"With his wife's full knowledge, he kept back part of the money for himself..." (Acts 5:2)
For this Sapphira dies? What was she supposed to do. rat out her husband? This is a tough question. It's not easy for me to swallow punishment of Ananias, so to say that Sappira, who seemed to play the role of silent by-stander, is so culpable... it's difficult.
It speaks loudly of our responsibility to keep each other honest, especially within a marriage relationship. We don't walk with Christ in isolation. Our actions affect others. Others actions affect us. Just ask Achan's family.
Think of Sapphira the next time you are tempted to look the other way.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Achan it
Ananias was a sort of new Achan. You remember him. When Israel marched and shouted the walls of Jericho down, they were told to destroy everything. But Achan liked what he saw too much. He took a robe, some silver and some gold. He hid them under his tent... where he could really enjoy them.
Both stories come in the midst of a time of great idealism, a time when things could hardly be better. Israel in Achan's day and the church in Ananias' day were both moving together in perfect faith.
Both times we have these feel-good stories interrupted by a harsh punch to the gut. Achan and his wife and kids must have stones throne at them until they die. Ananias and his wife are killed by the hand of God through the voice of Peter. How jarring.
Why is God so stern? Why must all these people die?
From this I learn that obeying God is serious. I learn that he is bigger and more complex than we assumed. He is not just a big cuddly Abba. I learn what a big deal pardon is in my life.
Both times, it seems, these public accounts serve as a reminder to a newborn faith community that God is not one to be fooled with.
I suppose we should take this opportunity to check under our tents.
Both stories come in the midst of a time of great idealism, a time when things could hardly be better. Israel in Achan's day and the church in Ananias' day were both moving together in perfect faith.
Both times we have these feel-good stories interrupted by a harsh punch to the gut. Achan and his wife and kids must have stones throne at them until they die. Ananias and his wife are killed by the hand of God through the voice of Peter. How jarring.
Why is God so stern? Why must all these people die?
From this I learn that obeying God is serious. I learn that he is bigger and more complex than we assumed. He is not just a big cuddly Abba. I learn what a big deal pardon is in my life.
Both times, it seems, these public accounts serve as a reminder to a newborn faith community that God is not one to be fooled with.
I suppose we should take this opportunity to check under our tents.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Fakin' it
Apparently, they were there. They were in the congregation the day Joe brought in the money he got from selling his estate. They experienced the revitalizing encouragement that such a sacrifice brought to the whole church. They were there when the Apostles slapped him on the back saying, “Good Ole Joe. Always knows how to brighten things up. We’ll call you ‘Mr. Encouragement’.”
Perhaps they were there and were enticed by the aura of honor. Perhaps they thought of Joe the way many of us think about martyrs, “I would have done the same thing, given the opportunity.” Perhaps they even let such boasts be heard, so when their piece of property sold, there was a heavy bit of expectation. Perhaps everyone was waiting with baited breath for them to deliver on their claim. But that was a lot of money.
“No one said we HAVE to give it all. So what if Joseph did? Good for him! We’ll give most of it. Keep just a little for a rainy day. It’s still a very considerable sacrifice.”
Well, you should have seen the looks on people’s faces when he brought in all that money. “Good Ole Ananias! He came through on his boasts! God is gracious!” He felt good. He felt appreciated. As well he should have. That was a lot of money. “Another Joseph!” someone shouted. “Looks as if Encouragement bore twins.” He very much understood the insinuations. They think this is the full price. "Minor details.” He figured.
“Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Peter asked him. He was going to tell the truth. Why wouldn’t he? There is nothing wrong with an eighty-five per cent tithe. Some serious needs will be met with this gift. The poor will eat. The naked will be clothed. Why wouldn’t he tell the truth? It’s not like he is stealing. It was his property. The price he received was his money to do with as he liked. Why would he lie?
He turned around to see a small crowd now gathering behind him, beaming with enthusiasm and clamoring to hear his response. Even Joseph was in the crowd. “Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Ahh… what difference does that make!? Don’t let these people down. Tell them what they want to hear. These are God’s precious people. Don’t discourage them with details. Stop hesitating. They’ll be suspicious. Answer!
“Yes…” he said as he fell to the ground.
Joseph was sincere. His gift encouraged the church. Ananias was insincere. His gift brought great fear to the church. The difference between being real and putting on a show was life and death.
(I might post on the account of Ananias and Sapphira more than once. There is a lot to be said about his very troubling story.)
Perhaps they were there and were enticed by the aura of honor. Perhaps they thought of Joe the way many of us think about martyrs, “I would have done the same thing, given the opportunity.” Perhaps they even let such boasts be heard, so when their piece of property sold, there was a heavy bit of expectation. Perhaps everyone was waiting with baited breath for them to deliver on their claim. But that was a lot of money.
“No one said we HAVE to give it all. So what if Joseph did? Good for him! We’ll give most of it. Keep just a little for a rainy day. It’s still a very considerable sacrifice.”
Well, you should have seen the looks on people’s faces when he brought in all that money. “Good Ole Ananias! He came through on his boasts! God is gracious!” He felt good. He felt appreciated. As well he should have. That was a lot of money. “Another Joseph!” someone shouted. “Looks as if Encouragement bore twins.” He very much understood the insinuations. They think this is the full price. "Minor details.” He figured.
“Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Peter asked him. He was going to tell the truth. Why wouldn’t he? There is nothing wrong with an eighty-five per cent tithe. Some serious needs will be met with this gift. The poor will eat. The naked will be clothed. Why wouldn’t he tell the truth? It’s not like he is stealing. It was his property. The price he received was his money to do with as he liked. Why would he lie?
He turned around to see a small crowd now gathering behind him, beaming with enthusiasm and clamoring to hear his response. Even Joseph was in the crowd. “Is this the full price you received from that piece of property?” Ahh… what difference does that make!? Don’t let these people down. Tell them what they want to hear. These are God’s precious people. Don’t discourage them with details. Stop hesitating. They’ll be suspicious. Answer!
“Yes…” he said as he fell to the ground.
Joseph was sincere. His gift encouraged the church. Ananias was insincere. His gift brought great fear to the church. The difference between being real and putting on a show was life and death.
(I might post on the account of Ananias and Sapphira more than once. There is a lot to be said about his very troubling story.)
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
new look
The reason that I have a new look is mostly that my wife has started a blog and wanted to use the polka dots. I thought it would be lame if our blogs had the same template, so I changed it. Her blog is intended to be a place to share pictures and family news for her siblings. Right now it has a bunch of pictures of my family, mostly featuring our new addtion. You can check it out here:
I've got several things that I want to write about including a look at Acts 5. Stay tuned.
I've got several things that I want to write about including a look at Acts 5. Stay tuned.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Needing some Nabas
Acts 4:36-37
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
(from New International Version)
Joseph got the nickname Bar (son of) Nabas (encouragment) one could assume, because he was such an encouragement. So, what did he do that was so encouraging? what can we learn about encouraging others from? He becomes a major player in Acts, and almost every time he is mentioned is doing something encouraging. But let us focus on his introduction here.
The term "encouragement" means to instill courage into someone, courage to face the day, stnad up under trials, resist temptation, whatever. The main we try to encourage people is with our words. But that is probably the least effective way.
I presume the reason the Apostles called Joseph "Mr. Encouragement" is that he found a more dynamic and effective way to encourage. He sold himself out to the cause of Christ, the church. by his actions he communicated to the Apostles and everyone else in the church "This thing is real. It is worth sacrificing all we have for. I'm committed in love to everyone here." Actions spoke so much louder than words would have. Such sacrificial actions helped strengthen the church to stand up under the persecution it would soon face.
If you desire to be an encouragement to someone, stnad with them. Show them with your actions that you are dedicated to them. If you want to give your church the courage it needs to face whatever may come, be the first to throw yourself in whole-heartedly. Set a precident of sacrifice.
With all that we are up against, encouragement needs more than one son.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
(from New International Version)
Joseph got the nickname Bar (son of) Nabas (encouragment) one could assume, because he was such an encouragement. So, what did he do that was so encouraging? what can we learn about encouraging others from? He becomes a major player in Acts, and almost every time he is mentioned is doing something encouraging. But let us focus on his introduction here.
The term "encouragement" means to instill courage into someone, courage to face the day, stnad up under trials, resist temptation, whatever. The main we try to encourage people is with our words. But that is probably the least effective way.
I presume the reason the Apostles called Joseph "Mr. Encouragement" is that he found a more dynamic and effective way to encourage. He sold himself out to the cause of Christ, the church. by his actions he communicated to the Apostles and everyone else in the church "This thing is real. It is worth sacrificing all we have for. I'm committed in love to everyone here." Actions spoke so much louder than words would have. Such sacrificial actions helped strengthen the church to stand up under the persecution it would soon face.
If you desire to be an encouragement to someone, stnad with them. Show them with your actions that you are dedicated to them. If you want to give your church the courage it needs to face whatever may come, be the first to throw yourself in whole-heartedly. Set a precident of sacrifice.
With all that we are up against, encouragement needs more than one son.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Thursday, January 27, 2005
No needy persons
The first church “had no needy persons among them.” The church had over 5,000 people in it by this time and not one in need. It’s staggering when you think about it. Not one falling through the cracks in a group that big. It was only possible, because “no one claimed any of his possessions as his own”. “From time to time” people were selling their property to make sure everyone in the body had their needs met.
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of churches in this country with 5,000 people. But how many 5,000 who are “one in heart and mind”. How many have 5,000 people so committed to one another that they would look at the wealth and say “not my wealth… the Kingdom’s wealth.” The church I belong to is good church with only between 70 and 100 people, and I don’t think we could claim to be at this level.
This is probably why they were such a force to be reckoned with. The Kingdom of God was real to them. They were committed to one another. The world understood the love of God by seeing how they loved one another.
Here is a challenge: Go through your most valuable possessions (home, bank account, car, collections…). Remind yourself item by item, that you have “surrendered all” to Jesus. So, my mini-van becomes the King’s mini-van. My home is Christ’s home. Etc... Are they being used in that way?
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of churches in this country with 5,000 people. But how many 5,000 who are “one in heart and mind”. How many have 5,000 people so committed to one another that they would look at the wealth and say “not my wealth… the Kingdom’s wealth.” The church I belong to is good church with only between 70 and 100 people, and I don’t think we could claim to be at this level.
This is probably why they were such a force to be reckoned with. The Kingdom of God was real to them. They were committed to one another. The world understood the love of God by seeing how they loved one another.
Here is a challenge: Go through your most valuable possessions (home, bank account, car, collections…). Remind yourself item by item, that you have “surrendered all” to Jesus. So, my mini-van becomes the King’s mini-van. My home is Christ’s home. Etc... Are they being used in that way?
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Jesus Is for Losers
When I first heard Steve Taylor’s song by this title, I was rubbed the wrong way. I had great admiration for Steve Taylor, yet how could he say this?
Here is a sampling of the lyrics:
If I was groping
Groping around for some ladder to fame
I am ashamed
If I was hoping
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool
I am a fool
Bone-weary every climb
Blindsided every time
Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply
Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall
He is not saying that the Way is the losing side. He is saying that Jesus is the only place for losers. Through the years, as the Lord has humbled me bit by bit, Taylor’s lyrics have begun to sound like an understatement.
In Acts 4, Peter tells the religious winners (all the ruling priests) that Jesus was the stone you builders rejected, but now he had ascended to the place of greatest prominence. As a loser who knows the sting of rejection, I’ll follow Jesus to victory, tooting his horn all the way.
Here is a sampling of the lyrics:
If I was groping
Groping around for some ladder to fame
I am ashamed
If I was hoping
Hoping respect would make a sturdy footstool
I am a fool
Bone-weary every climb
Blindsided every time
Just as I am
I am needy and dry
Jesus is for losers
The self-made need not apply
Just as I am
In a desert crawl
Lord, I'm so thirsty
Take me to the waterfall
He is not saying that the Way is the losing side. He is saying that Jesus is the only place for losers. Through the years, as the Lord has humbled me bit by bit, Taylor’s lyrics have begun to sound like an understatement.
In Acts 4, Peter tells the religious winners (all the ruling priests) that Jesus was the stone you builders rejected, but now he had ascended to the place of greatest prominence. As a loser who knows the sting of rejection, I’ll follow Jesus to victory, tooting his horn all the way.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Why do the nations rage?
I know it’s been a while since I wrote on Acts. Holidays and babies will do that to you. I will be interspersing family pictures and stories between the Acts stuff.
In Acts 4, Peter and John are detained and questioned by the religious authorities. I guess they didn’t like Peter and John preaching Jesus in the Temple, and telling people that the religious leaders “killed the author of life.” It’s not hard to see why they are upset.
They threaten them, and tell them not to preach Jesus anymore. Peter and John go back to the church, and what follows is one of my favorite biblical prayers. It says that when the church heard the news, “they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” And what follows is a beautiful demonstration of the power available when the church unites in prayer.
What you find is 24-28 is pure praise, a recounting of who God is and what he has done. These words were a declaration of confidence. “We know we come to the right place to ask for help.” It’s amazing how declaring confidence in God can affect us. As we speak them our confidence grows. After declaring their confidence the church prayed a bold prayer.
They did not pray for safety. They did not pray that no one would be harmed. They did not pray for God to iron out the differences between them and the religious leaders. They prayed that God would enable them to speak of Jesus with boldness. They knew the threats. They knew what could and probably would happen. But they wanted to see God’s will to overcome all opposition. They prayed for God to move powerfully not to protect their lives but to expand the Kingdom. And in verse 31, we see God honor that beautiful prayer.
A side note: What does it mean that they were filled with the Holy Spirit? Weren’t they already? I’ll post my opinion in the comments in a couple of days.
In Acts 4, Peter and John are detained and questioned by the religious authorities. I guess they didn’t like Peter and John preaching Jesus in the Temple, and telling people that the religious leaders “killed the author of life.” It’s not hard to see why they are upset.
They threaten them, and tell them not to preach Jesus anymore. Peter and John go back to the church, and what follows is one of my favorite biblical prayers. It says that when the church heard the news, “they raised their voices together in prayer to God.” And what follows is a beautiful demonstration of the power available when the church unites in prayer.
What you find is 24-28 is pure praise, a recounting of who God is and what he has done. These words were a declaration of confidence. “We know we come to the right place to ask for help.” It’s amazing how declaring confidence in God can affect us. As we speak them our confidence grows. After declaring their confidence the church prayed a bold prayer.
They did not pray for safety. They did not pray that no one would be harmed. They did not pray for God to iron out the differences between them and the religious leaders. They prayed that God would enable them to speak of Jesus with boldness. They knew the threats. They knew what could and probably would happen. But they wanted to see God’s will to overcome all opposition. They prayed for God to move powerfully not to protect their lives but to expand the Kingdom. And in verse 31, we see God honor that beautiful prayer.
A side note: What does it mean that they were filled with the Holy Spirit? Weren’t they already? I’ll post my opinion in the comments in a couple of days.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Saturday, January 08, 2005
It's a boy!
On my Monday my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. His name is Eli Willis.
Shortly after he was born, he was taken off to the NICU for testing. He had to stay there for about almost 48 hours. Turns out that it was nothing.
Cindie did amazing. I am in awe of her. She handled the delivery and crisis with such grace. She is an amazing woman.
Hannah is doing very well with it as you can see below. She is doing better than I would have thought possible.
I am still waiting for the hospital to post his picture at which point I will provide a link or something. I need to take more pictures, but as most of you know; having a new baby around really limits your ability to get it all done.
I'll share more on a day when my eyes aren't crossing from exhaustion.
Shortly after he was born, he was taken off to the NICU for testing. He had to stay there for about almost 48 hours. Turns out that it was nothing.
Cindie did amazing. I am in awe of her. She handled the delivery and crisis with such grace. She is an amazing woman.
Hannah is doing very well with it as you can see below. She is doing better than I would have thought possible.
I am still waiting for the hospital to post his picture at which point I will provide a link or something. I need to take more pictures, but as most of you know; having a new baby around really limits your ability to get it all done.
I'll share more on a day when my eyes aren't crossing from exhaustion.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
An annual report
Tom Peters encourages people to make an annual report of their lives in his business leadership book 'project:04'. I encouraged the church to do this last Sunday morning. The title, of the annual report I asked people to make was this: What Jesus did for me in 2004. Here is a slightly edited version of my report:
What Jesus did for me in 2004:
He built new friendships. (I don’t want to list the names here for fear of leaving some out).
He built stronger friendships. (I did not list names for the same reason as above). Blogging and the glccalumni board has allowed me to renew and strengthen several friendships.
He revitalized my relationship with my brother, Brandon.
He developed me further as a father and husband by teaching me more about how to love.
He increased my love and appreciation for my wife, Cindie and vice versa.
He blessed me with a new addition (soon to arrive).
He taught me more about the kingdom, and especially its manifestation within Christian fellowship.
He has developed more partners to carry the load of building the church.
He kept my whole family alive and in relatively good health. He delivered Hannah from her Mother’s Day sickness.
He has not only kept us financially afloat, but has increased our resources.
He taught me to wait on him by delaying our move and the baby’s arrival.
He challenged me with the writings of Rick Warren, John Ortberg, Bill Hybels, and Dallas Willard, and with films like The Passion, Signs, Bruce Almighty, Saved!, Bourne Supremacy, Miracle on 34th Street, and many others.
He kept my fire for church-work burning.
He opened my mind to the bigness of God by causing me to see a place within his kingdom for those I have considered to be liberal theologically.
He used me to comfort some who were dying, some who were losing loved ones, some who faced many other crises.
He used to me to challenge people to deeper, richer, riskier living for the cause of Christ.
He used me to help usher several individuals across the line into God’s good graces.
With my family about expand, and the church in motion, he has set me up for a wonderful and fruitful 2005.
What Jesus did for me in 2004:
He built new friendships. (I don’t want to list the names here for fear of leaving some out).
He built stronger friendships. (I did not list names for the same reason as above). Blogging and the glccalumni board has allowed me to renew and strengthen several friendships.
He revitalized my relationship with my brother, Brandon.
He developed me further as a father and husband by teaching me more about how to love.
He increased my love and appreciation for my wife, Cindie and vice versa.
He blessed me with a new addition (soon to arrive).
He taught me more about the kingdom, and especially its manifestation within Christian fellowship.
He has developed more partners to carry the load of building the church.
He kept my whole family alive and in relatively good health. He delivered Hannah from her Mother’s Day sickness.
He has not only kept us financially afloat, but has increased our resources.
He taught me to wait on him by delaying our move and the baby’s arrival.
He challenged me with the writings of Rick Warren, John Ortberg, Bill Hybels, and Dallas Willard, and with films like The Passion, Signs, Bruce Almighty, Saved!, Bourne Supremacy, Miracle on 34th Street, and many others.
He kept my fire for church-work burning.
He opened my mind to the bigness of God by causing me to see a place within his kingdom for those I have considered to be liberal theologically.
He used me to comfort some who were dying, some who were losing loved ones, some who faced many other crises.
He used to me to challenge people to deeper, richer, riskier living for the cause of Christ.
He used me to help usher several individuals across the line into God’s good graces.
With my family about expand, and the church in motion, he has set me up for a wonderful and fruitful 2005.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
An update
We were expecting to have a baby today. Cindie went in last night to be induced into labor, but the doctor decided not to do it after some tests came back reporting that the baby was not ready.
They have rescheduled us to go in Sunday January 2.
Your conintued prayers are appreciated.
They have rescheduled us to go in Sunday January 2.
Your conintued prayers are appreciated.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
3 baptisms, 1 funeral, and an ultra-sound
When the phone rang at 11:30 p.m. Sunday night, I knew who would be on the other end adn what the call would be about. "She's gone." It was the voice of a lady from our church. Her mother, whom she lived with, had been given only hours to live.
my heart really went out to her and her family. they are a tight bunch and will miss their mother.
Monday, cindie and I finished off our Christmas shopping list and visited the family who had lost their mother. I went back there a second time later that day to gather as much information on her life as possible.
Tuesday, I was busy with funeral prep and two visitation times. I'm not complaining about any of this. I actually love doing funerals. It's not a morbid thing. It's just that I want to be about meeting people's needs, and there is no more needed time than after the death of a loved one.
I arrived at the church Wednesday morning at 7 am. I had three baptisms scheduled for 9, but I had forgot to turn on the heater on the baptististry. The first thing I did when I got there was check on the water. While doing that, I dropped my Minister's Manual (book I use to plan weddings and funerals) in the baptistry. Knowing how badly I needed the book, I quickly went in after it, soaking my sockas and shoes.
Those being baptized were three generations of women from one family. A gal my age (mid-twenties), her mom, and grandmother. That was really cool. By the way, they started coming because of a funeral that was done at our church for the sister of the youngest. This is case in point why I love funerals.
To my surprise, they had invited family, who arrived in church clothes. And when I say church clothes, I mean the kind of thing I might wear if it were Christmas or Easter. I, conversely was wearing some sweats over my bathing suit, and was barefoot becasue my socks and shoes got soaked. I felt awkward, but other than that it was really cool. The whole church has been working with them for a long while.
After that I rushed home and showered and changed for the funeral. I have to say that it was one of the more tearful funerals that I have been to. She had a huge family (7 kids, 18 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandkid). And as I said earlier, they are tight bunch. I was glad to be there and really feel like God used me. with all of the functions it took from 11:00 am till about 6:00 pm, at which time I headed over to our Bible study. I mention this part only tosay, I was exhausted by the end of the day.
The next morning (this morning) Cindie, Hannah and I got up early to go the doctor's for an ultra-sound Cindie is 36 weeks pregnant (40 is full term). But our last child had to be induced early because she was getting so big. That is why we had this ultra-sound, to see if the same thing was happening. The baby is an estimated 8 lbs. right now, give or take a half pound. In the last four week babies grow on average two more pounds. That could put the bay at as heavy as 10.5 lbs. That's way too big for someone as petite as Cindie birth naturally. So it looks like the doctor is going to induce labor next Wednesday, 3 weeks early, and 3 days before Christmas You can imagine how paniced we are right now.
This has been a week of life and death. 3 baptisms, a funeral, an ultra-sound, and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Life himself. Big stuff. Today, after the doctor's visit, I finally got a chance to start my sermon for this Sunday. The theme that had already been chosen for this Sunday is "Making room for Christ's Peace." The text is Phil 4:4-7 which instructs us to anxious about nothing.
I guess I won't be short on illustrations.
my heart really went out to her and her family. they are a tight bunch and will miss their mother.
Monday, cindie and I finished off our Christmas shopping list and visited the family who had lost their mother. I went back there a second time later that day to gather as much information on her life as possible.
Tuesday, I was busy with funeral prep and two visitation times. I'm not complaining about any of this. I actually love doing funerals. It's not a morbid thing. It's just that I want to be about meeting people's needs, and there is no more needed time than after the death of a loved one.
I arrived at the church Wednesday morning at 7 am. I had three baptisms scheduled for 9, but I had forgot to turn on the heater on the baptististry. The first thing I did when I got there was check on the water. While doing that, I dropped my Minister's Manual (book I use to plan weddings and funerals) in the baptistry. Knowing how badly I needed the book, I quickly went in after it, soaking my sockas and shoes.
Those being baptized were three generations of women from one family. A gal my age (mid-twenties), her mom, and grandmother. That was really cool. By the way, they started coming because of a funeral that was done at our church for the sister of the youngest. This is case in point why I love funerals.
To my surprise, they had invited family, who arrived in church clothes. And when I say church clothes, I mean the kind of thing I might wear if it were Christmas or Easter. I, conversely was wearing some sweats over my bathing suit, and was barefoot becasue my socks and shoes got soaked. I felt awkward, but other than that it was really cool. The whole church has been working with them for a long while.
After that I rushed home and showered and changed for the funeral. I have to say that it was one of the more tearful funerals that I have been to. She had a huge family (7 kids, 18 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandkid). And as I said earlier, they are tight bunch. I was glad to be there and really feel like God used me. with all of the functions it took from 11:00 am till about 6:00 pm, at which time I headed over to our Bible study. I mention this part only tosay, I was exhausted by the end of the day.
The next morning (this morning) Cindie, Hannah and I got up early to go the doctor's for an ultra-sound Cindie is 36 weeks pregnant (40 is full term). But our last child had to be induced early because she was getting so big. That is why we had this ultra-sound, to see if the same thing was happening. The baby is an estimated 8 lbs. right now, give or take a half pound. In the last four week babies grow on average two more pounds. That could put the bay at as heavy as 10.5 lbs. That's way too big for someone as petite as Cindie birth naturally. So it looks like the doctor is going to induce labor next Wednesday, 3 weeks early, and 3 days before Christmas You can imagine how paniced we are right now.
This has been a week of life and death. 3 baptisms, a funeral, an ultra-sound, and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Life himself. Big stuff. Today, after the doctor's visit, I finally got a chance to start my sermon for this Sunday. The theme that had already been chosen for this Sunday is "Making room for Christ's Peace." The text is Phil 4:4-7 which instructs us to anxious about nothing.
I guess I won't be short on illustrations.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Psalm 23, the prodigal sheep
In our Sunday School class, we are going through the book “Living by the Book” by Hendricks and Hendricks. The book teaches the basic skills necessary to read and understand the Bible. This week’s lesson encouraged us to try to read a passage as for the first time. It listed several very familiar passages and asked your to read it in four versions, and try to engage as it as for the first time.
The whole book has been really fun, but I especially enjoyed this exercise. I chose Psalm 23, perhaps the second most familiar passage in all of Scripture. I read it in The MESSAGE Paraphrase, Young’s Literal Translation, The Good News Translation, and The Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The challenge was to then set aside my preconceptions about this passage. I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion.
Yahweh is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wonderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more. (I think verse 2 just rewords the same concept).
He renews my strength leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow: the road of repentance can be scary, and the road to repentance will doubtlessly run near temptation where death is so close you may feal like you are in the darkness of it’s shadow.
I’ll not fear for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me: I don’t need to fear further falling because Yahweh is there to yank and nudge me back on to the road.
You prepare a meal for me in the face of my enemies, revive me and make my once-dry cup overflow: this is an example of God’s unbelievable grace. His blessings for wanderer are multiplied on his return.
Your Beauty and Faithful Love chase after me without ceasing: good news for someone who wandered away. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.
I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: I’m noit ever leaving again.
Now go back and compare this with the story of the prodigal son, which is the ultimate portrayal of a wayward returned to God. I think the parallels will become obvious. Let me know what you see.
The whole book has been really fun, but I especially enjoyed this exercise. I chose Psalm 23, perhaps the second most familiar passage in all of Scripture. I read it in The MESSAGE Paraphrase, Young’s Literal Translation, The Good News Translation, and The Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The challenge was to then set aside my preconceptions about this passage. I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion.
Yahweh is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wonderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more. (I think verse 2 just rewords the same concept).
He renews my strength leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow: the road of repentance can be scary, and the road to repentance will doubtlessly run near temptation where death is so close you may feal like you are in the darkness of it’s shadow.
I’ll not fear for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me: I don’t need to fear further falling because Yahweh is there to yank and nudge me back on to the road.
You prepare a meal for me in the face of my enemies, revive me and make my once-dry cup overflow: this is an example of God’s unbelievable grace. His blessings for wanderer are multiplied on his return.
Your Beauty and Faithful Love chase after me without ceasing: good news for someone who wandered away. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.
I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: I’m noit ever leaving again.
Now go back and compare this with the story of the prodigal son, which is the ultimate portrayal of a wayward returned to God. I think the parallels will become obvious. Let me know what you see.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
In the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3)
Luke has just given us a general picture of what the first church looked like (Acts 2:42-47). They met in the Temple. They committed themselves to prayer. They were filled with awe. Many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. They had the favor of the people, and so on. Luke follows this general description with a specific example.
Peter and John head to the Temple to pray, meat and heal a lame man, and use the attention it draws to testify about Jesus. If you had to identify one theme of this whole chapter, it would be the “name of Jesus”.
The man was healed, chapter 3 emphatically declares, by the name of Jesus (vs. 6, and 16). This we saw in verse six, and this is the central theme of Peter’s sermon.
The theme of “the name of Jesus” is further promoted by the large number of titles for Jesus found in chapter 3. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (6), His Servant Jesus (13), the Holy and Righteous One (14), the Author of Life (15), His [God’s] Christ (18), a prophet like Moses (22), and [Abraham’s] Offspring (25).
I’m not going to tell you what each of these mean right now (though, that would be a fruitful exercise). I just bring this up to show the emphasis on the theme “the name of Jesus”. You may be aware that when the Bible speaks of a name, there is deeper significance than what we typically infer. For instance, if someone donated money to a school in your name, that would simply mean that it was done on your behalf. In biblical language, though, it would mean much more. It would mean the money was donated by your power and in your character. It was rooted in you and reflected you.
So with the healing being done in the name of Jesus (Yeshua), the whole thing reflects and finds its beginnings in Jesus. These two men look at the crippled man, this comes from Christ’s character. Peter’s faith that is so courageous as to declare the lame man well comes from Jesus. His compassion to reach out and grab this lame man by the hand comes from the name (character) of Jesus. Peter and John’s willingness to have their prayer time interrupted to do God’s work, comes from Jesus. The power to heal a man, who had been lame his whole life, so completely that he is able to walk and jump without even being taught certainly came from Jesus. But the power of Jesus is not released without the character of Jesus.
A church which exists in the name of Christ have the compassionate character of Christ to identify a need, the humility of Christ to reach out to that need, and the faith in Jesus’ power to handle it.
Peter and John head to the Temple to pray, meat and heal a lame man, and use the attention it draws to testify about Jesus. If you had to identify one theme of this whole chapter, it would be the “name of Jesus”.
The man was healed, chapter 3 emphatically declares, by the name of Jesus (vs. 6, and 16). This we saw in verse six, and this is the central theme of Peter’s sermon.
The theme of “the name of Jesus” is further promoted by the large number of titles for Jesus found in chapter 3. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (6), His Servant Jesus (13), the Holy and Righteous One (14), the Author of Life (15), His [God’s] Christ (18), a prophet like Moses (22), and [Abraham’s] Offspring (25).
I’m not going to tell you what each of these mean right now (though, that would be a fruitful exercise). I just bring this up to show the emphasis on the theme “the name of Jesus”. You may be aware that when the Bible speaks of a name, there is deeper significance than what we typically infer. For instance, if someone donated money to a school in your name, that would simply mean that it was done on your behalf. In biblical language, though, it would mean much more. It would mean the money was donated by your power and in your character. It was rooted in you and reflected you.
So with the healing being done in the name of Jesus (Yeshua), the whole thing reflects and finds its beginnings in Jesus. These two men look at the crippled man, this comes from Christ’s character. Peter’s faith that is so courageous as to declare the lame man well comes from Jesus. His compassion to reach out and grab this lame man by the hand comes from the name (character) of Jesus. Peter and John’s willingness to have their prayer time interrupted to do God’s work, comes from Jesus. The power to heal a man, who had been lame his whole life, so completely that he is able to walk and jump without even being taught certainly came from Jesus. But the power of Jesus is not released without the character of Jesus.
A church which exists in the name of Christ have the compassionate character of Christ to identify a need, the humility of Christ to reach out to that need, and the faith in Jesus’ power to handle it.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Everything that I needed to know about prayer, I learned from my 2 year-old
If you didn’t know, I have a two year-old daughter named Hannah. She is the one pictured below on Santa’s lap. We have been letting her do the prayer before meals now and again, and it has proved to be quite cute. Let me share three examples:
1. Hannah began her prayer with pure gibberish. I don’t think she was “in the Spirit” or anything. This is just what she does when she wants to talk, but does not know which words to say. After doing that for about thirty to forty seconds, she closed her prayer with “Twinkle Star… A,B,C… Itsy Spider… Amen”
2. A second prayer came after a bad in potty training. She began with her normal lists of thank you’s for everyone she knows, and then unprompted said, “Sorry to Mommy and Daddy for potty in my pants.”
3. Recently she added a new item to her normal list of Thank you’s. She thanked God for the store. Unfortunately, she caught us giggling at that one. So, last night she said it seven times in a row until she got laugh she desired. “thank your for the store… the store… the store…” (I peak and see she is looking straight at me.) “the store…”
There might be lessons about prayer here. I’ll leave that to you to decide.
1. Hannah began her prayer with pure gibberish. I don’t think she was “in the Spirit” or anything. This is just what she does when she wants to talk, but does not know which words to say. After doing that for about thirty to forty seconds, she closed her prayer with “Twinkle Star… A,B,C… Itsy Spider… Amen”
2. A second prayer came after a bad in potty training. She began with her normal lists of thank you’s for everyone she knows, and then unprompted said, “Sorry to Mommy and Daddy for potty in my pants.”
3. Recently she added a new item to her normal list of Thank you’s. She thanked God for the store. Unfortunately, she caught us giggling at that one. So, last night she said it seven times in a row until she got laugh she desired. “thank your for the store… the store… the store…” (I peak and see she is looking straight at me.) “the store…”
There might be lessons about prayer here. I’ll leave that to you to decide.
The ideal church (Acts 2:42-47)
This is one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. It gives us just a brief glimpse of what church can look like when it clicks perfectly on all cylinders. Three thousand+ fired-up converts, all 1) devoted to apostle’s teaching 2) devoted to fellowship 3) devoted to the Eucharist 4) devoted to prayer 5) in awe of the Lord 6) sharing with each other 7) committed to meeting daily with each other 8) sharing meals 9) glad and sincere 10) praising God 11) appreciated by the community. So perfect that God was pleased to add converts daily to their number.
It was this potent church that was the seed for every church around the world. This church so completely portrayed what God’s Kingdom is like that people could not stay away. I think it is fair to say that the more ideal the church, the more likely it is to have this sort of far-flung, generational impact.
There is, however a danger to ideals. When we decide that only the ideal will do, we become incapable of having any involvement of in this fallen world. If we decide that an “Acts 2” type of church is the only church worth being a part of, then we put ourselves in a hard place. We must either be a part of no church, or close our eyes and deceive ourselves about the church we belong to. Both are absurd.
One of my professors at Bible college counseled me not to look for the perfect church. For the moment I joined it, he said, the whole thing would be ruined—no longer perfect.
As you will see, even this ideal church did not stay ideal for long. Or, more accurately, when this infantile, untested church hit some bumps in the road, she was shown more fully for what she was—an unfinished product. We’ll discuss this more when we get to Acts 5.
This brings me back to “Acts 29”. A lady at church was quick to point out, there is no Acts 29. I explained to her that there is not a written twenty-ninth chapter of Acts, but that we as the modern church are the unwritten twenty-ninth chapter. The church we belong to began on Pentacost with 3,000 fired-up converts, and continues today. We look back to the first-century church to learn more about being a twenty-first century church.
It was this potent church that was the seed for every church around the world. This church so completely portrayed what God’s Kingdom is like that people could not stay away. I think it is fair to say that the more ideal the church, the more likely it is to have this sort of far-flung, generational impact.
There is, however a danger to ideals. When we decide that only the ideal will do, we become incapable of having any involvement of in this fallen world. If we decide that an “Acts 2” type of church is the only church worth being a part of, then we put ourselves in a hard place. We must either be a part of no church, or close our eyes and deceive ourselves about the church we belong to. Both are absurd.
One of my professors at Bible college counseled me not to look for the perfect church. For the moment I joined it, he said, the whole thing would be ruined—no longer perfect.
As you will see, even this ideal church did not stay ideal for long. Or, more accurately, when this infantile, untested church hit some bumps in the road, she was shown more fully for what she was—an unfinished product. We’ll discuss this more when we get to Acts 5.
This brings me back to “Acts 29”. A lady at church was quick to point out, there is no Acts 29. I explained to her that there is not a written twenty-ninth chapter of Acts, but that we as the modern church are the unwritten twenty-ninth chapter. The church we belong to began on Pentacost with 3,000 fired-up converts, and continues today. We look back to the first-century church to learn more about being a twenty-first century church.
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