Tomorrow is Christmas, the day we celebrate as the birthday of Jesus. And while this day is crucial to Christendom, it is only the second most important day in history. In the words of Dr. Sanders, "No Easter, no Christmas."
Jesus came to die on the cross to pay for the sins of the world, but more than that, so much more than that, He came to rise in power as the Lord, conquring Sin, Death, and Hell forever. If Jesus had never risen from the dead, no one would ever celebrate His birth because without the resurrection the brith of Jesus is meaningless, He would be just another baby born.
I love the movie Brave Heart, I'm a guy, and the warrior spirit of William Wallace is one that captivates my heart and soul. Towards the end of the movie as Wallace is in prison awaiting execution he gives the most powerful quote of the movie, "Every man dies, not every man really lives." Every one has been born, everyone will die, but becasue of Easter, everyone has the opportunity to really live.
Because of Jesus and the sacrifice He made to defeat Sin, Death, and Hell, true life is available. He came to die as the Savior and Rise as the Lord. This Christmas as you celebrate with friends and family, or remember loved ones who are no longer with you, remember the real meaning of the day. God became man, not to rule the world as the King He is, but to show us the way we are to live life. He came to buy back what was already His by giving His blood, and He came to fight the decisive battle of all eternity.
Tomorrow, remember the reason that He came, becasue without that reason tomorrow would be just another day.
Merry Christmas, Happy Easter
Peace be with you
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Not a Denomination
A few weeks ago I preached at my dad's church, I reused a sermon, honestly one of the best ones I've written to date, and afterwards one of the ladies came up to me and was telling me what a great job I did. Then she made a statement that really bothered me, "That's Nazarene" refering to the sermon. She's one of those people who you just let talk in order to avoid a discussion you can't win, so I didn't say what I was thinking, but that thought that entered my mind was, "No, that's the Bible."
I know I've shared this with a few people before, but I hate denominations, and honestly I'm not living for a denomination. Yes, I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, my education is Nazarene, my credentials are in the Church of the Nazarene, and they are the denomination I agree most with when you look at the foundaion of it, what it has become is a seperate issue. But I don't live for the Church of the Nazarene.
Denominations aren't going to go away, they can't becasue people are different. One person will say that a certain passage of Scripture means this, while someone else will say it means something completely different, and both of them could be completely wrong, the point is we are creative people with the ability to think, and because of that we will disagree. Maybe when we all take our thoughts, that line up with the character of God and the rest of Scripture, and put them together, that's when we arrive at something close to the truth.
I don't live for a denomination, but for the God that the denomination is supposed to be about. One of my professors once said, "All churches, all denominations, tend to fall in love with themselves, and that is the greatest form of idolotry." The denomination losses site of what they were founded for, what they were made to do. That is what my sermon series on Philippians is trying to show.
To illustrate, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the holiest site in Christendom. It is built over the traditional site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The church is literally falling apart, and the keys to the church are held by a Muslim family. Within the church are six different denominations, and this is what is destroying the church.
Nothing can be done in the church because of the power struggle between denominations. There is a ladder on the front of the church that has been there since at least 1852.
http://atlasobscura.com/place/immovable-ladder-church-holy-sepulchre
Denominations are ruining this Holy place. When I was there I had the opportunity to knee under an altar where they say the cross stood, the only words I could get out where "Thank you" yet in this same building denominations struggle for control.
When will we set aside our pride and arrogance and simply humbly fall into service building the Kingdom?
Peace be with you
I know I've shared this with a few people before, but I hate denominations, and honestly I'm not living for a denomination. Yes, I was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, my education is Nazarene, my credentials are in the Church of the Nazarene, and they are the denomination I agree most with when you look at the foundaion of it, what it has become is a seperate issue. But I don't live for the Church of the Nazarene.
Denominations aren't going to go away, they can't becasue people are different. One person will say that a certain passage of Scripture means this, while someone else will say it means something completely different, and both of them could be completely wrong, the point is we are creative people with the ability to think, and because of that we will disagree. Maybe when we all take our thoughts, that line up with the character of God and the rest of Scripture, and put them together, that's when we arrive at something close to the truth.
I don't live for a denomination, but for the God that the denomination is supposed to be about. One of my professors once said, "All churches, all denominations, tend to fall in love with themselves, and that is the greatest form of idolotry." The denomination losses site of what they were founded for, what they were made to do. That is what my sermon series on Philippians is trying to show.
To illustrate, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is perhaps the holiest site in Christendom. It is built over the traditional site of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The church is literally falling apart, and the keys to the church are held by a Muslim family. Within the church are six different denominations, and this is what is destroying the church.
Nothing can be done in the church because of the power struggle between denominations. There is a ladder on the front of the church that has been there since at least 1852.
http://atlasobscura.com/place/immovable-ladder-church-holy-sepulchre
Denominations are ruining this Holy place. When I was there I had the opportunity to knee under an altar where they say the cross stood, the only words I could get out where "Thank you" yet in this same building denominations struggle for control.
When will we set aside our pride and arrogance and simply humbly fall into service building the Kingdom?
Peace be with you
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Journey with the Trinity
I wrote this several years ago at a time when I was going through major depression. It was through this that God showed me He was always with me as warrior, protector, deliverer and friend. Whoever this is for, just know that you are never alone, and that God is always there.
Journey with the Trinity
Inspired by God October 29, 2003
Written by William Gunsalus
October 29, 2003-July 11, 2004
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11: 28-30
Journey with the Trinity
In my dream one night I saw a traveler, weak, hurt, hungry, and lost. He struggled beneath the many burdens he carried, some for most of his life. What was he seeking, what did he long for? He wanted rest, he wanted relief, he wanted to find an eternal place where he would feel no pain, and bear no burdens.
Then in my dream a man came to the traveler. He offered him bread and wine to restore his strength. The traveler gladly accepted this free gift, and when he had finished the man healed the traveler’s pains. Then the man asked, “What are you seeking and why are you so weary?” The traveler answered him, “I seek a place of rest and comfort, and I seek relief from my burdens.” The man responded, “Come, I will take you to my father; He will lead you to the place you desire. I will take your burdens from you and carry them for you.” The traveler jumped up and immediately gave the man the largest burdens he carried; however, he kept three small ones with him, not willing to give them up yet.
The man led the traveler along a straight and easy path. Even carrying the traveler’s heaviest burdens didn’t tire him. The traveler followed willingly behind curious to see the one who would finally lead him to eternal rest. The man stopped at the base of a mountain, which had a path leading up winding around it. At the start of the path stood two other men, one was powerful with a mighty sword in his right hand, and armor on his body. The other man was dressed in white robes, and wore a friendly smile on his face. The traveler turned to the man who had come to him and asked, “Who are these men, and who are you?” The man answered him, “I am the Son. I bring freedom, deliverance, and help to those who need it; and to those who accept it I give unconditionally and abundantly. The man with the armor is my Father. He will lead you to your desired destination, and clear many dangers form your way. The other man is the comforter and councilor. He will walk beside you on this journey and will help and encourage you along the way. I the son will come behind you. I will protect you from the things you have left in your past, and deliver you from any struggles you encounter on the way.”
I saw the four of them begin the journey. The father, going first, cleared the path of all dangers that the young traveler couldn’t have overcome. He led by example and clearly marked dangerous areas that the traveler should avoid. The traveler and the counselor went next. The traveler was strong and excited at first, but as the journey continued he began to tire. The counselor encouraged him, and he received strength from his words. The counselor also helped the man with the journey itself. If the traveler stumbled over a rock or log on the path he caught him. And if the traveler didn’t know whether to avoid an area or not the counselor advised him. The son came last and carried the traveler’s burdens easily. He protected him from the things he had left behind. Nothing could get by him to attack the traveler.
The traveler still carried his three small burdens, and as they went he dropped one in an area the father had marked to avoid. He ignored the warning and the advice of the counselor and went in after it. Suddenly he found himself in total darkness and began to sink in a patch of quicksand. He called out for help and the son came immediately and pulled him out. The traveler apologized for his disobedience and failure, and gave the son two of the three burdens he still carried.
The traveler grew stronger as his journey continued. He was now able to easily see the marks the father had made warning of danger, and avoided them. Once as he passed one of these areas he dropped his one remaining burden. He thought for a moment, and then walked on leaving it there. As the son walked by he smiled, proud that the traveler had left his final burden for him to take, picked it up, and walked on.
Finally the group came to the top of the mountain, and before them stood a magnificent city. The traveler could tell that there was no pain or suffering here. This was the place he sought. As he approached the city gates the father told the gatekeeper, “He has accepted my son’s offer, and he has followed my ways. Let him enter.” Then he turned to the traveler and said, “You have persevered through the struggles of the journey. Well done good and faithful servant, come join in the reward that has been prepared for you.” The gatekeeper opened the gate and let him enter. Finally after all his struggles he was home. The traveler then turned to the son and asked, “What about all the others left down there, will they reach this glorious paradise?” At this question the son looked sad; a painful realization flooded his mind. “No,” he responded, “some will reject the gift I offer, others won’t learn that it is available for them, and others will wait to long. One day it will be too late for them, one day the gates will close and no one else will enter the city.” The traveler began to weep. Some of his tears were joyous for himself; he had found the way and entered the city. Other tears were wept in sadness for those who would never enter. They were doomed to eternal suffering.
Then I awoke with two questions racing through my mind. The first was am I ready to enter the city if my journey ends right now? Yes, I have made my peace with God, and I am following after him. The second is how will I help others begin the journey? I leave you with these two thoughts: If your journey ended today, would you be ready? And, what are you going to do to help others begin the journey?
.
Journey with the Trinity
Inspired by God October 29, 2003
Written by William Gunsalus
October 29, 2003-July 11, 2004
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11: 28-30
Journey with the Trinity
In my dream one night I saw a traveler, weak, hurt, hungry, and lost. He struggled beneath the many burdens he carried, some for most of his life. What was he seeking, what did he long for? He wanted rest, he wanted relief, he wanted to find an eternal place where he would feel no pain, and bear no burdens.
Then in my dream a man came to the traveler. He offered him bread and wine to restore his strength. The traveler gladly accepted this free gift, and when he had finished the man healed the traveler’s pains. Then the man asked, “What are you seeking and why are you so weary?” The traveler answered him, “I seek a place of rest and comfort, and I seek relief from my burdens.” The man responded, “Come, I will take you to my father; He will lead you to the place you desire. I will take your burdens from you and carry them for you.” The traveler jumped up and immediately gave the man the largest burdens he carried; however, he kept three small ones with him, not willing to give them up yet.
The man led the traveler along a straight and easy path. Even carrying the traveler’s heaviest burdens didn’t tire him. The traveler followed willingly behind curious to see the one who would finally lead him to eternal rest. The man stopped at the base of a mountain, which had a path leading up winding around it. At the start of the path stood two other men, one was powerful with a mighty sword in his right hand, and armor on his body. The other man was dressed in white robes, and wore a friendly smile on his face. The traveler turned to the man who had come to him and asked, “Who are these men, and who are you?” The man answered him, “I am the Son. I bring freedom, deliverance, and help to those who need it; and to those who accept it I give unconditionally and abundantly. The man with the armor is my Father. He will lead you to your desired destination, and clear many dangers form your way. The other man is the comforter and councilor. He will walk beside you on this journey and will help and encourage you along the way. I the son will come behind you. I will protect you from the things you have left in your past, and deliver you from any struggles you encounter on the way.”
I saw the four of them begin the journey. The father, going first, cleared the path of all dangers that the young traveler couldn’t have overcome. He led by example and clearly marked dangerous areas that the traveler should avoid. The traveler and the counselor went next. The traveler was strong and excited at first, but as the journey continued he began to tire. The counselor encouraged him, and he received strength from his words. The counselor also helped the man with the journey itself. If the traveler stumbled over a rock or log on the path he caught him. And if the traveler didn’t know whether to avoid an area or not the counselor advised him. The son came last and carried the traveler’s burdens easily. He protected him from the things he had left behind. Nothing could get by him to attack the traveler.
The traveler still carried his three small burdens, and as they went he dropped one in an area the father had marked to avoid. He ignored the warning and the advice of the counselor and went in after it. Suddenly he found himself in total darkness and began to sink in a patch of quicksand. He called out for help and the son came immediately and pulled him out. The traveler apologized for his disobedience and failure, and gave the son two of the three burdens he still carried.
The traveler grew stronger as his journey continued. He was now able to easily see the marks the father had made warning of danger, and avoided them. Once as he passed one of these areas he dropped his one remaining burden. He thought for a moment, and then walked on leaving it there. As the son walked by he smiled, proud that the traveler had left his final burden for him to take, picked it up, and walked on.
Finally the group came to the top of the mountain, and before them stood a magnificent city. The traveler could tell that there was no pain or suffering here. This was the place he sought. As he approached the city gates the father told the gatekeeper, “He has accepted my son’s offer, and he has followed my ways. Let him enter.” Then he turned to the traveler and said, “You have persevered through the struggles of the journey. Well done good and faithful servant, come join in the reward that has been prepared for you.” The gatekeeper opened the gate and let him enter. Finally after all his struggles he was home. The traveler then turned to the son and asked, “What about all the others left down there, will they reach this glorious paradise?” At this question the son looked sad; a painful realization flooded his mind. “No,” he responded, “some will reject the gift I offer, others won’t learn that it is available for them, and others will wait to long. One day it will be too late for them, one day the gates will close and no one else will enter the city.” The traveler began to weep. Some of his tears were joyous for himself; he had found the way and entered the city. Other tears were wept in sadness for those who would never enter. They were doomed to eternal suffering.
Then I awoke with two questions racing through my mind. The first was am I ready to enter the city if my journey ends right now? Yes, I have made my peace with God, and I am following after him. The second is how will I help others begin the journey? I leave you with these two thoughts: If your journey ended today, would you be ready? And, what are you going to do to help others begin the journey?
.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Breaks my heart
Over the last year I have learned a lot of things, I've changed in many ways, and many things about the way I live my life have been confirmed that I'm moving in the right direction. But one thing that I have really noticed lately is how God has begun to break my heart for the things that break His.
Currently I'm seeking another church position, and God is showing me that life is meant to be lived one day to the next. In this time of transition I'm working for my cousin cleaning out foreclosed homes. You see a lot of things, things people collected but had no where to take. You see the way people lived, and in some way, however small it may be, you find out what people lived for.
The last house was one of the most heartbreaking. The woman who had lived there seems to have made a living as a stripper. I got into the home after the other two guys I work with had arrived, and immedeatly I got rid of all of the pornogrophy that hung on the walls, and littered the floor. But amid all of the porn were a pictures of a beautiful baby girl.
Getting through the kitchen the first door to the left was the little girls room. Her walls were covered with Dora the Explorer stickers, in the corner was a little toy vanity set. All over her room there were toys. This little girl was forced to be exposed to the lifestyle of her mother. And as much as my heart breaks for her, my heart breaks even more for her mom. A young woman, we found her id card, and she is just a year older than me, but she's trapped in a degrading life style were men desire her simply for her body, they simply seek pleasure at her expense.
I don't know her story, but I do know that she is loved by her Daddy, the King of the universe. I know that His heart breaks for her and her daughter. My heart breaks for them, and I simply hope someone is there to show them the love of their Daddy.
Currently I'm seeking another church position, and God is showing me that life is meant to be lived one day to the next. In this time of transition I'm working for my cousin cleaning out foreclosed homes. You see a lot of things, things people collected but had no where to take. You see the way people lived, and in some way, however small it may be, you find out what people lived for.
The last house was one of the most heartbreaking. The woman who had lived there seems to have made a living as a stripper. I got into the home after the other two guys I work with had arrived, and immedeatly I got rid of all of the pornogrophy that hung on the walls, and littered the floor. But amid all of the porn were a pictures of a beautiful baby girl.
Getting through the kitchen the first door to the left was the little girls room. Her walls were covered with Dora the Explorer stickers, in the corner was a little toy vanity set. All over her room there were toys. This little girl was forced to be exposed to the lifestyle of her mother. And as much as my heart breaks for her, my heart breaks even more for her mom. A young woman, we found her id card, and she is just a year older than me, but she's trapped in a degrading life style were men desire her simply for her body, they simply seek pleasure at her expense.
I don't know her story, but I do know that she is loved by her Daddy, the King of the universe. I know that His heart breaks for her and her daughter. My heart breaks for them, and I simply hope someone is there to show them the love of their Daddy.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Prayer of the Righteous
As I've been seeking another staff position people continue to ask me what is going on, so certain people I text updates to. This week I got an email from a pastor about a potential position and emailed my Proverbs 18.24 brothers. One of them responded with "Yeah. prayers of the righteous availeth much" and over the last few days I've been thinking about that verse.
James 5.16b, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (NASB)
What makes this prayer effective? What makes it accomplish so much? The key to this verse is the word righteous.
When people consider the word righteous they probably think most often of one of the disciples, Billy Graham, or some really old Christian who has lived for Jesus for 75 years. Yeah, those people are righteous, but it doesn't take walking with Jesus in the flesh, preaching the Gospel to millions, or being really old in order to be righteous.
Righteousness is a right standing relationship with God. It means that there is nothing in the way of our communication with God, there is nothing stopping us from going before Him, there is nothing keeping us from communicating with Him. Why is the prayer of a righteous person effective? Because there is an open line of communication to present it to God.
It isn't that some 85 year old saint of the church knows the right words to pray for God to respond. Have you heard children pray, the simplicity and beauty of their prayers captivates the Heart of God. It doesn't take presenting the Gospel to the entire world in order to earn the right to speak to God. Have you ever heard the prayer of someone who has just come to faith after a lifetime in sin, the love and gratitude is lavished on the heart of the Father and He rejoices over it. It doesn't mean that we had to walk around Israel 2,000 years ago with Jesus, we simply must walk with Him today.
The cross paved the way to the Father. The cross opened the path of communication with God. When we simply enter into a relationship with God through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are in a right standing relationship with God. We are righteous.
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Peace be with you
James 5.16b, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (NASB)
What makes this prayer effective? What makes it accomplish so much? The key to this verse is the word righteous.
When people consider the word righteous they probably think most often of one of the disciples, Billy Graham, or some really old Christian who has lived for Jesus for 75 years. Yeah, those people are righteous, but it doesn't take walking with Jesus in the flesh, preaching the Gospel to millions, or being really old in order to be righteous.
Righteousness is a right standing relationship with God. It means that there is nothing in the way of our communication with God, there is nothing stopping us from going before Him, there is nothing keeping us from communicating with Him. Why is the prayer of a righteous person effective? Because there is an open line of communication to present it to God.
It isn't that some 85 year old saint of the church knows the right words to pray for God to respond. Have you heard children pray, the simplicity and beauty of their prayers captivates the Heart of God. It doesn't take presenting the Gospel to the entire world in order to earn the right to speak to God. Have you ever heard the prayer of someone who has just come to faith after a lifetime in sin, the love and gratitude is lavished on the heart of the Father and He rejoices over it. It doesn't mean that we had to walk around Israel 2,000 years ago with Jesus, we simply must walk with Him today.
The cross paved the way to the Father. The cross opened the path of communication with God. When we simply enter into a relationship with God through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are in a right standing relationship with God. We are righteous.
"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."
Peace be with you
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The simplicity of wisdom
My mentor continues to amaze me with every conversation I have with him. He has so many qualities and characteristics I respect, but the thing that has continued to blow my mind recently is his wisdom.
I think that when many of us think about what wisdom is we think about some deep thinking prfound individual who gives answers we feel we could never have come up with. Honestly, I don't think that is what wisdom is. Wisdom shouldn't confuse, it should enlighten. The thing that amazes me about my mentor is the simplicity of his wisdom.
I've asked him questions excpecting the deep profound truth that I wouldn't be able to come up with, but instead he gives me the simple answer that I can't believe I missed. Each time I have an issue that I don't know what to do with I call him, and each time I wait for the deep truth that only 30 years of ministry experiance can provide, and each time he shows me that wisdom is not in the deep thoughts that people can never come up with, but that true wisdom is in the simplicity of it all.
It's the beauty of simplicity that amazes me.
Peace be with you
I think that when many of us think about what wisdom is we think about some deep thinking prfound individual who gives answers we feel we could never have come up with. Honestly, I don't think that is what wisdom is. Wisdom shouldn't confuse, it should enlighten. The thing that amazes me about my mentor is the simplicity of his wisdom.
I've asked him questions excpecting the deep profound truth that I wouldn't be able to come up with, but instead he gives me the simple answer that I can't believe I missed. Each time I have an issue that I don't know what to do with I call him, and each time I wait for the deep truth that only 30 years of ministry experiance can provide, and each time he shows me that wisdom is not in the deep thoughts that people can never come up with, but that true wisdom is in the simplicity of it all.
It's the beauty of simplicity that amazes me.
Peace be with you
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Essential Characteristic
I'm down in Mount Vernon for a few more hours and I'm helping my friend Stevie with a paper. She has to take a hymn and a contemporary praise chorus and compare and contrast them. Her contemporary song is Amazing Love, and her hymn is And Can it Be? As I'm reading the lyrics of of the hymn I saw something in verse two that caught my attention.
"He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race."
Emptied Himself of all but love, this phrase is so essential. 1 John 4.8, "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
Philippians 2 tells us that He emptied Himself and took the form of a man, He became nothing, a servant, and died on a cross. He gave up Heaven, He set aside His heavenly form, He became a man, but He never gave up His essential characteristic, Love. He never gave up love because He couldn't. If He had, love would have ceased to exist.
Over the last year I've been through a lot, and as I look back I try and see what God was teaching me.
No matter how many times I break God's heart He will never stop loving me.
The goal and purpose of life is becoming like Christ and helping others become like Christ.
I need to Live in the Spirit, Preach the Gospel of Jesus, and Glorify the Father.
This is all about God, and everything comes back to love, which comes back to God.
I'm still learning and I have other thoughts, most likely I'll blog about them soon, but those three lessons have been transforming my life and ministry for the last year.
He emptied Himself all all but Love, He set aside everything but His most essential characteristic, and even when I go through junk, that essential characteristic never lets me go, never stops teaching me, never stops loving me.
Peace be with you
"He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race."
Emptied Himself of all but love, this phrase is so essential. 1 John 4.8, "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love."
Philippians 2 tells us that He emptied Himself and took the form of a man, He became nothing, a servant, and died on a cross. He gave up Heaven, He set aside His heavenly form, He became a man, but He never gave up His essential characteristic, Love. He never gave up love because He couldn't. If He had, love would have ceased to exist.
Over the last year I've been through a lot, and as I look back I try and see what God was teaching me.
No matter how many times I break God's heart He will never stop loving me.
The goal and purpose of life is becoming like Christ and helping others become like Christ.
I need to Live in the Spirit, Preach the Gospel of Jesus, and Glorify the Father.
This is all about God, and everything comes back to love, which comes back to God.
I'm still learning and I have other thoughts, most likely I'll blog about them soon, but those three lessons have been transforming my life and ministry for the last year.
He emptied Himself all all but Love, He set aside everything but His most essential characteristic, and even when I go through junk, that essential characteristic never lets me go, never stops teaching me, never stops loving me.
Peace be with you
Monday, October 25, 2010
Did you know...?
I've been in the process of moving back to Ohio for about a month now, and last week I finally finished taking care of everything for my vehicle. During this process I learned something new. In order to obtain a new Ohio driver's license I was required to take a written exam! That thing that I took way back when I was 16 in order to get my license and that thing I haven't thought about since, yeah I had to retake that.
In case you're wondering, I did worse this time. The first time I took it I only missed two questions, this time I missed five, after the fourth one I began to think, "Wow, if I fail this, that's going to suck a lot." But in the end I passed, and I am once again a citizen of the great state of Ohio.
As I look at the questions I missed, most of them were about drunk driving and the legal alcohol limit, I started to go into pastor mode and think, "What can I use this for?"
As look at the questions I got right the answer came to me.
Romans 16.17-19, "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."
The reason I missed the questions about drinking and driving is because it isn't something I'm concerned about or experienced with. I honestly don't care what the legal alcohol limit is for me to drive because I have no need to know that. The questions I got right, the ones about what street signs mean, what to do in certain driving situations involving school buses or bikers, I got those right because they are things I do all the time when I drive. I am wise in the things that are good for driving, knowing the laws, know what to do, but innocent in regards to something that can cause death to others while driving.
Now what about my God walk? If I had to take a written test of being a Christ follower I'd pass with flying colors, I've grown up around it and I know all the answers. But the written test doesn't matter. Anyone can pass the written test, just study a few things and you'll pass. What matters is life, being on the road. What matters is living out the answers to the test.
I'm a pastor, and it would suck a lot if I failed the God walk test. What about you?
Peace be with you
In case you're wondering, I did worse this time. The first time I took it I only missed two questions, this time I missed five, after the fourth one I began to think, "Wow, if I fail this, that's going to suck a lot." But in the end I passed, and I am once again a citizen of the great state of Ohio.
As I look at the questions I missed, most of them were about drunk driving and the legal alcohol limit, I started to go into pastor mode and think, "What can I use this for?"
As look at the questions I got right the answer came to me.
Romans 16.17-19, "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."
The reason I missed the questions about drinking and driving is because it isn't something I'm concerned about or experienced with. I honestly don't care what the legal alcohol limit is for me to drive because I have no need to know that. The questions I got right, the ones about what street signs mean, what to do in certain driving situations involving school buses or bikers, I got those right because they are things I do all the time when I drive. I am wise in the things that are good for driving, knowing the laws, know what to do, but innocent in regards to something that can cause death to others while driving.
Now what about my God walk? If I had to take a written test of being a Christ follower I'd pass with flying colors, I've grown up around it and I know all the answers. But the written test doesn't matter. Anyone can pass the written test, just study a few things and you'll pass. What matters is life, being on the road. What matters is living out the answers to the test.
I'm a pastor, and it would suck a lot if I failed the God walk test. What about you?
Peace be with you
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Chapter done
This week I moved back to Ohio, and now I'm waiting. There is definitely a restlessness to get back into ministry, but at the same time there isn't a desperation to have to be in the first church that calls me.
I look back at what I've learned and experienced, the good times and the rough times, and I know all of it has served to make me a better minister. While in Michigan I had the opportunity to meet some awesome people, to talk life and ministry with some incredible youth pastors, and to think through different aspects of ministry. These things have molded how I will do youth ministry in the next church and my experience as a staff member there has already begun to shape my plans for how to lead a church one day.
As the page turns now I don't know what will be written next, I don't know what the next weeks and months hold, but I do know this, "When it's all been said and done, there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for you?"
Peace be with you
I look back at what I've learned and experienced, the good times and the rough times, and I know all of it has served to make me a better minister. While in Michigan I had the opportunity to meet some awesome people, to talk life and ministry with some incredible youth pastors, and to think through different aspects of ministry. These things have molded how I will do youth ministry in the next church and my experience as a staff member there has already begun to shape my plans for how to lead a church one day.
As the page turns now I don't know what will be written next, I don't know what the next weeks and months hold, but I do know this, "When it's all been said and done, there is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for truth? Did I live my life for you?"
Peace be with you
Monday, October 4, 2010
Question from God
Recently God has been asking me a question, "Bill, what are the desires of your heart?" Every time He's asked my answer has been, "I don't know that I know." So right now that's what I'm trying to figure out.
Desire- (noun) strong conscious impulse to have, be or do something
Conscious- aware, intentional
Impulse- moving force
In Biblical language the heart is the center of the human spirit. It is the source of emotions, thoughts, motivations, courage, and action. It's the source of life. The desires of the the heart are the things that make us come alive. St. Irenaeus once said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." The glory of God is man living to the fullest, living life in a way that exercises our passions and creativity in a way pleasing and honoring to God. The desires of our heart are the things that drive us to do our best, the things that challenge us to be the best we can.
So the real question I'm facing is what makes me come alive? What am I driven to have, do and to be?
Have:
I want to have a family. I want to marry my best friend and spend my life living an adventure with her. I want to help her see how beautiful and captivating she is to me, but more importantly to God. With her I want to raise some incredible kids. Boys who are warriors for the Lord of Lords, girls who are princesses of the King of Kings.
I want land, somewhere I can escape into the wilderness and just hide from the rest of the world with my Daddy for a while. A place to escape to refuel the fire.
I want a canoe and a dog.
Do:
I want to travel, mostly to Israel, as much as I can. I want to spend Easter in Jerusalem walking through the last days of the life of Christ, going where He did, seeing what He saw, trying to understand it all.
I want to bike across America from San Francisco, California to Yorktown, VA with Jeremy.
I want to backpack in as many states as I can.
I want to climb Mount Everest.
Be:
I want to be the pastor of an incredible church. A church that would fall apart if the Spirit left. A church that if it disappeared the community would notice and be affected.
I want to be the leader of an incredible staff with a vision focused on building the Kingdom. The leader of a staff that is united as a team working together for the Kingdom.
I want to be a husband and a father.
I want to be a man who Lives in the Spirit, Preaches the Gospel of Jesus, and Glorifies the Father.
I want to be a man after God's own heart.
Ultimately, I want to be in a constant relationship with my Daddy. I want a new passion for Him daily. I want to daily become more like my Lord and Savior, and to help others become more like Him.
Live, Preach, Glorify
Peace be with you
Desire- (noun) strong conscious impulse to have, be or do something
Conscious- aware, intentional
Impulse- moving force
In Biblical language the heart is the center of the human spirit. It is the source of emotions, thoughts, motivations, courage, and action. It's the source of life. The desires of the the heart are the things that make us come alive. St. Irenaeus once said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." The glory of God is man living to the fullest, living life in a way that exercises our passions and creativity in a way pleasing and honoring to God. The desires of our heart are the things that drive us to do our best, the things that challenge us to be the best we can.
So the real question I'm facing is what makes me come alive? What am I driven to have, do and to be?
Have:
I want to have a family. I want to marry my best friend and spend my life living an adventure with her. I want to help her see how beautiful and captivating she is to me, but more importantly to God. With her I want to raise some incredible kids. Boys who are warriors for the Lord of Lords, girls who are princesses of the King of Kings.
I want land, somewhere I can escape into the wilderness and just hide from the rest of the world with my Daddy for a while. A place to escape to refuel the fire.
I want a canoe and a dog.
Do:
I want to travel, mostly to Israel, as much as I can. I want to spend Easter in Jerusalem walking through the last days of the life of Christ, going where He did, seeing what He saw, trying to understand it all.
I want to bike across America from San Francisco, California to Yorktown, VA with Jeremy.
I want to backpack in as many states as I can.
I want to climb Mount Everest.
Be:
I want to be the pastor of an incredible church. A church that would fall apart if the Spirit left. A church that if it disappeared the community would notice and be affected.
I want to be the leader of an incredible staff with a vision focused on building the Kingdom. The leader of a staff that is united as a team working together for the Kingdom.
I want to be a husband and a father.
I want to be a man who Lives in the Spirit, Preaches the Gospel of Jesus, and Glorifies the Father.
I want to be a man after God's own heart.
Ultimately, I want to be in a constant relationship with my Daddy. I want a new passion for Him daily. I want to daily become more like my Lord and Savior, and to help others become more like Him.
Live, Preach, Glorify
Peace be with you
Friday, October 1, 2010
It's so crucial
Over the last five years I have had the opportunity to serve, in some capacity of ministry, in five different churches. Some experiances were absolutely incredible and I honestly never wanted them to end, others I was relieved when they were over. But in all of them there are things to learn.
I have been called to a life of full time ministry, eventually as a senior pastor, and as I move towards that I take the things I have seen and experianced in these churches into account. I look at the positive things that worked, the things that seemed good but weren't fruitful, and the things that totally flooped. All of these were things to learn from.
I look at people, leadership and ministry styles, how they work with people, how the lead and empower people. What they do that works and what doesn't.
While I've learned a lot about how to pastor and how not to, and how to work with staff, and the congregation, I think leading a church all comes down to one thing, vision.
Vision is the most crucial thing, after being centered on Christ, to the survival of a church. Proverbs 29.18a, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained" Where there is no vison there is no unity, and where there is no unity a kingdom can't survive. "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." Matthew 12.25b, even the Kingdom of God.
I look at the churches I've served in that have thrived, and it's because of vision that is gronded in Christ, and the leadership and congregation are united behind it.
I have come to realize just how crucial vision is to the survival of church.
I have been called to a life of full time ministry, eventually as a senior pastor, and as I move towards that I take the things I have seen and experianced in these churches into account. I look at the positive things that worked, the things that seemed good but weren't fruitful, and the things that totally flooped. All of these were things to learn from.
I look at people, leadership and ministry styles, how they work with people, how the lead and empower people. What they do that works and what doesn't.
While I've learned a lot about how to pastor and how not to, and how to work with staff, and the congregation, I think leading a church all comes down to one thing, vision.
Vision is the most crucial thing, after being centered on Christ, to the survival of a church. Proverbs 29.18a, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained" Where there is no vison there is no unity, and where there is no unity a kingdom can't survive. "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand." Matthew 12.25b, even the Kingdom of God.
I look at the churches I've served in that have thrived, and it's because of vision that is gronded in Christ, and the leadership and congregation are united behind it.
I have come to realize just how crucial vision is to the survival of church.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
...against such things there is no law
For the last few months I've been outlining the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5.22-23. I've taken each one back to the original Greek text and looked at the real meaning of each one.
To start we looked at how this is Fruit, so it is produced, it takes time to grow, and it all comes from God. Then we looked at each one.
Love, agape, the unconditional love of God for us, the love we are to have for God, for others, and also ourselves.
Joy, chara, the source of joy, the reason for rejoicing.
Peace, eirene, contentment, satisfaction with life.
Patience, makrothumia, enduring hardship or trial withoug complaing or retaliating.
Kindness, chrestotes, goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.
Goodness, agathosune, moral excellence, striving to be like God, and do what God would do.
Faithfulness, pistis, honesty, integrity, uprightness.
Gentleness, prautes, being submissive to God, humble and teachable with people, and being considerate of others.
Self-Control, egkrateia, properly using what God has given us by His help.
These are the things that God calls us to. These are the characteristics that a life immersed in Him will disply. These are the things that as we walk with Him will be produced in our lives. And against these things there is no law.
The law is limiting and condemning. The only thing the law can do is show you how bad you are, how far you fall short, how much you mess up. The law restrains because it only shows us our sin. A life immersed in God, a life that the Spirit is at work in producing the Fruit of the Spirit, that life is free from the law. Why? Becasue that life does not chase after sin, but after God.
Freedom in Christ is a Spirit guided life style. There are still limits and there are still rules, but they are under the Law of Love that Christ gave. The life of Jesus recorded in the Gospels shows us this new law. Christ has set us free to a new life, He has redemeed us and given us a new way to live. He set us free for the best life, a life a freedom that is full of Love, which gives us Joy, which leads to Peace, which gives Patience, which turns into Kindness, which strives for Goodness, which calls for Faithfulness, which helps us have Gentelness, and that helps us have Self-Control.
Freedom comes with obligations, but the obligation is to God, He bought us with a price. We have an obligation to others, to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are not free to do whatever we want, we are free to love, and from a life based upon love comes the best life ever, a life rooted in God.
Take this, and let the Spirit fill you, may He be at work in you cultivating the soil of your Heart so that this incredible Fruit might be produced.
"But the Fruit of the Spirit is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control; against such things there is no law."
Peace be with you
To start we looked at how this is Fruit, so it is produced, it takes time to grow, and it all comes from God. Then we looked at each one.
Love, agape, the unconditional love of God for us, the love we are to have for God, for others, and also ourselves.
Joy, chara, the source of joy, the reason for rejoicing.
Peace, eirene, contentment, satisfaction with life.
Patience, makrothumia, enduring hardship or trial withoug complaing or retaliating.
Kindness, chrestotes, goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do.
Goodness, agathosune, moral excellence, striving to be like God, and do what God would do.
Faithfulness, pistis, honesty, integrity, uprightness.
Gentleness, prautes, being submissive to God, humble and teachable with people, and being considerate of others.
Self-Control, egkrateia, properly using what God has given us by His help.
These are the things that God calls us to. These are the characteristics that a life immersed in Him will disply. These are the things that as we walk with Him will be produced in our lives. And against these things there is no law.
The law is limiting and condemning. The only thing the law can do is show you how bad you are, how far you fall short, how much you mess up. The law restrains because it only shows us our sin. A life immersed in God, a life that the Spirit is at work in producing the Fruit of the Spirit, that life is free from the law. Why? Becasue that life does not chase after sin, but after God.
Freedom in Christ is a Spirit guided life style. There are still limits and there are still rules, but they are under the Law of Love that Christ gave. The life of Jesus recorded in the Gospels shows us this new law. Christ has set us free to a new life, He has redemeed us and given us a new way to live. He set us free for the best life, a life a freedom that is full of Love, which gives us Joy, which leads to Peace, which gives Patience, which turns into Kindness, which strives for Goodness, which calls for Faithfulness, which helps us have Gentelness, and that helps us have Self-Control.
Freedom comes with obligations, but the obligation is to God, He bought us with a price. We have an obligation to others, to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are not free to do whatever we want, we are free to love, and from a life based upon love comes the best life ever, a life rooted in God.
Take this, and let the Spirit fill you, may He be at work in you cultivating the soil of your Heart so that this incredible Fruit might be produced.
"But the Fruit of the Spirit is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control; against such things there is no law."
Peace be with you
Monday, September 20, 2010
...Self-Control...
When people found out I was doing a study on the Fruit of the Spirit a lot of people had the same comment, "Let me know when you get to self-control." After seeing the depth and complexity of the other eight aspects of this incredible gift of God, I was shocked when I got the the final characteristic, not by the confusion that it caused me like gentleness, or by the seemingly impossible command of goodness, or of the incredible realization of joy. This one shocked me in its simplicity.
The Greek word for self-Control is egkrateia (pronounced egg-kra-tee-a). Literally it means, "self-control, continence (self-restraint), temperance". Temperance means, "moderation in or abstinence from indulgence" and indulgence, "yield to the desire of/for".
This one is so simple in it's meaning. We as humans have been given so many good things, so many great things. And with every thing there is a right way to use it and exercise it. It there is a right way then there obviously has to be a wrong way. We are capable of abusing what we have. Think about it.
Food, it's so good, it looks and smells amazing, in moderation it provides energy, but sometimes we over eat.
Our bodies, they are capable of producing so much good, of doing so many things, but sometimes we fail to take care of them, we fail to exercise.
Our minds, think about how incredible this is, we have the ability to think, to learn, to remember, to reason things out, and yet we are guilty of not living up to our fullest potential at times because of laziness.
Sex, God gave this incredible gift for pleasure, procreation, and most importantly to seal the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. But this too has been abused, in premarital fornication, in extra marital affairs, in homosexual relationships, and in pornography.
What is it for you?
All of these things are gifts from God. He made everything and made it for a good and perfect use. We have the ability to miss use them all. In order to use these gifts correctly we need the controlling will power that only comes through the power of God.
Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 9, he uses the illustration of an athlete in training. In 1 Corinthians 7 he talks about sex and the good it does in marriage. In 1 Corinthians 6 he talks about how the body belongs to God and how we need to honor God with our bodies. In Matthew 25 Jesus talks about the parable of the talents.
Self-Control is crucial because without it we abuse the awesome gifts God has given us. Without it we fail to live up to our fullest potential, and without it we fail to honor God.
Egrateia, draws upon God in order to use the gifts He has given us properly. I gain Self-control by having Gentleness, submission to God, humility and teachability, and being considerate of others. This comes from a spirit of Faithfulness, honesty, and integrity. Faithfulness flows out of Goodness, moral excellence, striving to be more like God. This attitude flows from Kindness, goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. That starts with Patience, enduring hardship and trial without complaining or retaliating. I am able to be patient because I have Peace, contentment and satisfaction with life, peace comes from Joy, the reason to rejoice, and the source of joy is Love, the unconditional love from God.
Peace be with you
The Greek word for self-Control is egkrateia (pronounced egg-kra-tee-a). Literally it means, "self-control, continence (self-restraint), temperance". Temperance means, "moderation in or abstinence from indulgence" and indulgence, "yield to the desire of/for".
This one is so simple in it's meaning. We as humans have been given so many good things, so many great things. And with every thing there is a right way to use it and exercise it. It there is a right way then there obviously has to be a wrong way. We are capable of abusing what we have. Think about it.
Food, it's so good, it looks and smells amazing, in moderation it provides energy, but sometimes we over eat.
Our bodies, they are capable of producing so much good, of doing so many things, but sometimes we fail to take care of them, we fail to exercise.
Our minds, think about how incredible this is, we have the ability to think, to learn, to remember, to reason things out, and yet we are guilty of not living up to our fullest potential at times because of laziness.
Sex, God gave this incredible gift for pleasure, procreation, and most importantly to seal the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. But this too has been abused, in premarital fornication, in extra marital affairs, in homosexual relationships, and in pornography.
What is it for you?
All of these things are gifts from God. He made everything and made it for a good and perfect use. We have the ability to miss use them all. In order to use these gifts correctly we need the controlling will power that only comes through the power of God.
Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 9, he uses the illustration of an athlete in training. In 1 Corinthians 7 he talks about sex and the good it does in marriage. In 1 Corinthians 6 he talks about how the body belongs to God and how we need to honor God with our bodies. In Matthew 25 Jesus talks about the parable of the talents.
Self-Control is crucial because without it we abuse the awesome gifts God has given us. Without it we fail to live up to our fullest potential, and without it we fail to honor God.
Egrateia, draws upon God in order to use the gifts He has given us properly. I gain Self-control by having Gentleness, submission to God, humility and teachability, and being considerate of others. This comes from a spirit of Faithfulness, honesty, and integrity. Faithfulness flows out of Goodness, moral excellence, striving to be more like God. This attitude flows from Kindness, goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. That starts with Patience, enduring hardship and trial without complaining or retaliating. I am able to be patient because I have Peace, contentment and satisfaction with life, peace comes from Joy, the reason to rejoice, and the source of joy is Love, the unconditional love from God.
Peace be with you
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
...Gentleness...
Disclaimer:
The Greek word is prautes (pr-ow-ta [long a]-s). As I was preparing for this lesson I kept reading the definition in my Greek dictionary over and over. The more I read it, the less I understood it. I finally got to the point where I almost didn't understand the words I was reading, and out of desperation I picked up William Barclay's commentary on Galatians and Ephesians only to be greeted by this, "Gentleness: prautes is the most untranslatable of words."
I put that as my facebook status and my college Greek professor said, "If Barclay says, 'I dunno' then there isn't much hope for the rest of us." That made me feel great, so as we begin this one all I can promise is to try and explain it.
The Greek word prautes, translates as "gentlenss, kindness". Most versions of the Bible have this word translated as gentleness, however, the King James uses a different word, "meekness". In our current culture the idea of being meek is one that is equivalent with weakness and submission.
Meek
1. humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
2. overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.
3. Obsolete: gentle; kind.
The word docile is defined, "easily managed or handled; readily trained or taught"
Spiritless is defined, "without spirit; without ardor, vigor, zeal"
Tame is defined, "changed from the wild or saved state; spiritless; lacking in excitement; dull; not to be taken very seriously; without real power"
This is how people see the word meek today. The Biblical definition however, is one of strength, power, and virtue. Meekness, "Moral quality of humility and gentleness, usually exhibited during suffering or difficulty and accomplished by faith in God."
This is what the attribute listed in the Fruit of the Spirit is all about. In my best effort to explain this word (and with the aid of William Barclay [a lot of aid]) we see three characteristics of the word prautes.
First we see the someone who possesses prautes is submissive to the will of God. We see this in the life of Jesus. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a white stallion as a conquering warrior would have. He came to die, not to kill. In the Garden we see He prays, "Father, your will be done." He knew the cost of that prayer, but Jesus was submissive to the will of the Father, and He was exalted for it. Matthew 5.5, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. "
Second, a person who posesses prautes is teachable. This person is humble and learns from others.
Third, a person with prautes is considerate, they don't offer insults and condemnation, but they preach the truth in love, they reach out to those in need. We see this in Jesus, He welcomed the little children, He touched lepers, He healed people who were unclean, He raised the dead. Jesus was gentle in His words, in His message. If you look at His teaching, the only peopel He ever got on were the religious leaders of the day, they people who should have recognized Him as the Messiah He is. He met people where they were, He taught in ways they could understand and relate to.
Prautes is all of those things, but it does not carry the negetive idea of meekness with it. I think part of prautes is also the righteous anger. It is being angry about the right things. It is angry about sin, it is angry about cancer, it is angry about abortion, it is angry about child abuse. It is not hateful towards the people that do these things, but it is angry towards the act itself.
Jesus was not a sissy, one of my professors said, "It took a stronger man to hang there and die than it would have to come off the cross and beat everyone."
Gentleness is an essential quality, it allows us to live together in society. It allows the younger generation to learn from the older generation. It allows churches to function together in harmony as we seek the will of God, or atleast is should.
If all of us would strive for gentleness, if all of us would strive to be submissive to God, humble and teachable, and considerate of others, that society could function very effeciantly, and honestly it would be a pretty plesant place to live.
Prautes, gentleness, the state of beign submissive, teachable, and considerate comes from pistis, faithfulness which is honesty and integrity.
Faithfulness flows out of goodness, agathosune, moral excellence, striving to be more like God, to do what God would do. Goodness is an exaltation of kindness, chrestotes, which is goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing becasue its the right thing to do.
I am able to have kindness because I have had patience, makrothumia, enduring hardship and trial without complaint or retaliation. I can endure because of eirene, peace, which is contentment and satisfaction. I have contentment because of joy, chara, the reason to rejoice, and the source of joy is the agape, the unconditional love, that I have from God.
The Greek word is prautes (pr-ow-ta [long a]-s). As I was preparing for this lesson I kept reading the definition in my Greek dictionary over and over. The more I read it, the less I understood it. I finally got to the point where I almost didn't understand the words I was reading, and out of desperation I picked up William Barclay's commentary on Galatians and Ephesians only to be greeted by this, "Gentleness: prautes is the most untranslatable of words."
I put that as my facebook status and my college Greek professor said, "If Barclay says, 'I dunno' then there isn't much hope for the rest of us." That made me feel great, so as we begin this one all I can promise is to try and explain it.
The Greek word prautes, translates as "gentlenss, kindness". Most versions of the Bible have this word translated as gentleness, however, the King James uses a different word, "meekness". In our current culture the idea of being meek is one that is equivalent with weakness and submission.
Meek
1. humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
2. overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.
3. Obsolete: gentle; kind.
The word docile is defined, "easily managed or handled; readily trained or taught"
Spiritless is defined, "without spirit; without ardor, vigor, zeal"
Tame is defined, "changed from the wild or saved state; spiritless; lacking in excitement; dull; not to be taken very seriously; without real power"
This is how people see the word meek today. The Biblical definition however, is one of strength, power, and virtue. Meekness, "Moral quality of humility and gentleness, usually exhibited during suffering or difficulty and accomplished by faith in God."
This is what the attribute listed in the Fruit of the Spirit is all about. In my best effort to explain this word (and with the aid of William Barclay [a lot of aid]) we see three characteristics of the word prautes.
First we see the someone who possesses prautes is submissive to the will of God. We see this in the life of Jesus. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, not a white stallion as a conquering warrior would have. He came to die, not to kill. In the Garden we see He prays, "Father, your will be done." He knew the cost of that prayer, but Jesus was submissive to the will of the Father, and He was exalted for it. Matthew 5.5, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. "
Second, a person who posesses prautes is teachable. This person is humble and learns from others.
Third, a person with prautes is considerate, they don't offer insults and condemnation, but they preach the truth in love, they reach out to those in need. We see this in Jesus, He welcomed the little children, He touched lepers, He healed people who were unclean, He raised the dead. Jesus was gentle in His words, in His message. If you look at His teaching, the only peopel He ever got on were the religious leaders of the day, they people who should have recognized Him as the Messiah He is. He met people where they were, He taught in ways they could understand and relate to.
Prautes is all of those things, but it does not carry the negetive idea of meekness with it. I think part of prautes is also the righteous anger. It is being angry about the right things. It is angry about sin, it is angry about cancer, it is angry about abortion, it is angry about child abuse. It is not hateful towards the people that do these things, but it is angry towards the act itself.
Jesus was not a sissy, one of my professors said, "It took a stronger man to hang there and die than it would have to come off the cross and beat everyone."
Gentleness is an essential quality, it allows us to live together in society. It allows the younger generation to learn from the older generation. It allows churches to function together in harmony as we seek the will of God, or atleast is should.
If all of us would strive for gentleness, if all of us would strive to be submissive to God, humble and teachable, and considerate of others, that society could function very effeciantly, and honestly it would be a pretty plesant place to live.
Prautes, gentleness, the state of beign submissive, teachable, and considerate comes from pistis, faithfulness which is honesty and integrity.
Faithfulness flows out of goodness, agathosune, moral excellence, striving to be more like God, to do what God would do. Goodness is an exaltation of kindness, chrestotes, which is goodness expressed through action, doing the right thing becasue its the right thing to do.
I am able to have kindness because I have had patience, makrothumia, enduring hardship and trial without complaint or retaliation. I can endure because of eirene, peace, which is contentment and satisfaction. I have contentment because of joy, chara, the reason to rejoice, and the source of joy is the agape, the unconditional love, that I have from God.
Monday, August 30, 2010
...Faithfulness...
Last week we examined goodness, agathosune, "moral excellence, striving to be like God". This is not an attempt to become God, but an effort to become more like Him in what we do, and who we are. It is something we will never attain, but something that we are called to continuously strive towards.
Out of goodness comes the next attribute listed in the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness. The Greek word is pistis, translated as "good faith, honestly, integrity". I love words, and sometimes with word definitions I look up the definition of words withing the definition. I looked up honesty, "truthfulness, sincerity, frankness; uprightness, firmness" and integrity, "adherence to moral and ethical principles." Pistis carries the idea of trustworthiness.
As we studied this characteristic we looked at three stories in the Bible. The first is the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39. Joseph is in Egypt after being sold by his brothers. In Egypt he is bought Potiphar and God blesses Joseph. Potiphar puts Joseph in charge of his house, and God blesses Potiphar because of Joseph.
Potiphar's wife notices that Joseph is a rather good looking fellow, and tries to seduce him. Repeatedly she offers herself to him and each time he says no. One day Joseph goes into the house to do his work, but none of the other servants are there. Potiphar's wife grabs his robe in another attempt, but he flees and leaves it in her hands. A lie is started, Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison, but in prison God still shows him favor and he is put in charge of the prison. Eventually, Joseph is released, God shows him favor again and he is made second in command of Egypt. Joseph goes from a slave to one of the most powerful men in the world.
With Joseph we see faithfulness to God. He served his earthly masters well and refused to compromise even when he could have. We see his faithfulness to people as well. He respect Potiphar's marriage, again, he worked hard and did well. God blesses this faithfulness.
Next we looked at Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. In Daniel 1 we see that the four of them refuse to eat the food of the king and choose to eat only vegetables. God blesses them and gives them favor and wisdom. In both Daniel 3 and Daniel 6, we see that these four men are each given an opportunity to deny God by either bowing to an idol or praying to the king. If they don't the face death. But all four of them refuse to worship any one but God.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, are thrown into the furnace, but God saves them. Daniel is cast into the lion's den, but God closes the lion's mouths and Daniel is spared. The were faithful to God, and God protected and blessed their faithfulness.
In these we saw positive examples of faithfulness. In all of these stories we see men who had the opportunity to compromise but refused. This is faithfulness, but faithfulness has another aspect. Sometimes we do compromise, sometimes we do mess up, but in this we can still show faithfulness.
2 Samuel 11, David, the man after God's own heart, commits adultery and then murder. In 2 Samuel 12 the prophet Nathan comes to David and calls him out on his sin. David responds, "I have sinned against the LORD." David owned his sin. That is honesty, that is integrity, that is pistis.
As I strive for goodness, faithfulness comes out of it. Goodness stems from kindness which is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Kindness comes from patience, taking the endurance of hardship without complaint or retaliation to the next level. Patience comes from the contentment of peace. Peace comes from joy, the reason to rejoice. The reason to rejoice is the unconditional love which we have from God.
Peace be with you
Out of goodness comes the next attribute listed in the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness. The Greek word is pistis, translated as "good faith, honestly, integrity". I love words, and sometimes with word definitions I look up the definition of words withing the definition. I looked up honesty, "truthfulness, sincerity, frankness; uprightness, firmness" and integrity, "adherence to moral and ethical principles." Pistis carries the idea of trustworthiness.
As we studied this characteristic we looked at three stories in the Bible. The first is the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39. Joseph is in Egypt after being sold by his brothers. In Egypt he is bought Potiphar and God blesses Joseph. Potiphar puts Joseph in charge of his house, and God blesses Potiphar because of Joseph.
Potiphar's wife notices that Joseph is a rather good looking fellow, and tries to seduce him. Repeatedly she offers herself to him and each time he says no. One day Joseph goes into the house to do his work, but none of the other servants are there. Potiphar's wife grabs his robe in another attempt, but he flees and leaves it in her hands. A lie is started, Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison, but in prison God still shows him favor and he is put in charge of the prison. Eventually, Joseph is released, God shows him favor again and he is made second in command of Egypt. Joseph goes from a slave to one of the most powerful men in the world.
With Joseph we see faithfulness to God. He served his earthly masters well and refused to compromise even when he could have. We see his faithfulness to people as well. He respect Potiphar's marriage, again, he worked hard and did well. God blesses this faithfulness.
Next we looked at Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. In Daniel 1 we see that the four of them refuse to eat the food of the king and choose to eat only vegetables. God blesses them and gives them favor and wisdom. In both Daniel 3 and Daniel 6, we see that these four men are each given an opportunity to deny God by either bowing to an idol or praying to the king. If they don't the face death. But all four of them refuse to worship any one but God.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, are thrown into the furnace, but God saves them. Daniel is cast into the lion's den, but God closes the lion's mouths and Daniel is spared. The were faithful to God, and God protected and blessed their faithfulness.
In these we saw positive examples of faithfulness. In all of these stories we see men who had the opportunity to compromise but refused. This is faithfulness, but faithfulness has another aspect. Sometimes we do compromise, sometimes we do mess up, but in this we can still show faithfulness.
2 Samuel 11, David, the man after God's own heart, commits adultery and then murder. In 2 Samuel 12 the prophet Nathan comes to David and calls him out on his sin. David responds, "I have sinned against the LORD." David owned his sin. That is honesty, that is integrity, that is pistis.
As I strive for goodness, faithfulness comes out of it. Goodness stems from kindness which is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Kindness comes from patience, taking the endurance of hardship without complaint or retaliation to the next level. Patience comes from the contentment of peace. Peace comes from joy, the reason to rejoice. The reason to rejoice is the unconditional love which we have from God.
Peace be with you
Monday, August 23, 2010
...Goodness...
Let's start this week with review. So far in our journey through the Fruit of the Spirit I've talked about five:
LOVE: agape, the unconditional love that God has for us, the love that I am to have for others, and also the love that I am to have for God. This is love expressed through action. Love comes from God, the ability to give and receive love is a gift from God.
JOY: chara, the source of joy or the reason for rejoicing. I can be joyful always and consider it pure joy when I face trials (1 Thessalonians 5/James 1) because chara is not a feeling but the source of that feeling. My source of joy is the unconditional love that I have from God.
PEACE: eirene, contentment and tranquility. I have peace with my circumstances no matter what they are because I have a reason to rejoice, which comes from the unconditional love I have from God.
PATIENCE: makpothumia, enduring hardship or trials without complain or retaliation. I can endure hardships, I can survive because I am content, I am content because of my reason to rejoice, the unconditional love from God.
KINDNESS: chrestotes, goodness expressed in action. This is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Praying for my enemies, giving my enemy water when he is thirsty. I can do this because I endure the hardships without retaliating, because I am content in my source of joy, the unconditional love I have because I belong to God.
I said in the beginning that they all build upon each other. The foundation is God, and they all point to God, and with that we look at Goodness.
A few months ago when I really started to look at the fruit of the spirit this aspect really stood out to me. The word in Greek is agathosune (pronounced a-gath-o [long o]- soon- a [long a]) which translates as "goodness, virtue, generosity". When I walked through these with the teens I work with I would always look up the English definition for each word, this one gave some very interesting results.
good·ness
–noun
1. the state or quality of being good.
2. moral excellence; virtue.
3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.
4. excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.
5. the best part of anything; essence; strength.
6. a euphemism for god
A euphemism for god. I said that this one really stood out to me when I first started to look at the Fruit of the Spirit. As I prayed through them I tried to understand them, and when I got to goodness a verse came to my mind.
Mark 10.17-18, "As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.'"
No one is good but God alone. The word used here is agathos, the root of goodness. The word good means excellence in being. The very core is perfect, absolutely perfect, no flaws, no impurities, completely perfect. This is only true of God.
Agathosune describes the moral quality which is described by agathos. Someone who is agathos does not just do something good, but they embody goodness. Their desires are characterized by goodness and they desire to both do and be morally excellent, perfect. Again this is only true of God.
But we are to strive to be like God, not to be God, but to become more like Him daily. To do this we strive to do the things of God and to do the things that God would do. We seek to love like He does, to serve like He does, and to care like He does.
We will never attain the moral excellence, the absolute perfection of God, it isn't possible, but we are to constantly strive after it. Paul talks about it in Philippians 3, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I am striving daily to become more like Christ. The prayer for goodness, is the prayer that my life will reflect God in all that I do. That people will look at me and not see me, but will see the Lord who lives through me.
"Help me to love like you loved, to serve like you served, to speak only words of truth. Help me to care like you cared for a world in despair, help me to love like you."
-Jonny Diaz, Love Like You Loved
Peace be with you
LOVE: agape, the unconditional love that God has for us, the love that I am to have for others, and also the love that I am to have for God. This is love expressed through action. Love comes from God, the ability to give and receive love is a gift from God.
JOY: chara, the source of joy or the reason for rejoicing. I can be joyful always and consider it pure joy when I face trials (1 Thessalonians 5/James 1) because chara is not a feeling but the source of that feeling. My source of joy is the unconditional love that I have from God.
PEACE: eirene, contentment and tranquility. I have peace with my circumstances no matter what they are because I have a reason to rejoice, which comes from the unconditional love I have from God.
PATIENCE: makpothumia, enduring hardship or trials without complain or retaliation. I can endure hardships, I can survive because I am content, I am content because of my reason to rejoice, the unconditional love from God.
KINDNESS: chrestotes, goodness expressed in action. This is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Praying for my enemies, giving my enemy water when he is thirsty. I can do this because I endure the hardships without retaliating, because I am content in my source of joy, the unconditional love I have because I belong to God.
I said in the beginning that they all build upon each other. The foundation is God, and they all point to God, and with that we look at Goodness.
A few months ago when I really started to look at the fruit of the spirit this aspect really stood out to me. The word in Greek is agathosune (pronounced a-gath-o [long o]- soon- a [long a]) which translates as "goodness, virtue, generosity". When I walked through these with the teens I work with I would always look up the English definition for each word, this one gave some very interesting results.
good·ness
–noun
1. the state or quality of being good.
2. moral excellence; virtue.
3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.
4. excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.
5. the best part of anything; essence; strength.
6. a euphemism for god
A euphemism for god. I said that this one really stood out to me when I first started to look at the Fruit of the Spirit. As I prayed through them I tried to understand them, and when I got to goodness a verse came to my mind.
Mark 10.17-18, "As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.'"
No one is good but God alone. The word used here is agathos, the root of goodness. The word good means excellence in being. The very core is perfect, absolutely perfect, no flaws, no impurities, completely perfect. This is only true of God.
Agathosune describes the moral quality which is described by agathos. Someone who is agathos does not just do something good, but they embody goodness. Their desires are characterized by goodness and they desire to both do and be morally excellent, perfect. Again this is only true of God.
But we are to strive to be like God, not to be God, but to become more like Him daily. To do this we strive to do the things of God and to do the things that God would do. We seek to love like He does, to serve like He does, and to care like He does.
We will never attain the moral excellence, the absolute perfection of God, it isn't possible, but we are to constantly strive after it. Paul talks about it in Philippians 3, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
I am striving daily to become more like Christ. The prayer for goodness, is the prayer that my life will reflect God in all that I do. That people will look at me and not see me, but will see the Lord who lives through me.
"Help me to love like you loved, to serve like you served, to speak only words of truth. Help me to care like you cared for a world in despair, help me to love like you."
-Jonny Diaz, Love Like You Loved
Peace be with you
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
...Kindness...
Kindness, noun "the state or quality of being kind; a kind act; favor; kind behavior; friendly feeling; liking." This is one that isn't too far off from the original Greek meaning. The Greek word for Kindness is chrestotes (pronounced hre-stot-as [long a]) and is essentially translated as goodness in action, expressing itself in deeds.
As I studied this word and saw its meaning a quote came to mind that I heard several years ago, "Your talk talks, and your walk talks; but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Normally people have to look at that one a couple times to get it. But that's the idea of chrestotes. Kindness is doing the right thing because its the right thing to do.
For this one we look at the story found in 2 Samuel 9, David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the the son of Jonathan, and the grandson of King Saul. Based on blood line, he is the heir to the throne. But we see in 1 Samuel 13 that Saul is rejected as king and in 1 Samuel 16 that God chooses David to become the next king.
Normally what would have happened in this situation is that the new king would kill all of the relatives of the previous king in order to protect his throne. This is not the response of David. Rather than killing the descendant of his predecessor, he restores the land of Saul to Mephibosheth. Instead of taking his life he invites him to eat at his table. David shows kindness.
Kindness is essential, Romans 2.4 says that the kindness of God leads you to repentance. My mentor has often said, "No one ever became a Christian because they lost an argument. People become followers of Christ because they are shown love."
Kindness is directly related to love.
If you remember, patience is enduring trial and hardship without complaining or retaliating. Kindness takes patience one step farther and instead of just enduring, it does something good. I am able to do good because I have endured without complaint. I am able to endure without complaint because I have contentment through peace. I have peace because I have joy, a source of rejoicing, and that source of rejoicing is the unconditional love I have from God.
Let your walk talk today, let your life be full of chrestotes, goodness expressed through action.
Peace be with you.
As I studied this word and saw its meaning a quote came to mind that I heard several years ago, "Your talk talks, and your walk talks; but your walk talks louder than your talk talks." Normally people have to look at that one a couple times to get it. But that's the idea of chrestotes. Kindness is doing the right thing because its the right thing to do.
For this one we look at the story found in 2 Samuel 9, David and Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was the the son of Jonathan, and the grandson of King Saul. Based on blood line, he is the heir to the throne. But we see in 1 Samuel 13 that Saul is rejected as king and in 1 Samuel 16 that God chooses David to become the next king.
Normally what would have happened in this situation is that the new king would kill all of the relatives of the previous king in order to protect his throne. This is not the response of David. Rather than killing the descendant of his predecessor, he restores the land of Saul to Mephibosheth. Instead of taking his life he invites him to eat at his table. David shows kindness.
Kindness is essential, Romans 2.4 says that the kindness of God leads you to repentance. My mentor has often said, "No one ever became a Christian because they lost an argument. People become followers of Christ because they are shown love."
Kindness is directly related to love.
If you remember, patience is enduring trial and hardship without complaining or retaliating. Kindness takes patience one step farther and instead of just enduring, it does something good. I am able to do good because I have endured without complaint. I am able to endure without complaint because I have contentment through peace. I have peace because I have joy, a source of rejoicing, and that source of rejoicing is the unconditional love I have from God.
Let your walk talk today, let your life be full of chrestotes, goodness expressed through action.
Peace be with you.
Monday, August 9, 2010
...Patience...
It starts with Love, then moves to Joy, that leads to Peace, and then we come to Patience. The Greek word is makrothumia, and this word carries several meanings. When translated in older translations of the Bible this section of scripture uses the phrase long-suffering for patience, and I think that long suffering best captures what this characteristic means for our lives.
Long suffering is the quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation. It does not quickly or rashly retaliate, and it does not swiftly hand out punishment. Long suffering is the opposite of anger, and is more associated with mercy. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or cave in during trials. It is the opposite of despondency and is more associated with hope.
Makrothumia also means, patient expectation, fortitude, and patient enduring of evil. In short, makrothumia is enduring trials, hardship, and evil without complaint. It is not caving in under pressure, but standing firm.
I look at the last few months, and honestly I have failed to have makrothumia in my life at times. I look at the hardships I've had at church, the junk to deal with, the opposing views on how ministry should be done, and honestly I'm ready to give up. I talked with my mentor a few weeks ago, and he gave me two verses. Romans 5.3-5, and James 1.2-4
Romans 5,
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
James 1,
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
After talking to him I spent the next day doing word studies on these two verses. Both of them, in the use of the word tribulations and trials, refer to metal being put through a fire to be purged and purified. It makes the metal better, stronger, and more valuable. That is the point of hard times, to cleanse us, to make us stronger, and to make us more like Christ and more reliant upon God.
This past weekend I got a text from a friend in Ohio, and he asked me if I had anything to report. I told him I would facebook him this week. This morning as I typed out what ended up being a very long facebook message, I began to see everything God has been doing and what He has been working towards. It made me feel blessed to be a part of what God is doing, and at the same time made me realize how much I need to pray for makrothumia in my life.
Right now there are things going on in life that I don't understand, things that are hard, and things that hurt. But trying to keep those two verses in mind, trying to keep that idea of being passed through fire like metal, trying to endure without complaining and standing firm through the rough times, I pray that God will grant me the makrothumia to endure it.
I can have makrothumia (Patience), enduring hardship and trial without complaint because of eirene (Peace), the contentment with life. I have eirene because I have chara (Joy), I have a reason to rejoice and a reason to be joyful, and that reason is the agape (Love) the unconditional love of God for me.
Endure the hardship, endure the trial, don't complain, because all of it is for our benefit, to make us stronger, to make us more like Christ.
Peace be with you
Long suffering is the quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation. It does not quickly or rashly retaliate, and it does not swiftly hand out punishment. Long suffering is the opposite of anger, and is more associated with mercy. Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or cave in during trials. It is the opposite of despondency and is more associated with hope.
Makrothumia also means, patient expectation, fortitude, and patient enduring of evil. In short, makrothumia is enduring trials, hardship, and evil without complaint. It is not caving in under pressure, but standing firm.
I look at the last few months, and honestly I have failed to have makrothumia in my life at times. I look at the hardships I've had at church, the junk to deal with, the opposing views on how ministry should be done, and honestly I'm ready to give up. I talked with my mentor a few weeks ago, and he gave me two verses. Romans 5.3-5, and James 1.2-4
Romans 5,
"And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
James 1,
"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
After talking to him I spent the next day doing word studies on these two verses. Both of them, in the use of the word tribulations and trials, refer to metal being put through a fire to be purged and purified. It makes the metal better, stronger, and more valuable. That is the point of hard times, to cleanse us, to make us stronger, and to make us more like Christ and more reliant upon God.
This past weekend I got a text from a friend in Ohio, and he asked me if I had anything to report. I told him I would facebook him this week. This morning as I typed out what ended up being a very long facebook message, I began to see everything God has been doing and what He has been working towards. It made me feel blessed to be a part of what God is doing, and at the same time made me realize how much I need to pray for makrothumia in my life.
Right now there are things going on in life that I don't understand, things that are hard, and things that hurt. But trying to keep those two verses in mind, trying to keep that idea of being passed through fire like metal, trying to endure without complaining and standing firm through the rough times, I pray that God will grant me the makrothumia to endure it.
I can have makrothumia (Patience), enduring hardship and trial without complaint because of eirene (Peace), the contentment with life. I have eirene because I have chara (Joy), I have a reason to rejoice and a reason to be joyful, and that reason is the agape (Love) the unconditional love of God for me.
Endure the hardship, endure the trial, don't complain, because all of it is for our benefit, to make us stronger, to make us more like Christ.
Peace be with you
Monday, August 2, 2010
...Peace...
Joy is followed by Peace. Peace is similar to Joy (chara) in many ways, the word in Greek is eirene (pronounced a[long a]-ray-nay) and translated means "peace, tranquility". When used as a noun it is used to describe harmonious relationships between God and man, man with man, and nation with nation. It also carries the idea of being free from disturbance and having a senses of rest and contentment.
This is what Jesus gives his disciples when He says in John 20.19, "Peace be with you." He is giving them peace and tranquility in the midst of fear and chaos. He is showing them that He is alive and that the relationship between God and man is now fully possible, that there will come a time when all men live in peace together, and that the nations will one day be in harmony.
That is what eirene is, but what does it do?
Philippians 4.4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
As I said in the introductory blog it's "the Fruit of the Spirit is" not "Fruits...are" and this section of Scripture starts with the idea of Joy, "Rejoice in the Lord always" Remember chara is the reason for rejoicing, and we rejoice in the Lord.
It goes on to tell us to be anxious for nothing and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. When we do this it says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus and that this peace passes all comprehension. This is peace that makes no sense. This is peace of God, peace that God gives. This is being a child curled up in daddy's arms knowing that nothing can hurt you, that you are safe and protected.
It says to be anxious for nothing and rather than focusing on everything that could go wrong Paul gives us a list of things to focus on instead; whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Look at that list again:
True, truth is that which will never let us down.
Honorable, something that is serious and dignified, something with the dignity of holiness upon it.
Right, this carries the idea of being just.
Pure, those who are morally uncontaminated.
Lovely, this is the idea of that which calls forth love, someone whose presence inspires love.
Good Repute, this describes the things which are fit for God to hear
Excellence, these are the high things that should dominate our minds.
Worthy of Praise, who but God is worthy to be praised?
(Taken from William Barclay on Philippians)
In all of these I see God, and it says that if I practice these things that the God of Peace will be with me. If He is the God of peace and He is with me, then His characteristics will also be with me. John 14.27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Entering into a relationship with Jesus and surrendering to Him focusing my life on Him gives me that peace.
With peace, eirene, I am content with life. I have peace because of joy, chara, my reason to rejoice, my source of joy. My source of joy is love, agape, the unconditional love that God has for me. And all of this comes from God.
Peace, tranquility, harmony, sense of rest and contentment.
Peace be with you
This is what Jesus gives his disciples when He says in John 20.19, "Peace be with you." He is giving them peace and tranquility in the midst of fear and chaos. He is showing them that He is alive and that the relationship between God and man is now fully possible, that there will come a time when all men live in peace together, and that the nations will one day be in harmony.
That is what eirene is, but what does it do?
Philippians 4.4-9
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
As I said in the introductory blog it's "the Fruit of the Spirit is" not "Fruits...are" and this section of Scripture starts with the idea of Joy, "Rejoice in the Lord always" Remember chara is the reason for rejoicing, and we rejoice in the Lord.
It goes on to tell us to be anxious for nothing and to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. When we do this it says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus and that this peace passes all comprehension. This is peace that makes no sense. This is peace of God, peace that God gives. This is being a child curled up in daddy's arms knowing that nothing can hurt you, that you are safe and protected.
It says to be anxious for nothing and rather than focusing on everything that could go wrong Paul gives us a list of things to focus on instead; whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Look at that list again:
True, truth is that which will never let us down.
Honorable, something that is serious and dignified, something with the dignity of holiness upon it.
Right, this carries the idea of being just.
Pure, those who are morally uncontaminated.
Lovely, this is the idea of that which calls forth love, someone whose presence inspires love.
Good Repute, this describes the things which are fit for God to hear
Excellence, these are the high things that should dominate our minds.
Worthy of Praise, who but God is worthy to be praised?
(Taken from William Barclay on Philippians)
In all of these I see God, and it says that if I practice these things that the God of Peace will be with me. If He is the God of peace and He is with me, then His characteristics will also be with me. John 14.27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
Entering into a relationship with Jesus and surrendering to Him focusing my life on Him gives me that peace.
With peace, eirene, I am content with life. I have peace because of joy, chara, my reason to rejoice, my source of joy. My source of joy is love, agape, the unconditional love that God has for me. And all of this comes from God.
Peace, tranquility, harmony, sense of rest and contentment.
Peace be with you
Monday, July 26, 2010
...Joy...
Joy, this is the second part of the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5.22.
This word is one of the crucial ones to take back to the original language. In English joy is defined as "emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying." Based on this definition, according to scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5.16, I am to be full of great delight and happiness all the time. But as any person knows life is not always happy and delightful. Good things do not always happen to us, some times we are angry. So does the Bible call us to do something that we can't do? Does it set a standard we cannot attain?
As the opening blog for this talked about the Fruit of the Spirit is something that God produces in us, but this part is not a feeling of constant elation. The Greek word used by Paul is the word chara (pronounced hara). This word means "cause of joy, occasion of rejoicing". It is not merely a feeling of delight, but the source, the reason for us to be glad.
Let's look at scripture. Hebrews 12.1-3, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy (charas) set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
For Jesus the cross was not a moment of intense happiness. In the hours he was beaten, mocked and crucified I'm fairly certain there was not to much happiness or delight. But the cross was a source of Joy for Jesus. The blood Jesus shed on the cross paid for sin. The cross was the reason Jesus came to earth. The cross lead to Jesus being exalted. The verse says that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Philippians 2.9-11 says that because Jesus endured the cross God highly exalts Him and gives Him the name that is above every name.
Several months ago I worked through the Fruit of the Spirit on my own, not looking at original language, just praying through each word. For joy I wrote contentment, satisfaction with life. Joy is contentment, but it isn't complacency. We need to be content but restless. Jesus was content to go to the cross, in the garden He prayed, "If it is possible let this cup pass from me, but not as I will as You will." He knew He had to go to the cross, but He didn't do it casually, He did it with all His heart. I love the scene in the Passion of the Christ where Jesus is being beaten with the sticks. The soldiers get done with the first round and Jesus is there collapsed and shaking. The soldiers stand there thinking they have handed out a decent beating, and then Jesus stands back up. Everyone is shocked, the soldiers are angry, this man just got back on His feet, silently saying that He could handle it. He knew that more had to come, that a worse beating had to be endured. It might have ended there, but He stood back up. He had to do this fully. He took the beating, carried the cross, surrendered to the nails, and at the end said, "It is finished" knowing that He had given His all, knowing that He had done the task He was sent to do to the best of His ability.
That is chara, the reason to rejoice, the source of joy. For Jesus it was the cross. William Barclay said "The cross...meant the final victory."
I said in the first blog, the Fruit of the Spirit is all or nothing, and they build upon each other. For us our chara, our source of joy is our agape which comes from God. No matter where I am in life, no matter what my situation is, no matter what I'm going through, good or bad, I can always be joyful, I can always be satisfied because I am loved unconditionally by God.
I live content but restless. I know that I am where God wants me to be right now, and until He closes this door and opens a new one, I will strive to do this to the best of my abilities. I am unconditionally loved by God, how could I give him anything less than my best effort?
Live with Joy
Peace be with you
This word is one of the crucial ones to take back to the original language. In English joy is defined as "emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying." Based on this definition, according to scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5.16, I am to be full of great delight and happiness all the time. But as any person knows life is not always happy and delightful. Good things do not always happen to us, some times we are angry. So does the Bible call us to do something that we can't do? Does it set a standard we cannot attain?
As the opening blog for this talked about the Fruit of the Spirit is something that God produces in us, but this part is not a feeling of constant elation. The Greek word used by Paul is the word chara (pronounced hara). This word means "cause of joy, occasion of rejoicing". It is not merely a feeling of delight, but the source, the reason for us to be glad.
Let's look at scripture. Hebrews 12.1-3, "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy (charas) set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
For Jesus the cross was not a moment of intense happiness. In the hours he was beaten, mocked and crucified I'm fairly certain there was not to much happiness or delight. But the cross was a source of Joy for Jesus. The blood Jesus shed on the cross paid for sin. The cross was the reason Jesus came to earth. The cross lead to Jesus being exalted. The verse says that Jesus sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Philippians 2.9-11 says that because Jesus endured the cross God highly exalts Him and gives Him the name that is above every name.
Several months ago I worked through the Fruit of the Spirit on my own, not looking at original language, just praying through each word. For joy I wrote contentment, satisfaction with life. Joy is contentment, but it isn't complacency. We need to be content but restless. Jesus was content to go to the cross, in the garden He prayed, "If it is possible let this cup pass from me, but not as I will as You will." He knew He had to go to the cross, but He didn't do it casually, He did it with all His heart. I love the scene in the Passion of the Christ where Jesus is being beaten with the sticks. The soldiers get done with the first round and Jesus is there collapsed and shaking. The soldiers stand there thinking they have handed out a decent beating, and then Jesus stands back up. Everyone is shocked, the soldiers are angry, this man just got back on His feet, silently saying that He could handle it. He knew that more had to come, that a worse beating had to be endured. It might have ended there, but He stood back up. He had to do this fully. He took the beating, carried the cross, surrendered to the nails, and at the end said, "It is finished" knowing that He had given His all, knowing that He had done the task He was sent to do to the best of His ability.
That is chara, the reason to rejoice, the source of joy. For Jesus it was the cross. William Barclay said "The cross...meant the final victory."
I said in the first blog, the Fruit of the Spirit is all or nothing, and they build upon each other. For us our chara, our source of joy is our agape which comes from God. No matter where I am in life, no matter what my situation is, no matter what I'm going through, good or bad, I can always be joyful, I can always be satisfied because I am loved unconditionally by God.
I live content but restless. I know that I am where God wants me to be right now, and until He closes this door and opens a new one, I will strive to do this to the best of my abilities. I am unconditionally loved by God, how could I give him anything less than my best effort?
Live with Joy
Peace be with you
Monday, July 19, 2010
...Love...
Love, it all starts with love. The word used in Galatians 5.22 is agape. Most people who have spent time in the church have probably heard this word explained as unconditional love that God has for us. That's true, but that's only part of it.
God
The word agape, in regards to God, shows three things. First, this word is a declaration of the mode in which God's love is manifested (John 3.16); second, this word shows the attitude of God towards us (John 3.16); third this word expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4.8).
The word agape is love seen in action. God sent His Son to the world. This is the mode in which God shows us His love, He willingly sacrificed his own Son so that we might have life. The word agape shows the unconditional and self-sacrificial love of God. The attitude of God towards us is that we are worth whatever cost it will take. We are worth saving because He has this unconditional love for us. The word agape shows us the essential characteristic of God, God is love. God is agape. God in His core, in His essential being, His very character, is Love.
God cannot help but love us, He cannot stop loving us. He will not stop loving us, and He has no desire to stop loving us.
The word agape is love expressed through action, it is unconditional and self sacrificial. The word agape is the Love of God.
But the Fruit of the Spirit, is something that is to be produced in us. I, as I strive to become like Christ, must love as He loves.
1 Corinthians 13 talks about love. I hear it read at many weddings, and yes, this is how we are to love each other, but more than that, 1 Corinthians 13 talks about how God loves us. It talks about how I am to love others, but I think it goes one step farther. It tells me how I am to love God.
If I am striving to become more like Christ, then I must love as He loves. This is not just loving people like He loves people, that is part of it for sure, Jesus talks about it in John 15.12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
The characteristic here is agape, the love of God. It is the love expressed through action, unconditional, self-sacrificial love. It is the way that God loves me, and has shown me through giving me life both by creation and by salvation.
This is the way that I am to love others. This is the way that I am to love God. Philippians 3 tells us that whatever was gain is loss compared to knowing Christ. Philippians 1 says that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Love expressed through action.
God, help me to love as you love. Help me to love people as you love people, and to love you as you love me.
Peace be with you
God
The word agape, in regards to God, shows three things. First, this word is a declaration of the mode in which God's love is manifested (John 3.16); second, this word shows the attitude of God towards us (John 3.16); third this word expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4.8).
The word agape is love seen in action. God sent His Son to the world. This is the mode in which God shows us His love, He willingly sacrificed his own Son so that we might have life. The word agape shows the unconditional and self-sacrificial love of God. The attitude of God towards us is that we are worth whatever cost it will take. We are worth saving because He has this unconditional love for us. The word agape shows us the essential characteristic of God, God is love. God is agape. God in His core, in His essential being, His very character, is Love.
God cannot help but love us, He cannot stop loving us. He will not stop loving us, and He has no desire to stop loving us.
The word agape is love expressed through action, it is unconditional and self sacrificial. The word agape is the Love of God.
But the Fruit of the Spirit, is something that is to be produced in us. I, as I strive to become like Christ, must love as He loves.
1 Corinthians 13 talks about love. I hear it read at many weddings, and yes, this is how we are to love each other, but more than that, 1 Corinthians 13 talks about how God loves us. It talks about how I am to love others, but I think it goes one step farther. It tells me how I am to love God.
If I am striving to become more like Christ, then I must love as He loves. This is not just loving people like He loves people, that is part of it for sure, Jesus talks about it in John 15.12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."
The characteristic here is agape, the love of God. It is the love expressed through action, unconditional, self-sacrificial love. It is the way that God loves me, and has shown me through giving me life both by creation and by salvation.
This is the way that I am to love others. This is the way that I am to love God. Philippians 3 tells us that whatever was gain is loss compared to knowing Christ. Philippians 1 says that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Love expressed through action.
God, help me to love as you love. Help me to love people as you love people, and to love you as you love me.
Peace be with you
Monday, July 12, 2010
But the Fruit of the Spirit is...
Over the last couple months the youth group I work with has studied the Fruit of the Spirit. Now over the next few weeks I plan to blog about each part of it. I took the teens through a study of the original Greek terms used, this way we got to the real meaning of each one. Today I want to begin with an introduction, simple things that may not be thought about.
First we see that this is fruit. Fruit is something that is produced, not done. These characteristics are not a result of acts we do, but they are the result of a life lived well, the results of a changed life. Fruit takes time to ripen, it takes time to mature. Fruit must grow. These characteristics don't just appear over night, they take time to develop, and the more we mature, the more we grow into Christlikeness the more these characteristics become evident.
In the movie Evan Almighty there is a line that I love, "If you pray for patience, do you think God gives you patience or does He give you the opportunity to be patient?" I think that's how the Fruit of the Spirit works. It takes time, we develop them as we grow closer to God, and the closer we get to God the more these characteristics become evident in our lives. God gives us the opportunity to develop and express them.
Fruit Grows
The second thing we see is that this Fruit, this thing that is produced, is of the Spirit. This is not something of us, but of God. As these blogs are written and the Greek words are examined you'll see how much all of this is about God, and how everyone of them comes back to God. These are characteristics we can only have in our lives because of God. This is fruit that God produces in us.
God produces the Fruit
The third thing is the wording. Often I've heard it said "The Fruits of the Spirit" but this is not the case. The text does not read, "But the Fruits of the Spirit are..." but rather, "But the Fruit of the Spirit is..." This is not a list of options. It's not I'll pick this one, that one, and those two because they are easy and I like them. This is an all or none list. These nine characteristics are not a pick and choose, but an all or nothing. Again as these blogs continue you'll see how they all build on each other and depend upon each other.
Fruit is, not Fruits are
The study of these with the teens falls under our curriculum idea of "Know, Feel, Be"; this part is the "Be". I've said it before, the goal of life is to become like Christ. A life immersed in God, a life focused on God, a life striving to be like Christ, is a life that lives out the Fruit of the Spirit. It is a life that has the Fruit of the Spirit being produced continuously in it. Over the next nine weeks I will share what I have found. I pray that it is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me.
Peace be with you
First we see that this is fruit. Fruit is something that is produced, not done. These characteristics are not a result of acts we do, but they are the result of a life lived well, the results of a changed life. Fruit takes time to ripen, it takes time to mature. Fruit must grow. These characteristics don't just appear over night, they take time to develop, and the more we mature, the more we grow into Christlikeness the more these characteristics become evident.
In the movie Evan Almighty there is a line that I love, "If you pray for patience, do you think God gives you patience or does He give you the opportunity to be patient?" I think that's how the Fruit of the Spirit works. It takes time, we develop them as we grow closer to God, and the closer we get to God the more these characteristics become evident in our lives. God gives us the opportunity to develop and express them.
Fruit Grows
The second thing we see is that this Fruit, this thing that is produced, is of the Spirit. This is not something of us, but of God. As these blogs are written and the Greek words are examined you'll see how much all of this is about God, and how everyone of them comes back to God. These are characteristics we can only have in our lives because of God. This is fruit that God produces in us.
God produces the Fruit
The third thing is the wording. Often I've heard it said "The Fruits of the Spirit" but this is not the case. The text does not read, "But the Fruits of the Spirit are..." but rather, "But the Fruit of the Spirit is..." This is not a list of options. It's not I'll pick this one, that one, and those two because they are easy and I like them. This is an all or none list. These nine characteristics are not a pick and choose, but an all or nothing. Again as these blogs continue you'll see how they all build on each other and depend upon each other.
Fruit is, not Fruits are
The study of these with the teens falls under our curriculum idea of "Know, Feel, Be"; this part is the "Be". I've said it before, the goal of life is to become like Christ. A life immersed in God, a life focused on God, a life striving to be like Christ, is a life that lives out the Fruit of the Spirit. It is a life that has the Fruit of the Spirit being produced continuously in it. Over the next nine weeks I will share what I have found. I pray that it is as much of a blessing to you as it has been to me.
Peace be with you
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
When it's all been said and done
This weekend I preached, and honestly I really didn't feel like it. The closer Sunday got the more I just wanted it to be over. I used a sermon I had written two years ago, and since writing it I've used it probably half a dozen times. I had no desire to preach it again, and after looking over it and making a few revisions to fit the current congregation, I began to wonder what I had thought was so great about it when I had first written it.
I had been working on the third message in a series I'm working on out of the book of Philippians, a series that I love and am continuously amazed by the deeper things God shows me about Himself and the intention He has for His church and His people in the things I study for these messages. I had been working on message three out of Philippians 4, but realized I didn't have the time to do the message justice and decided to postpone it and use one from Joshua, again.
The sermon I preached is called "Cease Striving and know that I am God" and it takes the text from Joshua 5.13-6.5 and then uses Psalm 46.8-11 as a supporting text. I had a friend read it back in college when I first wrote it and he said it was the best one I had written so far. I preached it in a few churches and had gotten good feedback on it, but honestly didn't feel like doing it again. But the more I read it, I kept feeling this was the one God wanted preached. So I did.
As the service progressed Sunday I began to get excited about the message, and honestly when it was done, I felt it was one of the best sermons I had ever preached. It had nothing to do with me, God took it and made it something worth hearing.
Before the service I had been in my office listening to a song by Robin Mark, "When it's all been said and done" This past week has had many frustrations and the past month has been extremely busy. I've been questioning a lot of things, but this song continues to amaze me, and in times like last week give me encouragement.
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's reward
Will stand the test of time
Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints
I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and in heaven after
For you've shown me heaven's my true home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone.
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?
Lord I'll live my life for you.
The stuff that goes on, the things people say, the junk that comes up to deal with, overall it doesn't matter. All that matters is did I do my best to live my life for the glory of the King. As long as I do the best I can to live for truth, to become like Christ, to do the work of advancing the Kingdom by showing love and teaching others to become like Christ, and above all Glorify the Father with all I do, that is all that matters when it's all been said and done.
There are times I mess up, and I hate that, it frustrates me when I make the same stupid mistakes over and over again, but all of it shows me that I am nothing without God, I can't even live my life for God without His help.
To start the service Sunday I did something I've never done before, I told the congregation the thing that I wanted them to take from this message, "It's all about God." Throughout the message that theme become clearer and clearer. That is why it was so good, it focused fully on God, it was all about God. None of it was because of me, I'm just a hammer in the hands of a carpenter, but in His hands, things can get built.
It's all about God, and that is why, when it's all been said and done, the only thing that matters is that I did my best to live for the Glory of the Father.
Live in the Spirit, Preach the Gospel of Christ, Glorify the Father!
Peace be with you
I had been working on the third message in a series I'm working on out of the book of Philippians, a series that I love and am continuously amazed by the deeper things God shows me about Himself and the intention He has for His church and His people in the things I study for these messages. I had been working on message three out of Philippians 4, but realized I didn't have the time to do the message justice and decided to postpone it and use one from Joshua, again.
The sermon I preached is called "Cease Striving and know that I am God" and it takes the text from Joshua 5.13-6.5 and then uses Psalm 46.8-11 as a supporting text. I had a friend read it back in college when I first wrote it and he said it was the best one I had written so far. I preached it in a few churches and had gotten good feedback on it, but honestly didn't feel like doing it again. But the more I read it, I kept feeling this was the one God wanted preached. So I did.
As the service progressed Sunday I began to get excited about the message, and honestly when it was done, I felt it was one of the best sermons I had ever preached. It had nothing to do with me, God took it and made it something worth hearing.
Before the service I had been in my office listening to a song by Robin Mark, "When it's all been said and done" This past week has had many frustrations and the past month has been extremely busy. I've been questioning a lot of things, but this song continues to amaze me, and in times like last week give me encouragement.
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?
When it's all been said and done
All my treasures will mean nothing
Only what I've done for love's reward
Will stand the test of time
Lord, your mercy is so great
That you look beyond our weakness
And find purest gold in miry clay
Making sinners into saints
I will always sing your praise
Here on earth and in heaven after
For you've shown me heaven's my true home
When it's all been said and done
You're my life when life is gone.
When it's all been said and done
There is just one thing that matters
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for you?
Lord I'll live my life for you.
The stuff that goes on, the things people say, the junk that comes up to deal with, overall it doesn't matter. All that matters is did I do my best to live my life for the glory of the King. As long as I do the best I can to live for truth, to become like Christ, to do the work of advancing the Kingdom by showing love and teaching others to become like Christ, and above all Glorify the Father with all I do, that is all that matters when it's all been said and done.
There are times I mess up, and I hate that, it frustrates me when I make the same stupid mistakes over and over again, but all of it shows me that I am nothing without God, I can't even live my life for God without His help.
To start the service Sunday I did something I've never done before, I told the congregation the thing that I wanted them to take from this message, "It's all about God." Throughout the message that theme become clearer and clearer. That is why it was so good, it focused fully on God, it was all about God. None of it was because of me, I'm just a hammer in the hands of a carpenter, but in His hands, things can get built.
It's all about God, and that is why, when it's all been said and done, the only thing that matters is that I did my best to live for the Glory of the Father.
Live in the Spirit, Preach the Gospel of Christ, Glorify the Father!
Peace be with you
Monday, June 28, 2010
Make me that man
I'm reminded of a prayer one of my mentors shared with me two years ago, "God make me into the man who people already see me to be." Hearing him say this deepened my respect for him. Obviously he doesn't feel that he is the man I see him to be, the humility he has is something I strive to live with.
I read last week in Proverbs a verse that reminded me so much of what I strive to be. "Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity -- how blessed are his sons after him." Proverbs 20.6-7.
I want to be a trustworthy man, not a man who simply claims to be loyal, but a man who lives with integrity, who walks in righteousness, who sets an example with his actions.
I was watching Gladiator a few weeks ago and finally realized how much of a man Maximus is. The Emperor of Rome, the most powerful person in the world, has just killed his father in order to secure his position as emperor. Maximus knows that the former emperor was killed, despite the reports that he died of natural causes. In the scene the new emperor says to him, "Your emperor asks for your loyalty Maximus. Take my hand, I only offer it once." Maximus turns, stares him down, and without saying a word walks out.
As I watched that I was like, "God give me the guts to do that, more than that give me an opportunity to do something like that." I think that is the type of man who every man desires to be like, we might not all admit it, but deep down I think that is who we are as men.
I hear people say things about me, and I have the same response as my mentor, "God make me that man, the one they already see."
I read last week in Proverbs a verse that reminded me so much of what I strive to be. "Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity -- how blessed are his sons after him." Proverbs 20.6-7.
I want to be a trustworthy man, not a man who simply claims to be loyal, but a man who lives with integrity, who walks in righteousness, who sets an example with his actions.
I was watching Gladiator a few weeks ago and finally realized how much of a man Maximus is. The Emperor of Rome, the most powerful person in the world, has just killed his father in order to secure his position as emperor. Maximus knows that the former emperor was killed, despite the reports that he died of natural causes. In the scene the new emperor says to him, "Your emperor asks for your loyalty Maximus. Take my hand, I only offer it once." Maximus turns, stares him down, and without saying a word walks out.
As I watched that I was like, "God give me the guts to do that, more than that give me an opportunity to do something like that." I think that is the type of man who every man desires to be like, we might not all admit it, but deep down I think that is who we are as men.
I hear people say things about me, and I have the same response as my mentor, "God make me that man, the one they already see."
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Men who built me up
Yesterday a friend asked me who the most influential person in my life was, my answer, I honestly can't pick just one. I mentioned the five women who I wrote about on Mother's Day, and today, Father's Day, I want to honor the men who made me who I am, and am becoming.
Theodore Roosevelt has a quote that I absolutely love, and it's a quote I've read a lot over the last few months.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
People have tried to tear me down, they have been critical, watching for me to stumble, waiting for me to make a mistake, and honestly it happens, more often than I'd like most likely. But the thing that I'm reminded of is that their opinion doesn't matter. The boys who try and tear me down can never succeed because there are nothing compared to the men who built me up.
There are far too many and they have done way too much for me to name the things they have done for me, so this will be a simple list of names, but they are the names of men I hold in very high esteem.
Dad
Gramps
My Mentors:
Jeremy Thompson
Doug Boquist
Brad Taylor
Rick Duncan
Brian Howell
My Professors:
Terrell Sanders
Bruce Petersen
Doug Matthews
Rick Williamson
Alex Varughese
John Nielson
Bruce Oldham
Other Men:
Matt Koons
Terry McConnell
Deke Gunsolley
Scott Peterson
Travis Keller
My Brothers:
Aaron Ballard
Zach Stalnaker
Joe Pittenger
Donny Widney
Jeremy Wachtel
Matt Freeman
Kenny Harris
Tyrome Turner
Mike Rodden
Steb Stott
I wouldn't be who I am without you. You have all taught me, guided me, and stood by me no matter what. I love you all so much. Thank you for building me into who I am.
Theodore Roosevelt has a quote that I absolutely love, and it's a quote I've read a lot over the last few months.
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
People have tried to tear me down, they have been critical, watching for me to stumble, waiting for me to make a mistake, and honestly it happens, more often than I'd like most likely. But the thing that I'm reminded of is that their opinion doesn't matter. The boys who try and tear me down can never succeed because there are nothing compared to the men who built me up.
There are far too many and they have done way too much for me to name the things they have done for me, so this will be a simple list of names, but they are the names of men I hold in very high esteem.
Dad
Gramps
My Mentors:
Jeremy Thompson
Doug Boquist
Brad Taylor
Rick Duncan
Brian Howell
My Professors:
Terrell Sanders
Bruce Petersen
Doug Matthews
Rick Williamson
Alex Varughese
John Nielson
Bruce Oldham
Other Men:
Matt Koons
Terry McConnell
Deke Gunsolley
Scott Peterson
Travis Keller
My Brothers:
Aaron Ballard
Zach Stalnaker
Joe Pittenger
Donny Widney
Jeremy Wachtel
Matt Freeman
Kenny Harris
Tyrome Turner
Mike Rodden
Steb Stott
I wouldn't be who I am without you. You have all taught me, guided me, and stood by me no matter what. I love you all so much. Thank you for building me into who I am.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Random Simplicity at 2:30 am
Whenever I'm tired and talking, either to myself or other people, strange random things come out of my mouth.
Last week I was driving home around 2:30 am, and I was replaying a conversation in my mind. During the conversation I had said something to the effect of "And that's why God made sharpies." Like I said, random things come out of my mouth. From there I just started talking to myself about other random things God had made: Zip lock bags, duct tape, orangutans, purple. And then a profound thought hit me, God made purple!
God made purple, more than that, God made color, He invented it. In His infinitely creative mind God thought up color and made it exist. Then I thought of other things, sounds, God made sound, things make noise, and each thing sounds a little different. God made scents, and each thing has its own unique fragrance. God made flavor, and then He gave texture to things. And all of these weren't things He discovered, He made them.
That thought just amazes me. But something even more incredible than that is this; God did not simply make these incredible things, He also gave us the ability to experience and enjoy them.
He made eyes to see the amazing assortment of colors that fill the world. Each individual hue and shade, the slight variations in blues and reds, greens and yellows, oranges and purples, they are all incredible.
He made ears to hear the incredible sounds of creation. The wind moving through the branches, birds singing, water falling over rocks, laughter, music.
He made a nose to smell. The fragrance of flowers, the scent of rain in the air, food cooking, herbs and spices, fruit, all of it is incredible.
He made a tongue to taste. Thanksgiving is the thing that comes to mind here, and Christmas. Breakfast.
He made skin with the ability to feel. The warmth of the sun on your face, the coolness of water flowing around your feet, grass as you walk barefoot.
These are just a few, the ones that immediately come to mind, and each one of us would have something different, but they are all incredible. I'm amazed by the creativity of God, but also by His love. He didn't create a dull black and white silent movie of a world, He filled it with these incredible sensations. But more than that, He gave us the ability to experience and enjoy them.
I'm grateful for 2:30 am random simplicity, it really makes me appreciate so much.
Last week I was driving home around 2:30 am, and I was replaying a conversation in my mind. During the conversation I had said something to the effect of "And that's why God made sharpies." Like I said, random things come out of my mouth. From there I just started talking to myself about other random things God had made: Zip lock bags, duct tape, orangutans, purple. And then a profound thought hit me, God made purple!
God made purple, more than that, God made color, He invented it. In His infinitely creative mind God thought up color and made it exist. Then I thought of other things, sounds, God made sound, things make noise, and each thing sounds a little different. God made scents, and each thing has its own unique fragrance. God made flavor, and then He gave texture to things. And all of these weren't things He discovered, He made them.
That thought just amazes me. But something even more incredible than that is this; God did not simply make these incredible things, He also gave us the ability to experience and enjoy them.
He made eyes to see the amazing assortment of colors that fill the world. Each individual hue and shade, the slight variations in blues and reds, greens and yellows, oranges and purples, they are all incredible.
He made ears to hear the incredible sounds of creation. The wind moving through the branches, birds singing, water falling over rocks, laughter, music.
He made a nose to smell. The fragrance of flowers, the scent of rain in the air, food cooking, herbs and spices, fruit, all of it is incredible.
He made a tongue to taste. Thanksgiving is the thing that comes to mind here, and Christmas. Breakfast.
He made skin with the ability to feel. The warmth of the sun on your face, the coolness of water flowing around your feet, grass as you walk barefoot.
These are just a few, the ones that immediately come to mind, and each one of us would have something different, but they are all incredible. I'm amazed by the creativity of God, but also by His love. He didn't create a dull black and white silent movie of a world, He filled it with these incredible sensations. But more than that, He gave us the ability to experience and enjoy them.
I'm grateful for 2:30 am random simplicity, it really makes me appreciate so much.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
D-Day
Today is D-Day, 66 years ago today Allied troops stormed the beaches of Northern France, and won the decisive battle of WWII. When the troops took the beach the road to Berlin had been paved, and victory was certain. But the war wasn't over. There were still battles to fight. D-Day was essential, but without V-Day, D-Day was pointless.
In college I had a class, Doctrine of Christian Holiness, and in this class my professor talked about D-Day. How does it tie to Holiness? Just as D-Day was the turning point of the war, the Cross was the turning point of history. The cross was the decisive battle that assured victory. The cross paved the way back to the throne of God. But with out the empty tomb, the cross is pointless. No Easter, then who cares about Good Friday?
I remember just after the class ended for the semester I was in Washington DC at the WWII memorial. There I saw a quote from General Eisenhower, "You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle." That quote made me think a lot.
This man, a general they looked up to and respected, has just expressed his full confidence in there ability not only to take the beach, but also his faith in their courage to do it. God says the same thing to us.
On D-Day we see three types of soldiers. There is the one who gets shot as soon as the gate on the boat drops. Then there is the soldier who fights part way up the beach but during the battle is killed. The final soldier is the one everyone wants to be, this is the one who storms the beach, fights to the cliffs, makes it up, and stands in victory at the end. No one wants to be the guy that dies the moment the firing starts, no one wants to be the first to fall, but because of the sacrifice that this one makes, the one who stands in victory at the end is able to make it.
In the Christian walk we face Normandy throughout life. Sometimes we fall first, other times we stand victorious at the end. But that isn't up to us. We don't control how far we make it. The only choice we have is whether or not we get on the boat. And the thing with it is, that's enough.
John 21.20-22 "Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, 'Lord, and what about this man?' Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"
I think about the armed forces, and at times, I find myself wishing I'd have enlisted and tried to become a Navy SEAL, right out of high school I'd have had a chance to do it. But I look, and I know that God didn't intend for me to go down that path. Instead I'm fighting in a different war. A war where the outcome and my achievement in it is not up to me. The choice I need to make is whether or not I'm going to get on the boat. As long as I do that, then I'm in the will of God, and the rest is up to him.
Will you join me on the boat headed to the beach? Can we all let go of our desire to stand victorious and surrender to God's control?
Thank you to those who stormed the beaches of Normandy, your courage and sacrifice are not forgotten.
In college I had a class, Doctrine of Christian Holiness, and in this class my professor talked about D-Day. How does it tie to Holiness? Just as D-Day was the turning point of the war, the Cross was the turning point of history. The cross was the decisive battle that assured victory. The cross paved the way back to the throne of God. But with out the empty tomb, the cross is pointless. No Easter, then who cares about Good Friday?
I remember just after the class ended for the semester I was in Washington DC at the WWII memorial. There I saw a quote from General Eisenhower, "You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle." That quote made me think a lot.
This man, a general they looked up to and respected, has just expressed his full confidence in there ability not only to take the beach, but also his faith in their courage to do it. God says the same thing to us.
On D-Day we see three types of soldiers. There is the one who gets shot as soon as the gate on the boat drops. Then there is the soldier who fights part way up the beach but during the battle is killed. The final soldier is the one everyone wants to be, this is the one who storms the beach, fights to the cliffs, makes it up, and stands in victory at the end. No one wants to be the guy that dies the moment the firing starts, no one wants to be the first to fall, but because of the sacrifice that this one makes, the one who stands in victory at the end is able to make it.
In the Christian walk we face Normandy throughout life. Sometimes we fall first, other times we stand victorious at the end. But that isn't up to us. We don't control how far we make it. The only choice we have is whether or not we get on the boat. And the thing with it is, that's enough.
John 21.20-22 "Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?' So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, 'Lord, and what about this man?' Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!"
I think about the armed forces, and at times, I find myself wishing I'd have enlisted and tried to become a Navy SEAL, right out of high school I'd have had a chance to do it. But I look, and I know that God didn't intend for me to go down that path. Instead I'm fighting in a different war. A war where the outcome and my achievement in it is not up to me. The choice I need to make is whether or not I'm going to get on the boat. As long as I do that, then I'm in the will of God, and the rest is up to him.
Will you join me on the boat headed to the beach? Can we all let go of our desire to stand victorious and surrender to God's control?
Thank you to those who stormed the beaches of Normandy, your courage and sacrifice are not forgotten.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Out of the Valley
The past few months have been rough. There have been a ton of things going on in ministry, at church, in life, and personally. It's been a struggle, and most days I hadn't had much energy. Motivation was low, passions became apathetic, each day was a struggle, but very few people knew.
Sunday was incredible. This past weekend the youth group I work with did 30 hour famine. It was a great weekend. Sunday I team preached with a teen from the church. We did Luke 8.40-56, The healing of the bleeding woman, and the raising of Jairus' daughter. I told the story through the eyes of Jairus in the past tense, and she did the story of the woman in the present tense. It was amazing.
That who service was incredible, after the sermon I shared about our famine, about the 25,000 children who will die today, but I didn't focus on the despair, because Jesus doesn't. Everything in the service pointed to hope and to life. The sermon we preached started in despair, but moved to hope and then to life. All of the music focused on hope.
Monday came, I sent my weekly text to my brothers, and one asked how he could pray for me. My response, "Pray for the valley I'm probably about to go through." My thinking was that I had just experienced an incredible move of God during church the previous day. But talking to a youth pastor friend that evening I shared that comment with her and she said, "No Bill, you just got out of the valley."
The entire service was filled with hope, but not just a hope I was telling people about, a hope I was trying to bring to 25,000 children, it was a hope that I was supposed to experience. It was about life that I was supposed to live.
Over the last few days life has been good. I have passion and energy again, things are working out, and I see God moving. Sometimes it takes the valleys to help us see where God is using us, and how he is working in our lives. Sometimes it takes the valley to help you move on from something you thought was perfect, sometimes it takes the valley to show you that God really does know what is best.
But the thing is the valley doesn't last forever. And even when everything seems to fall apart, I can remember that I am a little boy in my Daddy's arms. And there is nothing a Daddy loves more than holding his child.
Sunday was incredible. This past weekend the youth group I work with did 30 hour famine. It was a great weekend. Sunday I team preached with a teen from the church. We did Luke 8.40-56, The healing of the bleeding woman, and the raising of Jairus' daughter. I told the story through the eyes of Jairus in the past tense, and she did the story of the woman in the present tense. It was amazing.
That who service was incredible, after the sermon I shared about our famine, about the 25,000 children who will die today, but I didn't focus on the despair, because Jesus doesn't. Everything in the service pointed to hope and to life. The sermon we preached started in despair, but moved to hope and then to life. All of the music focused on hope.
Monday came, I sent my weekly text to my brothers, and one asked how he could pray for me. My response, "Pray for the valley I'm probably about to go through." My thinking was that I had just experienced an incredible move of God during church the previous day. But talking to a youth pastor friend that evening I shared that comment with her and she said, "No Bill, you just got out of the valley."
The entire service was filled with hope, but not just a hope I was telling people about, a hope I was trying to bring to 25,000 children, it was a hope that I was supposed to experience. It was about life that I was supposed to live.
Over the last few days life has been good. I have passion and energy again, things are working out, and I see God moving. Sometimes it takes the valleys to help us see where God is using us, and how he is working in our lives. Sometimes it takes the valley to help you move on from something you thought was perfect, sometimes it takes the valley to show you that God really does know what is best.
But the thing is the valley doesn't last forever. And even when everything seems to fall apart, I can remember that I am a little boy in my Daddy's arms. And there is nothing a Daddy loves more than holding his child.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Why don't we?
The past few weeks there has been something on my heart and mind, something that keeps coming up in conversations and something that I just can't escape; prayer for instant divine healing.
A few months ago a friend sent me a link to a youtube video called "Finger of God", and it deals with God doing amazing things through people's prayers. As I watched it I didn't know what to think at certain parts, some of it was stuff I had never heard of, but honestly if I really believe God is who He claims to be and who I proclaim Him to be, why does it surprise me that He does things like that? Recently I was talking to some other youth pastors who actually know people who have received gold teeth from God as the video opens with, it's a real thing that God actually did.
The main thing that has been on my heart is this, If God is doing these things and if I believe He can do these things, why don't I pray for it to happen? Why don't I lay hands on people with injuries and pray that God heals them, not asking him to do it in a few days, or weeks, but immediately and completely?
As I sat with other youth pastor friends last week and we talked one of them brought up the fact that not everyone we pray for healing for will receive it immediately, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask for it and believe it will happen. Jesus healed people, and when he did he did it completely and immediately, but Jesus didn't heal everyone. There were people he walked past, people that needed his help, that really would have appreciated it and rejoiced over a healing miracle.
I am convicted to pray in faith for immediate healing in people's lives. I pray for the courage to act, and the faith to believe that the God I serve can and will act.
A few months ago a friend sent me a link to a youtube video called "Finger of God", and it deals with God doing amazing things through people's prayers. As I watched it I didn't know what to think at certain parts, some of it was stuff I had never heard of, but honestly if I really believe God is who He claims to be and who I proclaim Him to be, why does it surprise me that He does things like that? Recently I was talking to some other youth pastors who actually know people who have received gold teeth from God as the video opens with, it's a real thing that God actually did.
The main thing that has been on my heart is this, If God is doing these things and if I believe He can do these things, why don't I pray for it to happen? Why don't I lay hands on people with injuries and pray that God heals them, not asking him to do it in a few days, or weeks, but immediately and completely?
As I sat with other youth pastor friends last week and we talked one of them brought up the fact that not everyone we pray for healing for will receive it immediately, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't ask for it and believe it will happen. Jesus healed people, and when he did he did it completely and immediately, but Jesus didn't heal everyone. There were people he walked past, people that needed his help, that really would have appreciated it and rejoiced over a healing miracle.
I am convicted to pray in faith for immediate healing in people's lives. I pray for the courage to act, and the faith to believe that the God I serve can and will act.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Song Theology
This past weekend I spent three days at Olivet Nazarene University for Regional Celebrate Life, a four state church youth competition in art, music, and sports. After three days of very little sleep and poor cafeteria food I escaped the weekend with a thought for Monday.
One event they had was Nazarene Idol, as you can probably guess was a singing competition. The second girl to sing, sang "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood. She sang it well, but the longer I listened to it, the more frustrated I became. This goes back to a previous blog, but I just feel I have to talk about it again.
The whole song "Temporary Home" deals with the idea that we simply need to hang on and deal with life. It talks about how it's hard, but it's ok because this is just temporary, we aren't supposed to be here, so let's just endure it while we have to and one day it will be over and we'll get to heaven. But that isn't what I see in scripture. Heaven is not the goal, heaven is not what we were created for.
In the beginning everything was perfect, the Bible says, "God saw that it was Good." My Theology professor said that Genesis was as much creation as it was eschatology, (study of the end times). In Revelation it talks about all things being made new, about a new heaven and a new earth. One of my mentors quoted someone, I can't remember who, but he said, "If we're going up, we'll pass him on the way down." Scripture points to the earth being made new, a new creation where we dwell. We were created for here, not how it is presently, but this is where we were created.
Later in the evening a young man sang "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin, and as he sang I realized that the idea is not that I simply need to hold on, endure the trials, and then rejoice in heaven, but that I WILL rise with Jesus because he has overcome. Jesus has won the victory. He has taken hold of the prize that I am to strive for. The Bible talks about in Romans 8 and Philippians 3, that we are to become like Christ. That is the goal. We strive not to endure life but we strive to live it to the fullest. We strive for the goal, unity with Christ.
One of my professors said this, "The Bible contains everything you need to know to get to heaven, it does not contain the answers to everything you are curious about." While I love that professor dearly, and I believe it's a true statement I want to alter it just slightly, "The Bible contains everything you need to know to become like Christ," unity with Christ is the goal.
Jesus said in John 16.33, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." It won't be easy, their will be hardships, but I don't need to just hang on and struggle through life, because Jesus has overcome the world. The one I am striving to be like has overcome the world, and in him, I can overcome the world as well.
St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." So don't live in a temporary home, Rise when he calls your name. Jesus has overcome and won the victory, and he calls us to join him. Philippians 3.7-14,
"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Live life to the fullest, live to the glory of God, and Rise!
Peace be with you
One event they had was Nazarene Idol, as you can probably guess was a singing competition. The second girl to sing, sang "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood. She sang it well, but the longer I listened to it, the more frustrated I became. This goes back to a previous blog, but I just feel I have to talk about it again.
The whole song "Temporary Home" deals with the idea that we simply need to hang on and deal with life. It talks about how it's hard, but it's ok because this is just temporary, we aren't supposed to be here, so let's just endure it while we have to and one day it will be over and we'll get to heaven. But that isn't what I see in scripture. Heaven is not the goal, heaven is not what we were created for.
In the beginning everything was perfect, the Bible says, "God saw that it was Good." My Theology professor said that Genesis was as much creation as it was eschatology, (study of the end times). In Revelation it talks about all things being made new, about a new heaven and a new earth. One of my mentors quoted someone, I can't remember who, but he said, "If we're going up, we'll pass him on the way down." Scripture points to the earth being made new, a new creation where we dwell. We were created for here, not how it is presently, but this is where we were created.
Later in the evening a young man sang "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin, and as he sang I realized that the idea is not that I simply need to hold on, endure the trials, and then rejoice in heaven, but that I WILL rise with Jesus because he has overcome. Jesus has won the victory. He has taken hold of the prize that I am to strive for. The Bible talks about in Romans 8 and Philippians 3, that we are to become like Christ. That is the goal. We strive not to endure life but we strive to live it to the fullest. We strive for the goal, unity with Christ.
One of my professors said this, "The Bible contains everything you need to know to get to heaven, it does not contain the answers to everything you are curious about." While I love that professor dearly, and I believe it's a true statement I want to alter it just slightly, "The Bible contains everything you need to know to become like Christ," unity with Christ is the goal.
Jesus said in John 16.33, "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." It won't be easy, their will be hardships, but I don't need to just hang on and struggle through life, because Jesus has overcome the world. The one I am striving to be like has overcome the world, and in him, I can overcome the world as well.
St. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." So don't live in a temporary home, Rise when he calls your name. Jesus has overcome and won the victory, and he calls us to join him. Philippians 3.7-14,
"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Live life to the fullest, live to the glory of God, and Rise!
Peace be with you
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mom
Today is Mother's day, so I want to thank the mothers in my life.
Mom: You did so much, but you always loved, always listened, always taught. I remember trips to the zoo when I was little, playing Batman in the cubby hole in my room, all the school field trips you took work off to be able to go on. In high school when things were tough you always listened. The thing that sticks out most though is the song, "Through it all". Every time it played when we were driving somewhere you would always tell us, "No matter what happens, no matter what you go through, God is there. God will always be there." You started me on the path I'm on, and I wouldn't be where I am today if you hadn't taught me to walk. I never would have gotten here if you hadn't showed me the way. I wouldn't have made it if you hadn't helped along the way. You did so much mom, and I love you so much.
Grandma Sage: You're the most Godly woman I know, and our family owes how close we are to you. You poured time into our lives, you made sure we spent time together, in a way, you almost made us be friends. We probably didn't make it easy all the time, but I know we're so grateful for it now. All the time we spent in your kitchen decorating cookies, all the time we spent "sleeping" in the living room. All the time we spent playing games in the basement and backyard, it all bonded us into the inseparable family we are today. Without you none of that would have happened. You showed us what family is supposed to be, and because of that we can all pass it on.
Grandma Ginger: I have never doubted that you love me. I love when I hear your voice, and how happy it sounds just to hear mine. I love how happy it makes you to see me. It shows me how important I am to you, and I know that even if everyone else didn't care about me, you always will. Thank you for watching me when I was little, for cutting my hair, for being at every sporting even and school activity. Thank you for the love you show me every day.
Jenny McConnell: It's crazy to think that five years ago you came into my life, and I doubt either of us expected it to become like it has. The first Mother's day I couldn't be around my mom you were there. You aren't old enough to be my mother, but you treat me like your son. It has been awesome to watch you grow as a mother to your own kids, as well as feel like your son. You have always been there through the last five years, and I don't know that I could have made it through some of the junk in college without you. You showed me how to love teenagers and young adults, and I look forward to the day when I can do all that you have done for me to someone else.
Linda Russe: It's hard to believe you've been gone for almost three and a half years, but you were mother to me too. I remember the day I met you like it was yesterday. My parents trusted you with two of their kids after knowing you for a few hours. At that point I had no idea the relationship we would have. I wouldn't have made it through that church experience without you. You helped get me through two and a half years of a living hell, and I will never be able to thank you for that. Sitting at your side as you died of cancer, you still gave me something, you showed me what Faith does. You showed me how to live a life as a servant and how to die in total confidence knowing what will happen when you breath your last breath and close your eyes for the last time on earth. It was an honor be learn from you even at the point of death. You affected so many lives, I am just thankful to have been one of them. I pray to leave a legacy like you left. Until we meet again in Glory, I will see you on that beautiful shore.
These are my mothers, the women who made me who I am. To all women, you don't know the lives you will affect, so do what these women did for me, love. Happy Mother's Day.
Mom: You did so much, but you always loved, always listened, always taught. I remember trips to the zoo when I was little, playing Batman in the cubby hole in my room, all the school field trips you took work off to be able to go on. In high school when things were tough you always listened. The thing that sticks out most though is the song, "Through it all". Every time it played when we were driving somewhere you would always tell us, "No matter what happens, no matter what you go through, God is there. God will always be there." You started me on the path I'm on, and I wouldn't be where I am today if you hadn't taught me to walk. I never would have gotten here if you hadn't showed me the way. I wouldn't have made it if you hadn't helped along the way. You did so much mom, and I love you so much.
Grandma Sage: You're the most Godly woman I know, and our family owes how close we are to you. You poured time into our lives, you made sure we spent time together, in a way, you almost made us be friends. We probably didn't make it easy all the time, but I know we're so grateful for it now. All the time we spent in your kitchen decorating cookies, all the time we spent "sleeping" in the living room. All the time we spent playing games in the basement and backyard, it all bonded us into the inseparable family we are today. Without you none of that would have happened. You showed us what family is supposed to be, and because of that we can all pass it on.
Grandma Ginger: I have never doubted that you love me. I love when I hear your voice, and how happy it sounds just to hear mine. I love how happy it makes you to see me. It shows me how important I am to you, and I know that even if everyone else didn't care about me, you always will. Thank you for watching me when I was little, for cutting my hair, for being at every sporting even and school activity. Thank you for the love you show me every day.
Jenny McConnell: It's crazy to think that five years ago you came into my life, and I doubt either of us expected it to become like it has. The first Mother's day I couldn't be around my mom you were there. You aren't old enough to be my mother, but you treat me like your son. It has been awesome to watch you grow as a mother to your own kids, as well as feel like your son. You have always been there through the last five years, and I don't know that I could have made it through some of the junk in college without you. You showed me how to love teenagers and young adults, and I look forward to the day when I can do all that you have done for me to someone else.
Linda Russe: It's hard to believe you've been gone for almost three and a half years, but you were mother to me too. I remember the day I met you like it was yesterday. My parents trusted you with two of their kids after knowing you for a few hours. At that point I had no idea the relationship we would have. I wouldn't have made it through that church experience without you. You helped get me through two and a half years of a living hell, and I will never be able to thank you for that. Sitting at your side as you died of cancer, you still gave me something, you showed me what Faith does. You showed me how to live a life as a servant and how to die in total confidence knowing what will happen when you breath your last breath and close your eyes for the last time on earth. It was an honor be learn from you even at the point of death. You affected so many lives, I am just thankful to have been one of them. I pray to leave a legacy like you left. Until we meet again in Glory, I will see you on that beautiful shore.
These are my mothers, the women who made me who I am. To all women, you don't know the lives you will affect, so do what these women did for me, love. Happy Mother's Day.
Monday, May 3, 2010
And we wonder why it is the way it is
This was not the original thought I had for today, it was going to be on the church, but that will be saved for later, maybe it'll fit in to this, we'll see. Every Monday morning I send a text message to 9 of the best friends I've ever had, 9 of my 10 Proverbs 18.24 brothers (the last one doesn't have texting). Each week begins with them getting a text message asking how I can pray for them this week. Today one of them sent me a request for Lebron James' elbow, and that started a discussion between us.
Look at Lebron, or any professional athlete, they have a skill for what they do, a God given ability, to play a sport. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive" and so when an athlete does what he does best that can be a way to glorify God. The issue I have is with what they receive as compensation for this skill.
Lebron makes millions because he can put an orange sphere through a circle consistently. I'm not bashing him, I know he gives millions away each year, as do many people with great wealth, and many without it. The issue is not on the athlete, but on the society that embraces him.
What does a professional athlete, a musician, or actor contribute to society, not based on what they do with their wealth, but with the skills they have? Honestly very little. But society embraces them as if they cured cancer, ended world hunger, or brought peace to the Middle East. But really they contribute nothing to the greater good of society. So why do we embrace them as we do?
I remember back shortly after the death of Michael Jackson, I read something wanting to make the day of his death a national holiday. Really? Is he the person we want to idolize? If so, we wonder why our society is the way it is. We wonder why it's so messed up and why we have so many problems, look at where our focus is. Again, none of this is directed at any of the individual people.
Where is our focus? Who or what do we live for? We wonder why our society is the way it is? Look at what we idolize, and by that what we worship, and that explains a lot.
Look at Lebron, or any professional athlete, they have a skill for what they do, a God given ability, to play a sport. Irenaeus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive" and so when an athlete does what he does best that can be a way to glorify God. The issue I have is with what they receive as compensation for this skill.
Lebron makes millions because he can put an orange sphere through a circle consistently. I'm not bashing him, I know he gives millions away each year, as do many people with great wealth, and many without it. The issue is not on the athlete, but on the society that embraces him.
What does a professional athlete, a musician, or actor contribute to society, not based on what they do with their wealth, but with the skills they have? Honestly very little. But society embraces them as if they cured cancer, ended world hunger, or brought peace to the Middle East. But really they contribute nothing to the greater good of society. So why do we embrace them as we do?
I remember back shortly after the death of Michael Jackson, I read something wanting to make the day of his death a national holiday. Really? Is he the person we want to idolize? If so, we wonder why our society is the way it is. We wonder why it's so messed up and why we have so many problems, look at where our focus is. Again, none of this is directed at any of the individual people.
Where is our focus? Who or what do we live for? We wonder why our society is the way it is? Look at what we idolize, and by that what we worship, and that explains a lot.
Monday, April 26, 2010
How strong is it?
This past weekend I was down in Mount Vernon, Ohio, a city I love and miss so much. From where I am in Michigan its a four hour drive. Normally I leave after board meetings and go down for Friday and Saturday, so I leave pretty late. That was the case this past weekend.
When I drive for long hours by myself I tend to talk to myself. I play out conversations I've had recently, pray and start talking about something that I'm working through, and then one tangent leads to another. I also find that I finish a thought, and then repeat the whole thing three or four times, because I really love how it sounded, or its a topic I have a lot of passion for. I've really started to notice that some of my most profound thoughts come during long drives late at night.
As I drove late Thursday night thoughts of the church came to my mind. I thought about things from the last sermon I preached, kicked some thoughts around for the one I'm about to start working on, and then this came out of my mouth. "We lay the foundation for the next generation, how strong is it?"
This made me think about something one of my mentors told me once. "I will fail as a pastor before I ever fail as a husband or a father. Someone else can do the work of the church, but I am the only one that can be a husband to my wife and a father to my kids. If my children are raised right, then they will far surpass anything I could ever accomplish in ministry." I've taken the same mindset, because I think its a crucial mindset to have. If I'm a pastor of a church of thousands, but my own family is neglected, callused towards the church because of neglect from me, I have failed in what is truly important.
Every generation passes on a foundation to the next one. Depending on how strong it is depends on what the next generation can accomplish. If the foundation is strong, they can grow, they can expand, they can build and accomplish so much. But if the foundation is week, the accomplishments will depend on the resolve of the generation.
A weak foundation must be reinforced, must be strengthened, possibly totally rebuilt. If the generation is strong, if they are determined, they will take the time, they will rebuild it, and they will press on to build upon it. What could they have accomplished if the foundation had been strong from the beginning?
So what type of foundation are we laying? What values and morals are we passing on? What things are we teaching and emphasizing? I've said it numerous times, the goal of the Christian is to become like Christ, the purpose of the church is to help each other to become like Christ. If this is the foundation we lay, if this is what we teach and emphasize, if this is what we pass on, then the future is hopeful.
Another mentor of mine once said, "If the church would be the church the world would be flipped upside down." If the church would be the church that was made up of members who are constantly striving to become more like Christ and constantly working to help others become more like Christ then the famous quote of Gandhi would no longer be a true statement, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."
I don't want that to be said of me, either one of them. I want to be one of the people that John Wesley sought, "Give me three hundred people who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will set this world on fire." Are you one of them?
The goal: Become like Christ
The Purpose: Help others become like Christ
Peace be with you
When I drive for long hours by myself I tend to talk to myself. I play out conversations I've had recently, pray and start talking about something that I'm working through, and then one tangent leads to another. I also find that I finish a thought, and then repeat the whole thing three or four times, because I really love how it sounded, or its a topic I have a lot of passion for. I've really started to notice that some of my most profound thoughts come during long drives late at night.
As I drove late Thursday night thoughts of the church came to my mind. I thought about things from the last sermon I preached, kicked some thoughts around for the one I'm about to start working on, and then this came out of my mouth. "We lay the foundation for the next generation, how strong is it?"
This made me think about something one of my mentors told me once. "I will fail as a pastor before I ever fail as a husband or a father. Someone else can do the work of the church, but I am the only one that can be a husband to my wife and a father to my kids. If my children are raised right, then they will far surpass anything I could ever accomplish in ministry." I've taken the same mindset, because I think its a crucial mindset to have. If I'm a pastor of a church of thousands, but my own family is neglected, callused towards the church because of neglect from me, I have failed in what is truly important.
Every generation passes on a foundation to the next one. Depending on how strong it is depends on what the next generation can accomplish. If the foundation is strong, they can grow, they can expand, they can build and accomplish so much. But if the foundation is week, the accomplishments will depend on the resolve of the generation.
A weak foundation must be reinforced, must be strengthened, possibly totally rebuilt. If the generation is strong, if they are determined, they will take the time, they will rebuild it, and they will press on to build upon it. What could they have accomplished if the foundation had been strong from the beginning?
So what type of foundation are we laying? What values and morals are we passing on? What things are we teaching and emphasizing? I've said it numerous times, the goal of the Christian is to become like Christ, the purpose of the church is to help each other to become like Christ. If this is the foundation we lay, if this is what we teach and emphasize, if this is what we pass on, then the future is hopeful.
Another mentor of mine once said, "If the church would be the church the world would be flipped upside down." If the church would be the church that was made up of members who are constantly striving to become more like Christ and constantly working to help others become more like Christ then the famous quote of Gandhi would no longer be a true statement, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ."
I don't want that to be said of me, either one of them. I want to be one of the people that John Wesley sought, "Give me three hundred people who fear nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will set this world on fire." Are you one of them?
The goal: Become like Christ
The Purpose: Help others become like Christ
Peace be with you
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)