THANKSGIVING 2

THANKSGIVING  2

Php 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

CONTEXT – CONTEXT – CONTEXT

. . . . in – by – with – let . . . .

Thanksgiving does not stand alone – especially in this passage.  If you  read it  s l o w l y  you’ll see it fits with other things.

“in everything”

Everything means – well, everything.  The good, the bad and the ugly!  The “yeeehaws,” and the “Oy veys.”

“by prayer and supplication”

Think “earnest petition” – serious asking – thought through requesting that relies on the grace and power of the one being petitioned.

“with thanksgiving”

That would be with as complete as possible cognizance of the blessings we have in our relationship with Him.  Again – some thinking, reflecting and remembering required.

“let your requests be known” – declare what you desire – speak up – speak out – holler.

Ok, we know He knows what we desire – but no relationship survives without communication.  And this isn’t just some reading of a “wish list” it’s a considered communication of what we believe (rightly or wrongly) that we need. 

“with thanksgiving” means that we need to be aware of all He has done and that is the context of our petition.  It calls us to think before we pray about all He has done – all of His grace.

Now, you may ask, “Will he answer my prayer?”  Yes He will do so always – either Yes or No.  The answer will come in His time in His way but it will come.

So why, with thanksgiving?

Well, we all ask for many things.  Sometimes he says Yes, sometimes He says No.  Since we became His that’s always been the way of things.  He has said “No,” to many of our prayers and we are still His.  Oh, it may have been (and may still be) tough to handle but His Yes or No is always the right answer.

Has he ever said “yes,” so could learn a tough lesson?  I once Prayed for a certain job.  I just knew it was right for me and I was right for it.  I asked and asked and asked.  He said, “Yes.”  Within 3 weeks I wished He hadn’t.  I prayed to get out of there.  It’s the only job I was ever fired from.  They gave me a choice – resign or be fired – I took be fired since I agreed with them that it was not the place for me.  I got my “Yes,” but His “Yes,” didn’t have the result I expected.

I’m thankful for that weird experience.  I began then to learn to really think about what He did for me – even the stuff I didn’t like or enjoy.  Though not sensing the blessing at the moment I was able to see the blessing later.

Really searching for all we can be thankful for isn’t only about the “goodies.”  It’s also about His discipline, His refining, His molding us into Christ’s likeness.  Some of that is really fun – but a lot of it, because we fight it, isn’t.  We need to be thankful for that as well.

I use this illustration:

You’re on some strong medication – big time adult stuff.  You spill your pills.  A small child grabs one of the pills.  Now it is amazing how strong those tiny hands can be when they don’t want to let go of something.  You try prying them.  You try slapping them?  How far would you go to get that pill out of that child’s hand?  I know it’s extreme but would you risk breaking a finger to get that pill? 

We’re a lot like that little child.  We see something and have a sense that we want it so we grab it.  Now we don’t really know (as he does) whether it’s good or bad for us, we just know we want it.  No it begins.  How far do we want Him to go to keep us safe?  If He tears something deadly or merely damaging, out of our hands and in the course of that it hurts are we really going to complain?

Like that little child, we don’t know the danger.  We don’t know we’re being saved from harm.  We just know it hurt to let it go. 

Thanksgiving needs to be broader and deeper than we commonly thing.  When I was in training to be a police officer a friend of mine offered to teach me to shoot combat style.  We spent an entire 15 hours shooting.  Hundreds of rounds.  The next morning I could barely open or close my hands.  My arms ached.  My hands were bruised and useless.  I went through a lot of ice.

But, when it was time to go through the combat skills test I aced it.  OK – bragging time >  In under 30 seconds, at 7 yards I put 18 rounds on target and reloaded.  Note;  I was shooting a 6 shot revolver so I had to reload twice in the process – I reloaded 3 times before time ran out.

The point?  When I won that competition I was absolutely thrilled.  I was gob-smacked!  I didn’t even remember the pain I suffered for several days.  Later I was grateful for that 15 hours of work and the resultant discomfort.

Heb. 12:11  For the moment all discipline (tutorage, instruction, cultivation) seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Folks, as Turkey Day approaches I’d suggest we take some time out and really count all our blessings – those we liked and enjoyed and those that – well, not so much.

If we go to God with thanksgiving – thanksgiving for all of it – we go to Him much more confidently.

bruised reeds THANKSGIVING 1

THANKSGIVING  1

Php. 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Thanksgiving:  ευχαριστία  eucharistia

Thayer Definition:

1) thankfulness

2) the giving of thanks

The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon

Word Origin  eucaristia from (2170)

NAS Word Usage - Total: 15

giving of thanks 3, gratefully* 1, gratitude 2, thankfulness 1, thanks 2, thanksgiving 4, thanksgivings 2

NAS Verse Count (15)

Acts  1;  1 Corinthians  1;   2 Corinthians  3;   Ephesians  1;  Philippians  1;  Colossians  2; 1 Thessalonians  1;   1 Timothy  3;  Revelation  2

Many of us associate the word with the Lord’s Supper, a time of intense remembrance and thanksgiving. 

Maybe, although it is a made-up special day, we ought to make better use for it than just being grateful for good stuff.  Maybe we ought to look deeper into what we really should be thankful for and who we should be thankful too.

It’s one of the weird ironies to me that on this day great numbers of people will gather together and express thanks – but thanks for what and thanks to whom?  What will most people be thankful for?  Stuff?  Health?  Family?  Friends?  Who or what will most people thank?  Fate?  Chance?  Others?  Themselves?

Isn’t it commonly a day of being thankful for whatever to whom/whatever?

You and I however have a very specific what and a very specific who.  We need to start with the right priority.

WHAT:  Eph. 2

WHO:  Eph. 2:4

This is where we have to start and really, where we have to remain.

Until we are able to accept and appreciate the discrepancy between what we want and what we need being thankful will be difficult.  Now, don’t go beating up on yourself.  I said “we” and I mean “WE.”

Our GOAL is clear:

1Jn. 2:15-17  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

Our REASON is clear:

(16)  For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world.  (17)  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Now this does not call us to live out in the boonies and become Luddite hermits.  We are called to NOT LOVE the world and its stuff.  We are not to ἀγαπάω agapaō the world.  We are not to be devoted, consumed, entranced, distracted, disturbed or deterred by the world or the things of the world.  YES, easier said than done – but none-the-less, in Him, it is doable.

So what’s the point? 

I am convicted (and am sharing it with you) that I need to be careful of what I am thankful for and be very clear on who I am thankful to.  What I mean is that all my thanksgiving should be in the light of His sovereignty and His call/command upon my life. 

This “season” brings greater meaning to Shakespeare’s comment, “all the world’s a stage.”  If you don’t believe it just be a little “bah hum-bug.”  It is this time of the year when we are all expected to act like everything is fine and good and hunky-dory.  But we know it’s not!

I hate this time of year.  One of the greatest things, to me, about growing up and getting out was I was now in control of this time of the year.  No longer did I have to pretend everything was good and everyone was lovable and make “nice.”  No longer did I have to be with others who one moment gave thanks for each other and the next moment ripped each other apart.  No longer did I have to “do my time,” at the gatherings and celebrations.

But – BUT – I love this time of the year.  I can, in my seasonal yucks and blahhhs really look at my life and count the blessings of being His.  This is a season of reviewing the good, the bad and the ugly in the light of His truth.  Culling out what is not important, refining the product of my life, this is an opportunity to skim off the dross, the impurities.  It is a real opportunity to “count my blessings,” even the “left-handed ones. 

Please, dear ones, don’t get sucked up into the “spirit” of the season.  That “spirit” has horns and a pointed tail.  Rather rely upon the Spirit and the Word and upon your family in Christ.  Focus on Him and His provision.  Be thankful for everything BUT only within the context of His sovereignty and grace.

It is time to begin working on living out the fact that we are “IN” the world but not “OF” it by allowing God to refine our hearts and minds so we can see how thankful we can be.  Yes, we may need to say NO to the world’s seasonal traditions – even the church’s seasonal traditions in order to get off the stage.  Maybe we need to take a break from the “expected” or the “obligatory” attendance at traditional gatherings.  Maybe we need to just make the upcoming season special days – just days, without all the unreasonable expectations they have developed.

A lot of people do not understand the toxicity this season holds for many of us.  And ya know, that’s OK!  They don’t need to understand it but they do need to respect it and perhaps quit trying to fix it. 

The attempt by many to “cheer us up,” reminds me so powerfully of being a small child and being injured, hurt or frightened and being told, “Don’t cry, it’s all right.”  Well, as I remember it, it wasn’t all right and crying seemed very appropriate. 

Please – please – please !!!!!!  If you know someone for whom this season is difficult DO NOT use the following phrases or any derivative of them:

Cheer up.

Don’t be sad.

Don’t be depressed (as if one had a choice).

Don’t cry.

It’s all right.

Be happy.

Don’t be a Scrooge.

Snap out of it.

Ad – infinitum

Personally I’d prefer you just drive a nail through my head than say any of these things.  They DO NOT help, they hurt.

Make this time a safe time for us.  If we cry – let us.  If we’re grumpy – love us.  If we’re depressed – respect us.  Please, give us something very special to be grateful you – your unconditional acceptance, appreciation, respect and love – as we struggle through.  Let us be us – and love us.  That’s what He does – act like Him – we’ll be thankful to and for you both.

Michael, Sr. Sheepdog

bruised reeds "forget" 111511

Php 3:13  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

“Don’t pick the scab!!”  I can remember my grandmother telling me that over and over.  But, at least for guys there’s a certain fascination with scab picking.

However, doing so can delay healing and provide an opportunity for infection.

There’s little difference between knees, elbows, hearts and minds.  We get booboos large and small.  Some leave scars, some don’t.  Some take stitches some can be butterflied.

In the context of this passage Paul is comparing what was with the hope he carries in Christ.  Certainly you and I need to work on making the hope before us mightier than the pain behind but, contrary to a lot of my collegues I don’t buy the idea that we are to “forget,” as we commonly use the term.

Barring some serious form of denial or some strange type of amnesia we are just not going to forget.  Not gonna happen!  Besides, that’s not what Paul is talking about.

The word “forget” that he uses is the Greek word ἐπιλανθάνομαι / epilanthanomai.  It has more to do with our focus than forgetting.  “Given over,” or “uncared for,” are perhaps the best way to view this term.  We, “steal its thunder,” so to speak.

Paul’s point in this passage is one of comparative value.  For him, everythying and anything from his past is uncared for or given over when held to the light of the love of God.  For him, it is not worth consideration as a factor today.

When compared to the “big BUT” ((Romans 8)) nothing is of value.

This is not about denying or disrespecting things that have happened to us (horrible or healthy).  It is about making a choice as to which is of greater value and power in our lives.

The chorus, “Nothing compares to the promise I have in You,” is the choice we need to work on making.  Whenever we’re tempted to pick the scab or whenever the scars itch or whenever the old injury flairs up we need to stop and prayerfully make that choice.  BUT – remember it is not a decision to dismiss the memory – rather it is a choice to put it in its proper place.

We have to remember that we are going somewhere.  We are following Him.  We carry a lot of baggage.  Some of it is easy to drop – some, not so much.  But we need to prayerfully and consistently choose the promise and focus on it as well as we can at the moment.

Our wounds will act up.  We may work long and hard at healing.  But heal we will.  Picking the scab, obsessing on the wound or excessively mourning the injury can only delay healing.

The key perhaps is that the trauma “happened,” – past tense.  “It” is over.  You have survived, you are the victor and He was the one who carried you through.  Let Him define you, not the past.

 

Don’t pick the scab.

2Co 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  (4)  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  (5)  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

Sheepdog

Predisposed “Second Hand” 01

Predisposed “Second Hand” 01

In his book A Lifting Up for the Downcast, (which I HIGHLY recommend) William Bridge writes

“Now it is man’s disposition to come to God at second hand. So long as man can find a fullness in any creature, he comes not to God; . . . . . So long as man has encouragement elsewhere he does not encourage himself in the Lord his God.”

We often wonder at the longevity of our struggles.  They seem to go on and on like the Ever- ready Bunny.  Bridge gives us an acute insight into why that is and perhaps how we can avoid it.

It seems to be a question of where we are prone to look in times when our souls are distressed and downcast.

First however it is important that we understand that it is our souls that are downcast.  Tragedy and trauma (either sudden or prolonged) have their effect on every part of us.  But it is our souls that God is concerned with first and so our souls should be our first concern.

When we get sick, do we pray first for His healing and after a season go seek medical help?  Or do we, without a thought of Him as our source of relieve, make the appointment with the doctor?

It is not an either/or I am proposing but a both/and.  The season of waiting in prayer need not be of great duration and certainly if the condition worsens we should pray harder/more and go see the doctor.  But because we assume there is a solution awaiting us at the doctor’s office we give no thought at all to seeking Him. 

In difficult times, when a solution seems desperately needed, how much time do we waste casting here and there for that solution?  Why do let the situation wear upon our hearts and minds until our very souls are in chaos?  Would we not do better and calmed to seek Him first, to cry out to Him for relief or provision and then to seek about for His answer? 

I so appreciate the Puritan writers.  So much of what they have to say graciously accepts the weakness, limitations and foolish propensities of man.  Oh, they may call it foolish and silly but they knew without a doubt that this is how we are and how we would be until He calls us home.

They, wonderfully, knew that:

1Cor 10:13  No temptation (adversity) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

“Common to man,” what gracious encouraging words.  Even in adversity, when we exacerbate it with our casting about, this is common to man, every one of us!  It is, in the context of a fallen world and the lives of growing disciples, normal.  It’s what we’ve always done and we default back to it naturally.  It is not per se a sin but it is a foolishness that adds to our distress.

We have a lot of time, energy, peace and comfort to lose when we look about us in the world for aid and comfort first.  Note, I said FIRST!  Even though we sense that His provision is available through natural means (doctors when we are ill etc.) how rude is it of us to jump past Him – how thoughtless, how dangerous? 

It is an unconscious denial (take that word gently) of His sovereignty when we bypass the throne on the way to find help.  It is He who, first and foremost, is the source of our answers and needs.  When we (consciously or unconsciously) just assume that we are keeping ourselves to ourselves for ourselves instead of going to the ONE who loves us best and forever.

NOW, I am NOT trying to convict anyone of a sin – maybe silliness or foolishness but not of sin.  When we need to stop our cars quickly we don’t tend to pray before we put on the break but notice how quick we are to thank Him when the car stops just short of a collision.

When our souls are distressed and cast down  (for whatever reason) we need to intentionally go to the source of all and any provision first.  Oh, you may be lifting the phone to make that appointment but you can go to Him as you do. 

There is a great distance between wishing for a solution and praying for a solution.  Wishing puts its faith in chance, praying puts its faith in God.  Which do you think will give greater comfort? 

More to come  . . . . 

Seasonal (???) Depression (reprint)

Seasonal (???) Depression

We hear a lot about depression this time of year and in previous letters I’ve covered some of the reasons we suffer from it.  But I wanted to talk a little more about it specifically.

It’s common (unfortunately) in our faith to hear leaders belittle or be critical of depression.  It’s attacked as a lack of faith, weakness, a pity-party and any number of other disparaging terms and phrases.  Now I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it is but more often than not it isn’t.

Let me make it very clear that I’m not a Psychologist or a Psychiatrists but I have (as a Nouthetic (biblical) Counselor worked with many.  I can only approach the subject based upon what my experience working with them and the Scriptures tells us.  If you suspect that you are wrestling with depression, please – PLEASE seek help – it is not a spiritual or character flaw!!!!

When I talk about depression I don’t really mean being “bummed out,” or even “really bummed out.”  I’m talking about a consistent sense of hopelessness, a consistent inability to experience joy and, as I’ve heard it described, “a living in a constant sense of “ness,” hopelessness, joylessness, energylessness, lightlessness, etc……  Ness!”

Depression can be situational, circumstantial, clinical etc.  Sometimes we, “snap out of it.”  Sometimes we don’t.  There are two things you need to know about depression.  First, there are very good, sound and legitimate reasons for it.  Second, there are very clear and sound causes of it.

The reasons have a lot to do with our lives, what we’ve experienced and what we have not experienced.  I have yet to meet someone who wrestles with depression who hadn’t “earned,” it.  What I mean by that is that they had in their lives situation of either great stress or persistent stress.

Let me use something I learned from a friend know as “the Big Chicken.”  (don’t ask…..)  anyway he believed in the “Rule of 70.”  What he meant by that is that we can all handle stuff if we only have to exert 70% of our physical and emotional energy.  We can operate at 70% regularly without damaging ourselves. 

We can also work at 100% but we can do that for long before it begins to take its toll.  Working at 100% is for emergencies!  I as former police officer I kid fire fighters about sitting around doing nothing.  But I know that when they are called upon to serve they have to give 100% sometimes for an extended period of time.  It’s that same with EMT’s and depending on the circumstances even cops.  Combat demands 100%, that’s why extended exposure does damage.

The “Rule of 70” also makes it plain that no one can every give more than 100%.  It is impossible.

Anyway, the Big Chicken always told his employees that when they began to see their workload exceed 70% of their ability they were to let him know.  This wasn’t to identify folks who were “deficient” it was so he could be ready to get them some help if the demand for extra effort continued for an extended period of time or drastically increased.  He had a strong sense of responsibility to get the best out of his folks by doing his best for his folks.

Now, the Rule of 70 works emotionally, physically and spiritually.  Too great a demand in any of those areas either at once or over an extended period of time has a high price.  Unfortunately, “needing help,” is not something we encourage in the Body of Christ.   We, “don’t want to bother,” other people.  Or even worse, we don’t want anyone to know what we’re dealing with.  So we “stuff” our desperation, put on a brave face and slowly destroy ourselves so we will look OK.

Here’s another illustration.  Your dealing with something that’s more than you can handle alone.  But you stuff your cry for help – you hold it down.  Or maybe it’s a cry of fear or pain or even anger – but you’ve got to keep it in.  So let’s say (for illustration) it is 100 pounds of whatever trying to, needing to come out.  But you must keep it in – right?  So you have to exert 101 pounds (at least) to keep it in.  So as you sit in your room, in the dark, very still, you’re burning up 201 pounds of energy just to keep it together.  Now I was a power-lifter in high school and I could clean and jerk a lot of weight.  Fortunately I only had to hold the weight over my head for a matter of seconds.

Taking that power-lifting picture.  You’re bench pressing.  You’re going for your personal best.  You grab the weight, you lower it to your chest and then you push like you’ve never pushed before.  Slowly the weight rises.  You focus everything you have and it rises a little more.  Finally your arms are fully extended, you’ve done it.  You’ve bested your best.

But there’s a problem.  The bar is just a little shy of the weight rests.  Maybe only an inch, but you can’t get it higher.  Now here’s the problem. You don’t have a “spotter,” someone to help you IF and WHEN you need it.  Maybe you’re alone (not smart), or maybe you’re too proud to ask for help (even less smart).  So there you are with a several hundred pounds suspended over hour head and neck by to two arms that are beginning to shake.  While you’re worrying about what to do (lowering the bar will just trap you under it – even if you could lower it without crushing your head neck or ribs), something snaps or tears.  You feel it and you hear it.  When you come to your power-lifting days are over.

Now you live with a limitation.  Yes, it’s a constant reminder of your own not so smartness.  It’s a limitation – but only a limitation.  Depression is the same.  We’ve strain, broken, torn or depleted something and so now we are limited.  We’re not defective, possessed, weak, ect. – we’re just limited – actually we are damaged – as in injured.  My shoulder and back will never be 100% - I’m damaged – but I’m not defective – just limited.  Life is different for me.  I see and do things different.  When I plan something I have to consider my limitations – I do that for my back and shoulder – I do that for my depression.

I respect my depression.  I earned it.  In some ways it’s a scar from my battle to live.  But parts of that scar are reminders of my “even less than not smart,” moments.  But my depression has its reasons.  I won’t give you a catalogue of them all but there are reasonable reasons.

Oh, also, I did not get my depression on my own.  I had help!  No, I’m not blaming it on anyone else – they were merely contributors but they did help (they put more weight on the bar – but I tried to lift it).

So I respect my depression.  It’s part of me and it is part of every choice and decision I make.  Like my back and shoulder – it’s part of my life and ya know, that’s OK, I’m still here so God still wants me here.

Now about causes.  I’m not a Psychiatrist but one of my dearest brothers in Christ is.  From him I learned that it appears more and more clear that part of depression is attributable to certain chemical imbalances in one’s neurochemistry.  Makes sense to me.  Have you ever had to deal with a real emergency and afterward found yourself physically and emotionally exhausted?  Well, that’s kind of what we’re talking about.

Lets say there’s a neurochemical called Fred.  Fed’s function is to help us deal with stress.  When we’re under stress some part of our brain (call it Alice) gets a stress signal and releases Fred – we are better able to handle the stress.  The stress passes and Alice stops releasing Fred.  Things go back to normal.

But what if the stress doesn’t end?  Or what it the stress is of nuclear proportions?  Alice opens all the stops and Fred keeps flowing.  Well, it appears that Alice can get worn out and you end up without even a normal amount of Fred.  We all need a little Fred all the time – but now – no or not enough Fred.  That’s one of the dynamics (causes) od depression.  Interestingly it’s a similar phenomenon to what we see with cocaine users.  It’s kind of like cocaine make Fred get released in vast amounts until Alice is worn out and there’s not even the normal amount of Fred available.  That’s a cause of depression.

So let me say this.  Just like the weakness and limitation of my back and shoulder in normal when you look at my past; depression may be perfectly normal for us as well.  It certainly isn’t abnormal for someone whose past has been tough.  It’s not abnormal for the combat soldiers, fireman, cop, EMT, rape survivor, abuse survivor, caregiver, etc.  It is NOT abnormal.  From my perspective it’s, well, normal, completely normal.

Now there’s a lot of hooey being spewed in the Body of Christ about medications for depression.  Look, to say it’s wrong to take medication for a chemical imbalance in the brain makes about as much sense as saying diabetics shouldn’t take medication for their chemical imbalance.  What kills me is that it is perfectly OK to take medication for high blood pressure brought on by over eating and indolence but not for depression which (remember) you had help with.  ---Yes, I know that not all high blood pressure is brought on by gluttony – but I’m speaking to those in whom it is.

My friend the Psychiatrist taught me that the best medications are those that lift the depression enough for the patient to begin to address the “reasons.”  He’s a great “patient directed” healer.  Not all medications for depression work well for all people so he works closely with his patients to find the best medication.  He also expects them to begin to deal with the reasons.

Think of it this way.  I have a splinter in my foot and it get infected.  OK, I need antibiotics.  So I take them – but I don’t take out the splinter.  Hmmmmm  a lot less that smart – right?  The point is that medications don’t cure depression.  But – they do relieve the symptoms to a point where we can address what’s behind the depression.  You don’t take meds to make it go away – it won’t.  but you do take meds so you can get to the place where you might be able to make the reasons go away.

I struggle as to whether or not to address the so called biblical reasons to not make use of medical resources to deal with depression.  I struggle because, well, most of the individuals I personally heard speak or rant against it were, well, morons.  Well intended but grossly ill-informed morons.

I will say this.  If you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you shall be saved.  OK…ok so it’s not very original (haha) but it is utterly true!  Your depression tells me more about your life (past) that your faith!  If we are dearly beloved and depressed children of God what’s the problem? 

Your depression and your faith have to learn to live together.  Sometimes I don’t “feel” like I’m His but I “know” I am.  Sometimes there are those mornings when one feels there’s no reason to get out of bed and go on – but if God got you to a new day He has something for you to do.  I believe that completely and ya know, I can’t give you any proof.  He’ll give that to me later.  But if He has indeed numbered my days then everyday He gives me cannot be without purpose whether I see or not, whether I feel it or not.  He may have “given” me 2010 because He has something for me to do in 2011.  He gave me Tues. so I could encourage someone on Wed..  Yeah – sounds simple – childish even – but is that a bad thing.

I may not “feeeeeeel” the love of God ( I’ve never understood what that was anyway) but I KNOW that he loves me.  So sometimes I just run with what I know - .  I once was asked how I was feeling.  My reply was that I felt as though life was not worth living.  Of course the individual I said that to was a Psychiatric Nurse with whom I was working --  she freaked.  Once she go over her concern I told her that even though I didn’t feel the worth of living I KNEW there was value to every moment I was alive.  Just because I didn’t see it doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.  So chose to fight the fight of living by what I know – what God has said – rather than by how I feel.

Oh-----wait------- Mmmmmmm  Does this mean that those of His children who live with depression are actually living by their determination to believe God is true and faithful even if they have no sense of it?  Wow – that’s kind of cool!  That would mean we’re not just not walking by sight – we’re walking without feeling – we’re just walking by faith!  As my ”ittle one,” says, “Kool beans!”

Ok – enough – I’m tempted to write more but that’s because I can’t see your faces or hug you or pray with you. 

This time of year is tough for those who live with depression.  But an upside is that not only can we NOT fake it, we seem to be able to detect those who are.  It seems that depression also helps us keep from getting caught up in the shallowness of the season.  It seems depression focuses our hearts on those for who it isn’t a merry anything.

One last word of counsel.  If you feel odd because you’re not in the “spirit of the season,” that is perfectly OK – YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE – and I say that because I’m not real sure where that ‘spirit” comes from.  Biblically and historically this “season” has no meaning.  It is only culturally that it has any meaning at all.  The only Spirit we want of be in (or have be in us) is the Holy Spirit and God has made it very clear – that is a done deal!!!

All my love and prayers for all of US!

Write if you need to !!!!!!!

Happy Humbug!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael 

111211 bruised reeds - Circumstances

Bruised Reeds 100711

I’m reflecting today (again) on the conflict and distress so many of us experience when we measure our faith against our circumstances.  If bad things are happening then God must be displeased with us.  Folks, that’s a place we have to be very very careful about going.

Has God, can God, does God express His wrath directly and immediately?  Sure, on rare occasions.  How we ever took the few times in thousands of years that God has done this and made the norm is a mystery to me.  Yes, God has and can “punish” folks at any time He sees fit.  But it has to be clear from the biblical record that this is not something usual and certainly not done for capricious reasons.

Can God “punish” an individual or group directly – sure.  Does He?  Well that gets tricky.  We have to keep in mind that in the creation there is such a thing as consequences.  God created the law of gravity.  Jumping from a great height had its consequences.  AND consequences do not just affect the law breaker they affect most of those connected/related to the law breaker.   But if we violate the law of gravity we don’t view the consequences of that sudden deceleration as punishment.

One thing is sure from the biblical record.  When God does punish it is very very clear that He is doing so.  There is little room for question.  Why does he do it when He does it?  For the same reason He does everything He does – so that everyone, especially His, will know that he is the Lord.

John 9 – my favorite story.  Why is the guy born blind?  The assumption is he or his parents are being punished.  The Lord makes it clear that the purpose is so that, “. . . . the works of God might be displayed in him.”    It is not punishment.

Now I know we have to struggle with that and there is nothing wrong with that struggle.  We may even have to struggle long and hard – we may struggle forever.  But we have got to keep the truth in view.  Whether we see it or know, the works of God are displayed through us.

That does not mean we have to put on a happy face.  It does not mean that we can maintain some continuous semblance of gratitude for the privilege.  But unless we hang on to the fact that He is there and he has a purpose we are left without any comfort.

Yeah, most of us want His works to be displayed in us by our winning the lottery, our kids turning out perfect or even just our car starting every morning.  I don’t think that’s abnormal but it is unbalanced and that imbalance is not good for us.

Paul had his “thorn in the flesh,” a “messenger of Satan.”  God sent that to Paul.  Though Paul obviously wrestled with it intensely he also sought God’s purpose for it.  Once Paul found God’s purpose he was able to continue on in his walk – maybe a little slower and certainly a lot less comfortably but he was able to go on.

I know that in the times when I’ve been struggling (once lost 80 pounds in a month and still don’t know what was wrong).  I had to come to the point where I acknowledged that he was in control, that he had a purpose and that I didn’t enjoy it at all.  Joy in trials sounds nutz, it feels nutz and it looks nutz.  But was are called to, “count it all joy.”  Yeah….like that’s gonna happen….

But the key here is not “joy,” it’s “count it.”  the Greek word here is  ἡγέομαι  hēgeomai.  It carries the ideas of :  count, esteem, governor, judge, have the rule over, suppose, think. 

What I think James is telling us is that we need to really examine our circumstances in light of the whole counsel of God.  We need to appreciate and respect our feelings but we also have to think and think biblically.  Not easy when your hair is on fire -!  But that is the way to the joy James speaks of.

Though the word translated “joy” can mean cheerfulness it also describes a “calm delight.”  Now that I can get to calm delight quicker than cheerfulness.  And perhaps, when the circumstances are greatly distressing, calm delight is exactly what we need.  Calm and delight.  It’s a sense – perhaps a confidence that regardless of our circumstances, all is well – really.  NOT OK – NOT FUN but God is still in charge, we are still His.

Just some thoughts . . . . . 

The “Silly Season” Cometh

Well, we’re gonna set our clocks back, it’s getting colder and a lot of poor souls will be doing a lot of raking.  All these are signs that the “silly season,” is coming.  Oh boy, what a thrill.

I’ll be republishing my articles from last year but I wanted to try to do something new a little earlier.

Thanksgiving is thanksgiving.  Regardless of what tradition and family say the whole idea is to spend some time intentionally reflecting on all we have (or what little we have) to be thankful for.  I suggest we consider enumerating our “thank you’s” within the context of our faith.

Jesus made it clear that God would provide for us the necessities of life.  For a lot of us He’s done better than the bare necessities, which (if you read Deut. 15) means we are part of His provision for others.  But I wander.

As we consider that for which we are thankful we have to start with His grace/our Redemption.  Actually, we can stop there as well.  Paul makes it clear that compared to His grace everything else is, well, waste (that’s a good word even though it’s not as graphic as Paul’s word).

How about we think in terms of comparison.  What would you trade for your Redemption?  I know, we all do the knee jerk, “Nothing!!!!”  But – do we live that way?  Do we think that way?  Do we work and play that way?

How “garbagy,” (new word) do we really see everything else when compared with our Redemption?  How insignificant, trivial, gross and meaningless do we really see everything else.

Paul says:  Php 3:7  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

“Loss” here means “damage, ruin, cast away.” 

“Gain” here carries the meaning of greed, acquiring by unbecoming means.

Interesting contrast isn’t it?  That which I’ve acquired “on my own/for myself” is damaging to me when placed in the context of my faith.

So, maybe we need to think in two directions.  First let us consider the great blessing we have through and in Christ and let us be thankful.  Second, let us examine our lives for that which we have that is “gain,” and should be counted “loss,” and repent.  What am I thankful for and what should I be repentant about?

The silly season – brings with it a rise in depression, suicide, domestic violence, etc.. 

Why?

Could it be that in trying to be thankful for those things which damage us the conflict is overpowering?  Could it be that in stressing, even demanding that we all focus on the “positive” we exacerbate the influence of the negative? 

I am thankful for the trials I have faced only in so far as He has used them (and I cooperated) in His work in me.  I didn’t like the trial, I have a hard time being thankful for the trial, and I would that He hadn’t had to use a trial.  BUT, I am exceedingly thankful for the result. 

Heb 12:11  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant

but

yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness

So, here’s a question for the Turkey Day table. 

How has God disciplined you and what is the fruit of that discipline that you are thankful for?

HATE 1

HATE 1

Huh?  Yeah, hate!

We do get to.  Yep, we really do.

OK, maybe that’s a little strong, but hate is a vital part of our lives in Christ.

Huh?

Mat 6:24  "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate (as the opposite of agape) the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Rom 7:15  For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate (detest – actively).

Rev 2:6  Yet this you have: you hate (detest – actively) the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Hate is a choice.  It is a choice between devotion and despising.

Hate:  μισέω   miseō

Thayer Definition:

1) to hate, pursue with hatred, detest

2) to be hated, detested

μισέω

miséō; contracted misō, fut. misēsō. To hate.

(I) With the acc. of person, usually implying active ill will in words and conduct, a persecuting spirit (Mat_5:43 where it stands as opposite to agapáō [G25], to love, in Mat_5:44; Mat_10:22; Mat_24:9-10; Mar_13:13; Luk_1:71; Luk_6:22, Luk_6:27; Luk_19:14; Luk_21:17; Joh_7:7; Joh_15:18-19, Joh_15:23-25; Joh_17:14; Tit_3:3; 1Jn_2:9, 1Jn_2:11; 1Jn_3:13, 1Jn_3:15; 1Jn_4:20; Sept.: Gen_37:4; Lev_26:17). By implication, meaning to persecute (Rev_17:16; Sept.: 2Sa_5:8; 2Sa_22:18).

(II) With the acc. of thing meaning to detest, abhor (Joh_3:20; Rom_7:15; Eph_5:29; Heb_1:9; Jud_1:23; Rev_2:6, Rev_2:15; Rev_18:2).

(III) Specifically as the opposite of agapáō (G25), to love, or philéō (G5368), to be a friend to, it is equivalent to not loving, loveless, to slight, with the acc. of person (Mat_6:24; Luk_16:13; Joh_12:25; Rom_9:13; Sept.: Gen_29:31; Deu_21:16; Mal_1:3).

(IV) To love less. In Luk_14:26 Jesus contrasts love to family with love to Himself, "If any come to me, and hate [miseí, pres. act. indic. 3d person sing.] not his father, and mother, and wife, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Here Jesus asserts His deity. Every member of man's family is a human being, and the love shown to humans compared to the love shown to Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, must be so different that the former seems like hatred. The meaning of miséō as loving less is made clear in Mat_10:37, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." In His commands for loving other human beings, the Lord never said, "Love other human beings as you love Me," but "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Mat_19:19). When it comes to loving God, however, He is placed in a unique position (Mat_22:37-38).

Syn.: apéchomai (G567), to refrain.  Ant.: agapáō (G25), to love; philéō (G5368), to befriend.

Hope that helps!

Hate, where appropriately directed, is necessary for the believer’s growth.

Heb 1:9  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

We are to hate – sin – temptation – corruption – anything that does not glorify God.

But, exactly how far do we take that? 

1Jn 2:15-16  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. (ESV)

1Jn 2:15-16  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (16)  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (ASV)

Let’s look at “lust.”

επιθυμία

epithumía; gen. epithumías, fem. noun from epithuméō (G1937), to desire greatly. Strong desire, longing, lust.

(I)           Generally longing (Luk_22:15; Php_1:23; 1Th_2:17; Rev_18:14; Sept.: Pro_10:24; Pro_11:23; Dan_9:23; Dan_10:3, Dan_10:11).

(II) More frequently in a bad sense, irregular and inordinate desire, appetite, lust.

(A) Generally (Mar_4:19; Rom_6:12; Rom_7:7-8; Rom_13:14, "for its lusts" [a.t.], i.e., to satisfy the carnal appetites; Col_3:5; 1Ti_6:9; 2Ti_3:6; 2Ti_4:3; Tit_3:3; Jas_1:14-15; 1Pe_1:14; 1Pe_4:2-3; 2Pe_1:4; 2Pe_3:3; Jud_1:16, Jud_1:18). The lust of the flesh means carnal desires, appetites (Gal_5:16, Gal_5:24; Eph_2:3; 2Pe_2:18; 1Jn_2:16). Also epithumíai sarkikaí (G4559), carnal, fleshly (1Pe_2:11) referring to worldly desires; desires of the eyes (1Jn_2:16); polluted desires (2Pe_2:10); "lusts of deceit" (a.t.) means "deceitful lusts" (Eph_4:22); "youthful lusts" (2Ti_2:22); see Sept.: Pro_21:25-26. All these refer to the desires which are fixed on sensual objects as pleasures, profits, honors.

(B) Spoken of impure desire, lewdness (Rom_1:24; 1Th_4:5).

(C) By metonymy, lust, i.e., an object of impure desire, that which is lusted after (Joh_8:44; 1Jn_2:17; Sept.: Dan_11:37).

We are to “hate” sinful lust.  Note that it is not the things/people that we lust over rather it is the lust itself.  Why?  People and things are neutral.  Being bad or good depends on their use and how we relate to them. 

Hemp – marijuana – makes great rope and good textiles – it is good.  Smoking it is not. [It could aptly be argued that smoking it is indeed good - - especially in a medicinal sense – to help relieve pain.]

Desiring my wife is good.   Desiring someone other than my wife is not.

Desiring to grow in Christ is good.  Desiring to do so in order to lord it over others is not.

Lust, the lust we must hate is any desire which weakens our affection for and devotion to Christ.  It can be raging and it can be subtle.

If in a difficult circumstance I think, “If I only had X X X, everything would be OK,” then I am placing X X X on the same level (or close to the same level) as Christ.  If, indeed, He and His grace is ALL I need, then He and His grace are all I need, no matter what my circumstance.  To think I NEED something to augment Him is to think in dangerous places.

And this kind of thinking is SO easy to do.  We can do it and never realize it.  So, maybe we begin to understand Paul?

Rom 7:24  Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Now there’s an attitude we might want to cultivate. 

We also take a cue from Paul when he writes:

Php 4:11-13  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  (12)  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  (13)  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

The key that I can do all things through Him.  But, we get frustrated by the confusion surrounding “all things.”  

“All things,” is NOT all things!  It is all things “through Him.”   See, not all things.  There is a condition.  All the things I need (or need to do) must come through Him.  What does not come through Him I must not need.  Right?

Jas 4:1-4  What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?  (2)  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.  (3)  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  (4)  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

OK, few of us murder – but we do fight and quarrel.  Why do we fight and quarrel? (I do not mean calm argument or debate)  We do so because of our lusts/passions.  We want them met, when they are not met we get angry – sinfully so.  Having passions/lust which provoke us to fight and argue comes from ---- wait for it ----- our friendship with the world.

My mentor and Master’s advisor in seminary owned a TV.  A small, old, black and white TV. (this is in the 80’s)  He (and his family) kept it in a closet.  If they heard a worthwhile program was to aired, they hauled it out, watch the program and then put the TV back into the closet.  Why?  Because TV  does two things.  First, seeks to sell you something by convincing you that if you just have that item, your life will be better.  Second,  to communicate (subtly and not so subtly) the agenda of the unbelieving world, to infect you.  Yet we (and I do mean we) can’t get enough of TV. 

Somehow we have convinced ourselves that a righteous voyeurism is OK.  We don’t “do” the bad stuff but we can watch it.  Now I’m not going to go off on some rant about pornography or violence.  I don’t have to.  Those are not subtle and for the most part, we avoid them.  But, it does not take a Tsunami to create a disaster.  A small and steady leak can undermine a dam and destroy everything downstream.  That’s TV. 

Let me ask you.  Who defines “funny” for you?  What do you catch yourself laughing at?  Remember Red Skelton?  How about Abbot and Costello?  How does their funny compare to today’s?  

How many shows have you watched where the “good guys” do something wrong and/or illegal to beat the “bad guys” and have us cheering them on?  Ever watched “Leverage”?  Remember the “A Team”?  Let’s not forget “24.”

No, I won’t continue to rant about TV.  I wish I had the guts to toss mine or at least drop the cable and be more selective through Netflix, Hulu or DVD’s.  But, I don’t have the guts.  That bothers me – how about you?

Oh, sports nuts?  You don’t get off any easier, even if you do try to ignore the timeout and halftime shows. 

My point is this.  Everything the world offers is intended to generate lust.  To form it, feed it and offer satisfaction for it. 

Somehow – we have to hate that.