:

My child, if you will die, I will produce the harvest. Do not think that I have forsaken you, nor believe that I am incapable.

I am God.

How can you worship that which is limited and unnecessary? How can you submit yourself to that which is not divine? What need have you for a ministry? What need have you for fame or fortune? When will you learn to be content with me?

How long must I wait to see my dreams fulfilled in you?

I long to hold you in my arms of love, to heal the scars of bitterness, anger, and rejectionn that have trekked across your heart. I have cried tears for you, my child.

I died and live for you.

I love you.

My child, do not surrender the grace of God for the dream of so-called better things in the future. There is no better thing for you than to be in my presence, in my love, in my grace.

How do you think you arrived where you are today?

I brought you to this place. I provided what you need. I love you.

Stand and watch the things I will do for you.

You have often desired the future things now, as though you desired to run before you knew how to walk. Remember, the vision will come and I am not slow regarding my promises. Wait for the fulfillment of the promise, it will not delay.

Will my word return empty? Will it not accomplish what I sent it to do? Is my arm short that I cannot save?

You desire so many things, but only one thing counts, only one thing really matters--your relationship with me.

Your present problems will create growth, not destruction. Your present fire will prove your faith, not harm it. Your situation may seem futile and foolish now, but when the time will come, you will see what I have promised.

Stand firm in the promise I have given. Follow the course I lay out for you.

I have not and will not forsake you. Hold fast to my promise, to my word.

I love you. Grab onto that and let your faith grow.

These words were a blanket of encouragement to me in my pain. I don't think of them as "inspired" like the Bible, but they certainly provided me a sense of comfort. They may have originated in my overactive imagination, but I hope they will help someone else.

Maybe some of you are going through a crisis or a problem that seems to have no solution. Let me say that God is indeed faithful. He does fulfill what he says he will do. He is true to his word. He has proven it to me in more ways than I can say.

He is good. He loves you. He is with you in your fire.

Hang in there! You are going to make it!

Thanks for reading!

How about a song from Kansas?

For those of you too young to remember the great classic rock group Kansas, let me just say that their music defined my generation during our high school years as much as any 70s to 80s rock band. Their songs were majestic in scope and tenor, they were classic tales sung to the tune of an amazing mixture of heavy rock and roll, church organs, and violins. In some ways (to me at least), they were the U2 of my generation. Here is a song that I love from a 1979 album. Kerry Livgren wrote the song. It is entitled "A Glimpse of Home." Here are the lyrics:

When I was very young so many songs were sung
So much wasted time on an uphill climb
But you where always there, a feeling in the air
There was nothing to fear you were so near
Now you are here once again
As I stand in your presence
I can feel the quiet patience of your gaze
Like an old superstition
You are haunting all my dreams and waking days

(Chorus)
All my life I knew you were waiting, revelation anticipating
All is well, the search is over, let the truth be known
Let it be shown (give me a glimpse of home)

There's no resisting you among the chosen few
It's hard to be sure, it's hard to endure
And when I hear your voice
I know I have the choice
To pursue an ideal, something so real
Now I've got nothing to lose
As I see your reflection
All the answers I desire become so clear
Like a page that is turning
I can look into the future without fear

(Chorus)

You're in my rock and roll, you're in my very soul
Though it's heavy to bear, it's a feeling so rare
And it's a mystery, the way it's meant to be
Can we ever know, we're moving so slow
There ain't enough time in the world
As I reach up the ladder
There is something ever higher to perceive
Like a fire that is burning
In my heart I know I surely must believe

(Chorus)

As a young Christian looking for a music to define his spiritual journey, this song became a kind of "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" milestone for me. I can't be sure, but when I heard the lyrics above, I had the distinct impression that Livgren was talking about God/Jesus.

You see, though raised in a good Baptist home and church, I had in my youth become something of a doubter and skeptic. I tried to find reasons to ignore or overlook the Divine in what was around me, and I often came up with my own explanations as to why things happened as they did.

Yet even in my most skeptical moments, Jesus was there, "like an old superstition," haunting my days and my dreams.

I couldn't shake it. I couldn't shake him.

His patience and merciful stare seemed to follow me on matter where I went. His benevolent hand of mercy shielded me, protected me, even promoted me without my request.

He was there, a "revelation anticipating" my gaze, my faith.

One day I surrendered. Realizing that I was surrounded and enveloped by God, I gave in. I said, "Enough! I can't shake you, so I'll join you."

He kindly let me in. He also let me think it was my idea (grin).

This song defined that moment for me--the moment when I came face-to-face with God. He didn't blink. He opened his arms. He hugged me.

His love has overwhelmed me ever since.

My search is over, I have found home. It is in the loving gaze of Jesus.

I love this song. Thank God for music!

Thanks for reading!

What am I listening to today? Thanks for asking!

Here's what is on the old office CD player today:

1. Elvis--30 #1 hits
2. Foreigner--Greatest Hits
3. Styx--Greatest Hits
4. Creedence Clearwater Revival
5. T Bone Burnett--Truth Decay

Yep, it's a seventies kind of day (well, except for T-Bone). Rainy days make me think of my youth for some reason. Go figure!

Thanks for reading!

What's on the CD Player today?

Today is an all Crowder today! That's right, I'm listening to the David Crowder Band in all their glory. On the CD Player at the moment are the following:

1. Can You Hear Us?
2. The Lime CD
3. Collision
4. Sunshine and Sushi
5. Illuminate

Thanks for reading!

The Importance of the Truth

"

Jesus then said to those Jews who had believed in him, 'If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.'" John 8:31-32 (NASU)

"What Christianity taught the world of ancient thought, namely, that all truth is identical with the living mind of God, is forfeited in an age that assigns God and mystery to one realm, and man and rationality to another." God, Revelation, and Authority, Carl Henry

"The apostles knew that the truth of truth, the truth of God, and the truth of the gospel stand or fall together." A Plea for Evangelical Demonstration, Carl Henry

"Truth-famine is the ultimate and worst of all famines. Unless modern culture recovers the truth of truth and the truth of God, civilization is doomed to oblivion and the spirit of man to nihilism." A Plea for Evangelical Demonstration, Carl Henry

Those of us who lay claim to a Christian worldview must of necessity take seriously the idea of and proprogation of Truth.

Truth is the cornerstone of our existence.

In a post-modern world where truth becomes a matter of subjective opinion or spin doctors, we must be ever more diligent to pursue, to know, to embrace, and to live truth.

Jesus says that truth will free us. Of course, he is right. Truth will either provide the framework from which we can address the lies in our lives and (hopefully) find the means to overcome them, or else truth will shine its blinding light of clarity on the dark spot of delusion we try so desperately to hide and will (by doing so) make known our lies and expose our darkness.

Truth will make all things known.

You cannot hide from truth. It will someday expose you.

Truth is like a laser--with pinpoint accuracy it will expose our sloppy thinking and our hidden lies while at the same time searing them off of us (sometimes with bitter results).

The problem is pursuing truth. While most humans will admit that truth is "out there," we may well disagree with a definition of what it is. The Christian says, "God is truth," and I think that is a correct answer. But wait, there's more!

Truth is saying what is real, it is saying of "what-is" that it is. Truth is admitting that reality is real, that there is some kind of objective something or absolute something out there bigger than all of us. Truth is what is real.

We hide in our half-truths, we pretend to be something we aren't, we hide our inadequacies and our failings behind lies we have built up to make ourselves look better.

Then truth walks into the room--The brilliance of the light of truth makes it hard to see at first, but then as our eyes blink back their blindness of our own self-induced lies, we began to see more clearly than we have seen in a while. All of our hidden stuff is exposed, we are known. We are scared.

Of course, if we started off diligently chasing truth and applying its spotlight to our lives BEFORE we lied, then we would not only be used to the light, we would also not have any shadows to hide.

We must start with Truth.

A famine of Truth leads to a society of lies and spin.

Such a place is not a standard of Freedom, it is a dark place of slavery to the lies that bind us.

God, give us men and women of Truth.

Thanks for reading!

How about a note from Richard Halverson?

Hey everyone,

I was reading through some old reprints I have in my possession, and I found the following article from the November 10, 1971 issue of Perspective. The truth of the article is as valid today as it was 35 years ago. The brief article is by Richard Halverson. Let me know what you think of it.

God calls a man . . .

Gives him a vision . . .

Anoints him for its fulfillment.

Obedient to the call in the light of the vision and the power of the anointing--his labors are blessed with unusual results.

Others take notice . . .

Want to get in on the act.

They ask the man how he did it (the assumption being that if they did as he did, they would achieve as he achieved).

He begins to analyze what he did--comes up with the methods which were born out of the call, the vision and the anointing.

If enough people ask him how he did it--he'll publish a manual setting forth the methods he used.

Then anybody can buy the manual, apply the methods, and get the same results . . . or so the idea goes.

Somehow the call, the vision, and the anointing are forgotten or ignored or subordinated to the mechanics.

As though God could not do another thing with another person.

As though God had run out of calls or visions or power.

As though God had no new ways to do what had never been done before.

How distinct the servants of God in the Bible! How different their ways of doing things! How incredible their effectiveness . . . When each was himself as God called and envisioned and anointed him to be.

God has not changed. He wants to do the same today with those who will yield to Him, to be led by Him, allow Him to teach them His ways.

"Don't make a principle of your experience, let God be as original with others as he was with you." Oswald Chambers

This article reminds me of another Chambers quote--"Where would you be if God took away all your Christian work? Too often it is our Christian work that is worshiped and not God."

How sad it is that we often enthrone methods and means, and forget the end of all things is to worship God and enjoy him forever.

Where would we be if we were dependent completely on God for our vision?

What would the church look like if we relied on God's Spirit and God's Word more than our methods, our books, or our plans?

Wouldn't you like to see?

Me too!

Thanks for reading!

Some quotes from Carl F. H. Henry

"No treatment of the virtues our Lord taught is adequate which does not assign first place to love. Love is the fountain of the pure heart and the forgiving spirit." Christian Personal Ethics

"Christian love is only half biblical when it deteriorates into a concern only for the souls of men and is indifferent to the needs of the body. What believer ministers to himself only in this way? It is scarcely biblical at all when it degenerates into a mere humanistic concern for the social side of life to the total neglect of the life of the spirit." Christian Personal Ethics

"No society that disregards ethical finalities can long postpone ignominious collapse." The Christian Mindset in a Secular Society

These quotes remind me that the life I have been called to (my "vocation," if you will) is first and finally calculated and determined by love. It starts with the love of God for humanity and culminates in my love for my neighbor created out of a selfish heart changed by the love and grace of God. If there is no love of neighbor in me, then there is likely no love of God.

If I can honestly turn a deaf ear and a hardened heart to the needs (spiritual and physical) of those around me, then I must wonder if my ears and heart have ceased to hear the voice of God or to experience his piercing love and holiness. You see, I cannot love if I have not been loved. John in his first letter says it like this--"We love because he (God) first loved us. If any says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."

A story about Mother Teresa expresses it like this--when asked how she could show compassion and love to the "untouchables" of India's lowest class, she responded, "I love them because I see Jesus in them. I love Jesus more than anything else."

In a strange twist of "love your neighbor as yourself," Mother Teresa seems to be reminding us that lingering in even the lowest of human lives is some part of the image of God. That image is what I am called to cherish and love. Yes, even if they hate me, I must love them. Respect for human life does not come from an overdeveloped ego or ethic, it comes from recognizing a basic biblical fact--God loves them, so should we.

God does not place a condition on my love for my neighbor. He does not say, "Love him if he becomes Christian."

No, I am to love him even if he refuses Christ.

I am to love my neighbor even if I am ridiculed, even if I am cast out, even if I am persecuted and mistreated.

I must bless them if I have the love of God in me.

Such a life is not easy. It will bring many wounds and scars.

Anyone who has loved greatly will tell you how difficult a broken heart can be. To love another is to risk brokenness.

Oh, the story is not always negative, but neither is it always positive.

We are called to a life of love. Such a life will be founded on the firm conviction of God's love and existence. This foundation of faith provides a foundation of finality to ethics. There are rights and wrongs. Love cannot be one thing to one person and an opposite thing to another. Love is what it is. God's very person and experience with humanity shows true love.

God's love gives (John 3:16). It is not based on what can be received or attained, but is given without expectation of receiving in return. Read 1 Corinthians 13.

We love because he loved us.

Are we willing to risk the dangers of loving others?

Thanks for reading!

Just a quick thought

I was reading some posts on-line from some of my seminary students. One of them mentioned that he had lost a parent in the last year, and that post brought to mind that my own father passed away 2 years ago this month. In May 2005 I wrote a brief essay in honor of my dad. For those of you who haven't read it, go to this link to see what I had to say: Memories of Dad

I'll try to post something new later. I just missed my dad a bit this afternoon.

Thanks for reading.

Currently playing

On the old CD player here at the office are the following CDs:

1. Switchfoot--"Nothing is Sound"
2. U2--"Rattle and Hum"
3. Jennifer Knapp--"The Collection"
4. Foreigner--"Greatest Hits"

Rock on!

Thanks for reading!

Knowledge + Practice = Faith

Philip Jacob Spener in his Pia Desideria laments the condition of the church and notes "the people must have impressed upon them and must accustom themselves to believing that it is by no means enough to have knowledge of the Christian faith, for Christianity consists rather of practice." (p. 95, emphasis his) He goes on to note especially the command to love one another found throughout Scripture.

While I am in no way willing to disagree with Spener here, I want to add one thing to what he has said--we must learn that knowledge is good, but knowledge without practice is dead. We must learn to do what we know. The act of "doing" requires action or movement on my part. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the very act of putting knowledge into practice is a kind of faith.

Faith in the Bible has the idea of faithfulness behind it. It is not mere consent or agreement, it is acting on something as though that idea or statement was truth itself. Abraham exhibited this when he responded to God by leaving his home and traveling to a new place simply at God's command. The blind man in John 9 exhibited this kind of faith when he went to the pool of Siloam and washed. Simply stated, faith in the Bible means acting on what you know is true.

Peter Lord once said--"We act on what we really believe, all the rest is just religious talk."

I think he is correct.

If I genuinely know that God wants me to do something, not doing it is both disobedience and a lack of faith/faithfulness on my part.

We must remember that our model here is Jesus.

How did he respond to God?

He was faithful in all things. Not once turning away from what was asked. His knowledge was followed by action that showed faith.

Read Hebrews 11.

Every single "hero" of the faith listed in that chapter DID something in response to the knowledge they attained. They acted in faith. They were faithful. Even when they did not actually see the promises realized, they continued to walk in faithfulness since they knew that God would not fail to perform what he promised (see Heb. 11:13-16).

We have the whole testimony of the word of God before us.

We live in an "information age."

We have knowledge beyond our parents and ancestors.

Yet we do so little with it.

We squander our opportunities, we act like what we "know" is not really true. We pretend to be men and women of wisdom, but we act like fools.

We have knowledge, but no faith. Sometimes we have a type of faith, but no action. We are the people to whom James says "Show me your faith without works, and I'll show you my faith by my works."

What do our actions reveal about our knowledge and our faith? By looking at our practice can others discern what we know and believe? If so, what message are we sending them?

God help us to be faithful people!

Thanks for reading!

Charles Wesley: "Depth of Mercy! Can there Be"

Today I wanted to share a hymn written by Charles Wesley. This song often speaks to my heart and reminds me of my utter need for the cross and atoning sacrifice of Christ. May it draw us all closer to our Lord's wounded side.

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God his wrath forbear
And the chief of sinners spare?

I have long withstood his grace;
Long provoked him to his face;
Would not hear his gracious calls;
Grieved him by a thousand falls.

Jesus, answer from above;
Is not all thy nature love?
Wilt thou not the wrong forget?
Lo, I fall before thy feet.

Now incline me to repent;
Let me now my fall lament;
Deeply my revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

Oh the depth of the wisdom and love of God, that he would continue to bear with fallen humans in patience and grace!

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Thanks for reading!

And now, some Oswald Chambers . . .

This material comes from My Utmost for His Highest (p. 305 in my copy):

Your earlier life of faith was narrow and intense, settled around a little sun-spot of experience that had as much of sense as of faith in it, full of life and sweetness; then God withdrew his conscious blessings in order to teach you to walk by faith. You are worth far more to him now than you were in your days of conscious delight and thrilling testimony.

Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spell of unsyllabled isolation. . . . Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him--I will remain true to God's character whatever he may do. "Though he slay me, yet I will trust him" is the most sublime utterance of faith in all of Scripture.

And another from Chambers (p. 114 this time):

When once the concentration is on God, all the margins of life are free and under the dominance of God alone. There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with him.

Finally, a passage of Scripture and some words from a fellow pilgrim on this topic:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14--"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be storng. Let all that you do be done in love."

The times may seem hard and your faith may grow weak, but the Lord our God has issued a command,and he is faithful to sustain and to accomplish his purpose. God is looking for some sober minded, firmly planted men and women who do not rely on their own strength but who boldly declare "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Jesus calls for some abandoned people, people who (like Jeremiah, Daniel, John the Baptist, Paul) will forsake houses, lands, families, sisters, brothers, etc. for the sake of the kingdom of God. Individuals who will play out their existence in this mortal realm pointing the Bride of Christ to Jesus and to him alone. Men and women who have a fiery passion for their Lord and God, and whose passion will lead them to suffer any loss, to endure any hardship, to win any victory, or to endure seasons of blessing for the sake of showing others the character of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

Will you be one of these faithful witnesses?

Will I?

Thanks for reading!

Some quotes for you . . .

"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us." St. Augustine

"For however devoted you are to (God), you may be sure that he is immeasurably more devoted to you." Meister Eckhart

"God's promises are like stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine." David Nicholas

"[God] is not proud . . . He will have us even though we have shown that we prefer everything else to Him." C. S. Lewis

"It is much more possible for the sun to give out darkness than for God to do or be, or give out anything but blessing and goodness." William Law

Thanks for reading!

How about some Karl Barth?

I know, I know, some of my readers may be a bit shocked to find Karl Barth invading this place, but I wanted to share a couple of quotes from pages 25 and 26 of his The Humanity of God. Barth says:

"Theology is in reality not only the doctrine of God, but the doctrine of God and man. . . . [It stresses] the fact that man's relation to God is based on God's dealings with man, and not conversely."

"When the Christian gospel was changed into a statement, a religion, about Christian self-awareness, the God was lost sight of who in His sovereignty confronts man, calling him into acount, and dealing with him as Lord. This loss also blurred the sight horizontally."

Barth seems to be saying that when we do real theology, we must concern ourself not just with Christian self-esteem or self understanding/identity, but rather we must focus on the reality of God's invasion of our very lives, even his untimely (or is it "timely"?) interventions in the everyday mundane existence of humanity.

Theology is a moot point if God is studied in isolation from his workings with humanity.

When we change Christian thought or preaching toward some kind of boost to the individual Christian's self-esteem, we have really lost sight of true Christianity or theology. Theology has little to do with me. It has everything to do with God and his attempts to work with me, for me, and in me.

Theology makes no sense without Christology, without salvation, without the God of the universe joining his creation as one of them, so that by living among humans he may redeem every aspect of humanity.

Jesus became sin so that we may be the righteousness of God.

Jesus took on the likeness of sinful flesh so that he might comdemn sin in the flesh.

God deals with us by becoming one of us. He does for us what we can't do for ourselves.

If we lose sight of that, our vision becomes blurred and we forget that we are a part of a larger story--God's Story.

I am not the star, he is.

It is not my dealings with God that produce good theology or even life itself. Rather, it is God's dealings with fallen humans that produce so much good and greatness.

God in Christ became one of us, so that he might win us and win for us the prize we lost by our own sin.

God's humanity in Christ thus creates a bond between the divine and human, between man and God that not only gives hope, but a possibility for a good future.

All that is good here in this fallen world is a direct result of God's goodness and dealings with us.

We did not create it, we did not cause it to happen, we cannot make it better.

God is the author and star.

His dealings with us produce more grace, more light, more truth.

Maybe we should let him do his job.

Thanks for reading!

Borrowing grace from others . . .

I'm not feeling particularly inspired today, so bear with me as I take my cues from others who have walked the path of grace before me.

C. S. Lewis says in Mere Christianity:

The real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.

Each morning there is a voice calling to us. Do we hear it? Oh there may well be a cacophany of voices in your mind/heart! I know there often is a raucous and rowdy group of them in mine!

"Don't forget your work! Don't forget that review you promised! Don't forget to play with your children! Don't forget to read your Bible!"

The voices vie for my attention even as my mind tries to shake the cobwebs of sleep and regain some semblance of focus. I hear them every morning. As Lewis notes, they rush at me.

What voices call us away from the Voice?

Do you hear him?

God is calling--"come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest."

"Take my burden upon you."

"All you like sheep have gone astray."

"Come to me. I love you."

The imagery of coming out of the wind is a good one. Lewis reminds us to leave the wind of the voices calling us to busy-ness so that we can stop to listen to the one voice that matters.

God's call matters.

There is something about the call of God that transforms us when we hear it and respond. It isn't what we do, it is the very fact that God in his grace and kindness "called" us, spoke to us, singled us out, so to speak.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in The Cost of Discipleship:

The call of Jesus makes the disciple community not only the salt but also the light of the world: their activity is visible, as well as imperceptible. "You are the light." Once again it is not: "you are to be the light," they are already the light because Christ has called them. They are a light which is seen of men, they cannot be otherwise, and if they were it would be a sign that they had not been called. How impossible, how utterly absurd it would be for the disciples--these disciples, such men as these!--to try and become the light of the world! No. They are already the light and the call has made them so. Nor does Jesus say: "You have the light." The light is not an instrument which has been put into their hands, such as their preaching. It is the disciples themselves. By an amazing act of mercy, they are the light.

When God speaks, something changes. The very call to discipleship changes us.

As in the beginning when God simply spoke things into existence, his Word continues to breathe creative life into the heart of humanity (see John 1). His Word enlightens us, illuminates our dark lives, transforms us into the light of the world.

God speaks, something happens. Light comes into being. Darkness is confused, overcome, ruined.

God speaks, light breaks forth.

God calls, and we become salt and light. Every part of us becomes a testimony to the kindness of God. Every aspect of our life bleeds his kindness, his love, his grace, his mercy, his call.

Oh, and let's remember--He calls us, we don't call him.

God speaks, stuff happens.

Wow!

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Thank you for reading!