Tamin Derek

2011-12-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

Today nobody will stop with faith; they all go further
~Fear and Trembling Kierkegaard

I wonder where they are going? I have been reflecting on all the straining and striving that we are prone to do. BTW I think all of us are guilty at some level. Contentment is a strange word. Satisfaction with the way things are seems to be an unacceptable state. How can I possibly be satisfied when so much is wrong around me? Much is to be made of acceptance as well. However acceptance is a mood away from complacency and that certainly does not seem to be acceptable either.

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
Philippians 4:11-12 (HCSB)

Paul reports learning the "secret of being content" in his letter to the Philippians. I have posted many times on contentment. My goal here is not to repeat what I have said in previous posts. In thinking about faith, particularly Christian Faith I see discontent as being the thing that keeps us striving and straining. "Today nobody will stop with faith; they all go further" seems typical mainstream Christianity.

This leads me to question what is it that we are going for? What is the pay off or gain? What can we gain by pressing on further? What gold, silver, treasure is so wonderful that we continue beyond what God has already given us?

Stated a different way, "What can possibly be greater than being a 'Child of God'?"

I am so foolish maybe you are as well. It seems that I cannot rest in being who God has made me to be, I always have to do more. For whom? For how long? To what end?
Think of it this way: I have had people tell me that the Christian walk is hard, difficult, and filled with trial. Let me say that the hardness and difficulty of this walk is directly related to the degree you are trying to do more than what God has called you to. Jesus said:

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (HCSB)

So then my rest is taking on the yoke of Christ and learning from Him. I think we can safely conclude that unrest is refusing the yoke and refusing to learn. We may not want to hear that, but I cannot see any other conclusion.
What can we say then? Striving and straining is rooted in the unrest of disobedience and lack of faith.

But They... but she... but the devil... but my circumstances..., but my condition..., but my genetics... and so on.

Nothing has changed from the beginning.

Then the man replied, “The woman You gave to be with me she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.” So the LORD God asked the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “It was the serpent. He deceived me, and I ate.
Genesis 3:12-13 (HCSB)

Shirking responsibility for your lack of obedience and lack of faith never cures the striving and straining. In many ways it can magnify striving and straining. So what then?

I must become obedient to death, and have unwavering faith!

Hmm, it sounds like more striving and straining if you ask me. Turning striving and straining into some great religious work is still striving and straining. Let me suggest to you that all striving and straining is a work of the flesh At least in the sense that we strive and strain out of discontent for the way things are. Striving for righteousness can be a work of the flesh. Do I strive to bring my will into obedience to the Holy Spirit's prompting and control or am I striving to be a better person? If you strive by the Spirit of God then there is a calm assurance and peace. If you strive by the flesh you will eventually reach despair realizing that you are a wretched man.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body?
Romans 7:24 (HCSB)

We are trapped by the fact that no striving to go beyond faith nor striving to work out salvation (in our own strength) is going to be sufficient to bring about a state of peace and contentment. It is like a deep abiding awareness of the utter desperation of our circumstances. It is a coming to the end of ourselves in a sense.

Don't worry if you are at that conclusion at this very moment. It is a good thing. Once we come to an awareness that our striving and straining in the flesh is a wretched pursuit then we are prepared to give up on that life and seek a new life. We are closer to the Spirit filled life that we might realize. When we are confident of ourselves and our ability to strive and strain then we will forever be battling to do what we want, but never realizing it (see Romans 7:15-23).

Repentance
In order for repentance to occur there is a need to be aware there is something to be repented of. Repentance with out awareness is like a leaf twisting in the wind. There is turning to be sure but the turning is directionless and purposeless. The awareness of the wretchedness of our situation is just the sort of awareness that leads to true repentance.

Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (HCSB)

When you become aware that striving to be good and straining to avoid bad is a desperate attempt to be justified in and by yourself; and that in the end you will be unsuccessful in this pursuit you have reached a point of Godly sorrow. Feeling bad for doing something wrong is useless unless you also conclude "and I am helpless to do anything about it." Don't get me wrong you can try to overcome, compensate, and/or undo your personal shortcomings, but this will only last for a season. At some point you will find yourself face to face with the awareness of the wretchedness of this type of life.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.
Romans 7:24-25 (HCSB)

After awareness of the utter hopelessness of self prescribed salvation then comes an awareness that God has provided a way. Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”
Acts 4:12 (HCSB)

This awareness must be received or rejected. By the way not receiving is in essence rejection.

Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus,
Romans 8:1 (HCSB)

This receiving then should proceed to an awareness that you have been set free from condemnation. Let me just say that the quickest way back to works religion and the wretched life is to miss this point. You are free from condemnation when you have received the way God has provided to escape the wretched life. Jesus Christ is that way. So often Christians miss this very simple truth of freedom. Christians accept that someday they will be rescued from this wretched life to spend eternity in heaven, but in the mean time we must strive and strain to be free from condemnation. And there they live for years and decades fully aware of their wretchedness, but never giving birth to freedom.

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed,
Luke 4:18 (HCSB)

Jesus spoke these words. It seems rather sad to me that Christians will accept a life of wretchedness with such a great proclamation from our Savior. He has come to set us free. That I would have come to a saving knowledge that secures my eternal destiny, but then live out the rest of my years in wretchedness does not seem like "good news." Yet many live their lives in such a manner. Honestly I did as well for many years until I recognized the truth, "I am free of condemnation in Christ Jesus."
A word of warning at this point. Some might say since I am free of condemnation I can continue to sin for it does not matter "in Christ." This would be a faulty conclusion.

What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey—either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?
Romans 6:15-16 (HCSB)

To return to a life of sin is to take on the slavery that sin. It is a worse life in that the motivation to escape the wretchedness of such a life is wiped out. It is a false security that I am OK though I continue to rebel against the very thing I believe is saving me. It is twisted logic that would come to such a conclusion. I must say that to stay in this mindset is really evidence of a depraved and not a redeemed soul.

There is one more thing to maintain the freedom that has bought and paid for by our Lord Jesus Christ. Full repentance involves more than seeing the wrong of your ways; more than receiving the grace offered in Christ; it moves to a setting a new course for this life. That course is not set by yourself, but by God. He works in you by His Holy Spirit to set this new way in your heart, mind, and life. Your part is very simple and that is to set your mind on the new way. To submit your will to His. When you have made that change then striving and straining ceases and the Spirit filled life starts.

Some might say to submit your will to His is a hard thing. Let me say that it is only hard when you don't want to do it. It is hard because some distorted root in the flesh tells your mind that living the wretched life is somehow better than allowing God to bring His promises into reality in your life. Submitting your will to God's is the easiest thing for a person who desires and intends to do it. Submitting your will to God is impossible as long as anything in this life holds your affection to a greater degree than your desire or intent to follow God. And the only cure at this point is awareness of the wretchedness of such a state and then willingness to repent of it. Once it is repented of then it becomes once again easy to submit to God.

So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:12-13 (HCSB)

This repentance is made complete when we turn from a focus of filling our selfish desires, turn from self-righteous "I am going to do better" attitude, and set our minds on the Spirit of God. The act of setting your mind on the Spirit and conforming your will to God's will is synonymous (See Romans 8:4-8).

For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 (HCSB)

Life and Peace, what more can we long for. To what greater heights can we aspire to go. No dear friends if we have life and peace it is enough. It is time to stop striving and straining and trust in the precious gift of life and peace that God has offered.

In summary then there is a wretched life of striving and straining to be good, do good, avoid bad that leaves you discontented and despairing. If we come to an awareness of this discouraging life then we can say, "I can't fix this, but I have faith that God can through Jesus Christ." This awareness leads to a blessed truth that we have been set free from condemnation. From this place we can dwell in a place of life and peace as we set our minds in the Spirit of God.

May we ever dwell in the blessings of God and never think to take up the wretched life. But even if we do may we realize the fullness of God's grace and mercy contains a plan of redemption for us to escape condemnation and enter His rest when we are willing to part ways with the desires of the sinful flesh.

May God richly bless you!

Levels of Intimacy In Marriage

2011-12-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

Well I have not posted in quite a while. But that does not mean that I have given up on blogging. Maybe I can get back into the swing of things. A lot has happened in my life, but that will have to wait for another post perhaps. I wanted to talk about levels of intimacy in marriage.
In my counseling experience I have learned that there can be different types of intimacy (Emotional, physical, sexual, and spiritual; See Here). With each of these there can be levels or depth of intimacy as well. I have attempted to sort out how to communicate this to the couples that I work with in building a loving and caring marriage. I have come up with a very complex way of looking at it that would take a book to explain. Most people lose interest if it cannot be explained simply. The other day I was attempting to explain levels of intimacy and I came up with three words that help clarify this in a very simple way. These words are Thoughtfulness, Sensitivity, and Understanding. Each of these represents different actions. Each of them also can represent greater intimacy.

Thoughtfulness

Thoughtful: Having or showing heed for the well-being or happiness of others and a propensity for anticipating their needs or wishes (American Heritage Dictionary).

Intimacy must be borne in a practice of thoughtfulness. Without thoughtfulness the intimacy is replaced with self-gratification which would be in this case a type of false intimacy. Thoughtfulness guards against this and lays the foundation for intimacy to occur. Thoughtfulness is the intentional thinking of the other in the relationship. In practical terms in means thinking of the person through the day whether with your spouse or not with your spouse. It helps to communicate that you are thinking of your spouse as they are not likely to read your mind. Thoughtfulness also is putting your spouse's thoughts, feelings, opinions ahead of you own. That does not mean that you do not consider your own thoughts, feelings, or opinions just that you think of the other first.

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)

This thoughtfulness will keep you from forging forward with your own bias, desires, wishes, resentments at the expense of intimacy with your spouse. We all have been guilty of this type of self-centeredness. Thoughtfulness will take a different path.
Thoughtfulness also anticipates others needs and wishes. To be sure you can miss the mark in this type of anticipating, but consider this; it is greater error to miss the mark while being thoughtless than to miss it by being thoughtful. Being thoughtless is the opposite of intimacy. It is word or deed without regard or awareness for the other. Thoughtless words are the rubbish pile of broken marriages. Thoughtless deeds are the unhealing scars of the same. The amazing thing is that you can be thoughtless while not holding any ill will toward your spouse. However, intent seldom eases the blow of thoughtlessness.
To cultivate thoughtfulness requires sustained intentional thinking. It is far easier to be lazy or neglectful than it is to be thoughtful. So what will it be for you? How often do your thoughts wander to your spouse? When do you consider the well-being and happiness of your spouse? Can you remember the last time you anticipated the need or wishes of your spouse? The great thing is that while it is easier to be lazy or neglectful it is no chore to be thoughtful. Also a little dose of thoughtfulness has huge impact on the intimacy of your marriage.
Sensitivity
Thoughtfulness is a change of the mind, sensitivity is a change of the eyes. It occurs when you open your eyes to the feelings and desires of your spouse. It answers the question, "What is going on in my husband's/Wife's life?" and then takes action based on that awareness. It is this capacity to observe and respond to what is going on that builds a bond of intimacy. Sensitivity requires awareness, gentleness, and responsiveness. Open your eyes to what could be going on in your spouse's life. You live with them you are in a better position to read them than any other person in the world. Notice what they are doing, how they do it, read their feelings (affect). Pay attention to what is important to them either when they tell you with words or tone. Adopt an attitude of it is important to you so it is important to me.

Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes.
1 Peter 3:4 (HCSB)

This passage is addressed to wives, but I believe both husbands a wives can learn the imperishable quality of gentleness. Consider:

All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
Matthew 11:29 (HCSB)

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
James 3:17-18 (HCSB)

This imperishable quality of gentleness will magnify intimacy of the relationship. Finally sensitivity means action. If you sow the seed of awareness in the soil of gentleness it will not bear fruit until you water it with responsiveness. Action brings life to sensitivity. It blesses the object of your affection and opens your heart to the blessedness of intimacy. Consider:

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB)

The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 (HCSB)

There is great power in sensitivity (awareness, gentleness, responsiveness).
Understanding
Thoughtfulness is a turning of the mind, sensitivity is a turning of the eyes, understanding is a turning of the heart. When I consider:

A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions.
Proverbs 18:2 (HCSB)

In light of:

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7 (HCSB)

I realize how I have been a foolish husband whose prayers go unanswered. Again even though this is directed at husbands I believe that wives can learn as well husbands to live with their spouse in an understanding manner.

Counsel in a man’s heart is deep water; but a man of understanding draws it out.
Proverbs 20:5 (HCSB)

Understanding occurs when you are able to draw out what is in the heart of your spouse. For this to happen you have to be thoughtful and sensitive to him or her as a person. Thoughtfulness and sensitivity lay the ground work for understanding. Consider the opposite. Opening up to a person who is thoughtless and/or insensitive is not only dangerous, but it is foolish. However opening up to a spouse that is thoughtful and sensitive creates a bond in which mutual understanding can occur.
Do you often think, "He (she) does not make sense." "You're not thinking rationally." "I just don't get you." "Your opinion is confusing." These and more lead us to believe that our spouse is wrong. When in fact the only thing you can legitimately conclude is that you do not understand. We have avoid the conclusion that our spouse is wrong and strive for understanding. It is possible (often likely) that your husband or wife is different in thought, feeling, or opinion. That a couple would disagree on something is not terribly earth moving. Rather it would be expected. However, in the context of mutual understanding differences become like a puzzle piece which fits together to create a beautiful picture. Without mutual understand differences become wedges driving the couple apart.
Do you want greater intimacy in your marriage? Then strive to be thoughtful, sensitive, and understanding. See what depths of love and intimacy can be reached. Find what deep waters you can draw out from your spouse. Then you will experience the blessings of greater intimacy in your marriage.

God Bless You

Completed Joy Sermon

2011-05-02T06:21:00.001-07:00

Here is my sermon from 5/1/11: Completed Joy

Leading Others Into a Covenant Relationship With God

2011-04-07T05:55:00.001-07:00

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There are times that God calls us to call others into a relationship with Him. Through out the Bible God establishes a covenant with people that follow Him.

All the Lord's ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep His covenant and decrees. Because of Your name, Yahweh, forgive my sin, for it is great.
Psalms 25:10-11 (HCSB)
The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them. My eyes are always on the Lord, for He will pull my feet out of the net.
Psalms 25:14-15 (HCSB)
"As for Me, this is My covenant with them," says the Lord: "My Spirit who is on you, and My words that I have put in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouth of your children, or from the mouth of your children's children, from now on and forever," says the Lord.
Isaiah 59:21 (HCSB)
Brothers, I'm using a human illustration. No one sets aside or makes additions to even a human covenant that has been ratified. Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say "and to seeds," as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ. And I say this: The law, which came 430 years later, does not revoke a covenant that was previously ratified by God and cancel the promise. For if the inheritance is from the law, it is no longer from the promise; but God granted it to Abraham through the promise.
Galatians 3:15-18 (HCSB)

A covenant is a promise between to parties to act in some way toward the other. God uses covenants to establish His action toward people and to describe how people should act toward Him. Some covenants are conditional meaning that if one part of the covenant is upheld there is a promise for some favorable action toward the other (usually taking the form of blessing). Some covenants are unconditional (usually relying solely on the Character of God).

Moses was a mediator of a Covenant:

These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For God said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain. But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been legally enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 8:5-6 (HCSB)

Now that we have a little background let's look at how Moses led others into this Covenant relationship.

The Call

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to Me. Now if you will listen to Me and carefully keep My covenant, you will be My own possession out of all the peoples, although all the earth is Mine, and you will be My kingdom of priests and My holy nation." These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.
Exodus 19:4-6 (HCSB)

God had a special message that He wanted Moses to bring to the people. He was establishing a special relationship with the people of Israel. He desired that they would be set apart and to carefully follow Him. Moses brought this call to the people.

The Response

After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. Then all the people responded together, "We will do all that the Lord has spoken." So Moses brought the people's words back to the Lord.
Exodus 19:7-8 (HCSB)

When you enter into a covenant relationship there has to be a response. You have to make a commitment to the covenant. If there is no commitment there is no covenant (unless the covenant is unilateral by God). The people had to make this commitment in order to proceed to the covenant relationship with God.

The Cleansing

And the Lord told Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people."
Exodus 19:10-11 (HCSB)
Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
Exodus 19:14 (HCSB)

Notice where the consecration comes from. It comes down from above. It also is God who is consecrating the people. Moses had no authority to consecrate the people. He could only be a messenger bringing the message from God to be consecrated. Moses could no more make the people Holy than to make water come out of a rock. God did that. Notice also that following the concretion there was a symbolic washing. So we see this pattern then: Consecration comes down from God to the people through a message delivered by Moses. The people receive the message by faith and symbolically confirm this commitment through a ritual washing. Hmmm this sounds very familiar.

To Acknowledge Christ Means...

2011-04-05T12:50:00.001-07:00

Here is my sermon from last Sunday: To Acknowledge Christ means...

Here is the slides to go with the sermon: To Acknowledge Christ

Practical Intercession

2011-03-16T06:32:00.001-07:00

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Jethro (Moses' father-in-law) saw something that Moses could not see himself. He was certain that Moses was going to burn out leading the people of Israel and they would grow tired of his leadership and how long it took to get answers (Exodus 18:18). Jethro offered wise counsel. He did not challenge the authority of God. In fact he called upon it. His was more counsel as to the practical more than the spiritual. I am glad that God puts people into our lives to offer practical advice. In this way God used Jethro to intercede for Moses. See if you can follow my line of thinking.

First Jethro acknowledged Yahweh as God (Exodus 18:10-11). Then he watched and paid attention to what Moses was doing (Exodus 18:14). He noticed that Moses had a need. Moses was not aware of this need, but Jethro noticed it none the less. He pointed out the need (Exodus 18:17-18). Then he offered a solution as to what Moses could do about it.

Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and God be with you. You be the one to represent the people before God and bring their cases to Him. Instruct them about the statutes and laws, and teach them the way to live and what they must do. But you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating bribes. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every important case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear it with you. If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied.
Exodus 18:19-23 (HCSB)

Being used of God does not always correspond to what we would consider spiritual. Often God uses us in very practical ways to minister to other's needs. What is required is for us to be open to the possibility that God might use us to help another out in a practical way or that God might be using others to help us in some practical way. This could take the form of advise. It could also take the form of meeting some basic need. But what ever it might be you will be used of God to intercede for others not in prayer alone, but also in the very natural gifts, talents, and spiritual gifts that God has given you. Often the practical is more spiritual than we might imagine; Consider:

If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn�t have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.
James 2:15-18 (HCSB)

You see Jethro had faith (Exodus 18:11-12), but his faith was shown from his practical advice that he gave to Moses. What is more the practical advice taken by Moses freed up Moses to do what God had planned next; the giving of the Law. Had Moses continued administering (lead) as he was before Jethro's visit he would not have been able to minister (serve) as he did after Jethro's visit. In this way Jethro's practical advice enabled Moses to fulfill his spiritual calling (Exodus 3:12).

We need to be open to what God may be doing in our lives either by way offering practical help to others as Jethro did or in receiving practical help from others in order for God to use us to minister more effectively as Moses did. In this way God can use the practical to bring forth the spiritual.

May God Richly Bless You

~BJ

Sermon: In the Midst of Darkness 3/13/11

2011-03-15T08:02:00.001-07:00

Here is the MP3 for the sermon that I preached last week. It loosely follows this post: In the midst of dark times.

Even Intercessors Need Intercessors

2011-03-08T03:17:00.001-08:00

Funny how at times we will not mind praying for others, but then we do not allow others to support us through ministry and/or prayer. Lifting each other up holding each other up is the role of Christian Church life. How often we miss the opportunity to be a blessing to others. How often we miss the opportunity to be blessed. All because we are stuck in do it myself mode.

While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. When Moses' hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.
Exodus 17:11-12 (HCSB)

In the ministry of intercession it can become lonely. Sometimes it feels like you are the only one trying. Others are too busy, too self absorbed, too weak, too unspiritual, too ... Dear friends this is a lie. Fact is there are many intercessors that God is raising up to be warriors for Him. These warriors do not fight flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil (Eph 6:12). Now this lie accomplishes one of two things (and sometimes both).

First it makes you feel isolated. If you feel isolated then you feel weak. I have close to 100 visits to my blog each week. It does not seem like a large number compared to the vast internet, but I am encouraged because I know that I am not alone. When I attend church and fellowship with other believers then I am encouraged because I am not alone. When I go to work and praise God with other brothers and sisters in Christ I am encouraged because I a not alone. When I celebrate my family I am encouraged because I am not alone. You see the lie of isolation is to get you to feel weak and defeated. But I say be encouraged you are not alone.

Secondly this lie builds up a spiritual pride. "I am chosen by God." True statement, but it ignores the truth. Huh? How can a true statement ignore the truth? Try this, "We are chosen by God!" Did you see that, by changing "I" to "We" the tone of the statement completely changes. Try it out for yourself. Say it out loud. There are times when a person in a leadership position is called to bring the ministry of intercession to the people of God, but no man is an island. We all need others to be our come along side to support us.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-13 (HCSB)

There are four things that you can do to join in the ministry of intercession to support those engaged in the ministry: encourage, recognize, regard in love, and live peaceably. To me to encourage is to intercede. Life can be filled with discourage and disappointment. Fact is that at times it feels like an overwhelming flood. This flood is a weight that cannot be born alone. It is a trouble that persistently weighs a person down. When we intercede we are coming between to parties typically, but in this case we have to opportunity to come between the flood of pain and suffering and inspire words of hope to spring to life in a persons soul. Words of encouragement can be water to a thirsty soul. You can separate someone from the desire to give up, and give them a hope to press on. These are powerful, inspiring words. The great things is that they do not have to be fancy like some inspiring speech. They just need to be given. Recognizing someone who has had an impact on you life will be an encouragement to press on. Regarding others in love is powerful. Living peaceably brings sweet fellowship to the community. Were there is unity there is powerful movement (intercession) of God's Holy Spirit.

So in the case of Moses there was a threat to the community. They were under attack. God had plans for the people of Israel to prevail. As was the case when they Crossed the Red Sea God was working through Moses, but God is the intercessor (Moses the minister). As Moses did before he raises his hands. As he raises his hands God gives the people victory. If his hands drop the threat prevails. It would seem as if there was something magical about Moses' hands. But that would be superstition. So what is to be gained from this? Why would God not just intercede? I believe that God was preparing the People of Israel to begin to enter into mutual support and community. Notice! Without the support of Aaron and Hur Moses could not sustain. With the support his hands were steady until the sun went down. God works in community. Fact is without community there is no support. Without community there is no ability to sustain. In this way Aaron and Hur fulfilled their calling to be partners in this ministry of intercession. "I" became "We."

And Moses built an altar and named it, "The Lord Is My Banner." He said, "Indeed, my hand is lifted up toward the Lord�s throne...
Exodus 17:15-16 (HCSB)

As fits the pattern I described in previous posts this episode ends in a celebration for how God has interceded. "The Lord is My Banner." "My hand is lifted up." Beautiful words.

May God keep you lifted up, and may He bring others from the community to keep you lifted up when you cannot sustain it yourself. This is God's intercession!

~BJ

Complaint or Intercession?

2011-02-28T08:02:00.001-08:00

Complaining, complaining, complaining. All that you do is complain.

Complaining is the act of refusing to accept your situation out loud. We often feel justified in our complaints. Complaining comforts us, energizes us, deflects personal responsibility, makes us feel important, appeals to our sense of justice, emboldens us, but for all these it leaves us empty. A complaint in and of itself is empty. It is like trying to cover up on a cold night with a blanket that does not exist except in your mind. You might say, complaining got me such and such, or complaining made that person change. Really? At what cost, and did the such and such, or change really satisfy you? Are you now less likely to complain in the future? Complaining is emptiness of emptiness. Don't get me wrong I like to complain with the best of them, however God seems to be trying to show me a different way!

Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, "Give us water, that we may drink." And Moses said to them, "Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?" And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, "Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?" So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, "What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!" And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. So he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the contention of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, "Is the Lord among us or not?"
Exodus 17:1-7 (NKJV)

Really complaining about water! Again!

Notice two things about complaining. First, it is contentious, and second, it presumes (tempts) the graciousness of the person receiving the complaint.

"The customer is always right."

Anyone that has worked in retail has heard this expression to be sure. Yet if you have had the opportunity to work with a customer with a complaint knows that the Bible is right on these two truths. Contention is the name of the game. No matter how disarming the customer service is the person is contentious. It is like a great uneasiness overcomes the soul. Even when you are trying to side with customer. The customer also is presuming (tempting) the store staff to give them something in return for their complaint. This also creates more uneasiness. The level of uneasiness grows as the good nature of the store increases and as the customer's complaint becomes more outrageous.

I recall a time when a customer brought a pair of pants to me when I was working at Sears. I am not sure if it is still true, but at the time we had a no questions asked return policy. I was the unfortunate sales staff to get her in my line. She said these pants do not fit. I looked at the pants and they were faded and worn. I also did not recognize them. Now that is something, because we had a pretty good idea of what merchandise was sold in the men's department. Boy I do not miss folding those clothes. I asked for her receipt. She did not have one. I looked inside and found that the item number was in the pants. I punched the number into the register and nothing. I took a deep breath and said, "I don't believe that you got these here." You would have thought I had just asked her to give up her right arm or something based on her reaction next. My manager over heard the complainer and came over. I explained the situation to her. She looked at the pants and said confidently, "You did not get these here. We have not sold this brand." I asked for her right and now the manager asked for her left. She was tempting our graciousness. She continued to complain rigorously. My manger sent her to customer service upstairs. Now I may be a little vague on the details. It was about 20 years ago now, but I will not forget the feeling in my stomach at having to deal with such an unreasonable person. Yet...

Am I not much the same way when it comes to going to God? I wonder if God has the same feelings when we contend with Him. "Here comes BJ with a complaint. I sure wish he would realize the plans to Bless and Not Harm him!"

Forgive me Lord for presumptuous complaints. Next to presumptuous sin it must grieve Your heart greatly.

What then can we learn from the Israelites who yet again are complaining about something they have first hand experienced God's grace in? I believe that we can admit that we are not too far off. Far be it from me to complain about the very area that I have experienced some blessing or graciousness. Yet I still do. We all do. Also we can see that God has a plan. In spite of our childish behavior He still cares for us and has a plan and purpose for our minor discomfort. I say minor, because I think it is possible to find a person in a more grievous situation than your own (often significantly worse). Notice though that the comparison can also lead to "who has the bigger complaint" syndrome. That is not helpful either.

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)

It seems to me that this attitude is at the heart of intercessory ministry. It is difficult if not impossible to help another out when you can scarcely get your eyes off of yourself and your dire circumstances. There is no hope, no peace, no faith! Why did the Israelites not have water? Lack of faith.

Trust in the Lord and do what is good; dwell in the land and live securely. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.
Psalms 37:3-6 (HCSB)

This verse seems to capture the heart of minister of intercession. Trust in the Lord, Do what is good, Dwell in the land, Live secure, take delight in God, Let him transform your heart, commit yourselves to God, Trust Him. And what will be God's response? He will act, He will make your righteousness shine, He will exalt justice. This is the heart this is the way of intercession.

Moses responds by challenging their unbelief. And their response was more unbelief. Moses then turns to God and asks, "What am I going to do with these people?" There are moments of desperation when you are engaged in the ministry of intercession. People will not always see things as you see them. Sadly they may even take their frustrations out on you. Your job is to stay connected to God. Moses believed in the provision of God. He had a heart of abiding trust, and was connected to God in a way that he was immediately aware of how the people were grieving the Lord. He called out to Him and as before God gave him instructions. This pattern is become more and more fixed in my mind. Recognize the problem (primary unbelief and secondary thirst), seek the Lord (What am I to do?), Listen to what He says (Strike the rock in front of the people), Obey what God has shown you, and celebrate the intercession of the Lord. Notice that being obedient Moses addressed both unbelief and thirst of the Israelites. Trust God He knows what He is doing even when it seems that He has abandoned us. Do not let unbelief kill your faith.

What is your unbelief? What is your thirst? What is the unbelief in others? What is the thirst in others?

It's time to go to work!

God Bless You

~BJ

Intercession of the Bread of God

2011-02-19T07:45:00.001-08:00

Once again the people of Israel were complaining. This time it was 45 days since leaving Egypt. They had received water, but were now running out of food. The greater need was a lack of faith. God was about to give them an object lesson that was going to last for then next 40 years that would be repeated every day as a reminder of God's faithfulness, that they might grow in their faith.

Moses returned to God. A person involved in the ministry of intercession is unceasingly connected to God through prayer and meditation on God's Word. It is the very breath of his/her spiritual life. When things go well she prays with thankfulness and praising. When things go poorly he humbly brings the need before the Lord. God tells Moses that He plans to feed the people supernaturally.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. This way I will test them to see whether or not they will follow My instructions. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days."
Exodus 16:4-5 (HCSB)

Notice that the gathering of bread had very specific instructions. At times there is a specific thing that God calls us to. Often that thing goes against what our natural mind will understand. Yet if we have faith then we will obey. It is not works that makes our faith great. It is works that show our great faith. That is why James says faith without works is dead by itself (James 2:17). So in this case God very clear gathering instructions. What is even more interesting is the consequence if the instructions were not followed.

But they didn't listen to Moses; some people left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and smelled. Therefore Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:20 (HCSB)
For six days you may gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none." Yet on the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they did not find any. Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commands and instructions?
Exodus 16:26-28 (HCSB)

In the ministry of intercession it will require you to pass along the specific instructions that God is requiring of others. Most of these instructions are found in the Bible. It is the Word of God that is useful for teaching and instruction. A minister of intercession must have a good working knowledge of the Word of God. Without this knowledge you cannot be sharing what God is saying. God is not a mute in matters of life. His word must be written upon your heart. What is more a servant of God must point others to the Word of God. That they also may have His Word written upon their hearts.

It is clear that you are Christ's letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (HCSB)
I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.
Psalms 119:11 (HCSB)

Seeking the direction from the Lord requires communication with the Lord. There are two primary ways that God communicates with His people: His Word, and Prayer! In seeking the Lord Moses learned a couple of things. First he learned about what God was doing and how the Israelites were to respond. He also learned something about the ministry of intercession.

...for He has heard the complaints that you are raising against Him. Who are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the Lord."
Exodus 16:8 (HCSB)

Moses learned that the complaining was against God and not against himself or Aaron. When you are in the ministry of intercession you become a target of others complaints. There is a subtle shift of blame. I think people feel guilty to complain about God, so they more readily blame His spokesperson. Yet God made it clear to Moses that the people were in fact complaining against God. This in a negative way demonstrates that the minister of intercession is nothing by himself. It is God who intercedes and it is God's timing that the intercession occurs. When we take things personally when representing God we need to examine whether we are grieved because God is grieved or are we subtle buying into the idea that "I did this for God." There can be pride there which then will lead to ungodly action. More on this in a future post.

We see the pattern that I mentioned in a previous post: Recognize the need (Exodus 16:2-3), bring the need before the Lord (Exodus 16:4), listen for what God was doing (Exodus 16:4-5), obey what God asked (Exodus 16:6-11), wait upon the Lord (Exodus 16:13-15), and praise the Lord for His provision (Exodus 16:33-34).

Obedience for Moses was to call the people to obedience. Notice just because Moses called the people to obedience did not mean that they were obedient (most did, some did not). Those that did not obey experienced the consequences of their disobedience. Moses could not intercede for them. Notice also how disobedience grieves the Heart of God and the heart of His servant Moses.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commands and instructions?"
Exodus 16:28 (HCSB)
Therefore Moses was angry with them.
Exodus 16:20 (HCSB)

To the people the bread was Manna which literally means "whatness" (Exodus 16:31).

"What is for breakfast?"
"What!"
"I said what is for breakfast?"
"and I said what!"
"I want to know what it is?"
"Yes that is right!"
"What is right?"
"Exactly!"

So to the people it was a mysterious substance that came down in the morning dew. However Moses had a different take. To Moses it was "... the bread the Lord has given you to eat (Exodus 16:15)." As you mature in the ministry of intercession what was once a mystery will become the very bread of God spiritual food for the soul.

Jesus said to them, "I assure you: Moses didn't give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." Then they said, "Sir, give us this bread always!" "I am the bread of life," Jesus told them. "No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again."
John 6:32-35 (HCSB)

Notice Jesus' words. He points out that God is the one that interceded. He also draws the connection to his own ministry. Jesus is our bread of life. To others He is a mystery. To believers He has been revealed as the Bread of Life. As believers we have a duty to first feast on the Bread of Life daily, recognize the greatest need of others is to have this bread, go to God in prayer over this need, listen for what God is doing in their lives, obey God by speaking (or doing) what He is revealing, waiting on the Lord for the results, and Praising Him when others come to know Him as the Bread of Life! This is the ministry of intercession.

If you have the Bread of Life then I pray that you would continue to grow in your spiritual walk so as to become the servant of God and minister in Jesus' name. If you do not have the Bread of Life, would you consider the offer of life that is before you right now. God desires for you to have it. Yours is to receive it with thankfulness.

God Bless You

~BJ

From Bitterness to Sweetness (Prayer and Intercession)

2011-02-18T06:17:00.001-08:00

The work of intercession is rarely inactive. In fact on the heals of a great movement of God there can still be great challenges. Moses was not immune to this.

Then Moses led Israel on from the Red Sea, and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur. They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water. They came to Marah, but they could not drink the water at Marah because it was bitter-that is why it was named Marah. The people grumbled to Moses, "What are we going to drink?" So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable. He made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah and He tested them there.
Exodus 15:22-25 (HCSB)

After crossing the Red Sea and journeying for three days the camp was running out of water. So they had been on foot for 10 days in the wilderness. Water for that many people was a very serious issue. Then when they find water it is bitter so they cannot drink, it is understandably discouraging to the natural man. One might suggest that three days after a great miracle of God would hardly be the time to start complaining. But in reality in the United States we live in one of the most affluent cultures in human history, yet we complain right along with the best of them. I believe it is in our nature to complain. Also being in the wilderness without water is a very serious issue. You can go a while without food, but you will not live long without water. So their need was very real. However, complaining was not going to solve their bitterness. If anything it would only increase it!

To the spiritual man, a man of faith there is only one option. Go to God! Notice Moses' response to the people's grumbling. He prayed, listened, obeyed, waited on the Lord, praised and glorified God. Moses cried out to the Lord. God gave him instructions. Moses followed the instructions. Moses watched as God healed the waters. It is not specifically recorded that they worshiped and glorified God, but the name Jehovah Ropha (The Lord that Heals) can be a very worshipful name. I would also like to point out that the name makes it clear who gets the credit here. God healed the the water, not some magic at the hands of Moses, not some clever understanding of the properties of the branch. No, to be clear, God interceded, Moses' role was to bring the petition to God and follow obediently what God was showing him. Such is the way of the minister of intercession. We bring the need before the Lord, obey what God says to us, and glorify God for the outcome.

Notice that last phrase, "He (God) tested them there." It was a test of obedience (Exodus 15:26). What is more it was obedience leading to greater faith and greater blessing. They obeyed by faith what God called on them to do, God healed the water, they grew in faith, and God led them to a oasis in the midst of the desert (Exodus 15:27). God could have led them straight to the oasis, but they would have not noticed nor would it have strengthened their faith.

See in our own lives we have to accept the bitter moments along with the sweet moments. If we only long for the sweet moments and are discouraged by the bitter moments we will not grow in our faith. We become spoiled and take God for granted. But if we can learn to trust and obey God in the bitter moments then He will heal the bitterness and lead us into greater blessing. One thing to keep in mind in light of eternity our bitterness is only temporary. The blessing of God is eternal.

It has come to my awareness that some of the mightiest prayer warriors are some of the most humble people I have met. The are regularly glorifying God for what he has done in their lives and in the lives of others. To my shame I have doubted their praises when a natural explanation has been obvious to me. See at that time I was looking with natural eyes.

"Lord pull back the veil that I might see Your mighty works and appreciate Your healing hand. In Jesus Name AMEN"

~BJ

Petitions and Intercessions (How to pray)

2011-02-17T08:51:00.001-08:00

I need to make sure that I clarify something. It is possible to take away from my last several posts that petitions before God are of not of use. Nothing can be further from the truth. God acts based on our asking. We ought to go to God in prayer, but when we go we also ought to know what we are praying for (or else praying in the Spirit) and we ought to expect that we (the one offering the petition) will be changed in our hearts or our action. If these expectations are not a part of prayer then we are passive in our prayer and it is more likely that our relationship with God is about as intimate as with a waiter that takes our order at a restaurant. I want more! "Jesus give me more. Pour out Your Holy Spirit!"

Sometimes ministry of intercession requires you to not just take prayer requests at face value. How often I have heard a request, "Please pray for (fill in the name here) they are really struggling." Now I respect if someone asks for privacy in the matter so I am not against that. However, I have no idea what I am to pray for. "God please help them." That seems a silly prayer. If they are a believer He already is doing this. "God please relieve his struggling." Perhaps struggling is part of God's plan. In this case I am praying against God's will. I know that will not be productive. I can only pray in the Spirit at this point because I do not have enough information to offer a petition to God.

Let me give you an example that happened in a prayer meeting just the other day. I am going to leave the names out to respect privacy, but I think it really illustrates what I am trying to get at.

"Please pray for Jane Doe. Her family is very mean to her."
"What is going on?"
"They write mean letters to her, it hurts her, and she does not no what to do?"
"She should stop reading the letters."
"She keeps the letters as evidence for no contact orders."
"Why is she reading the letters?"
"She does not know what to do and she has no support from her family."
Praying in the Spirit, "What does this woman need?"
Spirit to my spirit very clear "What about Spiritual Family?"
"Does she fellowship with other believers?"
"No, She is a Christian."
"Does she go to church?"
"No, but she is a Christian and attends some Bible Studies."

Now the conversation ended shortly after this point and we moved on to other requests, but now I know exactly what to pray for (Conviction to find a fellowship and discernment to choose the right one) and hopefully the friend of Jane Doe has something to recommend to her the next time she talks with her friend. Notice how different the focus would be than if I just took the request at face value. The ministry of intercession is much more active than traditionally conceived. We have to be engaged spiritually.

"Lord help me move from a prayer list mentality to a prayer life mentality. In Jesus Name AMEN"

~BJ

We are His Servants God is Our Intercessor

2011-02-16T09:30:00.001-08:00

There are times in the ministry of intercession that you might have the fleeting thought (or maybe not so fleeting), "OK God now would be a good time to do something." It is rooted in doubt, but we are weak. Thank you Lord for when we are weak you are strong.

Imagine if you will you have just spent seven day crossing the Siani wilderness. It is both mountainous and desert. As you wonder around the 7^th day you hear reports that the entire Egyptian Army is in pursuit. Chariots are closing fast on your position. You press through a valley out onto a beach facing the Red Sea. To the north of you is an Egyptian fort. To the south of you the cliffs terminate into the sea. To the west the Egyptian army is blocking. And so you stare at the sea and wonder, "What has Moses got us in to!"

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. They said to Moses: "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Isn't this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
Exodus 14:10-12 (HCSB)

This was a hopeless situation when it is looked at with natural eyes. At this moment in time if one were to say that the Lord Jehovah was leading the people of Israel, you would have concluded, "He is a foolish deity, because now His people are going to be annihilated. He has led them into a trap of doom."

But Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord's salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet."
Exodus 14:13-14 (HCSB)

Where does such boldness come from in the face of such a hopeless circumstance? Remember we have the benefit of knowing how the story turns out. Moses and the people of Israel did not. So where does Moses find such lofty words to use at a moment of desperation? I would submit to you that Moses had his marching orders from God's Holy Spirit. God had made it clear to Moses what the plan was. Even if God had left this detail out he knew and understood that God had plan. He had faith in God. Notice also what he told the Israelites to do, "BE Quiet."

When it comes to a ministry of intercession a lack of faith is like a black hole that sucks the light out of a situation. Moses was calling them to faith. The evidence of there faith would be to not fear, stand firm, watch, and be quiet. At times a ministry of intercession requires us to be bold and call people to faith. To see beyond the circumstances and remind them of God's faithfulness. We can call people to put away fears and doubts, to take a stance, and to embrace expectant waiting on the Lord. That is faith. It is this kind of faith that is called for in moments of desperation. It is this kind of faith that emboldens Moses to speak in such a lofty manner.

The Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground."
Exodus 14:15-16 (HCSB)

I have to smile at God's response to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me?" This flies in the face of traditional understanding of the ministry of intercession. The traditional view is to press into God through prayer waiting for Him to act. So then why would God offer a rebuke for Moses doing this very thing? Are we supposed to carry everything to God in prayer? This would seem to be one of those moments. God is very confusing if that is our belief.

A ministry of intercession is not always prayer. There are time in which you are called to act. There are times when you are to call others to act. If you are listening to God this will be clear as the noon day. Let's take a look.

Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you must camp in front of Baal-zephon, facing it by the sea.
Exodus 14:2 (HCSB)

God gave Moses clear instructions. In front of Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephan (facing the sea) between Migdol and the sea. God had a specific place that he wanted them to be.

They departed from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, which faces Baal-zephon, and they camped before Migdol.
Numbers 33:7 (HCSB)

This may seem a minor detail, but there are no minor details when it comes to serving God. What we consider minor can turn out to be a major catastrophe if we are not obedient. Notice where they camped. Not "in front of Pi-hahiroth" though it appears that it was near by, but instead they camped in before Migdol." God told them to Camp "in front of Pi-hahiroth" and "between Migdol and the sea." I believe that God was saying to Moses why are you crying out to me when you have not positioned yourself where I told you to be. This obedience was both spiritual but also practical in this case. God a specific plan for the people to cross the Red Sea. He also had a specific place that they were to cross. If they were not facing the sea and they were not at the specific point He wanted them to be they could not follow God's plan. The rebuke is, "Brake Camp and face the sea just as I have told you!"

This applies to us as well. There are times in life when we look at our circumstances and we start to complain to God. Many times God has already told us what we are to do or where we are supposed to be going. If we are not doing what we are supposed to be doing, or going where we are supposed to be going, it is hard to imagine that God is now going to be at our beck and call just because we are frightened by our circumstance. "Be Quiet" and do what God has called you to. "Be Quiet" and position yourself where God has called you to be. Already there? Already done? "Be Quiet" and wait upon the Lord (Ps 46:10-11).

Once they were positioned where God wanted them to be then He interceded for them. He came between them and the Egyptian army.

Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. The cloud was there in the darkness, yet it lit up the night. So neither group came near the other all night long.
Exodus 14:19-20 (HCSB)

There is a danger in engaging in the ministry of intercession that some how you are doing something to gain God's favor on behalf of another. Let me make this very clear. You do not intercede, God does. You do not intercede, God does. In fact if you want to be in the ministry of intercession you ought to desire the prayers of others for you. So often we say, "Let's all pray for this person's need." If you are desiring to be an intercessor you ought to ask for others the pray for you that the Holy Spirit reveal what you are to say to or do for this person in need. Praying for the need of someone not following Christ is like asking God to change Pharaoh's mind about letting the Israelite people to go. Better to inquire what the Lord would have you or other intercessors do. That God might intercede! We join God not God join us!

Notice it was not Moses that stood between the Egyptians and the Israelites. It was the very glory of God! God took up the between position and interceded on their behalf.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided,
Exodus 14:21 (HCSB)

Moses stretched out his hand, but God drove back the sea! How often I have said, "Moses parted the sea." We often think of Moses being used by God to part the sea. No actually Moses led the people to where they needed to be held up his hand. God parted the sea. The Bible is clear on this point. We rob God of glory, we miss opportunity for witness, when we take credit for the thing that God has done.

Lord forgive me for giving Moses glory that You alone deserve. We are just Your humble servants. You alone are worthy of Glory and Honor. Guard us from taking Glory that belongs to You alone. Help us to align with Your purpose. Help us to know and then obey with where you want us to be. Give us the faith to stamp out fear, stand firm, and wait upon you! Help me to realize that I am not in a position to be a part of the ministry of intercession until I am right with You and I have discerned by revelation of Your Holy Spirit where it is that You plan to intercede. Not my will Lord, but Your will be done in my life and the lives of others Lord. In Jesus Name AMEN.

God is a Meanie III (Judgment of Pharaoh and the Egyptians)

2011-02-15T05:43:00.001-08:00

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But Pharaoh responded, "Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him by letting Israel go? I do not know anything about Yahweh, and besides, I will not let Israel go."
Exodus 5:2 (HCSB)

This is not an insignificant verse. There people that will reject God as a matter of course in this life. I must admit that I can understand the deception of sin the blinds a person to the love of God. It is often pointed out "Why would God punish Egypt for the sin that was Pharaoh?" and why would God punish Pharaoh when He "Hardened his heart." When we consider these comments we have to understand that they are observed and spoken through a filter of disowning God. There are many rationalizations that people can give to hate God. And they will just to assuage their consciences. Yet in there passion to find a reason to hate God they reveal within themselves the work of the Holy Spirit. The intensity of the reaction is out of sync with what they say that they believe. Namely that the Bible is a book of myths.

Let's take a look the two complaints and see if they are legitimate. As I have said before most people are not interested in what the Bible says. They form an opinion and will tell you what the Bible says often after reading or hearing about it somewhere else. In case there are those that are interested this verse quoted above is very important.

This was the very first recorded interaction with Pharaoh. Now as near as I can tell Pharaoh is rejecting God of his own accord. The hardening of his heart has not yet occurred. Not only did he reject God, but he also made things worse for the Hebrews.

But he said, "You are slackers. Slackers! That is why you are saying, 'Let us go sacrifice to the Lord.' Now get to work. No straw will be given to you, but you must produce the same quantity of bricks."
Exodus 5:17-18 (HCSB)

Hardness of Heart was a condition that preceded the plagues.

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hard: he refuses to let the people go. "
Exodus 7:14 (HCSB)

Which continued after the first sign.

Also the sacred scribes of Egypt did so with their occultisms; hence the heart of Pharaoh was steadfast, and he did not hearken to them, just as Yahweh had spoken.
Exodus 7:22 (CLT)

(Side Note: I am using Concordant Literal Version for this part because the translation intends to bring a literal word for word understanding to the text)

Notice the statement the heart of the Pharaoh was steadfast. Still at this point we do not see God hardening Pharaoh's heart.

When Pharaoh saw that there came to be an interval, he caused his heart to glory, and he hearkened not to them, just as Yahweh had spoken.
Exodus 8:15

Pharaoh "Caused his heart to glory." That is he became proud!

The sacred scribes said to Pharaoh: This is the finger of Elohim! Yet the heart of Pharaoh was steadfast, and he did not hearken to them just as Yahweh had spoken
Exodus 8:19

Here it starts to get more interesting. The religious leaders in Pharaoh's court have a change of heart. They recognized they were not dealing with a magic trick, but in fact where going toe to toe with God Himself. Yet when they pointed it out to Pharaoh his response was to remain steadfast. Notice God has yet to harden Pharaoh's heart.

Yet Pharaoh gloried in his heart, even at this time, and he did not dismiss the people.
Exodus 8:31

Again Pharaoh became prideful. No hardening by God Yet!

Then Pharaoh sent, and behold, not even one had died from the cattle of Israel. Yet the heart of Pharaoh gloried, and he did not dismiss the people.
Exodus 9:7

After five of the plagues Pharaoh was still holding pride within his heart. Yet no hardening as of yet by God. But that was about to change.

Yet Yahweh made the heart of Pharaoh steadfast, so that he did not hearken to them just as Yahweh had spoken to Moses.
Exodus 9:12

Here after many attempts to change the heart of Pharaoh do we see that God is now hardening his heart. You see if a person does not want God, God eventually gives them over to the hardness of his heart. There comes a point at which the person's rebellion serves only to deepen the judgment they have against themselves. There is only one cure, humbling themselves before God and turning their heart toward Him. Otherwise you continue on in the hardness of heart and God hardens your heart. My point is this you harden your heart to God long before He hardens your heart to long for sinful rebellion. It is when the conscience becomes seared that this type of hardness sets in. As long as there is a vestige of moral sense left there is a hope for repentance. In this case Pharaoh had crossed over. From this point forward his doom was certain.

Then Yahweh said to Moses: Rise early in the morning, station yourself before Pharaoh, and say to him, Thus says Yahweh, Elohim of the Hebrews: Dismiss My people that they may serve Me. For at this time I am sending all My strokes onto your heart and your servants and your people in order that you shall know that there is no one such as Me in the entire earth.
Exodus 9:13-14

Notice in this warning God specifically identifies that He is going to strike the Pharaoh�s heart. In one way I believe that God is giving Pharaoh one last chance to repent. Sadly he did not turn. However, some of the Egyptians began to repent.

The one fearful of the word of Yahweh among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee to the houses.
Exodus 9:20

Yet those that did not take the warning to heart did not repent.

Yet he who was not setting his heart on the word of Yahweh, forsook his servants and his cattle in the field.
Exodus 9:21

Here we see God showing grace to the Egyptians that heeded His word. Now that some how gets left out when those making a case against God. God is gracious to the humble and upholds the repentant.

Now Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail and the thundering sounds had halted, yet he continued to sin and made his heart glory, he and his servants.
Exodus 9:34
Yahweh said to Moses: Enter to Pharaoh, for I have made his heart glory and the hearts of his servants that I may set these My signs among them,
Exodus 10:1

Who continued to sin? Pharaoh did. Who continued with a prideful heart? Pharaoh did. See God's hardening was something that Pharaoh already had in his heart. At this point it was clear that the Pharaoh's intent was hardness against God. It is at this point that God begins to harden the heart of Pharaoh to show the his signs against them. From this point on God hardened Pharaoh's heart (See Exodus 10:20, 27, 11:10).

This applies to us. God makes it clear to us either in our consciences, basic decency toward other human beings, His word (the Bible) what His expectations are for our lives. We also experience the consequences of choosing to go against God's ways. We may not have the same dramatic experience that Pharaoh had, but we have our own conviction that things are not right. Then we have a choice. Will we turn from missing the mark in our lives or will we with great pride in our hearts and stubbornness in our soul continue on our sinful way. The story is not over yet though.

I had mentioned that some of the Egyptians had repented and heeded the word of God (Exodus 9:20). What is even more interesting is that there was an ethnically diverse people that left Egypt.

An ethnically diverse crowd also went up with them, along with a huge number of livestock, both flocks and herds. The people baked the dough they had brought out of Egypt into unleavened loaves, since it had no yeast; for when they had been driven out of Egypt they could not delay and had not prepared any provisions for themselves.
Exodus 12:38-39 (HCSB)

Wait just a minute! Why did I not learn this in Sunday School? I am not sure why, but there it is. It would not have been possible for the family of Jacob (Israel) to be ethnically diverse. So what are we to make of the peculiar statement. I believe that being a Jew was an act of faith. You see the Passover required that people spread blood of a lamb over the door posts (Exodus 12:22-23). It was this act of faith that resulted in deliverance. Being covered by the Lamb's Blood (an act of faith) demonstrated that you were part of "Spiritual Israel." If you were a Jew, but did not put blood on your door post death visited your home. By reasoning then it is possible that if you were Egyptian (or other race) and you put blood on your doorpost then you were saved from death visiting your home. That seems radical, but it was the very thing that God said he would do. He did not say death would Passover decedents of Jacob. He said that death would Passover those that faithfully put the lamb's blood on the door post. That is why I believe there was an "ethnically diverse" people who left Egypt. It was the faithful followers of God that left. It was "Spiritual Israel." No doubt that the majority was ethnic Israel, but it would seem to me at least some were not ethnically Israel as well (Galatians 3:7 and others).

It seems then in response to those that say God is being unjust by punishing Pharaoh or the people of Egypt we have a very different picture than they would assume. What is really going on when we look at the passages dealing with Pharaoh's heart, is that Pharaoh started out hard. It was his pride and stubbornness that got him into trouble. Only after it was clear that Pharaoh was not going to repent did God harden his heart. God did this to judge the hardness that was already there. Interestingly those that have taken this position that God is unjust are in the same boat as Pharaoh. Without humility and brokenness they stand judged. Without a change they risk become hardened (calcified) against the things of God. Also it seems that Egyptians were judged not for Pharaoh's sin, but rather for following after Pharaoh (Who is divine according to Egyptian religion) and Egypt's gods. Those that repented and heeded the word of God were saved.

The same choice that existed then is before us today. Will we follow other gods and religions, or will we make God, Yahweh, the Savior and Lord of our lives. It is accomplished through the sacrifice. Since we live after the advent of the Cross it is Jesus who is our Passover Lamb. And it is faith in Jesus Christ that saves.

God Bless You

~BJ

I Did Not Expect That

2011-02-12T08:03:00.001-08:00

At times our expectation is that if God is in a thing that it will automatically be successful. This is a lie meant to discourage us from pressing on. When we hear from God to act in some way and then it does not work in the way that we expect it can lead to a diminishing of our faith. Especially when we believe that God's hand guarantees immediate success. At all times God is working in a bigger picture. As much as we would like to think "it is about me" I can assure you that it is not.

Later, Moses and Aaron went in and said to Pharaoh, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: Let My people go, so that they may hold a festival for Me in the wilderness." But Pharaoh responded, "Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him by letting Israel go? I do not know anything about Yahweh, and besides, I will not let Israel go."
Exodus 5:1-2 (HCSB)

Who will be glorified if Pharaoh let the people go at this point? I think it would be Moses. He would become a national hero and not servant of the Most High God. God did not choose Moses because he needed him. No God chose Moses that He might be glorified through Moses' obedient life.

You see we are here as servants to God. There is no room for self-glorification in the ministry of intersession. It is a ministry of resignation. "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). The moment people begin to see you as their savior is the moment that you take the place of Christ in their lives. Trust me you do not want that job, nor are you able to bear it. Ours is a ministry that responds by bringing forth what God desires by outpouring of His love, grace, mercy, kindness into others lives. We are a conduit through which God provides this outpouring. Substantively we are nothing in ourselves.

So when things are not going as you might have expected them be resigned to continue in the last command that God has given you. If you do be prepared to see a mighty movement of God in your life. God often makes us aware of our frailty as He manifests His glory (Isaiah 6:3-5)! We may approach life with great boldness, not because of anything in ourselves, but because of the Mighty God whom we serve.

In short a ministry of intercession is one of persistence often in spite of the appearance of ineffectiveness. It is openness to the fact that God may be choosing to do something that you do not see or expect. Finally the ministry of intercession is an expectant waiting to see what God is going to do next.

God Bless You

~BJ

Aligning with God

2011-02-10T06:16:00.001-08:00

It seems that the among the most difficult tasks is to align yourself with God. His will for your will. Sometimes there is a specific direction that God is calling you to go. At other times there is some general principles that He is attempting to bring to bear in your walk with him. In either case being outside of His will keeps you from being able to engage effectively in a ministry of intercession.

"I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey-the territory of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. The Israelites' cry for help has come to Me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. Therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses asked God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"
Exodus 3:8-11 (HCSB)

Moses still did not quite get it. Not to point fingers at him, because honestly there are many times I don't quite get it. Notice that first part of the quite "I (God) have come down to rescue..." Then notice Moses' response, "Who am I that I should go..." Moses' doubt was getting in the way. He has covered it in false humility, but in fact it is a statement of doubt. I say false humility because God was not asking Moses to do something. God was asking Moses to join in something that He was already doing. Moses' doubt then was not self-doubt, no it was doubt of God thinly veiled in self-doubt (false humility).

I have been there! God is making it clear to me there is some action that He wants me to be involved in and I say "I am not good enough." At those times I believe I am doing God a favor by disqualifying myself, but in reality I am saying, "God I do not trust your judgment in choosing me." Stated that way this doubt must be offensive to God. Praise God He is longsuffering with our weaknesses.

He answered, "I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain."
Exodus 3:12 (HCSB)

After Moses' "Who am I" question I imagine God thinking, "No Moses not you alone." He tells Moses that He will be with Moses. He also says that proof will be in the success of the task that He was inviting Moses to be a part of. Here is where faith begins to replace doubt. Moses was looking for something that he could reasonably expect a positive outcome. Ironically talking to a burning bush was not a convincing sign. But are we not that way also. God has shown up in our lives in some amazing way and yet when He appoints something for us we are like we never knew His mighty hand working in our lives? No proof would be given. Moses was to take the assignment on faith. The proof was a complete task. Faith was believing God's Word!

Then Moses asked God, "If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?' what should I tell them?" God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."
Exodus 3:13-14 (HCSB)

I used to think that this was Moses just looking for a way out. As I have matured in my faith I now believe that this is a very legitimate question. You see Moses realized that this task was greater than himself. He realized that it was not by his own authority he was taking on this task. It was God's authority that he was acting on. That is why he asks His Name.

Let me offer an analogy. If I were to travel to Egypt right now and ask for an opportunity to meet with the president I can confidently say they would not give me access. In fact there is a high likelihood I would get myself arrested given the current state of affairs. However, if I were part of a envoy from President Obama to talk with the President of Egypt and asked for an opportunity to meet him then my odds just when up substantially. Why? Because if I go of my own authority ("Who are you, I do not know a BJ") it does not mean much. But if I go in president Obama's authority (his name) then it has significant meaning.

So Moses was asking not to get out of going, but to identify the authority by which was being sent. This relates to the ministry of intercession very significantly.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
John 15:16 (HCSB)
I assure you: Anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
John 16:23-24 (HCSB)

Key point here. Alignment with God's will precedes "Asking in His Name." It was only by aligning himself with God's purposes, and walking in God's Authority that Moses was able to ask in His name and have it happen. Don't miss this point. This is not a cosmic get a free meal ticket. It is a call to join God and experience His power in your life flowing into the lives of others as you engage in the ministry of intercession.

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
John 16:33 (HCSB)

One last point. In the same context of "Asking in Jesus' name" we have this verse. "You will have suffering in this world." It may not seem like a blessing to live this way. For most Christians they would choose a life of spiritual mediocrity over having to deal with suffering. But notice the blessing. You will have peace and courage in the midst of suffering. Why? Because Jesus has "conquered the world!" Note the fulfillment of this is accepted by faith. By the way sideline Christianity does not keep you from experiencing suffering in this life. It just makes you powerless to do anything about it.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We have a higher calling. We are like Moses to the world. Ours is a calling to lead others out of spiritual bondage and slavery. We must align with God, have faith in His Word, receive his calling and authority, and then move to intervene in the lives of others. It is a high calling, but one that is certain to bring a flood of blessing to your soul.

For those that do not have a relationship with Christ I am sure this post is most confusing. I pray that the Holy Spirit would convict and convince you of your greatest need, "A relationship with Christ." You may not feel that now, but in time His Spirit will show you and I pray that God give you the faith to believe.

God Bless You

~BJ

Missing the Mark with Intercession

2011-02-08T06:36:00.001-08:00

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But Moses interceded with the Lord his God: "Lord, why does Your anger burn against Your people You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a strong hand?"
Exodus 32:11 (HCSB)

I quoted this verse because it zeros in on Moses' Ministry of intercession. Moses had a relationship with God and through that relationship he was able to bring the message of God to others. The nature of that relationship with God put him in the unique position of intervening on the people's behalf. He also intervened by leading the people to enter a right relationship with God. It will take more that one or two posts to develop my ideas here. Some introductory thoughts would be: The ministry of intercession is at first a relationship with God through prayer empowered by His Holy Spirit. It is listening to God and bringing His message to others. It is prayerfully aligning yourself with God's purposes and praying for others (what it traditionally thought of being intercession) according to His will not your own. Finally it is acting on the spiritual wisdom or insight personally and/or leading others to see what God would have them do in their own lives. I will go into greater detail in future posts, but first I want to show what happens when we try to intercede on our own.

Years later, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. Looking all around and seeing no one, he struck the Egyptian dead and hid him in the sand.
Exodus 2:11-12 (HCSB)

Moses being raised by his own mother as a nurse maid on behalf of Pharaoh's daughter (See Exodus 2:8-10) clearly had time to learn about "his own people." Moses was stuck in between to worlds. He as adopted as a prince of Egypt and he was a Hebrew, who were slaves the Egyptians. No doubt his sense of justice was offended when he saw how the Hebrew people were being treated. In this scripture he sees an Egyptian assaulting a Hebrew. He no doubt became very angry (anger being the root of murder; See Matthew 5:21-22). He executed his own justice. He interceded on behalf of the Hebrew against the Egyptian. This was his intercession in the flesh.

The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, "Why are you attacking your neighbor?" "Who made you a leader and judge over us?" the man replied. "Are you planning to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses became afraid and thought: What I did is certainly known. When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well.
Exodus 2:13-15 (HCSB)

Moses then sees to Hebrews fighting. He decides to intervene again. This time as a peacemaker rather than judge and executioner. However, He still is working in the flesh. That is Moses is acting according to his own will and not the will of God. When he is confronted with the murder he has just committed he gives up on being a peace maker and becomes fearful of his own well-being. He runs away before Pharaoh can bring him to justice for the murder.

Now we may not go to the extreme case of murder in our attempts to intercede on behalf of others, but we can fall into the same traps. First Moses had a strong sense of right and wrong. He found that injustice was intolerable. Most of the time when we act it is to gain some benefit or to correct some wrong. He was moved to anger at the sight of injustice. We can also be moved to anger. Sometimes we believe that we are even doing the right thing. In some ways we become minor deities in which we play the role of God in others lives. "I know what is best for you, so listen to me." This is intercession according to the flesh. Intercession according to the flesh can have disastrous results.

At times we insert ourselves into a conflict between people with the intent of being a peace maker. Blessed are the peace makers after all (Matthew 5:9), right? Notice without seeking God he determined in his heart who was wrong and confronted him. How often do we quickly make up our mind when two people are in dispute about who is in the wrong. Another not so obvious thing to note is that these two Hebrews did not ask for him to intervene nor did Moses get their consent to do so. How often in our own sense of wisdom (really just puffed up know nothingness) we tell others what we think. This is offensive and rarely received. In this case the intercession fails miserably. This is intercession based on self-wisdom. Intercession based on what you know (without God's wisdom) is ineffective.

Moses had much to learn before God could use him to intercede for a nation. God has longsuffering when it comes to our shortcomings and weaknesses. He allows for us to make our mistakes that we might come to the end of ourselves and then turn to Him. I plan to show over the next several posts to show through the life of Moses what a ministry of intercession looks like. I pray that God give me the words to write and that His Spirit would illuminate your soul in this very important ministry.

Ministry of Intercession?

2011-02-05T07:26:00.001-08:00

Intercessory Prayer as it has been traditionally conceived is somewhat silly. It is as if we can get the right person, or enough people to pray to God that some how He will be moved to show mercy and grace. "Why does that seem silly?" you ask. Well God knows all things. He knows before you ask what you are going to ask. What is more He already knows how it is going to turn out.

So as I reflect on the ministry of being an intercessor I believe that there is something much greater than simply giving God your wish list for yourself or others. There must be some other purpose that is fulfilled by this action that changes ourselves and/or others. As I reflect on this I begin to see that Intercessory Prayer is much greater than simply saying some words on behalf of another person before God. In fact it begins to seem quite arrogant on my part to think that my praying to God will be instrumental to God having a favorable disposition toward a family member or friend.

We need to take a serious look at what exactly we are praying for. Does it fit with God's will? How do we discern what God's will is? What is getting in the way for this person that is keeping God from answering his/her own heart prayer? It is not just that we might get some favor from God, but what is it that God is trying to do in this person's life that will lead to greater Glory for God and/or lead this person into greater intimacy with the creator of the universe. In some ways the things we pray for usually become somewhat trivial when compared to the greater experience of our relationship with God.

For Example: What if God was working through a painful life experience to bring about a greater good in your friend�s life? By praying for that painful experience to be removed we are praying outside of God's will. It would be presumptuous for me to think that God's working through this experience was some how less important than my desire to see it removed. Some people are shocked when they hear people say things like "Maybe God has a plan for good through this." We tend to think of God being instrumental in the lovely and beautiful things in life, but we tend to think of evil and ugly things in life as being accidental or random. Why? I think it is to settle our dissonance that God allows evil things to happen. When evil is random I can hold onto the image of a loving and compassionate god with my faculties of reason. When evil has purpose, then it is a bit harder to consider questions like, "Why did God allow this?" Holding on to a loving and compassionate God defies reason and becomes an act of faith. Not that God is unreasonable, but that in our limited finite ability to understand it seems unreasonable. We don't see the end of things, but in time this will be revealed to us. Ours is to trust and have faith in the mean time.

So then at the extreme limits of intercessory prayer we have to consider that God may have a purpose for pain and suffering that is redemptive and not just some random event as a result of living in a fallen world. If we can identify ourselves with the purpose of God, that is to align ourselves with his will and purpose then we are in a position to enter the ministry of intercessor. Up until that point we are merely offering up a wish list to a Divine Grandfather, but not the true image of God. Those are hard words. Many will shriek away from this statement, but then it is possible that not all people are called to be intercessors in this way.

So what can we say then? Intercessory is not wishing people out of their painful circumstances. It is not a heavenly to do list for God. It is not the arrogant belief that my will can somehow prevail over God's will. So what can we say that it is? I will be doing more posts on this but I have a few points I would like to make before the close of this post. First to be an intercessor you have to align you will with God's not the other way around. Second, you have to realize that in fact there is only one intercessor who is Jesus Christ. Thirdly, it may seem contradictory to say "to be an intercessor" and then say "there is only one intercessor." What I am trying to convey is that there is a ministry under the divine authority of the one true intercessor Jesus Christ. Apart from this it our intercession will be fruitless and frankly pointless.

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
Romans 8:34 (HCSB)

I would urge all of you to read all of Romans 8! I chose to highlight a few verses in that chapter because it speaks to our role in intercession. First I want to point out that Jesus at the right hand of God intercedes for us. He intercedes for the believer and has audience with God the Father. I cannot think of any position that can replace or compare to this office. If I have a intercessor that is at the right hand of God (and is God) then I do not need anyone else to be my intercessor. I would just go to Him. I should just go to Him.

But then what is the ministry of intercession then?

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27 (HCSB)

I want to draw your attention to a couple of things in this verse.

First that the Spirit of God intercedes according to the will of God. That may seem a minor point, but it is not. The Holy Spirit acts in accord with God the Father, and the Son Jesus Christ. This unity (both in person, but also in purpose) is the essence of the ministry of intercession that the Holy Spirit holds. He acts according to the will of God.

Secondly, we are weak and in that weakness we need the help of the Holy Spirit, because we don't know what to pray for. I would say that the greatest reason is that we do not know the will of God.

The relationship looks like this then: God the Father is the King of the universe, Christ is our advocate interceding between God and ourselves, and the Holy Spirit carries out the ministry of intercession by divine decree.

We join in the ministry of intercession as we align our will with God's will. When we do not know what God is doing then we allow the Holy Spirit to be our voice and intercede according to the will of God. In this process then one can expect that we can align with God's will. Our job then is not to be the intercessor, but rather to carry out the ministry of the one true intercessor. It is a "What would Jesus do?" except on a far deeper spiritual level. That is not just in action, but obedience at a heart and spiritual level. That obedience has to first affect the one would carry out this ministry long before that person can possibly hope to be a positive influence on others.

This is a very wordy post. I hope that I have not confused you more. I will spend some time in my next posts fully developing my understanding of this ministry as well as providing some examples of what it looks like. Maybe through this I can be able to share with you what God is putting on my heart.

God Bless You

~BJ

The Difficulty of Intercession (It can be rejected)

2011-02-03T07:04:00.001-08:00

Funny how God's second recorded intersession was a failure.

That may seem like a heretical statement, but it is true. It makes me feel much more comfortable with the ministry of intersession. It means that I have a responsibility to act in love, toward the best interests of others, to point others toward a relationship with God, but without regard for the success of the outcome. Success or failure of intercession ultimately lies in the faith and action of the person you are interceding for.

In the first intersession Adam was lonely. He realized that in all of God's creation there was none like him. So God broke into his world in a supernatural way. He Created Eve. I would have to say that God has done a good work in this. Life in total isolation would be akin to a living hell. Always longing, but never able to see, share, serve. It would be a sad life. The first intersession was good. Adam received it. He acted favorably toward his wife that God had provided. There is a lesson there for spouses, but that will have to wait for another post someday maybe.

Then came sin...

We don't like to think of God as failing. One of the problems is that we hold on to a theology that God is perfect. Now let me make it clear God is perfect in essence and in and of Himself. However, he created a universe that has imperfection. That is He by the very act of creating something beyond Himself created the possibility of imperfection. Something that was not of Himself or that would not always reflect His own perfection, but rather in His image he created beings with will (just as He is) that could act according to their own will (just as He does) independently (just as He does). In creating this reality He built in to reality the possibility of this being acting contrary to His will, that was willed or self-willed by another (not God). When I say God failed it was not because of He had some imperfection, but that in a way His creation had rejected Him and rendered His intersession ineffectual.

So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
Genesis 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Cain was angry. What is more sin was cleaving to his soul. God attempted to intervene.

Intercede: Inter meaning "in between" and cede meaning "to go"

Intersession is the act of going between to things. Most traditionally it is a prayer. When we pray on behalf of another person we "go between" the person we are praying for and God the giver of all good things (James 1:17). We are asking on behalf of another that God demonstrate His grace and His mercy toward that person.

In the case of Cain, I believe that God desired to demonstrate his grace and mercy toward him. However sin had prevented God from accepting his sacrifice. This made Cain angry. You see Cain is a lot like most of us. We don't mind receiving God's grace and mercy, but we do not like to part with the pleasures that sin provides us. We are worldly. We enjoy the world. The ruler of this world holds our hearts with the desires of this world. God wanted to intervene. So he explained to Cain what he was to do.

Now I take a non-traditional approach to this passage (See Cain was Furious). In this I believe that God was giving Cain a second chance. The word "sin" in this passage can also be interpreted "sin-offering.:

Is there not, if thou dost well, acceptance? and if thou dost not well, at the opening a sin-offering is crouching, and unto thee its desire, and thou rulest over it.'
Genesis 4:7 (YLT)

So God was providing a path for restored fellowship with Himself on behalf a Cain. God himself provided the sin-offering that would restore Cain in his relationship to God. God acted to provide the go between (i.e. intersession).

However, Cain rejected the go between. He did not want to repent, but rather he allowed the desires of the flesh to rule the day. He in turn murdered his brother. God attempted to intercede, but Cain had rejected it leading to continued sin, even the sin of murder. God's intercession failed. Not for lack of desire or sufficiency on His part, but because Cain refused it. I think this is an important lesson for us. We can intercede for others, but they will not always receive it. It also makes me all the more appreciative of the ways that God intervenes in my own life. Some times I reject His "between going" to my own sorrow. But as I become more aware of God's interceding for me I am happy to submit my will to His will that He might be glorified and I might experience the fullness of His Grace and Mercy.

This is the first post on a series on the subject of the ministry of intersession.

God Bless You

~BJ

Defense of the Faith vs. Avoiding Empty Arguments

2011-01-26T13:37:00.001-08:00

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And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:13-17 (HCSB)

This passage is often cited as the basis for the area of theology called apologetics. The word "defense" in "...ready to give a defense..." is the Greek word "apologia." Often apologists feel compelled to go beyond a explanation of why they believe to an apologetic for God. Let me say in no uncertain terms, "God does not need me or any other person to give a defense for His acts or inaction."

If a person asks me why I believe the Bible is clear that I must be ready to explain. My faith must not be based on some whim, passion, or feeling. It is to be understood. "Reason" in this passage is the Greek word "logos." This is a very important word. In the secular philosophy at the time the 1 Peter 3:15 was written logos meant a reasoned discourse or mode of persuasion based on reason.

Definition of rhetoric as "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion." Of the modes of persuasion some belong strictly to the art of rhetoric and some do not. The rhetorician finds the latter kind (viz. witnesses, contracts, and the like) ready to his hand. The former kind he must provide himself; and it has three divisions -- (1) the speaker's power of evincing a personal character which will make his speech credible (ethos ); (2) his power of stirring the emotions of his hearers (pathos ); (3) his power of proving a truth, or an apparent truth, by means of persuasive arguments (logos ).
Rhetoric -Aristotle

So then as Christians we ought to be able to provide a reasonable statement of what we believe.

However, we begin to cross over to empty argument when we attempt to defend the actions of God.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the "knowledge" that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (HCSB)

Notice Paul admonishes Timothy to guard what is entrusted to him. What has been entrusted to him? The gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:11, 15). How does one guard the gospel? For the most part I believe that one guards the Gospel by being prepared to give a reasonable defense. He adds to the admonition avoid irreverent, empty speech, and contradictions. Most arguments that come from unbelievers usually can be classified as falling into one of these arguments.

Irreverent Arguments

In other translations the word "bebelos" is irreverent, profane, and wrong. Profane is a blatant disregard for things that are sacred. It is often abusive, crude, and obscene. These are to be avoided. One reason I believe they are to be avoided is because it is difficult to come away from a mudslinging match and not get at least a little bit soiled. Another reason is that it fails on the "logos" approach. Irreverent arguments are emotional appeals ("pathos" arguments). Emotional appeals can be persuasive to a person that is open to what you are saying. However, a profane person is not likely at all to be moved no matter how emotionally appealing you make the Gospel.

Empty Arguments

"Kenodoxos" is translated empty speech, empty sounds, prattling, vain babbling, and foolish talk. It comes from a compound word in the Greek meaning "vain-glory." Vainglory is an old English word that describe being empty of honor or empty boasting. There are some things that are unworthy of even a response. I think these are the type of arguments that Paul is describing with this word. This type of arguing has more to do with making the arguer puffed up with pride. In some ways it relies on the credibility of the person making the argument ("ethos" argument).

Another way to look at empty arguments is one that lacks substance and/or commits a logical fallacy. I would say that the most common form would be an appeal to authority. The assumption that because a person in authority believes something that it must be true. Others would be sweeping generalizations, appeal to ignorance, affirming the consequent (very common with evolutionists), cherry picking, attacking the person (ad hominem), ad Hitlerium (making the case that Hitler was a Christian), ad Crusades (Making the crusades out to be normative Christianity), and others. It is these empty arguments that we are to avoid because then do not present a reasonable argument for or against the Gospel (ie "logos" argument).

Contradiction Arguments

"Antithesis" is translated contradiction, antipathies, and oppositions. These arguments were from the "'Knowledge' that falsely bears the name." Some would point to the Gnostic Hersey as the ones that are opposing with a false knowledge. Gnostics believed that "true knowledge" was process of internal intuitive knowing. This true knowledge superseded all other forms of knowledge. They also view the material world as evil and the spiritual world as good. They stood in opposition to the Gospel because they said that Jesus (though a heavenly messenger) could not be God in the flesh because God being good could not take an evil material form.

This phrase can also be taken in a broader form. In my experience there are three dispositions that people have who do not believe in or know the Gospel. One is of curiosity. That is to say they do not know if it is true, but they are curious to find out if it is. Second is disinterest. They do not care one way or the other if it is true. Third is opposition. They are actively against the gospel as being true. It is the last group that hold to a spirit of contradiction. They are not looking to see if it is true. They are looking to find reasons why it is not true. Their position is to stand in opposition no matter what. At times these people do get carried away in there opposition. They will invent contradictions where there is no apparent contradiction. They place their own understanding, their own knowledge ahead of the Gospel. They are puffed up in knowledge. It is these types of arguments that Paul is warning Timothy to avoid.

By the way Christians can fall into irreverent, empty, and contradictory arguments. I think one of the reasons Paul instructs Timothy to avoid such arguments is that they are so easy to fall into ourselves. When we become irreverent, use empty rhetoric, or engage in a spirit of contradiction we do the Gospel a disservice. People are more likely to look at us rather than the Savior we are attempting to share. Humility, gentleness, kindness, thoughtfulness are certainly qualities that we want to uphold as we attempt to give a reasonable explanation for what we believe. In short if someone has a genuine interest in learning about what you believe then be prepared to share what and why you believe. On the other hand if a person is only seeking to rude, empty, or contradictory avoid these discussions.

God Bless You
~BJ

Coping with Anger

2011-01-25T08:34:00.001-08:00

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There are times in which the situation that has you upset is not going to change or at least not change in the short term. It is at these times that we have to learn to cope and work through the difficulty. Here are some strategies for coping with anger.

Express Feelings through�

We have an extraordinary ability to channel strongly held emotions in to all kinds of activities. We can do this with anger. The possibilities are as varied as people are varied. I tend to express my feelings through writing. But you could also write music, make music, create art and so on.

Go for a walk

Walking often takes you away from the anger provoking situation. It lets cooler heads to prevail. It also uses up some of the excess energy that comes from being upset. When you walk try to clear your mind using CALM MIND.

Physical Exercise and/or sports

Doing something physical helps to release the energy and can also be a acceptable way to release anger. A little bit of an edge can be gained through anger. I know that when I am lifting weights for example I can lift a little more weight or a couple more sets when I have been angry.

Continue to relax

Relaxed and angry states are incompatible. That is to say you cannot be physiologically angry and calm at the same time. Here are some ways to practice relaxation.

Avoiding trouble

"Don't do it, Don't say that!" Your conscience is sounding off the alarm and you just plow right through with your own way. Ever done that? Well it seems silly to point this out, but in reality we need the reminder. Approaching troublesome situations while you are feeling angry it a bit like pouring gasoline on a fire.

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Sometimes our anger comes from the fact that we have not set healthy boundaries for ourselves. We want to say, "NO!" but cave to other's desires at the expense of our own well being. In this case the anger is resentment toward the other person for taking advantage of us. We bear some of the responsibility. If we become good at setting boundaries with others then we can avoid situations where we reluctantly go along with things that hurt ourselves in the end. Boundaries can be hard to set for someone that has been reluctant to do so. First you have to guard your heart. If people can hurt you at a heart level you are unlikely to set firm boundaries. Then you have to give yourself permission to say "NO." Next you have to learn to be assertive in a positive way rather than passive or aggressive way. Finally you have to be clear and firm with what your boundaries are. I think the topic of boundaries deserves a post to itself. Maybe in the near future I will do some on the topic.

Humor

Humor is good medicine. You may not feel like it when you are upset, but humor can lift the spirits. Whether it is you adding a little levity to a tense situation or if it is finding something humorous to be entertained with. There is a strong indication in research that humor is one characteristic of a mutually satisfying marriage. I believe that humor keeps us out of the hurtful bitterness that comes from unresolved anger.

Personal Reflection

Sometimes when we are annoyed and irritated it is not clear to us why. Sometimes we are upset with ourselves and we take it out on others. Sometimes we are just plain selfish. In these cases I believe personal reflection is in order. Finding the root cause of your anger even if it is yourself or is a reflection of self-centeredness is useful in sorting things out. Personal reflection can take the form of meditation over the situation to understand (not stew or blame). It can be through writing it down (in a journal or a log). The goal is to be more aware of your thoughts and pay attention to your internal dialogue.

Meditation on Scriptures

I find that the Bible is like a mirror to the soul. We look into a mirror to fix our hair and see our faces. But we do not see the deeper self, our soul. When we look into scriptures and we allow God's Holy Spirit to do His work the Bible becomes a powerful force in our lives to reveal our inner nature. Meditation on scriptures not only is revealing, but it is also transformative. Meditation will take your anger and change it to love and forgiveness.

Forgiveness

The highest act we can do in our lives is to forgive one who has offended us. Forgiveness is an act of the will choosing to live peaceably with consequences of someone else's missing the mark (sin). In so far as it is possible with you you choose to live at peace with the person who has offended (Romans 12:18). Forgiveness is not saying what someone has done to hurt you is right. Forgiveness is not the elimination of external consequences. Forgiveness is not putting yourself back into a situation to be hurt again.

Unforgiveness hurts you more than it hurts the person you do not forgive. In reality the person you refuse to forgive does not likely think of how they offended you. If they were thoughtful of you then they would not have offended you in the first place. Or if they do care about how they offended then they would have quickly sought reconciliation. As it is when you hold on to the hurt it becomes bitterness and bitterness becomes despair and despair robs you of life.

In the end anger is a complex and rich emotion. We have to learn to respect and use anger in a healthy way. Anger itself is not bad, but much evil can come from anger if we let it. On the other hand if we use anger to push us to greater action and to transform our lives and the lives of others then it can be a force for much good. The choice it yours. What will you do the next time you are affected by this passionate emotion we call "anger."

God Bless You
~BJ

Problem Solving

2011-01-22T06:14:00.001-08:00

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In dealing with anger you can recognize that you are angry, cool down, and turn your mind so that you are thinking more clearly, yet still in the end have a legitimate problem that needs to be addressed. In this post I would like to outline a few things that you can do to solve a problem that is triggering your anger.

Seek Wise Counsel

Without guidance, people fall, but with many counselors there is deliverance.
Proverbs 11:14 (HCSB)

It is interesting to me that when I am angry it seems that "I know best." Yet when I have had a chance to cool off I often realize how foolish I really was. One way to solve problems is to seek out counsel from someone that has had good life experience and knows how to handle your situations. Go to an expert in the problem you are dealing with and ask them. It could be a family member, friend, pastor, teacher, professional counselor, or other wise person. Having a problem to solve ought not hinder us. It is a great opportunity to learn and grow. Going to someone that is in the know will lead you to effective action.

Ask for What You Need

We are often angry because there is something that we are deprived of. This is a frustration form of anger. However, many times the thing that we need or desire is not verbalized. It is unfair to the person that I perceive has neglected me if I have never expressed the need or desire. In fact unstated expectations are poison to a relationship. Learn to express your need confidently and calmly. Often just stating your need or desire is all that is needed. Admittedly there are times when this will not work. Do not take possible rejection as a reason to keep your expectations silent. Also learn to negotiate (See Below). Give to get is often a good approach to getting needs met. If you are going to ask for something be prepared to explain what you are willing to do for their benefit.

Say "No" If Needed

Learning to say "No" is a critical part of setting healthy boundaries in relationships. If you need to say no, but end up going along with or doing the thing that you do not believe is best or right then you set yourself up. Initially it may feel like the right thing, like avoiding a fight for example. However, over time not setting a boundary will lead to feelings of resentment. If these feelings of resentment are not dealt with then it can lead to bitterness.

Negotiate With Others

Often when we are angry we fall into either/or win/lose my way/your way thinking. This type of thinking lends itself to prolonged conflict as each side works to convince the other side that they are right. It also tends to keep us in the mind set that either I win or you wind, but one of us is going to lose. This is a very unfortunate frame of mind. The biggest problem is that it is most likely a false dilemma. Most of the time any problem that people face in a relationship will have a multitude of possibilities to resolve the problem. In fact no two people will solve the same interpersonal problem in the same way. So to think there are only two ways of looking at the problem you are facing (really just one "My Way") then you really are stretching it a bit. Why not three, four, or five ways. Your so busy arguing for your way that maybe you missed the best way which would be the sixth way.

First to negotiate you have to resolve to think that my way may not be the best way. This does not automatically mean the other person has the best way either. Perhaps both of your ideas stink. But you are so locked in on arguing a bad idea you would never no it. Second you have to be willing to understand the good points of the other person. Then you have to be willing to offer suggestions that take the best of both points of view to solve the problem. Finally you have to willing to let go of some of the things you wanted in order to get some of the other things that you wanted. Fact is the only way to always get what you want is to live in total isolations, but then you may want to be around people so even then you would not get what you want.

Opposite Action "Do something nice."

A secret gift soothes anger.
Proverbs 21:14 (HCSB)

This one usually gets funny looks when I say it. Fact is doing something nice for someone that you are upset with soothes his/her anger, but it also soothes your own anger.

Pros and Cons of Change

When you have a problem to solve it is always a good idea to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of making a change. Especially negotiated change. The reason is that the first time one of the drawbacks comes up you are likely to say, "See I told you we should have done it my way." Fact is that what ever change you make it will have benefits and it will have drawbacks. The best change is one that maximizes the benefit for all involved and minimizes the drawback as well as distributes the drawbacks fairly.

Put Energy Into Something that has Purpose and Meaning

There are times when the best thing you can do is put the energy that anger creates to good use. Finding meaning and purpose in the midst of a difficult time will help to channel your efforts into a productive outcome. Sometimes the activity can be somewhat trivial (eg yardwork). At other times the activity could be profound (eg social advocacy). What ever you do, don't just sit there and stew in your anger. Get up a do something.

Prayer and meditation can be very helpful in finding meaning and purpose in life's difficult moments.

Four Problem Solving Steps

Define the Problem

When defining the problem avoid defining it as a person. When you define a problem as a person then you give all your power to change to the person you are upset with! The definition of the problem should be something that is within your power to change.

Brainstorm solutions

Come up with as many ideas as you can. Do not evaluate them at first no matter how silly they might seem. The idea is to be creative as possible. You can also ask others for ideas.

Pick one or more to try out

You want to pick the one you are most likely to do and with greatest potential for success.

Evaluate how you did

Did your solution work? If it did make a note of it. You will likely solve similar problems in the future using the same or similar idea. If it did not work go back to the beginning and make sure you have defined the problem correctly. Then go through the other steps again.

Chances are that solving the problem that is triggering your anger will take more effort than any one of these ideas on there own. However, if you practice these you will become an effective problem solver.

God Bless You

~BJ

Dealing with Anger TOC

2011-01-20T05:13:00.001-08:00

This is a Table of Contents for Posts that I have written about dealing with anger.

Anger Defined	Biology of Anger
Ring of Anger (Unhelpful Actions)	The Soul and Anger
Path To Peace (Helpful Actions)	Surrender

Steps to Dealing with anger: Step 1: Recognizing Anger Step 2: Relaxation (cooling down) Step 3: Changing Angry Thoughts With a CALM MIND Step 4: Problem Solving or Coping

Biblical Perspectives on Anger:
Proverbs on Anger	Raising Cain
Slow to Anger	Anger: The Story of Esther
Burning Anger	God's Anger

Nobody likes to be around a grump

2011-01-19T11:26:00.001-08:00

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Sometimes stating the obvious is the only way to go. Times we try to make life and relationships much more complicated than they need to be. If you are having a hard time relating to someone and you care to make a change why not start with your own attitude toward that person. It seems that we can always make room to be civil to the annoying telemarketer when the phone rings, but with the people that we care about they get the raw ugliness of our spirit. Sometimes just making a simple attitude adjustment is all the world.

Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (HCSB)

Hmmm. A little kindness will go a long way.

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB)

You see it does no good to let your irritations hang out. Being a grump and pointing out someone's faults (or even thinking about their faults) is about as likely to make them want to be around you as to be around a skunk. Your attitude stinks.

"But they started it." Come on now did you learn to get over that in the sand box days. Probably not. I know that if I do not remind myself I easily fall into this kind of thinking.

So give it a try. Love, patience, kindness, and gentleness will go a long way toward making things better.

God Bless You

~BJ

Intimacy of the Eyes

2011-01-14T05:55:00.001-08:00

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There is a level of intimacy and vulnerability communicated with the eyes. It occurs in the moment that a couple is wed and the pastor says, you may now kiss the bride. You can see it in each of their eyes that loving gentle kind connection that bonds each other in intimacy. It would be cool if we could capture that moment in a bottle and keep it cherish it, hold it I think it would be an amazing thing. It is almost as if a moment of eternity is captured in that look. What happens when we stop looking?

There are many reasons for it to happen. Let's face it life is filled with things to do. Got to go to work, got to pick up the kids, got to go to the store, got to take care of the yard, got to wash the dishes, got to cook supper, got to ... Then there is the want to's Want to get a new house, want to get a new car, want to get a new job, want to watch the latest movie, want to go out with friends, want to stay home and relax, want to... Then there are the hurts. Big or small they are the unresolved moments of thoughtlessness, selfishness, neglect, and aggravation. These moments can loom large in our minds. When we hold on to these moments they kill the look of eternal. The look of intimacy is replaced with "if looks could kill."

When we stop looking we loose something of intimacy. The bond is weakened. Consider this story:

There once was a merchant in search of a very fine pearl. He looked round the world in hopes that he would find it. He search high and low near and far. He happened upon this pearl in an obscure market in some far off land. He knew that at that moment he must have that pearl. However, he had a great dilemma; he had spent all of his money in search of this pearl. So he returned home longing to find a way to purchase that pearl. In his minds eye he could see the beauty of the pearl. The opulence of such a magnificent object captured his soul. He noticed (again from memory of it) the way it shimmered in the light like a soft beautiful white dove nesting with her young. Just a glimpse of it would draw you into eternities breath. "Too beautiful" he thought, "too beautiful to be pining away in some way off corner of the world." He determined to find a way to get that pearl.

He looked around for things that he could sell. He sold his car; he cashed out his stocks, and bonds; he took out a personal loan from his family. With money in his hand he set out again to purchase the pearl. He found the pearl just as he had remembered it in the obscure market. He paid the price with just enough money left to cover his trip home.

When he returned home he crafted a special pedestal on which to display the pearl. He found special lighting on it so that it would reveal the milky opalescent perfection that was the great pearl. He then decided to have a party. He invited all of his friends to see this pearl. They were all amazed at his find. Even more amazed at the lengths he went to get the pearl. Some said, "It certainly is a fine pearl, but the cost seems too much." His friends admire the pearl, but only the merchant could really see the pearl and its worth.

Think of it for a moment. The great value that the merchant place on the pearl through the act of looking. Notice how he cherishes it, sacrifices for it, and celebrates it. All from seeing the object of his pleasure. Now imagine that our story takes a turn.

Everyday at first the merchant would give pause to look upon this pearl. He would spend hours, just soaking in the beauty of its luster. As time passed he realize that he needed to get back to work for he was in debt over the pearl and would need to pay these off. He reasoned, "It was certainly worth it!" He very eagerly go to work with thoughts of his beautiful pearl at home. He would even talk about it in the market place. Some people even tried to make deals for him to sell it. He said, "No way it is not for sale. It is my prized possession." He would come home at night exhausted. He would spend some time looking at his pearl saying, "What a fine pearl." After some more time passed he would be caught up with the business of his market place. He was quite the business man and brought in a good income. The more that he experience success the more that he had to spend time to keep the success going. Meanwhile his time with the pearl became less and less. He kept up the care of the pearl for a time. Taking it up regularly to dust it off and polish it. He would replace the light as it burned out.

However, his care began to wane. He would forget to polish it. A dusty layer began to obscure its beauty. He noticed the great pearl less and less. One time he was mindlessly walking and ran into the pedestal in the middle of the room. He thought to himself, "This is a strange place to put a pedestal. It seems like it is really in the way." So he set the pedestal aside. As he did this he cleaned off the dust and adjusted the light to shine on the pearl. He remembered when he first laid eyes on the great pearl. How perfect it seemed. After a few minutes he was snapped back and thought, "I got to get back to work."

The pearl stayed in that place for a long time. The light burned out; the dusty layer returned. The man would notice the pearl out of the corner of his eye occasionally. But over time it became part of the background. The pearl was not greater and no worse than the lamp that used to illumine its beauty. It was like that old book that sat on the shelf beside it. One time that book was read and loved, but now it just sits there waiting to be rediscovered.

Eventually the merchant would pass by the great pearl without a look at all. He would not pay it any attention. It blended into the background of his life. In some ways it became invisible to him. Neglect, busyness, lack of care, what ever it was the Pearl had been cast aside. How? How could such a great pearl, such a wonder that would hold the affection of this merchant be now lying in some obscure corridor without much attention paid to it all?

In short the merchant stopped looking. He failed to appreciate the pearl and eventually lost interest. I wonder how often we loose great things in our lives simply because we stop looking. I encourage you to always look and see the real value of the pearl in your life.

God Bless You

God is a Meanie II (2 Kings 2:23-24; God Kills Little Children)

2011-01-05T05:34:00.001-08:00

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The last passage Numbers 31 was a favorite, but my experience is that this passage is a second favorite of atheists. Atheist would have us to understand that a Prophet of God had is feelings hurt by a group of unruly kindergartners (or grade schoolers) followed by God's directing two bears to come kill them. Unfortunately they are not interested in details so they miss the point of this verse they also jump to conclusions about that it is saying.

As I have said before, "Why is it that atheists are so interested in what an imaginary deity does?" The level of interest in these God is a Meanie passages from the Bible seem sort of bizarre. I do not believe for a second that people who are considering faith in God pick up a Bible and come to this passage in particular and say, "Well I was considering that God might exist, but this passage is a deal breaker. After reading that I am convinced He does not exist." Really? Let me suspend my incredulity and assume that there is an atheist that has a genuine interest in this passage.

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking up the path, some small boys came out of the city and harassed him, chanting, "Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy!" He turned around, looked at them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled 42 of the children.
2 Kings 2:23-24 (HCSB)

A straight reading of this passage seems to favor the interpretation of the atheists. I must admit that it seems to describe a serious consequence for a rather trivial offence and it does appear based on the language we are dealing with little children. Lets dig a little deeper into the passage though to see if first impressions are accurate.

"Small Boys"

The phrase in Hebrew "qtnim norim" is translated in this passage "little boys", "little children", and "little lads." Depending on which English translation you are using. Since there is some variation between translations that usually indicates that it is a difficult phase to translate. Looking elsewhere in the scripture the word "little" refers to size and relative importance in many cases. When it is used to describe a person it is often used to establish birth order namely the youngest in the family without regard for a specific age. The word translated "boys" is translated "Young men" (76 times) or "servant" (54 times) and then "child" (44 times), "lad" (33 times), "youth" (6 times). It would seem that this term is roughly equivalent to adolescent or youth.

Looking and the instances these two words occur in combination we discover it is used in 6 passages in addition to this one (1 Samuel 16:11; 1 Samuel 20:35; 1 Kings 3:7, 1 Kings 11:17; 2 Kings 5:14; Isaiah 11:6). The first reference was to David who was tending sheep at the time. We know that David was able to kill a lion and a bear while he was tending sheep so it is unlikely he was a young child while doing this (see 1 Samuel 17:34-35). I would put David's age between 15 and 18 at the time. The second reference was a companion of Jonathan. He was old enough to retrieve arrows and to return home on his own. It is difficult to say how old that makes him. The third reference Solomon uses to describe himself when he is coronated as king. Solomon was 18-21 when he became king. The forth reference was to Hadad who escaped, but there are not real clues to his actual age. The fifth is describing youthful skin. And the sixth is describing a child leader in poetic (prophetic) language. So based on the times we can identify and age range it would put our "small boys" in the 15-21 age range.

"Children"

In verse 24 it says that 42 children were attacked by these bears. The word children in this case again seems to be a generic child without a specific idea of age. Two examples would be Daniel 1:4, 17 and 1 Kings 12:8. In these cases it is translated "young men." Daniel and his companions were taken to Babylon somewhere between the ages of 12 and 18 to serve in the royal court. Rehoboam (and young men he grew up with) was a mere 41 years old when he became king (1 Kings 14:21). So with this term we have an age range of middle childhood all the way up to age 41.

With that kind of age range it seems to change our understanding of this passage. It seems that it was a mob of at least 42 young people came out to greet the Prophet of God.

"Go up, baldy. Go up, Baldy"

Where is it that these children wanted Elisha to Go up to? It would seem that they had heard about Elijah (Elisha elder companion) being caught up into the sky. Elijah was not always popular and I suppose that some were happy to see him go. I believe that is the message being sent here. They want Elisha to leave so they are mocking him (and God) in regard to Elijah being caught up to God. "Baldy" seems a strange insult. In the culture of the time though "it was using an extreme curse, for the prophet being a young man, may not actually have been bald-headed."1

How serious was this?

So it is possible if not likely that this was not a group of third graders, but rather a mob of adolescents. But boys will be boys and we cannot make much of them being rude to Prophet of God. God kills for rudeness.

First it is not clear that these young people were killed. They were mauled, but it does not say they were killed. Is it possible that they were attacked but not killed by these bears? I would think that it is possible and likely that is what happened here. If they were killed then why would you not say they were killed.

Second a mob a teens is a serious matter. I came across this story as I was preparing this post.

This story is eerily similar to this event in the Bible. These youth were insulting and threatening. They were age of 15-17. They were able to subdue a Marine. Think about if a handful of teens could take down a Marine then a mob of 42 would seem a serious threat to Elisha. If we were to apply the atheist interpretation of the Bible to this event here then we would have say that the bystander that flashed his gun to scare off the teens and the police that tasered the teens were meanies also. Again if you are looking for moral high ground it seems very strange to side with these unruly youth over the Prophet of God.

1 Fred H. Wight, Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, (Chicago: Moody press, 1980), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 96.

God is a Meanie (Numbers 31; Genocide and Sexual Slavery)

2011-01-01T09:01:00.001-08:00

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Another tactic of Atheists is to point to the times that God in His divine wrath judges people in the Bible. They suggest that God is misogynistic, homicidal, genocidal, tyrant. One of favorite passages of the Bible for many atheists is Numbers 31. In this passage the Israelites God commands, "Execute vengeance... against the Midianites." The Israelite men of war attack this tribe of Midianites kill the men and capture the women and children. Moses becomes upset because they have allowed the women to live. He orders the execution of all the women and male children. The female children are allowed to live. I have often been told that if you ask someone their favorite passage you can learn a lot about a person. I am not saying this applies in this case as an atheist does not believe, but it does give pause to think.

My first question to the Atheist would be, why so much vehemence against this ancient text? I have read several translated ancient texts and have come across stories much more violent and much more unjust than this one appears. Why so much energy into a fictional story about a mythical God and a people who probably never did any of this anyway? The only explanations that makes sense to me is either they have doubts about their atheism and pointing to passages like this makes them feel better, they wish to win converts to their way of thinking (faith), or they are engaged in religious like indoctrination of other young atheists. On the last one it is a control technique to create cognitive dissonance through some emotional appeal, then resolve that dissonance by saying you have the answer. In short this argument is an emotional one more than a rational one.

Now if you ever catch an atheist willing to talk about their favorite passage you will find they are not interested in understanding the background of this passage and only want to judge it on the surface. Their conclusion is that the passage describes genocide and the sexual slavery of women. Yet when you try to help them to greater understanding of the passage they will not be bothered by details. For "free thinkers" they are very narrow-minded. In case you might find yourself in a discussion about atheists favorite passage, let's take a look at these two claims, but first a little background to the story.

God told Moses to "Execute vengeance." For what? What had the Midianite people done that was so evil that God felt the need to command vengeance? There is a clue in the passage.

Yet they are the ones who, at Balaam's advice, incited the Israelites to unfaithfulness against the Lord in the Peor incident, so that the plague came against the Lord's community.
Numbers 31:16 (HCSB)

There are many clues really. Who is Balaam? What was his advice? And what was the Peor incident? Who is Baal Peor? If we can understand these questions then we can have a better understanding of the events that lead to the execution of this group of people. I would add one more question "Who are the Midianites?"

Who is Balaam?

Balaam was a man who had a gift of prophecy. Balak the King of Moab at the time when to Balaam when the Israelites came up out of Egypt (Numbers 22:5). He desired that the Prophet would curse the Israelites for him, because he felt threatened by them (Numbers 22:6). Balaam heard from God that he could not curse the Israelites because God had blessed them (Numbers 22:12). After several attempts by Balak and tempted by the promise of riches Balaam decided to go (2 Peter 2:15). There is some misunderstanding of Numbers 22:20-22 (NASB) in that it seems as though God gives permission and then becomes angry with Balaam. The permission to go was given conditionally. God says "If the men come to call you, rise up and go." However, Balaam the next morning "Arose and saddle his donkey.." It seems that Balaam was all too eager to go with them and did not wait on them to call him. Instead his heart was in to going with them to curse the Israelites and receive his reward. God Judges Balaam's heart and is angry.

So then Balaam goes to Balak to curse the people of Israel. He cannot do this since God has blessed them. In the end Balaam also blesses Israel and curses the kingdoms of Canaan including the Moabites (Numbers 24:17).

What was his advice?

There is no record of what Balaam said to Balak in Numbers. However, in the traditional view, explained in Revelation 2:14, Balaam not being able to curse them (being restrained by God) suggested that if the Balak could convince the people to prostitute themselves to the men of Israel and get them to worship foreign gods that they would be able to subvert the will of God.

What was the Peor incident?

The plan worked. The women prostituted themselves (Numbers 25:1) and the Israelites began to align themselves with Baal (God) of Peor (Numbers 25:2-3). This was a serious matter and had it been unchallenged it could have altered the course of history. If the Isaelites (God's chosen people) had followed after Baal, God's final plan of redemption would have been thwarted. So Moses acted swiftly and had those that converted to Baal of Peor killed (Numbers 25:5).

Who is Baal Peor

Baal Peor is "The Lord of the Opening." Baal Peor was worshiped with prostitution and other unclean activities involving the openings of the human body (avoiding becoming graphic). It seems that if you were to pick out a perfect deity to carry out this plan this would be the one. The warriors (wives and daughters) would be worshiping the deity by giving their bodies in this way. The men of Israel would be enticed away from God by their sexual appetites.

Who are the Midianites?

At first it seems confusing; Balak the king of the Moabites and the women of Moab perpetrated this incident. However, as we dig a little deeper we discover that the Midianites were also aligned with Balak and his plan (Numbers 22:4, 7; Numbers 25:17-18). However, we cannot say that all Midianites were involved in this plan.

One problem is that Moses was married to a Midianite. His father-in-law was a Midianite priest (Exodus 2:16, 3:1). Another problem is that Moses killed every male (Numbers 31:7) and yet about 200 years in future Midian subdued Israel for seven years (Judges 6:1). How can this be? The most reasonable explanation is that Moses did not intend for the Israelites to kill all the Midianites (which would have included his own household), but rather the Midianites responsible for the Peor incident. In fact the passage says as much (Numbers 31:16).

Conclusion

So in summary Balak goes to the Midianite kings and says we have to get rid of these people they are a threat to us. He attempts to get a local prophet to pronounce a curse against them because he does not foresee a military victory. This not being successful they come up with a plan to have women go to seduce the men of Israel and lead them to follow the Baal of Peor. Presumably the Midianites send a caravan of 5 kings, soldiers along with their wives, daughters, and children. The wives and daughters, who are old enough, go to the Israelites and entice them to have sex with them. The plan works and some men of Israel converted to Baal of Peor (Lord of the Opening). Moses then orders the execution of the men of Israel drawn into this cult. Later on God commands Moses to tell the Israelites to take retribution against the Midianite caravan that perpetrated this plan.

Now that we have the background let's take a look at the claim that this was a genocide or taking of sexual slaves.

The claim that the women spared became sexual slaves makes little sense. It would seem that all the women of age involved in the plan to entice the men of Israel were executed for their part in this plan. If the intent was to take sexual slaves then it would not make sense to kill the very women who were willing to give their bodies sexually. What is more if the women of age (old enough to have sex) were killed that would only leave very young girls. This would make the claim even more outrageous saying that the Israelites took to pedophilia with little girls. This claim is outrageous given the restrictions that are clearly laid out in the Bible. The Jews (because of the Law of God) were very conservative sexually. Pedophilia does not make sense and is a stretch and perverts the text in Numbers 31.

The claim of Genocide also not make sense. Moses was close to the Midianite people through marriage. He did not kill all Midianites as they show up later in the Bible. It is more likely that Midianites from five cities with five kings agreed to take part with Balak in the plan to perform sexual warfare against the Jews. And the killing of these Midianites was in the context of the war started by Balak and his Midianite allies.

In terms of moral responsibility for the children. I do not want to get into a debate of whether it was right or wrong to kill. In war the right to kill is clouded by the right to defend oneself. There have been many men, women, and children killed by warfare. But to think that these Midianite parents took their children into a war seems outrageous. They even pressed their adolescent daughters into service as sexual warriors. It seems that if you are looking for moral high ground siding with the Midianites in this case makes little sense.

Of course in most cases you will not get someone using this argument to look at the evidence of their claims against God, but at least now you know the whole story.

God Bless You

Calming the Mind (MIND)

2010-12-31T08:58:00.001-08:00

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In the last post we talked about Contentment, Acceptance, Loving, and Mindfulness as a way to calm the mind. This is a way to deal with angry and worried thoughts. In this post I want to take this idea further and address Meditation, "I AM Worth it", Nurture, and Diversion as a way to deal with this type of thinking.

Meditation

I have previously posted on the subject of meditation here. Meditation is a contemplative awareness of your own thoughts, others, around you, and most importantly God. It is a deeper way of knowing what is going on. It is a discipline that requires much practice to become good at. Do not expect to meditate once and have calmness as a result. In fact meditation may take as long as three weeks practicing every day before a person starts to see the benefit.

I AM Worth it

OK I cheated on this one. I borrowed "I AM Worth it" from Dr. Redford Williams1. I AM Worth it is an acronym that helps you to remember four important questions.

Important: Is this important?

Appropriate: Is my anger appropriate for the given situation
Modify: Can I change my situation?

Worth it: Is change worth the effort?

Answering "Yes" to all of these would show that you have a problem to solve. Armed with this insight you can focus your energy toward an effective and productive solution. On the other hand answering "No" to any of these would show that you have a problem to cope with. This would mean that you need to find a way to get through and resolve your angry feelings.

Nurture

It is much easier to grow when there is someone to give you instruction, support, and encouragement. His/her nurturance is a powerful influence for growth. What can you do though when you are not with someone who can cheer you through the difficult moment. One thing to do is to develop some short phrases that you can say to yourself that will help you to self-nurture to a better outcome. Some suggestions for self-nurture comments would be:

"I can do this."
"I have faced situations more difficult than this before."
"When I figure this out I will be a better person."
"If I watch my reaction then I am effective in the way I respond"
"Cool Down."
"Take it easy."
"I am almost through this."
"I can to all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Maybe you can think of some of your own. The key to self-nurture statements is repetition. In the heat of the moment you do not want to search for the words. You want the words to come naturally. So identifying the phrases for yourself and practicing them is a good way to remember them.

Diversion

Diversion is a quick way to get the mind off of an angry moment. The way that it works is to find an activity that can get your mind off of things. Some might read a book, listen to music, do housework. For me doing yard-work is a good place to get my mind off of frustrations. A word of caution though; it does not work to divert your action, but leave your mind dwelling on the situation. The goal of the diversion is to get your mind off of the situations so that you calm down. One problem with using diversion all the time is that it becomes the bad habit of avoidance. If you have a problem that you are avoiding you will never solve the problem. Sometimes diversion for the moment, but then return to the problem at hand and addressing it is the best course of action compared to having an angry outburst.

What would it take for you to have a "CALM MIND?" Contentment, Acceptance, Loving, Mindfulness, Meditation, "I AM Worth it," Nurturance, and Diversion only work as you practice them. Having the idea of doing something is not the same as doing it. Trying it once is not the same as doing it well. If you want the have a CALM MIND it will take practice, repetition, and consistency. If make this commitment then you will find that you are able change your angry thoughts to more helpful and productive thinking. In the end you will cope and problem solve more effectively, which is something that I believe we can all work on.

God Bless You

1Duke Health Medicine Health Line (Nov. 26, 2007). Why Anger Kills. DukeHealth.org. Retrieved December 31, 2010, from http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/health_articles/whyangerkills

Christmas Reflection

2010-12-25T04:00:00.001-08:00

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here come the wise men from Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King, Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. His power and glory evermore proclaim.

O Holy Night. Ours is a Holy night. about 2000 years have passed since that faithful night. Yet God's Holiness in no less Holy than that night. We act as if there is one day higher than another. Yet consider this very night has been redeemed of God. What will you do with it.

Long Lay the world in sin and error pining. Lets face it we have been enlightened in many ways. Cars, computers, food handling, public works, waste treatment, and all manner of gadgets have changed the way that we live our lives. We have technology that allows for me to type words on the screen and within 24 hours have people from all over the United States, and far off places from me like Russia, Malaysia, and Poland read it. We are lucky to have food in bounty.

And yet if we open our eyes the sin and consequences of sin keeps the world in bondage. There is no reason that any child should go hungry tonight. We have the technology, transportation, and the resources, what we lack is the will. To allow a child to go to sleep hungry is a sin. This is just one of many examples that I could give that sin is alive and well.

Till a soul felt it's worth. Jesus still enlivens the soul of those that trust in Him. He transforms and changes the person from the inside out if he or she will let him. Yet so many of us feel worthless. This is a particular confusion to me. Why should any soul with so many Christians in the world fail to feel it's worth. Perhaps we have failed to shine the light.

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morning. Praise God for new mornings. Everyday, every moment of the day has the potential for new and glorious redemption. Even this moment that you are reading this is a new opportunity for God's Grace and Mercy to flow through. That is flow into your life and into the life of another. What a glorious morning awaits us the moment that we put action to our faith and minister to those in need.

Fall on your knees! I was in meditation and God as clear as one can say he speaks said in my spirit, "Worship is the heart of obedience." Obedience out of a hope to gain something is desire (sometimes selfishly) for some feel good moment. Obedience out of avoiding some punishment is fear, (sometimes selfishly) or some from of self-preservation. In either case obedience is self-focused. Obedience that is centered in worship is characterized by love, devotion, hope, reverence, and thankfulness.

My prayer is that we would have a worshipful Christmas. Thank You Lord for Your Son Jesus Christ. I pray that during this time of year that You will fill our hearts and renew our minds. That we not only be recipients of the gifts of love, grace, mercy, and hope, but we in fact would become vehicles of love, grace, mercy, and hope. That the Light that You have placed in us would illume the world. In Name of Our Savior Jesus Christ. AMEN

Calming the Mind (CALM)

2010-12-22T13:59:00.001-08:00

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Equally if not more important to calming the body in the heat of anger would be calming the mind. It is the mind that invents all manner of evils (and goods) to hoist upon those that we are most passionate about (good or bad). Without calmness of the mind one risks acting out rashly, harshly, with vengeance even when it is done with premeditation. This is not a direction we want to go. Thoughtful? Yes! Intentional? Yes! Hurtful? No! Destructive? Definitely not! When cooler heads prevail you will nearly always regret the latter two, but you can nearly always celebrate the first two.

How do we move to be more calm of mind? I think there are several concepts that need to be explored in having a "CALM MIND": Contentment, Acceptance, Loving, Mindfulness, Meditation, Improve, Nurture, Diversion.

Contentment

I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
Philippians 4:12 (HCSB)

This is quite a statement. First, I tells me that contentment is a learned way of being. If you learn something know how to do it not the same as doing it nor doing it well. These things take intentional practice to do them well. Contentment falls into that category. Contentment is the quietness of soul that comes over a person when all is well. Yet Paul is writing the Philippians here that he has learned contentment in "any and all circumstances." So the second thing I learn is that true contentment is not tied to external circumstances. He takes it further and says, "whether well fed or hungry." True contentment is not tied to getting some need met. This is quite extraordinary. If you ask someone what is contentment they will always point to some peaceful external circumstance or getting some need satisfied. Yet Paul is saying plainly that there a contentment that is greater than these. How does he do that? Four things that he does: he trusts in his relationship with Christ (Philippians 4:13); he prays (Philippians 4:6-7); he is thankful (Philippians 4:4, 10); and he meditates on the good things in life (Philippians 4:8). Now each of these may be difficult to do in the moment that you are angry, but remember this is a discipline that you want to learn well. More on Contentment here: Christian Mindfulness (Contentment)

Acceptance

Acceptance is the act of receiving something. Often we do not like things or we believe they are unjust or unfair or are not what we want. Accepting something you do not want is like drinking vinegar. Non-acceptance is the rejection of something. Now if that something is a circumstance then acceptance means that you receive the circumstance as it is. Not that you judge it to be good, but that you acknowledge it is what it is. You stop fighting against reality and come into contact with it as it is. If the something is a person, then you accept them as they are, the good and the bad. Not that you desire that they stay that way or that the nature of your relationship has to stay the same, but you accept them as a human being with shortcomings even as you are a human being with shortcomings.

As a Christian my acceptance is rooted in my acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Lord (in charge of) and Savior (rescuing me from my shortcomings) of my life. My acceptance of my circumstances and of others is rooted in this truth. That God accepts me through the relationship that I have with His Son Jesus Christ. God's acceptance of me and my acceptance of Him becomes the foundation of my acceptance of people and events in my life. I also note the the reverse is true. There are times when my acceptance of God is diminished. At those time my acceptance of circumstances and people also diminishes.

I often share this analogy when it comes to acceptance:

Imagine that you go home and your bedroom has been painted your least favorite color. You are shocked and disgusted by the color so you close your eyes and pretend like it is not painted that color. Your quickly find your way to the door and refuse to reenter the room until it is dark. Not turning on the lights you get ready for bed and go to bed. The next morning you wake up and open your eyes to discover much to your dismay that the room is still that ugly color. You again close your eyes and find your way to the door and leave. You again refuse to go into the room until it is dark to avoid seeing that ghastly color. You do this a second night, a third night, a week, two weeks, a month, two months. Let me ask you, "What color is the room?" For all that effort and energy over the last couple of months the room color has not changed and you are most likely more miserable than when you started. This is non-acceptance. It is only through acceptance that you can actually do something about the color of the room.

Not accepting something does not change it. Accepting something gives the possibility of change. One of the hardest things to accept is that there are some things that are beyond your ability to control. I have this diagram to help understand what I have control over, what I have influence over, and what I have neither control or influence over. Trying to control something that you do not have control over is frustrations. Accepting things you have no control over, accepting that some situations at best you have influence over and focusing your energy on things you have control over is effectiveness.

Loving

Passionate anger as a force meets it's match with passionate love. Loving in the midst of anger seems to be foreign to most if not all of us. I have previously posted on Agape Love here: The Greatest of these is Love, 1 Corinthians 13: What is Love?, Love: Going Deeper in the Word. Let me say this where love abounds you cannot go wrong. Where anger abounds you cannot avoid going wrong.

Mindfulness

I personally advocate Christian mindfulness. Christian Mindfulness at its core is contemplative awareness by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:15). Contemplation is an act of the will which requires that we be fully engaged in the present moment and dependent on God's Holy Spirit. Contemplation is where what we know meets what we experience. It is the process of wisdom.

Beginning with awareness of your signals and triggers you move into greater awareness of the circumstance (awareness of environment or of the moment), Person or people that are involved (awareness of relationships), and prayerfully aware of what God is doing to work through this circumstance (spiritual awareness). When we are able to enter into the "peace of God" we achieve Christian Mindfulness.

Mindfulness not only involves greater awareness, but also increased potential to act effectively. When it comes to anger it will allow you set aside selfish desires and see the most beneficial and effective course of action. More on this here: Awareness of Self (Effectiveness).

Well I have covered the CALM part of CALM MIND. I hope that I can get back to the second half soon. I am not sure as it will be busy the next couple of days and I want to thoughtfully and mindfully describe Meditation, Improve, Nurture, Diversion. My hope is that these posts are helpful in dealing with anger. I will be putting up a Table of Contents as soon as I have worked through this series. Please be in prayer for me as I consider writing a book. I am sensing that this is the direction to go for me, but I still have reservations (Grammar being one of them). My hope is to present something that helps me to fulfill the mission:

To live and challenge others to live excellent, fulfilling, and authentic lives.

I hope that is what this blog is doing for you as well. Thank you for your prayers and readership. You all are a blessing to me!

~BJ

Can God Create and Object So Big He Cannot Move It?

2010-12-21T19:56:00.001-08:00

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This is another supposed contradiction that Atheists like to throw out to challenge the idea of an all powerful (omnipotent) God. The argument creates a dilemma in that God is either not omnipotent because He cannot create such a thing or He is not omnipotent because He cannot move it. The problem though is not in the dilemma, but with the question itself. The question is logically flawed.

Remember for the Atheist (as I have said before) this is an absurd question. Why a person would want to know if an imagined being could move and immovable object is confusing to me. It would seem that putting energy in to such fiction would be a waste of time. In short I would quickly say that any fantasy being could move any fantasy object without any problem while still creating something that is unmovable at the same time. This is fantasy after all.

Moving on though to the question at hand. The goal is to call into question the Omnipotence of God. In my estimation we cannot in our finite understanding be aware of what omnipotence is. If we could understand the most powerful force in the universe we would just be scratching the surface of understanding omnipotence. If it takes 70,000 computer processors to figure out the merging of two black holes, then understanding omnipotence is a bit more processing power than my tiny brain can handle. At best we can imagine that God is more powerful than the most powerful thing we can think of.

My concern though is for the second half of the question. First the size of the object. For an object to be so big it would have to be larger than the force trying to move it. Omnipotence by definition is infinitely powerful. So in this case our object would have to be infinitely large. Creating an infinitely large object would displace everything else in existence. It would be the utter obliteration of everything (Including God Himself?). This would make such an object a fantasy. It would be an unreal object. Can God create something that does not have the possibility of existing. No! Why? Because it is a contradiction. For an object to exist it must be finite and if it is finite then God can move it. Something finite cannot be infinite. So such an object cannot logically exist.

Next looking at the properties of Objects. I would say that moveability is a universal property of objects. Throughout the universe we see objects in motion. There is no corner in which we find something that is not moving in some way, shape, or form. I propose that it is not possible for an immoveable object to exist. Everything is in motion in some manner. Even Black holes (in my limited understanding) are in motion. So if the most massive objects that we are aware of are in motion then an object even more massive would have to be in motion as well. What is more motion is measured relative to another object. So in order to test whether it was not moved there would need to be two of these immoveable objects. I am having trouble imagining one now we need two. Hmm!

One more thing, the laws of astrophysics would indicate that as an object got larger it would reach such a size that the gravitational pull of that object would begin to pull itself into itself creating a black hole. As that object became more massive then it would reach the mass of the universe. What is larger than the mass of the universe? I am not sure, but if our universe is moving I am not sure what a black hole more massive than our universe would be? Singularity perhaps. Could God move it? Yes we exist don't we. So you see no matter the enormous mass of this supposed object it would have the quality of moveably. An immoveable object is a contradiction in and of itself. So it cannot exist.

In conclusion then the question is illogical. Illogical questions can be answered however you want, but you will never know nor can you arrive at the correct answer.

I have a question for the Atheist. Can any researcher create a computer simulation of an immoveable object? They might want to start here and get up to speed. This simulation took 70,000 processors three months to compute. I wonder how they connected all those laptops :-) . Here is what they produced.

Well at least we know the object is bigger than the little guy on the left and also bigger than the guy on the right Notice the little ripple at the end as it takes the little black hole into itself.

God Bless You

OK I'm Angry So Now What? (Learning Relaxation)

2010-12-21T09:00:00.001-08:00

Image by Xavier Fargas via Flickr

Once a person has recognized their triggers and signals, what does he/she do next? I have previously posted on the Biology of Anger here. In short it difficult to overcome biology. When you are angry your fight or flight response needs to be quieted. This is primarily accomplished through relaxation (see here for some ideas).

Relaxation and intense anger are incompatible states. The idea is to become so good at relaxation that you can sort of turn it on. Some people mistake relaxation to be an event. For example: "I can't wait for the weekend so I can relax." or "I will finally be able to relax on vacation." or "When I lay down I can relax." The problem with this view is that relaxation is tied to your external circumstances. Relaxation is not of any particular use if you are angry about your situation. The situation is not relaxing by definition. However, relaxation is not an event. It is a skill and a state of mind.

I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
Philippians 4:11 (HCSB)

Contentment is relaxation of the soul. If Paul has learned how to be content in whatever circumstances he is in the I firmly believe that we can do the same.

Start with relaxing the body. There are many strategies for relaxation. I have written about a few that I have used with people in my counseling practice. Here are a few more ideas. The goal is to find one that works for you and practice it every day.

By practicing it everyday you accomplish at least three things.

First you learn to recognize tension. by recognizing the difference between a relaxed and tense state you can add this to your awareness of signals for anger.

Second you lower your set level of tension. We all have a general level of tension in our day to day life. Some people's level is higher and others lower. By lowering you set level of tension you give yourself more room to respond over reacting. Think of it this way if you are already highly tense then it will not take much additional stress from your circumstance to push you into a negative reaction. But if you are lower in tension from practicing relaxation then it will take more stress to push you to a negative reaction, which will give you more time to effectively respond.

The third thing that practicing relaxation accomplishes is that you get better at it. Think of an activity that you get better at with more practice. The same is true for relaxation. In fact the better you get at relaxation the more effectively you can use it in a tense moment.

I have had people tell me in counseling, "I have tried those relaxation strategies and they do not work for me." When I ask them when the tried it they respond, "When I got angry of course." There is a problem in this thinking. If you are a basketball player and the only time you take shots at the basket is during a basketball game you are not going to me a good basketball player. To be good at something takes practice. Some activities take a lot of consistent practice. Relaxation is one of those activities in my opinion.

Practicing relaxation has many health benefits as well. Give it a try. Notice the sense of well-being that comes through effectively relaxing.

God Bless You

Recognizing Anger

2010-12-20T05:26:00.001-08:00

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you travel through life ignoring the signals or triggers for your anger it is a bit like driving while ignoring stop signs. Eventually you will get into trouble or in to a serious accident. There are three types of anger signals: Body signals, thought signals, and actions signals. Triggers are the situations that typically result in you feeling angry.

Body signals are the sensations that you feel when you are angry. These sensations are automatic (see previous post). Most people will feel hot, some sweaty, nausiated, headache, muscle tension, beathing hard, and so on. The trick is to be more aware of your personal signals. If you recognize that you are feeling angry then you can identify your body signals by thinking over the previous several minutes and becoming more aware of how you feel physically. The tendency is to short change this awareness by simply stating, "I feel angry." This is usually a thought or at least an emotion. But awareness involves being more aware of how your body feels over just knowing that you are angry.

Thought signals are the automatic thinking that occurs when you are angry. For example: Someone cuts you off in traffic and you think, "You idiot you are going to get someone killed." That is an automatic thought. These automatic thoughts often fit a similar pattern across various settings. The most common pattern is to label people or situations with deregulatory language. There can also be emotionally charged words like hate, pissed off, F%$# you, sucks, and so on. Each person has their own pattern in thinking when they are angry. The trick is to recognize your own. Another common pattern of angry thinking is the just/unjust (either-or thinking). You let some perceived injustice be the justification for your anger. When in reality it is more likely the other way around. It is the perception and not the event itself that is triggering your anger. For example: What if I told you that the person that cut you off in traffic was taking his child the emergency room because she is very ill. You would change your thinking, "Be careful I hope that your daughter gets better. That feeling is compassion over anger. What changed? Your thinking.

Action signals are the behaviors that you do when your angry. Often others will recognize our action signals long before we are aware of them ourselves. If you are bold you can ask others to help you identify your signals when they observe them. It might be better to ask them to tell you when you are not angry at the time. Telling someone their anger signals while they are angry is usually met with defensiveness. Some typical action signals are: raised voice, complaining, slamming objects, stomping, arguing, clenched fist, clenched jaw, punching, kicking, and so on. Each person has actions that tend to be typical when they are angry. The goal is to become aware of some of the early signals before your anger leads to the more aggressive ones. Another way to catch action signals in the moment is when someone says "Why are you angry?" Rather than the automatic, "I am not angry." You can say, "What am I doing that makes you think that?" Most people that we are close with are perceptive of our moods and will be able to identify our anger long before we are aware of it.

Triggers are the situations or people that can pretty reliable result in our anger. Being aware of our triggers is beneficial in two ways. We can learn to avoid unnecessary situations. Avoiding an angry situation is wise. Anger in the raw rarely solves anything. If avoidance is not possible then awareness of our triggers allows us to be prepared to take positive action. You can plan ahead what you are going to do if that trigger happens. Planning ahead for angry situations or dealing with people that push our buttons is effectiveness. Not planning is foolish because you will likely fall into habitual behaviors that have not been effective in the past.

Being aware of signals and triggers is the first step in coping with or resolving your anger. If you miss this step you are much less likely to be successful in dealing with anger. If you do this step then you will be much more prepared to respond rather than react when anger comes your way.

God Bless You

Euthyphro Dilemma

2010-12-18T07:48:00.001-08:00

"Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?"

This is often presented as a puzzle by atheist because it becomes a circular argument or leads to conclusions that seem to contradict our concept of God. In the grand scheme of things the whole dilemma is more complicated that it is simply stated.

First recall the dilemma is absurd to the atheist.

Is what I think is good (or what we generally call good) commanded by a non-existent being because we think it is good, or is it our thinking it is good because it is commanded by a non-existent being.

After a while one begins to wonder why atheist are so concerned dare I say threatened by absurdities? It also makes me wonder why some atheists are so vehement against theists. My advice to atheists, "Screaming and mocking the naive does not make them less naive, but it does make them less likely to listen to you."

As with most of these arguments the defining of words is important. in this case the defining of a word is the central part of the dilemma. In short this dilemma could be restated:

Does goodness define itself or does God define goodness.

The other option is that neither goodness nor God exists. Which is the way that most hard core atheists go.

What is meant by "it."

Is what is morally good commanded by God because it is morally good, or is it morally good because it is commanded by God?

"It" seems to be "What is morally good." If this is the case then the dilemma restated becomes:

Is what is morally good commanded by God because what is morally good is morally good, or is what is morally good, morally good because what is morally good is commanded by God?

This is the core of the defining good. That is does good define good or does God define good

x commanded by y because x is x or x is x because x is commanded by y

"It" could also be the "what is commanded by God." If that is the case then the dilemma restated becomes:

Is what is morally good commanded by God because what is commanded by God is morally good, or is what is commanded by God morally good because what is commanded by God is commanded by God?

In this case the first horn is a tautology and the second horn is illogical.

x is y because y is x or x is y because y is y

Either the dilemma is illogical or hinges on defining morally good.

On the other hand "it" could be generic "the thing" implied by the argument which is the object of our speculation.

Is what is morally good commanded by God because the thing is morally good, or is the thing morally good because the thing is commanded by God?

If this is the case then we need to define what the thing is before we can proceed to answer the dilemma.

God commands moral good. This is a true statement to the theist. The problem occurs when you attempt to separate moral goodness from God. Treating moral goodness as a quality independent of the nature of God creates a contradiction in the first horn of the dilemma. If moral goodness is separate then it constrains God which then God looses his will, sovereignty, and omnipotence. However these problems dissolve when you consider that "the thing" to be the nature of God. Restating the first part of the dilemma becomes:

What is morally good is commanded by God because God's nature is morally good.

If this is what is meant by moral goodness then the first horn of the dilemma is true. It also answers the question of how to define goodness. It is God's nature that defines moral goodness.

The second half of the dilemma becomes:

God's nature is morally good because God's nature is commanded by (proceeds from) God

A command is a statement proceeding from the speaker asserting his/her authority. In this case God's nature then proceeds from God as a word (command). In short God's nature both defines and acts according to what is morally good. Interestingly this makes me think of two parts of the Bible that express this idea of goodness proceeding from God in the form of a command.

Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:3-4 (HCSB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1:1-5 (HCSB)

In Genesis we discover that God commands into existence many things (in fact all things). He also observes that it is good. What makes this interesting is that His creation proceeding forth (by way of command) from His Nature (goodness) becomes an object which He can now describe as "good." He is the definition, the creator, and the observer of goodness.

One might object that this goodness is arbitrary and therefore meaningless. That is to say an all-powerful evil god could do the same thing and call it good. However God's goodness is immutable. That is to say unchanging and fixed. That which is evil and good cannot be arbitrary. Goodness is fixed in God's nature. Everything that is good in existence is then a reflection of God's goodness and/or proceeding forth from God.

Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
James 1:17 (HCSB)

The passage of John identifies the command of God (Word, Logos in Greek) as the person Jesus Christ. It continues to describe how The Word was God and created all things. Continuing the Bible says that the Word has "life in Him." The "life was the light of men." The light is not darkness. It shines into the darkness. Spiritual darkness is the absence of spiritual light. Evil is often equated with spiritual darkness. Evil then is not so much a quality that is opposite the quality of good as it is the quality of being without God. This is fundamental to our understanding of Good and evil. Which I will have a chance to elaborate in future posts I am sure.

Back to the second half of the dilemma we see a hint of why God created. God commanded because goodness proceeded from His nature. It also makes the second half a true statement. If both halves of a proposed dilemma are true then it is by definition a false dilemma.

By this point most have lost interest in the dilemma I am sure. For those of you that read through my philosophical ramblings; Why? ;-) and thank you for your readership. In short the dilemma is best answered with a question, "What do you mean by morally good?" And then proceed from that point with the theist position that moral goodness is defined by God's nature, if the atheist is uncommitted. The rational position for the atheist is that moral goodness does not exist and that goodness is an arbitrary or beneficial opinion of the individual or community that holds it. The implication of this view is that all manner of evil can be justified because it is a matter of lack of benefit or opinion that it is evil. But more on that later.

God Bless You

Argument that Goodness and Omnipotence are Incompatible

2010-12-17T08:10:00.001-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

Another argument that atheist put forth is one of so-called self-contradictory qualities that are attributed to God. The most common is the the qualities of Goodness and Omnipotence (all-powerful). The argument goes something like:

1) If God exists then He is all-good
2) If God exists then He is all-powerful
3) A good being corrects evil if it is in their power to do so
4) Evil exists and has always existed in the world
5) God has not acted (from 4)
6) If God unable to prevent evil He is not all-powerful
7) If God does not prevent evil, He is not good
8) Therefore an all-good, all-powerful God does not exist (From 5-7)

Remember this is an absurd argument from an atheist's perspective. It is absurd in that they are assuming a priori something that they don't believe. "If a non-existent thing exists." So the first and second premise falls apart in the atheist's logic. Arguing from absurdity makes any conclusion suspect.

A second problem is what is good. Goodness for the theist is a quality of God that extends to His creation (albeit imperfectly). That is there is a standard for objective morality (goodness) that is given by God. By what standard does the atheist use to determine what is good. At best goodness is an opinion of the person making the judgment. The first statement becomes "if God exists then he must be good according to my opinion." The third statement becomes "a being ought to take what I think is good and correct what I think is evil." The seventh statement becomes "If God does not prevent what I think is evil then He is not good in my opinion."

A third problem is in the assumption that God is impotent to do anything about the evil that exists making Him not all-powerful. "If He can do something about the evil then why wouldn't He." That a good being does not act in the face of evil does not automatically mean they are not good nor that they are powerless. It could be that the being has another purpose, intent, or reason for evil to exist. It could be that evil exists that goodness might be understood and appreciated. It might be that evil exists that the good that comes from freedom can be fully realized. It might be that evil exists because the fullness of time and ultimate goodness has not yet arrived. There are many more missing bits of information that would lead a good being to not act or to delay their action.

A forth problem is that it puts the arguer in the position of judge. In one sense the arguer attempts to place themselves above God. They are judging what is good, what should be corrected, and that God has not acted. Let's assume that this person was justified to go where angels fear to tread. Then the arguer must be all-knowing themselves to make the determination that God is not good or that He has not acted. But in fact they are making an argument from an incomplete understanding of the facts. God may have acted imperceptible (or not in a manner our arguer expects), God may act in a time yet to come, maybe what we have judged bad may actually turn out good and so on. The arguer cannot know all things so to make this argument without all the facts is giving one's opinion.

Fifth, not really a problem more of an observation. Often someone making this form of argument will have a deeply personal (often painful) circumstance, situation, relationship, and/or event that heavily influences their conclusion. I believe that Christians would do well to not dismiss "the feeling that..." until they have "fully understood the underlying reason that..." Even theist struggle with doubt about God's dealings with humanity in general and in our own lives specifically. Shrill dismissals will not win a person over, but a compassion and an understanding heart just might. Even great men of God have their moments of doubt. Humble expressions of doubt will not make you seem weak, but rather it will make you honest.

Lord, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
Psalms 10:1 (HCSB)

I will say to God, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy's oppression?" My adversaries taunt me, as if crushing my bones, while all day long they say to me, "Where is your God?"
Psalms 42:9-10 (HCSB)

In conclusion then we have an atheist who makes an argument which essentially says, "In my opinion God does not exist." For an atheist to state their opinion in logical form is not a very powerful argument. On the other hand we also need to recognize that we can minister to a hurting person if they let us. Let us be mindful that we might not add to another's pain, but could possibly bring them from spiritual darkness into The Light.

God Bless You

Trust and Relationships

2010-12-16T07:00:00.001-08:00

We struggle to know when to give our confidence to another person. We long for intimacy of a close friendship, pursued a relationship, and then betrayed. Jesus understand betrayal. On the eve of his persicution He was turned over by using a kiss, deserted by those nearest Him, even denied by one very dear to Him. Below are some selected posts on trust and friendship.

Three Sides of Trust		Friends of Christ
Interaction of Three Dimensions of Trust		John the Baptist "Friend of Christ"
Trustworthiness According to the Bible		Jesus' Friends in High Places (No not in heaven)
Trustworthiness: What does it look like?		Judas Kiss of a Friend?
Confidence Restored?		Missing the Mark (Friendship Defined)
Circles of Confidence Part I		When Friends Fall
Circles of Confidence part II		Who is Your Greatest Friend?
Is Meaningful Conversation a Measure of Happiness?...

Path to Peace

2010-12-14T11:00:00.001-08:00

Returning back to my posts on anger, I previously posted on the ring of anger. The ring of anger keeps anger going without resolution. Just avoiding the things that are unproductive and unhealthy with anger does not resolve the feeling of anger. I would even go further and say that unless you do something with the anger you are likely "stuffing it."

The path of peace is a better way to handle the feelings of anger. Remember it is not anger that is good or bad it is the way you handle it that makes it good or bad. The four ways that are the path to peace are Show it positive (express it), Shape it, Sort it out, and/or Surrender it.

Show It Positive (Express It)

Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, and don't give the Devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:25-27 (HCSB)

One of the signs of emotional maturity is the ability to express feelings in a healthy manner. Expressing anger in a mature, clear, and healthy way is very difficult. Part of the reason is that when you are angry the thinking/planning/organizing/rationalizing part of your brain is slowed way down. The other part of your brain is sending the signal "punch this guy" or "run away." The rational part of your brain is lucky to guide that into a verbal response which usually results in a verbal attack or quiet seething. While the verbal response is desirable to a physical attack it is lacking in emotional maturity.

Expressing emotions like anger in a mature manner involves several steps. First you have to be aware that you are angry. That might seem funny to you, but most people that struggle with anger are not aware of their anger until after they have said or done something that they regret or hurt another person. You may have said or been told in a loud angry tone, "I AM NOT ANGRY!" It is the contradiction that demonstrates a lack of awareness. The second step is understanding why you are angry. "What is the trigger?" "What do I believe about the situation?" "Do I understand why I am feeling this way?" After you are aware of and understand your anger, then it is time to put it into words. The typical suggestion is "When" (Fill in the trigger) "happens I feel angry." There are many words that describe the feeling of anger that can be applied to different types of anger as well as different intensities of anger. Find the right word. It might be helpful to learn a vocabulary of anger (more in a future post).

Shape It

A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15 (HCSB)

In 1980 13-year-old Cari Lightner was killed by a drunk driver. Candy Lightner was devastated by the loss, as any parent would be. She learned that the man that had killed her daughter would not spend much (if any) time in jail. She felt enraged and helpless. Candy her mother promised herself that she would not let her daughter's death be meaningless. Later that same year Candy formed Mother's Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) on September 5, 1980 (Cari's Birthday).

Anger is a powerful force. Undirected it is destructive to the victim and the perpetrator. But if that force can be channeled it becomes an unstoppable movement for positive change. How does one woman's anger become an international movement? It is in the quality of shaping your anger to a positive outcome. Now you may not start a national movement (or maybe you might), but you can use that same force to accomplish some good in your life and the life of others. It takes support from friends and family. A willingness to let go of the destructive side of anger, and an unwavering commitment to see that anger motivate you to greater action. It will take greater effort and thoughtfulness, but the wonderful thing about anger is how incredibly motivating it is. Use that motivation or energy to do something positive. It could be as simple as using it for an intense physical workout at the gym or as dramatic as starting a movement that radically changes your world. Whatever it is channel it into something good!

Sort It Out

But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Fool!' will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, 'You moron!' will be subject to hellfire. So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you're on the way with him, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
Matthew 5:22-25 (HCSB)

Once a person has understood there anger it is beneficial to do something to sort it out. Sorting it out will often involve going to the person that you have offended or who has offended you. If you desire to sort it it out you have to approach the situation with a sincere desire to make things right. It will not work if you go with the intent of justifying hurtful, harsh, or demanding manner then it will not likely work. But if you go with grace, leniency, and a desire for reconciliation then you can have hope of sorting it out. The process of sorting things out can be very complicated and difficult. It can also be very time consuming. Often it is not immediate so patience is a must. What is more is sorting things out with another assumes that the other person is in a place to want to do the same. Demanding that a person who is not ready to sort things out with you cooperate with your effort and "good will" is a sure recipe for frustration and increased anger. This will further strain the relationship. Just remember this:

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:17-18 (HCSB)

If it is not possible or if it is not practical to sort it out with another person sometimes you can sort out your anger by your self or with a trusted person than can listen to you and give honest feedback. The goal of sorting it out on your own is to take your understanding and awareness to a deeper level. Greater understanding will help you then to identify the things that you can change in yourself or in your environment to avoid triggers or resolve the anger that you experience. Sorting it out will often lead to some level of acceptance for the way things are. Not that you have to judge the situation as just, fair, or good, but that you accept it. Once you are able to accept it then you can move to the next stage on the path to peace.

Surrender It

I view surrendering anger from a spiritual view point. It is hard for me to imagine surrendering anger from any other perspective. I see surrender as different than forgetfulness or not bringing it back up. Forgetfulness (if such a thing is possible) is unmindful. It is a type of self-denial. You have to forget being hurt and constantly work a releasing the hurt over and over and over again. This may not be so hard for minor offences, but when someone has deeply hurt you this constant state of trying to release the hurt is in itself hurtful. You have to deny you hurt, but how do you deny what you feel. You have to deny yourself. Self-transcendence is an extremely difficult road to take. Few (if any) ever arrive. When you fail at this self-denial then you are likely to beat up your self or have others beat you up emotionally by saying, "Why can you just get over it." Not bringing it back up is also a type of self-denial. Forgetfulness denies how you feel. Not bringing it back up denies what you think. You are reminded of the thing that made you angry and think on it, but do not express it. You try to push it away from your awareness. What I think happens is that the thought that is put away in an effort to not bring it up lies in our sub-conscious waiting until some other event reawakens our awareness of the thought. Often this repeated awakening of the angry thought intensifies every time and eventually leads to resentment and/or forceful expression of the angry thought in some future discussion.

So what then if denying how you think or feel does not lead to resolution then how does one take this path to peace? Surrender is the key.

sur-ren-der:	to yield (something) to the possession or power of another
	to give oneself up, as into the power of another; submit or yield

I use surrender in both senses of giving an object up as well as giving one's self up. The object that you surrender is anger. You yield or turn over the anger to the power of another. To whom or what do you surrender the anger to? Well I am convinced that spiritually speaking no one can receive someone else's anger by way of surrender. It can only be received by another person through force, retaliation, or retribution. I believe that only God can receive our anger by way of surrender. Consider that surrendering anger to God is being obedient.

Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (HCSB)

What is more surrendering your anger to God is a statement that you trust Him to work it out for the best. When I try to avenge my anger I am just as likely to be angry in an unjustified or extreme way. God on the other hand will execute justice in perfection. What is more if the person is repentant it gives you a path toward restored relationship. If you do not surrender your anger then even if the other person comes to you and says, "I am sorry" you will not have freedom to reconcile until you surrender your anger.

Surrendering involves self-surrender. First you submit to God.

But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:6-7 (HCSB)

Then you submit to others.

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (HCSB)

Even submit to those that are against you.

But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:39-41 (HCSB)
You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:43-45 (HCSB)

But this is too hard you say. I agree. I think apart from a relationship with God through Christ this type of submission is impossible. It requires that you have honor toward Christ, relating to God, and filled by the Spirit.

... but be filled by the Spirit... submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:18 and 21 (HCSB)

The scope of submitting is far beyond what can be summed up in this brief post. What I have done is given you a path. A Path to Peace. Now whether you choose to walk this path is up to you. I pray that you find it and that the Spirit of God so fill you that you arrive safely in God's peace.

God Bless You

Disproof of God?

2010-12-13T06:22:00.001-08:00

Image via Wikipedia

There is an argument that "Proves that God does not exist" that circles Atheistic circles that goes something like:

Premise (1)
If God exists, God has not had the feelings of lust or envy.

Premise (2)
If God exists, God exists as a being who knows at least everything man knows.

Premise (3)
If God exists as a being who knows at least everything man knows, God knows lust and envy.

Premise (4)
If God knows lust and envy, God has had the feelings of lust and envy.

(5) God exists.
By hypothesis.

(6) .: God has had and has not had the feelings of lust and envy.
By (1) - (5).

(7) God does not exist.

By (5) & (6)
Q. E. D.

The logic of this proof falls apart on the definition of lust and envy.

Lust: A strong desire

God does have a strong desire it is called love. In the Greek is is Agape. It is the benevolent stance toward humanity His strong desire (Agape) that has led Him act in grace and mercy.

In this case the first premise is sometimes false (Depending on the nature of the desire).

Lust: A strong sexual desire

God is not sexual in the sense that we use the term lust. So in that respect God has not known strong sexual desire.

In this case the second premise is false.

Envy: A feeling of discontent in conjunction with the desire for possession or qualities of another.

What can another possess that is not already God's for he has created everything. For envy to be a state that God experiences there would have to be some object that belonged to another. This seems to make the statement that He knows envy absurd. He can know it in the sense that He understands that it exists, but He cannot by his very nature know envy in an experiential manner.

In this case the third premise is false.

In one case God does envy. He is discontent for the heart (will of men) to be toward Him. He has given men "Free will" as such it is this gift of free will that allows for men to give something that He does not have. However, it seems to fall apart because if God has given it, He also can take it away. Consider the story of Jonah the reluctant prophet or consider that one day:

By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow to Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 45:23 (HCSB)

So in this case the first premise is again sometimes false.

Given that the major premises in the "Proof that God does not exist" can be either proven false or sometimes false it makes it a weak argument and its conclusions suspect.

On the two cases that God does lust and envy, let me say this. God has a inescapable passion for each person alive. His love is more than anyone can describe or understand. It is this love (strongest of desires) that leads Him to pursue a intimate relationship with you. You can reject His offer, but interestingly His love is not quenched. His love is also accompanied by a discontent that men would reject his offer of love. He is envious that men should turn their lives to Him. This discontent is only resolved through repentance of a believer or destruction by God wrath. Interestingly this parallels the belief that there are two eternal destinations for men in Christian thought. To heaven or to hell and the path is chosen by whether the individual turns toward God's love and resolves the tension of discontent. If a person does not turn then God's love is edged out by a growing discontent that eventually spills out as wrath. I realize I am repeating myself somewhat, but it is important enough to repeat and ask, "Which way are you going?"

God Bless You all!

First Cause

2010-12-12T06:39:00.001-08:00

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As it seems to me there are three competing theories for the origin of the material universe. 1) One all the material for the universe is eternal. 2) The existence of material is cyclical that is to say that some future event caused the material to appear in the distant past. 3) That the material has a beginning.

At the present time it would seem that evidence is point to the fact that our universe had a beginning. It also looks like it will have an end. The end will either be a cooling off and dying or at some point collapsing upon itself. This would make the material of our universe not eternal, but keeps open the possibility that other universes have loaned our present universe eternal matter.

It is this evidence that to me presents the strongest case that the material universe is not eternal. If present observable universe is not eternal then something has caused it to exist. There are a few theories. Singularity which is the predicted initial state of the universe. The best non-technical way to describe it is a black hole on a massive scale in which the entire contents of the universe exists in a tightly compacted point. A second theory is that proceeding the "Big Bang" there was a "Big Crunch" and that the universe has always existed in a state of expansion or collapse in a never ending cycle of death and rebirth. A third is that our universe is actually one of many. The beginning of our universe was created at the collision of other universes.

Each of these theories contains their own particular difficulties. The problem with each of these theories is that they are beyond science. They rely on observing the universe as it is now and modifying the theory to conform to the present data. What ends up happening is a system in which most of what we know about the physical universe does not conform to the scientific laws that have been established. So the theory becomes more and more complicated to account for new information. What is also interesting is that you find scientists using a peculiar word more and more frequently. "I believe that..." It is this that leads me to think that scientific cosmology at some point becomes an article of faith. That is to say we reach the limit of what is knowable and have to accept the resulting explanation by faith. Most will deny this and say they are making predictions based on what they are observing. Funny though when someone with an alternate cosmology suggests they are doing the same they are closed out of the game so to speak.

So here are the competing explanations for our universe which is nearly unanimous that it had a beginning. 1) The universe existed in a very tightly condensed point so tightly condensed that we cannot even begin to imagine it. It then violated every conceivable physical law that we know of (or rather the laws did not exist yet) and exploded. Over time it expanded fast enough to escape the singularity and cooled. As it cooled the physical properties and laws begin to take shape. And all of this was random unguided chance. 2) the universe has always existed in an expanding or contracting form. We are currently in an expanding form. At some point in the future the universe will not be able to continue to expand and will be pulled back into itself in a grand collapse. Only to start the rebirth of a new universe. This one is a bit more challenging in that it uses physical laws to collapse the universe, but violates nearly all of them to create it. 3) Ours is not a unique universe. In fact there are many universes that have always existed and when they collide in random fashion they create new universes (of which our is a product).

In short we either have a random purposeless unguided process, which violates nearly every thing we know about the physical universe which explodes or collides into existence. Or a supernatural intelligent creator that has spoken out of nothing all that is into existence. He builds out of nothing a universe that is orderly and purposeful.

As you might expect I am partial to the second story. But given that at some level each of these explanations must be taken by faith (belief) I really wonder why anyone would rather have a random, unguided, purposeless universe. I suppose the greater question for me is that if the universe is random, unguided, and purposeless, then why should there be any order at all. It seems quite contradictory that out of an early existence in which no physical laws exist that this chaos should form something orderly. In that respect it is God creator ex nihilio (out of nothing) that seems to me to be the most reasonable explanation of our existence and the order contained within it.

Celestial Teapot, Flying Spaghetti Monster, Pink Unicorn, and Other Strange Creatures

2010-12-11T05:49:00.001-08:00

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Atheists argue that since the existence of God is taken by faith by most adults that it is a matter of sheer fantasy. They will often take it a step further and use teapots, Flying Spaghetti Monsters, Pink Unicorns, and others to make the point. The form of the argument goes something like this:

If I were to suggest that between the Earth and Mars there is a china teapot revolving about the sun in an elliptical orbit, nobody would be able to disprove my assertion provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by our most powerful telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is an intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time.¹

To me the problem is not that there is an "intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it" nor that celestial teapots, flying spaghetti monsters, or pink unicorns are "nonsense." Rather in each of these cases it is an invention of the author and the authors admit that the story is mocking, challenging, or otherwise parody of religious thought. Can I prove that a celestial teapot does not exist? Yes, it is an admitted made up concept by Bertrand Russell. Can I prove that Flying Spaghetti Monster does not exist? Yes, it is an admitted made up parody of intelligent design by Bobby Henderson. Can I prove that Invisible Pink Unicorns do not exist? Yes, it is an made up concept by alt.atheism (et al) to challenge Theists who suggest that Atheists must offer evidence to refute the existence of God.

In each of these cases the story was made up and the authors have all admitted as much. Now a person can choose to believe in a story in which its author's admit they made up, but to do so is foolishness. The stories come to us as inventions of human creativity. Not so with a belief in God. If this argument was to hold water one would have to establish that the belief in God was made up invention of human creativity. I can easily point to when, how, and where "Teapot (et al)" stories were created, but the atheist has a much more difficult task in my estimation in demonstrating that the belief in God is made up or invented. Even more difficult in some ways as, for the majority of people that believe in God, it was not based on a religious text or story that led them to faith, but rather a personal experience in which the Divine Creator of the Universe revealed Himself to the believer. That is to say I believed in God before I believed in the Bible, or in the gospel of Christ!

1) Bertrand Russell (1952)

Answering Atheists

2010-12-10T06:16:00.001-08:00

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When and Atheist asks you to explain God, do not take the bait. Usually it is in the form of a question of God doing something. For example, "Why does God kill children?" The question is insincere. It is not being asked out of a genuine curiosity, but is a trap. Our Lord was very good at recognizing these types of questions and responding effectively.

When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?" Jesus answered them, "I will also ask you one question, and if you answer it for Me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Where did John's baptism come from? From heaven or from men?" They began to argue among themselves, "If we say, 'From heaven,' He will say to us, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' we're afraid of the crowd, because everyone thought John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." And He said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
Matthew 21:23-27 (HCSB)

Let me rephrase the question to make my point. "Why does a non-existent being kill children?" The question is absurd. A non-existent being cannot do anything by definition. Since the question is illogical to the person asking it there must be some other motive in asking it. I think the best way to respond to these "Why does God do (or not do) something" questions from atheists is to turn the question back to them.

"Do you believe that God exists?"

"No"

"Then why are you concerned about something that does not exist doing something? Your question seems absurd."

"So you are admitting the God does not exist?"

"No I am just trying to understand your question as you mean to ask it. The Bible tells me to be weary of answering foolish questions. Your question seems foolish to me since it is illogical."

Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
Proverbs 26:4-5 (HCSB)

A surface reading of this proverb seems to be self-contradictory. So are we to answer the fool or not answer the fool. But after some examination and contemplation of this proverb I believe that this is describing my point here. If you answer the foolish question you become foolish. If you answer by pointing out the foolish question you make the person asking the question aware of his foolishness.

This is exactly what Jesus did with the Chief Priests above. He pointed out the foolishness of their question by getting them to think through their own position. They became aware of their own foolishness. So he did not answer the question according to their foolishness, but He did answer the foolishness of the question.

And so we, in defense of the Gospel must be very cautious to not assume that every question is sincere or that every question is an inquiry of further wisdom. Sometimes the question is foolish. Better to point out the foolishness of the question than to answer it, become foolish, and/or make the fool wise in his own eyes.

The fool says in his heart, "God does not exist."
Psalms 14:1 (HCSB)

Have a blessed day!

The Ring of Anger

2010-11-25T07:16:00.001-08:00

Anger is self-perpetuating if we allow it to. It is like a flame that is unquenched that becomes a forest fire. There are at least four ways that anger is handled that keeps the anger alive and growing: Pretending not to be angry, verbal expression of hostility, spreading it to others, and physical violence against person or property.

Stuff It

I was speechless and quiet; I kept silent, even from speaking good, and my pain intensified. My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned.
Psalms 39:2-3 (HCSB)

When we pretend to not be angry we often feel that we are doing something good. Most people are brought up believing that anger is a bad thing. So if expression of anger is an evil then pretending to not be angry must be a good somewhere between mildly annoyed and not being angry at all. Unfortunately it does not work that way. My observation of people who regularly engaged in stuffing their anger is that they eventually become depressed or at some point erupt with rage and sometime they do both. I like the analogy of a pressure cooker. Eventually the pressure will have to come out somewhere.

Say It Hurtful

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.
Proverbs 29:11 (HCSB)

Words can be destructive. I recall hearing the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Harsh words, hostile words, hurtful words are plainly destructive to the soul and wellbeing of the person receiving end of such verbal abuse. The level of hurt is directly tied to the level of trust that existed prior to the careless words. However, even a taunt from one's worst enemy can be hurtful. Verbal attacks seem more desirable than physically hurting somebody, but great psychological pain can be inflicted and embedded with words. When we give "full vent" to our anger it is foolish. It destroys the very things that we hold dear. I tears down the ones we love. It alienates us from others. A wise man never has to apologize for being angry, because he chooses wisely when to speak and when he speaks he carefully chooses his words.

Spread it (I am angry and you should be too)

An angry man stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.
Proverbs 29:22 (HCSB)

Misery loves company and so does anger. There are two types of spreading anger: provocation and passive aggressive.

Those that provoke others to anger are often angry themselves. This provocation is either to join them in some angry cause (mob mentality) or to get someone so angry at them that they either look the fool or make the first attack justifying retaliation. In either case it increases rather than diminishes anger. It increases the likelihood of violence.

Passive Aggressive on the other hand is more subtle. It is the action (or inaction) of a person that is hurtful to the other, but without a direct expression of hostility or violence. Most commonly it is failing to act or failing to act in a timely fashion. "Why are you angry with me? I got it done after all!" However, by doing it in a delayed fashion it punishes the other person by having them wait or resisting the expectation to have it done. It can also be the removal of kindness or intimacy as a way to "punish" the other person. It can be engaging in activities that are known to be annoying toward the other person and then being surprised when they are annoyed.

Slam It

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man who schemes is hated.
Proverbs 14:17 (HCSB)

Physical violence against person or property can have the most dire consequences of all expressions of anger. When anger and rage reaches a point that acting violently is the only choice then anger has controlled the man. These acts are often illegal. The most common act of violence is assault. It is estimated that 4.8 million women and 2.9 million men are assaulted physically or sexually in the US every year¹. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 17 men will experience assault from a spouse or in a dating relationship at some point in their life. The impact of this violence is staggering not the least of which is the effect it has on children. Aggression is best predicted by previous acts of violence and being exposed to violence as a child seems to result in greater potential for violence when one is older.

Aside from the obvious damage to the victims of violence, there tend to be significant consequences to the perpetrator even when the victim has not been seriously hurt. I have counseled several couples in which one of the partners ended up in jail after police responded to a domestic violence call. In some cases for just throwing an object at the other person even though the other was not hurt. I don't say this to excuse low threat acts of assault. No quite the opposite. I say it to point out the seriousness of the problems that violence causes.

In short, stuffing it, saying it hurtful, spreading it, and slamming it are four ways that keep anger going, fails to resolve the issue that triggered feelings of anger, and often results in greater consequences for all involved. We have to learn how to better manage this powerful emotion in order that we avoid the inescapable consequences if we do not.

1) Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey

Anger: The Story of Esther

2010-11-24T06:57:00.001-08:00

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Esther is a story of a person that rises above her circumstances to become a powerful influence for the common good. The subtext though is a story of anger unchecked. Let's take a look at the subtext and see if there is anything we can learn from this amazing story.

On the seventh day, when the king was feeling good from the wine, Ahasuerus commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who personally served him, to bring Queen Vashti before him with her royal crown. He wanted to show off her beauty to the people and the officials, because she was very beautiful. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king's command that was delivered by his eunuchs. The king became furious and his anger burned within him.
Esther 1:10-12 (HCSB)

As we jump into this story we right off the bat see vice that is so often associated with anger. Alcohol has been well researched and implicated in aggressive behavior. Alcohol is involved in half of all murders, rapes and assaults by some estimates¹. The Bible describes alcohol as a brawler (Prov 20:1). So King Ahasuerus went from feeling good buzz to being angry very quickly.

The second vice here is sexual provocation. The king was not interested in treating his wife as a beautiful fine vessel, but rather as a crude display of sexuality for the entertainment of his guests. He sought to dishonor her by making her into a sex show.

Queen Vashti appropriately refused. However the king's pride was wounded and he became angry that she did not obey his command. His anger was fury and burning. This is the third vice: Prideful anger.

As the story continues we learn something else about anger. Often anger is an expression of the desire to control others in a relationship.

For the queen's action will become public knowledge to all the women and cause them to despise their husbands and say, 'King Ahasuerus ordered Queen Vashti brought before him, but she did not come.' Before this day is over, the noble women of Persia and Media who hear about the queen's act will say the same thing to all the king's officials, resulting in more contempt and fury.
Esther 1:17-18 (HCSB)

The root of misogynistic anger is the desire to control women. The Bible unfortunately has been used to perpetuate this sin against women, but this story stands in testimony against such actions. Anger is often the response when a person has a misplaced desire to control others. It is an expression of emotional immaturity in that "I want it, you have it, so give it to me." It is almost as if the individual never learned while growing up that in order to get along a person has to give a part of themselves contrary to the selfish desires of the flesh. Notice the perversion of respect here. My wife dishonored me, by refusing to dishonor herself at my command. What is more there is a cultural hatred toward women as his wise men are threatened to the point that they want to make an example of the queen.

The result was that the king deposed the queen and sent a message through out the kingdom announcing his judgment in order that women would "honor their husbands (Est 1:20)." This is the message then, "My wife refused to be sexual entertainment at my party. I was angry with her for dishonoring me in this way so I removed her from being queen. So women you better listen to your husbands and do what they say."

After a while the King then goes through a drawn out process to select an new Queen. That person is Esther. Esther's uncle who raised her is Mordecai.

During those days while Mordecai was sitting at the King's Gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs who guarded the king's entrance, became infuriated and planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of the plot, he reported it to Queen Esther, and she told the king on Mordecai's behalf. When the report was investigated and verified, both men were hanged on the gallows. This event was recorded in the Historical Record in the king's presence.
Esther 2:21-23 (HCSB)

We do not know what these two eunuchs were angry about, but notice out of their anger hatched a plot to kill the king. This anger came to the attention of Mordecai who took quick and decisive action to warn the king.

Next we are introduced to Haman. Haman is elevated to a high position in the kingdom. He is very pleased to have others bow down and pay homage to himself. Mordecai is not pleased to do this and refuses.

THE JACKASS IN OFFICE

AN Ass carrying an Image in a religious procession, was driven through a town, and all the people who passed by made a low reverence. Upon this, the Ass supposing that they intended this worship for himself, was mightily puffed up, and would not budge another step. But the driver soon laid the stick across his back, saying at the same time, "You silly dolt! it is not you that they reverence, but the Image which you carry."

Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office. ²

Haman's character was soon to be revealed to the king, but notice his reaction to Mordecai's supposed offence.

When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing down or paying him homage, he was filled with rage.
Esther 3:5 (HCSB)

His rage spilled over into the ethnic hatred that had existed between Haman's people and Mordecai's people. Haman, a likely descendent of Agag, king of the Amalekites who were the enemies of the Jews (See Est 3:1; 1 Sam 15:8; and Ex 17:8-15), developed a plan to wipe out the Jewish people because Mordecai had refused to bow to him. He used the King to bring about his plot by getting the king to agree to kill off the Jews because they followed different laws.

Next Mordecai finds out about the plan. He goes to Esther to warn her and ask her to talk with the King about this plan.

If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's house will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.
Esther 4:14 (HCSB)

Esther agrees to talk with the king and asks that the people to fast while she seeks audience of the King. She plans a banquet for the king and asks that Haman attend. Meanwhile...

That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King's Gate, and Mordecai didn't rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. Yet Haman controlled himself and went home.
Esther 5:9-10 (HCSB)

Haman could not let it go so he and his wife plotted:

His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, "Have them build a gallows 75 feet high. Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself." The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.
Esther 5:14 (HCSB)

The king could not sleep. He was reading through some records and realized that Mordecai had never been honored for saving his life. He calls Haman to ask him how he can honor. Haman seeking to ask the king to hang Mordecai thinks, "Who could the king want to honor but me." He describes an elaborate plan to honor this person. The king then orders Haman to bestow this honor on Mordecai. Haman's anger is turned to bitterness.

He then attends the feast prepared by Esther. Esther reveals the plot to kill the Jews to the king and then exposes Haman as the author of the plot. Again:

Angered by this, the king arose from where they were drinking wine and went to the palace garden. Haman remained to beg Queen Esther for his life because he realized the king was planning something terrible for him.
Esther 7:7 (HCSB)

The king returns finding Haman lying on the couch with Esther. Haman was prostrate begging for his life. The king however thinks that Haman is attempting to have sex with her. Wanting to defend her honor and repay for the treachery against the Jews the king decides to hang Haman from the very gallows that Haman had built for Mordecai.

They hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's anger subsided.
Esther 7:10 (HCSB)

As the story continues the King gives the Jews the legal right to take up arms and defend themselves. The crisis of pending genocide is averted and Esther becomes a Jewish national hero.

What are we to learn from this account? Anger is a passionate and destructive emotion. It drives to take action, but that action is not always tempered with sound judgment. In this case anger led to broken relationship, misogyny, plotting murder, violent racism, and eventual death of one of the angry person. On that last one the king is believed to be Xerxes I of secular history. If that is the case then the King was murdered (Matt 26:52). I believe that we can learn to watch out for anger. Great evil can come about in our lives if we do not. We also can learn how Esther in great wisdom handled this angry king in great power of gentleness. It reminds me of the proverb.

A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
Proverbs 15:1 (HCSB)

One of the most important things to learn from this account is that anger is ultimately destructive to the person themselves. Anger unrestrained overpowers the angry man.

Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated-it can only bring harm.
Psalms 37:8 (HCSB)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.
Proverbs 29:11 (HCSB)

Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (HCSB)

Let us walk wisely as we discern what to do with this power passion and emotional we call anger. God Bless You.

1) http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/abuse/a/blacer030616.htm

2) An argosy of fables

Judgment (God's Anger, Our Fear)

2010-11-23T05:35:00.001-08:00

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Indignation is anger based on the unworthiness of the object of displeasure. In the spiritual realm God indignation is roused by sin in our lives. To be sure God is loving, compassionate, slow to anger, merciful, and gracious. However His indignation cannot be quenched forever. This is especially true when we (His children) do not make the decision to remove those things that are evil from our lives.

The fear of the Lord is this: wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.
Job 28:28 (HCSB)

Fear and anger are kin emotions. One leads to attack the other to running away. We trample on the sovereignty of God in our modern sensibility. We exchange the truth "there is none righteous no not one" (Ps 14:1-3; Rom 3:10-12) for the lie "men are basically good." What is even more astounding is that it is a senseless lie. Just open your eyes to see that evil is alive and well in human activity. Listen with your ears to hear heart wrenching stories of the defenseless falling pray to evil. What then can we say? Often we will push the evil away by declaring it to be some form of psychopathology. "Bad people have bad brains" has become the new form of "The devil made me do it." Well if that is the case then we all have bad brains to one degree or another. Does that excuse evil then? Certainly not. Yet what about our sense of justice. Can we legitimately hold a person that has killed multiple times accountable if he has a "bad brain"?

My take is this, that we would find differences in the brain of a person who is a serial killer is not particularly surprising. Not anymore surprising than say finding out that a musicians brain is different from the norm. You see our brain is a collection of learning experiences. A serial killer has unique experiences from the rest of the population. One would expect that there would be a difference. Defining evil in terms of faulty biology though is really dangerous. It may be hard for us to empathize with a serial killer, so what about an adulterer, drunkard, thief, liar, gossip, and so on. What if some day we discover they all have "bad brains" as well. Does it make them any less culpable for their sin?

My point is this. Righteous indignation is rooted in God's righteousness. God has provided a standard for living in the conscience of all of us. Every day our conscience convicts us regarding moral issues. This conscience can become so seared from repeated violations that it loses its effect, yet it stands in conviction of our selves. We are self-condemned with regard to morality. Further, God's standard for living is also recorded in the Bible. I would focus in particular to the section found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). In these three chapters we find a life long work to achieve the righteousness of God. Yet even if that were possible to achieve you would have no way to erase the mistakes that you have already made up to this point.

Justice demands payment for wrong doing. It is embedded in the very consciousness of our mind. Certainly our sense of justice can be distorted, but we do not tolerate well when that sense of justice has been violated. We become indignant and demand our rights or the rights of others be up held. We demand that perpetrators be brought to justice. The criminal offences be punished and civil offences lead to restitution. If we in our feeble ways and imperfection can demand justice then how arrogant is it to suppose that God in is almighty ways and in his perfection is some how evil when he judges?

Fear God indeed. We ought to pay attention. The righteous anger of God is being stored up against the ungodly and unrepentant. We too ought to be gravely offended when we see the justice of God being perverted whether within the church or outside. Anger is purifying if it is according the the righteousness and justice of God. This is fiery rhetoric to be sure, but God's anger is a consuming fire.

Why Do They Hate Christians

2010-11-12T04:34:00.001-08:00

Audio Version

Text Below:

This morning I will be sharing from Matthew Chapter 10:21-25.

On Sept. 19, Islamic extremists broke into the Philadelphia Pentecostal Church in Sharif Town, Karachi City, Pakistan, and set fire to Bibles, hymnals, a musical instrument and a table, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.

The church, which is led by Pastors George Rakha and Peter Shahzad, was established six years ago and is actively involved in Muslim evangelism. "At 4 a.m., some fanatics broke the lock of the church door and entered the church," VOM contacts reported. "They burned three crosses, nine Bibles, five books of worship songs, a table and a musical instrument Tabla [local drum]."
Source: Voice of the Martyrs

Why do people hate Christians?

You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
Mt 10:22

Then they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Mt 24:9

Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another.
Mt 24:10

And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
Mk 13:13

You are blessed when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
Lk 6:22

You will be hated by everyone because of My name,
Lk 21:17

The world cannot hate you, but it does hate Me because I testify about it--that its deeds are evil.
Jn 7:7

If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you.
Jn 15:18

If you were of the world, the world would love ?you as? its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.
Jn 15:19

If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.
Jn 15:24

I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
Jn 17:14

Do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
1Jn 3:13

Why then are we surprised, shocked, or otherwise aghast when we discover that the world hates Christians. One reason is that we have lived insulated lives. We have not felt the heartache of losing a loved one for the faith. We have not felt the sting of a whip against our back. We have not known true poverty because no one will give us work or buy our goods due to our faith. I don't think we would know what to do if we felt the full weight of the hatred the world has for us. We have been lulled into a slumber in our faith. Wake up! Church wake up. If we knew these things. If we woke up to the attempted terror against the faith then we would not be surprised to find out that the world hates us. This hatred takes three main forms: Division, persecution, and slander.

Division is the first form of hatred that a Christian can endure. This division is created the moment that we give our lives to the Lord. As we become more and more like Christ and as we deepen our walk with Him then this division grows. For some it is a gulf. For some it leads to persecution, but the division is there. At times we as Christians act as if the division does not exist. At other times we try to "build bridges" to overcome the division. We use things like "Blessed are the peace makers" as the the banner of reconciliation. Do not get me wrong. We are to reach out and minister to the hurting. We are to heal the sick, bind up the wounded, give drink to the thirsty. The divisions will come. They cannot be avoided. They cannot be undone. If you have any inclination to pretend that there is not a division let me just share this with you. You are choosing to dwell in a spiritual no man's land. For those of you who do not know what a no man's land is: it is the space that exists between two warring troops in a battle field. The reason it is called no man's land is that it is either not occupied or it is so dangerous that no man would dare venture into it. And yet to live as if no division exists between Christians and unbelievers is foolish. You will get caught in the crossfire. I will talk in a moment about our reaction to this division, but let us not be so foolish as to say it does not exist or that we can wish it away like some silly notion. It is a fact of our walk with God that there will be division.

The second item is persecution. This persecution comes in many forms. The essential quality of persecution is that you are being chased. That is to say someone is actively seeking your harm. We must not be caught up in the so called persecution complex. That is to say we are being persecuted merely because something does not go our way. This may be the result of the natural division that exists between the believing and unbelieving world. But, to be persecuted is to be pursued, chased, and harassed by those that would harm you. This harm can be legal, physical, financial, familial, social, and political. There is growing concern that we will see persecution in the United States. In some respects we have seen the early stages of persecution to come into our lives. Around the world though persecution of Christians is in full force. Every three minutes somewhere in the world a Christian has paid the ultimate sacrifice for their faith by giving their life in martyrdom. That means that from the beginning of this service until I finish my sermon it is likely that 20 Christians will have been martyred. Listen dear friends. We are so caught up in our trivial and minor discomforts in our lives. 20 Christians will have given their lives up for Christ. Think about that. 14,000 plus people die a month to name the name of Christ. Hundreds everyday giving their last breath and committing their souls to God in heaven. I do not say this to offend, horrify, or harass you. I say this because we are a-s-l-e-e-p ASLEEP! Wake up, persecution is here in our time. Our thoughts of persecution for ourselves are phantoms of the real thing. Why are we so relaxed in this day an age when nearly 500 of our brothers and sisters in Christ die in the hands of a world that hates them. Yet the Word of God says do not be surprised when this happens. The world hates Christians! The Hatred is growing. Over the last two thousand years over 70 million Christians have been martyred. A staggering figure. Yet nearly 46 million of those died in the last 100 years. That is 65% of the total number of Martyrs occurring in the last century.

A member of an underground Christian movement in Somalia has been murdered by Muslim militants in a continuing campaign to eliminate converts from Islam. Area sources said al Shabaab militants entered the house of Osman Abdullah Fataho in Afgoye, 30 kilometres from Mogadishu, at 10:30 the night of July 21 and shot him dead in front of his wife and children. Fataho was a long-time Christian deeply involved in the activities of the small, secret Christian community, sources said. Area Christians said they suspected someone had informed the militants of Fataho's faith. The assailants abducted his wife and four children, later releasing her on the condition that she surrenders the little ones to be trained as soldiers. "We know they have taken the children to brain-wash them, to change their way of life from Christian to Muslim and to teach them the Koran," said one source. Abducted were Ali Daud (5), Fatuma Safia (7), Sharif Ahmed (10) and Nur Said (15).

A Christian leader who attended Fataho's funeral on July 22 said that one of the slain man's relatives noted that the militants had targeted him because he had left Islam. The incident has spread fear among the faithful in the lawless country, much of which lies in the grip of ruthless insurgents' intent on rooting out any person professing Christianity. Leaders of the Christian underground movement have been forced to flee their homes to avoid being killed by the insurgents, said one leader who, along with seven others, has temporarily moved to an undisclosed area. (Source: Compass Direct)

http://www.persecution.net/arch3.htm

Do not be surprised when the world hates us for Christ has told us ahead of time that this would happen.

The third way that Christianity is hated is slander. I would say that this is the most common form of hatred that Christians in the United States experience. There is no shortage of people to verbally attack the faith and the faithful. We are portrayed as foolish backward people with morals and values of a long past dying religion. Countless attempts are made to make Christianity look foolish. We are also not doing Christ any favors in our actions. Our misdeeds become ammunition in this word assault on Christians.

Do not be surprised when they speak evil of us. In fact do not be surprised when they make up lies about us. We are hated. They will hate us.

Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev faces criminal charges of "large-scale swindling," according to Forum 18 News.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and possible confiscation of property. Pastor Nurliev was arrested at his home in southeastern Turkmenistan on Aug. 27. Three women who previously attended Nurliev's church wrote statements stating the pastor took money from them. Nurliev's wife and other church members vigorously deny these charges, saying police pressured the three to write the statements and that they now regret doing so. Another church member was threatened that if she does not testify against Pastor Nurliev, her husband, who is not a church member, will be fired from his job.

We may not face the harsh reality that we could lose our job for our faith, but it is certain that there are those that want to marginalize, put down, and silence the Gospel message. That is the reality of following Christ. Do not enter into Christian faith expecting to win a popularity contest. Especially if you plan to uphold the Bible and it's teachings. The world hates God, the world hates Christ, The world will hate us.

In the face of such great hate what is it that we as Christians are to do?

Generally we are called to love others consider:

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don't resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."
Matthew 5:38-44 (HCSB)

Loving others will lead us to take three actions: endure, spread the Gospel, and conform to Christ.

You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.
Matthew 10:22 (HCSB)

So often I must admit my endurance is lacking in the Christian walk. In fact it often seems that my endurance is for those things that are pursuit of my own happiness and my own pleasure. I know that I am not alone in this. Endurance requires us to set our hearts in the right place. It takes a full commitment to finish strong. Too often we start out with the best of intentions, but quickly fall into bad habits and poor choices. Endurance on the other hand requires that we set these all aside and run the race set before us.

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB)

We see in this passage several points that will lead us into endurance. First recognize that we are not alone in this race. We have people here on earth and those that are in heaven, and most importantly we have the Holy Spirit in us as a witness. Trust in these. Rely on these. Set your mind on these. Loneliness is a sure way to sap your endurance. Second lay aside the things that are getting the way of enduring. This means that any evil sinful and selfish way that gets in the way must be set aside. What is more it could mean that some very good things need to be set aside if these things get in the ay of enduring. Third we have to keep our eyes upon our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember he was disposed and shamed, but endured the cross on our behalf. Your eyes are a window to your soul. Setting your eyes on Christ brings light to your life.

To endure is not enough. We are not called to live separate lives from unbelievers. Don't get me wrong we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful ways. But we are to be in the world that we might spread the Gospel. Jesus pointed out in this passage that hatred from unbelievers actually moved the Gospel along. When we come across those that do not hear us and actively chase us with persecution it is time to move on. You see God prepares the heart, God gives the message, God gives the faith, God convicts the heart. The only part a sinner has is to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We are but messengers. The Commander in Chief our Lord has said if they will not received the message they have not rejected us, but rather they have rejected Him. This means that we are to continue on to the next town. All to often we are surprised when we are rejected and so we give up sharing the message. Do not lose heart. Call upon God with a pure heart and seek where God would have you go next. We are to share this message with all who will hear it.

After endurance and spreading the Gospel comes the hardest of all the tasks that we are to accomplish in the face of the world's hatred. We are to conform to the image of Christ. We already talked about loving others. In this way we become like Christ. When we recognize the needs of others and then minister to that need we conform to the image of Christ. When we preach the Kingdom of Heaven in the face of great opposition we conform to the image of Christ. When we walking in purity of heart and sincerity of motive and gentleness of spirit we conform to the image of Christ. In short if the world hates us because we have done something wrong then we have received a just reward. On the other hand if the world hates us because we conform to the image of Christ then we have something to celebrate.

In the end there will come a judgment. Jerusalem was judged for not recognizing Christ in the Day of her visitation. This destruction occurred some 40 years after the death and resurrection of Our Lord. Leading up to that day the Gospel was going forth throughout Israel. In fact the persecuted Church spread the gospel throughout Asia Minor. Even today it continues. It seems that the surest way for the world to encourage the spread of the Gospel is to persecute Christians. This will continued until the end of the age and will culminate in the Gospel being preached to every nation every tribe. To God be the Glory! Amen.

So what should we say in conclusion. Well first we need to recognize that a world that hates Christianity is to be expected. More often than not Christianity divides families and friends, is persecuted, and is slandered. As we consider this let us not lose sight of those brothers and sisters in Christ around the world that are on the front-lines of this persecution. Let us keep them near our thoughts so as to lift them up in prayer and in our support. When we respond to those that hate us we must always remember Christ's command to love our enemies. Really love is the path forward for endurance, spreading the Gospel, and conforming to the image of Christ. Let us pray.

Surrender

2010-10-26T14:54:00.001-07:00

I had a chance to share a song with the church this last Sunday. You can hear the song Undone by the group FFH here. The song spoke to me the first time I heard it. Surrender is not something that we typically focus on in our lives. It runs against the grain of our natural humanity. It is taken as a weakness to the natural man. Spiritually though surrender is strength. This truth is Spiritually discerned. That is to say that it can only be understood with the aid of God's Holy Spirit. It goes something like this.

There once was a man that was angry. He had a hard life. He was not very popular growing up. He was socially awkward and did not have any close friends. He was often the target of taunts. He even was assaulted at times by other boys that disrespected him. The physical aspect of the assaults were not nearly as bad as the emotional damage. He learned to hate people. People are not to be trusted under any circumstance what so ever. He lived his life not trusting people beyond what it took to get his basic needs met in this life. His anger and bitterness grew with every passing year.

In time he met a woman. She was very outgoing. You have heard that opposites attract well in this case you could not come up with a greater opposite than this. He was shocked at first that someone so out going would even take an interest in him (a recluse). They met in a coffee shop. He was sitting working on his laptop finishing up some last minute changes for a presentation he was going to do later that day. She saw him there typing away and decided to walk over to him. She asked him what he was doing. I am not sure if he was distracted with his work so his guard was down, but he talked with her when normally he would have chased her off with a gruff answer as if to say, "leave me alone."

They hit it off and became good friends. They would regularly meet at the coffee shop they met in. As he let his guard down he found himself becoming more and more fond of her. She also like him. She would always say, "You make me think. So many people just want to talk about the weather or sports, but when I am with you I feel like I can talk about anything." As time passed their relationship became romantic. He overcame his awkwardness with a deep sincerity that the woman had never known. Everything was perfect.

This story does not have a Hollywood ending though. After a year of dating the man asked his girlfriend to marry. She accepted. They wanted to get married soon, but there was many plans to be made. After what seemed to be an eternity (but was only 6 months) the day was quickly approaching. The following week they were to be married and start their lives together.

He got the call about 11:30 that evening. "We have to talk" a shaky voice said on the other end of the line.

"Is everything OK?"

"No it is not OK, but I don't want to tell you over the phone. Can you meet me now?"

They set up a meeting at the coffee shop. Unfortunately the shop was closed. Just as well for what happened next.

As he sat in the car with her his head was swimming with what could possibly be so wrong. He greatest fear was that she was going to say that she did not want to get married. He did not understand.

She said, "This is the hardest thing I have ever had to say. You are the sweetest man on the whole earth and you deserve to have someone much better than me?"

"No that is not true. Just tell me I am sure we can work through anything."

"I'm pregnant."

At that moment his body became flush with a rush of adrenaline. The kind of rush that makes the world go silent. She had much more to say, but he could not hear her. It was as if someone had plugged his ears and he could only see her mouth move. After a few moments of this he could not even focus on her face as his world felt like a spinning merry go round. Only in this case he could not get off the ride. He knew she had been with another man. They agreed to be old fashioned and not have sex until they were married. And now she was pregnant. He was snapped back into reality with, "... and that is why I have decided we cannot get married, I am sorry." He just sat there with a swirl of emotions that cannot be adequately described by words. He was silent.

"I am going to go now. I am so sorry. I know you will make someone happy someday."

Alone, hurt, devastated, he began to weep. His weeping turned to bitterness and anger. He said to himself, "Once again it goes to show you that people are not to be trusted. How could I have been such a fool. Never again. Never again will I let someone hurt me that way."

He spent the next 10 years alone. He did not mind that much. He found some companionship with a German Shepard that he rescued from the pound. Not a day went by though that he did not think about how people had let him down. His bitterness consumed him. He was angry and contentious. No one wanted to be around him and he was OK with that. He wondered if that was all there was to life. Let down your guard only to be devastated. He began to wrestle within himself to find a way out of his mean life. He tried many things, but to no avail. Everything seemed meaningless. He would on occasion remember that year with his girlfriend. He recalled the good times they had which would make his pain all the more unbearable.

Then one afternoon at that same coffee shop a young woman walked up to him. She must have been in her early 20s he guessed. He was much older than her so he did not see her as a threat. He talked with her and thought to himself, "She seems so lively and upbeat, clearly she has not experience real life yet." Then he grew tired of the conversation and spoke in a manner he had many times before to end the conversation. "Life is only pain, misery, and suffering. I ought to know I am the most miserable person on the earth." Usually people would say a few more polite cliches and then walk away. He had expected her to do the same. But she did not.

"What horrible thing must have happened to you to come up with such a hopeless philosophy in life?"

"You would not understand."

"Yeah your probably right, but I would like to hear about it just the same."

He told her the whole story of growing up, falling in love, and being betrayed. "So you see there is nothing really good in this life."

"You need to surrender" She replied.

"What?"

"You need to surrender your life."

He thought that this must be some kind of scene out of the twilight zone. Or some bizarre nightmare that he would wake up from at any minute. "No offence honey, but that has to be one of the dumbest things I have ever heard in my life."

"Yeah, I used to think the same as you. It seemed pretty stupid to me also at first." She went on to share how she had been horribly abused as a child and how her anger consumed her to the point she contemplated suicide.

"What changed?" He asked

"I surrendered."

"I don't get it."

"I surrendered all my sorrows, anger, desires for revenge, the need to see justice done. I put them all on the Cross of Jesus Christ."

"Great" He thought, "She is one of those religious nut jobs."

"I figured that as long as I was holding on to my sorrow, anger, right to justice and revenge I was making my spirit sick. I had a spiritual sickness that made me bitter and hateful toward the world. To be honest I was even angry with God."

He was unsure of what to say. She had just described him perfectly.

"Hey even our meeting here today was not an accident. I was praying that God would give me someone to encourage and then I saw you here and now-- Well God want you to know that he loves you and cares for you. He is ready to take your burdens once you are willing to surrender them. He did for me I am sure he could do it for you."

I wonder is there anyone out there that would read this that needs to surrender? Is there some anger, bitterness, addiction, broken relationship, secret sin, fear, painful memory and so on that needs to be given up. Maybe holding on to it has made your "spirit sick." God is there for you. Not to rescue out of the brokenness, but through it. Surrender is the strongest thing you can do!

God Bless You

What is missing? The Blessing!

2010-10-19T06:20:00.001-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

I had often fallen into a view of God more like Zeus than YWVH of the Bible. A god in the sky with a large lightning bolt waiting to throw it at me as a result of some personal shortcoming. As I have matured in the Faith though I have seen that God is more interested in Blessing us than in punishing us. Punishment is reserved for those whose heart is continually bent toward rebellion against God who refuse His offer of grace and mercy. For the believer God offers a path of blessing!

The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made everything he did successful, Joseph found favor in his master's sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar also put him in charge of his household and placed all that he owned under his authority. From the time that he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house because of Joseph. The Lord's blessing was on all that he owned, in his house and in his fields.
Genesis 39:2-5 (HCSB)

"The Lord was with�" Strange to think that the Lord was with a man whose brothers ploted to kill him, chose instead to beat him up and leave him in a pit, decided instead to make a profit by selling him to slavery, then after getting the servant job with Potiphar was falsely accused of making sexual advances on Potiphar's wife (by his wife because he would not), Thrown in jail, and forgotten by one he helped in jail. I think if we had caught Joseph at any one of these moments we might have concluded that God was angry with Joseph. Not true though God was with him. What then are we to make of God being with him?

The blessing of God is not so much a promise for bad things to not happen to you (avoidance of consequences of living in a fallen world) as it is a promise to see you through it. Joseph for his part walked a life of integrity. He may not have been perfect, but trusted in God's mercy and grace in spite of his circumstances. God was with him blessing him in all that he did no matter what station of life he possessed.

"and he became a successful man." The blessing of God was in the successes not in the challenges. The challenges are opportunities for success. We often squander these opportunities by having a pity party or by losing our integrity. Either way we end up blocking God's desire to pour blessing into our lives. Note also that success was not his place in the social class. From slave (Gen 39:2), to prisoner (Gen 39:21), to prophet (Gen 41:28), to prime minster of Egypt (Gen 41:38-40) God was with Joseph and he was successful!

"The Lord blessed the Egyptians house because of Joseph." The blessing of God spills out into the lives of others when we live in this manner. We have a favorable influence on others and when others are favorable to us then they are blessed of God. Interesting this blessing is because of the believer and will be extended to unbelievers. This is in great contrast to the image of a God ready to send a bolt of lightning to pushed some ingratitude or offence.

So what is missing? People who are willing to stand in a place of integrity and to allow God to be with them and to not stand in the way of His blessing by bemoaning their circumstance or losing their faith. What is missing is God's Blessing

Stop Expecting and Start Living

2010-10-15T07:01:00.001-07:00

So often we get hung up when things turn out unexpectedly or against our wishes. For example I expected that I would do a few posts a week on this blog. I see now it has been over a month since my last post. Life has a way of getting in the way of living. Usually though it is the expectations that make us feel miserable.

This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they? Can any of you add a single cubit to his height by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't He do much more for you-you of little faith? So don't worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34 (HCSB)

Your marriage is not what you thought it would be? Start loving your spouse. Your kids are rebellious and do not listen to you; Start getting involved in their lives and work to understand their hearts. Your job is unsatisfactory? Stop working and start serving. Your life is not what you want? Stop expecting and start living. The kingdom of God is established in the hearts of people. Are you seeking to reveal God to others that they may also have the heart of God? Seek Him, the rest is details that do not change with our expectations. Only living can change the heart. Live well, Love well, Serve well, and you will have His Righteousness.

Bless you all!

Dying to Self

2010-08-27T05:38:00.001-07:00

Wild worlds live in the dawn of consciousness as I move from sleep to wakefulness. Some of the worlds are insightful and profound others are simply wacky! This morning though I came across something that I think is quite true.

Dream of flowers and sacrifice.

The flower has the ability to give pleasure to us. It is a collection of color explosions that can transmit to emotion like no other things we set our eyes on. We give them at particularly emotional moments of our lives (good and bad). They celebrate life. They celebrate death. Yet in all of this how do they accomplish this feat? Sacrifice. All flowers die in their season. But the ones that share a special purpose with our lives must die an early death. They must sacrifice themselves to bring pleasure to us. It is self-sacrifice that leads to greater good. I realize that flowers do not have a choice in the matter. But we do. What are you willing to sacrifice for the greater good? Can you fulfill your special purpose by dying to self?

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12:1 (HCSB)

Have a Blessed Day

The Soul and Anger

2010-08-26T07:50:00.001-07:00

It seems that most of the time the soul is often killed by anger. Hurtful words, regret, fear, hatred, resentment, prejudice, loss of hope, rage and so on are all soul killers if we do not keep them in check. In some ways anger is rooted in all of these. It is no wonder that we grow up being taught to be guilty for our anger. Look at all the damage it causes.

This leads to a further frustration of feeling invalidated by someone saying "Don't be angry" or "You should not be angry" when in fact I am angry. I can no more turn off my anger than to stop thinking about hunger when I have not eaten for most of the day. Stuffing anger is not helpful because it will always come out in other ways (passive aggression, rage episodes, or depression). So it would seem that you are stuck with no good options when it comes to anger. I can think of that moment stuck between stuffing it or letting it all out and that hopeless feeling that no matter what I do it is not going to be good. That is a soul killer!

Which leads me to the conclusion that:

...man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
James 1:20 (HCSB)

Yet we have this:

Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (HCSB)

I have read this passage and wondered, "OK, but how do I do that?" Yet there is two immediate practical applications in this verse if we open ourselves to hear what God is saying

Do not allow anger to fester "Don't let the sun go down" tells me that the time to deal with anger is in the here and now. Not tomorrow, not next week, but right now. However, it does not say go on the attack. It just says deal with it now!!!!
The motivation is a spiritual one. Our anger can give the devil a foothold in our lives. Unresolved anger is giving opportunity for spiritual downfall.

This passage is closely connected to this:

Know that the Lord has set apart the faithful for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still. Selah Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.
Psalms 4:3-5 (HCSB)

Continuing our list then:

Know that your relationship with God sets you apart. There is a peace that comes from knowing God. In that moment know God and choose faithfulness.
Call on the Lord. Prayer in a moment of anger can release you from the bondage of misplaced passion
Meditate (reflect) sort out, understand, your anger.
Be still! There is a close connection between being still and knowing God (Ps 46:10)
Selah which is most likely a musical term for pausing. But in that moment of anger pause can be the most powerful thing you can do.
Often doing what is right is a sacrifice. Anger demands it's own. Anger demands it's rights. Anger demands others agree. I am sure that you can think of other things that anger demands. Righteousness often requires sacrifice and surrender. These actions are in opposition to our anger most of the time. At that moment think what is the righteous thing to do. If it involves sacrifice or surrender then it is likely that you have stumbled upon the very thing that needs to be done in that moment.
Finally but certainly not least "trust in the Lord" We repeat that phrase so often it is a cliché to us. If "Trust in the Lord" has become a mindless phrase then take some time to examine why. Trust in the Lord is a powerful spiritual truth that can find its way into the depth of your soul and move you from destruction to life.

I have often said "Anger in and of itself is not good nor bad. It is what you do with it that makes it good or bad." I hope that some of these suggestions are helpful to you in your effort to "be angry and do not sin."

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (HCSB)

Have a Blessed Day

The Biology of Anger

2010-08-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

When a person becomes angry there are two tell tale signs that you can see. First is shallow heavy breathing, and the second is increased blood flow (seen as flushed face or felt as being hot). The Bible makes several references to these types of anger. The anger that is represented by breathing hard can be the result of a serious offence against you or someone you love or it can be as simple as a wish or desire unfulfilled. We can all fall into this. Most often others that see it will say "Are you angry?" More often than not we play it off and say "No." The fact is whether it is a serious situation or a trivial selfish whim the anger needs to be dealt with or it will develop into something worse.

I have personally experienced the pains of my own anger unchecked as well as been the victim of others anger unchecked. My guess is that we all have had this experience. The question is why with all of our regret and discontent for the state of affairs do we fall into the trap of anger again and again. I believe that anger is a complex emotion that has biological, psychological, and spiritual implications. I would like to delve into the biological aspect first.

Four words that come from the Bible that point to the biological implications of anger are in Hebrew af and awnaf (meaning rapid breathing), chemah (implying heat), and in Greek thymos (implying breathing hard). Feeling hot and breathing hard (or rapid) are biological functions that serve a purpose. These are similar to fight or flight.

Fight or flight (activation of the sympathetic nervous system) is a well documented and well researched phenomena within the field of neurology and psychology. The biological systems affected by fight or flight are:

Respiratory (increased breathing rate and dilation of the bronchial tubes)
Cardiac (increased heart rate and dilation of blood vessels to the muscles, and constriction of blood vesicles to other parts of the body
Inhibition of digestion (that is digestion slows down or stops)
Paling or flushing (blood drained out or red faced)
dilation of pupils of the eyes
Auditory exclusion (loss of hearing)
Loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision)
tremors
increased perspiration

These are all automatic responses that cannot be directly controlled by the person that is experiencing them. What is more once this response kicks in it tends to build until the threat or perceived threat is removed. Even after the threat is removed the effects of fight or flight slowly return to a normal state.

The brain it the control center of biological functioning. In the brain two parts are implicated in anger response: the lymbic system and the prefrontal cortex. The lymbic system buried deep the brain is responsible for the automatic fight or flight response (Hypothalamus just below the thalamus) and the experience of emotion (Amygdala). The Prefrontal Cortex (part of the frontal lobe) is responsible for planning, organizing, and reasoning. Your brain is literally sending a mixed message. One part is saying "hit this guy or run away." While the other part of your brain is saying "Maybe we could just talk to him." When you blend those two together what comes out is a blend of the two. Maybe you don't hit the guy, but you attack him verbally. This is of course a gross oversimplification of brain functioning, but I hope that it illustrates the brain function of anger.

What happens when the prefrontal cortex (the reasonable part of the brain) is not working properly or is diminished? If the fight or flight response is unchecked then intense fear and/or intense rage occurs. The resulting behavior becomes intensely violent/aggressive or extremely protective without much thought to the implications or consequences of this behavior. This is why you will have a moment of anger then later you regret when the frontal cortex comes back online so to speak. After the moment of anger is past you are now thinking with the front part of your brain realize the implications of what just happened where as when you were angry these thoughts we shut down or quieted.

Biology of anger has implications in what we do with anger. First there has to be a way to quiet down the fight or flight response. The best way to do this is to relax. Relaxation activates the parasympathetic nervous system which acts in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). That is why it is not possible to be engaged and relaxed at the same time. They are two incompatible biological states. There are many ways to relax, counting exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, deep breathing, use of imagery, and meditation are some ways I have used to help people learn the skill of relaxation (see here for more information). By practicing relaxation you lower you set level so that when the fight or flight kicks in you do not have as high a peak. Also by learning relaxation you can also more quickly arrest and recover from fight or flight. This takes much practice.

Another thing you can do has to do with the thinking planning part of your brain. The goal is to bring the prefrontal cortex on line early on so that you are responding rather than reacting to anger. There are a couple of tricks to do this. One is to recognize the difference between a real and perceived threat. Anger is a response to a threatening situation. When it really comes down to it there are very few situations in our day to day life that are real legitimate threats to our wellbeing. To me a legitimate threat is being assaulted by someone or threatened of life and limb. For example a guy with a gun pointed at you. On the other hand being angry with a pool cover is not a legitimate threat to my well being. If you reason that a threat is not legitimate then you need to relax, distract, or disengage. Often though just recognizing that there is no legitimate threat is enough to being the process of cooling off. A second trick to get the front part of your brain to activate is a series of questions based on the acronym "I AM Worth it" developed by Redford Williams MD.

Important: Is this important to me?
Appropriate: Is it appropriate for me to be angry in this situation?
Modifiable: Is there something I can do about it?
Worth It: Is it worth it to do something in this situation?

If you answer all the questions yes then two things have happened. One you have identified a legitimate problem to be solved. Two you are now thinking and reasoning rather and angrily reacting. On the other hand if you answer "no" to any of them then you are in a situation you have to cope with and again you are thinking over reacting. By bringing your front part of your brain online you will being the process of quieting the biological anger response.

What other ways can you think of to cool off or relax the biological response to anger?

God Bless You All

Notes
1. Duke Medicine Health Line "Why Anger Kills" Published: Nov. 26, 2007 Updated: May 24, 2010 Retrieved August 24, 2010.

Burning anger

2010-08-24T04:24:00.001-07:00

You may have heard the story about a forest service worker that started the worst forest fire in Colorado state history. Her Name was Terry Lynn Barton. She had received a letter from her estranged husband regarding their divorce. She was very upset at the contents of the letter and decided (according to her own admission) that she was going to burn it. She started the fire in an area that was under a fire ban due to drought conditions. Ironically it was her job to enforce the ban. The fire ended up spreading to burn 138,114 acres and destroying 133 homes. There is some question as to her story's truthfulness as the prosecutors believe that Ms Barton set the fires deliberately.

Whether accidentally or deliberately I believe this is a good analogy for how anger works if it is unchecked. It was a small burning anger that she held in her hands. It certainly did not seem small to her at the time I am sure, but relative to the grand scheme of things it was in fact small. That small burning in her life led to a huge burden to the community around her as over 5000 people were displaced and hundreds of firefighters fought a blaze that would end up costing over 38 million dollars in damage. That is the nature of fire. It also is the nature of anger.

Are you angry? Do something about it before it causes more damage to those around you than you can imagine. Unresolved, unchecked anger is as destructive as a fire which is why the Bible so frequently uses fire to describe anger.

Tamin Derek

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