Limited Freedom?

Art is limitation; the essence of every picture is the frame. If you draw a giraffe you must draw him with a long neck. If in your bold creative way you hold yourself free to draw a giraffe with a short neck you will really find that you are not free to draw a giraffe.

G.K. Chesterton (Orthodoxy, 71)

There is freedom in Christ. There is mercy and grace and complete confidence of salvation and acceptance in Christ. But why do we sometimes view freedom as a license to throw out guidance and instruction. I wish to be free in Christ. Not free from Christ. To be free from Christ is to accept the shackles of sin. To be free in Christ is to submit to his authority.

I want to be free to draw a giraffe and marvel at its brilliance.

I want to be free to draw a short necked impersonation of a giraffe and gawk at its awkwardness to the point of returning to the creative beauty of Christ.

In all things I wish to see Christ. This helps me to stay framed.

Jesus does the impossible: He travels to enemy territory and converses with the enemy as if he loves them. In fact, he does love them. In fact, he heals and liberates his enemies. He is bold and provocative, and he expects his followers to do as he does; he wants them to risk their lives, to reconcile everyone, and so radiate the truth of nonviolence. He urges them to go “to the other side,” to meet their culture’s enemies and to carry forth the good news of God’s reconciling love. He believes they will do greater works than he…. Have we ever traveled to enemy territory? Have we ever faced the fear of entering a war zone and conversing with the enemy about peace? Have we ever been invited to walk the stormy waters of reconciliation?

John Dear "Jesus the Rebel"

Wow

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

"I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite."

Isaiah 57:15

Laugh at horse and rider

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Aaron Shust


Job 39 - Consider the stork.

She lays her eggs on the ground
and lets them warm in the sand,

unmindful that a foot may crush them,
that some wild animal may trample them.

She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;
she cares not that her labor was in vain,

for God did not endow her with wisdom
or give her a share of good sense.

Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,
she laughs at horse and rider.


I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior...

My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Aaron Shust


Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.


Sometimes you just have to place your hope in the LORD and run: Laughing at horse and rider.

Gracious Love

"The more a true saint loves God with a gracious love, the more he desires to love him, and the more uneasy is he at his want of love to him: the more he hates sin, the more he desires to hate it, and laments that he has so much remaining love to it: the more he mourns for sin, the more he longs to mourn for sin: the more his heart is broke, the more he desires it should be broke: the more he thirsts and longs after God and holiness, the more he longs to long, and breathe out his very soul in longings after God: the kindling and raising of gracious affections is like kindling a flame; the higher it is raised, the more ardent it is; and the more it burns, the more vehemently does it tend and seek to burn…

Jonathan Edwards

Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, refrains from giving wordy evidence of the fact.

George Eliot

Faith

Faith walks by light
Bidding us come

Faith walks in dark
Fearing not

Faith guides all right
Leading through the night

Promising of sweet, sweet home

Take me by the hand
Lead me

Help me make it through

Do not allow me to run too fast
Lest I forget and leave you

Daniel Lyles

Give me strength to resist, patience to endure, consistency to persevere...

- Thomas Kempis

Innumerable times a whole Christian community has broken down because it had sprung from a wish dream. The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and to try to realize it. But God’s grace speedily shatters such dreams. Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves.

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

What a chimera, then, is man! What a novelty, what a monster, what a chaos, what a subject of contradiction, what a prodigy! Judge of all things, feeble worm of the earth, depository of truth, sewer of uncertainty and error, the glory and shame of the universe!

-Blaise Pascal

Smelly God?

Does God speak through a smelly security guard ranting about Mexicans?

Can one take floating words and mingle them into desired context –
so that the perspective of the receiver is altered?

Is this allowed?

“Stay right hear until I let you out.” –
“I’ll open the door for you when it’s time for you to leave.” –
“I am the one that opens and closes the gate.” –
“There are others who said I would open the gate, but they do not have the authority to speak for me.” –

Are these words?

God?

Security Man?

Do you believe in fate or chance?

Do they embrace?

[ John 3:16-21

“There's a kind of asymmetry to Jesus' words in this text—those who don't believe have themselves to blame, but for those who do believe, the credit goes to God, not to themselves.

Jesus did not come to a neutral world. He didn't come to make neutral people positive, but he came to those already dead and guilty to make some alive and free.

Those who don't come to Jesus in faith magnify his justice, while those who do come magnify his grace.”

David Mathis ]


Are you of science?

Are you of faith?

Do they mingle?

Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What's real and going on below
but now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen


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“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

John 3:8


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And why'd you sing Hallelujah
If it means nothing to you
Why'd you sing with me at all?

Damien Rice


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You have to stand
and wait
[on the Spirit]: He’ll come round again

Sing...
And you will be heard

Breath..
And you will taste fullness

Keep silent.
And you hear the voice of God

Hallelujah


Daniel Lyles

Thanksgiving

“Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion.”

Thomas Kempis



There are those who preach light words of vain glory; those who look for blessing through formulation.

“Read this book – Say this prayer – Perform this deed – Give this alm…and you too will taste of the glory bestowed upon my brow”…

Sounds a mite pinch too close to, “…when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5

Jesus does indeed invite us all to the table, but there must first be death before there is life; pain before alleviation of pain, sorrow before compassion. We must run after God, but never esteem ourselves worthy of equality with God. Jesus does not even aspire to such. (Philippians 2)

Mark Twain once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning-bug”…

The word of God compared with mere words concerning a systemology of faith are vastly different. A word of Christ or a word about Christ? A word of love or a word about love? A word of blessing or a word of seeking possessions?

If we are looking for vain glory – for gifts or blessing, with no concern for the giver – with no concern for the blessor; then there is one who will oblige – but we must take note: For he prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour.

If we equate possession with blessing, we must jot down one last note:

The only thing able to be possessed outside of God’s grace is our sin and the punishment owed to it.

We must acknowledge all as the mercy of God and give thanks or we will find all we own is the shadow of death; the wages of our sin.

We must gladly lay our possessions down at the cross and join within the passion, the pain, the sorrow – Our ego must want of nothing – We must count ourselves nothing – All experience is graced upon us - Given freely so that we may give in return. Give in kind – give in worship – give in release – We must hope in the peace that passes all understanding and know that even this hope is a gift from God.

Days

On a beach vacation when you wake up ever so slowly; stretching…one leg out from under the covers; partial back peaking out…a slight breeze from the ceiling fan mingled with a soft cozy touch of a blanket…just warm enough to give care but not so much as to break a sweat…those days…the ones when time stops…

When the window shade opens mysteriously by a shadowed figure in the corner…that you later recognize as one of your children…frazzled hair…bad breath…maybe some sand brushing your feet…those days…the kind that compel smiles…

A good long stretch…a yawn…a screech…“Morning” creeps out; under toned by more yawning…

Coffee on the deck…donuts covered in powder and oozing with cream…

Calm water…endless horizons…sea gulls calling

Those days…

Thanks

The most thrilling moments of fullness that I have experienced over the past few days have been the witness of Glory found when gazing upon the rising sun, the stunning glimmer of pinpoint lights piercing the night sky, and the warmth of Joy found within my daughter's smile and giggle - the comfort of Love wrapped around me within the embrace of my son.

None of these things would increase or decrease with the size of my purse. They are eternal. They are not bought or sold. They are mine by the Grace of God.

Usage

How did you use your eyes yesterday?
How did you use your mouth?
Your ears?
Your nose?

Did you use your hands wisely?
Were your legs useful?

What did you do with the energy given to you as you ate of the bounty of the Earth?

As you absorbed the Joy of creation - did you allow any to flow through you - outward - back from where it came - yet altered - altered through you... I hope you did not consume all of it!

What does this day hold? How about tomorrow? Next Tuesday?

Will the Glory of time and space be for the better because of you?

Straddle

"Only the creators of the sidewalk cast disapproving eyes on your use of the grass."

• Unknown

I'm lost:

I have walked down the sidewalk.

And I have traversed great distances on the grass.

But now I find myself trapped. Walking with one foot on the sidewalk and on foot on the grass. Knowing the pros and cons of both but not able to commit to either.

Please push me.

Compassion is our purpose

It is a kind of love, is it not?
How the cup holds the tea,
How the chair stands sturdy and foursquare,
How the floor receives the bottoms of shoes
Or toes. How soles of feet know
Where they’re supposed to be.
I’ve been thinking about the patience
Of ordinary things, how clothes
Wait respectfully in closets
And soap dries quietly in the dish,
And towels drink the wet
From the skin of the back.
And the lovely repetition of stairs.
And what is more generous than a window?

Pat Schneider


I was given Mattie this morning. Her mother woke her from sleep and placed her within my arms. She lay still, quiet, and warm – her small hands resting in mine. What a wonderful gift to be given. What a fantastic thing to simply hold another in your arms.

Last evening I was quite ill with the world and the evil that places itself within me on occasion leaked out upon my most treasured gifts. My wife, my son, and my daughter where exposed to evil simply because of my lack of patience, my lack of love.

And yet, the compassion of family arose afresh this morning.


Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3: 22-23


My children again love – My wife again loves – and I am weakened by this, yielding to Love. The wonder of the story of GOD is that his Glory shines within his righteous Wrath (not that my said wrath is righteous, it in fact is hell) as much as in his compassionate Love. But the Love triumphs over Wrath and Jesus in all his being disarms the grasp of hell so that compassion rules in the hearts of man.

It is our purpose - Our ordinary patience that completes the action of Love.

May we all be broken – May we all be supplied compassion – May we all give the same.

Created for His Glory

It is the Sabbath of the soul when we heed the call to cease creating and remember that we are created.

Dark Night of the Soul: St. John of the Cross


To stand under a massive Oak looking skyward is one of many humbling experience in life. Looking beyond the girth and medley of branches to the illumination of the stars, one seems small. To internally hear the rush of great waters being pumped up and down the trunk supplying life and existence to all the extremities. To know that this tree – this organism that exists within creation is much more experienced in age as well as in quality of life. You see, this tree is under the rule of God as well, only this tree simply lives – this tree lives to the Glory of God. This tree performs exactly as it was created. There is no rebellion within its bark. This tree simply stands and proclaims God. As do the stars twinkling down.

Do I proclaim God? Do I give Glory? Allow Glory? At least point to Glory? Am I living as I was created? Or am I rebelling with every breath?

Let the music play -

“The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through Christ, but through Christ we do have one another, wholly, and for all eternity.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer – “Life Together”

Profoundly simple words drip from Bonhoeffer’s pen that seem to bleed outward from the page to the reality in which he found himself. His views will forever assist the soul of the Church I find myself a part of: and for this reason I come into communion with him. Not for his written eloquence, but for his love of and for Jesus Christ. His union with Jesus connects my union with the same and together we experience community. We become the "Body" of Christ, in Christ, and through Christ.

This same experience of union through Jesus Christ alone is evident within all communities of Christ. No matter the form in which the participants partake: Prayer, Fasting, Study, Fellowship, or Singing. However, it seems that in the act of singing we are at the most vulnerable for union within Christ, at least in the form of purely spiritual emotions. Song just seems to invoke the mystery of Christ more than rational debate or community fellowship. I dare say prayer and fasting would have the same effect if entered into with devout intention. But, for the modern day corporate group as a whole it seems praise and worship have no substitution.

To use a couple stanzas from the 1983 Pop song “Let the Music Play” by Shannon.

We started dancing
And love put us into a groove
As soon as we started to move
The music played
While our bodies
Displayed through the dance

Then love picked us out for romance
I thought it was clear
The plan was we would share
This feeling just between ourselves
But when the music changed
The plan was re-arranged
He went to dance with someone else

Simply replace “dance” with “song” or a rendering thereof and we have quite an insightful ditty. Love – Jesus – Spirit - puts us into a mood that allows connection between individuals. The danger here is if the music changes – the plan then re-arranges and the two or multiples become unconnected. There is only one form of song - that is the unity of Christ.

I pray we don’t change this song, but we keep the music. Jesus Christ is enough. Enough to put us into a groove. Enough for us to commune together through Jesus Christ.

"Take eat, this is My Body"
Matt. 26:26

The community is vital for our nourishment.

Faith "in" or Faith "of "

Matthew 15:21-28

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

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A Canaanite woman, a gentile, expelled from the salvation of the Jewish God crawled before Jesus, a man, a rabbi whom had of late walked the earth healing and teaching.

This woman was not born into Judaism. This woman was unaware of the Law – both liturgically as well as practically. She also, at least at this point, seems to be an outsider to the new followers of Christ. Gentiles where not yet accepted, but the point is she does not hold any common or orthodox views of Christianity either. She is a heathen. A near perfect heathen.

But she had faith and her request was granted.

How can she have faith? She has not lived a life of devout ritual. She’s a heathen. She doesn’t even know the steps of salvation. Faith? Are we sure?

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pistis Christou

Apparently there are two schools of thought concerning the above mentioned Greek phraseology found throughout the Pauline epistles. (Rom 3:22, 26; Gal 2:16; 3:22; Phil 3:9) As I do not study Greek I must take upon the authority of the experts here and simply state that the traditional interpretation has been that of “faith in Christ” whereas in modern history there has been a more accurate reading of “faithfulness of Christ”

Mere semantics? I don’t know. Look closer. It may not be our faith in Christ that matters but our complete acceptance of Jesus, whom possesses a perfect faith in God and what God can do. In other words, the strength of my faith may be and is lesser in importance that the faith the Jesus possesses. Somehow we have to come into his faith, not ours.

Elementary?

Do we not sometimes get caught up in our own works; our own process? We say things like, “Well, if my faith was stronger.” or maybe the notion of, “I don’t pray, read, help, or love enough. If I could just do better.” Sometimes we may even project this thought onto each other, “He or She is just not “there” yet.” We think, maybe if there was a way to build their faith.

Possibly it is not our faith that saves, but the faith of Jesus. We simply need to align ourselves with Jesus.

Notice.

In the above story concerning Jesus and the gentile woman, we see that there is no way this woman had somehow walked through a lengthy orientation process into either Judaism or, although not yet completely formed, Christianity. She simply was at the mercy of God, at the mercy of this man named Jesus.

“Please save my daughter.”

If your daughter was in trouble, would you have a list of rituals to complete in order to activate your God? Would you rely on your own righteousness to turn the face of God? Or would you, in broken tears, melt into a puddle of humility grasping at any assistance that God may through your way.

Actualize

I was confronted this week with an option.

1. To offer comfort

or

2. To seek comfort.

I chose to seek comfort. I failed.

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Paul offers a charge to the churches of Galatia,

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” 6:2

Christ, “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24)

In failing Christ, I lost a taste of holy wisdom for the sake of bodily comfort.

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Although, more than likely there was no quote unquote “Actual Sin” involved, which in context may be what Paul is referring to in Galatians. However, there was a moment when, if even in small quantity, a brother was reaching out for comfort. Sure, he has other avenues of comfort, mainly Christ’s Spirit that dwells within him. But, I was there. I was the physical representation of Christ --- or was I? Apparently not.

Life is full of activities – schedules to keep – others to care for…but when an occasion arises for one to take a pause and ache with a brother…when a chance to dive into the practical wisdom of God shows its face…Do not take my advice but look to Christ and then join with Christ in offering comfort to all those in need. These moments when the fire of the Holy God wells up within us are not meant to be experienced in solitude alone. They are meant to be shared in community, shared with a brother, shared with a sister. There is a deep connection found in the unity of Christ. Don’t let these depths be found only in theory – live them – break down the walls of division and unite…with others…in Christ…in God –

Experience the Power.

For what it is worth, my heart cried in passionate anguish for the need of this brother and for all related to the issue at hand, even though I have no idea to this day what the issue is or was. If there is unity to be found in Spirit – I savored this in full, but I wonder what sort of power would have been unleashed if I would have found unity in practice, in person, in simply offering my presence.

We need more efforts in actualizing the Kingdom, not simply conceptualizing it.