The Lowly King

Can you imagine?  The creator of all things, the sky, the earth, the animals, the atoms which compose the straw which he lay upon.  Does it not confound you?  Love Himself was sent to earth, not as the king and creator He was/is, but as a helpless baby whose parents are human.  Can you imagine rejecting your Lord and Saviour because you had no room in your house or inn?  Thousands and thousands of of people continue to flood the small city.  Those who can, camp outside of the city, those who were early have rooms, But God is given a place in a stable next to an inn.  Meanwhile, the sky proclaims his arrival to the world as Angels sing to shepherds, and the stars align to fulfill ancient prophecy.

From the start He was humble, He didn't come as a king, but a sacrifice, a servant.  Let us imitate His humility, his servant's heart.


Philippians 2:

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
 ⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
   did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
   by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
   being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
   he humbled himself
   by becoming obedient to death—
      even death on a cross!

Weak

Ah, food poisoning... Very few things draw your attention to your human weakness like sitting in your bathroom waiting for the inevitable.  Since I had some time to do just that this morning, I reflected a bit on who God is... and how I have treated Him.  I must say, my behaviour most closely resembles that of the Israelites out of Egypt.  Having been blessed and blessed, they immediately turn on God.  Moses says to his people:

⁶ Is this the way you repay the LORD,   you foolish and unwise people?  Is he not your Father, your Creator,^[a] who made you and formed you?  - Deuteronomy 32:6

 This semester has been fantastic for me...  I made it through the whole time without once being sick.  I did better than ever in all my classes (though French was a bit dicey).  How much time have I given my Father and Creator?  Essentially none.  He made me and everything else... He died for Me... He loves me, and I talk to Him for a half an hour a day?  Really?  How much does He deserve?  All of me.  Yet I get done with a great year, and say three minutes of prayers before going to sleep... how stupid.  How hateful of me.  All God wants is to spend time with me, yet I push Him aside.  Would I do that to my earthy father?  Maybe, but I still spend as much time with him as I can... yet when it comes to God, my Heavenly Father and my Creator... I don't give Him even that much.  EVERYONE, He just wants to be with you!  Why else would he have his back lashed until the skin hung in strips, or hang naked from a wooden post until He suffocated?  Please don't be like me or the Israelites... Please, please, please!  Spend time with your God.

Yours,

Communion

Yesterday I took communion.  The church was solemn.  One by one we received the bread and wine.  When I was handed the cup to partake, a little splashed on my hand.  I looked down and there was a crimson drop on my right thumb.  In my mind's eye I could see His blood there on my hand.  It were as if I had just finished nailing him to the Cross.  The thought sent chills through my body.  But, I realized how much truth was in the idea.  In the truth of things, Christ was sacrificed for my sins, in order that I may receive salvation.

 ⁴ Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. ⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. --Isaiah 53

On my hands lay the blood of my Savior and God.  In part, I am responsible for his death.  How awful.  How disgusting, yet how beautiful.  In his book Edge of Eternity (a modern take on Pilgrim's Progress) Randy Alcorn describes a scene in which his main character pounds nails into the feet of the only one who can help him.  It's incredibly moving, and it gives the reader as sense of what it might be like had we been the ones to nail Christ to the Cross.  It's an terrible thought, yet true, as we are all responsible for His death.

For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. --Isaiah 53:8

The story does not end though.  That is what is so fantastic.  His death brings life!  So, my response should be repentance, humility, and joy.  How awesome, how beautiful.

Blessings,

Carry Me

A few years back, I saw for the first time a short story titled "Footprints in the Sand."  In it the main character talks to Jesus about his life's journey.  He then mentions how good it was to have Christ there through much of the way, but points out that several times, during hardships, he saw only one set of footprints.  He then asks Jesus why, in that time of need Christ would leave him alone.  Jesus' response is "When you see only one set of footprints, I didn't leave you, it was then that I carried you."


I love that story so much, and as life gets crazy and deadlines, meetings, and chaos build up around me, sometimes I can only say, "Jesus, carry me."  I say it because I ought.  I say it because He can.  I say it, because without Him there is no point to anything I do.  

Psalm 28:7 - The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Lamentations 3:57 - You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.”

Psalm 39:7 - "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."

Psalm 121:1-2 - I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

In reality, God carries us everyday.  We shouldn't turn to him just because we encounter difficulties... but all the same, when the difficulties arrive, it is good and right to ask him to carry us.

Blessings,

Stuff

The masses stiffened.  A tremor moved through the group.  Hundreds standing side by side.  Complete strangers to one another, yet all united by a common goal: to buy stuff.  A crowd of people two isles away began yelling, pushing and grabbing.  Immediately those around me began to moan and groan to the manager and employees standing nearby.  A few tried to slip past the caution tape and were chastised by the manager and the other shoppers in the vicinity.  Tension was growing, as patience receded.  it was a quarter till midnight on Thanksgiving day.  I had seen an advertisement for the Lord of the Rings trilogy in the paper.  I thought the price was reasonable and just arrived at my local Wal-Mart.  What was I thinking.  Hundreds of people filled the isles for sales that would begin in five hours.  I did my best to politely squeeze through the mobs to the location dvds would be sold in a few minutes.  So many people, and they were all there to buy stuff in order to save a few bucks... but this wasn't an ordinary trip to the store for groceries, there was hate, greed, and distrust in the air.  The masses stiffened, and suddenly the group lurched forward.  Hundreds of people rushing into an even smaller area pushing, yelling, and scrambling for the deals some had waited hours obtain.


I was disgusted.  Disgusted with the people around me and with myself.  I found myself getting drawn into the same mindset others had.  I'm supposed to be different.  Supposed to be focused on higher things.  Hebrews 13:5 reminds me to "keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  The Bible is a very anti-materialistic book...  Do I live my life in a way that reflects that.  I sometimes forget that Christ is the greatest treasure I will ever receive, and I did not even have to go to the store and wait in line for fifteen minutes fearing for my life.   I sometimes need to be reminded of my priorities.  

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:19-21

I can't help but wonder what would the church look like here in America, if we Christians were as serious about the infinite reward we have in faith as all those people who waited in lines for hours... outside... in the cold, just to get some temporal thing.

Blessings,

Post by Anonymous

Do you have a problem with self-righteous people?  Most people do, including Jesus.  Now perhaps you are a self righteous person, many of us are in some way.  Either we make a big deal about being a generous and good person or we just stand around being the righteous police, telling people when they make mistakes.  Either way, we're wrong and Jesus wants us to change.

If we find ourselves in the first group (those who like to proclaim their goodness to everyone) Matthew 6 hits hard.

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. -Matthew 6:1-4

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” -Luke 18

Think about the people in your life who have done so much for you and never held it above your head.  Your mom might come to your mind, or perhaps another relative, a pastor, or just a good friend.  How much do you appreciate them?  How much ought you appreciate them?  Mother Teresa is a fantastic example.  She gave everything, yet did not feel as though it was necessary to tell everyone back home how much greater she was than they.  Jesus wants us to be the same way, and I'll be the first to admit that is not an easy task.

Let's take a look at the second group.  The "judgers".  You know them, they are always telling people that they are going to Hell for this or for that.  Christ was made all kinds of judgements, but He was different.  Why?  First of all, He is God.  We are just humans, and as such, do not have authority to judge those outside the church.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." -Matthew 7:1-2

Judgmental Self-righteousness is a waste of time, effort and breath.  Most importantly, it often damages relationships.  Don't think I am saying sin is okay, it's not, but there are correct and incorrect ways of responding to sin.  The world needs to be saved, not judged (that job belongs to God).  I am reminded of Randy Alcorn's "Grace and Truth Paradox" book in which he reminds us, "that Jesus, who had a reputation for investing time with sinners, would preach five sermons against self-righteous churches for every one against taverns."

The point is simple.  Even as Christians we're not perfect, so don't pretend you are, and don't try to do God's job by judging the world around you.  Do good things because it's right.  Don't make a big deal out of it (be anonymous).  Don't attack those who sin with hate, but lovingly advise them of the truth (God's judgement) tempered with grace (salvation).

There is a ton of bad stuff out there, and a reaction of love will accomplish a great deal more than hate.

Sin? What Sin?

Another news story was published the other day regarding homosexuals and Christians.  Except this one was slightly different.  It focused on a pastor in Colorado who had not only invited Homosexuals into the church, but allowed them to hold leadership positions.  He considered this a step beyond "love the sinner hate the sin," because he believes homosexuality is not a sin.  In a CNN interview (found here) he is quoted as saying

"There's times when we change how we approach scripture because we observe how God is making God's self known in creation.... We don't consider it a sin to be gay" -Rev. Mark Tidd

Now, that's a interesting statement.  It is a very bold statement.  I was curious as to what the Bible had to say regarding homosexuals in church.  The following is what I found, and it is by no means comprehensive.

In 1 Corinthians 6, we are told to not just avoid sexual immorality, but to flee from it, invoking the picture of Joseph and Potiphar's wife.  Included in that list is homosexual behaviour.  This is not to say that homosexuals can't find forgiveness and love in Christ, but it does say that without repentance they will not inherit God's kingdom.  But that goes for all sinners.  If I label myself a Christian and yet live a life of murder, or theft, etc. then I have continued to feed my sinful nature.

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men^[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  -1 Corinthians 6

Later, in Colossians, Paul tells Christians to reform their lives, to take on the nature of Christ.  He doesn't say we won't slip, but he does say we should be denying our "earthly nature" and putting on a "new self":

⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  -Colossians 3

Pastor Tidd may be right by saying Christians should love all, including gays; but, perhaps his theology is missing something: the truth of scripture.  Where he goes wrong is not in loving sinners, but in changing the Bible so as to be more welcoming to a modern world.  Homosexuality is a sin, but not one for which forgiveness cannot be found.  However, a requirement for that forgiveness is a repentant heart.  Once found with grace, all sinners should live a new life clothed with "a new self."

Sinners, welcome to the church, now with the grace of Jesus, "leave your life of sin." -John 8:11

Blessings

The Grace / Truth Paradox

I have recently begun to type in "Jesus" and seeing what comes up in Google News.  You'd be surprised at what shows up sometimes.  From a Comic book reinterpretation of Christ's life and death, to the construction of a 33m statue of Him in Poland, Jesus is a controversial and popular figure in today's culture.  However, one story caught my eye today.  It was an editorial on a politically left-leaning website.  The author insisted that military chaplains were not "emulating Jesus" when they "distance themselves" from homosexuals.  But, what interested me was not the author's complaint with the chaplains or the government policy, but his (or her) idea of who Jesus Christ was.  (you can find the original article here)

The author begins his piece by observing, that "Jesus dined with prostitutes and far, far, far worse sinners."  An interesting place to begin for a political commentary.  Further in the article, the author asserts, "most denominations of Christianity teach that same-sex sexual activity is sinful."  The article continues to get interesting when the author wraps up by concluding: 

"Christian ministers are supposed to worship and emulate Jesus. Can anyone imagine Jesus telling taxpayers and prostitutes, let alone a gay soldier serving his or her country, to shut up and pretend?" 

There was much more in this article referring to behavior of chaplains and Christian denominations, but like I said, I'd really like to examine the authors understanding of who Jesus was, and why He behaved the way He did.


The author is right in saying Jesus dined with sinners.  He did do that multiple times.  But, what the author fails to remember about those instances is that, though Jesus showed His love and forgiveness to the sinners he was with, He also requested they change their lives, stop sinning, and follow Him.  When he defended the adulteress from stoning He told her "neither do I condemn you... Go now and leave your life of sin."(John 8)  Furthermore, Jesus Himself declared, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."(Luke 5)  Jesus also proclaimed Zacchaeus' salvation after he has given everything to the poor and paid back 4x as much of which he had defrauded people.(Luke 19)  


Jesus doesn't hang out with sinners because He doesn't mind tolerating their sin, He does it because He loves them and wishes them to receive His gift of salvation.  In Act 16 the prison guard asks Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved.  Paul tells him to believe in Christ... but that believe isn't a passive thing.  Belief in Jesus requires action, it requires repentance, it requires love, it requires humility.  We all know the John 3:16 verse, That God loved man so much He died for him.  That's fantastic.  But, if we don't read further, we miss half the point.  

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3)

The author of the article I read had the idea of Christ's love and grace down really well.  But, please, please, please don't forget about the Truth: we stand to be punished for our sin if we don't accept Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Sinners loved being around Jesus because they felt loved.  But, Jesus did not make sinners comfortable by never talking about sin.  Yes, JESUS DIED TO BRING GRACE... but He had to because of our sin.  It's like a paradox.  A Grace and Truth Paradox.  To wrap up, I'd like to recommend a book by Randy Alcorn by the title of "The Grace and Truth Paradox."  It talks about this very thing.  If you're a non-christian, 1. I'm glad you made it this far through my post, 2. If you'd like to know more about grace and truth, or would like to read Mr. Alcorn's book, contact me, I'll send you my own copy.

Blessings

Surf's Up

Our lives are full of distractions.  Every minute of every day of every month of every year there are dozens of events, people, things, etc. that can distract us from that which is most important in our life... our relationship with our Saviour, Jesus the Messiah.  The disciples, those who were closest to Christ, who saw Him on a daily basis, struggled with the very same thing.

One day Christ needed to Speak with His Heavenly Father, and he told his disciples to meet him on the other side of the sea.  The story goes something like this:

After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

 ²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

Stopping there for a moment.  Our lives are full of big waves that buffet (to strike/thrash) us.  The disciples experienced this in a very literal way, but we all know we struggle with things that frustrate, confound, and disappoint us.  This story shows the very human side of the disciples.  First we see them in a very scary situation, they are likely not calm at this point... but when Jesus shows up, they don't rejoice.  These are the men closest to Him.  They've seen him perform miracle after miracle, and suddenly, when they need Him most they get scared because they seem him working a miracle in the midst of their turmoil.

 ²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

 ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

   ²⁹ “Come,” he said.

   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Again, pausing for a moment.  Peter made a great choice here, to give up the false safety of the boat and run to his God.  But, he's distracted isn't he.   He sees the storm all around him.  The wind and the waves are thrashing about, and he takes his eyes off Jesus.  We do this daily.  We try to do the right thing by running to God when bad things happen, yet we are quickly distracted once again.  It's incredibly challenging to keep focused on God, even in the midst of miracles.  But, God is full of Forgiveness and Love and Patience.  Jesus portrays this when Peter messed up.

 ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

 ³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.    -Matthew 14

It's not easy to live a life of faithfulness, especially during tough times.  However, there will be tough times, Jesus promised us times of difficulty... but he also promises hope:

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.   -John 16:33 

What a beautiful promise.  So, even when things get unbelievably hard.  When the waves are crashing down on you.  Don't look away from your Saviour, don't be distracted by the world's troubles.  Keep your eyes on Him.

"I Would Rather Preach Jesus"

A few weeks ago I posted a quotation from a gentleman named Rev. Isaac McCoy.  Mr. McCoy was one of the early missionaries to the Native Americans in the Midwest.  As I continue to read his journal and autobiography, I am challenged to live my life more radically.  Here, once again, is a quote from his manuscripts.  This quote is out of a letter McCoy wrote to a man named Samuel Dedman.  Mr. Dedman had been attempting to convince McCoy of the madness of his ways.

"I have patiently heard the advice you gave us to relinquish our missionary pursuits, and have weighed the arguments by which you have enforced it, and must say that what you have said is among the many things which are calculated to make us doubt the correctness of our present and intended movements..... If I live among them I must bear with their uncouth manners and insults, I must be exposed to hunger, wet, and cold.   I must, with small exception, be denied the luxuries of life, the comforts of society, the aid of physicans, and the consoling voice of friends  I shall never herafter lay up, by personal service, a shilling for the widow and orphans which I shall probably in a few years, leave in the wilds of Wabash, or Arkansas, and lastly I must probably die without seeing much fruit of my labours, only that I have prepared the way for others to follow..... I assure you, my brother, that every opposing difficulty, the opposition of the assn. not excepted, has only tended to increase my missionary ardour.  May my merciful God forgive me if I be wrong, and set me right.  I would rather be a missionary to the Indians, than fill the President's chair, or sit on the throne of Alexander, emperour of Russia.  I would rather preach Jesus to the poor Indians in a bark camp, than address the thousands who assemble in Sansom Street meeting house, Philadelphia.  Something has turned my attention towards the Indians, and every feeling of my soul is enlisted in their cause, yet still I may be wrong.  But I feel not the least inclination to turn back, but would drive on with the vehemence of Peter, the meekness of Moses, and the wisdom of Solomon."  -Isaac McCoy, The McCoy Manuscripts, (Kansas State Historical Society), draft of a letter from McCoy to Samuel Dedman, January 12, 1820.

I am continually amazed at Mr. McCoy's dedication to serving his Saviour, and I hope that in some way myself and others will have the courage and faith to follow in his footsteps, preaching Jesus with intense Love.

Blessings,

MN

It's Not About Me

I think about myself often.  Admittedly more often and more highly than I ought.  Most of us have this problem.  Our surroundings don't help us.  Everywhere we look we see advertisements and people telling us that our lives are about us.  Perhaps you would agree with me when I say we are a bit conceited in this day and age.  And perhaps you might agree that God has much more of which to be proud than we do.  However, somewhat ironically, Jesus did not act as He had right to act, drawing glory to himself at every moment while on this earth.  Instead, we see in Him a very different attitude, an attitude of a servant.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. -John 13:12-17

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant." -Philippians 2:3-7

 How often do we wake up in the morning and think to ourselves, "how can I serve everyone I see today?"  I have never done that, yet we are all called to a humble life of servanthood.  My life isn't about me and your life isn't about you, it's about the way Christ gave you life, it's about His Love and Grace.  So, let's go serve... everyone (even those who hate us and those we hate).  Let's go love with everything in us.

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." -John 13:35

So, what are we waiting for?  Go serve someone today.

love with a capital "L"

My Bible is over 1,000 pages... my guess is yours is as well (if you don't have one, call the nearest church and they should get you one for free... if they won't stay away from that church!).  So, let's try an experiment together.  Summarize the entire Bible in two sentences.  Can you do it?  Does it seem like a trick question?  Believe it or not, the answer to both those questions is "yes."  

About 2,000 years ago, some very intelligent men well versed in religious law asked a new teacher that same trick question.  That teacher's response went something like this:  

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' And 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  - Matthew 22:35-40 (paraphrase)

Turns out that the teacher was no ordinary man, but the Messiah.  The love He spoke of was not ordinary either.  Strong's Concordance describes love as:

A word to which Christianity gave new meaning. Outside of the NT, it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. Agape denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest of the other , no matter what he does. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return, and does not consider the worth of its object. 

What does undefeatable benevolence, unconquerable goodwill, and self-giving look like?  Jesus tells us in Matthew 5

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' ³⁹But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.   ⁴³"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 Jesus tells we should have perfect love.  How?  When we love it should a love from God; love with capital "L".  Our love is imperfect, for as humans we are inclined to love only those who are good to us. But with Love from God we are empowered to Love those who we hate and who hate us.  There are no exceptions or exemptions to this Love.

The best display of that Love was Christ (you probably saw that coming).  He was not recognized by His own disciples as the Love of the world.

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." -John 1:10

Not only that, he was hated, abhorred, anathematized, execrated, abused, despised, beaten, spat upon, kicked, bruised, vilified, reviled, loathed, betrayed, detested, cursed, mocked, convicted, and crucified.  And yet.......... and yet what did He do?  If you are mocked what do you say?  If you are cursed at, what do you respond with?  If you are vilified, what do you do?  If you are despised, what do you think?

He was mocked, He said nothing.  He was cursed, He stood there.  He was vilified, He had mercy.  He was despised and he forgave.  What is this, but the most outrageous Love of which you have ever heard?  THAT Love is given to us, so that we may in turn Love those around us.  No matter what.  Even when we're hated, and even when were are tempted to hate back.   If someone wants to destroy your world, your country, your family, your life, you can respond with that same Love.

But, do we?  Do I still hold grudges?  Do I still protest when I'm offended?  Do I feel entitled to fairness?  Do I ever consider revenge?            Do I?           Do you?

Let us not fail to love with a capital "L."

  

One Big Happy Family... With Fruit

I was observing the other day how we are all so interested in being unique.  Being set apart.  Different.  Segregated.  My friend had posed the question: "Why don't people ask what makes them the same, as opposed to what makes them different?"  That is the question isn't it.  Especially for those who follow Jesus.  Every day have a disagreement within our own church family, denomination, and the world-wide church.  We separate our church from the other churches down the street.  We are focused on how our denomination is unique in the catholic church as a whole.  But that attitude destroys the whole idea behind "catholic church" (please notice here the lower-case "c").  The first to use the word catholic to describe the church was likely Ignatius of Antioch during the second century A.D.  But, this idea is supported throughout Scripture.  Never is there any suggestion that the church should be anything but a united and universal body.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:1-4

So why do we have all this division between us?  Why do we hate?  Why do we focus on what segregates us when we have so much in common?  If someone has made a mistake that leads to Hell don't point and shout!  That draws the attention of the world to our hate of each other.  Instead our goal must be to live the life of love we are called to live, and that starts with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think all sects and denominations of Christianity are correct?  No.  Carefully look upon one another's views.  With discernment approach each other.  Be unified with Christian Affection.

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil." -Romans 17-19

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:13-14

 "3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."  -Philipians 1:3-11 

This is a "partnership." So let's act like it.  Let's do our best to stick together.  Because the greatest danger to the Church is not from the outside, but from within.

But the fruit of the spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galation 5:22-23

So be discerning and gentle, not hateful or spiteful.  Live together in peace with goodness and kindness.  But most of all.  Let us love.  Then and only then, will we really be a unified body.

I'm Adopted

The other night I was talking with some friends, when one randomly (and somewhat jokingly) asked me if I could speak Russian.  I said yes.  She laughed, but then realized I was serious. "Really?" she asked.  "Yeah, but only a few things."  That began a conversation as to how I knew any Russian at all.  I told them of how my family had at one point thought of adopting a Russian orphan.  During this process, my family learned bits and pieces of the language (my dear mother learned quite a bit) in order to be better prepared if we were able to adopt.  It didn't work out.  But that conversation with my friends caused me to think more about the idea of adoption.

Thousands of years ago, God made a wonderful promise to a man named Abram, saying He would make his descendants like the stars, and they would be set apart for God Himself.  It was so.  God had his children called Israel.  They were blessed to be called sons and daughters of God.  However, despite this wonderful blessing, they still messed up (like all humans are bound to do) and even after the Lord promised them salvation, they "pursued a law of righteousness, and have not attained it.  Why not?  Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works." -Romans 9:30-32

Jesus came to show the way, but God's children were blinded.  Sadly they missed the Savior God had promised during the preceding millennia.  However, a great thing happened.  A wonderful adoption.  God's love and salvation are infinite, and He extended those blessings to those who were not his children, to us.  So through faith in Jesus we are added to God's children and share in their inheritance.

"Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.   For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.  And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.   Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." -Romans 8:14-17

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." -Galations 3:26-29

"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— ¹²remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." -Ephesians 2:11-13

How awesome is that?  I recently watched a movie that centered around an orphan girl who was passed through the system and always resisted being adopted because she felt as though she only caused trouble for the families that she stayed with.  In the end though, the father of one family sat down with her and told her she belonged with them, that she was one of them, and she was loved.  How exciting!  We are just like that little girl, messing things up, feeling miserable because we can't do anything right, but God is a father who loves.  He sees our mistakes, our guilt, our disobedience yet provides us a way out through adoption in Christ

It should blow our minds that God should treat us like this (Everlasting Royalty).  We are not of the line of Israel, not part of God's children under Abraham, that is until Christ...  Now we too are chosen.  We are chosen for everlasting life, an inheritance not of this world but the next.  I think that's an adoption worth celebrating.

Mr. Isaac McCoy

Isaac McCoy was one of the first and most dedicated Baptist missionaries to the Native Americans after American independence.  His life has become the object of a paper for one of my classes.  From what I have read thus far, Mr. McCoy's dedication, perseverance, faith, and love are comparable to any man who has called himself a Christian.  The following excerpt comes from a book he published regarding his missionary experiences.

"It was on the 27th of October, 1818, that we set out for the mission premises, a distance from our former residence of ninety miles.  My commission from the board had ere this expired.  With my wife and seven small children I went into the wilderness, to seek an opportunity of preaching Christ to the Indians, without promise of patronage from anyone, looking to Heaven for help, and trusting that God would dispose the hearts of some, we knew not who, to give my family bread, while I should give myself wholly to the service to the heathen."   - McCoy, "History of Baptist Indian Missions"

Letting Jesus Carry My Backpack

I was really tired.  I was in the library, surrounded by the stacks of books I had been looking through, thousands of pages of printed books from the late 18th century, digitized  by Google.  My eyes hurt from looking at small print and computer screens.  There was no way I was going to be able to get through all that information... I didn't even have enough backpacks in which to fit it all so I could take it out of the library.  I lay my head down and squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out all the things I needed to do.  "I can't do this," I repeated to myself.  I stopped.  "I can't do this," the words rolled around in my head, triggering guilt.  No duh I can't do this, I can't do anything by myself, so why do I try.  Why do I think that God helps with the things I do at church, at camp and other ministries but not this?  Why do I take my over full backpack on my own shoulders and separate my school life from my spiritual life?  What changed.  Nothing.  I'm a stubborn human who thinks he's got the spiraling, wingless plane that is his life under control.  I remember Philippians 4:10-13

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 

I need to give Christ my crazy, hectic, failing life.  I need to give him the two backpacks I can barely carry while riding my bicycle, the handlebars of which are falling off.  Because without him I am nothing, but through him I can do everything.  He's always wanting me stop this climbing fall and let go.    So, from now on, I'm letting Jesus carry my backpack.

Philippians 4:19  "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Jesus Didn't Die From Skin Cancer

Winter time brings long sleeves, coats and short days.  We miss out on much needed sunlight; sunlight to keep us healthy, growing, and strong.  But, during the summer, many moms encourage their children to bath in sunscreen, wear shirts (the bane of little boys), and limit outdoor time (this isn't meant to say sunscreen is bad or that mothers are wrong to encourage safety as my own mom is likely to be reading this... Hi mom, love you).  But, how much is that like our spiritual lives as Christians?  We are alive in Christ, through Christ.  He is our sun to keep us healthy, growing strong, and providing light.  However, how often do we dare expose ourselves to the harmful rays of a truly Christ-like life?  How often do we commit to God, but put on protection, play it safe?  We don't like to be attacked, criticized, or told we're offending people.  We go out of our ways to avoid negative confrontation.  But, the lives of our Christ and his disciples weren't easy.  In fact, we are promised danger, hate, and struggles.

Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." - Matthew 8:20

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.  - Matthew 24:9

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.  - Luke 21:12

Should we hide from this danger and threat?  Should we protect ourselves; put on long sleeves, sunscreen, limit our time out in the elements?  If the answer is yes, then we're looking at this from the wrong perspective!  To expose ourselves is to trust in Christ, to embrace our troubles is to accept a reward, and being hated is proof of a great love.  Our command is simple:

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself. -Luke 10:27

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.  - Matthew 5:10-12

So, why put on sunscreen, long sleeves, or stay indoors?  I want to brave the sun's rays because in the end the Son will smile on me and say:

Well done my good and faithful servant. - Matthew 25:23

Waiting... Eagerly

Today a friend was visiting campus.  I'm sure you've been in a similar position where you are excited to see a close friend with whom you haven't spent a lot of time.  You don't just wait, the time can't pass fast enough for you.  You glance at the clock every so often... doing the math in your head to find out the amount of hours and minutes you have to wait until their arrival.  So, as I was going about my business for the day, I was waiting for my friend.  I was anticipating the short amount of time we would be able to talk and that's when it hit me.  Are we not always waiting?  I mean to say that as Christians, we are always (hopefully) in anticipation of the return of Christ.  But, do we always get excited about His return.  Are we anxiously counting away the days; living everyday like it's our last?  I tried to examine my life and realized that I don't think about the return of my Saviour, at least not with the excitement I have when I await the visit of a close friend.  But, as Christians that day should definitely be on our "Top 10 Things to Wait For" list.  When Paul wrote to the Galations, he said:

But, by faith we eagerly await through the spirit the righteousness for which we hope.  

-Galations 5:5

Paul emphasizes the idea of eagerness further in Romans 8:23

Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

 In his book "The Epistle to the Romans," Douglas J. Moo proposes "the word 'eager expectation' suggests the picture of a person craning his or her neck to see what is coming."  I like that picture and I'm going to make the effort to constantly reflect the excitement I have for my saviour, to wait eagerly.

The Eye of a Needle

As I was packing and unpacking for college I couldn't believe the sheer amount of things I owned.  I apparently have something like 35+ pairs of socks.  I could not believe the wealth by which I was surrounded, yet I wouldn't necessarily consider my family "rich".  However, according to some studies (http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1222-04.htm), my family is in the top 2 percentile of the wealthy IN THE WORLD (yours is likely to fall into the same category because over 70 percent of America falls into the top 3 percent).  My family is not only rich, but filthy rich.  I couldn't believe it.  All the clothes and small little items I thought I needed for school... or at all.  I have so many things I could barely fit them all in my family van.  "Why, why do I have all this?" I asked myself again and again.  "Do I really need this?  If I lost it today, would I even notice?"  Once I came to realize the magnitude of my belongings, I felt guilty.  I'm a normal American who always thinks that they need more.  One more pair of shoes, tv, book, table, burger at Mickey D's.  We're deceiving ourselves.  I couldn't help but think that maybe kids in Pakistan could use my extra cash with which I was going to get another shirt.  Or how someone in Chile might be able to use my extra sports sweatshirt.  I have so much, but I realized I wasn't giving any of it away, just accumulating.  How often do we find ourselves doing that, just getting more stuff without getting rid of the old.  I challenge you to find out how many pairs of socks you own (and if you're at college, don't forget to count the ones at home),  how many pairs of shoes you have (do you really need more than one for recreation and one for church?), and how often you go shopping for extra things.
     Am I saying we need to be poor.  No, but I am encouraging you to re-evaluate your own life like I did mine.  I was reminded of a passage in Matthew where Christ talks to the rich young man:

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"  Jesus replied, "Why do you ask me about what is good?  There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."  "Which ones," the man inquired.  Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself."  "All these I have kept," the young man said, "What do I still lack?"  Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come follow me."    -Matthew 19:16-22

I want to stop there for a moment.  Christ doesn't condemn this guy immediately after he claims to have followed all the commandments.  He doesn't call the young man out and say "look, I'm Jesus so I know everything, and you definitely lied to your friend that one time."  Instead Jesus just challenges him to put his money where his mouth was.  I always think it's funny how many people "claim" to be Christians.  "Yeah I go to church on Easter and Christmas, and I don't swear plus I taught my kids the golden rule."  We all know Christianity is more than that, and we typically view ourselves as being on the inside group.  But, I challenge you to put your money where your mouth is.  Before you buy more clothing, take two items (just two, any two, a shirt, shorts socks, shoes, jewelry, any two), and take them to Salvation Army, or donate them to some other organization, church or anything.  As you search for something to give away, you may struggle.  That's understandable, and brings me to my final point.

 Jesus said to His disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
 -Matthew 19:23-25

I love how Jesus' disciples have the same reaction we likely do today.  If it's impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, then how are we going to be saved?  Christ's response should humble us, but also bring us reassurance, hope, and love for Him.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  -Matthew 19:26

It's hard in this world to not be distracted by the things we own; to not let the things we own come to own us.  If we are to inherit the Kingdom of God, we need to keep God at the center, to not let our "busy" lives full of "important" things take our attention away from that which is truly important.  I leave you the challenge I gave above: go through your things and find out what you actually "need."  You'll likely be surprised.  I'll leave you with one more scripture.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  - Mark 10:29-31

Blessings,
MN

Seasons Change

Today's forecast for my hometown was sunny and a high around 80 degrees.  Well, the sun never showed, there was a cool northern breeze, and the temp topped out at just around 70.  I couldn't help but feel that today felt like a true fall day, the first one of the season perhaps.

That got me to thinking about how seasons change, and it is good that seasons change.  Though sometimes it's a struggle to go from sunny and warm days to cooler, darker days, we always make it through and are rewarded with a harvest time where the air is crisp, the colors are glorious, and the smells take us back to childhood.  I have one more day at home before I go off to school again, and I couldn't help but think of the seasons of life.

Ecclesiastes 3 begins by telling the reader about the seasons of life.  There's time for everything.  New friendships, old friendships, summer jobs, family, school, activities, etc.  As I thought about this, it made me a little sad, even annoyed.  Why do we have to go through so many changes?  Make friends, lose them, be with family, go to school, grow at summer camp, struggle at college, but it was then I realized that I shouldn't be sad.  Not sad or angry or scared or anything but joy and anticipation, because behind it all is God's perfect plan.

In Jeremiah 29, we're told about the plans God had/has for his chosen people, Israel, and I can't help but imagine how He has the same types of plans for us:

                            "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 
                             plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8 says something similar:

                           "And we know that in all things God works
                            for the good of those who love Him,
                            who have been called according to his pupose."

The seasons of life are part of God's plan for our lives.  We have nothing to fear, mourn, or be agitated at because he's in control.  God grows us through trials and blessing.  This reminded me of Job's situation.
At end of his conversation with the Lord, Job says:

  "I know that you can do all things; 

       no plan of yours can be thwarted.

  You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' 

       Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, 

       things too wonderful for me to know.

  "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; 

       I will question you, 

       and you shall answer me.'

  My ears had heard of you 

       but now my eyes have seen you.

  Therefore I despise myself 

       and repent in dust and ashes."

How silly and arrogant of me to be disgruntled with the changes in life.  Instead, it should be my prayer that God would continually sustain and prepare me for the constant changes He has planned for me, that I might always look to do His perfect will and glorify His name.