Thursday, November 23, 2017
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Recapturing Hope
Romans 15:13, "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." NLT
This blessing prayed by the Apostle Paul over the church of Rome is incredibly valuable to us today. A reminder that even in the darkest of days that we have inexhaustible hope from our Heavenly Father who is the source. The greater our ability to trust in Him, the greater our ability to walk in hope. Then, according to Paul, we will overflow with confident hope through the power of Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that this hope return to each and every one of us.
I've given this topic a lot of thought over the last few days. To the point where I wonder if we are to blame in some way for the lack of hope that so many people experience. I mean, should we not be the carriers of hope? The ones who believe in spite of everything? I'm not implying that we are perfect in our resolve to believe. I'm simply saying that there should be something inside of us that refuses to quit. If the Early Church could carry hope for the world in the midst of the tribulation they experienced, then why would the church of today not carry at least the same amount?
Here's why I believe that we are to blame. At least in part:
The distant disapproving deity that has been espoused by much of Christendom is a far cry from the Father embodied in Jesus. Much of what we have proclaimed and defended is not even close to the "Good Tidings of Great Joy" that was meant to be for all people. Jesus' revelation of His Father was one of incredible love for this world. A message about the goodness of God that sounds an awful lot like a Father who runs to us in our shame and welcomes us home. A God who is not far from us at all. When you take this understanding and place it against much of what we have preached and taught it's easy to understand why people get confused. Why there are more people filled with fear and dread rather than joy and peace. Why I have had countless conversations where God was a source of pain rather than the source of hope.
You may not agree with me in this assessment but I ask that you at least hear me out. For many people in this world the story of God's love has been drowned out by messages of wrath. Rather than coming to believe in a God who has done everything to reconcile the world, they are afraid of a God who cannot wait to get even. Pronouncements of future judgement, misunderstandings about history and the future, and misinterpretations of what we discover in the Scriptures have not only kept people skeptical but has also robbed them of all hope. How can they hope in a God that they cannot trust? How can they find peace when it seems like all they hear is judgement? How can they be assured of goodness when all they feel is condemnation?
We have done a poor job carrying the message of hope that the Apostles entrusted to us. The fact is that there are so many people IN the church who don't seem to have hope much less those who are outside of our walls of fellowship. A hope that we need to recapture and recapitulate to the world and one another. Hope is not a commodity to be bought and sold but a crucial element to abundant life. A key ingredient to a life well lived. A foundational element to our faith. Without hope, what do we hope for?
Look around you. See how many people struggle in darkness, depression, and despair. There is so much loneliness in our world. More and more people whose only hope is found in a prescription, a drug, the bottle, or a failing relationship. The number of people who have been prescribed anti-depressants has sky rocketed over the last few years. So many people who are trapped in a fog trying to get a handle on life. With nowhere (it seems) left to turn. We tell them that faith in Jesus can help, but these numbers are also reflective of those of us in the church. Something must be done. Hope has to be restored.
I'm not saying that I have the answer. What I am saying is that when we talk about our Heavenly Father, HOPE should be present. HOPE should fill each and every heart. Why? Because He is the source of all HOPE.
I know for myself that when my understanding of the Father changed so did my level of hope. I was no longer afraid. His love pushes all fear aside and helps us to become grounded in who He is. The more I grew in this understanding the more hope I carried. Becoming exactly as the Apostle Paul stated: Overflowing with Confident Hope through the Power of the Holy Spirit. It didn't happen overnight. It took a lot of deconstructing. However, I'm here to say that there is hope. There is a way to believe in God that brings incredible hope. A way to read and understand the Bible that doesn't leave us fearful or questioning His character. An experience of the Father that makes you feel like a son. A confidence that cannot be shaken. While I may not understand everything in life, I do believe that God loves us more than we can possibly imagine. That His love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out. A love that is full of new mercies every day.
You may think that this is foolish but I ask you to look into your own life. Can you speak of the Father's love over your own life with certainty? Do you know His peace through each and every situation of life or do you believe He creates the chaos that you often feel? Have you been able to fully surrender to the love of God or do you still do everything out of fear? Are you doing everything out of a sense of obligation or because you know that it's a part of your sonship? Is your hope in Him or in your performance? Still think it's foolish?
All I know is that the Early Church carried this amazing hope. A product of the Good News and the abiding faith of Jesus in them. An inheritance that they would not squander. May we be found as faithful to this hope. It's who we are.
I've given this topic a lot of thought over the last few days. To the point where I wonder if we are to blame in some way for the lack of hope that so many people experience. I mean, should we not be the carriers of hope? The ones who believe in spite of everything? I'm not implying that we are perfect in our resolve to believe. I'm simply saying that there should be something inside of us that refuses to quit. If the Early Church could carry hope for the world in the midst of the tribulation they experienced, then why would the church of today not carry at least the same amount?
Here's why I believe that we are to blame. At least in part:
The distant disapproving deity that has been espoused by much of Christendom is a far cry from the Father embodied in Jesus. Much of what we have proclaimed and defended is not even close to the "Good Tidings of Great Joy" that was meant to be for all people. Jesus' revelation of His Father was one of incredible love for this world. A message about the goodness of God that sounds an awful lot like a Father who runs to us in our shame and welcomes us home. A God who is not far from us at all. When you take this understanding and place it against much of what we have preached and taught it's easy to understand why people get confused. Why there are more people filled with fear and dread rather than joy and peace. Why I have had countless conversations where God was a source of pain rather than the source of hope.
You may not agree with me in this assessment but I ask that you at least hear me out. For many people in this world the story of God's love has been drowned out by messages of wrath. Rather than coming to believe in a God who has done everything to reconcile the world, they are afraid of a God who cannot wait to get even. Pronouncements of future judgement, misunderstandings about history and the future, and misinterpretations of what we discover in the Scriptures have not only kept people skeptical but has also robbed them of all hope. How can they hope in a God that they cannot trust? How can they find peace when it seems like all they hear is judgement? How can they be assured of goodness when all they feel is condemnation?
We have done a poor job carrying the message of hope that the Apostles entrusted to us. The fact is that there are so many people IN the church who don't seem to have hope much less those who are outside of our walls of fellowship. A hope that we need to recapture and recapitulate to the world and one another. Hope is not a commodity to be bought and sold but a crucial element to abundant life. A key ingredient to a life well lived. A foundational element to our faith. Without hope, what do we hope for?
Look around you. See how many people struggle in darkness, depression, and despair. There is so much loneliness in our world. More and more people whose only hope is found in a prescription, a drug, the bottle, or a failing relationship. The number of people who have been prescribed anti-depressants has sky rocketed over the last few years. So many people who are trapped in a fog trying to get a handle on life. With nowhere (it seems) left to turn. We tell them that faith in Jesus can help, but these numbers are also reflective of those of us in the church. Something must be done. Hope has to be restored.
I'm not saying that I have the answer. What I am saying is that when we talk about our Heavenly Father, HOPE should be present. HOPE should fill each and every heart. Why? Because He is the source of all HOPE.
I know for myself that when my understanding of the Father changed so did my level of hope. I was no longer afraid. His love pushes all fear aside and helps us to become grounded in who He is. The more I grew in this understanding the more hope I carried. Becoming exactly as the Apostle Paul stated: Overflowing with Confident Hope through the Power of the Holy Spirit. It didn't happen overnight. It took a lot of deconstructing. However, I'm here to say that there is hope. There is a way to believe in God that brings incredible hope. A way to read and understand the Bible that doesn't leave us fearful or questioning His character. An experience of the Father that makes you feel like a son. A confidence that cannot be shaken. While I may not understand everything in life, I do believe that God loves us more than we can possibly imagine. That His love never fails, never gives up, and never runs out. A love that is full of new mercies every day.
You may think that this is foolish but I ask you to look into your own life. Can you speak of the Father's love over your own life with certainty? Do you know His peace through each and every situation of life or do you believe He creates the chaos that you often feel? Have you been able to fully surrender to the love of God or do you still do everything out of fear? Are you doing everything out of a sense of obligation or because you know that it's a part of your sonship? Is your hope in Him or in your performance? Still think it's foolish?
All I know is that the Early Church carried this amazing hope. A product of the Good News and the abiding faith of Jesus in them. An inheritance that they would not squander. May we be found as faithful to this hope. It's who we are.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Something Has to Give
Below you will find an image of one of my most favorite quotes. It comes from North Carolina native Vance Havner (1901-1986). I often revisit this quote as it comes up in many of my conversations.
I wish that more and more Christians thought like this. I wish that we would stop thinking that the loudest person wins the argument. That our constant need to be right would stop trumping the need for humility. That we would discover in the Gospels that self giving love speaks more volumes than our need to dominate. Criticism changes nothing. Conforming changes us. Combustion...well that is another story isn't it? I think about the Apostles being seen as those who turned the world upside down. Sharing the good news, creating community, and demonstrating the love of the Father. An approach that is much different than the Crusades mentality that we tend to carry. Something has to give.
This morning I was thinking about the differences between Religion and Relationship. A subject that we have shared countless times in this blog. I want to express some thoughts with you that might help you understand where I'm coming from today.
Religion, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. At least not if you take the first definition. Religion is the belief in God (or gods). I don't know of anyone within the Christian community that wants to argue that belief in God is a bad thing. However, it is the second part of the definition that creates the problems. Religion is also viewed as an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship God. And it is here that we discover the issues. We actually believe that our beliefs, our ceremonies, and our rules worship God.
Relationship, on the other hand, is the way in which two or more people, groups, etc. talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other. The way in which two or more people or things are connected. Think about it. We can relate to one another based upon our belief in God. In fact, we do this quite often. It's not about the belief system, the ceremonies, or the rules. Just two people who share a belief in the Divine. In the case of most Christians this is the belief about God as revealed in Jesus Christ. This is how we talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other. You are a child of God and so am I. The problem that comes into relationships is when we believe the only way to relate towards, deal with, and talk to one another is in the system. Where that which we have organized and believe is the only proper way to worship God.
Does this make sense to you?
If the way in which we relate to one another is based upon the system, then we can stop relating to one another every time someone goes against the system. In other words, if you believe that the only proper way to have religion is to believe a certain thing about God then all I have to do is disagree with you. When I disagree with you then you can choose to stop having relationship with me. Which falls right in line with a proper system of religious belief. What happens when more and more people disagree with you? Then your circle of family and friends gets smaller. Placing you in a remnant of those who are right, in line with the truth, and possibly the only saved bunch in the whole lot. Sound familiar? It sounds familiar because you have either experienced this or been a part of it. You may be a part of it right now. The sad part is that this is not how relationships or religion were meant to be played out.
Jesus said it quite simply: "THIS IS HOW ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES. IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER."
Your status as a disciple of Jesus is not measured by your belief system.
It's not measured by your ceremonies.
It's not measured by your ability to keep the rules.
NO. To say it as simply as Jesus did, the way in which you prove that you are in right relationship with the Lord is through your love for your brother.
What does this have to do with Vance Havner's quote? It has everything to do with it. At least in my thinking. We are trying to move the world through criticism and/or conformity. Why? Because that it exactly the way we have learned to do it in the Church. We either criticize those who think differently, worship differently, or have a different set of rules; or we conform to them. We do what they do in order to get along and be accepted. We take this same approach with the world. We don't want to be seen as accepting of the word's system so we constantly criticize. Or we decide that we can simply conform to the world in many areas to become acceptable among them. Neither of which changes anything. The only answer, according to Havner and witnessed within the Scriptures, are lives ignited by the Spirit of God. Men and women who explode on the scenes with great love and a demonstration of power. People who bear witness to the self giving love of the Savior. Those who are proven over and over again by their love for one another.
Do we think the world really takes notice because many Christians are boycotting another Disney production?
Do we think that we are going to change the world by refusing services to people who are not like us?
Do we really believe that God is honored because we speak condemnation over certain portions of the Earth's population?
Not only that, but many of the fights that we tend to engage in are just pure nonsense. Wasteful. Inadequate to produce the results we want.
We do not have to conform to the world to prove we love people.
We don't have to criticize people to prove that we love God.
We can learn what it means to be Salt and Light in the Earth. Setting a fire in the hearts of people. Demonstrating that there is a greater way of life, of religion, and of relationship. Something has to give. It should start with us.
This morning I was thinking about the differences between Religion and Relationship. A subject that we have shared countless times in this blog. I want to express some thoughts with you that might help you understand where I'm coming from today.
Religion, in and of itself, is not a bad thing. At least not if you take the first definition. Religion is the belief in God (or gods). I don't know of anyone within the Christian community that wants to argue that belief in God is a bad thing. However, it is the second part of the definition that creates the problems. Religion is also viewed as an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship God. And it is here that we discover the issues. We actually believe that our beliefs, our ceremonies, and our rules worship God.
Relationship, on the other hand, is the way in which two or more people, groups, etc. talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other. The way in which two or more people or things are connected. Think about it. We can relate to one another based upon our belief in God. In fact, we do this quite often. It's not about the belief system, the ceremonies, or the rules. Just two people who share a belief in the Divine. In the case of most Christians this is the belief about God as revealed in Jesus Christ. This is how we talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other. You are a child of God and so am I. The problem that comes into relationships is when we believe the only way to relate towards, deal with, and talk to one another is in the system. Where that which we have organized and believe is the only proper way to worship God.
Does this make sense to you?
If the way in which we relate to one another is based upon the system, then we can stop relating to one another every time someone goes against the system. In other words, if you believe that the only proper way to have religion is to believe a certain thing about God then all I have to do is disagree with you. When I disagree with you then you can choose to stop having relationship with me. Which falls right in line with a proper system of religious belief. What happens when more and more people disagree with you? Then your circle of family and friends gets smaller. Placing you in a remnant of those who are right, in line with the truth, and possibly the only saved bunch in the whole lot. Sound familiar? It sounds familiar because you have either experienced this or been a part of it. You may be a part of it right now. The sad part is that this is not how relationships or religion were meant to be played out.
Jesus said it quite simply: "THIS IS HOW ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES. IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER."
Your status as a disciple of Jesus is not measured by your belief system.
It's not measured by your ceremonies.
It's not measured by your ability to keep the rules.
NO. To say it as simply as Jesus did, the way in which you prove that you are in right relationship with the Lord is through your love for your brother.
What does this have to do with Vance Havner's quote? It has everything to do with it. At least in my thinking. We are trying to move the world through criticism and/or conformity. Why? Because that it exactly the way we have learned to do it in the Church. We either criticize those who think differently, worship differently, or have a different set of rules; or we conform to them. We do what they do in order to get along and be accepted. We take this same approach with the world. We don't want to be seen as accepting of the word's system so we constantly criticize. Or we decide that we can simply conform to the world in many areas to become acceptable among them. Neither of which changes anything. The only answer, according to Havner and witnessed within the Scriptures, are lives ignited by the Spirit of God. Men and women who explode on the scenes with great love and a demonstration of power. People who bear witness to the self giving love of the Savior. Those who are proven over and over again by their love for one another.
Do we think the world really takes notice because many Christians are boycotting another Disney production?
Do we think that we are going to change the world by refusing services to people who are not like us?
Do we really believe that God is honored because we speak condemnation over certain portions of the Earth's population?
Not only that, but many of the fights that we tend to engage in are just pure nonsense. Wasteful. Inadequate to produce the results we want.
We do not have to conform to the world to prove we love people.
We don't have to criticize people to prove that we love God.
We can learn what it means to be Salt and Light in the Earth. Setting a fire in the hearts of people. Demonstrating that there is a greater way of life, of religion, and of relationship. Something has to give. It should start with us.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
A More Excellent Way
"Let me show you a more excellent way. LOVE..." This is what I heard when thinking about Paul's letter to the Corinthians. Something, that quite honestly, is easy to forget.
I've been accused of sounding like a hippie, but I assure you that this type of LOVE IS NOT the "free love" of the 60's. Neither am I advocating some type of marshmallow type of love that cannot handle the difficult things. No, what I'm referring to is the type of LOVE that doesn't mind getting its hands dirty. The kind of LOVE that can withstand even the greatest of tragedies and circumstances. A LOVE that is not rooted in our ability but does require our participation. The AGAPE (LOVE) of God. That which is unconditional, unmerited, and unrestrained. A LOVE that goes beyond all of our preconceived notions. The very same LOVE that was demonstrated at the Cross of the Christ.
I'm amazed at how quickly we forget that the love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 is the greatest power in Heaven and on Earth. That we often assume that it is much greater to speak in the tongues of men and angels, to have the faith to move mountains, and to possess the ability to understand all mysteries. All of these, according to the Apostle, pale in comparison to LOVE. Which, translated into our lives, is the grace to walk in the very essence of God.
Paul had been dealing with some great schisms among the believers. It seems as though it didn't take long for the church to begin to divide into various groups. Some of them devoted to one teacher or another. Others using their spiritual gifts as a way to climb the ecclesiastical ladder. Paul, explaining the way in which the Spirit of God graces each and every one of us with various gifts, moves the conversation through a powerful transition. While all of these gifts are great, there is a more excellent way. L-O-V-E.
I realize that this poses many problems for us. While many of us affirm the need for LOVE, and even the command to LOVE one another, the reality is that we tend to give a nod in LOVE'S direction but continue to pursue the other things. For the Apostle, LOVE was the greatest of things to be named among us. The one thing that had great eternal value. The benchmark with which all other gifts and abilities would be measured. We may be able to prophecy the paint off the wall but without LOVE we are nothing. What a huge contrast to how we perceive God's activity among us.
What if the greatest among us are not the ones who can preach like no other?
What if our effectiveness in the world is not tied to what we know or do not know?
What if the Father is after something more lasting among us than our ability to communicate a gospel message?
What if LOVE is more than the foundation but also the culmination of all that we do?
LOVE is patient and kind. Therefore, it points to a greater reality of the nature of God.
LOVE doesn't get tied up in all of the junk that we do. So there isn't a need to envy, boast, or become arrogant and rude.
The fact that LOVE does not insist on its own way tells us that we have far to go in seeing this perfect LOVE embodied in us. Since even the greatest among us can become irritable or resentful when we don't get what we want.
Paul seemed to really drive the point home about LOVE not rejoicing at wrongdoing since the Corinthians had been propping up people who were living immoral lifestyles. No, says Paul, LOVE rejoices when the truth wins out in our lives.
This morning I was struck with the way in which one of our English translations stated that LOVE does not take into account a wrong suffered. I wonder how many hours I've given to this type of wrong thinking?
LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. How many of the other gifts can make this claim?
LOVE NEVER ENDS.
Shouldn't those last three words clue us in to the greatest need among us? Should not this enduring quality of LOVE move us toward a greater pursuit? Rather than chasing after the gifts of the Spirit, jockeying for position among the believers, or seeking to justify our spirituality among one another; what if we decided that LOVE would be the greatest among us? Determine in our hearts that LOVE is the more excellent way.
Personally, un-apologetically, I would rather be remembered for the LOVE that I demonstrated than for the gifts that operated within me. I would rather be honored for LOVE than for preaching, for compassion rather than success, and for mercy rather than ministry. While I love sharing in the prophetic, seeing the mountains move, and speaking through the enablement of the Spirit; the reality is that those things don't mean as much to me as they once did. LOVE means the most because I have discovered that it is here that we experience the reality of God. Is this not the reality that the Apostle John was pointing towards when he said, "So we have come to know and to believe the LOVE that GOD has for us. GOD is LOVE, and whoever abides in LOVE abides in GOD, and GOD abides in him."?
I do believe the Spirit is speaking to the church today. "Come. Let me show you a more excellent way. LOVE!"
I'm amazed at how quickly we forget that the love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 is the greatest power in Heaven and on Earth. That we often assume that it is much greater to speak in the tongues of men and angels, to have the faith to move mountains, and to possess the ability to understand all mysteries. All of these, according to the Apostle, pale in comparison to LOVE. Which, translated into our lives, is the grace to walk in the very essence of God.
Paul had been dealing with some great schisms among the believers. It seems as though it didn't take long for the church to begin to divide into various groups. Some of them devoted to one teacher or another. Others using their spiritual gifts as a way to climb the ecclesiastical ladder. Paul, explaining the way in which the Spirit of God graces each and every one of us with various gifts, moves the conversation through a powerful transition. While all of these gifts are great, there is a more excellent way. L-O-V-E.
I realize that this poses many problems for us. While many of us affirm the need for LOVE, and even the command to LOVE one another, the reality is that we tend to give a nod in LOVE'S direction but continue to pursue the other things. For the Apostle, LOVE was the greatest of things to be named among us. The one thing that had great eternal value. The benchmark with which all other gifts and abilities would be measured. We may be able to prophecy the paint off the wall but without LOVE we are nothing. What a huge contrast to how we perceive God's activity among us.
What if the greatest among us are not the ones who can preach like no other?
What if our effectiveness in the world is not tied to what we know or do not know?
What if the Father is after something more lasting among us than our ability to communicate a gospel message?
What if LOVE is more than the foundation but also the culmination of all that we do?
LOVE is patient and kind. Therefore, it points to a greater reality of the nature of God.
LOVE doesn't get tied up in all of the junk that we do. So there isn't a need to envy, boast, or become arrogant and rude.
The fact that LOVE does not insist on its own way tells us that we have far to go in seeing this perfect LOVE embodied in us. Since even the greatest among us can become irritable or resentful when we don't get what we want.
Paul seemed to really drive the point home about LOVE not rejoicing at wrongdoing since the Corinthians had been propping up people who were living immoral lifestyles. No, says Paul, LOVE rejoices when the truth wins out in our lives.
This morning I was struck with the way in which one of our English translations stated that LOVE does not take into account a wrong suffered. I wonder how many hours I've given to this type of wrong thinking?
LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. How many of the other gifts can make this claim?
LOVE NEVER ENDS.
Shouldn't those last three words clue us in to the greatest need among us? Should not this enduring quality of LOVE move us toward a greater pursuit? Rather than chasing after the gifts of the Spirit, jockeying for position among the believers, or seeking to justify our spirituality among one another; what if we decided that LOVE would be the greatest among us? Determine in our hearts that LOVE is the more excellent way.
Personally, un-apologetically, I would rather be remembered for the LOVE that I demonstrated than for the gifts that operated within me. I would rather be honored for LOVE than for preaching, for compassion rather than success, and for mercy rather than ministry. While I love sharing in the prophetic, seeing the mountains move, and speaking through the enablement of the Spirit; the reality is that those things don't mean as much to me as they once did. LOVE means the most because I have discovered that it is here that we experience the reality of God. Is this not the reality that the Apostle John was pointing towards when he said, "So we have come to know and to believe the LOVE that GOD has for us. GOD is LOVE, and whoever abides in LOVE abides in GOD, and GOD abides in him."?
I do believe the Spirit is speaking to the church today. "Come. Let me show you a more excellent way. LOVE!"
Thursday, February 23, 2017
FINALLY!!!
Greetings friends. I know that it has been a while. I have been to Ukraine since we last spoke, baseball season is upon us, and life continues to roll on. It's great to share with you again. I hope that you will be encouraged.
I jumped on here today to talk about one thing and one thing only. THIS IS US. The new series that airs on NBC every Tuesday evening. Have you watched it? It really is quite the phenomenon. Seems as though everyone I know is watching it, recording it, or catching up to it. My wife and I began watching this show from the very beginning. It's been quite a while since we had a TV show. You know, the kind that you just cannot miss. Each episode is set to record just in case. And all I know to say at this point is: FINALLY!!! There is finally a show on television worth investing in. A show that speaks to family (regardless of what that family looks like). A show that has done something that hasn't been done in a long time. It presents a father that is engaged with his family. Quite refreshing.
I realize that I'm a little late with this post. I'm sure that others have already shared some of the same sentiments that I want to express. However, this needs to be said. All of the networks need to understand that there is a hunger among so many in America to view programs such as this one. They also need to know that it's not just the middle class, white, conservative Christian, Americans that want to see it. There's people from all walks of life, all types of backgrounds and cultures, who have found this show to be intriguing, inspiring, and absolutely invigorating.
Recently I read a blog post from someone who was talking about Jack Pearson (the father) and how people have waited decades to see a dad portrayed in this light. Which is one of the many reasons I love the show. Here is a man, a husband, a father of three, doing everything in his power to create a home, raise a family, and truly invest his life into the people he loves. He's not stupid. He's not disengaged. He's in the middle of it all. So involved that he's often referred to as a superhero. It's almost too good to be true. In fact, many have wondered if the writers have set us up. If they are just waiting to pull away the curtain and reveal someone other than this amazing father. It remains to be seen. Until then...I'm believing that they purposefully intended for us to love this character as much as the other people within the show.
Which brings me to why I'm writing about a television series. An important statement in and of itself. This isn't a movie. This is a show that people are intentionally watching every week. They are taking the time to watch this drama unfold every Tuesday evening (or whatever time they have set aside to watch). Of course, it has its nuances. Actually dealing with real life issues. Things that we see play out for us every day and in every generation. All the while doing it in a way that doesn't seem to make a polarizing statement. I appreciate that. Especially considering that you can't even watch ESPN without hearing something political anymore. This show has captured the hearts of millions of viewers and at least has us thinking about family in whatever context we understand it.
Maybe that is why I love the show. There is something rather wholesome about it. A purity of heart that seems to be expressed by the writers and actors. All of the struggles seem real. All of the problems are real problems. We see the difficulty of marriage, of raising kids, of sibling rivalry, of dealing with death, and of how to properly embrace life. There is something genuine here and it has grabbed the attention of our population. That is a good thing.
I asked my wife the other night: "I wonder how many people look at Jack Pearson and wish there husbands were like him?" I wonder inside myself how many men look at him and wonder if that is really possible? Can a dad be that engaged? Can a husband be that selfless? Can any of us really overcome the inner struggles that would love to ruin every good thing in our life? I believe, in the end, we will hear of stories of men and women who were inspired by this portrayal of the American family. It's not sanitized. It's not portrayed in the awkward Christian bubble of how married people are supposed to behave. No, instead it is gritty, passionate, gut-wrenching, and honest. And for that, those of us who have watched it are extremely thankful.
So...why is a pastor blogging about the merits of a TV show from a national network. Honestly? It's because we need shows that are family positive. We need the substance. We need to move out of the fake "reality TV" junk and move into this type of creativity. People have grown tired of shows that pretend to focus on real life. This fact is seen in the knee jerk reaction of many producers thinking that they have to take greater risks. Show more sex. Push everything to the limit of what can be said or shown on television. Instead, the greater population is watching "This Is Us." Which reminds me of the time that the Waltons became so popular. There is an audience for this kind of programming. A large audience. An audience that will watch a show on their station, see the commercials that are sponsoring the show, and generate the revenue they are hoping to generate. I hope they are paying attention to what seems to be so obvious to me. Americans still care about family. They believe in it with all of its flaws. They hope for better. They strive for better. They believe in better. Shows like "This Is Us" has tapped into the hope that we all carry.
Maybe this isn't what you expected after my little sabbatical. I don't know. I just simply like sharing what I see happening in the world that gives me great encouragement. I see a shift in our thinking. I hear the heart cry of so many people. And I see the arts giving a voice to what is going on inside of us. That, my friend, is a beautiful thing. Family has taken center stage. Let's celebrate it.
I realize that I'm a little late with this post. I'm sure that others have already shared some of the same sentiments that I want to express. However, this needs to be said. All of the networks need to understand that there is a hunger among so many in America to view programs such as this one. They also need to know that it's not just the middle class, white, conservative Christian, Americans that want to see it. There's people from all walks of life, all types of backgrounds and cultures, who have found this show to be intriguing, inspiring, and absolutely invigorating.
Recently I read a blog post from someone who was talking about Jack Pearson (the father) and how people have waited decades to see a dad portrayed in this light. Which is one of the many reasons I love the show. Here is a man, a husband, a father of three, doing everything in his power to create a home, raise a family, and truly invest his life into the people he loves. He's not stupid. He's not disengaged. He's in the middle of it all. So involved that he's often referred to as a superhero. It's almost too good to be true. In fact, many have wondered if the writers have set us up. If they are just waiting to pull away the curtain and reveal someone other than this amazing father. It remains to be seen. Until then...I'm believing that they purposefully intended for us to love this character as much as the other people within the show.
Which brings me to why I'm writing about a television series. An important statement in and of itself. This isn't a movie. This is a show that people are intentionally watching every week. They are taking the time to watch this drama unfold every Tuesday evening (or whatever time they have set aside to watch). Of course, it has its nuances. Actually dealing with real life issues. Things that we see play out for us every day and in every generation. All the while doing it in a way that doesn't seem to make a polarizing statement. I appreciate that. Especially considering that you can't even watch ESPN without hearing something political anymore. This show has captured the hearts of millions of viewers and at least has us thinking about family in whatever context we understand it.
Maybe that is why I love the show. There is something rather wholesome about it. A purity of heart that seems to be expressed by the writers and actors. All of the struggles seem real. All of the problems are real problems. We see the difficulty of marriage, of raising kids, of sibling rivalry, of dealing with death, and of how to properly embrace life. There is something genuine here and it has grabbed the attention of our population. That is a good thing.
I asked my wife the other night: "I wonder how many people look at Jack Pearson and wish there husbands were like him?" I wonder inside myself how many men look at him and wonder if that is really possible? Can a dad be that engaged? Can a husband be that selfless? Can any of us really overcome the inner struggles that would love to ruin every good thing in our life? I believe, in the end, we will hear of stories of men and women who were inspired by this portrayal of the American family. It's not sanitized. It's not portrayed in the awkward Christian bubble of how married people are supposed to behave. No, instead it is gritty, passionate, gut-wrenching, and honest. And for that, those of us who have watched it are extremely thankful.
So...why is a pastor blogging about the merits of a TV show from a national network. Honestly? It's because we need shows that are family positive. We need the substance. We need to move out of the fake "reality TV" junk and move into this type of creativity. People have grown tired of shows that pretend to focus on real life. This fact is seen in the knee jerk reaction of many producers thinking that they have to take greater risks. Show more sex. Push everything to the limit of what can be said or shown on television. Instead, the greater population is watching "This Is Us." Which reminds me of the time that the Waltons became so popular. There is an audience for this kind of programming. A large audience. An audience that will watch a show on their station, see the commercials that are sponsoring the show, and generate the revenue they are hoping to generate. I hope they are paying attention to what seems to be so obvious to me. Americans still care about family. They believe in it with all of its flaws. They hope for better. They strive for better. They believe in better. Shows like "This Is Us" has tapped into the hope that we all carry.
Maybe this isn't what you expected after my little sabbatical. I don't know. I just simply like sharing what I see happening in the world that gives me great encouragement. I see a shift in our thinking. I hear the heart cry of so many people. And I see the arts giving a voice to what is going on inside of us. That, my friend, is a beautiful thing. Family has taken center stage. Let's celebrate it.
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Grace Still Amazes Me
It's 2017...And for the life of me I cannot figure out why the Grace of God is still considered such a controversial subject. While many of the self proclaimed gatekeepers of orthodoxy (right thinking) would have you think that you need to be careful of a "Hyper Grace Gospel", I'm here to remind you that what you should be looking out for is a hyper sin "gospel" that dominates much of the western world.
What is the hyper sin "gospel"? To put it quite simply, the hyper sin "gospel" puts all of its emphasis on the Fall of Adam rather than the finished work of Christ. Filled with the notion that there is still something that you need to do. Centered upon you, the fallen human, and your need to make something happen. Totally misrepresenting the New Creation that Jesus Inaugurated. Missing out on the abundant life that has been granted to us through the grace of God. That's why I put the word gospel in quotation marks. The word Gospel literally means Good News. I ask you: Which one sounds Good? and Which one sounds like News?
"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people." - Titus 2:11
Somewhere along the way the message changed. What most people consider to be a Hyper Grace teaching is really just a return to the biblical writers. The Apostle Paul, John, Peter, and even Jesus Himself carried and preached a grace that has been lacking in the western world. You can follow this historically as many of our teachings changed after the so called Enlightenment Period. While much of the modern world was advancing the Church was fighting for legitimacy. You may not want to hear this, but what followed was some teaching that became very much man centered. The Gospel itself is God centered. I continue to be amazed at how many people don't even understand the difference between the two covenants. The Old Covenant being an agreement between God and Israel. The New Covenant being an agreement between God and His Son. The emphasis upon grace that is needed in the Church brings the Gospel back to its true center: Jesus Christ.
In describing grace Paul used three Greek words: huper-ballō, huper-perisseuō, and huper-pleonazō. Recognize the common element in these words? It’s the prefix huper or hyper which means exactly what you think it means. God’s grace is over, above, and beyond your wildest expectations.
Romans 5:20 speaks of a Grace that MUCH MORE ABOUNDS
2 Corinthians 9:14, a Grace that EXCEEDS
1 Timothy 1:14, EXCEEDING ABUNDANT Grace
Folks, you can't get much more hyper than that!!! And frankly, I'm glad. Gone is the life of trying to become acceptable to God. Gone is this need to perform, to execute, and to create a holy life. Come is the life that is founded upon the finished work of Christ. A life that learns to be empowered by the grace of God rather than through self effort. These are the days that were spoken of by the prophets. When God writes His Law upon our hearts. Where His Spirit guides and our lives begin to thrive. Salvation itself has become more of an awakening to the reality of the grace of God rather than an event. An entry into the life that the Father has promised. Revealing all that was within His heart already for humanity.
Now I'm not here to tell you what you need to believe. Do I wish to persuade you to give everything up for a life of grace? Absolutely! However, what I would encourage you to do is try it out for yourself. Take God at His word and see what happens in your life. This grace that He has lavished upon each and every one of us is so much greater that we have understood. So much more amazing than what we have previously sung. So much deeper than we have experienced. We are talking about a God whose mercies are new everyday. A Creator who loved His creation so much that He was willing to give of Himself so fully. A Father who desperately yearned for His children to come into the freedom that He had promised. That's why I can honestly say after all of these years, GRACE STILL AMAZES ME!
I pray that you are encouraged, but more importantly I pray that this life will be fully realized in you. That you would not dismiss the grace of God as something that should be carefully monitored. Cautiously considered. But rather that you will fully embrace the EXCEEDING ABUNDANT GRACE that He has given. Your life will never be the same. Each and every day is a new opportunity to experience His grace. Each and every day being conformed more and more into the image of the Son. Realizing and rejoicing in the fullness of life. This is your journey. Enjoy it!
"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people." - Titus 2:11
Somewhere along the way the message changed. What most people consider to be a Hyper Grace teaching is really just a return to the biblical writers. The Apostle Paul, John, Peter, and even Jesus Himself carried and preached a grace that has been lacking in the western world. You can follow this historically as many of our teachings changed after the so called Enlightenment Period. While much of the modern world was advancing the Church was fighting for legitimacy. You may not want to hear this, but what followed was some teaching that became very much man centered. The Gospel itself is God centered. I continue to be amazed at how many people don't even understand the difference between the two covenants. The Old Covenant being an agreement between God and Israel. The New Covenant being an agreement between God and His Son. The emphasis upon grace that is needed in the Church brings the Gospel back to its true center: Jesus Christ.
In describing grace Paul used three Greek words: huper-ballō, huper-perisseuō, and huper-pleonazō. Recognize the common element in these words? It’s the prefix huper or hyper which means exactly what you think it means. God’s grace is over, above, and beyond your wildest expectations.
Romans 5:20 speaks of a Grace that MUCH MORE ABOUNDS
2 Corinthians 9:14, a Grace that EXCEEDS
1 Timothy 1:14, EXCEEDING ABUNDANT Grace
Folks, you can't get much more hyper than that!!! And frankly, I'm glad. Gone is the life of trying to become acceptable to God. Gone is this need to perform, to execute, and to create a holy life. Come is the life that is founded upon the finished work of Christ. A life that learns to be empowered by the grace of God rather than through self effort. These are the days that were spoken of by the prophets. When God writes His Law upon our hearts. Where His Spirit guides and our lives begin to thrive. Salvation itself has become more of an awakening to the reality of the grace of God rather than an event. An entry into the life that the Father has promised. Revealing all that was within His heart already for humanity.
Now I'm not here to tell you what you need to believe. Do I wish to persuade you to give everything up for a life of grace? Absolutely! However, what I would encourage you to do is try it out for yourself. Take God at His word and see what happens in your life. This grace that He has lavished upon each and every one of us is so much greater that we have understood. So much more amazing than what we have previously sung. So much deeper than we have experienced. We are talking about a God whose mercies are new everyday. A Creator who loved His creation so much that He was willing to give of Himself so fully. A Father who desperately yearned for His children to come into the freedom that He had promised. That's why I can honestly say after all of these years, GRACE STILL AMAZES ME!
I pray that you are encouraged, but more importantly I pray that this life will be fully realized in you. That you would not dismiss the grace of God as something that should be carefully monitored. Cautiously considered. But rather that you will fully embrace the EXCEEDING ABUNDANT GRACE that He has given. Your life will never be the same. Each and every day is a new opportunity to experience His grace. Each and every day being conformed more and more into the image of the Son. Realizing and rejoicing in the fullness of life. This is your journey. Enjoy it!
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Thoughts About Church
I grew up in a small town in Carroll County VA. We had a Post Office, an Elementary School, 4 Churches, and NO Stoplights. Wouldn't change it for anything. I remember going back and forth between the Baptists and the Disciples of Christ in my early childhood. Eventually settling into the Disciples of Christ for the majority of my teenage years. It was your typical small town church. A gravel driveway that made a horseshoe around the building. Almost everyone parked in the grass, and it seems as though I was related to everyone there. Probably because I was (either through blood or marriage). We shared a Pastor with a church in Mount Airy. The only changes we experienced was doing Sunday School at 10:00am one year and 11:00am the next. Switching the times up to accommodate the other church. We took Communion EVERY Sunday, had our annual Christmas Pageant which would pack out the sanctuary, and only held services one day a week. It was simple. Which is something that I miss about Church. When was the last time it was simple?
Don't get me wrong. There are a lot of things that I love about being involved in a more modern Church. I like our Praise and Worship. I like the more casual way of dressing. I like preaching out of the English Standard Version of the Bible. Don't worry, I cut my teeth on the King James and served my time preaching/teaching from the "only authorized" version. I prefer the chairs in our sanctuary over the pews. All of this to say that I don't necessarily want to go backwards, but I do miss the simplicity of it all. Maybe it's because I was a kid that I never heard about the power struggles, or I wasn't as aware of the division that was created over the new Sunday School material. In fact, I was probably oblivious to all of the adult problems. Which leads to this question: Why All the Problems?
Living in rural, small town, America, finding a Church isn't difficult. I probably drive by 10 different ones on my way to Pioneer every Sunday. And for the most part all of them are different denominations. Something that I believe each of us have grown accustomed to experiencing. If you drive just a few minutes down I-81 into Wytheville you can find just about every kind of Church. All the denominations. Just about every flavor under the sun. You want your die hard traditionalists? We've got 'em. Looking for extremely contemporary? Yep, they live here too. That's right ladies and gentlemen, in a county of about 30,000 people we have just about everything you could want. With new ones coming and going all the time. The crazy part in all of this: Some people still drive outside of the county to attend Church. Maybe we don't have everything you could want after all.
There are some problems with rural, small town, America Churches. A problem that could be prevalent within the cities as well. Things that we don't like to talk about very often. Issues that we have been unwilling to address. The kind of stuff that I could write about for hours without every really solving the problem. Because the problem isn't with the Church itself. The problem is with us. Her people. We find some of the most petty things to disagree over. Rarely is it a big theological divide that separates us, although they do take place. But so many of them started out of a felt need to separate. Which bring us to this mindset that seems to be prevalent among the Churches in our area. The belief that we are in competition with one another.
There. I said it. Somebody had to do it. There is an unhealthy competition between Churches. Where we rarely celebrate the growth of one because we believe that it came at the expense of another. Which, being honest, is probably true. We tend to trade members like young boys used to trade baseball cards. Which tends to bolster this attitude of competition. We rarely share in ministry opportunities, we definitely don't cross denominational lines, and we don't fellowship with other pastors. At least not the ones that are different than us. Some of this trickles down among the members. Every now and then you may find someone who openly criticizes that "OTHER" Church, but most of the leaders aren't quite that bold. No...it's just a slight undercurrent that flows underneath it all. Preventing us from seeing the bigger picture that when one Church succeeds we all succeed.
I've talked about some of this before, but I still believe it needs to be addressed. Maybe growing up the way I did allows me to see Church a little bit different. I remember going to Vacation Bible School to two different Churches. I remember seeing all the believers on one level playing field. Sure there were differences but I never saw a reason to disdain one while upholding the other. They all felt like family. Mainly because so many of them were. Mom's side being the Baptist. Dad's side being the Disciples of Christ. I even had an Uncle (my Mom's brother) who attended the Disciples of Christ Church with us because of marriage. I never had issue looking past the label. I never felt like it was wrong for the Baptists to do well even though our Church didn't grow that much. I never saw one as being better than the other, or believed that one group was more righteous or more orthodox. It was what it was. It was people of the same faith gathering at different places worshiping the same God. Of course, as I got older I became aware of the doctrinal differences. I even sided more with Baptists than any others. However, even in my most zealous stages of believing everyone needed to believe just like me, I honored people in both places. They were, and continue to be, my family.
I continue to hear the words of Jesus and feel His heart in the matter: "This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." How incredible would it be to stand before the Lord and know that you did everything in your heart to love one another? How wonderful would it be to be known as one who unifies rather than a divides? How fitting would it be to hear that your kindness towards others, your honor of other believers, and that you love for the brotherhood is what convinced someone towards faith in Christ? I can tell you this: the world sees our competition and it is not impressed. Unity, the one thing that should be named among us, is glaringly absent and they know it. Imagine what would happen if we changed all of that? Imagine the reaction of our communities if they knew that we, the Church, stood together. With one another. Hand in hand, heart in heart. Think it would make a difference?
These are just some of my thoughts. A part of my journey. Maybe it sounds too simple. Maybe it's simplicity that we need.
Living in rural, small town, America, finding a Church isn't difficult. I probably drive by 10 different ones on my way to Pioneer every Sunday. And for the most part all of them are different denominations. Something that I believe each of us have grown accustomed to experiencing. If you drive just a few minutes down I-81 into Wytheville you can find just about every kind of Church. All the denominations. Just about every flavor under the sun. You want your die hard traditionalists? We've got 'em. Looking for extremely contemporary? Yep, they live here too. That's right ladies and gentlemen, in a county of about 30,000 people we have just about everything you could want. With new ones coming and going all the time. The crazy part in all of this: Some people still drive outside of the county to attend Church. Maybe we don't have everything you could want after all.
There are some problems with rural, small town, America Churches. A problem that could be prevalent within the cities as well. Things that we don't like to talk about very often. Issues that we have been unwilling to address. The kind of stuff that I could write about for hours without every really solving the problem. Because the problem isn't with the Church itself. The problem is with us. Her people. We find some of the most petty things to disagree over. Rarely is it a big theological divide that separates us, although they do take place. But so many of them started out of a felt need to separate. Which bring us to this mindset that seems to be prevalent among the Churches in our area. The belief that we are in competition with one another.
There. I said it. Somebody had to do it. There is an unhealthy competition between Churches. Where we rarely celebrate the growth of one because we believe that it came at the expense of another. Which, being honest, is probably true. We tend to trade members like young boys used to trade baseball cards. Which tends to bolster this attitude of competition. We rarely share in ministry opportunities, we definitely don't cross denominational lines, and we don't fellowship with other pastors. At least not the ones that are different than us. Some of this trickles down among the members. Every now and then you may find someone who openly criticizes that "OTHER" Church, but most of the leaders aren't quite that bold. No...it's just a slight undercurrent that flows underneath it all. Preventing us from seeing the bigger picture that when one Church succeeds we all succeed.
I've talked about some of this before, but I still believe it needs to be addressed. Maybe growing up the way I did allows me to see Church a little bit different. I remember going to Vacation Bible School to two different Churches. I remember seeing all the believers on one level playing field. Sure there were differences but I never saw a reason to disdain one while upholding the other. They all felt like family. Mainly because so many of them were. Mom's side being the Baptist. Dad's side being the Disciples of Christ. I even had an Uncle (my Mom's brother) who attended the Disciples of Christ Church with us because of marriage. I never had issue looking past the label. I never felt like it was wrong for the Baptists to do well even though our Church didn't grow that much. I never saw one as being better than the other, or believed that one group was more righteous or more orthodox. It was what it was. It was people of the same faith gathering at different places worshiping the same God. Of course, as I got older I became aware of the doctrinal differences. I even sided more with Baptists than any others. However, even in my most zealous stages of believing everyone needed to believe just like me, I honored people in both places. They were, and continue to be, my family.
I continue to hear the words of Jesus and feel His heart in the matter: "This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." How incredible would it be to stand before the Lord and know that you did everything in your heart to love one another? How wonderful would it be to be known as one who unifies rather than a divides? How fitting would it be to hear that your kindness towards others, your honor of other believers, and that you love for the brotherhood is what convinced someone towards faith in Christ? I can tell you this: the world sees our competition and it is not impressed. Unity, the one thing that should be named among us, is glaringly absent and they know it. Imagine what would happen if we changed all of that? Imagine the reaction of our communities if they knew that we, the Church, stood together. With one another. Hand in hand, heart in heart. Think it would make a difference?
These are just some of my thoughts. A part of my journey. Maybe it sounds too simple. Maybe it's simplicity that we need.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
There Is Always Hope
1 Corinthians 15:19, "And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world." NLT
I have often heard this verse from 1 Corinthians quoted in such a way as to assume that this life isn't meant for much. That the best we can do is hope for a future day where there is no pain, no death, no disease, no difficulties. A way of thinking that has permeated the minds of so many within the church. Living for Heaven seems to be the only goal. Focusing solely upon the finality of life upon Earth, and looking forward to a new life in Heaven. While there is this blessed hope within the life of the believer, I don't believe the Apostle Paul was urging a resignation of hope in this life. I think he was simply encouraging the church during a difficult time. Working through some difficult thought processes.
If the Christian only possessed hope in Christ for this life, he/she will be let down. One could simply look at the state of the church in the 1st Century and understand why this would prove problematic. So many of the followers of the Way were persecuted, imprisoned, outcasts, separated from friends and family, and made to feel like strangers in the Earth. Is it any wonder that Paul said if this life was our only hope then we would be the most pitied people on the entire planet. We do have hope for a new day. If this life isn't working out the way you had hoped, then you should be moved to faith. Believing that there is life in the resurrection.
I don't believe this should be an either/or scenario. It is my belief that we should possess hope for both this life and the next. There should be hope for this life. Hope for the Good News of the Gospel to have its perfect work in the world and in our lives. Hope that the love of God will not only change us, but that we would see genuine change within the world. Hope that we do not pray in vain. Hope in the finished work of Christ. Hope in the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Hope that we will see the glory of the Lord fill the Earth. While at the same time there is the undeniable Hope that one day we will be joined with our Creator. Where we will rest in His love for all eternity.
Paul wrote in another letter that we do not mourn as those without hope. I believe that his other writings prove that we do not live without hope either. Love believes all things and Hopes all things. The Christian faith should be filled with hope. Instead, we hear so much negativity. Many of our preachers/teachers have a fatalistic mindset. Rather than looking for the best in humanity, experiencing the best of the faith that we all share, and Hoping for something better; we hear so many espouse the belief that it's only going to get worse before it gets better. And it is this type of thinking that has so many people looking upward and outward rather than doing what they can do to make the world a better place. This blue and green ball that we all live on is a gift from our Creator. It is this Earth that we are meant to rule and reign. To fill with the glory of God. Our Heavenly Father has not resigned the Earth to failure. In fact, I believe that He has so much hope for this Creation. Which is why we see Him doing so much to redeem and restore humanity. His original design for the Earth is still being realized. We may not see it, but the Kingdom of God is among us. It is part of our design to see it to fulfillment.
Paul simply did not want his children (the members of the Body of Christ in Corinth) to put their faith completely in this life. If they did then they would be disappointed. Have we not seen this in the life of believers today? Which is one of the horrible byproducts of Health & Wealth preaching. We don't know how to handle sickness, poverty, or the struggles of daily life. We have come to believe that abundant life in Christ means that everything about life is perfect. That we will never have wants or needs. That life is just one mountain top experience after another. And when those things don't come to fruition then we lose hope in the power of the Gospel. Our faith is then focused solely upon making the situation better rather than experiencing faith as a way of sustaining us during the difficulties of life. If my faith in Jesus was meant to bring about a better life in every situation then I have been considerably let down. This life is not without struggle. It's not without loss. There are millions of things that I do not understand and I cannot explain. However, God is still faithful. Learning to experience Him in these circumstances are vital to the hHpe that we carry. We dare not miss out.
God is a God of Hope. Even in the darkest of times there is a light that shines incredibly bright. The song on your heart. The prayer on your tongue. The trust that wells up inside of you when it doesn't seem possible. We've all been there haven't we? Experiencing something of the Father that tells us not to give up on this life, but reassuring us that even if we never see the full outcome of our faith in this life there is Hope. Remember that Jesus even instructed His disciples that we would face some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable but to never give up Hope. Recalling the words, "I will NEVER leave you NOR forsake you." There may even be times where all we know is His presence or at least the promise of His presence. The point is that we never lose Hope.
If you are looking for permission to resign from this life in the Scriptures then you will be disappointed. It's just not there. What you will find over and over again is a call to faith. An encouragement to remain steadfast. A command to Hope in the most trying times. With the reassurance that there is a resurrection in our future. We may have had to say goodbye to some of those we love. We may have had to watch some of our dreams come crashing to the ground. We may not see everything that we believe we have been promised in this life, but there is always Hope. Always remember that when you read through the list of names in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11 that in the end there is mention of those who were commended for their faith even though they did not receive what was promised. All of them labeled as those of whom the world was not worthy.
The choices are clear:
1) You can have hope in Christ in this life only.
2) You can have hope in Christ in the afterlife only.
3) You can have hope in Christ for both.
I ask you, which seems to be the way of the Spirit? The abundant life of Christ is meant to be experienced in both. Proving time and time again that there is always hope.
Enjoy the journey.
If the Christian only possessed hope in Christ for this life, he/she will be let down. One could simply look at the state of the church in the 1st Century and understand why this would prove problematic. So many of the followers of the Way were persecuted, imprisoned, outcasts, separated from friends and family, and made to feel like strangers in the Earth. Is it any wonder that Paul said if this life was our only hope then we would be the most pitied people on the entire planet. We do have hope for a new day. If this life isn't working out the way you had hoped, then you should be moved to faith. Believing that there is life in the resurrection.
I don't believe this should be an either/or scenario. It is my belief that we should possess hope for both this life and the next. There should be hope for this life. Hope for the Good News of the Gospel to have its perfect work in the world and in our lives. Hope that the love of God will not only change us, but that we would see genuine change within the world. Hope that we do not pray in vain. Hope in the finished work of Christ. Hope in the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Hope that we will see the glory of the Lord fill the Earth. While at the same time there is the undeniable Hope that one day we will be joined with our Creator. Where we will rest in His love for all eternity.
Paul wrote in another letter that we do not mourn as those without hope. I believe that his other writings prove that we do not live without hope either. Love believes all things and Hopes all things. The Christian faith should be filled with hope. Instead, we hear so much negativity. Many of our preachers/teachers have a fatalistic mindset. Rather than looking for the best in humanity, experiencing the best of the faith that we all share, and Hoping for something better; we hear so many espouse the belief that it's only going to get worse before it gets better. And it is this type of thinking that has so many people looking upward and outward rather than doing what they can do to make the world a better place. This blue and green ball that we all live on is a gift from our Creator. It is this Earth that we are meant to rule and reign. To fill with the glory of God. Our Heavenly Father has not resigned the Earth to failure. In fact, I believe that He has so much hope for this Creation. Which is why we see Him doing so much to redeem and restore humanity. His original design for the Earth is still being realized. We may not see it, but the Kingdom of God is among us. It is part of our design to see it to fulfillment.
Paul simply did not want his children (the members of the Body of Christ in Corinth) to put their faith completely in this life. If they did then they would be disappointed. Have we not seen this in the life of believers today? Which is one of the horrible byproducts of Health & Wealth preaching. We don't know how to handle sickness, poverty, or the struggles of daily life. We have come to believe that abundant life in Christ means that everything about life is perfect. That we will never have wants or needs. That life is just one mountain top experience after another. And when those things don't come to fruition then we lose hope in the power of the Gospel. Our faith is then focused solely upon making the situation better rather than experiencing faith as a way of sustaining us during the difficulties of life. If my faith in Jesus was meant to bring about a better life in every situation then I have been considerably let down. This life is not without struggle. It's not without loss. There are millions of things that I do not understand and I cannot explain. However, God is still faithful. Learning to experience Him in these circumstances are vital to the hHpe that we carry. We dare not miss out.
God is a God of Hope. Even in the darkest of times there is a light that shines incredibly bright. The song on your heart. The prayer on your tongue. The trust that wells up inside of you when it doesn't seem possible. We've all been there haven't we? Experiencing something of the Father that tells us not to give up on this life, but reassuring us that even if we never see the full outcome of our faith in this life there is Hope. Remember that Jesus even instructed His disciples that we would face some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable but to never give up Hope. Recalling the words, "I will NEVER leave you NOR forsake you." There may even be times where all we know is His presence or at least the promise of His presence. The point is that we never lose Hope.
If you are looking for permission to resign from this life in the Scriptures then you will be disappointed. It's just not there. What you will find over and over again is a call to faith. An encouragement to remain steadfast. A command to Hope in the most trying times. With the reassurance that there is a resurrection in our future. We may have had to say goodbye to some of those we love. We may have had to watch some of our dreams come crashing to the ground. We may not see everything that we believe we have been promised in this life, but there is always Hope. Always remember that when you read through the list of names in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11 that in the end there is mention of those who were commended for their faith even though they did not receive what was promised. All of them labeled as those of whom the world was not worthy.
The choices are clear:
1) You can have hope in Christ in this life only.
2) You can have hope in Christ in the afterlife only.
3) You can have hope in Christ for both.
I ask you, which seems to be the way of the Spirit? The abundant life of Christ is meant to be experienced in both. Proving time and time again that there is always hope.
Enjoy the journey.
Monday, January 2, 2017
2017 - A New Year
I wanted to take some time to wish each and everyone a Happy New Year. 2017, I believe, is a year of promise and hope.
Be intentional.
As the Proverb states: "A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."
#enjoythejourney
Be intentional.
As the Proverb states: "A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied."
#enjoythejourney
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