The Least of These

"People have forgotten what life is all about. They've forgotten what it is to be alive. They need to be reminded. They need to be reminded about what they have and what they can lose. And what I feel is the joy of life, the gift of life, the freedom of life, the wonderment of life." ~Leonard Lowe, Awakenings

The Least of These
It's strange what triggers memories sometimes. Frequently, the last year or two I have thought about a handful of adults who reached out to me when I was a child.

I remember a couple who took be out for Dairy Queen once or twice (he was even ill with cancer). An Italian, grandpa-aged man who bought me some stuffed animals, which I've kept till this day (stuffed animals were my FAVOURITE gift as a kid). A man who sat on the dock with me and sang "K-K-K-Katy" to me every summer.

The unique thing to me about these is that I grew up in a good and loving home. In fact, I was the youngest of six kids and a pastor's daughter. I could easily have been looked at as "all right" with enough attention to be overlooked. But somehow the love of God came through them to me (they couldn't have known that "quality time" is one of my love languages, but God did).

I just shared with a friend of mine about one other time I remember so vividly along this memory trail.

During a family vacation one summer, I disobeyed my sister, Connie, when she was taking care of me. I was a fish, as a kid. I lived in the water from morning till night. So my parents gave me the choice of no swimming for a day or a spanking. The spanking would be quicker, but I hated them so much that I chose not to swim. So the next day I sat on shore watching everyone else. Then a couple came over and asked if they could take me out. We went to a restaurant and ordered a brownie. I'll never forget that. I think I was old enough to know I deserved my punishment and wasn't escaping it. Instead, this became a picture of grace which made my punishment bearable.

These lessons were given to me at the youngest of ages, but have stayed with me all my life. By example, these individuals showed me what taking time for "the least of these" could look like. Their attention, singling me out, made me feel significant in their eyes. It didn't boost my self-importance, I don't think, but made me wish to give this gift to others too.

As I mentioned, these acts poured God's love and grace into my heart in life-demonstrated ways. He recognised me in a crowd (of family, church, nation, world), reached out through them, and touched me in a way that I could understand.

And, it was through simple things—some time, a gift, a song.

Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like You
I visited my parents over the holidays and my mom read aloud a book to us during some free time. One of the quotes from the books that stuck with me was "Jesus sure loves the children, Dad."

Whether or not the circumstances of the book took place or not, it's true—Jesus sure loves the children.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. (Luke 18:16)

It's made me think about whether there is some teenager or child (or some adult who's often alone), who I might be able to show this love to. It can be simple, but God can use it in marvelous ways.

Do you have memories of people who impacted you for good or for bad by singling you out? Please share your story with me below in the comments.

The Bible Idol

Recently a friend began a discussion on the concept of whether or not some Christians make the Bible an idol. After all, anything good can be made bad by worshipping it rather than the Creator, right?

Someone who loves nature can find that the desire to admire forests, mountains, rivers—rather than leading to thoughts of how wonderful the Creator must be, if the creation is so beautiful, may instead lift thoughts no higher than the exhilaration that can come from adoration. Nature then becomes an idol.

Or those who play or watch a sport may find their thoughts persistently interrupted with the need to think in that vein, to skip fellowship to be out on the field or court,  to neglect relationships and duties to scream at a television screen. Sports then becomes an idol.

Or for those with a creative bent—as the spirit explains to the ghost in a C.S. Lewis' novel—they may begin with a desire to share glimpses of heaven and end by worshipping their very method of communication or, ultimately, themselves.

"Every poet and musician and artist, but for Grace, is drawn away from love of the thing he tells, to love of the telling till, down in Deep Hell, they cannot be interested in God at all but only in what they say about Him. For it doesn't stop at being interested in paint, you know. They sink lower—becoming interested in their own personalities and then in nothing but their own reputations."~The Great Divorce

Hmmm... Does that sound familiar? Not of an artist you may know, but of a Christian? Maybe it's you; maybe it's me—"becoming interested in their own personalities and then in nothing but their own reputations." Yes. I know that disease.

It may start as love for God, but then morphs into a love of a habit, thought, (God forbid) a favourite Bible verse. Then in their "zeal without knowledge", they print signs saying who God hates, they picket military funerals for reasons that don't relate to the family or the deceased, they preach truth without love or love without Truth (is that love?). In these cases we live as devils in the name of Jesus!

But is it correct to say that the Bible can become an idol? Maybe. But more accurate, I believe, would be to say that our understanding becomes an idol.

If we choose pet verses and miss the balance of Scripture, we break the Law of God.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."

Interestingly, the above verse is in a passage in James exhorting the churches to not show favouritism. Whether we twist Scriptures to damn a fellow Christian or someone outside of the faith for not adhering to the convictions we feel, we show favouritism. We accept those who think like us and treat anyone else as enemies. This partiality is equivalent to bias towards the rich over the poor, which is specifically addressed in James. This divisiveness makes enemies of those who do not think like we do.

If someone is an enemy, what did Jesus command? Instead of hating your enemy, He said "I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

If someone is truly wrong, living in sin, love would have them repent and reap the mercy of God, but pride wants to condemn them without a trial. 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community, wrote: "To make intercession means to grant our brother the same right that we have received, namely, to stand before Christ and share in His mercy." 

And, I would argue, this is the same right (to be prayed for) should be given to the lost too, who are not yet born again; therefore, to pray for an unsaved sinner, is to acknowledge that I was once in sin and (still struggle and have) need of God's mercy, and, but for His grace, I may have become worse than they.

True love desires that the one loved live in such a way as that he or she will benefit from the grace of God. You cannot love someone and desire their temporary happiness at the cost of their eternal happiness or at the cost of the value of their life. 

To want the best for someone, may require what some call "tough love." This does not belong just to the rebellious, who choose what is recognised as bad, but may also apply to one who is lazy and seeks pleasure rather than God. It may be necessary, out of love and only from love, to share with them the way of Truth, and pray they repent rather than reap the consequences of their sins. If they don't and the harvest of consequences comes, then love would lead one to come along side them to bear the burden and find the Saviour. 

Love and Truth summarize the whole Bible. As Mart DeHaan, former President of RBC Ministries, loves to tell—all Scripture either points to Christ as the Hope of all time or, by showing sin and weakness, points to our need for a Saviour. 

We, none of us, are guiltless. We all are responsible to be one who "correctly handles the Word of Truth." To "correctly handle" Scripture, one must be in it faithfully, consistently, listening, repenting, correcting our focus from one thing back to the Saviour and from another thing back to the Saviour. 

We will be accountable for knowing Scripture and for applying Scripture rightly (as this verse specifies). To know Bible passages and quote them does not prove you are righteous for even the devil quoted verses back to Jesus. 

Our knowledge of the Bible must be lived in obedience, love, and humility. If we find ourselves isolated from others, it may well be that pride has entered causing division. And, it may not be their pride, but yours or mine. Dissension and pride of any kind are something God hates.

Therefore, for our own standing before God, we must know and rightly apply the whole of Scripture to our own lives. But, also for the sake of the Body of the Messiah, to which all born again followers of Yeshua are members (arms, legs, hands, hearts), we bear responsibility.

"An element of sickness gets into the body; perhaps nobody knows where it is from or in what member it has lodged, but the body is infected. This is the proper metaphor for the Christian community. We are members of a body, not only when we choose to be, but in our whole existence. Every member serves the whole body, either to its health or to its destruction." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

When we stand before Yahweh, will you and I be "approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed"? Today is all we may have.

What are your thoughts?

TOO LITTLE LOVE

This summer sizzled with intense heat and little and late rains. As I saw how it sapped the great Lake Superior (as well as lesser lakes), and as I heard of the toll taken by crops with the predictions of rising food costs, I thought often of the prophet Elijah.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
Elijah has long been a kindred heart to mine. I love his reckless abandon to Yahweh as he sarcastically confronts the servants of Baal on proving beyond doubt the greatness of the One True God. I love his lonely independence and his zeal. These qualities I hold up as ideals for my own life to pursue.

But beyond all his successes, Elijah was—as Jesus' brother James wrote—"a man just like us." He suffered from depression after great victory. He threw a pity party that God had to crash. He grew weary and hungry.

But this is all history and not what I've been pondering. The significance of Elijah's story in today's drought is this: "he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." 

Did you catch it? Does it confound you as well? He prayed for his own discomfort!

Do you love God that much? Do I?

As the summer blazed and I watched the puffs of clouds in the sky, many times I cried out for God's mercy on our land. I love rain and all the goodness it brings—the greening of grass and flowers, the wafting fragrance through the air, the filling of the lakes, the feeling of its gentle touch falling on my face.

But what if God asked me to pray for drought? What if His good for our people required suffering so that we all might call on His name? Do I love Him enough to suffer three and a half years (or more) so that He might be praised?

Don't get me wrong. I don't actually think I'm a prophet or that this is my gift to call on Him for such a thing. It only serves to stir my heart with the question: do I love Him enough to suffer for His glory?

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF

19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

The world and the church today tout the word "tolerance" as the key to unity and peace. Is it?

Others have raised this question: Would you rather be tolerated or loved?

I understand the world's concern. In their desire to cling to their pseudo-independence, the conclusion has to be that each would leave the other alone. But in the church, is there room for tolerance?

Tolerance and mindless deference to the authority of state describe Germany in the 1930s and 40s. Precious few awoke in the church to "obey God rather than man."  The convenience of living a private "Christianity" outweighed the moral outcry of injustice and murder. They descended into their spiritual bunkers and withered to nothing.

The flip side of that extreme is judgement. The feeling that I can discern and, therefore, condemn your motives.

Both of these attitudes are such delicious concoctions of the enemy. How gloating and self-congratulating he must be as he looks at the West and our tug-of-war extremes!

James, in his book, (and as so many others in the Bible have taught) cries out against these polar mind-frames. He calls us neither to judge the motives of a brother nor to leave a fellow sinner to wander unchecked onto the edge of destruction without reaching out to catch him and pull him back.

WHAT'S THE CONCLUSION?
So what's the answer? I could not improve upon James' no-nonsense instructions.

1. Fill your life with God. 7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2. Know your own sin & repent. 8Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded...10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
3. Throw off worldly pursuits & pursue living out God's Word. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
4. Watch what you say. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
5. Your love for others will show by what you do and for God by what you avoid. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
6. Know God's mercy in your life & give that mercy to everyone else. 12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!

Love is an action. Love is a pursuit. Love does not go on vacation, and its Source is God.

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I've been pondering a great deal about "respect." Perhaps you can discuss this with me, as I'd really rather this be a dialogue.

Many writers have written about men's need to be respected and women's need to be loved. Indeed the Bible said this a couple thousand years before our "Christian bestsellers." 

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)

(I tend to think that both sexes crave respect, but that it may come across differently for each. That could be a whole other discussion.)

The dictionary defines respect as: "esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability."

Much like worship, which is ingrained in the psyche of mankind, I think we all have a desire—not only to be respected but—to respect. This may be part of the reason we build our hopes in a person and are crushed by the reality. We strongly desire to think highly of, to trust in someone who proves unworthy.

Respect, for me, is harder than the dictionary makes it sound to nail down the full definition.

• There is the effort to give respect to someone no matter what you think of them. 
• You have respect of some sort for friends (or they wouldn't be friends) and family (at least some of them). 
• Then there are those few who you know and have the deepest respect for. 

(This again reminds me of the different types of love—trying to define it; however, the Bible dedicates a whole chapter to define love, but only gives a matter-of-fact nod to respect).

The peak of my pondering, if you will, is a discussion I had recently with my mother about three people where I live, who I think of with the highest respect. These are not men I believe to be flawless. They are not ones who I agree with 100%. They are, however, men with high values, proven character, and a gentle and humble spirit. They are ones who, if they gave me their word on something, I would truly expect they'd keep it (memory permitting).

When I mentioned my respect to one, he expressed his concern that he'd disappoint me, but then added that he hoped he'd recognise it immediately and make it right. Yes, that's exactly the attitude that makes me respect him in the first place!

So I conclude with my own definition of this "highest respect" and then await your response.

True respect is based on character and not perfection; therefore, it isn't lessened by mistakes or bad days.

Oh, that we might all grow in God toward humility, holiness, gentleness and compassion, and might, therefore, be men and women worthy of respect!

Momentary Troubles Lead to Triumph

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?
Most of us would not label any of our problems "light," even if we might recognise them as "momentary."

But the Apostle Paul said:

For our light and momentary troubles—Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers—are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
(2 Corinthians 4:17—2 Corinthians 11:25-26)

Reciting the reason why Paul responded to his trials as he did may be easy, but it's harder to apply, is it not?

Paul focused on Christ. He aimed for a reward in eternity, not one he could place on his trophy shelf now. He "gloried in weakness." He understood (as Peter did) that suffering for righteousness gives us—for the sake of illustration—tokens which we trade in for lasting treasure in heaven.

MIND RENEWAL
How could Paul view the troubles of life that wore him down physically, emotionally, mentally as merely "light and momentary"? He wrote this sentence just before it.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

How? If one is "wasting away," how can one be internally "renewed"?

Paul gives us a huge clue in Romans 12:2—

Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

If God does the mind-changing, how does He do it?

The composer of Psalm 119 tells us:

How can a young man keep his way pure?

   By living according to Your word.

I seek You with all my heart;

   do not let me stray from Your commands.

I have hidden Your Word in my heart

   that I might not sin against You.

The longest Psalm in all Scripture focuses not on man's struggle or even God's triumph, but merely delighting in God's Word and pursuing Him constantly.

RENEWED "DAY BY DAY."

"That's what you do. You sell a big lie, and wrap it up in a truth to make it more palatable." ~ Sherlock Holmes

We've all heard it, and—having worked at a bank over ten years—I know it. You detect counterfeit not by studying it, but by studying the true item.

How many Christians study the Bible "day by day"?

How many Christians believe sex outside of marriage is normal? How many believe homosexuality is not a sin? How many lie or twist truths to avoid a consequence? How many church-going people act more vicious and unloving than an atheist down the street?  How many religious people divorce or are captive to pornography?

HOLISTIC CHRISTIANITY
Holistic care and holistic medicine have been catch words in our society recently. The writers of the Bible, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, could have coined the word "holistic" thousands of years before its recent popularity.

What the prophets taught, what the apostles taught, what Jesus taught—holistic Christianity (even if it was not called "Christianity" until years after Jesus resurrection, they all anticipated the solution in the Messiah).

What is holistic Christianity?

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 

The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Yahweh require of you—But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. "

WHAT NOW?
To know it initially, to believe it cognitively is not enough.

We must continually inhale the fragrance of grace, hear the constant whispers of our Saviour, see the nail-scarred hands, savor the meat of the Word, remember the bondage of sin, and feel the embrace of forgiveness.

With this daily renewal, we can step out in love and forgive our enemies, do good to those who wrong us, and see what we suffer here as "light" compared to the surpassing greatness of what our Lord has done for us in the past and what is waiting for us—perhaps today!

(Need Help? If you need a little accountability or just a daily reminder, goTandem allows you to request a Bible passage be sent via text, phone, or email at whatever time or times of day you choose.

You can also ask to have someone call you to ask how you're doing with your reading. Ideally, we should each have a Christian friend to do this—and be one to another—but, if you don't, goTandem at least provides one for starters.)

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

When You Say You Love Me

I have a confession. I hate Valentine's Day. I don't remember a time in my life where I actually liked the "holiday." Maybe it's because it has the commercial shallowness of a chick-flick.

Regardless of why, it is actually more coincidental and not because of the holiday that I have been pondering on love . . . or the lack thereof.

I'm not sure what started it, except recognition of how easy it is to fall into routine, to make other things priority, which in turn sap my strength or distract me from wholeheartedly seeking God. It isn't really bad things. The activities are neither good nor bad, excepting how my heart responds. So I've begun praying again that the Source of love would give me love to love Him.

It's pathetic, actually. Can you imagine a spouse or child coming and asking you to help them to love you? Ouch! Yet God knows our lack and longs for our honesty. How freeing it is to live without needing to hide from the All-Seeing-Eye, because He also is Love.

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16)

So what does it mean to abide in love? Is love a romantic feeling or a loyal friendship?

The Bible shows us that love is an action, but not just any action is love.We think of helping the poor or being willing to die for someone or something as love. But Scripture says that all this can be done without love.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^b but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

What then is love? 

Most of you could quote it:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

We can emphatically make two conclusions from this passage.

1. Hollywood knows nothing of love, either on or off set.
2. Humans cannot love like this, but God commands this kind of love from us.

Furthermore, if we love God, we will love others with this kind of love.

And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.  (1 John 4:21)

Do you think if love came naturally to us, it would be necessary for God to command it from us? And, if it doesn't come naturally, then how can we feel we can "fall out of love" or even "into love"?

Love is an alien attribute to human kind. We crave it. We demand others give it to us, but we have no source within ourselves to conjure up an unselfish love. Whatever emotion, obsession, or lust that we label love always comes with a price-tag.

What's the point? As with everything, we cannot afford to disconnect from God. We need to have love. We are designed to give love, but it is only from the Source that we can get love.

If today you feel love towards someone, it's great to feel that, is it not? But it won't last.

"Ironically," in my church bulletin today was an article from Gary Chapman (author of The Five Languages of Love). In it, he shares about a man who came to him saying he no longer loves his wife.

Since this husband couldn't manufacture warm, romantic feelings, he concluded that his marriage was over. . . True love, the kind of love that keeps a couple together for a lifetime, is not a feeling but an attitude. It says, With the help of God, I'm going to do everything I can to enhance the life of my spouse. . . . .

Remember that warm, romantic feelings are the result of love, not the essence of love. . . . The good news is that whatever God commands, He enables us to do.

That is good news and applies to all our relationships, even our relationship to God—do all you do for His glory whether you feel good or not. It also is a love I long to give to my friends and family—one that loves without requiring an equal return. May God make it so in all of us!

Wearied for What...or Whom?

What excites you? For what are you willing to exhaust yourself? Sports? Entertainment? Shopping? Work? Vacation? Family? Friends?

Lately I've been reading the book of Isaiah. Every time I read chapter 43, I'm struck by verses 20 through 25.

In this passage, God points out that the wild animals praise Him because He provides for them. He contrasts this with His people, who He also provides for their daily needs, yet they ignore Him.

I have not burdened you with grain offerings

nor wearied you with demands for incense. (v. 23b)

But you have burdened Me with your sins
and wearied Me with your offenses.(v. 24b)

This passage is one of many in the Old Testament in which Yahweh "wears His heart on His sleeve." Can't you see it?

It's like a wife's question of "how do I look?" when she really means, "do you still find me attractive?" or, more to the point, "do you still love me best?"

Yahweh's heart has never been in laws or demanding obedience. He longs for us to obey out of love (which is true love).

One of the scariest things about Christianity is that it isn't based on a list of dos and don'ts (as we have previously looked at), but it is built on Christ.

If His Spirit lives inside of you, you will want to spend time with Him. As you spend time with Him, you will love Him with a greater fervor. As your love increases, you will do and delight in doing what you know brings a smile to His face. And, as you obey, your character looks increasingly like its Creator.

Spiritual life, like all other aspects of life and leadership, requires a rigorous commitment to learning and growing. When we stop growing, our momentum quickly fades, and we start the process of atrophy. . . . Soaking up sustenance never stops, and even in times of drought, we find sources of strength if we've gone deep enough. ~Zig Ziglar (The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr. Ike Reighard)

When I read of the lives of personal heroes such as Oswald Chambers, read how his life burnt out like a firecracker, whose glow is seen long after it is dead, I look in shame at my own lack of passionate pursuit of God.

I'm not there. Are you?

I wrote this poem 30 August 2002. Sadly, it is still applicable.

Father,

I know what it’s like

   to thirst for a voice,

   to hunger for a face,

   to ache for a touch.

I want to feel it for You.

I thirst for the desire,

   hunger for the passion,

   ache for the knowledge

   of You for whom I so often

      am not stirred.

Far from desiring to leave you with a despairing note, I want to leave you with a praise for God's grace and a renewed goal of seeking Him passionately.

One thing I've learned in my relationship with God is how good it feels to confess my lack of passion. When I tell God of my deficiency of feeling, yet my longing to love Him as I should, I am set free from guilt and filled with love for my Father, who is so gracious with His foolish child.

Let's begin again today, this moment, to not only pursue Him passionately, but to egg one another on towards the same goal.

Christian Militia

What is coupled with the name Christian never ceases to amaze and frustrate me. Recent headlines proclaim the arrest of a “Christian Militia” group in Michigan. The ironic fact is that this arrest took place just before Easter.

The disciples of Jesus were equally amazed and dismayed before Easter some 2000 years ago, but for polar-opposite reasons.

They had expected a King, a Ruler who would come and wipe out Israel’s enemies and set them free from Rome. They watched their Messiah get arrested, charged with blaspheming and rabble rousing, and sentenced to die, all without a fight. They must have felt they had somehow they’d pinned their hopes on the wrong man.

Yet Scripture, hundreds of years earlier had predicted this scene:

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

When questioned by Pilate, Rome’s Procurator of Judaea, Jesus answered: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." (John 18:36)

The word “Christian” originated in the Near East city of Antioch (in modern day Turkey). It meant to be a follower of Christ, one who adheres to Christ’s teachings.

“A new commandment I give to you,” Jesus had instructed His disciples, “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Blowing up synagogues, as some have done in the name of Christ, killing abortion clinic workers or police, gathering soldiers to crusade against those of other faiths—none of these are what Christ taught His followers to do, none have anything to do with love. All these actions derive from an earthly kingdom estranged from God.

This is the Ultimate Blasphemy: to call yourself by the name of Christ and to live like the devil.

You Were Meant for Me and I was Meant for You

I find it interesting that God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him," before Adam had sinned and while God and man were in a perfect relationship. I think God said it at this time for a couple of reasons.

One: We were made for community. No person was made to be an island. Community can be marriage or just friendship, but we need to be in communication with others.

Like many counterfeits, I think first TV and now social media have provided a false sense of community. Researches say that our emotions respond to familiar characters on TV the way they do when we see our friends. The problem with this false sense of companionship is the giving is all one-sided, and what we do get is not what we need.

We have substituted relational candy that is quick, sweet, and easy to throw out if we get tired of it, for the nutritious roughage that a real, physically-present friend can provide. It's safer to hide behind a changing profile picture than to expose ourselves to someone who may reject us. This "safety," however, stunts our growth.

Two: Being sovereign and knowing Adam would soon sin and break his relationship with Him, God provided a way for us to live out our salvation. Before sin, Adam and Eve walked physically in God's presence. When sin entered between them, although blood provided a way for them to still reach out for God, they could not, and we cannot, physically see Him. The danger then becomes easy to fool ourselves into a head religion with no actual love for God. The solution? If we love God, it comes out in our physical and emotional giving to...other people.

By example and continuous blatant teaching, Jesus showed us how we love God. We can love others, with a selfish love, and not love God, but we cannot love God and not love others.

Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~John 13:34-35

I believe it's important that we not give up meeting together for this very reason. Going to church and gathering with friends for both worship and play is vital. We need to give and to receive. This cannot be done through an electronic arm only. We have real arms for real hugs.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts: disagreeing, agreeing or adding. Please feel free to share.

What's Love Got to Do with It?

My employer has begun a racial diversity group, in which I am a part. We have been discussing the importance of diversity and what it would look like in our immediate context.

This week, an African American male and an Indian (from India) female were sharing that their comfort level is greatest in groups of their own people. A couple of us countered that, as Christians, we should all be one in Christ; we should be one people and not segregate ourselves.

Our group monitor reminded us of Jesus example of reaching out, going the extra mile for those ostracized by His nation. The example of His reaching out to the Samaritan woman at the well came to mind. Jesus did not expect her to join the groups of His own people first, but spent time showing He cared for her as an individual and knew her greatest need.

I little brighter light went on in my head. In my desire that we all be unified, I have to realize that there are people that I need to reach out to in a more purposeful way, to show love, to make feel welcome and important.

Paul, in Philippians says, "Each of us should look not only to our own needs, but also to the needs of others." He goes on to give the greatest example for us to follow, the Hero of Love--Jesus Christ.

Jesus tied loving others in with true love for God when He gave the greatest commands: "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

People today often choose one command over the other. They either focus so much on God that they fail to grasp that love for God is shown by His love flowing through us to others. If we are not practically loving others, we do not love God. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another."

On the other extreme, individuals get so caught up in causes that they fail to see God. If we don't love God, what we do for others, no matter how good it appears to our fellow humans, is using people in the most selfish sense of the word.

Oswald Chambers rightly said: "No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first."

And Augustine explains: "He loves Thee [God] too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."

As in all things the Bible teaches, there is a balancing rope to be walked. Loving God is always first. That comes from time with Him, feeding in His Word, talking with Him, but, then, going out and doing what He says (cf. James).

What is He asking you to do this week? Is there someone from another country or a different background that needs you to go the extra mile to show you care to really know them? Is there someone in financial need that God is asking you to give money without thought of repayment? Is there someone who is physically hurting that needs help around the house?

We must always focus on seeking God's face, while holding each other's hand.

Who is Your God?

Starting as a teenager, I have seen an obvious tendency in my own life toward idolatry. No, I've never set up an image and bowed down to it; I've never placed food out for some tangible or intangible idol, but I have worshipped in the temple of my heart images other than God.

Some may think I'm overreacting. The USA is quite liberal in her use of the term idol, with such shows as American Idol. Is all this wrong?

It's all about the heart. God has used symbols, He has used practices, He has used music, He has used wide varieties of things in the past that people still use, but with which we break His heart. Why? Because of our hearts.

In the midst of God's use of the sacrificial system to point to Jesus as the Lamb to come and take away our sin, the Psalmist wrote,

"In sacrifice and offering You have not delighted, but You have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come...I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.'" Psalm 40:6-8

The psalm had a broader reference than just the Psalmist, but I believe it was the reflection of God's true desire. He wants our heart. Yes, He wants obedience, but not just the outward display. He wants an obedience that flows out of love.

What started me thinking on this was a quote of Augustine's that a friend of mine posted this week: "He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."

Augustine cut at the heart of my struggle. It's not that I replace God, in my own thinking, but that I place another person, idea, priority on the same level. I may pray and spend time with God. Then realize this other god is vying for thoughts and emotions. These times prove to me that I love Him "too little."

I need to learn a love of God that is supreme above other loves, to learn to love everyone--family, friends, etc--FOR THE SAKE of Christ and not the perceived merits of that person.

My mental preacher tells me how things should be, but mind over emotions is tiring.

So, what about you? What is it that distracts you from loving God with all your heart? Is it your own ambitions? Someone else? Dreams? Disappointments? Fears?

Unfortunately, none of us are immune from the struggle. Fortunately, we can have victory.

How Bad is Bad?

I was reading this morning in the book of Genesis. I have read these passages over many times, but this time something hit me in a new way.

"The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that He made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain." Genesis 6:5-6

The idea of God's heart being "filled with pain" is what struck me. It took on new meaning, especially in light of many who say that all should be saved, that there are many ways to God, and that God would not condemn someone to Hell because of that one's rejection of Jesus.

I've heard it before, but it just was so clear. Our understanding of God is so microscopic that we cannot comprehend how incredibly ugly and revolting our sin is.

If God was not love, our sin would merely give Him reason to wipe us off the earth and forget. Instead, because He is love, His heart fills with pain at our unbelief, at our making up our own set of standards, and ignoring what He shed His blood for us to see.

In Genesis, God looked for any way to save mankind without compromising His holiness. When He found one man who feared Him and desired to obey, He gave that man, Noah, time to build a boat and the specifications. Before the flood filled the earth, God shut the door with His own hand and saved Noah, his whole family, and at least two of every animal.

This salvation, like the sacrifices the Israelites gave for thousands of years, were just temporary fixes for an immediate problem. The saving was physical and symbolic. Both pointed to the one day when God would send His Son to be crucified.

Oswald Chambers said, "Jesus Christ hates the wrong in man and Calvary is the estimate of His hatred." Instead of taking His hatred of sin out on the sinners, who have broken His heart, God paid the price.

This is what makes rejection of Jesus so horrible. He has withheld judgement on me and you, because He is giving us a chance to accept a payment that cost the life of a Perfect man, God in flesh. It took God to be perfect; it took flesh to die. If you and I will not accept this unfathomable grace that would take our punishment, then we must face our punishment--forever separated from God.

If you argue for those who have never heard, God, who is rich in mercy, knows what it takes to show them Jesus. He has sent many missionaries in to the heart of jungles and isolated villages. Sometimes they are surprised to find the people expecting them.

God is not unjust. He promises to make us each responsible for the truth that we are given. You can be sure that what breaks His heart will never be allowed into His Kingdom.

If He did not love you, Jesus would not have died. You would have been punished without mercy, only justice.

Because He loves you, you have the choice to break His heart and reap the fruit of your sin. Or, you may accept His payment and reap the fruit of His love.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

It is your only life. How will you use it?

I Love the Idea of You

In February, I was in a play where I met a new friend of mine. Harmlessly flirtatious, "J" often missed cues because he was busy teasing the women backstage. Because of my frequent sarcasm, "J" fluctuated between charm and sarcasm in his interaction with me. One day, after he had a bout of charm, he started in on the sarcasm. I reminded him that he loved me the day before. "I was in love with the idea of you," he said.


All this was, of course, in jest, but the phrase struck me. It's so true. I wonder how often I "love the idea" of someone more than who they are. When love is put to the test--the wrong temper, disappointing action, hurtful words--I may find the emotion dissipates and the "love" is gone. Sweet was the idea of love, but no follow through.

A song by DC Talk points out that love is a verb: "Words come easy but don't mean much/ When the words they're sayin we can't put trust in/ Were talkin 'bout love in a different light/ And if we all learn to love it would be just right."

In Sonnet 116, Shakespeare says, "Love is not love/ Which alters when it alteration finds,/ Or bends with the remover to remove."

Even more clearly, the Apostle Paul breaks it down to actions: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.

"It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends..." (1Co 13:4-8)

I have only ever experienced this unconditional love from God, the Source of real love.

This is the type of love I desire to exhibit to my friends and family: to see their failings, but as no worse than my own; to be hurt by them, but to remember that I have hurt, knowingly or unknowingly, too many times to count; to reach out to them (these are the hard ones for me) when they do not reach out for me; and to be willing to be rejected, to do what is best for them.

The Ultimate Love is Jesus: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) And He did.

What about you? Do you love people or do you just love the idea of them? If you're like me, it may fluctuate day by day, minute by minute, but the source always stays the same.

If Looks Could Kill...

I listened to an interesting speaker, Collin Smith, on my way to church this evening. Truth be told, I listened mainly because of his Scottish accent.

It was only the last five or ten minutes, and Pastor Collin was speaking on the sixth commandment--"You shall not murder." We all have a tendency to think, "Phew! Safe on this one. I've never murdered anyone." He suggested that maybe the connotation is broader than we realize.

If broadened, Pastor Collin suggested that this could encompass a belittling comment, look, or gesture; anything that lessens the value of a person in someone else's eyes. Because every person is created in God's image, they have value. By putting them down, in a sense destroying their value, we are destroying someone in the image of God...murdering that image.

Pastor Collins is referring to Jesus statement in the Gospels:

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(Mat 5:21-24)

Jesus takes the hurtful things we say or think about another person as very serious business. How serious do you take other people's reputations? I don't know about you, but I think I have some apologizing to do.

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Rom 12:18)

Listening: a thread or an iceburg?

A friend of mine and I recently chatted about the art of listening. We analyzed why a group of our new friends were unique in the way that they listened. We could all be in separate conversations and yet we knew what someone else from our group was saying. Even at a slight distance, our ears would pick up the sound of their voice and what they said. We didn't consciously choose; we almost couldn't help it.

Have you had people in your life like that? They have been rare in mine. I have many who hear me everyday, but few who take the time to listen. I've seen the vacancy in faces acknowleging my voice; their mind rushing through their own thoughts, ready for the next topic. I close my soul to them.

My friend and I likened the art of listening to someone picking up the end of a thread and following it to its source. In conversation, every sentence is just the tip of an iceburg. What is unsaid is fathoms deep compared with a comment. If you care about someone, you ache to know the depths of who they are. You are not content to take the face value. You don't want to just hear words, you want to hear them.

When was the last time someone listened to you, really listened? When was the last time you listened to someone else? Sometimes it comes as natural as breathing. Most of the time it takes effort. If you care about someone, savor not just the words they say, relish the person. This moment could be the last time you have to hear the sound of their voice, longings of their heart, whispers of their soul. Be still. Listen.