June 16, 2015 - along the Way ...

I have been thinking a lot about a quote I heard recently at a Chaplain conference.    I will paraphrase the quote this way, "In our deepest wound is our greatest genius".  

At first it seems counterintuitive.   How could a wound become our genius?  No one likes being wounded.  It is not pleasant, and it hurts.

Yet in reality as you talk with people the truth of this statement becomes readily apparent.   Talk to a man whose son has died tragically at a young age.   This deep wound leads to a greater understanding of loss, and enables him to help others understand and navigate through their own losses and the losses of those around them.   No one wants the wound, and God does not cause the wound, but God uses it to reveal His strength and make us more like Jesus.

Consider Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10.   Following a recitation of things for which he might possibly be able to boast, he offers these words,

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited,

I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, 

so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, 

in persecutions, in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Paul acknowledges that our weaknesses become strengths through the power of God.   

So what about us?  Do we most often boast of our strengths or our weaknesses?   

Our wounds make us human.   When we share them with others, it opens us up to them and it can make them more willing to open up to us.   In this dialogue, this sharing of pain, God reveals Himself as the One who brings hope and healing to everyone in need.  

So let's not be afraid to share our weaknesses, knowing that is God's power that will rest on us when we have no strength left.   I invite you to share your thoughts and your stories, as we journey together along the Way ... 

May 26, 2015 - along the Way ...

This past weekend in the US we observed Memorial Day.   I was going to say "celebrated" but a holiday set aside to remember the sacrifices of those who died so that others might live in freedom is hardly a "celebration".  It is an observance, a solemn time to remember and reflect.

As I have considered these men and women and the sacrifices they and their families have made, both past and present, I have wondered about the reasons we fight.  We go to war because we believe strongly in the cause for which we are fighting.   We go to war and risk our lives so that others might live and enjoy the freedoms God has given us all.

Yet too often, especially in the current conflicts, it seems that when we return from war we hardly know how to live.  Many find a cause worth dying for, but it is hard for them to find a cause worth living for.

Since the conflicts began in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US military has experienced more deaths by suicide than combat-related deaths.   This goes to the heart of the matter.   Our warfighters are given a cause to die for, but when they return too many are given no cause worth living for.  This is sad.

God intends for people to live in freedom, so that what is right will be honored, what is beautiful will be appreciated, and what is true will be respected.  

Jesus died so that we might live.   (See Ephesians 2:1-10)  So how can we give our young people, warfighters and non-warfighters alike, something worth living for?   This should be our challenge as we seek to honor the sacrifices of those who went to war, fought, and died so that we might have the opportunity to live.

Now it's your turn.   What are you living for?   How can you share that cause with someone else who needs a reason to live?  

I invite your thoughts and ideas, as we continue to journey together along the Way ...

May 19, 2015 - along the Way ...

Since the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on April 5, I have been on a journey.   My sermon text for Easter Sunday was from Matthew 28, and it was during my preparation for that sermon as well as the days after that God has sent me on a journey wondering what it means to "make disciples".

My question is this:  If a disciple is a learner, what must a person learn in order to be a disciple of Jesus?

Most often I have answered this question with information.   I believe people need to know who God is, and what He has done for us in Christ, place true faith in Him, be completely forgiven of all sin, and receive eternal life.

Yet this is more about the end than the journey itself.   One of the greatest benefits we receive by believing God's promise fulfilled in Jesus is the Holy Spirit Himself.   According to a document from my tradition called the Heidelberg Catechism, "Christ by His Holy Spirit assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him."  (Q&A 1)

So what does it mean to live for Jesus?  Is it only about sharing information or is there something more?

As I have considered this question in light of the scriptures, I have found Paul talking more about formation than information in making disciples.   In Philippians 2, Colossians 3, Ephesians 4, Galatians 5, and Romans 12, Paul clearly highlights what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  It is about unity, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, patience, etc.  It is about being formed into the image of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yet for what purpose?  

Jesus calls us to be disciples so that we can "make disciples of all nations", so the disciples we "make" should also begin to look more like Jesus.   But how will know they know what it means to be like Jesus?   They have to see it in us.

As we follow Jesus, and are formed into His image by the Holy Spirit's power, we bring Jesus to every person with whom we come into contact.   As we then bring Jesus to people, God will bring them to Christ through true faith, so that they too can be formed into the image of Jesus.

As we begin to look more like Jesus, in both what we say and what we do, God will draw people to Himself and more people will place faith in Christ.

So what do you think?   What does it mean to "make disciples"?   And if a disciple is a learner, what must a person learn to be a disciple of Jesus?   I invite you to share your thoughts as we journey together along the Way ...

May 12, 2015 - along the Way ...

I apologize that it has been more than a few weeks since I have written my "weekly" blog.  I have been occupied with travel, conferences, and trainings.   I am just now getting back into the "normal" routine.

As I have traveled I have had opportunity to interact with folks outside my ordinary circles, and I am amazed by what I am finding.   There seems to be real interest in things spiritual, but not as much interest in anything religious.

This confirms some recent findings from a religious assessment conducted by our local Air Guard unit.  About 20% of the respondents chose "No particular religion" to be printed on their "dog tags".
In other places this has been referred to as they are "spiritual but not religious".  

So how should we, as followers of Jesus, respond to this reality?

I have done a lot of reflection on that question over the past several weeks and months, and I would like to share with you my thoughts.

First, we should not be afraid.  Anyone who is interested in entering into a spiritual conversation is a friend and is presenting an opportunity for us to share the hope we have (see I Peter 3:15).   If we are not prepared to "give an answer to anyone who asks" then we have work to do.

Second, I have considered the reverse and have found it more devastating.   In other words, would we rather have people identify as "religious but not spiritual"?   Religion devoid of God's Spirit damages our souls and the souls of others.  

Consider Jesus' words to the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law from His time:

"Woe to you, Teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces.  You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.  

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are."
(Matthew 23:13, 15; NIV)

It seems that according to Jesus, being "religious but not spiritual" is most devastating and might be the quickest pathway to hell.

Finally, as I have read Jesus' words and considered them over time, I am becoming more and more convinced that Jesus was "spiritual but not religious".   It seems he reserved His harshest words for the leaders of the established religion.  And constantly Jesus was not calling people to a system of belief or a program, rather Jesus called people to Himself.

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."   (John 14:6)

Similarly, the apostle Paul picks up on this same invitation, and issued it again.

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9)

Do not get me wrong.   I am not opposed to Christian religion.   I myself am a practitioner and a teacher within a solidly historical and Biblical Christian tradition.   Nevertheless, my point is that if we hope to connect this generation to the truth, then we must be willing to listen to what they are really saying, agree where agreement is prudent, and offer them Jesus, the living Lord, the fullest revelation of the triune, eternal, personal Creator God.  For it is only through faith in Jesus that anyone can be saved.

So what do you think?   Do you have thoughts about spirituality and religion?   If so, I invite you to share them here, as we continue to journey together along the Way ...

April 7, 2015 - along the Way ...

This past Sunday was Easter Sunday; a day to celebrate as we remember Jesus' victorious resurrection from the grave!

As I have continued to contemplate the wonder of what Jesus' resurrection means, I am continually struck by the words of the angel and the words of Jesus: "Do not be afraid."

Many of us know that the Bible tells us in the book of Proverbs, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge/wisdom." (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10)   So on one hand we are told to fear the LORD, yet on the other hand we are told: "Do not be afraid".  What then is the difference between "fear" and "being afraid"?

Fear recognizes who God is and leads us to show Him respect and reverence, and teaches us to listen to Him.  Fear is rooted in Who God is, and therefore is proper for God's holy people.

Yet being afraid is quite different.  When we are afraid we are focused on ourselves, and our weakness.  We are afraid of what we cannot control.  Jesus tells us "Do not be afraid" because now is the time to fear, to let go rather than be afraid and hold on tighter.

Control is one of the hardest things for you and I as human beings to give up.  We like to have control, even it is only the illusion of control, we like to be in control.   I think this might be why we are afraid when we receive a difficult diagnosis from our doctor.   We live with the illusion that we are in control, and we forget that our lives are in God's hands every moment of every day.  Because we belong to Him, we fear but we should not be afraid.

I am reminded of a quote from the movie, "Man of Steel".   Superman has allowed himself to be captured by the US military, while under interrogation he breaks his bonds and destroys the illusion of control.  He then says to the general, "General, you cannot control me and you never will, but that does not mean I am your enemy."

This is a good picture of the relationship between "fear" and "being afraid".   We are afraid of what we cannot control, but fear is recognition of a power greater than I; "the rock that is higher than I" (Psalm 61:2).  Superman is greater, but he is fictional.  God is greater and He is real and in Him you and I can place our trust.

In Psalm 56:3-4, the psalmist captures it beautifully, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.  In God, whose word I praise - in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"

So the Bible has it right.   Fear is the beginning of knowledge/wisdom, and those who fear have nothing for which they need be afraid.

So what about you?  What makes you afraid, and how does fear help you in those times?  I invite you to share your thoughts as we journey together along the Way ...

March 24, 2015 - along the Way ...

Sunday I talked a little about "the cup" which Jesus had to drink in order to do God's will.  It was a difficult cup; a cup full of suffering and pain, which lead to His death, and culminated in His victorious resurrection from the dead.   It was a "cup" that only Jesus could drink because only Jesus was the eternal Son of God in human flesh, and only Jesus was without sin.

This got me thinking about what that "cup" means for you and I.   Jesus told James and John that they would indeed drink from this "cup" but that would not guarantee a high position in Jesus' kingdom.  (see Matthew 20:23)

So do all followers of Jesus have to drink from this "cup"?

In short, yes we do.  However, I feel I need to elaborate on that a little so that we can see clearly what that means for us.

First, we drink from this "cup" because we all feel the effects of sin in this broken world.   We see broken relationships, we hear people criticize what they do not understand, we can even be persecuted as followers of Jesus suffering greatly for the gospel.   In this sense, we all drink from this "cup".

Second, the "cup" is God's will.   In Matthew 26:39, Jesus prays, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup to be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as You will."  And again in Matthew 26:42, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may Your will be done."

Jesus had to drink the "cup" in order to fulfill God's will for Him.   In the same way, God has a will for each of us.  He desires that we seek His kingdom first and seek to know and do what is right in each circumstance.   In addition, He has "created us in Jesus Christ to do good works, which (He) prepared in advance for us to do".  

In this sense, I believe God has a unique plan for each of us.   He created us and has now re-created us in Christ for a purpose.   Finding that purpose ought to be at the forefront of our minds, as we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness.

So what is God's plan for you?   What unique skills, gifts, abilities, experiences, etc. has God given you to help you understand His will for you?

Last week, I watched a sermon from Pastor Bill Hybels on video.   In the sermon, he talked about everyone discovering our own "Popeye" moment - "I've had all I can stands, and I can't stands no more."  That moment of "holy discontent" when you know something has to be done, and you believe God is calling you to do it.

So what is your "Popeye" moment?   What has God laid on your heart to do?   I encourage you to find out, and then do something about it!  Then if you are willing share it, so that the rest of us can join you as we journey together along the Way ...

March 17, 2015 - along the Way ...

Happy St Patrick's Day!  Since Patrick was the one responsible for bringing the good news to Ireland, so many years ago, I believe the entire body of Christ can honor him today with gratitude to God!
To God be the glory!  Great things He has done, is doing, and will continue to do!

As I consider what it means to bring the good news to our world today, I struggle with the best response to those who live with same-sex attraction.  I believe the church needs to make room for people of all backgrounds, orientations, and lifestyles.  By making room I do not mean the church should change its standards, but rather that we should make room for people to encounter the living God, so that He can transform all of us through the Holy Spirit's power by faith in Jesus Christ!

This morning I was reading in I Timothy 1, and I was struck by the juxtaposition of Paul's words to Timothy regarding the law in verses 8-11 and his words regarding his own need for grace in verses 12-17.

On the one hand, Paul says, "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.   We also know that the law is not made for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers - and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."

The law (think Ten Commandments, Leviticus, and the summary of the law: love God and love others) is not made for the righteous.  If we are righteous, we will do what is right under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore we do not need the law.

Yet the law is good when used properly, that is for those who rebel against God and do whatever they choose.   The law shows us our wrongdoing and directs us back to the path of righteousness.

This is where verses 15-16 come in.  Paul says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."

Jesus came to save sinners, like me, and by His mercy and grace He has saved me, and by His Holy Spirit He is leading me into paths of righteousness.   The same Paul who made these statements also says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)   Paul was made new through his encounter with Christ, and he became an example of righteousness, not perfection, but the righteousness Christ brings to all who believe.

So what does this have to do with people living with same-sex attraction?

First, I must admit I do not understand what people living with same-sex attraction are feeling or going through on a daily basis.  I imagine it would be very difficult to remain obedient to God, and have to be alone all through life.  I admit I do not understand their pain.

Second, I am certain that God's grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in my and our weakness.  Although the law does not change, and is useful when used properly, I rely on the grace and mercy of God for our salvation and for daily living.

Third, in Christ I am my brother's and sister's keeper.  At some point I need to hold difficult conversations in a way that is loving - loving both the person (not dishonoring others) and loving God's truth (not delighting in evil but rejoicing with the truth).

In the end, walking the way of righteousness together is difficult.  We live in a broken world, and it will remain broken until Jesus returns to make all things new.   So I pray for daily grace to know how to live with integrity (showing love while valuing truth) in a broken world.  

I invite you to share your thoughts as well.   This is a very sensitive issue, and we need to be open to learning from each other as we listen to God's word together along the Way ...