This blog has been combined with DavidmStanley | Kinetic Life

 http://davidmstanleykineticlife.blogspot.com

THE SERMON...

Blessed are the... blessed are the... blessed are the...
-- Matthew 5:3-11

It is the greatest sermon ever preached. Spoken on a hill long ago by the greatest preacher to ever live. The words of THE WORD (who became flesh).

As I begin to write on the Beatitudes, I am struck by everything written and said up to and following this past Tuesday's election. So a brief aside...

I do not believe the election season created a divide in our country. I believe it further revealed a divide in our hearts. I won't slide into the political because frankly, I do not think politics are the problem or the answer.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the...

     poor in spirit...

     mourners...

     meek...

     ones hungry for righteousness... 

     merciful...

     pure in heart...

     peacemakers...

     ones persecuted for righteousness..."

Neither political party can create anything resembling the kingdom Jesus describes. But the Kingdom of Heaven is a reality to be experienced. Though, on this side of eternity's door we see only glimpses; real and powerful, but fore-shocks of the earthquake of love, peace and joy to come.

In the eight Blessed's..., Jesus describes the heart that both experiences and is formed by his love. A President, Congress, or Supreme Court cannot usher in a kingdom. Nor can they ultimately bring healing to a fractured culture. People are divided and broken because we are not meek or merciful, we are not pure or poor. And only THE WORD can speak the words that reform hearts and bring healing.

Blessed are the...

God, let these words form and describe my heart.

For now...
D

TEMPTED

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted... and the tempter came...
-- Matthew 4:1,3

The life of faith is not necessarily an easy one. Some might propose it to be. Their doctrine is Christianity-light. Worse, they may expound that the true person of faith should not know pain, sickness, loss, or crisis of belief. And if he or she experiences these, it is due to lack of faith. This is not the real world. And this is not true Christianity. Some feel-good prophets go as far to claim they are above (or beyond) temptation; and that this is a goal of the Spirit-filled life.

Only one whose feet have touched the dust of this earth has lived perfectly. Yet none has more deeply known rejection, slander, or loneliness.

He was despised and rejected by men, 

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

-- Isaiah 53:3

And none who has come since (or before) has known temptation to the degree that Jesus was tempted. His ministry began with temptation - in a lonely wilderness; and it ended with temptation in a garden. (I don't think I am reading too much into the spiritual, emotional and physical battle that produced bloody sweat drops.) 

Jesus taught us to pray that we not be led into temptation (Matthew 6:13). Yet he was. Why? He didn't, with his wilderness victory, win the right to be Messiah. That is who he was. He was the Word become flesh, the Creator become creation. He had nothing to prove. No, I believe his temptation was for our benefit. 

Through Jesus' temptation we understand:

• Temptation is not a mark of failure. It is not sin to be tempted. We all, he included, know temptation. As long as we breathe we will face temptation's subtle allure.  
• He understands our weakness. We have a ...high priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses... (Hebrews 4:15). And though he never failed, he loves us in the midst of our failures. 
• We too can overcome. We can overcome because Jesus overcame - not just temptation, but death, sin and hell. And the Great Overcomer stands with us in every circumstance. 

Much later, Jesus' brother James wrote:

Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee. --James 4:7

That is exactly what Jesus did in the desolate wilderness. And it is what he calls us and empowers us to do still. 

Temptation is inevitable. And that is a good thing. It means we are alive. It means our spirit is alive and struggling daily to follow our Creator. 

Two final thoughts:

• Though temptation is inevitable, failure is not. 
• However, when we do fail, we never fail beyond the reach of God's grace.

God, lead me away from temptation. But I won't fear it when it comes. You are with me. And you have overcome.

For now... 

D

NEAR

...for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
-- Matthew 3:2

The people gather on the shore to hear a wild man. There is truth in his words - a compelling passion, a call to something higher. They are drawn, but oblivious. Drawn by his words... oblivious to the one standing among them listening (in my mind, with a knowing grin). He is the giver and the focus of John's words.

The message of repentance is startling. It does not feel-good (and if you read further, it gets harsher for the self-righteous crowd). This makes it easy to miss an important element - actually the most important - of the message. Why should we repent? Why should we change our minds and attitudes and actions? Why should we rethink the direction and trajectory of our lives?

...the kingdom of heaven is near...

Nearer than we can imagine.

That day one walked anonymously among the crowd. He is the maker of the crowd. He built eyes and ears and noses. He wired brains. He created emotions. He wrote and implanted the script of love. (By the way, ask the atheist someday, "Why did evolution produce empathy, why is there love?" I don't think he can provide an adequate answer.)

...the kingdom of heaven is near... because He is here. Powerful but unnoticed. Immanent yet unknown. The author of creation is here on the shore... wearing sandals.

It is popular among Christians today to discuss the end of things; in a sense, how near we are to heaven. I think a more important thing to understand is how near heaven is to us.

...the kingdom of heaven is near... 

Just beyond what we can see and touch; a breathe beyond what we can smell, hear or taste... heaven is near.

And the King of this kingdom invites us to join. He calls us to participate. He winks and motions us over to experience his presence, his life... true life.

Why would I not change my mind (repent) to be a part of something like this?

God, You are near (nearer than I know).

For now...
D

A CHANGE OF MIND

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
-- Matthew 3:1-2

The message isn't culturally sensitive. As a matter of fact it comes across as confrontational and brash. And the wild-man-messenger's delivery and outfit don't help much.

But often, what we WANT to hear and what we NEED to hear are completely divergent things.

Each of us is created with incredible capabilities. Among the greatest - and one that is often overlooked - is the ability to change one's mind. I am not talking about wishy-washy indecisiveness. I am referring to the open-minded capacity to seek, assimilate and process new information and perspective; and based on this, to make new and better decisions.

The Greek word translated repent is "metanoia" which means "to have a change of mind." (Just a note: the bulk of the New Testament was originally written in Greek.) The word carries an idea of doing an about-face - a 180*. But the change of direction begins with a change of mind. Biblically speaking, repentance begins with an understanding of scriptural (God's) perspective about a matter, attitude, action, etc. This understanding brings about decision; first a change of mind, then a corresponding change of behavior.

Now here is the truly exciting part: God's perspective is right. It is correct. It is true. It is truth. When we align our compass to the True North of God's perspective, our paths become clearer. Our journey begins to take on deeper purpose.

There is a way that seems right to a man,

But it's end is the way of death.

-- Proverbs 14:12

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

-- Psalm 119:105

Finally, what is the result of this change of mind and heart; this repentance?

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

-- Jesus, John 8:32

We may not like the message. It often comes with pain. Sometimes we detest the messenger. (And messengers come in all types: human, circumstances, events, etc.) But God has given us an incredible capacity. We can change our minds, and thus change the direction and trajectory of our lives. 

And a word of comfort to close: the opportunity for repentance is based solely in the depth of God's grace toward us. This God who formed us and sacrificed for us gives us the gift of repentance for our good. 

... the kindness od God leads you to repentance.

-- Romans 2:4

God, grace me to change my mind to agree with yours.

For now...
D

WISE MEN

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem...
-- Matthew 2:1

WHAT MAKES WISE MEN WISE?

We don't know their names. Though the song states there were three and that they were kings, we don't know that. We really don't know anything about the identity or background of these mysterious visitors. Well, we do know this: they were wise men.

Why are they identified as such?

It could be that they had deep scientific - especially astronomical - knowledge. Obviously they noticed the anomaly in the heavens on the evening of Christ's birth. They knew it was not completely natural and was worth investigation. But I don't think that's (all of) it.

It could be that they had a deep understanding of the Scriptures (Old Testament). They knew the prophecies of the coming Messiah. As scholar-philosophers, they probably had access to ancient scripts of all kinds. And in their study, they found a uniqueness in this word from God to his people. And at it's center, a promise of One who would come as a demonstration of the Creator's love. But I don't think that's (all of) it.

It could be that they were simply wise. After all, they outfoxed that fox Herod - as Jesus later called him - by rerouting their return to the East; sensing his obsessive compulsion to power. But I don't think that's (all of) it.

Why were the wise men called wise men? They certainly had background, knowledge and smarts. But I think the wisdom of the wise men is truly demonstrated in their search. They are wise because of their quest. Ultimately, the wise men were wise because they were seeking Jesus. Their wisdom is demonstrated in their unabashed, focused, unapologetic, obsessive, singular and sacrificial search for the One who gives wisdom.

It is the same today. Wise men and women still seek Him.

Will we be wise?

God, I search for you.

For now...
D

Listen & Do...

Now... an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise..." And he rose...

-- Matthew 2:13-14

I can complicate things. I am the type to buy an Ikea dresser and go it alone. Instructions are for needy. After all, what use to me is the input of the furniture's creator?

You are ahead of me, aren't you?

We often go it alone. I'm not saying we turn our back on God. I am not saying we lose our faith. It is possibly worse: we claim a faith that has no impact. We acknowledge a God with our mouths, but deny his power - or at least his nearness - in the way we live. 

Joseph was told what to do and he did it. He didn't write a song (or a blog) about it. He did it. He didn't talk about how to discern the will of God, or ask for prayer. He did it. (None of these, by the way, are bad things. Allow an old preacher to over-stress in order to make a point.) 

Here is the point: God spoke... Joseph acted. We see the same in the lives of Abraham, Hannah, Moses, Mary... and on it goes. God speaks. The faithful listen and do.  

Now it is easy to say, "But an angel appeared to Joseph..." True. But Joseph couldn't read the Sermon on the Mount. He couldn't hear the Spirit speak through the Apostle Paul. We have the opportunity, ability and responsibility to listen and do every bit as much as Joseph. I would propose we have even greater opportunity, ability and responsibility. (And Christ's words throughout John 14 would support this.) 

The deficiency in my Christianity is seldom that I simply don't know what to do. More often, the issue is that I know and don't do. Or, I struggle to simply listen. Eventually, ears can become dull.  

We have the inspired Scripture available to us in any and every media format imaginable. And we have the abiding Spirit of God with (and within) us who speaks and empowers.  

Our part is to listen and do. 

God, I will listen and do.

For now...

D

Legacy...

...and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah... Now the birth of Christ took place in this way...
-- Matthew 1:9, 18

We have the opportunity to build a legacy. We have the opportunity to break a legacy. We all play a part in legacy - for better or for worse.


It is easy to rush through the initial 17 verses of the first New Testament Gospel. It is a genealogy; lots of begats in the old King James. This guy was the father of this guy... and so on.

But there is history in those names. There is legacy, both beautiful and terrible. Love, hate, depravity and faithfulness lie in those 17 verses of begats.

Ahaz was a horrible man; think part Kim Jung-Un, part Jeffery Dahmer.  He was the scariest blend of narcissistic sadist with ultimate power. Ahaz reigned for 16 terrible years in Judah. He worshiped, and forced the worship of, pagan gods. His depravity knew no limits, even forcing his sons to pass through the fire. As a sacrificial ritual paying tribute to the bull-headed idol Molech, children were forced to walk into an inferno blazing at an alter.

Ahaz created a horrible legacy. Hezekiah changed the legacy.

Hezekiah was Ahaz' son. Hezekiah was forced to walk through the flames of his father. Hezekiah knew the smell of burning flesh. He knew the pain of a legacy of fire.

But Hezekiah changed the legacy. In place of the pain his father inflicted, Hezekiah offered grace. In place of brutality, he provided mercy. My guess is the smell of fire never fully left Hezekiah's nostrils. But he was not bound by the legacy. He created a new one. And for 29 years Judah knew the joy of his legacy.

You and I are the products of legacy(ies). Both good and bad. Both painful and freeing. The first 17 verses of Matthew's gospel give a brief glimpse into legacies. Verse 18 introduces us to the One who gives the power to change legacy.

God, give me the power and guts to change my legacies of pain and build legacies of grace, freedom and joy.

For now...
D

PERFECT TIMING

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise...
-- 2 Peter 3:9

I'm still waiting for a pony. (I think I recall as a five or six year old being promised a pony. It could be I fabricated the memory.)

There is a difference between desire and promise. Our desires can often be selfish, or at least misguided. We may even talk ourselves into (or allow professional preachers* to talk us into) believing we've been promised something by God that turns out to be a fabrication. To reiterate the point, if our promise is self-serving, ethically questionable, or the like, it is a fabrication.

The result can be damaging: We wait for a pony that never comes. And in the end, we blame God for not delivering.

When however, promise and desire meet, powerful things happen - in our lives and through us, in the lives of others. And here is some good news: God's promises to us (both general and specific) surpass our wildest imaginations.

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined 

what God has prepared for those who love him."

-- 1 Corinthians 2:9

And more good news: What God has promised, he will deliver. Always. And always on time. I should note that it seems his universal hour-glass perspective and my Casio G-Shock understanding don't always sync. But his timing is never wrong. The fulfillment of his promises is never early, nor late. 

What is our part? We must discover his promises. He has given innumerable general promises to us through Scripture. For example: Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest... (Matthew 11:28). So many more flood to mind, but at risk of writing a novella, I'll simply challenge you to dive in with an open mind, a willing heart and a highlighter. Mark it, pray it, believe it! 

God also gives specific promises. (And this is where we must be discerning.) These are not specifically lined-out in Scripture. These promises come usually as impressions and they grow into purpose, mission and calling. These specific promises, though not explicit in Scripture, always align with the Scripture. 

Delight yourself in the Lord, 

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

-- Psalm 37:4

Our heart's desires are shaped and molded by our relationship with Christ. (Never the other way around.) As we grow deeper into a relationship with God (which sounds pretentious - a relationship with the Maker - but pretentious or not... it is promised), our minds are aligned with his. Our hearts begin to desire what he desires. And when our desire and his promises meet, powerful things happen. 

Jesus took 12 common men with completely different backgrounds, goals and desires; and with them, he changed history. He gave them promises and shaped their desires. And where the two intersected, powerful things happened.

They still do. 

God, mold my desires, fill me with your promises, and turn me loose (but never let go)... 

For now...

D

*By professional preachers, I am not referring to all - most, or even a significant portion of - preachers. Most are hard-working, caring, under-paid people who do what they do with passion for God and others. I am referring to others who soil the role of pastor for selfish gain and who, worse, alter the gospel to fit their purposes. And, by the way, there are many who pastor massive churches and have huge followings that fit the former category rather than the latter. Their integrity is solid, having stuck to the promise rather than bending to their desires. (Soap box dismounted.)

RESCUE

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials...
-- 2 Peter 2:9

My son and I just returned from a guys trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. One of our adventures was rafting the Poudre River. The river level was down a bit, being late summer. However, there were still several Class IV rapids along the route.

Another product of the late season water level? Rocks! Rocks normally safely under the water were exposed. They were route-changers. To my flat-land, still-pond mind, they were raft-eaters. Paddle-breakers. Trip-enders.

There were six people in our boat: Three from Amarillo (more flat-landers - one of whom apparently liked to swim through some of the rapids rather than stay in the raft), my son and me, and one other. It was this one other that made all the difference.

His name was Guide - though I think that is not what was on his birth certificate. And his job matched his name. Guide knew the river. He knew the rocks. He knew the rapids and the eddys. And Guide knew the route through the turbulence.

Guide told us our job was to 1) Listen to his commands; 2) Paddle hard; 3) Work together; and 4) Stay in the boat. However, Guide said that someone would more than likely leave the boat somewhere along the way. The word he used was ejected.

Prior to hitting the water, Guide walked us through the process of rescuing the ejected. Depending on where we were in the river, Guide might do the rescuing himself; or Guide might position the raft to have someone else do the rescue. Either way, the swimmer became a rafter once again at Guide's direction and positioning of the boat.

Today there will turbulent rapids. Guide knows the route.
Today there will be rocks. Guide knows each one.
Today some will be ejected. Guide has a rescue plan.

Listen to his voice... Paddle hard... Work together... Stay in the boat.

God, you are my Guide.

For now...
D

WINNING!

The caption on the photo read:

Winners focus on winning... losers focus on winners!

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind, 

and straining forward to what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal for the prize 

of the upward call of God...

-- Philippians 3:13-14

For now...
D

(Photo from Imgur)

EVERYTHING...

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness...
-- 2 Peter 1:3

We have everything we need.

That is a simple statement, but a hard truth to comprehend.

As I write, I am sitting on the couch in my air-conditioned house, drinking coffee. I am about to head to an air-conditioned church and sit in a padded chair - and drink more coffee. Most who read this will be in similar comfort. My point: I've never known extreme poverty or the desperation of searching for a meal. I can only imagine how foreign the statement, we have everything we need, might sound to a family who is being evicted, having just buried a father, or to a mother combing scraps in the Matamoros Mexico dump to feed to her toddler (which I've seen).

Trite answers don't work. And American Christianity seems to often boil down to triteness and self-focus. I'll take it a step further (since it's my blog), trite and self-serving Christianity is not Christianity. And in my Christian journey, I am often guilty of "unchristianess." (Again, my blog, I can invent words.)

When we read Peter's words above, we often miss some important depth.
His divine power - Whose power? God's. (As in, "God's, period!" Not yours, not mine.)
...has granted - past tense, with continuing and ongoing results. (It's a Greek grammatical tense thing.)
...to us - This promise is given to the community of faith. And though it has individual impact, it is us, not me. (More on this in a moment.)
...all things - we have everything we need (keep reading).
...life and godliness - to live as God intends for us, (for our calling and purpose.)

This statement may sound trite, but it is true: We have everything we need in Christ. 

I have often heard it said that God will never allow me to face more than I can bear. I struggle with the statement, though the fact that I am alive and well (and writing), sings the melody of its truth. That stated, I'd like to amend the platitude: God will never allow us to face more than we can bear... together and through his strength and presence.

The Christian life is a life lived in community with others from whom and with whom we share strengths, weaknesses, joys and pain. And it is a body (Paul's analogy) that is completely interconnected drawing its strength and power from Christ.

So, with all these concepts in mind I can confidently state: We have everything we need.

I, for one, tend to want more... to look for more. A blog post I wrote in davidmstanleykineticlife.blogspot.com quotes Bono from U2, whose lyric cries, But I still haven't found what I'm looking for. 

But here is a truth I've learned and am learning: The real and worthy search in this life is not about looking for more. The worthwhile search is not the constant desire for something else, something other. The better journey is one that leads us to deeper understanding of WHO IS this one who provides, and who he has made us to be for ourselves and others.

That for which you search is not out there somewhere. It is instead found in a God who is a whisper away.

Keep searching... deeper.

God, I have everything I need... in you.

For now...
D

THE ARROGANT ANXIOUS

...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 

-- 1 Peter 5:7

Here is an uncomfortable modus ponens.* (Yes, I do remember something from my junior year Logics course.) Think of it as a word equation of implications.

Anxiety = Lack of trust

Lack of trust = Belief we are in control

Believing we are in control = Arrogance

Therefore, if we are Anxious, 

it is due to our Arrogance. 

Ouch.

Choose to apply (or not) my experience with anxiety:
When I am anxious, I project into the future. Though I am in the here and now, my thoughts are in the there and then. And in some way I feel that I can change it; that I can be there/then... that I have power in the future.

But I don't.

In fact, anxiety is not only fruitless, it is also counterproductive. When I attempt to live in the future, I am robbed of life in the present; which, in reality, is the only place I have the power to live. (And I am not negating the importance of preparing in the now for the then - this is also a scriptural principle).

It is no coincidence that just before writing, casting all your anxieties upon him..., Peter writes:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God...

-- 1 Peter 5:6 

Humbling ourselves precedes - or is at least an element of - true faith. God is not bound by your past. By the way, neither are you. And God is the only one who knows the future.

So here is another logical equation:
If God cares for us (and he does)...
And if God is the only one who knows the future (and he is)...
And if this God who cares deeply and knows all, is completely powerful (and he is)...
Then I can trust him.
Wait... allow me to rephrase:

I must trust him.

I have always had a distaste for Christian cliches, (you know, bumper-sticker theologies). One of these is LET GO, AND LET GOD. Cliche or not, there is truth to the idea. Faith is a letting go; a total dependence; a leaning on God.

God, help me to let go, and to lean on you... my arrogance has made me anxious.

For now...
D

*Disclaimer: I vaguely remember my Logics concepts. I take no responsibility for the misuse of Modus Ponens -- after all, it made my point.

THE FURNACE...

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
-- 1 Peter 4:12

TV preachers who talk of happiness and abundance as the true results of faith, tell only part of the story. We cannot appreciate abundance without knowing lack. We cannot be happy unless we've known joy in the midst of pain.

Through $30,000 smiles and caked makeup, they tell a half-true story. But where there is half-truth, there is falsehood.

I've always wondered how their message would sit with the Apostle Paul. "Paul," they might say, "if you truly have faith, you should be on a yacht and not in a dungeon. God wants you to be rich and happy." Paul might smile to himself - or cry - and continue writing the words:

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. 

In any and every circumstance, I learned the secret 

of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

I CAN DO ALL THINGS 

THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME.  

-- Philippians 4:11-13

Yes, God does want us to know joy. Jesus is the embodiment of joy. His presence is the fullness of joy. As one (non-makeuped) preacher put it... KNOW JESUS, KNOW JOY. NO JESUS. NO JOY. 

Yes, God does want us to experience abundance. And sometimes with that abundance comes wealth. But wealth measured in only stuff and money is not true wealth. 

When we buy what the half-truth-tellers sell, we pay the consequences. We are surprised by trial. Worse, we feel deceived or defeated by trial's mere presence.

If you will allow an old preacher to preach for a moment (through morning-coffee teeth and with a new blemish on my cheek (who gets those at my age anyway?) - in other words, no $30K smile or makeup)... 

The fire of trial will not defeat you. It may burn away some things that, though painful, ultimately hold you back. But it will not consume you. The fire of trial will REFINE you. It will FORGE your character. It will make you who can be. And in the midst of the heat, you will find the presence of JOY. 

I can't say that I have learned to look forward to trials. I don't necessarily embrace them (before or during). But I am better for the pain. And I bear the scars with an odd joy (and almost pride). I don't look forward to my next fiery trial. But I fear it less. Because within every furnace I've walked, there has been one who walks with me.

God, you have always been with me through the fire of trial, refine me. Forge me...

For now...

D

Explain yourself...

... always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...
-- 1 Peter 3:15

Explain yourself.

When necessary use words. 

There is A HOPE within you; and within me. This hope is a person, and everything he is, stands for, has done, and promises. Peter calls it a LIVING HOPE.

Others should take notice of this hope within us - if it is there. I do not mean to imply that we are to drum it up in some way. Theatrics repel. Authenticity draws. And if the hope is real, there is no need for theater. If hope is authentic, it will demonstrate itself.

How? In what we do (and how we do it). In what we say (and how we say it).

LIVING HOPE within produces actions (and behaviors) that match our words; and words (and attitudes) that match our actions. The Christian life is an equation that must be balanced on both sides of the equal sign (=).

WORDS = ACTIONS

ACTIONS = WORDS

(If I recall 8th grade algebra, I believe it is the Communicative Property... kind of. Maybe it's part Associative, or Distributive. I don't know. What I do know is I've now led you WAY off  track.)

Peter tells us to ...always be prepared. Prepared to DO good... prepared to SAY good. (Not good grammar, but I think you get it.) To do so, we must train. We must train for actions and train for conversations.

This little blog is not a "How To..." In reality, we know "how to." Our problem is usually less a problem of "how to," but of "want to."

Prepare yourself. Today you will have opportunity to present hope... to reveal the living hope that is within you. Act on it. Speak about it. In doing so, you will find joy. In doing so others my find life.

God, you are my LIVING HOPE.

For now...
D

What we do...

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 
--1 Peter 2:15

What we say matters. What we do matters even more. 

How can a mind be changed? How can a heart be won? How can a culture be healed?

Right words are important. Right ideas expressing truth, spoken with right attitudes, are vital. But without right action, words fail.

Doing good pleases God. Doing good builds our character. Doing good brings light into darkness. And a by-product: doing good silences ugliness.

There is enough ugliness in our world. There is too little good. Allow me to rephrase, there is overwhelming good. But there must be more doing good. That is you... that is me... today.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
-- Micah 6:8

God, you made me good in Christ, now help me to have the guts to do good.

For now...
D

Red, Yellow, Black and White...

As you have, I've read many opinions, responses and rants on the recent tragic events in our country. The following is simply an observation from church this morning... nothing more (or less). 

This morning I was moved during worship. I often fight back tears during the music at church nowadays. I don't know if I'm just getting soft, or if it has more to do with the journey of life. Like many of you, my path has not been the expected one.

This morning, as the lights were down and during a particularly moving worship lyric I looked ahead a few rows and across the aisle. Facing me (actually not me, but my direction) was a woman signing the words to the song. Facing her was a large man singing/signing. I was struck. His worship was a beautiful thing. And I'm sure angels were moved... and the Father smiled.

At that moment, the man was not a Deaf-American or Hearing-impaired American; there was only one label that described him in the moment. He was a child of God. A brother. A worshiper singing to his King.

Like I said, just an observation. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Oh, and when the lights came up later I noticed this worshiper, this child of God, happened to have a skin color unlike my own.

It changed nothing. As a matter of fact, in the light of worship, I couldn't tell.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, 

there is no male and female, for 

you are all one in Christ Jesus.

-- Galatians 3:28

For now...
D

A Hope with Scars... (Trials... just one more)

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  
-- 1 Peter 1:6, NLT

Perseverance has a point. Trials have purpose. In a word, it is hope. And hope is an incredibly powerful thing.

Paul writes:
We rejoice in hope... not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does put us to shame (does not disappoint, NASB)...
-- Romans 5:2-5

Rejoicing (in hope) is easy when it is easy. But there is a depth of hope that comes through fire. It is an unshakable hope. Hope with muscles. Hope with scars.

Persevering through trials deepens and refines character. Who we truly are - and are becoming - is both forged and revealed in the furnace of difficulty. And the hope that is easy in the easy times becomes an experienced commodity. It becomes a part of who we are. It IS who we are.

The hope of (and in) God NEVER DISAPPOINTS!

God, I will hope in you.

For now...
D

The Joy of Trials

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  
-- 1 Peter 1:6, NLT

We tend to think of enduring as not only a means, but an end. It often seems the best we can muster. But this is not enough. Surviving and thriving are vastly different things.

Peter writes that we are to be truly glad because, there is wonderful joy ahead. Jesus' brother James put it this way, Consider it pure joy... when you face various trials (James 1:2).

There is art and faith necessary to thrive even in the midst of trials. Required is a steely-eyed willingness to acknowledge the reality of the giant standing before us; mixed with a childlike - almost silly - belief that the giant will fall.

It would be inauthentic and possibly damaging to dismiss our trial. It is real. But just as real, realer if you will allow me, is the joy beyond. And the One who stands behind the giant of our trial is gianter.

We must learn to look to the far side. Christ himself endured the trial of the cross by focusing on the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2).

And here is the key: the joy beyond, is our joy in the midst. If I were preaching, I'd pause, then slowly enunciate those words again. The God who stands behind the giant also stands beside us as we face the giant. His shadow overshadows every giant. (Yep, I'd repeat that one too.) And, in his presence is the fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). So as we face the trial, we recognize the joy on the other side and we realize (as in experience) the joy of his presence even in the fog of trial.

I saw the movie Everest the other day. It is the story of the catastrophe that surrounded the May 1996 expedition attempting to summit the highest pinnacle on the planet. There are many analogies and lessons that I will save for later. It is one statement made by Doug Hansen that impacted me. "Suffer a few more days, and for the rest of your life you'll be the guy who got to the top of Everest."

Endure because you must. Survive because you can. But thrive because because there is a joy... a joy on the far side... a joy that is also here, now.

God, as Nehemiah said, "The joy of the Lord is (will be) my strength."

For now...
D

Trials

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.  
-- 1 Peter 1:6, NLT

It has been a bit since I last wrote. A little funny, the topic I was working on was that of trials.

We all have trials. They are inevitable. I've heard preachers quip (and have been guilty of such myself), "You are either in the storm, have just come out of the storm, or are about to enter the storm."

For many of you, like me, it's been a little stormy. But in the immortal words of Donna Summer (and a loose transliteration of the Apostles Peter and Paul), I will survive! And so will you.

To do so, we need the imminent presence of the Holy Spirit, the support of the community of faith, and some old fashioned guts.

At times we cannot move forward. We feel like we cannot advance. Paul writes, ...having done everything to stand... stand firm... (Ephesians 6:13-14).

So stand.

The words simply haven't come the last week or so. But words will return.

More to come on trials.

Since I've already broken all reverence with a disco quote, I'll end with an 80's Elton John lyric: I'm still standing!

For now...
D

Ramblings... Ugliness, Orlando and the Overwhelming Power of Beauty

Ours is a beautiful world. And it is an ugly one. Often the beauty is demonstrated in the aftermath of tragedy. The ugliness: the tragedy itself; especially when man-made.

We always wonder in the face of ugliness. We speculate and offer half-hope reasons and responses. We attempt to make meaning of it, but the dots cannot be connected.

This relationship between beauty and ugliness mirrors our hearts. Within each of us there is beauty. And there is ugliness. To put it in biblical terms; there is darkness, and there is light.

Ugliness is not creation. It is distortion. And ugly acts result from distorted attitudes, distorted views.

A distorted view of God.
Man-made tragedy is often perpetrated in the name of (a) god. I readily admit to a bias: I believe there is One God. This God has chosen to reveal himself in many ways; through creation, through scripture, in mankind, and ultimately and fully in Christ. To those who might say this in some way narrow-minded, I lay down a challenge: do the work of honest investigation for yourself. If God is a God of truth and beauty, he can stand the scrutiny. But a word of caution: be ready to deal with the revelation. Light exposes darkness and beauty exposes ugliness. (I won't apologize, after all Ramblings is in the title of this post.)

Those who do damage in the name of God, at best misunderstand his nature. More likely, their distortion is due to a counterfeit version of God; a god of their own making.

The biblical God (and again, I admit my bias) is a God of love. I don't begin to understand every facet of his character, methods or means. But I trust his heart. After all, he demonstrated his passion through ultimate sacrifice.

In the aftermath of the Orlando tragedy I have heard both pronouncements of judgement and calls for tolerance. I cannot agree with the former, and find the latter to be a watered-down version of love. (Who would ever desire to be merely tolerated, when they could instead choose to be loved!?)

We live in a world of beauty and ugliness, light and darkness. And though I don't always understand the relationship, I do know the same God who calls me to stand on his truth, calls me to love unconditionally.

Ugliness is a distortion of beauty. And ugliness in the name of (a) god, is the result of a distorted view of God.

A distorted view of self
Each of us is the result of myriad relationships, experiences, pains and joys. These all come together to form our identity - the way we view ourselves. God says we are fearfully and wonderfully made; that we are a special creation in his image, in the midst of the beauty of his spectacular creation.

Our (self-)identity can however, become distorted. Sometimes we forget there is a God, or we replace him with a counterfeit. At other times we personally take on the role of god. Oblivious self-importance causes us to think too highly of ourselves. Or the opposite - extreme self-deprecation forces us to lose sight of our uniqueness.

Each of these results is a distorted self-view and gives birth to ugliness.

A distorted view of others
It could probably go unsaid; with a distorted view of God and ourselves, there is little hope of viewing those around us in a healthy way. Long ago I read in a counseling book the following line: Damaged people damage people. We've seen this axiom played out; whether it be a parent on the soccer sideline, a priest in a church, a politician in the seat of power, or a man holding a weapon with murderous intent.

Any and every ugly act becomes possible when we lose sight of the beauty and person-hood of our neighbor(s). Ugliness is almost always the natural outcome when a person or people are devalued.

Jesus summarized the key to living a life of beauty with the statement: Love God and love others as you love yourself. Distortions removed. Ugliness washed away. Beauty wins out. Light overcomes the darkness.

In summary, the tragedy of Orlando is the result of ugliness to the extreme. The sad reality is there will be another Orlando; another Oklahoma City, 911 or Waco. There will be another because ugliness exists.

However - and this is the huge however - beauty ultimately wins! I believe that from my core. I believe it because the nature of God is beauty without ugliness. He is love without distortion. He is light that overwhelms the darkest darkness.

Do I understand tragedy? No. But I trust. And that is beautiful in itself.

For now...
D

STUMBLING

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling...
--Jude 24

The older I get, the more stumbling hurts. I stuck my toe in some deep carpet while walking through a convention hall this week. The resulting stumble was minor - imperceptible to anyone who might have been watching - but the back pain was immediate and lasting.

Stumbling hurts. And though I am being literal at the moment, it is also true metaphorically. Stumbling brings pain into our lives, and often to those around us.

Here is the problem: We all stumble in life; missed steps and missteps, bobbles and trip-ups that don't usually result in full face-plants. But they are painful nonetheless. We casually gather ourselves, look around to make sure no one noticed, and limp away as gracefully as we can muster.

When we stumble, it is not due to a lack of willpower (and I am speaking of life/faith stumbles). We stumble due to a lack of relationship.

There is One who goes before us, who walks with us, who shows the way. He is a light to our path and a compass to our course. He points out the rocks and roots (and carpet monsters) that might catch our feet. But we must follow him. Striking out on our own will lead to stumbles... and pain.

God, direct my footsteps according to your word (Psalm 119:133), that I might not stumble.

For now...
D

MIRROR

Examine yourselves... test yourselves...
--2 Corinthians 13:5

Scripture is a mirror. If in it we see others - what they should do or not do, where they fall short, etc. - then we are choosing to look past our own reflection.

Scripture is a spotlight. It exposes darkness. The invasive power of truth's light always forces shadows to shrink away. We must first be exposed by the cleansing light before we can be light-bearers to others.

Scripture is a lantern. It provides illumination to the path before us.
Though we share many common paths, each of us has paths that are unique. We must each carry our own lantern to find our steps. (OK - It sounds like a flashlight, but lantern just sounded cooler.)

Scripture is a sword with which we attack the enemy's lies. It cuts through deception and impales the negative things we hear whispered deep within. Unchecked, these can become hideous monsters robbing us joy and peace. The sword of scripture however, was never intended to be a club wielded in the hands of the uncaring. It's blade must first make it's mark in us.

Examine yourselves... test yourselves...

God, expose me to me so I can be wholly yours.

For now...
D

Sufficient Grace

My grace is sufficient for you...
--2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you need grace today? I'll ask another way: Do you need power? We tend to think of grace in terms of covering our inadequacies, a balm applied to our failures. But grace is and does much more.

It is by grace that we are not given what we deserve. It is by grace that we are given what we do not deserve.

As James puts it:

Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of lights 

with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

--James 1:17

Q: How powerful is grace?
A: It is sufficient.

Wait, shouldn't this covering and empowering grace be overwhelmingly abundant? Shouldn't God cover a "3" on the need-grace scale with a "10" measure of grace? Shouldn't there be puddles of grace everywhere around after the grace shower rains down; so we can scoop a little extra up and store it away for use later?

Grace doesn't work like that. (Think manna from heaven; Exodus 16 - it's worth a read). New grace is given each day; actually moment by moment. Leftover grace - if there were such a thing - would spoil. And future grace, though promised, cannot be utilized. Today's grace... this moment's grace is sufficient for you. It is sufficient to completely cover, completely forgive, completely empower.

And how strong must we be? Well, our part is to rely on God's grace. To lean on and into his power. Our job is to embrace weakness and trust his strength. God says:

...my power is made perfect in weakness. 

--2 Corinthians 12:9

It would be easy to write of God's sufficient grace at certain times. This is not one of those times. It is a time when the preacher (or blogger, as the case may be) must hear and apply what he is writing. (Actually, every time is that time.)

God, I am weak, but you are strong. I need your sufficient grace.

For now...
D

FLAWED...

I will boast of the things that show my weakness. --2 Corinthians 11:30

Thankfully the writers of the various narratives, histories, poems, and letters that make up the Bible never attempted to cover up the flaws of faith's heroes.

David's murderous lust. Peter's tempestuousness. Sarah's lack of faith. James' and John's ambition. Real people with real strengths and real weaknesses; real faith and real doubts. Much like us.

Paul is one of those super-saints with whom we feel we cannot relate. His shadow is cast over much New Testament and the formation of the early church. He authored one half of the New Testament. Yet Paul is flawed. His story is not a simple one. It is not fairy-tale clean.

Paul was a man of incredible faith; a picture of passion and mission. But I think Paul was at times a lonely man. You can hear it in his voice when he gets personal in his writings. Groups of people, both within and outside the church, continually attacked Paul's credibility and motives. He was mocked, ridiculed and worse. He was also, on a few occasions, abandoned.

Paul was a man of strengths. His greatest? Intimacy with his weakness. It is in this understanding of his own inability that he was enabled to completely rely on God's power within; God's power to transform.

And the same is true for us. There is a swelling confidence that comes when we choose not to hide our weaknesses from God. Instead, when we reveal ourselves completely to him, his grace will do in and through us what only he can do. And the results are beyond our wildest imaginations.

What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, 

what God has prepared for those who love him...

--1 Corinthians 2:9

(More on this grace/weakness connection next time.)

God, your grace overwhelms my weakness.

For now...

D

Look... See!

Look at what is right before your eyes...
--2 Corinthians 10:7

There is a vast difference between a casual glance and really seeing. We look at many things, people, events, etc.; but we are often guilty of seeing very little.

The Greek sentence that makes up verse seven is a little difficult. The heart of meaning however, is clear: we tend to make judgements based on a casual glance. We categorize people, based on a surface look. And as people of faith, we must look deeper. We must see beyond what is merely external and temporary.

To put it Paul's language, actually the opposite of, we tend to walk by sight and not by faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:7). We must learn to continually rely on Christ's work within us to flip this script. Again Paul: So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view (2 Corinthians 5:16). 

In the movie Avatar Neytiri says to Sully, "I see you." The meaning of the statement is that she sees beyond the external, much deeper into who he really is. She sees his heart, his soul. (God is amazing, that he can plant such truth even in a pantheistic fantasy movie.)

Look at me...

People all around us are crying out to be seen. Really seen. As are we. We each have a great need and desire to be seen and known. We are uniquely created by God. And our uniqueness, our giftedness, our specialness should be noticed and celebrated. We are reflections of the creative God who takes pleasure in his children. 

We must open our eyes and see - truly see- what is right before us: beauty, need, ability, brokeness, and on. All of this lies behind what is external and temporary in the faces and lives of others. (And by the way, we must look in the mirror with the same intense focus.) 

God, open my eyes that I may see.

For now...
D

GIVE YOURSELF...

For God loves a cheerful giver.
-- 2 Corinthians 9:7

We all know someone with a particular unique quality. They give. And for the rest of this post, let's not think money. Let's not think stuff. Because after all, more importantly than giving our stuff, is the sacrificial attitude and act of giving ourselves.

We all know someone like that. They give... themselves. They usually do it with a smile. Sometimes with a hug. Often anonymously. Always seeking no credit. (Stuff, we can give while seeking notoriety. Ourselves, we cannot.)

Love gives. God loved... God gave. And we are most like Christ when we love, and give.

Paul was an incredible example of giving of one's self.

I am poured out like a drink offering.

(From Philippians 2:17 and 2 Timothy 4:6)

There is a unique joy in giving. Through the act of giving we prove that nothing holds power over us. And the truest expression of Christian freedom is found in the giving of ourselves. This freedom, this joy is addictive. And God loves it. 

I think God smiles on the person who gives himself/herself away with a giggle.

God, help me to be a sacrifice.

For now...

D

GIVE!

But they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 
-- 2 Corinthians 8:5

Giving is at the heart of the gospel. The good news is after all, the story of God's giving to mankind.

For God so loved the world the world 
that he GAVE...

-- John 3:16

For the Son of Man came not to be served, 

but to serve, and to GIVE his life...

-- Jesus, Mark 10:45

Love gives. It is the DNA of God. It is in the DNA of his redeemed.

When we think of giving, we tend to picture money dropped in a basket at church. It is much more. We may even have the image of a puffy-haired, overly made-up man or women - tear in eye - making an emotional plea through the TV screen. The first is short-sighted; the second is sad.

God doesn't need our stuff. In reality, we have no stuff anyway. We are stewards of stuff; not stuff owners.

And let's take that a little further. This God who doesn't need our stuff, desires our lives. Again, however, our lives are not even our own. As Paul writes:

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price...

-- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Any true giving begins with the giving of self; first to God, then to others. When we give ourselves, our stuff - our time, talents and treasures - always follows. There has always been and will always be a heart-treasure connection (Matthew 6:21). 

Growing up in church, I can't count the number of times I heard the hymn at the close of service:

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to him I freely give...

I surrender all,

I surrender all...

Through all the years and repetition of the chorus, the meaning has not diminished and the power never dulled. (Some of you reading this are humming the melody and have been transported into a joyful place in the past.)

We do not surrender out of selfishness. We do not give TO receive. But when we give, we DO receive. 

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, 

running over... for with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

--Luke 6:38

God, I surrender all; and where I'm holding too tightly, help me to give.

For now...

D

(NOT) GUILTY!

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 
-- 2 Corinthians 7:10

There is a difference between feeling guilty and being guilty. A murderer may be completely pathological, and have absolutely no remorse for his crimes. He IS guilty. But he does not FEEL guilty.

The opposite is often true in our Christianity - in our spiritual lives. We tend to feel guilty. But in (theological) fact, because of Christ's work, we are not guilty.

Paul wrote it this way:

There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

-- Romans 8:1

And:

For our sake he (the Father) made him (Christ) to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:21

The work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is not to haunt us with guilty feelings. That is never the result of his presence. Yes, he convicts; but conviction turns us to the Father - and to the redemptive forgiveness he has already offered (again, in Christ). It is not an ugly thing, but instead is a freeing process.

A foreboding sense of guilt (guiltiness) drains us of vitality. Jesus did not say, "I came to shut down your hopes and dreams and joy." He said, "I came that you might have life, truly abundant life." On the other hand, we do face an enemy of the soul who desires to steal away our life, peace and joy. He brings death through condemnation. (All referencing John 10:10.) And sadly, he often uses the tool of religion(s) to do this.

Guilt binds... God's conviction frees. 

Condemnation kills... Restoration brings life. 

Do you struggle with guilt(y feelings)? This does not come from God. We often try to live up to a set of rules we cannot uphold. These become burdens; weights around our necks that drag us into depths that make it hard to breathe and function. It is not how we were designed to live. God intends so much more. And he stands ready to deliver. He offers freedom instead of bondage... joy over remorse... life that overpowers death.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.

-- Jesus, Matthew 11:28

God, give me your joy and freedom in place of my sorrow and bondage.

For now,
D

THIS DAY...

Behold, now is the day of salvation. 
-- 2 Corinthians 6:2

Today - this day, however much remains of it - is an important day. It is the most important day; because it is the day, the time, we are given.

And in this day, however much remains of it, God wants to do something in our lives, and through our lives.

Spiritual procrastination is an infection. It is ailment from which we all suffer at times and to various degrees. Prolonged periods of the affliction dull us to the presence and purpose of God in our lives. (That last sentence may be worth a re-read.) I do not have a guilt-goal here, but our misunderstanding of this day's importance (however much remains of it) affects not only us, but others.

Look carefully then how you walk (live), not as unwise but as wise, 

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

-- Ephesians 5:15-16. 

We have best intentions about what we will do, or begin, tomorrow. But tomorrows become todays, and before we know it, yesterdays.

Now is the day of salvation. 

It is always in the present that God works in our lives. We can reminisce about what he did in the yesterdays; and that is a good thing. But we cannot live there. As one preacher put it: We can no more operate today on the grace God gave for yesterday than we can drive our car on the gas that we burned to get around yesterday. 

We also trust him with our tomorrows. And that is a good thing. But we cannot live there. To stay with the metaphor, our grace tank is only large enough to hold what is required for today.

God gives GRACE-GAS for this day, for now. 

Today - however much remains of it - matters. It is the NOW that God is at work in us and around us. Jesus said to Zacchaeus, "Today salvation has come to this house," (Luke 19:9). Why? How? Because Jesus had come to the house. And that moment was the moment; the Now is the day of salvation moment. 

Jesus has come to our house. And because he is present, this day - however much remains of it - matters. 

God, help me to make the most of the time.

For now,

D

AN EYE ON THE UNSEEN...

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 
-- 2 Corinthians 5:7

Moses was a man of faith. That is actually a massive understatement. Moses' life was defined by faith from his birth until his departing. Moses walked by faith.

There a statement buried in the Book of (Letter to the) Hebrews that provides a key to unlocking the mysterious power of Moses' faith.

In what has come to be known as Hall of Faith, stories of the incredible lives of heroes long past are extolled. The writer continually uses the words,

By faith...

as preamble to each hero's story. These well-known and obscure men and women walked by faith.

And in the by faith... story of Moses, the writer inserts, "By faith... he (Moses) endured, as seeing him who is unseen" (Hebrews 11:27). Moses viewed life, circumstances and relationships through a lens of faith. His perspective was formed through an eternal filter. 

• Moses saw the sea blocking his way... but he also saw him who is unseen - the one parts the waters.
• He heard the rumble of Pharaoh's approaching army, he saw the oncoming storm of spears glinting in the distance... but he also saw him who is unseen - the one who delivers in any circumstance.  
• Moses saw the plight of his people... but he also saw him who is unseen - the one who provides when there seems to be nothing left. 
• Moses saw the giants in the land... but he also saw him who is unseen - the one who brings victory when defeat seems inevitable. 
• Moses was not blind to reality, but he knew of a deeper reality; and he had...

An eye on the unseen. 

Walking by faith does not mean we overlook the reality right in front of us; nor do we fixate upon it. Walking by faith means that we view circumstances, situations and relationships through a filter of the eternal - a perspective that can only come from a transformed (and transforming) mind. As Paul said,

Be (continually being) transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

-- Romans 12:2

Walking by faith means we look through a different lens, through a heavenly filter. We see differently. We are aware of the eternal in the midst of any circumstance. We see evidence of the divine in (and through) every situation. We see the smile of God in the faces of others. We see the hand of God at work in the world all around us.

We have One who is ever-present. He is just beyond our physical eyesight. His voice speaks just beyond our ear's ability to hear. Our five senses cannot quite reach him. But he IS here.

And we will 

...endure, as seeing Him who is unseen.  

God, help me to be fully engaged with the realities before me, but to do so with an eye on the unseen.

For now...
D