DoxA

When the World Crumbles at Your Feet

I talk a pretty good talk about helping people, positively affecting my community, showing Christian charity and being an otherwise, generous person with my time and resources.

Lately, however, I've been thinking how comfortable I've become and how little I wish my life to change. Is it possible for these to coexist?

I think it has become easy for those who profess faith in Jesus to assume that a devout life of goodness and obedience will lead to comfort and blessing. For years we've been told by certain preacher types that God wants us to live a life of prosperity and have gone as far to say that if you don't have the riches of this world then you must actually be doing something wrong! Quoting select citations out of the Proverbs and Psalms and twisting some of the lifestyles of various biblical figures such as Solomon and Abraham entire ministries have been built around the notion God wants you rich and comfortable! Yet, it appears pretty clear to me through the teaching and admonitions of Jesus that the life we are called to is one of sacrifice... Consider the "Rich Young Ruler" in Luke 18. Ponder the meanings of Christ's words from the Sermon on the Mount regarding where your treasure should be in Matthew 6. As the church began to take root, remember Peter's rebuke to Simon who thought he could buy the power of God for personal gain in Acts 8. Most condemning are the words of our Lord to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3:17 "You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." This is spoken of those who find no dependence on the Almighty because they have no need for Him.

When I consider the blessings of God upon His people I can not ignore the life of Job. Here is a man who had everything and yes, he was a devout man of God. But when accused of being so because of all he had been given God said, "Take it away." When everything but his health was stripped of him; this is how he responded... "He stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

Job 1:20, 21 (New Living Translation; Tyndale Publishers)

When the world seems to be crumbling all around you, what is your natural reaction? Do you think God has abandoned you or Is punishing you because of some sin in your life? Or do you see it as evidence that you may actually be doing something right?

There are devastating things that happen to us because we make devastating choices and there are things we do that devastatingly affect others. But there are things that happen because we are living a life of truth in a wold of lies... a life of honor among the less honorable... a life of faith in a world without hope. May we also learn to live a life of sacrifice in a world of greed.

Dissed Appearance

I like days like today... the sun is out, there's a slight breeze and the air smells and feels crisp! Walking from lunch the sun was behind me and my shadow before me... "Hmmm," I thought, "the only thing that will cause my shadow to disappear is if something comes between me and the sun!

Today if you engage with anyone who does not believe in an eternal God, one who created all things, there is a temptation to argue faith over fact as if they are exclusive in themselves. The reason is clear... When it comes to Christ; if seeing is believing then you're asking to believe in something that can't be seen. Therefore, we really can't believe. While those who claim "they walk by faith and not by sight" they may be missing one of the greatest arguments about faith. Jesus is a reality of an already existing shadow. In other words... Jesus is the fact of faith! Is it possible then, for those who cannot see this that something has gotten in the way so the shadow no longer remains in view?

While most agree in the historical Jesus, nearly as many believe he was just a good man, living in a bad time, sharing wise advice to hungry people. But these hungry people were a nation of religious vagabonds and rebels who, according to their historical account, had several shadows before them as a reflection of the Son. "They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven." Hebrews 8:5

The Shadow of the Priesthood... the need of someone to mediate on behalf of man before God. Yet we no longer need this shadow as Christ has become our perfect priest! Hebrews 8:6, 9:15, 12:24.

The Shadow of the Passover Sacrifice... As Paul referred to Christ as our Passover (1 Cor. 5:7) the writer of Hebrews again states animal sacrifice also disappeared when Christ did away with sacrifice for sin once and for all. Hebrews 7:27

The Shadow of the Tabernacle or Temple... A place that moved externally about or settled in place to place the Spirit of God among men now has disappeared as God's Spirit finds residence inside men. 1 Corinthians 6:19

The Shadow of the Law... While the moral law is written on our hearts much was instituted among men for protection and health; this is known as ceremonial law. Christ himself, said his purpose was not to do away with it but to fulfill it. "For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” Jesus said while addressing the religious. Giving examples of the law he declared all foods clean and made certain it wasn't the outside actions, the things we can see but inward intentions, that which we can not that defile us. Mark 7:8-23

The Shadow of Celebration... Festivals, feasts, holidays or Sabbaths; all were shadows that have disappeared because Jesus is the reality of such things. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Colossians 2:16,17

I love the way John Piper puts it: "With Christ, a decisive shift from separation ("come see") to declarations ("go tell") occurred in redemptive history. This made many of the marks of cultural and ceremonial separation less fitting because now Christianity is to be rooted in many cultures, not just one!"

Therefore we can look to the very thing we can not see and argue this faith is fact. It is a belief that what we do not see is by design. As those who looked forward to Christ saw the shadow we who look back on Christ see the reality. So the next time you hear, "Yeah but how can you really know, you can't see God..." look for a shadow and see what's really getting in the way.

Simon Says - He Likes It!

While this past week one act from Britian's Got Talent made headlines you may have missed this one... For those who were in the worship service this past week at Twin Oaks you witnessed this video during our worship and saw the love of a Father for his son and the adoration of a son for his father! Oh if we could only love our Father this way... we'd all DANCE!

Due to YouTube disabling embeding for this video follow the link HERE and see if you can catch and understand the significance of this verse Mario shared with us... See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:16

Insulation: The Good, The Bad and The Itchy

Yesterday after completing the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk, we tracked down a used car for our daughter, Sara, then traveled over to Home Depot to pick up some R-30 insulation as the weather will soon turn colder. Last year we discovered why the living room and master bedroom were unbearably cold; there is no insulation in the attic! Our house was remodeled some years ago and contractors must have thought insulation was an unnecessary luxury. With heating costs on the rise I think otherwise.

So, now with my garage filled with insulation, I pull on a long sleeve teeshirt, tuck everything nice and tight, crawl up into the limited space and begin placing the insulation. I am having to straddle ceiling joists and maneuver in about 3 feet of space ducking and tucking under conduit and roof supports all the while using a battery powered light to see my way. I'm hot... coughing... bumping my head... knees aching... and getting a headache from breathing through a mask! I kept thinking, "I hope the owner of this house really appreciates what I'm doing right now!" I finally had to call it quits after a couple of hours. My older body unfolding from the confines of lumber and darkness, I emerged into the garage and basked in the coolness of twilight's gentle breeze... Ahhhhhh, relief! But then I started itching. My arms and stomach where my teeshirt pulled back were red and covered in small little welts. Apparently while placing the insulation I hadn't insulated myself well enough from the insulation.

This got me a thinkin'. About our everyday lives: Can we insulate ourselves in such a way that it hurts us? When do we need to get out of the small, confined space and emerge into the night? When is too much insulation too much? And what about that itch? Insulation is for our benefit but we shouldn't wear it like a garment. How do we, as people of faith, insulate ourselves from the evils of this world but maintain a safe distance from it to operate in this world? Apart from the obvious "salt and light" reference where Jesus refers that we are essential to this world He also prays for our protection from this world... “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. John 17:15-19 (NLT)

Yesterday as we took our church service literally to the streets and joined with a couple other churches to walk as Team Beautiful Day in the Silicon Valley AIDS Walk, I have to admit I wanted to insulate our folks from some of the things that would transpire. But I trusted God's truth would prevail and they would be protected as they were sent out. Team Beautiful Day marched as a team, 800 strong and raised $25,000. The organizers could not believe the response of the church; it's openness to help and impact of putting our money where our mouth is. Perhaps our voice, God's truth will be heard. Then again, it may not. The result likewise is in God's hand.

I have yet to finish the work in the attic. I'll be going back up there in a couple of days when I have the time. There's no rush... the weather's pretty nice right now. I know when I go back up there, however, it will be uncomfortable for a moment in time, but the result will provide a winter of warmth and a summer of cooler temps. So, here's what I learned from laying the insulation... the good, the bad and the itchy; whenever I find myself in uncomfortable situations, think about the good that can come from it; even if the benefit won't be realized for some time!

Amazed and Confused by Grace

Most people don't have a hard time believing that God is an all knowing, all doing and all capable God. We agree His will is supreme... He is sovereign! God will do what God will do. Furthermore, we've heard the definition of "Grace" as God's unmerited favor; right? I think the term was coined by Charles Spurgeon. It's amplified by a verse in Romans, one of the letters the Apostle Paul wrote now held within the Bible, that says...  It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel​have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. (Rom. 11:5) The subject here is God's "election." In other words, we did not chose Him rather He chose us. To understand God's grace is to understand His favor. Which is hard to understand when you deduce that if God chooses some he must not choose some others. Ergo... why would an all knowing, doing, capable God create "some" He will not choose? 

As I have stated in previous posts on this subject, I hesitate to tackle the subject of predestination and wrestle it to the ground. It's not that I'm afraid it's just that I'm realistic enough to think if centuries of theologians have not been able to get a handle on the subject than who am I to get my arms around it. But for the record... let me state we are chosen! God chose us in Christ! To believe otherwise is to deny the holy scriptures. But I also believe many people of faith, including pastors and Christian educators do not fully grasp this concept and blindly believe in the "once saved always saved" mantra like a blindfolded dart thrower at the carnival willing to take home whatever prize he or she gets. Likewise, those who are constantly walking down the aisle to the tune of "Just As I AM" to get saved all over again need question their understanding of sin and atonement and stop reading comic book, "Chick" tracts for their theology. 

Predestination is derived from a word translated form the Greek in only six occasions (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11). Here we see God as the subject not just making a choice but doing so before we could have our say; it was His choice before it ever became our choice. If you look through Biblical history you'll find this is not out of God's character. Abraham... who knew? Not only did God choose a man but a nation as well. Not only a son in Isaac but one over the other named Ishmael. From Saul to David to Jew to Gentile there was in God's eye a chosen and a not so chosen. So when it comes to you and me and our ability to "do right" and somehow getting God's attention like a castaway frantically waving down a passing plane we must acknowledge He already knows where we are and there's little we can do about it. This is why Paul states...  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2004). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. "Text edition"--Spine. (2nd ed.) (Eph 2:8-10). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

But back to the confusion... If we have nothing to do to determine the scope or effect of God's grace then why do we bother having to do anything at all? Shouldn't we just walk up to the Holy Meat Counter, pull our ticket and wait for our number to be called? Why then will pastors spend so much energy teaching their congregations to befriend their neighbors and send people on mission trips to foreign places if those who are unsaved are really unchosen? This is a mystery. It is a mystery that includes predestination and is part of the secret things or "hidden" things of God (1Cor.2:7). Yet the words of Jesus, "God loved the WHOLE world so he sent me... and now I send you... Go into all the world and..." Why didn't God just decide to line everyone up against the fence and choose teams? God gets everyone He wants and Satan gets the rest! I don't think we'll ever understand but I can assume that this is not part of the character of God... and how can we really know since His ways are higher than ours? His foolishness greater than our wisdom? His plans laid before the world was created?

Oh my mind is spinning... This is why I believe there will be centuries more to debate and study on this subject. I tried to wrestle it a little and got body slammed!

Barbie Doll Jesus

The other day I was looking at a picture of Jesus. It was a classic image, one that often appears in the mind when a thought is conjured of the Jewish carpenter. He is looking to the side, eyes looking upward, white robe, blue sash, long flowing hair neatly trimmed beard, blue eyes and striking anlgo features. This image could be anything but a carpenter or Jewish. While on one hand you can (and many have) make an argument about how unlikely Jesus would have looked in our modern portrayals the opposite can be just as troubling; if we make Christ so rigid in our imaginations we will never really consider Him for who He truly is for He is beyond our canvas and too good for our brushes.

When my daughters were young they had many... I mean lots of Barbie dolls. For hours on end, they would dress them up, create identities and act out their surrogate lives on the bedroom floor. There was a much larger size Barbie doll head where the girls could fix her hair differently and put make up on her giving Barbie many different looks. When the girls felt happy and fun, Barbie was whimsical and youthful, when one of them was angry or frustrated Barbie looked like she could be walking the "streets!" You know... in that part of town.

There is a part of us that will make Jesus a figment of our imagination. We can't help it. Before I go on trip to a place I've never been I imagine what it'll be like. When we try to think of things that are real of which we've never seen, we do that.  However, we need to be earnest in our search for information as to who Christ is so we do not fall prey of "making him in our own image." By doing so we make Jesus out to be just like us and the last thing I need is a Jesus to be like me (scary thought). Also, we must be careful to not accept any description as fact without investigation. We must come to know Jesus as real, divine and human; this is exactly what history and the Bible tell us about him! Many would like to argue only one is true or neither is but just because they say so doesn't make it so.  In the same way, just because some images of old or descriptions as of late, depict who he is, doesn't necessarily make it so either.

Most recently some have taken issue with the casual portrayal of Jesus in the fictional work of William P. Young's, The Shack. While I have a hard time imagining Jesus as a huggy, back slapping, flannel-shirt wearing part of the Trinity, I have to admit I don't know what he would be like if personified today. I am sure he would not be a clown-faced singer such as the one portrayed in the early 70's musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, Godspell but when I was new in my faith and a product of that hippy-happy generation, I can't tell you how much I wept when Victor Garber was convulsing on that chain link fence.

As specif as we wish Him to be, his descriptions are varied and elusive. He is the Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:22, Mic.5:2... the agent of creation (Col 1:15-20)... the one who let his disciples pick and eat grain on the sabbath (Matt. 12:1-8)... who let prostitutes get close and come clean (Luke 7:36-50)... who told his friend who denied him, "feed my sheep" (Jn 21:17)... the one who the apostle John fell face down before "as if dead!" when looking upon him glorified (Rev. 1:12-18) and the Jesus who is coming soon as the groom to receive his bride (Rev. 22:12-16)!

What does Jesus look like to you? How would you describe him?

If we insist that Jesus be left alone and no one ought attempt to paint him then our pulpits would be empty and commentaries useless. However, if we are too sloppy with the makeup or happy with the scissors then we will present an image that is phony and scary to those who are looking for the real Jesus... the one in whom we were made; by Him and to be like him.

Now for Something Serious

Generally, I use Thursday as a day to talk about triathlon and training but I think you're all a bit tired of triathlon and my France adventures. This blog is usually a place to ponder deeper issues of faith and life and at the core these thoughts are always coursing through my head. However, let me transition with an observation while in France that has impacted me as a pastor and member of the Body of Christ.

After nearly two weeks of awkward and at times difficult interchanges with the people of France, simply due to the language barrier, we were walking along the beach one afternoon when we passed a couple of college girls who were speaking in a distinctively American dialect and what I would consider perfect English. Immediately we stopped and turned and blurted, "Hey you're from America!" They turned and smiled big obviously sensing what we were, "Yes we are!" The next 30 seconds of meaningless exchange is what impacted me... Had we crossed paths in America there would be no stopping, blurting or meaningless exchange... we would have just kept on walking.

By nature I am a very shy person. In my many times of taking the Myer's-Brigg's Temperament Analysis test each time I have scored as an extreme introvert. We often use the example of how you respond in a crowd of people to give credence to this notion. If you're energized interacting with a crowd of people you're most likely an extrovert if you are drained in this environment you're like me. However, even though I gravitate toward solitude, by nature I believe God wired us for connection -- community; if you will. Why was it so important to talk to these girls? Why did they jump at the chance? I believe this is what makes us human in the likeness of God. God is not single and alone. He is multiple and in constant fellowship. The result of Jesus death and resurrection was to bring us, His Bride back to a connection with God. Jesus' prayer, "Father make them one as you and I are one," resonates as I stand along a beach, in France, speaking English with someone from Michigan.

A lot of people struggle with the concept of love and how far does it or should it extend... Hear the words of the Apostle John,

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Jn 4:11-12). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

We were made for connection. God intended it. We don't don't pursue it... Until we're starved of it.

My eyes have been opened. I excuse the familiar as connection and don't realize deep down what that longing truly is because I hear the voices I choose. Until all are stripped away, I'll never know exactly what I'm longing for... How 'bout you?

What Sayeth You

I'm a preacher... a pastor... a father... husband... friend... counselor... and occasional idiot. In other words, I speak words. Words to correct, convince, comfort, commiserate and occasionally clobber.

Sometimes we do but often we don't realize the power of our words. If you are like me you've walked away from a conversation where a friend pulled the, "You hurt me," card. "Oh really?" you say. "When?" They lower their chin, get those puppy dog eyes and glance heavenward... "Three years ago."
    "What! Three years... What did I do?"
    "Not what you did... but what you said."

Oh the things that bury deep.

My daughter, Sara, recently returned from a short "life saving" mission to Honduras to help some people there finish off their houses making them more sanitary and clean. Clean from what? BUGS. But not just any bugs. These bugs, which live in the thatched roofs of the huts in these mountain villages, come out at night and burrow themselves into the skin of the sleeping villagers. As they leach the blood of their victims they excrete waist which is then felt by the person who unknowingly wipes the bug away... but as they wipe the bug away they press the waist into their bloodstream which finds it's way into their heart. So, after enough years of wiping away the bug, there is enough waist in the heart that it literally causes the heart to break! In other words, these people are dying from having too much crap in their hearts!

Question for us. Who are we: Are we the bug or are we wiping it away?

This morning as I was looking at my journal reading I came across the passage in Deuteronomy where Moses speaks of a prophet who will come and must be listened to. This prophet will speak God's very words. But, he warns, there will be others who will come to speak as well and they may not speak God's word. In fact...

"But you may wonder, 'How will we know whether or not a prophecy is from the Lord?' If the prophet speaks in the Lord's name but his prediction does not happen or come true, you will know that the Lord did not give that message. That prophet has spoken without my authority. and need not be feared." Duet. 18:21,22

I think some of the most painful things we can say are the words we justify as God's. There are too many times in my own life I have heard the words, "I believe the Lord wants..." and "The Lord said..." and then comes the twist of personal pride or motive attached.This is so manipulative and happens to be most prevalent in church leadership! (Use your best Evangelist voice here) "Listen son and listen t'me good... Ya' don't wanta disagree with the Lawd now, do you?"

We don't mean to and sometimes we actually think we're doing good when we speak in the name of Jesus. But are we? Really? 

When I was in high school we had a teacher who took a lot of lip from a couple of students. One, in particular, was relentless. Finally exhausted one day the teacher said, "Brett... please just think three seconds before you speak!" Thinking before we speak... It might change how we say things. In fact, it might change what we say.

Sometime ago I read in a collection of essays from various pastor's, one who asks himself each time before walking on the platform to speak, "Jesus, did you have to die for this message?"

I think about that every time now.

City of Refuge

A friend of mine said, "I've got a great name for a church." I looked at him with those, oh-boy-here-it-comes-eyes. "Refuge" he said raising the brows over his eyes. I smiled.

Today, finally getting out of the book of Numbers in the "Life" journal reading (sorry, you may think Numbers is dry reading for you but exciting for preacher-types... nope, it's just as bad), I came upon the passages that allows for a city of refuge where people who accidentally kill others can go and find safety; Numbers 35:9ff. It tells of specific rules which qualifies a person to be taken to the city of refuge. There the "community" has its obligations to protect the "slayer" and help mediate fairness on behalf of the "avenger" (nearest relative to the victim). Look at verse 25...

The community must escort the slayer back to live in the city of refuge to which he fled. There he must remain until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the sacred oil. (NLT)

Sometimes, as Christ followers we use the word picture that we are a "city on a hill." Actually, Jesus was using a word picture within a word picture to give an example, "You are the light of the world! Like a city on a hill." But if we want to be a city... that's fine. But we are a "city of refuge." The church, must be a city of refuge where people can come and stay until the high priest dies.

What?!

I believe this is a beautiful image of God's grace and healing. First, it is a place were we can go if we screwed up... secondly it is a place where, over time, things are made right... because when the high priest dies, the slayer can go back home (vs.28). I want Twin Oaks to be a place where people can come and find shelter from the wrongs they have done, where there is a community to protect them and a High Priest who can heal them.

Just to be clear, for those who are not sure of my analogy path here... I'm not the high priest. No that would be Jesus and He has already died to take away the guilt of the slayer (Hebrews 8,9,10) and protect anyone from the avenger (Zechariah 3). We are healed by his death (1 Peter 2:24) and allowed to eventually leave the city to go Home (John 14).

We are a City... come and find refuge.

Definitely Not in Kalifornias Anymore

Today we headed off for Croatia huddled in tight quarters in an old Soviet issue train on tracks that crossed through Serbia desperately needing repair and experiencing boarder crossings that truly had an ominous feel. We picked up burek in Laci's (pronounced; Lotsee's) home town in order to enjoy breakfast with his parent's in their five room house to hear news of an impending Kosovo independence from Serbia... the boarders will most likely be closed tomorrow. We kept our American voices low in the bakery  as we realized it was our country that was bombing theirs less than a decade ago.

At the second boarder crossing from Serbia over the Danube into Croatia Mario, snapped a picture inviting a boarder guard to our car asking Mario in Russ/slavic tones something that meant, "Come with me!" He disappeared behind the door of the boarder shack in front of the well armed, blue suited man holding Mario's passport. Laci offered to go to "translate." We thought it was a good idea. Tom and I looked at each other wondering what this could mean... a minute later Mario popped out with a smile on his face, as usual, and Laci declared, "He was gracious."

It was only a short ride now to Vukovar the setting for the movie Harrison's Flowers released in 2000; a place where the Serbian Army first invaded Croatia in 1991. Now here, we have toured the war-scared and beaten city. Ironically, there are restorations next to ruins leaving a sense that things are most likely getting better... but if you look deep into the cistern of their social isolationism you will see things are not better. Tonight we had dinner with Charles a psychiatrist who specializes in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is an American with Dutch citizenship who has lost his national identity trying to understand indigenousness struggles of the heart with a people who have lost their ability to trust anyone.

War sucks!

Tom asked me earlier today as we were leaving a mass grave site memorial where hundreds were slaughtered in a single afternoon; men, women and children -- "How are you doing with all this?" All I could say is, "I hate war." I know how it happens. I just don't know why it happens. These people are sad and still affected after nearly two decades from a war which took three days to destroy a city which can be rebuilt brick upon brick but lives that will never stand again.

Tomorrow is Sunday, we are going to Laci's church. Tom's speaking and Mario will sing a song after the message... it will be a day where we will share the fellowship of his suffering; a verse that now takes on new meaning.

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him...We are in this struggle together. Philippians 1:29,30a

Many of us are war-torn and spiritually destroyed needing others to come alongside, encourage and lend a shoulder to cry on or hands to wipe away tears or speak peace to broken hearts. We can share... it is a privilege; it has been a privilege to be here.

Tomorrow is Sunday, we will be heading home. On our way we'll have one final stop; back in Budapest to call home (Skype home) and share with all the Twin Oaks Family what God is doing here... what He's doing through us here... We are going to the ends of the earth; making disciples... teaching them and baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ.