Techniques? or Relationships?

“Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

I am currently reading a book title “UNchristian”. It is based on years of thorough and thoughtful research into the image that people from their teens to late 30s have of Christianity. I don’t plan to rewrite the book in this small essay, but it is confirming a number of things I already was fairly certain about.

The Christian Distinctive (Warning: soapbox alert)

“And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Luke 6:33

I am a Pentecostal. I am glad to be a Pentecostal (notice I did not say “proud”). I have been “Pentecostal” from within the first year or so of my faith in Christ. I am happy that my acquaintance with Christ was not loaded down with a bunch of doctrinal baggage that explained away what are commonly called the “gifts of the Spirit.” From early on, in a Bible study I attended with a dozen or more people who found Christ together in the mid 70s, we simply read the Bible together and accepted what it said as if it were meant for us as well.

Shine Like the Sun

“But everyone who has done right will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. If you have ears, pay attention!” Matthew 13:43

The great painter Vincent Van Gogh said, in a letter to his sister Wilhelmina, “it is obvious that putting little white dots on the blue-black is not enough to paint a starry sky.” If you take a few moments to view his famous painting, “The Starry Night”, you know exactly what he means. These are not stars as they “are”, they are stars as they affected the painter. This are not mere twinkles of light, these are luminaries with fierce and beautiful power.

Good Soil

(“But what was sown in good ground means one who listens and understands the message; he bears fruit and yields, one a hundred, one sixty and one thirty-fold.” Matthew 13:23

The Christian life is to be wildly productive, not mildly passive. Jesus tells a parable describing what happens when the truth about Jesus (the Word of God) is spoken to different people. Some are like a pathway where the seed falls and barely begins to grow. Some are like stony ground who hear the message and quickly get exuberant about it. But they quickly fall away when it appears this life is more difficult to live that they first thought. Then there is the thorny ground. They do well for a while, but soon the distractions of life keep them from really living at all. Like weeds, the distractions choke out the very life they could possess.

Lukewarm?

Lukewarm?

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with me.” Revelation 3:20

It is very uncommon for someone to ignore someone knocking at their door. There are reasons, I suppose. Perhaps someone sharing religious pamphlets, or a door to door salesman. But let’s assume it is someone we actually know. Unless there is a definite reason, we will always go to the door, open it, and invite them in.

The Fuel on Which the Universe Runs

The Fuel on Which the Universe Runs

“My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children and we know him.’ 1 John 4:7

No matter our physical age, we all can ‘grow up” spiritually and emotionally. But we need God’s gifts to do that. Most of the “good” that comes from our lives is the result of experiencing the wonderful gift of healing and forgiveness we have received from Jesus. He loved us personally and deeply. The extent of that love is shown by His complete sacrifice on the cross for us. He gave Himself to be cruelly mistreated and killed all out of love for mankind as a whole, and each of us as individuals.

Refresh Your Memory

“This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.” 2 Peter 3:1 (The Message)

It was the official dedication service for the new church building we had spent two years erecting. It was a brand new building on a four acre lot and we were proud to move into our new accommodations. District officials were present, dignitaries from the town were in the congregation and even representatives from some of our vendors were there.

I Cannot Refrain

“So they summoned them and gave orders not at all to refer to or to teach in reliance of the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied to them, ‘…we cannot refrain from telling what we have seen and heard.’” Acts 4:18-20

Peter and John, as well as the other disciples, were not educated in the elite manner of the ruling religious leaders. That does not mean they were scholarly dropouts, they just lacked the necessary requirements to teach religion. Or so it seemed to the ones who did have the education; the Sanhedrin.

Mercy!

“God gave in. ‘It won’t happen,’ he said.” Amos 7:3

Well, those are words I always like to hear. God tells me I’ve got it coming, then relents and says, “Nope, you’re not going to have to pay this time.” “Whew”, we think, “that was a close one!” And perhaps we bow gratefully before our merciful God. Or maybe we just skip away not realizing the ramifications of what God has just done.

Unaccomplished Dreams

“He (God) told me, moreover: ‘Your son Solomon, he will build My house and my courts—for I have chosen that one to be My son, and I will be his Father.’” 1 Chronicles 28:6

It is amazing the grace and elegance with which King David turns over the dream of building the Lord’s Temple to his son. David had desired to build it after realizing he lived in a palace and God’s “dwelling place” was still the Tabernacle, a tent.

Greet Deeply

"Greet Deeply"

(Assemble the people; arrange a holy convocation. Bring together the elders; gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom come forth from his quarters, and the bride from her bridal closet. Joel 2:16)

Fill the room with arms raised,
legs bowed, eyes lowered with hope to
lift them towards life and the sky.

God resides within our gatherings, and hears
before we cry. Still, the loop must begin with
love for Him; every parent, every bride-to-be,
every infant

At a dedication to more than my
money making or money spending;

At a salute meaning more than the symbol,
greater than the greeting,
livelier than habits of convenience.

Awake! For tomorrow is another day
just like today, and another after, like
the day before

And we waste our sorrows,
pander to our joys,
as if there is nothing greater
than my moment, my spotlight
or my shadow in the corner of weeping.

Hold hands firmly, embrace the neighbor
who simply showed up to request one day’s strength.

Live larger than the homes on the hills
in the moment we have all gathered to
greet deeply and to sigh truly and
say there is no way
without

You.

Memory

(“Remember all the wonders he performed, the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.” 1 Chronicle 16:12 [The Message])

I admit it, I’m a melancholy. I am also a melancholy who wishes he wasn’t. I tend to have lower and sadder emotions than most people I know. I have puzzled my entire life about the nature of the blues I seem so prone to know.

You Have Given Me a Body

"When Christ came into the world, he said to God, 'Sacrifices and offerings are not what you want, but you have given me my body.'" Hebrews 10:5

This verse quotes Psalm 40:6 which says, "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened." The question arises as to why the writer of Hebrews translates the phrase "my ears you have opened" as "you have given me my body."

The first clue is that there were two primary translations of the Old Testament during the first century. One was a Hebrew translation and the other was Greek, called The Septuagint. The Hebrew translation was, in most cases, the older of the two. Yet, many Greek speaking Jews used the Septuagint. Here, it is the Hebrew version that refers to ears being opened and the Greek version which says "you have given me my body."

Without getting into the technicalities of translation, there is an interesting explanation for this. First of all, the phrase "my ears you have opened" literally means, "you have dug out my ears." A servant, giving himself over for a lifetime to his master, would have his ears pierced with a wooden dowel to signify his dedication.

The symbolism is evident, having "dug out" our ears, we are more ready to hear and to obey what the Master asks. That is the intent in the Psalm as the writer reminds himself that God is less interested in sacrifices than He is in actually hearing and obey what God desires.

How then, do we get from "pierced ears" to "a body". At this point it is only supposition. But I can see the process happening something like this. In the first place, the original translation, "you have dug out my ears" is an example of "metonymy", a literary devise where the part represents the whole.

The Psalmist was not saying, "I will obey with my ears". He was inferring that, upon hearing, he, himself, his entire self, would obey. When the Jews translated this into Greek, there was no practice in the Greek world of piercing a slaves ears. But they did understand, however crude it sounds, buying "a body". It is quite possible the translators took the liberty of paraphrasing so that the Greek-speaking readers would understand the intent.

So, when this is applied to Jesus, it tells us two things. First of all it reminds us that God Himself took the form of humanity. The most blessed teaching of Christianity is that God became man. He was born of a virgin, lived as a helpless babe, grew up as a child and matured to an adult. God, through Christ, knows, understands and identifies with all the experiences of mankind.

But secondly, and more to the writer of Hebrews' point, Jesus came to obey. The sacrifices and offerings of animals that preceded Jesus' death on the cross were absolutely useless in dealing with mankind's sin. Not only did they not take away sin, but they also reminded the worshiper of sin every time the offerings were given again. Over and over the guilt was felt by those who needed forgiveness.

Jesus, coming to obey, coming to give His life fully on the cross, does what the animal sacrifices could never do. He takes away the sins of all who believe in Him, once and for all. And, because they are fully forgiven, there is no need for further sacrifice. We are not reminded of sin time and time again.

In fact, the one "sacrifice" that is remembered regularly by believers is at the Table of the Lord, or communion. But here, we are not reminded of our sin, we are reminded that Jesus took all our sins. We are invited to the place where we "remember" what Jesus did once and for all...forever.

Just a side note on these thoughts about Jesus coming into the world, loving us enough to become human, loving ALL of us enough to die for us. How in the world can we, as believers, talk smack about any other person on the face of this earth. I don't care if it is someone who personally we dislike, a politician with whom we disagree, whatever. If Jesus died for all...loved all that much...how can we call ourselves His followers and do any less.

Let us, also, say to God...here is my body, prepared for You use. Use me now, in Your kingdom, the kingdom founded on the very love of Christ.

A Hard-Hitting Expose of Santa and other Mysterious Christmas Symbols

A Hard-Hitting Expose of Santa and other Mysterious Christmas Symbols

Ok, now that I have your attention, I want to share my true intent with this month’s newsletter. As far as certain methods of celebration take us away from the original joy of Christmas, Jesus’ birth, I share some believers’ concerns. But, the notion that certain symbols are to be avoided or are evidence of the “world” stealing Christmas from us is another thing entirely.

Though a very small minority of Christians today take issue with Santa Claus, I find it difficult to be threatened by him. More so, I doubt the magnificence of our Heavenly Father is going to be eclipsed by the shadow of a fat fellow in a flying sleigh. Beyond all the tactless tinsel of commercial Christmas, the historical understanding of Santa Claus reveals something that God would have pervade the spirit of all mankind.

Nicholas of Myra, located in modern Turkey, was a “saint” because he was a follower of Jesus and was titled a “Saint” by the church’s recognition of his love and good works. It is this same Nicholas, known as “Saint Nicholas” who, through the ages comes to us as “Santa Claus”.

He was known for taking Jesus’ words to heart about giving to the poor: “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3,4

Saint Nicholas was very generous to the poor, but most often anonymously. The most famous story concerns three young women whose destitute father was going to force them into prostitution in order to survive. To prevent this heinous crime, Nicholas, on three different nights, anonymously went to their father's house and threw a bag of gold though an open window. The bishop's miter and fur trimmed red winter garments eventually became what we recognize as Santa's outfit, while Saint Nicholas's generosity was transferred to the "jolly old man" who delivers gifts anonymously on Christmas Eve.

Perhaps I should leave Santa Claus behind and tackle some other of the Christmas symbols.

What about all the wreaths, poinsettias and other greenery. Those have to be pagan, don’t they? Wiccans are well known for their nature worship. Let’s examine it together. Wreaths combine several Christmas symbols including holly, fruit, mistletoe, evergreens, tinsel, and so on, all of which retain their symbolism on the wreath. The word wreath comes from an old English word, meaning to writhe or twist. Greens twisted into a circle made "crowns" for kings, military leaders, and athletes. Because wreaths, due to their circular shape, symbolize eternity, the circle of life, and endless hope, they began to be used at Christmas and hung. Because a wreath has neither beginning nor end, but is a continuous circle, it symbolized God Himself.

Holly, with its spiked leaves and red berries symbolizes Jesus’ suffering for the world and the crown of thorns He wore.

How about something as simple as tinsel? A legend tells of a poor, faithful family who wished to decorate a Christmas tree in honor of the Christ Child but who had no money for decorations. In the night, spiders came and spun webs across the tree. Then the Christ Child, honoring the family's faith, turned the threads into silver. When we want to give our all to Christ, but we think that we have nothing of value to give, God gives value to our offerings. God does not measure worth by worldly standards but by spiritual ones. Give Christ your all and He will consider it more precious than gold.

The Christmas tree itself did not originate until About the year 1500. Martin Luther, inspired by a snow covered fir tree, brought a small tree indoors and decorated it with candles in honor of Christ’s birth. Because it is green year-round, the evergreen tree represents hope. Its needles and its narrow crest point upward, turning our thoughts to heaven. And topped with a star, it reminds us of the star of Bethlehem. Because the tree is cut down and then erected again, it is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection.

But what about X-MAS! It is not a pagan or worldy attempt to “x” Christ out of Christmas as. the word actually is an abbreviation for Christmas. Christ was often written as "XP" or "XT" and the Greek letter Chi X stood for Christ in the ancient Greek symbol for Christians. The “X” itself reminded those early believer of the cross of Jesus itself.

Hmm…perhaps this Christmas I’ll join the masses who celebrate Jesus’ birth, follow Him with all my heart, and remember the “X” means “Christ” and His cross where He died for me. At Christmas time let us heed this reminder: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) and celebrate what is originally behind the symbols of Christmas.

They Shall Know

They Shall Know

“They shall know that I am the Lord their God in that I have caused them to go into exile among the nations and have now gathered them into their own land. I will never leave any of them alone again, nor any longer hide My face from them.” Ezekiel 39:27, 28a


This passage is speaking specially to Israel about her future return from exile. God tells them that they will know that He is Lord based on two things: He caused them to go into exile, and He gathered them back to their own land.


This speaks to us about the character of God, and how we truly know Him. God had sent Israel into exile after hundreds of years of her idolatry. He had been patient, sending prophet after prophet calling the nation back to Him. Though there were occasional renewals of devotion, over the long run Israel fell into deeper and deeper idolatry.


Finally, after proving she would not respond to God’s invitations and warnings, He allowed Israel to be overrun, the temple destroyed and her people dispersed among the nations. In doing so, He was trying to open their eyes to the truth that He alone is God.


But He would not leave them there. God’s purposes in our discipline are for His glory, not our pain. In other words, He allows only the right amount of pain that will “bring us to our senses.” That is how He worked with Israel.


As Israel began to repent, God allowed her to return home. The final return of Israel to her homeland awaits a time still in the future. Again, though, that return is for God’s glory. As they return, experiencing God’s grace and mercy, they will know even better that He is “the Lord their God.”


I believe this passage is actually about the “return” God offers everyone through Christ. The final part of this verse says that God will “never leave any of them alone again.” Though we wish it were different, we know that not all of Israel is actually in her homeland. Not even every person who is truly devoted to God.


But, everyone who has returned to God through Christ is indeed never left alone again. In fact, that was God’s plan all along. The exile and return of Israel were pictures of the way God would finally offer a “return policy” to the entire world. Faith in Christ puts us right in the middle of God’s promise to never leave us alone again.


As we realize that God was involved, even when we were away from Him, and that He is definitely involved in our return, it is He who receives the glory. Following Christ is not about our personal comfort; it is about making known that “the Lord is God”. The promises He gives are not temporal, they are spiritual.


I am truly comforted with the knowledge that my “exile” was as much a part of God’s plan as my return. I am encouraged that I never need to doubt if I will be “outside” His circle of love again, because of His promise to never leave us alone again.


And, even better, verse 28 begins with “I will never hide My face from them.” We may try to get God’s attention through all sorts of spiritual contortions. It doesn’t matter if it is quiet meditation or sanctimonious stickling about morality, those do not bring us close to God. Only through the cross where Jesus atoned for every one of my sins do I find access to Him.


But, that access, exclusive as it is, is also absolutely free! It is by faith and faith alone. I believe what He says, “I will never hide My face from them.” I may need to quiet my mind to remind myself of that. Or, I may obey moral laws because my faith has changed my behavior, but His presence is a foregone conclusion when we trust Christ.


Father, I am grateful that You have been involved in all of my life. Even when I was so far away I gave no thought to You, You were still working Your plan in my life. You were waiting for me to say Yes to Christ. And now, having returned, I know I need never despair of Your presence. Your promise to never hide Your face buoys my spirits and leaves me speechless in praise.

One Thing I Do Know

One Thing I Do Know

“He then replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that I was blind and now I see.’” John 9:25


Jesus and his disciples encounter a man blind from birth in the Temple. The disciples ask who sinned to cause the man to be blind; what it his fault or his parents’ fault? Jesus makes it clear that sin was not the issue at all, God’s glory was. God would receive glory by the blind man being made whole.


Everyone is obsessed with “sin” in this story when sin is not the point at all. The religious leaders who just can’t believe Jesus is the Messiah start examining His life for sin. They can’t discount the miracle; they have already interviewed the man’s parents who testify that he indeed was born blind.


Since the “God-experts” can’t deny the miracle, they have to come at Jesus from a different direction. They accost the man who was healed and tell him, “Give God praise (translation: tell us the truth bub), we know this man is a sinner.” How do they know? Well, Jesus just happened to heal the poor man on the Sabbath. That’s right, the day when the closer to God you were the less work you did.


Therefore, to do a great work on that day must mean you are very far from God. Even if it does take away a life’s worth of blindness from one of God’s very own people. Their logic is flawless, within their own non-compassionate system! God says it is a sin to work on the Sabbath, healing is work, Jesus healed, therefore Jesus sinned!


The disciples are looking for sinners to start the story off and the God-experts are looking for sinners as the story winds to a close. And, the only one who truly sees anything is the man who was blind at the beginning of it all.


“Whether he is as sinner I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” What a story, there are two men accused of being sinners; the blind man, and the Man who healed him.


While the church often waddles about trying to exhibit its own righteousness and point out the failings of the blind world, Jesus simply walks into the middle of it all and heals those who need Him. Call Him a sinner, call those He heals sinners, it really makes no difference.


God is not on a sin-hunt. Yes, the Bible tells us a great deal about sin. The most important thing it tells us is that we ALL have sinned! God is on a healing safari, to bring freedom to any and all who need Him.


We can waste time trying to figure out why someone is still ill. We can try to lower Jesus below His divine status as the Son of God. And God will let us go about it because He really has better things to do. There are blind to be healed, there are the poor who need to hear good news, there are the hopeless who need to see the glory of God in the midst of their despair.


Don’t worry about who sinned, just get in there by faith receive the healing love of Christ. And don’t try to bring Jesus down from His stature as the unique Son of God. Why would we even want to do that? The “God-experts” wanted to be “right”, that’s why they wanted to call Him a sinner?


There is only one opinion about Jesus that counts in this story: “I was blind but now I see.”


Father, help me to get my eyes off of everyone else and on to Jesus who wants to lovingly heal my own blindness. Help me to let go of my own opinions about Him and simply allow Him to be the Son of God, as He said He was. Today, I come to the healer of all, knowing He is willing to be associated with me, a sinner.