“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:8-9
To simplify our present conscious experience, we exist but for one purpose; to know God and to acknowledge our love for him. This is accomplished by a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and actions that when reduced to a simmer become our theologies and doctrines.
We all, by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, could have simply moved on from this world at the moment of our conversion and skipped happily into eternal heaven - yet for some reason we are still here, still breathing, still thinking, still consuming, still giving; our heart continues, our organs labor well, yet we know this physical life is not all there is; we know there is something more. The question then changes to why are we here, now?
For now, we are held in the palm of God’s own hand. We live at his pleasure and for his purpose. His will drives us forward. As creation we have no autonomy from the creator. Our next breath is by his command; not ours. Our next move in life, be it relational, vocational, or financial rests in the hands of the Almighty God.
We do have choice – free will – but with limits. For if God so desired, our last breath could arrive today, our last heartbeat of life giving blood could be moments away. We do not know our end, only that it will be a new beginning. When we transfer to the other side, I pray we do so gracefully and with Joy, but for today – we live.
Why?
“If we live, we live to the Lord.”
There is still something for us to do. The Author of Salvation has yet another use for us. Yes, us specifically. The Painter of skies, the Breather of stars, the Architect of nature, the Father of philosophy, the Comforter of the weary still has need of us within this world. He yields us as tools for his Glory and for his Honor. If there is breath within us, then the Lord has a purpose for us within this world.
As we enjoy the Love and Joy of salvation we must bring others into his Vine. We remain alive to scatter the seed of salvation for the design and plans of the Kingdom lie within our stewardship. We have but a few years to not only live as the salt of the earth, but also to act as the plowmen, as the sowers.
If we live, may we live to the Lord.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Think, It's OK.
When Jesus was asked, ‘which command is the most important?’ his answer was two fold: To love God and to love others. On these two truths all other commands hang in the balance. We find in three separate accounts this question posed. In all three variations the first command offers to:
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 –
With this proclamation, we have been given the opportunity to love God. We should embrace the entirety of this gift.
The last tool listed in which to love God is the use our entire mind. For various reasons over the past number of years intellectualism which includes logic and rational thought has been frowned upon within the Church. I myself grasp the concept of heart and soul more aptly than I do the concept of strength or mind.
But, if one of these tools falls out of favor, out of use, then the whole of the gift falters. If we restrict our means of loving God, our love in fact suffers and is not whole. The love of the heart, if not accompanied by thoughts of the mind, is weakened causing the strength of the soul to fade. The apostle Paul concedes that knowledge puffs up; however he also advises to be mature in our thinking. Knowledge, thinking, logic, and the use of the mind is not the ends, but the means. The end is Love. The mind is simply a tool we can use to experience the Love of God.
We should not fear the mind. Thought is necessary for something greater – something fantastic – something unfathomable – Loving God and being Loved by Him.
What a great mystery connecting the heart and mind? How can we begin its exploration?
“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” Psalm 26:2
The Psalmist calls out in 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts…”
The Lord advises to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” Deut 11:18
This is echoed in Jeremiah 31 when God promises to place his law in the minds of his people; to write his law on their hearts. Again in Hebrews we are reminded of this testimony of the Spirit.
How are we to delve into the mighty ocean of thought while keeping our hearts pure?
Let’s look to Philippians 4 for advisement.
“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So Think. Ponder. Question. Inquire. Do not be afraid. Christ Jesus will guard your heart as well as your mind. The end is Love. Use every tool offered.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 –
With this proclamation, we have been given the opportunity to love God. We should embrace the entirety of this gift.
The last tool listed in which to love God is the use our entire mind. For various reasons over the past number of years intellectualism which includes logic and rational thought has been frowned upon within the Church. I myself grasp the concept of heart and soul more aptly than I do the concept of strength or mind.
But, if one of these tools falls out of favor, out of use, then the whole of the gift falters. If we restrict our means of loving God, our love in fact suffers and is not whole. The love of the heart, if not accompanied by thoughts of the mind, is weakened causing the strength of the soul to fade. The apostle Paul concedes that knowledge puffs up; however he also advises to be mature in our thinking. Knowledge, thinking, logic, and the use of the mind is not the ends, but the means. The end is Love. The mind is simply a tool we can use to experience the Love of God.
We should not fear the mind. Thought is necessary for something greater – something fantastic – something unfathomable – Loving God and being Loved by Him.
What a great mystery connecting the heart and mind? How can we begin its exploration?
“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” Psalm 26:2
The Psalmist calls out in 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts…”
The Lord advises to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” Deut 11:18
This is echoed in Jeremiah 31 when God promises to place his law in the minds of his people; to write his law on their hearts. Again in Hebrews we are reminded of this testimony of the Spirit.
How are we to delve into the mighty ocean of thought while keeping our hearts pure?
Let’s look to Philippians 4 for advisement.
“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So Think. Ponder. Question. Inquire. Do not be afraid. Christ Jesus will guard your heart as well as your mind. The end is Love. Use every tool offered.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
“Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalms 25
It’s hard to let go sometimes. We all seem to have our agendas; our goals; our plans. We act as if they are inspired or divine in some way, but if we cut away all the pretense we really are just making things up as we go. I’m not sure we really have any more insight into our life-path than some bum waiting for the bus in Nebraska. What I mean is, who among us, if we happen to be traveling through that same bus stop in Nebraska, if approached by said bum and confronted with some profound question or offering of advice, would not at least contemplate or more than likely dwell upon his intention and/or our meeting’s purpose for at least the next few days. Our encounter with him may even lead us down a completely different path for years. This idea is simply part of our cultural conscious. We have Rick Warren for popularizing this response, but the thought has been a part of us from the beginning. We have always desired some sort of laid out path; some sort of purpose. What is our purpose? What path are we to walk? What path do we think leads home? If we where to be pushed slightly and our course altered could we right ourselves or would we even need to? Who knows the plan anyway?
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…” Jeremiah 29
Samuel and I where heading back home one afternoon last week. I chose to take him down a different path than usual. Samuel advised that the way in which I traveled was indeed the wrong way and that I did not know where I was going. I laughed; a hardy deep bellow of a chuckle lasting quite a few minutes. How often have I been so confident in my own path that I not only advised my heavenly Father that his way was the wrong way but in fact told him he didn’t know where he was going.
God knows where he is taking us, he has plans for us, we simply need to walk his paths. I love the rest of the story found in the Jeremiah passage referenced above. God confirms his plans for us, then he concludes the matter with:
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29
If we seek him and pray to him; he will listen; he will be found; he will take us back home. He knows the way, even if we are not familiar with the path.
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalms 25
It’s hard to let go sometimes. We all seem to have our agendas; our goals; our plans. We act as if they are inspired or divine in some way, but if we cut away all the pretense we really are just making things up as we go. I’m not sure we really have any more insight into our life-path than some bum waiting for the bus in Nebraska. What I mean is, who among us, if we happen to be traveling through that same bus stop in Nebraska, if approached by said bum and confronted with some profound question or offering of advice, would not at least contemplate or more than likely dwell upon his intention and/or our meeting’s purpose for at least the next few days. Our encounter with him may even lead us down a completely different path for years. This idea is simply part of our cultural conscious. We have Rick Warren for popularizing this response, but the thought has been a part of us from the beginning. We have always desired some sort of laid out path; some sort of purpose. What is our purpose? What path are we to walk? What path do we think leads home? If we where to be pushed slightly and our course altered could we right ourselves or would we even need to? Who knows the plan anyway?
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…” Jeremiah 29
Samuel and I where heading back home one afternoon last week. I chose to take him down a different path than usual. Samuel advised that the way in which I traveled was indeed the wrong way and that I did not know where I was going. I laughed; a hardy deep bellow of a chuckle lasting quite a few minutes. How often have I been so confident in my own path that I not only advised my heavenly Father that his way was the wrong way but in fact told him he didn’t know where he was going.
God knows where he is taking us, he has plans for us, we simply need to walk his paths. I love the rest of the story found in the Jeremiah passage referenced above. God confirms his plans for us, then he concludes the matter with:
“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29
If we seek him and pray to him; he will listen; he will be found; he will take us back home. He knows the way, even if we are not familiar with the path.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Fruit
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
Galatians 5
I find this fruit abounding. I partake of its nourishment willingly. I allow the juices to cascade off my chin while sweet aroma fills my nostrils. I have no allergy. I consume and I digest. I feast upon the bounty.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5
Since I have found life within the Spirit and the evidence of Spirit within others, I am now allowed to bear fruit; not for personal consumption, but for the nourishment of another. As the body of Christ we must nourish one another and find nourishment within one another. There is no law concerning this; demanding our duty. Instead there is an orchard, a vineyard, a garden beckoning harvest; inviting participation.
Christ came that we may have life, and have it abundantly. Life begots life. Just as fruit contains the seed for the next generation so our love, our joy, our peace, our patience, our kindness, our goodness, our faithfulness, our gentleness, our self-control contains the direction, the instruction, and the nourishment for the next.
May we feast upon the Glory of God, found within Christ, found within creation, found within others, and found within our self. Then may we offer our fruit, while it’s in season.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Walk
As Samuel and I weave our way through the flak of dodge balls, runaway hula-hoops, and shrieking 8 year olds; seldom a word is spoken. It’s nearly impossible to hear anything within the echoing chaos of the YMCA. So why talk? Oh, he may leak out a brief word reflecting his school-day behavioral status, but not much else. He holds my hand and we walk.
As we walk into the parking lot leaving behind the excessive noise of overabundance our conversation begins. We are still timid with the details of our dialogue as our attention is split between male bonding and the necessary avoidance of moving vehicles.
However, not until we are alone within the confines of the car does the real communication commence.
Do you ever notice this phenomenon within your prayer life?
Do you begin a conversation with God surrounded by the chaos of life?
Finding, not until the noise quiets a bit can you establish real interaction.
Personally, I do, I may start out with a healthy sampling of self degradation or self praise for that matter, in a way reporting to my Father my recent behavioral status, as if that indeed mattered. As if his love for me changes in response to my daily struggle. As if he is going to relinquish my hand out of pure disgust.
As the day slows our conversation intensifies, but it is not until I find the time to be alone with him do we really begin to commune.
Understand; the walk through the chaos is required.
The intermittent discussions made possible by my expert juggling and evasion techniques honed by years of walking in the world are refreshing and appreciated.
However, it seems to me, deep connection and renewal doesn’t truly take place until I find myself alone with God. I can only conclude the same must be true for you.
So, may your next number of tomorrows be filled with times of personal peace and quiet, times of walking with your God hand in hand. May you find deep union within the loving embrace of your Father, and may you know that you do not walk alone.
As we walk into the parking lot leaving behind the excessive noise of overabundance our conversation begins. We are still timid with the details of our dialogue as our attention is split between male bonding and the necessary avoidance of moving vehicles.
However, not until we are alone within the confines of the car does the real communication commence.
Do you ever notice this phenomenon within your prayer life?
Do you begin a conversation with God surrounded by the chaos of life?
Finding, not until the noise quiets a bit can you establish real interaction.
Personally, I do, I may start out with a healthy sampling of self degradation or self praise for that matter, in a way reporting to my Father my recent behavioral status, as if that indeed mattered. As if his love for me changes in response to my daily struggle. As if he is going to relinquish my hand out of pure disgust.
As the day slows our conversation intensifies, but it is not until I find the time to be alone with him do we really begin to commune.
Understand; the walk through the chaos is required.
The intermittent discussions made possible by my expert juggling and evasion techniques honed by years of walking in the world are refreshing and appreciated.
However, it seems to me, deep connection and renewal doesn’t truly take place until I find myself alone with God. I can only conclude the same must be true for you.
So, may your next number of tomorrows be filled with times of personal peace and quiet, times of walking with your God hand in hand. May you find deep union within the loving embrace of your Father, and may you know that you do not walk alone.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
In or Out
“You had better decide whether you’re hanging on the cross or banging in the nails…”
I heard this line echo through a capacity crowd in our local theater recently. The sentiment was uttered by “Hollywood” promoting an upcoming film, but the thought landed heavy on the audience as we pondered its meaning.
Odd thing about an either-or-ultimatum is that the question doesn’t dim simply because one has made a decision in the past. Jesus charges us similarly in the gospels.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” - Mark 8 and Luke 9 -
It seems faith is a fluid response to our relationship with God. Christ continues his charge to us daily as we continue our answer. We are not finished simply because we once believed. We must stay within the dynamic of belief. We must struggle with the weighty meaning of his charge daily. It is within the struggle that we find life.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” - 2 Corinthians 2 -
Notice there seems to be a process. Not the saved and lost. Not yet. Those who are being saved, those who are perishing.
The more we reflect upon the triune God, allowing his power to flow through us, the more we come into unity with Christ. The more we unite to Christ, the stronger the reality of his eternal suffering. We must suffer with him in order to rise again.
Are we with him or against him?
I heard this line echo through a capacity crowd in our local theater recently. The sentiment was uttered by “Hollywood” promoting an upcoming film, but the thought landed heavy on the audience as we pondered its meaning.
Odd thing about an either-or-ultimatum is that the question doesn’t dim simply because one has made a decision in the past. Jesus charges us similarly in the gospels.
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” - Mark 8 and Luke 9 -
It seems faith is a fluid response to our relationship with God. Christ continues his charge to us daily as we continue our answer. We are not finished simply because we once believed. We must stay within the dynamic of belief. We must struggle with the weighty meaning of his charge daily. It is within the struggle that we find life.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” - 2 Corinthians 2 -
Notice there seems to be a process. Not the saved and lost. Not yet. Those who are being saved, those who are perishing.
The more we reflect upon the triune God, allowing his power to flow through us, the more we come into unity with Christ. The more we unite to Christ, the stronger the reality of his eternal suffering. We must suffer with him in order to rise again.
Are we with him or against him?
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