Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. (Acts 6:1-6 NASB)
Well, yesterday and last night went well. Wednesday was probably the most difficult, but yesterday went very well. It ended with our small group studying Acts 5, and the conviction about how much like Ananias I am, and little like the apostles. I couldn't make excuses, I need more faith. That's all there is to that tune.
In the passage above, there is a word used in a variety of ways, and it's the word from which we derive the office of "deacon". The word was used in the first century to refer to government ministers (bureaucrats) and waiters. It means to serve in some way. In the passage above the twelve apostles use it to refer to the ministry of dispensing food to needy widows, but also to their work with Scripture.
In this text, the apostles want to get back to the "ministry of the word" and prayer rather than "serve tables". I don't know a pastor who wouldn't love that. I don't know a pastor who gets to either.
The element I like so much about this is that ministry can be seen both ways. I don't think that is common in church as much as it should be. Perhaps it is a mentality of taking from church rather than giving which influences this problem. And I can't say that this problem is truly pervasive in every church everywhere. But where it shows up, it's a problem.
If I can just help people, then I get a public pat on the back, and I feel good. Sure it takes me out of a comfort zone, and gets me out of my own problems in a very real and important sense. But if I serve others and neglect striving to understand my Master through Scripture, I end up serving others for wrong reasons. It eventually becomes about me, I get burned out and discouraged, get judgmental toward others in the church not serving, and so on it goes. I know that road, and I have seen the end of it. And it's not happy.
So what is the alternative? The alternative strives for a focus on Scripture, and service to others from out of that focus. The leaders of the church devoted themselves to prayer and Scripture. It had to be their focus in order to effectively lead the people as God directed. So, my service to others must flow from the same focus. I lead a small group on Thursday nights. If I don't do so out of a focus on prayer and Scripture, then I am going to fail (regardless of my goals in leading a small group).
Both prayer and Bible study are needed. I suffer in prayer to a focus on Scripture. I need both. So, on that note, please excuse me as I turn my attention from this, to my Master as I pray.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Dying For More Stuff
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife's full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. (Acts 5:1-5 NASB)First off, yesterday and last night went better than yesterday. The struggles were still there, but they were shorter, and I slept a lot better. It was still insanely busy yesterday, but I was able to get mostly caught up at work.
Now about this passage, one typically familiar to believers, but still very odd for all that. The setting is the newly formed church in Jerusalem, bustling with far more people than they have resources to help. Many members, including Barnabas, sell property and bring the proceeds to be used by the apostles to meet the needs. Enter Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They also sell a property (literally a field), and the word used for "kept back" has the range of meaning of being deceptive or secretive about it. The word can also mean embezzle.
But even so, the property is theirs, the proceeds are theirs, which Peter points out. Is there a requirement that they bring the whole thing? Is it a rule in the congregation? This is where the previous statements about "everyone had all things in common" is shown to be a general overview rather than a particular statement about everyone without exception. And that makes sense. It's still the way it is today. To answer the previous questions; no, no rule is mentioned that all must have all things in common. The problem facing this couple was the temptation to "appear" as if they too had all things in common with everyone else. They wanted the recognition as being one of those (like Barnabas, everyone wants to be like Barnabas) without actually being like them.
So what if Ananias and his wife kept some of the proceeds back to pay for a new dishwasher, or to do some needed repairs to the parapet around the roof, but told Peter, "This is part of the proceeds, because we are using some for household needs"? What would have happened then? Would the Holy Spirit informed them through Peter that it's all or nothing, and killed them anyway? I suspect not, but truly it's an argument from silence; that's not what happened. Whatever their purpose, they didn't want others to regard them as the ones who almost gave generously to the poor. They wanted to appear more than they were.
But there is an important element in what they did that causes their death, and it wasn't the use they had for the money, nor was it their desire to appear other than they were (we'd all be dead if it were just that). Peter specifically accuses Ananias of lying to the Holy Spirit. What I gather from this accusation is that these two people really either denied the power of the Holy Spirit or the Sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. Actually, there are several other possibilities too as I think about it. The underlying connection to them has to be a degradation of the Spirit of God within them to the point where He has no influence. I would well imagine fear gripping all who hear of it. How much danger am I in if that's the case?
In a sense, this couple thought they could get away with the deception even though they had seen evidence of the Holy Spirit working around them. They denied His power and sovereignty over them. Either He wouldn't know what they did, or He couldn't do anything about it if He did know. This is what endangered their lives? How often have I, with full knowledge that the choices before me include some clearly contrary to my Master, have still chosen the rebellious thing? How often have I told myself that no one will know? How is that possible if the Holy Spirit knows? What does it say about me if, knowing and claiming to believe that, I do it anyway? I have to wonder, why am I still alive?
Whatever the reason I still draw breath when I have acted as these two have, I'm not sure I'd either understand it if I knew, or whether or not it would benefit me if I knew. I don't know. But I am more aware of the grace with which my Master covers me. I often wish it were a covering much like swaddling clothes where my arms would be pinned to my sides. That would keep me out of trouble. But it's not like that. I have free reign to make those rebellious decisions. And I exercise that freedom way too often.
Now is probably a really good time for me to exercise another freedom I have and go before my Master in prayer, thanking Him for letting me live. I can see from this passage that I haven't earned that right, and yet I draw yet another breath. That is grace. Now, for gratitude. May that permeate my day today.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Not Just Fearless, Regardless
But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him."
But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. (Acts 5:29-33 NASB)
First off, I did well yesterday in spite of the loneliness. I faced it, but my Master gave me the strength to continue. It didn't hurt that the job was busy beyond belief though. Today is a new day, and I will succeed today as yesterday, in the strength of my Master.
Now, about these crazy apostles speaking to the assembly of the elders of Israel; are they NUTS? So, as it says, the apostles were jailed and brought before the assembly. This means that the collective memory of Jesus' ministry, teachings, actions, and sayings was standing in defiance to a group intent to kill them. This is possibly the closest the early church came to extinction (at least as recorded in Acts). They may have known this, but they seem to be oblivious.
How do they do that? Some how, they arrived at the clear delineation of what constitutes their problem, and what problems belong to the Master. This particular problem (facing boldly those who would kill them) was something they saw as belonging to the Master. So, they didn't worry about it. How simple! How so crystal clear! How easy! Easy? I would love to say that I am often distracted by the wind and waves as my Master calls me out of the boat to walk on water; I'd love to be able to claim that. Unfortunately, I'm often distracted by ripples and refracted light on the water. To be able to stand with the assurance that all I need to do is obey, and the results (including my demise) are not my problem, that sort of focus I cannot claim.
Notice that this is not one of those places where the speakers are described as "filled with the Holy Spirit", just together. They just were confident, bold, and totally in danger. Or were they in danger? Perhaps these twelve men saw their circumstances more clearly that I am. Sure, on the surface the refracted light and ripples might indicate that they are close to the demise of the "Way". But the teacher who stands and dissuades the assembly makes a good point, "... for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
It is possible that the minor distractions of death and failure masked the reality of God standing to defend them. After all, earlier it was the Angel of the Lord leading them out of the jail and commanding them to go into the temple and teach once more. If God can rescue them while completely guarded by their enemies, was the movement truly in any danger? They suffered a flogging, but was there really any possibility they might be killed? Their protection and the sustaining of the Way were not their problems to solve.
How can I gain this assurance, this perspective? The need isn't for a change in attitude, but a vastly different world view; one that clearly understands and lives out the things that are my responsibility. I suspect that my distraction with those things that are not my responsibility are excuses for not accomplishing the things that are; as if I were distracted by "loftier things". I need that view or perspective that sees only what is mine, and is able to leave my Master's things alone. Perhaps it's time for some mental filing. Let me gather my mental manilla folders. This should "de-clutter" the old brain.
But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. (Acts 5:29-33 NASB)
First off, I did well yesterday in spite of the loneliness. I faced it, but my Master gave me the strength to continue. It didn't hurt that the job was busy beyond belief though. Today is a new day, and I will succeed today as yesterday, in the strength of my Master.
Now, about these crazy apostles speaking to the assembly of the elders of Israel; are they NUTS? So, as it says, the apostles were jailed and brought before the assembly. This means that the collective memory of Jesus' ministry, teachings, actions, and sayings was standing in defiance to a group intent to kill them. This is possibly the closest the early church came to extinction (at least as recorded in Acts). They may have known this, but they seem to be oblivious.
How do they do that? Some how, they arrived at the clear delineation of what constitutes their problem, and what problems belong to the Master. This particular problem (facing boldly those who would kill them) was something they saw as belonging to the Master. So, they didn't worry about it. How simple! How so crystal clear! How easy! Easy? I would love to say that I am often distracted by the wind and waves as my Master calls me out of the boat to walk on water; I'd love to be able to claim that. Unfortunately, I'm often distracted by ripples and refracted light on the water. To be able to stand with the assurance that all I need to do is obey, and the results (including my demise) are not my problem, that sort of focus I cannot claim.
Notice that this is not one of those places where the speakers are described as "filled with the Holy Spirit", just together. They just were confident, bold, and totally in danger. Or were they in danger? Perhaps these twelve men saw their circumstances more clearly that I am. Sure, on the surface the refracted light and ripples might indicate that they are close to the demise of the "Way". But the teacher who stands and dissuades the assembly makes a good point, "... for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
It is possible that the minor distractions of death and failure masked the reality of God standing to defend them. After all, earlier it was the Angel of the Lord leading them out of the jail and commanding them to go into the temple and teach once more. If God can rescue them while completely guarded by their enemies, was the movement truly in any danger? They suffered a flogging, but was there really any possibility they might be killed? Their protection and the sustaining of the Way were not their problems to solve.
How can I gain this assurance, this perspective? The need isn't for a change in attitude, but a vastly different world view; one that clearly understands and lives out the things that are my responsibility. I suspect that my distraction with those things that are not my responsibility are excuses for not accomplishing the things that are; as if I were distracted by "loftier things". I need that view or perspective that sees only what is mine, and is able to leave my Master's things alone. Perhaps it's time for some mental filing. Let me gather my mental manilla folders. This should "de-clutter" the old brain.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Return to a Basic Principle
When I began this blog, one of the basic principles was that it would be a place of accountability for me. This is partly why I have strenuously attempted to remain in the first person rather than "preach" to others. If others gain insight into their own lives, I pray it comes through my Master's use of these words rather than my efforts.
This week, my need for accountability is higher than it has been in a while. I will be mostly alone all day all this week. What I have learned from the past 19 (nearly 20) years is that I am not emotionally suited to being alone. I used to think I was fine alone, but I now believe that what had happened was the emotional pain of loneliness had become a callous. It wasn't until I was married and had someone around me 24/7 that I realized a contrast to being alone. Now, having this contrast, I believe I "crater" when I'm alone.
Fortunately for me, it is only a week. Also, I will not be alone all day, just during most of my work hours. That is good, but still very dangerous for me. I venture into evil when left alone, trying to "self-medicate" the pain of loneliness. It's dumb, sacrilegious, silly, preposterous, and down right idolatrous; but I still struggle against it, sometimes in vain.
What I need is light in the darkness of my alone time. There are several ways I can do this, but accountability is always a very effective one. Knowing that I am accountable to others for my actions helps me remember that my actions affect others, and they are not all about me. The pain I cause others is right in line with what my Master teaches me in His Scriptures, but I deny this truth to myself if I think I can "hide" what evil I do, thereby "protecting" those around me from it. It doesn't work. I know this, but have to "re-learn" it every time I fail.
So, each morning, I want to populate this page with a record of how my thought life has been the previous day and night. I want to record how my actions have been the previous day and night. I need to include not only the pieces with which I obviously struggle, but also the emotional things that often trigger these morose activities and thoughts.
So, today and tonight will be the subject of tomorrow's post. Tuesday will be reported on Wednesday, and so on. I will continue to post links to these entries on Facebook. Those of you who read these on regular or irregular basis will form my support group, my accountability group, my brothers and sisters in my Master's family. Let me thank you in advance for what you do for me in just being there, even if you don't read. But please do. You will find that you help me glorify my Master more, and experience His holiness more in my life by your simple act of checking on me through this blog.
This week, my need for accountability is higher than it has been in a while. I will be mostly alone all day all this week. What I have learned from the past 19 (nearly 20) years is that I am not emotionally suited to being alone. I used to think I was fine alone, but I now believe that what had happened was the emotional pain of loneliness had become a callous. It wasn't until I was married and had someone around me 24/7 that I realized a contrast to being alone. Now, having this contrast, I believe I "crater" when I'm alone.
Fortunately for me, it is only a week. Also, I will not be alone all day, just during most of my work hours. That is good, but still very dangerous for me. I venture into evil when left alone, trying to "self-medicate" the pain of loneliness. It's dumb, sacrilegious, silly, preposterous, and down right idolatrous; but I still struggle against it, sometimes in vain.
What I need is light in the darkness of my alone time. There are several ways I can do this, but accountability is always a very effective one. Knowing that I am accountable to others for my actions helps me remember that my actions affect others, and they are not all about me. The pain I cause others is right in line with what my Master teaches me in His Scriptures, but I deny this truth to myself if I think I can "hide" what evil I do, thereby "protecting" those around me from it. It doesn't work. I know this, but have to "re-learn" it every time I fail.
So, each morning, I want to populate this page with a record of how my thought life has been the previous day and night. I want to record how my actions have been the previous day and night. I need to include not only the pieces with which I obviously struggle, but also the emotional things that often trigger these morose activities and thoughts.
So, today and tonight will be the subject of tomorrow's post. Tuesday will be reported on Wednesday, and so on. I will continue to post links to these entries on Facebook. Those of you who read these on regular or irregular basis will form my support group, my accountability group, my brothers and sisters in my Master's family. Let me thank you in advance for what you do for me in just being there, even if you don't read. But please do. You will find that you help me glorify my Master more, and experience His holiness more in my life by your simple act of checking on me through this blog.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tough Times, What Should I Pray For?
When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, 'WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?
26 'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31 NASB)
What do tough times really look like? It is probably different for everyone to a degree, but by any standard, I'm not in tough times. The problem is that I'm still holding my own pity-party. You may have heard or even said one or more of the following, "My family's in turmoil!" "I'm not a good parent, I don't know what I'm doing!" "My work is driving me crazy" (okay, short drive for me) "Why is stuff so screwed up?" "The future of my country is dark." You probably have your own set, these are just a few of the things driving my emotions at the moment. And you can see from my list that I serious have either very common issues, or vague things no one can fix. Like I said, I'm not really in tough times.
But I have emotional responses to these things, disproportionate as they may be. In those times, healing from my Master is always welcome, but what should I pray for? Maturity perhaps? Clarity? Another perspective? New focus? I think I can roll all of that into the prayer that the believers in Jerusalem prayed when they truly faced a problem.
The threats of the Jewish leaders were real. They didn't make sense, but they were real. And it may have been the right thing to say the believers would obey God rather than man, but when the man holds a club over your head, it's not always easy to carry out. Even if the club held over the head is popularity with the people, it's still hard. A storm of persecution was coming, not that far away, and this was just the first breeze. So what do they pray for? They prayed acknowledging God and Who He is in relation to the problem. They connected this current problem with the victory Jesus won in the previous crucifixion through resurrection. Then they asked...for boldness to continue to speak and be conduits for God's miraculous works. Seriously, I hadn't thought of that, not in my situation.
So, here's what it would look like, "Master, my family's in turmoil, You are the God of peace, please give me the boldness to be Your conduit of peace to my family." "Master, I'm not a good parent, I keep making mistakes. You are the Great Father of all, please grant me the boldness to face my role following fearlessly Your example." "Master, I'm not enjoying the job You have provided me in this place. But You are the God of patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control; these are fruit You produce in me. Please grant me the boldness to share that fruit through this job, seeing that as my role and my purpose." "Master, as I look about me in this world, the things I see are really messed up and deviated from Your character, Your desires. But You are still God, You still reign on Your throne, You are not surprised by these things, and are not unaware of those involved. Grant me the boldness to engage what I see around me with the light You provide, bringing the truth the my Master is the true Master of everything." "Master, the future of my country seems dark. But nothing decided by the people of this country thwarts Your purposes, nor Your design. Grant me the boldness to face this future with the confidence, not in me or my fellow countrymen, but in my King; and to share that confidence at every opportunity."
Once past the selfishness of these prayers, my view, my family, my ability, my fears, my my my; I really need to look at what the people under those threats really asked for. They did not ask merely for boldness. I can be boldly wrong, boldly contrary to my Master. They asked for boldness to speak of Jesus and to participate in God extending His hand in wonders and healing. These are things that would benefit others, even though bringing the threats home on their own heads. The prayers above mostly help me. They may sound good, and they may help me feel better, but they lack the focus of my Master. Let me try a different set:
"Master, my family's in turmoil, and You are the God of Peace. Please give me boldness to permit Your peace permeate my family and not let that distract me as I seek to glorify You in my neighborhood and community." "Master, I am not doing a job as a parent that adequately glorifies You. You are the Father of all things and people. Please give me boldness to lead my child to glorify You in her world, seeing my example as I glorify You in mine." And so on.
The weakness I see in me is still the focus on me, somewhat like yesterday's entry. There are people around me in danger of going to hell without having heard from me that there is an alternative. Perhaps my Master wants to work through me to do His work of saving these. I won't know what He's doing in a life unless I engage them with the truth of my Master's love for them.
Like I said at the beginning, I'm not in tough times right now. Perhaps those times are on their way. In the mean time, my task from my Master is to engage the place He planted me with news of His Kingdom. So, I suppose today, as I speak with customers across this country in such dire straights, I should take every opportunity and seek every opportunity to share the Light shared with me. Who knows, my job may not drive me so crazy if I do that.
26 'THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.' For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23-31 NASB)
What do tough times really look like? It is probably different for everyone to a degree, but by any standard, I'm not in tough times. The problem is that I'm still holding my own pity-party. You may have heard or even said one or more of the following, "My family's in turmoil!" "I'm not a good parent, I don't know what I'm doing!" "My work is driving me crazy" (okay, short drive for me) "Why is stuff so screwed up?" "The future of my country is dark." You probably have your own set, these are just a few of the things driving my emotions at the moment. And you can see from my list that I serious have either very common issues, or vague things no one can fix. Like I said, I'm not really in tough times.
But I have emotional responses to these things, disproportionate as they may be. In those times, healing from my Master is always welcome, but what should I pray for? Maturity perhaps? Clarity? Another perspective? New focus? I think I can roll all of that into the prayer that the believers in Jerusalem prayed when they truly faced a problem.
The threats of the Jewish leaders were real. They didn't make sense, but they were real. And it may have been the right thing to say the believers would obey God rather than man, but when the man holds a club over your head, it's not always easy to carry out. Even if the club held over the head is popularity with the people, it's still hard. A storm of persecution was coming, not that far away, and this was just the first breeze. So what do they pray for? They prayed acknowledging God and Who He is in relation to the problem. They connected this current problem with the victory Jesus won in the previous crucifixion through resurrection. Then they asked...for boldness to continue to speak and be conduits for God's miraculous works. Seriously, I hadn't thought of that, not in my situation.
So, here's what it would look like, "Master, my family's in turmoil, You are the God of peace, please give me the boldness to be Your conduit of peace to my family." "Master, I'm not a good parent, I keep making mistakes. You are the Great Father of all, please grant me the boldness to face my role following fearlessly Your example." "Master, I'm not enjoying the job You have provided me in this place. But You are the God of patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control; these are fruit You produce in me. Please grant me the boldness to share that fruit through this job, seeing that as my role and my purpose." "Master, as I look about me in this world, the things I see are really messed up and deviated from Your character, Your desires. But You are still God, You still reign on Your throne, You are not surprised by these things, and are not unaware of those involved. Grant me the boldness to engage what I see around me with the light You provide, bringing the truth the my Master is the true Master of everything." "Master, the future of my country seems dark. But nothing decided by the people of this country thwarts Your purposes, nor Your design. Grant me the boldness to face this future with the confidence, not in me or my fellow countrymen, but in my King; and to share that confidence at every opportunity."
Once past the selfishness of these prayers, my view, my family, my ability, my fears, my my my; I really need to look at what the people under those threats really asked for. They did not ask merely for boldness. I can be boldly wrong, boldly contrary to my Master. They asked for boldness to speak of Jesus and to participate in God extending His hand in wonders and healing. These are things that would benefit others, even though bringing the threats home on their own heads. The prayers above mostly help me. They may sound good, and they may help me feel better, but they lack the focus of my Master. Let me try a different set:
"Master, my family's in turmoil, and You are the God of Peace. Please give me boldness to permit Your peace permeate my family and not let that distract me as I seek to glorify You in my neighborhood and community." "Master, I am not doing a job as a parent that adequately glorifies You. You are the Father of all things and people. Please give me boldness to lead my child to glorify You in her world, seeing my example as I glorify You in mine." And so on.
The weakness I see in me is still the focus on me, somewhat like yesterday's entry. There are people around me in danger of going to hell without having heard from me that there is an alternative. Perhaps my Master wants to work through me to do His work of saving these. I won't know what He's doing in a life unless I engage them with the truth of my Master's love for them.
Like I said at the beginning, I'm not in tough times right now. Perhaps those times are on their way. In the mean time, my task from my Master is to engage the place He planted me with news of His Kingdom. So, I suppose today, as I speak with customers across this country in such dire straights, I should take every opportunity and seek every opportunity to share the Light shared with me. Who knows, my job may not drive me so crazy if I do that.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
The Death of Ownership?
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need. (Acts 4:32-35 NASB)
I was going to just include verse 32, but then 33 and 34 jumped out and mugged me, crushing my props keeping my self-centered me-focused paradigm facade in place. Stupid thing collapsed all around me. Not only was my paradigm not fit Scripture, the supports for it were inadvertently keeping my Master's great power through my testimony and great amounts of grace away on purpose. Yes, inadvertently on purpose; in other words, my props were preventing my Master's work in my life by design even though I didn't design them to do that. I had designed them to support a point of view that took more ownership of the things my Master has let me borrow. I didn't realize they would also prevent Him working in my life in great ways.
Think of things around you. I have lots of "stuff" around me. So much has accumulated over the years, and in my house, remains in boxes. Regardless of how long the stuff around you took to accumulate, it may fall into the category which most of mine falls into, rarely if ever used. To be fair, some of it is seasonal. The space heater I can see in front of me is not something I'm likely to use in 100 degree heat of desert summers. But some of it I haven't seen since we moved here. That means it's already been unused through a winter, and therefore, isn't seasonal.
One claim has been that this view of ownership in verse 32 is "socialism" which it isn't, clearly. The telltale indicator is that "...not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own,..." So, this view of "stuff" was voluntary, not legislated. It does have one element in common with socialism though. It was a choice that was obedient to the Spirit of God. In other words, like in Chapter 2, here this description closely follows the congregation being "filled with the Holy Spirit". I believe that, from this and from the next chapter, this view of "stuff" was actually driven by the Holy Spirit, not just a human familial good will. So, in the sense that it was inspired it is like socialism, but in the sense it is voluntary it is not. This is also the reason I don't see it as an economic system, but rather as a character quality of this group.
Now before I run out and reshape my entire life around owning nothing, I must also note that I don't see this community view in every congregation. The ones in Samaria and Syria which come later aren't described this way. Some of the ones started by Paul in Anatolia and Europe have to be goaded into giving to support others (Corinth for instance). So I'm not so sure this is a universal rule inspired by the Holy Spirit. But I'm still not comfortable because the quality of a heart where this becomes possible I believe is a universal.
It isn't hard to find examples where Paul draws on this concept in his ministry methods. Nor is it difficult to see this quality in some of his letters, even his admonition to his fellow leaders. But I also believe it shows up in threads in 1 Peter, and 1 John. This quality that holds the things of this world so lightly as to consider them available to all believers is a testimony of my "alien-ship" here in this universe. If I truly believe I have a dwelling somewhere else eternally with my Master why is my stuff here so important? That's where this paradigm would testify so strongly of my faith, and where I would open myself up to my Master's grace and power. As long as I hold on to this failed part of my paradigm and its limiting props, I hold myself back from my Master.
It's time to disassemble. I need this paradigm space for something else, something that views the stuff around me as stuff, not as my stuff. It views my stuff as the stuff reserved by my Master for me in heaven. So, it looks for and after my stuff, it just locates it somewhere else. I'm thinking a yard sale is definitely in my future.
I was going to just include verse 32, but then 33 and 34 jumped out and mugged me, crushing my props keeping my self-centered me-focused paradigm facade in place. Stupid thing collapsed all around me. Not only was my paradigm not fit Scripture, the supports for it were inadvertently keeping my Master's great power through my testimony and great amounts of grace away on purpose. Yes, inadvertently on purpose; in other words, my props were preventing my Master's work in my life by design even though I didn't design them to do that. I had designed them to support a point of view that took more ownership of the things my Master has let me borrow. I didn't realize they would also prevent Him working in my life in great ways.
Think of things around you. I have lots of "stuff" around me. So much has accumulated over the years, and in my house, remains in boxes. Regardless of how long the stuff around you took to accumulate, it may fall into the category which most of mine falls into, rarely if ever used. To be fair, some of it is seasonal. The space heater I can see in front of me is not something I'm likely to use in 100 degree heat of desert summers. But some of it I haven't seen since we moved here. That means it's already been unused through a winter, and therefore, isn't seasonal.
One claim has been that this view of ownership in verse 32 is "socialism" which it isn't, clearly. The telltale indicator is that "...not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own,..." So, this view of "stuff" was voluntary, not legislated. It does have one element in common with socialism though. It was a choice that was obedient to the Spirit of God. In other words, like in Chapter 2, here this description closely follows the congregation being "filled with the Holy Spirit". I believe that, from this and from the next chapter, this view of "stuff" was actually driven by the Holy Spirit, not just a human familial good will. So, in the sense that it was inspired it is like socialism, but in the sense it is voluntary it is not. This is also the reason I don't see it as an economic system, but rather as a character quality of this group.
Now before I run out and reshape my entire life around owning nothing, I must also note that I don't see this community view in every congregation. The ones in Samaria and Syria which come later aren't described this way. Some of the ones started by Paul in Anatolia and Europe have to be goaded into giving to support others (Corinth for instance). So I'm not so sure this is a universal rule inspired by the Holy Spirit. But I'm still not comfortable because the quality of a heart where this becomes possible I believe is a universal.
It isn't hard to find examples where Paul draws on this concept in his ministry methods. Nor is it difficult to see this quality in some of his letters, even his admonition to his fellow leaders. But I also believe it shows up in threads in 1 Peter, and 1 John. This quality that holds the things of this world so lightly as to consider them available to all believers is a testimony of my "alien-ship" here in this universe. If I truly believe I have a dwelling somewhere else eternally with my Master why is my stuff here so important? That's where this paradigm would testify so strongly of my faith, and where I would open myself up to my Master's grace and power. As long as I hold on to this failed part of my paradigm and its limiting props, I hold myself back from my Master.
It's time to disassemble. I need this paradigm space for something else, something that views the stuff around me as stuff, not as my stuff. It views my stuff as the stuff reserved by my Master for me in heaven. So, it looks for and after my stuff, it just locates it somewhere else. I'm thinking a yard sale is definitely in my future.
Monday, September 17, 2012
The Distinguished Panel of the Ridiculous
On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?" (Acts 4:5-7 NASB)
I couldn't pass this up. This isn't the whole seventy of the Sanhedrin, but just the "upper crust" of the religious elite. While Pharisees make up part of the Sanhedrin, these are the wealthy Sadducees who differ significantly from their "brethren in the faith". One of those differences is in the belief that there will be no resurrection from the dead, a belief they support partly by limiting the Scriptures they hold sacred to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, those attributed to Moses. I'm not positive, but I think they traced their family lines to the Hasmonean's who were "priest-kings" in Judah between the Greek rule and Roman rule, the family who started and led the Maccabean revolt. Don't hold me to that, but I think so.
But these are also some of the ones who arrested Peter, John, and the formerly-lame-man in the first place. And it says they arrested them for speaking of the resurrection in the name of Jesus (see verse 2, or the previous entry in this blog). So, how is it that they don't know "...what power, or in what name" the lame man was healed? I suspect they just had heard, and wanted confirmation right from the source. But these guys face an enormous dilemma.
If they have what they suspect confirmed, then what do they with the fact of this healed man standing before them? They have reached one of those paradigm-destroying moments where closely held beliefs on which much of their lives had been founded are suddenly shown to be seriously flawed. The choice is to shift their paradigm to align with this clear new reality, or do something to conform the reality to their paradigm.
It seems that another limiting factor for them is the view of the people. The people outside these chambers, living normal lives filled with normal struggles for existence, were glorifying God because of the event. These leaders couldn't appear to be more obtuse than those they led. They'd loose their following. Yet they can't let go of their paradigm. It's truly a conundrum. And this is why their solution seems so "wimpy".
I see that I too need to hold lightly the paradigms I construct for myself. I need to construct them, because they form a framework to address my life circumstances. And I need to construct paradigms from Scripture, which keeps the reconstruction or renovations simpler. But the moment that the "framework" I use to understand Scripture becomes more important than the Scripture itself, I'm in real danger. I think I could learn a thing or two from my pastor about this. He seems able to adjust his paradigm to Scripture, and has several times, to hear him tell it. I consider that another of his remarkable and admirable qualities. I just wish it were more common in church in general.
When I read in Scripture something that does not work with my mental framework, I have a choice. I can either adjust my framework to accommodate the Scripture, or I can ignore or adjust what the Scripture says to make it fit my framework. I clearly need to be doing the first rather than the second. Here's one of the underlying problems though. Much of my framework is inherited from my childhood religious experience. At the time of my life when I least understood what was being said, I was forming a framework to understand the world around me. I basically borrowed pieces of the framework of others rather than forming one on Scripture myself. That's common, and it's not really the problem since I wasn't really able to form those constructs on my own then anyway. The problem is how I used those construct in my adult life.
Now, having adapted myself and my framework to my circumstances, I have found that much of what I learned I have used for my own gain. What I mean is that the wrong views of God, the Bible, what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and so on have been supported by the unsubstantiated paradigm. What I find is that as I push through Scripture, flaws in my paradigm show up and I am at this crisis of faith. Like the Sadducees, chief priests, scribes and so on, I am faced with something in Scripture that doesn't match my paradigm. Like them, I have comforted my wrong beliefs with this framework. Like them I have much invested personally in my wrong beliefs. And like them, I have an uncomfortable choice to make.
If you are looking for my paradigm re-alignment problem, just read tomorrow's entry. It will be on the character of the early Jerusalem believers. I have a lot invested in rejecting such an application of Scripture to my life. Cultural differences are my main excuse, but there are economic ones, differences in their particular situation in life, and so on. I can point to other examples where this attitude was not applied to other congregations. But I also know Scripture enough to know these excuses are more lame than the guy healed at the gate was. So what do I do? I get out my hammer and I start pulling nails from boards. I've got a point of view to adjust.
I couldn't pass this up. This isn't the whole seventy of the Sanhedrin, but just the "upper crust" of the religious elite. While Pharisees make up part of the Sanhedrin, these are the wealthy Sadducees who differ significantly from their "brethren in the faith". One of those differences is in the belief that there will be no resurrection from the dead, a belief they support partly by limiting the Scriptures they hold sacred to the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures, those attributed to Moses. I'm not positive, but I think they traced their family lines to the Hasmonean's who were "priest-kings" in Judah between the Greek rule and Roman rule, the family who started and led the Maccabean revolt. Don't hold me to that, but I think so.
But these are also some of the ones who arrested Peter, John, and the formerly-lame-man in the first place. And it says they arrested them for speaking of the resurrection in the name of Jesus (see verse 2, or the previous entry in this blog). So, how is it that they don't know "...what power, or in what name" the lame man was healed? I suspect they just had heard, and wanted confirmation right from the source. But these guys face an enormous dilemma.
If they have what they suspect confirmed, then what do they with the fact of this healed man standing before them? They have reached one of those paradigm-destroying moments where closely held beliefs on which much of their lives had been founded are suddenly shown to be seriously flawed. The choice is to shift their paradigm to align with this clear new reality, or do something to conform the reality to their paradigm.
It seems that another limiting factor for them is the view of the people. The people outside these chambers, living normal lives filled with normal struggles for existence, were glorifying God because of the event. These leaders couldn't appear to be more obtuse than those they led. They'd loose their following. Yet they can't let go of their paradigm. It's truly a conundrum. And this is why their solution seems so "wimpy".
I see that I too need to hold lightly the paradigms I construct for myself. I need to construct them, because they form a framework to address my life circumstances. And I need to construct paradigms from Scripture, which keeps the reconstruction or renovations simpler. But the moment that the "framework" I use to understand Scripture becomes more important than the Scripture itself, I'm in real danger. I think I could learn a thing or two from my pastor about this. He seems able to adjust his paradigm to Scripture, and has several times, to hear him tell it. I consider that another of his remarkable and admirable qualities. I just wish it were more common in church in general.
When I read in Scripture something that does not work with my mental framework, I have a choice. I can either adjust my framework to accommodate the Scripture, or I can ignore or adjust what the Scripture says to make it fit my framework. I clearly need to be doing the first rather than the second. Here's one of the underlying problems though. Much of my framework is inherited from my childhood religious experience. At the time of my life when I least understood what was being said, I was forming a framework to understand the world around me. I basically borrowed pieces of the framework of others rather than forming one on Scripture myself. That's common, and it's not really the problem since I wasn't really able to form those constructs on my own then anyway. The problem is how I used those construct in my adult life.
Now, having adapted myself and my framework to my circumstances, I have found that much of what I learned I have used for my own gain. What I mean is that the wrong views of God, the Bible, what it means to be a follower of Jesus, and so on have been supported by the unsubstantiated paradigm. What I find is that as I push through Scripture, flaws in my paradigm show up and I am at this crisis of faith. Like the Sadducees, chief priests, scribes and so on, I am faced with something in Scripture that doesn't match my paradigm. Like them, I have comforted my wrong beliefs with this framework. Like them I have much invested personally in my wrong beliefs. And like them, I have an uncomfortable choice to make.
If you are looking for my paradigm re-alignment problem, just read tomorrow's entry. It will be on the character of the early Jerusalem believers. I have a lot invested in rejecting such an application of Scripture to my life. Cultural differences are my main excuse, but there are economic ones, differences in their particular situation in life, and so on. I can point to other examples where this attitude was not applied to other congregations. But I also know Scripture enough to know these excuses are more lame than the guy healed at the gate was. So what do I do? I get out my hammer and I start pulling nails from boards. I've got a point of view to adjust.
Friday, September 14, 2012
So, How Was Church Today?
As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. (Acts 4:1-4 NASB)
In the variety of views of church, most deviate from a focus on the works of God. Well, actually, most of the views in the United States deviate from a focus on the works of God. In fact, sadly, even ones that claim to focus on exactly that, often tend to be focused on individuals work on God's behalf. Yesterday, my pastor told me that people have made church about themselves, and I agree. To an embarrassingly large extent, American church-goers have made church about themselves. In fact, it seems the ones that deviate from an individual self-focus view are so unusual they stand out. That should be embarrassing.
So what would happen if we attended church this Sunday (or better, during the week sometime), and right at the beginning, a man born unable to walk is healed by two strangers at the street corner as he held a cardboard sign begging for money? You would think that it would be a fantastically positive event, but lets continue into the "worship service".
And then tons of people gather because it's the only thing going in town right now. And the two strangers who were involved stand up and point to the power of the name of Jesus, and preach a sermon convicting the people of sins against God and call for repentance in the name of Jesus; the power through which the man was healed. Now we begin to be confused. The sermon should be about what happened. That's what people want to know, who did this, how did they do it, and can/will they do it again, let's see the show. But the sermon isn't even done yet and the service goes totally off the rails.
Finally, right at the point of appeal to respond to Jesus, the police show up and arrest the ones who participated in the healing (including the guy healed) for public disturbance, because the church leaders - who actually belong there - complained to the police. The press shows up to report on what happened, who saw what, who did what, when did they do it, where did they do it, yadda yadda yadda. This is not a splendid end to a worship service. There was no spectacle, no pizazz, no personality we can focus on to make us feel good about ourselves. "It didn't really do anything for me." Some guy was healed, but we're not even sure he was really sick, or really how he was healed, if he was. Oh wait, he'd been on the same corner for years, and we saw him walking. That was cool, but who did it again? Who were the two strangers?
In our society, people would start to focus on the ones involved and see if they would heal again, as if that was the point; the healing. In Acts 3 and 4, where the event is recorded, it doesn't end after the arrest. After Peter, John, and the man-formerly-known-as-lame-from-birth are arrested, the numbers of men who follow Jesus swells to five thousand. This is not the response of Americans.
Now, don't get me wrong, there were people, lots of people, in that society who were more interested in the healing than in Jesus (see Acts 5:14-16). It's just that I wonder if our view of church in this country would have the response of two thousand turning to Jesus after the service began with a healing and ended with the speakers and healed person in jail. I admit that at times I feel free to judge the sermon, the music, the lighting, the other people involved in a service, as if they are to meet some standard of mine. I realize I do that, and it really bothers me. I should be focusing on my Master, not His servants! And before you get too confident in claiming people are "distracting" laying blame on them, stop. I don't believe any of us are victims of "distracting people", we allow ourselves to loose focus on Jesus, or may not have had it in the first place.
But wait, I believe it gets worse. If there were a boat-load of people who did respond to Jesus, evidence that the Spirit of God was working in their lives, and clear indication that they were not seeking healing of anything but their souls, I fear that they would be outsiders since they didn't follow our mainstream pathway to Jesus. They didn't find the path so familiar to us, the one we see provided every Sunday, the one presented by "professionals". Their origins into a life with Jesus are suspicious, perhaps they are part of a cult.
I have actually heard such talk in a church. Their conversion wasn't about us, so we begin to tear it apart under the guise of being "careful" with our theology. I am afraid that the most unorthodox person in our church is the Spirit of God. It sickens me to think that I and those I worship with have replaced the "orthodoxy of Scripture" with our own version that looks very little like what our Master intended. It's human to do so, it happened in the early church a lot. Paul wrote most of his letters to correct this very thing. And like the church in those days, in our day, there are those to whom this does not apply; blessed souls who may be confused and saddened by what they see in those gathered to worship.
My goal is to jump ship and join those for whom this does not apply. I want to be one of those for whom worship is a personal practice of expressing the value of the Prince of Life, the One Who made and sustains the Universe. They understand the futility of fully expressing such a thing, and the joy and peace that comes from the attempt. I want to defect and join their ranks. I want to loose focus on myself, my ministers, my fellow worshipers, and instead be consumed in the presence of our Master.
In the variety of views of church, most deviate from a focus on the works of God. Well, actually, most of the views in the United States deviate from a focus on the works of God. In fact, sadly, even ones that claim to focus on exactly that, often tend to be focused on individuals work on God's behalf. Yesterday, my pastor told me that people have made church about themselves, and I agree. To an embarrassingly large extent, American church-goers have made church about themselves. In fact, it seems the ones that deviate from an individual self-focus view are so unusual they stand out. That should be embarrassing.
So what would happen if we attended church this Sunday (or better, during the week sometime), and right at the beginning, a man born unable to walk is healed by two strangers at the street corner as he held a cardboard sign begging for money? You would think that it would be a fantastically positive event, but lets continue into the "worship service".
And then tons of people gather because it's the only thing going in town right now. And the two strangers who were involved stand up and point to the power of the name of Jesus, and preach a sermon convicting the people of sins against God and call for repentance in the name of Jesus; the power through which the man was healed. Now we begin to be confused. The sermon should be about what happened. That's what people want to know, who did this, how did they do it, and can/will they do it again, let's see the show. But the sermon isn't even done yet and the service goes totally off the rails.
Finally, right at the point of appeal to respond to Jesus, the police show up and arrest the ones who participated in the healing (including the guy healed) for public disturbance, because the church leaders - who actually belong there - complained to the police. The press shows up to report on what happened, who saw what, who did what, when did they do it, where did they do it, yadda yadda yadda. This is not a splendid end to a worship service. There was no spectacle, no pizazz, no personality we can focus on to make us feel good about ourselves. "It didn't really do anything for me." Some guy was healed, but we're not even sure he was really sick, or really how he was healed, if he was. Oh wait, he'd been on the same corner for years, and we saw him walking. That was cool, but who did it again? Who were the two strangers?
In our society, people would start to focus on the ones involved and see if they would heal again, as if that was the point; the healing. In Acts 3 and 4, where the event is recorded, it doesn't end after the arrest. After Peter, John, and the man-formerly-known-as-lame-from-birth are arrested, the numbers of men who follow Jesus swells to five thousand. This is not the response of Americans.
Now, don't get me wrong, there were people, lots of people, in that society who were more interested in the healing than in Jesus (see Acts 5:14-16). It's just that I wonder if our view of church in this country would have the response of two thousand turning to Jesus after the service began with a healing and ended with the speakers and healed person in jail. I admit that at times I feel free to judge the sermon, the music, the lighting, the other people involved in a service, as if they are to meet some standard of mine. I realize I do that, and it really bothers me. I should be focusing on my Master, not His servants! And before you get too confident in claiming people are "distracting" laying blame on them, stop. I don't believe any of us are victims of "distracting people", we allow ourselves to loose focus on Jesus, or may not have had it in the first place.
But wait, I believe it gets worse. If there were a boat-load of people who did respond to Jesus, evidence that the Spirit of God was working in their lives, and clear indication that they were not seeking healing of anything but their souls, I fear that they would be outsiders since they didn't follow our mainstream pathway to Jesus. They didn't find the path so familiar to us, the one we see provided every Sunday, the one presented by "professionals". Their origins into a life with Jesus are suspicious, perhaps they are part of a cult.
I have actually heard such talk in a church. Their conversion wasn't about us, so we begin to tear it apart under the guise of being "careful" with our theology. I am afraid that the most unorthodox person in our church is the Spirit of God. It sickens me to think that I and those I worship with have replaced the "orthodoxy of Scripture" with our own version that looks very little like what our Master intended. It's human to do so, it happened in the early church a lot. Paul wrote most of his letters to correct this very thing. And like the church in those days, in our day, there are those to whom this does not apply; blessed souls who may be confused and saddened by what they see in those gathered to worship.
My goal is to jump ship and join those for whom this does not apply. I want to be one of those for whom worship is a personal practice of expressing the value of the Prince of Life, the One Who made and sustains the Universe. They understand the futility of fully expressing such a thing, and the joy and peace that comes from the attempt. I want to defect and join their ranks. I want to loose focus on myself, my ministers, my fellow worshipers, and instead be consumed in the presence of our Master.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
What In The Name of Jesus?
But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!" (Acts 3:6 NASB)
Violence in the Middle East, Muslims attacking American embassies, and an Ambassador killed. Yesterday, the eleventh anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, "9/11", the radical Muslims in two countries in North Africa attacked American sovereign soil in the form of Embassies. There has been a lot of polarizing responses to these attacks. Some claim that they are reactions to a film released in America that denigrates the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. Few in America have even heard of the film until now. Mob mentality ruled, and now continues.
I have to accept that, had the movie attacked Jesus' character I would have been angry as well. When a movie came out in the 80's with some shocking character assaults on Jesus, there were lots of angry mobs in America. I'm not sure if anything was burned, or anyone killed, but it wouldn't surprise me. Just the anger over abortion clinics and doctors, and the violence perpetrated against them in the name of Jesus looks frighteningly similar to these mob riots directed at Americans. There are a boat-load of differences, but there are also similarities. But that is not what the power of the Name of Jesus holds for Jesus' human creatures.
The Name of Jesus is not for a war banner against other people who hold different views. The Name of Jesus heals those human creatures held in the powerful grip of an existence apart from their Maker and Savior. "Walk" commanded to one lame from birth in ankles and feet sounds ridiculous. But what a wonderfully different "lunacy" from the violence on both sides. This lunacy makes strong the legs and brings a man to walking, leaping, and praising Jesus. The lunacy driving other human creatures to kill each other and other violence is not the name of Jesus.
People who claim the Name of Jesus may decry this stance as "soft on Islam", but my response to those who believe that I'm wrong is that my stance offers healing in the Name of Jesus to those who would kill me for my faith. If my Master, Jesus, the Eternal Ever-Existing Only Son of God Most High, God of the Armies of Heaven, would consent to heal me, how can I withhold such healing from anyone or hope they never find it? I can't. I won't. Instead I weep and pray for their healing. "In the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- Walk!"
Violence in the Middle East, Muslims attacking American embassies, and an Ambassador killed. Yesterday, the eleventh anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, "9/11", the radical Muslims in two countries in North Africa attacked American sovereign soil in the form of Embassies. There has been a lot of polarizing responses to these attacks. Some claim that they are reactions to a film released in America that denigrates the Muslim Prophet Muhammad. Few in America have even heard of the film until now. Mob mentality ruled, and now continues.
I have to accept that, had the movie attacked Jesus' character I would have been angry as well. When a movie came out in the 80's with some shocking character assaults on Jesus, there were lots of angry mobs in America. I'm not sure if anything was burned, or anyone killed, but it wouldn't surprise me. Just the anger over abortion clinics and doctors, and the violence perpetrated against them in the name of Jesus looks frighteningly similar to these mob riots directed at Americans. There are a boat-load of differences, but there are also similarities. But that is not what the power of the Name of Jesus holds for Jesus' human creatures.
The Name of Jesus is not for a war banner against other people who hold different views. The Name of Jesus heals those human creatures held in the powerful grip of an existence apart from their Maker and Savior. "Walk" commanded to one lame from birth in ankles and feet sounds ridiculous. But what a wonderfully different "lunacy" from the violence on both sides. This lunacy makes strong the legs and brings a man to walking, leaping, and praising Jesus. The lunacy driving other human creatures to kill each other and other violence is not the name of Jesus.
People who claim the Name of Jesus may decry this stance as "soft on Islam", but my response to those who believe that I'm wrong is that my stance offers healing in the Name of Jesus to those who would kill me for my faith. If my Master, Jesus, the Eternal Ever-Existing Only Son of God Most High, God of the Armies of Heaven, would consent to heal me, how can I withhold such healing from anyone or hope they never find it? I can't. I won't. Instead I weep and pray for their healing. "In the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- Walk!"
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Ready To Be Healed?
Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother's womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, "Look at us!" And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene -- walk!" And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:1-9 NASB)
It's been a while since my last post. Vacation and the length of time it takes me to push through passages in the Christian Scriptures have limited my free time unfortunately. But that isn't all. Sometimes I just haven't been intentional in making the time. It's not impossible for me to make shorter entries as I work through a passage rather than only longer ones after I've completed it.
I wonder if I need to be more like the lame man in this account. There are a few things about his response to Peter and what happens to him that make me wonder about him. For instance, he gets up. Peter takes him by the hand, not the whole body. The man tries to stand. This attempt to stand works, but I wonder if it's his first time trying. Am I trying to "stand" in my spiritual life? Have I given up? Is "Peter" just on his way, it's the hour of prayer, and I'm in my routine, will I be ready to stand?
The other thing I note is his response. Sure he leaps up when Peter pulls his hand and his ankles and feet become strong, but he keeps leaping as he walks, praising God. So, when my Master reaches into my life and changes the thing I clearly can't, do I just then saunter off happy to be free of the "burden" or whatever? Where's the celebration? Where's the self-degrading celebration of praise to my Master? Or do I just not want to make a stir with my problem, and then not make a scene with my cure? So, God works in my life and I just keep the event to myself? Is that the purpose of my Master?
As I imagine this lame-from-birth beggar, something in this guy's life never came to terms with his lame feet. He was never able to accept it. But unlike so many who claim that attitude, I don't believe he stopped trying to fight it. He stood when Peter took his hand. He had been lame from birth, why would he know to do that? I suspect he'd been trying. Something in himself would not accept himself in that condition. So, when the day of his healing came, he was ready; his expectant hope was fulfilled.
I suppose if every lame beggar in Jerusalem were healed, then I could use this as a formula for healing and restoration, but they weren't. This was the Spirit of God in the life of this particular lame beggar. He was born this way so when this day came, his Maker would be glorified. So, while I can't form a "theology of healing" from this, what I can do is form a model of faith. The expectant hope of this man was fulfilled. Faith is built on such hope (Hebrews 11:1).
So, what's the faith model? The man tried when pulled. I know that much. I may not know what attempts he made before that moment, but I do know he tried when pulled. He was ready enough to leave his condition that he took the offered hand and used useless legs to rise. I can only surmise what sort of condition he was in, or what practices he had practiced leading up to this time. So, they're not the formula, the formula, the lesson, is in the inspired piece, the fact he stood when pulled.
The application from the lesson is that when my Master pulls me, I take hold that for which I have been taken hold of, and press on (Philippians 3:12-14). This was a temporal healing at a point in a man's life, but he was celebrating praising God. It was also a movement toward the heavenward call. When my Master pulls me, isn't He pulling me heavenward? Shouldn't I also leap and praise Him? He's pulling me, who am I to be pulled by the One forming stars? Why should I not stand? Why would I not be willing to rise? Legs, or heart, or mind, or hands, what of mine have I given up on? That is not acceptable, not when I have this clear example that I am being called heavenward by my Master. There is no excuse for giving up, it's never too hard, I am to rise when pulled, and leap and praise once raised. Pardon me while I stretch some creaky joints; it's not the age, it the lack of use...shame on me.
It's been a while since my last post. Vacation and the length of time it takes me to push through passages in the Christian Scriptures have limited my free time unfortunately. But that isn't all. Sometimes I just haven't been intentional in making the time. It's not impossible for me to make shorter entries as I work through a passage rather than only longer ones after I've completed it.
I wonder if I need to be more like the lame man in this account. There are a few things about his response to Peter and what happens to him that make me wonder about him. For instance, he gets up. Peter takes him by the hand, not the whole body. The man tries to stand. This attempt to stand works, but I wonder if it's his first time trying. Am I trying to "stand" in my spiritual life? Have I given up? Is "Peter" just on his way, it's the hour of prayer, and I'm in my routine, will I be ready to stand?
The other thing I note is his response. Sure he leaps up when Peter pulls his hand and his ankles and feet become strong, but he keeps leaping as he walks, praising God. So, when my Master reaches into my life and changes the thing I clearly can't, do I just then saunter off happy to be free of the "burden" or whatever? Where's the celebration? Where's the self-degrading celebration of praise to my Master? Or do I just not want to make a stir with my problem, and then not make a scene with my cure? So, God works in my life and I just keep the event to myself? Is that the purpose of my Master?
As I imagine this lame-from-birth beggar, something in this guy's life never came to terms with his lame feet. He was never able to accept it. But unlike so many who claim that attitude, I don't believe he stopped trying to fight it. He stood when Peter took his hand. He had been lame from birth, why would he know to do that? I suspect he'd been trying. Something in himself would not accept himself in that condition. So, when the day of his healing came, he was ready; his expectant hope was fulfilled.
I suppose if every lame beggar in Jerusalem were healed, then I could use this as a formula for healing and restoration, but they weren't. This was the Spirit of God in the life of this particular lame beggar. He was born this way so when this day came, his Maker would be glorified. So, while I can't form a "theology of healing" from this, what I can do is form a model of faith. The expectant hope of this man was fulfilled. Faith is built on such hope (Hebrews 11:1).
So, what's the faith model? The man tried when pulled. I know that much. I may not know what attempts he made before that moment, but I do know he tried when pulled. He was ready enough to leave his condition that he took the offered hand and used useless legs to rise. I can only surmise what sort of condition he was in, or what practices he had practiced leading up to this time. So, they're not the formula, the formula, the lesson, is in the inspired piece, the fact he stood when pulled.
The application from the lesson is that when my Master pulls me, I take hold that for which I have been taken hold of, and press on (Philippians 3:12-14). This was a temporal healing at a point in a man's life, but he was celebrating praising God. It was also a movement toward the heavenward call. When my Master pulls me, isn't He pulling me heavenward? Shouldn't I also leap and praise Him? He's pulling me, who am I to be pulled by the One forming stars? Why should I not stand? Why would I not be willing to rise? Legs, or heart, or mind, or hands, what of mine have I given up on? That is not acceptable, not when I have this clear example that I am being called heavenward by my Master. There is no excuse for giving up, it's never too hard, I am to rise when pulled, and leap and praise once raised. Pardon me while I stretch some creaky joints; it's not the age, it the lack of use...shame on me.
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