Action

Procrastinating... it may not be a sin.  It is also probably not a sin to fret and feel uneasy about the procrastination.  But it doesn't get one any closer to this:

     You are the light of the world... let your light shine before
     men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father
     in heaven.

     Matthew 5: 14-16

God, coincidence and pop quizzes

Read the bible, pray and ask for guidance.  Along the way:

Sometimes the meaning of a familiar biblical passage suddenly becomes clear.  Sometimes one stumbles upon the implications of an oft heard concept.

Oh.  So that is what God wants.  Ah, that is a better way of dealing with a situation.  There’s comfort, relief and resolution.  God wants us to learn.

Yes, “this is working” one says to himself while trying to practice what is preached.  “Easier and better, too,” one may add when applying principle and spirit as initial situations arise.

Yet; similar situations and circumstances continue to show up.  Some disguised, some seemingly more difficult to deal with.  Coincidence, one could logically point out.  Maybe so.  More likely – God gives pop quizzes.

                     (clip art courtesy of this site.)

Doctrinally correct aka To mention God, religion and the Bible… or not to mention.

Surfing through Christian blogs, videos and such produces a wealth of information.  There’s plenty of educational and informative material along with a surprising amount to enjoy and make one smile, sometimes laugh out loud.  There’s also a lot to disagree with, and a few things to make one shudder.  The video below has a little bit of all these things.

One point asserted by the video’s producer:  Too many entertainers, and others on stage or in a public forum, are doctrinally incorrect when they speak of God, religion and the Bible.  She thinks that’s wrong and often harmful, particularly because of the [huge] audience some are able to reach.  I couldn’t disagree more.

I do agree that it sometimes appears ludicrous that a particular person, given the context of lifestyle or a particular performance, even mentions God.  One example might be a thug rapper who has just finished a piece filled with slappin bitches and hos along with other nonproductive, greedy, disrespectful and violent acts.  As to many “religious” remarks made, I also agree that one may legitimately question whether or not the speaker ever stepped into a church or opened the Bible.

Still; isn’t it better to hear something said about God or religion than hear something about devil worship, white supremacy or the like?  Isn’t it good to just hear God mentioned, rather than entirely ignored, in a public forum?  If something is said that raises a few eyebrows – well, isn’t it a positive that there may be comments and debates about the nature and meaning of God and Christianity?

If only doctrinally correct assertions about God, Christ, the Spirit and the Bible were allowed in public… there wouldn’t be too many made by those of us who aren’t preachers or theologians.  And I imagine there are many who could question much of what some of them have to say.  Hmmmm… I wonder who should decide whether or not something is doctrinally correct.  I also wonder if there should be some criteria as to whether or not a particular person was righteous enough to utter it.

Only through Christ?

Are Muslims, Jews and a host of others condemned to hell, or eternity as a few specks of dust, because they haven’t accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior?  Does a righteous life or fervent belief in one God count for nothing on the Day of Judgment if one is not Christian?

The cartoon is by David Hayward, the Naked Pastor.  You may find out about him and his artwork here.

Christianity spread like wildfire – how come? (the short version)

The early evangelists went around saying, "You hear about Jesus?  The one who did such and such and said this and that?  He rose from the dead.  Really!  Yeah, I saw him AFTER he was crucified.  So did Matthew, Thomas and a bunch of others - in different places and at different times.  Sure, I'll tell you more about him..."

Yes, Christ really rose from the dead.  Now THAT was news.  Good news.  No wonder people everywhere wanted to hear more.

(a more detailed version, making reference to both a scientific and historical basis for the resurrection being real, and not merely poetic license for exaltation, is available in the preceding post of the same title.)

Christianity spread like wildfire – how come?

Christian churches sprang up all over the Middle East, Eurasia and Europe within a few years of the crucifixion of Jesus.  How did it happen so quickly?

Jesus died for us, and then rose from the dead.  They taught that in Sunday school when I was a boy, I suspect they still do.  The impact of resurrection eluded me for many years.  I viewed it as a prime example of a “God thing”; one of those once in history type miracles – this one occurring as a means of bringing us closer to God because His son lived as a man.

Is the resurrection of Jesus simply a faith based concept?  Or did it really happen?  Does it matter?

The resurrection could be an enabling mechanism of sorts.   Does it make a difference if it was due to individual or collective visions and a bit of poetic license?  Part of our deity trod the earth just we do.  It may be easier to pray to Jesus because of his understanding and compassion for human weakness and concerns.  After all he wasn’t always way up there in heaven like God; he lived and interacted as one of us.

A few years ago I attended bible study sessions about discipleship.  They centered on a series of 30 minute videos where a pastor took a group of young folks on a walking tour to many of the spots where Christian communities sprang up as the “good news” spread.  All had developed within a few decades of Jesus being crucified; they extended beyond the Middle East, going well into Eurasia and Europe.  The pastor asked the youth if they had the belief and commitment to truly be disciples and spread the word like those early believers.

Think of the incredibly strong belief and commitment necessary to emulate the accomplishments of the pioneers of Christianity.  Keep in mind that Christianity spread like wildfire.  Why?  Some attending the study sessions thought many people were receptive to a new faith because it was based on loving and sharing church centered communities.   I could only suspect that it was another example of God’s will, a way that He showed folks the path we were meant to follow.

Paul, Peter and others named in the New Testament were touched directly by Jesus.  Hence they had extraordinary belief and motivation.  But there were only a handful of such men.  How were so many churches established so quickly in so many places?  Why were the words of a few men so persuasive?  It was puzzling.

I looked once more at Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  I read the Gospel of Thomas and other books and letters that didn’t make it into the Bible.  I perused the works of Josephus to glean a further understanding of the times.  It was still difficult to understand how or why Christianity grew and developed so rapidly.

Then, during this past Easter season, I saw a two hour TV show involving the Shroud of Turin.  A team of graphic experts used cutting-edge 3D software to bring the face of Jesus to light (http://www.history.com/shows/the-real-face-of-jesus).  The technology was highlighted via recreations of lifelike sightings of Jesus after his resurrection.  The show was well done; the effect of it on me was akin to my initial amazement at the many historical and archeological discoveries over the past century or so.  Over an over they provided solid evidence that the people, places and events in the bible were real.  I was left with the thought that the resurrection of Jesus was also the literal truth.

There is now a scientific basis to believe that the resurrection of Jesus really happened; that it wasn’t a matter of vision, metaphor or exaggerated poetic license to make a point.  Is there also a historical basis?

N.T. Wright is widely regarded as one of the premier scholars involved in the historical study of Jesus.  In his book, The Challenge of Jesus, he maintains that Christianity was not just a kingdom of God movement.  It was, from the onset, a resurrection movement; the belief in resurrection was unquestionable and not merely a central belief but the central driving force of early Christianity.[i]  As to those in the earliest churches, “The only explanation for their behavior, their stories, their symbols and their theology is that they really believed Jesus had been reembodied, had been bodily raised from the dead.”[ii]

Mr. Wright, ever meticulous, added further perspective:

The resurrection narratives of the Gospels, for all their puzzling nature and apparent conflicts, are quite clear on three points.

First, the sightings of and meetings with Jesus are quite unlike the sort of heavenly visions or visions of a figure in blinding light of dazzling glory or wreathed in clouds that one might expect in the Jewish apocalyptic or mystical traditions.  They are not, that is to say, attempting to describe the sort of thing one would expect if what he or she wanted to say was simply that Jesus had been exalted to a position of either divinity or at least heavenly glory…

Second, the body of Jesus seems to be both physical, in the sense that it was not a nonmaterial angel or spirit, and transphysical, in the sense that it could come and go through locked doors.  As I read the Gospel accounts, I have a sense that they are saying, in effect, “I know this is extraordinary, but this is just how it was.”…

Third, the accounts are quite clear that the appearances of Jesus were not the sort of thing that went on happening during the continuous existence of the early church.  Luke did not suppose that his readers might meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  Matthew did not expect his audience to meet him on a mountain.  John did not suppose that people were still liable to come upon Jesus cooking breakfast by the shore…[iii]

Christianity did not come into being “simply” by the power of the life and teachings of Jesus.  It was not “simply” faith or God’s will.  It was that Christ was truly resurrected.  Those that saw believed; it was a one time, totally unique happening.  They could not only convey the extent and reason for their belief, but also they were compelled to do so - and they did it far and wide.  The time had come for God’s kingdom to dawn, for a new agenda which trusted in Jesus for the way of bringing that kingdom to life here on earth.

The resurrection of Jesus actually occurred.  There is both scientific and historical basis for it.  Thanks to a TV program on the History Channel and the scholarship of N.T. Wright I’m no longer puzzled as to how and why Christianity spread so far and so rapidly.  One could even say it’s an affirmation of faith.  The reality of resurrection mattered; it was the good news.

PawPaw Dave ©2011

(Image of the empty tomb and crosses from Christian clip art and graphics at http://www.cc-art.com/)

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[i] N.T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus, (InterVarsity Press, 1999), chap. 6, p. 133

[ii] Ibid., p. 137

[iii] Ibid., p. 146

Jesus was a sissy… or so they taught

They put Jesus up on a pedestal and said we should emulate him.  They said he was a role model for a young man.  Jesus?  Not to many men of my generation - even those, who like me, regularly attended church service and Sunday school in our youth.  We were only taught about the bland, goody-goody, whitewashed version of Christ that had little inspirational or practical application.

It was hard to get beyond maxims that only seemed workable inside the sweet and comfy walls of a church.  This was exemplified by the vanilla version of ‘turn the other cheek’ that we were taught.  It simply didn’t work in urban and blue collar neighborhoods; to us it would mean being constantly bullied, teased, and ridiculed as well as having to take the long way home from school or playground.  Not many teenage boys aspired to be gentle as a lamb. We hadn’t a clue that Jesus may have been speaking of major league chop busting.

We missed out on learning of the fire inside of Jesus, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”  Matthew 10: 34.  We missed out on learning of his high expectations for us, “… From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”  Luke 12: 48.

We never had the faintest clue that Jesus was an extremist, that he pursued a radical path… that he chose a unique kingdom model to unveil God’s plan.  N. T. Wright fully elaborates on this in The Challenge of Jesus (yes, one must wade through an academic’s grandiloquent and dusty style but his approach and learned insights are well worth the time).  One example involves the Temple, the heart and center of Judaism during the time of Christ.  Jesus did not merely overthrow some tables and level a charge against a few money changers, “… you have made it a den of thieves.”  Mark 11: 15-17.  His attitude was not one of reformation; Jesus was attacking a sacred symbol and undercutting the official system.  He was announcing a new agenda, putting the focus on himself as the way to bring the Kingdom of God at hand.

Jesus was not a docile do-gooder that most teenage boys bursting with testosterone, idealism and rebellion had little desire to follow.  He was a forceful, dynamic revolutionary.  Imagine that.  How were we to know that there was more to him than the watered down version?

Christianity embraces the meek, mild and weak.  Yet; Jesus was none of these things.  Christ was strong, determined and innovative; his message is one of challenge.  Challenge that goes to the very core of guidelines and expectations for a person and society.  Do they teach that in the bible studies and Sunday school classes of your church?

Together

Faith requires trust in God.  It also involves a community, a common striving to contribute to the kingdom.  The guidance, wisdom and shared experience of fellow Christians help keep us on the path.

(Image from Christian clip art and graphics at http://www.cc-art.com/)

Look around

Sometimes we see a sign of belief, or receive affirmation, in a chance encounter or while taking an unexpected detour.  Messages and reminders of faith, inspiration and encouragement are everywhere, some of them unknown and unseen until God lights them up with a neon rainbow of colors.

Often we need only look and listen.

And remember we are not alone.

Let go, let God

There are shorthand expressions that Christians commonly use; one example is ‘let go, let God’.

Let go, let God:  it’s a concept that one can welcome, even cause a sigh of relief.  Plus, it seems simple enough to put into practice… initially.  It’s more difficult to apply when facing daily, monthly and eternal reality.  What, when and how much of a part must we play?

Here’s a common dilemma when facing an obstacle:  how long should we try to chip away at it, climb over it or find a way around it?  Or is it infinitely thick, high and wide.... a barrier, a sign that we’re heading in the wrong direction?

What exactly is God’s message?  How do we discern our part?  What signs may be taken as affirmation?  Scholars could write books about it; pastors can point out endless variations; fellow Christians will tell you to pray.  Myself?  I muddle along. Perhaps you have answers or suggestions.  If so… 

Joy, comfort and triumph

The joy and comfort of belief in Jesus sometimes goes on the backburner while in the crunch of an ongoing crisis or troubling periods.  A reminder of what we have: 

Everyday, every week blessings

Now and then, even more often than not, we need only open our eyes and ears to the joy, wonders and artistry in the world.

But always, everyday and in every week we are blessed with:

A blue sky and sun.  The pedestrian that smiles upon approaching one.  A safe trip on icy roads.  A neighbor, unasked, helping with a chore.  Animal tracks in the snow.  A helpful and pleasant store clerk.  The look of joy on a three year old child.  Laughter with an old friend.  The ability to walk, talk, see and hear.  A sister or brother’s hug.  The sound of winter wind howling while sitting in a warm house.  A few minutes more of daylight each day.

The list goes on and on.

It’s not easy

This blog is personal in many ways.  I wonder if it is too personal to be readable, or not personal enough to be meaningful.  In a way it’s meant to be a revelation about where I am at this point in time.  It’s also meant to be a solace, and hopefully an inspiration, to others struggling on the journey.

It would be easier to write meaningfully if aspects of my life weren’t on the verge of absolute shambles.  But it is what it is, and the fault is mine.  The fault used to arise from my being hardheaded, I think now it’s a matter of “simply” and finally having to learn the lessons of how and what to do as God expects.  Still, life -and learning lessons - can be difficult for all of us.  Can't it?

I’m trying to contribute more to the Kingdom.  I have faith that God will enable me to contribute in a way that best suits his purpose.  Still, even being on the path, I wonder if I’m moving forward or simply standing still and gawking.  Sometimes I wonder if I’ve moved backwards, but I do not fear wandering off the path.  God has a reason and a plan for me, and I do believe in Him.

How are you doing on the journey?

Sense and sensibility

Look and listen.

His creations surround us

every day in every place.

Touch them, taste them, smell them.

We’re freely given

a morning mist and a fresh start,

a gentle breeze and renewed resolve,

the taste of tart cherries and sweet potatoes,

the smell of pine trees and salty sea air,

the sounds on a city street and

the colors surrounding us.

We’re given change and contrast

to enjoy and appreciate

dawn and dusk,

the laughter of a child

and the bark of a big dog,

the bone penetrating chill

on wintry single digit degree days

and the soothing warmth

of sunny afternoons in June.

Along the way

The three, the Trinity

The Father created the kingdom

The Son holds the key

The Spirit makes it right

They are all a part of me…

the best parts, and the person I should be

as a child created in the image of God.