mutual respect

Something which I think is sometimes, or even oftentimes missing in the blog world even among Christians, especially on the more academic blogs is mutual respect. I will say that the tone on the blogs I frequent is quite good. And by nature these blogs are discussion oriented over difficult subjects, or subjects in which there is disagreement among Christians. I value such discussions and believe they need to be carried on. And even promoted in churches. But not under what is too often the current day lack of mutual respect which seems to have run rampant through our culture.

What we think is of vital importance, learning to think well, and learning to think critically so that we better understand what someone is saying so that we can ask probing questions. What is crucial is the spirit with which we approach all of this. If it it one lacking mutual respect and love, than it is lacking period, and will end up doing more harm to the participants than good. Without love all the knowledge in the world is worthless in God’s eyes. Only with love is knowledge properly understood. Love is willing to make mistakes and acknowledge such. Not that we want to, but we will be wrong at times, a part of our human condition both through creation and the fall. And we know only in part, and will be ever learning from the Triune God, even through eternity. But we do so in love, in the love of the Trinity and of Jesus and the cross.

What is more important: that I was “right”, or that I acted in love or failed to do so? Do we act (which includes speaking) out of love, or not? If so that means we will respect the other, even if they don’t seem to respect us. Which means we will let them say what they will, and have the last word, or speak our word with sincere humility, and be quick to acknowledge where we may be wrong, and they right. Of course many conversations will involve people contributing good that otherwise would be missing, so that the participation together is enriching. So that it’s more a question of building on what each other is saying. But there will be issues and subjects on which there will be disagreement. How well we handle such speaks volumes on the values we hold in life. Is it most important to be right, or to help each other in the way of the Lord? Not that we don’t want to speak words of truth and do so well. But to do it well it must be done in the love of the Lord. The truth as it is in Jesus is full of grace, and leads us in faith to follow him.

no dealing with sin

Sin is not a popular subject. Not one I care to write on, because it too often hits too close to home.  By nature we consider sin a private matter, something to be kept to ourselves, no one else’s business. We think we can somehow manage sin, that a little here and there in ways that “won’t hurt anyone” won’t hurt us, either.

Truth be told, sin is very apt when it comes to the saying, “Give it an inch and it will take a mile.” And in Scripture we as humans either rule over it, or it rules over us. There is nothing in between. And the rule over it is a mastery not of managing sin in our lives, but putting it to death. This is through our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection. From that through grace we are to live no less than a new life, a resurrection life begun here and now, in anticipation of the resurrection when all will be made new, and we will be confirmed in the freedom of this newness, no longer able to sin.

In the meantime we live in this already/not yet state and condition in which we will sin at times, even if by way of stumbling. It comes in all sorts of shapes and forms. Sins of omission as well as commission. And all sin boils down to one basic failure: not loving God with all our being and doing, and not loving our neighbor as ourselves. Sin is set on self. In John’s words: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.”

We need to confess our sins immediately to God. And to those we offend. Through Jesus we have the promise of forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness. And we’re in need of ongoing grace. Grace which helps us be sensitive so that we may not become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

As is so often the case, a remedy for sin is to keep following our Lord. We will sin, that is a sad given during this present time. But we need not be defeated by it, in fact we must not be defeated by it. God can help us when we are defeated as he did David of old, and can help us live blameless lives by his grace. Not in sinless perfection, but not with any sin ruling over us, either.

The watchword here is grace. Grace, grace and more grace from God is needed. Grace for us to say no to sin, and persist in God’s good will even here and now, and together for the world through Jesus our Lord.

touching what matters

In the whole heart makeover that God is doing in changing us  into the image of his Son, I am sure we are not aware of all that God is doing. But as a matter of fact there are certain issues or places in which God is touching us, needed areas for change. And we are either aware of this, or will become aware of it.

There are often areas in our lives which need healing, or an attitude or heart condition which needs God’s touch so that we are broken, repent and are healed. Language in Scripture, such as in the psalms often reflects this need. And we find it in stories in which Jesus speaks to the heart need of the hearer. And then they either do as he says, or go on their way, disappointed because they find that they are not willing, after all to follow Jesus, though they had thought they were.

What we might see as our weakest link may be just the place God wants to touch. We must never despair and give in to it, or think that God can’t deal with it. In many cases it will be something God can help us through without counseling. Certainly prayers from a trusted friend are always helpful. But there are other times when we will need to talk to our pastor or trusted friend, and maybe a special counselor to work through an issue. There are strongholds in peoples’ lives which need ongoing accountability both in breaking free from it, as well as remaining free. Alcoholism and pornography are two cases in point.

But what I refer to here, while it may need something of the same on a smaller scale, may involve matters we can work through before the Lord in prayer. New ones coming up day after day, or a few times a week. Not to say that the old ones won’t come back. But we know who to turn to in prayer, where our help comes from. And by then we are wiser as to what is going on. Though ever in need of God’s touch through Jesus.

Allan R. Bevere on the singular priority

Today it is common for us to talk of setting our priorities right when we know we need discipline. Notice the use of the plural “priorities.” We speak as if all our responsibilities need to be put in order of importance; once we do that, everything will work out alright. But centuries ago, Christians spoke, not of getting their priorities (plural) straight. They spoke of setting their priority (singular). The singular priority was God. If God was put first, then everything else would follow. What followed did not need to be ranked in order of importance. If God was the priority, then everything else would fall in place. The trivial would not become momentous, and the obvious would not be complicated. Put God first; the rest will work out fine.

This sounds much like Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount when he counsels us, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus also says not to worry about the trivialities of each day; for each day has enough trouble of its own. If we heed such words, we Christians will keep the main thing the main thing, and we will recognize each transcendent moment that beckons us to pause and remember that God has something much bigger afoot in this world and we are blessed to have a small part in his plan.

Allan R. Bevere, The Character of Our Discontent, 80-81.

prayer

Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

being present

Yesterday we looked at the story of Mary and Martha and how Mary was present before the Lord, but Martha though trying to serve him was not. How important is it to be present? And what does it mean?

To be present is simply to be somewhere fully. Not just in body. To be intellectually and emotionally active to one’s surroundings, particularly to the people around us. And with a commitment to be completely present to God through special times alone in seeking to draw near to God, as well as throughout the day with the Ever Present One, God-With-Us.

To really be present is to listen well. To be slow to speak, but quick to listen. And I think it means to have no agenda. Not to want to convince anyone of anything in particular. But to be open to God’s moving, so that what we may say may have been prompted by the Spirit. Certainly wanting to share with them the message of God’s love through Jesus, but wanting to do so as those who are tuned in both to the Lord and to them.

To be present in the way of Jesus does not mean we air out all our problems and struggles in the name of authenticity. But neither does it mean that we don’t share something of them when appropriate. So that hope can take root in them, and they too can find God’s salvation and strength.

We want to be present as true followers of Jesus. And for Jesus to be present with people was to eat and drink with them in table fellowship, which inherently at that time normally carried with it some degree of intimacy.

We don’t try to force ourselves on people as if we are the answer to their need. But we seek to live in the Lord’s presence, and live in the presence of others, so that hopefully they’ll sense something of the Lord in and through us. And we seek contact with people to truly befriend them. True friends remain friends no matter what. In Jesus we can see all others as already reconciled to God through Jesus’ reconciling work of salvation by his death. Including even our enemies. Along with those who we may never have natural affinity with. Enter the Lord’s disciples. How could a couple zealots along with a tax-collector be in the same fellowship? Because of Jesus. That is where unity that is needed and will last is found.

What about the hard cases? Maybe estranged, broken, or strained relationships? We can at least be present by prayer. And seek to be present in little ways, so that in time God can heal the rift. Along of course with seeking to do what we can toward making things right with appropriate asking for forgiveness, and realizing that reconciliation in a true sense does involve a process.

I hope in the Lord to be present today with others, and to grow in this reality, as by grace I live more and more in his presence.

the one thing needed

We remember the story of Mary and Martha along with their brother Lazarus, when Jesus visited their home on one occasion. Martha was busy preparing a meal. There was certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact it normally would be expected. Jesus is well known for table fellowship, and eating and drinking with all kinds of people, and these three were among his close friends.

But something is not right in this story. While Martha is busy preparing a meal, her sister Mary is sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening to what the Master has to say. For all we know Mary is sitting there, taking it in, time stopped for her, or perhaps going all too fast as she soaks in the Lord’s words. Meanwhile Martha in the other room has resentment building inside. Her sister Mary is with Jesus and the others, and she is left alone to do all the preparation and work for the meal.

Finally Martha has had enough. She goes into the room and interrupts Jesus with her intense and troubled words: “Master. Is it right that I am busy preparing the meal, getting it just right, but my sister Mary is not helping me!?” Jesus looks at Martha and after a short silence he gently yet firmly says to her in a lowered voice, “Martha, Martha. You are worried and troubled over many things. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In thinking through this story again, I wonder where we do something of the same as Martha. We are busy, busy, busy. Doing good and important works. Things that need to get done. Yet we neglect what is most important. We miss the point of our existence. To sit at Jesus’ feet to hear his words. Or for us today, to be still and know that God is God. To attend daily to God’s word.

Their story doesn’t end here. We can surmise that Martha learned well from this encounter. And this is important for us to hear as well. All too often we are busy and distracted from the one thing that is needed: drawing near to God and listening to his word to us in Jesus. This needs to become a preoccupation with us. There are all kinds of voices clamoring for our attention, not to mention the most insidious danger of all, when we think we have it right, but are not seeking the Lord’s face, or in close fellowship with him so as to be regularly hearing his voice.

This is something which I aspire to.

review of “The Character of Our Discontent” by Allan R. Bevere

For many of us Christians the Old Testament is quite interesting on some levels, but puzzling in others. We don’t really feel at home in much of its writings. And for a number of reasons. It was a different time. And when Jesus came, he brought a new time with him. However the New Testament writers like Paul do not let us off the hook. They tell us that the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible was written for us as well, for our instruction and warning. And that Jesus came to fulfill it, to bring its goal and intention to completion. And we see the New Testament inundated with quotes and allusions from the Old.

Allan R. Bevere whose book All Is Not As It Seems: Random Reflections on Faith, Ethics, and Politics, I reviewed helps remedy this problem with a new book, interestingly entitled The Character of Our Discontent. Allan is a pastor and professor at a seminary, as well as a New Testament scholar. At a certain point in his ministry, he realized to his embarrassment that he was not giving enough attention to the Old Testament in the number of sermons he preached from its text. Being biblically and theologically astute, he knew that this just didn’t wash. So Allan prepared a number of messages from it to share with his congregation, and shares them with us in this book.

Abraham, Jacob and Esau, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samson, Samuel, David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Esther, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel are the main biblical characters we interact with. The chapters are compact with good, solid content. First with reference to the passage and subject matter from the Bible at hand. And also with reference to what theologians have said, along with good stories. The perfect mix not only for a good sermon, but for helping us grapple with the text, and better still,  letting the text as God’s word grapple with us. For those interested in preparing messages, this book has good homiletical value in demonstrating a solid approach to it. The message of the text is interestingly applied to life now in ways in which we readily connect. For example Allan tellingly brings home to our culture something little related to it in the story of how Esau carelessly gave up his birthright which Jacob seized, in terms of the privileges given to us which bring with them serious responsibilities. The rest of the book is like this. And each chapter is ended with a fitting prayer. I could have read it cover to cover in one sitting (or in a day) since it’s so engaging, but thought it best to read it more reflectively, in a devotional sort of way, one chapter at a time.

This book should help whet our appetite, or rekindle our desire to get into the Old Testament. In fresh ways that are open to God’s voice.

(A quote from the book.)

slowing down

One thing I’ve noticed about myself lately is that I’m purposefully slowing down. I have tended in life to be in a hurry, eating too fast, trying to do most everything as quickly and efficiently as possible. And indeed work sometimes demands that, to meet a deadline, or in my case to keep up with what is coming at us, so that we finish accurately the work before us. But lately I have tried purposefully not to be in a hurry, to be reflective.

I’m not sure in my case that this is entirely good. I think there is so much I need to get done, and should have done by now, yes, in blogging- I’m thinking about book reviews, and actually so much more I should have been doing in life up to this point- 54 years, that it is tempting for me to shrug my shoulders, and rather give up in spirit. Knowing I have good things to do for wife and family, good work at a Christian ministry, am part of a good church, and wanting to be open to what God has for me should be enough to keep me going along strong. And on this blog as long as I do it, I want to reflect God’s grace and will for us in Jesus.

This is a kind of lifestyle change. Not so much in what I’m doing, but in the way I’m doing it. Of course there is a time to be in a hurry as already mentioned. And I don’t want to be less than whole hearted in the giving of myself to any works God has, or in relation to God himself, or his people in Jesus, or mission in the world. So I need grace to work through this well.

Part of this for me is the realization of how love is described in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient”, etc. Patience takes time. And this love and accompanying patience is relational.

When one studies the life of Jesus in the gospels one neither gets the impression that Jesus is slow, or in a hurry. There is a certain gait about him, not measured, but of the Spirit. It seems to play out in deliberate interaction with others, in teaching and in doing good works. With prayer all along often before day breaks to the Father.

I’m not sure, though that all in my slowing down is good. It may be a symptom of giving up or not caring in some ways that are not God’s will for us in Jesus. But by and large I think (and hope) it is a good development in me. I want to be more open to God, and also purposefully more of a “team player” (whatever that means), fitting in well with others in God’s work in Jesus for the world.

finding one’s writing voice

Charity Singleton wrote an interesting post on finding one’s voice in writing. What she is talking about reminds me of what L.L. Barkat has been saying to others on her blog, and to me on my blog. It is one thing to disseminate information, and that is not to be discounted. Proverbs tells us that the mouth which speaks knowledge is a rare and precious jewel. True as that is, it is from the heart that we’re to speak. From our hearts to others’ hearts. For us in Jesus hopefully from God’s heart. And if from the heart then from the life.

Lately I’ve been down because I can’t keep up with all that I’m supposed to do, even in my blogging, books to be read and reviewed. And in the end I struggle to wonder if it really matters. I did recover my old lost blog, and I’m happy about that. I tried to write faithfully according to God’s truth in Jesus, but sometimes I felt that I wrote out of anger. I want to be honest, but at the same time I want a certain dignity to accompany my writing. Hopefully it is a part of my becoming more like Jesus in fellowship with others in Jesus. Of course we note the psalms where God’s people do cry out to God and hold nothing back in their thoughts. I tried to reflect God’s goodness on that blog, but somehow I wanted to have this new blog moved up a notch in reflecting God’s truth in Jesus.

All that to say this: I want to more and more find, and settle in my voice in writing. At my age (54) I’ve lost hope of landing a writing or teaching job, of becoming a writer as in writing books. Maybe I’m presumptuous to have entertained such hopes at all, or thoughts as to how I would have liked life to be, but we all have dreams. I do like writers who share in a kind of first person narrative, memoir-like tone. Who share from their own heart, as well as their head. Whoever they may be. And certainly true for us Christians whose faith is to be fully engaged in all of life in this world, especially in the niche and place God has for each one of us, in community in Jesus for the world.

I appreciate what Charity and L.L. are saying. I think that for me to find my writing voice is to find my voice period. And to find that I want to hear God’s voice. I want him to change my heart to beat more with his heart, a heart of love through Jesus which knows no limit even to the point of death. A heart that is strengthened by grace and in tune not only with God’s heart, but with the hearts of others in Jesus.

I know I won’t arrive in this life. But I share this as a simple thought I have this morning, with thanks to Charity, whose post spurred me to think on this, as well as to L.L. who has given much food for thought to us all.