The older I get, the less I suffer angst over the specific question..."how can I get out and evangelize today?" I've wrung my hands for many years wondering if "I'm doing enough" to share the Gospel at work and off hours. Am I doing my part to reach people with the saving message of Jesus' redemption? If you keep score by the number of professions of faith, I don't show up on the radar. Even the oft quoted St. Francis of Assisi paraphrase..."Share the Gospel, and use words if necessary" hasn't always soothed my results-oriented persona.
But now, decades into my business career, I better appreciate just how many of the people I've worked with respond powerfully to the very essence of what God has to give--through me (a most assuredly imperfect vessel!).
Namely, they take keen notice of...humility, love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, mercy--shared in large, consistent doses. For a multitude of reasons we could debate--spiritually adopting God's interpersonal skills notably differentiates us in today's culture.
Just read the instruction manual in Galatians, Chapter 5:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
These features of Christianity don't seem to get much attention in the media today--there's more about our "fundamentalism" and extremism. But Jesus' message was extreme for his time and ours--and it was fundamentally about love, and sharing that love with our neighbor.
It's a good place to start if we want to tell everyone the rest of the Gospel when they're ready.
What do you believe?
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Strategic Prayer
Last night, after a full day at work and some chores around the house, I shifted focus to human rights issues and China, the genocide debacle of Darfur, recovery of hurricane victims and the safety of missionaries in some Islamic countries (so they could work effectively to share their views freely). Then I kept up a campaign to unveil Truth to media professionals, abortion clinic workers and volunteers, as well as to House and Senate leaders. After spending additional time on decision-making at the Supreme Court and White House, there was still lots to petition with challenges troubling our family and friends before falling asleep.
I wasn't on the internet, or working the phones...I was talking to God.
God doesn't intrinsically need or rely on my prayers. But we've been given powerful--supernatural access to His Grace and Wisdom. For whatever reasons God has...our prayers are heard, considered and answered. Outcomes are God's business, but petitioning His interaction is ours--so think big as well as small. The hurts of our own children are important, but so are the intricacies of global events and public policy. Direct your prayers wherever they can make a difference!
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2Th 3:2 And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have the faith.
Jam 5:16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
What do you believe?
I wasn't on the internet, or working the phones...I was talking to God.
God doesn't intrinsically need or rely on my prayers. But we've been given powerful--supernatural access to His Grace and Wisdom. For whatever reasons God has...our prayers are heard, considered and answered. Outcomes are God's business, but petitioning His interaction is ours--so think big as well as small. The hurts of our own children are important, but so are the intricacies of global events and public policy. Direct your prayers wherever they can make a difference!
1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1Th 5:18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
2Th 3:2 And pray that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not have the faith.
Jam 5:16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.
What do you believe?
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Empty Cross
Like some of you, I've attended church at a variety of denominations this past year.
Some have crosses without a figure of Jesus at the front of the sanctuary, some with the crucified figure of Jesus, and some with nothing but multimedia screens or banners.
I've encountered bible study conversations where friends question the need/appropriateness of seeing Jesus on the cross--because it confuses the reality that he defeated death and rose again. (I'm sure there are even deeper theological debates that would go over my head.)
But on Good Friday 2006 I attended a church service with a huge (15 ft?) cross and statue of the crucified Saviour. In that beautifully crafted, larger than life piece of art, there was no mistaking the exquisite price Jesus paid for my sins. An empty cross wouldn't have diluted His gift to me, but the crucified Jesus didn't deny His resurrection either.
What do you believe?
Some have crosses without a figure of Jesus at the front of the sanctuary, some with the crucified figure of Jesus, and some with nothing but multimedia screens or banners.
I've encountered bible study conversations where friends question the need/appropriateness of seeing Jesus on the cross--because it confuses the reality that he defeated death and rose again. (I'm sure there are even deeper theological debates that would go over my head.)
But on Good Friday 2006 I attended a church service with a huge (15 ft?) cross and statue of the crucified Saviour. In that beautifully crafted, larger than life piece of art, there was no mistaking the exquisite price Jesus paid for my sins. An empty cross wouldn't have diluted His gift to me, but the crucified Jesus didn't deny His resurrection either.
What do you believe?
Podcasting Preachers
If you're reading this from your computer connection, you probably have the ability to download files.
I received an mp3 player for Christmas and I've been downloading radio preacher "podcasts" on a daily basis. Oneplace.com is just one of the sites where you can fine good Christian audio.
http://www.oneplace.com/
Steve Brown (Key Life); David Moore; Allistair Begg; Greg Laurie all have free podcast subscriptions available (with donations accepted).
Even conservative talk show hosts like Laura Ingraham have commercial free versions of their daily shows.
So, whether I'm at the gym, working on the yard, or in my car, it's encouraging to listen to a sermon topic, Bible study or simply get a balanced perspective on world news.
If you're like me, you'd never be able to hear all this great content at the scheduled program times -- but download it to your computer or mp3 player, and you've got on-demand access to wonderful teaching.
What do you believe?
I received an mp3 player for Christmas and I've been downloading radio preacher "podcasts" on a daily basis. Oneplace.com is just one of the sites where you can fine good Christian audio.
http://www.oneplace.com/
Steve Brown (Key Life); David Moore; Allistair Begg; Greg Laurie all have free podcast subscriptions available (with donations accepted).
Even conservative talk show hosts like Laura Ingraham have commercial free versions of their daily shows.
So, whether I'm at the gym, working on the yard, or in my car, it's encouraging to listen to a sermon topic, Bible study or simply get a balanced perspective on world news.
If you're like me, you'd never be able to hear all this great content at the scheduled program times -- but download it to your computer or mp3 player, and you've got on-demand access to wonderful teaching.
What do you believe?
Designer Gods
Sometimes people debating the nature of God will say something like,
"Well, I'm not sure I want to believe in a God who allows this to happen..."
as though God might try harder to earn their vote or approval. Or that God might disappear altogether if His poll numbers dropped sufficiently.
Isn't it more realistic to believe that if there really is a Supreme Being (God) who created the universe -- He doesn't need our opinion? The reverse is actually how I choose to look at it - what is it about God that I don't yet understand? Fortunately, there's His revealed and inspired writings for us to explore (The Holy Bible). And to help that effort, we can pray for insight and wisdom -- which God generously provides through his Holy Spirit. It helps to mix all this with the trusted fellowship of other Believers -- at church or in Bible studies.
It's one thing to question or doubt God in our frustration - He can handle it...but it's another to try and re-create God in our own image. When we say, "I'm sure God is really more like this...because I can't picture a God who would be like that..." then we're flirting with idolatry -- following a manufactured God, rather than the Living God.
Idols are anything we place above, or make more important than God -- even our expectations for how He should do His job. It takes humility to say, "Lord, your ways are above my ways."
What do you believe?
"Well, I'm not sure I want to believe in a God who allows this to happen..."
as though God might try harder to earn their vote or approval. Or that God might disappear altogether if His poll numbers dropped sufficiently.
Isn't it more realistic to believe that if there really is a Supreme Being (God) who created the universe -- He doesn't need our opinion? The reverse is actually how I choose to look at it - what is it about God that I don't yet understand? Fortunately, there's His revealed and inspired writings for us to explore (The Holy Bible). And to help that effort, we can pray for insight and wisdom -- which God generously provides through his Holy Spirit. It helps to mix all this with the trusted fellowship of other Believers -- at church or in Bible studies.
It's one thing to question or doubt God in our frustration - He can handle it...but it's another to try and re-create God in our own image. When we say, "I'm sure God is really more like this...because I can't picture a God who would be like that..." then we're flirting with idolatry -- following a manufactured God, rather than the Living God.
Idols are anything we place above, or make more important than God -- even our expectations for how He should do His job. It takes humility to say, "Lord, your ways are above my ways."
What do you believe?
What Makes Your Worldview Christian?
Having a Christian worldview doesn't make you better or worse than anyone else, but it does define your perspective.
I like to say to my friends..."I'm having trouble seeing your point, I've got this plank in my eye..." That's a reference to Jesus admonition that we should not try to remove the 'splinter' of disagreement from our neighbor's perspective when we might actually have an entire wood plank blocking our own vision of truth. Fair enough - we've got to hear and listen to what people have to say about today's challenging list of hot button topics. And we can't assume we have all the answers--individually.
Still, it's made easier for me when I think, "now I'm going to go and see what the Bible says about that--and what Jesus taught about that." Reading the news, discussing cultural topics with friends and colleagues...I'm doing my best to keep it all in perspective--in a biblical perspective. And I hope to follow those thoughts on this blog.
What do you believe?
I like to say to my friends..."I'm having trouble seeing your point, I've got this plank in my eye..." That's a reference to Jesus admonition that we should not try to remove the 'splinter' of disagreement from our neighbor's perspective when we might actually have an entire wood plank blocking our own vision of truth. Fair enough - we've got to hear and listen to what people have to say about today's challenging list of hot button topics. And we can't assume we have all the answers--individually.
Still, it's made easier for me when I think, "now I'm going to go and see what the Bible says about that--and what Jesus taught about that." Reading the news, discussing cultural topics with friends and colleagues...I'm doing my best to keep it all in perspective--in a biblical perspective. And I hope to follow those thoughts on this blog.
What do you believe?
Seder Meal - Passover
It had been 25 years since my wife and I attended a Seder Meal during Passover.
This year, two of our dear cousins invited us to join about 30 other people at a local hotel. It was a simple banquet hall set up with six large tables.
One couple, who had obviously led many Seder meals in the past, did a great job guiding everyone through the evening, complete with bitter herbs, matzo and songs - even prayers in Hebrew.
In addition to renewed insights of what Jesus and his disciples shared during that fateful passover before his death and resurrection, we enjoyed a nice time of fellowship with these believers of the messianic tradition.
A particular item struck me as they reviewed meanings of the original passover elements. The matzo, a yeastless flatbread, was said to commemorate the quick exit made by Moses and the Hebrews to escape their Egyptian captors. The bread cooked in it's flat form thanks to the hot sun--and because there was no time to let it rise beforehand. From a Christian perspective, the matzo also has lines across it - perhaps foreshadowing the stripes of lashes which would strike Jesus' back, and when you hold a piece of the flat bread up to the light, you notice the tiny holes...and remember how his hands and feet were pierced.
All in all, the Seder experience was a welcome addition to our Holy Week observance.
As they taught us to say following the seder, "next year in Jerusalem!"
What do you believe?
This year, two of our dear cousins invited us to join about 30 other people at a local hotel. It was a simple banquet hall set up with six large tables.
One couple, who had obviously led many Seder meals in the past, did a great job guiding everyone through the evening, complete with bitter herbs, matzo and songs - even prayers in Hebrew.
In addition to renewed insights of what Jesus and his disciples shared during that fateful passover before his death and resurrection, we enjoyed a nice time of fellowship with these believers of the messianic tradition.
A particular item struck me as they reviewed meanings of the original passover elements. The matzo, a yeastless flatbread, was said to commemorate the quick exit made by Moses and the Hebrews to escape their Egyptian captors. The bread cooked in it's flat form thanks to the hot sun--and because there was no time to let it rise beforehand. From a Christian perspective, the matzo also has lines across it - perhaps foreshadowing the stripes of lashes which would strike Jesus' back, and when you hold a piece of the flat bread up to the light, you notice the tiny holes...and remember how his hands and feet were pierced.
All in all, the Seder experience was a welcome addition to our Holy Week observance.
As they taught us to say following the seder, "next year in Jerusalem!"
What do you believe?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)