In "The Phantom Tollbooth", by Norton Juster, the Watchdog, Tock, makes a profound statement to Milo, the main character. In response to Milo's answer about what he was doing, Tock replies, "Isn't it bad enough wasting time without killing it?!?"
Time, now there is a real conundrum. I was trying to think of all the sayings, cliches, etc that involve time.
This all came up as we were watching the movie "Into the Wild" about a young man who wants to throw off all encoumberances of society and live off the land in Alaska. I couldn't get over the fact that he still continued to wear his watch! Let's move to Alaska and live off the land, but we still need to keep our schedule?!? I guess I don't get it. Now I'm one of the lucky ones who can't wear a watch. They just don't seem to work when I wear them. I've had digital, wind up, and battery powered analog. They seem to loose time, run intermittently or just stop all together. I guess I am a negative polarity person (maybe from a parallel dimension where the poles are reversed? - wait I saw that on the Twilight Zone).
So, what is our fasination with time? I think it is really because God put eternity in our hearts, but we see our mortality staring us in the face every day. (Ecc 3:11)
In our society, we are fixated on time. Have you ever noticed. You see it on your arm, bank signs, your car dashboard, your phone, why you can even call a phone number and get it if you can't find it any other place!
How do you spend your time. Is it some commodity? You know, we each start the day with the same amount of it! Talk about a true level playing field? Do you invest your time? Maybe in your work? How about in your family? I spend too much of it watching TV. How about you? Do you spend time cultivating relationships? Do you spend it speaking with your Creator? How about studying His Word? Now that's an investment with some real eternal returns!
Now here is a good questions. Why do we drive to the gym so we can workout? Are we saving time by driving there? Why not just run there and get the extra benefit of the exercise? Do we have our lives so scheduled and compartmentalized that we have to schedule our leisure time as well? God commanded us to take a sabbath. Did you ever stop to thing what that means? (Exo 20:9) God knew we would burn out if we didn't stop to catch our breath. We need time to rest, reflect, rejuvenate, be with Him. Good plan God! Too bad we just don't have the time!
Maybe you just need a time out? Does that stop time so we can continue when time starts back up? Or do you just need a minute? I can give you one of mine. Maybe that's what we should do! If you see someone struggling because they don't have enough time, give them some of yours. It's called service! Are you a servant?
Perhaps you would be a servant if it was the right time, but you see this is just the wrong time, I'm out of time, in a real time curnch. What about that sabbath? Did you forget? Do you need to put that on your calendar with a reminder? I do! Or is this just not a good time to help. You know, bad timing and all. I'll help when I have some spare time. Don't wait too long. Time, and tide wait for no one!
Now here is a confession. I started this blog on February 18. Here it is March 5. What with the phone ringing, emails to answer, facebook to post, cruises to go on, errands to run, meals to cook and eat, etc., things just never get done in a timely fashion. I was reading in James this morning. Talk about God's timing!
From Eugene Peterson's The Message:
James 4:13 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today -- at the latest, tomorrow -- we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money."
14 You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.
15 Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."
16 As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil.
17 In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.
So, will you ask God how you should spend your time, that gift from Him, today? I think I will. Maybe if I keep in touch with Him, it won't be 3 weeks before you hear from me again. Then again....
Blessings until we meet again. God be with you!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Revelations, A Love Story (just in time for Valentine's Day)
Well, did that title get your attention? Sure got mine! Valentine's Day is fast approaching and the marketing geniuses are telling us it is time to show our love to that special someone. If you haven't been doing it all along, what makes you think it is real this time!?!
Did you ever stop to think that love is not something we show, but is rather the natural result of who we are? Love is not something we can "muster up" or "rustle up" or "pull off the shelf." If it's not there all the time, it's just a vague shadow of the real thing. Love comes from understanding who we are, and who's we are. If we are left to our nature, we share only out of our excess, our abundance - and then only when we can't think of how we might need that in the future. After all, "God helps those who help themselves," right? WRONG! Show me where the Bible says that! It clearly states that God helps and provides for those who "Think as with sound judgement" (Rom 12:3). If you want to see what love really looks like just look to the cross. Jesus set aside His own (authority, power, agenda, you name it) and put our (broken nature, destination, punishment) before His. He was the epitimy of love. Look at 1Cor 13 to see how Paul describes love.
So, Revelations? Really? Surely you jest?!
Not at all. When you consider our natural condition (sinful to the core if left to our own devices - lustful, greedy, self centered, self serving, selfish, harsh, judgemental, jealous, angry, and on and on....you know, putting us first), you see that the only real love we have is for ourselves. I'm sure many would take issue with this, "I do good things, I help others, etc". But are they what you do, or who you are?
Now God, being who He is (that's like a flea trying to explain the St. Bernard he is riding on!) according to 1Jo 4:16, is love. Notice not loves us, or shows His love for us - those are used many other places, but IS LOVE. Ask Him to really show you what that means. You will be astounded! Here are a few to check out:
Zep 3:17
Rom 8:39
John 3:16
1 Cor 2:9
1 Jo 4:7
1 Jo 4:8
1 Jo 4:10
1 Jo 4:12
OK, so go read 1 John, especially chapter 4!
But, Revelations? No Way!
Have you every read Revelations? Not study Eschatology (end times), or trying to figure out the Rapture, Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib, blah, blah, blah! Just pray, "Father, open my eyes." Then read it? This is the story of the extent God will go to get your attention. This is the story of how much He wants all of us to be in Heaven with Him. This is the story of our choice - Law or Grace? Remember? This is a warning of what the end result of Law will be (Judgement - OUCH!). This is the story of what we really deserve, but have been saved and redeemed from at the cross. This is the story of where putting ourselves on the throne of our lives will lead. This is the story of the justice we demand all the time - Thank you Father, that you don't give me what I deserve! You give me Grace upon Grace! All Praise be to You!
Most of all, this is the story of the end of the curse. The curse from back in Genesis 3, when we (yes, we!) were kicked out of the Garden. Well, God is welcoming us (yes, us!) back. It is the story of the fulfillment of the hope we have in Christ. It is the story of getting a glimpse of eternity with Him, and our Big Brother, Jesus. It is the story of the end of suffering, pain, tears, loneliness, dispair. It is the story of life as God intended it for us. Now there is a true love story.
I wait with bated breath! Amen, Come Lord Jesus!
Did you ever stop to think that love is not something we show, but is rather the natural result of who we are? Love is not something we can "muster up" or "rustle up" or "pull off the shelf." If it's not there all the time, it's just a vague shadow of the real thing. Love comes from understanding who we are, and who's we are. If we are left to our nature, we share only out of our excess, our abundance - and then only when we can't think of how we might need that in the future. After all, "God helps those who help themselves," right? WRONG! Show me where the Bible says that! It clearly states that God helps and provides for those who "Think as with sound judgement" (Rom 12:3). If you want to see what love really looks like just look to the cross. Jesus set aside His own (authority, power, agenda, you name it) and put our (broken nature, destination, punishment) before His. He was the epitimy of love. Look at 1Cor 13 to see how Paul describes love.
So, Revelations? Really? Surely you jest?!
Not at all. When you consider our natural condition (sinful to the core if left to our own devices - lustful, greedy, self centered, self serving, selfish, harsh, judgemental, jealous, angry, and on and on....you know, putting us first), you see that the only real love we have is for ourselves. I'm sure many would take issue with this, "I do good things, I help others, etc". But are they what you do, or who you are?
Now God, being who He is (that's like a flea trying to explain the St. Bernard he is riding on!) according to 1Jo 4:16, is love. Notice not loves us, or shows His love for us - those are used many other places, but IS LOVE. Ask Him to really show you what that means. You will be astounded! Here are a few to check out:
Zep 3:17
Rom 8:39
John 3:16
1 Cor 2:9
1 Jo 4:7
1 Jo 4:8
1 Jo 4:10
1 Jo 4:12
OK, so go read 1 John, especially chapter 4!
But, Revelations? No Way!
Have you every read Revelations? Not study Eschatology (end times), or trying to figure out the Rapture, Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib, blah, blah, blah! Just pray, "Father, open my eyes." Then read it? This is the story of the extent God will go to get your attention. This is the story of how much He wants all of us to be in Heaven with Him. This is the story of our choice - Law or Grace? Remember? This is a warning of what the end result of Law will be (Judgement - OUCH!). This is the story of what we really deserve, but have been saved and redeemed from at the cross. This is the story of where putting ourselves on the throne of our lives will lead. This is the story of the justice we demand all the time - Thank you Father, that you don't give me what I deserve! You give me Grace upon Grace! All Praise be to You!
Most of all, this is the story of the end of the curse. The curse from back in Genesis 3, when we (yes, we!) were kicked out of the Garden. Well, God is welcoming us (yes, us!) back. It is the story of the fulfillment of the hope we have in Christ. It is the story of getting a glimpse of eternity with Him, and our Big Brother, Jesus. It is the story of the end of suffering, pain, tears, loneliness, dispair. It is the story of life as God intended it for us. Now there is a true love story.
I wait with bated breath! Amen, Come Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Under Law OR Under Grace
I've been in Galations for my quiet time lately. I was struck by an interesting thought. You have to choose - will you be under the Law OR under Grace? You can't be both. This may seem like old hat to some of you, but revisit it if that is the case. Let me explain.
It's interesting that you can read something in the Bible and it is like it is the first time you have seen that! (Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.") Thank you LORD for your abiding word that opens our eyes to see in new and different ways!
Paul talks about the prepatory nature of the Law. It was given to show us the way to the Truth. Truth of how to act, how to think, how to worship, how to give, how to serve, how to love. God's design is to have the Law written on our hearts - internalized - not a set of rules, but a way or thought and life. (Jer 31:33 "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.") As spiritual children, the Law was our tutor - pointing us in the correct direction.
Paul talks about our liberty. (Free will - ever heard of that?) Have you ever really realized that you have absolute liberty in Christ? Liberty to be what God created you to be! Liberty to live differently in the world! Liberty to NOT sin! Liberty to forgive yourself when you fail! Liberty to get up and try again, and again, and again! But he also warns that liberty came with a great cost. Praise to Jesus for paying that cost at Calvary!
So, if we choose Grace, we are no longer under Law. What! Blasphemy? Heresy? No - Truth. Look at Gal 3: 10-14 and Gal 5: 1 - 6. If you live by Law you are cursed, because you can't fulfill the Law. It doesn't matter how good you are, how much to do, how much you give - you still fall short. (I think I've heard that before. Rom 3:23) Christ came to fulfull - complete - pay full penalty (propitiation) under the Law. Now you have Grace! The ability to actually have the Law written on your heart. The ability to have that new nature which is not under compulsion to abide by the law, but under heartfelt desire to live righteously - because it is natural!
Every time you go back to trying to obey the rules, you step out from under Grace and back under Law. Confusing? You bet! OK, lets boil it down - are you controled by the flesh or the Spirit? Now I know how a yo-yo feels, right? Christ tells us to stop trying to obey the law and allow Him, by the Holy Spirit, to change our nature so that how we act is a product of who we have become. You know, you obey the law without even thinking or realizing it, it's just who you are.
Look at your life. What do you see, no I mean really, in your heart of hearts.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmites, strife, jeolousy, outbursts of anger, dusputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings? These are the fruit of the flesh. This is the result of our old nature trying to live under Law.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the fruit of the Spirit. This is the result of our new nature living under Grace.
Remember the part about having liberty to forgive yourself and try again. Steve Brown from Key Life says something like this - I'm better than I was yesterday, by the Grace of God. Can you say that?
So, this week, as you drive, as you work, as you interact, as you live, look inside and out. What fruit are you seeing in yourself and those around you. My prayer is that you (and God) like what you see. If not, are you willing to do something about it?
It's interesting that you can read something in the Bible and it is like it is the first time you have seen that! (Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.") Thank you LORD for your abiding word that opens our eyes to see in new and different ways!
Paul talks about the prepatory nature of the Law. It was given to show us the way to the Truth. Truth of how to act, how to think, how to worship, how to give, how to serve, how to love. God's design is to have the Law written on our hearts - internalized - not a set of rules, but a way or thought and life. (Jer 31:33 "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.") As spiritual children, the Law was our tutor - pointing us in the correct direction.
Paul talks about our liberty. (Free will - ever heard of that?) Have you ever really realized that you have absolute liberty in Christ? Liberty to be what God created you to be! Liberty to live differently in the world! Liberty to NOT sin! Liberty to forgive yourself when you fail! Liberty to get up and try again, and again, and again! But he also warns that liberty came with a great cost. Praise to Jesus for paying that cost at Calvary!
So, if we choose Grace, we are no longer under Law. What! Blasphemy? Heresy? No - Truth. Look at Gal 3: 10-14 and Gal 5: 1 - 6. If you live by Law you are cursed, because you can't fulfill the Law. It doesn't matter how good you are, how much to do, how much you give - you still fall short. (I think I've heard that before. Rom 3:23) Christ came to fulfull - complete - pay full penalty (propitiation) under the Law. Now you have Grace! The ability to actually have the Law written on your heart. The ability to have that new nature which is not under compulsion to abide by the law, but under heartfelt desire to live righteously - because it is natural!
Every time you go back to trying to obey the rules, you step out from under Grace and back under Law. Confusing? You bet! OK, lets boil it down - are you controled by the flesh or the Spirit? Now I know how a yo-yo feels, right? Christ tells us to stop trying to obey the law and allow Him, by the Holy Spirit, to change our nature so that how we act is a product of who we have become. You know, you obey the law without even thinking or realizing it, it's just who you are.
Look at your life. What do you see, no I mean really, in your heart of hearts.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmites, strife, jeolousy, outbursts of anger, dusputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings? These are the fruit of the flesh. This is the result of our old nature trying to live under Law.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the fruit of the Spirit. This is the result of our new nature living under Grace.
Remember the part about having liberty to forgive yourself and try again. Steve Brown from Key Life says something like this - I'm better than I was yesterday, by the Grace of God. Can you say that?
So, this week, as you drive, as you work, as you interact, as you live, look inside and out. What fruit are you seeing in yourself and those around you. My prayer is that you (and God) like what you see. If not, are you willing to do something about it?
Sunday, January 10, 2010
1984 Soon! - Oh - wait - I Missed it?
Most of you on the web, and blogs probably don't remember the whole "1984 Soon" thing. Back when I was young (you know, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), we thought the government was sticking it's nose in our business. There was a big movement (of all us Hippies in the '70s) spouting how Big Brother was watching. If you remember that, you might be ready for Social Security (hurry, before it's gone!). Anyway, I remember seeing signs and bumper stickers saying the simple political statement "1984 Soon." Oh! How I wish for the good old days!
Then, the other day, my daughter mentioned that it was 2010. She said, "Remember the movie 2001 and how we thought that was so advanced?" Now that is over a decade old! Where does the time go?
My kids tell me I see the "Biblical" side to movies, books and everything else. I guess that's just my gift?!?! It seems to me there is truth to the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Maybe the degree, or speed of things seems greater, but it is still the same old "Let's do our own thing and then ask God to bless it." Have you noticed that man does a lousy job of governing himself? In fact, I don't think anyone who is truly honest with himself can say they even do a good job of governing their individual self. How are you doing with that covetousness? lust? greed? anger? gluttony? prayer? study of the Word? and on, and on.... I feel the same way - you know "I am so proud of how humble I have become!"
Well we are back to the realization that we are still living between Gen 3:17 and Rev 22:3. (That would be under the curse!) Time, for us, marches on. Sometimes it seems to crawl. Sometimes it seems to fly. The older you are, the faster it seems to move. Time, and tide wait for no man. I'm sure you can put a bunch more cliches here.
Well, let's get back on topic here. In the book "1984" Winston is caught in a world of unreality pretending to be reality. Remember, he works for the Ministry of Truth, who's job is to correct the truth errors and rewrite everything to match the new "truth." "Big Brother" was the idea of the government always watching to make sure you were a good, compliant member of society. They don't want any waves, and if you cause them, you get "re-educated." Now that I think about it, sounds similar to things we hear today, just like it did back in the '70s. Remember, we are still under the curse! Man, of his own accord, in his own wisdom, in his own strength, is a lousy candidate to be in charge of anything! O.K. ... So... what now? I'm so glad you asked!
God, in His infinite wisdom, knew we couldn't govern. He never created us to govern. Did you ever think of that. Now some might call me an Anarchist, but I don't really believe in government, at least not like any we have ever experienced on Earth. If, and this is a big if, we allow God to rule our hearts, we really don't need government. Each person would have the necessary insight, compassion, generosity, and all other traits internally and would not need an external rule. That's kind of what I imagine heaven to be like. No traffic signs, no courthouses, no police, no legal infractions. Only God's people, Worshiping Him, Loving Him and each other.
But, there would still be "Big Brother." Yes, you heard me right, but He is really here now. I'm talking about Jesus. If you have accepted his action on the cross to pay the debt for your sins, you have been adopted into His family. He is now your Big Brother! And He is watching. Not to thump you, or twist your perspective, but to encourage, to teach, to love, to cheer, to mourn, to share every aspect and part of your life. After all, He gave all so we could receive all. He has made it possible for us to become what He created us to be in the first place. You may get tired of hearing me say this, but I never get tired of being reminded of that TRUTH!
So, think about this. If you live your life, guided by the Holy Spirit, remembering that Jesus is watching to cheer you on to the finish line, what would your life look like? Could you be trusted with a job? opportunity? responsibility? government office? family? spouse? children?
Then, the other day, my daughter mentioned that it was 2010. She said, "Remember the movie 2001 and how we thought that was so advanced?" Now that is over a decade old! Where does the time go?
My kids tell me I see the "Biblical" side to movies, books and everything else. I guess that's just my gift?!?! It seems to me there is truth to the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Maybe the degree, or speed of things seems greater, but it is still the same old "Let's do our own thing and then ask God to bless it." Have you noticed that man does a lousy job of governing himself? In fact, I don't think anyone who is truly honest with himself can say they even do a good job of governing their individual self. How are you doing with that covetousness? lust? greed? anger? gluttony? prayer? study of the Word? and on, and on.... I feel the same way - you know "I am so proud of how humble I have become!"
Well we are back to the realization that we are still living between Gen 3:17 and Rev 22:3. (That would be under the curse!) Time, for us, marches on. Sometimes it seems to crawl. Sometimes it seems to fly. The older you are, the faster it seems to move. Time, and tide wait for no man. I'm sure you can put a bunch more cliches here.
Well, let's get back on topic here. In the book "1984" Winston is caught in a world of unreality pretending to be reality. Remember, he works for the Ministry of Truth, who's job is to correct the truth errors and rewrite everything to match the new "truth." "Big Brother" was the idea of the government always watching to make sure you were a good, compliant member of society. They don't want any waves, and if you cause them, you get "re-educated." Now that I think about it, sounds similar to things we hear today, just like it did back in the '70s. Remember, we are still under the curse! Man, of his own accord, in his own wisdom, in his own strength, is a lousy candidate to be in charge of anything! O.K. ... So... what now? I'm so glad you asked!
God, in His infinite wisdom, knew we couldn't govern. He never created us to govern. Did you ever think of that. Now some might call me an Anarchist, but I don't really believe in government, at least not like any we have ever experienced on Earth. If, and this is a big if, we allow God to rule our hearts, we really don't need government. Each person would have the necessary insight, compassion, generosity, and all other traits internally and would not need an external rule. That's kind of what I imagine heaven to be like. No traffic signs, no courthouses, no police, no legal infractions. Only God's people, Worshiping Him, Loving Him and each other.
But, there would still be "Big Brother." Yes, you heard me right, but He is really here now. I'm talking about Jesus. If you have accepted his action on the cross to pay the debt for your sins, you have been adopted into His family. He is now your Big Brother! And He is watching. Not to thump you, or twist your perspective, but to encourage, to teach, to love, to cheer, to mourn, to share every aspect and part of your life. After all, He gave all so we could receive all. He has made it possible for us to become what He created us to be in the first place. You may get tired of hearing me say this, but I never get tired of being reminded of that TRUTH!
So, think about this. If you live your life, guided by the Holy Spirit, remembering that Jesus is watching to cheer you on to the finish line, what would your life look like? Could you be trusted with a job? opportunity? responsibility? government office? family? spouse? children?
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