They say that hindsight is perfect, or hindsight is 20/20. Former British Prime minister, Margaret Thatcher made the famous quote, "The wisdom of hindsight, so useful to historians and . . . authors . . . is sadly denied to practicing politicians." Sadly, it's also denied to the average person in the street. Think about it: how many of us, given the opportunity to do something again would do it differently? Of course we all have regrets about the way we did some particular thing that didn't achieve the desired outcome. Some of those things are not all that important, and we can live with the regret. But other regrets are not so easy to live with. Especially when you live with the result right in front of you day after day.
I once read an article by a Mum whose middle aged son killed himself. She said the thing that ate him up day after day was how he had messed up his marriage, and his kids lives, and felt he had no way of undoing it. This is truly what we would call hopelessness.
I think that suicide must seem like the best option (or only option) for some who are weighed down with regrets. Hopelessness is a terrible master! Most of us have a genuine sorrow over things we've stuffed up, and feel powerless when we can't 'fix' it. It's this powerlessness that grinds us into sorrow and despair to the point where we see no other way to move on with life.
(Let me digress for a moment. The whole subject of suicide is taboo for some. I've read that some consider suicide as the unforgivable sin. In past times when cemeteries were built next to church grounds people who took their own life were sometimes not permitted to be buried in the same ground as regular folk who died of natural causes. The thought was that the taking of your own life registers too high on God's list of things that can't be forgiven. I don't pretend to be a theologian, but I don't know where this teaching is found in the Bible. Maybe the people who made these rules up didn't know what it was like to be so downtrodden with life's crap that there seemed to be no other way out but exiting. To think that God sees my hurt, and doesn't understand, and have compassion, is preposterous!)
But I have found that there is a way to move on! It's called forgiveness. There is a famous quote from Paul of Tarsus in the Bible that says, " . . but (this) one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead . . " (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
This man Paul had a whole bunch of things in his past that could have torn him apart with regret. He had ordered the death and imprisonment of many men, women, and children whose only guilt was to disagree with his religion. He did this fanatically over a period of time. But he found forgiveness. His past, and his regrets, could have crushed him with paralyzing guilt, and forced him to despair. But he found forgiveness in Jesus. At first he didn't think this could even be possible, for God to forgive him for treating His people so badly. But then he met Jesus and realized that there was nothing that he had done that couldn't be forgiven.
If you read the whole passage from Paul's letter above, you'll see that he mentions 2 things: forgiveness and forgetting. Now comes the hard part - actually forgetting your past. Here's the trick: we can't really forget the past without a lobotomy, can we? Common sense tells us that we will always be able to remember our past. So how can we be expected to do something that isn't possible to do? Here is the difference between knowing about forgiveness to experiencing it. The New Testament teaches that when we ask God to forgive our past sins and failures he deals with them permanently. Just because we remember our sins doesn't mean they're not dealt with. This is where faith comes into it; and I maintain that until you know Jesus personally you will never fully appreciate the power of forgiveness. I'm not talking about the mere knowledge of it, but the powerful ability to look our past squarely in the eye and realise that it cannot control my future. In fact, if the Bible can be trusted, it clearly teaches that God chooses to wash our sins away permanently so that nothing stands between us and all that he has for us. It teaches that Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin, to deal with it once and for all. As far as God is concerned our sins don't exist anymore! That's what the word "gospel" means - good news.
I've included a link at the bottom of this blog. It's the lyrics of a song that Don Fransisco wrote called, "Too Small a Price". It's the story of one of the criminals who was crucified alongside Jesus. It's a powerful song of forgiveness, and a second chance, even when you're at death's door.
Bye for now . . .
http://www.streetdirectory.com/lyricadvisor/song/uulffl/too_small_a_pricejoy/
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Suffering
How's this for a promise?
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
This sentence is taken from a letter written in the 1st century A.D. The letter was written by a man known as Peter the Fisherman, or Peter the Apostle of Jesus. He is also known as, 'The Apostle of hope', because he wrote this letter to encourage those Christians who were being persecuted because they believed and trusted in Jesus.
Christians were thought to be a bit simple and stupid by those who didn't share their faith. Imagine trusting a God you couldn't see, touch, or hear? Fancy putting your trust in a Saviour who actually died a criminals death on a cross? But worse than that, there was a section of the community who wouldn't tolerate this new faith that had Jesus Christ at it's centre. Insecure leaders of various religions passed laws that outlawed Christ-followers who practised their faith openly, putting them in prison, and worse. It was to these people that Peter wrote this letter in around 65 A.D. He could see that life as a Christian had become difficult for some, and had severely tried their faith and trust in God.
And so he wrote to them, " . . . trust your life to the God who created you . . . ".
Today in most of the countries of the world it isn't a crime to call yourself a Christian. But there are still many difficulties that are trying, and taxing on our faith. All of us have stories to tell. Recently I was speaking to someone who had lost their spouse to cancer 10 years ago, and is now looking at the prospect of losing 2 children to the same thing. There are financial difficulties that threaten to ruin our lives and families. Our infatuation with self-seeking, temporary pleasure is dividing families and ruining individuals lives constantly. And somewhere along the line we all suffer to some extent. Drugs, crime, accidents, bad decision making and choices, etc. If you are a Christian you will probably be affected, or know someone who is directly or indirectly affected by someone else's grief.
If you are a believer in Jesus, then this letter by Peter is written for you. If you believe that God is your creator then this letter is written for you.
Earlier in the same letter Peter writes, Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
The first thing you need to do is remember, don't be surprised by your difficulty. It doesn't mean you're going mad, or insane, or there is anything strange about you. It also means you are definitely not alone!
The second thing you need is to keep things in perspective. Again Peter writes, For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. What you are experiencing is temporary. Try to keep in mind that you are powerfully influenced by the "instant" world we live in. For example: we get impatient standing in front of a microwave oven waiting for our 2 minute meal to cook!!
Thirdly, keep doing what's right. Don't make others pay for your frustration with life. Even if you think your paying for other people's bad decisions allow your heavenly Father to work grace and graciousness into your life thru it.
Fourthly, trust your life to God . . he will never fail you. This is a big one, I know. It's one thing to see these words written down, but another thing to actually feel the powerful effect of their truth. And I believe the reason we miss out is this: You will never fully trust someone you don't know. Perhaps the reason we don't live in trust is because we don't really know the one who made the promise. Maybe you've never met him for the first time, or maybe you need to meet him again. I can't give you a formula for meeting Jesus. But you will know when he gives his invitation; it could be anywhere at anytime. That's the time to step out in trust and say yes to him. Then you will be in a position to "learn from him" (Matthew 11:29).
Keep in mind that it was God's idea to come to earth and offer forgiveness. He doesn't stand back and wait for us to get ourselves cleaned up before he accepts us. When you have the humility to admit your need, and ask forgiveness you are on the right track.
Talk soon . . . (Quotes are taken from the New Testament , 1st letter of Peter, New International Version & The Message)
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
This sentence is taken from a letter written in the 1st century A.D. The letter was written by a man known as Peter the Fisherman, or Peter the Apostle of Jesus. He is also known as, 'The Apostle of hope', because he wrote this letter to encourage those Christians who were being persecuted because they believed and trusted in Jesus.
Christians were thought to be a bit simple and stupid by those who didn't share their faith. Imagine trusting a God you couldn't see, touch, or hear? Fancy putting your trust in a Saviour who actually died a criminals death on a cross? But worse than that, there was a section of the community who wouldn't tolerate this new faith that had Jesus Christ at it's centre. Insecure leaders of various religions passed laws that outlawed Christ-followers who practised their faith openly, putting them in prison, and worse. It was to these people that Peter wrote this letter in around 65 A.D. He could see that life as a Christian had become difficult for some, and had severely tried their faith and trust in God.
And so he wrote to them, " . . . trust your life to the God who created you . . . ".
Today in most of the countries of the world it isn't a crime to call yourself a Christian. But there are still many difficulties that are trying, and taxing on our faith. All of us have stories to tell. Recently I was speaking to someone who had lost their spouse to cancer 10 years ago, and is now looking at the prospect of losing 2 children to the same thing. There are financial difficulties that threaten to ruin our lives and families. Our infatuation with self-seeking, temporary pleasure is dividing families and ruining individuals lives constantly. And somewhere along the line we all suffer to some extent. Drugs, crime, accidents, bad decision making and choices, etc. If you are a Christian you will probably be affected, or know someone who is directly or indirectly affected by someone else's grief.
If you are a believer in Jesus, then this letter by Peter is written for you. If you believe that God is your creator then this letter is written for you.
Earlier in the same letter Peter writes, Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
The first thing you need to do is remember, don't be surprised by your difficulty. It doesn't mean you're going mad, or insane, or there is anything strange about you. It also means you are definitely not alone!
The second thing you need is to keep things in perspective. Again Peter writes, For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. What you are experiencing is temporary. Try to keep in mind that you are powerfully influenced by the "instant" world we live in. For example: we get impatient standing in front of a microwave oven waiting for our 2 minute meal to cook!!
Thirdly, keep doing what's right. Don't make others pay for your frustration with life. Even if you think your paying for other people's bad decisions allow your heavenly Father to work grace and graciousness into your life thru it.
Fourthly, trust your life to God . . he will never fail you. This is a big one, I know. It's one thing to see these words written down, but another thing to actually feel the powerful effect of their truth. And I believe the reason we miss out is this: You will never fully trust someone you don't know. Perhaps the reason we don't live in trust is because we don't really know the one who made the promise. Maybe you've never met him for the first time, or maybe you need to meet him again. I can't give you a formula for meeting Jesus. But you will know when he gives his invitation; it could be anywhere at anytime. That's the time to step out in trust and say yes to him. Then you will be in a position to "learn from him" (Matthew 11:29).
Keep in mind that it was God's idea to come to earth and offer forgiveness. He doesn't stand back and wait for us to get ourselves cleaned up before he accepts us. When you have the humility to admit your need, and ask forgiveness you are on the right track.
Talk soon . . . (Quotes are taken from the New Testament , 1st letter of Peter, New International Version & The Message)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Have you ever accused God of . . . ?
You can put your own ending on this question. Maybe you've accused him of ripping your life off big time; stealing someone from you; not intervening in some tragedy; leaving you penniless, etc. The list could go on and on because we are all individuals who have different expectations of what God should do for us. It's seems there isn't some 'super mold' where God pours all humans into the same mold for creation purposes. If he did I guess we'd all look, talk, think, and act the same. But, of course, the opposite is entirely true. We look, think, talk, and act differently than others and therefore have different expectations of our heavenly father. You and I could have a face to face conversation where I tell you how God has failed me in my time of need. But you see it differently, and see how he is working out some other path in my life. That's the benefit of being able to talk things thru with someone who cares about you.
But how do you communicate with God personally? Well, we accuse him when we don't understand his work in us. That's communication, isn't it? I mean, he knows our thoughts anyway, so why not just go ahead and voice our frustrations out loud? Do we think that God will see it differently if we don't actually speak the words of accusation? Believe me, you would be in good company if you did accuse God out loud! Even the Bible records people who vented their grievances at God, and they lived to tell their story later!
It seems to me that the act of accusing God, or venting your anger at him is a sign that you believe he actually exists. I am completely in favour of this whole idea. In fact, I believe that God is in favour of it too. Think about it: Do you believe his feelings are hurt if you vent? Do you think that God is insecure when you get angry? Do you think he will vaporise you? I doubt it! He loves you too much to let a little anger get in the way of your friendship with him. Remember that it was God who visited earth 2,000 years ago, in Jesus, and died a horrible death so that your sins could be eradicated, and so that you could experience what it is to be close to him. When Jesus went back to heaven he sent his Holy Spirit so he could live with all of us, and remind us about him, and continually invite us back to him when we fail or slip. No, I don't think he is phased by our frustration.
As a father I know what it is to annoy the hell out of my children. If they come to me and tell me how frustrated they are with me, I would consider this a golden opportunity for connection with them. I would explain my reasons to them why I act a certain way, and then maybe get some feedback about how I can be a better dad (or at least less embarrassing). Unlike me, of course, God is the perfect heavenly father. He generally has a way of doing things right the first time, I believe. But the principle is still the same - he loves you and wants to show you why he is doing certain things the way he does. Just how HE communicates that to US is the subject of another blog perhaps.
Talk soon . . . .
But how do you communicate with God personally? Well, we accuse him when we don't understand his work in us. That's communication, isn't it? I mean, he knows our thoughts anyway, so why not just go ahead and voice our frustrations out loud? Do we think that God will see it differently if we don't actually speak the words of accusation? Believe me, you would be in good company if you did accuse God out loud! Even the Bible records people who vented their grievances at God, and they lived to tell their story later!
It seems to me that the act of accusing God, or venting your anger at him is a sign that you believe he actually exists. I am completely in favour of this whole idea. In fact, I believe that God is in favour of it too. Think about it: Do you believe his feelings are hurt if you vent? Do you think that God is insecure when you get angry? Do you think he will vaporise you? I doubt it! He loves you too much to let a little anger get in the way of your friendship with him. Remember that it was God who visited earth 2,000 years ago, in Jesus, and died a horrible death so that your sins could be eradicated, and so that you could experience what it is to be close to him. When Jesus went back to heaven he sent his Holy Spirit so he could live with all of us, and remind us about him, and continually invite us back to him when we fail or slip. No, I don't think he is phased by our frustration.
As a father I know what it is to annoy the hell out of my children. If they come to me and tell me how frustrated they are with me, I would consider this a golden opportunity for connection with them. I would explain my reasons to them why I act a certain way, and then maybe get some feedback about how I can be a better dad (or at least less embarrassing). Unlike me, of course, God is the perfect heavenly father. He generally has a way of doing things right the first time, I believe. But the principle is still the same - he loves you and wants to show you why he is doing certain things the way he does. Just how HE communicates that to US is the subject of another blog perhaps.
Talk soon . . . .
Monday, March 15, 2010
Where is God . . . ?
The question "Where is God?", could end a number of ways. For example: Where is God when I need him? Or, Where is God when I hurt? Where was God when that tragedy came? Where was God when I lost everything? Where is God when I'm struggling to keep my head above water? There can come a real weariness when you believe that God loves you, but you see no obvious evidence to support your faith.
There have been many books, prayers, and sermons spoken and written to try and answer these questions; and those who have suffered tragedies, and endured life's difficulties are generally the one's who know the answer to the question, and how it came to them.
Jesus made a direct invitation to those who are weary: He didn't say, 'Work harder, pray harder, be more holy, or get yourself cleaned up'. He said simply, "Come to me . . . and I'll give you rest". So, where is Jesus and where is God? If they promised to never leave my side, then where are they when I struggle?
I wonder if the very first word here may hold a clue for those who are tired and worn out? Jesus said, "Come". It seems to me that in order to 'come' to something, you may need to 'leave' something else. When our children were learning to walk we used to stand them between us and we would call to them, 'Come to daddy', or, 'Come to mummy'. But in order to come to one of us they would have to leave the other who was holding them. And that required trust!
We all have 'safe' things we're reluctant to let go of. It might be things we believe in, or perhaps a person we trust in. Maybe a religious experience, or some event in the past that you hold on to tightly. Only you will know, ultimately, just what you may need to 'leave' in order to 'Come' to Jesus.
When Jesus was 8 days old his parents brought him into the temple in Jerusalem to be blessed by the priest. Israel was a very religious nation, and their Holy books pointed to this exact time when a baby would be born, and would grow up and become their Messiah (Saviour). Of all the 1,000's of people around Jerusalem that day only 2 people would recognise that the Messiah was being carried in his parents arms right in front of them - the old priest Simeon, and another older lady named Anna. My point is this: that it may depend on what you're looking for as to whether or not you recognise that Jesus is right beside you. Most of the people of Israel at that time were looking for a powerful adult to deliver them from Rome; and they missed his entrance as a child.
As a young manager many years ago, a young girl told me off for being inconsiderate of her feelings about her work. I wasn't prepared to admit it straight away, but later I went to her and apologised for being rude and unsympathetic. I recognised that Jesus was speaking to me through her about the way I treated those who worked below me. At times my children have highlighted my ignorance and I've had to listen as Jesus has used them to enlighten me about my 'stuck in the mud' way of doing things.
If you're weary you may need to leave your busyness and go look at a waterfall, or a beautiful landscape. Maybe you need to watch your children sleeping more often to remind you that raising them is worth the effort. You may need to leave your job for a while, take a holiday, and in doing so 'Come away with Jesus'.
About 1,500 years B.C. the Old Testament records an event where a donkey talked to a man to tell him he was headed for disaster if he kept going the way he was (Numbers 22). This man was hardly expecting God to show up in the way he did, and he almost missed him.
God may be closer than you think. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to things unexpected - He just may be right in front of you. He may be speaking to you thru the person you live with. His message to you may be the red traffic light that frustrates you when you're trying to get quickly from A to B. Slow down and have another look, and another listen . . . Talk soon
There have been many books, prayers, and sermons spoken and written to try and answer these questions; and those who have suffered tragedies, and endured life's difficulties are generally the one's who know the answer to the question, and how it came to them.
Jesus made a direct invitation to those who are weary: He didn't say, 'Work harder, pray harder, be more holy, or get yourself cleaned up'. He said simply, "Come to me . . . and I'll give you rest". So, where is Jesus and where is God? If they promised to never leave my side, then where are they when I struggle?
I wonder if the very first word here may hold a clue for those who are tired and worn out? Jesus said, "Come". It seems to me that in order to 'come' to something, you may need to 'leave' something else. When our children were learning to walk we used to stand them between us and we would call to them, 'Come to daddy', or, 'Come to mummy'. But in order to come to one of us they would have to leave the other who was holding them. And that required trust!
We all have 'safe' things we're reluctant to let go of. It might be things we believe in, or perhaps a person we trust in. Maybe a religious experience, or some event in the past that you hold on to tightly. Only you will know, ultimately, just what you may need to 'leave' in order to 'Come' to Jesus.
When Jesus was 8 days old his parents brought him into the temple in Jerusalem to be blessed by the priest. Israel was a very religious nation, and their Holy books pointed to this exact time when a baby would be born, and would grow up and become their Messiah (Saviour). Of all the 1,000's of people around Jerusalem that day only 2 people would recognise that the Messiah was being carried in his parents arms right in front of them - the old priest Simeon, and another older lady named Anna. My point is this: that it may depend on what you're looking for as to whether or not you recognise that Jesus is right beside you. Most of the people of Israel at that time were looking for a powerful adult to deliver them from Rome; and they missed his entrance as a child.
As a young manager many years ago, a young girl told me off for being inconsiderate of her feelings about her work. I wasn't prepared to admit it straight away, but later I went to her and apologised for being rude and unsympathetic. I recognised that Jesus was speaking to me through her about the way I treated those who worked below me. At times my children have highlighted my ignorance and I've had to listen as Jesus has used them to enlighten me about my 'stuck in the mud' way of doing things.
If you're weary you may need to leave your busyness and go look at a waterfall, or a beautiful landscape. Maybe you need to watch your children sleeping more often to remind you that raising them is worth the effort. You may need to leave your job for a while, take a holiday, and in doing so 'Come away with Jesus'.
About 1,500 years B.C. the Old Testament records an event where a donkey talked to a man to tell him he was headed for disaster if he kept going the way he was (Numbers 22). This man was hardly expecting God to show up in the way he did, and he almost missed him.
God may be closer than you think. Ask Jesus to open your eyes to things unexpected - He just may be right in front of you. He may be speaking to you thru the person you live with. His message to you may be the red traffic light that frustrates you when you're trying to get quickly from A to B. Slow down and have another look, and another listen . . . Talk soon
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Prayer . . . for the Weary
Here in Australia I remember reciting what we call "the Lord's prayer" at school assembly (parade) every morning. I don't really think it did a lot for my spiritual development. In fact, I think it probably turned a fantastic piece of teaching by Jesus into a repetitious paragraph void of any meaning whatsoever. I think that only recently have I come to appreciate some of the real meaning and teaching behind this 'model' prayer.
Like most followers of Jesus, I've often heard advice and explanations about this prayer. But for so long I don't think I was ever really inspired by it because of the boring act of repeating this prayer from my school days. Having said that, I know there are people who feel very close to God every time they say this prayer, and that I'm sure is the whole aim of prayer.
But for me, I think God knew I wasn't wired up to learn that way. For something to become true and real to me I would have to experience some kind of 'reality', or 'revelation' about prayer or God himself. Prayer would need to be something more than reciting words over and over. I think I began to understand more about prayer when I realised the power of the first 2 words Jesus said.
"Our Father". You know, I'm sure there were a bunch of words Jesus could have used to introduce God to us. Like, 'Creator', or 'Powerful Being', or 'Lord of the Universe'. But he chose the words, Our Father.
Right at the beginning of this teaching there is Relationship. Now I'm no scholar, but I reckon that if we were to move on to Jesus next point without getting the first, I think we would be missing something important.
It seems that prayer without this relationship would be like writing a letter to someone else's loved one pretending to be them. It's a bit like reading someone else's mail - you read and understand the words, but you're just not part of it. Is it possible that we need to stop all pretense and ask ourselves, "Do I know the one I'm praying to"?
This isn't a accusing statement; I just want to be real. It doesn't matter at what depth or level you think you know God - some are just starting out on this road to friendship with Jesus, and others have been on the road a long time - what matters is honesty! Do you believe that God would want you to continue this pretend friendship, or do you think he wants us to get this right and be known to you as a loving, interested Father? If we really believe that reciting a 'list' of requests to the heavens, hoping that there is some sort of Karma going on then there is a good chance that you don't know the Father that Jesus knew. You only have to imagine yourself as a parent putting these expectations on your own kids to realise how wrong the concept is. This kind of 'praying' can only lead to ritual and weariness. I say weariness because your joy in prayer will be based on how well you perform - Did you pray the right way? Did you say the right things, in the right order? Did you spend enough time? These things are so unnatural in good family relationships; why do we think that God is different?
Jesus said, "Come to me if you're weary . . . ". Do you think he made the invitation just so he could punish you when you came to him? God loves us so much more than our lists and attempts to reach him. Human attempts to reach God are wearying and useless. He's the one who made the invitation in the first place, with just a couple of strings attached: 1. Come with simple, child-like trust; and 2. Come with honesty. Remember, God knows your failings, and yet still invites you. He also knows your true spiritual state; so why try and pretend different? Come as you are.
Talk again . . .
Like most followers of Jesus, I've often heard advice and explanations about this prayer. But for so long I don't think I was ever really inspired by it because of the boring act of repeating this prayer from my school days. Having said that, I know there are people who feel very close to God every time they say this prayer, and that I'm sure is the whole aim of prayer.
But for me, I think God knew I wasn't wired up to learn that way. For something to become true and real to me I would have to experience some kind of 'reality', or 'revelation' about prayer or God himself. Prayer would need to be something more than reciting words over and over. I think I began to understand more about prayer when I realised the power of the first 2 words Jesus said.
"Our Father". You know, I'm sure there were a bunch of words Jesus could have used to introduce God to us. Like, 'Creator', or 'Powerful Being', or 'Lord of the Universe'. But he chose the words, Our Father.
Right at the beginning of this teaching there is Relationship. Now I'm no scholar, but I reckon that if we were to move on to Jesus next point without getting the first, I think we would be missing something important.
It seems that prayer without this relationship would be like writing a letter to someone else's loved one pretending to be them. It's a bit like reading someone else's mail - you read and understand the words, but you're just not part of it. Is it possible that we need to stop all pretense and ask ourselves, "Do I know the one I'm praying to"?
This isn't a accusing statement; I just want to be real. It doesn't matter at what depth or level you think you know God - some are just starting out on this road to friendship with Jesus, and others have been on the road a long time - what matters is honesty! Do you believe that God would want you to continue this pretend friendship, or do you think he wants us to get this right and be known to you as a loving, interested Father? If we really believe that reciting a 'list' of requests to the heavens, hoping that there is some sort of Karma going on then there is a good chance that you don't know the Father that Jesus knew. You only have to imagine yourself as a parent putting these expectations on your own kids to realise how wrong the concept is. This kind of 'praying' can only lead to ritual and weariness. I say weariness because your joy in prayer will be based on how well you perform - Did you pray the right way? Did you say the right things, in the right order? Did you spend enough time? These things are so unnatural in good family relationships; why do we think that God is different?
Jesus said, "Come to me if you're weary . . . ". Do you think he made the invitation just so he could punish you when you came to him? God loves us so much more than our lists and attempts to reach him. Human attempts to reach God are wearying and useless. He's the one who made the invitation in the first place, with just a couple of strings attached: 1. Come with simple, child-like trust; and 2. Come with honesty. Remember, God knows your failings, and yet still invites you. He also knows your true spiritual state; so why try and pretend different? Come as you are.
Talk again . . .
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Seasons . . .
Seasons. This word speaks to us about change, doesn't it? One of our cities here in Oz, the city of Melbourne, is known to experience 4 seasons in the one day! Generally though, the word season refers to the change of weather and temperature over the course of a year. Things grow and flourish at certain times of the year, and at other times they dry out and die. Instead of fruit and leaves getting bigger and better, they fall off and die.
Did you ever experience a change of season in your life that came about much quicker than you expected? Possibly a death in your family; you may have lost your job at very short notice; maybe a friendship, or marriage came to a premature end, and left you floundering with questions about how and why? All of these things, and countless other experiences, could be considered SEASONS in our lives. I've heard many people say (myself included) that if you were to ask them a year ago did they think their life would look like it does now, they would have said no way!
I think seasons in our lives are as unavoidable as seaons in the weather. Things happen, times change, people change, circumstances change. The thing is, I think, is to find something that doesn't change, and hang on to it tightly. It's a bit like an anchor for a boat. Or like the cyclone rods that bolt your house to the ground. The idea is that when the weather changes - and it will change - your house hopefully will still be standing pretty close to where it was before the storm. I think that we get WEARY when we try to resist the seasons, instead of allowing them to make us stronger, or build new character and integrity in us.
Maybe one of the keys to staying strong in spite of the weather is to acknowledge that the weather will change. It's unrealistic to expect that your circumstances will remain just how you want them to forever. There are times in my own life that I've felt like I could take on the world and win every time. And there are seasons when I've experienced the kind of weariness that saps your drive and strength, and makes you just want to lie down and let life run over you. These are the times that tend to throw me out of my tree; to make me panic, and make me feel that my life as I know it is coming to an end.
This isn't a good position to be in, and opens the door to fear, and other nasties that seem to want to force me to make decisions that I might regret later on. I've heard it said that you should never make a major life decision when you are experiencing a major up OR down in your circumstances.
The Bible, in my opinion, has a bit to say about these dramas we face. We read the stories of men, and women, and entire communities who faced changing times and seasons that would alter their world as they knew it. Whether it was persecution, war, bereavement, unemployment, family breakdown, famine, and a whole bunch of other challenges, they had to face their difficulties head on to survive. And not just to survive: but to come through the trial a better person; a more gracious person; someone who has an ear for others who struggle, and a helping hand or word where possible.
I reckon the words of Jesus are at least as powerful today as when he originally spoke them:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly". (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message NT)
Jesus made this invitation because he could keep his end of the bargain. Sadly, though, we will rarely take him up on it until we've nothing else to hang on to.
Talk again soon . . .
Did you ever experience a change of season in your life that came about much quicker than you expected? Possibly a death in your family; you may have lost your job at very short notice; maybe a friendship, or marriage came to a premature end, and left you floundering with questions about how and why? All of these things, and countless other experiences, could be considered SEASONS in our lives. I've heard many people say (myself included) that if you were to ask them a year ago did they think their life would look like it does now, they would have said no way!
I think seasons in our lives are as unavoidable as seaons in the weather. Things happen, times change, people change, circumstances change. The thing is, I think, is to find something that doesn't change, and hang on to it tightly. It's a bit like an anchor for a boat. Or like the cyclone rods that bolt your house to the ground. The idea is that when the weather changes - and it will change - your house hopefully will still be standing pretty close to where it was before the storm. I think that we get WEARY when we try to resist the seasons, instead of allowing them to make us stronger, or build new character and integrity in us.
Maybe one of the keys to staying strong in spite of the weather is to acknowledge that the weather will change. It's unrealistic to expect that your circumstances will remain just how you want them to forever. There are times in my own life that I've felt like I could take on the world and win every time. And there are seasons when I've experienced the kind of weariness that saps your drive and strength, and makes you just want to lie down and let life run over you. These are the times that tend to throw me out of my tree; to make me panic, and make me feel that my life as I know it is coming to an end.
This isn't a good position to be in, and opens the door to fear, and other nasties that seem to want to force me to make decisions that I might regret later on. I've heard it said that you should never make a major life decision when you are experiencing a major up OR down in your circumstances.
The Bible, in my opinion, has a bit to say about these dramas we face. We read the stories of men, and women, and entire communities who faced changing times and seasons that would alter their world as they knew it. Whether it was persecution, war, bereavement, unemployment, family breakdown, famine, and a whole bunch of other challenges, they had to face their difficulties head on to survive. And not just to survive: but to come through the trial a better person; a more gracious person; someone who has an ear for others who struggle, and a helping hand or word where possible.
I reckon the words of Jesus are at least as powerful today as when he originally spoke them:
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly". (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message NT)
Jesus made this invitation because he could keep his end of the bargain. Sadly, though, we will rarely take him up on it until we've nothing else to hang on to.
Talk again soon . . .
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Love that won't let go . . .
I am writing these words a day after Valentine's Day, and one particular teen soap opera here in Oz has a Valentine's Day theme happening for the week, with the advertisements for the program featuring men and women at various stages of dress (and undress) apparently "in love" with each other. It makes me angry that this is served up to us as "love"! We spend our years growing up seeing and hearing from society, and Hollywood that 'love' must end up in the bedroom.
I'd like to remind us of a whole new concept of love; one that is not new, but foreign to many of us because we have had the truth kept from us by the loud voices of our culture. The voices that say, "If you really love me you'll sleep with me". Or how about, "Look at everything I've done for you! You owe me"! There is a weariness that comes from this mentality and lifestyle that forces us to settle for second best. I believe there is a love that trancends anything on earth, and it's available to us all. To get it though will cost you. It will cost you a child-like faith, and being prepared to throw out everything you thought you knew about God and love.
Most of us have seen that human love does fail. It does give up, gets divorced, gets angry, keeps records of wrong against it, etc. But let me show you another description.
Two things: 1. The Bible says God IS love. 2. The Bible gives us a very clear description of what love looks like in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
- Love is patient - Love is kind. - It doesn't envy - It doesn't boast - It isn't proud - It isn't rude - It is not self-seeking - It is not easily angered - It keeps no record of wrongs -Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth -It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
If you get the opportunity to meet an older couple who've been married for many years and still enjoy each other's company, ask them if it's the sex that has kept them together? Probably not. They will have found that real love looks for the other's interest above their own. And if this works both ways you have the basis for a very strong friendship.
How about this for a definition of what love is: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us . . . ". This comes from the Bible also (1 John 4:10), and it's like God is not interested in any other definition of what love is. He's saying that real love has nothing to do with human descriptions, but rather starts and ends with him. God's love "gave Jesus as a sacrifice for us". Right here is a clue - love gives and doesn't take. Love will prefer the other person's needs above it's own needs. Could you possibly believe that God doesn't want to take anything from you? This is a common misconception about God, that He wants you to do stuff you don't want to do; to give this up, to stop doing that, to not drink not smoke not swear, etc. This is so unfair, and is a human description of God that is incorrect, I believe.
If Love is patient, then God is patient with me.
If love isn't rude or boastful, then God isn't either.
If love doesn't keep a record of wrongs, then neither does God.
If love perseveres then God will persevere with me because he loves me.
If love never fails then His love for me will never fail.
Here's the trick: Because we are so used to seeing love fail; because we've seen love act rudely; because we have seen it act proudly, and keep a record of wrongs, we find it hard to imagine otherwise. This is where you won't get it without starting from scratch. Starting with a child's faith and acceptance. We need to be prepared to put our preconceived ideas about God and Jesus away. I'm not pretending this is easy, but I believe that it is possible. And if you feel a call within you that this is what you need to do, DO IT! Talk to God, and ask Jesus to show you the way. And then begin to take some steps toward trusting God. I can't tell you what this will involve for you, but I believe that God is closer than you think and that he is dying to meet you.
Talk soon . . .
I'd like to remind us of a whole new concept of love; one that is not new, but foreign to many of us because we have had the truth kept from us by the loud voices of our culture. The voices that say, "If you really love me you'll sleep with me". Or how about, "Look at everything I've done for you! You owe me"! There is a weariness that comes from this mentality and lifestyle that forces us to settle for second best. I believe there is a love that trancends anything on earth, and it's available to us all. To get it though will cost you. It will cost you a child-like faith, and being prepared to throw out everything you thought you knew about God and love.
Most of us have seen that human love does fail. It does give up, gets divorced, gets angry, keeps records of wrong against it, etc. But let me show you another description.
Two things: 1. The Bible says God IS love. 2. The Bible gives us a very clear description of what love looks like in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
- Love is patient - Love is kind. - It doesn't envy - It doesn't boast - It isn't proud - It isn't rude - It is not self-seeking - It is not easily angered - It keeps no record of wrongs -Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth -It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
If you get the opportunity to meet an older couple who've been married for many years and still enjoy each other's company, ask them if it's the sex that has kept them together? Probably not. They will have found that real love looks for the other's interest above their own. And if this works both ways you have the basis for a very strong friendship.
How about this for a definition of what love is: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us . . . ". This comes from the Bible also (1 John 4:10), and it's like God is not interested in any other definition of what love is. He's saying that real love has nothing to do with human descriptions, but rather starts and ends with him. God's love "gave Jesus as a sacrifice for us". Right here is a clue - love gives and doesn't take. Love will prefer the other person's needs above it's own needs. Could you possibly believe that God doesn't want to take anything from you? This is a common misconception about God, that He wants you to do stuff you don't want to do; to give this up, to stop doing that, to not drink not smoke not swear, etc. This is so unfair, and is a human description of God that is incorrect, I believe.
If Love is patient, then God is patient with me.
If love isn't rude or boastful, then God isn't either.
If love doesn't keep a record of wrongs, then neither does God.
If love perseveres then God will persevere with me because he loves me.
If love never fails then His love for me will never fail.
Here's the trick: Because we are so used to seeing love fail; because we've seen love act rudely; because we have seen it act proudly, and keep a record of wrongs, we find it hard to imagine otherwise. This is where you won't get it without starting from scratch. Starting with a child's faith and acceptance. We need to be prepared to put our preconceived ideas about God and Jesus away. I'm not pretending this is easy, but I believe that it is possible. And if you feel a call within you that this is what you need to do, DO IT! Talk to God, and ask Jesus to show you the way. And then begin to take some steps toward trusting God. I can't tell you what this will involve for you, but I believe that God is closer than you think and that he is dying to meet you.
Talk soon . . .
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