Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” Matthew 16:13
Ever wonder what people are really thinking about you? Yeah, me too, but I'm not sure I really want to know. I'm afraid it might be a little ... humbling. Or even worse, accurate.
Of course, Jesus didn't have the problem you and I have: ...and [Jesus] needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:25 But He did ask, probably because He knew it was weighing upon the hearts of these, His closest companions. So they proceeded with the scuttlebutt.
Remember the classroom game called "Gossip"? Teacher would write down a short message, then whisper it in the first kid's ear, who would then whisper it to the next, who would do the same until everyone in the group had passed it on. The last kid would say aloud what he had been told and they would compare it with the original, revealing their serious lack of communication skills - or maybe their fitness for a career in TV journalism! That's kind of what it looks like happened in the public forum. Zombie John the Baptist. Reincarnated Elijah/Jeremiah. Recycled Prophets. And those were probably just the most popular theories! No telling what else was making the rounds.
But then He asked them about their opinion.
The ones who spend the most time with you know you best. They say that if you really want to get to know someone, take a trip with them. After three days in a car, you'll know more than you ever wanted to! And His disciples had been walking, talking watching, and working with Him, 24/7 for months! If there were any peccadilloes or shortcomings, this would have been a great time to bring them up, but no...
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16
I wonder if Pete had ever put it into words before. I have no doubt he'd been thinking it. No hemming. No hawing. Just blunt Truth, straight from the Father's heart to Pete's mouth. Revelation, pure and simple.
Christ - the Anointed One, specially chosen and equipped to perfectly fulfill the eternal plan of God the Father and to fill up the measure of God's prophetic word throughout the ages.
Son - in the Hebrew/Aramaic (probably the vernacular Pete was speaking in) it meant "Builder", so a Son was "building" the future for his Father.
living God - not of stone, metal, or memory, but Alive, Active, and Personal.
And Revelation like we all must come to. True Christianity is not rote religion or dusty philosophy. It's Relationship. The living God of Pete's confession is still around, still looking for worshipers in Spirit and Truth, and still revealing Himself in real and personal ways. When you get right down to it, until and unless you know Him, you're part of the speculating crowd, ignorant of the REAL Jesus. Good news, though: You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Seek Him today, He really wants you to find Him!
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Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
STAR in a Bible Study
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Kim Kardashian: "I Want to Start a Bible Study" http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/
I wasn't looking for Kim when I saw this, but it certainly caught my eye. These weren't words I ever expected to see together, and my first response was less than charitable: "Oh, she wants to STAR in a Bible Study, like she STARRED in a wedding, and STARRED in the TV show about her family, etc." But I quickly had to make use of that "second think" that I had coming. You know, "If you think that, you've got a "second think" coming!"
Truth is, if she and her friends come to the Word of God, I know it would have tremendous impact on them - and on their spheres of influence, and may be the very reason she has become so prominent in the entertainment industry, without demonstrating any talent beyond her appearance and her fame:
...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
After all, Esther - a name that means "Star" - reached a high position based pretty much on her looks, and from there God used her mightily. So, second thought now thunk!
Of course, I have known people who wanted to be the "star" of a home Bible study/cell group/church. They couldn't wait to be noticed for their erudition, education, elocution or whatever. They can't seem to hear -or heed - the warning from Jesus Himself: "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:5)
Then again, maybe more of us should be alert to this kind of pseudo-religion in our own lives! The all-too-common hypocrisy of wanting to appear pious while doing nothing about a filthy heart and mind is a pretense we can never afford. Father, guard me from selfish ambitions and fake religious activity!
But back to Kim. Go for it, girl! For when you search for God with all your heart, He will surely find you! We're praying for you now, and I for one hope you will shine like Esther and find success with eternal implications.
Kim Kardashian: "I Want to Start a Bible Study" http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/
I wasn't looking for Kim when I saw this, but it certainly caught my eye. These weren't words I ever expected to see together, and my first response was less than charitable: "Oh, she wants to STAR in a Bible Study, like she STARRED in a wedding, and STARRED in the TV show about her family, etc." But I quickly had to make use of that "second think" that I had coming. You know, "If you think that, you've got a "second think" coming!"
Truth is, if she and her friends come to the Word of God, I know it would have tremendous impact on them - and on their spheres of influence, and may be the very reason she has become so prominent in the entertainment industry, without demonstrating any talent beyond her appearance and her fame:
...And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
After all, Esther - a name that means "Star" - reached a high position based pretty much on her looks, and from there God used her mightily. So, second thought now thunk!
Of course, I have known people who wanted to be the "star" of a home Bible study/cell group/church. They couldn't wait to be noticed for their erudition, education, elocution or whatever. They can't seem to hear -or heed - the warning from Jesus Himself: "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. (Matthew 6:5)
Then again, maybe more of us should be alert to this kind of pseudo-religion in our own lives! The all-too-common hypocrisy of wanting to appear pious while doing nothing about a filthy heart and mind is a pretense we can never afford. Father, guard me from selfish ambitions and fake religious activity!
But back to Kim. Go for it, girl! For when you search for God with all your heart, He will surely find you! We're praying for you now, and I for one hope you will shine like Esther and find success with eternal implications.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Yada yada yada...
Then they cried...in their trouble, and...their distress. Psalm 107:6
Do you know what an 'ellipsis' is? Telling a story to someone who already knows some of it? Throw in a "you know", and they can supply the part they remember, sort of a shortcut. Some people use the Yiddish phrase, "yada yada yada" in the same way - it could be from the Hebrew "yada", which surprisingly enough means "you know". As in, "I went to the store for an aspirin, and yada yada yada I spent 50 bucks!" I think we ALL know how that could happen.
It works in print, too. When you are quoting someone and you don't want to use all their words - maybe they (the words) are irrelevant or inappropriate or too long - you can insert three little dots as a shortcut to show that there are words left out. This could be good or bad, depending on whether or not what's left out changes the meaning of what was said. Take that Bible verse up there at the top. If you took it at face value without further research, you might say, "Well, that makes sense. I've had a trouble or two that got me so stressed that I felt like crying."
But if that's as far as you went, you've "yada yada-ed" over some important information.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and...their distress. Psalm 107:6
See? They didn't just cry, they cried (out) to the Lord! Bet you've done that, too. I've found that even people who would have no reasonable expectation that the Lord would favor them - willful sin, outright rebellion, careless ignorance - still hope in His mercy. And you know what? That's OK, since not one of us deserves His favor but all of us need it!
But wait, there's more:
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:6
What's this? It wasn't just empty noise into a vacuum? Some One heard and acted? Why yes, He did. Matter of fact, this psalmist mentions 4 different groups who called out and found a Redeemer. You might even be in one of them, and be at the point in your life when glossing over the details won't cut it. You're ready to know.
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 107:43
So, find out for yourself, first hand. You might just be surprised at what you've "yada yada-ed" over. The best part could be in the "ellipsis" you've skipped!
Do you know what an 'ellipsis' is? Telling a story to someone who already knows some of it? Throw in a "you know", and they can supply the part they remember, sort of a shortcut. Some people use the Yiddish phrase, "yada yada yada" in the same way - it could be from the Hebrew "yada", which surprisingly enough means "you know". As in, "I went to the store for an aspirin, and yada yada yada I spent 50 bucks!" I think we ALL know how that could happen.
It works in print, too. When you are quoting someone and you don't want to use all their words - maybe they (the words) are irrelevant or inappropriate or too long - you can insert three little dots as a shortcut to show that there are words left out. This could be good or bad, depending on whether or not what's left out changes the meaning of what was said. Take that Bible verse up there at the top. If you took it at face value without further research, you might say, "Well, that makes sense. I've had a trouble or two that got me so stressed that I felt like crying."
But if that's as far as you went, you've "yada yada-ed" over some important information.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and...their distress. Psalm 107:6
See? They didn't just cry, they cried (out) to the Lord! Bet you've done that, too. I've found that even people who would have no reasonable expectation that the Lord would favor them - willful sin, outright rebellion, careless ignorance - still hope in His mercy. And you know what? That's OK, since not one of us deserves His favor but all of us need it!
But wait, there's more:
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Psalm 107:6
What's this? It wasn't just empty noise into a vacuum? Some One heard and acted? Why yes, He did. Matter of fact, this psalmist mentions 4 different groups who called out and found a Redeemer. You might even be in one of them, and be at the point in your life when glossing over the details won't cut it. You're ready to know.
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 107:43
So, find out for yourself, first hand. You might just be surprised at what you've "yada yada-ed" over. The best part could be in the "ellipsis" you've skipped!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Shaken, Not Stirred
Recognize James Bond's martini instructions? Martinis are conspicuous by their absence from my experience, so I'm not exactly sure what possible difference it could make. Stirring supposedly "bruises" the gin, whatever that means, but it did speak to me about people's reactions to disaster, tragedy, and crisis.
Terrorism and tornadoes. Hurricanes and earthquakes and economies, Oh My! In the aftermath, people turn to religion seeking comfort, order, and explanation, but for many it's just a temporary thing. Memories fade. Fervor cools. Fear subsides. Shaking calms, and we settle back to old habits and ways, separating out into "religious" and "normal", until "religious" becomes less and less important and more and more neglected.
Thankfully, not everyone follows that path. Wonder what leads some to remain immersed in their faith even while others precipitate out? Maybe it's like orange juice.
Printed on the bottle of OJ in my fridge is the familiar phrase "Shake Well Before Using". I can see that there are two layers in the bottle before I shake, a thin upper and a thicker lower. After vigorously following instructions, they get mixed together into that fruity goodness I enjoy. But no matter how vigorous - even excessive - I am with that shaking, I have to do it again the next day.
I'm not saying that people will only stay close to God if He keeps rocking their world. We couldn't stand the strain! I'm saying we need a deeper, repeated stirring.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24 -25
"Consider" - apply all our powers of thought, observation, and imagination to seek solutions
"Stir" - provoke, poke, spur (I like spur, because I always wanted to be a cowboy.)
"Love and good works" - not mere religious activity, but life-changing action
"Not neglecting to meet together" - interaction with those who share the vision of a world changing faith
"Encouraging one another" - provoking, poking, spurring, and stirring so that our momentum isn't lost
Shaking comes to all of us. Our world is disturbed by events, and we try to find peace from the storm. Maybe we'd do better to enjoy peace IN the storm - a peace that is empowered by our transformation into the "fruity goodness" of the Church Triumphant! Don't just be shaken. Stir up yourself and each other to be part of God's eternal and imminent Plan.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Albuquerque?
A Real "Hotspot"
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28
Ever been to Albuquerque? Growing up, I'd never been further west than Memphis, so when Bugs Bunny talked about making that "left toin at Albukoikee", I hardly thought of it as a real place. It was more like the "Land of Far, Far Away" in some fairy tale. When I finally went through it as an adult, it kept that fairy tale quality for me because of the stark, mountainous terrain (very different than rural Mississippi) and because we went through it so fast.
Fast forward to my kids. Sometimes, it was better they not know where we were going until we got there (dentist, doctor, playground, MickeyD's, etc.). We'd get in the car, and they'd always ask, "Where are we going, Daddy?" "Albuquerque" "No, we're not! Where are we really going?" I always had big fun with this, and would carry on with it until they started checking the landmarks and figuring it out themselves. Just recently, my daughter told me that she had never believed it was a real place herself, until she saw it on a map in school.
And I'm afraid that's the way a lot of people think about Hell. They've heard about it so many times without seeing it that they begin to think it's make-believe.
They have a hard time reconciling "God is Love" with "God is the Righteous Judge", and so they try to explain away the Scriptures that refer to Hell. So why should you and I believe in Hell?
Because Jesus believed in it.
He spoke about it like it was a real place, and He warned His followers about it, but the most compelling evidence is not in what He said, but in what He did. If there is no Hell, and no one is at risk, then the Crucifixion was the most horrible and pointless event in history. But Jesus was not a madman, nor was He a fool. He went through the agony of the Cross because He knew it had to be done, because He knew what was waiting those who came to Final Judgment. If there had been any other way, He would have found it before Gethsemane. Don't be fooled by clever words and phrases - or even best selling books by mega-church pastors. There are consequences for what we believe - and what we refuse to believe!
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matt. 7:13
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. 10:28
Ever been to Albuquerque? Growing up, I'd never been further west than Memphis, so when Bugs Bunny talked about making that "left toin at Albukoikee", I hardly thought of it as a real place. It was more like the "Land of Far, Far Away" in some fairy tale. When I finally went through it as an adult, it kept that fairy tale quality for me because of the stark, mountainous terrain (very different than rural Mississippi) and because we went through it so fast.
Fast forward to my kids. Sometimes, it was better they not know where we were going until we got there (dentist, doctor, playground, MickeyD's, etc.). We'd get in the car, and they'd always ask, "Where are we going, Daddy?" "Albuquerque" "No, we're not! Where are we really going?" I always had big fun with this, and would carry on with it until they started checking the landmarks and figuring it out themselves. Just recently, my daughter told me that she had never believed it was a real place herself, until she saw it on a map in school.
And I'm afraid that's the way a lot of people think about Hell. They've heard about it so many times without seeing it that they begin to think it's make-believe.
They have a hard time reconciling "God is Love" with "God is the Righteous Judge", and so they try to explain away the Scriptures that refer to Hell. So why should you and I believe in Hell?
Because Jesus believed in it.
He spoke about it like it was a real place, and He warned His followers about it, but the most compelling evidence is not in what He said, but in what He did. If there is no Hell, and no one is at risk, then the Crucifixion was the most horrible and pointless event in history. But Jesus was not a madman, nor was He a fool. He went through the agony of the Cross because He knew it had to be done, because He knew what was waiting those who came to Final Judgment. If there had been any other way, He would have found it before Gethsemane. Don't be fooled by clever words and phrases - or even best selling books by mega-church pastors. There are consequences for what we believe - and what we refuse to believe!
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matt. 7:13
Thursday, June 23, 2011
We Are Butt Dust
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are but dust. Psalm 103:13-14
You know how when you hear a word sometimes you think it means something different than what the speaker meant? As the pastor in his "spiritual prayer voice" quoted this verse, the little girl began to squirm and stare at the seat beside her. Then, in the kind of whisper that carries farther than a shout, she said "Mommy, what's Butt Dust?" Pretty much ended THAT service!
It occurred to me that that would be a great name for a great American product. Sadly, some bright entrepreneur beat me to the drawing board. I found a couple of barbecue dry rubs with that name, at least one baby powder, and even a rock band, so no million dollar payday for me. Maybe next time!
Carl Sagan said, "We are made of stardust..." based on the theory (his - not mine) that the stars came first, and all the elements were forged in the heart of stars that then blew up, were scattered and then regathered into planets, peanuts, penguins and people. I suppose that's more romantic (warm fuzzy thinking) than "butt dust" - not nearly as funny, though. I discovered recently that the dust found in most homes (dust "bunnies" - or in some cases more like dust "buffaloes") was found to consist mostly of people. Well, flakes of skin anyway. Reminds me of the kid who had been to a funeral - "For you are dust and to dust you shall return" - and refused to sleep in his room anymore, because "I looked under my bed, and someone's either coming or going!"
I personally prefer a fuller explanation. We really did begin as dust in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7, 3:19), but that's not where we end up: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
So - you who trust in Christ - the next time you feel like "butt dust", remind yourself "I'm not what I ought to be, I'm not what I'm going to be, but thank God I'm not what I was." And any of you who aren't in Him? Butt dust you are, and butt dust you will be!
You know how when you hear a word sometimes you think it means something different than what the speaker meant? As the pastor in his "spiritual prayer voice" quoted this verse, the little girl began to squirm and stare at the seat beside her. Then, in the kind of whisper that carries farther than a shout, she said "Mommy, what's Butt Dust?" Pretty much ended THAT service!
It occurred to me that that would be a great name for a great American product. Sadly, some bright entrepreneur beat me to the drawing board. I found a couple of barbecue dry rubs with that name, at least one baby powder, and even a rock band, so no million dollar payday for me. Maybe next time!
Carl Sagan said, "We are made of stardust..." based on the theory (his - not mine) that the stars came first, and all the elements were forged in the heart of stars that then blew up, were scattered and then regathered into planets, peanuts, penguins and people. I suppose that's more romantic (warm fuzzy thinking) than "butt dust" - not nearly as funny, though. I discovered recently that the dust found in most homes (dust "bunnies" - or in some cases more like dust "buffaloes") was found to consist mostly of people. Well, flakes of skin anyway. Reminds me of the kid who had been to a funeral - "For you are dust and to dust you shall return" - and refused to sleep in his room anymore, because "I looked under my bed, and someone's either coming or going!"
I personally prefer a fuller explanation. We really did begin as dust in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:7, 3:19), but that's not where we end up: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
So - you who trust in Christ - the next time you feel like "butt dust", remind yourself "I'm not what I ought to be, I'm not what I'm going to be, but thank God I'm not what I was." And any of you who aren't in Him? Butt dust you are, and butt dust you will be!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Castles on the Silt
And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. Matt 7:26
If you go up to northern Indiana and drive among the lakes where I used to live, you will occasionally see a house built on a small island. Usually, the only way to reach the house is by water (except when the lake is frozen). Most of them are modest cottages, meant for short stays rather than permanent residence.
But there are a few that are extravagant, and those that own them are always trying to outdo one another. One man decided to take his one-ups-man-ship to a ludicrous level by turning a cottage into a castle. What he did not know (but found out the hard way) was the island he was building on was made of muck. When the lake was being developed, they dredged out channels and swamps to make more lots accessible and piled what they dredged - silty mud, stumps, and a few rocks - into little islands. People would camp and fish on them, maybe put up a little shed for storage, and eventually a cottage.
Our castle-builder took one of those over and before you know it had a very impressive building on it that quickly began to sink into the muck. Engineers and contractors were quickly called in to try and solve the problem, but all they could do was slow it down. There was nothing under the house strong enough to serve as a foundation, so eventually that castle - if it hasn't already - will sink out of sight.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matt 7:27
How much was spent on that house? I don't know, but I know how much was lost - all of it. The price of foolishness is always high. How much of your life has been lost to the muck foundations of foolishness and sin? Build on the sure foundation of Christ Jesus and put a stop to all that waste!
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.. Matt 7:24
If you go up to northern Indiana and drive among the lakes where I used to live, you will occasionally see a house built on a small island. Usually, the only way to reach the house is by water (except when the lake is frozen). Most of them are modest cottages, meant for short stays rather than permanent residence.
But there are a few that are extravagant, and those that own them are always trying to outdo one another. One man decided to take his one-ups-man-ship to a ludicrous level by turning a cottage into a castle. What he did not know (but found out the hard way) was the island he was building on was made of muck. When the lake was being developed, they dredged out channels and swamps to make more lots accessible and piled what they dredged - silty mud, stumps, and a few rocks - into little islands. People would camp and fish on them, maybe put up a little shed for storage, and eventually a cottage.
Our castle-builder took one of those over and before you know it had a very impressive building on it that quickly began to sink into the muck. Engineers and contractors were quickly called in to try and solve the problem, but all they could do was slow it down. There was nothing under the house strong enough to serve as a foundation, so eventually that castle - if it hasn't already - will sink out of sight.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matt 7:27
How much was spent on that house? I don't know, but I know how much was lost - all of it. The price of foolishness is always high. How much of your life has been lost to the muck foundations of foolishness and sin? Build on the sure foundation of Christ Jesus and put a stop to all that waste!
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.. Matt 7:24
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