A Life of Fasting

Psalm 13 reminds me of the complaints people have about fasting. There is a difference. David is not talking about fasting from food, but a fast from God’s presence. The fast is not something David has taken upon himself. Rather, David feels very far from God. David’s enemies are all around him ready to gloat because of their victory over David, but have David’s enemies really won? David’s enemies do not just want to see David defeated. These enemies want to see David broken in spirit. David faces this challenge by choosing to put his faith in God. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, or selfishly longing for the things which will make him feel better, David chooses to rely on God. David chooses to remember who has provided for him again and again.

David is not talking about fasting, but fasting is supposed to prepare us for these kinds of times. Fasting is about denying ourselves something we really want so we might better learn to rely on God during those times when life is really hard. When we fast we are not supposed to gloat or brag we are fasting. People who brag about fasting often come across as condescending, or as outright jerks. Fasting is not about being better than anyone else. Fasting is about learning to rely more fully on the grace of God to sustain us through difficult times. I love David’s words in verse three.

“Consider and answer me, O Lord my
     God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep
     of death.” (Psalm 13:3 ESV)

While David could certainly be talking about physical death, there is another death – the death of credibility. I know I cannot be credible in my walk if I do not turn to God to “light up my eyes” when I do not feel like being good, or when I get stuck feeling sorry for myself. When I rely on God, when I ask for His light to shine through me, and then allow it to shine; others can see the fruit of my fasting.

New Years Resolutions

This morning I've been reading Psalm 12. King David portrays a world without truth; where everyone lies, and spins the perceptions of reality to support personal agendas. David says the reason f or this psalm is the poor are taken advantage of, and the groans of the needy just trying to survive can be heard in the streets. As I consider these words, the groans of the needy must be really loud for the king to hear them in his palace. Imagine if our presidents heard the cry of the American poor in the White House. It is a scary thing to consider when all too often the body of Christ cannot hear the groans of the needy within the church; much less out side of the body of Christ. The Psalm moves on to say the Lord will arise and tend to the poor and the needy, and they shall have the safety they are seeking. As I read Psalm 12 I wonder what does it mean when it says God will arise? Can God come down and provide a place for all those who are poor, sick and needy? Absolutely! Could the Holy Spirit rain down peace and blessing for those in greatest need? You Bet! Jesus Christ certainly cared for the sick, the poor and the needy during his earthly ministry. My next question is also pretty obvious. Is God going to intervene in that way today? I think He does. I think God through Jesus' example and the power of the Holy Spirit works to intervene today. God is continually pouring His love into each and everyone of us. God is calling us home, and calling us to love people as God loves each and everyone of us. However, we are attacked on every side by temptations, and so much busyness we are distracted from even seeing the poor, and the needy. We cannot hear the groans of those who need safety. We do not see the poor and homeless begging for food on the side of the road, and their are those who would take advantage of the poor and homeless's situations. My New Years Resolution is daily to pray God would grant me a look through His eyes; to be able to hear with His ears for just a moment; to be able to feel compassion for all those around me - not just the ones I like; the way God does. "On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of men (Psalm 12:9)." Please Lord, rise up among us that the wicked would tremble at Your love for all of us.

Thinking about January

The fall semester is over and after a year of attending classes straight through I'm a little burned out. I still love God. My devotion to Him has not changed. I am just running low on steam to keep pushing up the hill towards a Master of Divinity. Running out of steam is usually a good indicator I have been trying to run the race on my own power. With the semester over I am taking some much needed time to spend time with my son, and my poor, neglected wife, and work on our marriage. I'll be doing a little doodling and starting the reading for the Spring semester. I am taking January off so it should offer me a chance to get a head on the spring semester's reading at a more leisurely pace. The two classes I hope to get ahead are John Wesley's Theology for Today, and Preaching from the Psalms. My plan for January is to read through the book of Psalms by reading for an hour in the morning. Then I hope to read John Wesley's 52 standard sermons by reading for an hour at night before I go to bed. I'll probably be rubbing my wife's head while I read. Head rubbing is an activity which is good for both of us.

I started reading from the Psalms this morning, and I had forgotten how much the Psalms have to say about nonbelievers and atheists. Check out Psalm 10. I have known many atheists and agnostics who claim to be "moral" people. I wonder if the atheists and agnostics really are moral people? I also wonder how many Christians would make the same claim. Since I am wondering, I wonder if the Bible has the same definition of atheists and agnostics as we do today.

Psalm 10 (English Standard Version)

Why Do You Hide Yourself?
 ¹Why, O LORD, do you stand^(A) far away?
   Why^(B) do you hide yourself in^(C) times of trouble? ²In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
   let them^(D) be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
³For the wicked^(E) boasts of the desires of his soul,
   and the one greedy for gain^(F) curses^[a] and^(G) renounces the LORD.
⁴In the pride of his face^[b] the wicked does not^(H) seek him;^[c]
   all his thoughts are,^(I) "There is no God."
⁵His ways prosper at all times;
   your judgments are on high,^(J) out of his sight;
   as for all his foes, he^(K) puffs at them.
⁶He^(L) says in his heart, "I shall not be moved;
   throughout all generations I^(M) shall not meet adversity."
^7(N) His mouth is filled with cursing and^(O) deceit and^(P) oppression;
   ^(Q) under his tongue are^(R) mischief and^(S) iniquity.
⁸He sits in ambush in the villages;
   in^(T) hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
 ⁹he lurks in ambush like^(U) a lion in his^(V) thicket;
he^(W) lurks that he may seize the poor;
   he seizes the poor when he draws him into his^(X) net.
¹⁰The helpless are crushed, sink down,
   and fall by his might.
¹¹He says in his heart, "God has forgotten,
   he has^(Y) hidden his face, he^(Z) will never see it."
 ^12(AA) Arise, O LORD; O God,^(AB) lift up your hand;
   ^(AC) forget not the afflicted.
¹³Why does the wicked^(AD) renounce God
   and say in his heart, "You will not^(AE) call to account"?
¹⁴But you do see, for you^(AF) note mischief and vexation,
   that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless^(AG) commits himself;
   you have been^(AH) the helper of the fatherless.
^15(AI) Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
   ^(AJ) call his wickedness to account till you find none.
 ^16(AK) The LORD is king forever and ever;
   the^(AL) nations perish from his land.
¹⁷O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
   you will^(AM) strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
¹⁸to^(AN) do justice to the fatherless and^(AO) the oppressed,
   so that^(AP) man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Ice - Not so nice

Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if I had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
~Robert Frost

Well it's happened. Here in Wilmore we finally have what every good Southern Boy dreads - Ice. Asbury Theological Seminary has done something it never does - operate on a two hour delay, and I am faced with the question should I walk to work today? Is the $15.00 I make over two hours worth risking my neck to go to work? The wiggling, giggling, smiling baby boy cuddled up next to my wife in bed after his o-dawn thirty feeding tells me yes. I agree with Mr. Frost. Ice is not so nice.

Disbeleiving the Atheists

Bring It On!!

Some how "Oi Vey!" just does not cover it. I had a chance to speak last night at Sunday evening service. The message was on God's family, baptism and advent. Afterwards a man came up to me and told me about an ad campaign he'd seen on TV put on by "humanists" which quoted a verse from Timothy where Paul says, "I do not allow a woman to have authority over a man." I had seen that commercial, but when I went to look for their website I couldn't find it. The gentleman from church sent me this news article from ABC News's website discussing the Ad Campaign Promoting Atheism. Evidently the American Humanist Organization have paid for advertisements on buses which are 2.5' x 12' long. Local churches are reacting by boycotting the buses to send a message to the city about this kind of advertisement. After I recover from smacking myself in the head, and push the civics lesson concerning freedom of speech out of my mind I consider what my response would be if I were a pastor in that city. My first instinct is to say to the atheists, "Bring It On!" The gospel has been attacked by much better organized groups that y'all, and can handle whatever criticism you bring against the Word. Then I pause to realize that kind of response is about me proving I'm right, or being afraid that if someone finds some fault in Scripture my faith will be harmed. A combative response is not helpful in this instance. As I think some more about the Atheists feeling of being alone and living in the closet I realize these are the very people we are to be reaching out to in Christian love. When Jesus is asked if he is the Messiah by disciples of John the Baptist this is what Jesus tells them.

"Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:^(I) the blind receive their sight, the lame walk,^(J) lepers^[a] are cleansed, and^(K) the deaf hear,^(L) the dead are raised up,^(M) the poor have good news preached to them. ²³And blessed is the one who is^(N) not offended by me."

If this is Jesus' response to those who doubted Him, shouldn't this be our response to those who doubt and question Christ? How will the atheists know Christ is king if we do not live lives which show Christ's love and sovereignty in our lives? Let me challenge you during this season of Advent. When you go to church instead of just sitting with your friends take your family over to sit with one of the ChrEasters who probably haven't been to church since Easter. Invite them to lunch. Invite them to your Christmas party with friends and family. If we do a better job of sharing the love of Christ as a community of believers then our atheist friends won't feel so alone. Come to think of it, if we share Christ's love effectively they may feel comfortable discussing their rejection of Christ. And if we share Christ really well they may just see Jesus's acceptance in the face of their doubt.

Shakespear

"This above all-to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be fast to any man."
~Hamlet, act1, scene3, lines 78-80

I think I mentioned I've been reading "After You Believe" by N.T. Wright. I have to give a devotional message about character with information from this book for class, Tuesday November 30. So, I'm doing homework the day after Thanksgiving. Eat your hearts out you Black Friday Shoppers!

Wright asserts there is a powerful message within Western Culture which actually follows this line of thought from Shakespear. Many people take being true to themselves to mean they can, and should dow whatever the like. This is a concept I struggle against. I aggree with the idea being true to self often means do what you want in our culture. I struggle to not follow the idea. I've been trying to work out exactly when I fell off the train and bought into my culture entirely. I think it happened after I earned the rank of Eagle as a Boy Scout. I remember thinking I can't wait until I earn Eagle, because they I can do what I want. I had held leadership roles in my Boy Scout Troop and as a leader I had to lead by example. Once I earned the rank of Eagle I would no longer be bound by those rules and could even quit the Boy Scouts if I wanted. It wasn't until much later I realized living a life of honor with a strong sense of character while striving for something greater than myself were the first steps to finding a lasting joy in my life. I have never been joyful only living for what makes me happy. Are you simply living for what makes you happy, or are you striving for that something greater which offers lasting joy?

Scratching My Noodle

I'm reading a book for class by Bishop N.T. Wright called "After You Believe." I'm into chapter two, and some things from chapter one are still swishing around in my brain. Wright makes a point about people in Western cultures being stuck between two extremes. On the one hand there are those who want to know what the rules are so they can follow them and get their heavenly reward. On the other hand there are those who only want to follow their own heart, and trust that God is in their hearts guiding their actions. Both directions are incorrect, and both Paul and James speak directly to these points in the New Testament. The better way to think of it is like a long distance runner. Have you ever watched the long distance runners in the Olympics? They have to have tremendous mental strength. When Christians talk about that kind of toughness we don't call it strength. We call it character. It's that kind of character which enables a paramedic to use exactly the right treatment when the heat is on. Character is what gets the marine through tough combat situations when bullets are flying past their heads. On the cross it was the strength of Jesus' character and His love for the Father which got Him through the crucifixion. The point of character is to show our love for God through our character in life. When Abraham had this belief God accounted it to him as righteousness. I would like to be righteous. How about you?

Honor

"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God, 

and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; 

to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."

The Boy Scout Oath

   Today honor is treated like just another nostalgic idea like chivalry, helping an old lady across the street or paying your taxes. Honor is seen as an obligation, and because we, human beings, tend to be lazy by nature, we put off being honorable if we attempt to be so at all. However, a sense of Honor is a part of what has historically kept this nation together. The freedoms we enjoy, which are guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, only work so long as the people are honorable enough not to abuse those freedoms. This is not just true of the people of the United States of America, but also of God's people. It has never been enough for God's people to just follow the rules of the Law. God has always wanted more. Too many people get hung up in Paul's teaching about faith being the key to righteousness instead of works while the apostle James teaches "faith without works is dead." What Paul and James are talking about is character. Each of them is talking to people taking their obligation to Christian faith in different extremes. Some wanted to earn their way to heaven. Others wanted to be Christian without having to do any work at all. Paul has teaching about how we are to tread this fine line.

1Thessalonians 4:1-12 is a call for Christians to be people of character, and to live a life of honor. Too often we think rules are to keep us from enjoying life. This is a mistake. Scripture is the guide to a better life, not just for me, or for you, but for us all. It is time for people of faith to consider what it means to live lives of character for God; for our country; and for ourselves.

Be Thou My Vision

Have you ever heard the hymn Be Thou My Vision? The lyrics of this song speak of a different kind of vision. All too often we get caught up looking at the pretty things of this world. We become distracted, or focused on what WE are doing. Take the story of a man and his donkey. This man decided he was going to do something God told him specifically not to do. So the man got on his donkey and began riding in the direction of the place where he needed to do his business. The man was so focused on his task he could not see what was right in front of him. However, his donkey saw the danger. Three times his donkey stepped off the path the man wanted him to walk, and three times the man beat the donkey for its disobedience. The man's name was Balaam, and the danger was an angel of the Lord standing, blocking the path with a sword in its hand. The donkey saw the angel, but the man did not. The donkey turned aside three times, and the man beat the donkey for saving his life three times. There's a powerful lesson in this story. It is easy to be caught up in the "have to's" of this world, and blinded by tunnel drive so as not to be able to see what God is doing around us - including telling us to turn around and go home. However, as the church we are called to look out for each other and to stubbornly do out best to become imitators of God. Sometimes that means telling a brother to turn around. Sometimes that means being told to turn around. Are you open to God's promptings in your life? Are you willing to let others speak truth into your life? Or are you still beating your friends for being just that - friends?

God Is My Strength and my Song

Azi Vuzimwrath Yah  

Before I came to seminary I was in a small group that was learning to read Biblical Hebrew. We didn't even make it up to verbs before I left for Asbury; but I felt like I learned a lot. I'm one of those people for whom Hebrew is fun. It's like a puzzle you need a decoder ring to understand. During the time I was learning to read Hebrew I was working as a courier in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wherever I went I would talk with various people I delivered to or picked up from. One of those people is a guy named Jeff who worked the pick up window at the Uptown post office in Charlotte. When I stumbled across this verse from Exodus 15 I decided to share it with Jeff. I taught him how to say the verse in Hebrew, and it became a combination inside joke and understanding between work acquaintances that God would support us and give us the strength to make it through the day. If Jeff was having a bad day, he didn't even have to explain. All he had to do was say Azi Vuzimwrath Yah when I came to the pick up window and we both understood. While I would never offer a whole sermon filled with Hebrew these three words have helped me through some very tough times because the are a reminder of from where my help truly comes.

Why Do You Seek The Lord?

There is another point from chapter thirteen in Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God I really need to address. Have you ever caught yourself praying to God hoping for a spiritual encounter, or because you wanted God to give you this gigantic Aha! moment? I have. It was after I had returned from the Walk to Emmaus retreat. The Walk to Emmaus is an awesome retreat, and if your church offers it, or is connected to an Emmaus Community it would definitely be worth your time to go. The Walk to Emmaus was a tremendous spiritual high. I felt so close to God over the weekend I just did not want the wonderful feeling of encountering God to end. In my prayer time I would try very hard to remember how I felt on the walk, and to open myself up inside to feel that presence of God again. However, gradually, the feeling lessened and lessened. Jan Johnson explains the point of constant prayer is to, "[b]e faithful in pouring yourself before God because God is the one you Love, not because you want stirring insights" (95). The Walk to Emmaus was a mountain top experience. However, we were not meant to live on top of the mountain. The trick is to remember who we experienced while we were there, and to rely on that remembrance of strength and energy while we walk through life's valleys.

Do you hear what I hear?

Probably not. Do you hear what I sometimes do not? I hope so. Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God discusses hearing God in chapter 13. As a Christian living in a highly literate society it's easy to think if people would just read the Bible more the world would be a better place. However, I have discovered just because people can read does not mean they do it often, or enjoy reading. If that is the case it can be hard to hear God in Scripture. There are other reasons why people do not hear God in Scripture. Johnson's take on it really resonates with my situation.

"[S]ome find that God does not speak to them even in Bible reading. Perhaps that's because they read the Bible to meet an obligation, study for a class, or prove and opinion, but not to meet with God and hear Him speak. A. W. Tozer advised, '[The Bible] is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking... If you would follow on to know the Lord, come at once to the open Bible expecting it to speak to you. Do not come with the notion that it is a ting which you can push around at your convenience.' Instead of coming to the Bible searching for what we already understand or agree with, it's wise to approach it with the question, What do I need to know (88)?"

I do not always hear God clearly. As a seminary student you may think I should, but I don't. I too often get caught up in I have to read Luke for this class or I need to do a word study on the word melek for another class. What I am trying to unlearn from classes is the importance of spending daily time with the Word and with God so that I might be fed, instead of constantly looking to Scripture for something to deliver to a teacher, for a bible study and now for sermons. The Bible does not open itself up on demand. To really understand what God is saying is like trying to really understand what a girl friend, wife or significant other is saying. It takes time, and it means being in relationship.

Proud Papa

Okay. So I'm one proud papa. The top left picture is Evan a day before he is four weeks old. The two on the right are pretty self explanatory Halloween pictures. The picture in the bottom left is my son's first bath where he is displaying early signs of being able to disappear. I'm sure he'll use that to his advantage later when he's trying to hide from Mommy and Daddy. I love being a Dad.

Following God's Direction

Have you ever heard this song by The Clash? Chapter 12 of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God touches on this very point. There are some people who think of prayer as if it were something out of "I Dream of Genie." Simply ask God for whatever you'd like in prayer, and God will magically provide. Still others want to use God like a traffic light, "Should I take this job? Should I buy this shirt or this car? Should I stay or should I go?" God is not a genie who will fulfill our inner most desires. A burning bush, and a pillar of fire/ploom of smoke are very rare forms of Godly direction. God is not a traffic light for direction in our lives. God has His own plan for salvation, and we need to dream dreams set in God's will for us. To do this means praying some pretty scary prayers. God, please show me the paths You would have me to walk, and I will do my best to walk those paths. Please God, show me your passion for my life that I might be filled with it also. These kinds of prayers are aimed at putting ourselves in the right point of view to hear God's call on our lives, but they require courage. Once these prayers are prayed faithfully, and our hearts become more focused on God's dreams there is no telling where God may lead you.

The Process

Life has been very busy lately so I thought I'd share a little of what's been happening. One of the classes I'm taking this semester is Mentored Ministry. It's one of those where I'm supposed to be working in a church (inside the box) eight hours a week. However, I've been behind on hours so I'm doing some freelance graphic design work for the Children's Ministry to make up the difference. Since I haven't posted anything detailing the process I use I figured this would be a good time to share the way I work.

First I sit down with the people in charge and try to get a good idea of what they're looking for in a logo. Then I do a bunch of sketches of different ideas. That's when we meet again, and they tell me what works and what definitely does not work.

Then I do some more sketches and we talk again. It can be tedious. I usually do not offer more than two passes on a project, but since this for church I'm offering more. These were the second batch of sketches.

And these are the first run through the computer. I know it looks like a lot, but it fully invests the client in the project, and insures they get the logo they want. As much as I like getting paid to do stuff (I'm not getting paid for this one) it is really important to honor the God given vision for their ministry, so it is worth the extra effort.

Enjoying God in the Valley

Chapter ten of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God is titled Enjoying God Between the Moments. I like the analogy of mountain tops and valleys better. Here's why. Have you ever seen the black and white movie Sergeant York? In the movie Alvin York is an east Tennessee boy, living up in the mountains, and trying to scratch out a living as a farmer. It's tough to be a farmer in the mountains. There are rocks and boulders everywhere, and they all have to be dug up to have enough dirt to plant crops. Bottom land is down in the valley. The land there has fewer boulders and is rich and fertile. I like this example because it reminds me of Jesus's journey up on a mountain side with Peter, James and John. There they saw Jesus' appearance was transfigured. Peter, James and John like a lot of Christians wanted to set up tents on the mountain side and stay there in that heavenly presence. However, life doesn't work that way. We are not called to live on mountain tops of spiritual euphoria. Through these close interactions with the Spirit we can be moved to do all kinds of things for the kingdom. However, there is not enough to support us up on the mountain top. When we travel back down into the valley it is harder to remember the mountain top experiences. Jan Johnson encourages us to establish a routine of prayer throughout the day to help us stay the course when we feel spiritually dry. That is important because like the disciples were called to live lives of service down in the valley with the mountain top experience in their hearts. Our goal is to live in as close a relationship to the Father, through Jesus Christ the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit as we can. The Spirit is a wild duck, and may call us up the mountain, or down to the river; it may seem very far from us, but it is never really very far away.  When we enter those places of spiritual thirst it is important to cling to our spiritual routines and to remember the mountain top experience in our hearts.

Loving God When I'm Not On Top

Several years ago I was discharged from a position. I was young, and had made some very bone headed mistakes, and my employer exercised their right to let me go. To make things more difficult I was living in a city some 400 miles from my family. I needed help in the worst way. I felt rejected and tossed aside. God was trying to get my attention and working to get through all of the busyness in my life to drive home a message. I can rely on God even when I am not on top. This is the point of the 9th chapter of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God. So often Christians feel as though we have to present this image of Christ in our lives that never worries, never gets scared, and is never weak and on our knees. I don't think the world expects that of us, and I wonder if we do the world a disservice by hiding our fears. Paul explains God's grace and power is made perfect in our weakness. I think it is okay to be knocked down by the world so long as we decide not to wallow in self pity, and instead turn to God for strength. Is that easier said than done? Sometimes. But if we do not step out into the waters of faith a little we will never know just how deep God's love for us really is.

When Life Is Irritating

Chapter 8 of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God is about finding God when we're irritated. Most of the examples she uses deal with people who aggravate us during our day; the people in our car pool, the person who cut us off in traffic etc. The example she does not give is the first time parent trying to survive the first month of parenting. We are into week three and I am typing this one handed while holding Evan so Karen can have five more minutes of sleep. Evan is at that stage when eating, messing diapers, and sleeping just aren't enough. He can't tell us what he wants/needs so he cries - and screams through much of the afternoon. It's not an all day thing, but it frays the nerves very quickly. We love him to death, but here lately those are the times we find ourselves looking to God for strength, peace, and most of all PATIENCE.

The encouraging thing about what Johnson writes is her reminder it is okay to go to God with our anger, and our frustration - with ourselves or with other people. We should certainly have a healthy fear of God, but that doesn't mean we, like Evan, cannot cry out to our heavenly Father in frustration. It is okay to get angry. The trouble comes when that anger causes us to sin. It is not a sin to confess that anger to God. YHWH already knows what you are mad about, but offering it up to God is a great way of starting to let that anger go instead of acting on that frustration in malice.

What is Right In Front of You?

About a year ago I was in a small group of guys working through the ScrewTape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In one of the letters there is a story about a man in a museum. The man is looking at the art while eating his turkey sandwhich. A demon, thinking he had the man well in hand was directing the mans thoughts from one painting to another and away from anything important. Then the man began to think about the other people in the room and about God. The demon immediately reacted to what it presumed was the presence of an angel speaking into the man's life on God's behalf. So the demon diverted the man's attention to the man's lunch, to the weather outside, and finally to a random story in the newspaper. All of these diversions were the demon's way of putting the man off thinking about God. In America we get so distracted by stuff, material possessions, or perhaps worse reality TV. I know. I've been guilty of it as well. Wouldn't it be nice to have a new car that doesn't break down? Wouldn't it be nice to have a new brush pen for inking? Wouldn't it be nice to have that latest translation of the Bible or the newest commentary. Stuff Stuff Stuff. We think about you too much.

Chapter seven of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God is about focusing on what's right in front of you, and I don't mean your computer. Who are those people right in front of us who could be helped by God's grace right now? Can't think of anyone? Who else is in the room, or your office, or your house? Try thinking about what they are going through and offering them a one line prayer. "Praying for whatever is in front of us includes praying while reading the newspaper or watching the news (Johnson 51)." When we hear gossip it is an opportunity to pray for the person who told us the gossip and to pray for those being gossiped about. When we stop thinking about the things we want and start focusing on what and who other people need it goes a long way toward bringing us closer to the presence of God.

Walk the Walk

St. Augustine once wrote, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." This quote plays very nicely with the sixth chapter of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God. This chapter details ways we can do Random Acts of Kindness for people we find it difficult to pray for, and to do those acts as if we were doing them for God. To put it another way; to offer service to others with our heart, mind, soul and might. I have tried to apply this line of thought to my school work, and sadly, on several occasions, have burned myself out in the process. For me it does not work well with school work. However, it does work well with Habitat Projects, serving others through the Mana ministry at church, or through Room In The Inn, or making breakfast at the Uptown Homeless Shelter. It's a terrific way to share the love of God without beating people over the head and shoulders with the gospel.

Weaving Prayer with activity...

...is the title to chapter five of Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God. In many ways this is similar to the material in chapter four discussing, "Talking to You Means Praying for You." The difference is there is a larger element of the self in this chapter - but in a good way. It is all about giving praise and finding ways to include God in the day to day bus-y-ness of life. I try to understand Jan Johnson's point this way. If the purpose of reading Scripture is to discover what God has to say about Himself through the Word of God, then my daily life should be focused on sharing with the world what God is saying about Himself in my life. It is not about me. My life, and the way I interact with everything in it has to be about God. Some times the task is easier said than done. However, the goal is worthy so I continue to pick myself up and keep trying.

Peace and Stillness

Today's devotion from Jan Johnson's book Enjoying the Presence of God focuses on weaving prayer into every day activities. For instance, I could say a short prayer for any person I am talking to in my head during the conversation. My first reaction was to think she's crazy. I am a motor mouth and a guy. More often than not I'm throwing words out there until I figure out what it is I'm trying to say. My filter can barely keep up with what I say and now I'm supposed to pray for people while we're talking! Then it dawned on me just how helpful this could be. A down fall of talking too much is I tend to interrupt when an idea comes into my head. Sometimes I feel like I'll burst if I don't get these ideas out. It really annoys my wife when she is interrupted. This is why praying while talking to other people is so important. I have to refocus my thoughts on God instead of whatever I thought was important in the moment. Saying a prayer for God puts God first instead of focusing on my thought. I have made more time to listen when I taught Disciple I and it was really neat. However, it's been too easy to slip back into just running my mouth. There is a stillness and focus that comes from this practice. I would very much like to have that focus again.

I know my son has nothing to do with this devotion, but I couldn't resist posting another picture of him.

Breath Prayers

I was never a huge Seinfeld fan, but chapter three of Jan Johnson's book  Enjoying the Presence of God reminds me a little bit of the Serenity Now episode. Evidently George Castanza's father has had a problem dealing with stress. So his doctor told him to use the mantra, Serenity Now. You are welcome watch the clip to see how it worked out on the show.

Jan Johnson is suggesting something similar as a way to stay in God's presence. She recommends breath prayers. As opposed to Serenity Now, breath prayers are a way to get our focus off of ourselves. This is quite a novel concept in American society. Johnson recommends picking a scripture or summing up a verse in 9-10 syllables. When you are worried about surgery, or in my case a paper or test you could just say, "Into Thy Hands." This is not something to screamed, or for the rest of the world to see. This is about trying to redirect yourself towards God. Another way to approach breath prayers is to just ask or say one sentence to God when something out of the ordinary happens. Johnson offers these examples. "Turn this person's heart towards you." "Do I need to change?" Teach me through this negative behavior." Praying for other people in the moment is a great way to shift the focus away from the character trait, or physical appearance that may be bothering you and to put the focus back on God.

As I write this there are a number of people with whom I can practice this, and some very good times. When I am up in the middle of the night bouncing my son and trying to get him to go back to sleep after his feeding - that's a good time to ask, "God, please fill his heart with joy for You."

Wonderful News!!! Busy. Busy! Busy!!

I've been MIA for a while, but for good reasons. On October 10, 2010 my wife gave birth to our first child, Evan. He's wonderful, and persnickety, and fills me with awe and wonder at God's design. Plus how cool is it to have a 10/10/10 birthday? I took a week off of classes to help my wife, and spend time with Evan before the seminary work load came crashing back down. It was great! The late night feedings didn't phase me and I some how managed to still function with the goofy smile of a first time Dad.

Then Monday came, and Wow! Do I have a lot of homework? I'm digging out, and trying to get caught up on a few things. One of them is journaling/blogging. I am supposed to be keeping a blog for one of my classes, and I finally got the book just before Evan was born. So for the next couple of weeks most of these devotions will deal with stuff from Enjoying the Presence of God by Jan Johnson.

I read chapter one yesterday and didn't have a chance to blog about it so we're starting with chapter 2 "Practicing the Presence of God." The goal of the book is to get to a place where the reader is in constant prayer/communication with God. The emphasis is this isn't a knowledge thing, or something we can make a to do list to cover in our quiet time. I confess I've tried that and felt really spiritually dry afterwards. In the end it just felt like one more thing I had to do. The chapter reminded me that being close to God isn't about a warm fuzzy feeling. God is with us whether we feel Him or not. He isn't up there looking down on us. God is right here sitting next to you at your computer. The trick is becoming more aware of His presence. How you ask? Prayer. Try thinking of times when you are board - like standing in line at the grocery store. Then instead of looking at the candy on display or perusing the tabloids say a little prayer for one of the other people in line. It's a terrific way of opening yourself up to what God has to say, and you might make a new friend in line.

Look Up

About 6:15 this morning I stepped out on my back porch and saw something I haven't seen in a long time. The air was cool and crisp in the autumn air. Everything touching God's green earth was still shrouded in darkness; but the stars shone out above me. There's just something about the bigness of the sky that helps me to put things back into perspective. I saw what could be the prettiest Orion's Belt I've ever seen. It really put Matthew 13:11-17 into perspective. Jesus is telling the disciples that Isaiah's prophecy has come true in the way the Pharisees refuse to see and hear God's truth. I used to think they were like children covering there ears and making noise with their mouths so they wouldn't have to hear something their parents said. I wonder if they were just so caught up in the things happening on God's green earth they stopped looking up. Sure they went through the motions to pray to God on a regular basis. I don't doubt they prayed, but I wonder if they were still looking up with their hearts.

Here lately I've been so covered up trying to keep my head above water the times I've tried to pray to God have felt,... I don't know... empty. Thankfully this morning I looked up and saw the stars in what feels like the first time in a long time. It reminded me that even though today is my birthday; my wife is TOBP (tired of being pregnant), our baby is due any day, and it's that time of the semester where tests and papers start being due all at the same time - there is love out past the horizon of my business. There is hope just passed the pile of things I worry about, and try to control. I cannot just keep plugging away with my head down. When my head is down all I can see is the dirt, and it's harder to find the time to look up to heaven. Thankfully God reminded me this morning of the wonder of God's love.

Context is King

Yesterday I had a terrific time doing my first round of visitations as a part of Mentored Ministry. Today is the day of my first speech for Foundations of Proclamation. I love the way ministry experience spills over into classroom experience in seminary. Yesterday I just prayed with people, and it was wonderful. It was really great. Some where in good nursing homes, and others were in less polished nursing homes. The point is we prayed with everyone everywhere. At the end of the day I felt good, but physically drained. Prayer is such an awesome gift from God.

In today's 3-4 minute speech I have to talk about some way God has touched my life in the last six months. Well, the baby hasn't arrived yet so I'm going to talk about prayer. I had planned to talk about the importance of context, but as I prayed about it, I began to see context in a different perspective. What if context is not about physical location? What if context is more like something from the Billy Joel song "New York State of Mind?" It occurs to me the context of ministry has very little to do with location, and in some instances very little to do with the specific people I might try to minister to. If I focus on those things then it becomes about the same old me, myself and I. I do not have the ability to effectively minister to anyone. Every time I try it is because my ego has become over inflated again. For me there is nothing more frustrating than trying to help someone else only to fail because I was trying to work by my own authority, or by my own skill. Talk about ego.  Yesterday, as I was going with my mentor to do hospital visitations it occurred to me the context of ministry is prayer. Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing." I think that's some advice I should follow a little more closely.

God's Patience

I have to give a 3-4 minute speech Tuesday for PR501 Foundations of Proclamation. It's a personal witness speech about some way God has ministered to, or spoken directly to me in the last six months. I'm in seminary. God has called me to vocational ministry. This should not be hard. Yeah. I drew a blank. The seminary experience by it's nature is hectic. Add to that a loving wife and a baby on the way and it creates a lot of static which can make it harder to hear that still small voice. Thankfully God is not above using repetition. God used an angel to turn Balaam's donkey to the side three times. God told Joshua not to be afraid three times. I've lost track of how many times Jesus corrected Peter. This is similar to my call. People from out of the blue started asking me when I was going to seminary. It happened at a Bible study. It happened on the Walk to Emmaus. Some of the people who asked me this question where people I knew, and others were people I'd only met in passing. They are not the reason I chose to accept God's calling. They were just God's way of getting my attention. Over the last year God has been using that same technique to get my attention again. It started with Dr. Arnold in Exegesis of first and second Samuel when he said, "Context is King." That made sense for exegesis, but I heard it again in Pastor and Church Discipleship the following spring. This semester I have been beaten about the head and shoulders with this message in Foundations of Proclamation, Teaching the Whole Bible to Youth and Adults, Mentored Ministry, and in some ways even in History of American Methodism. There are so many instances where context could be important, and it would appear God is trying to make sure that message has been made very clear to me.

How Majestic is His Name...

This morning I am concerned the illustrations on this blog will give some pause to wonder about my calling. After all if District Committees and Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry didn't try to put the screws to me I'd have to wonder whom else they let through without checking. I'd really just like to make this plain.

I love God, and I am amazed at his creation. As Psalm 8:3,4 puts it, "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established: what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them (NRSV)?" God has a wonderful and awe inspiring creative spirit. For reasons that are His alone He has seen fit to give me a bit of that same spirit. I tried making a career out of using those gifts, but it didn't work. I almost quit drawing because of that experience. However, God used this gift to help me to recover, and has encouraged me to keep drawing. I am still trying to work out how God would like me to use this gift for his Kingdom, but creative communication has appeared on every spiritual gift inventory I have taken.

I have absolutely no doubt God has called me to ordained ministry. As an elder in the United Methodist Church I will do everything I can to serve God, my family, the church where I have been placed, and then if I have a little time I may squeeze in a little time to draw. If God shows me ways to use this gift to benefit His kingdom I will gladly do so. For me it's no different than helping a class room understand a difficult passage of Scripture on their own terms or stopping to help a motorist with a flat tire on the side of the road. I love God, and will serve Him gladly.

Nice to know I've still got it...

Winnie the Pooh & Friends Praying

...but what I've got is still up for debate. This is the illustration I did for our baby's room. The prayer on the right is the one my folks taught to my brother and I. The characters from left to right are Eeyore, Rabbit, Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Tigger. They're all praying with the exception of Eeyore. He's looking at everyone else. Tigger is bouncing on his tale in the background because if anyone in the Hundred Acre Wood is Pentecostal it's probably Tigger.

The Unexpected

Unexpected - 1. not expected or anticipated; 2. causing surprise or wonder or amazement
eg. A boy walking through the woods was unexpectedly attacked by a wood burning stove with an ax to grind.

The unexpected is often difficult to handle. We get our lives all set in the direction we want to go, and then POW out of the blue our plans get changed. Here's just one good example from the Bible. Joseph was having wonderful dreams of being raised up to rule over his ten older brothers, when they attacked him and sold him into slavery. It happened to me to! I had this good job working as a product designer. Sure I was struggling a little, but I thought if I just kept my head down, and kept on plugging I could work through the difficulties. God was calling me to something else. Joseph held to his faith, and God blessed him; making him overseer of all Egypt. After a difficult walk through the wilderness God brought a wonderful woman into my life. He has guided me to seminary, where I am now married with our first baby due any day. Our lives do not often turn out the way we plan, but if we hold to our faith they will turn out as God intended. To do that means deciding to look to God when things get hard.

WWJD

God is absolutely worthy of living our lives to suit Him. To live as Christ lives brings joy, peace and contentment. American culture encourages rugged individualism with the ethic of he who has the most toys at the end wins. The American dream as it is cast today, the hunt for more stuff, fame and fortune, me me me the individualist does not bring any of those things. Sometimes I fall into that trap. When I am furthest from Christ I question myself, and my confidence falls. When I am furthest from Christ I want to huddle together with people I know and ignore those I don't because I want to feel safe and secure. I know there are times when I've been over bearing, short, callous, defensive, or talked way too much; all because I was afraid of either ridicule, or being made fun of, or just making mistakes and letting people down. I don't think I'm alone. I think that's part of the reason why most churches are so clickish. The apostle Paul had something to say about this kind of fear. "Only let yourselves be worthy of the gospel of Christ[.]" In my life I have felt very little comfort in possessions; although I find myself longing for them from time to time. I have felt more fear and dread when I have focused on me, myself and I, than on top of any mountain or hanging from any rock wall. My greatest place of comfort is with Christ surrounded by those who love Him as much as I do, and usually more. I have felt best about myself when I am reaching out to others for the Kingdom of God. It isn't about me. Thank God it's not all about me...

The Mountain of God

In the Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis the boy Eustace and his classmate Jill are transported to Aslan's mountain in the world where Narnia lives. After Eustace is blown to Narnia by Aslan, Jill is given a specific set of instructions. She is specifically told the air upon the mountain is clearer, but down in Narnia it is much thicker and it will be difficult to hear the voice of Aslan.

Here in the real world, away from works of fiction, the Christian walk is full of mountain top experiences. Many people have them, if only once in their lives. These experiences touch us in deep emotional ways. Unfortunately we do not remember emotions as well as we are taught to remember ideas and facts. We may remember what happened, and not be able to relive the sensation. I think this is very similar to what C.S. Lewis was trying to communicate in the Silver Chair.

Jesus spoke to this problem in Luke 21:34-36 when he tried to teach the Sadducees who were testing Him. Jesus told them to watch their hearts so they will not become confused by this world. The air is very thick here in the real world. We have all kinds of distractions, specifically in American society. These distractions are a trap. Do not be seized by them. Please do not forget there is a place where the air is clear, and you can hear Jesus' voice very clearly right beside you.

Live By The Sword

About a month ago I was looking at Jake Parker's blog and saw he was drawing Samurai. This got me to thinking about the movie "The Last Samurai" and a presentation I saw by James-Micheal Smith, a Gordon Conwell student giving his final presention for graduation. I've been wondering for some time about how to use the gifts God gave me for illustration in ministry, and I thought I would give this a try.

There are a surprising number of references to armor in the Bible. Paul uses the imagery of armor three times; Ephesians 6:10-20; Romans 13:12; 2Corinthians 6:7. With each of these illustrations the point is to lay aside the darkness and sin of former lives, to become a new person. It's really wonderful because the person inside is no different, but that which we put on has a new purpose with a utilitarian nature. The image is unlike the white washed tombs of the Pharisees. We are not meant to be monuments which are to be mourned, and posthumously honored. The armor of God is the light to share God's grace and love with others. That's why when Paul describes it in Ephesians each piece of the armor is a character trait.

The Samurai lived lives of discipline and service. It is said they would "live by the sword, or die by the sword - their own, or their enemies." If we Christians were to live that way what would be the sword in our lives? Paul refers to the "sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God." What if Scripture, and the good news of God's love for the world were our Sword? What if we lived lives "by the sword" that shared the love of Christ before we spoke our first word? What if the death we die is knowing we have finished the race well, or that we have been dishonored and disgraced by the sword of the world which is sin? It kinda puts a whole new twist on "Onward Christian Soldiers," don't it?

Remember What You Seek and Why

Many people are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." This verse is part of a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles taken to Babylon, and it is often a "crutch" verse for people when they face difficult struggles in their lives. In my prayer time this morning I was drawn back to this chapter. As I was reading through the chapter verses twelve and thirteen stood out to me. "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart." The last part of verse thirteen all but knocked me out of my chair because it is so similar to Deuteronomy 6:5, and Matthew 22:37. As a Christian walking home I have to remember to whom I am walking and why. I have been blessed to have experiences where I have felt the Holy Spirit draw near and it was an incredible experience. However, with the passing of time feelings fade. This verse is like the hymn "Seek Ye First The Kingdom of God," in that it reminds me I have to stay on task. I have to stay focused. It's hard when there's always other stuff to do. There's always work, and school, and pretty soon Karen and I will have baby too. I am not begrudging the blessings and tasks I have been given. I am saying with all of the busyness in my life it is often difficult to stay focused on one thing. I wonder if God is against multi-tasking.

Good Christians = Good Samaritans

So far a lot of what I have written about on this blog has been facing my own challenges concerning spiritual discipleship apart from studying the Bible for information. The thing I take for granted is helping other people. I use "A Guide To Prayer For All Who Seek God" to get the juices going in my devotion time, and this morning's passage started me thinking about the Good Samaritan. Most people have at least heard of the story, if they haven't heard sermons on the subject. The story is about a man left for dead on the side of the road after being robbed and beaten. Two of his fellow country men passed by and did nothing. Samaritans were considered unclean outsiders. They were the kinds of people good Jews avoided at all cost. However, it was a Samaritan man who helped this Jew. Jesus's message is that as Christians we are all to be like the Samaritan man. I'll be honest. There are some people who grate my nerves. There are people who are so pitiable they are difficult to be around. However, I am a Christian which means there are times I have to make the choice to get over myself, and to put others, even those who bother me above myself. I'm not bragging. I'm ashamed. I wish I did not feel that way, but from time to time I do. I only pray it is enough to push past myself to offer assistance to those people, and that I won't be punished for those thoughts I fight against.

Quick Sand

With Halloween right around the corner it seems appropriate to ask this question. What scares you most? For me it's not Freddie Krugger or Jason, or Micheal Myers (either of them). What scares me most is quicksand. There's this B-movie, "The Replacements," where Gene Hackman plays a foot ball coach to a team of replacements because the regular overly paid NFL players went on strike. After one game Gene Hackman asks the team what they're most afraid of. Some of the players said spiders and snakes, but it was Keanu Reeves character who said quicksand. The explanation was sometimes you make one mistake, and then no matter how hard you fight; no matter how much harder you pedal; you just cannot get out on your own. In churches, quicksand is the road to burn out for pastors. What I have been taught in school is to remember it is God who works things for His will - not me. I cannot save anyone's soul. What they teach us at Asbury Theological Seminary is the importance of our relationship with Christ. But here's the rub. There's no formula for a relationship with God. If I do this, and that every day God will bless me. If relationships don't work that way for your wife or your girlfriend it certainly isn't going to work with God. God isn't some power outlet I need to plug into to be successful. It's frustrating. After all, how do you walk with God if you don't know how to connect? The answer is prayer. 1Thessalonians 5:17 says, "pray without ceasing," which tells me time with God cannot and should not be a pit stop on Sunday morning. What constant connection with God looks like will probably be different for you than for me. Philippians 2:12 tells us to, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." To me that means my relationship with God will be different from yours just as my relationship with my wife is different from your relationship with your significant other. I think the key is to actively try to be in that relationship with God in every breath.

Are We There Yet?

In the second half of the book of Isaiah Jerusalem has been sacked and all of the people of Judah have been carted off into exile in Babylon. Isaiah 61:1 tells us some things which pertain to this walk I am on. The prophet Isaiah has been filled by the Holy Spirit and had his lips cleaned so that he would be worthy to preach God's word to the people (Isaiah 6:1-7). What he says about himself is very similar to something Jesus says. In Matthew 11:2-6 Jesus is approached by some of John the Baptist's disciples and asked if Jesus is the Christ or if they should wait for another. Jesus' reply is to point out the work He has done and not the things He has said, "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them." Jesus' actions told who he was even before he spoke. Now, I don't have the gift of healing, but I can offer cool cup of water to person who is thirsty. I can share what I have learned about the Gospel to those who are lost and looking for the way home. I can serve in a food pantry, work as an usher in the church, tithe. I can do all of these things - but make no mistake. Christ was not trying to earn His salvation by works. Christ loves his Father and does things to please Him because Christ loves Him. This is the example. I will know I am home when I am no longer surrounded by the poor and needy, when those who were once atheists can see God and love Him, when I no longer worry about how my attempts to share the peace of Christ are perceived. Are we there yet? I wish I was, but I know I'm not. 

Clearing Up The Static

I was reading Dr. Kinlaw's book "Preaching in the Spirit" last night, this line popped out at me. "God doesn't want us to walk with his will; he wants us to walk with him." It's really easy to get stuck thinking, God asked me to do this, or it says in the Bible I should do that, or whatever. We get so caught up in, I have to do this, or God won't be pleased with me if I don't do that, and for some people God will be angry with me if I don't do this thing over here. After reading Dr. Kinlaw's book I don't think God works that way. The more we think that way the more our spiritual antennas fill with static. For me it is a lot like watching a TV set without cable, satellite, or an antenna connected to bring in a signal. The screen is filled with static and we cannot get a clear picture. The key to clearing the static is prayer and quiet time. Of course quiet time that lasts more than two minutes is difficult for a seminary student, a parent, a husband, an American, a human being. I don't know about you, but I get busy - very busy, and it's hard to say no to things so I can have that quiet time with God. He's been there waiting all along. I know He's still walking with me, He's just harder to hear. That's why it's so important to take the time to turn down the volume on all the white noise and spend some time listening to God.

Walking Home

This just dawned on me as I was reading a book in order to write a paper for Foundations of Proclamation.
     "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him." (Genesis 5:24 ESV)

     Now the Bible does not explain what it means by Enoch walked with God, but its use in this sentence seems to indicate walking with God pleased Him. God took Enoch - he didn't die. I've often wondered why it doesn't lay out a laundry list of what is expected in order to never die. Today it hit me. The whole of scripture is a manual for how not to die. And the reason the Bible is so complex, so full, so rich in meanings is because it is full of people who have tried very hard to walk with God out of gratitude for all God has done. It's like some gigantic inside joke that's so out in the open people trip over it and wonder why.

     Philippians 2 uses these words to explain the process. ¹²Therefore, my beloved,^(C) as you have always^(D) obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for^(E) it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for^(F) his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:11-13 ESV)

     The keys to understanding scripture are not in understanding cryptic passages from here and there, but in seeing the smaller pieces in light of the greater plan, and better understanding the part you are to play with gratitude.