How interesting that Mary meets Jesus the gardener when going to visit his tomb. What implications does this bring? Jesus, the perfect human (Adam), is resurrected and the first thing that we find is that he is gardening. He is restoring the cultivating that was commanded to Adam in Genesis one. But Jesus is bringing in the New Creation versus Adam that brought in the first. Adam was in a sense unable to fill this command, for when sin entered cultivating was not as easily accomplished as it had been in the beginning. But with Jesus, this process once again can be accomplished with the covering of our sins with his blood. How amazing! Jesus, bringing in the new creation is making all things new once again. What once was destroyed with sin, is now being restored with the resurrection and the beginnings of new creation.
When Adam died he brought sin into the world, but when Jesus died he brought sin out of the world. How interesting, how interconnected. The scriptures are full of this, connection throughout. Now originally Adam was without sin and had the anecdote for eternal life, being the tree of life. But since he chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered and this beautiful creation began to die. The original purposes of mankind were tainted. But with Jesus, his taking on sin, though for a short time brought his death, but overall brought forth life. Complete reverse of Adam's situation. How unbelievable is this. And now once again the anecdote for eternal life is giving again in a new way as with the bringing in of new creation. This new creation not that it did not exist in the past, but now the Holy Spirit will dwell inside of man. And man will be the temple of God, just like Eden was the first temple with the emergence of Creation. But now with the new creation beginning, the restoration of Eden's temple shall now be in mankind. And this Spirit will renew us to once again be able to live the life that Adam was originally called to. Wow! Do you feel the excitement, do you feel the connection? There is endless things to write about, but here I must end for time's sake. But explore this idea. New Creation starting with a simple but profound gardener!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
The Rapture?
Recently I was reading some interesting thoughts by N. T. Wright. It was quite simple, yet quite profound. It's on the rapture, according to N.T. Wright who I believe would be a post-trib believer, he does not believe that the rapture is the idea of us going to God, but instead God or Jesus coming to us.
In ancient times it was customary that when a king or a emperor came to visit a land, he would be greeted outside the land. Then there would be a great processional leading into the city welcoming this person to their kingdom. Wright relates this same idea when the Apostle John was writing in the book of Revelation, about Jesus coming down to the clouds and us being taken up to him. Almost always when it refers to Jesus going somewhere in clouds, it is the idea or personification of Jesus riding in his chariot of fire traveling to somewhere or someplace. This metaphor is used multiple times throughout scripture always relating to the same idea. Now, this is not so life-changing in itself, but it is probable that when John was writing this passage, he was truly referring to our King about to enter the land.
What happens after the tribulation? Well, Armageddon, and Jesus' second coming. Would this not seem to fit accurately? Jesus' coming back, our King and Chief commander, and all of us meeting him, praising and welcoming him all the way into the city, for either the final battle or the New Jerusalem. It is funny how we have allowed Platonism to effect our beliefs, as most of us want to go to heaven when we die. But our ultimate destination is not there, but God bringing heaven to earth, and our ultimate destination is to live eternally on the new earth.
If you could picture for a moment, a city like no other coming on to the earth, the very place that Jesus went to go prepare for us. And God will sit on the throne, with all of creation surrounding him, praising his name. This is our final destination....not heaven. Though heaven exists, it is not our final resting place, but a temporary holding of the great city of GOD! So, now backtracking lets think about the rapture again.
I know I don't have a complete grasp on the end times yet, and am not sure if I am pre, post, or mid-trib. But Wright brings some good ideas and thoughts I would never have discovered on my own. So, I share...your decision on the matter will not affect the course of history, but there needs to be more reasoning in your mind that God is nice and therefore I am pre-trib. I don't wish to go through the tribulation period nor do I wish it on anyone, but its possible. However all that matters is what my relationship with God is, whether I would die for him, the truest question of love.
~CDS~
In ancient times it was customary that when a king or a emperor came to visit a land, he would be greeted outside the land. Then there would be a great processional leading into the city welcoming this person to their kingdom. Wright relates this same idea when the Apostle John was writing in the book of Revelation, about Jesus coming down to the clouds and us being taken up to him. Almost always when it refers to Jesus going somewhere in clouds, it is the idea or personification of Jesus riding in his chariot of fire traveling to somewhere or someplace. This metaphor is used multiple times throughout scripture always relating to the same idea. Now, this is not so life-changing in itself, but it is probable that when John was writing this passage, he was truly referring to our King about to enter the land.
What happens after the tribulation? Well, Armageddon, and Jesus' second coming. Would this not seem to fit accurately? Jesus' coming back, our King and Chief commander, and all of us meeting him, praising and welcoming him all the way into the city, for either the final battle or the New Jerusalem. It is funny how we have allowed Platonism to effect our beliefs, as most of us want to go to heaven when we die. But our ultimate destination is not there, but God bringing heaven to earth, and our ultimate destination is to live eternally on the new earth.
If you could picture for a moment, a city like no other coming on to the earth, the very place that Jesus went to go prepare for us. And God will sit on the throne, with all of creation surrounding him, praising his name. This is our final destination....not heaven. Though heaven exists, it is not our final resting place, but a temporary holding of the great city of GOD! So, now backtracking lets think about the rapture again.
I know I don't have a complete grasp on the end times yet, and am not sure if I am pre, post, or mid-trib. But Wright brings some good ideas and thoughts I would never have discovered on my own. So, I share...your decision on the matter will not affect the course of history, but there needs to be more reasoning in your mind that God is nice and therefore I am pre-trib. I don't wish to go through the tribulation period nor do I wish it on anyone, but its possible. However all that matters is what my relationship with God is, whether I would die for him, the truest question of love.
~CDS~
Thursday, August 12, 2010
World Where its Heading...
The world, where are we heading? Some people believe in progress, they believe that as science and technology advance we will eventually come to a Utopian society. This belief is where Darwinism and Marxism derived some of its beginnings. But the fact is progress does not do take into consideration the relevance of evil, and as clearly is seen within our world, progress really has only helped in some instances the progress of evil, and its advancement with technology. But this brings into consideration the adverse effect and reasoning others have.
Gnosticism believes that the material world is an inferior and dark place and evil is its very existence. They believe only as time goes on things get worse, and truly the fall of humankind began at the existence of Creation. Gnostic s believe that we are just waiting for our death to enter into our spiritual condition, a non-material form, which is itself good. However, this is in conflict with the fact that Scripture teaches us that we are going to have new bodies, the problem is not our material state, but the corrupted flesh. This corruption is due to sin and its consequence is death. Similar to the garden of Eden, the paradise that was Adam and Eve's was experienced in a material condition. It was only when sin entered that they were kicked out into truly an abyss. But this corrupted state has been redeemed, and its final redemption will come into effect with the creation of the New Heaven and Earth. If gnosticism proved true we would go to heaven, not come to earth. But our final destination is Earth, with the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. The final locale for us is not in a far-off world, but in Earth, in a redeemed one.
This brings me to my conclusion in this brief synopsis of our course on this earth. Where are we heading? The earth in my opinion is not necessarily getting more corrupt or better, it is just getting closer to becoming redeemed. Redeemed from its sin, looking forward to bringing it back into its original perfect order, when God saw all he did and said that it was "Good." "What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rater redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is what the whole world's waiting for." (N.T. Wright)
~CDS~
Gnosticism believes that the material world is an inferior and dark place and evil is its very existence. They believe only as time goes on things get worse, and truly the fall of humankind began at the existence of Creation. Gnostic s believe that we are just waiting for our death to enter into our spiritual condition, a non-material form, which is itself good. However, this is in conflict with the fact that Scripture teaches us that we are going to have new bodies, the problem is not our material state, but the corrupted flesh. This corruption is due to sin and its consequence is death. Similar to the garden of Eden, the paradise that was Adam and Eve's was experienced in a material condition. It was only when sin entered that they were kicked out into truly an abyss. But this corrupted state has been redeemed, and its final redemption will come into effect with the creation of the New Heaven and Earth. If gnosticism proved true we would go to heaven, not come to earth. But our final destination is Earth, with the New Jerusalem coming out of heaven. The final locale for us is not in a far-off world, but in Earth, in a redeemed one.
This brings me to my conclusion in this brief synopsis of our course on this earth. Where are we heading? The earth in my opinion is not necessarily getting more corrupt or better, it is just getting closer to becoming redeemed. Redeemed from its sin, looking forward to bringing it back into its original perfect order, when God saw all he did and said that it was "Good." "What creation needs is neither abandonment nor evolution but rater redemption and renewal; and this is both promised and guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This is what the whole world's waiting for." (N.T. Wright)
~CDS~
Monday, August 9, 2010
Resurrection
I am reading at the moment a very profound book, to which I am only partly through. It is called Surprised By Hope -Rethinking Heaven, The Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, by N.T. Wright. This is my first read from this author and he has come highly recommended from many of my friends, and is already becoming one of my favorite authors.
In his first section he brings light to the resurrection, a completely implausible event in history that changed history since its occurrence. I would like to focus for my own train of thought, his portion on science. Science tries to disprove the resurrection, through scientific method, whether through skepticism, historical criticism, or even just simple understood fact. The resurrection cannot happen, it is not possible, it is inevitably a failed idea. Man does not rise from the dead, science proves this, there is no way to prove this obscure far-fetched idea. The absence of life is death, and death has no life, for life does not exist in death. Science is tested through a number of factors, but eventually it can be said to be truth or fact when repeatedly it is tested and the same conclusions can be made. In other words the hypothesis is proven. Honestly though there are many events in history that have happened and only happened once in that way. For example lets take man's victory on landing on the moon.
Man has landed on the moon numerous times, however there was a first, a time where something was implausible, unthinkable, and truly unbelievable. But this event occurred, man landed on the moon, and truly man has only landed on the moon for the first time once. All evidence at the time believed it could be true, but could not test its theory until it happened, Now of course there was the use of Fibonacci's numbers that helped chart this event and make it happen. However, to anyone in the past before this took place; most would have thought that is was an obscure idea, and though a thrilling idea, it was truly impossible. But now in today's world we do not doubt for a moment if this journey to the moon is possible, we know it is, for it happens time and time again. But things sometimes do go wrong and this proven scientific idea of flying to the moon is possible, sometimes the rocket does not make it their even with proven thought. Now this brings us to the Resurrection.
And looking at the Resurrection I am referring to Christ's, not the other few occurrences in the Bible. Science looks at the Resurrection and says its not possible, it can't be proved, and truly cannot be hypothesized. But we know that after the Resurrection there were numerous people that believed it could happen. The disciples for example did not believe that the Messiah had to die, and after his death were not expecting or awaiting eagerly the resurrection. They believed it was over, they did not believe that rising from the dead could happen in the past and that it would not happen after Jesus' death. But something happened, their belief in the Resurrection changed, their belief was changed, what they believed to be impossible, now was possible and tangible, to which doubting Thomas found for himself. Something unbelievable became believable, just like man's first time landing on the moon.
In conclusion I was just like to say to all of the skeptics out there that God is outside of logic, he is outside of science, for he is not a created being, and only creation can be proved through science, through logic and such, but God is outside of the natural. I love the fact that any time God acts its impossible, his actions super cede the laws of nature. Just like the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelite's believed for their entire lives that it was impossible for water to be separated and for someone to walk and cross on dry ground, but it happened and their belief in the impossible became possible. That is what God is, and that is what the Resurrection is, a belief in the unthinkable, becoming truth overcoming all rational thought. Though my argument up above is just a small one there are many more found in N.T.'s book proving the resurrection and defeating all arguments that science could give.
You know the funny thing about God is that he is in every thing, but it is hard to find him, unless you seek him with all your heart, not with science alone.
~CDS~
In his first section he brings light to the resurrection, a completely implausible event in history that changed history since its occurrence. I would like to focus for my own train of thought, his portion on science. Science tries to disprove the resurrection, through scientific method, whether through skepticism, historical criticism, or even just simple understood fact. The resurrection cannot happen, it is not possible, it is inevitably a failed idea. Man does not rise from the dead, science proves this, there is no way to prove this obscure far-fetched idea. The absence of life is death, and death has no life, for life does not exist in death. Science is tested through a number of factors, but eventually it can be said to be truth or fact when repeatedly it is tested and the same conclusions can be made. In other words the hypothesis is proven. Honestly though there are many events in history that have happened and only happened once in that way. For example lets take man's victory on landing on the moon.
Man has landed on the moon numerous times, however there was a first, a time where something was implausible, unthinkable, and truly unbelievable. But this event occurred, man landed on the moon, and truly man has only landed on the moon for the first time once. All evidence at the time believed it could be true, but could not test its theory until it happened, Now of course there was the use of Fibonacci's numbers that helped chart this event and make it happen. However, to anyone in the past before this took place; most would have thought that is was an obscure idea, and though a thrilling idea, it was truly impossible. But now in today's world we do not doubt for a moment if this journey to the moon is possible, we know it is, for it happens time and time again. But things sometimes do go wrong and this proven scientific idea of flying to the moon is possible, sometimes the rocket does not make it their even with proven thought. Now this brings us to the Resurrection.
And looking at the Resurrection I am referring to Christ's, not the other few occurrences in the Bible. Science looks at the Resurrection and says its not possible, it can't be proved, and truly cannot be hypothesized. But we know that after the Resurrection there were numerous people that believed it could happen. The disciples for example did not believe that the Messiah had to die, and after his death were not expecting or awaiting eagerly the resurrection. They believed it was over, they did not believe that rising from the dead could happen in the past and that it would not happen after Jesus' death. But something happened, their belief in the Resurrection changed, their belief was changed, what they believed to be impossible, now was possible and tangible, to which doubting Thomas found for himself. Something unbelievable became believable, just like man's first time landing on the moon.
In conclusion I was just like to say to all of the skeptics out there that God is outside of logic, he is outside of science, for he is not a created being, and only creation can be proved through science, through logic and such, but God is outside of the natural. I love the fact that any time God acts its impossible, his actions super cede the laws of nature. Just like the crossing of the Red Sea, the Israelite's believed for their entire lives that it was impossible for water to be separated and for someone to walk and cross on dry ground, but it happened and their belief in the impossible became possible. That is what God is, and that is what the Resurrection is, a belief in the unthinkable, becoming truth overcoming all rational thought. Though my argument up above is just a small one there are many more found in N.T.'s book proving the resurrection and defeating all arguments that science could give.
You know the funny thing about God is that he is in every thing, but it is hard to find him, unless you seek him with all your heart, not with science alone.
~CDS~
Monday, August 2, 2010
Meekness and Rest
Jesus never uttered opinions. Is that not a thought provoking idea? His words are the essence of truth, he never gave opinions. He never guessed, he knew, he knows. So why do we not follow these words? These somewhat ancient words of truth into life and into our lives?
I am reading the Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, may have read it before, but his information is often hard to retain. Not that is over my head, but just so delicately brilliant that I sadly forget some of it. Anyhow, there is a chapter on meekness and rest, a thought provoking, insightful, piece. Matt. 5.5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Inherit, to possess, to be given; this statement is so interesting, for it is contrary to everything we are. We are not in the slightest meek; we are proud people always worrying about everything the world thinks about us. It is a burden that we all carry, and for most an everlasting burden til death. Tozer takes this idea and applies it to some verses further on in Matthew, something we have all heard at one time or another. "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This yoke according to Tozer is the one that plagues all of the human race. It is three fold, pride, pretense and artificiality.
Pride, the labor of self- love is heavy, and we are the god of it. Pretense, to act as everything is going perfect, and hide our real inward poverty. Artificiality, really comes from our pretense and this endless struggle to keep up who we are not. These three things are deeply rooted in our society, and they are burdensome. But at the heart of the message in Matthew, Jesus shows us freedom, to come to him and get rest, true release of our burden. To come broken, to come exposed, to come humbled, and be swallowed up by the meekness of Christ. "The rest he offers is of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend." A meek person is not afflicted with the what the world thinks, he may be as strong as Samson and afraid of nothing, but he has stopped fooling himself. They know they are weak and helpless without God, but also paradoxically know that in God they are everything.
"Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge to compete with another for place or prestige or position. I would be simple and artless as a little child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find true peace in beholding thee. That thou mayest answer this praye, I humble myself before thee. Lay open thy easy yoke or self-forgetfullness that through it I may find rest. Amen." A.W. Tozer
In all of this, Jesus statements are truth, they are not suggestions or opinions, they are life-fulfilling words.
~CDS~
I am reading the Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, may have read it before, but his information is often hard to retain. Not that is over my head, but just so delicately brilliant that I sadly forget some of it. Anyhow, there is a chapter on meekness and rest, a thought provoking, insightful, piece. Matt. 5.5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Inherit, to possess, to be given; this statement is so interesting, for it is contrary to everything we are. We are not in the slightest meek; we are proud people always worrying about everything the world thinks about us. It is a burden that we all carry, and for most an everlasting burden til death. Tozer takes this idea and applies it to some verses further on in Matthew, something we have all heard at one time or another. "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This yoke according to Tozer is the one that plagues all of the human race. It is three fold, pride, pretense and artificiality.
Pride, the labor of self- love is heavy, and we are the god of it. Pretense, to act as everything is going perfect, and hide our real inward poverty. Artificiality, really comes from our pretense and this endless struggle to keep up who we are not. These three things are deeply rooted in our society, and they are burdensome. But at the heart of the message in Matthew, Jesus shows us freedom, to come to him and get rest, true release of our burden. To come broken, to come exposed, to come humbled, and be swallowed up by the meekness of Christ. "The rest he offers is of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves for what we are and cease to pretend." A meek person is not afflicted with the what the world thinks, he may be as strong as Samson and afraid of nothing, but he has stopped fooling himself. They know they are weak and helpless without God, but also paradoxically know that in God they are everything.
"Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge to compete with another for place or prestige or position. I would be simple and artless as a little child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find true peace in beholding thee. That thou mayest answer this praye, I humble myself before thee. Lay open thy easy yoke or self-forgetfullness that through it I may find rest. Amen." A.W. Tozer
In all of this, Jesus statements are truth, they are not suggestions or opinions, they are life-fulfilling words.
~CDS~
Thursday, July 29, 2010
In Constant Prayer
The last few days I have been reading a book called IN Constant Prayer by Robert Benson, its definitely an interesting book. Robert Benson is an Episcopalian, and truly at the beginning of this book, I struggled with moving ahead, his ideas are very liturgical and it felt like I was being influenced to become Catholic. Of course not long after that I realized he was Episcopalian, to which I was highly relieved-ha-ha. But as I continued to read I soon found out I had a lot to learn from Mr. benson. His main thesis if you will was found in Paul's statement, "to pray without ceasing." Through the books entirety he illustrates with vivid detail this importance and what this truly means.
In the early days of Christianity Paul's readers would have understood this statement. Benson describes this with the idea of the seven prayers of the day that the Jews would do. Each one different and each one reflective of a different aspect of God and a different way to respond to him. It truly is a beautiful thing, he goes on to show that eventually over time this idea of constant prayer through the day disappeared. It started with Constantine, when Christianity became the nations religion. This obviously was very exciting and liberating at the time. But this sacred practice of prayer over time depleted due to the religious freedom and lackadaisical lifestyles that ensued. And really this sacred practice never has caught on again.
Toward the end of the book Benson goes through a discourse of how we all have plans in life, things that we aspire to do, or are doing, These things some common in nature like moving, require a certain amount of time to prepare for and time to take to accomplish. But all of us no matter truly what stage of life we are in have to plan for things, we have things that are set in the future and have to prep for them ahead of time. But majority of us never plan on improving our spiritual lives, we never sit down and take the time to clearly determine what it would take to improve our walk with God. Most of us will make commitments at some retreat that we go on and year after year we will make the same thing, but never follow through on it. And truly for most of us is because when we get home we don't have a plan to put these into action. His suggestion is to these not on a retreat but in the mundane times of our lives. To paint a picture of where we would like to be with God in the future, and then plan how to get there. So practical and simple, but if we actually did it we would be blown away.
This idea of planning our spiritual lives was so mind-blowing to me, because I am always looking for ways to change my life and I make plans to do so, but I never think about where I would like to be with God in a year, and how to get there. And the act of doing it is simple. If you want to learn to play an instrument you need to pick it up and try it out, the simple act of actually following through on something can be the start to becoming a very talented musician and in this case a closer walk with Yahweh.
Overall the book was intriguing and his idea of praying without ceasing has given me a lot to think about, and I look forward to understanding what the book of common prayers is really about, and not some Catholic thing that is empty is repetition, but something of greater value with greater purpose than I have truly understood.
In the early days of Christianity Paul's readers would have understood this statement. Benson describes this with the idea of the seven prayers of the day that the Jews would do. Each one different and each one reflective of a different aspect of God and a different way to respond to him. It truly is a beautiful thing, he goes on to show that eventually over time this idea of constant prayer through the day disappeared. It started with Constantine, when Christianity became the nations religion. This obviously was very exciting and liberating at the time. But this sacred practice of prayer over time depleted due to the religious freedom and lackadaisical lifestyles that ensued. And really this sacred practice never has caught on again.
Toward the end of the book Benson goes through a discourse of how we all have plans in life, things that we aspire to do, or are doing, These things some common in nature like moving, require a certain amount of time to prepare for and time to take to accomplish. But all of us no matter truly what stage of life we are in have to plan for things, we have things that are set in the future and have to prep for them ahead of time. But majority of us never plan on improving our spiritual lives, we never sit down and take the time to clearly determine what it would take to improve our walk with God. Most of us will make commitments at some retreat that we go on and year after year we will make the same thing, but never follow through on it. And truly for most of us is because when we get home we don't have a plan to put these into action. His suggestion is to these not on a retreat but in the mundane times of our lives. To paint a picture of where we would like to be with God in the future, and then plan how to get there. So practical and simple, but if we actually did it we would be blown away.
This idea of planning our spiritual lives was so mind-blowing to me, because I am always looking for ways to change my life and I make plans to do so, but I never think about where I would like to be with God in a year, and how to get there. And the act of doing it is simple. If you want to learn to play an instrument you need to pick it up and try it out, the simple act of actually following through on something can be the start to becoming a very talented musician and in this case a closer walk with Yahweh.
Overall the book was intriguing and his idea of praying without ceasing has given me a lot to think about, and I look forward to understanding what the book of common prayers is really about, and not some Catholic thing that is empty is repetition, but something of greater value with greater purpose than I have truly understood.
Friday, July 23, 2010
God is Speaking
It is a sad realization when we come to the conclusion that God has spoke, and miss the very fact that God is speaking. Ever since the beginning of creation God has been speaking, and just as he spoke things into being then, he is still speaking through his created things now. It would be a sad thing to look at the Bible and say that it does not speak to you, for the second part of the Godhead is seen as the Word. John 1:1 brings this Word to life and other passages of scripture state that the Word of the Lord is living and active. In lieu of this and many others things which could take a long time to articulate, we should never say that God is not speaking to us. The reality would be, that we are not listening. The Bible is living, it speaks to those who read it, to them, not to someone else. It is for all believers and even those who do not know him. It is a powerful and useful book.
But we cannot stop there, for in the beginning this Bible did not exist, and God spoke to many that are recorded in the pages of scripture, but also I am sure to others not recorded. God has been speaking since the beginning of Him creating time, there has been no lapse just missed opportunities. I for one would rather be out in nature listening to its beautiful song and the beautiful out-pour of God's glory. Too many of us our caught up into our man-made world and miss the very fact that nature is praising and adoring God every day. God is still speaking through his Creation, and if you doubt that then consider a clear night. Looking up you see a vast array of stars, a moon shining bright, and the comfort of silence that the night often brings. If you cannot find awe and amazement in such a sight, then I for one would check your pulse. In these places I find the words of the Psalmist "Be still and know that I am God" resound infinitely.
"Lord teach me to listen. The times are noise and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, 'Speak, for thy servant is listening.' Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart, Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of the earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen." (A.W. Tozer)
~CDS~
But we cannot stop there, for in the beginning this Bible did not exist, and God spoke to many that are recorded in the pages of scripture, but also I am sure to others not recorded. God has been speaking since the beginning of Him creating time, there has been no lapse just missed opportunities. I for one would rather be out in nature listening to its beautiful song and the beautiful out-pour of God's glory. Too many of us our caught up into our man-made world and miss the very fact that nature is praising and adoring God every day. God is still speaking through his Creation, and if you doubt that then consider a clear night. Looking up you see a vast array of stars, a moon shining bright, and the comfort of silence that the night often brings. If you cannot find awe and amazement in such a sight, then I for one would check your pulse. In these places I find the words of the Psalmist "Be still and know that I am God" resound infinitely.
"Lord teach me to listen. The times are noise and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, 'Speak, for thy servant is listening.' Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart, Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of the earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen." (A.W. Tozer)
~CDS~
Monday, July 19, 2010
Missional within question?
I was thinking today as I read through some church history about the way Paul evangelized. Almost always he would start by going to the local Synagogue and would engage in discussion with the Jewish leaders in that town. He was a passionate speaker, and he undeniably knew the Law in and out. Paul would lavishly present his ideas in a graceful, yet in your face kind of way. He was a friend of sinners, I am sure, as he says he is the chief of all, but most of his ministry is found in him engaging different synagogues along his journeys.
In today's popular Christian culture, we here the idea of being missional. Simply engaging in people's lives to be simply their friend with no strings attached. To put it simply as C.S. Lewis once said, "preach the gospel and if necessary use words. Missional ideology is simply getting involved in one's community, without using a bull horn! So with that in mind, where do we place Paul's approach? Now, it has to be noted that he was not engaging sinners in these synagogues but Jews. Paul was never afraid, he spoke the truth in love I would imagine, but he was not ashamed and willing to die to put forth his message. Is this something we should be doing, its not necessarily something that Paul charges us to do, he does charge us to share the good news and live lives of obedience. But the question remains....
Now culturally at this time the gospel has just begun, Christians are spreading everywhere through the diaspora after Pentecost, and through Paul's missionary journeys. So maybe this was an exception for his time, to prove to the Jews that the Messiah has come, died, and rose again, and no longer are we under the law but grace. This may be the case....But yet again with Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, and so on, I wonder if this type of engagement should continue in today's society. For these religions are all miscued from the truth...Is there a place for these conversations like a synagogue today? I don't know, but ponder these ideas I must...
P.S. -Just want to clarify Paul's evangelism like this was involved solely against religious people...not necessarily sinner's with no ties to any religion, and this was not bullhorn evangelism...just need to clarify for my own peace of mind
~CDS~
In today's popular Christian culture, we here the idea of being missional. Simply engaging in people's lives to be simply their friend with no strings attached. To put it simply as C.S. Lewis once said, "preach the gospel and if necessary use words. Missional ideology is simply getting involved in one's community, without using a bull horn! So with that in mind, where do we place Paul's approach? Now, it has to be noted that he was not engaging sinners in these synagogues but Jews. Paul was never afraid, he spoke the truth in love I would imagine, but he was not ashamed and willing to die to put forth his message. Is this something we should be doing, its not necessarily something that Paul charges us to do, he does charge us to share the good news and live lives of obedience. But the question remains....
Now culturally at this time the gospel has just begun, Christians are spreading everywhere through the diaspora after Pentecost, and through Paul's missionary journeys. So maybe this was an exception for his time, to prove to the Jews that the Messiah has come, died, and rose again, and no longer are we under the law but grace. This may be the case....But yet again with Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, and so on, I wonder if this type of engagement should continue in today's society. For these religions are all miscued from the truth...Is there a place for these conversations like a synagogue today? I don't know, but ponder these ideas I must...
P.S. -Just want to clarify Paul's evangelism like this was involved solely against religious people...not necessarily sinner's with no ties to any religion, and this was not bullhorn evangelism...just need to clarify for my own peace of mind
~CDS~
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Grace through the lens of Paul
Bible study just ended tonight and we just finished the book of Philippians and I am compelled to write...Paul's life is an amazing story...he was a Hebrew of Hebrews, a student of the Law, a Pharisee, a Roman citizen, born of the tribe of Benjamin, he had it all. In light of his world, he could not have been born into a better place. He could not have been a better Pharasaic follower, both as student and as a teacher of the Law. In his society being a Jew, he would have been adored, praised, and basically a celebrity of sorts. A tremendous man who conquered many things, who was sent on a mission to purge these so called "Christians" out of town to their deaths or imprisonment. He was sent as the leader of this mission for his reputation preceded him everywhere he went. If at the death of Christ, I would not be surprised if he would have found joy in nailing this so called "Son of God" to the Cross.
This was the man often called Saul, but his life changed drastically on his journey to persecute these filthy Christians. His calling in life, his passion, everything he created himself to be was altered, to be called to his real mission, his real purpose, his real destiny. (As I am writing this I think of the many Christians in the world, who think they are following their calling, but in fact like Saul are missing it completely) After his encounter with God he is sent to the one place that he would not want to make a friend, sent to Barnabas. For a period of three years he had to relearn, rediscover, restudy, who and what God really was. For his frame of mind was jaded, and during this period he was watched, gossiped about, and many of these Jewish Christians were terrified and skeptical of his conversion. But amidst all of these things he persevered and became a leader of the early church. It was a long fight to reorient his life with God, but as he writes, he learned that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength.
With this background in mind, we come to the book of Philippians, we come to learn that he is in prison, for the very thing that he was going to imprison others for. Irony at its highest level to say the least. We soon find out in this letter to Philippi that he is ready to die, he is sold out for God and debating whether he would rather live or die...his internal division is difficult, for to die is to be with God, but to live is to be a benefit to others. His division is not about himself, its about the two greatest commands of loving God and loving people. He writes though as if he has chosen to stay for now, looking to the needs of others above his own, in which he encourages his readers to do the same(Chapter 2). He also warns them to not put confidence in their spiritual accomplishments, for it is Christ who makes us righteous and nothing else, their is no hope in our flesh.
Finally, we come to the end of this great letter and Paul talks about contentment, about learning that no matter what happens in life, if our trust is in God we can deal with any circumstance that comes our way. No created thing can give us this peace that passes all understanding except the only un-created; God. To sum it all up Paul with this amazing history and amazing journey says one thing, GRACE.
Can you imagine a better word for someone like Paul himself to say other then GRACE. His life cannot be summed up better, a murderous Jesus hater converted to a magnificent humble servant of Jesus. That is why he concludes with such a word, that to his readers would understand to such levels that would overwhelm them with emotion bringing them to tears.
Grace, when you think of that do you feel that uncontrollable joy and unexplainable emotion deep inside? I know that after reading Philippians and reflecting on the life of Paul, I hope that I can come to such a glorious place to summarize all my work and all my life and say "Grace." And that word without any attachment points toward God alone...who alone deserves the glory.
~CDS~
This was the man often called Saul, but his life changed drastically on his journey to persecute these filthy Christians. His calling in life, his passion, everything he created himself to be was altered, to be called to his real mission, his real purpose, his real destiny. (As I am writing this I think of the many Christians in the world, who think they are following their calling, but in fact like Saul are missing it completely) After his encounter with God he is sent to the one place that he would not want to make a friend, sent to Barnabas. For a period of three years he had to relearn, rediscover, restudy, who and what God really was. For his frame of mind was jaded, and during this period he was watched, gossiped about, and many of these Jewish Christians were terrified and skeptical of his conversion. But amidst all of these things he persevered and became a leader of the early church. It was a long fight to reorient his life with God, but as he writes, he learned that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength.
With this background in mind, we come to the book of Philippians, we come to learn that he is in prison, for the very thing that he was going to imprison others for. Irony at its highest level to say the least. We soon find out in this letter to Philippi that he is ready to die, he is sold out for God and debating whether he would rather live or die...his internal division is difficult, for to die is to be with God, but to live is to be a benefit to others. His division is not about himself, its about the two greatest commands of loving God and loving people. He writes though as if he has chosen to stay for now, looking to the needs of others above his own, in which he encourages his readers to do the same(Chapter 2). He also warns them to not put confidence in their spiritual accomplishments, for it is Christ who makes us righteous and nothing else, their is no hope in our flesh.
Finally, we come to the end of this great letter and Paul talks about contentment, about learning that no matter what happens in life, if our trust is in God we can deal with any circumstance that comes our way. No created thing can give us this peace that passes all understanding except the only un-created; God. To sum it all up Paul with this amazing history and amazing journey says one thing, GRACE.
Can you imagine a better word for someone like Paul himself to say other then GRACE. His life cannot be summed up better, a murderous Jesus hater converted to a magnificent humble servant of Jesus. That is why he concludes with such a word, that to his readers would understand to such levels that would overwhelm them with emotion bringing them to tears.
Grace, when you think of that do you feel that uncontrollable joy and unexplainable emotion deep inside? I know that after reading Philippians and reflecting on the life of Paul, I hope that I can come to such a glorious place to summarize all my work and all my life and say "Grace." And that word without any attachment points toward God alone...who alone deserves the glory.
~CDS~
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Living Dead
Recently my grandmother passed away, something that I have been struggling to accept. In fact it seemed that it did not even hit me until a week later, to where I broke down and wept. Death is an interesting thing, it seems that I know it will be coming for all us this inevitable fate, but I do not even give it the least bit of thought. Many would say this is due to my faith in God, which does have impact in the way I view death, but I live as if I am alive.
I have heard the phrase many times before, "Live as today was your last." That is a powerful phrase to which enlightens me for a very short period of time. For eventually you come to realize that the day was not your last and woke to another. But the concept still remains, in never leaves us, for we don't know if we will live to see another day. What a strange concept, dying. Absent. Breathless. Yet even with the knowledge that one day my life will end, and I should live today with overwhelming concern, I simply do not. Why? Living is busy, and death is not.
Profoundly I found myself enjoying life more, when my life has unoccupied time to live. As if the concept is not about dying or being afraid of death, but about rearranging our live to live. And that is what God tells us to do. Live. A life that has less possessions seems to be a life more enjoyed. For the world is where God lives, and our possessions are where man lives.
The inevitability of death should positively impact us to choose this day to live. God created us with death in mind, for from dust we are made and dust we will return. The very word Man in Hebrew A-DAM, is almost the same as the word for dirt A-DAM-AR. So we know where we are going in this world, so we need to take our lives back from man's world and experience God's. It seems that God allows death in the world to warn us to use our time wisely while we are here. Don't let your whole life be a waste, choose how to live for death is near.
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