Flesh or Spirit?

"What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).


Recently, I've noticed a growing shift in emphasis among Christians. There is beginning to be a reawakening to the social aspect of Christ's teachings; i.e., caring for the poor, the needy, the homeless, etc.. Personally, this appeals to me and I'm glad to see this taking on renewed importance. Leaders have arisen in the ranks (Shane Claiborne, Tony Campolo) whom I think are doing a good job of living this out and teaching others to do the same. There are others who have come up from the ranks that I'm not real sure of. God is their judge, not I. But, their presence on the scene has reminded me of an important truth, which is this: The nature of an activity does not determine whether it's holy or not; the holiness (or godliness, meaning "god-like-ness") of any activity is determined by the source of the activity. Is it produced and performed by the Holy Spirit through me? Or is it produced and performed by my flesh (my own independent will, abilities, and resources)?


Any activity done in the name of Christ - preaching, caring for the poor, serving, teaching, whatever - that has as its source my own strength and resources. In other words, anything done independently of Christ's own initiative and sustaining power is worthless. Only those actions and deeds that have their origin in Christ and are performed and sustained by Christ's activity in and through me have any eternal value. Therefore, if my Christianity is lived in my strength, my wisdom, my resources, my abilities and my talents, who should get the credit? Myself! But if my Christianity is Christ living His life through me by His power, His abilities, His gifts, His resources, then who gets the credit? Christ Himself! Who, then, is glorified? Christ Himself!


Anything done in the name of Christ, that's done independently from Christ, no matter how "good" it may seem, is merely a monument to myself. Only Jesus can produce and perform anything that's worthy of His name. Only Jesus.


"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever" (Romans 11:36).

The Weight of Little Things

A month ago, as the leaves began to turn and fall, my two boys (6 yrs. and 4 yrs. old) and I were raking the front yard. Each one of us had our own rake and we were working together to create the biggest pile of leaves on the planet. As the pile began to grow in size, I saw an opportunity for a "life lesson". So, feeling a little like Jesus and Michael Landon rolled into one, I asked my sons, "Hey, guys! What can we learn from these leaves?"  
My oldest son answered, "We learn how to rake!" I smiled and said, "Good. But there's something else."  
My 4-year-old chimed in: "We learn to work together." Again, I smiled, pleased with their answers.
"That's good, but there's still something else. Do you know what it is?" They both shook their heads and said no.  
"See how these leaves are all small," I began. "Each one of them is very small, but when we rake them into a pile, they become a big thing." I smiled again as I watched their little minds light up. "Guys, little things that we do - like when we obey or when we don't obey; when we are kind to someone or when we are mean to someone - all those little things add up to become big things in our lives. That's why we want to always do good things to others and to obey Jesus." My heart warmed when I heard their excited responses and the look of "wow" on their faces.  
At that moment, I experienced two things: 1) one of those beautiful "teachable moments" that every parent looks for; and 2) the joy of seeing them "get it". The sad thing is this: God never intended the lesson for them only; it was also intended for me. And I didn't get it.  
A few days ago, as I prayed and asked the Lord to show me how I have hardened my heart, he didn't show me "big things" like adultery, murder, sexual immorality, unforgiveness and bitterness. He showed me all the "little things"; all the little choices where I have excused sin; all the times that I took his grace and forgiveness for granted; all the little fantasies, all the little "love scenes" in movies, all the little disobediences, all the little sins. And now, as I lay buried beneath the rubble of my own personal "spiritual 9/11" waiting to be rescued, I realize the weight of the little things. 
I realize that my willful, small choices were like the bolts and nuts and the steel beams that joined together and grew into something far bigger and taller than I had ever foreseen. Steel to steel, concrete floors stacked story upon story, nuts and bolts, cables and wires - all came together, one by one, and began to rise into the sky as a monument to myself. Little by little, and without my own awareness, my own "twin towers" of Sin and Self-Righteousness stood tall and erect, appearing stronger and higher than any other thing. Until the enemy attacked...and the towers fell, creating a massive cloud of dust and ashes that blocked out the sun, burying my heart beneath the rubble and the weight of the little things.  
Now I get it.  
I thank God for the mercy He has shown to me. The rescue has begun, and the lesson of the little things is being learned in the clean-up. The same way that my heart became hardened is the same way that it will be made soft and alive again...in the little things.

Goodbye, Farewell And Amen

I hope that anyone reading these installments has been blessed and encouraged by them. That's been my intention all along. However, I have reached the end of this road. I have decided to close down all of my blogs. In the future, I may start another, but for now, this is the end. God bless you all!

Dead or Alive?

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26).

If you have a body without any spirit in it, all you have is a dead body. It may be a beautiful body and may be decked in the finest clothes, but without the spirit, it's still just a dead body. And if you have faith without any deeds or actions, you may have a beautiful faith and you may have it all decked out in the latest Christian jargon, but without deeds, it's still just a dead faith. A body that doesn't live is no good to anyone; and neither is a faith that doesn't live. "It's not what you believe that counts; it's what you believe enough to do." Faith that doesn't live is no good.

In all of my life as a Christian, any time that I've read this verse, I have always reversed the equation in my mind. In other words, I've always read it like this: spirit equals faith; body equals deeds. And so, I interpreted it to mean that the spirit makes the body alive; therefore, faith makes deeds alive. But that's not correct. James, the Lord's brother, says that the body equals faith; spirit equals deeds. This changes everything. The interpretation now is that deeds makes faith come alive! Not the other way around.

In the same way that spirit animates a body, the Lord desires for deeds to animate our faith. The Lord wants faith to produce actions. "Faith expressing itself through love" (Gal. 5:6) will produce deeds of love. Jesus never intended for the gospel to simply be assimilated by our brains and stored away inside of ourselves. He intended it to be received and acted upon (Matt. 7:21-27). He desires that my belief will be expressed through loving obedience and trust. He desires more from me than an intellectual nod of approval and agreement. He expects actions of love that animate my faith. Anything less is dead and useless.

Therefore, how do you tell if faith is dead or alive? By deeds of love. If faith doesn't have these with it, it's only a dead faith.

Knowing Is Not Enough

Luke 10:25-28

One day, I guy asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus asked him what he thought the answer was based on his understanding of the Law. The guy answered, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself." Then, Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly..." (v. 28). Can you imagine what it must feel like to hear Jesus say that you have the correct answer? Especially when the question is, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" I'm sure this guy felt pretty good about himself, knowing that Jesus, the controversial rabbi and spiritual "media figure" of the day, said publicly that you were right on. "Jesus said," he may have thought to himself, "that I have the right answer." And he did. And I - just like that guy - usually am satisfied to stop right there, with only the right answer. But the rest of Jesus' answer painfully reveals the bankruptcy of only the right answer: "Do this and you will live."

The truth is, Jesus was answering the man's question with greater honesty and accuracy than he himself wanted. His question was, "What must I do...?" Maybe, like myself, he had become smugly satisfied with right answers and fluffy excuses that let you you off the hook without doing any damage to your own self-perceived, self-righteous image. Regardless of his condition and motives, the answer Jesus gives exposes our selfishness while revealing the liberating truth: knowing is not enough, we must do. Right answers must be lived in order for us to truly live. James says, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22).

Jesus was the Word of God in human flesh (John 1:14) and lived among us. Now, dwelling in us by the Holy Spirit, he still wants to be the same. May we seek to know and to do, so that Jesus will once again live among us, and that we may truly live.

Losing and Living

"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?" (Luke 9:23-25, New Living Translation).

When I read these words of Jesus and simply let them say what they say, I find myself once again repenting of "my christianity" and the christianity of pop culture and prosperity gospels. I find that I have settled for another gospel, one that cost me nothing in terms of giving up my life. In short, it is a cross-less christianity, which is really not Christianity at all. Much less, good news.

Jesus, give me your gospel, which really is good news; and give me the cross daily that I might really know true life.

Just Like That

Jesus said, "The first and greatest commandment is this: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:34-40, also Mark 12 and Luke 10).

Take a look at this: Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is the command to love God with all of your being. This is the greatest commandment - this one is the big one! You don't want to not do this one. Jesus is saying that loving God with all that you are - your entire self - is paramount. But, look at what he says next...

"The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus says that this commandment is the second greatest - in other words, this is the second commandment that you want to be sure and do; you don't want to miss this one either. Then, he makes this puzzling statement: the second greatest commandment is like the first one. The word "like" means the same as. Jesus is saying that loving my neighbor as myself is the same as loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

So, the answer to "How does one love God?" is: Love your neighbor as yourself.

And the answer to "How do I love myself?" is: With all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Let's make it more practical: If I need a new shirt, do I go and buy myself a used one or a hand-me-down? No, I buy a new shirt. If I'm hungry, I feed myself as much as I want. If my heart desires to become a nurse, I seek out the fulfillment of that desire. If I desire to go somewhere I like, I find a way to get there and I go. Whatever I desire or need, I with-hold nothing from myself. Jesus says, "Love your neighbor in the same way, just like that."

In Isaiah 58:10, God says, "Give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed."

Love your neighbor, just like that.

But, let's not miss this: Jesus says that when we love our neighbors just like that, we are also loving God just like that.

Oh, may we so live and so love that, when others ask, "What does love look like?" Someone (maybe even God himself) will point at us and say, "Just like that."

I want to live and love...

Just like that.

God's Revolution

I recently finished a book called "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. If you've never read it, I encourage you to do so. As for me, having read it, I can honestly say that I will never be the same. I know that's one of those phrases that gets misused and thrown around carelessly, but in all sincerity, I can't go back to Christianity as I have known it heretofore. I simply can not.

You see, God wrecked "my christianity" and is now beginning to replace it with His own. God has begun a revolution inside of me. The pale, sickly Christianity that I have known has been overthrown and my comfortable theories and ideas have been dethroned, making them and myself very uncomfortable. Yet, liberated. Now, instead of living out of my lofty-sounding, insecure explanations about why Jesus didn't mean what he was plainly saying, I simply live by what he said and is saying.
I'm just beginning this new adventure of living under a new government, but the revolution has begun. And I look forward to its fulfillment.

God's Economics (or Jesus Saves)

Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

If Jesus says to not do something, it's best to not do it. On the flip-side, if Jesus says to do something, it's best to do it. Right? In the scripture above, Jesus makes a double-edged statement: Don't lay up treasures on earth; Do lay up treasures in heaven. So, it's best to do both of these. But what exactly does he mean?

In the context, when he speaks of treasures on earth, he's speaking about placing our security and trust in what we have accumulated and stored away here for our daily and future provision (see Luke 12:13-34). But what about the other: treasures in heaven? Personally, I think he means the same thing except we're storing up in a much more secure place for our daily and future provision in this life and the next. Instead of storing up down here for life "down here", Jesus says store up "up there" for life "down here" and "up there". Whatever we store up "down here" can get corrupted or stolen real easily "down here"; but whatever we store up "up there" can't be rusted or stolen at all, and we can still access it from "down here" or even after we get "up there". The only question that's left then is, how do we get treasure "up there"?

I looked through a concordance and could only find three places where Jesus specifically answers the question.

In Matthew 19:21, Jesus tells the young rich man, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven."

In Luke 12:33, Jesus says, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."

In 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Paul (being inspired by the Holy Spirit) says, "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age...."

In Matthew 6:33/Luke 12:31, Jesus has one more word on it: "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

So, we store up treasures in heaven by: 1) seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness; 2) selling our possessions and giving to the poor; 3) doing good; 4) being rich in good deeds; 5) being generous; and 6) being willing to share.

So, if the economy has you down and anxious, here's a better plan...actually, the better plan.

Do what Jesus said; invest in heaven. Go after only what can be stored "up there" and you'll live much more securely "down here"...and "up there".

In doing so, we will "take hold of the life that is truly life" (1 Timothy 6:19).

Turning Thirty

July 16 is my spiritual birthday. I'm thirty years old in Christ. Wow! It's been an awesome journey with an awesome Savior. Thirty years ago, I was baptized in a lake at approximately 10:30 p.m. at Park Springs Christian Camp, Elizabeth City, NC.. And from there, it's been an incredible ride. So, what have I seen in thirty years of following Jesus? What have I experienced in following him?

I've known (experientially) his incredible faithfulness. I have left him, doubted him, and ignored him at times, but he has always remained faithful. When I say "faithful", I don't mean that he's always been there submissively waiting for me, wringing his hands in concern. No, he's been faithful in actively pursuing my best, my welfare, my healing and maturity. He's never left me to my own stupid choices and my rebellion. He has, and still does, pursue me and my transformation into a real human being, fully alive, through and through, in my deepest and most true self.

I've seen miracles and healing by his hand. Once, after my dad left home, my mom would give me lunch money but I would put it in my gas tank (I was a teenager at the time and gas is more important than food to a teenager). One day, I was hungry, so I turned to Matthew 7 and read aloud to the Lord what he said about asking, seeking, and knocking. "So, I'm asking you for a lunch," I said, "'cause I don't have any money and I can't ask mom." I closed the bible and went on my way. When lunch time came, I went to the cafeteria and sat down by myself with a Pepsi (that's all the change I had in my pocket - enough to buy a drink). I had not been there two minutes when a friend at the end of the table said, "My mother has gone nuts! She put two of everything in my lunchbox today! Do you want a sandwich and some chips?" Needless to say, I said "Yes" and then quietly said "Thanks" to my Father. And that's just one story. (Ask me about my wedding and honeymoon trip sometime).

I have also been healed of curvature of the spine (and I don't mean a slight curve; I mean something looking like an elongated "S"). I've been healed of numerous, common sicknesses and discomforts like headaches, back injuries, etc.. I have been spared countless injuries (falling asleep while driving and waking up in time to go around a sharp curve with ravines on either side and then falling back to sleep, only to repeat the process on the next curve, and the next, and the next, until I got home; I cut an extension cord in two with a box knife only to find out it was still plugged in; intense motorcycle wrecks with never a broken bone or more serious injury). Like I say, it's been pretty wild.

Moreover, I have been rescued and set free from being enslaved to tyrannical sins and habits. Cruel masters that once dominated my life, Jesus has overthrown and disarmed them of strength. Bullies that I could never intimidate, who always sought to mar and to destroy the beautiful portrait of himself that he was painting over my life, he has put in their place and keeps them enslaved by his power and strength. And the dull, ugly splatters they had made on the canvas, he has transformed into the most attractive contrasts of color that one could ever hope for. After thirty years, he's still quite the artist, though the picture is far from complete.

But above all those awesome experiences and graces, the one thing that excels them all is this: that I am the object and recipient of undeserved and unreserved divine love. The love of Jesus is what wooed me and it's what still "wows" me. He is relentless in his love for me and the intensity of his passion toward me, his obsession with me, is measureless. I am his magnificent obsession. And I am the most unlikely and unlovely candidate for it. Nonetheless, he delights in me and dances with joy over our relationship together. I do not even begin to understand it, but it is more real and true than all of creation. He seeks me, desires me, calls me, sings over me, and is insanely jealous for me. He has never - and will never - give me up to another (or for another). His love is the only wealth I've ever had or that I'll ever need; it's always more than enough. Nothing outshines or overshadows his love for me.

So, I'm celebrating my "birthday" every day, because the journey has been incredible thus far. And honestly, there's nowhere else to be; anywhere else is famine compared to this "love-feast".

I'll always be thankful to Jesus for choosing a scared, insecure 15-year-old boy with nothing to offer in return to be his most prized friend and beloved lover; and somehow, to be his favorite.

Jesus, thank you for thirty beautiful years; I look forward to many more that outshine these, from one degree of glory to the next. Deepest thanks.

What Kind of Love...?

Recently, I've been given the privilege of loving someone who is in desperate need of healing and healthy changes. This person is a beautiful and talented person with a kind heart, but has made choices over the years that have left them bankrupt spiritually and physically poor. Although this person knows of God's love, they choose to remain in their poverty and slavery. They are homeless...in every sense of the word.

I have prayed for this person for years, but recently had decided that since they didn't want to change, I would simply pray for them and leave it at that. I didn't know how to relate to someone who didn't want to change, much less see their need for change; so I decided to only pray for them and to care less whether I saw them or not. I didn't know what to do with them, so this was the most honest and loving thing I could do. And I was certain that Jesus understood and agreed with me.

Weeks later, the Lord led me to a scripture that clearly said the opposite. To be honest, I looked it up in other translations and read study notes from a variety of study bibles trying to find some excuse or explanation that would let me off the hook. I found none. So, I surrendered and said yes to what Jesus was clearly and simply saying. And I'm glad that I did.

When I told the Lord that I would obey, I expressed to him how frustrating it was to be with someone who so desperately needed to change for their own well-being but wouldn't. In response, I heard him ask this: "What if they never change? Will you love them anyway? If they never change, will they go to their grave knowing that they were loved by you? Or will you love them only if they show you the changes that you hope to see? I want you to love them in such a way that, if they died today, they would know that you not only loved them, you really liked them."

After hearing this, I saw how conditional my "Christian love" had become. I saw that the only kind of love that I was offering people was not the love that God has for them; instead, it was the very same kind of love that has screwed them up (screwed me up!) to begin with - only it was dressed up in my own self-righteousness and smugly called "Christian". How sick.

In all of my life, when I was at my worst and sunk in my own sin, in the multitude of my selfish refusals of his love and the gift of change, Jesus has always shown me that he loved me deeply; and, most beautiful of all, that he really liked me and wanted to be with me. His love never left me in my mess, but it also never said I had to change; it made me want to change; no, love itself changed me.

And that's the only reason I've ever changed at all...unconditional love.

The Source And The Secret

Matthew 6:1-18

After saying earlier, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16), Jesus nows says what appears to be the opposite: "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them" (v. 1). Why? How can he say such contradictory statements? The answer has to do with the source and the motives.

In Matthew 5:16, he says, "Let your light shine...". Jesus wants us to let our light shine. This is clear. Where you and I miss it so often is in recognizing the source of what we do. Who is the light of the believer? Jesus himself. "The Lord is my light," says Psalm 27:1. In John 9:5, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world." Jesus IS the light that wants to shine through our good works. When they see our good works, they really see our good Lord. We can't fake shining. Shining is a fact, not an act. So, when we shine, it's always because we've let Another shine through us.

In Matthew 6, Jesus contrasts "your 'acts of righteousness'" with the "good works" mentioned above. The "good works" are done so that the light - Jesus - can be seen. The so-called "acts of righteousness" are done so that I can be seen. Therefore, the audience is different. "Good works" are done to be seen by God first and then man; "acts of righteousness" are done to be seen by man first, then God. And God does see them, but he doesn't reward them. The only reward is what little you get from man. But those that let Jesus shine and those that take place in secret get rewarded beyond measure.

The Source and the Secret - there's where the true value of our faith lies, being willing to let Another shine and to let Another see us; to seek him for an audience and applause, instead of man. There's our true reward.

Being Right or Being A Friend?

One night, several years ago, a friend called me and needed to talk. She was broken-hearted and distressed, so I told her to come on by. As she sat on my couch, she poured out her heart through tears and sobs. She told me all that had been going on inside of her for a long time, the good and the bad. As she shared her heart with me, scriptures would come into my mind that spoke specifically to things and situations that she would mention. Due to the intensity and the insights that came from these "scripture flashes", not to mention their accuracy, I knew this was the Lord giving me what to say. After she finished and had calmed down, I began to tell her the scriptures and insights that God had given me, one by one. She listened with more tears welling up in her eyes, which let me know that God was "ministering" to her through me. So I kept going.

When I finished, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "I don't want to hear scripture right now; and I didn't come here to hear your thoughts and insights! I don't want that right now!" I was shocked and mad as hell. "Okay, fine," I shot back. "What do you want?" The anger had dimmed but her eyes were still full of hurt and tears. "I want you to just listen to me."

After she had left, some time later, I was still mad. So, I told the Lord about it. I told him all about it - how I felt about her, what I thought about her response,...the works. I even reminded Him of the scriptures He gave me. "You were wrong," He said. "I did give you those scriptures to show you specific things, but I never said, 'Say this...'. She was right; what she needed was for you to listen."

I realized something that day: being right isn't the issue. Ministry isn't the issue. Being a friend is. By that I mean listening - without any expectation of saying anything. "Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19). People don't care what you know until they know that you care. And the best way to let them know that you care is to listen, really deeply listen. After all, isn't this what Jesus does with us? Listens first, then speaks?

The Sermon and The Salt

The Sermon on the Mount is pretty radical! I encourage everyone who follows this simple blog to read it again and again. For me, it cuts through much of the self-righteous disguise I've made of Christianity and shreds it into practical truth that must be lived to be authentic. Did you ever think about that? That truth must be lived in order for it to be authentic. Anything less is "faith without works". "It's not what you believe that counts; it's what you believe enough to do."

"You are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13). I've heard a lot of explanations for salt - "it's a preservative, and Christians help to preserve godliness and righteousness in the world"; or, "it's a seasoning, and Christians 'season' the world with the gospel". Today, as I thought about this verse, the Lord gave me a much simpler explanation: whatever salt touches, it changes. And although that's a simpler idea, the radical conviction it brought to me was a lot stronger and condemning (not in a bad way) than the other explanations. I couldn't side-step it as easily as I could the others. The "lighter" explanations don't require as much of me as this simple truth does.

Does my "saltiness" change what it encounters? Salt makes other things taste saltier (never the other way around; if I put salt on french fries, the salt doesn't taste more like potatoes). Is my life so saturated with Jesus that everything I touch is more like Him? Am I so salted with Jesus that others "taste and see that the Lord is good"? Lord, increase my saltiness.

A Slight Change of Plans

I have decided to make a slight change to my plans. I have decided to not do an up-close study of the Gospels. My intent is to re-read the Gospels and take a new look at the life of Christ and His teachings. But I've decided not to go verse-by-verse or even section-by-section. Instead I want to post only those things that have a direct impact upon me at a given moment. Hopefully, this will be more applicable to daily living of the good news.

The Beatitudes 2

Matthew 5:3

Jesus says those who mourn will be comforted. Those who mourn what? I believe this refers back to the first beatitude: the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who mourn their spiritual poverty. They see their sin, their sinfulness, their need - and it brings them to tears, weeping, and groaning. They will be comforted.

The word used is for "comfort" is a form of the same word used for "comforter", i.e., the Holy Spirit (John 14:16). Those who mourn their sin, their poverty, their need, will be comforted by the Holy Spirit and their needs will be met therein. Whatever the need, Christ answers with the Holy Spirit. And we are comforted because our sin doesn't disqualify us. Instead, the very need itself qualifies us for the comfort and the supply by the Holy Spirit.

Do I mourn my sin? Do I mourn my need? Do I let the Comforter comfort me and free me from my poverty? Or do I embrace my sin and nurture selfishness and/or self-pity?

The Beatitudes 1

Matt. 5:1-3

As Jesus looks on a crowd of broken humanity, he begins to utter to his disciples simple characteristics of the blessed life. The word used for blessed here means the highest blessedness.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (v. 3). The word for poor means the deepest and worst poverty. It doesn't mean "having little" or "insufficient amounts"; it means having absolutely nothing at all.

To those who acknowledge and embrace their deep poverty, Jesus brings good news: "the kingdom of heaven is yours". Not Heaven one day (although that's true, too) - Heaven NOW! All the resources and riches of Heaven are available to the one who acknowledges their abject poverty and desperate need. Our abysmal lack is what qualifies us for his abundance.

Do I acknowledge and embrace my poverty? Or do I still believe that somewhere, at some level, I still have what it takes?

Preach And Heal

Matthew 4:23-25

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people" (v.23).

Jesus preached the good news of the kingdom of God, i.e., God's rule and reign being manifest on earth; then, he demonstrated the presence of the King by healing the sick and diseased. It appears that Jesus proclaimed a different gospel than we do. Perhaps, that's why we don't encounter the presence of the Lord in signs and wonders no more than we do.

The good news that Jesus proclaimed manifested itself in tangible ways like healing from sickness and disease, deliverance from the demonic, and repentance. The good news that Jesus shared really was good news! Is ours? Is mine? Do I share the same "good news" as Jesus? This is not a cause for despair; it's cause for seeking. I must teach what Jesus taught/teaches and do what Jesus does. Anything less isn't good news.

Call, Follow, Become

Matthew 4:18-22

"As Jesus was walking..." (v. 18). Jesus was doing the simplest and most ordinary thing: walking. He wasn't meandering aimlessly, gazing off into the sky. He wasn't running. He was simply walking.

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men" (v.19). Jesus calls to Simon Peter and Andrew and invites them into what he is already doing: walking. Jesus always invites us into what he is already doing; and usually, he is walking in the daily routine, the mundane and the ordinary. But Jesus also makes them a promise that, as they follow, he will make them fishers of men. He did not command them to be fishers of men; he simply said "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men". So, how do we become fishers of men? We follow Jesus. That's all. Following precedes becoming.

"At once they left their nets and followed him" (v. 20). When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, they obeyed "at once". When he later called James and John, "immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him" (v.22). All of them obeyed instantly. But what really strikes me is this: they obeyed the simplest meaning of Jesus's words first. In other words, they didn't sit there and discuss whether following meant symbolically or actually - they followed literally, physically. They walked away from family, livelihood, all they had known - literally. They didn't consult the notes and interpretations in their study bibles nor talk to theologians about "what Jesus really meant". They didn't seek out some less radical definition of Jesus's words. No, they obeyed literally. By obeying the surface meaning of following Jesus literally and physically, it lead them ultimately into the deeper meaning of following him literally and spiritually, i.e., by the Holy Spirit.

Do I follow literally, obeying the simplest meaning first? Or do I want to only want the deeper meaning? Am I content to obey in walking with Jesus in the ordinary? Or do I only seek the fame and greatness of the extraordinary? Do I want following Christ to be something tame and less radical? Or do I follow in order to become what he has called me to be?

Can anything less than this truly be called "following", much less "radical"?

What Did Jesus Preach?

Matthew 4:12-17

"From that time on, Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near'." (v.17)

"If I am to be a follower of Christ, I must believe what Jesus believed and teach what Jesus taught" - John Wimber.

The gospel - the good news - that Jesus taught was the kingdom of God/Heaven (one and the same) is here; right here, right now. The kingdom of God/Heaven means the reign of God - his administration is now in session. In the same way that a new president will come into office and begin doing what he's promised by passing new legislations or by overturning previous legislations in order to accomplish his plan, God has begun to reign and to fulfill all that he's promised. God, said Jesus, is here now and is implementing the administration of Heaven. As it is in Heaven, God is setting things on earth.

What does the kingdom of God look like? Is the gospel (sadly, gospels) that we hear preached today the same gospel that Jesus proclaimed? Our good news should be the same as his, shouldn't it? This is what we find out, if we want to follow him.

Jesus and Temptation Part 3

Matthew 4:8-11

Satan offered the world to Jesus in exchange for his worship.

How often have I accepted the same offer? In what areas of my life right now do I accept his offer?

After Jesus refused Satan's offer, the devil left and angels came and ministered to him.

Two things: 1) When I refuse the devil and his offers, he flees (James 4:7); and 2) When I refuse him and his offers, angels come and attend to me.

If the devil isn't fleeing, it doesn't mean he won't; it simply means that the temptation isn't finished yet. He tempted Jesus with three different ideas or challenges; then he left. But notice this: he left after Jesus told him to. Though Jesus never tempts us, he allows it - but he's in control of the devil and the temptation the whole time.

Perhaps, we don't experience the ministry of angels in this way because we don't stay in the battle. Or maybe, it's because we don't refuse the enemy.

May the Holy Spirit teach us how to stand in the battle.

Jesus And Temptation, Part 2

Having stated that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, Satan then quotes scripture to Jesus. However, he misinterprets the passage by applying it out of context. God does promise in Psalm 91 that his angels will guard us and protect us, but this promise is made to one fulfilling a specific condition: "He who dwells (abides, remains) in the shelter of the Most High" (Ps. 91:1). The one who abides, acknowledges, and loves Him will live in the promises given in this psalm. Jesus, of course, knows this and says, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test' (or, on trial)." To abide is faith; what the tempter offered was presumption.

So, what is the application for me? Here's some:

The conditions and the context of any promise is crucial to its understanding and its experience. In all of scripture, there are many examples of God's blessing and favors being experienced by the recipient fulfilling certain conditions, commands, or stipulations. The night of Passover is one example: the blood had to be on the doorposts and lintel and everyone had to be in the house, else they would die with the Egyptian firstborn. And there are many examples from daily life that need not be mentioned here. Condition and context are absolutely necessary for right understanding and experience of God's promises.

The promises of God have to be applied by the Spirit of God within relationship to God. This one is directly related to the one above. Simply because I may find a scripture that agrees with what I may believe or think on a given point does not mean that I have the mind of God on the matter. Intimate relationship is also vital to understanding and experiencing the promises of God.

Jesus knew the conditions and the context of the scripture Satan quoted. But above that, Jesus knew the Father - He knew his heart and mind by the Holy Spirit. If you know, love, and trust someone, you don't have to test them - you just know them.
That's the secret...knowing.

Jesus And Temptation

One of my intentions with this path I'm on is not to study the gospels per se; i.e., not to simply study the writings themselves. My goal is to "study" Jesus Himself. How did He respond? What did He do when confronted with specific challenges and issues? What did He believe? In short, I want to know Him better, more accurately; to learn of Him (Matt. 11:29).

When Jesus was led into the wilderness (or desert) to be tempted by the devil, it's important to know that He was led there by the Holy Spirit for that purpose. Now, Scripture is clear, God tempts no one (James 1:13). But God will allow us to be tempted for our good. Perhaps, Jesus remembered the intensity of this encounter with the tempter when He taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation". The important thing here is that our Father, in His goodness and love for us, will lead us into temptation for good. Perhaps, simply to teach us to find our refuge and defense in Him (Proverbs 18:10).

In verse 3, Satan begins by attacking the announcement of God the Father over Jesus' baptism: "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). He says, in so many words, "If you are who He says you are, do something to prove it. If He is so pleased with you, anything you do will certainly be okay with Him. And besides, if you're hungry, He'd surely want you to eat, right?" But Jesus' answer shows us a higher way.

"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (v.4). Satan pointed to an immediate, legitimate need, and for the most part was saying, "Go ahead; you're hungry. Help yourself." Jesus instead shows us that the need, however legitimate, doesn't give us a "green light" to meet the need. We are to live only by the words that come (past and present) from the Father's mouth. Before I meet any need, I must hear Him on it. And then, do as I am told, even if it means leaving the need unmet. If we live by His words, then we must make hearing Him a priority. We must get His mind on something, on anything, before doing anything.

Results, Righteousness and Revelation

In Matthew 3:13-17, Jesus shows up at the Jordan asking John to baptize Him. John tried to deter Him and said that he needed to be baptized by Jesus. Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness." So, John went ahead and did it. But, I'm with John: Jesus didn't need to be baptized, did He? No, He was sinless. Then, why bother?

I believe it's because sometimes, in following Christ, there are things that we will be asked to do, not because it's necessary, but simply because it "fulfills all righteousness". I have such an ingrained tendency to want to know that obedience will bring about a certain result. In fact, in our culture, and sadly, in American Christianity, we are taught to look at and for results. We evaluate whether to pursue an action based on the results it will bring. Unfortunately, we also bring this mind-set to the Kingdom. But, what if Jesus wants us to do something that isn't necessary? What if it's just something He wants us to do "just because"?

One time, my father exploded on me at work. It was unjustified and it made me mad as hell. So, I shouted something back at him. I went to another area of the job we were on and the Lord spoke to me. He said, "I want you to go ask him to forgive you." Well, I didn't like this at all and I told the Lord so. "He should apologize to me and ask my forgiveness," I exclaimed at the Lord. For several minutes, I didn't say or do anything except clean paint brushes. I began to think about how much I wanted my dad to get saved and yield to Christ. So, I said to the Lord, "Alright. I'll do it for this reason" (thinking that my reasoning was from the Lord). I was shocked when the Lord shot back: "It's not about your dad getting saved - it's about obedience." I realized then that I was missing the point. The point wasn't the outcome of my obedience; the point was my obedience.

Do I trust the Lord enough to where the outcome doesn't matter? Do I obey because I'm seeking a certain result - or simply because it's Him that asks of me? Is He worthy of my obedience even when it produces no visible, tangible fruit? It was after John's obedience in this instance that heaven opened and the Father revealed His Son to John as the promised Messiah (John 1:32-34). Sometimes, obedience simply reveals the presence of Jesus.

Where To Begin

In chapter 3 of Matthew's gospel, John the Baptist arrives on the scene, preaching in the desert, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is near (at hand; right here, right now)". Now, another word that's used to describe that same region is "wilderness". But either way, wilderness or desert, isn't this an odd place to begin a ministry? No doubt, John was obeying the Father's command by doing so, but still it's an unlikely place. Nonetheless, the people came to him, confessing their sins and being baptized in the Jordan River (Matt. 3:6). The lost and the hurting, the poor and the needy, are always in the desert, somehow.

There's a couple of things that speak to me here. First, obedience is priority one. Not success, demographics, statistics, location - obedience, plain and simple.

Second, repentance prepares the way of the Lord. The Jordan River is always seen in scripture as the "entry point" into the fullness of God and the purposes of God; i.e., everything He's promised. The entry point to the Kingdom of Heaven is a baptism of confession and repentance. The word here for baptism refers to the process of dying cloth. The cloth is immersed into the dye until it is saturated through and through with the color of the dye. In other words, it is immersed until it changes colors. (By no means am I suggesting that we baptize people this way!) This means that we must become immersed in confession and repentance as a way of life. As John Wimber used to say, "The way in is the way on."

In verse 7, John speaks to the Pharisees and Sadducees and says, "Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" My question is, what wrath? Did Jesus come in wrath or to save His people from their sins? I believe that what John is referring to here is the preparation mentioned in verse 3: "Prepare the way of the Lord". He announced that the Kingdom of Heaven had come. When a new kingdom takes over where an old one has been, there are folks who welcome the new kingdom and there are those who do not. Those who welcome it came to John confessing and repenting. To those who did not, John said in verse 8, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." For those who humble themselves through confession and repentance, the visitation of God will be salvation; to those who do not, wrath. For "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5).

Do I welcome the Kingdom of Heaven into my daily life through confession and repentance? Do I live immersed in humility and repentance? Can the Lord send me into the desert so that He may bring the kingdom to others? Will I go where He says to go? Do I prepare the Lord's way in my life daily? To welcome the kingdom, there must be preparation. May the Lord always find me prepared; may He always have in me a straight path on which to move.

When (and How) God Speaks

In Matthew 1:18 - 2:23, in the story of "how the birth of Jesus came about", God communicates His will to the main players in the redemptive drama at every point. I have no problem with God speaking. He speaks to us through His word, the Scriptures. That's a "given". But that's not what He does here. He uses a different way. Five times in this section, He speaks to someone "in a dream" (1:20, 2:12, 13, 19, 22). And no one in the text seems too surprised at this; they treat it as if it's to be expected, as if it's just God's way; not uncommon at all.

So, what am I to do? As a follower of Jesus, I must not place limits on how He can speak to me. I must trust Him with His choice of "media" to communicate His love and will to me. And I must be open to His choice. Does He speak to me through His written word? Yes. But I must always let Him choose to speak to me in whatever ways He wants.

The other lesson in this section is seen in the responses to the dreams. After each dream, the recipient obeyed as soon as they awoke. They did not question the dreams or whether it was God or not. They just simply obeyed upon waking.

Regardless of how God speaks, do I simply obey as soon as I hear the word? Do I trust Him to speak clearly or do I question it based on my ability to hear? The former is faith and dependence upon Him; the latter is doubt and reliance upon self. Which do I choose the most? If I want to move in the purposes of God, I must trust Him to speak His word to me clearly. And I must always trust Him for the ability to hear the word and to obey the word. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.

Whose Approval Do I Want?

As I stated in an earlier post, I've begun reading through the gospels again. Although I'm not a fan of the NIV, I've decided to use it for this venture; no particular reason, just something fresh and that I'm not so familiar with.

Here are some things that have spoken to me thus far.

Mary and Joseph were engaged and she shows up one day saying that she's pregnant by the Holy Spirit. By the Law of Moses, she could have been stoned. At best, she was going to live with folks believing that she was immoral and unfaithful. And she was about 15, according to theologians and bible scholars. Her life is over. Mary had a huge price to pay in order to follow God. But what about Joseph? What would the redemptive purpose of God cost him?

The Scripture says that Joseph was a righteous man and because of that he wanted to divorce her quietly (Matt. 1:18-19). But the Lord sent word and told him to marry her. Wouldn't this tarnish his righteousness in the eyes of others? If Mary has been engaged to Joseph and now she's pregnant, who would they think the father of the baby was? All of a sudden, Joseph is not the fine, upstanding, model young man that everyone thought he was! And if he married her, wouldn't everyone (wouldn't I) think he was a bit of a fool for marrying someone who has apparently been unfaithful to him? Or, folks would think (I would think) that he really was the father. So, Joseph himself had to lose his reputation as a righteous man before others. But, in doing so, he and Mary both demonstrated their righteousness and their faith before God and fulfilled their part in his redemptive plan. Pleasing God and doing His will was more important to them than their own reputations before men.

Whose approval do I want, God or man's? What's more important to me, God's will or my reputation? Jesus made Himself nothing ("of no reputation" in KJV; Phil. 2:5-11) in the sight of men. "Therefore, God also highly exalted Him" (Phil. 2:9).

It's significant to me that the story of Jesus being brought into the world begins by confronting me with the question: Whose approval do I want, God or man's? Perhaps, in order for Jesus to be brought into the world where I live, I must first deal with this issue and answer the question. In truth, the question of whose approval I want is really another question in disguise. The question behind the question is, "Who do I love the most, God or man?" That's always the question.

Thought You Might Want To Know...

Recently, it seems the Lord is bringing me back to the Gospel, the Good News. This morning, I was thinking about the song, "The Heart of Worship", and singing it in my head. Out of nowhere, the Lord said, "I'm bringing you back to the heart of Jesus." Wow!

Therefore, I've been thinking about this for some time and I've decided to read through the gospels again. I don't intend to do a "study" per se, but I do intend to rediscover the heart of Jesus and His gospel. And I intend to follow whatever I find therein. So, join me, if you'd like...

Relevance and Infection, Part 3

So, what made Jesus relevant? He did the Father's will; He loved and trusted His Father, even to the point of death on a cross. Jesus gave His life for the world and made Himself of NO reputation. Jesus wasn't called to be "cool" or "hip" - He was called to do the Father's will, no matter the cost. "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21).

Jesus said that He would build His Church and that the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. If Hell can't beat you, that's pretty relevant in my book. But there's still the problem of our unbelief.

I said in an earlier post that we have been infected with the spirit or mindset of the age. What we (who call ourselves "believers") need is to be infected with the Gospel. I'm not talking about evangelism (though that is part of it) - I'm talking about being "possessed" by Jesus willingly. Carrying our cross gladly and without complaint; not pointing the finger or demanding our rights; giving ourselves for the life of the world. We love comfort and the esteem of men more than we love God and our neighbors. We cry "Lord, lord", but do we do what He asks? Or do we pick and choose our tasks from Him based on "respectability" and propriety? In truth, we are unbelieving "believers".

I sincerely don't mean to sound harsh, self-righteous, or condemning. God knows that I include myself in these indictments. And I praise God that He is patient and merciful. But is that how we want our children to live? Do I want my two beloved sons to live weak, miserable, disobedient lives, simply comforting themselves with thoughts of how patient I am? NO! I want them to LIVE FULLY! I want them to enjoy ALL that I can give them. "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him" (Matt. 7:11)! My desire is to live the Gospel and let Jesus determine my relevance.

To whom it may concern, LIVE THE GOSPEL! Don't just be a "Christian" with cool T-shirts and funny bumper stickers - be a follower of Jesus and be conformed to His image. Do the stuff that He did (and still does)! Let's give up all and follow Him. May His Gospel and Life fully infect us with His likeness! Then we will be relevant.

Relevance and Infection, Part 2

Now, I don't mean any guilt or condemnation toward anyone. If there's any guilt to bear for the Church being irrelevant to the needs of the world, we all (Christians) bear it. The Church is US. We are the Body of Christ. This is not a figure of speech that Paul simply enjoyed using; it's a living reality. We are the Body of Christ, the Church (Col. 1:24). So, if there's blame, we all share in it (1 Cor. 12:26; Eph. 4:16).

So, the next question is: What do we mean when we say the Church is irrelevant? Do we mean out-dated in its ways and methods? Do we mean the Church just isn't "cool" or "hip" (or whatever the current slang may be)? Do we mean that the Church is culturally out of sync? If so, I think we're asking the wrong questions. The questions we should be asking is: Is Jesus relevant? How does Jesus define relevance? Does Jesus even care about relevance? To answer these questions, let's think about some of the things that Jesus said about believers and about the Church that He would build.

Jesus said, as already stated, the WE are the light of the world. Shining is a fact; not an act. If we are being light, darkness goes away. Jesus said that WE are the salt of the earth. If salt is salty, it changes whatever it's applied to. If it doesn't, it's lost its saltiness and is worthless. Jesus said, "Ask whatever you wish in My name and it shall be done" (Mark 11:22-24; John 14:14; 15:7). James says that we have not because we ask with wrong motives, selfish motives (4:1-6). Jesus said that signs and wonders will accompany all those who believe (Mark 16:17-18). In my life, I've seen some, but not a lot. I can't say I've been "accompanied by" or "followed by" signs and wonders. There are many more promises of Jesus that say He has fully and abundantly equipped us to do the stuff that He did - He even said that all who believe in Him would do greater things than He did (John 14:12-14)! Therefore, if WE are not relevant, who's fault is it? Is the problem on His end? Is He the problem? No. No! NO! The underlying problem is OUR unbelief, plain and simple.

Relevance and Infection

If there's one thing that I don't believe in, it's "re-inventing the wheel"; i.e., if something is working and doesn't need improvement, don't mess with it. Lately, I've encountered a lot of discussion with friends (online and off) regarding the question: Is the Church relevant? This has raised a lot of questions with me, so I'm going to talk about it here.

Relevant means "pertinent; close to or applicable to the matter at hand". It comes from a Latin word meaning "to raise; to lift up". Using these definitions, I would like to re-phrase the earlier question: Does the Church have any bearing on life where we live it? Does the Church have anything to offer that redeems and resurrects our present state in the 21st century? These are legitimate questions; but the problem I have with them is that I hear them being asked mostly by Christians. This reveals a deeper problem to me.

We've been infected. Not by the Gospel, but by the "spirit of the age", "the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" (Eph. 2:2). This spirit or mindset divorces itself from any personal responsibility for the problem. Jesus said, "YOU are the salt of the earth" (Matt. 5:13); "YOU are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). The word "YOU" means US, you and me. In Luke 14, he connects this statement with His words about carrying your cross, being His disciple, and counting the cost (vs. 25-35). Could it be that if the Church is irrelevant to our world, it's because WE have become light-less and salt-less?

Things We Lost In The Fire

I was talking with someone recently about the Lordship of Jesus. To be "Lord" means that He is the boss, master, commander-in-chief, etc.. This means that when I became a Christian, I forfeited all rights of my own. I became His son, born into a kingdom, but freed from all rights and self-entitlement. He is the king, and while I am a son of the king, everything - rights, privileges, identity, whatever - is now bestowed from His incomparable love and scandalous generosity. Everything - EVERYTHING! - is grace; it's all gift.

The spirit of the age says, "I deserve this or that...". Let's not forget that we all deserve hell; anything less than that is mercy. Our father, Adam, trapped us in the burning house of sin. But, the Landlord ran into the fire and rescued us, of His own goodness. In the fire, we lost everything; but now, the Landlord who saved us has also adopted us and taken responsibility of us as His very own. Instead of replacing what we lost with the same things, He instead gives to us of His own things, better things, that we could never afford apart from His grace and generosity. This is how He loves us: by rescuing us out of our fatal inferno; by giving us more and better than we ever had before (or ever deserved); and by not giving us rights, but instead privileges. What an awesome love! What a wonderful Lord!

Choices Along The Way

I have a tendency to approach choices in the Kingdom of God as being "either/or" decisions. But over the years, I've come to see that many of the choices are "both/and". "You either love Him or you don't" is the way I used to think; the truth is "I love Him and I don't". That's closer to the truth. A man with a demonized son brought him to Jesus, saying, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." Like myself (and I would think, like many of us), he was an unbelieving believer. The Good News is that as we walk in continual repentance and believe the Good News, the belief starts to outweigh the unbelief (it's actually our choice to believe that helps our unbelief). Thank you, Jesus! It's You that does the work in us: "The work of God is this: that you believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29); and "May the God of Peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ" (Heb. 13:20-21).

Real Truth And False Truth

"If you continue in my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32, NIV).

"It's never the nature of an activity that determines whether it is holy or not; it's the source of the activity" - Major W. Ian Thomas.

Last year in January, I was reading numerous books by some folks who centered most of their teaching around a particular "truth" or belief. And while I gleaned some stuff that was helpful, the foundational "truth" that they espoused was false and damaging to many.

Recently online, I shared my experience with a brother in the Lord who also has been reading some of the same stuff. I'm not sure whether he accepted my testimony or not, but I trust and pray that the Lord will keep him on safe ground. But, in recalling that part of my journey, I've noticed something about myself during that time that I think may be helpful to share.

While reading the books I referred to above, the foundational belief they shared, when considered, actually felt good and seemed right. When I say "felt good", I'm not necessarily speaking of feelings, although that was certainly part of it. I think it had something to do with the idea of being released from all responsibility for my choices and actions. Nonetheless, I found myself kind of hoping that it was true. I found out otherwise, thank God.

In the scripture quoted above, Jesus said that the truth will set you free. The question for us today is: Which truth? The one that makes me feel good or happy? The one that I so desperately want to be true? Jesus is pretty clear about which truth: "If you hold to my teaching...then you will know the truth." If a particular belief or so called "truth" isn't consistent with the whole of scripture, and especially the teachings of Christ, then it's not a truth that will set you free. And if it doesn't set you free, it's a false truth, and instead, it binds you up. Too many believers are bound up by "truths" that make them happy or make them feel good, and Jesus wants to liberate them with real truth, truth that sets free. "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (v. 36). Instead of the word "indeed", my sons would say, "for real!" If the Son sets you free, you will be free for real!

So, how do you know real truth from false truth? The teachings of Jesus will reveal your need for Jesus (John 15:4-7); they will bring about the character of Jesus (Matt. 10:24-25; 1 John 2:6); and will never render you unaccountable for your choices and actions (Romans 6; John 14:23-24; Gal. 5:13; Rev. 22:12). These are just a few characteristics of real truth, but I trust that these are enough.

John Wimber said, "If I'm going to be a follower of Christ, then I must teach what Jesus taught and believe what Jesus believes."

May we never be believers who only seek comfort, happiness, and "feel good" Christianity. May we be followers of Jesus and be fully conformed into His likeness all our days. Amen.

The Heart of The Matter

God, in his great love, has given us many gifts and provisions for knowing him and loving him more fully: the Church, the bible, the sacraments, liturgy, worship music - and countless other things to encounter him within and through. All of these things are holy, healthy, and necessary. They strengthen our devotion and remind us of our true love, of our truest reality and selves. And yet, they are shadows.

When I look at my wedding band, I don't think about the ring itself. I don't admire the gold or it's shape and design. Instead, I remember my wife. And in that remembering, an entire host of other experiences and sensations rush in on me: thoughts of the one I love the most; thoughts and emotions toward the one I find most beautiful and wonderful; events of warmth and love flood my soul. I hear her voice; I see her smile; I know her heart and her touch. All of this from an object that is separate from my wife and completely different in nature from her. All of this from a symbol of our love and marriage. It's really quite wonderful and amazing.

But what if I started to spend more time with my wedding band than my wife? What if I started talking more to my wedding band than her? What if all I ever wanted to do was to keep trying over and over to experience all the wonderful memories and feelings described above without ever being with and being present to my wife? The end result would be emptiness and frustration for she and myself because love doesn't work that way. Love has to be person to person.

Which brings me to the heart of the matter: relationship. In marriage and with the Lord, the heart is always relationship founded in intimate, honest, daily communication. Love has to be exchanged for it to be healthy; love has to be poured back and forth from one vessel to the other. We were created for this - a love relationship with God the Father. If we lose ourselves in trying to substitute his actual Presence and fellowship with the gifts and reminders he's given us, we lose indeed.

The relationship is more important than all else. Jesus wants me, my whole heart.
Do I want him and his whole heart? Yes.

Fruitful & Grateful

"You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name" (John 15:16, NLT).

"Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit" (John 12:24, NRSV).

Recently, on two separate occasions, the Lord allowed me to see the fruit of His life in me within the lives and ministry of others. And it blessed me deeply. Scripture says in John 3:27, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven." So, everything is a gift. And it's all of grace. Thanks and praise to God, who works in us all His good pleasure to the glory of His name!

Gleanings From The Retreat II (John 12:20-25)

"Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast; these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.' Philip came and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal' " (John 12:20-25, NASB).

"For indeed Jews ask for signs (meaning miracles) and Greeks search for wisdom (meaning wisdom of men; philosophical, scholarly wisdom)" (1 Corinthians 1:22, NASB).

The Lord is not calling us to seek miracles or the wisdom of man; He is calling us to be that grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies. Miracles will be there; scholarship and knowledge may be helpful; but we are not called to either of these. We are called to glorify Jesus. The world doesn't need miracles or the wisdom of man, the world needs to see Jesus.

This is our calling: to let them see Jesus in us.

Gleanings From The Retreat I (The Longest Reading)

I returned yesterday from a clergy retreat in Maggie Valley, NC.. Like the earlier retreat I attended, this one was spent praying the hours (i.e., the hours of prayer - Matins, Lauds, Prime, terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline). And once again, it was an incredible time of prayer and learning.

One of the best lessons that God taught me was on the last day of the retreat during Lauds. The appointed Old Testament reading was Numbers 3. This chapter is full of difficult names and countless instructions - and it's one of the longest readings! The passage told the names of everyone's grandfathers, fathers, sons, and told of how the priests were to be divided up in ranks, how they were to arrange their tents, how they were to depart from the camp and who was to go in what order. And it went on and on and on. When the passage was finished, the poor reader was exhausted and maybe a little embarrassed.

I asked the Lord, "Why did you bother with all that information about who's who? And what's the significance for us, thousands of years later?"

The Lord's answer: "I'm in the details. The details matter to me."

I was blessed and reminded that God is in (i.e., interested in, working within, speaking within) the little things (see earlier posts). Not only is He in the names of individuals and the personal details, He is into the "how to" details. He is interested in specifics and little things; things that I would have a tendency to think wouldn't matter to God or anyone. But they do, especially to Him.

The question this poses, then, is: Do I pay attention to the "little things" in following Jesus? Or do I write them off as insignificant and unimportant? Do I ever stop to ask the Lord about the details of how I follow Him, worship Him, or even serve others? And finally, is this what it means when He says, "Whoever is faithful with little will be faithful with much"?

Rhythm & Life

I returned today from a 4-day retreat at a monastery in north Alabama. The retreat was quite an experience. I was involved in praying daily the eight traditional monastic hours of prayer (Mattins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline). In Lauds and Vespers, we joined in choir with the Benedictine Sisters in their sanctuary. The chanting was beautiful and serene. I've never heard anything like it.

But why pray eight specific, set-aside times a day? And why pray some of the same prayers at every office, like the Our Father (a.k.a., the Lord's Prayer)? I can only answer from my own experience, as small as it may be:

1) Praying shapes our beliefs. During the hours (of prayer), we prayed the psalms; therefore, we prayed warfare prayers, intercessory prayers for loved ones and even enemies; we prayed for God's will to be done on earth exactly as it is being done in Heaven; we cried out for mercy, for ourselves, our loved ones and our enemies; we prayed supplications, trusting God to provide in abundance all that we need in all situations. Sounds a lot like the Sermon on the Mount, doesn't it? But we rarely left the psalms. Yet, while praying them, my mind is being renewed and reshaped into comformity with Christ and His teachings found in the Gospels.

2) The influence of a daily rhythm. By the middle of the second day, I noticed myself chanting under my breath, praying unceasingly while doing other things. The influence of each hour began to linger until it was time for the next. The invisible breath of prayer was being inhaled and exhaled involuntarily from being saturated with God. The days didn't fly by, nor did they drag by. They were calm and alive and in color. The rhythm of prayer was slowing us down, deepening our intake of life. The rhythm of prayer, being spent in the presence of the Eternal, was setting the pace for us now, not the clock.

I hope we will go back again every year. At first, I wasn't thrilled about it. But the rhythm of prayer began to shape my perception, my participation in the Spirit of Prayer, and most of all, me. May the rhythm of the Spirit of Prayer, the Holy Spirit Himself, always set my pace and the tempo of my heart. To the glory of God. Amen.

Ecclesiastes 9:8

"Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head" (Eccles. 9:8).

White garments always speaks of holiness and purity in Scripture. (Interestingly, righteousness is always addressed as "fine linen", a specific kind of fabric.) Oil always represents anointing from the Holy Spirit. Holiness without the anointing of God becomes harsh legalism; it focuses on externals. The holiness that God enjoins is holiness with His anointing; it focuses on purity of heart, which leads to the externals. May all of us pursue holiness and the Holy Spirit; after all, He's the origin of all true holiness.

Fireproof and The Season of Lent

One of the gifts that the Lord gave the Church is the Christian calendar, as it has come to be called. In actuality, it is the sanctification of time, so that each year itself re-enacts the gospel story through seasons, holy days ('holidays"), and feasts. Thus, the Christian year itself walks us through and teaches us the gospel, even discipling us.

But what about Lent? Why a season of examination and reform? Of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving? What's the reason for Lent?

Through Lent, we "enter into" our Lord's 40 days in the wilderness. We also remember the Israelite's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. In those years, God removed their unbelief so that they could enter into the land of blessing that He had promised to them. Jesus was tempted and proved faithful to His Father and to His will. And while these points are valid, I suggest that there's more to Lent than penance, sacrifice, and repentance. There's more than giving up something in hopes of appeasing your guilt. There's a deeper "Why"...

Love.

In the movie, Fireproof, a married couple is teetering on the brink of a hateful divorce. Neither one loves the other anymore. In fact, they despise each other. But the husband (Kirk Cameron) begins to want to save the marriage. So, at his father's counsel, he begins reading a book that challenges him to do certain loving actions toward his wife over a period of 40 days. Each one of these actions inherently calls him to examine himself, to make sacrifices, to get rid of attitudes, behaviors, responses, and even desires that have taken priority over his wife and their marriage. In truth, each challenge brings him to repentance. He begins to himself for the jerk that he's been. But he also begins to want to be - and actually to be - the husband his wife deserves. Though the process is painful, uncomfortable, and humbling, he begins to fall in love with her in a new way. He begins to see that she is worthy of love. In reality, it's a movie about unconditional love.

In reality, it's a movie about Lent.