Remember the classic chorus God is So Good?
God is so good,
God is so good,
God is so good,
He’s so good to me!
Why sing it?
This song helps us understand some of the dynamics of life within God’s kingdom. In order to have a kingdom you obviously have to have a king. Our King, the One in charge and ruling over us, is that good King we sing about in God is So Good. I love the response of Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when the children ask him if the Lion (Aslan, which represents Christ) is safe. Mr. Beaver tells the children, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” How do we know He is good? Because He has revealed it to us through revelation. We have general revelation (e.g., the order of nature) which points toward a Creator and we also have special revelation (e.g., the Word and Jesus).
Through revelation we come to know Him. Through revelation the psalmist of Psalm 139 came to know God. How do we know that? You can tell there is a personal relationship between the two by the vocabulary used in this Psalm (e.g., You have searched me and you know me (v.1), always there for me (vv.7-12), intimately involved in my life (vv.13-18), I’m loyal toYou (19-24), and I offer myself up to You (vv.23-24)). The fruit of this relationship is that the psalmist’s eyes are open to the kingdom of God. His eyes are open to the unseen world.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Change I can believe in!
No, this isn’t a post about Obama’s campaign slogan. You hear and see enough of that these days that you’ll probably think something is wrong when the yard signs and TV ads come to an end in November. No, this is a post about facing change and believing in it. I don’t normally like to write too much in regards to personal matters, but I decided to face a fear and do something a little different. Anyways, getting a story out in the open can be therapeutic, you know?
My wife and I found out recently that our daughter is far-sighted (means she can’t see things up close). She is one and half years old and now has to wear glasses. Initially, I was bothered by the whole thing. I was irritated, even a little angry at God, over this. I was asking under my breath, “Why should a kid so young have to wear glasses?”, or “There’s no way she’ll keep those things on!”
It was change. Change I didn’t like. Change I didn’t want to like.
Seeing her in glasses for the first time was challenging. They changed her whole appearance. She wasn’t the same looking little girl I was used to looking at. Feelings of unfairness and frustration boiled to the top. This was such an injustice. To top it off, we had to hold our daughter down, and force the glasses onto her tiny head; all the while she screamed and cried. It was just too much. Before I knew it, I was praying Psalm 143,
O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
(Psalm 143:1 NIV)
If only God would touch her and heal her so she wouldn’t have to wear glasses anymore. That was my idea of how God could hear my prayer and come to my relief. Somehow God was able to help me see the bigger picture. This was about helping my daughter live a better life. God is not going to heal her, not that He can’t or won’t, but that is not the change He is bringing about in all of this. Actually, now that I think about it, in a way God did heal her by giving her glasses. She can see now. Apparently she can see pretty well too with them on, because she is now to the point where she lets us put the glasses on her. She has also been looking in between her toes for toe jam. I guess she can see that now and wants to take care of it herself. The glasses are working and I believe in them. The glasses did change her appearance, but for the better. She’s a cutie!
The glasses also changed me. They unmasked selfishness in my prayers and behavior, which led to the discovery of selfishness in my heart. This led to me praying verse 2 of Psalm 143,
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
(Psalm 143:2 NIV)
My wife and I found out recently that our daughter is far-sighted (means she can’t see things up close). She is one and half years old and now has to wear glasses. Initially, I was bothered by the whole thing. I was irritated, even a little angry at God, over this. I was asking under my breath, “Why should a kid so young have to wear glasses?”, or “There’s no way she’ll keep those things on!”
It was change. Change I didn’t like. Change I didn’t want to like.
Seeing her in glasses for the first time was challenging. They changed her whole appearance. She wasn’t the same looking little girl I was used to looking at. Feelings of unfairness and frustration boiled to the top. This was such an injustice. To top it off, we had to hold our daughter down, and force the glasses onto her tiny head; all the while she screamed and cried. It was just too much. Before I knew it, I was praying Psalm 143,
O LORD, hear my prayer,
listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
come to my relief.
(Psalm 143:1 NIV)
If only God would touch her and heal her so she wouldn’t have to wear glasses anymore. That was my idea of how God could hear my prayer and come to my relief. Somehow God was able to help me see the bigger picture. This was about helping my daughter live a better life. God is not going to heal her, not that He can’t or won’t, but that is not the change He is bringing about in all of this. Actually, now that I think about it, in a way God did heal her by giving her glasses. She can see now. Apparently she can see pretty well too with them on, because she is now to the point where she lets us put the glasses on her. She has also been looking in between her toes for toe jam. I guess she can see that now and wants to take care of it herself. The glasses are working and I believe in them. The glasses did change her appearance, but for the better. She’s a cutie!
The glasses also changed me. They unmasked selfishness in my prayers and behavior, which led to the discovery of selfishness in my heart. This led to me praying verse 2 of Psalm 143,
Do not bring your servant into judgment,
for no one living is righteous before you.
(Psalm 143:2 NIV)
Thursday, October 09, 2008
For young men only
Attention guys! Your guidebook to the thinking of the opposite sex is here. For Young Men Only by Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice is a book explaining what girls really think about men. This book is geared towards teenagers, but older men would benefit from reading it too. The book tackles the question of what women think about relationships and guys. More than 1,000 young women were surveyed for this book. The answers will certainly surprise you young men out there.
Here are several things guys think about girl’s thinking and how girls actually think.
Section 1: Abercrombie Boy vs. Our Hero, Average Joe
Here are several things guys think about girl’s thinking and how girls actually think.
Section 1: Abercrombie Boy vs. Our Hero, Average Joe
- Guy’s thinking: The best girls always go for guys who are rich and ripped.
- Girl’s thinking: A girl is most attracted to a guy’s hidden qualities.
Section 2: Why Good Girls Like Bad Boys
- Guy’s thinking: Girls have this weird attraction to “bad guys” who come on strong, then usually treat them like junk.
- Girl’s thinking: A girl is most attracted to a guy’s hidden qualities.
Section 2: Why Good Girls Like Bad Boys
- Guy’s thinking: Girls have this weird attraction to “bad guys” who come on strong, then usually treat them like junk.
- Girl’s thinking: A girl is secretly afraid she’s not special or attractive, so she’ll be drawn to a guy who affirms her by pursuing her.
Section 3: When Girls Stop Making Sense
Section 3: When Girls Stop Making Sense
- Guy’s thinking: When girls get emotional and irrational, guys are out of luck. There’s nothing a guy can do but run.
- Girl’s thinking: When a girl gets emotional, she’s probably not irrational – and there’s a lot a guy can do.
Section 4: Breaking Up, Breaking You
- Girl’s thinking: When a girl gets emotional, she’s probably not irrational – and there’s a lot a guy can do.
Section 4: Breaking Up, Breaking You
- Guy’s thinking: Girlfriends are heartless. When they want to break up, they send confusing messages, then dump the guy with no warning.
- Girl’s thinking: Some girlfriends are heartless, sure, but mostly guys are clueless. Once you learn to read the signs, you can protect your heart – and maybe even win her back.
What do you think guys? Girls? Is this accurate in describing how guys think and how far it is from the truth?
Guys, I recommend getting a copy of For Young Men Only and sitting down and preparing for a shocker! This book has potential to save you from a lot of future hurt and embarrassment if you read it. The book is certainly easy to read and short (about 160 pages). There is even a conversational guide in the back you could use with a small group of guys for discussion. You could even ask your youth pastor to do some lessons on it for the rest of your buddies. This could get a good conversation going about dating and relationships. I see this book only helping anyone who reads it.
- Girl’s thinking: Some girlfriends are heartless, sure, but mostly guys are clueless. Once you learn to read the signs, you can protect your heart – and maybe even win her back.
What do you think guys? Girls? Is this accurate in describing how guys think and how far it is from the truth?
Guys, I recommend getting a copy of For Young Men Only and sitting down and preparing for a shocker! This book has potential to save you from a lot of future hurt and embarrassment if you read it. The book is certainly easy to read and short (about 160 pages). There is even a conversational guide in the back you could use with a small group of guys for discussion. You could even ask your youth pastor to do some lessons on it for the rest of your buddies. This could get a good conversation going about dating and relationships. I see this book only helping anyone who reads it.
If you want to learn more about this book here is the website: www.foryoungmenonly.com
Saturday, October 04, 2008
What is the church? (part 2)
Analysis
The book was very tightly organized and flowed well from thought to thought. Jim did an excellent job of keeping the information (there was a lot) organized and rooted to his thesis (God’s people are in the world to bear witness to Christ by living among and serving unbelievers. This ministry depends upon every believer using whatever God has gifted them with to serve Him by serving others). Jim attempts to show the ways in which the church has veered off track from its original mission. He points to the Early Church Fathers as the starting point for the downward spiral. He blames them for the separation between clergy and laity and describes it as unbiblical. He did a good job of following and showing the paradigm shift from the New Testament Church to the Catholic Church. What he revealed was eye opening to my thinking about the church and its purpose.
I’m not sure I agree totally with his idea (maybe I misinterpreted what he was trying to say) that it was the Church Father who created the separation between clergy and laity. In the Old Testament priests were established by God to teach the people and offer sacrifices on their behalf before God. God even selected priests to minister in the tent of meeting. So, isn’t there already a separation created between laity and clergy? This was not a job everyone could do. How does Jim reconcile this to what he is trying to say? Maybe he was talking more about the transfer of responsibility (from everyone participating to just the priest) instead of the actual office of a priest, elder, or deacon. I was a bit unsure of where exactly he was going with his idea. What would our churches look like today if that were implemented? I connected some of what he was saying to what he said about traditionalism in the Jewish culture. He addressed the Gentile Christians coming to faith in Christ in Acts and how they Early Church handled that by dropping some of their traditions to not make things harder for the Gentile believers. They had to exclude some of their Jewish traditions (e.g., circumcision) to welcome the Gentiles into the family of God.
Another issue I felt could have been more elaborated on was discipleship (the church building up believers and turning them into disciples of Jesus). He talked about going to unbelievers and if necessary making living rooms, offices, and homes our church, but how would discipleship take place in that context and what would it look like? Was this intended to be included in reaching out to the lost? I thought he could have been a little more specific in what discipleship in that context would look like (maybe that’s another book of his?). To me, the New Testament is clear about hierarchal structure in the church (elders and deacons). What would that look like in a church without walls? Is it even possible?
The book was very tightly organized and flowed well from thought to thought. Jim did an excellent job of keeping the information (there was a lot) organized and rooted to his thesis (God’s people are in the world to bear witness to Christ by living among and serving unbelievers. This ministry depends upon every believer using whatever God has gifted them with to serve Him by serving others). Jim attempts to show the ways in which the church has veered off track from its original mission. He points to the Early Church Fathers as the starting point for the downward spiral. He blames them for the separation between clergy and laity and describes it as unbiblical. He did a good job of following and showing the paradigm shift from the New Testament Church to the Catholic Church. What he revealed was eye opening to my thinking about the church and its purpose.
I’m not sure I agree totally with his idea (maybe I misinterpreted what he was trying to say) that it was the Church Father who created the separation between clergy and laity. In the Old Testament priests were established by God to teach the people and offer sacrifices on their behalf before God. God even selected priests to minister in the tent of meeting. So, isn’t there already a separation created between laity and clergy? This was not a job everyone could do. How does Jim reconcile this to what he is trying to say? Maybe he was talking more about the transfer of responsibility (from everyone participating to just the priest) instead of the actual office of a priest, elder, or deacon. I was a bit unsure of where exactly he was going with his idea. What would our churches look like today if that were implemented? I connected some of what he was saying to what he said about traditionalism in the Jewish culture. He addressed the Gentile Christians coming to faith in Christ in Acts and how they Early Church handled that by dropping some of their traditions to not make things harder for the Gentile believers. They had to exclude some of their Jewish traditions (e.g., circumcision) to welcome the Gentiles into the family of God.
Another issue I felt could have been more elaborated on was discipleship (the church building up believers and turning them into disciples of Jesus). He talked about going to unbelievers and if necessary making living rooms, offices, and homes our church, but how would discipleship take place in that context and what would it look like? Was this intended to be included in reaching out to the lost? I thought he could have been a little more specific in what discipleship in that context would look like (maybe that’s another book of his?). To me, the New Testament is clear about hierarchal structure in the church (elders and deacons). What would that look like in a church without walls? Is it even possible?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
What is the church?
The following is a brief overview/summary of a book called Church Without Walls. The book was somewhat inspiring and thoughtful on what the church is and its mission.
Summary
In Church Without Walls Jim Petersen challenges the major concept of what we believe to be the church. He begins by addressing the current state of the church here in America and the current state of the culture around us. He addresses the church’s function and questions if the church is doing what it should be doing (reaching out to the lost). This is where the thesis of the book is developed. He states that God’s people are in the world to bear witness to Christ by living among and serving unbelievers. This ministry depends upon every believer using whatever God has gifted them with to serve Him by serving others. Has the church accomplished this throughout its lifespan and is it accomplishing this now?
Tracing the church through history we see where it veered off track. Jim points out that the early church Fathers established the church as an institution, which gave the church power, which lasted through the Middle Ages. There was also the creating of a rift between clergy and laity. The church became a haven for saints and people were expected to submit to its authority and want to come to it. The lost were forsaken. As the church moved through the Reformation a push to reform the church was initiated. This broke the unity of the Roman Catholic Church and began the process of different denominations (never intended by the reformers). The idea of church was a place where God’s people gathered to hear the Word preached and sacraments administered. This belief of what the church is stuck with the Puritans as they pulled away from the Church of England to move to America to live Christianity out the way they thought it should be lived out. Their focus was on the sermon and the preacher.
Much of what we do in church today is a result of thousands of years of tradition. Jim points out the dangers in sticking to form when it has lost its function. He addresses through his thesis that the church should be without walls and intentionally ministering to the lost where they are. He would like to break with the traditionalism of our past and move the church forward by looking back at the New Testament Church. He suggests we do this patiently and not fall into the business model mindset of what church is today. He wants us to reach out while at the same time holding on to our heritage. He wants us to preserve our traditions without falling under their control. He asks the church to adapt to unbelievers but not to adopt their beliefs and value system. He asks us to be a church without walls.
I'll return next week with an analysis (including a critique and some things I like) of this book.
Summary
In Church Without Walls Jim Petersen challenges the major concept of what we believe to be the church. He begins by addressing the current state of the church here in America and the current state of the culture around us. He addresses the church’s function and questions if the church is doing what it should be doing (reaching out to the lost). This is where the thesis of the book is developed. He states that God’s people are in the world to bear witness to Christ by living among and serving unbelievers. This ministry depends upon every believer using whatever God has gifted them with to serve Him by serving others. Has the church accomplished this throughout its lifespan and is it accomplishing this now?
Tracing the church through history we see where it veered off track. Jim points out that the early church Fathers established the church as an institution, which gave the church power, which lasted through the Middle Ages. There was also the creating of a rift between clergy and laity. The church became a haven for saints and people were expected to submit to its authority and want to come to it. The lost were forsaken. As the church moved through the Reformation a push to reform the church was initiated. This broke the unity of the Roman Catholic Church and began the process of different denominations (never intended by the reformers). The idea of church was a place where God’s people gathered to hear the Word preached and sacraments administered. This belief of what the church is stuck with the Puritans as they pulled away from the Church of England to move to America to live Christianity out the way they thought it should be lived out. Their focus was on the sermon and the preacher.
Much of what we do in church today is a result of thousands of years of tradition. Jim points out the dangers in sticking to form when it has lost its function. He addresses through his thesis that the church should be without walls and intentionally ministering to the lost where they are. He would like to break with the traditionalism of our past and move the church forward by looking back at the New Testament Church. He suggests we do this patiently and not fall into the business model mindset of what church is today. He wants us to reach out while at the same time holding on to our heritage. He wants us to preserve our traditions without falling under their control. He asks the church to adapt to unbelievers but not to adopt their beliefs and value system. He asks us to be a church without walls.
I'll return next week with an analysis (including a critique and some things I like) of this book.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Funny stuff!
I thought I would go to the lighter side of things with a little humor today. My brother-in-law sent me a hilarious video this week and I just have to share it with you all.
Click here to see Sonseed rock the house!
T <><
Click here to see Sonseed rock the house!
T <><
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Helping the lost
Chapter 4 of James Dunn’s book Jesus’ Call to Discipleship tackles Jesus’ ministry to sinners. The Jews defined a sinner as one who disregards or breaks the law. Dunn points out how important the law was (and still is) for Jews. It was what made them who they were; it gave them their identity as a Nation. The law helped them understand how God expected them to live. The Jews, being God’s chosen people, could live as God’s people by obedience to the law. However, the law transpired into outward dos and don’ts. Because of this, the law became all about externals (e.g., what you do and don’t do), which caused a lot of people to fall into the classification of sinners.
When Jesus emerged on the scene He treated sinners differently. He talked to them, touched them, and even ate a meal with them (which was a big deal to the Pharisees and their tradition). When you read through the Gospels it seems as if Jesus actually enjoyed their company and fellowship. He did this because of His love for the lost and hurting. He stirred up a lot of opposition because of the time He spent with such disgusting people, but He had to reveal the heart of God. The heart of God loves, and even likes, people.
I was challenged in how I spend my time and whom I spend my time with. If Jesus found it so important to be with the lost, shouldn’t I? It amazed me how uneasy the religious people of Jesus’ day were with Him spending so much time with sinners. Why were they so upset about this? What did they believe about God and who He was/is to make them so upset? Didn’t they have a bigger picture of God and His kingdom from their forefathers? Shouldn’t have God’s people known better? I guess tradition can be an easy distraction to serving and reaching the lost. Do we have any traditions that barricade us from helping a lost person find true hope? If so, how do we break free?
When Jesus emerged on the scene He treated sinners differently. He talked to them, touched them, and even ate a meal with them (which was a big deal to the Pharisees and their tradition). When you read through the Gospels it seems as if Jesus actually enjoyed their company and fellowship. He did this because of His love for the lost and hurting. He stirred up a lot of opposition because of the time He spent with such disgusting people, but He had to reveal the heart of God. The heart of God loves, and even likes, people.
I was challenged in how I spend my time and whom I spend my time with. If Jesus found it so important to be with the lost, shouldn’t I? It amazed me how uneasy the religious people of Jesus’ day were with Him spending so much time with sinners. Why were they so upset about this? What did they believe about God and who He was/is to make them so upset? Didn’t they have a bigger picture of God and His kingdom from their forefathers? Shouldn’t have God’s people known better? I guess tradition can be an easy distraction to serving and reaching the lost. Do we have any traditions that barricade us from helping a lost person find true hope? If so, how do we break free?
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Are we Dunn yet?
Continuing with Dunn's questions...
What does it mean to speak of God as “God of the poor,” or as biased to the poor? What responsibility toward the poor do the Bible and the Gospel lay upon the well-to-do?
...Answer: God went to the poor because He despises the proud, but give grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:4, James 4:6). In Jesus’ day, wealth and pride seem to be a happily married couple. If you were wealthy you could be proud of yourself and your accomplishments. Not much different from today. This caused the wealthy to turn to themselves and their wealthy friends and neglect the poor and hurting.
...The poor were sometimes left on the streets to beg for food and money, or they were thrown out of the towns and left to fend for themselves. Jesus took His message to the poor and oppressed to show the rich that all people matter to God. He believed this because He believed all people were made in God’s image and likeness. The actions of the wealthy go against God’s plan.
...In the Old Testament, God asks the Israelites to take care of the poor and oppressed. Jesus tells his disciples that when they do any act of kindness to the poor or oppressed, they do it unto Him (Matt 25:36). Jesus did not advocate a prosperity Gospel, but a Gospel that changed peoples’ lives from the inside out, making them wealthier than the wealthiest person on earth. So, in a way, I guess you could argue that He did promote a prosperity Gospel of a life filled with Him and His love.
Friday, August 29, 2008
We continue on with the questions from Dunn's book.
How would you define “poverty” as spoken of in the Bible? Is it possible to be both rich and “poor”? What are the dangers of being “poor,” and the dangers of wealth? What relation has material well-being to “salvation”?
...Answer: I define poverty, as spoken of in the Bible, as not having an abundance of money (just enough to get by) or not having any money at all. I guess this could also relate to not having food and other essentials too. It is possible to be both rich and poor. One could be rich in material possessions but poor in spiritual things in that they have no relationship with God.
Material well-being has nothing to do with salvation. To say that it does ostracizes all poor people from God’s grace. Believing this would cause us to look at all poor people as “out of favor” with God. This is not true and a distortion of what it means to be rich in God. If God wanted to, He could bless us with material things (like He did with Job after he had been tested), but it has nothing to do with the salvation He offers. Millions of disciples have accepted God’s salvation with no blessing of material wealth. Does this mean they are not saved? By no means, it just means that wealth and salvation have no relation.
The danger of wealth is that it can cause us to rely totally upon money and ourselves. We begin trusting the material security money brings (e.g., a home, cars, food, friends, and no debt) and lose interest in the things of God and lack genuine trust in Him. Being poor also has certain dangers. It too, can cause one to doubt God’s provisions (for the opposite reason of the wealthy) and lead to sin.
How would you define “poverty” as spoken of in the Bible? Is it possible to be both rich and “poor”? What are the dangers of being “poor,” and the dangers of wealth? What relation has material well-being to “salvation”?
...Answer: I define poverty, as spoken of in the Bible, as not having an abundance of money (just enough to get by) or not having any money at all. I guess this could also relate to not having food and other essentials too. It is possible to be both rich and poor. One could be rich in material possessions but poor in spiritual things in that they have no relationship with God.
Material well-being has nothing to do with salvation. To say that it does ostracizes all poor people from God’s grace. Believing this would cause us to look at all poor people as “out of favor” with God. This is not true and a distortion of what it means to be rich in God. If God wanted to, He could bless us with material things (like He did with Job after he had been tested), but it has nothing to do with the salvation He offers. Millions of disciples have accepted God’s salvation with no blessing of material wealth. Does this mean they are not saved? By no means, it just means that wealth and salvation have no relation.
The danger of wealth is that it can cause us to rely totally upon money and ourselves. We begin trusting the material security money brings (e.g., a home, cars, food, friends, and no debt) and lose interest in the things of God and lack genuine trust in Him. Being poor also has certain dangers. It too, can cause one to doubt God’s provisions (for the opposite reason of the wealthy) and lead to sin.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Olympics: Teacher of the kingdom of God
We continue on in discussing questions about the kingdom of God from Dunn's book Jesus' Call to Discipleship.
What meaning has talk of “the Kingdom of God” today? Is there an alternative image or concept which would be more meaningful to people living in the twenty first century?
Answer: The Olympics going on right now in Beijing China give incredible insight into our understanding of the kingdom of God. This event can also give us something to talk about in terms of kingdoms and what they mean. One thing apparent throughout this worldwide event is that every person belongs to a nation, country, and/or state (= a kingdom). No matter where a person is from or who they are, they belong to some type of kingdom with visible boundaries and ruling authorities. This is one of God’s brilliant built in teaching devices He uses to teach us about His kingdom. We all belong to earthly kingdoms; He invites us to join and be a part of His otherworldly kingdom. His kingdom has boundaries and ruling authorities too. However, His kingdom is not of this world, so it is quite different from our earthly kingdoms. Earthly kingdoms are fully present and established. His kingdom is present while at the same time not fully here. So much to think about with this. As you watch the Olympics unfold, as you cheer for your home country, remember His kingdom is all around you and that you belong to something bigger.
What meaning has talk of “the Kingdom of God” today? Is there an alternative image or concept which would be more meaningful to people living in the twenty first century?
Answer: The Olympics going on right now in Beijing China give incredible insight into our understanding of the kingdom of God. This event can also give us something to talk about in terms of kingdoms and what they mean. One thing apparent throughout this worldwide event is that every person belongs to a nation, country, and/or state (= a kingdom). No matter where a person is from or who they are, they belong to some type of kingdom with visible boundaries and ruling authorities. This is one of God’s brilliant built in teaching devices He uses to teach us about His kingdom. We all belong to earthly kingdoms; He invites us to join and be a part of His otherworldly kingdom. His kingdom has boundaries and ruling authorities too. However, His kingdom is not of this world, so it is quite different from our earthly kingdoms. Earthly kingdoms are fully present and established. His kingdom is present while at the same time not fully here. So much to think about with this. As you watch the Olympics unfold, as you cheer for your home country, remember His kingdom is all around you and that you belong to something bigger.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Your kingdom come!
Nothing captures my attention as much as Jesus' talk about the kingdom of God. What does He mean? What is the kingdom of God? So many questions swirl in my head. James D. G. Dunn, a New Testament scholar, wrote a great little book about Jesus and the kingdom of God. At the end of each chapter he asks questions and I have tried to answer them with what little I know.
In what sense can we say that “the Kingdom of God” was present or active in Jesus’ ministry? What are Christians praying for when they say the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Thy Kingdom come’?
… Answer: The Kingdom was present in Jesus’ ministry in the ways He interacted with people. He met the needs of the people through His intimate interaction with them. He touched and blessed the people, even the poor and oppressed. He brought the Kingdom of God to them ina physical way. He also taught about the kingdom in parables that made what He had said easy to remember. He was always seeking to transform the heart through the mind. Jesus also exemplified what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. He displayed to us the type of life we could have in God’s Kingdom. He showed us what it means to be ruled by God, to submit to Him, love others, and live in constant fellowship with our Creator. We also catch glimpses of another world, different from ours, in how Jesus walked on water, became transformed on the mountain, and resurrected from the dead.
… When we pray the Lord’s Prayer we are asking for God’s rule to come in our own lives. We want God to rule our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We also want to bring His Kingdom to others we come into contact with. We want them to see what life in the Kingdom of God looks like. We want them to want to join us in this Kingdom by the quality of life we live among them.
Any thoughts? It's always good to talk about this stuff!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Moped Update
I bought the bad boy back at the beginning of May and have filled it up only three times since. I see that envy! I’ve been driving it for 3 months straight and have spent $18 in gas so far. What do you think about those apples? Not so dorky anymore am I? I’ve gotten over the dork factor for the most part. There was this one incident where some guy looked at me and literally laughed out loud as I was driving by. Maybe he was laughing at a political add on the radio?
I’ve put about 350 miles on it and have averaged 75 mpg, maybe a little more. One thing I’ve noticed is that there are a lot more mopeds zooming around Bluffton. I know they can’t all be people who have a DUI. That makes me feel a little better. I’ve even got a few moped buddies I wave to now and again. On a slightly different note, I’ve ran out of gas twice now while driving. Luckily, I was only about a mile from the gas station. Walking is good exercise too! I do have a gas gauge, but have a hard time telling exactly where the empty line is.
I’ve put about 350 miles on it and have averaged 75 mpg, maybe a little more. One thing I’ve noticed is that there are a lot more mopeds zooming around Bluffton. I know they can’t all be people who have a DUI. That makes me feel a little better. I’ve even got a few moped buddies I wave to now and again. On a slightly different note, I’ve ran out of gas twice now while driving. Luckily, I was only about a mile from the gas station. Walking is good exercise too! I do have a gas gauge, but have a hard time telling exactly where the empty line is.
Well, that’s the moped update.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
iBread 1.8
“God’s Word is food for the mind.”
Cyril of Alexandria
The Meal
Take a moment and read slowly the story of Genesis 32:22-32.
Table Talk
- Who is Jacob wrestling with in this story?
Cyril of Alexandria
The Meal
Take a moment and read slowly the story of Genesis 32:22-32.
Table Talk
- Who is Jacob wrestling with in this story?
- Who does Hosea say Jacob wrestled with in Hosea 12:4?
- How does Hosea describe the outcome of Jacob's wrestling match?
- What does it mean that the man could not overpower Jacob?
- Is this a good thing for Jacob?
- What is Jacob seeking from the man?
- Why is that important?
- What does that man give Jacob in verse 28?
- Why is this important for Jacob?
- Do you wrestle in understanding the point to this story?
- Is it a good or bad thing to wrestle with what a story in the Bible means?
- What does it mean that the man could not overpower Jacob?
- Is this a good thing for Jacob?
- What is Jacob seeking from the man?
- Why is that important?
- What does that man give Jacob in verse 28?
- Why is this important for Jacob?
- Do you wrestle in understanding the point to this story?
- Is it a good or bad thing to wrestle with what a story in the Bible means?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
I can't hear you God!
I’m halfway through Hearing God by Dallas Willard. The book was written to help followers of Jesus Christ develop a conversational relationship with God. Willard believes we were designed to live in a conversational relationship with God that includes, “speaking and being spoken to” (p.18). I love this book! This is a classic! I can’t recommend it enough. The tree used to make this book has been redeemed. I keep thinking, if only I would have stumbled upon this book while in high school.
One of the things that immediately grabbed my attention in this book was Willard’s statement, “Only our communion with God provides the appropriate context for communications between us and him” (pg 33). What is he saying here? We can’t spend a week working, watching TV, mowing the lawn, playing with the kids, talking to the spouse, eating, sleeping, and doing whatever else we might do in a week and expect to hear from God. We must consciously choose to spend time with Him (just like we do with our families). We must get alone and be with Him. Out of this being with Him we learn to hear Him and come to know His voice. This is what led the psalmists of our Bible to write such intimate and personal prayers and praises to Yahweh. They spent time with Him. They knew Him. One psalmist declares, “Yahweh, you have searched me and you know me.” (Psalm 139:1 NIV)
Have you been with Him?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
iBread 1.7
“God’s Word is food for the mind.” - Cyril of Alexandria
The Meal
Take a moment and chew on 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Read the passage three times through very slowly. Try reading several different translations of this passage.
Table Talk
- Where does Saul turn for guidance?
- Why is this a problem?
- What was Saul trying to force according to verse 13?
- Do you think people today try and force God’s guidance? If so, how?
- How can we make sure we are not forcing God’s guidance?
- What are some things a disciple of Jesus could do each day to be correctly guided by God?
The Meal
Take a moment and chew on 1 Chronicles 10:13-14. Read the passage three times through very slowly. Try reading several different translations of this passage.
Table Talk
- Where does Saul turn for guidance?
- Why is this a problem?
- What was Saul trying to force according to verse 13?
- Do you think people today try and force God’s guidance? If so, how?
- How can we make sure we are not forcing God’s guidance?
- What are some things a disciple of Jesus could do each day to be correctly guided by God?
Thursday, July 03, 2008
The Witch of Endor (part 2)
If you have an NIV Study Bible, which is a great resource and study tool to have on hand (I keep one on my desk), here is how it attempts to make sense of the events in 1 Samuel. The study notes spell out three possible explanations for the events of Saul’s encounter with the dead Samuel:
- God allowed Samuel’s spirit to be brought up by the woman.
- An evil spirit, pretending to be Samuel, possessed the witch. The problem with this interpretation? You can’t back it up with this passage or the rest of the Bible. There isn’t one instance in this passage or elsewhere in the Bible that would suggest Samuel’s spirit is actually an evil spirit. The only passage that has anything to do with 1 Samuel 28 is 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
- The woman was able to read Saul’s mind and then pretend to be Samuel to him. The problem? Again, this passage makes it clear that Samuel, or Samuel’s spirit, is the one speaking to Saul.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary acknowledges the fact that there is a wide range of different views on Saul’s encounter with the dead Samuel. This commentary reveals that two of the possible explanations given in the NIV Study Bible (the last two mentioned above) for the event of Saul talking to Samuel, come to us via the early church fathers. They had a hard time believing a medium could call up a righteous man like Samuel from the dead, and so came up with the idea that Samuel’s spirit was really a demon in disguise. Origen and Gregory of Nazianzus seem to be the only church fathers at peace with a literal reading and understanding of this text. The author of this commentary, Ronald Youngblood, goes with Gregory of Nazianzus in the assertion that Samuel was literally raised or brought back from the dead by a medium. This seems to be the best way to read and understand this passage. Are we ok with reading and understanding it like this?
Any thoughts?
- God allowed Samuel’s spirit to be brought up by the woman.
- An evil spirit, pretending to be Samuel, possessed the witch. The problem with this interpretation? You can’t back it up with this passage or the rest of the Bible. There isn’t one instance in this passage or elsewhere in the Bible that would suggest Samuel’s spirit is actually an evil spirit. The only passage that has anything to do with 1 Samuel 28 is 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
- The woman was able to read Saul’s mind and then pretend to be Samuel to him. The problem? Again, this passage makes it clear that Samuel, or Samuel’s spirit, is the one speaking to Saul.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary acknowledges the fact that there is a wide range of different views on Saul’s encounter with the dead Samuel. This commentary reveals that two of the possible explanations given in the NIV Study Bible (the last two mentioned above) for the event of Saul talking to Samuel, come to us via the early church fathers. They had a hard time believing a medium could call up a righteous man like Samuel from the dead, and so came up with the idea that Samuel’s spirit was really a demon in disguise. Origen and Gregory of Nazianzus seem to be the only church fathers at peace with a literal reading and understanding of this text. The author of this commentary, Ronald Youngblood, goes with Gregory of Nazianzus in the assertion that Samuel was literally raised or brought back from the dead by a medium. This seems to be the best way to read and understand this passage. Are we ok with reading and understanding it like this?
Any thoughts?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Colbert's Curiosity
Hey, sorry to forsake you. Had a week of campmeeting, District Assembly, and then Jr. High Camp. I'll be back Thurs for more on the Witch of Endor.
Until then, I found a video of N.T. Wright on the Colbert Report that is pretty interesting. I was kind of surprised to see him on a Comedy Central show! I've mentioned before, but this guy (N.T. or Tom) is a great spokesman for Christianity and really connects to the 20 somethings. His books are worth checking out!
Hope you enjoy this interview.
N.T. Wright on The Colbert Report
Until then, I found a video of N.T. Wright on the Colbert Report that is pretty interesting. I was kind of surprised to see him on a Comedy Central show! I've mentioned before, but this guy (N.T. or Tom) is a great spokesman for Christianity and really connects to the 20 somethings. His books are worth checking out!
Hope you enjoy this interview.
N.T. Wright on The Colbert Report
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Witch of Endor
This post may take a couple of weeks to get through.
There is a very peculiar story in the Old Testament that caught my attention the other day (probably because it sounded like something out of Lord of the Rings). I have been reading through 1 Samuel, about Saul and David, and came upon Saul’s visit to a medium/necromancer/Witch of Endor (NIV). The story is in chapter 28 of 1 Samuel.
Summary
Basically, Saul hasn’t heard from the LORD in a while and is terrified because he is about to go to war with the Philistines. Saul, out of fear (see 28:5), goes to drastic measures to hear from his former prophet and friend, Samuel (who is dead, v.3). What does Saul do? He goes and visits a medium/or witch and has her summon up Samuel from the dead. Surprisingly, she does! Samuel appears (he comes up out of the ground, v.13) and enters into a conversation with Saul (vv.15-19). How do we explain such a story? There’s no such thing as ghosts right?
There is nothing in this text (or elsewhere in the Bible) to suggest that Saul is speaking to a demon or angel, that this is all just a vision/dream, or that the women is possessed by a spirit and the spirit is speaking through her. Saul is really conversing with a dead person. Samuel, slightly irritated (?), even asks Saul why he has bothered him (v.15). This story real and it is recorded in one of the historical books of the Bible. I’ll be back next week to discuss some implications this story has for us today. In the meantime, this is definitely a story well worth reading and studying. I would love to hear what you find. I put a link in below to some excellent commentaries/reference works on this passage if any of you feel like diving head first into this.
Excellent commentaries/reference works on 1 Samuel and the Witch of Endor:
NIV Application Commentary, Bill T. Arnold (personal fav!)
New International Commentary (OT), David Tsumura
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (very handy resource)
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Ronald F. Youngblood
Cults of the Dead in Ancient Israel and Ugarit, Theordore J. Lewis
There is a very peculiar story in the Old Testament that caught my attention the other day (probably because it sounded like something out of Lord of the Rings). I have been reading through 1 Samuel, about Saul and David, and came upon Saul’s visit to a medium/necromancer/Witch of Endor (NIV). The story is in chapter 28 of 1 Samuel.
Summary
Basically, Saul hasn’t heard from the LORD in a while and is terrified because he is about to go to war with the Philistines. Saul, out of fear (see 28:5), goes to drastic measures to hear from his former prophet and friend, Samuel (who is dead, v.3). What does Saul do? He goes and visits a medium/or witch and has her summon up Samuel from the dead. Surprisingly, she does! Samuel appears (he comes up out of the ground, v.13) and enters into a conversation with Saul (vv.15-19). How do we explain such a story? There’s no such thing as ghosts right?
There is nothing in this text (or elsewhere in the Bible) to suggest that Saul is speaking to a demon or angel, that this is all just a vision/dream, or that the women is possessed by a spirit and the spirit is speaking through her. Saul is really conversing with a dead person. Samuel, slightly irritated (?), even asks Saul why he has bothered him (v.15). This story real and it is recorded in one of the historical books of the Bible. I’ll be back next week to discuss some implications this story has for us today. In the meantime, this is definitely a story well worth reading and studying. I would love to hear what you find. I put a link in below to some excellent commentaries/reference works on this passage if any of you feel like diving head first into this.
Excellent commentaries/reference works on 1 Samuel and the Witch of Endor:
NIV Application Commentary, Bill T. Arnold (personal fav!)
New International Commentary (OT), David Tsumura
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (very handy resource)
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Ronald F. Youngblood
Cults of the Dead in Ancient Israel and Ugarit, Theordore J. Lewis
Friday, June 06, 2008
iBread 1.6
“God’s Word is food for the mind.” - Cyril of Alexandria
The Meal
Take a moment and feast upon James 1:2-4. Read the passage three times through very slowly.
Table Talk
- Why does James tell us to consider it pure joy when we face tough times?
- Do you think James speaks from personal experience?
- What is God’s role in all of this? What does He do?
- Can you think of how a tough time shaped you into a better person?
The Meal
Take a moment and feast upon James 1:2-4. Read the passage three times through very slowly.
Table Talk
- Why does James tell us to consider it pure joy when we face tough times?
- Do you think James speaks from personal experience?
- What is God’s role in all of this? What does He do?
- Can you think of how a tough time shaped you into a better person?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Going green (but not very fast!)
Well, I am now the proud owner of a 49cc moped/scooter. This is what I’m doing to cut down on gas costs for the summer. I live only 1.5 miles from work and this will get me back and forth pretty easily. I can also make some small in town runs. Here are some things (good and bad) to consider if you are thinking of buying one of these bad boys:
1. Huge gas savings! I’m working on trying to figure out exactly how much I get, but you can usually get between 70-90 mpg. I only have a 1.5-gallon gas tank. I’m hoping to fill up every 2-3 weeks, maybe a month?
2. Dork factor. There’s no getting around it, you look like a dork on a moped if you are over the age of 17. How do you improve this? Get a helmet with a full-face tinted shield (this way nobody can see you).
3. Helmet. You need to invest in a good helmet. Even though you aren’t going real fast, serious injuries can still happen.
4. Speed. I’ve had the bad boy up to 41 mph going downhill. Normally I run at 30-35 mph. You can’t go real fast on these things. I live in town, so I don’t really need to go over 35 mph. If you need to go faster, buy a motorcycle.
5. Weather. You don’t really want to be riding these things in a storm.
If you are thinking of fighting the gas war this summer a moped is a great weapon to use to do that. Who knows, maybe if more people start riding them, the dork factor will drop a bit (yeah right!).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)