The Bite is the Lucy

12/12/2015

Hebrews 6.4-6 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. – the Writer of Hebrews

I remember reading the Peanuts cartoons in the Sunday papers when I was a kid. My folks bought us Peanuts books to read, which were just collections of the strips that were in the Sunday Funnies. Why did Charlie Brown keep trying to kick that damned football anyway!? Lucy kept putting it in front of him, only to pull it away at the last second and watch him miss and fall on his butt. Poor Charlie; devious Lucy.

The lesson is Charlie Brown wanted so badly to kick that football. He dreamed of booting it through the uprights, or through the end-zone; or landing the perfect punt on the 1-yard line so his team could pounce on it and pin the other team deep in their territory. It was all about the imagination of sporting valor and vanquish – things boys used to think about in the innocence of back then… Not so much today.

Oh yes, Hebrews! Goodness, I almost forgot what I was doing – valor and vanquish! Hebrews 6 to me is like the football that evilly devious Lucy put in front of predictably pathetic Charlie Brown – I just have to make a comment on it. Whoops! There I go, on my butt again.

Forget about all of the argument as to whether we can lose our faith or not. Forget about Aminian or Calvinist theology – like those two we the end-all, be-all. Jacobus and John are probably turning in their graves. Can one, after having “…once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away…” be restored? No. One can’t. But after all of the criteria previous to fallen away even happen? It’s worth thinking about. Can you have all of God and miss it?

The Lucy is the bite of the question. The Charlie Brown is the attempt to answer the question. Context is difficult but can be surmised by other clues in Hebrews. But! We really can only surmise, or we can argue: Calvinist vs. Arminian. What’s it going to be?

Or we could ask: How’s your daily moment by moment relationship with God? You see, losing salvation is not the issue – walking with God is. In our day and way, we focus on all kinds of stuff besides whether we is, or we ain’t. Most would say they is, but their actions might reveal they ain’t. But what is you really? Whoever you is, needs to answer the question. Salvation is not based on me, save my choice. The Gift is the gift and it never changes. Whether or not I accept the Gift is another matter.

One thing is for sure – it is impossible to recover from something which can never happen anyway – like God making a rock so big that He can’t lift it. That’s where I draw the line on free will. Free will is not some kind of kryptonite against God. But God isn’t into rape either. There! I lunged at the football and I see it flying perfectly through the uprights. And my efforts have won the game…in my mind. Your thoughts? My butt is sore. 

Father – help us to see; help us to be – Amen.

The Gift

12/10/2015

2 Timothy 1.6-7 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – St. Paul

St. Paul was at the end of his life and earthly ministry, and wrote a letter to his protégé, Pastor Timothy. Chances are this was the last communique between the two, and by the time Timothy did his best to get to where Paul was, the imminent apostle was probably already dead. A friend of mine wrote, just yesterday, that these words of Paul’s may have been his famous last.

I am looking for a life verse for 2016; I just may have found one. I am not expecting to die soon, but now, at the age I am, I am thinking seriously about the next 10 to 12 years and what they may look like for me in this fickle and fluid world in which we abide. I want to fan into flame the gift of God given to me, not necessarily by the laying on of someone’s hands, but as it truly is, from God Himself.

The other day Cathy and I were remarking about the seasons of life and she made the comment that she didn’t mind the late fall. I said, Darlin, please, this ain’t the late fall, it’s only mid-fall; I don’t want us to rush things. But I do want to keep an eye on the seasons and I want to finish well. “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…” that’s not bad motivation for the spring, summer, or fall.

What is the gift that God has given me? What is the gift that God has given you? Anymore, I see the gift as the gift of Himself. I see the gift less as vocation or occupation but more as power and presence; His power, His presence. My goal in the next ten or so years is to more fully connect with the power and presence of God in my life. Or at least, to connect with Him as I never have before. To connect in reality and not theory. To connect powerfully (His, not mine); to connect in love and self-control – the battles of life are too fierce for me to tackle on my own.

Right now, I am focused on today and fanning the flame of the gift as it pertains to what is presently before me. All I have is this moment, and if all works out, this day. But for right now, it’s His power and presence that sustain me. Learning to get myself out of the way so He can do what He desires in me, through me, and for me, is what is most important. That’s the gift.

In the year to come, I want to be present in His presence and enabled by His power. My life depends on it…

Father, may I, in the power and presence of Yourself, fan into flame the gift of Your presence and power. May I learn to quit struggling to be, and just be. I pray for vision, strength, and courage as I look toward the coming year, and may our relationship blossom and grow as never before. Use me in Your Kingdom work, and may I burn brightly for that – thank You for meeting all my needs in the meantime – amen.

Good and Pleasing

12/8/2015

2.1-4 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. – St. Paul

I can’t think of the last time I interceded for a government official. We live in a day of political division and some really believe that government is the answer, and some really do not. There is a belief that somehow, some way we can have/find justice in this world and we need a single source for that justice and so, therefore, (to some) government seems to be the solution to that need. We can’t have just your form of justice, nor can we have just mine – we think we want a single source providing liberty and justice for all.

And so we exchange freedoms in this quest for justice. And the more we exchange, the less we have and the hope in doing so, is that we will secure justice. Exchanged freedoms however, come at the expense of limited liberties for some; and not necessarily justice for all. But our quest for justice races on.

I can’t think of the last time I interceded for ‘kings and all who are in high positions’ and yet these are the very people I entrust in my quest for liberty and justice for all. I wonder why I pray about my family, my church, my business, the sick, the hurting, and the needy; and yet my radar screen is too small to encompass those to whom I look for liberty and justice. I must not care that much about them. Does God?

There are a couple of obscure passages in 1 Timothy that speak volumes of what should be and is  missing in our quest for liberty and justice for all – one of them is the above. That’s why we need to pay attention to what it is we think we want, and from whom we think we want it.

And we must pay attention to what God thinks about all this as well: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… Justice God’s way, not ours.

When is the last time you fell on your face before God and prayed for kings and those in high positions? I know I am in arrears here; and I know I must repent.

Father, may I do that which is good and pleasing in Your sight because You desire all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth… especially since I keep looking for liberty and justice for all in the wrong places… Father, forgive me my silence, and help me to pray. Amen

Steadfast and Thankful

12/7/2015

Colossians 4.2 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. – St. Paul

As is my custom, I read the Bible when I get up in the morning. I have an annual reading plan I follow and today the plan took me to Colossians. As I read I think about what I’m reading and see what stands out to me. Then I write about what I saw and how I think it spoke to me, or applies to me. So here goes: Monday, December 07, 2015.

Yesterday, we had quite a service in our gathering as a church. Our pastor has been suffering from intense pain in his lower back; others have physical issues they’re fighting with: kidney stones, shoulder injury, vertebrae in the neck, as well as things like job loss (a real pain as well) and bereavement. So we gathered the lame and hurting and bereaved and unemployed, and as a church, we prayed.

We prayed and declared God’s goodness and power, and asked for His divine intervention in the lives of those suffering. We rebuked sickness and disease (because really, that’s what we should do). And, we thanked God for what He is doing. Sometimes we don’t quite know what God is doing, but we always know He is up to something. So the idea is whether we know or not, trust that He is, and thank Him for the results. God loves our prayers and thanksgiving.

And we prayed with expectation. No use in praying for miracles if we’re not going to look for them. God is a God of miracles. We don’t need His miracles because we want to validate our faith; we need His miracles because we need His miracles! We need His healing, provision, comfort, direction, wisdom, and presence. (God is never really not present, but sometimes we sure act like He is off in the back forty of the universe somewhere and has forgotten who, where – and how – we are.)

Paul said, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Here’s what I get from that statement: pray faithfully and continually, faithfully watching for His answers. In other words, pray with expectation that our Great God is intimately involved in our lives and everyday affairs, and is presently and continually acting on our behalf. That’s just what God does. So look for it.

Paul didn’t communicate to us words to just make us feel better; no, he instructed us how to pray and live excitedly and expectantly with God no matter how we feel, or think. We’re to pray steadfastly always looking for God’s answers. Why else would we pray?

What do you need today that only God can supply? Where have your resources run short that only He can refill? What is it that the doctor says, well, that’s all we can do; that only God can finish? It’s not a matter of naming and claiming except in the sense of this: God, unless You do something, I’ll never make it. I’m praying and asking faithfully and continually because there is no one else to help me but You. Thank You God, that You know my needs and You’re acting on my behalf. Regardless of the outcome, I’m trusting You! So, I’m asking You.

Be steadfast in your asking and thankful in your watching – God is at work in our situation today.

She Gets It

12/03/15

16.1-2 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. – St. Paul

I remember a Sunday morning back in 2008 when a world-famous politician stood on the steps of Baker County Courthouse and addressed a crowd of the committed, and the curious (I was in the latter), about his spouse who was running for president at that time. I was pastoring a small church then and our building was right across the street from said courthouse.

As I recall, I had been contacted by the spouse’s election team, the Secret Service, and the local PD about the event and they were very concerned that their event wouldn’t be a distraction, or inconvenience to my congregation given all of the hype (local mostly) about this world-famous politician being there. I assured them we’d be fine.

As our worship service ended, the public gathering began, and curious-me, wanted to see the celebrity; I became a part of the crowd of onlookers because it just ain’t every day that a world-famous (have I mentioned that fact already?) politician comes to Baker City, Oregon. (I wish time and space would allow me to share about my encounter with the not-as-famous former Governor of Idaho…another time perhaps.)

So, in his stumping-speech, this world-famous politician said of his spouse that we hicks-on-the-bricks ought to vote for his wife because, and I quote: She gets it. I thought about that this morning as I read Paul’s commendation of Phoebe of Cenchreae. I think Paul was saying to his Roman readers: Phoeb’s gets it. Welcome her. Honor her. Help her. That’s a big, big statement.

Paul’s description of Phoebe is noteworthy because he calls her a servant and a patron. Phoebe served her church well and gave herself to the spreading of the gospel. I don’t know where you stand on the whole women-in-ministry argument, but it is also noteworthy that Paul commends a woman whom he said, deserved to be treated in a way worthy of the saints. And Paul commended her as a patron – that is a person who is not only committed with heart, but purse as well. And, SHE WAS A WOMAN!!!

God doesn’t see gender; He sees heart. God rejected Barak because he would only serve with stipulations, even though he was called to serve obediently – no strings attached. (See Judges 4) A woman delivered Israel, and another woman killed the enemy, Sisera. Hmmm, where were the guys?

The Kingdom of God is genderless. The Kingdom of God sizes up people by their heart for the King, not whether they wear pants or panty-hose (OMG, am I dating myself!). Phoebe was commended because of her heart. What causes you and me to be commended? To whom are we commendable? Is the end of my life the result of the furtherance of the Kingdom? Worth thinking about…

Father, find me commendable because of my love for You and Your people. May I get it, and may I serve, and as far as possible be a partner and a patron to those whose hearts are knitted to Yours and the furtherance of Your Kingdom – Amen.

When Kindness Fails

12/2/2015

Romans 11.22-23 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. St. Paul

In Romans 2 this same Apostle wrote: Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (V.4) So, 9 chapters later it isn’t surprising that he says the above.

Paul’s custom was always to reach out to the Jews first in whatever part of the world he was; they were his heart’s passion and compassion (See Romans 9.1ff). But when the Jews rejected his message he always turned instead to the Gentiles (non-Jews). But Paul wrote predominantly to the people he loved: his own people, the Jews. He told them of God’s immeasurable kindness.

Israel had a lousy track record with God. The infant nation, born in Egypt, was never out of God’s sight but the difficulty of the infant nation was they didn’t recognize God, their Parent. God’s plan and provision were lost on them. And the kindness of God parented, protected, and provided for the infant nation; yet for the most part, all of God’s efforts – His Kindness – were lost on them. Meet Severity.

So, when kindness fails what’s left? The other day the theme of my writing was the wrath of God. We use the word wrath to be some word-picture of spitting fire and damnation in uncontrolled anger; like God loses it. Not so. Well, maybe not so. Wrath is, in my humble estimation, simply the rejection of God. When God rejects someone, there is nothing left but what they have and in this old world, that ain’t much (no matter how much one thinks one has). The recipient of wrath only has himself to defend against God slamming the door, that doesn’t even show up on the microscope. Air has more substance.

When kindness fails all that’s left is severity. Perhaps when considering the severity of God, maybe wrath doesn’t sound so bad (just kidding). Paul wrote that those who don’t believe because they won’t believe are left with the severity of God. When God goes out of His way to be kind and it’s met with disrespect then comes severity. Severity is devastating because severity is wrath, is rejection. Perhaps the story of the Jews is that of severity. Such is the fate of all who spurn God’s kindness. Yikes!

Father, You aren’t to be trifled with no matter how much we want to see You as somehow like us. You are immeasurably kind, but, also inconceivably severe. May I never take Your kindness for granted, nor may I be an enabler of those that spite Your kindness by making up excuses for them. As good and as great as You truly are, Your kindness and severity are inseparable, and equally good and great. Amen.

Who

12/1/2015

Romans 8.31-35 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? – St. Paul

I think the question of who ought to be proceeded by the phrase: If not God, then who? Much of life on this planet wants little to do with Him who created it. There is much conjecture that the One who did, isn’t the One who is…something or someone else must have happened. That is the lie that pervades mankind. Their choice.

But there are those who are determined that He who did, is He who does; and what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Truth is, many are against us, but with God, who can prevail? That’s the reality. Multiplied millions deny Him but it is only He who guards and protects His children against those who durst deny Him and His children in their belief.

He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things? What things? Does God just give His own a pad of blank checks? Is it name it and claim it? No, all He has and is He gives to His own. Heaven waits for those who stand on these promises; the promise is not for presents, but presence. God told Abraham: I am your very great Reward. God gives His own Himself.

So, who brings an argument against that!? Nobody. Who can tell God what to do and with whom? Nobody. Who is to condemn God’s children for standing on the promise of God, our very Great Reward? Nobody. Jesus is the One who set all this in motion – who is it that can stop it? What in the world, or who in the world can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? Vlad? The Ayatollah? Barry? Francis? Name someone with the power and wherewithal to stop what God is doing and nullify what God has done and for whom? Name just one.

And who or what shall separate us from His love? Circumstances? Situations? People? Places? Problems? Poverty? Pain? Peril? No. One. Nothing shall separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Our problems ought to teach us, if nothing else, about His great love for us. All of these negative things (if we durst call them that) are part of this world but not part of the next. It is the promise of the next that nullifies the who, the now. If not God, then who?

Father, thank You for the reminder today that nothing will separate us from Your love, and all the things we think are problems are really pointers pointing back to this great truth: Nothing will separate us from Your great Love. Ever. For that I am glad. Amen.