On Tuesday, America's political landscape experienced an earthquake of sorts, rearranging the chairs in Washington, DC. Most of the punditry that I read attributes the people's overthrow of the Republican party to her drift from the core values of conservatism. Fiscal restraint, a commitment to smaller and less intrusive, more localized government, and true respect for human life and dignity were being eclipsed by bloated budgets, Congressional largesse, and disregard for the value of life and liberty. TFTD is not a political column so I'll leave my opinions out of it, but there is a clear parallel to the work of the Church and the lives of Believers that I draw from Tuesday's events. It is - 'keep the vision clear!'
Why did God call you and me into His Church? What is the vision He has for us?
Our answer to that inquiry is not found in our mission statements. It is much more clear in what we do, the way we allocate our resources. In my humble opinion, churches are always dealing with the risk of becoming social clubs that are all about building ever more comfortable buildings, creating positions of power and prestige for pastors and lay leaders, and becoming more and more shaped by the needs of those inside the walls, rather than serving those still outside. Jesus gave this mission to us: "Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20, CEV) The way of life to which those of us who are in His Church are called is outlined in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 where He said these kinds of radical things: "Keep your word. Don't let yourself even think lustfully. Forgive quickly. Practice humility and don't make a show of your faith. Be generous to a fault and don't tell anyone about it. Build your treasure in Heaven, not here on earth." Those are the core values of the Church!
Why are Americans skeptical of Christianity, increasingly looking to other religions for spiritual fulfillment?
We can blame the culture, and to some degree, that may be accurate. Self-fulfillment, pleasure, and wealth are the gods of this age! But, just as the Republicans would be mistaken to blame their electoral losses entirely on those outside of the party, we would be mistaken to blame our world for rejecting our faith. We need to invite the Spirit to shine His Light into our lives, showing us where compromise and fuzzy thinking are obscuring the beauty of the Good News of salvation through Christ, our Lord. Where we perceive that we have lost our focus and/or that we are not implementing the radical lifestyle to which we are called by our Lord, we must be prepared to pray- 'change my heart, Oh God!' Believer, if we want to be effective shapers of our culture, true ambassadors of the Kingdom who enjoy credibility, we must reclaim the mission of our Master.
Where we lose ourselves in selfless service, where we become advocates of those who are poor and oppressed, when we love people to wholeness instead of blaming them for their plight, Christ will be lifted up; and His promise is that 'where I am lifted up, I will draw all to Myself.' And know this! As difficult as it may seem to embrace His mission - there is joy to be found there.
Meditate on His call today. He is commissioning you and me saying:
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
.... And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:37-42, NKJV)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Not beyond the grace of God
Are you ever tempted to think that you or someone you know is beyond redemption, with a life too full of 'junk' to ever be useful in God's hands? When faced with a person's repeated failures, we conclude, "There's just no hope for him. He's a total wreck." I confess that I have said it or at least thought it more than once. This week I re-read most of the book of 2 Samuel, the story of King David's reign in Israel. In a time span of 40 years, he managed to get it wrong - in big and small ways - at least as often as he got it right. Not only is there the well-known story of his dalliance with Bathsheba and murder of her husband. The book also shows us that he was an inattentive father who let his children get away with way too much. In a family crisis, he refused to reconcile with his son Absalom because of his pride, which led to a civil war and the death of thousands. Near the end of his rule, for reasons unstated in the Bible, he conducted a census to find out Israel's military strength and brought a terrible judgment on the nation.
And yet... God loved him, forgave him, and used him to do some wonderful things! David came to understand the goodness of God. When presented with a set of options, none of which was good, he shows his faith in the Lord saying, “They’re all terrible! But I’d rather be punished by God, whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands.”(2 Samuel 24:14, The Message) Ah, friend, what an awesome God He is! His grace is beyond all measure. His love is so great as to defy our descriptions. Our friends and acquaintances, even our families, will give up on us when God is just getting started with us.
I am certain that had I been in Israel at the time of King David, when the Jerusalem Daily News published the headline - "King kills loyal commander in failed attempt at cover-up" - I would have concluded he was beyond hope, a failure, a disgrace; that it was time for a new king.
There is a passage in Ephesians that I read from time to time precisely because I learn, again, the depth of God's grace. Read it slowly. As you do, take special note of the turning point.
"You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:2-10, NLT)
BUT GOD, rich in mercy, loved us so much! That little conjunction, BUT, interrupts a sad story of sin and failure. Just when we conclude that we or someone we know is beyond hope, God steps us and says, "Not so quick! Now, it's my turn!" Paul knew that from his own personal experience. A self-righteous Pharisee, he hated Jesus and His followers, persecuting them intensely. He was hell-bent on destruction, but God met him on the road to Damascus and from that encounter emerged the apostle to the world, the man who, second only to Jesus Christ, shaped our Christian beliefs.
"Jerry, just look at my life. I'm ...." is the way many conversations have started with people who have concluded they are too bad, too prone to failure, to be of any use to God. I am so glad that even when I want to agree with them and say, "Yes, you're right. You are just one big mess," I remember that with God there is no one who is too far gone, beyond hope, past the reach of the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ. So, I respond, sometimes with more faith than anything else, "But God..." And I have watched Him work some amazing transformations.
Thank Him, today, for His grace. Thank Him for second chances, for His offer to take the very things you think have disqualified you from His service and use them to shape and mold you into a servant that perfectly fits His plans and purposes.
____________________________________
Before The Throne Of God Above
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055
And yet... God loved him, forgave him, and used him to do some wonderful things! David came to understand the goodness of God. When presented with a set of options, none of which was good, he shows his faith in the Lord saying, “They’re all terrible! But I’d rather be punished by God, whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands.”(2 Samuel 24:14, The Message) Ah, friend, what an awesome God He is! His grace is beyond all measure. His love is so great as to defy our descriptions. Our friends and acquaintances, even our families, will give up on us when God is just getting started with us.
I am certain that had I been in Israel at the time of King David, when the Jerusalem Daily News published the headline - "King kills loyal commander in failed attempt at cover-up" - I would have concluded he was beyond hope, a failure, a disgrace; that it was time for a new king.
There is a passage in Ephesians that I read from time to time precisely because I learn, again, the depth of God's grace. Read it slowly. As you do, take special note of the turning point.
"You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:2-10, NLT)
BUT GOD, rich in mercy, loved us so much! That little conjunction, BUT, interrupts a sad story of sin and failure. Just when we conclude that we or someone we know is beyond hope, God steps us and says, "Not so quick! Now, it's my turn!" Paul knew that from his own personal experience. A self-righteous Pharisee, he hated Jesus and His followers, persecuting them intensely. He was hell-bent on destruction, but God met him on the road to Damascus and from that encounter emerged the apostle to the world, the man who, second only to Jesus Christ, shaped our Christian beliefs.
"Jerry, just look at my life. I'm ...." is the way many conversations have started with people who have concluded they are too bad, too prone to failure, to be of any use to God. I am so glad that even when I want to agree with them and say, "Yes, you're right. You are just one big mess," I remember that with God there is no one who is too far gone, beyond hope, past the reach of the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ. So, I respond, sometimes with more faith than anything else, "But God..." And I have watched Him work some amazing transformations.
Thank Him, today, for His grace. Thank Him for second chances, for His offer to take the very things you think have disqualified you from His service and use them to shape and mold you into a servant that perfectly fits His plans and purposes.
____________________________________
Before The Throne Of God Above
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Forget self-confidence!
Yesterday, I opened the Sept./Oct. '06 issue of Discipleship Journal and saw an interview with Pastor Ted Haggard printed there and it made me feel sick and sad all over again. I realize you may have had enough 'Haggard' to last you for a long time, but indulge me one more time to write about his moral crash. Ted Haggard, in case you've been stuck in the wilds for a week, is the man who led Colorado's largest church until last Sunday, is a prolific author, and the recent president of the National Association of Evangelicals. One week ago today his involvement with a male prostitute and with illicit drug usage was exposed and led to his removal from his ministries.
The question that keeps echoing in my head is: how did he descend into such an ugly, sinful secret life?
Perhaps he thought he was strong enough to fight off temptation by himself. Many of us do! It is hard, very hard, to look in the mirror and admit to ourselves that we have lied, that we have cheated, that lust stalks our mind, that we taste the poison of hatred, that we have been greedy, or such things. So we learn to give our sins other names, as though renaming them makes them less sinful. And we devise schemes that we think will keep us from doing what we know should not do. Still we fail; again and again. The more we fail, the deeper our sense of alienation. The more alone we feel, the more desperate we become. Our desperation leads to the need for an escape, which fuels temptation, against which we feel powerless and so, we do it again - strengthening the cycle. Sin is bigger than you, me, or any living person.
Don't trust that 'knowing better' is a strong defense against temptation, either. On Monday, 11/6/2006, the LA Times, published this excerpt from Haggard's book, Letters from Home. Published in 2002, the book is framed as a letter to the two oldest of his five children, who were preparing for college at that time. In a section called "Live as if there are no secrets," he listed powerful men brought down by lust or lies, including Presidents Nixon and Clinton and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. "Major leaders have lost their positions of influence because of what they did alone in a room," he wrote. "Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that you can do something in secret, even when you are far away from home," Haggard urged his children. "This is a lie, and it will always come back to haunt you." Four years later, Haggard's own life blew up after his hotel room depravity was made public. He knew better but did it anyway. In Romans the power of temptation even in the face of knowing better is made clear. There we read: "I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge." (Romans 7:22-23, The Message)
Trying to self-regulate our behavior is a weak defense, too. Paul reminds us that rules and religion are ultimately powerless to change the sinful nature that resides in everyone of us! “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.” Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires." (Colossians 2:21-24, NLT) In a statement read to the church he had pastored, Haggard spoke of the powerful temptations that overcame his inhibitions. "For extended periods of time, I would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom, then, from time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach."
Some of us think that fear of being shamed and/or internal guilt will save us from ourselves. It won't! We have amazing powers of self-justification. I am speculating, but I wonder how many times Haggard dealt with his guilty shame by rationalizing "I'll never do it again. It was just the pressure of that moment that made me weak."
Here's the part you probably won't like today. Haggard's sin is particularly repulsive to most of us, but in reality, his sin is no worse than yours or mine in the eyes of God! Honestly, which one of is not a hypocrite in one way or another? Which one of can say that our daily lives are in perfect harmony with our professed values? That said, I will go on to say that those who say that they live in by the Spirit should be growing in Christ's grace, closing the gap between words and actions! If his sin becomes an excuse for anyone of us to make peace with with our own sins, we have erred in our conclusion, and failed to gain a thing from his example. His failure should be a call to each one of us to renew our daily commitment to spiritual disciplines that create pathways for the Spirit to enter our lives in a powerfully transforming way. His fall should teach us the importance of staying in touch with those who can call us to account and seeking the Spirit's powerful conviction that will turn us from our lusts and lapses.
Paradoxically, the Bible teaches us to admit to our inherent weaknesses, for 'when we are weak, then we are strong!' Paul says, "Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence." The Message (1 Co 10:11-12)
There it is! Forget self-confidence.... cultivate God-confidence.
"Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 7:24-25, NLT)
_________________________
Take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends with God's children;
Help those who are weak,Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy. Let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Take Time To Be Holy
Author: Longstaff, William D. / Stebbins, George C.
Copyright: Public Domain
The question that keeps echoing in my head is: how did he descend into such an ugly, sinful secret life?
Perhaps he thought he was strong enough to fight off temptation by himself. Many of us do! It is hard, very hard, to look in the mirror and admit to ourselves that we have lied, that we have cheated, that lust stalks our mind, that we taste the poison of hatred, that we have been greedy, or such things. So we learn to give our sins other names, as though renaming them makes them less sinful. And we devise schemes that we think will keep us from doing what we know should not do. Still we fail; again and again. The more we fail, the deeper our sense of alienation. The more alone we feel, the more desperate we become. Our desperation leads to the need for an escape, which fuels temptation, against which we feel powerless and so, we do it again - strengthening the cycle. Sin is bigger than you, me, or any living person.
Don't trust that 'knowing better' is a strong defense against temptation, either. On Monday, 11/6/2006, the LA Times, published this excerpt from Haggard's book, Letters from Home. Published in 2002, the book is framed as a letter to the two oldest of his five children, who were preparing for college at that time. In a section called "Live as if there are no secrets," he listed powerful men brought down by lust or lies, including Presidents Nixon and Clinton and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. "Major leaders have lost their positions of influence because of what they did alone in a room," he wrote. "Please don't ever fall into the trap of believing that you can do something in secret, even when you are far away from home," Haggard urged his children. "This is a lie, and it will always come back to haunt you." Four years later, Haggard's own life blew up after his hotel room depravity was made public. He knew better but did it anyway. In Romans the power of temptation even in the face of knowing better is made clear. There we read: "I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge." (Romans 7:22-23, The Message)
Trying to self-regulate our behavior is a weak defense, too. Paul reminds us that rules and religion are ultimately powerless to change the sinful nature that resides in everyone of us! “Don’t handle, don’t eat, don’t touch.” Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person’s evil thoughts and desires." (Colossians 2:21-24, NLT) In a statement read to the church he had pastored, Haggard spoke of the powerful temptations that overcame his inhibitions. "For extended periods of time, I would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom, then, from time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach."
Some of us think that fear of being shamed and/or internal guilt will save us from ourselves. It won't! We have amazing powers of self-justification. I am speculating, but I wonder how many times Haggard dealt with his guilty shame by rationalizing "I'll never do it again. It was just the pressure of that moment that made me weak."
Here's the part you probably won't like today. Haggard's sin is particularly repulsive to most of us, but in reality, his sin is no worse than yours or mine in the eyes of God! Honestly, which one of is not a hypocrite in one way or another? Which one of can say that our daily lives are in perfect harmony with our professed values? That said, I will go on to say that those who say that they live in by the Spirit should be growing in Christ's grace, closing the gap between words and actions! If his sin becomes an excuse for anyone of us to make peace with with our own sins, we have erred in our conclusion, and failed to gain a thing from his example. His failure should be a call to each one of us to renew our daily commitment to spiritual disciplines that create pathways for the Spirit to enter our lives in a powerfully transforming way. His fall should teach us the importance of staying in touch with those who can call us to account and seeking the Spirit's powerful conviction that will turn us from our lusts and lapses.
Paradoxically, the Bible teaches us to admit to our inherent weaknesses, for 'when we are weak, then we are strong!' Paul says, "Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence." The Message (1 Co 10:11-12)
There it is! Forget self-confidence.... cultivate God-confidence.
"Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 7:24-25, NLT)
_________________________
Take time to be holy. Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends with God's children;
Help those who are weak,Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy. Let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Take Time To Be Holy
Author: Longstaff, William D. / Stebbins, George C.
Copyright: Public Domain
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
God's fool.
The king was delighted to be bringing the treasured Ark of the Covenant of God to Jerusalem. The gold chest which had been the symbolic place of God's dwelling among the people had been part of Israel's national life for centuries; sometimes revered, sometimes feared, sometimes abused. Now, David had dedicated a place in his royal city for it. As the Ark was brought to the city, it was a way of inviting God Himself to be at home there. David was ecstatic and as the procession entered the city with songs and music, he abandoned all dignity, dancing and leaping in the streets! The Bible reports on his action with this simple summary: "David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly tunic." (2 Samuel 6:14, NLT)
One of his wives, Michal, whose life with David can best be described as tumultuous, watched him dancing in honor of God and felt it was a display that no dignified king should allow in public. When David came home, she said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”" (2 Samuel 6:20, NIV) He was not actually naked! He had laid aside royal robes and put on the plain shirt of a priest. But she found it a distasteful, disgraceful performance. His reply to her shows his heart for God- “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord." (2 Samuel 6:21, NLT)
"I am willing to act like a fool to show my joy in the Lord!"
That phrase challenges me today. Am I willing to love and serve God in a way that invites the ridicule of others? What matters more to me, to be 'respected' by my friends or to be devoted to my God? Tragically, this story is often used as an excuse for self-indulgent 'worship.' When somebody wants to just 'do their thing' in a church service, creating a display that is distracting to others, they quote this passage as justification for their actions. What an awful trivialization of a great lesson. The account goes to a much deeper issue than whether it is right to do a dance step in worship! It is about a life that is lived in worshipful abandon for God's glory.
Last week I learned of a couple who are skilled and educated people who have moved to the deep jungle of New Guinea with their children. They live primitively, traveling by boat to the village where they have already spent 6 years and where they will spend another 14 years. They endure loneliness, have experienced life-threatening disease. For what? To learn the language and culture of the tribal people so they can communicate the Gospel of Christ! They have yet to make a convert, but they consider their sacrifice as no great thing in the service of the God they love! Many would label them as fools. Would you? Their lives are a 'dance in honor of their God!'
There are two ways to live - in a way that seeks the best of life, here and now; or in a way that seeks God's honor. They are seldom the same path. One is lived for Self, oriented around creating a comfortable life, accumulating things, avoiding suffering - a way of life much respected in our American culture. The other is lived for God, focused on eternity. Love and service are the primary characteristics of that life. Honestly, not many of us, truly live it. We may live a form of it, but self-interest is never far from our thoughts.
May the story of David challenge us to dance with abandon, to forget ourselves in our passionate pursuit of God! When friends and family question our 'foolish' choices, we can respond, "I was dancing before the Lord!"
Ponder this passage today:
"You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.” Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?
Don’t be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:33-38, CEV)
One of his wives, Michal, whose life with David can best be described as tumultuous, watched him dancing in honor of God and felt it was a display that no dignified king should allow in public. When David came home, she said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”" (2 Samuel 6:20, NIV) He was not actually naked! He had laid aside royal robes and put on the plain shirt of a priest. But she found it a distasteful, disgraceful performance. His reply to her shows his heart for God- “I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the Lord." (2 Samuel 6:21, NLT)
"I am willing to act like a fool to show my joy in the Lord!"
That phrase challenges me today. Am I willing to love and serve God in a way that invites the ridicule of others? What matters more to me, to be 'respected' by my friends or to be devoted to my God? Tragically, this story is often used as an excuse for self-indulgent 'worship.' When somebody wants to just 'do their thing' in a church service, creating a display that is distracting to others, they quote this passage as justification for their actions. What an awful trivialization of a great lesson. The account goes to a much deeper issue than whether it is right to do a dance step in worship! It is about a life that is lived in worshipful abandon for God's glory.
Last week I learned of a couple who are skilled and educated people who have moved to the deep jungle of New Guinea with their children. They live primitively, traveling by boat to the village where they have already spent 6 years and where they will spend another 14 years. They endure loneliness, have experienced life-threatening disease. For what? To learn the language and culture of the tribal people so they can communicate the Gospel of Christ! They have yet to make a convert, but they consider their sacrifice as no great thing in the service of the God they love! Many would label them as fools. Would you? Their lives are a 'dance in honor of their God!'
There are two ways to live - in a way that seeks the best of life, here and now; or in a way that seeks God's honor. They are seldom the same path. One is lived for Self, oriented around creating a comfortable life, accumulating things, avoiding suffering - a way of life much respected in our American culture. The other is lived for God, focused on eternity. Love and service are the primary characteristics of that life. Honestly, not many of us, truly live it. We may live a form of it, but self-interest is never far from our thoughts.
May the story of David challenge us to dance with abandon, to forget ourselves in our passionate pursuit of God! When friends and family question our 'foolish' choices, we can respond, "I was dancing before the Lord!"
Ponder this passage today:
"You are thinking like everyone else and not like God.” Jesus then told the crowd and the disciples to come closer, and he said: "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me and for the good news, you will save it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What could you give to get back your soul?
Don’t be ashamed of me and my message among these unfaithful and sinful people! If you are, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:33-38, CEV)
Monday, November 06, 2006
A grain of salt...
Thinking about staying home from the polls tomorrow because you think it does not really matter? Consider these elections....
- In 1999, Leslie Byrne was elected to the Virginia Senate by 37 votes, less than one vote per precinct.
- Donald Sherwood was elected to the House of Representatives from Pennsylvania by a margin of 515 votes, less than one vote per precinct making this election the closest House of Representative race in 1998
- Loretta Sanchez was elected to Congress from California by less than 4 votes per precinct in 1996
- John F. Kennedy's margin of victory over Richard Nixon in 1960 was less than one vote per precinct.
- One vote per precinct passed woman suffrage in California in 1911.
Tomorrow Americans have a privilege that comparatively few people down through history have enjoyed - the ability to choose their leaders. Political leaders estimate that just a little more than half of those who are registered to vote will actually go to the polls on Tuesday. And only about 40% of people of voting age in the US will vote! I sincerely hope that you are not one of those who says, "what does my vote really mean, so why bother?" The truth is that one vote is powerful especially in a year like this one in which many political contests are too close to call just a day before the elections.
So, some of you are probably thinking, "Jerry, why are you writing about this in TFTD? Isn't the mission of this daily email about encouraging spiritual development?" Yes; and Believer, I am convinced that as a follower of Christ one of the ways we must practice our faith and bring a God-centered worldview into influence in our society is with the ballot. I urge you to pray about your vote. Paul urged the Believers living in pagan societies of his time to bear public witness. He said, "Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NLT)
Know why you're voting for that person to whom you give your support. Research the candidate's positions, and vote wisely, not simply emotionally. Have you viewed that AARP ad featuring the 'candidate' who does a great 'song and dance' routine, who smiles widely and serves up supper, but never talks about issues? It's a good one! The point of the ad is that we need to look past the personality to the position. I'm not endorsing the AARP but it is important that we not allow personal charisma or lack there of to be the reason we support a candidate. Nor can we let a candidate's rhetoric guide us alone. Look at their record, at specific votes, at what various advocacy groups have to say about their positions. With a little digging, information is available. (Don't write to me and ask me for whom you ought to vote!)
Truthfully, in very few situations will you find a candidate that perfectly conforms to your ideals. Selecting the person you support will involve prioritizing issues that you consider to be important and then choosing the candidate that reflects the values you list highest on your list. I would encourage you not to be single issue voter. Consider the totality of a candidate's positions.
Here are several issues to consider beyond the normal party affiliation:
- Does this candidate believe that life is sacred with a consistent position on all human life?
- Does this candidate seek ways to provide justice to all people- rich, poor, black, and white?
- Is this candidate actively concerned about economic opportunity for all people?
- Does this candidate show a genuine respect for God's creation, balancing the need for development with environmental preservation?
Jesus tells us to be the salt of the earth. Though we primarily think of salt as a flavor, in His time, salt served a much more valuable function. Since there was no refrigeration, salt was the primary means of preserving foods, particularly meat, from spoiling. Tomorrow see your ballot as a grain of salt, a way of preserving the political process from corruption. Though alone we are like a small grain of salt, our grains of salt, together, can and will make a real difference.
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