Called out

While in the process of preparing my family for church this past Sunday morning I was, for lack of a better phrase, “Called out”. It was my loving wife who thought necessary to put me in my place.

As she entered the room, in which I sat, she declared a household “State of Emergency” and requested further assistance in the process.

You see, we start a shouting match of sorts just about the second we roll out of bed in the morning.

I parade through the house giving the official countdown to the precise moment in which we need to be leaving the driveway. Mind you an extra few minutes are always factored in for locking the door, actually making it to the car (a number of distractions can and do prolong this process when one is orchestrating a chorus of two and four year olds), and for the buckling in of the children. Usually a spare minute is also included for re-entry of the home in order to retrieve a forgotten item: possibly a bible, a few diapers, maybe a cherished baby doll or Spiderman action figure.

The countdown or shouting match includes “Ten minutes, Five minutes, Two minutes…we should have been in the car Two minutes ago, Five minutes ago, Ten minutes ago.” This has become such a routine that we in fact will over emphasis where we are in the process. “I’ve got the kids, I’ve the got the keys, I’m in the car”, when in fact we are not yet out of the shower.

All this said I hold additional habits in the morning which generally include the reading of a brief excerpt from some random source of literature. This was my position as Kaisha entered the room. I may have even yelled back through the hallway that we had only a few minutes left or that I was in the car; just before she found me seated, perusing a book.

“If you would stop reading and get out here and help, this would go a lot smoother.”
Kaisha pronounced.

Fantastic unbeknownst truth flew in and slapped my face broadside. (Figuratively of course; Kaisha in no way abused me this past Sunday)

How often do we get caught up in praying, meditating, reading, analyzing God and his Word. We may morph this process into small group settings of bible “Study” or "Corporate worship and prayer" and claim action or works since we include others in the process. (I in no way wish to examine these practices as incomplete or wrong. I, in fact, proclaim the deepening of spiritual growth, reasoning, and understanding as my forte which is found not only in logical and rational analysis but also in spiritual and emotional experience.)

BUT

What about real action? What about missional growth and service to our communities? What about evangelism? What would happen if we made time to stop reading and help a little? I believe the question as well as the answer is found in the above story. This Kingdom of God - would go a lot smoother.

We are charged to cloth the poor and feed the hungry.

“Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do the same." Luke 3:11

We are commanded to share the gospel to the world.

“Go into the entire world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

There is much righteousness to be found in the pursuit of holiness and prayerful mediation of the scriptures, but there also is great faith to be found and given, in the carrying out of the practical works shown to us by Jesus. Take a moment to read (and I do ask for a stay on the irony here) any one of the gospels and you will see that Jesus was a man of action. He knew the scriptures and he spent time in prayer, but his actions seem to get the most acclaim.

Somehow we are to change our pattern of simple holy living and bring Christ to the streets. We need to not only bring people to church but we need to take the Church to people.

A Certain Place

There is a certain place I frequent to walk arm in arm with our Lord.

At this place the Glory of God shines down and sparkles reflection on the living waters of creation. At this place I witness the light of Jesus echo to God through men.

I approach evidence of burnt offering. I smell the aroma of blood and sacrifice . Obedience to soften the wrath of God.

I look to the left upon views of pain. Frustrated chaos grows. There is no respect for the Maker there.

I look to the right to find the mercy seat of GOD. I approach. I ask for the Son of God to yield his sword and cut to the marrow that separates my goat from my sheep, my evil from my good, my hell from my view of Glory. I ask for the quickened Word to penetrate my being and teach me of Grace and Love.

I then turn from the sight of God and see a tree. A tree that was once crooked, but is now straightened. I weep. I am the tree. I was broken and dead. But, now through trembling, through fire, through the grace and love of Christ I am made straight.

Walking further to the right I see an alter built of stone. A perfect circle. I am glad. I am impressed. But, this alter does not shine the Glory of God. It shines the Glory of men. I am lost once more. I turn away.

The illumination of God has not ceased. Glory remains. The light shines down. In the distance seagulls cry. I recall Christ’s words "If they do not, then these very stones will cry out to me".

I again am made able to see. I am refreshed once more. I walk to the Bema and fall, requesting the mercy that is offered.

I walk anew and am filled with Joy. My heart sings as I leave the Glory, but for a short time, in order to bring many men back to this place.

A walk

I came across the below murmurings which apparently I composed 11/05/2007.


I took a walk with God this morn, in hopes of love and joy
I have been walking in this manner, since I was just a boy

I regret the wrongs I do commit, I wish for guidance more
And when my judgment comes, one day, I’m sure the Lord be torn

For there are days that I cannot quench, my indwell’n spirit’s thirst
And then there are the other days filled with horrid evil bursts

I pray that I could walk the path, of the pure and of the right
But then I fall once more as I begin to let God out of my sight

My soul’s fate, continues to remain in the Savior’s blood
Praise God for this or I would be doomed, to rot in eternal mud.

Thirst

I was told of a story this morning concerning the search for a gas station. My guide in the tale was referring to her experience of nearly running out of gas. Her vehicle was indeed running on fumes as her thoughts focused solely on attaining fuel. Liken to the parable of the widow that searched all over for her lost coin or the shepard looking for his wandering sheep she continued her narrative. However, the perspective portrayed was reversed. The idea was not of how God looks for his called, but how his called look for him.

The teller of the story emphasized the desperate need to find gas and paralleled the experience to how when we are in need of God we are parched with thirst. We desire God to the point that if we do not find him somewhere and soon, we will run out of fuel. We will stop. There will be no more movement in our life until we find that living water of God.

Reminds one of David's prose “As the deer panteth for flowing streams of water, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Psalms 42

How filling is the constant hunger and thirst of righteousness. How wonderful is the pursuit. There is joy not only at the conclusion of such a search but glory to be felt in the quest itself.
Bask, my friend, in the light that makes clear the path and savor your time. The destination and the journey are indeed united in embrace.

Vision?

To date I have not completely formed my personal opinion on the validity of visions and the present experience of them. To be more concise, I am not sure if the event of a dream or vision is indeed an encounter with the Spirit of God. I do desire the thought that this is true. However, in absence of proper meditation, prayer, and study on the same I cannot be certain. Never the less, regardless of absolute understanding I did have a thought last night which was made known to me through the combination of a rational train of thought and unconscious imagery.

As I lay down to sleep, I began a brief daily prayer as most of us do. Thankfulness, Awe, requests for protection of family and home. As I began to dose, I began to wrestle with the Lord in regard to sins and issues in my life that I seem to struggle with constantly. I took the position that if some divine sight was granted to me, that if I could see the demons beforehand then I could avoid interaction. In my mind I was concerning myself with large struggles, major events, happenings that would be obvious to most anyone.

Then

As I slipped into quiet rest, the image of a most serene countryside appeared. A landscape of virgin green grass draped in new foliage of long standing trees complete with warmth reminiscent of a spring day. A slight breeze swirled the clouds of the cobalt sky. A simple place with no threat or concern.

As I scanned the horizon a banner or flag-shaped object suddenly appeared . As the facade of the flowing banner was pealed away the presence of a demonic force came to light. There was a little troll like being that was all the time present behind the covering of the flag.

Instantly, I woke and was enlightened to know that evil is not only found in the open but conceals itself in every possible position. The Devil has been given dominion over this earth and will use all ends to accomplish his confusion.

I know - an obvious revelation at best. But – maybe an answer to a prayer. Maybe we do not need to see the absolute depravity of this world. Maybe we would be terrified at every turn if we knew the true darkness that surrounds. I like to think that the darkness that is revealed to us is done so with purpose. Maybe our sins and struggles are meant to try us by fire in order to cultivate who we are to be.

Praise God for the gift of relative peace. May we be ever watchful of the enemy even in our Joy. For although Christ has overcome the world we continue to drudge through it. Our mission is not yet complete. May we strive to realize all that Jesus Christ has and will continue to do for the world. May we be compelled to reflect his light so that others can find the Way. And in doing so those others will reflect the light back so we may see.

I would rather see the Light. Concentrate on the Light. Follow the Light.

Be aware of evil, but definitely not look for it.

Reason

There are many world-views of our GOD. Many labels placed upon people who hold certain theological perspectives. Much criticism and theoretical analysis. For any layman, such as myself, who begins to dig into the vast pit of ideas available for consumption there seems to be enough judgment and self righteousness to keep one’s mind occupied for eternity. This may be the way the devil wants it; this may be the way God wants it; I am not sure. Organic conversations of theism that either bring hell upon people attempting to sort through the whole of idea or fantastic topics for someone’s next encounter with humanity in the form of friendly discussion. The murmur of confused souls will be with us for the duration. Myself included, I add to this perplexed roar of diametric rational and mystic argument.

What can I say, I enjoy the dance. The rhythm. The flow. The gee and haw of life.

I do not enjoy it when a certain strain of truth is placed upon the messenger with condemnation. No one man can effectively communicate all of thought, reason, emotion, and spirit in one fell swoop. Therefore, any one theory or doctrine seems far too concentrated to give all inclusive meaning.

The most accurate attempt for this inclusiveness was that of Paul in Corinthians 2 when he claims to present nothing but “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

Enough said.

But how hard the silence: even Paul continues

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.”

Even Paul attempts to bring further truth, further rational. Funny, how truth seems to exist separate from explanation and analytical thought. Funnier still is when folks begin to rely on reason and the ability to reason as truth, not simply a communicational link to the vast chasm of truth itself. Truth is not exclusive to reason but indeed originates in spirit.

“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” Corinthians 2:13

Never the less, I must concede, I find great intrigue in the written as well as the spoken word, which is birthed out of reason. However, I also enjoy swimming in the pool of mystical experience. For how can one begin to reason and write if there is nothing to reason and write about?

The muse my friends is spirit. Enjoy the conversation but rely on the truth to give Life.

Reap

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10–11

Sowing the seeds of the Kingdom have always been wonderful in concept. We let go of our illusions of control. We simply toss the truth outward and let God give the increase. "Those who have ears, let them hear."

But, consider that the farmer doesn't simply sow arbitrarily. The farmer sows for gain, for food, for profit. This is his vocation. He prepares the land. He calculates the soil's fertility. He gives careful analysis to all the cares of seeding the land long before he commences the act of sowing.

Why?

To ensure, to the best of his ability, a fine crop. A crop that will provide for his family. A crop that will allow nourishment and sustenance. A crop that will assist the next generation of growth.

We, the farmers, are to sow the kingdom of heaven in full reliance on God and his nurturing growth. However, at the same time, we are to turn over the land. We are to cultivate the soil.

And we are to expect the bounty.

Our development of relationships will reciprocate. We will be nourished by the fruit of the harvest. Both in the consuming of the produce as well as the joy of the knowledge of future crops. We do reap what we sow.

There will be seed for the sower and bread for the eater.

Fruit has a purpose - to nourish.

Stay

"The tree is an intrinsically "numinous" being. Solidified, a great fountain of life rises in the trunk, spreads in the branches, scatters in a spray of leaves and flowers and fruits. With a slow, silent ferocity the roots go burrowing down into the earth. Tender, yet irresistible, life battles with the unliving stones and has the mastery. Half hidden in the darkness, half displayed in the air of heaven, the tree stands there, magnificent..."
Aldous Huxley, The Olive Tree

"He is like a tree planted by streams of water"
David of the Psalms concerning righteous men

Righteousness is full of brilliance. If you are in the Light, you are awe-inspiring. Stay. Do not waver. Have courage. The hosts of heaven are on your side.

The "I AM"

"I am the way and the truth and the life... You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. So that the Son may bring glory to the Father."
Jesus the Christ

The way of truth is life. If we grasp truth then anything is possible. The possibilities bring glory, bring illumination, bring understanding of GOD.

T. S. Elliot once wrote concerning the art of poetry in relation to past influence. His inference is that any true art is in fact non-personal and thus non-original. That true art simply is. That the artist, in this case a poet, is in fact regurgitating experience and outside stimuli. That the origin of any art is a moot point. There are simply new configurations of existing ideas.

To excentuate this point I recall a quote,

"Anything deemed original is merely the origin forgotten"

Wonderfully, I have forgotten the author of this thought.

All this said; the Way, the Truth, and the Life simply is...it always has been and will always be...there is no originality to it...it is...

Jesus is the tangible expression of this truth. He is the action, the work, the poem resulting from Love, from Truth, from God...

All other human tangible forms must enter "The Way" through him...there is indeed no other original or alternate path, but all must consider him...and in considering him we must all consider his action, his work, his poem as regurgitation from the Father.

The Trinity

Last evening, I was educated concerning "The Trinity" from my four year old son.

Apparently, a couple of his buddies have been discussing the location of GOD.

• Samuel, my son, stated that his friend Gavin had advised that, "God is in Heaven".
• He further divulged his cousin Caleb's comment. That God, "Died on the cross for us".
• And when I asked him where he thought God was he proclaimed, "God is in your heart".

Fantastic answers all. Apparently, even through the eyes of four year old boys GOD is represented by: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.