really knowing someone

First impressions are supposed to be important, and it’s really all about what makes the world tick so to speak at this time, selling one’s self, or one’s personality. It used to be that character was the mover and what was looked for. Not to try to go back to “the good ole days,” since every age has it’s strengths and weaknesses.

But do we really know each other, or is it only a surface impression we have from a limited acquaintance? We need to take time to listen to a person. And that will mean that we’ll have to ask questions to some people, who otherwise may say nothing.

People will have to feel “at home” with us, or completely accepted. Only then will they be able to “let their hair down” and be who they really are. Otherwise we all tend to wear a certain demure, expected of us all. I simply am reserved and to myself around people who I know in some way or another seem to condemn me.

As we accept others, we really get to know them, who they are, and perhaps something that is going on in their life. This is important for all of our relationships in the world, though certainly some of them will be limited. But we need to really listen, as well as observe, and be open ourselves, of course with all proper discernment. Wisdom is needed as well. It was Jesus himself who said that one should not throw their pearls to pigs.

Jesus was also the one who invited all to his table of fellowship, and we see that the disciples, while having the utmost respect for the Lord, at the same time were free to speak their minds, or be themselves. Only in such a place and atmosphere can we grow. And only in community, as well as in our relationship to God can we properly grow up in and through Christ. A witness from that to the world.

In the meantime, we accept others for who they are, and where they’re at. Knowing it is by grace alone that we all stand. Learning to listen well, and observe and share. That others too might know God’s love and good will in and through Jesus.

faith and patience

It’s interesting how faith and patience go together in scripture. You see it well woven into the narrative (I can’t help but think of the father of all who believe, Abraham) as well as here:

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

God gives us insight, or just simply his written word of course pointing us to the fulfillment of that word in Jesus. But God gives us that word, and we’re to put our trust in God through Jesus by trusting in that word. Just a little more on the word itself. Yes, it can just be the plain words of scripture, in fact that for the most part is what it will be. But it also may be an insight one gathers from another Christian through their teaching, or through a word that comes to us as from the Lord through them. We then need to act on it in word and deed. And live in the light of that word, even though we don’t yet see the fulfillment.

Here’s another case where it seems faith is not enough (remember the words in the book of James that faith by itself, if there are no works or deeds, is dead). Faith and patience. I would see patience as part and parcel of this faith, one might say of this mature, or maturing faith.

Of course life being what it is, with all its limitations and weakness may well see setbacks along the way, in fact we do well to simply count on that. But again that is where faith and patience must continue.

In this life we can see real breakthroughs in life change in ourselves and others, and reconciliation of broken relationships. But we await the fullness in the resurrection when all is made right, and made new in the new creation. Of course all of this in and through Jesus.

Faith and patience considers God’s promise, but it also considers the issue or problem being answered. We do well to bring that faith to bear first on ourselves, on what needs to change about us. And then what we perceive as the problem itself in its totality. Of course with the realization that we know only in part, which is a part of this faith, trusting in the God who is at work in and through Jesus in all things.

And faith and patience continue on in this life until the end. Seeing many answers and much evidence of God’s working along the way. But awaiting the completion of all things in the hope we have in Jesus of the resurrection of all things. We live this faith and patience out in this life by love as well. Thankful that it is God at work who brings this about, and brings us through along with all of creation, in and through Jesus. As we continue on together in Jesus for the world.

when sad

Emotions are a part of life, and to be taken seriously. They can actually be a help or a hindrance, depending on what we do with them.

I have struggled more or less much of my life with depression, probably would be classified mild in clinical terms, since I’ve always been able to function and do what was required of me.

I find times of sadness in my life can be opportunities to seek to draw near to God. Sometimes I know at least in part what troubles me, and while one thing may be paramount, often I’m saddened over a number of things. That can be helpful in giving me much pause to stop, be still, be silent, and seek to come into God’s presence anew and afresh, or really “just as I am”, in and through Jesus.

On the other hand, sadness can be a danger as well. I can listen to another voice other than the voice of the good shepherd. That other voice will put all kinds of troubling and indeed perturbing thoughts in my mind which will eat away at my soul, making me struggle with anger and bitterness. And if something happens especially unexpectedly, what is in me may well spill out. Which then I’ll have to repent of.

Emotions are not to be despised and shunned, or buried within us. The Psalms over and over give testimony to the faithful being open and honest to God about what they are thinking and feeling, even when that is not good. Sadness along with other emotions can be our call to be still before God. To seek God and his face. To pray to him. Of course all in and through Jesus.

And while we need to go immediately to God, we can share our heart struggle to some degree with trusted friends when that is appropriate. That they might pray for us. And we for them, if they should ever share their own struggles with us. As we bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ, which is love, that unique love we find in God through Christ. And we do this ourselves and with each other with a heart by the Spirit of Jesus for the world.

the blogging culture

In Lois Tverberg’s new book, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewish Words of Jesus Can Change Your Life, which I look forward (with some fear and trembling as I always do when doing this) to reviewing, she mentions how both the Jews along with Christians are known for vigorous debate among themselves, among the faithful. Hopefully the “friendly fire” doesn’t take out people along the way.

I have blogged since around 2004, having my own blog since late 2005. During that time we’ve seen vigorous and sometimes vociferous bordering or crossing the line into incivility, or lack of Christian love. Oftentimes people are talking past each other. We aren’t listening well to each other, but just trying to get our point across. I’m sure I’ve been more or less guilty of that many times.

On the other hand, Lois Tverberg casts this debate in a positive frame. The faith and how we work it out in life is taken so seriously, that we want to discuss it among ourselves. In that discussion there often is disagreement. Maybe the motivation isn’t always what it ought to be. I have sometimes wanted to escape it, something I was a part of. But much can be gained in this practice, if we learn to listen well to each other. Listening should be our priority. And then maybe sharing our own perspective, or view on a matter.

Some discussions can be quite divisive as we know. That seems all the more so today, though it has likely always been the case. It’s partly the fact that we can now debate across the world or far apart at a moment’s notice.

The past year or so I’ve withdrawn from wanting to get into vigorous debate. A big part of that is that I simply don’t have the resources or time to pursue subjects in depth enough so that I really am able to engage well in any debate, or even discussion. On certain casual contexts of simply sharing our faith and what that means to us, I feel more at home. I frankly don’t care to enter into debates on origins (especially hot now) or end times. And if I do enter into a disputed matter I want to tread softly and while voicing my view, not do so as if it’s the last word. Or as if I am right on everything with nothing either wrong or to be refined. I much prefer to share with others in a way in which we can learn from each other within the wide scope and spacious landscape of the faith.

All that said, I appreciate the good that can be done in such debating if we learn to listen well to each other, and try to understand the other, opposing position well, without casting judgments on it so as to set it aside. At least we should learn to appreciate the other and their position in a matter. We should try to understand why they think as they do. And what we can learn from them in the exchange.

Above all in this, we seek together to better understand God’s revelation and will made known in Jesus. And we do so wanting to reflect well that revelation and indeed live in God’s will, what God wants. If we do that blogging can move from a near curse to indeed being a blessing. Helping us to be a blessing to the world in and through Jesus.

when angry

It is hard not to be angry in this world, in fact it likely isn’t right if we never are. Literally we read in Ephesians that we’re to “Be angry, yet do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger and don’t give the devil a foothold.” We’re told in James not to abstain from anger, but to “be slow to anger, for human anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.”

Anger has a life all its own. It can take you for a ride. When anger takes over it is devilish, demonic, so to speak. Well, even literally. Which is why Paul tells us to get rid of it before the day is over, so that we don’t give place to the devil.

One doesn’t think straight, and can act out of hand. We end up fighting fire with fire. We are inspired from hell itself. Not a good place to be.

And then if anger takes over our lives, there is a root of bitterness which bears fruit which defiles many. There’s a desire for revenge. And there’s the danger of hating someone, holding another in contempt. Jesus said to do that is to fall into God’s judgment and to be in danger of the fire of hell. But do we who have been raised in an atmosphere of “once saved, always saved,” take that seriously? Not that I believe in the doctrine of eternal security myself at all. We’re never secure in our sins, but only in Christ, and in a faith which follows.

Anger is a dangerous, fiery wrecking ball. Wreaking havoc in its path. This can be so in subtle, hidden ways. We may not act overtly, but it may be what we withhold which tells the tale. Withholding the natural love and care which makes us human. I know we are sinners. We don’t by nature have eternal life residing in us. But through God’s grace in Jesus we do have eternal life, which means we love our brothers and sisters in Jesus. And we love our enemies as well, in the love and fellowship of Jesus. There is a natural love residing in humans, though broken, just as God’s image remains in humans, though broken or cracked by sin.

When I’m angry over the top, past the point in which it is acceptable, I need to practice quick confession to God, before it gets out of hand. I must not nurture it, or feed it, justifying it. I need to  no less than repent of it. Which means I’m to forgive the wrong done to me. To pray for the one who has done the wrong, along with weeping with those who weep. We need to  channel that anger so as to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.

This is part and parcel of what it means to follow Jesus. To be God’s people in him. Committed to each other in the way of the cross of Jesus for the world.

meditation for Holy Wednesday: Jesus expresses his love

On the night prior to Jesus’ trial, we read how he loved his disciples to the end, or another way of translating it, how he expressed to them the full extent of his love. He did so by doing that which only the lowliest of slaves ever did. Washing his disciples feet. And after doing so, he then commanded that they ought to wash one another’s feet. In other words they were to humbly serve one another in love, following the example of their Master.

In the church in which I was raised we actually had feet washing the same Sunday as Communion. It was only once a quarter as I remember, and I still recall how it felt, rather awkward. We men remained upstairs while the women went downstairs. It was strictly ceremonial, meeting no actual need. Of course we don’t need our feet washed in our culture; we neither wear sandals (or go barefoot) nor walk on dusty trails. But it was a reminder of how we indeed are to serve each other in love.

I can’t help but think of the difficult relationships we sometimes find ourselves in. Of course with many people it is easy to serve them in love. But there are those few who seem difficult (not to say we never are). Who maybe are distant, or somehow there is a disconnect. Those also we are to serve in love.

Feet washing in Jesus’ day had to do with an everyday, down to earth kind of need, in which one would get their hands literally dirty. Even for those who are our friends, we’re to serve in a way unnatural to us, in the Jesus way. We’re to love as Jesus loved, doing whatever needs to be done to help them and to meet any needs they have. Doing what we can in seemingly small, practical ways.

Jesus would actually show the full extent of his love on the cross. This was the deed which needed to be done for the world, even for all creation. Jesus did so out of the same love in which he washed his disciples’ feet. A love which is willing to do the lowliest of tasks, and to give up one’s life for one’s friends, and even for one’s enemies. Jesus did all of that in his great love and in God’s great love in and through him. And through Jesus we are to do the same.

thinking well

While it is true that western thought makes thinking rightly a premium ahead of acting rightly, or with the idea that solving the world’s problems will simply mean a better education, or in essence educating the mind—there is no doubt that thinking well is important in scripture.

But how do we think in a way that is good? It is a mindset toward acclimating one’s self to the will of God for all of life. It is a thinking toward faith and obedience. What one might call pious thinking, or thinking on how to be godly in and through Jesus.

It is prayerful and faith-oriented. Indeed “by faith we understand.” How we think is related to our reflection and meditation on truth for life. Rooted in God’s revelation in Jesus and found in scripture.

Good thinking according to scripture can never be divorced from life. Though within God’s general revelation there is much thinking and pondering to be done which can only leave us in awe of the Creator. Thinking well in this way is to be grounded in God’s general revelation which itself is a large spectrum. All sorts of disciplines can be included in this. “All truth is God’s truth.” So to think well we are open to God’s revelation in general terms related to “common grace” given to all. That does not mean we accept everything purported to be truth. Discernment is needed, again a part of thinking well. Sometimes we will do best simply in acknowledging that we don’t know.

While it’s important that we don’t leave general revelation behind, our chief orientation will be in God’s special revelation which is gospel oriented and leads us to Christ. Our primary focus must be there, and in down to earth terms. Yes, for our lives to be sure, but also in terms of the world and all creation. Found in scripture, and dependent on God’s working in Christ within the church.

Scripture, tradition, reason and experience—what has been called the Wesleyan quadrilateral. I think not in terms of sola scriptura, but scriptura primera. In other words scripture does indeed come first, but what tradition as in the church has said about its reading is indeed important, if not infallible. And reason is important. While I would include experience, related to the words: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

May God help us to think well, even if others around us are not. And to be of the same mind in Christ Jesus in accord with the gospel, even when we will differ in other matters. We need to remember that we now “see through a glass darkly” (KJV) and “we know in part.” This means all our thinking must be tempered with humility. Even as we seek ongoing transformation by the renewing of our mind in understanding and doing the will of God. Together in Jesus for the world.

truth and love

John’s first small letter (2 John) brings truth and love together, which is the only way you can really understand either in a Christian context.

Truth telling might be understood as telling the unvarnished truth about someone or something as we see it. But I can’t help but think of God’s love expressed for his failing people (in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible; Hosea being a prime example). That he cared for them, in spite of themselves. And that he wanted to woo and win them to himself. And care for them as a parent lovingly cares for their children.

We certainly can’t bear the weight that God does, caring for the wayward as only he can. And yet we’re told by Jesus to be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful. To love our enemies and pray for them, so that we will be like the Father. A tall order indeed, one to be fulfilled in and through Jesus.

Truth and love can’t ever be separated for the Christian, nor ultimately. All truth is from God and God is love. Truth and love are revelations from God, what theologians call both general and special revelation.

In general revelation scientists explore creation and people base their lives on what they believe to be true, whether they see truth as relative or not. Even if their “truth” is that there is no truth- which is a distortion of course of this gift of truth from God. There are other means of establishing truth, reason being one important factor in that. Love is found among humanity in relationships especially, human to human being prominent. And there is love for what is good, experienced and appreciated as well.

Special revelation is found in scripture and in Jesus, and ultimately revealed in the good news in Jesus. In fact Jesus declared himself to be the way and the truth and the life. In that very truth is found love, the love of God in Jesus. A love which has expressed itself in dying for us, for the world. A love which is also Trinitarian, rooted in the eternal love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

So when we think of truth, we always need to think of love. And when we think of love, we always need to think of truth. If we separate the two, they actually both die. They can’t exist except together. So that we must never think of one apart from the other. And we must always see them joined ultimately in a person, Jesus. In whom those of the faith live. This truth and love in Jesus to us and to the world.

Rodney Reeves on where true love is found (for those married, and for everyone else)

It’s one of the great ironies of our time: the famous “love chapter” written by Paul is commonly recited during wedding ceremonies. I think the apostle would find the custom very strange. That’s because he wrote 1 Corinthians 13 to remind his converts that true love is how the church reveals we are the body of Christ. (It comes in the middle of his teaching on spiritual gifts not marriage.) As far as Paul was concerned, true love isn’t found in marriage or in family, in words or in miracles, in knowledge or even in self-sacrifice. (See 1 Cor 13:1-3.) True love is found in Christ. Therefore true love is to be found in his body, the church. Really? Not marriage, not romance, not children, not parents—true love, pure love, godly love is found only in Christ and his church? That’s hard to swallow (especially for those who have endured abuse not only in marriage but also in church). All the more reason Paul believed we all need to change our perspective, not looking at things “from a human point of view”; “For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might  live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view” (2 Cor 5:14-16). That’s the difference between us and the apostle Paul. He saw all things—yes, even love and marriage—through the lens of the new creation. Husbands were to see their wives as members of the body of Christ—when they loved their wives, it was the same as Christ loving the church (Eph 5:25). Wives were to submit to their husbands as members of the church submitting to Christ (Eph 5:22). This was life in the Spirit; this was how members of the church submitted to each other “out of reverence for Christ” (Eph 5:21). They didn’t do this to make their marriages better (even though that is often the case—I have noticed that I’m a lousy husband when I’ve lost my first love). Rather, husbands and wives are to love each other because they are brothers and sisters in Christ. We love because he first loved us. Christ and his church define the marriage relationship. In fact, that’s why Paul found sex outside of marriage so reprehensible: it polluted the body of Christ.

Rodney Reeves, Spirituality According to Paul: Imitating the Apostle of Christ, 136-137.

God’s consolation

We live in a troubled world, and when we are committed to follow Jesus, we run into more trouble. Remember his words and the context:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

God’s consolation includes wisdom in knowing how to be as wise as serpents, yet as harmless as doves (again, Jesus’ words). We need that in this world, in fact it seems at times even in our relationships with other believers. It seems in our highly individualistic society, we’re hardly aware, much less committed to living as a body in unity in Jesus in this world. And yet the Spirit in us works to that end, while at the same time we’re told to make every effort to keep that unity of the Spirit.

Of course there will be spiritual battles out there. Perhaps largely under the radar- hardly known to us, once in a while- in our face.

God comes to us with wisdom and often with consolations. Sometimes, and maybe for some of us during some seasons, quite often, our perspectives are laden with fears about what might happen if we act faithfully. And sometimes we’re not sure just how to act to be faithful. Too often I’ve had it in my head in the past that this is plain like a science, but there’s an art to it as well. I’ve always thought it should be done in love, but sometimes just how to do it seems to have eluded me. Because it would not come across well when I did it, no matter how loving I tried to be, or at least humble in expressing it.

God brings consolation in the sense of wisdom over time. We want to be obedient, but not according to our understanding, but in the Jesus way. Submitting to him in every situation. Too often we think that we simply need to do something when within ourselves God’s work needs to be done. And for that to happen, we need to be open, to humble ourselves and listen, ready to repent and change. A change of heart, and then of life, of actions.

Of course inwardly we need to repent of any wrong we have inside or out which we’re aware of. And to pray the prayer of examen from the psalms that God would indeed search our hearts and know our anxious thoughts to see if anything offensive is in us, and then to lead us in the way everlasting. We need to take it slow in trying to correct a problem with another, and yet we need to be committed to that end.

God’s consolation. For us together in Jesus as his light of love even through us to and for the world.