Wisdom

Have you heard the story about the Preacher who was hired to take over at the Local Baptist Church? It seems after his first sermon on Kindness the congregation was ecstatic- the Search Committee had indeed landed a fine catch. Well come the second Sunday on the job it seems for some reason the new Pastor got to the Pulpit and once again delivered exactly the same sermon on Kindness. The congregation was a little distubed, but no one quite had the courage to say anything. Well it seems that after 2 more Sundays of the same, finally the people could bear it no more and as Baptist are apt to do- They called a Deacon's Meeting to address the problem. As a result, the Chief Deacon was sent to confront the new Pastor over his lack of variety in Sermon topics. Cautiously the Deacon approached the Pastor with those classic words,"Pastor, we've been talking, and the congregation has some concerns. We are concerned that for 4 weeks now you have come to the front and delivered the same sermon week after week- Don't you have any other material?" At this point the New Pastor simply looked at the nervous Deacon and smiled as he said,"Oh yes I have plenty of other material, but I figured it would be good to wait on that until I saw some sign that you all were actually listening to my Sermon on Kindness!"

Proverbs 1:7 "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom"

Isn't this really where we seperate Wisdom from knowlege?

That is that we take what we hear seriously enough that it actually becomes transformative in our lives.

I have come to believe that Fearing God has little to do with being scared. I am not even sure respect is the best way to paraphrase the word Fear. Standing in awe of the One who made us and holds our lives in His hands is closer, but .........

I really believe Fearing God means taking Him seriously. It is the idea that as He speaks, I take what He says and put it into action in my life.

We can become great Biblical Scholars with immense knowlege and a Systematic Theology that stands as intellectual genius, but still have wisdom elude us. I think it was Oswald Chambers who suggested if we really want to know God- we will get a whole lot farther with a tiny bit of Faithful Obedience to what He has already revealed than many hours searching the mysteries of the scriptures and trying to fit them into some sort of workable systematic theology that lines up with our own notions. I may have added a bit of my own mindset there- if so- I will be sure to ask Chamber's forgiveness when I see him.

James 3:13 and 17 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life- by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom." ........

"But the wisdom that comes from Heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

Father, rise up me for true Wisdom- for knowlege of You that is transformative. Seal Your Word to my Heart and work it out through my hands. Holy Spirit be ever present in me to remind me of all that has already been revealed. Bring others into my life that will spur me on to Love and Good Works. All praise be to You my Lord Jesus for how You showed me the walking living breathing Wisdom of God. Amen

God's Great Purpose

Hey- Let's brainstorm a minute (some say for me that might look like one of those 30 second summer showers- one quick little burst then what?). Let's brainstorm about what God's Purpose for us might be-Why we are here. Some possibilities: God just wants us to be happy. We make Him happy. It all went wrong so He just wants to save us and get us to heaven. He's just playing with us- for His amusement. He wants to express His glory through us. He is using us as pawns in His great contest with the Evil one- Satan. No purpose- He just created us and set it all in motion to see what happens. Maybe we are just comic releif for His boredom. Maybe He's an ego-maniac and needs us to make Himself feel important. Maybe we are simply an outlet for His Love. Maybe it's because He is Creative at Heart and just had to express Himself. Maybe He is building something bigger and we get to be a part. In terms of how I live my life- I know what I say I believe- but which one of those ideas above would be the natural conclusion of an objective outside observor? Which one reveals the true state of my heart?

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's Purpose that prevails.

What about you- do you have children? If not, have you ever "created" or built anything? What were your motivations? Did it have anything to do with expressing who you are? Maybe that is a little of what it means to be made in His Image- That we have this inherent desire to express ourselves- To propogate our glory. There is a problem with that. It is not what we were made for. Our personal glory falls short. It can not bring us into the life we long for.

John 15: 5 Jesus said,"I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

I firmly believe we are made to be living, breathing expressions of God's Glory- that is- His Character- His Love - His Justice- His Goodness- All of who He is.

To the extent we live in that Great Purpose and advance His Great Purpose-His Kingdom- where ever He has placed us- we will live the Abundant Life Jesus Promised. I make it sound so complicated- I'm sorry Let me just put it this way- the Great Commandment

Luke 10:27 Love God- Be about Him in every possible way-This will bring us into His Great Purpose and the Life we long for.

And along with that-Do what He does. Love People- Live in Community-Knowing and Caring for those around us- much like His relationship in Father, Son and Spirit- Three in One

1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we Love one another God lives in us and His Love is made complete in us.

Father God, never let me forget who I am in You- that in You I have my being. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Be in me today- fill me to overflowing so that Your Life is expressed through even this jar of clay. Pour Ypurself through me so That I experience Your Life and it flows out to all I come in contact with. Use me to advance Your Character- Your Glory in my world. Pour Your Gospel through me- Your Love and Goodness and Grace. Help me to find my Life in all these things. Amen

Prayer- Just some Thoughts

My work place has very interesting- strange- thermostsats. I say this because sometimes they work perfectly- responding almost immediately upon adjustment, but other times.......... Well, like today when my buddy Dave came into the break room (which really was a bit warm) and went immediately to work in great earnestness trying to reset the temperature. The first thought that went through my mind and the immediate words out of my mouth were,

"You're working on that thing like you really expect to get some results."

My words oozed sarcasm.

James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

John 15:7-8 Jesus said,"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you- ask whatever you wish and it will be given you-

This is to My Father's Glory."

How many times do I approach prayer like I do those thermostats at work? You know- it works sometimes- if I hold my mouth just right- Or if I punch the buttons in just the right way- Maybe it will work this time. Maybe it will give me what I want. It can't hurt to try. Maybe the great air conditioner gods will have mercy on me this time. I suppose this is better than denying the possibility the thermostat may work...........or is it? I wonder what God must think of my prayers- Is He pleased when I come to Him looking for a little comfort- You know- like when the room is a little warm and playing with the thermostat looks like the best alternative.

Where is the Power of God in that?

How is the Father Glorified in those pissy little prayers?

Oh now, don't get me wrong- I am not one of those who believes if I pray with more fervor and tag Jesus name on the end.......... God is somehow obligated to give me what I want- No, I am more inclined to believe the Power of Prayer is not so much to manipulate God into more favorable circumstances for myself as it is about connecting with God in such a way that He changes me. Chambers calls it "Forming the Mind of Christ".

Can God change my circumstances? Absolutely Yes!

But many times He offers so much more-

He offers to give me a part in expressing His Glory-

He offers that I may become United to His Heart-

United with Him in His Purposes-

Even in all the things that are making me uncomfortable.

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, Jesus fell with His face to the ground and prayed,"My Father if it is possible may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not My Will, but Thy Will be done."

Great Father in Heaven- I do not pretend to know all that You have in mind and so this one thing I pray- Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit - bring me into Your Great purposes. Work out Your Power in my life in such a way that somehow I may have a part in expressing Your Glory- Your Character- Your Goodness- Your Love- to all those around me. Amen

Following Dad can be Dangerous!

That phrase has stuck with me for a couple of days now and I have wondered a bit about why I am so apt to feel that following Jesus is dangerous. Is it that I am not sure of the way He is taking me- Maybe I think I see a better way- Is it that I have never been where He is taking me- Is it that I have my own destinations in mind- Maybe it's because I am not certain He can he really get me where I want to go- Maybe it's because it doesn't feel like He's making the path easier- Maybe it's because I have crashed so many times before- Maybe it's because I am looking at where the rest of the Peloton is going. John 21:21-22 "What about him Lord?" Peter asked. Jesus answered," What is his life to you- You must follow Me." John 14:5-6 Lord we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, " I am the way" John 10:4 The Shepherd's sheep follow Him because they know His voice. Matthew 8:18-22 A teacher of the Law said, " I will follow You wherever You go." Jesus answered, "Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His Head." Another said, "Let me go bury my father." Jesus answered, "Let the dead bury their own dead- you follow Me." John 11: 16 Thomas said, " Let us also go (follow him to Judea) that we may die with Him." In the end following means giving up control- which is fine as long as I am in agreement with the way He is leading- Ah, but that is not really giving up control is it? The central question in Discipleship (following) comes down to this- Do I believe so strongly in the one I am following that I will go after Him forsaking all others- including my self? That is the rub- I often think I know a better way. Luke 9:23 Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The call is to set my way aside- to commit to Jesus as the Way of Life- Daily- minute by minute staying fixed on Him. Indeed a dangerous thing in this world where happiness is measured in security and bank accounts. Lord Jesus, I do believe- I will follow You- help me overcome my unbelief. Become so real in my life- as my Way of Life- that I only see you. Like You did for Peter, Lord- when he took his eyes off You and began to sink in the waves- Reach down and take hold of me when I begin to drown in my own doubts. Have mercy on me Jesus. Holy Spirit fill me with Your strength to follow My Lord Jesus. Increase my Faith in this dangerous discipleship. Amen

Birthdays (For Julie)

Happy Birthday! It is amazing to think that just those few short years ago you were simply a desire in your Mom and Dad's hearts. Ah, but take a simple yet beautiful desire........ Add a bit of Love.......... and VOILA....... You have it- One of the most wonderful lives to ever come into existence! And yet...... even before all that.............. God knew you- He purposed you - He had you in mind as a demonstration of who He is-

In you He has shown forth a bit His Glory-

His Grace- His Character- Yes even His Love and Goodness.

You have indeed been "Fearfully and Wonderfully" made. I am so glad God imagined you. John 1:12-13 Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God- Children born not of natural descent nor human decision nor a husbands will- but born of God. Another Birthday! Born Again! Born of God- His Life infused into our frailty. His substance- Even the Life of Jesus- Yes the amazing, wonderful, wild, extravagant Life and Love of Jesus birthed in us. I see it in you- I see it in people all around- even in this broken world. Maybe especially in this broken world. Thank You Father in Heaven that You have purposed us. Thank You for finding us when we were lost- for bringing us home to Yourself. Thank You for our Rebirth into Yourself. Thank You especially for Julie- the one You have made for me- The one You have brought me into union with. Thank You that we have received You. Help us to believe in Your Name more and more everyday. Help us all to live out being born of You. Amen

Following

What a great day to ride! Sure it was about 90 degrees and syrupy humid- but we were gliding down the Greenway- A paved path on the river draped with a canopy of lush green trees that provide bountiful shade for anyone wanting to get outside for a bit of exercise- even in the hotter parts of the day. Combine that with coolnes of the air rushing across my face as I pedalled easily along the way-and the icing on the cake- I was sharing the experience my daughter Rebecca.

It was almost perfect!

This particular day I thought it might be a good idea to teach Rebecca a little about drafting. The idea was she would fall in behind me about 6 inches off the back of my wheel. This would make her ride a little easier, as I broke through the wind resistance and she could hide in my slipstream. There are 2 rules for drafting that must be minded if the venture is to be successful for the person following. Stay as close as possible. If contact is lost the benefit of the leader's work is lost. Keep an intense focus on the rear wheel of the person you are following. If you become distracted you can easily run right up on the leader and take a tumble. Looking back now, the focus required may have been too much to ask of a 13 year old. Okay- so you guessed it- something else did catch my beautiful daughter's eye and in just that moment of distraction she ran right up on my rear wheel and down she went- hard. All I know was I heard the terrible sound of crashing metal on pavement and a scream of pain I never want to hear again. A beautiful day together gone terribly wrong.

Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end of our bike riding together.

Following Dad can be dangerous.

Matthew 4:19 "Come, Follow Me" Jesus said.

Galatians 5:25 " Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit".

I suspect following Jesus is alot like drafting behind the perfect pace setter. He never gets tired. He always knows the perfect pace. He clears the way for me. He stops for a drink at just the right time. He knows the best way to go. All I have to do is follow closely and keep my focus on Him. Lose contact and all of a sudden the way becomes much more difficult. Lose focus and I will go down hard. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit of the Living God, Father in Heaven- Today I will follow closely- Today I will keep my focus on You. Be powerful in me to do these things- Enable me- rise up in me for all You have in mind for me today. Father help me to learn from my past crashes- to fix my eyes on You To trust You with my way- no matter what distractions might come. Amen

Doing the Right Thing

I told a lie. It was the expedient thing to do. The people who need to know the truth know the truth. It will be compensated for. No one was hurt by it- nor will they be (I hope). If others need to know the truth I am prepared for full disclosure. The rules of the work place forced it to some extent.............. Yet still there is this nagging sense of guilt- this sense of wrong doing. I don't really know if it comes from God over a loss of integrity or my enemy the Devil attacking my sense of legalism with accusations. I do know one thing- If I had told the whole truth I would not be feeling this moral angst. So- what can I learn from this? Life is simpler when you tell the truth- when you do the right thing. The need for all the justifications- as good as they may be- simply disappears. There is a sense of real separation when I go against my conscience- separation from God. It comes even in writing this blog. The sense of connection to God in hearing what He might have me to write about is overwhelmed with a need for confession of sorts. I am humbled- I am reminded of my own inadequacy to write something like this, because of my own lack of moral integrity. There is a realization of a real need for Christian Community and accountability for encouragement to do the right thing when short cuts seem easier. It is time to let move on- Confession has been made- Repentance is real- Restitution is accounted for. It is time to move on in God's forgiveness. I will do better next time. Psalm 51 (Excerpts) Have mercy on me,O' God- According to Your unfailing Love- According to Your great compassion- Have Mercy on me. Wash away my iniquity and cleanse my sin.........You desire truth in the inner parts...... Cleanse me and I will be clean.......... Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast Spirit in me.......... Restore to me the Joy of Your Salvation and grant me a willing Spirit to sustain me- then I can show transgressors Your ways.........You do not delight in sacrifice...... but a broken and contrite spirit You will accept. Father God, move in me today for Holiness- for doing the right thing. Take me past my sin so that Your Life flows through me to all those you bring my way today. Amen