As Certain as Death

"...and had revealed to him that he would not die until..."

I like certainty.  I can handle a bit of randomness and spontaneity, but in general, I function just fine when things are certain.  However, when it comes to following Jesus, faith is required in daily living and a lot of time, it means there will be a lot of uncertainty.  I guess that is why this verse in Luke 2 stands out to me.  Would it be cool to be Simeon receiving a clear truth that will come to pass since everyone dies?

Spielbrick Films via photopin cc

Thinking back and re-reading the passage in context, I'm not too sure it was entirely cool. God is telling Simeon that he won't die until he sees the Promised One out of a prophecy from hundreds of years ago. Everyone in the culture is looking forward to this One who will fulfill the prophecy. It sounds much like stuff stories are made out of, like our present day Harry Potter, The Matrix or Star Wars. How hard would it have been to wait on this guy to show up?

The nature of knowing God's will and praying/waiting for it to happen is complicated and different for each person. It may require extreme patience or impossible things to happen before the prayer is answered. But I think the outcome is the same if we are faithful to God's process.  Simeon got to see Jesus in his lifetime and I'm sure what God is bringing to pass in your life will be true as well.

Questions that we wrestled through at our small group tonight:  What has God told you that He will totally come through on? Are you finding it hard to believing Him to bring it to pass? 

I Do Not Know God

If we insist upon trying to imagine Him, we end with an idol, made not with hands but with thoughts; and an idol of the mind is so offensive to God as an idol of the hand.  Knowledge of the Holy, Tozer, pg.8

I have followed Jesus for over 25 years now and I have taken for granted that I know God. But when I read this I am shocked back to the truth that I can not know God completely because he is far, above and beyond like anything on this earth. Anything I use as a reference will be a poor likeness of God.

I do not know God... but I want to.

In fact, I yearn to and it seems that there is a craving in each person to do so as well. They may not label is as wanting to "know God", but it may come out in other forms like craving purpose, meaning and intimacy. "The yearning to know What cannot be known, to comprehend the Incomprehensible, to touch and taste the Unapproachable, arises from the image of God in the nature of man... the soul senses its origin and longs to return to its Source." Tozer, 9.

So how can one know? Is it to read the Bible? Obey it? On its own - no.  We need Jesus. Without Jesus, there is nothing to bridge the gap that separates us from God in the first place - the reason why he is unapproachable in the first place.

But with Jesus we have access to know God. Then we can go on and do what Tozer suggests and instead of asking, "What is God like?" we should be asking "What has God disclosed about Himself that He has declared true?" Specifically, we know him by his attributes.

My plan is:

• Study God's attributes (i.e. read the rest of Tozer's book!)
• Do a word study on God's attributes as I learn about them
• Blog about each attribute
• Identify things I take God for granted for and erroneously applied to Him 

What are some suggestions that have worked to help you know God more by focusing on his attributes?

Photo by kloan

Occupiers, 1% and Proverbs 11

Photo by My Pickz

As I read Proverbs 11 this morning, I was struck how the words strike a chord with current events of today, specifically in the age of Occupiers vs. the 1%.  How much would the world be different if parties on both sides followed and lived out this chapter?

"The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights."
"Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people."
1%: You won't be facing criticism of making your money off the backs of the poor and the oppressed and be accused of using fear to get your way.

"Riches won't help on the day of judgement, but right living can save you from death."
1%: What are you doing with your riches?  Are you using it for right living?  You won't be depending on riches for happiness or fulfillment.
Occupiers: Are you aspiring for the riches the 1% has or are you working like an ant?  You won't be depending on riches for happiness or fulfillment.

"Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers."
Occupiers: Does everyone have a voice or should there be a separation of those who are wise and those who should not be listened to?  Wisdom will shine through in interviews and solutions.
1%: Are you a power hungry CEO or do you have many advisers that you listen to and consult to make great policies and lead well?  By garnering the collective wisdom of a team, you will offset your personal weaknesses.

"Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last."
"Give freely and become more wealthy, be stingy and lose everything."
1%: Who and what are you living for?  Are you leaving a legacy that will help others after you?  The bottom line will no longer just be a personal gain, but a gain for society.
Occupiers: Are you influencing the 1% to live a godly life or are you secretly want to be rich?  Develop a giving attitude early on and you will find it easier to give when you have wealth.

"Trust in your money and down you go!  But the godly flourish like leaves in spring."
All: Are we trusting in money?  Are we thinking that money will solve all our problems?  Are we striving to be more like Jesus?

I am reminded that in writing this that this is just not for two sectors of society - the 1% or the Occupiers, but for all of society - for me.  I believe that if these proverbs are followed, there will be an acceleration of the shrinking gap between rich and poor.   Society as a whole will be caring about the lives of people because they hold onto the sanctity of life.

But it will take more than just living a lifestyle - because it is evident through history that we can not do it with ideals.  This can only happen if we follow Jesus.

There are obvious many more ways to apply these verses - these are just my personal thoughts.  What do you think would the world look like if we applied Proverbs to our lives and followed Jesus' teaching?

Think Rightly About God

Photo by jardek

Where do I get my concept of God?

In reading through The Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer's first chapter, I am challenged to think about how our concept of God is being shaped.  More specifically, how is my concept of God being shaped?

In my earlier years of following Jesus, I would say the physical local church that I attended fed my concept of God with small doses of the media.  They often competed, but I came out knowing God as a friend and forgiver.  But is that who God really is?

As I have been journeying through life and (hopefully) growing in my knowledge and relationship with God, I am realizing that I usually depend on other people's opinion and teaching to inform me of who God is.  Although this is not a bad idea in itself (after all, that is what pastors do for a living - tell others about who God is and those listening should be better for it), I do need to learn about God on my own.

But why do I need to know God on my own?

"Wrong ideas about God are not only the fountain from which the polluted waters of idolatry flow; they are themselves idolatrous. The idolater simply imagines things about God and acts if they were true." Tozer

My belief in God will influence how I live and represent Him.  In the past, I didn't think much of developing my personal, right thinking of who God is.  I have realized the error in that and trusting God know Him in the right way.

My plan is:

• read the Bible regularly - God has revealed himself in his Word.  I need to read the Bible through once every 2-3 years
• James 1:17 - thank God for every good and perfect gift.  This helps me to acknowledge the truth of God's blessing and takes my relationship with God to the realm of experiencing Him
• take faith steps that rely on God (i.e. I can't do it on my own).  Again, this takes my faith to the experience realm. 

What do you do to help you think and know God rightly?

Learning a few things about grief

Today is the 2nd anniversary of Abel's passing. Last year, I learned to grieve as a parent who didn't know what to do with reoccurring grief. This year I learned to grieve in the midst of being a father to a second child. There is still a lot to learn.





A few things I pondered this year as I spent time remembering Abel:

1. The quote from Lord of the Rings kept returning to me the past 5 days - "No parent should have to bury their child" - Theoden. Normally, that would be a very sad thought to dwell on and at times it is, but I also know that Abel is heaven and that I will see him some day. As well, I am comforted that he has been spared all the evils and suffering that comes with this life.
2. Today, I spent some moments at his grave and on his grave marker is the inscription James 4:14 which reads, "How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone." I am reminded that life is short and that I have no control what comes next - much like Abel's life. The reminder has given me renewed determination to be wise with my time and not take it for granted.
3. Mischaela, my 4 1/2 month old, is an absolute joy and she is a beautiful gift to us from God. She has not replaced Abel in any way, but has given me more perspective in the grieving process. Although I know God always has given good gifts, she is a great reminder that in the midst of a world that has been messed up by us humans and sin, God brings good still into this world.
   

Church is Not for You

Truth, when heard in clear, biblical context, is beautiful - even when it may be hard to hear. My pastor laid it out to us today - church is not for the saved, the Spirit-filled, the Bible verse memorizer, the ones who know they are going to spend eternity with Jesus in heaven.

No, church is for the lost because "the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost." Often times churches are planted, continued, and programed to keep the "flock" happy. As a result, what is bred are self-centered "Christians" who seek out churches who meet their needs. And the church who does that has lost what churches are called to do in the first place - to be seekers and searchers for those who are lost - just like Jesus who sought and found Zacchaeus.

What amazed me was that my pastor then went to challenge those who are not a seeker or a searcher to find another church. I am glad to be part of this community of Christ followers.

Is your church for the lost? Is your church made of seekers and searchers of the lost? Am I/you a seeker and searcher for the lost?

Relationships

Relationships are a big thing because we are a relational type of people. Just take a quick look at your Facebook news feed - there is a fascination when someone proclaims that they are in a relationship or when their status changes to "single". Comments pour in of congratulations or sympathy...

But what is beyond establishing a relationship? How does one get to know another person?

I came across a nugget today while reading. When describing his relationship with a person that is suppose to be a close friend, he compared it to another one saying,

"Your father got along just fine didn't he? He did what was right and treated people fairly, and things went well with him. He stuck up for the down and out and things went well... Isn't this what it means to know me?"

Could this be the missing link to many failed relationships? They say opposites attract - that can be true. But to further a relationship and to go deeper is the key to understand the other person's character by living it out?

Our friends who share the love of food, amongst other things =D

Connections

I'm at awe at the way God works. I can't really express it or explain it well, but I can confidently say I understand Romans 8:28 better in light of this past year. It started with choosing Abel's name and how it connected with his birth and weight. It was comforting to know God was giving clues to us that He cared and was with us.

After Abel's memorial service, a friend asked why we read the book of Ecclesiastes to Abel the morning he passed away. I honestly don't know why. God laid the book on Deb's heart and I read it that morning. I think we both knew the essence of the book is about practical (right or wrong) observations about life, and that at the end of the matter, we need to trust God because everything will be revealed at the end.

But just this past week, I finished reading "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Fee and Stuart. Here is what I read concerning how to read the book of Ecclesiastes:

At issue ultimately in reading Ecclesiastes is to come to trems with the frequently used - and very important - word hebel ("vanity," NRSV; "meaningless," NIV; "futility," NJB), which occurs thirty-seven times in this book (out of the seventy-three of the OT). The word itself means "vapor" or "breath/wisp of air" (cf. Ps. 39:5; Prov. 31:30; Isa 57:13).

God is good.

Living Like We Live Forever

Intellectually we all know that we will die, but we do not really know it in the sense that the knowledge becomes a part of us. We do not really know it in the sense of living as though it were true. On the contrary, we tend to live as though our lives would go on forever."

Frederick Buechner

For some reason, society has a fascination with longevity and staying young. It baffles me at times because on one hand, I don't want to be here. I desire to be in heaven where things will be infinately better - but I know I'm called to be here; however short that may be.

But Buechner is right, we, as the human race, tend to live as though we live forever. I don't think we are blatant about it (i.e. we make statements like, "I live forever"), but we make life choices that assume that all that matters is in this world and that there is no life after that we invest in.

I recently came back from a visit that took me to various urban cities and was amazed at what people spend their money in. I find that I visit these places, need to prepare myself for the extravagance that hits me. Cars that cost more than my house; lavish eating; stores that sell clothes for hundreds of dollars... it makes me think I need these things myself. Whether it is just sinful coveting or thinking that I deserve it, I struggle in my mind with being materialistically content.

Profile of the Lukewarm: On Charity

I recently finished a book I picked up on a whim from the local Christian book store, "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God" by Francis Chan. Perhaps the attraction to it was the author's name - Chan. I haven't run into a Chinese author of N.American origin before.

I must say I was skeptical at first, but the book quickly won me over as Chan writes in a very straightforward way. His chapter on Profile of the Lukewarm is worth the price of the book on its own. It is written not to offend, but to spark a soul searching response in relation to Western Christianity (tradition/popular belief) versus what the Bible actually teaches. Here is one:

"LUKEWARM PEOPLE give money to charity and to the church... as long as it doesn't impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right?" Chan, 67.

This really hit home to me because the concept of giving and giving to God and the poor has been on my heart for some time. I was first convicted on my personal giving when I read C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity where he writes in his chapter, Social Morality,

"I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small... For many of us the great obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear - fear of insecurity. This must often be recognised as a temptation. Sometimes our pride also hinders our charity; we are tempted to spend more than we ought on the showy forms of generosity (tipping, hospitality) and less than we ought on those who really need our help."

Am I giving to the point where it pinches and hampers my "daily" wants? No, I don't think so. I need to. In addition, I don't think Lewis is saying that we should give to the point where there is no security, but that the fear of insecurity prevents us from giving more.

After the quote in Crazy Love, Chan lists two appropriate verses 1 Chronicles 21:24 and Luke 21:1-4. I believe giving should cost us something and, more importantly, should be of right reason and intent. It should be part of worship and Christian living which, in turn, includes surrender and sacrifice.

How does this contrast Western Christianity? Simple - an overwhelming majority don't give or only give within their means. I could quote some findings, but I think all you have to do is attend a local church and see.

Out of Context

I'm currently reading J.P Moreland's "Love Your God With All Your Mind". Here are a couple of quotes thus far that are thought provoking.

"It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity."

Frederic D. Huntington, 1890

"Once people stop believing in God, the problem is not that they will believe in nothing: rather, the problem is that they will believe anything."

J.P Moreland quoting G.K. Chesterton

Secularlism and the Church

Here is a quote from a book I am reading...

"The church is safe from vicious persecution at the hands of the secularist, as educated people have finished with stake-burning circuses and torture racks. No martyr's blood is shed in the secular west. So long as the church knows her place and remains quietly at peace on her modern reservation. Let the babes pray and sing and read their Bibles, continuing steadfastly in their intellectual retardation; the church extinction will not come by sword or pillory, but by the quiet death of irrelevance. But let the church step off the reservation, let her penetrate once more the culture of the day and the ... face of secularism will change from a benign smile to a savage snarl."

R.C. Sproul et. al

A hard hitting quote!