Saturday, December 31, 2011
Luke 14 - Count - but count it all.
Last day of 2011 to make plans for 2012!
The Lord draws our attention to two smilies about counting the cost...or as the YLT says, counting the experience.
I just wanted to encourage you to REALLY count - do the paper and pen thing. Whether you want to get for, earn more or grow in your walk - it,s is gonna cost you - Better to explore the costs and adapt your plans than just "figure stuff" and drop in all later.
Our main measure is faithfulness. As you makemyur plans - don't make then too big to be faithful in. Better slow growth than no growth!
May God richly bless you all as we move into a new year. AND to yu Mayans out there - bye!
MS SR shpdg
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Prophets 001 Jonah
Jonah
Why? No, really, why?? There it is, this story of Jonah. Ninevah, boats, whales – the whole 9 yards
Why?
First, consider it a primer in prophetic literature. There’s God, His message, His messenger and His messageeeee (recipient). That’s Prophetic Literature in brief. It takes place in time, in history. It addresses a specific issue. It demands a response. It has consequences.
We tend to want to “fantasticate “(new word) prophesy. We like our prophesy with a dose of mysticism, a pinch of fantasy and a good bit of deeply hidden stuff that no one ever “got” until relatively recently. This makes prophesy fun – but it also makes it fruitless.
Fore-telling or forth-telling. Which is it? Well, overall it is forth-telling. It is God’s Chosen, speaking God’s Word to God’s audience. That is the bottom line in prophesy. If, as too many propose, there is mystery in prophecy and vaguely revealed future events, then God speaks at cross purposes with Himself. You cannot effectively communicate if you obscure the communicated information.
I can write you a very important letter with information/message that you really need to have/know and will really bless you. But, if I write it in code, even though I have sent you all you need to know, I have not sent it in a manner that is of any use to you, unless you have the key to the code. But why would I use a code for information that was NOT of an extremely confidential (secret) nature but is of inordinate necessity; and, why would I send it in code if you were going to have to hunt for the key?
Jonah lays the ground work for our reading and understanding God’s use of prophecy. There are NO mysterious aspects to Jonah; regardless of what you’ve heard. There are neat parts and “wow” parts that point to Jesus – but there ain’t nothing hidden in Jonah – or any other prophetic communications.
Now, when it comes to Prophetic books (stories), they are usually placed in one of three categories: Allegory; Parable; History. Which of these is Jonah? My answer is, “yes.”
There is no reason not to apply (even left-handedly) any of these categories to Jonah. However, such applications must be done with discretion. The “story” is history or historical. Jesus, Himself, refers to Jonah's experience as a real event that occurred in actual time and as an event that was to serve as a “big hint” concerning the Messiah.
But, FROM Jonah, we can also draw parables and allegories for the purpose of teaching the theological truths of not only Jonah’s ministry and message, but the character of our God.
Now, we have to be very very careful when we “draw-from” scripture and we should never do so unless we are consciously confident what we draw out is biblically sound. What I mean is that within this theological history (historical event) there are people. We are privileged to the dynamics of God acting in the lives of people and people reacting to the acting of God in their midst.
When we separate the great theological elements from the “history” and the “people,” we surrender much of the power of the lesson and certainly most of the “so what now, what do I do with it.” It is not just the theological issues and elements that God wants us to know and use. It is also the effects of “God with us,” that are the sinew of the story. When we cut out the “common” (people) from the story, we cut out the life and lessons. We turn God’s communication (the story) into a list of to do's which we then inhumanly attempt to impose upon our lives and/or the lives of others.
Jonah’s reaction to God’s call upon him is really quite normal (not good but normal). We can see here a place for grace in our lives when we run from God AND the need for grace as we interact with others who run from God. Though I certainly am convicted and I do repent when I run from God, I also remind myself that for a fallen (even though redeemed) person, in a fallen (not yet redeemed) world ,running from God is – well – normal. It’s not OK – watch out for big fish – but it is normal.
I take comfort in that fact just as I take comfort in the fact that God did not let Jonah run too far. I also take comfort in the fact that God understands Jonah’s perspective and goes to wonderful lengths to teach Jonah wherein he had erred. I read Jonah and see a certain sweetness in God’s dealing with his challenging chosen messenger. What a great picture of sweet grace we have in the face of fallen stubbornness.
The story of Jonah isn’t about a big fish or about Ninevah. It’s about God and then about Jonah. As I serve God I am encouraged by Jonah (I do stay away from deep waters though). As I seek His will in ministry (especially the wild and wacky one I have), it is easy for me to run, avoid, etc. But, even when I run, I know He will not let me go far. I know that He will not only stop me but He will lovingly bring me back and tenderly teach me what I need to understand in order to fulfill His call on me.
Using Jonah as our key, we need to keep in mind that the Prophets are not only theological treatises, they are also rubber meets the road lessons in the difficulty in following Him in this life. They are about His unflappable and inexhaustible kindness and patience with those He has called to be His. One lesson all the prophets share is:
“We (people) will never rely upon God to the extent He commands us to; we can’t.” So, He has to make a way, He has to sovereignly act to address our need.
I also see that we, in our fallen foolishness, are as consistent as He is in His righteousness and love. It is the “we are,” and “He is,” conflict and convergence that is so exciting. It’s realizing that loving God but doing things He hates is, normal. It’s not OK, it’s not good, but it is as it is until He makes it otherwise.
So should we just do whatever? Well, I don’t believe we can. Jonah demonstrates this truth (as do the other Prophets) historically and powerfully. God is and will be God. His will is good and it will always prevail. We can struggle with it – and that’s normal – but we can never defeat, distract or diminish it. C.S. Lewis (not one of my heroes theologically) is quoted as saying that he was carried “kicking and screaming” into the Kingdom. Well, if the Prophets have anything to teach us, it is that we make kick and scream less once we’re His, but we will still kick and scream.
KEY:
As we begin the Prophets there is a key we need to keep in mind. This key is the foundation of the issues that the Prophets address.
They said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." (Exo 14:11-12)
The issue here is the difference in the people’s willingness to trust God utterly or to trust man. They would have rather died as slaves to Pharaoh than trust God in the wilderness. This is the singular issue the Prophets address.
Notice there is no mention of God in their questions or statements. It is Moses or Pharaoh. After the plagues and their miraculous deliverance in the Passover they looked to man and what man could do.
The choice, as we will see, is always between God and man. Even in the rifest idolatry with a multiplicity of deities idolatry is, in the final reckoning man’s worship or man with its unavoidable rejection of God.
Friday, December 23, 2011
2012 Plans but No Promises
Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (Jas 4:15)
There is a lot happening in the coming year, the election, economic excitement and of course, the end of the world ;-}. We move through the Nativity celebrations and move into the New Year with expectations good and/or bad or both. Some of us move forward with confidence others no so much. It’s the time of making resolutions about how we will live our lives for the next 365 days.
Now resolutions are all well and good but we have to keep James 4:15 in mind. We also must apply this much more broadly than we usually do. Certainly we apply it to our own goals and plans but we must also accept that the leaf that falls to the ground on second after midnight on January 1 does so by God’s will. We will do this or that; this or that will happen, if the Lord wills.
It is His sovereignty, righteousness and love we must trust in. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty. He is in utter complete control. His plan will not be diverted, twisted of hindered and everything that happens has a place in His will. God is indeed in charge.
Having said that, I also have to say that nothing depends on us. The key word there is depends. Within His will, His laws both natural and spiritual you and I have a place and a part but nothing we do or don’t do will deter His plan.
Let’s not scheme and fret and plan and plead about the coming year. The election is certainly an important event but whatever the outcome it is His plan that we trust in.
We, like ancient Israel, seem to looking for a deliverer. We want our world to be our way and we want to find that person who will make it our way. This is not, has not been and never will be God’s plan. He has sent His Deliverer who has fulfilled His ministry and now simple awaits the Father’s command to return.
Is it not interesting that much of the conversation is about the religion and/or morality of the candidates? I think it is. With rare exception (very rare indeed) politics and the faith cannot go hand in hand. Politics is the art and science of compromise – our faith does not allow for compromise.
I hate to draw fire but it really does not matter, in the context of the Kingdom, who is in power. Those seeking power do not do so for pure, good, holy motives. People seek power to rule over others – to control them. That is God’s roll – His is the power; right?
Until our country was established the world was rules by kings and queens, hereditary rules whose power was considered absolute and ordained (read “allowed”) by God. They, whether they knew it, liked it or were even conscious of it were under His sovereignty.
That does not mean they submitted to Him. Few rulers, even in Judah and Israel did that. It simply means that He is mightier than they. They did not rule (for the most part) as servants of God and Christ but rather as those who assumed that because of their position they knew best and what they did was best – period.
It’s no different today.
Those in power – elephant, ass or duckbilled platypus – are neither servants of God nor servants of the people. They are, in the end, servants of the rulers of this world. The designations Christian, Jew, Moslem even Atheist and Humanist are all sullied by being applied to these men and women.
Why don’t we “get it?” Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world. Therefore, neither is ours. We are to do good works not for the purpose of making the world a better place (that cannot happen) but rather in humble gratitude and submission to Him.
It all began long ago:
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. (1Sa 8:6-8) . . . . .
Not being willing to return to Egypt the people decided to be like their neighbors and create that same conditions in the Promised Land that they lived under in Egypt. Samuel makes it very clear that to live under the power of a man (king or elected officials) was to choose slavery to the one holding power. The insult added to injury for us is that whereas God appointed the ones who would enslave Israel we on the other hand pick ours. The sad thing is that it does not matter which person(s) you enslave yourselves to – slavery is slavery. If the “government” has power – you do not.
I don’t know that I’ll even vote this coming year. I’ve lived long enough and studied history deeply enough to determine that it does not really matter, it really doesn’t. There are indeed two “golden rules.” We know God’s but man’s we tend to forget, “He who has the gold, makes the rules.” When will we accept that we are slaves to those with the gold (power)?
Pessimistic? Negative? Duhhhhh, you betcha! At least about this world and the powers that rule this world. I also firmly believe that we have to accept and live with the fact that the world hates “us.” Hates!!!!! Get it? I hope so.
In the coming year I am drawn to study and share the truths and lessons found in the work of the prophets of the Old Testament. We tend to pick and choose what we study there and in doing so we miss the big picture. It’s a picture of what happens when we choose to be ruled by men and not by God. Yes, we HAVE to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s but this is primarily because Caesar will imprison or kill us if we don’t. Rendering to Caesar is only a quasi-religious obligation because we do not battle flesh and blood and because God uses even the most corrupt of rulers to work His will.
The revolution through which our country was founded was one of economics and not religious issues. It was not some holy crusade. Nor, and I’ll take the heat, was it motivated by biblical truth. If indeed we as believers are to, “honor the king,” what right did we have to rebel? We simply exchanges one form of slavery for another. We sowed the wind and we are beginning to reap the whirl-wind.
I hope you’ll follow our journey. I don’t know what we’ll learn or how it will change our lives (if at all) but there are lessons to be learned, warnings to be heeded and hope to be found in the words of God from the prophets. As Satan closed the ears of Israel to the dangers and evil of having a King so too has he done to us even though we choose our King and his minions every two or four years.
Power corrupts and that corruption corrupts all it touches. The rulers in this world are under the influence of the rulers of this world:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)
There is a lot happening in the coming year, the election, economic excitement and of course, the end of the world ;-}. We move through the Nativity celebrations and move into the New Year with expectations good and/or bad or both. Some of us move forward with confidence others no so much. It’s the time of making resolutions about how we will live our lives for the next 365 days.
Now resolutions are all well and good but we have to keep James 4:15 in mind. We also must apply this much more broadly than we usually do. Certainly we apply it to our own goals and plans but we must also accept that the leaf that falls to the ground on second after midnight on January 1 does so by God’s will. We will do this or that; this or that will happen, if the Lord wills.
It is His sovereignty, righteousness and love we must trust in. Nothing happens outside of His sovereignty. He is in utter complete control. His plan will not be diverted, twisted of hindered and everything that happens has a place in His will. God is indeed in charge.
Having said that, I also have to say that nothing depends on us. The key word there is depends. Within His will, His laws both natural and spiritual you and I have a place and a part but nothing we do or don’t do will deter His plan.
Let’s not scheme and fret and plan and plead about the coming year. The election is certainly an important event but whatever the outcome it is His plan that we trust in.
We, like ancient Israel, seem to looking for a deliverer. We want our world to be our way and we want to find that person who will make it our way. This is not, has not been and never will be God’s plan. He has sent His Deliverer who has fulfilled His ministry and now simple awaits the Father’s command to return.
Is it not interesting that much of the conversation is about the religion and/or morality of the candidates? I think it is. With rare exception (very rare indeed) politics and the faith cannot go hand in hand. Politics is the art and science of compromise – our faith does not allow for compromise.
I hate to draw fire but it really does not matter, in the context of the Kingdom, who is in power. Those seeking power do not do so for pure, good, holy motives. People seek power to rule over others – to control them. That is God’s roll – His is the power; right?
Until our country was established the world was rules by kings and queens, hereditary rules whose power was considered absolute and ordained (read “allowed”) by God. They, whether they knew it, liked it or were even conscious of it were under His sovereignty.
That does not mean they submitted to Him. Few rulers, even in Judah and Israel did that. It simply means that He is mightier than they. They did not rule (for the most part) as servants of God and Christ but rather as those who assumed that because of their position they knew best and what they did was best – period.
It’s no different today.
Those in power – elephant, ass or duckbilled platypus – are neither servants of God nor servants of the people. They are, in the end, servants of the rulers of this world. The designations Christian, Jew, Moslem even Atheist and Humanist are all sullied by being applied to these men and women.
Why don’t we “get it?” Jesus said that His Kingdom was not of this world. Therefore, neither is ours. We are to do good works not for the purpose of making the world a better place (that cannot happen) but rather in humble gratitude and submission to Him.
It all began long ago:
But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. (1Sa 8:6-8) . . . . .
READ THE WHOLE PASSAGE
. . . . And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, "No! But there shall be a king over us, (1Sa 8:18-19)Not being willing to return to Egypt the people decided to be like their neighbors and create that same conditions in the Promised Land that they lived under in Egypt. Samuel makes it very clear that to live under the power of a man (king or elected officials) was to choose slavery to the one holding power. The insult added to injury for us is that whereas God appointed the ones who would enslave Israel we on the other hand pick ours. The sad thing is that it does not matter which person(s) you enslave yourselves to – slavery is slavery. If the “government” has power – you do not.
I don’t know that I’ll even vote this coming year. I’ve lived long enough and studied history deeply enough to determine that it does not really matter, it really doesn’t. There are indeed two “golden rules.” We know God’s but man’s we tend to forget, “He who has the gold, makes the rules.” When will we accept that we are slaves to those with the gold (power)?
Pessimistic? Negative? Duhhhhh, you betcha! At least about this world and the powers that rule this world. I also firmly believe that we have to accept and live with the fact that the world hates “us.” Hates!!!!! Get it? I hope so.
In the coming year I am drawn to study and share the truths and lessons found in the work of the prophets of the Old Testament. We tend to pick and choose what we study there and in doing so we miss the big picture. It’s a picture of what happens when we choose to be ruled by men and not by God. Yes, we HAVE to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s but this is primarily because Caesar will imprison or kill us if we don’t. Rendering to Caesar is only a quasi-religious obligation because we do not battle flesh and blood and because God uses even the most corrupt of rulers to work His will.
The revolution through which our country was founded was one of economics and not religious issues. It was not some holy crusade. Nor, and I’ll take the heat, was it motivated by biblical truth. If indeed we as believers are to, “honor the king,” what right did we have to rebel? We simply exchanges one form of slavery for another. We sowed the wind and we are beginning to reap the whirl-wind.
I hope you’ll follow our journey. I don’t know what we’ll learn or how it will change our lives (if at all) but there are lessons to be learned, warnings to be heeded and hope to be found in the words of God from the prophets. As Satan closed the ears of Israel to the dangers and evil of having a King so too has he done to us even though we choose our King and his minions every two or four years.
Power corrupts and that corruption corrupts all it touches. The rulers in this world are under the influence of the rulers of this world:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Simeon, Anna and Us
Luke 2:29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 2:31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (ESV)
We usually don't think of this passage when we think about the Nativity but of all the elements in the story of the Lord's birth, this is my favorite.
Imagine that God had revealed to you that you would live until the promised Savior came. What would that be like? Would your priorities change? What would be important to you? How could you sleep at night knowing that at any moment you would see and know the promised one?
Would you look at the world differently? Would you look at people differently? What of difficulties and trials? Would they take on a different meaning? What of pleasures and joys? How would they compare to the expectation of the coming of the Lord's Christ?
Simon (and Anna) appear unique and in some ways they are. But was not all of Israel to be anxiously looking for the promise Messiah? Was the expectation of these two not supposed to be the expectation of all? We can only, in truth, say,"Yes!"
Notice Simeon's words:
Your salvation.
In the presence of all peoples.
A light of revelation to the gentiles.
For the glory of your people Israel.
This is not some limited narrow event designated to a small and captive people. This is a cosmic event. A powerful inclusive event. This coming was for all mankind.
This event was to have a powerful effect upon gentiles. Tree huggers, rock worshippers, Zeusers and Pantheists. It was a light - presupposing darkness - of revelation for men and women in the darkness who did not know the truth. It was, quite specifically intended to set the gentile world on its head. And it did.
This coming changed the world forever. No longer was darkness and ignorance a normal state. There was, in the might of revelation, a challenge to the norm - darkness and ignorance. There could no longer be a comfortable apathy concerning the one true God and His sovereignty. Everything would be different for the gentiles from this moment on.
But what of Israel? This moment was to be for her glory. No, not for the praise of Israel but as a justification of her whole existance. She was the people to whom and through whom the promised one was to come and come He did.
I kind of think of this as a cosmic, "We told you so!" moment. All of Israel's history, her very creation and sustinance was aimed at this moment. There was no other reason for her except as the people through whom God would bring redemption to His creation.
In Simon and Anna we see what should have been the reaction of all of the Children of Abraham. But, alas, as the story plays out, it was not.
Now I don't know anyone who has been promised life until the Christ returns. But, as the promise is that His return is immanent - at any moment - I don't know many who have the mind and heart of Simon or Anna either.
Laying aside all the "millienial" foofarra, Christ is returning and that return could well negate the need for this blog.............
ok--- still here.
Do we live with a powerful anticipation of His return? Does knowing that in the next moment we could be with Him really affect our lives?
Now I have strong concerns about the Left Behind series but it did (and does) have one good effect. It brings to the front of our minds the fact that at any moment He will return.
My Pastor and friend David Smith taught recently on the significance of the calling of Abraham and it's parallel to the Christian life. We are called to go, following Him, trusting in Him for all things. It is a life of utter dependence firmly based on a promise.
Now, accepting that our redemption is complete and secure, what promise do we "go" on?
How about the same one as Abraham?
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 11:9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (ESV)
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (ESV)
The point is that this isn't home! We too are to look for His coming, His bringing the New Heaven and New Earth. We are to live and measure all that happens next to the promise. Like Simon and Anna we need to consciously and consistantly focus on the promise, His promise!
What we do here matters. It must or we'd not be here. Many of you know I struggle with depression. Sometimes just getting out of bed is a battle. But I know that every morning, regardless of how the depression is I know two things. First, I know that He has something for me to do - even if I don't see it. Second, this may be the day - His day - my day - our day. This is always enough. Oh, it may not be pretty and as Patti says, "The bear may be grump." But compared to the promise of good works He has prepared for me to do and the promise of His coming - well - the bear will just need to deal with the Grumps.
How foolish must the Thessalonians felt when Paul told them to get off the hill and get back to life. But ya know, they were gutsy folks. A little off in their understanding but gutsy.
We, like our Master, must be about our Father's work. That work though needs to be flavored with the fact that we never know when He'll return - so, no slacking!
Let me close with this. The measure of our service to Him is simply faithfulness. Not perfection, not even consistancy but faithfulness. That means two things. First it means we do everything in utter dependence upon His faithfulness. Second, it means we never quit. We may fail and faulter. We may get distracted or diverted but we NEVER quit. Some us will run after Him. Some of us will walk after Him. Some of us will limp after Him. Some will even crawl after Him. But regardless the pace or the method we follow after Him.
And - we should all anxiously look for Him - living with our lives clearly marked by His promised return.
MS
We usually don't think of this passage when we think about the Nativity but of all the elements in the story of the Lord's birth, this is my favorite.
Imagine that God had revealed to you that you would live until the promised Savior came. What would that be like? Would your priorities change? What would be important to you? How could you sleep at night knowing that at any moment you would see and know the promised one?
Would you look at the world differently? Would you look at people differently? What of difficulties and trials? Would they take on a different meaning? What of pleasures and joys? How would they compare to the expectation of the coming of the Lord's Christ?
Simon (and Anna) appear unique and in some ways they are. But was not all of Israel to be anxiously looking for the promise Messiah? Was the expectation of these two not supposed to be the expectation of all? We can only, in truth, say,"Yes!"
Notice Simeon's words:
Your salvation.
In the presence of all peoples.
A light of revelation to the gentiles.
For the glory of your people Israel.
This is not some limited narrow event designated to a small and captive people. This is a cosmic event. A powerful inclusive event. This coming was for all mankind.
This event was to have a powerful effect upon gentiles. Tree huggers, rock worshippers, Zeusers and Pantheists. It was a light - presupposing darkness - of revelation for men and women in the darkness who did not know the truth. It was, quite specifically intended to set the gentile world on its head. And it did.
This coming changed the world forever. No longer was darkness and ignorance a normal state. There was, in the might of revelation, a challenge to the norm - darkness and ignorance. There could no longer be a comfortable apathy concerning the one true God and His sovereignty. Everything would be different for the gentiles from this moment on.
But what of Israel? This moment was to be for her glory. No, not for the praise of Israel but as a justification of her whole existance. She was the people to whom and through whom the promised one was to come and come He did.
I kind of think of this as a cosmic, "We told you so!" moment. All of Israel's history, her very creation and sustinance was aimed at this moment. There was no other reason for her except as the people through whom God would bring redemption to His creation.
In Simon and Anna we see what should have been the reaction of all of the Children of Abraham. But, alas, as the story plays out, it was not.
Now I don't know anyone who has been promised life until the Christ returns. But, as the promise is that His return is immanent - at any moment - I don't know many who have the mind and heart of Simon or Anna either.
Laying aside all the "millienial" foofarra, Christ is returning and that return could well negate the need for this blog.............
ok--- still here.
Do we live with a powerful anticipation of His return? Does knowing that in the next moment we could be with Him really affect our lives?
Now I have strong concerns about the Left Behind series but it did (and does) have one good effect. It brings to the front of our minds the fact that at any moment He will return.
My Pastor and friend David Smith taught recently on the significance of the calling of Abraham and it's parallel to the Christian life. We are called to go, following Him, trusting in Him for all things. It is a life of utter dependence firmly based on a promise.
Now, accepting that our redemption is complete and secure, what promise do we "go" on?
How about the same one as Abraham?
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 11:9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. (ESV)
Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (ESV)
The point is that this isn't home! We too are to look for His coming, His bringing the New Heaven and New Earth. We are to live and measure all that happens next to the promise. Like Simon and Anna we need to consciously and consistantly focus on the promise, His promise!
What we do here matters. It must or we'd not be here. Many of you know I struggle with depression. Sometimes just getting out of bed is a battle. But I know that every morning, regardless of how the depression is I know two things. First, I know that He has something for me to do - even if I don't see it. Second, this may be the day - His day - my day - our day. This is always enough. Oh, it may not be pretty and as Patti says, "The bear may be grump." But compared to the promise of good works He has prepared for me to do and the promise of His coming - well - the bear will just need to deal with the Grumps.
How foolish must the Thessalonians felt when Paul told them to get off the hill and get back to life. But ya know, they were gutsy folks. A little off in their understanding but gutsy.
We, like our Master, must be about our Father's work. That work though needs to be flavored with the fact that we never know when He'll return - so, no slacking!
Let me close with this. The measure of our service to Him is simply faithfulness. Not perfection, not even consistancy but faithfulness. That means two things. First it means we do everything in utter dependence upon His faithfulness. Second, it means we never quit. We may fail and faulter. We may get distracted or diverted but we NEVER quit. Some us will run after Him. Some of us will walk after Him. Some of us will limp after Him. Some will even crawl after Him. But regardless the pace or the method we follow after Him.
And - we should all anxiously look for Him - living with our lives clearly marked by His promised return.
MS
Monday, December 19, 2011
More from the forums . . . .
I've been in some forums lately where believers and anti-believers lock horns and halos. It's distressing to read the hate spewed out by the anti-believers but it's equally distressing to read the nasty (and the dumb) responses from my brothers and sisters in Christ. But as I read these exchanges I begin to wonder if the force behind the attacks on our faith are more fear inspired than anything else.
James tells us that demons believe in God and tremble. I wonder if that's not equally true of anti-believers.
I believe that anger is a secondary emotion. What I mean is that underliing anger is either pain, fear or both. I'm not expousing some rule or deep insight but in my experience most angry people are either hurting or scared people.
Keeping in mind that these anti-believers are hurting or afraid drastically changes my view, approach and response. By keeping this in mind I find I am able to be compassionate (avoiding condescention) and that this greatly lessens the sting of their attacks. It also helps me listen better. I listen for the pain and fear and just let the anger and hatred go.
I'm commited to the fact that I don't "convert" anyone. I don't argue anyone into the kingdom. I can prove that there was a man Jesus who lived and died when the scriptures and extra-biblical documents say but I can't prove He was who He said (and others said) He was. So I don't even try.
Rarely do I even tell my, "how I came to Jesus," story. Certainly I'll share the dynamics of living out my faith but the tendency for that to become a "what's in it for you and me" conversation is very strong.
See, the gospel, the good news is the redemption from God's righteous wrath. It's not about having a "good" life it's about having eternal life.
But we, in our desire to "sell" Jesus have fallen into the trap of, well, selling it in fleshly terms. Health and wealth, peace and prosperity are the biggies. We try to convince folks that being a believer will make life "better." Ask Paul and Stephen about the "better" thing. A line from a poem by Richard Harris gets me: "who gave you the right to turn Christ into a bullet and shoot it into men's hearts?" He ends the poem with: " Our Father which art in heaven, sullied be thy name."
When we reduce Christ into a commodity we sully His name. When we reduce Him to a cosmic panecia we sully His name. When we reduce Him to a pithy one liner on a T-shirt or bumper sticker, we sully His name.
Where is the powerful witness of the Prophets in our lives today? Where is the crying out for repentance? Where is the voice crying out about the coming judgement?
We, I speak in general terms, don't want the world to hate us so we approach the world in a conciliatory manner. But we approach the world about US and how they feel and think about us. IT IS NOT ABOUT US!!!"
Jesus tells us to, "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Well, if the forums on the internet are any indication we've got the serpent part down pat. It's the dove part we've lost or ignored.
Anti-believers are not MY enemies. They are HIS enemies. He does not need me to defend Him. I do need Him to defend me.
Do you KNOW the gospel? Or do you just know the marketing materials? The gospel is not, "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." That's marketing hooey.
The gospel - the good news - does not exist in isolation from the truth - or if you prefer, the bad news. The good news is not that Jesus makes things better. The good news is that Jesus died to redeem us from the justly deserved wrath of God!!! The good news is not that the creation is getting better. The good news is that when God destroys this fallen creation there will be a new one in which we will live in fellowship with Him.
We are not here to make the world good but to do His good while we're here. We are to wait and to witness - witness not only to Him and the redemption He brings but to witness to the NEED for that redemption I view of His impending righteous judgement.
Argue all you like on forums and in the street but stick to the point - the gospel. Evolution, abortion, ect. are all issues we can discuss but when we focus on the issues which are normal in a fallen world and do not focus on the gospel we're wasting breath and time.
Anti-believers are scared and rightly so. Pray He will use you to address that fear compassionately and correctly.
James tells us that demons believe in God and tremble. I wonder if that's not equally true of anti-believers.
I believe that anger is a secondary emotion. What I mean is that underliing anger is either pain, fear or both. I'm not expousing some rule or deep insight but in my experience most angry people are either hurting or scared people.
Keeping in mind that these anti-believers are hurting or afraid drastically changes my view, approach and response. By keeping this in mind I find I am able to be compassionate (avoiding condescention) and that this greatly lessens the sting of their attacks. It also helps me listen better. I listen for the pain and fear and just let the anger and hatred go.
I'm commited to the fact that I don't "convert" anyone. I don't argue anyone into the kingdom. I can prove that there was a man Jesus who lived and died when the scriptures and extra-biblical documents say but I can't prove He was who He said (and others said) He was. So I don't even try.
Rarely do I even tell my, "how I came to Jesus," story. Certainly I'll share the dynamics of living out my faith but the tendency for that to become a "what's in it for you and me" conversation is very strong.
See, the gospel, the good news is the redemption from God's righteous wrath. It's not about having a "good" life it's about having eternal life.
But we, in our desire to "sell" Jesus have fallen into the trap of, well, selling it in fleshly terms. Health and wealth, peace and prosperity are the biggies. We try to convince folks that being a believer will make life "better." Ask Paul and Stephen about the "better" thing. A line from a poem by Richard Harris gets me: "who gave you the right to turn Christ into a bullet and shoot it into men's hearts?" He ends the poem with: " Our Father which art in heaven, sullied be thy name."
When we reduce Christ into a commodity we sully His name. When we reduce Him to a cosmic panecia we sully His name. When we reduce Him to a pithy one liner on a T-shirt or bumper sticker, we sully His name.
Where is the powerful witness of the Prophets in our lives today? Where is the crying out for repentance? Where is the voice crying out about the coming judgement?
We, I speak in general terms, don't want the world to hate us so we approach the world in a conciliatory manner. But we approach the world about US and how they feel and think about us. IT IS NOT ABOUT US!!!"
Jesus tells us to, "be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." Well, if the forums on the internet are any indication we've got the serpent part down pat. It's the dove part we've lost or ignored.
Anti-believers are not MY enemies. They are HIS enemies. He does not need me to defend Him. I do need Him to defend me.
Do you KNOW the gospel? Or do you just know the marketing materials? The gospel is not, "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." That's marketing hooey.
The gospel - the good news - does not exist in isolation from the truth - or if you prefer, the bad news. The good news is not that Jesus makes things better. The good news is that Jesus died to redeem us from the justly deserved wrath of God!!! The good news is not that the creation is getting better. The good news is that when God destroys this fallen creation there will be a new one in which we will live in fellowship with Him.
We are not here to make the world good but to do His good while we're here. We are to wait and to witness - witness not only to Him and the redemption He brings but to witness to the NEED for that redemption I view of His impending righteous judgement.
Argue all you like on forums and in the street but stick to the point - the gospel. Evolution, abortion, ect. are all issues we can discuss but when we focus on the issues which are normal in a fallen world and do not focus on the gospel we're wasting breath and time.
Anti-believers are scared and rightly so. Pray He will use you to address that fear compassionately and correctly.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Forum Fun 001
Got into a forum yesterday where the topic was whether Jesus was a real historical figure or not. I was amazed at the effort the "not" folks put into their posts. But as I read it became clear that their topic was a bait and switch. It wasn't whether or not Jesus "was" it was an attack on "who" believers claimed He was.
The existance of a man named Jesus, living in Judea at the time of Pilate and that Jesus being crucified has adequate biblical and extra-biblical support. Of course "who" he was is another matter. But this was really the matter they were addressing.
What concerned me was the effort responders who claimed to be believers made to counter this twisted argument. From just silly to Bible thumping to vitriolic attacks the believing responders got sucked into an argument they could never win.
That's right. We convert no one! No agruement we could ever construct will bring a person to faith!!! So why bother??????
Well we "bother" because God in His graciousness does use those arguments for His glory in the conversion of men and women. That's a good reason to bother. But - our arguments have to be gracious and kind and patient. We can not argue as though we need to win - "we" win nothing no matter which way the end of the argument goes. We aren't here to beat anybody or to win anything. We are here to be light and salt and witnesses and teachers and preachers ....etc. But this isn't a game and we don't get points.
I have a lot of discussions with people who really hate believers (at least their idea of what a believer is) and they are shocked when I agree with some of thier issues. But, I also tell them that God is not a believer but the object of belief and we as people do a real crummy job of following Him.
One thing we need to keep in mind. We need to be slow to be provoked by assaults on our faith. These assaults won't change our faith, they won't make the truth any less true, they don't make us any less His. So why get all lathered up and act like a pit-bull. No one's unbelief can damage my belief. It can lead them to actions that damage me but not my faith.
I'm reminded of the time my best friend and police partner were in a gun sho (where else would we be?) and Wilbur got into a discussion as to whether there was a God or not. Wilbur was his calm, low key self while the other guy was was getting hotter by the second. Finally guy shouted, "You can't prove to me that there is a God." Calmly Wilbur said, "Sure I can." He slowly drew his gun and laid it in the counter, looked the guy right in the eyes and said, "You won't like it but I can prove there's a God." Point made......argument over......no winner------no looser but point made. It well may be that only in death will that guy have the proof he seeks -that is, of course, is very sad.
But we've got to get it in our heads that nothing we do or say matters. It's what God does with what we do and say that matters. I know men and women who have come to faith because God used really cluzy, sinful, unfaithful, weird believers. Go figure. If He could use and ass to get to Balaam He can use anything to bring folks to Himself.
In the arguments we find ourselves in concerning our faith we need to quit thinking God needs us to defend Him. Yes, we need to be able to give an (true and biblical) answer to questions about our faith but God does not need us to defend Him or to justify our faith in Him. It is NOT about US!
Calm down, take the hits, acknowledge the valid criticisms. You (nor God) have nothing to lose. Remember we are vehicles, conduits of His grace not grief.
Just an insight. I find few folks want to hear about my faith. They, for the most part just want to trash Christianity and/or the church. Their ignorance about both is astounding. I just listen and when they're done I respond, "OK." This freaks them out. But, I'm not going to get into their bait and switch. They want to trash the faith? What else would I expect? If they are willing I'll give them all the time in the world to hear my witness. But, in my experience, they prefer to make an argument for their unbelief. Whatever.
The existance of a man named Jesus, living in Judea at the time of Pilate and that Jesus being crucified has adequate biblical and extra-biblical support. Of course "who" he was is another matter. But this was really the matter they were addressing.
What concerned me was the effort responders who claimed to be believers made to counter this twisted argument. From just silly to Bible thumping to vitriolic attacks the believing responders got sucked into an argument they could never win.
That's right. We convert no one! No agruement we could ever construct will bring a person to faith!!! So why bother??????
Well we "bother" because God in His graciousness does use those arguments for His glory in the conversion of men and women. That's a good reason to bother. But - our arguments have to be gracious and kind and patient. We can not argue as though we need to win - "we" win nothing no matter which way the end of the argument goes. We aren't here to beat anybody or to win anything. We are here to be light and salt and witnesses and teachers and preachers ....etc. But this isn't a game and we don't get points.
I have a lot of discussions with people who really hate believers (at least their idea of what a believer is) and they are shocked when I agree with some of thier issues. But, I also tell them that God is not a believer but the object of belief and we as people do a real crummy job of following Him.
One thing we need to keep in mind. We need to be slow to be provoked by assaults on our faith. These assaults won't change our faith, they won't make the truth any less true, they don't make us any less His. So why get all lathered up and act like a pit-bull. No one's unbelief can damage my belief. It can lead them to actions that damage me but not my faith.
I'm reminded of the time my best friend and police partner were in a gun sho (where else would we be?) and Wilbur got into a discussion as to whether there was a God or not. Wilbur was his calm, low key self while the other guy was was getting hotter by the second. Finally guy shouted, "You can't prove to me that there is a God." Calmly Wilbur said, "Sure I can." He slowly drew his gun and laid it in the counter, looked the guy right in the eyes and said, "You won't like it but I can prove there's a God." Point made......argument over......no winner------no looser but point made. It well may be that only in death will that guy have the proof he seeks -that is, of course, is very sad.
But we've got to get it in our heads that nothing we do or say matters. It's what God does with what we do and say that matters. I know men and women who have come to faith because God used really cluzy, sinful, unfaithful, weird believers. Go figure. If He could use and ass to get to Balaam He can use anything to bring folks to Himself.
In the arguments we find ourselves in concerning our faith we need to quit thinking God needs us to defend Him. Yes, we need to be able to give an (true and biblical) answer to questions about our faith but God does not need us to defend Him or to justify our faith in Him. It is NOT about US!
Calm down, take the hits, acknowledge the valid criticisms. You (nor God) have nothing to lose. Remember we are vehicles, conduits of His grace not grief.
Just an insight. I find few folks want to hear about my faith. They, for the most part just want to trash Christianity and/or the church. Their ignorance about both is astounding. I just listen and when they're done I respond, "OK." This freaks them out. But, I'm not going to get into their bait and switch. They want to trash the faith? What else would I expect? If they are willing I'll give them all the time in the world to hear my witness. But, in my experience, they prefer to make an argument for their unbelief. Whatever.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Passing it on . . . .
I get a lot of "ouch "emails this time of year and just thought I share one of my responses.
In short - "if Ho Ho Hooey" is where you're at - then that's that - don't try to pretend it's not!
Letter to a friend:
He is, "well acquainted with our grief," even better than we are. He knows that our depression - anger - sadness - etc. is the result of our being redeemed in an as yet unredeemed world. Especially in this particular artificial season. Remember "Christmas" as we do it is make believe. It is a tradition and not a designated/ordained holy day. Sooooooo quit thinking that we have to feel or act different for some biblical reason.
Seek to enjoy the enjoyable parts - being with your kids - being alive - being His, even though a big part of being sucks.
As far as the depression - getting any exercise? Eating better (healthier). Reading healthy stuff? All of that plays a big part in dealing with and improving our attitudes and even the depression itself.
AND - we can't let the NORMAL disappointments of the season have too great a value. I hate this season - viscerally. But I still like dark chocolate, British mysteries and Patti-----so I stick with those.
People talk about the "magic" of Christmas. There is nothing magical about a made up holy-day unless you're a pagan.
So it's Christmas and you're depressed. What's new about being depressed. We are depressed before and we'll be depressed after. It's nothing new and the "season" doesn't count!
I'm depressed but I'm grateful He was born. I'm depressed and I love Patti. I'm depressed and I love dark chocolate with blueberry's. The only thing different is this made up - commercialized - crazy period of time.
Anger and depression are kissing cousins. We're mad we're depressed and depressed that we're mad. But we have good reasons for both. Don't let the season add to the legitimate anger and depression. It is OK - as far as God is concerned - that you are as you are. He has NO problem with it except He aches with and for you - until He makes all things new.
Hope my rant helps!!!!!!!!!
Ho Ho Hooey !!!!
M
PS: My xmas plans??? A movie and Chinese - no tree - no carols - no turkey - But there will be dark chocolate with blueberrys and Patti - what more do I need?
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Picking @ Nit ??
William Ames
The Saints Security Against Seducing Spirits p.4
He (Satan) desires to carry on his undertaking and has set up a strategy in two chief ways: either to banish the truth completely out of the world, or to stop her growth and progress in the world. The one has been by open force and violence, and to persecute the persons of those who have professed themselves to be Truth’s subjects. Here he might at once make them weary of their possession, and deter and affright others from entertaining the Truth that was thus persecuted in those that profess the truth.
The other way has been by secret subtly and cunning manners to undermine and water down the truth - to mix his poison with God’s wine, whereby he might with less difficulty either cheat the professors and owners of it, or at least hinder the genuine and natural affect which pure truth should have upon the minds of men.
We are most fortunate that we do not suffer the first of Satan’s schemes as openly or actively as others of our faith. Certainly we are opposed, reviled, dismissed and subtly attacked. But we, as yet, have not had to suffer the open, physical and violent persecution that we see in other places.
Since we live under such a blessing it is necessary that Satan engage in his second tactic, indeed, “to mix his poison with the God’s wine.” This he does both from without and within.
Several things are at his service but the primary instrument he uses is human pride. Pride is not in and of itself a bad thing. It is however a matter of intensity and focus that determines its benefit or curse.
The desire of men and women to be accepted, to be part of, to be liked is in part, a function of pride. We desire to claim, “I am _____,” and have that claim acknowledged and encouraged. We do not want to not be a part of the world around us and so we erringly have to adopt the criteria by which the world around us judges. In doing so we cannot but adopt, at least in part, the prideful desire to be or at least appear to be both acceptable to the world whose recognition we believe we need and hence desire.
Certainly we should not utterly reject everything those outside our faith proclaim. Up is up and down is down. Gravity is gravity and fire burns. There is truth in the world but it is, in the end, God’s truth. Up is up because He determined what up was to be.
However there is still much which we must at least consider rejecting as necessary or even appropriate. One such element is Fashion. This is an area where the world and Satan have oh so subtly influenced us and seduced us into giving greater value where it is not due.
We would, I hope, all agree that naked is not how God would have us live in this fallen world. Indeed the first fashion was designed by Adam and Eve and improved upon later by the creator. So naked is not an option.
But what of clothing? It is to cover our nakedness, protect us from the elements and…..? What other legitimate purpose is there for clothing? To impress upon the viewer some particular sense of fear of pleasure? To attract or repel others? To indicate our status or lack thereof?
We get invitations to gatherings which actually tell us how to dress. Does that mean that we may not attend unless we possess and wear what the invitation dictates? What of “appropriate dress,” a term I hear frequently. To me is means clean (if possible) and un-nakedness.
Jesus said:
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' (Mat 6:31)
Jesus tells us to not take thought about what we should wear. Our culture tells us: “The clothes make the man!” “Dress for success!”
Paul writes:
But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1Ti 6:8)
So, what do we do here?
Is the following only applicable in church or is this a life lesson as well?
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (Jas 2:1-4)
I know, in a world that’s such a mess, why am I worried about this? For me there is always the question of how broadly and deeply to I take living out my faith. One hesitates to be weird or eccentric and certainly one does not want to offend but at some point each of us has to find their “Enough!” point.
The passage in James makes the distinction between “fine” (radiant, magnificent clothes) and “shabby” (dirty or relatively cheap) clothes. But our culture takes it farther. Whose logo or initials are on those clothes? Where were they bought? Are they “in style?”
What’s the point – why am I fretting? When I was sick several years ago I lost about 80 pounds and 12 inches in about 2 months. Needless to say nothing (except my socks) fit anymore. Now in my work I associate with folks who dress according to the dictates of fashion and culture. I was able to do that until a third of me disappeared. Since then I’ve wrestled a lot (I know, how silly) over – well, clothes.
Can I in good conscience spend money in order to appease, please or conform to the demands of the culture I live in? Can I, in good conscience accept what I see as questionable criteria in order to wrap the package well? To be honest, I almost throw-up when I think about going back to the old “dress for success” mind-set.
Does a suit make me any better at what I do? Does a tie make me a professional? If a potential client expects me to conform to the clothing culture do I really want to work for them anyway? Is this a real issue or do I just need to up my meds?
OK – picking at nits??? But for me it’s a real struggle.
How about you? Any nits your conscience picks at? Any frustrations or conflicts over what culture expects of you and what your conscience tells you?
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Just thinking -
I was talking with a broither yesterday and we got to talking about the birth of Jesus. It suddenly hit me how taky it must have been for Joseph. Think about it. He has to go back to his "familly city" and he brings his pregnant wife - who was pregnant before the wedding. Ouch !!
I doubt that the "rumor mill" has changed over the past 2000 years (except technologically) so I bet you beans to bananas that folks knew the "Mmmmmmm???-ness" surrounding Mary's pregnancy.
Maybe it was awkward maybe not. But we need to remember that these were REA:L people living in the REAL world and NOT some fairytale existance. From the world's view Jesus was illegitimate - a thing to be reviled and cast off - folks now may not make such a big deal out of it but back then - ouch!
When we look at the verisimilitude of the story and think it through, shunning the fairytale thinking, it had to be a toiugh thing for Mary and Joseph, a kinda scary thing as well.
For me it makes these two -about to be parents - very real and very well, admirable. There is much about our faith (beliefs) that the world scoffs at - and from their perspective that makes sense. Our beliefs are - well - fantastical to say the least. But want we have to keep in mind is that it is more important who our faith is in than what our faith is in.
We all have areas where we make theological ooopses - areas where we are - well, wrong. Not to diminish the importance of sound doctrine I still have to say it's who we put our trust in that is the definitive issue.
Joseph and Mary were (in the world's view) deserving of rejection and ridicule - as was the baby jesus. But Mary and Joseph put their faith - their trust in God and it appears that was enough for them to bear the burden, the stigma attached to Jesus's legitimacy.
You and I will find ourselves in the uncomfortable position of being unable to justify something or endure something with little more that, "God said so."
As you conisder the nativity (though it's a strange time of year to do so) consider Mary and Joseph who, trusting in God, were willing to put all of themselves on the line.
Cool couple - can't wait to meet 'em!
Michael
Thank you Carol B - Hanukah
Thank you Carol B.!!
In the last article I made a comparision between Christmas and Hanukah. Unfortunately I was vague and Carol was kind enough to point it out.
Hanukah is a real celebration day (not a holi-day though) It commemorates the restoration of the Temple after the defeat (with a lot of Roman help- bad move) of the Greeks who sought to eradicate Judaism. In the scriptures it is referred to as the Feast of Lights. Interestingly this is the celebration at which Jesus chose to proclaim, “I am the light of the world.” How kool is that?
Anyway I failed to be specific. It was the commercialization of Hanukah that I was intending to nail. This is a very modern phenomenon and was instituted because of the day’s proximity to Xmas.
To any Christian who thinks the religious celebration of Christmas has been somehow hijacked by commercialism or reduced to the pabulum of civic sentimentality, student rabbi Howard Stein feels your pain. After all, the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah has been redefined by the pop-culture Christmas, at least in the United States.
And then there is the gift giving, which has a distinctly American flair, an accommodation by parents who don’t want their children to feel left out when December rolls around.
“Hanukkah is more prominent in America because of its proximity to Christmas,” Stein said. “It doesn’t hold the same importance in Israel, where Christmas isn’t a factor.”
So, I hope that clears things up. Thanks Carol!
Michael
Friday, December 2, 2011
Before I start posting articles
Urgent request for diligent prayer and reflection.
I’ve got tons of articles on this subject that I’ve written. I could post ‘em but they all express the same concern.
So . . . . go to Youtube / Utube and do a search for:
christian persecution israel
Listen – think – pray.
M.
NTTD 120211
Nailed To the Door
120211
“It’s beginning to look a lot like -----.”
Yeah, here we go again. The “silly season” continues!
Now we’re closing in on “the day.” That’s Christmas Day.
You know, Constantine’s favorite day. The pagan biggy. The day of the “invincible sun.”
I guess what really bothers me – besides the crass commercialism and “good will towards me,” thing, is that it would not have been real hard to pick a day closer to when Jesus was really born.
Shepherds do not watch their flock in the field at night in the middle of winter. Ok, sane shepherds don’t. It’s not good for them and it’s not good for the sheep.
I’m not utterly anti-xmass. To celebrate the nativity isn’t a bad thing. But is that what we really do? I don’t think so. It seems that if you graft something from the sculptures onto pagan roots, the pagan roots win out.
Oh, wait. It’s kind of like declaring “Reformation Day” to cover Halloween.
Friends, a veneer of Jesus slopped onto a pagan or civil celebration day just cheapens Jesus. It does not improve or change the real significance of the day. It’s like an air freshener. It works for a while but if the source of the stink remains, the stink returns. Or, as I think Marin Luther would repeat, “A golden plated turd is still a turd.”
It’s funny. We did Christmas to cover the pagan celebration. Judaism did Hanukkah to cover Christmas and they both show signs of pagan influence.
On the day that we celebrate the nativity what do we do? We engage in the gift giving Olympics. Oh, we do give to others but why do we give? Do we give to recognize God’s gift to us? Maybe----maybe. But mostly we give because if we don’t folks will be disappointed or even angry.
Take the two icons of the season. It’s a Wonderful Life and Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – oh boy they’re really biblical!! Or take, A Christmas Story. You know the one about a Red Rider BB gun. Wow it’s closer to reality than the other two but “iconic?” Christian?
I guess, not having a right conscience about this “day,” I am not really able to understand other believers being able to have a right conscience about this day. Or perhaps, loving the Puritans as I do I understand their banning Christmas from the calendar because its celebration had so little to do with, well, Christ.
What if – all believers everywhere - decided that as God gave us a great gift in His son we, in mimicking Him, were going to give gifts to men. No trees, not decorations and not gifts to family and friends. But a no hold barred, squeeze the nickel till the Buffalo screams, giving extravaganza to those in our community who have real needs – food, clothing, etc.
No toys, gadgets or gizmos but coats, food, medicine, car repair, rent – you know, stuff folks need! Ah, but pagans do that too – wow, what if we did that together?
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: (A) to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and (B) to keep oneself unstained from the world. (Jas 1:27)
If you’re going to do that at all, how’s that for a Xmas mandate? Tricky isn’t it? A lot of us kind of do (A) but (B), not so much.
Look, the call is for discernment. Let us each, in the light of Scripture, the guidance of the Spirit and the effort of reason look closely at what we are doing and how we are doing it.\
I don’t do Christmas. I’m not a Scrooge but I’m called one. I don’t condemn anyone that does the xmas thing but they act like I do. I don’t feel I’m better for my position but to do xmas feels like it would make me less.
And please, don’t throw the kids at me. Wanting children of believers to not feel “different” seems a little, well, “off” to me. Please don’t throw tradition at me – I could share some traditions that make your hair curl.
It just seems to me that this is the one season of the year when believers make an effort to really be more of the world than just in it. By buying into the “spirit of the season” we are buying into the world.
And please --- please --- if one of your reasons for taking part in this silly season if that it is “expected,” please reflect on whose expectations you’re surrendering to.
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