Take the LONG view

Most of the books I read are 'one-timers,' meaning I never pick them up again. There is one book in my library that shows the wear of many reading. Published in 1980- A Long Obedience in the Same Direction,  with the sub-title; Discipleship in an Instant Society- is a little volume of timeless inspiration based on Psalms 120-134, the Songs of Ascent.  Ancient Jews sang these Psalms as they made pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which was on higher ground than the surrounding terrain. Hence the ‘songs of ascent.’  But, they came to be descriptions of the life lived facing upwards, one aimed at entering the presence of God.

Unlike so much devotional literature written today, full of smiles and nice little anecdotes about children and puppies, these Psalms get to the gritty part of life; the hard stuff of the pilgrim way. Take a look at one of them.

"A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me. Let all Israel repeat this:
From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me.
My back is covered with cuts, as if a farmer had plowed long furrows.
But the Lord is good;

he has cut me free from the ropes of the ungodly.
May all who hate Jerusalem be turned back in shameful defeat.
May they be as useless as grass on a rooftop, turning yellow when only half grown, ignored by the harvester, despised by the binder.
And may those who pass by refuse to give them this blessing:
“The Lord bless you; we bless you in the Lord’s name.” (Psalm 129, NLT)

The Psalm reflects the curious state of the godly; afflicted, yet hopeful;  crushed, but not destroyed.  It speaks to the anger that pulses in us when we are mistreated and falsely accused, all the while reminding us that 'the Lord is good.' The wisdom of the Lord does not ask us to enter into a Zen-like disconnect from the reality of life, nor to a fatalistic resignation to whatever happens. Instead, we are taught to pray and hope for vindication of his cause, trusting the Almighty to 'turn back his enemies in shameful defeat.'

Perseverance IS NOT giving up, laying down to be a doormat, or just 'putting on the game face.' Perseverance is a life that is lived in the 'now and not yet,' that, in the middle of the mess that is life for so many and so often, holds onto the faithfulness of God, that sees that He is good, that holds onto hope of pain’s defeat and rest in His Presence!

Eugene Peterson writes at the conclusion of that chapter in his book: "Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in His ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that the Way integrates all our interests, passions, and gifts, our human needs and our eternal aspirations. It is the way of life we are created for. There are endless challenges to keep us on the growing edge of faith; there is always a righteous God with us to make it possible for us to persevere."

As this new week begins, meditate on that pivotal phrase of Psalm 129:  “The Lord is Good!”  Refuse to become a victim. Allow yourself no excuse for retreat or complaint. Instead, take hold of the hand of the Lord and determine to live ‘a long obedience in the same direction.’  Here’s the word from the Word. Own it as your declaration.
"Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne! So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up." (Hebrews 12:1-3, CEV)

_______________

Lift Me Up Above The Shadows

Lift me up above the shadows,

Plant my feet on higher ground.

Lift me up above the clouds, Lord,

Where the pure sunshine is found.

Lift me up above my weakness,

Lift me up into Thy strength,

Lift me up above the shadows,

‘Till I stand with Thee at length.

Lift me up above the shadows,

Lift me up and let me stand,

On the mountain tops of glory,

Let me dwell in Beulah land!

Lift me up above the shadows

Out of sorrow into joy,

Lift me up above my grief, Lord,

Give me gold for my alloy.

Then when death must claim my spirit,

And the storms of life are past,

Lift me up above the shadows,

‘Till in heav'n I stand at last.

Herbert Buffum | R.E. Winsett

© 1946 R.E. Winsett Music Company (Admin. by Sacred Selections R.E. Winsett LLC)

CCLI License # 810055

One Big Eye?

John was my driver yesterday for a minor surgery that was required. He ministered to me so powerfully by being available. When we set out, he paused to invite the Lord to be with us, to keep me, to help the surgeon. What peace followed his prayer!  When I was slow to recover, he was there, a steadying presence in the room.  At day’s end, Laura, who spent the afternoon, bowed her head with mine and her prayer was like a drink of cool water, refreshing, renewing.  

This is the Body of Christ.  Bev and I have re-discovered the joy of being ‘in Christ’ in so many ways during our recent times of testing; meals, prayers, cards, words of encouragement, hugs, prayer shawls, loving little text messages, ‘chemo comfort paks,’ and more.

I hope you’re connected to Christ’s Body deeply for times like that. It is next to impossible to become intimate friends with people if the only connection happens in the main sanctuary for 75 minutes on Sunday morning. Shaking hands with a few and exchanging polite greetings is a start, but does that grow into the real kind of friendship we need?  Our local church offers opportunities for people to be in small groups, where there are shared meals, deep discussions, and personal prayers. That is where Christ's life really takes root! 

Life is packed with activities so each of us will have to determine a priority choice to treat church connections like a second family.   That choice pays tremendous dividends. It isn’t just for the sad or hard times.  Celebration is enhanced when others rejoice with you. There is healthy correction to be found in having others speak to you honestly, lovingly, as they get to know you beyond the public image.

God tells us to "think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” He also directs us to “not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his (Christ’s) return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)

When this pastor encourages people to be in church, it’s not just to get better numbers or fill seats. It is because I KNOW that faithful church attendance and involvement in ministry and small groups is God’s plan and a key to mature, healthy Christianity.  

Will it always be enjoyable? No! Conflict arises even among those who love Jesus, and sometimes over silly things. 

Will it always be convenient? No! Calendars will fill up and something will have to be set aside for the sake of what’s most important.  

Will people meet your expectations? No.  I’ll readily admit that in spite of my best intentions, this pastor is seen by some as ‘failed,’ because I did not come through in a way they expected.  

However, the church is mine, nor is it yours.  It’s His.  If our involvement is focused on worshiping Him, serving Him, loving Him – we will stay the course in the place to which He has called us through good times and bad.

"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. … if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body." (1 Corinthians 12:12-20, NLT)  "All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27, NLT)

I hope to see you ‘in church,’ and I don’t just mean in a building.

____

Father,  I thank you for the Church - 

Your people drawn together in love for You and one another.

Make her strong, beautiful, and fill her with Your Spirit.

And, as she lives worthy of her high calling, 

may others be drawn to Christ, changed for now and eternity.

Amen.

Before the Throne

Are you a worshiper?  Many Christians will immediately think of church, or a stadium rally with thousands in song.  Is worship just found where there is a kickin’ band, or in a church where the preacher is passionate and persuasive?  

Worship is the experience of God’s amazing and powerful Presence. He settles over you, bringing awe and serenity.  This can happen in church, or on the beach, or in the dark of night in your bedroom! We should desire to live in His Presence  all of the time, but everything in our daily lives conspires to keep us from living with an awareness of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Headaches, heartaches, car trouble, stormy weather, disagreeable people, the blare of media – the list is lengthy – all become distractions from being ‘before the Throne.‘   

If my own life is any gauge, we can go a whole day rushing from job to job,  putting out fires,  coping with the ‘stuff’ that comes down the road-  with little or no thought of God’s wonderful Presence.   

But, we should not accept that kind of life as a normal Christian life!  The Word reminds us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV)    Perhaps your first thought on reading that line is – “Sure, I could do that if I lived in a monastery, but not with my life!”   Does the Lord God ask the impossible from us? No, He does not, so …

There are a some purposeful, conscious choices that keep us in His Presence.  

The first is to choose obedience.

Selfishness, filthiness, greediness are a few of the things that move us away from being in a prayerful attitude.  I know the voice of the Spirit that says to me, “Stop what you’re doing right now!”   Or, He says, “Refocus your mind, now!”  If I obey, His peace remains.  If I resist, the serenity of living in His Presence ebbs away.  

Then, choose joy.  

The person who chooses joy is not fake, nor does he live in denial of the pain that comes his way.  But, he refuses to continually gripe. The old hymn says, “oh what peace we often forfeit all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”  If we’re broken, we can weep and through our tears find the joy of the Lord.  His Presence is found, not in resignation to fate, but in acceptance of grace for each day.

And, we  pray continually. 

The more a Christian learns to live ‘in the Presence,’  or ‘before the Throne,’ the more he treasures it.  This prayerful life does not require words alone. It is an attitude that keeps our hearts aware that God is here and He is near.

Then, there is the choice to be thankful!   
The Enemy of our souls does his utmost to make us discontent. He works to cause us to live in envy of other’s place. The 10th commandment  says “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”(Exodus 20:17, NIV)    If we want what belongs to another- even if it is his spiritual experience – contentment is lost. With the discontent, we stop looking up and start looking around, a sure way to step away from the Throne!  

The Bible says that we are the ‘temples of the Holy Spirit.’    We are ‘God’s house.’     Wouldn’t it be a shame to claim to be a living temple, yet be empty of the Presence of the One who makes the temple glorious? 

Here are words from the Word for your meditation today.  May He keep you close as you choose to live ‘before the Throne!’

Then he told me, “These are those who come from the great tribulation,

and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb.

That’s why they’re standing before God’s Throne. 
They serve him day and night in his Temple.

The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat.

The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life.
And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes.”   (Revelation 7:14-17, The Message)

______________________

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.

Before The Throne Of God Above

Cook, Vikki / Bancroft, Charitie Lees

© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company)

Fish, Coffee, Creation, and ?

Nate talks about fishing and his voice rises with excitement. “I caught three at Spruce Run that were this big,” he tells me as he describes the spot. Yes, he loves to fish.  To me, fishing is just another way to get a sunburn.   

Sean knows coffee.  The details of the roast, the source of the beans, the temperature of the brew are issues of importance to him at his shop where he aims to create a place where people can enjoy good company and great coffee. I enjoy a good cup of coffee, too, but I’m content with brewing mine each day from a good old standard supermarket brand.   

Terry cares about God’s creation. He wants all of us to love creatures, to respect the earth, and to eat locally grown vegetables.  His intensity has stirred interest in me in a subject about which I had little knowledge previously.

What are you passionate about? What makes your eyes light up, your heart beat faster?  

I love passionate people!  Yes, they are often fanatical, sometimes opinionated, and even ready to push us to their position. But, they change others because they care. There are some people who have given up on caring about much of anything, who comes home to stare at the TV all evening long without stirring.  They are filled with apathy.  Perhaps they are so overwhelmed by troubles that they  “just don’t care” about anything.  And, tragically, some are just too lazy in heart and mind to engage with life.  Content to drift, they exist.

God calls us to zeal!  When a religious man came to Jesus asking about the highest and most important choice in life, He answered him this way. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37, NIV)  In other words, be passionate in your pursuit of God!  Are you? Is the Lord the after-thought at the end of the day or the first thought at the dawn?  When you are blessed is He the One to whom you give thanks first? When you are broken or torn, is He the One you turn to for solace before all others?  Is His Presence your richest resource?  Those with passion for the Lord know the meaning of these words: "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26, NIV)

Let’s not confuse religion with relationship. Paul warns about caring more for the traditions than the One to whom they should point. "I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law." (Romans 10:2-3, NLT)  Think long and hard about this – do you know the Lord or just about Him?  Christ is the core, the very heart, of those who are passionate about Him.  Every other decision is shaped by love for Him. 

Do you know Him that way, Christian?  Here’s the word from the Word.

"Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God." (Psalm 34:10, The Message)

"But all who are hunting for you— oh, let them sing and be happy. Let those who know what you’re all about tell the world you’re great and not quitting." (Psalm 40:16, The Message)

"Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence." (Psalm 105:4, The Message)

____________

One Pure And Holy Passion

Give me one pure and holy passion!

Give me one magnificent obsession!

Jesus, give me one glorious ambition for my life;

To know and follow hard after You.

To know and follow hard after You,

To grow as Your disciple in the truth,

This world is empty pale and poor,

Compared to knowing You, my Lord.

Lead me on and I will run after You.

Mark Altrogge

© 1988 Dayspring Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

Sovereign Grace Praise (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055