The other night at our Bible study, I sat there puzzling over the relationship between faith and works. We were reading through Galations where, as the NYC theme song put it, Paul was reviewing the importance of the "law of love" instead of the "love of law." And we talked about the importance of not falling into a works-based model. But what about James? Jesus' own brother said, "Faith without works is dead!" That's some pretty strong language. So... how does it fit together? There must be place for both. Today's scriptures shed some light on the situation.
Works- Not Out of Necessity
7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
O Israel, and I will testify against you:
I am God, your God.
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices
or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the creatures of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me." (Psalm 50:7-15)
When I read this scripture over, it really became quite meaningful to me. Yes, that's it! The Lord begins by saying that he doesn't rebuke us for the offerings that we bring, but he reminds us that it is not what he needs. Everything is His. God doesn't need anything. If we believe that we can earn His love/forgiveness or our own salvation, we are foolish... because the Lord does not need anything that we can give to Him. He already has "the whole world in His hand" as the song goes. But then, He ends on a different note. Even though God does not need the offerings, he accepts them without rebuke and invites His people to sacrifice thank offerings, fulfill their vows and call on Him. If God doesn't need it, it would appear that it is for our own good to do these things. We exist to praise the Lord our God. He doesn't need our praise, but He deserves it and we need to fulfill our purpose in praising Him. And furthermore, we need Him... we need to honor and glorify the Lord who is worthy.
It's interesting to think about faith & "works", because I was raised in the Church of the Brethren, and it may seem to some that we're a much more practice-based, works-based church. Yet, not in the way that other people would describe it. Other fellow Christians I hear talk about "obligations" and "works" and "needing" to do something or "feeling that you've done ok this week". Instead, in the COB, I never remember people talking about "sacrifices" and "obligations" or even "works." I heard about "struggles" and "difficulties", "counting the cost" and "service." But it was never something that was a "duty", never something you "had to" do, never something I was "earning." Instead, for me, the Brethren Volunteer Service worker who came was my hero. I dreamed of going and serving abroad. We really had a desire to help and serve the broader global community, because that was what we practiced with one another within our church family and our own families. We never thought that God needed us, but it was a blessing that God would allow us to work for His kingdom. In grad school talk, the most famous author of the best-selling book in the world wants to be our advisor! Not to mention that, He's super cool and wonderfully forgiving. Sign me up!
Works That Come From Faith
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit[a] of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:1-6)
After having read through Romans in detail with an amazing group of insightful friends last year, I came to chapter 1 and thought... oh, I know Romans. There won't be anything new. And besides, Paul is all 'faith,' no works. That is the debate, isn't it?
But this morning, something else jumped out at me. In verse 5, we see that Paul and the others are calling people to the obedience that comes from faith. Well, what is obedience if not the observable actions resulting from the unobservable faith? So then maybe our faith-based Paul isn't so entirely faith-based. He's trying to explain to us not that we need no works... but that the works should come from the faith. So, the answer to 'what comes first, the faith or the works?' should be "faith." And from that faith, we are freed to see not legalistic obligations but acts of love freely and generously lavished upon our brothers and sisters in the name of Christ.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Jesus in Disguise (With Glasses)
A silly chorus of a popular Oldies song goes "doot doot doot doot doot-doot Judy in Disguise...with glasses". I'm not really sure what the song means, perhaps in a way it pokes fun at Clark Kent/Superman who was in disguises just by putting on glasses. But either way, this chorus came to mind today as I was reflecting upon these scriptures: another psalm and the continuation of our shipwreck story in Acts. We know the scriptures- God is here among us. But, sometimes we forget to put on our "Jesus-colored glasses" and take a close look at the Jesus in the world, perhaps disguised in glasses, a subtle disguise even. But when we're not looking, we can miss it.
The Disguise: The Battle
1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.
3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.
4 You are my King and my God,
who decrees [c] victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah
9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;
you no longer go out with our armies.
10 You made us retreat before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered us. (Psalm 44:1-8)
This psalm sounds like it comes from another very real source. The psalmist recognizes the God that was at work saving them from their enemy. They saw through the disguise of the sword or the arm into the Lord that was protecting them. "But now" as the scripture says, "you not longer go out with our armies." It's harder to see the Jesus in perhaps a darker shade of glasses. It's hard to understand that there might somehow be another reason for their failure in battle. Perhaps it's a battle they shouldn't be fighting. Or perhaps it's not a God thing at all. I believe that we cannot blame all of the many horrors of this world on God, without giving Him all the credit for the blessings. It's the all-to-familiar "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Here the psalm is honoring God for His protection, but then blames God for His lack of protection...when it may be another force... that of the hurricanes, the earthquakes, war, violence, hunger.
All of these difficulties exist, but we also exist to be a different voice, the voice of Jesus in the world. At moments when we see violence and pain, we should look for the alternate voices, the many Jesus who are in disguise. Last week at Annual Conference, I was blessed to see Jesus in disguise many times over, from the wonderful and talented speakers from the Church of the Brethren to the alternative voices like Shane Claiborne & Jarrod McKenna. From the selfless youth workers and youth advisors and session leaders who gave so much time and effort and energy to be there, and mostly from the youth themselves. I was touched by seeing so many youth (in a generation where this is certainly uncommon) worship in truth their Lord, seek him with their whole heart and give with all they had. On the last night when an offering was collected, youth gave $16,000 to educational and housing programs in Haiti where Disaster Relief has been. While we could choose only to see Haiti and say, "Lord, but now You have turned away," we can also look a little harder at the actions of Jesus embodied in the youth at conference who say, "We will give what we can, we will commit ourselves to serve in Brethren Volunteer Service, and we will be your hands and your feet." Jesus in the youth of our nation and our world- what a beautiful disguise!
The Disguise: The Centurion
39When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety. (Acts 27:39-44)
I really do feel that this shipwreck story could be an afternoon special, on some show somewhere. It's really quite a captivating and thrilling tale. And like any good story, the end comes with a twist. In the physical sense, Paul is not saved by his fellow prisoners, you know- the one's on his team, the 'good guys'. No. Paul is saved by the centurion in charge of the troops. Somehow his heart was changed, and he decides to stop the plotting that was happening right under his nose. Our Lord loves to do this- He chooses the unexpected, perhaps to prove that He chooses all of us. Tax collectors, alleged prostitutes, come one come all and Jesus will use you in amazing ways to further His work. But who would've seen the centurion and thought that Jesus could work through that big offensive guy from the wrong side of the tracks? (I myself am imagining the enemy of Popeye at the moment.) But that disguise doesn't make what he did for Paul and God's kingdom.
Our help sometimes comes from unexpected and unseen places. It's so easy to miss it, to just take it for granted. But, I've experienced it quite a lot in the last few days. I'm on my own here in Tucson for a while, praying that God would bring Brad safely back to me if that be His will... but always knowing that we never know the hour. And I've been here with a car that I can't drive (stick shift) and a new home. But, just when I start to get lonely or feel like I can't alone... Hermana Pati, Gloria and Sergio give me a ride to church when my bike breaks down and come over to visit after church; Pacific comes over and cooks dinner with me; Derek, Jessica and Jaxon visit with Shaya and invite me over for dinner; and I meet up with Mike while walking Shaya and he comes and keeps me company for a while. Jesus is in disguise, working through the faces of friends and family.
So I ask you to look around today. Take out those Jesus-colored glasses, and see Him in the places where it's hard to see Him. And even more, be a part of it. Call your congressman about taking the troops out of Pakistan, visit your neighbor and ask what you can do to help, call your grandparents who would love to hear from you, get your disguise on!
The Disguise: The Battle
1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers have told us
what you did in their days,
in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations
and planted our fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers flourish.
3 It was not by their sword that they won the land,
nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm,
and the light of your face, for you loved them.
4 You are my King and my God,
who decrees [c] victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we push back our enemies;
through your name we trample our foes.
6 I do not trust in my bow,
my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies,
you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long,
and we will praise your name forever.
Selah
9 But now you have rejected and humbled us;
you no longer go out with our armies.
10 You made us retreat before the enemy,
and our adversaries have plundered us. (Psalm 44:1-8)
This psalm sounds like it comes from another very real source. The psalmist recognizes the God that was at work saving them from their enemy. They saw through the disguise of the sword or the arm into the Lord that was protecting them. "But now" as the scripture says, "you not longer go out with our armies." It's harder to see the Jesus in perhaps a darker shade of glasses. It's hard to understand that there might somehow be another reason for their failure in battle. Perhaps it's a battle they shouldn't be fighting. Or perhaps it's not a God thing at all. I believe that we cannot blame all of the many horrors of this world on God, without giving Him all the credit for the blessings. It's the all-to-familiar "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Here the psalm is honoring God for His protection, but then blames God for His lack of protection...when it may be another force... that of the hurricanes, the earthquakes, war, violence, hunger.
All of these difficulties exist, but we also exist to be a different voice, the voice of Jesus in the world. At moments when we see violence and pain, we should look for the alternate voices, the many Jesus who are in disguise. Last week at Annual Conference, I was blessed to see Jesus in disguise many times over, from the wonderful and talented speakers from the Church of the Brethren to the alternative voices like Shane Claiborne & Jarrod McKenna. From the selfless youth workers and youth advisors and session leaders who gave so much time and effort and energy to be there, and mostly from the youth themselves. I was touched by seeing so many youth (in a generation where this is certainly uncommon) worship in truth their Lord, seek him with their whole heart and give with all they had. On the last night when an offering was collected, youth gave $16,000 to educational and housing programs in Haiti where Disaster Relief has been. While we could choose only to see Haiti and say, "Lord, but now You have turned away," we can also look a little harder at the actions of Jesus embodied in the youth at conference who say, "We will give what we can, we will commit ourselves to serve in Brethren Volunteer Service, and we will be your hands and your feet." Jesus in the youth of our nation and our world- what a beautiful disguise!
The Disguise: The Centurion
39When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.
42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety. (Acts 27:39-44)
I really do feel that this shipwreck story could be an afternoon special, on some show somewhere. It's really quite a captivating and thrilling tale. And like any good story, the end comes with a twist. In the physical sense, Paul is not saved by his fellow prisoners, you know- the one's on his team, the 'good guys'. No. Paul is saved by the centurion in charge of the troops. Somehow his heart was changed, and he decides to stop the plotting that was happening right under his nose. Our Lord loves to do this- He chooses the unexpected, perhaps to prove that He chooses all of us. Tax collectors, alleged prostitutes, come one come all and Jesus will use you in amazing ways to further His work. But who would've seen the centurion and thought that Jesus could work through that big offensive guy from the wrong side of the tracks? (I myself am imagining the enemy of Popeye at the moment.) But that disguise doesn't make what he did for Paul and God's kingdom.
Our help sometimes comes from unexpected and unseen places. It's so easy to miss it, to just take it for granted. But, I've experienced it quite a lot in the last few days. I'm on my own here in Tucson for a while, praying that God would bring Brad safely back to me if that be His will... but always knowing that we never know the hour. And I've been here with a car that I can't drive (stick shift) and a new home. But, just when I start to get lonely or feel like I can't alone... Hermana Pati, Gloria and Sergio give me a ride to church when my bike breaks down and come over to visit after church; Pacific comes over and cooks dinner with me; Derek, Jessica and Jaxon visit with Shaya and invite me over for dinner; and I meet up with Mike while walking Shaya and he comes and keeps me company for a while. Jesus is in disguise, working through the faces of friends and family.
So I ask you to look around today. Take out those Jesus-colored glasses, and see Him in the places where it's hard to see Him. And even more, be a part of it. Call your congressman about taking the troops out of Pakistan, visit your neighbor and ask what you can do to help, call your grandparents who would love to hear from you, get your disguise on!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Real People Need Real Courage
It's always great to read a passage in the Bible that you can really relate to. I think, wow, way back then people needed God's help too! They got discouraged and downhearted; they became worried and anxious. And they went to God for help. Real people like David (expressed through his Psalms) and real people like Paul (in Acts) needed real courage... the kind that comes from God.
Opening Your Eyes to God's Help
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [d]
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:1-8)
In this chapter, I notice many surprising and very cool things happening at the same time. Things that seem to be contradictory. Our main character is telling us that 1) he was in a slimy pit (a tight spot, as they might say in Great Britain). But, 2) he was also waiting patiently. And 3) he was singing hymns while he was there! 4) He went to the Lord saying, "Here I am." And now, after the fact, he is 5) recounting the wonders of God and His wonderful plans for us. So in this I see an openness to God's help. He is looking for examples of it, waiting for it, singing of it and praying for it... with not a directive prayer, but an open prayer... "Here I am." This is the kind of prayer that opens us up to what God wants to do in our lives. Too many times I tend to pray, God I'd really like this or that or the other... which requests my will and not His. Instead, the author prays, "Here I am." He acknowledges that God sees Him and will save Him.
This Psalm seems to go out to my love this morning. Brad has been having some difficulty with his data in Brazil, the reason why he needed to go back to Brazil this summer. Something about the times, but I'm not very good with science... so I'm not sure about the specifics. Literally and figuratively, Brad finds himself in that slimy pit right now. And that's the time when it's hardest to wait patiently, have faith, remember God's goodness, sing hymns, and pray. But it is good to remember that David too was in the pit at one time, and he experienced the way God lifted him out of that pit. Praying a prayer that opens us up to the Lord's will, "Here I am," we may be surprised to see God work in wonderful ways... and we will have our own Psalm to write.
Opening Our Hearts to God's Help
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My [g] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:1-8)
Sometimes opening our eyes to what God can do for your life (in the examples of others) is easier than opening up your heart when it is hurting. Last night I watched an episode of "Friends," and they were poking fun at mood swings during pregnancy. A pregnant Phoebe was laughing one moment, and then the next minute she burst into tears, with arms shrugging, "I don't know why."
It all makes sense. God is in control. His will will be done. And we can rest in the peace of the eternal salvation that He gives us, the peace that comes into our hearts when we know him. Sounds great... but, it's hard to override those emotions sometimes. That's what I hear the Psalmist saying here. The self-talk goes like this, "Why are you so downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed in me." Sounds reminiscent of Phoebe's "I don't know why." And the directive... "Put your hope in God." And then in verse 8, "By day the Lord directs his love, by night his song is withing me, a prayer to the God of my life."
While we may sometimes find it difficult to counter our emotions, our feelings, our heart, we can remind ourselves that God's love directed to us every day, his song is always with us and we may pray continually that in spite of moments when we are downcast and we don't even know why, we can put our hope in God.
The Grace of God's Help
21After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." (Acts 27:21-26)
I know that if Ted were doing this section of scripture for a comedy routine, he wouldn't be able to resist poking fun at the way Paul can't resist an "I-told-you-so moment." I guess I should defend the prolific New Testament writer who (I believe unintentionally) caused problems for women entering into 'set apart' ministry. At least he does go on to mention God, so it can be presumed that Paul might be trying to make the point that he knew because God revealed it to him.
All of that aside, it is amazing to see Paul's and God's words for these weary travelers who didn't heed the warning. The capsizing threat was at fluorescent red, but somehow they made it through Naval Security and forged ahead. Those who read my reflections with some frequency know that I've always been praying for discernment in a call to ministry and what kind. Here is an example of what I believe. God says, "You must stand trial before Caesar" and in spite of any high waters or capsizing, it will happen. No weather can get in the way of the one who created the weather. Nothing can get in the way of the one who created all things. When we remember what God says to Paul, perhaps we can remember to have courage. He can save people from dying in a shipwreck, He can do all things. We don't need to be afraid.
When we remember that He is sailing with us, we have the real courage that we need.
Opening Your Eyes to God's Help
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]
5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll. [d]
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:1-8)
In this chapter, I notice many surprising and very cool things happening at the same time. Things that seem to be contradictory. Our main character is telling us that 1) he was in a slimy pit (a tight spot, as they might say in Great Britain). But, 2) he was also waiting patiently. And 3) he was singing hymns while he was there! 4) He went to the Lord saying, "Here I am." And now, after the fact, he is 5) recounting the wonders of God and His wonderful plans for us. So in this I see an openness to God's help. He is looking for examples of it, waiting for it, singing of it and praying for it... with not a directive prayer, but an open prayer... "Here I am." This is the kind of prayer that opens us up to what God wants to do in our lives. Too many times I tend to pray, God I'd really like this or that or the other... which requests my will and not His. Instead, the author prays, "Here I am." He acknowledges that God sees Him and will save Him.
This Psalm seems to go out to my love this morning. Brad has been having some difficulty with his data in Brazil, the reason why he needed to go back to Brazil this summer. Something about the times, but I'm not very good with science... so I'm not sure about the specifics. Literally and figuratively, Brad finds himself in that slimy pit right now. And that's the time when it's hardest to wait patiently, have faith, remember God's goodness, sing hymns, and pray. But it is good to remember that David too was in the pit at one time, and he experienced the way God lifted him out of that pit. Praying a prayer that opens us up to the Lord's will, "Here I am," we may be surprised to see God work in wonderful ways... and we will have our own Psalm to write.
Opening Our Hearts to God's Help
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while men say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
My [g] soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.
8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42:1-8)
Sometimes opening our eyes to what God can do for your life (in the examples of others) is easier than opening up your heart when it is hurting. Last night I watched an episode of "Friends," and they were poking fun at mood swings during pregnancy. A pregnant Phoebe was laughing one moment, and then the next minute she burst into tears, with arms shrugging, "I don't know why."
It all makes sense. God is in control. His will will be done. And we can rest in the peace of the eternal salvation that He gives us, the peace that comes into our hearts when we know him. Sounds great... but, it's hard to override those emotions sometimes. That's what I hear the Psalmist saying here. The self-talk goes like this, "Why are you so downcast, o my soul? Why so disturbed in me." Sounds reminiscent of Phoebe's "I don't know why." And the directive... "Put your hope in God." And then in verse 8, "By day the Lord directs his love, by night his song is withing me, a prayer to the God of my life."
While we may sometimes find it difficult to counter our emotions, our feelings, our heart, we can remind ourselves that God's love directed to us every day, his song is always with us and we may pray continually that in spite of moments when we are downcast and we don't even know why, we can put our hope in God.
The Grace of God's Help
21After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." (Acts 27:21-26)
I know that if Ted were doing this section of scripture for a comedy routine, he wouldn't be able to resist poking fun at the way Paul can't resist an "I-told-you-so moment." I guess I should defend the prolific New Testament writer who (I believe unintentionally) caused problems for women entering into 'set apart' ministry. At least he does go on to mention God, so it can be presumed that Paul might be trying to make the point that he knew because God revealed it to him.
All of that aside, it is amazing to see Paul's and God's words for these weary travelers who didn't heed the warning. The capsizing threat was at fluorescent red, but somehow they made it through Naval Security and forged ahead. Those who read my reflections with some frequency know that I've always been praying for discernment in a call to ministry and what kind. Here is an example of what I believe. God says, "You must stand trial before Caesar" and in spite of any high waters or capsizing, it will happen. No weather can get in the way of the one who created the weather. Nothing can get in the way of the one who created all things. When we remember what God says to Paul, perhaps we can remember to have courage. He can save people from dying in a shipwreck, He can do all things. We don't need to be afraid.
When we remember that He is sailing with us, we have the real courage that we need.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Start Singing: Speaking it into Being
Ok, so as an aspiring linguist, I suppose it comes as no surprise that I would write about the power of words... especially those of us who have a sociolinguistic bent. But today's scriptures certainly spoke that to me. What we say is not only a reflection of who we are and what we feel and think.
Speak Rejoicing & Rejoice
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:1-6)
David's psalm speaks to the power of speech. Although he is downhearted and suffering, he speaks his trust in the Lord, he speaks of rejoicing and singing. If we reaffirm our trust in the Lord, if we sing to the Lord every day, we will remember that He has been good to us... and we know that it will all be better soon. Today I look around my 'house of dreams,' the loveliest home I could've imagined, and I say, "He has been SO good to me." My wonderful husband, my little pup, my comfortable and beautiful home!
Just yesterday, I was reminded of the power of laughter. After a week of high stress and little sleep, Brad and I were exhausted. But our new neighbors Jessica and Derek came over to say hi to us and our new puppy... and they brought their little boy along. Jaxon couldn't stop giggling at the puppy. And his adorable giggle made me giggle. Despite my exhausted state, that giggle made me so happy! So, let's giggle, let's sing, let's say what we want to be.
Speak Beliefs & Believe
28When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" (Acts 19:28-34)
Now here is an example of why we must be careful with what we say. The people recognized the power of words, so the assembly kept shouting. Shouting for two hours "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" shows that they acknowledged that there was power in actually speaking the words. I know I've written this before, but I think it's helpful to remember that in the ancient Jewish tradition, the scrolls were read aloud before an audience... not individually. (Brad & I are actually considering leading a study on the 5 scrolls and their traditional readings this year.)
So for us, this shows that we must take care of what we say, especially when we are frustrated or downhearted or feeling hopeless. John Mayor sings a song called, "My Stupid Mouth" that resonates with me far too often. I often say things I don't mean, things I shouldn't. But all I can do is pray that God will remind me, as He did today in my scripture reading that we should sing and rejoice and speak of our commitment to Him.
Sometimes what we say helps to create the reality of who we are, what we feel and how we think. And so, I recommend that we start singing. Rejoice, and you will feel joyful!
Speak Rejoicing & Rejoice
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13:1-6)
David's psalm speaks to the power of speech. Although he is downhearted and suffering, he speaks his trust in the Lord, he speaks of rejoicing and singing. If we reaffirm our trust in the Lord, if we sing to the Lord every day, we will remember that He has been good to us... and we know that it will all be better soon. Today I look around my 'house of dreams,' the loveliest home I could've imagined, and I say, "He has been SO good to me." My wonderful husband, my little pup, my comfortable and beautiful home!
Just yesterday, I was reminded of the power of laughter. After a week of high stress and little sleep, Brad and I were exhausted. But our new neighbors Jessica and Derek came over to say hi to us and our new puppy... and they brought their little boy along. Jaxon couldn't stop giggling at the puppy. And his adorable giggle made me giggle. Despite my exhausted state, that giggle made me so happy! So, let's giggle, let's sing, let's say what we want to be.
Speak Beliefs & Believe
28When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" (Acts 19:28-34)
Now here is an example of why we must be careful with what we say. The people recognized the power of words, so the assembly kept shouting. Shouting for two hours "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" shows that they acknowledged that there was power in actually speaking the words. I know I've written this before, but I think it's helpful to remember that in the ancient Jewish tradition, the scrolls were read aloud before an audience... not individually. (Brad & I are actually considering leading a study on the 5 scrolls and their traditional readings this year.)
So for us, this shows that we must take care of what we say, especially when we are frustrated or downhearted or feeling hopeless. John Mayor sings a song called, "My Stupid Mouth" that resonates with me far too often. I often say things I don't mean, things I shouldn't. But all I can do is pray that God will remind me, as He did today in my scripture reading that we should sing and rejoice and speak of our commitment to Him.
Sometimes what we say helps to create the reality of who we are, what we feel and how we think. And so, I recommend that we start singing. Rejoice, and you will feel joyful!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Painful Moral Compass
The hard thing about our internal moral compass is that we somehow have an idea of what is right and what is wrong. And with that, we carry a strong feeling of what is 'due' to us from our good works or our mistakes. We internally know what we're "in for it" as our brothers and sisters might have warned or when we "deserved it" as people might say upon a promotion or a job well done.
But it's also what makes life so painful. Although we know what's right and wrong, blessings don't always follow a good job and tragedy doesn't always befall those who've done horrible things. And we cry, "It's not fair," precisely because of our moral compass.
What Isn't Due
13 "Here is the fate God allots to the wicked,
the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:
14 However many his children, their fate is the sword;
his offspring will never have enough to eat.
15 The plague will bury those who survive him,
and their widows will not weep for them.
16 Though he heaps up silver like dust
and clothes like piles of clay... (Job 27:13-16)
Brad pointed out to me yesterday as we reflected on this passage that Job not only points out any kind of difficulties that befall the wicked, Job is pointing to things that have happened to him and his family. Job's family felt the sword, fell to plague, loss of money.... He was labeling himself as wicked. Yet, Job later in this chapter points to the fact that God is ultimately just. Though it may not be within the same generation, the wicked will have their punishment in the end... even if they need to wait until judgment day. In the same way, the just (like Job) will have their blessings and their ultimate reward in heaven. Job, despite the cries of his moral compass, the "This isn't fair," Job recognizes that God will make it fair in the end. In the end, justice will reign, because our Lord is just.
And now that we have entered into the New Covenant, we need not fear the ultimate judgment but rejoice in the fact that none of us can ever earn or deserve the fate of the righteous. We need Jesus to take on our sins, to give us a way into the highest heaven. Because although we have moments that our lot doesn't seem "fair", when we recognize our sin we remember that our final lot (our entrance into heaven) is far from "fair"... who are we that God would welcome us into heaven? That is not due to us, but Jesus has made that possible... to me, that's what it takes to take Jesus seriously... which is the theme of conference this year.
What Is Due
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21-23)
Well, here is a case where is seems that Herod got what was comin' to him. He was accepting all the praise, praise that held him up as a god. And to continue the theme, if we constantly remind ourselves to take Jesus seriously, we remember that our whole beings should praise the Lord our God, the Lord who is one, the Lord who deserves all the praise and honor and glory. I'm so much looking forward to our worship service tonight, where we together can worship the One who deserves all the praise. And our moral compass should clearly point to that... to praise for the Lord, Creator of all.
But it's also what makes life so painful. Although we know what's right and wrong, blessings don't always follow a good job and tragedy doesn't always befall those who've done horrible things. And we cry, "It's not fair," precisely because of our moral compass.
What Isn't Due
13 "Here is the fate God allots to the wicked,
the heritage a ruthless man receives from the Almighty:
14 However many his children, their fate is the sword;
his offspring will never have enough to eat.
15 The plague will bury those who survive him,
and their widows will not weep for them.
16 Though he heaps up silver like dust
and clothes like piles of clay... (Job 27:13-16)
Brad pointed out to me yesterday as we reflected on this passage that Job not only points out any kind of difficulties that befall the wicked, Job is pointing to things that have happened to him and his family. Job's family felt the sword, fell to plague, loss of money.... He was labeling himself as wicked. Yet, Job later in this chapter points to the fact that God is ultimately just. Though it may not be within the same generation, the wicked will have their punishment in the end... even if they need to wait until judgment day. In the same way, the just (like Job) will have their blessings and their ultimate reward in heaven. Job, despite the cries of his moral compass, the "This isn't fair," Job recognizes that God will make it fair in the end. In the end, justice will reign, because our Lord is just.
And now that we have entered into the New Covenant, we need not fear the ultimate judgment but rejoice in the fact that none of us can ever earn or deserve the fate of the righteous. We need Jesus to take on our sins, to give us a way into the highest heaven. Because although we have moments that our lot doesn't seem "fair", when we recognize our sin we remember that our final lot (our entrance into heaven) is far from "fair"... who are we that God would welcome us into heaven? That is not due to us, but Jesus has made that possible... to me, that's what it takes to take Jesus seriously... which is the theme of conference this year.
What Is Due
21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21-23)
Well, here is a case where is seems that Herod got what was comin' to him. He was accepting all the praise, praise that held him up as a god. And to continue the theme, if we constantly remind ourselves to take Jesus seriously, we remember that our whole beings should praise the Lord our God, the Lord who is one, the Lord who deserves all the praise and honor and glory. I'm so much looking forward to our worship service tonight, where we together can worship the One who deserves all the praise. And our moral compass should clearly point to that... to praise for the Lord, Creator of all.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Worry: A Product Analysis
I don't know why it is that some people seem to have more of a propensity for worrying than others. Unfortunately, I tend to be one of those. Perhaps the good side of the trait would be my eagerness to plan everything out. But then when things aren't planned out, I worry. God gives us a clear product analysis of worry in Matthew 6:25-34... and similar to the lyrics from the song "War"- "What is it good for? Absolutely nothing." Well, the product analysis is further proven by clear examples in the Bible, as in Job and Acts.
Worry as Unproductive
23 One man dies in full vigor,
completely secure and at ease,
24 his body [f] well nourished,
his bones rich with marrow.
25 Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.
26 Side by side they lie in the dust,
and worms cover them both. (Job 21:23-26)
What Job describes here is that different types of outcomes, good and bad, come to different people. We can't waste our time worrying about the future for "tomorrow has enough worries of its own." Brad and I could spend our time worrying about what he will do with his extra year or two years after he finishes his program and I'm still studying, but why worry about that? We have no idea if that will happen. We could worry about kids and how we might provide for them on a grad student budget, but I might not even be able to have kids for all we know. One will have 7 children, another will have none. One will find a job, another will be unemployed. But worrying about it now won't help... worrying about it now is simply unproductive. And whether the outcome is good or bad, "side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both." The ultimate outcome is the same.
I remember when I was down in the DR. There you find a very strong belief in liberation theology... that 'no matter how bad things are here and now, there will be freedom in heaven and we will ultimately be celebrating together with the Lord.' Now some people take this to an unhealthy extreme... not caring for creation or ourselves or the situation in the world that God has called us to care for and be stewards of... the world and each other. However, I do believe that a healthy dose of liberation theology helps us to see what Job describes... that even if we suffer now, we look forward to Heaven. Like Tony Campolo says, it's Friday (and things are bad, dismal, difficult), but Sunday's coming. Worrying distracts us from the glory that awaits us... and the joy we have as Christians.
Worry as Counterproductive
27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Acts 10:27-37)
Not only is worry unproductive. It's also counterproductive. Let's look back at Peter. If Peter had hesitated and worried about what all the Jews would think of him... whispering about how he would associate and even go to a Gentile's home... he would have been counterproductive to the call of God in His life. And think about all the lives that would have affected in turn. Peter wouldn't have understood God's message about favoritism and acceptance. The people wouldn't have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. All because of worry.
And we have this worry oftentimes. What will others think if...? I think I've grown out of that a lot myself. Perhaps as an oldest child or just the path I've forged for myself through different jobs and places and countries. Now, it's just a little example, but when I would go to our Graduate Christian Fellowship meal the past 2 years on Fridays, I would always take my bowl and silverware and material napkin. Everyone else did throw aways. But I was 'me'. And when I decided to do BVS- giving up a good job at Central Bucks School District, I know that some people wouldn't have chosen that path. They might have thought this or that about me. But if I had 'worried' about that, think of all that wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have the wonderful opportunity to meet up with my Brazilian brothers and sisters at National YOuth Conference this summer!
Worry as Unproductive
23 One man dies in full vigor,
completely secure and at ease,
24 his body [f] well nourished,
his bones rich with marrow.
25 Another man dies in bitterness of soul,
never having enjoyed anything good.
26 Side by side they lie in the dust,
and worms cover them both. (Job 21:23-26)
What Job describes here is that different types of outcomes, good and bad, come to different people. We can't waste our time worrying about the future for "tomorrow has enough worries of its own." Brad and I could spend our time worrying about what he will do with his extra year or two years after he finishes his program and I'm still studying, but why worry about that? We have no idea if that will happen. We could worry about kids and how we might provide for them on a grad student budget, but I might not even be able to have kids for all we know. One will have 7 children, another will have none. One will find a job, another will be unemployed. But worrying about it now won't help... worrying about it now is simply unproductive. And whether the outcome is good or bad, "side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both." The ultimate outcome is the same.
I remember when I was down in the DR. There you find a very strong belief in liberation theology... that 'no matter how bad things are here and now, there will be freedom in heaven and we will ultimately be celebrating together with the Lord.' Now some people take this to an unhealthy extreme... not caring for creation or ourselves or the situation in the world that God has called us to care for and be stewards of... the world and each other. However, I do believe that a healthy dose of liberation theology helps us to see what Job describes... that even if we suffer now, we look forward to Heaven. Like Tony Campolo says, it's Friday (and things are bad, dismal, difficult), but Sunday's coming. Worrying distracts us from the glory that awaits us... and the joy we have as Christians.
Worry as Counterproductive
27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?"
30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (Acts 10:27-37)
Not only is worry unproductive. It's also counterproductive. Let's look back at Peter. If Peter had hesitated and worried about what all the Jews would think of him... whispering about how he would associate and even go to a Gentile's home... he would have been counterproductive to the call of God in His life. And think about all the lives that would have affected in turn. Peter wouldn't have understood God's message about favoritism and acceptance. The people wouldn't have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. All because of worry.
And we have this worry oftentimes. What will others think if...? I think I've grown out of that a lot myself. Perhaps as an oldest child or just the path I've forged for myself through different jobs and places and countries. Now, it's just a little example, but when I would go to our Graduate Christian Fellowship meal the past 2 years on Fridays, I would always take my bowl and silverware and material napkin. Everyone else did throw aways. But I was 'me'. And when I decided to do BVS- giving up a good job at Central Bucks School District, I know that some people wouldn't have chosen that path. They might have thought this or that about me. But if I had 'worried' about that, think of all that wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't have the wonderful opportunity to meet up with my Brazilian brothers and sisters at National YOuth Conference this summer!
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