Working An Idea To Its Fruition

Last Monday I had the worse travel day of my life.  I left my apartment in San Antonio at 4:30AM and did not get back to Blacksburg until midnight.  My flight was delayed in San Antonio.  I waited eight hours in the Atlanta airport.  I was diverted through Lynchburg.  I had to go to Pennsylvania at 7:00AM on Tuesday, so I had to get back.  The airline and airport people weren't mean, but they weren't nice either.  It was just a miserable day.

The Saturday before my wife and I watched the latest Twilight movie on DVD.  All I could say throughout the movie was "Can't we skip to the end?"  I wanted to know the ending, but all of the stuff in-between wasn't important.  Who wins?  The werewolves or the vampires?  I remembered an old song lyric that went "Why can't we skip to the final chapter of the book?"  And that is the same way I felt Monday evening.  Why can't I just skip to Wednesday and forget these travel woes?

The song that the lyric comes from alludes to Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-8).  It discusses how Noah's family on the ark must have been afraid, have must been feeling like I did in the airport:  Why can't this all be over?  The song answers this question with "because we would have missed the point."  But I like Genesis 8:1 better:  "...God remembered Noah....and the waters subsided."

Keith read James 1 last Sunday.  James is imploring us to persevere and be patient.  Life will be difficult, but with Jesus and the Word, we will get through.  James 1:18 tells us that we are chosen so we might be the "firstfruits of His creation."  Like Noah, we are remembered.  We are chosen.  And if we continue to be faithful persevering and patient servants, the waters will subside.  I finally made it back to Blacksburg.  Lord willing,  I will eventually know who wins between the vampires and werewolves.  And if I remain faithful, I will reap even greater rewards.  

And for the record, the last verse of the last chapter of the book states "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen."  One text replaces all with "all the saints."

If you need to commit to Christ and become a saint of if you have lost the grace of Jesus Christ, you have the opportunity to come forward as we sing.

A Couple Of Other Things

1.  I was looking at the contribution board in church yesterday.  If you take the total contribution and divide it by the number of attendees, you get a number greater than my average contribution.  This realization made me remember the average-marginal rule.  Simply, if your (marginal) contribution is below the average then you are pulling the average (and total) down.  The point here is it made me consider my contribution.  I have always felt that contribution cannot be measured just by dollars, and I understand earnings and tithing life-cycles, but it is something I have to keep in mind.

2.  Part of what I wanted to get out of the airport and the "why can't we skip to the last chapter of the book?" posts is the temporary nature of the world and the temporary nature of strife.  Heaven is a great gift and should be remembered in times of strife (and also good times.)  Thank you Jesus.        

Just "Be"

After I read this post by Father Longenecker, I just listened.  All I heard was "be."  Just "be."

When things don't seem to be going my way or I get tired and lazy, I retreat, when what I really need is to be.

Heavenly father,
Thank you for being the living God.
Thank you for always being with me.
Help me to be Christlike.
Help me to be.
It is Jesus' name I pray,
Amen.

Other Things From Monday's Airport Experience

While I was waiting for in the airport for eight hours, I sat beside a young mother with 16 month old.  Again, the fearless, unconditional, innocent love of a child is a great thing.  Children are a powerful reminder of the devotion to Christ we must have.

But as I was sitting in the airport, wanting to cry, wanting to physically hurt the nearest Delta representative, I had to show an adult love.  I had to consciously choose "to love."  This type of love is also a great thing.  It is a reminder of the greatness we can achieve with God's grace.

Heavenly father,
Help me to devote myself to You.
Help me to choose love no matter how much anger exists.
Help me to be a Christian adult and not a worldly child.
It is in Jesus holy and blessed name I pray,
Amen.

Being A Christian, Job, And Airports

I woke up this morning at 4:30AM CST.  My 6:35AM CST flight was delayed by almost three hours.  I missed my connection.  I waited on standby for the next one even though I could get close to my destination on another flight.   I did not make the cut for my original destination.  Delta has not been helpful.  I debated about whether to rent a car and drive.   I am tired.  I am worn out.  I have to get back so I can drive and ride 10 hours tomorrow for my dissertation.  But I cannot curse God.  Because I still have a lot of good things.  I can even blog while waiting. 

The real power of Christ is to look at the world, to look at heartache, to feel like Job at his lowest points, and say "I still love God."  I don't understand Him, but I love Him. 

That is why we can't "skip to the final chapter in the book."  Because we would have missed the point.  Love isn't supposed to be easy.  It isn't supposed to be just about feelings and emotions.  It has something to do with Job sitting in ashes, something about Noah weathering the storm, it has something to do about spending a day in an airport and having nothing go your way.  It has to do with living by faith when it is hard to see what God's plans are for you.

Love isn't easy, isn't supposed to be easy, but it isn't hard either.  The only thing I know is to see the world with love is a beautiful thing that is well worth it.

Three Encouraging Posts By Father Logenecker

1.  The power of the parable prodigal son.  The following is a quote that reminds me of Eldredge:
  
"I suppose it is like this: each one of us, no matter how good our family and how fine our lessons in self esteem and how marvelously encouraging our education, still has a deep and unshakeable conviction that we are unloved, that we have to earn the love we need, that we have to please somebody. The negativities that result from this deep conviction are manifold. We feel guilt, we feel anger towards others, we long for what is wrong, we lust for all that is dust, we feel the need for greed. We reach for so many things to fill that gap which is really the need for total, unconditional love...the love of the Father above."

2.  The body, mind and spirit aren't always cohesive.  


"Don't misunderstand. I'm not arguing for a kind of wishy washy relativistic faith based only on subjective personal experience. However I am saying there is such a thing as personal experience in our faith, and it's a good thing, and it comes to us in as many different ways as there are people."

3.  The journey matters:

"We want it all organized and together, but life isn't like that. Life is messy. Love is messy. If we're going to walk by faith, not by sight, then we're going to have times when we're confused. We're going to mess up. We're going to stumble and fall. We're going to take wrong turnings and get lost in the woods. But this is the great adventure. This is the beautiful struggle."

(I am not going to discuss sacraments or the Catholic church in general.  I don't think that is an appropriate discussion for a young Christian struggling to be Christ-like.  There are bigger things.  Getting caught up in controversial theological debates reminds me of Titus 3:9-"Avoid foolish controversies."  There is a time and place  but not now.) 

Hopefully, Helping An Idea Come To Fruition

Building on this post, I try to expand on (Isaiah 6:9).

God is telling Isaiah that it is hopeless, but he is also calling on Isaiah to preach.  God is assuming the burden to educate His people even though they will misperceive God's intentions.  Intentions and perceptions get mixed up a lot in life.  Good intentions can pave the road to destruction.  But God so loved the world, that throughout history he ordained prophets to teach, and he so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son (John 3:16).  

There are three ideas concerning intentions and perceptions that I would like to discuss:

1.  God's intentions are given through Jesus and the Bible.  But since the beginning of time, these intentions have been misconstrued.  People's perceptions of God's intentions will not always line up with Jesus and Bible.

2.  Despite these mis-perceptions, we are called to preach and live righteously.  We must go the extra mile (Matthew 5:41).  We must forgive "seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22).  We must "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39).  We cannot quit just because no one understands or appreciates our intentions.

3.  Building on number two, we must constantly evaluate our own perceptions and the others' perceptions concerning us, not only when it comes to spiritual matters, but also in our daily interactions.  Only when we become self-aware and empathetic can we fully recognize the importance of our daily burden to spread the Gospel.      

Why Can't We Just "Skip To The Final Chapter Of The Book"? Or Another Lesson I Am Planning

Because "If the weather holds we'll have missed the point."

The last verse of the last chapter of the Book:

 ²¹The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

A Lesson I Am Thinking About

Isaiah 6:9 (New International Version)

 ⁹ He said, "Go and tell this people:
       " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
       be ever seeing, but never perceiving.

"Good intentions pave the road to hell."  Intentions are perceived.  When we do anything, other people will perceive our intentions.  They will take their own lesson.  This is life.  People will judge us, and the message we intend can be misinterpreted or misperceived.

The Old Testament and the work of prophets shows how God has been misperceived.  God had to continuously send prophets to chastise and explain His wishes to His people.  But God took the onus in explaining His will, and in the end, He "gave us His only Son" (John 3:16).

The lesson is that the burden is on us.  The Gospels gives a number of examples of how Jesus intentionally countered people's perceptions and how He taught and fought to change people's misinterpretations.

The first two examples that come to my mind is the parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) and the Samaritan woman (John 4).  In the parable, Jesus commands us to forgive and have compassion.  With the Samaritan woman, Jesus took the onus to spread the Word.  He forgave the woman's mis-perceptions caused by history and more fully explained God's intentions.

This onus, this burden has been passed to us.   

Opportunity

I woke up Friday morning with the word "opportunity" on my mind.  Everyday is opportunity to do something.  Something for the Lord.  Something for the world.  Something for yourself.  Something for the devil.  Something.  Everyday is an opportunity to do something.  

The Old Testament prophets are an example here.  God chose them.  Some disobeyed.  Some pleaded.  But they stood against a wicked world and spoke God's words.  Through Christ, God has chosen us.

Heavenly father, help us to do something for You.
It is Jesus' name,
Amen.

Serious Business

I woke up this morning, and the first thought in my head was "this is serious."  I have no idea why I thought about seriousness as I was waking.  I am not a serious person.  I have always made fun of people who took themselves too seriously.  Those people who fail to see the humor in our daily world.  But maybe I am not serious enough.  Maybe that is why God put seriousness on my mind.

I see my world much like Paul saw Athens (Acts 17:16-34).  A place where people are worshiping unknown gods.  A place where there is a lot of intellect.  A place where there was a lot of talent and energy to debate.  But a lost place.  A place where ideas are constantly critiqued but a place where heart is suppressed.     Paul went into Athens and was serious.  He spoke the Word of God.   And I wish I had the courage of Paul, but I am admittedly weak.   

I also remember Titus 2:6-8.  I must work to be "self-controlled and set an example."  I must work to be serious.

Difficult Closing Prayers I Have Given (Hopefully A Continuing Series)

I once had to say the closing prayer after a visiting preacher had went over an hour.  His sermon was a meaningful, thoughtful, and thorough examination of Job, but it was Sunday night and people were tired.  Some people were hungry and/or had to go to the bathroom.  By the time it was my turn, most people wanted to go home or to the bathroom or to dinner.  And I had to say the closing prayer.  And I did the best I could.  I kept it short, but I did it.  The lesson here is perseverance.  We have to persevere in worship, in life.  We have to "face trials" and "consider it pure joy" (James 1:2).  Christ requires discipline.  The Living God put us here to work and not give up when we are tired, hungry, or have to go the bathroom.

Just Breathe

U2 has the following chorus in their song "Breathe:"


Every day I,
die again and again and reborn
Every day I,
have to find the courage
to walk down
into the street,
with arms out
gotta’ love you can’t defeat
neither down or out
there's nothing you have that I need,
I can breath
Breathe now 


In John 3:3-8, Jesus declares that we will not see the kingdom of God unless we are born again.  This is another one of those passages that you could study for lifetime.  But I think Bono says something important.  We need the Spirit to give us the courage to love everyday.  We need the Spirit to evangelize and take our Faith to the "streets."   We need the Spirit to breathe. Rebirth is learning how to truly breathe.    


Heavenly Father,
Help me find Your Holy Spirit,
Help me find courage,
Help me present a love that cannot be defeated,
Help me to breathe,
It is in Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

Some Things

1.  I listened to my oral presentation of the last post.  You need to add "you know" to every sentence and twice in compound sentences.  I didn't know it was possible to say "you know" 250 times in less than 15 minutes.

2.  I am going to make a real effort to post more often.

3.  I do not vouch for any of the Google ads posted to the right.  I like the Google Adsense program because it keeps an accurate track of the number of visitors.  It also has some interesting links, but again, I do not vouch for them.

4.  I am thinking about trying to expand the readership of this blog.  I want to go from two or three readers to five or six. 

15 Minute Lesson From Last Night

(I apologize for the formatting.  The structure of the lesson came from here.)

Tonight is a continuation of last Sunday’s lesson on “The Seasons of Life” inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Genesis 1:14-15.  Last Sunday J______ and D_____ discussed the Spring and Summer of life which encompassed childhood and early adulthood.  Tonight I am the opening act and will discuss the Fall of life or mature adulthood.  And S______ will close the show discussing the last stage of life using the metaphor of Winter.    

What got me interested in this topic was one afternoon I was visiting my parents and I realized that I was married, realized I am still a student, realized my wife was in San Antonio, realized my school was in Blacksburg, realized my parents were getting older, realized my dog was getting old, realized I didn’t have a real job, realized that we live in a dangerous world, realized my thick comforter was in San Antonio and realized that we had a church picnic starting in an hour, and there was an interesting professional development seminar starting in an hour and a half in Blacksburg, and I was two and half hours away in Crozet.  I kind-of freaked out.  My life was getting complicated, my life was spiraling out-of-control, my life was changing rapidly, and I questioned how well I was handling it.  I remembered 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”  Other translations use the word “anxiety.”  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  I am not supposed to worry or harbor anxiety.  I am supposed to cast all my anxieties onto the Lord.  I needed to pray, but I realized I was still learning how to pray.  In other words, I wasn’t where I wanted to be.  I wanted to be better.  And I wanted it right then.  Even today, I want to be better right now.            

The next morning I made it back to Christiansburg and KW was telling a story in class about having to eat with and receive an award from a 3 star general, and how he was so nervous, but how in the end he got through it.  And I realized that my current situation was just life, that we find ways to get through things, and some day relatively soon my wife and I will live together, and I will have a job and that will lead to a whole new set of realizations and challenges.  This is just a season in my life.

In the context of this lesson, even though I am the old man of this class, I am still in and really just beginning the summer of my life.  I haven’t learned all the things I need to learn.  I haven’t learned patience.  I haven’t developed the habits needed to be a mature “man.”  I haven’t really learned what it takes to be a husband much less a father.   

And that is okay because the important thing for me is to continue growing, especially as a Christian. God designed us to grow.  1 Corinthians 3 is a powerful chapter in so many ways.  Paul is addressing a community of people, but his metaphors of moving from drinking milk in infancy to solid food and building on the foundation of Christ also applies to us as individuals today.  We as individuals must grow and build upon the foundation of Christ, and this requires time.  “For everything there truly is a season.”  There is comfort in the fact that we get to grow, we get to mature, and our past mistakes can be left behind.

The Bible gives us great examples of this principle.  Abraham, Moses, and David made mistakes, but they grew and became men of God.  Peter and Paul made mistakes, but they developed in to worthy disciples who spread the Word to the ends of this Earth.  Their growth didn’t happen overnight.  It took time.  They all went through tough times.  They all sinned, but they came out the other side as true Men of God.  If they can do it, why can’t I?  Why can’t we?  I found this idea of growth to be very comforting.  It doesn’t take away our personal responsibility to deny temptation and avoid sin, but it does help us appreciate more fully what Christ’s sacrifice really meant for us.  James 1:2-5 tells us:

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 ^{We will go through trials, but if we hold on to faith and ask God for wisdom, we will receive the greatest gifts.}

Now, finally, getting to the meat of tonight’s lesson, with all apologies to D_____ and summer, I think the most fruitful season of this growth is fall.  It is when we get to reap the rewards of summer.  The shift from young adulthood into mature adulthood is the point where individuals start to understand more precisely what God requires of them and also understand the habits needed to meet these requirements.  It is the point where priorities are permanently established.  As one grows older, some strength and energy leaves, but wisdom increases.  Habits become refined, and the mistakes of the past that required extra strength and energy are avoided.  There comes a time in a person’s life when they know what to do, how to do it, and still have the ability to do it.  This is the fall of life.  This is the mature adult.

An example comes from working with my Dad.  He has always sold fruits and vegetables.  Banana boxes come in 40 pound boxes.  When I was young I would always lift two at a time and carry them to the display.  My dad always used a cart.  Let’s just say, as I have gotten older I understand the multiple benefits of using a cart. He could always fill up the bananas faster than I could.  Now the last time I was home he admitted that when he was young he always carried everything too.

Being a mature Christian also carries increased responsibilities.  The responsibilities center on continuing to build and share knowledge.  Now that one finally “gets it” they have to continue “getting it,” share what they know, and start to broaden their concerns and perspectives.  

Besides better habits and skills to deal with life, a mature adult continues to build knowledge.  He continues to build better habits.  He learns from failures.  He more fully trusts God, and this trust leads him deeper into Christ and the Bible.  By this time in life, the primary lessons of the Bible have been learned, and a mature adult moves to secondary lessons.  It is not enough to superficially know the Bible.  A mature adult must appreciate the deep lessons of Christ and the living God.  Last week, J____ implored us to read the Bible every day.  I am ashamed to admit that I have only recently learned how to do this effectively.  But mature adults in the fall of their lives have no problem with reading the Bible every day.  They not only read the Word, they live the Word.  We read this in Colossians 1:10: 

  10 rthat you may walk worthy of the Lord, sfully pleasing Him, tbeing fruitful in every good work and increasing in the uknowledge of God; 

 The Fall of life also requires the mature adult to take what they have learned and to share it.  This is another big difference from young adulthood.  A husband and father who has young children is rightfully limited.  His first responsibility is to grow and provide for his family.  A young wife and mother has similar and probably greater commitments to family.  But older men and older women have to take the next step to grow the Kingdom of God.  They have to begin to mentor others and teach classes and be involved in the church.  As Hebrews 5:12-14 tells us:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the 2oracles of God; and you have come to need qmilk and not solid food.  13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is ra babe.  14 But solid food belongs to those who are 3of full age, that is, those who by reason of 4use have their senses exercised sto discern both good and evil.

Similarly, the Fall of Life also has to be a time when mature Christians broaden their concerns.  They have move away from themselves and their families and move towards greater selflessness.  The selfishness of youth disappears and the selflessness of Christ must start to appear.  Leadership qualities must develop.  Mature adulthood is the time when we can go on mission trips, where we can begin to really spread the Word and Good News of Christ to the ends of the Earth.  It is a time where we must go beyond our comfort zones. As Philippians 2:4 states:  

4 gLet each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of hothers.

And it is in everyone’s interest to hear about Christ and the Living God.

To conclude, mature adulthood is about developing a toughness, an emotional toughness that prevents the foolishness of young adulthood.  It prevents one from losing sight of our heavenly home because of the ugliness of the world.  It is a certainty that comes with age and wisdom.  It is a peace and patience that allows mature Christians to be true lights to the world.  As Proverbs 20:28 says: 

“The glory of young men is their strength,

And bthe splendor of old men is their gray head.”

As a young man, I am comforted by the fact that if I study and pray, and cast all my anxieties onto the Lord, I will reap great rewards.  And this comfort and perseverance is something we really have to hold onto in the latter stages of our lives, the winter of our lives.