A friend stops at the barn to chat from time to time. He is an older gentleman and I enjoy his perspective on life. Our converstations cover a wide range of topics - weather, hunting, sex, God, local events, farming, and life in general. He is what most church people would class as a heathen. Church holds no interest for him, through the years he has seen too much.
When our conversations turn toward God, I am invariably amazed at his grasp and understanding of God and who He is. How can that be? A man outside the framework of organized religion perhaps understanding God better than those who are well educated in the scriptures?
As I reflected on our conversations, my mind wandered through the pages of scriptures, pausing at two similar examples in the life of Jesus. A gentile woman, one who would have been despised by those within the confines of the accepted religious framework, experienced the fulness of Jesus' ministry. A Roman Centurian, a member of the evil occupying military force, caused Jesus to marvel at the depth of his faith. His was a faith so great that Jesus proclaimed that He found no greater faith in all of God's chosen people.
Where did these two unlikely individuals receive their understanding of God and God With Us? What has shaped the theology of my friend in a manner that allows him to see God for who He really is? It was probably not in a classroom or at the feet of a noted scholar. Might it be that being created in the image of God allows us to clearly see Him for who He really is?
And might it be that the theology we have been given from our religious traditions actually clouds our vision? I am convinced that most of our theological tenets are shaped more by our intellectual endeavors than by the scriptures. We believe something and then search the scriptures to find supporting evidence that we can cite in putting forth our beliefs. The Pharisees of Jesus' day were versed in scripture and theology. Yet they largely missed the work of God in their midst.
Might it be that our intellectual theology framework disconnects us from the image of God within us in a manner that causes us to miss Him completely?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
the voice of a curse
Two weeks ago Bev and I, along with her parents, made a trip to Clemson SC for a special graduation ceremony. After much hard work, Justin graduated from Clemson University with his PhD. An opportunity with a Danish University caused him to speed up this graduate work. Unfortunately, the Danish opportunity did not fully develop so he will stay at Clemson for the next semester working as a guest lecturer.
At the graduation ceremony, Justin mentioned that Dr. Taylor wanted to meet Bev and I. We discovered that Dr. Taylor was the head of the math department at Clemson. Immediately after the ceremony, Justin introduced us to him. We found Dr. Taylor to be an engaging gentleman, the epitome of a "southern gentleman". In our conversation converstation he expressed a bit of disappointment that the opportunity in Denmark never fully evolved for Justin. However, he was also quick to express delight that in the upcoming semester Justin would be part of the Clemson faculty. His exact words to me were "Justin is a very good teacher".
I had lots of time to ponder his words on the 500 mile trip back to Pennsylvania. My thoughts wandered back to a summer morning a number of years ago. I sat across the table from a man who had been instrumental in Justin's spiritual formation. At the time, I was concerned for my friend. I sensed him disconnecting from God. Instead of oneness with his Creator, he was choosing to find worth and fulfillment in the seduction of ministry.
We talked about Justin that morning. I mentioned that Justin wanted to teach either at the high school or college level. I was stunned beyond words when he laughed sarcastically at the mention of Justin teaching. In his opinion Justin was too excitable to teach well. I could not believe the words I was hearing. Words directly from the enemy, words that cursed Justin and his God-given destiny and dreams. I was dumbfounded. How could a person who professed to be interested in bringing people to the place of their God-given destiny speak so negatively of Justin's heart? At that point I knew that my friend had completely disconnected from God.
As these thoughts swirled through my mind, the curse words falling empty against the voice of God heard through Dr. Taylor, two words came to mind for the voice of the enemy and the speaker of those words - F**k you!
At the graduation ceremony, Justin mentioned that Dr. Taylor wanted to meet Bev and I. We discovered that Dr. Taylor was the head of the math department at Clemson. Immediately after the ceremony, Justin introduced us to him. We found Dr. Taylor to be an engaging gentleman, the epitome of a "southern gentleman". In our conversation converstation he expressed a bit of disappointment that the opportunity in Denmark never fully evolved for Justin. However, he was also quick to express delight that in the upcoming semester Justin would be part of the Clemson faculty. His exact words to me were "Justin is a very good teacher".
I had lots of time to ponder his words on the 500 mile trip back to Pennsylvania. My thoughts wandered back to a summer morning a number of years ago. I sat across the table from a man who had been instrumental in Justin's spiritual formation. At the time, I was concerned for my friend. I sensed him disconnecting from God. Instead of oneness with his Creator, he was choosing to find worth and fulfillment in the seduction of ministry.
We talked about Justin that morning. I mentioned that Justin wanted to teach either at the high school or college level. I was stunned beyond words when he laughed sarcastically at the mention of Justin teaching. In his opinion Justin was too excitable to teach well. I could not believe the words I was hearing. Words directly from the enemy, words that cursed Justin and his God-given destiny and dreams. I was dumbfounded. How could a person who professed to be interested in bringing people to the place of their God-given destiny speak so negatively of Justin's heart? At that point I knew that my friend had completely disconnected from God.
As these thoughts swirled through my mind, the curse words falling empty against the voice of God heard through Dr. Taylor, two words came to mind for the voice of the enemy and the speaker of those words - F**k you!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
the goads, misery, and a false cross
I had a conversation with an acquaintance who stopped by the farm one day. I hadn't spoken with him for months, maybe even a year or more. I asked him a bit about his job. His remarks, while sounding correct, were clothed in heaviness...the job is God's provision...I need to be thankful...
When we are living in a way that "kicks against the goads", in disharmony with God's design, we can easily fall into an insidious trap. We decide that the discomfort we feel in our disconnect with God, with abundant life, is the cross we must bear. So life becomes heavy, gray. We throw ourselves more fully into the duties of church and christianity. We say the right words...the appropriate phrases needed to gain the approval of others in the same state. Our heaviness and lifelessness trademarks our life. Our "cross" weighs on us in an unending manner. And truly it is our self-created cross. It is not the cross of Christ, the cross that invariably encounters us in our transformation process.
Our self-defined cross and the cross of Christ have nothing in common. The cross of Christ remains for a season and is always followed by abundant life. The light on the other side of the darkeness shines more glorious than can be imagined. On the other hand the self-defined cross leads nowhere. There is a permanency to its dull grayness.
The self created cross is always accompanied by a deep sadness, a heaviness that permeates the fibers of our being. We become devoid of emotion. A certain heaviness shrouds our every action and word. There may even be a bit of pride accompanying the sadness - "look at how severely my cross affects me".
How different from the cross of Christ. Note the example of Jesus - MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME! The raw emotional pain of those words almost startle one's sensibilities. I have noticed that people who pick up the cross of Christ, the one that invariably confronts us as we follow Him, are far from emotionless. In fact their emotion frequently boils up in a violent eruption. Fortunately, regardless of the severity of the cross and depth of pain accompanying it, it only lasts for a season. Jesus for the joy set before Him endured the cross... How different from the misery resulting from kicking against the goads!
When we are living in a way that "kicks against the goads", in disharmony with God's design, we can easily fall into an insidious trap. We decide that the discomfort we feel in our disconnect with God, with abundant life, is the cross we must bear. So life becomes heavy, gray. We throw ourselves more fully into the duties of church and christianity. We say the right words...the appropriate phrases needed to gain the approval of others in the same state. Our heaviness and lifelessness trademarks our life. Our "cross" weighs on us in an unending manner. And truly it is our self-created cross. It is not the cross of Christ, the cross that invariably encounters us in our transformation process.
Our self-defined cross and the cross of Christ have nothing in common. The cross of Christ remains for a season and is always followed by abundant life. The light on the other side of the darkeness shines more glorious than can be imagined. On the other hand the self-defined cross leads nowhere. There is a permanency to its dull grayness.
The self created cross is always accompanied by a deep sadness, a heaviness that permeates the fibers of our being. We become devoid of emotion. A certain heaviness shrouds our every action and word. There may even be a bit of pride accompanying the sadness - "look at how severely my cross affects me".
How different from the cross of Christ. Note the example of Jesus - MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME! The raw emotional pain of those words almost startle one's sensibilities. I have noticed that people who pick up the cross of Christ, the one that invariably confronts us as we follow Him, are far from emotionless. In fact their emotion frequently boils up in a violent eruption. Fortunately, regardless of the severity of the cross and depth of pain accompanying it, it only lasts for a season. Jesus for the joy set before Him endured the cross... How different from the misery resulting from kicking against the goads!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
misery index
“It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” These were the words of Jesus to Saul (about to become Paul) when Saul’s plans were abruptly interrupted by divine intervention. Goads were pointed sticks used to prod oxen to press forward into their harness, pulling their attached load. The oxen quickly learned that kicking against the goads was a painful endeavor. Life for an ox became easier once submission to the master occurred.
Apparently Saul kicked against the goads in a metaphoric manner. What were the goads against which Saul kicked? What was it that caused him pain and discomfort? What was he resisting? We find the answer later in this account. The words of God to Ananias give insight into the Master’s plan for Saul – “for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Saul’s struggle against the Master’s plan resulted in nothing more than pain, frustration, and chaos, not only in Saul’s life but in the lives of those around him as well. During this struggle Saul continued to be a religious leader, a Pharisee of Pharisees, to use his words. His life was filled with religious activity and duty. In spite of the religious activity, he still resisted God’s will, his religiosity providing a cover for his rebellion
And so it is for us today – when we refuse to harmonize with God’s plan, we still find ourselves kicking against the goads in misery. Many Christians are most miserable because they refuse to submit to the hand of the Master. Like Saul, they may engage in a great deal of religious activity all the while kicking against the hand of God. And like Saul, they are most miserable.
Apparently Saul kicked against the goads in a metaphoric manner. What were the goads against which Saul kicked? What was it that caused him pain and discomfort? What was he resisting? We find the answer later in this account. The words of God to Ananias give insight into the Master’s plan for Saul – “for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.”
Saul’s struggle against the Master’s plan resulted in nothing more than pain, frustration, and chaos, not only in Saul’s life but in the lives of those around him as well. During this struggle Saul continued to be a religious leader, a Pharisee of Pharisees, to use his words. His life was filled with religious activity and duty. In spite of the religious activity, he still resisted God’s will, his religiosity providing a cover for his rebellion
And so it is for us today – when we refuse to harmonize with God’s plan, we still find ourselves kicking against the goads in misery. Many Christians are most miserable because they refuse to submit to the hand of the Master. Like Saul, they may engage in a great deal of religious activity all the while kicking against the hand of God. And like Saul, they are most miserable.
Friday, October 28, 2011
contemporary church
As I look back 10-15 years, I find a lot of myself in the following video. While I believe that our heart was good, the focus became establishing this "cool relevant thing". The conferences we attended all espoused this cookie cutter approach to church. Sunday morning services were cool. We bought into the "cutting edge church liturgy".
This coming Sunday around 10 AM (or at 8:30 and 11:00) you can find a "church" near you just like portrayed in the video. Unfortunately it may be just as devoid of God as what you see in the following clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJBd8zE48A&feature=player_embedded
This coming Sunday around 10 AM (or at 8:30 and 11:00) you can find a "church" near you just like portrayed in the video. Unfortunately it may be just as devoid of God as what you see in the following clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RJBd8zE48A&feature=player_embedded
Sunday, October 2, 2011
the risk
These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
Lately I have been thinking about all the people who started well in this walk with God but have since deserted the pathway to life. Ten years ago many of the people to whom we related had discovered the works and writings of John Eldredge. His message of the possibilites of a very real heart connection with God stirred our hearts. A whole new world opened before us, a world marked by adventure and life, a world so unlike the dull dutifulness of religious exercise.
And so we embarked on a new journey - pursuing God and being pursued by God. Our dissatisfaction with the emptiness of religious exercise coupled the wild and untamed call of the Holy Spirit drew us to launch into the unknown.
Unfortunately in the ensuing years, people slowly but surely left the pathway to life. One here, two there, they returned to religious exercise from which they came. I still have conversations from time to time with some of those who have returned to the place from which they came. In every conversation I notice the same thing - ta lifelessness, a puposelessness permeates their words and actions. The excitement of following a very real and upredictable God has been replaced with a heaviness that is justified as "the cross I have to bear".
Without a doubt, following Jesus will always take us to and through the cross. However, the "Jesus way" never stops with the cross, rather the cross is simply a portal to eternal life. Conversely the cross devised by human ideas never leads to anywhere but death.
Why would people leave the way of a lifegiving journey with Jesus to return to something that can offer nothing but mediocrity, unfruitfulness and death? That is the question I have mulled for the past weeks. What causes people to trade the goodness of abundant life for the dry morsels of religious duty and exercise?
I think it has to do with risk and cost. There is a very real danger in following Jesus. He requires everything - go sell what you have and come follow me. In that time of decision, suddenly the deadness of the past life seems so safe and attractive. Furthermore Jesus begins to probe into the wounds and unhealthy regions of our life. The ugliness of our wounded heart spills out. We feel needy and small. Once again we are confronted with a choice - will we open our hearts to the Healer with the scalpel or will we close our hearts so our appearance of goodness can be maintained?
The word (the logos) offends them, causing them to stumble. The same word which they received with joy now causes them to fall away.
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Lately I have been thinking about all the people who started well in this walk with God but have since deserted the pathway to life. Ten years ago many of the people to whom we related had discovered the works and writings of John Eldredge. His message of the possibilites of a very real heart connection with God stirred our hearts. A whole new world opened before us, a world marked by adventure and life, a world so unlike the dull dutifulness of religious exercise.
And so we embarked on a new journey - pursuing God and being pursued by God. Our dissatisfaction with the emptiness of religious exercise coupled the wild and untamed call of the Holy Spirit drew us to launch into the unknown.
Unfortunately in the ensuing years, people slowly but surely left the pathway to life. One here, two there, they returned to religious exercise from which they came. I still have conversations from time to time with some of those who have returned to the place from which they came. In every conversation I notice the same thing - ta lifelessness, a puposelessness permeates their words and actions. The excitement of following a very real and upredictable God has been replaced with a heaviness that is justified as "the cross I have to bear".
Without a doubt, following Jesus will always take us to and through the cross. However, the "Jesus way" never stops with the cross, rather the cross is simply a portal to eternal life. Conversely the cross devised by human ideas never leads to anywhere but death.
Why would people leave the way of a lifegiving journey with Jesus to return to something that can offer nothing but mediocrity, unfruitfulness and death? That is the question I have mulled for the past weeks. What causes people to trade the goodness of abundant life for the dry morsels of religious duty and exercise?
I think it has to do with risk and cost. There is a very real danger in following Jesus. He requires everything - go sell what you have and come follow me. In that time of decision, suddenly the deadness of the past life seems so safe and attractive. Furthermore Jesus begins to probe into the wounds and unhealthy regions of our life. The ugliness of our wounded heart spills out. We feel needy and small. Once again we are confronted with a choice - will we open our hearts to the Healer with the scalpel or will we close our hearts so our appearance of goodness can be maintained?
The word (the logos) offends them, causing them to stumble. The same word which they received with joy now causes them to fall away.
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
the woman...and her enemies
As I helped pack some things in preparing for our recent move, I came across a photo of a housewarming party in 1997. We had started Grace Covenant Church nine months earlier and were finally moving into our newly constructed house. People willingly gave of their time to help us finish the house and to help us move from Lewistown. And then they surprised us with a welcome party. We felt loved and appreciated. The future stretched before us, full of possibilities. We planned to change our community and our world. We were so encouraged by the outpouring of support.
I paused for a moment to reflect on the past 14 years. This time our move was differant. Instead of proclaiming how we planned to change the world, we have been led by the Holy Spirit to take a differant approach; a focus not on the glorious but on the insignificant, following the Holy Spirit into a place of nothing-ness.
Our recent move provides a snapshot of the cost of following Jesus. The people in the picture from 14 years ago have all disappeared. Some disappeared quietly, some took parting shots as they walked away, and a few were rather vicious in their attacks on us. So we moved alone this time. Nobody excitedly following us on our journey with Jesus. Please do not think I am complaining. I am simply pointing out what is!
What is the cause for the change, for the abandonment and the attacks? Did we commit some terrible sin? Did we embrace some unbiblical heresy? No, the abandonment and attacks started when we chose the way of Jesus over the ways of church (not the Biblical "ecclesia" but the creation of man). The viciousness of the attacks intensified as we continued to follow Jesus in a practical manner, allowing the "logos" to be our guide. In recent years, we have been falsely accused, literally thrown out of a church service (by the way - this particular group's motto is "worship God, love all".), lied to and lied about.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. You see - the woman hates the saints of Jesus. She cares not a whit about someones religious affiliation. Her seductive charms are utilized for one purpose and one purpose alone - to disconnect people from the I AM.
As long as one yeilds to her seductiveness she allows whatever belief system one desires to create. However, the moment we turn away from her to embrace the ways of Jesus, she begins to turn her wrath on us. Her choice weapon of attack is not some vile demon. No, it is the ones who have forsaken the way of Jesus to embrace her harlotry.
The first attack will be isolation. She is fully aware of our God-given need for community. So she attempts to isolate us from relationships. Those under her spell suddenly no longer associate with us. The shunning is an effort to drive us back to her bed. She offers community and relationship if only we will disconnect from the I AM.
If the shunning does not bring us back to her fold, the attacks become more intense. She will attempt to destroy us. Baseless accusations will be unleashed on us. Those under her spell will spew her venom without regard for truth. Our words will be carefully critiqued in an effort to find some incriminating statement. If none is found, our words will be subtly twisted to create an appearance of heresy. Throughout history, she has gone as far as inciting physical violence resulting in the death of the saints. Much of the martyrdom has occurred in the name of some god in the protection of some religious system.
The followers of Jesus should not be surprised by the viciousness of her attacks. Jesus himself was crucified by those who purported to be godly.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
I paused for a moment to reflect on the past 14 years. This time our move was differant. Instead of proclaiming how we planned to change the world, we have been led by the Holy Spirit to take a differant approach; a focus not on the glorious but on the insignificant, following the Holy Spirit into a place of nothing-ness.
Our recent move provides a snapshot of the cost of following Jesus. The people in the picture from 14 years ago have all disappeared. Some disappeared quietly, some took parting shots as they walked away, and a few were rather vicious in their attacks on us. So we moved alone this time. Nobody excitedly following us on our journey with Jesus. Please do not think I am complaining. I am simply pointing out what is!
What is the cause for the change, for the abandonment and the attacks? Did we commit some terrible sin? Did we embrace some unbiblical heresy? No, the abandonment and attacks started when we chose the way of Jesus over the ways of church (not the Biblical "ecclesia" but the creation of man). The viciousness of the attacks intensified as we continued to follow Jesus in a practical manner, allowing the "logos" to be our guide. In recent years, we have been falsely accused, literally thrown out of a church service (by the way - this particular group's motto is "worship God, love all".), lied to and lied about.
I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. You see - the woman hates the saints of Jesus. She cares not a whit about someones religious affiliation. Her seductive charms are utilized for one purpose and one purpose alone - to disconnect people from the I AM.
As long as one yeilds to her seductiveness she allows whatever belief system one desires to create. However, the moment we turn away from her to embrace the ways of Jesus, she begins to turn her wrath on us. Her choice weapon of attack is not some vile demon. No, it is the ones who have forsaken the way of Jesus to embrace her harlotry.
The first attack will be isolation. She is fully aware of our God-given need for community. So she attempts to isolate us from relationships. Those under her spell suddenly no longer associate with us. The shunning is an effort to drive us back to her bed. She offers community and relationship if only we will disconnect from the I AM.
If the shunning does not bring us back to her fold, the attacks become more intense. She will attempt to destroy us. Baseless accusations will be unleashed on us. Those under her spell will spew her venom without regard for truth. Our words will be carefully critiqued in an effort to find some incriminating statement. If none is found, our words will be subtly twisted to create an appearance of heresy. Throughout history, she has gone as far as inciting physical violence resulting in the death of the saints. Much of the martyrdom has occurred in the name of some god in the protection of some religious system.
The followers of Jesus should not be surprised by the viciousness of her attacks. Jesus himself was crucified by those who purported to be godly.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
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