Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Monday, October 31, 2005
Evaluating
I'm in process of evaluating exactly how I want to use this particular blog...
It doesn't seem to have much readership, and it certainly doesn't create community, both of which seem to be necessary to make this a "bang for the buck" endeavor.
Any insights you have would be appreciated.
Brent 7:07 AM
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Getting Ready for Class Tonight
Hey, did you remember to set your clocks back an hour? Just checkin'....
Anyway, in order to get ready for class tonight, you'll want to read three passages:
First, you'll want to read Matthew 10: 34--38. This will give you an idea of what PEACE is NOT.
Then, we'll be in Romans 5: 1--4. This will give you an idea of what PEACE truly IS.
Finally, we'll be in Hebrews 12: 12--14. This will show you what PEACE really RESULTS in.
So, as you can tell, we'll be picking up on the fruit of the Spirit PEACE in class tonight at 6:30PM. We'll also be using the Word read aloud as worship and we'll be looking at a scene from The Family Man in order to get our brains engaged on the idea of peace.
See you there!
Brent 5:06 AM
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Your Thoughts?
"Spiritual formation is a slow business." --Eugene Peterson.
"A collapsed view of heaven is the price you pay for your comfort." --Douglas Coupland.
Either of these get a reaction from you?
Brent 9:10 AM
Comments:
They do from me even though i am not in the group anymore! I try to keep Eugene's other quote of, "A diminished view of God is the price you pay for your comfort" in mind
Actually, Alicia, that t-shirt we made several years ago was goofed up! Eugene Peterson never said that...I had it in my quote file as him, but in re-reading one of Douglas Coupland's books I found the actual quote and this was it. So, my "clerical error" gives credit where credit isn't due! Now it's a good story, though.
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Friday, October 28, 2005
Ch Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes
Yet still more from Pastor Tim Stevenson:
"Spiritual maturity does not occur through the mere passage of time. It will not happen for those who are passive or wait for some 'lightning bolt from heaven' to hit them and make them spiritual. We are called to follow Christ and put truth into practice: 'But solid food is for the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). In an old joke, a tourist asks a New Yorker, 'How can I get to Broadway?' The local's answer: 'Practice, practice, practice!' How do you grow in Christ? Persistent practice of the truth! There's no other way.
That means if you wnat to grow as a Christian, you must make some fundamental lifestyle decisions that are conducive to growth. As basic things are necessary for physical growth and health (eating good food and exercising, avoiding what is harmful), so there are two common-sense ingredients necessary to grow spiritually:
Regular intake of God's Word. God's Word is food for our souls, to strengthen and nourish us, and also our standard to evaluate truth and error.
Regular participation in a body of believers. We aren't made to live the Christian life alone, but in a family, where we exercise our faith. We each have something unique to contribute to the body, and we need to receive, in turn, the unique contributions of others (see Ephesians 4: 11--16)."
So, for today, do we really treat God's Word as "food for our souls," literally developing pangs when we don't have it? Do we use it as our standard to evaluate truth/error? Do we tend to have our "church friends" and our "school friends?" What are the drawbacks to these things? What are the dangers if we don't have balance?
Brent 3:02 AM
Thursday, October 27, 2005
But, How Do You Feel?
More from Senior Pastor Tim Stevenson:
"We possess emotions because God our Creator has emotions, and we are made in his image. In our fallen state, however, things are totally out of balance. Emotions, which were made to enrich life and respond to our choices, are instead running the whole show. Feelings make a great 'caboose' on the train of life, but they make a terrible 'engine.' Worldly people allow feelings to run their lives, determine what is true or false, and direct their moral decisions. That's why the culture around us is such a mess.
There's only one way to life and health. And that is to choose to live according to God's Word as our standard, learning to make choices by faith according to truth, and allowing feelings to assume their proper place as responders...
Live by feelings, and you'll inherit chaos. Only those who faithfully pursue the truth and put it into practice grow up in Christ, and prove useful in Christ's service.
Besides making life decisions by feelings, there is another trap Christians fall into: the pursuit of experience and feelings for their own sake..."
So, for today...do you see teenagers today as living by feelings as the "engine" or the "caboose?" Why or why not? Do you see Christians pursuing the experience and feelings by the things they "enjoy" about church? If yes, how?
Brent 5:32 AM
Comments:
i think we are confused when it comes to how we do church. we want the experience but an experience with substance. we want to feel but deeply. we need to find a balance between teaching, learning and feeling. i would dare to say that our current generation of teenagers want to experience truth. not just feel it or hear about it. we want opportunities to live it and that includes the moment we walk through the door of a structure we call church and into what we call a worship service. my question is why do we only tie experience with emotion? sorry if i am going a different direction with this.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005
There IS A Difference
More from our Senior Pastor Tim Stevenson:
"It is important to understand, here and in other passages where Christ issues a call to discipleship, that this is different from his offer of salvation by faith alone in him. Following Christ, as a disciple or learner is a distinct and separate decision, following the decision to trust him for eternal life. Don't confuse the two. Following Christ in discipleship does not earn or maintain eternal life; it determines the quality of your life and service in this world, and the honor and reward you can anticipate in the next."
So, for today, do you think most teenagers view "following Christ" as earning or maintaining eternal life? Why or why not? Do you think the perceived quality of life teenagers see in their view of discipleship is truly a better quality of life than those of non-believers? Why or why not?
Brent 6:25 AM
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Obvious, or is it?
More from Tim Stevenson...this one seems obvious, but the implications are staggering:
"The Christian life begins with receiving. Man needs something outside himself to be a fully functional human being. In our natural state, we need reconciliation to God and new life from God, both of which we receive through faith in Christ. Then we need daily empowerment by God, because only by continuous receiving are we enabled to live the genuine Christian life. And we need to be made whole by the love of God, which the Holy Spirit will 'our out in our hearts.' (Romans 5:5)"
So, for today, do you think it's fair to say that most Christians stay at the "reconciliation and new life" state because they don't understand what it means to be "daily empowered by God through continuous receiving?" Why or why not?
Brent 6:16 AM
Monday, October 24, 2005
Change
Since I wasn't at Sunday School last night, this week's studies will be quotes. Here's another one from our Senior Pastor Tim Stevenson:
"Ignoring the inside-out pattern (context: of spiritual growth) means we are left dealing with mere symptoms. Every pastor and discipler knows the frustrating experience of working with an individual or couple who, even after years of personal time and counseling, do not make any discernable progress. They call again for counseling when they hit another crisis and emotionally melt down, but they only want to talk about symptoms, externals. In realty they don't want to talk about change; they just want relief from the symptoms. They especially don't want to address the condition of their hearts, attitudes, and spirits. That's why they don't get well, in spite of all the love, wisdom, time and advice that has been poured into them. Until peple are willing to address their hearts and assume responsibility for their inner lives, there will not be lasting change or growth."
So, for today, do you agree or disagree? Do you think that, as a general rule, teenagers fail to take responsibility for their inner lives? Why or why not?
Brent 5:42 AM
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Getting Ready For Class Tonight
Steve-O will be large and in-charge tonight, so you'll want to get there by 6:30PM as I'm sure he'll get things rolling pretty quickly. Since worship time will be extended, I thought a quote from Tim Stevenson's new booklet, "Living Inside-Out" (which will be published sometime in the next six months...hey, friendship with authors has its privileges!) was pretty appropriate to help everyone get ready for class:
"In the Old Testament period, God most wanted from his people a sincere relationship from a heart of faith--just as He does today. The Scriptures make this clear: 'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings.' (Hosea 6:6). Likewise, the prophet Micah posed the question, 'What does God want?' and gave the answer: 'He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God' (Micah 6:8). It was never about rote religion, going through the motions, or offering sacrifices. It was always about the heart and about knowing God: 'But let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me' (Jeremiah 9:23)."
So, for today, think read and think through those verses...and ask yourself if you're going through "rote religion" or truly knowing & experiencing God...
And Steve-O and Kristy will see you in class tonight at 6:30!
Brent 5:35 AM
Comments:
i wish i had read all this sunday before the evening worship because those verses are perfect. exactly what the night was about.
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Saturday, October 22, 2005
The Nightmare
I read in a book recently that teenagers have "an almost Jedi-like belief" that their feelings will lead them to a "true faith in God."
Unfortunately, if that's the reality, then teenagers are in for a rude awakening.
Want proof?
Ever had a nightmare? You know...maybe you were being chased and you were running scared and there was a very real possibility that you might die in your dream. You wake up...your emotions are at full-tilt. Your heart is racing. It's dark. You're sweating a little bit. The adrenaline is flowing and your emotions are reacting their "reality" that you almost died.
Then, you look around. You see your clock glowing "4:40 AM." You feel around and you realize you're in your bed. Your eyes adjust and you realize you're in your own home. In your room. No one is chasing you at all. In fact, you think to yourself, "Oh, it was just a bad dream." You might get up and get a drink of water. But the emotions have slowed down. Your heart rate has slowed. The sweat has stopped. The adrenaline has stopped flowing. You calm down and you go back to sleep for another hour or so. That's how relaxed you get in a short period of time.
So the lesson today is based on the James passage we looked at yesterday. The one where you are very unstable if you're led by your emotions and not on the wisdom of God.
The emotional lifestyle is not one that will work for you...it will NEVER let you find true faith.
Let me say that again...it will NEVER lead you to a true faith.
See, we all have improper thinking patterns that get exposed by an insult, an injury or a disappointment of some kind. This leads to emotion.
Anger first of all.
Which will lead to self-pity if that goes unchecked.
Which will lead to depression if you stay in self-pity too long.
Which will lead to desperation and desperate acts if you don't check your depression.
And, scarily, that's the way most teenagers live. On their emotions. So when those trials of life come up, they don't lead to perseverance which will help them grow...nope...they live on the unchecked emotions which are REAL, but will never lead them to a true faith, or growth in faith, or maturity.
So, what does?
Finding something...
...anything...
...to be thankful for in a given situation...
and giving thanks to God for the trial. The various trials that come up.
This will lead to peace.
Which is what we'll be talking about next week...the third fruit of the Spirit.
So, for today...do you agree or disagree with the original quote about "Jedi-like" beliefs? Do you think teenagers today believe their emotions or the ability to "think truth" more? Do you agree with the "downward spiral" and the proposed solution? Why or why not?
Brent 4:30 AM
Friday, October 21, 2005
Deep Sea Fishing
My dad had one primary passion in his life that I'm aware of: Deep-sea fishing.
He would work hard in the steel mill all week in order to drive to the coast, some 4 hours from where we lived, in order to get out on a boat owned by a friend and spend his Saturdays and Sundays in the Gulf of Mexico.
And he was serious about sport fishing. It had to do with the fact that catching "food" fish like Grouper and Snapper pretty much got old to him quickly...so he was into catching difficult fish. Marlin in particular.
Anyway, one of the things that he had to learn in order to support his passion was to learn how to respect the sea. The weather reports were vital...not just on the coastal area but also two or three miles offshore. Not only at that time, but also during the times you would be out there. There were hourly radio updates to keep you informed of the latest information on tides, storms and swells. Things like that.
The reason: An 8-foot wave can wreck havoc on a 20-foot boat. If the storm were bad enough, you'd actually lose control of the boat and be at the mercy of whatever the sea threw at you. In effect, you'd just sit in the belly of the boat and let the storm do whatever it was going to do with your boat. You'd just be tossed back and forth.
That's the image of James 1: 5--8 (from The Message).
"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who 'worry their prayers' are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from teh Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping your optionls open."
See, without wisdom, which is gained from persevering through trials...
...we're just like being at the mercy of the powerful sea.
Being tossed back and forth.
Powerless to control our circumstances. Letting our circumstances control us.
And that's what we do if we don't learn and grow.
The television ads control us. The influences of our friends control us. The ideals portrayed in movies controls us. The mindset of teachers controls us. The news media controls us. The television evangelists get control. The bad theologians in the world contol us. The rock stars control us. The athletes control us. The boyfriend or girlfriend get control...
I could go on and on but you get the point.
We get tossed back and forth if we don't glean wisdom.
And do you want wisdom?
All you gotta do is ask. God gave Solomon, David's son, one wish...and Solomon didn't choose money or fame or fortune or power or anything else the "sea of the world" threw at him. He asked for wisdom. And because that's what he chose, God made him the wisest person who ever lived...humanly speaking, of course.
God does indeed love to help.
And tomorrow, we'll look at specifically how we allow the world to get control of us...
But for today, what constitutes being truly wise? Why do you think the "sea of the world" isn't wise? Or is it? How do you think God gives you wisdom?
Brent 5:34 AM
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Journals for the Journey
I've kept a journal off and on ever since I was a sophomore in high school. I'm a guy. We call them journals. Girls tend to call them diaries. But you know what I mean, right?
It's funny to look back on them now.
My sophomore year in high school there were some "big things" that happened to me, man. I got a really cool car and put lots of money into stereos and tires and wheels and the whole deal. My minimum wage job was causing me big time stress and I was looking to get a new one. And then there was Pam...
My senior year was filled with stories of baseball, a class presidency, excitement of going off to college, my Bible study thoughts and some really bad poetry about a girl named Lolly.
At college there were stories of fraternity parties and road trips and roommates and the future and some really interesting insights about this really cool girl named Tracy.
The first years of marriage chronicle struggles with "spiritual leadership" and serving my wife, the joys of being a newlywed with lots of time to just hang out together, the hopes/dreams/fears of our new ministry to teenagers.
The childrearing entries talk about the fun of having newborns, the fatigue, the excitement of watching our parents becoming grandparents as well as the mistakes I made in discipline or whatever.
Frankly, looking back over those entries make me smile. Sure, sometimes it's because things are funny or silly or times I'd forgotten about...but really they make me smile because my perspective was usually so skewed.
I mean, I've GROWN since then.
I think differently about cars.
I think differently about high school dating.
I think differently about jobs.
I think differently about college.
I think differently about fraternities.
I think differently about girls.
I think differently about my wife and marriage.
I think differently about parenting.
I think differently about ministry.
I don't write poetry at all. That's for the better.
But the point is this: I've grown and matured a bit over time. I've learned more about God. I've learned more about me. To sum it up: I've gained wisdom.
And that's what enduring "various trials" does:
"And let endurance have it's perfect result, that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:3)
That's more or less what the spiritual life is supposed to do. It's supposed to show that you're maturing.
See, there's a maturity that you can only get from living life. You can learn facts and all that, but it's in the application of those facts that you get experience. Say, a mechanic sits around all the time reading books about how to build an engine for a car. Eventually, he's going to have to take that knowledge and actually build the engine. Once built, he'll test it. It's during the test that he might find out that he forgot to tighten a clamp. Or maybe a connection to a spark plug is loose. Over time he'll learn that certain types of motor oils work better than others on new cars and others work well on new ones. He'll learn that different climates require different methods of tune-ups. But he won't get any of that from reading books. He'll only get that from experience.
And then he'll be a better mechanic. He'll save time. He won't panic. He'll learn to be more efficient...the whole deal. He'll help people, too. Maybe, as he gets older, he'll teach others, too.
And that's the value of enduring through various trials in life.
You learn.
You grow.
You teach.
And the cycle will repeat itself in your life.
It's this view of trials that helps you get through whatever the trial is in your life. Taking a long-term approach of realizing that God's at work, teaching you and giving you the things you'll need to be...
...mature.
...complete.
...lacking in nothing.
So, for today, share with us one way that you've matured since middle school! Sure, it'll sting a bit admitting how silly some of your thought processes were, but it'll also highlight the growth factor...so share away!
Brent 4:55 AM
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
A Marathon
It was one of those New Year's Resolutions that everybody makes. I was going to stick to it, though...unlike everyone else, right? "Get in shape."
See, when I was younger I was very active in sports. You name it, I played it. At least recreationally. Plus, we rode our bikes everywhere, too.
As I got more involved with sports, running, stretching and weightlifting were added, too.
Even at college, I walked to class (or rode a bike). I played every intramural sport for my fraternity and played on a couple of other teams just for fun, too. There were days when I'd play basketball at the rec center for hours...or run with a friend and we got on a weightlifting kick one summer as well.
So, a couple of years ago I decided I was going to get in shape. Serious back-when-I-was-younger shape, too. But I knew myself well enough to know that a vague plan like "work out three days a week for the rest of your life" wasn't going to get it done. Too easy to blow off one workout. I usually do better at things like this when I have a specific goal with a specific deadline.
Then my sister mentioned that she had been getting in shape for a while...her goal was to run in a marathon at some point. She said she's read a book about training for it and I figured that since I was more athletic than she was (although she did have the age advantage, being the younger sibling) I could get the same book and catch up.
The book has a simple premise that's found in the title: The Non-Runner's Guide To Finishing Your First Marathon. It was written by a college professor who offers a class on marathon training and he had all sorts of helpful hints like mental preparation and specific diet information. But that's not enough. You still have to physically run the 26.2 miles, right?
And it starts out by little work outs...like 30 minutes on a treadmill three times a week. It increases time & days for six weeks, then you're going like an hour 5 times a week, plus doing some light weightlifting.
Then the mileage starts. One mile three times a week, with a 3 mile run on Saturday.
Two miles three times a week, with a four mile run on Saturday.
Two miles four times a week, with a five mile run on Saturday.
Three miles three times a week, with a five mile run on Saturday.
Three miles four times a week, with a six mile run on Saturday.
Four miles three times a week, with a six mile run on Saturday.
And so on and so forth...until you're up to race day and running the marathon.
I couldn't believe how quickly I got to the 8 mile runs in only two months! It was little steps that added up. At the end of month three I had completed my 18 mile run!
And that's the way that it is when we want to grow in our faith. See James 1: 2--3:
"Consider it all joy my bretheren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
See, it's a cycle:
You have faith.
Your encounter various trials (see yesterday's entry).
You come through the trial.
Your faith increases and you grow.
You encounter more various trials.
Your faith increases even more and you grow more.
Your then encounter more various trials...
and so on and so forth.
The next thing you know, you've completed the 18 mile run of your faith. You've grown more than you thought you would in whatever time frame you've looked back over. Sure, while you're in it, you have all sorts of "shin splints" or a sore ankle or maybe your little pinky toenail fell off, but you still completed the mileage, right? You grew.
And faith is a lot like that. There aren't shortcuts to spirituality. Spiritual formation is, in the words of Eugene Peterson, a slow business. But...
...KNOWING...
that the testing of your faith has a REASON helps you to deal with the shin splints or ankles or toenails falling off as they're happening.
And then you're growing more than you ever thought you would.
So, for today, can you think of a time that a trial produced growth in your life? What specifically did you learn from it?
Brent 4:02 AM
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Say That Again?
I'd put a lot of time into the relationship.
I'd put a lot of emotion into the relationship.
We'd had a lot of laughs together.
We'd been there for each other through some difficult times, too.
When you think about it, we really grew up together.
And she hurt me as much as any person had ever hurt me.
She didn't mean to. Not at all. She was just becoming who she was created to be. If you asked either one of us, neither could explain exactly where things went wrong. The relationship just fell apart somehow. Someway. It had some ugly outward manifestations (that we both regretted later), but it had some inner cracks in the foundation somewhere. Over two years, somehow, someway, somewhere, we didn't do whatever it takes to make a great high school boyfriend/girlfriend thing turn into a "forever" kind of deal.
She actually did the breaking up. Cutting the yarn off the class ring...the whole deal.
All I know is that it hurt.
And, seriously, this is the advice I got: "Consider it all joy, bretheren, when you encounter various trials..." It's from James 1: 2.
See, I was involved with this small group of Christian guys. Our intent was to help sharpen each other and help each other grow in Christ...and here I am with a real life, hurt-to-the-core problem and they were throwing Bible verses out me. C'mon. Who did they think they were?
:)
See, I thought there was supposed to be some sort of Bible verse that made it clear that I could be angry and bitter and kick around and listen to awful music and say bad things about her (yes, yes, I see the irony of wanting to treat someone I loved in an unloving way...I'm just telling you how I felt at that time) and the whole nine yards.
That was the "natural" reaction.
But what this verse tells us is that we're supposed to live "supernaturally." That's topsy-turvey from the rest of the world. We're supposed to...
...CONSIDER.
Think. Ponder. Dwell. Use our noggins. This will keep us from letting our emotions control our thoughts instead of vice-versa (more on that later this week).
...IT ALL JOY...
In other words, we're supposed to find the silver lining in the dark cloud (and more on that later this week, too, especially as to "why" we're supposed to do that).
...WHEN...
Not "if." (see yesterday)
...WE ENCOUNTER VARIOUS TRIALS...
Basically, any temptation we have to avoid doing the will of God. These trials can come from within our selves or from outside circumstances. But we will encounter trials.
And when we do, we're supposed to be joyful. Of all things.
Supernatural living is the expectation, not the natural reaction.
So, for today, why do you think God would want us to live supernaturally (as I've used the phrase here) instead of naturally? How would that set us apart from the "world?"
Brent 3:37 AM
Comments:
Aaaaaand thanks for expounding on my favorite verse. Easy to read but tough to put into action I think...
Mark
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Mark
Monday, October 17, 2005
What Do Dr. Suess and Matthew 7 Have In Common?
It's an upbeat book. Most Dr. Suess books are. It's called Oh! The Places You'll Go!. Want proof?
"NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There's fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winningest winner of all.
Fame! You'll b famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV."
Sounds great, right? The book has lots of those inspirations in it.
But then Dr. Suess continues:
"Except when the don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games, too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you."
See, the book is a lot like life. Sure, in his book he's talking to graduates and how exciting it all is and all that jazz. But throughout the book he puts interludes like this in there. Things don't go right. You'll be happy to know that it turns out well in the end.
And Matthew 7: 24--27 is like that. It's at the end of the famous Sermon on the Mount...Jesus' revolutionary message. The one about the revolution not resulting in government overthrow but rather in heart overthrow. The revolution comes in our hearts and minds.
(from The Message)
"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the rivere flooded, a tornado hit--but nothing moved in that house. It was fixed to the rock.
But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."
The parallels are obvious, aren't they?
Dr. Suess: Life has it's ups and downs. You persevere in the end.
Jesus: Storms will hit both houses. Somebody's going to persevere...and it's the one who built his house on solid ground.
I heard a story one time that used the line, "You don't get hit by a train you see coming down the tracks." Well, you could, I suppose. But it would be because your own foolishness.
And the reality is that in our lives, storms are going to hit.
So, for today, why is it that so many people are unprepared for the storms?
Brent 7:04 AM
Friday, October 14, 2005
Getting Ready for class on Sunday
Just because we're off at Pine Cove doesn't mean we won't be back in time for class on Sunday night! So, in order to get ready for class, read through James 1: 2--8. Take a look at what will happen to everyone. How are we to respond? Does this seem odd? If that's how we're supposed to respond, and it's odd, then what's the purpose?
You'll also want to read Matthew 7:24--27. What happens to everyone? What two kinds of people are in the world, and how can you tell the difference?
Anyway, we'll be looking at scenes from Will Farrell comedy skits and the movie Chicken Run. We'll also have a reading from Dr. Suess, and we'll be doing something unique during worship time.
So, see you in class on Sunday night!
Brent 4:03 AM
No Saturday entry
Just a reminder...there will be no entry this Saturday...we're all off to Pine Cove camp and won't have computer access. Sorry!
Brent 4:02 AM
Back on the topic of JOY
I remember the day I got it: My acceptance letter to Auburn University.
Sure, it's a state school. Sure it's pretty much a football factory. But it's the only place I ever really wanted to go to college. My dad had gone there and he used to take me to football games and basketball games and baseball games there. It really did feel like home. I never really even prayed about it. I just knew that's where I wanted to go.
The tricky part was I opened that letter on a spring day in 1983. I wouldn't graduate until a summer day in 1984.
But I was IN. All I had to do was send in my final transcript.
So, my junior year in high school it was all settled. All I had to do was pass my classes and send them the deal and I would be a member of the Auburn Family (seriously, that's what they call it).
But my senior year had stresses and trials. Times got tough. There were classes that seemed intent on not letting me pass them (namely Algebra II & Calculus). My rehabilitation on my leg got me down. It seemed like everything was coming down at once with job and family and Christmas gifts and girlfriend and sports and it just wouldn't be worth it.
And then I could look at the letter I had tacked up on my bulletin board: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to the Auburn Universtiy Family beginning in the Fall of 1984..."
It could make me smile...just knowing that part of my future was settled could give me hope...which led to a smile...or joy...or realization that this was just a speedbump in the road. I'd be back up to full-speed soon enough.
Over the last two days, we've taken a bit of a detour to focus on the background of Psalm 132...why David was "afflicted" and how that joy turned into celebration. But let's take a look at the rest of Psalm 132 and find some more points on joy.
From verses 11 & 12:
"The Lord has sworn to David, a truth from which He will not turn back: 'Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne. If your sons will keep my covenant, and My testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever." Something that gave David comfort and joy: The promises of God.
See, David had been told by God that his kingdom would have no end. Is there a better promise for a full-time king? I can't think of one.
Now, David might not have understood what that meant, really, as far as logistics go. But he was used to that. He'd been annointed king at age 17 or so and didn't ascend to the throne for 15 years. He'd had a pretty good training ground of knowing that God's promises would come true even if he wasn't exactly sure of "how" they would.
Which would give him joy. Think about it. Times get tough. They look bleak. Pressure all around you. And just think: My kingdom will have no end.
From verses 13--16:
"For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. This is my resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy bread. Her preists also I will clothe with salvation; And her godly ones will sing aloud for joy."
The Lord chose Zion. It's always cool to be chosen...even if it's being picked to be on the team on the playground. And here, the Holy One of the Universe has chosen them.
Zion is where He wants to live. Think about that for a second. Suppose Bono from U2 chose to live in your house. You'd think that was pretty cool, too. And the Holy One of the Universe has chosen their home to live.
It's where He wants to live forever, too. Think about that one: Where do you want to retire? It's likely some dream location that you always like to go to in order to get away from it all! Maybe the mountains, maybe the beach (Zion has both). But God wants to live there forever.
He will bless her abundantly. More than enough of everything they need.
The needy won't do without. They'll get what they need.
Salvation will be the message of choice.
There will be singing and celebration.
One problem:
It's all in the future. It hasn't happened yet. Nor will it happen in David's lifetime. He's fully aware these promises will be fulfilled in future generations.
But...when the days grew long, stressful and dark...
...he knew they would happen.
...and he could think about the future.
...and he could hope and he could dream.
And this would give him joy when he needed it most.
So, for today, how does hope lead to joy? Has there been a time in your life when there was a promise of something in the future that gave you encouragement to press on because of the hope implied within it? Tell us about it!
Brent 3:39 AM
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Celebration?
I think it's safe to say we've all had that moment.
You know the one: Maybe it's in your car. Really good tune turned up real loud. You're singing all-out and then catch the person next to you watching you.
Or maybe it was in your house. Music up at full volume on the stereo. Singing into the hairbrush. Someone who had been knocking on your door finally gave up and just opened it.
Possibly it was watching a sporting event. Your team scores some important points, causing you to bust into a small victory dance. Others glance kind of sideways at you.
And, usually, we just stop. Embarrassed or whatever. We simply stop what we were doing.
For some reason, genuine, joyful celebration can get squelched.
That's what happened to David in 2 Samuel 6:
"And David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet. Then it happened as the ark of the Lord came into the city that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart. So, they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in it's place inside the tent which David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord...
...But when David reutrned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, 'How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himslef today in the eyes of his servant' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!'"
See, David had a reason to dance. If you remember from yesterday he had taken a "shortcut" in order to get the ark back to Jersusalem in time for the party. Well, he learned a lesson and arranged for the ark to brought to the city as prescribed, and, evidently, another party was planned.
And David danced.
With all his might.
Before the Lord.
In his underwear.
It was a genuine celebration. One of great joy. The ark of the Lord was coming home. If there was ever a time to have the volume up and sing along and do the victory dance, this was it.
So he did.
His wife, the former princess of the former king, and now a queen, was sitting in the car looking over at him. She was knocking on the door and caught him. She looked sideways at his celebration.
In fact, when he got home, that's exactly what she told him. "Look, David, I know what a king is supposed to act like. I grew up in the palace, for crying out loud. Your servants saw you in your little ephod dancing around. Very undistinguished for a man of your stature and and position. You looked like a fool out there. Nice work, king."
And that's what happens in Christian circles sometimes. We have a natural passion for God. We feel like singing. Loudly. We feel like dancing. We feel like clapping along. We feel like we want to tell the world how wonderful our God is...
...and then we get a sideways glance. Reminds us that we're supposed to act like grown-ups.
Ugh.
Why?
Why would anyone want to squelch joy in the Lord in the name of decorum or etiquette?
But they do.
It happens everyday.
So, for today, have you ever seen this happen? Why do you think it does? Is natural expression of joy squelched in churches across America? If so, what can be done about it?
Brent 4:57 AM
Comments:
i've seen it happen...it's happened to me before, quite a few times. and you know what? it seems to me that the best reaction is to keep on dancing. "forget about your two left feet"...dance, and have others join you. joy is to be spread, rather than squelched. why not make it contagious?
Brent, you know I always here you going on and on about how hardly anyone leaves you a comment......well as much as I talk to you this is my first time on your blog, and I'm impressed! I'll leave you a comment every week and you can hold me to that.
Yankee's Suck,
Rachel Gracey
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Yankee's Suck,
Rachel Gracey
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The Lord's Work The Lord's Way
When I was a kid we could take our bikes to the local pharmacy. We could get gum there. Baseball cards. If you were really loaded, you could even pick up an 8-track tape by your favorite band. I loaded up on Kiss and Aerosmith as soon as the grass-cutting money came in.
To get there, I'd leave my house and have to turn right on Cloudland Drive. The problem there was that Cloudland had a big hill right off the bat. And in my hometown, the hills were actually pretty big. It was a 45-degree angle for about 1/3 of a mile...no kidding...which is huge when you're that age on a bike. Of course, the payoff was pretty good because once you got to the top, you'd turn right down this service road which was a gradual downhill ride all the way to the shopping center.
But that payoff was short-lived. You always had to ride back. Long, gradual uphill climb that way up the service road. We'd actually zig-zag to get up the hill once our legs got tired.
Often, we'd decide not to go to the store because we dreaded one hill or the other.
Until Mike, the teenager next door, showed us all...
...the shortcut.
See, Cloudland and the service road actually went around this clump of trees we called "the woods." We played army back there and built forts and the whole deal.
Well, Mike showed us this pathway through the woods where if we turned left out of my driveway we could be at the store in about two minutes...not to mention that it was perfectly flat. We loved it...which increased our trips to the store. Lots of times we'd just go to hang out.
But, in retrospect the shortcut turned out to be a bad thing when you think about it. For example, we were getting less exercise. We were getting into more trouble because we were bored and just hanging out. We weren't playing sports as much because it was cooler to hang out. We were spending more money. It had all sorts of "hidden" drawbacks.
And the same is true in the spiritual life as well...as we learn from David in 2 Samuel 6.
Remember from yesterday how David wanted to build a home for the Ark after everything he'd been through on his way to the kingship?
Well, in 2 Samuel 6, we find that he'd found the Ark in a town called Baale-judah and intended to bring it back to Jerusalem. In fact, he'd arranged for a huge, joyful celebration...which was in full-swing by the time the guys who were in charge of bringing it back had gotten to it.
Well, the put it on a cart.
They had to roll it downhill.
In verse 6 we see that it almost fell over, and Uzzah tried to keep in upright.
Then God struck him dead...end of parade. End of celebration back in Jerusalem.
In verse 9 we read, "So David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, 'How can the Ark of the Lord come to me?'"
It all sounds so harsh and bizzare, right?
Not until you realize that David had taken a shortcut. See, there were, in Scripture, prescribed ways to carry and transport the Ark. Very detailed. You couldn't miss them...and generally they have to do with priests carrying it with specific poles and steps.
And David took a shortcut.
He put it on a cart. Had to get it back to Jerusalem for the celebration, right. Lot of cash put into that party and we don't have a party unless we get the Ark here...so let's just put it on a cart instead of walking six paces and resting. It's a little thing. No biggie, right?
Except, with the Lord, there are no shortcuts.
You either obey or you don't.
And, spiritual growth is a slow business. There aren't any shortcuts, and you always lose out in the end by taking them in the Spiritual life.
So, for today, what are some "shortcuts" teenagers tend to take when it comes to spiritual things? Why do they take them? What are the long-term consequences of taking those shortcuts right now?
Brent 4:45 AM
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Affliction of a Dead Dream
Dreams.
We all have had them. We all still have them.
But have you ever had a dream that you wanted more than anything and it didn't happen?
Maybe it was the big dream to play a sport professionally or make an Olympic team. Maybe it was getting the lead in a play. Maybe it was to marry that "perfect" person. Maybe it was be the lead singer & guitarist in a rock band. Maybe it was to write the Great American Novel. Maybe it was to be in a different career. Maybe it was to be editor of the yearbook. Maybe it was to get into the college of your choice. Maybe you got into the college of your choice and that college didn't turn out to be what you thought it would. Maybe it was your parents getting back together...
...I could go on and on, but you get the point. Maybe I should've said to pick your biggest disappointment in life thus far and then let you fill in your own blank.
Anyway, King David had been through a lot in his life:
He'd been anointed king as a teenager.
He'd killed Goliath and seen his popularity in Israel soar over the current king's.
He'd been on the run from the king who wanted him dead for almost a decade.
He'd almost killed a man in cold blood, only to be stopped when the man's wife reminded him that he'd be king one day and it would look bad on his record.
He'd almost had to fight for the enemy against Israel.
He'd lived while the current king was killed in battle.
He'd faught in some important military battles.
He'd become king of Israel in his early 30's.
He'd unified the nation and led it to prosperity.
He'd had his ups and downs, spiritually and personally.
And through it all he had one dream: To build a permanent home for God.
See, throughout Israel's history, the Ark of the Covenant was the seat of God. It was placed in the tabernacle, which was a tent, in a special place called the Holy of Holies. There were all sort of special rules for moving it and how often priests could enter the room it was placed in. Considering the nomadic nature of the Israelites in their history, there was never a permanent place for it to stay. In fact, during military takeovers, the enemy often took it as a spoil of war.
And David now had the time to build a permanent home for God. With the very best effort man could put forth to show his love for Him. David had the time now. The nation had the money. Everything was in place. They just needed the "go-ahead" from God.
And God told David "no."
Well, with a condition: His son Solomon would build it. Something to do with David being a warrior and a general, not a builder...but David's role would be to ensure that the resources would be put in place so when the time came, Solomon could get the job done with the very best effort man could put forth to show his love for Him.
David's heart must've been broken. It was his dream. His desire to show God how much he loved Him. And God said, "no...with one condition."
Look at how Psalm 132 describes it:
"Remember, O Lord, on David's behalf,
All his affliction;
How he swore to the Lord,
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
Surely I will not enter my house,
Nor lie on my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes,
Or slumber to my eyelids;
Until I find a place for the Lord,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."
It was so important to David that he vowed not to sleep until it got done.
Psalm 132 calls it his affliction.
Tomorrow we'll talk about how "remembering" will help us deal with those moments of deep affliction. The kind of pain that can only come from a dream coming to an end.
But for today, have you ever been told "no" by God for something you wanted? How did you feel? How did you deal with it? What advice would you give to others if it happened to them?
Brent 4:33 AM
Monday, October 10, 2005
Remember
I still remember it like it was yesterday.
It was nearly 26 years ago.
It was the day I made a deal with God.
The days before had been a blur. My dad's undexpected death. The family at the house constantly. The food. The friends saying all the wrong things. The reality that there really aren't any right things to say. The planning of the funeral. The buying of a suit I now needed, even though in my life to that point I'd never had need of a suit.
The graveside service was the clincher.
See, the funeral was one of those deals where there was a ceremony at the church first. I'm not sure I remember one single thing about that. I was sitting between my mom and Uncle Jimmy and their deep grief, expressed through tears, overwhelmed anything anybody else in that room said or did from my perspective. I'm not sure you're capapble of linear thought when you're 13 and at a funeral for your dad, anyway.
After that we got in a funeral procession and rode to the graveside. There was more talking. My mom threw some dirt on top of the casket. I'm not sure you're capable of linear thought when you're 13 and at a graveside service for your dady, anyway.
But then the officiant came down the row where my family was sitting after the service was over and said some words of comfort to each one of us. He actually said to me that God had a plan for my dad and that plan involved my dad in heaven. Then he said, "Congratulations."
Right then and there I made a deal with God: You stay on your side of the universe, I'll stay on mine and we'll have a peaceful co-existence. I won't go to church or hang out with Christians anymore and you won't have to deal with me, either. One less thing for both of us. See, if God's plan involved needing my dad in heaven, then I didn't like the plan or want to be a part of it. So, keep Your plans to Yourself.
I never doubted that God existed. I really never went through a phase of bad theology about God or doubting that He loved me. I just didn't like His plan. I certainly didn't like being congratulated for being in that plan, either. So the best thing was a separation, not a divorce.
Well, God has a long history of letting the prodigals go their own way for a while. The parable of the prodigal son is pretty much where we get that phrase from...not to mention Jonah, John the Baptist and a host of other prophets, both minor and major.
Then He shows Himself faithful and loving and gracious and merciful and all that jazz.
Which is why I find it interesting from Psalm 132:
"Remember, O Lord, on David's behalf,
All his affliction;
How he swore to the Lord,
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
Surely I will not enter my house,
Nor lie on my bed;
I will not give sleep to my eyes,
Or slumber to my eyelids;
Until I find a place for the Lord,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."
I'm intrigued by how this Psalm starts.
One word:
"Remember."
And what are we supposed to "remember?"
Affliction. Particularly David's affliction. We'll talk more about this affliction tomorrow.
But what good does it do to remember an affliction?
Think for a second.
I remember the affliction I had when I was younger. My deal with God. I remember it vividly even though it was almost 26 years ago.
And it's gone now. A stupid "deal" made by a stupid kid.
God responded, as usual, with faithfulness, lovingkindness, graciousness and abounding mercy...
...and that encourages me in my right here, right now.
So, for today, what do you need encouragement with right now? Can you think of a time when God showed Himself faithful to you in another situation? How does that help you with the situation you're in right now?
Brent 5:22 AM
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Getting ready for class tonight
In order to get prepared for class tonight, you'll want to read Psalm 132. What's the first word, and what does it signify? In order to answer that you'll want to read 1 Chronicles 28:6ff, 2 Samuel 6: 1--11 and verses 14 & 20. What does any of that have to do with joy?
Anyway, get there on time tonight as we'll have a little scene from the movie Zoolander. Class STARTS at 6:29PM and we'll see you there!
Brent 11:08 AM
Comments:
Anonymous: Actually, our middle school ministry has the highest level of staff & volunteer involvement, not the high school ministry.
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Saturday, October 08, 2005
The fair conclusions:
Last Sunday, I drew two main conclusions from the study of Psalms on Joy.
The first is that true joy comes from being in God's presence.
The second is that righteousness leads to joy.
If those things are true, then what are some ways we can be in God's presence in 2005? How do being righteous and being in God's presence connect?
Brent 8:17 AM
Friday, October 07, 2005
Wild Horses
I tend to have very bad luck whenever I go horseback riding. I don't own a horse. I don't know anyone that owns horses that would let me ride them. And now that I've put it on this blog I'm aware the one guy I do know that owns a horse won't let me ride his now that he knows I have bad luck with them.
See, I have to rent my horses. It usually happens on vacation and it looks like we'll have a good time as a family or whatever, and I go to some place that does this all day, every day, pay some money, and go riding. I mean, these horses are pretty much trained to go on whatever path I pay for and stay in a straight line.
One time when I was a kid, my cousins were in town so we took them to the local state park that provided horseback riding. My horse veered off the path and walked right into a creek about three feet deep and started drinking water. Fine. I'd wait until he finished and then we'd go. Well, being an Alabama summer, he stayed put after he finished. The guide had to come in and he still wouldn't budge. I had to jump in, get my pants wet, let the guide kick him until he got out of there...and then I had to ride all the way back to the stable with the guide leading me.
Another time, I was in Holland (of all places) and we went riding. Everything was going along fine when my horse got "spooked" by the sunlight hitting off some aluminum foil that someone had left as trash and took off running as fast as he could for about 50 yards. I was pulling on the reins as hard as I could but he was really scared. So was I. The guide chasing after me was yelling something in Dutch, which was of no use due to my high speed...and the reality that I don't know a lick of Dutch. My heart rate was up pretty good by the time the horse regained his senses and stopped.
But in each case, the little 6 inch bit and bridle was the key to solving the problem. With the bit in the horses mouth and the bridle on him, you have a certain amount of ability to get the horse to do what you want it to do. To get the horse out of the water, the trained guide simply pulled with more and more force until the horse was so uncomfortable he had to go. In the second case, the horse was getting my terrified resistance by pulling back as hard as I could. The guide later told me that's exactly what I was supposed to do...and the only way I could stop a horse that weighed 10 times as much as me.
The bit and bridle. Very subtle. Very powerful.
Like in the 2nd half of Psalm 32:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Do not be as the horse of the mule which have no understanding. Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check. Otherwise, they will not come near to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked. But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous ones, and shout for joy all you who are upright in heart."
See, God has instructions. They teach us the various paths in life we should take. And, truth be known, we choose thousands of paths everyday. God counsels us as a father who is watching a child cross the street by themselves. He gives the child certain amounts of freedom, but then he is there to really keep it from getting out of control.
Because this is true, we have a choice to make. We can follow the paths or be a 2,000 pound behemoth with the power to do what we want to do. Follow our own wishes...whether to stand in the water or bolt as fast as we want.
But the 2,000 pound behemoth forgets there is a rider. And a bit in his mouth. A trained rider will have little problem controlling a horse's actions.
Besides, it's for our own good. Our own sin has sorrows built right in. Usually those are called consequences...which could range in seriousness from throwing up to cirrosis of the liver.
But those who choose the path experience the loyal love God has for us. It's a beautiful existence, too. I've seen some pretty cool stuff on horseback, too. Very nice views on very nice days.
And the result of experiencing God's love: Joy. In this case, shouting because you have it.
So, for today, I'm wondering what you think about JOY as it's played out in your local church? What does that look like on a week-in, week-out basis?
Brent 3:42 AM
Thursday, October 06, 2005
You Can't Handle The Truth
I don't know where it came from.
It was at the dinner table one night. I just blurted out that my friend Mike had literally found two tickets to the Alabama vs. Auburn football game coming up in a few days. We were going to go and use those tickets.
He didn't find any tickets. I have no idea why I said it, either.
My parents let it go during dinner. They didn't really respond much to it. I remember that seemed odd.
Anyway, before lights out, my dad told me to be thinking about what clothes I was going to wear to the game on Saturday. Might get cold.
I don't know that I slept much that night. I tossed and turned about all the things you tend to toss and turn about when you've told a lie. I thought of other lies to cover up my lie. I wondered what I would do that Saturday to make my parents think I went to the game. I wondered how I might be able to get someone to get a program so I could show my folks I'd been there. I figured I'd better talk to Mike at school to get the story straight. One little sentence had affected pretty much my entire existence.
Then, the next morning, my Mom said, "You know, I think I'll call Mike's mom and say 'thank you' for taking you to the game and ask if there's anything she needs us to do."
Good interrogator, my Mom. I panicked. I sang like a canary. Told her the whole story.
Discipline given out, no question. I had to take my consequences. But, my mind stopped racing. The truth was out (at a cost), but I was peaceful now. More joyful. Even though I had some consequences, I could be more joyful.
And that's what David's saying in Psalm 32:
"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away, Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide: 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin."
See, one of the biggest robbers of joy (the 2nd fruit of the Spirit) is our own self. We sin against God and it has all sorts of repurcussions. Guilt feelings. It physically affects our body. It stays on our minds all through the day. It saps our emotional and physical energy.
But once we're honest with ourselves and with God...check out the freedom that follows. We admit that God is God and we're not, and experience forgiveness.
Well, that leads to joy.
Sin leads to bondage.
So, for today, can you remember a time when you felt that freedom and joy after going through something like David went through? How did the sin affect you? How did the freedom feel once you got right with God?
Brent 5:31 AM
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Can We Talk?
I'll let you in on a little secret: I have "issues" with abandonment.
Really.
I remember when I was little and I'd get separated from my mom in a grocery store of something and how that would freak me out.
One time I was supposed to meet my dad at a specific location after a football game (we'd both chosen to sit with our own friends) and I remember leaving a close game with little time left to go to the flagpole just to make sure he wouldn't go home without me.
When I was dating my "too good to be true" high school girlfriend I worried constantly that she would break up with me.
I still have this thought in my brain that my wife might up and leave me.
I have no idea why I struggled with that so much. I mean, my mom had never left me alone in a grocery store for more than about a minute. My dad always showed up when and where he was supposed to. My girlfriend, during the high school years, never gave any indication that she was unhappy in any way. My wife, during the marriage years, never has given me any indications that she's going to leave.
And then my dad died. I was 13.
I wish that I could say that I felt the love of God during that time. I wish I could say that the sense of loss was erased because of my understanding of Him and His love for me. I wish I could say that I didn't feel abandoned.
But I did.
And my feelings, like they always tend to do, lied to me.
And my feelings, like they always tend to do, follow my thoughts.
Let me use an example that is pretty common around our church: When you awaken from a nightmare, you have all sorts of feelings rambling around. Your heart rate is up. You might be shaking. Your nerves are on edge. Then your thoughts begin. You're in your room. It's just a nightmare. You just need some water and then you can go back to sleep. And then your feelings change.
Well, frankly, that's how I continue to fight my issues of abandonment.
I just replace those thoughts, when they pop into my head, with some of the words from Psalm 16 (there are others, too):
"...my flesh also will dwell securely. For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow They Holy One to undergo decay."
It's right there. It's as plain as the nose on your face...especially when that "nose" is your abandonment issue.
So, when I begin to think that somehow I'll be abandoned, I know that the Lord won't. I mean, I might have suspicions that others will leave me (and they might), but what I know is that even if everyone else around me left me (my family, my friends, my church, my teenagers, whatever), the Lord will not.
No matter if I "feel" abandoned. The reality is that we'll never be abandoned by our God.
So, for today, can you think of a time you feel like God abandoned you? How did it turn out? How did you come to realize that He didn't abandon you?
Brent 4:18 AM
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Joy: Where It Comes From, Part 1
There was this acquaintence of mine. Charlie. He was, and still is, a lawyer.
Anyway, Charlie went about his business as a lawyer in our town. He was very good at it, too. He just went to work and did whatever it was that lawyers do, and he was involved in several high profile cases on the news in my town. He was also able to score very good seats at football games.
Well, oddly enough, the state governor in our state got into some legal trouble. Not sure what it was about and not sure if he ever got convicted or whatever. But he did have to step down in the middle of his term or something like that. The details get kinda vague after a decade.
Well, a good friend of Charlie's became the governor...for something like a year or two.
Charlie got a phone call.
Charlie became the governor's Chief Advisor. Charlie was the right hand man to the governor. There was no greater power. No greater honor. No greater responsibility. It was the highest of honors.
Well, that phrase "right hand man" has a history, one we can find referenced in Psalm 16: 7--8.
"I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Bcause He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
These are the words of King David. A King who had united the fractured kingdom of Israel. The nation reached never-before seen prosperity. Military threats were eliminated. Morale was high. A king so revered that they are still waiting on one to be greater than Him. He had everything...power to wives/concubines to wealth to whatever else might impress you. He even wrote Scripture.
And note where he puts the Lord:
Continually before him. The Lord is his highest priority.
Notice where the Lord is:
At his right hand.
The position of power. The position of influence. The most trusted in the kingdom. The highest of honor.
Now, remember, we're still in our study of joy and 2nd in the list of fruit of the Spirit. And the key to joy (which we'll find out as we work our way through this Psalm) is to put the Lord continually before you.
At your "right hand."
For today, the question is, if this is so important to experiencing joy, why is it that we humans tend to be reluctant to put God in the position of power, the position of influence, the most trusted, the highest of honor? What are the things that hold us back...even if we can mouth the words but make it hard in reality?
Brent 4:29 AM
Monday, October 03, 2005
Livin' In A Van Down By The River
Chris Farley had it all.
He was a featured player on Saturday Night Live.
He made a series of movies that made a wheelbarrow full of money.
He was being compared to the great John Belushi.
He was part of American popular culture.
And then he died. The circumstances around that situation have faded, but if memory serves correctly it had something to do with drugs. Maybe alcohol. There were rumors of prostitutes. Who knows where the truth was? But definitely one of those deaths that everybody saw as tragic in the sense that somebody so talented who brought so much joy into the lives of others was wrestling with so much inner turmoil and unhappiness.
All the people who were his friends on the news made comments about that stuff. The joy on the outside, that everybody admired, didn't match how he felt personally.
And it illustrates a certain reality: People are drawn to joyful people.
So, we'll begin our study of "joy," the second in the list of fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.
Which is interesting that many non-Christians generally don't view the Christian community as joyful. We seem to have developed this reputation for being serious, staid, rigid...and...well...boring.
For today, why do you think joy is in the list of the fruit of the Spirit? Do you agree with my assertion that most non-Christians view Christians as less than joyful? Why or why not? What's the difference in acting joyful and being joyful?
Brent 7:08 AM
Comments:
Interesting..this church i have been going to is going over the fruits of the spirit as well..sunday was our joy week.
I can't always tell the difference between acting joyful and being joyful because it wouldn't seem that joy would be present in a person who is externally miserable...but i guess it is possible???
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Sunday, October 02, 2005
Getting Ready for Class Tonight
Tonight, we'll be taking a look at the 2nd fruit of the Spirit: Joy.
You'll want to read over Psalm 32 & Psalm 16. Ask yourself what is the main theme of the Psalm. Look at the actions of the writer...and then look at the results in the last verse of each one. Where do you find true joy?
Also, we'll be watching a scene from the movie "Dead Poets Society" so we'll see you at 6:30PM. Be ON TIME tonight especially since worship will be at the end tonight (you'll see why once you see the lesson). See you there!
Brent 7:40 AM
Saturday, October 01, 2005
A New Commandment
I've always been a big fan of revolutionary changes. I'm drawn to the 1960's and the civil rights movement and the social upheaval of those times. I love history and especially American history around the time of the Revolution. Even the communist revolution stuff is intriguing.
I like revolutionary ideas even when they come up in smaller ways too. For example, I'm intrigued to no end by the grass-roots ideas that are popping up in regard to the state of the American church right now. I love seeing my wife's personal changes, moving from full-time mom to highly gifted artist/photographer.
Things like that I'm drawn to...but they come at the expense of my comfort zones. Like most people I generally don't like change. So, when you move the furniture in a room in my house, I gripe about it for a week or so...only to find myself really liking the new arrangement about 8 days later.
So, can you imagine the upheaval the disciples must've felt as the events unfolded in the last part of John 13 and the early part of 14?
"When therefore he had gone out, Jesus said, 'Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, where I am going you cannot come." (verses 31--33)
Basically, Jesus was telling the disciples that God was about to glorify Himself. Now, a bit of context helps out here...This is in the last night with the disciples. They've already had dinner together to, in the disciples minds, celebrate the Passover. In Jesus' way of thinking, it was one last teachable moment.
So, he taught them that God was going to be glorified by Jesus' going away.
Can you imagine what was going through the disciples minds? Something like, "Wait a minute here. We droppped everything to follow you these last three years. We've been confused. We've been enlightened. We've seen miracles. We've seen you being chased to be killed. We've heard the teachings. We've seen the lives changed. We've seen it all. There's a Kingdom coming of which you will be King. We pretty much assumed we were going to be the revolutionaries and overthrow the government and get our own positions of power. But now...YOU'RE LEAVING?"
Then more teaching: "A new commandment I give to you, that youlove one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
A revolutionary new commandment was just given. This isn't the same old "love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself" bit. Nope, this is a fresh commandment. One that is actually fleshed out and more demanding than even that one...which was pretty darn demanding when you think about it. And now, love each other with a love for which no sacrifice is too great.
In fact, that'll be the very thing that people will measure when deciding if you follow me or not...
...whether or not you love each other.
...With a love for which no sacrifice is too great.
Not by our Bible knowledge. Not by how many hospitals we build. Not by how large our church is. Not by how many good works we do. Not by how many fish decals we put on our cars. Not by how good our arguments are in classrooms teaching evolution. Not by how many lobbyists we send to persuade governmental rulings. Nothing like that.
But rather by how much we love one another.
So, for today, I'm wondering why we don't take that teaching more seriously.
Brent 6:00 AM