Christian Marriage: What in the World? VI

Christian Marriage: What in the World?
(Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage within the Christian Community)
Part V

Hopefully, by now you can at least agree that we have this very significant problem: The leaders and the members of the Christian community, all of whom presumably read the same Bible, have very differing opinions regarding the very important subjects of marriage, divorce, and remarriage (for a bird’s eye view of some of these differing opinions, see last week’s perspective), and many of these differing opinions have precipitated not only much angst regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage, but also much debate.
To be sure, healthy debate is in my opinion a very good thing; however, there are many sincere believers who are (1) choosing to live in very unhealthy marriages and/or (2) contemplating divorce or (3) are already divorced and wanting to be remarried, who in any case, are not faintly interested in listening to our debate, be it healthy or unhealthy. What they are interested in listening to, however, is the voice of the one who brings grace, mercy, hope and freedom. They desperately want to find the freedom and the life Jesus promises; however (and unfortunately), they are imprisoned by the mirrors of the opinions of a myriad of debaters, most of whom debate out of the reflection of the Pharisaical ideation of the significant others in their own lives, and, consequently, the “imprisoned” eventually lose all hope, as they face what appears to them to be a life sentence of hellish proportions.
As I continue to consider our subject, I am constantly reminded of one particular passage, one that I have come to believe is the bedrock of the Gospel and it is this: “There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NASB; emphasis, mine). If this is true (and I believe it is), then I must opine that any of the “differing opinions,” to which I just referred (that bring condemnation to the believer) are destructive, devastating, erroneous opinions, that are far-removed not only from the heart of the Gospel, but also from the heart of Jesus, Himself. Even a casual study of the New Covenant will reveal that Jesus’ NEVER treated ANYONE (other than the religious) the way the “religious of today” treat those who do not align themselves with their judgmental and condemning opinions of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Make no mistake: the “religious” of the church treat no other group of believers, with the possible exception of the lesbian/homosexual community, the way it treats those who find themselves either desiring divorce, divorced, contemplating remarriage, or remarried.
Obviously, I am not thinking that everyone will agree with my thesis; nevertheless, I (humbly) offer it: The Christian community desperately needs to return to the bedrock of the Gospel—there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Until it does, the “religious” will continue to judge and condemn, thereby, keeping the weak, the helpless, and the hopeless imprisoned by the mirrors of the opinions of their debate and “faithfully” serving a life sentence of hellish proportions! To be sure, the bad news is much, much worse than any of us ever thought BUT the good news is so, so much better than any of us ever thought—NO CONDEMNATION!—and I think it is time we said so. Let us set the captives free!
One of the difficulties of my thesis is this: carrying it out requires that we change many of our opinions concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage within the Christian community, so that they more nearly align with the bedrock of the Gospel. Change never comes easy for some; for others, it is not nearly so difficult, but in either case, a change of opinion is desperately needed, especially if the church desires to bear any resemblance of the Bride of Christ.
Yes, I know that some of you are thinking: what about consequences to sin? Well, in the first place, let us be sure to define “sin” within the context of the New Covenant, not according to our “religious” paradigms (for example, you have probably already included “divorce” in your list of sins, probably, near the top). After having done so, hopefully we can agree that there are consequences to sin, but those consequences lie within the realm of God’s responsibility, and they are always for our benefit and never for our condemnation. Based upon what I know about each one of us, I doubt seriously that one of us would want anyone other than God, Himself, to be responsible for the consequences of our sins. We probably need to let well-enough alone!
Anyway, you think about this, and I will continue next week.
Grace lavished, Mac
-mac

Christian Marriage: What in the World?

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE: WHAT IN THE WORLD
PART IV

The various reactions I am receiving from my recent perspectives are most intriguing, telling me at least these two things: (1) my writings have struck a raw nerve, and (2) you are thinking about our present subject. In my opinion, that is not bad, for a start! Anyway, today I want us to consider this topic: how can the community of believers, all of whom read the same Bible, hold such extremely diverse views regarding divorce and remarriage within the Christian Community?
Regarding the subject of divorce: over the years, it has become very clear to me that many very sincere members of the Christian community hold that Christians should never divorce (regardless of the circumstances), and they hold these views because they equate divorce with committing adultery, not to mention their acute awareness that “God hates divorce.”
There are, however, those (just as sincere) who hold a somewhat different view, namely, that divorce should never be allowed UNLESS one partner has been involved in an extra-marital sexual affair (the exception clause), and then it should be allowed ONLY after all avenues (whatever that means) of reconciliation have been exhausted. (I never have been quite sure just who determines when “all avenues of reconciliation” have been exhausted.)
Then, of course, there is that group of just-as-sincere-believers who believe that Paul added another “exception clause,” one that overrules the “Since God Hates Divorce, Christians Cannot Divorce” law and it is this: “Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace” (1 Corinthians 7:15). In other words, if a woman is married to a man, who is an unbeliever (I assume that, keeping to the church’s tradition, someone other than the unbelieving man makes the judgment as to his unbelief, but maybe not!) and he wants to leave, she should allow him to do so (as if she could stop him). At any rate, in this case, she is not held to THE rule (not in bondage) in such cases! (Of course, the reverse is equally true.)
Let us dare-not forget those just-as-sincere-believers (maybe the largest of all the groups) who embrace another “exception clause” and it is this: divorce is not only acceptable but also preferred, if one mate learns that he/she is married to a gay/homosexual person and he/she wants to leave. This “exception clause” also overrides and overrules every previous law, even the “Since God Hates Divorce, Christians Cannot Divorce” law; after all, those in the “know” have long-since judged these as unforgivable, unpardonable sins (well, almost anyway).
Furthermore, there are also those sincere members of the Christian community who contend that divorce is acceptable regardless, as long as one or both partners desire the divorce; after all, this is a personal matter and “personal” matters are just that—personal. Obviously, this position tends to lean in the direction of antinomianism—no laws, no rules, just do as you please.
Finally (regarding divorce), there are those sincere believers who agree that divorce is acceptable under certain prescribed circumstances, including but not limited to the above BUT ONLY IF there are no children OR if the children have become “of age” (whatever that means). According to this group, the children fare better living with both parents, regardless of what they see, hear, feel, taste and smell!
Regarding the subject of remarriage: many well-meaning and sincere believers hold, uncompromisingly, to the viewpoint that divorced Christians cannot remarry for any reason, unless of course the divorced mate dies—“until death alone separates.”
Other sincere members of the Christian community hold the view that remarriage is always acceptable, provided, however, that (1) the “divorced” has a “Biblical” divorce (again, someone has to define “Biblical divorce” and it is usually done by the person in religious authority, who always decides out of his/her own pre-formed notion of Biblical interpretation, which is strongly influenced by his life circumstance) and (2) that both are believers; otherwise, the “unequally yoked together with an unbeliever” passage comes into play.
Finally (regarding remarriage), there are those sincere members of the Christian community who believe that remarriage is always acceptable—period. Again, remarriage is a personal matter and “personal” matters are just that—personal. Again, this position tends to lean toward antinomianism.
From what I have observed, there is little room for healthy dialogue regarding any of these viewpoints, which, although tragic, is not uncommon within the Christian community concerning any subject.
In the end, I am left with this question: how can the members of the Christian community, all of whom, presumably, read the same Bible, have such differing opinions (viewpoints) regarding these topics?
I am confident that some of you will provide THE ANSWER! I wait patiently (well, sort of).

—grace lavished, Mac

Marriage: What in the World III

Dear Fellow Travelers,
The email responses to my last two perspectives regarding marriage have been VERY interesting and encouraging, some even a bit “feisty.” They leave me with no doubt that I hit a very raw nerve and stirred up all kinds of emotions. Unfortunately, my assumption is being proven: there are many, many people, living in what we call Christian marriages (some for many years), who are very frustrated, angry, tired, and, especially, hopeless. And, like it or not, these negative feelings are the fruit of what the church taught them about marriage, divorce, and remarriage (By the way, I am as of now, identifying this collection of negative feelings as the “Until Death Do Us Part Syndrome”).
Furthermore, there are many divorced Christians, who sincerely desire to be married again (if not now, at least in the future) but because of the teachings of the church cannot so much as express the desire, much less act upon it. To do so would be to commit spiritual suicide (I will explain what I mean by that in a later article). In the mind of the religious church (and most fit into this category), if you do not have what it calls a “Biblical divorce,” to remarry is the same as committing adultery. In the end, the only way these dear folk can survive is to leave the church.
Even further, there are many Christians, who have never been married and probably never will marry and for good reason: why would anyone want to enter into an “until-death-do-us-part” relationship, when it is obvious that most of them are unsuccessful and there is no legitimate way out (according to the church), except of course adultery. Even in that situation, the mindset is that God will work it out, if you just give Him time and die to self. Sadly, the church’s definition of “death to self” leaves one a “non-person,” which is far removed from the purpose of the Biblical definition.
Yes, I am aware that God is and has always been in the healing business, and I am equally aware that He does as He pleases, when He pleases, even in the marriages of Christian people. However, I am also acutely aware that He does not always respond to my every whim, even when it would make perfect sense for Him to do so, e.g. heal a unhealthy marriage. Sometimes marriage simply does not work and God knows it, and even though He hates divorce, He continues to love and cherish those who do—probably more than He does those who pretend—because He hates dishonesty more than He hates divorce. How do I know? He told me! Remember: He divorced himself from Israel (Jeremiah 3:8) BUT He has NEVER told a lie!
In the near future, I am going to be calling together a diverse group of people from near and far to brainstorm with me on this subject: “Divorce and Remarriage within the Christian Community.” I trust that you will be praying for me and for the group, especially in light of the fact that some of you just might be invited to join forces.

Blessings and grace lavished,
Mac

Marriage: What in the World!!

Dear Fellow Travelers,
Last week’s perspective regarding “Christian marriage” generated enough response to motivate me to pursue the thought a bit further, so here goes; albeit, against my better judgment.
In my opinion, it is long past-time for Christians to get their heads out of the sand and face the obvious: the vast majority of married Christians are living, either in major denial (denial that is precipitated by the legalistic teachings of the church), or in utter and sustained misery (probably both), and I say this not as a casual observer but as one who has spent most of the past 30 years (even longer) not only as a pastor, but also as a counselor, dealing with Christian couples and their difficult, dysfunctional marriages. Unfortunately, after all those years of counseling, I know very few Christian couples, who have even a semblance of healthy marriage, even after years and years of living together as “husband and wife.”
If I were a single man seriously considering Christian marriage, but before taking that step could first have the advantage of looking into the lives of a hundred random Christian couples to get an inside look into what Christian marriage is really about, what I would see would in all probably cause me to remain single, or at least to avoid Christian marriage. Why would anyone (in their right mind) want to sign up for an “until death do us part” commitment with another human being, after learning (1) that probably 98% of the couples in that random sampling are living, either in denial, or in utter misery (probably both) and (2) that regardless of the misery or the reasons for the misery, there is absolutely no legitimate way out—only death—unless one or both partners can muster up the courage to commit the “unpardonable” sin and divorce; and (3) that the Church treats divorced Christians much like everyone treated the lepers of the New Testament (with, of course, the single exception of Jesus) . Go figure!
Now, if my guess is correct, you are probably thinking that my years of counseling have turned me sour toward Christian marriage (if you weren’t thinking it, you are now); however, that is not the case. Even after all the hours I have spent engaged in marriage counseling, having seen and heard everything (times many) that one could ever see or hear, I continue to believe that God had something very good in mind for Christian marriage; HOWEVER, I have come to believe (not recently) that the church has missed it—totally and completely. Surely, this is evidenced by the fact that more than half of the Christian marriages that are performed in any given year, end in divorce—an even greater number than that of the secular variety. As added evidence, consider this: for many years of my life, I spent six, seven, even eight hours per day counseling, and most of that counseling was marriage counseling. Evidently, something is askew—seriously, askew—and I think it is time for those of us who know and love Jesus to get our heads out of the sand and stop pretending that “all-is-well” when “all-isn’t-even-close-to-well” and to begin to seek the truth regarding God’s idea and plan for Christian marriage.
Enough for today (not to mention my space is running out)! This is probably the second part of a many-part series on marriage, so keep reading and please pray that I have the energy and will (I am running short on both) not only to open this stinking, repulsive, festering “lesion of religion,” but also to seek to find truth and to bring it to those who desire it.

Marriage: What in the World?

Dear Fellow Travelers,
     Lately, I have been thinking a great deal about marriage, especially whatever this is we call “Christian Marriage,” and the more I think about it, the more I realize that, if it is in any way linked to Jesus, then most (the vast majority) have missed out on what He had in mind—seriously, missed out. The truth is I know far more couples who have “troubled marriages,” than I know couples who have “healthy marriages.” If the honest truth be told, most Christian couples live, either in denial of the truth, OR in utter misery (probably both) and, tragically, over time lose their own personhood.
     The really sad part of my observation is this: for the most part, the Christian church is responsible for this, be it Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Charismatic, or Automatic. Why? Because it has taken what God had in mind and twisted and turned it into a legalistic monster that will not even allow for the honest admission of true feelings. From its vantage point, God not only hates divorce, He also hates those who divorce, and He does so with passion; consequently, Christians couples find it safer to simply keep their feelings to themselves, or to deny that they exist at all. The fact is this: for a Christian to admit to having a marriage problem is to become the problem! (If you do not believe this, ask someone who has “been there” and he/she will “help your unbelief!”)
     Anyway, if I were a younger man, I would probably become very actively involved in trying to change the way Christians perceive God’s view of marriage. Because Christian marriage is linked to our being the bride of Christ, it should never be taken lightly, or entered into unadvisedly; however, it must be seen more in line with what God had in mind, and I cannot believe that what I see today is what He had in mind! I, simply, do not believe that He intended for His declaration of His ”hate” for divorce to be interpreted to mean that He also hates those who divorce and I, certainly, do not believe He intended it to imprison those who do marry within the narrow confines of denial and the misery it produces.
     From what I have seen, almost every couple is set up to fail from the very moment they take the “wedding vows” because the onus for success is placed squarely on their shoulders, which is far removed—very far removed—from anything even remotely akin to the New Covenant!
     Anyway, you think about it! Grace lavished!

In Relentless Pursuit

Mary Magdalene and her love for Jesus never cease to amaze me. She is one of my favorite Biblical characters for several reasons, not the least of which is the passion with which she pursued Jesus. I really wish we had more information about her and about her relationship with Jesus because I think it would be quite revealing, even astonishing.
In my message this past Sunday (resurrection morning!), I spent a few minutes dealing with her involvement in the resurrection story, and as I did, this “hit” me like the proverbial “ton of bricks”: she never gave up her pursuit of Him, even in the face of His physical death. Even after His crucifixion, when everyone else was “holed up” in fear and confusion, she was out in the dark of the early morning hours doing anything but giving up—Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb (John 20:1). Why do you think she was out so early in the morning at the place of His burial? May I offer my opinion? Deep inside her heart-of-hearts, she knew that He was everything she had ever heard him claim to be—and more; she knew that death could not hold Him, she knew that God would raise up that Temple on the third day!
Have you ever noticed that most of us see only what we are looking to see? Take Peter and John for example: they were not looking to find Jesus alive; instead, they were looking for His dead body, wondering why anyone would want to steal it and, thereby, abuse it. They could not think past the fact that He was dead and buried (and I surely do not fault them for this).
Mary, however, would not give up what she believed so deeply. To be sure, she was looking for His dead body, but in my opinion, as she looked, she was also clinging to what she had heard him say (probably in many different ways and at many different times)—to you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God—and she refused to let go of it. Might I remind you that one of the greatest of these mysteries, if not the greatest, was Jesus’ talk about resurrection (I am the resurrection and the life . . . John 11:25)?
You see, she was looking for far more than His dead body and she refused to let go of her search. As a result, when she looked into the tomb, she saw what Peter and John did not see—two angels adorned in white sitting, even speaking to her, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying—because (in my opinion) she was looking far beyond the grave, pregnant with expectation and hope.
Then, as you remember, her faith became sight: Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? (Can’t you imagine the smile He was trying to conceal, just long enough for her to recognize Him?) Then the glorious moment of truth, as He spoke her name—MARY!
I am so thankful that Mary was relentless in her pursuit of Jesus, even after His crucifixion, and I am so for many reasons, not the least of which is this: she stirs me to be much more relentless in my pursuit of Him and to be much more expectant (hopeful) of His revealing Himself to me—unexpectedly but right on time!
          
     

The Holy Week Dancer

Rather than trying to repeat what someone said, it is sometimes better to get their permission and allow them to speak for themselves and this is one of those occasions. Karen is a member of Grace Christian Fellowship, the church I have served as pastor since the fall of 1995. She has been a part of this family for only a few months but I have learned more about Jesus from her in that brief time than I could ever tell you. She has multiple sclerosis (MS) and suffers relentlessly; however, her suffering has somehow driven her to realize that few things really matter in this life, really only two—her relationship with Jesus and her relationship with each of us. Although she can barely walk, she dances during every sermon I preach! Oh, you wouldn’t know it by outward observation but she dances, nevertheless! She has joined His party and His dance and as you can tell from what she has written, she loves it! Somehow she knows that the “cup” of which Jesus spoke is both a cup of suffering and a cup of incredible joy! Listen to what she has to say (this is an email she sent to me):

Tonight I'm trying to hang on to anything I can, and not doing a very good job of it. I have no idea what is going on any more. I am going to Columbus to see the neurologist Thursday morning. Between that and the shot Thursday after I get home, I cannot imagine making it to any service this week. I am hoping to force my way over to see Kevin Wednesday morning and that should wipe me out real good and set up for Thursday's doctor visit so he can see just what is going on right now. I cannot tell you how much I will miss the services or even how much I fear what's in store after that trip, recovery wise. As long as I can remember that God really is in control, whether He asks my opinion on how He's doing things or not, I can make it through.

The last time I was at Holy Week services was the month after my Father died in 1994. I sang in the choir and was at each service with energy to spare, not much, but some. 12 years has seen a lot of changes, many of which I don't like or want. My church is the one main change I do like, and I am currently unable to attend, but will be there in spirit and back as soon as it is possible. Know that I miss you all very much and am praying for you all to know that you know that you know God is good, even when we feel like we are the ones going through Good Friday. It's Good Friday that keeps me going and hanging onto any scrap of faith. My bad times are not anywhere near His bad time that day. And He did it so I could endure today. That's love. That's amazing love. And it gives me hope and faith. With the three, life is doable. Without them, I'm as good as dead already. I have found more faith, hope and love with your ministry than I have anywhere else. You have shown me the path to Jesus as you have sought Him yourself. You have shown me grace in action as you have lived it, along with your church family. I am alive because of God's Grace becoming real and tangible at GCF.

I'm still looking for the gate to get out of this fence. But, faith has become more real. Love has become more real. Hope has become more real. And every time I say that, things get worse. And His Grace is still sufficient. But I really, really miss my family and just getting out among the living. So, I'll be back as soon as I possibly can, and probably too soon for wisdom, like last time.

Much love,
Karen

Now, let this sink in and have a blessed Holy Week!

Never Shall You Wash My Feet

Never shall You wash my feet! These are the words Simon Peter spoke (exclaimed) to Jesus, as Jesus knelt before him to wash his feet. I do not know what really prompted Peter’s reaction but I do know this: it was spontaneous and it was sincere. Peter, obviously, found himself in a very difficult place and he reacted in an effort to avoid confronting his fear—being loved (really loved, up close, and personal) by the One who loves without condition, the One who does not keep a record of wrongs suffered, the One who never even notices when others do it wrong, the One who came, not to be served but to serve.
     In the end, he changed his mind and eagerly submitted to Jesus’ leadership in his life but not without first hearing and embracing Jesus’ powerful, loving, and compassionate words—If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. Of course, per Peter’s usual modus operandi, he went overboard in the other direction with these words: Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!
     I have the strong feeling that Peter never forgot these precious moments when the creator of the universe, the eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, Redeemer of the world gently splashed cool, clear water over his feet, carefully washing away the dust and dirt of the day’s journey and, finally, wiping them dry with a towel. But even more, I think he never forgot what happened within his heart as he experienced Jesus’ humility and compassion, expressed in His unconditional love, the love that gave him a foretaste of what it would mean to have a clean heart—forgiven and made righteous through the death, burial, and resurrection of his Beloved, foot-washing Messiah! What an incredible gift!
     Having said all of that, I wonder this: How often has Jesus come to you, kneeling before you (maybe in the form of one of your friends, maybe even a stranger, possibly even an enemy) and, thereby, moving you out of your comfort zone (way out of it), offering you the very gift that would forever change your life, only to hear your reacting with, “No! No!  I could never allow you to do that!” During these times, He has in all probability been offering you the gift that would draw you into an intimacy with Him that you could never imagine (a Song of Songs intimacy); the gift that would make you face your greatest fear and, thereby, release you from it; the gift that would eradicate the self-concept that has tortured you and controlled you all of your life and replace it with the exact representation (image) of the Son; the gift that would truly set you free to be the person He created you to be.
     Think twice before you reject Him again because He just might be trying to help you get a glimpse of what lies on the other side of the fence, the fence that has kept most (if not all) Christians corralled and, therefore, separated from the Promised Land—the land that flows with the milk and honey of freedom!
     Just thought I would share with you what I think He is telling me.

The Real Jesus?

     
Dear Fellow Travelers,
     For some reason, I have believed most of my life that these days would be the best days of my life; after all, I am 64 years old and have had plenty of time to rehearse the final act of my life’s drama. However, I have the feeling that my vision of these Golden Years was, indeed, seen through a dark and clouded glass.
     Without going through all the various details, let me cut to the chase and get to the point: I am more convinced than ever that those of us who call ourselves Christians have been deceived (really, seriously deceived) concerning Jesus, and I am just as convinced that the deception is intertwined in the fence we call “Christianity” (the fence that keeps all the Christian denominations corralled) much like the branches of a trumpet vine intertwine one’s backyard fence. Sure, the blossoms on the trumpet vine are very beautiful but removing the branches from the fence is very difficult—almost impossible—which is why I believe these Golden Years might not be quite what I have imagined.
     Anyway, I never dreamed that I would be in such a determined search to discover and to know the real Jesus, not the Jesus that Christian theologians have contrived, in order to make Him fit into their varying belief systems, but the Jesus of the Bible—the One who grew up like a tender shoot out of parched ground; the One who loved the poor, the lame, the blind, the crippled but shunned the religious; the One who spoke in parables, not to be understood but to bring even more confusion; the One who dared to refuse the mirrors of a thousand opinions and, instead, to choose to do only that which He saw His Father doing and to say only that which His Father told Him to say; the One who refused to get caught up in the religion of His day and, instead, to usher into His day His Father’s Kingdom (Empire); the One who dared to live outside the religious fences of His day and socialize with prostitutes and drunks; the One who had no reputation to uphold, no theological paradigm to defend—the Jesus who is the Son of God, the Jewish Messiah, and the Gentile’s Redeemer!
     I really do want to discover Him and get to know Him not only for me, but also for you because I really do believe that we are missing something—something incredibly good; however, the journey will be very difficult. Breaking up reinforced concrete always is, you know.
     Just thought I would tell you what is going on in me!

The Mysteries of the Kingdom

At the end of the parable of the sower, the disciples asked Jesus this question: Why do You speak to them in parables (Matthew 13:10b)? His answer was a bit strange, to say the least: To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Matthew 13: 11). What an incredible gift Jesus bestowed upon the disciples—to know (really know) the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven—but from what I can see, the rest were left in rather dire straights—completely excluded. (Please keep in mind, however, that I am probably more concerned about their “dire straights” than they were because they really had no interest in knowing these mysteries; in fact, they probably saw them as being foolishness.)
     Anyway, as the result of my having read Brian McLaren’s trilogy: A New Kind of Christian; The Story We Find Ourselves In; and The Last Word and the Word After That, this notion of the Kingdom of God (Kingdom of Heaven) has been freshly stirred within me, and this “stirring” has caused me to wonder if there is not much more to the Kingdom of God, than I have ever imagined. I have the strong sense that the revelation of these mysteries has been shrouded in the influence of this outer fence, the one to which you have recently heard me refer—the one we call Christianity.
     Listen to some of the ways Jesus refers to the Kingdom: But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you (Luke 11:20); The Kingdom of God has come near  to you (Luke 10:9b); Blessed is everyone who eats bread in the Kingdom of God (Luke 14:15b); Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the Kingdom (Luke 12:32); For behold, the Kingdom of God is in your midst (Luke 17:21b); The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened (Matthew 13:33); How hard it is for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:24-25); My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is My Kingdom is not of this realm (John 18:36).
     As you can see, the Kingdom of God might be more like a diamond with many facets, than like, well, like whatever we have idealized it to be based on our own limited abilities to visualize spiritual truths. I am convinced that we will never really know the mysteries of the Kingdom until we are willing to look over the fence, the fence that has for so long determined our belief systems, into the promised land—the One True Promised Land!

Casting into Stone

Dear Fellow Travelers,
     The older I become (and I am fast becoming), the more obvious it becomes (“it,” being the obvious) that it is very dangerous to cast into stone that which you believe to be truth, you know—make a monument out of it—especially, if you really want it to be truth, i.e., if your desire for it to be truth is greater than your desire to know if it is truth.
     Being in the funeral profession, monuments are a part of life for me, kind of like dead folk? You know, they just are—everywhere. As you might imagine, I have spent quite a bit of time in cemeteries; consequently, I have also spent quite a bit of time (mostly out of boredom but some out of intrigue) reading what someone cast into stone regarding the one who sleeps just beneath the stone slab—the deceased. In my reading, I have observed that not everything that has been cast into stone is truth. The name, along with the birth and death dates, might be accurate but the rest, well let me just say that it is not always truth. Sometimes, I think it is a statement of what someone wished to be truth, rather than truth itself, so much so, that they had come to see it as truth (it was more important that what they wished to be truth be viewed as truth, than whether or not it was actually truth).
     For example, the monument for the deceased, abusive father that reads, John Smith - Beloved Husband and Father, is more a statement of what someone wished to be truth, than a statement of actual truth. For some reason, I have never seen the words John Smith – Child Molester cast into the stone face of a cemetery monument. Sometimes (probably, much of the time), it is much easier to cast what you wish to be true into the stone, than to cast the truth itself, especially when the truth itself proves to be contrary to everything you desire.
     Why this? Well, the older I become, the more aware I become that I have tended to cast much of the theology I have believed (and really wished to be true) into stone monuments, so much so that the cemetery that now contains them is probably very overcrowded.
     For example, on the “Faith Lot,” one of the stone slabs has this carved into its face: Only Believe and All Things are Possible. There was a time when I believed this because I desperately wanted it to be true. In my mind, in order for what I had been taught to prove true, this had to be true; otherwise, I would have to ditch the self-righteous notion that I was a man of such faith that God could use me. The message was clear: if God doesn’t come through, it is because you do not have enough faith! As you can imagine, having enough faith was critical to the success of my self-righteousness (which by the way I loved!).
     On the “Sin Lot,” one of the stone slabs has this carved into its face: Sin Separates us From God, Therefore, We Must Stop Sinning. Sadly, there was a time when I believed this because I really wanted it to be true. In order for me to hold on to that which I held so dear (my ability to please God by my self-righteousness ability not to sin), this had to be true; otherwise, I had nothing about which to boast. On the surface, it appeared that I was quite capable of keeping my “sin list” short—very short; however, that which is on the surface is usually polluted, you know, like surface water. Obviously, I never wanted anyone to see below the surface, not even God; therefore, hiding was my drug of choice. Surely, you can see how important it was for me that what I cast into this stone monument be true; to say the least, I wanted it to be truth more than I wanted to know if it was truth!
     As you might imagine, this cemetery is not one of my favorite places to visit; it almost reminds me of the Holocaust Museum—the stench of unnecessary death is everywhere! I say “unnecessary” because had I been more determined to know truth than I was to enshrine what I believed and wanted to be truth, there would probably have been no need for this cemetery in the first place.
     Anyway, there is one more “lot” that I want to mention—the “Hell Lot” and I must admit that the stone slabs in this lot are discolored and tarnished, some even chipped, from the abuse of the years and years of winds and rains beating down upon them.  In this lot there is a granite slab on which I had engraved these words: The Place of Eternal Torment for Everyone Who Does Not See the Truth as I See the Truth. You see, for my entire life as a believer, I have believed that Hell is the place (a literal, burning, fiery, eternal torment) where those who have not put their faith in Jesus Christ for eternal life will spend eternity—the absence of the Presence of God and the exact opposite of Heaven. Well, who wouldn’t embrace this (“who” referring to a protestant believer)? What is wrong with casting this into stone and making a monument out of it? This is, after all, the teaching of Jesus, is it not?
     Well, in the first place Jesus’ definition of eternal life differs just a tad from the definition that this assumption implies. This is the way Jesus defined it . . . that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. And this is eternal life, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent (John 17:3; emphasis, mine). Did you notice what is obviously absent in His definition? He makes no reference to time! How interesting! Jesus talks about eternal life but makes no reference to time, whatsoever; instead He equates it with intimacy. Conversely, it is almost impossible for us even to think of eternal life without some reference to time. Attempting to do so is about like attempting to think of swimming without some reference to water.
     Why this? It leads me to think that we might need to reconsider, to rethink our notion of Hell. At the very least, we should consider which of these is most important: maintaining my present belief about Hell or knowing the actual truth about Hell? If you (like me) have already cast into a stone monument your idea of the truth concerning Hell, you will probably find it difficult even to consider an alternative; however, allow me to remind you that both of us have probably been more interested in defending and protecting our monument than we have in knowing truth, which by the way, at least according to Jesus is eternal life.
     I sincerely hope that your “cemetery of monuments” is not as crowded as mine because breaking up cement is NOT easy!

A Divine Contrast

     If you are like me (hopefully, you are not), you probably never cease to be amazed at just how easy it is, even though you are staring directly at the obvious, to miss it and to, thereby, miss some of the most panoramic and glorious pictures the Scriptures provide. I do not know whether it has to do with my tunnel vision, my myopia, my presbyopia, or my hyperopia; all I know is this: I miss more than I see, even when what I am missing is more obvious than the nose on your face.
     For example, I have been studying the Scriptures for more years than I care to mention; however, until this morning, I had never connected the contrasting messages of Isaiah 53 and Revelation 1. Yes, I know that you probably made this connection long ago but not me. Who knows why? I am just very thankful that the Holy Spirit opened my eyes (did that new fangled surgery—LASIK, I think it is called) and allowed me to see clearly what I had missed!
     Listen to these words: For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely our griefs He himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before it shearers, so He did not open His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away. (Isaiah 53:2-8a).
     Now listen to these words: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos, because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “ Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw the seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle. And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire: and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feel as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades (Revelation 1:7-18).
     You see, on the one hand we see this Suffering Servant, who comes as a tender shoot (as a root) out of the parched ground, who comes presenting Himself as one having no stately form or majesty, one so unattractive that we turn our face from Him, having no desire to take even a second look at Him—stricken, smitten, pierced-through, despised, forsaken, grief-stricken, crushed, scourged, oppressed, afflicted—a man of sorrows; albeit, one in whose hand the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper. When Israel saw Him, she despised Him and rejected Him—completely forsaking Him.
     On the other hand, we see this Alpha and Omega, who comes with the clouds, who comes in such a manner that every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. He comes presenting Himself as a son of man, centered amongst seven golden lampstands and holding seven stars in His right hand; as one whose hair is white like white wool, like snow; as one whose eyes are like a flame of fire; as one whose feet are like burnished bronze when it has been made to glow in a furnace; as one whose voice is like the sound of many waters; and as one whose face shines like the sun shining in its strength! When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as a dead man in act of worship that has never before or since been equaled.
     In these two contrasting pictures, I sense the aroma of the two contrasting covenants—The Old Covenant and The New Covenant. Sadly, most believers have yet to realize that this guarantee of Jesus’ return for His Bride is our guarantee that the covenant of grace supersedes the covenant of law. He is no longer the stricken, smitten, pierced-through, despised, forsaken, grief-stricken, crushed, scourged, oppressed, afflicted, man of sorrows; instead, He is the reigning King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who has finished His work and sat down at the right hand of His Father, waiting on His signal to return and take His Bride Home. There is no wonder that, when John say Him, he fell as His feet as a dead man! But how thankful I am for the grand finale: He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of hell (Revelation 1:17b-18).     

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities;
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit;
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle
(Psalm 103:1-5).

     Just thought I would try to show you what I think He showed me, and I really do hope you can see it!

The Two Hats

     One would think that being a pastor would in and of itself bring enough ministry opportunities into his life to satisfy even the most insatiable of appetites; however, when a pastor adds the funeral profession to his résumé, the opportunities increase exponentially.
     It has been my observation throughout the years of my pastoral ministry that much of what is called “ministry” is nothing more or less than a good way for the pastor to fill his time with what his parishioners seem to desire and bless—busyness. It reminds me of the bumper sticker that each of you has seen by now, the one that reads: “Look busy! Jesus is coming soon!”
     Now don’t misunderstand me! I am not implying that hospital visitation, or nursing home visitation is a waste of time, nor am I implying that the pastor is wasting his time by visiting shut-ins. Heck; it suits me if he joins the local Garden Club and learns to plant daffodils! Why, I even believe it is beneficial for him to play golf with the guys, even smoke a few stogies and drink a few scotch drinks with them.  The truth is most of the ones I know would probably be much more productive, as far as ministry goes, if they learned to hang out in the bars with the drunks! Apparently, after Jesus left home (Joseph’s & Mary’s), He got pretty good at it! He wasn’t called a “wine-bibber” and a “glutton” for nothing and you know that is true!
     Anyway, I am merely pointing out that being able to wear both hats—the pastor’s hat and the funeral director’s hat—especially at the same time (though it might look a bit strange), opens doorways into incredible ministry opportunities, opportunities that would, otherwise, never be opened. There is, simply, something about being able to journey with a family through the gut-wrenching agony of planning the funeral service for someone they deeply love, guiding them through one of the darkest, most unfamiliar and difficult times of their lives, caring for the physical remains of that loved-one, and at the same time offering them the incredibly good news of the gospel, that is just so incredibly fulfilling and so uniquely worthwhile.
     Just yesterday the husband of a lady I have known for many years was killed in an automobile accident. On the morning of the accident, she left home for work at the Medical Center, where she is a nurse, and he left home to take her car to have the speedometer cable repaired, neither of them having any idea as to what was ahead. Not far from home, the accident occurred and his physical life abruptly ended—no warning, no signal, just death—the final enemy.
     Somewhere before the foundation of the world, our God had carefully orchestrated the entire series of events, for our good and for His glory (I do not fully understand that, just know it is true). In His providence, I served as pastor to this dear lady’s parents from 1979 until 1985 when they died, and during that time, they blessed my life in so many ways, and I learned to love and appreciate them.
     Well, as you might imagine, in His further providence, it fell my lot to once again don both hats and to meet with my friend to guide her through this very difficult time of her life. As we sat together, I listened as she shared her heart with me and as she began to tell me about her beloved husband. During this conversation, the various decisions that needed to be made were made; not the least of them was that she asked me to officiate at his funeral.
     This might not seem as awesome to you as it does to me but let me tell you that I was thrilled, even through my bones. Why? Because I knew that many years ago, when I was trying to do whatever I thought pastors were supposed to do, busying myself with ministry, trying to be the good and respected pastor, God was disregarding my foolishness and planting good seed, seed that would produce a crop, a crop that would continue to yield fruit, even 27 years later! It is the kind of fruit that is unspeakable and full of glory—fruit that remains!
     I am both humbled and honored to know that He will trust me one more time not only to journey with a bereaved family and to guide them through this very difficult and dark time, but also to preach the unspeakable, unsearchable, glorious riches of His grace to a group of His hurting children! WOW!!
          

Butterflies and Carrot Cake

Sometimes, I wonder if there is anything left in me to write about but my passion for writing (expressing myself)  seems to “rule and reign,” so I continue to attempt what oftentimes seems to be the impossible. In all probability, not many read this stuff anyway but at least it allows me to organize my thoughts, get them outside my mind, and allow them to flutter around in the vast “somewhere” like butterflies.
As you probably know by now (unless you have been out of town), we have already moved from January into the middle of February! Well, that wouldn’t be so noteworthy were it not for the fact that February has for me always been a different-than-the-rest month because it is the month of my birthday. Years ago, this fact made it take forever for Valentine’s Day to arrive because the next day was my birthday and I (for some reason) loved having birthdays. (Don’t tell anyone but I always liked my birthday much better than I liked Valentine’s Day and the reason should be obvious. Why there was a lady who always made me a money cake for my birthday! Instead of chocolate chips or orange peel, she put genuine money—coins—in the batter!) Anyway, as time has marched on and I have, therefore, experienced many birthdays, my perspective regarding birthdays has changed just a bit.
Now, don’t get me wrong: I really want to have many more but I also have to face the fact that I have already experienced many more than I have left, unless I am going to be really old when I cross on over, which I doubt. So, I am tickled pink (not really but almost) that I have almost made the #64 birthday. I mean that is not too bad for an old man! I have no idea how so much time has passed by so quickly but it has—very quickly! I don’t know who said it but tempus does fugit, or at least time does fly, especially when you are (1) having fun, which I do most of the time; and (2) when you are old, which means I must be very old, not compared to some folk but old nevertheless!
Are you with me? I hope so because I now want to tell you something very important: I have every intention of continuing to have fun, as I journey towards the finish line but I want to do it at a slower pace. It is kinda’ like when someone places a piece of Syd’s homemade carrot cake in front of me, when I am craving a piece of her carrot cake but I also know I probably won’t get anymore for a long time. I feel like scarfing (if that is a good word) the entire piece down but I know I must apply the brakes in order to slowly savor each bite, trying to make it last forever.
Well, that is kinda’ the way I see the rest of my journey. There are some experiences I really want to enjoy. Why I am even find myself tempted to “scarf them down” but I am realizing that I must apply the brakes, so I can slowly savor every moment, hopefully making them last forever.
Yes, I have already had some good times but I believe the best is yet to come and I really do not want it to pass by so quickly (like the rest of my life) that I miss most of it. I have the feeling that I am going to want to slowly savor each moment! You can bet that I will give it my best shot!
Anyway, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I hope yours is the best yet AND the next day is my 64th birthday and I am planning on, well, I don’t think I will make any plans and wait to see just how the butterflies fly.

Two Strange Stories

There are two stories in the Bible that have captured my attention over the past several days; the first one being the story of God’s calling Abraham to sacrifice his son, and the second one being the story of God’s calling Hosea to marry a whore. Anyway you cut this “pie,” the end result is the same—God is sometimes strange, even weird. To say the very least, He does not fit into the narrow parameters we use to define Christianity!
Suppose for a minute that you are a member of the First Local Church in Somewhere, Alabama, and you go to your pastor seeking his confirmation concerning what God has recently told you, namely, that He wants you to sacrifice your son in order that some folk over in Georgia and Mississippi might be blessed. What do you think his response might be?
Take another minute and pretend that you are the chairman of the Board of Deacons of the First Local Church in Macon, Georgia, and you go to your pastor to seek his confirmation concerning something God has recently told you, namely, that He wants you to marry a whore. What do you think his response might be?
Unless you opted out of church at age three and have had no more contact with it, I feel confident that you know the responses of both these pastors! The former would probably say something like this: Are you crazy? God did not tell you to sacrifice you son! The voice you are listening to is the voice of the devil! Surely you know that one of the Ten Commandments clearly forbids murder! You will not only wind up excommunicated from our church, but you will also land in jail, or maybe even in the death chamber!
The latter’s response would be something like this: God did not tell you to marry a whore and you know it! You are listening to the voice of the devil, and you know that, too. You do this and I will excommunicate you from our church.
Can you see what I am trying to open up for you? God does not fit into the narrow parameters we use to define Christianity! I recently read this in one of Preston Gillham’s newsletters: God created man in His own image, and man has returned the favor! Now, wasn’t that nice of us! I doubt, however, that He caters much to our fanciful notions! To be sure, He will not be defined, not by the likes of you and me—period.
By the way, I am very thankful that Abraham and Hosea put more confidence in God’s opinion for the way their lives should be lived, than they put in the thousand’s of opinions they probably received from their respective religious communities. Sometimes (probably often) it is better (much better) to be excommunicated from the local church than to be controlled by the opinions of those so foolish as to believe that they know God’s will for your life.
And one more thing: I have willingly excommunicated myself from this monstrous fiasco we call “Christianity” and have subjected myself to the freedom of pressing on to know Him, whom to know is eternal life. I choose to graze in His green pastures, drink from His still waters, and rest beneath His pinions, rather than beneath your opinions!
I just thought I would remind you that His ways really are bigger (much bigger) than our ways AND I also thought I would remind you that most of what we know about Him really isn’t about Him at all. It is about our efforts to fit Him into our pea-brained notions of who we think He should be.
I will conclude with this: I can only trust that He won’t ask most Christians I know to do something anywhere near as bizarre as what He asked Abraham and Hosea to do because it, simply, will not get done, not by them, anyway! Their “image” of Him will not allow it!

A Fresh Expression of Love

As you know, February is not only the month when loving, caring, compassionate, tender people are born, e.g., yours truly, it is also the month of love and romance, the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
As I have written in an earlier article, most (probably all) of the holidays we celebrate are merely a means to keep the economy running at full-speed ahead, and this one is certainly no exception. There is no telling just how much money will be spent on candy, cards, flowers, and jewelry by those who are attempting to express love to a lover (or, more probably, to stay out of the dog house).
What you might not know is this: my birthday, the day after Valentine’s Day, serves as the day when things return to the status quo. The candy will have been eaten, the cards will have been either discarded or carefully stored, the flowers will have already begun to wilt and fade, and the jewelry will have already begun to tarnish—a short-lived expression of love, at best.
Have you ever allowed your mind to wander just a bit outside the proverbial Valentine’s Day box, and to wonder what would happen if we decided to declare a moratorium on the giving of candy, mass-produced cards, flowers, and jewelry on Valentine’s Day, allowing only verbal or written-from-the-heart expressions of love? My guess is this: the stress and anxiety levels of most people would increase markedly (including of course the business owners who would miss the financial windfall) because it is one thing to buy a card that someone else has written, or a box of Whitman’s chocolates, or a dozen roses, or a piece of jewelry and give it to another as an expression of love, but it is quite another to come up with something on your own, especially something of lasting value (I feel confident that the candy-makers, card producers, florists, and jewelers need not worry about job security!).
Anyway, I love the Song of Songs and one of the reasons I so love it is that it is Jesus’ personal, verbal, God-breathed, expression of His love for you and for me. WOW! What an incredible love—no limits, no conditions, just pure unadulterated love—pure! Listen to these words: Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened it figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along! O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the secret place of the steep pathway, let me see your form, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your form is lovely (2:10-14). Now, you tell me, would you be willing to exchange this for a freight-car load of boxes of candy, or the entire card-rack at Hallmarks, or eighteen dozen roses, or a 10 caret diamond?
Oh well—I just thought I would see if I could make you think outside the proverbial Valentine’s Day box, AND I thought I would remind you that with Him there is no status quo!

An Unusual Communion

To say the very least, the experience of those of us who worshipped at Grace Christian Fellowship today was, well, how can I describe it—different but wonderfully different. Per my usual modus operandi, I arrived earlier than everyone else to carry out my usual activities—turn on the heat and lights, check my email, prepare the communion table, and spend a while meditating on the morning’s message. As I walked into the kitchen to prepare the communion table, the Lord spoke to me and told me to do something so unique, that I wondered for a moment if I were not imagining things. This is what He said (I can say that with confidence now because I have seen the fruit of it): Do not put any wine into the cups and do not put any bread on the plates; instead, take empty trays to the table. (Now can you see why I thought I was imagining things?)
Anyway, I put both hands on the countertop (sort of propping myself up and looking toward my feet) and asked, “Lord, was that You? If I follow through with this, what in the wide-world will I tell the folk who come to worship, who come to celebrate the Eucharist? What about the visitors who might come; they will miss communion altogether, and have no clue as to what is happening. His response was clear: “Will you trust Me?”
Well, what do you tell the Sovereign God of the Universe, when He asks you that question? My response was clear and concise: “I will but I am scared to death.” Honestly, I had no idea what He was doing, other than making me nervous! I did, however, what I usually do when I sense that He is telling me to do something so weird; I shut every question out, looked neither to the left nor to the right, and marched forward. Have you ever tripped over a pothole and before your knees hit the ground found yourself looking around to see just who was watching? That is kinda’ how I felt, as I proceeded to the communion table with two wine trays filled with empty cups, and two bread trays, absent the bread! (I well-remember looking back, kinda’ like Lot’s wife looked back I think, and wondering what kind of “mess” I was about to create and witness right before my eyes.)
I really do love the way He encourages us on, once we take the initial step of obedience, especially when the initial step is kinda’ like jumping off the deck of a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, or better yet, like jumping out of an airplane into the middle of the jungle, the part of the jungle where the cannibals live. Anyway, He did nudge (encourage) me to obey with this: Mac, surely you don’t want to miss seeing my Sovereign hand at work because you are afraid of making a mess! You do remember that I specialize in cleaning up “messes!” I swallowed hard and got the point!
Then He let up a little on me and said this: Now, bring one small piece of bread and a little bit of wine to the table. WOW! That made me feel better; at least, there would be something on the table. Well, by this time, people had begun to gather, so I got busy trying to greet them, while also (I must admit) keeping a watchful eye on those who passed by the table. (I am certain that some of them wondered if I was running late with preparing the table, or had I, simply, forgotten.) It wasn’t long before David was ready to begin the worship service and, as I walked to the front to speak to him, the passage I would read to open the service became evident—Habbakuk 3:17-19 (the “though the fig tree should not blossom” text)—and then I began to see a bit more clearly what He was up to!
As David led in worship, the Holy Spirit brought these two passages to my mind—the story of the widow, who because her late husband had left her with more debt than she could pay and, consequently, the creditor was on his way to take her two sons to work for him until the debt was paid, which of course, would prove to be forever, encountered Elisha (2 Kings 4); and the story of the widow, who because of a famine, was about to eat her last meal with her young son and die, encountered Elijah (1 Kings 17). If you are familiar with these stories, you know that God took the “basically nothing” that these two widows had to contribute to their respective situations and made it more than enough to meet their needs—forever! (If you aren’t familiar with these stories, please read them and spend some time with them; otherwise, I might have wasted all this time writing.)
Anyway, by this time, David had finished leading worship, so I came to the communion table to share the two aforementioned stories, hoping I was cooperating with what the Holy Spirit had in mind, but really for the most part still clueless. After my explanation, we took our usual “fellowship” and “potty” break.
The message was from 1 Corinthians 4:16, with emphasis on the part of verse six that says, “. . . learn not to exceed what is written . . .” Can you even imagine what it is like to attempt to preach, while being sooooo aware that there is only one small piece of bread and a very little wine on the communion table (certainly, not almost enough for everyone!) AND you are the one who is responsible for opening this table for your flock; (If you cannot imagine, try; it will do you good!).
Well, THANKFULLY, my mind can still think about more than one thing at the time (well, sometimes) and I was able, while preaching, to be reminded of the story of Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 (plus women and children) AND to relate that story to what was in front of me. As a result, I knew that we were about to be privileged to witness a miracle, or I was about to look like a fool. (I think for the first time in my life, I related to the twelve, when Jesus told them to feed the 5,000, when at first they thought they had nothing but soon learned that that had the grand total of 5 loaves and 2 pieces of fish ( a young lad’s long-since soggy lunch).  Their question was much like mine: “What are these among so many?”
I have always loved that story because Jesus let the twelve participate in what He was doing; it was a kind of “show and tell” experience, and I especially like the part where the little boy got to provide the “stuff” for the buffet, AND I really like the part after the party; you know, the part where so much was left over. Shucks, every disciple got a take-out carton and had food for lunch the next day!
This might be why I love the stories of the two widows—Jesus let them get in on what He was doing (yes, I said Jesus on purpose!); you know, provide the “nothing except stuff” for the grand buffets!
Well, I do want you to know this: I received a small portion of the elements and offered the rest to the congregation, asking them to share with another, rather than to eat and drink for themselves. Would you believe that when all was said and done—tears and love flowing all over everyone—there were leftovers (both wine and bread)!
You know, it really is better to risk making a mess than to miss-out on what He is doing because you are afraid you might make a mess.
I just thought I would tell you about our incredible day; besides, I think He wants you to know AND I also think he wants you (and me) to learn to trust Him, even when doing so makes no sense at all!

Learning to Dance

Having almost finished reading Brian McLaren’s book, “The Story We Find Ourselves In,” I highly recommend it—par excellent! Wow! I have been soooo blessed reading his fresh ways of telling the old, old story, the story that never grows stale. The following excerpt is just too good for those of you who won’t read the book to miss: “Kincaid, instead of talking about prayer, why don’t we just pray, right now. Would that be OK?” “Here in the garage? Well, OK, sure—but I feel kind of like a junior high kid at a dance. Like, I’ve never danced before, at least not in public, but maybe I should get out on the floor and try” (page 143).
      I wonder just how many of the blessings and thrills of being His Bride we have missed (and continue to miss) because, well, because we feel like the junior high kid who, having never danced before (at least not in public), finds himself at the prom, wanting so desperately to dance, but feeling so insecure and so self-conscious that he never even steps onto the floor.
        Just for the record, I was that kid. Oh, I wanted to dance, I really did but I had been convinced that “genuine” Christians do not dance, to do so, I was told, was to stir all kinds of sinful, ungodly emotions. Because I really wanted to be a “genuine” Christian (as if there were some other kind), I made it my business never to dance, or to let anyone know that I even wanted to dance. Consequently, to this day, I cannot dance, not the kind you do to waltz music, or jitterbug music, or rock and roll music—my brain and my feet simply will not connect! Some things are hard—very hard—to unlearn!
      Now, do not take this to mean that I will never learn to dance because I just might fool you! Sometimes old folks like me get a second wind, another chance at youthfulness, a new courage, so do not write me off as having two left feet! Actually, down deep inside, I think I would be good at it because I am such a romantic, anyway (if that has anything to do with dancing).  To tell you the truth, based on what I remember seeing, I think it would be a little bit (maybe a lot) on the fun side to have some of those “sinful, ungodly” dancing emotions that I, apparently, missed in my first “youth,” stirred up. Oh well . . .  
     Anyway, I said all of that, so I could say this: there is another kind of dancing that I really love (not to be bragging but I think I am pretty good at, at least much better at it than I am at the other). It is a kind of dancing that is not done to typical music but to the music of the gospel (and I am not referring to gospel music). I am referring to the music of the heartbeat of Jesus, the Jesus who danced with Peter, Thomas, Nicodemus, Lazarus, the thief who hung beside Him, and, especially, (really, especially) Mary Magdalene, in the early morning hours of the day of His Resurrection! He purposely met her there, alone, for that last dance, the dance that just might have precipitated the most exhilarating, spine-tingling moment of His life. You see, I think Jesus, the man, loved her and really wanted her to be his wife, probably more than we will ever know, but He also knew that in order to be her Savior, He could not have her as his wife, until, well, until first, He was her Savior and the most difficult part of that journey was over. It was Resurrection Morn! All He had left to complete His mission was one final step—the step Home, from whence He would call her unto Himself. This last dance is proof enough for me that Jesus could not take that final step without giving His beloved Mary an opportunity to taste what she had so longed for—to dance with Her Beloved, Precious, Husband! WOW! Some things are simply worth waiting for—period! I might add this, though it may make you nervous: I am convinced that Jesus walked away from that moment, dancing to the music of His own heart beat! Love will do that to you, you know, and there is no dancing like the dancing that is done to the music of His heartbeat!
                You see, it was seeing this dance, Jesus’ last dance with Mary, that stirred my heart, not to sinful, ungodly emotions, but to yearn to dance to the music of the gospel—the good news of Jesus—and as I yearned, He took the lead, led me out onto the floor, and taught me how to dance to the music of a new song.  Am I nervous? Hell, yes! But remember: I have never danced before, not to mention that I have always believed that doing so stirred up sinful and ungodly emotions! I am learning though, and it is so much fun!!

The Mysteries of God

To be honest, I had no idea that my message this past Sunday would precipitate the incredible response that it did, which is probably a good thing; otherwise, I would have the "big head" (not that I already don't), thinking I had eliminated some of the mystery of preaching and come up with something worth saying.

Anyway, Paul did encourage us to be stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1b) but somehow, we, apparently, failed to get the correct message and, instead, have purposed to clarify the mysteries of God to such a degree that there is no mystery left. In doing so, we have, to say the least, failed miserably as stewards (good managers) of those sacred mysteries.

You see, we have come to believe that the mark of a good pastor/teacher is his/her ability to so clearly define the subject matter that there is no mystery left. For example, a good pastor/teacher should be able to so clearly explain Christian marriage that any believer, who follows the instructions, would be able to experience it to the fullest. Certainly, a good pastor/teacher should be able to so clearly explain the Eucharist, that any believer could completely and fully understand it. Furthermore, a good pastor/teacher should be able to teach the gospel so clearly that all the mystery is gone and anyone could understand it and accept it. In the same way, any pastor/teacher, who is worth his/her salt, should, certainly, be able to teach the theology of water baptism so clearly that even a child could comprehend it.

In my opinion, it is just this mindset that has caused so much of the division and unrest and mistrust that is so prevalent within the Body of Christ today. Just think about it for a moment and you will see (I think): the Presbyterians have so clearly defined predestination that anyone who cannot embrace and understand it, is probably not a Christian, after all (or so they think); the Lutherans have so clearly explained the Euchrist that anyone but the most unspiritual can understand it (or so they think); the Baptist have so clearly explained and defined water baptism, that those who do not agree cannot belong to one of their churches (or so they KNOW);and of course the Methodists have so clearly defined Christian marriage that only the spiritually illiterate would ever divorce, which means there must be many spiritually illiterate.

Let's take the matter of water baptism: on the one hand, for the typical Southern Baptist, water baptism is accomplished by immersion and only by immersion AND if you choose to join a SB church, it is required, regardless of what other mode you might have experienced. On the other hand, the Methodists are much more liberal, meaning that they allow for sprinkling, pouring, and immersion, thereby, declaring that the method doesn't really matter. The Church of Christ, however, takes the whole matter a step further--a gigantic step further--and declares that one's salvation lies within his water baptism! You see, each group has so clearly defined water baptism that there is no mystery left! However, in doing so we have precipitated much division, confusion, and unrest and, thereby, proven to be anything but good managers (stewards) of the mysteries of God. (Yes, I know that Jesus came to bring division! But not THAT kind!)

Christian marriage (as if there is another kind) serves as another good illustration. As you know, we (the church) have so clearly defined Christian marriage and the parameters for its existence, that a man or woman would be a fool to even think about divorce, much less, go through with it! We KNOW what the Scriptures teach and that is that--God hates divorce!! End of discussion! But wait a minute, there just might be more; after all, God never said that He hates the people who divorce! Mike Mason wrote a book that he entitled, "The Mystery of Marriage," a book I highly recommend, and he did so for the obvious reason--there is more mystery about marriage than clarity! One only has to be married for a brief time to figure that out; however, we continue to proclaim that there is but one way and that way is "my" way because I, finally, have clarity!

Now, you take your pick: water baptism; the Eucharist; marriage; the gospel; creation and any of the rest of the areas of theology. Which did you choose? Water baptism? OK. Good! Now, tell me, who is correct--the Baptist, the Methodist, Church of Christ, or the, well, you name it? You see, if we so clearly define water baptism, so as to remove its inherent and God-given mystery, we find ourselves separating from other sincere believers and, thereby, being very poor managers of this "mystery of God." When we tell someone that the method is more important than the mystery, we do them a disservice, a grave disservice!

In much the same way, when we tell a believer that divorce is always unacceptable, we are telling him that we have such clarity on the subject that "my way is the only way," which of course is foolish! Even so, we proclaim just that message, and in doing so, we imprison people to our own ideas of righteousness, rather than freeing them to walk in the freedom that Jesus died to provide for them.

Having said all of that, I will be the first to tell you that I not only believe in absolute truth, I also have an insatiable desire to know more truth and to understand more clearly the things of the Spirit. However, I have come to learn that Christianity is more about mystery (far more) than clarity. Have we forgotten that His ways are NOT our ways, that His ways are higher (much higher) than our ways? Have we ever known (really known) that He designed the entire Christian life somewhat (actually, gargantuanly) skewed in the direction of mystery, rather than clarity? He did so with purpose you know because He wants us not to understand Him but to trust Him, and He, apparently, knows quite well that clarity eliminates the need for trust!

I love the way He responded to the disciples following His "parable of the sower," when they asked Him why He spoke to them (the others in the crowd) in parables! These are His words: To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Matthew 13:11b). In other words, well, can you see it, or is it more mystery than clarity?

Maybe it is time for us to become what we really are, anyway--His children, who childishly jump into His arms and hang around in complete trust, enjoying His love! Who cares about all this "understanding stuff" anyway?

Searching for Home

For those of you who are yet to read Craig Barnes’ book, “Searching for Home: Spirituality for Restless Souls,” I highly recommend it. Admittedly, he might stretch you a bit, especially with his familiarity with Dante’s “The Divine Comedy” but in the end, it will be worth it. Craig is steeped not only in the doctrines of grace, but also (and more importantly) in the journey of grace—the journey Home.

There are so many quotes from this book that I want to share with you not only for the purpose of whetting your appetite for reading the book, but also to be sure you experience the thought-provoking moment, he stimulates. The following are a few selected quotes I want to offer to you (please take a moment to savor each of them): (1) "People choose eternity in hell for the same reason they created hell on earth—they prefer the misery they know to the mystery they do not" (p. 83); (2) "There is no greater pain than to remember in our present grief past happiness" (p. 30); (3) "Being in worship isn’t the same thing as being at home but it is our only way of calling home" (p. 35); (4) "You have to give yourself to a place before you can belong, and you have to belong before you can receive anything of eternal value from that place—things like the defining convictions for life" (p. 57); (5) "A community that is nothing more than a group of individuals, all with dreams for what they need it to be, isn’t community at all. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned in 'Life Together,' there is nothing more dangerous to authentic community that our dreams for it because we love those dreams more than the people around us. Community is not a human ideal, he says, but a divine reality" (p. 60); (6) "To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul" (p. 67).

Having shared those, I saved this one for a bit of discussion: "The people who have passed through the dark night of reorientation are the most free people I know. That is because they are no longer afraid of losing anything. It is all gone. All that is left is the only thing from which they can never be separated—the love of God. And with that clarity of desire it is not hard to find the way home" (p. 115). Now, I do not know about you but this really spoke to me. Barnes says that the “most free” people he knows are those who are no longer afraid of losing anything because it is all gone—everything; everything, that is, but the one thing from which they can never be separated—the love of God!

You have all heard this old, old, question but I want to remind you of it: What would you desperately attempt to save, if you were awakened in the middle of the night because your house was on fire? Yes, there are probably as many answers, as there are people to answer, but I will tell you this: you would attempt to get whatever was most valuable to you!

I actually witnessed this the other night when a tornado was, apparently, about to pass directly over our house. We were just turning into our subdivision, when the news came and, immediately, I began having second thoughts about continuing, thinking more about finding safety. My wife, however, was frantically convincing me to continue on toward our house, which I did; although, I must admit, doing so wasn’t very wise. She, however, wasn’t too concerned about “wisdom” in the moment; instead, she was concerned about her two poodles and our wedding pictures! Now, get this picture: a tornado is on the way to our house (or so the news and several friends and family were telling us) and I am driving as fast as I can toward the house—talk about crazy!

Well, we made it home, just in the nick of time, and she ran into the house, rounded up her two poodles, Buffy and Taffy, got the wedding pictures, and headed into the basement for safety! Where am I? Standing on the back deck, with hail falling like snow, trying to decide if the train I hear approaching is the “Baltimore and Ohio” or a real, live tornado!
Enough said? Do you get my drift? I hope so because you will never really be free until you are no longer afraid of losing anything, anything but the love of God, which you cannot lose, even if you try.

Would you be honest for a moment and answer this question: What are you really afraid of losing? Is it possible that the fear of losing it, is keeping you imprisoned to those all-too-familiar feelings of hopelessness, despair, and futility, as you attempt to journey Home? If your answer is “yes,” then I have this suggestion: release whatever it might be to the Lover of your soul, to the One who died for you, and, then, you will be free—among the “most free” people I know! I really do hope that you will “take the risk.” You will be glad you did because finding Home will be so much easier.