For His earthly disciples, knowing Jesus was directly comparable to knowing the great man in our illustration. The disciples were ordinary Galileans, with no special claims on the interest of Jesus. But Jesus, the rabbi who spoke with authority, the prophet who was more than a prophet, that master who evoked in them increasing awe and devotion till they could not but acknowledge him as their God, found them, called them to Himself, took them into His confidence, and enrolled them as His agents to declare to the world the kingdom of God.
...
They recognized the one who had chosen them and called them...and the sense of allegiance and privilege which this knowledge brought transformed their whole lives...
...
Jesus's way of speaking to us now is not by uttering fresh words, but rather by applying to our consciences those words of His that are recorded in the gospels, together with the rest of the biblical testimony to Himself. But knowing Jesus Christ still remains as definite a relation of personal discipleship as it was for the twelve when He was on earth. The Jesus who walks through the gospel story walks with Christians now, and knowing Him involves going with him, now as then.
...
To know Jesus is to be saved by Jesus, here and hereafter, from sin, and guilt, and death.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Packer.
J.I. Packer, Knowing God:
It's Simple.
I was having a conversation with one Ben Yerkes about poverty, being an american, what God calls us to and the desires of our hearts. [I know, pretty light topics right?] I was busy giving a bunch of excuses and arguments for all kinds of things and Yerkes kept saying, "It's simple. Why are you making it so complicated?" At one point he said, "Do you love God? Are you seeking Jesus? That's all you need". Annoyingly, he kept answering my questions with simple truth from scripture, totally desecrating my arguments. Annoyingly but thankfully.
This morning on a run I was listening to a sermon. Life was described as being built of sand on the edge of an endless ocean. Which means the tide is eventually going to role in and a wave is going to take out your life's work. To further illustrate the brevity of this life he threw out the number 25,000. That's the average number of days lived by a human. It seems like a lot, but when you think about it being all you've got, it's not. [check out those unintentional rhyming skills! yes!] I kept thinking, "Yeah!" as he elaborated this idea of making the most of our short lives. At the moment when he was wrapping up all his different points, he slowly began to explain that when faced with this slightly depressing idea of our transient time on earth we need to: "Wake up every morning and treat this day as if it is a gift you did nothing to earn...suddenly every day becomes incredibly powerful, infused with meaning, and the opportunity for joy and peace is found regardless of the circumstances. This is a call..."
And at this point I knew what he was going to say! This is a call to make disciples of all nations! A call to live radically for Christ, "making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil". [Ephesians 5:16]
Except for that's not what he said.
He continued: "This is a call to appreciate, enjoy, celebrate every moment you have in the sand because one day the sand goes away and the only thing we get to take away with us is the enjoyment..."
Wait...what?! I was liking the reminder that my life is but a vapor, etc. But the only thing we get to take with us is the enjoyment?! No! That's not it at all. In all fairness, he did say something after that phrase, that "Jesus came to help" so he threw Jesus in there but that is NOT all that we take with us! If these 25,000 days are purposed for just creating some enjoyment to take with me, I am living the wrong life. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoy life and think that God takes delight in our delight. But our greatest delight should be in HIM.
It's not about just enjoyment.
It's simple.
It's about Jesus.
This morning on a run I was listening to a sermon. Life was described as being built of sand on the edge of an endless ocean. Which means the tide is eventually going to role in and a wave is going to take out your life's work. To further illustrate the brevity of this life he threw out the number 25,000. That's the average number of days lived by a human. It seems like a lot, but when you think about it being all you've got, it's not. [check out those unintentional rhyming skills! yes!] I kept thinking, "Yeah!" as he elaborated this idea of making the most of our short lives. At the moment when he was wrapping up all his different points, he slowly began to explain that when faced with this slightly depressing idea of our transient time on earth we need to: "Wake up every morning and treat this day as if it is a gift you did nothing to earn...suddenly every day becomes incredibly powerful, infused with meaning, and the opportunity for joy and peace is found regardless of the circumstances. This is a call..."
And at this point I knew what he was going to say! This is a call to make disciples of all nations! A call to live radically for Christ, "making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil". [Ephesians 5:16]
Except for that's not what he said.
He continued: "This is a call to appreciate, enjoy, celebrate every moment you have in the sand because one day the sand goes away and the only thing we get to take away with us is the enjoyment..."
Wait...what?! I was liking the reminder that my life is but a vapor, etc. But the only thing we get to take with us is the enjoyment?! No! That's not it at all. In all fairness, he did say something after that phrase, that "Jesus came to help" so he threw Jesus in there but that is NOT all that we take with us! If these 25,000 days are purposed for just creating some enjoyment to take with me, I am living the wrong life. Don't get me wrong. I thoroughly enjoy life and think that God takes delight in our delight. But our greatest delight should be in HIM.
It's not about just enjoyment.
It's simple.
It's about Jesus.
Restored.
"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me"
This phrase has consistently made its way to my pen and into my mind over the past few years. The echos of the cynicism I contracted during my college years continue to reverberate from time to time, inhibiting the joy that comes from the knowledge of the power of salvation. The term "salvation" feels loaded to me at times. It reminds me small tracks handed out by religious fanatics and syrupy sweet evangalists reporting the number to souls they've saved.
I'm not excited about this mindset that I have, this propensity to turn cynical, but praise the Maker, this old prayer was answered while in South Africa.
I almost didn't go because we were just doing day camps this year. Play some games. Sing a few songs. Here's the gospel and a bag of chips. See ya later. Wham, bam. In and out of there in a few hours. This is the exact approach that I had grown disenchanted with-you need to earn the right to be heard! You need to have a relationship with someone before they will listen to anything about this Jesus you are so passionate about. Thankfully, God had other plans. On a run one morning whilst I was arguing with myself about whether or not I should go, God cut in and said, "What? You think I'm not powerful enough to change someone's life in an instant? Do you think that you have some magical relational power that needs to do it's work before the Holy Spirit can move in?"
Okay. Well, it didn't go exactly like that, but that's what I ended up hearing.
After that seed was planted, I decided to put the idea on my prayer card: that I would understand the power of Christ to change a child's life in an instant. And glory hallelu, I think people were praying!
We heard a lot of really hard stories. There are stories like that all over the world. But when you hear about neglect and abuse and hardship so consistently, it's difficult to take it. The beautiful part is that under circumstances were I would have most likely crumbled, there stood a bright fire. A consuming joy. A life being poured out for others. A life changed. Because of Jesus. And many of their stories told of a sudden meeting with Him, through day programs like the ones we were participating in. The restoration started here. Being reminded of the power of Christ to take something that seems hopeless and inject it with hope. With joy!
The hopelessness is the second thing that restored the joy of salvation in my heart. We witnessed so much poverty. So much injustice. Miles and miles of shacks. Hundreds of hungry, neglected children. Thousands afflicted with HIV/AIDS. And this is one area in the world. It pains me to know that this is going on all over the world. What do you do with that? It's such an immense problem, with no obvious solution. Even if we supply communities with clean water, shoes, and as many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as they could eat, that's not going to change the mindset that it's okay to rape women and children.
The only thing that can bring about that kind of change is a metamorphosis of the soul. The dying of old and the birth of a new way of living. Being washed in the blood of the lamb. Being SAVED.
"Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me"
Thursday, January 20, 2011
It's Good To Hear The "Why".
Read Deuteronomy 5 and 6
There are ten commandments in Deuteronomy 5. But Moses lays down the "greatest commandment" in chapter 6.
Deuteronomy 6:4 begins what Jewish tradition calls the Shema:
After laying down the commandments, Moses tells them a story they all know. A story that they easily forget. He reminds them of where they came from: SLAVERY, in Egypt. He reminds them that they were rescued by a Mighty Hand. Reminds them of the way God sustained them. And I love this verse [v.23]: And he brought us out from there that he might bring us in and give us the land he swore to our fathers. He's reminding them of his faithfulness. That he doesn't want his people be bound by slavery. He wants to bring them into something better.
Before Moses starts talking about the importance of obeying all the lays God just laid down, he takes a moment to remind them why. That they aren't just to obey the rules because they are rules.
Verse 6:24 "And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always that he might preserve us alive as we are on this day."
Obedience is hard. But knowing why you are being obedient, it makes it a little bit easier.
There are ten commandments in Deuteronomy 5. But Moses lays down the "greatest commandment" in chapter 6.
Deuteronomy 6:4 begins what Jewish tradition calls the Shema:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.I'm thinking about getting a tattoo on my hand...but I probably won't. Anyway, I found myself reading that over and over again. It's a greatest for the reason eh?
After laying down the commandments, Moses tells them a story they all know. A story that they easily forget. He reminds them of where they came from: SLAVERY, in Egypt. He reminds them that they were rescued by a Mighty Hand. Reminds them of the way God sustained them. And I love this verse [v.23]: And he brought us out from there that he might bring us in and give us the land he swore to our fathers. He's reminding them of his faithfulness. That he doesn't want his people be bound by slavery. He wants to bring them into something better.
Before Moses starts talking about the importance of obeying all the lays God just laid down, he takes a moment to remind them why. That they aren't just to obey the rules because they are rules.
Verse 6:24 "And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always that he might preserve us alive as we are on this day."
Obedience is hard. But knowing why you are being obedient, it makes it a little bit easier.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Holy Knuckles.
Want a punch in the face?
Read J.I. Packer's Knowing God.
Holy Smokes.
Check out what he wrote at the end of chapter two though:
Read J.I. Packer's Knowing God.
Holy Smokes.
Check out what he wrote at the end of chapter two though:
The Lord Jesus Christ is now absent from us in body, but spiritually it makes no difference; still we may find and know God through seeking and finding His company. It is those who have sought the Lord Jesus till they have found Him- for the promise is that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we shall surely find Him-who can stand before the world to testify that they have known God. -Packer, Knowing GodSee Keep Your Heart Diligently. Coincidence I've read it twice? I think not.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Keep Your Soul Diligently.
Read: Deuteronomy 1-4
I'm finally publishing something. So...what's been the hold up?
In South Africa, I often found myself so excited I thought I was going to explode, and sometimes did, while reading the end of Leviticus and the beginning of Numbers. Yes, you read that correctly. Leviticus and Numbers.* If that can light your fire, any other reading should be a piece of cake, right?
Now we come to the problem.
I haven't been reading. I am still working on why this pattern of choosing less when I know where to find more continues...but this I know: If I'm not reading, life turns selfish, boring, and grey. There's no fuel to keep the fire burning and it just dies out, leaving a pile of ugly burnt junk. Clearly illustrating how living and active the Word really is. It's a double edged sword, cutting through the crap I often find myself sitting in. [Now I took some liberty in translating that verse but the real thing is Hebrews 4:12]
This morning, I hopped back on the good ol' chronological reading of the bible train.** Partly an avoidance strategy for studying [not much has changed since college] and well, because I've gotten comfy in a smelly pile as of late.
Moses:
There are certain passages of scripture I always feel are less then poetic. Not this. This here is absolutely lovely. But more than the beauty of this writing struck me.
I don't want to forget. The four weeks I spent in South Africa were rich and full. I feel as though my eyes did indeed see much. I want them to stay in my heart all the days of my life. One thing among many, being the joy that comes from knowing God through his story, his promises, his words. In order to do that, I need to "keep my soul diligently." Um hello? READ MORE! Continue to stoke the fire for heavens to betsy! [I have NO IDEA what that phrase means...but I love it.] And I don't have children-but I can tell some other kids, throw some adults in there too. God wants Moses to "Gather his people" so that they can HEAR His WORDS. So let's gather together and listen.
And I love the description of the mountain burning with fire to the heart of heaven-it's beautiful and scary and the same time.
Moses goes onto describe about how stupid idolatry is and how "God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" [4:24] and if they choose to worship anything other than the one true God he's going to throw them out of the promised land, where they can worship their little statues of wood and stone. But there is a different plan if they choose Him:
[I'm thinking of Christmas Vacation when after a passionate...er...description of his boss, Chevy Chase finishes with a deep breath and a "hallelujah", "explitive", "where's the tylenol?" I mean, it's just a bit different here...but I'm feeling the same kind of zeal after reading that.]
This brings me such courage and comfort. He's not going to leave you hanging. And in the same breath you've got to search. It's not passive. It's an active relationship.
The thing I was thinking about after reading this is that God wants the Israelites to reach the promise land. He wants to give it to them. In the old testament He's trying everything he can to bless them but it seems like they just keep screwing it up. Things to think about...
And so concludes my first, of hopefully many, installments of a journey through God's story in written form. It's scattered. Random. And probably doesn't have a lot of theological legitimacy. But it added a little fuel to the fire here, and that's worth rambling about.
*The Hebrew name for "Numbers" was actually "In the Wilderness" and I think would get a lot more readers if we would have kept it that way. I mean the census part is just a small part of the book. It's like changing the name of the book/movie "Into the Wild" to "Daily Account" or something. Boooring.
**I've fallen of this train several times over the past few years and find myself just starting over because I've forgotten where I left off and how I got there. Here's to hoping I can stay on the wagon this time...
I'm finally publishing something. So...what's been the hold up?
In South Africa, I often found myself so excited I thought I was going to explode, and sometimes did, while reading the end of Leviticus and the beginning of Numbers. Yes, you read that correctly. Leviticus and Numbers.* If that can light your fire, any other reading should be a piece of cake, right?
Now we come to the problem.
I haven't been reading. I am still working on why this pattern of choosing less when I know where to find more continues...but this I know: If I'm not reading, life turns selfish, boring, and grey. There's no fuel to keep the fire burning and it just dies out, leaving a pile of ugly burnt junk. Clearly illustrating how living and active the Word really is. It's a double edged sword, cutting through the crap I often find myself sitting in. [Now I took some liberty in translating that verse but the real thing is Hebrews 4:12]
This morning, I hopped back on the good ol' chronological reading of the bible train.** Partly an avoidance strategy for studying [not much has changed since college] and well, because I've gotten comfy in a smelly pile as of late.
Moses:
"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children-how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God and Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud and gloom. Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice..."
There are certain passages of scripture I always feel are less then poetic. Not this. This here is absolutely lovely. But more than the beauty of this writing struck me.
I don't want to forget. The four weeks I spent in South Africa were rich and full. I feel as though my eyes did indeed see much. I want them to stay in my heart all the days of my life. One thing among many, being the joy that comes from knowing God through his story, his promises, his words. In order to do that, I need to "keep my soul diligently." Um hello? READ MORE! Continue to stoke the fire for heavens to betsy! [I have NO IDEA what that phrase means...but I love it.] And I don't have children-but I can tell some other kids, throw some adults in there too. God wants Moses to "Gather his people" so that they can HEAR His WORDS. So let's gather together and listen.
And I love the description of the mountain burning with fire to the heart of heaven-it's beautiful and scary and the same time.
"'Course he isn't safe, but he's good." -Lewis, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Moses goes onto describe about how stupid idolatry is and how "God is a consuming fire, a jealous God" [4:24] and if they choose to worship anything other than the one true God he's going to throw them out of the promised land, where they can worship their little statues of wood and stone. But there is a different plan if they choose Him:
"But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice. For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them."Hallelujah!
[I'm thinking of Christmas Vacation when after a passionate...er...description of his boss, Chevy Chase finishes with a deep breath and a "hallelujah", "explitive", "where's the tylenol?" I mean, it's just a bit different here...but I'm feeling the same kind of zeal after reading that.]
This brings me such courage and comfort. He's not going to leave you hanging. And in the same breath you've got to search. It's not passive. It's an active relationship.
The thing I was thinking about after reading this is that God wants the Israelites to reach the promise land. He wants to give it to them. In the old testament He's trying everything he can to bless them but it seems like they just keep screwing it up. Things to think about...
And so concludes my first, of hopefully many, installments of a journey through God's story in written form. It's scattered. Random. And probably doesn't have a lot of theological legitimacy. But it added a little fuel to the fire here, and that's worth rambling about.
*The Hebrew name for "Numbers" was actually "In the Wilderness" and I think would get a lot more readers if we would have kept it that way. I mean the census part is just a small part of the book. It's like changing the name of the book/movie "Into the Wild" to "Daily Account" or something. Boooring.
**I've fallen of this train several times over the past few years and find myself just starting over because I've forgotten where I left off and how I got there. Here's to hoping I can stay on the wagon this time...
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Blog Formerly Known As...
...Prince?
No, actually it was Pedestrian Adventures. Which I always thought was clever as it began when I was walking the streets of Grand Rapids, Michigan a ton. But I must say, despite my pride in it's name, I have felt angst about having a blog from the beginning.
I mean really, who wants to hear about my random thoughts? Seriously, there are millions of blogs out there, and better writers, and you could be reading them. Now, I'm not soliciting compliments so don't write comments below arguing with me, I'm just trying to explain my indecisiveness when it comes to being a blog writer. And why there is new name at the top of this page. I've had people comment on how what I've written has encouraged them which is what has kept me holding on for this long. And the fact that writing is really, really healthy for me. And yet, I'm uneasy.
However, I believe, in the infancy of this New Year I have figured out the solution to this problem. I'm going to keep writing. Hopefully a lot. But I'm going to keep most of my writing to my journal. I'm better when I'm honest, and I'm more brutal when I'm working it out with a pen and paper.
In the virtual realm, with help in discernment from a new friend, I'm going to take a more focused approached. Which brings me to the reason for the new title. I'm going to try to bring some'Sunday' to this little blog. Sharing the discoveries made while studying. Throw in a song or two that has caused me to worship. I haven't totally figured it all out yet. And I mean, I guess parts of my life will come up because I'm writing it. But I'm going to try and keep 'me' out of it and make an effort to bring the things the are encouraging me or making me think, worship, serve, love, rest and praise more fully.
I'm not sure exactly what this is going to look like. But I hope we both learn a little something in the process.
[check out the 'about me' section at the bottom of the page. there's a bit more there about this.]
No, actually it was Pedestrian Adventures. Which I always thought was clever as it began when I was walking the streets of Grand Rapids, Michigan a ton. But I must say, despite my pride in it's name, I have felt angst about having a blog from the beginning.
I mean really, who wants to hear about my random thoughts? Seriously, there are millions of blogs out there, and better writers, and you could be reading them. Now, I'm not soliciting compliments so don't write comments below arguing with me, I'm just trying to explain my indecisiveness when it comes to being a blog writer. And why there is new name at the top of this page. I've had people comment on how what I've written has encouraged them which is what has kept me holding on for this long. And the fact that writing is really, really healthy for me. And yet, I'm uneasy.
However, I believe, in the infancy of this New Year I have figured out the solution to this problem. I'm going to keep writing. Hopefully a lot. But I'm going to keep most of my writing to my journal. I'm better when I'm honest, and I'm more brutal when I'm working it out with a pen and paper.
In the virtual realm, with help in discernment from a new friend, I'm going to take a more focused approached. Which brings me to the reason for the new title. I'm going to try to bring some'Sunday' to this little blog. Sharing the discoveries made while studying. Throw in a song or two that has caused me to worship. I haven't totally figured it all out yet. And I mean, I guess parts of my life will come up because I'm writing it. But I'm going to try and keep 'me' out of it and make an effort to bring the things the are encouraging me or making me think, worship, serve, love, rest and praise more fully.
I'm not sure exactly what this is going to look like. But I hope we both learn a little something in the process.
[check out the 'about me' section at the bottom of the page. there's a bit more there about this.]
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