I am captivated by the prayer of Jesus just prior to his death.
"I pray for those who will believe in me. . .that all of them may be one . . . so that the world will believe you have sent me." (John 17:20-21)
I remember hearing a speaker describe a trip he took to Scotland. From the plane window, he looked over the green landscape and noticed it was criss-crossed by white fences dividing up the land. Months later, on a return trip, he looked out the plane window and noticed the fences were gone. On his arrival, he asked his contact, "What happened to all the fences I saw on my last trip?" He replied, "It's harvest time. When the crops are full-grown and ready to harvest, you can't see the fences."
Wow. That statement has stuck in my mind. I grew up in a time when Christ-followers were divided by clearly placed fences. And we were masters at justifying it. I'm thrilled to see the "crops" maturing, and the fence lines disappearing as the harvest grows ready to reap.
Lord, I personally commit to being a believer who lives out a oneness with all other believers who have joined me on this journey of faith. Though we may be at different places along the path, when it comes to our understanding of various topics and the degree to which we're living out God's mission, it is our faith in and devotion to Jesus that makes us one. Forgive me for the years in which I had a sinful, sectarian attitude towards other believers and critically kept them at arm's length. Forgive my immaturity, and please bring my brothers who still take pride in being fence-builders instead of bridge-builders to a gracious change of perspective, as you have done for me. Amen.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Amazingly Gifted
Look for the common word:
"For you granted [me--Jesus] authority over all people that I might give eternal life to all those you have given me. . . . I gave them the words you gave me. . . . I have given them the glory that you gave me." (John 17:2, 8, 22)
There is a lot of giving going on in Jesus' prayer. Read it again. At the heart of it all is the gift of the kind of life that has an eternal quality. On top of that, I notice that believers themselves are gifts to Jesus from the Father. My faith, at its foundational level, is not my gift to Jesus, but the Father's gift, because he has created that faith in me. There is simply no place for pride.
He's also given me his life-giving words of truth and grace and hope. And here's the especially surprising part: he's given me the glory that was given to Jesus. I think it's more than a prophetic past tense. In God's sight, a believer like me is already exuding glory in some supernatural way, though it's unseen by humans. I wonder, as the spirit world watches us, do they see a divine glow around those who are Christ's?
Thank you, God, for these indescribable gifts. I don't know why you would give them to me. Amen.
"For you granted [me--Jesus] authority over all people that I might give eternal life to all those you have given me. . . . I gave them the words you gave me. . . . I have given them the glory that you gave me." (John 17:2, 8, 22)
There is a lot of giving going on in Jesus' prayer. Read it again. At the heart of it all is the gift of the kind of life that has an eternal quality. On top of that, I notice that believers themselves are gifts to Jesus from the Father. My faith, at its foundational level, is not my gift to Jesus, but the Father's gift, because he has created that faith in me. There is simply no place for pride.
He's also given me his life-giving words of truth and grace and hope. And here's the especially surprising part: he's given me the glory that was given to Jesus. I think it's more than a prophetic past tense. In God's sight, a believer like me is already exuding glory in some supernatural way, though it's unseen by humans. I wonder, as the spirit world watches us, do they see a divine glow around those who are Christ's?
Thank you, God, for these indescribable gifts. I don't know why you would give them to me. Amen.
MISSING BLOGGER TURNS UP ALIVE!
Dear Journal, I am deeply sorry for having neglected you for two weeks. It's unforgivable, I know, but I promise to do better in the future. I've really missed you. Would you believe that a teradactyl swooped down and made off with my laptop? I didn't think so. This unpredictable schedule is making it hard to be consistent. Okay, on to journaling . . .
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
My Time to Shine
Jesus said, "A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you." (Jn. 16:21-22)
Tackling any great endeavor requires some pain and sacrifice. There is struggle and even anguish at points along the path. Yet this crux at which our commitment and the forces of resistance clash is "our time." It is the point where legacies are made and a life purpose is either realized or abandoned.
We emerge from those moments different than we were before. We're either elated as we see a new bold reality birthed through our struggle, or we retreat into the dark hole of disillusionment. If we stick it out and see it through, the success that results propels us forward to embrace the next challenge and build the future. If we shrink back from the pain, our future and our destiny shrinks along with our courage.
Lord, I will embrace my time to shine, to make a lasting difference in the world. Give me courage for that fight, and bring me success. Amen.
Tackling any great endeavor requires some pain and sacrifice. There is struggle and even anguish at points along the path. Yet this crux at which our commitment and the forces of resistance clash is "our time." It is the point where legacies are made and a life purpose is either realized or abandoned.
We emerge from those moments different than we were before. We're either elated as we see a new bold reality birthed through our struggle, or we retreat into the dark hole of disillusionment. If we stick it out and see it through, the success that results propels us forward to embrace the next challenge and build the future. If we shrink back from the pain, our future and our destiny shrinks along with our courage.
Lord, I will embrace my time to shine, to make a lasting difference in the world. Give me courage for that fight, and bring me success. Amen.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Love + Obedience = Joy
"If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (Jn. 15:10-11)
I've got a bit of a rebellious streak. Something about obeying commands can, at times, rub my craving for independence the wrong way. But Jesus' commands are different. They aren't given out of a desire to control me or use me selfishly, nor to keep me from the perks of life. Jesus isn't grabbing the good stuff for himself and pushing me down.
His commands are meant to bring real joy to my life. That's what he says. Part of what brings that joy is when I understand his commands in the big picture of what he is dreaming into reality for my life and his world. He goes on to say that he doesn't treat us like servants but friends. A master tells his servant to do something without explanation. He doesn't care whether the servant gets the motive or not. It's pure authority and domination. In my experience, sometimes the church comes across that way.
Jesus says he treats us like friends because he lets us become insiders to his business--that is, he is open about his purposes and intentions and motives. Not everything, of course. He reserves the right to alone be in the know about everything. But he gives us the big picture and reveals the amazing things that he is purposing for humanity. Knowing those things puts his commands in a different light. We can discern the motive behind them and see the goodness that he intends through them. They become a joy not a burden. By implication, a person who, in trying to obey the commands of God, finds the joy is sucked away from the tenor of their lives and replaced by anxiety, depression or a propensity to want to judge others, has misunderstood God's commands. Usually, their misunderstanding is the result of failing to grasp the big picture of their master's business.
The joy also comes when we experience the outcomes of living in his will. Having your heart in sync with your Creator who loves you immensely is always joy-producing. And life just works better that way, too. I've seen it countless times in every aspect of life--marriage, parenting, business, relationships, sexuality--you name it. God gives the way to maximize the benefits of all those blessings. Do it your own way and--Ouch!
Obeying the Father's will was sometimes very hard for Jesus. There was sacrifice involved. Just check in with him in the Garden of Gethsemane, minutes after he said this. But in submitting, Jesus discovered the human reality of the amazing joy of being in God's will. And He wants to share his joy with me, he says. The ticket is my loving obedience to my King.
Lord, I am awed by your concern for my joy! You have all the joy in the universe, and you want to share it with me. You want your people to be the most joyful people on earth! When obedience seems hard, even painful, I will recall that deep, full-scale joy will be the pay-off. Since you command out of love, I will obey out of love. Amen.
Our Giving God
"I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. . . . If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. . . . You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7, 16)
Do you think Jesus really means it? To ask "in the name of Jesus" doesn't necessarily refer to speaking his name at the end of our prayers. It means to pray in harmony with the person of Jesus--his values, his priorities, the things that are precious to his heart. When we pray that way and live that way, our prayers are answered in amazing ways (and sometimes even when we're not--it's called grace). The power of God is felt when you know you're praying for the success of his mission. Your prayers are more confident and intense. Your faith is stronger. And God shows up.
Last week was a busy one and a fruitful one. We had been praying for God to quickly bring us a good, reliable buyer for our house, and that the timing would work out so that we wouldn't have to move twice. We sold our house Monday after having it on the market for just one week! And we don't have to move out until our new house is ready in December.
We had been praying for God to open up a good opportunity for an initial meeting place for the new church we're planting in Pearland. God provided one within an hour of our selling our house! It's an elementary school near 288 and 518 (Challenger Elem.).
Our prayers have been earnest for God to provide the funds we need for this mission. We prayed specifically several times about a certain family that we visited and shared our vision with. We received a $6000 offering for the new church from that family! And here's the most interesting part--they aren't even Christians or church-goers!
We've asked God to bring people alongside us who can help in ministry with us. Yesterday, we added a highly motivated and gifted family to our Launch Team!
God is truly leading us along this journey. He is just all over it, and we praise him. He loves to give when we are pursuing his priorities and mission. We don't deserve his goodness by any stretch of the imagination. We will continue to trust you, God, to provide. We will take you at your word, Lord, that whatever we ask in your name you will do. Amen.
Do you think Jesus really means it? To ask "in the name of Jesus" doesn't necessarily refer to speaking his name at the end of our prayers. It means to pray in harmony with the person of Jesus--his values, his priorities, the things that are precious to his heart. When we pray that way and live that way, our prayers are answered in amazing ways (and sometimes even when we're not--it's called grace). The power of God is felt when you know you're praying for the success of his mission. Your prayers are more confident and intense. Your faith is stronger. And God shows up.
Last week was a busy one and a fruitful one. We had been praying for God to quickly bring us a good, reliable buyer for our house, and that the timing would work out so that we wouldn't have to move twice. We sold our house Monday after having it on the market for just one week! And we don't have to move out until our new house is ready in December.
We had been praying for God to open up a good opportunity for an initial meeting place for the new church we're planting in Pearland. God provided one within an hour of our selling our house! It's an elementary school near 288 and 518 (Challenger Elem.).
Our prayers have been earnest for God to provide the funds we need for this mission. We prayed specifically several times about a certain family that we visited and shared our vision with. We received a $6000 offering for the new church from that family! And here's the most interesting part--they aren't even Christians or church-goers!
We've asked God to bring people alongside us who can help in ministry with us. Yesterday, we added a highly motivated and gifted family to our Launch Team!
God is truly leading us along this journey. He is just all over it, and we praise him. He loves to give when we are pursuing his priorities and mission. We don't deserve his goodness by any stretch of the imagination. We will continue to trust you, God, to provide. We will take you at your word, Lord, that whatever we ask in your name you will do. Amen.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Trouble Free Living
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. . . . Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (Jn. 14:1, 27)
Jesus will go on to say that "in this world you will have trouble" (16:23), but we're not to let that trouble get inside our hearts. "Don't let it happen," he says. Tall order, but I've got to take that seriously. It's not being glib or apathetic, nor is it being naively optimistic about the human condition. It is choosing to trust God and receive the peace he is offering. The thing is that a situation can be humanly hopeless, but God is urging me to take him seriously. Why do we have such a hard time believing God will intervene? Looking through biblical history, God has a clear modus operandi of alternately making things look bleak (or at least allowing them to get that way) and then delivering the perfect solution at just the right time. Those stories are there for a reason.
I take it that God's utmost priority for my life is to teach me to trust him. When problems show up--and they will--I will respond by hearing Jesus say to me, "Chris, don't let your heart be troubled. I'm offering you my peace. Receive it, moment by moment."
Lord, teach my heart that, under your loving rule, all is well. Amen.
Jesus will go on to say that "in this world you will have trouble" (16:23), but we're not to let that trouble get inside our hearts. "Don't let it happen," he says. Tall order, but I've got to take that seriously. It's not being glib or apathetic, nor is it being naively optimistic about the human condition. It is choosing to trust God and receive the peace he is offering. The thing is that a situation can be humanly hopeless, but God is urging me to take him seriously. Why do we have such a hard time believing God will intervene? Looking through biblical history, God has a clear modus operandi of alternately making things look bleak (or at least allowing them to get that way) and then delivering the perfect solution at just the right time. Those stories are there for a reason.
I take it that God's utmost priority for my life is to teach me to trust him. When problems show up--and they will--I will respond by hearing Jesus say to me, "Chris, don't let your heart be troubled. I'm offering you my peace. Receive it, moment by moment."
Lord, teach my heart that, under your loving rule, all is well. Amen.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Boneless Chicken
Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!"
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" (Jn. 13:37-38)
Cathy likes to buy boneless chicken. It saves her a lot of time, but it sure does fold over easily on the grill. It doesn't hold its shape. How can we be so committed one minute, and so quick to downshift into self-interest mode then next? It's easy to say I'll lay down my life until I'm actually asked to do it. The pressure cooker has a way of making boneless chickens of us all.
Most of the time, I have the conviciton to stand right beside Peter and say, "Lord, I'll lay down my life for you. Let me follow you wherever you are leading." But when the storms come, or even dark clouds just appear, I'm dismayed by how anxious and self-protective I can become in a hurry. Peter, you and I have an awful lot in common, more than I'd like to admit. That's got to change. Frankly, I don't see what a pilgrim's pride has to do with boneless chicken.
Lord, teach me that there really is victory in surrender, surprising blessing in self-sacrifice. Give me a backbone that won't collapse under the weight of disappointments or threatening circumstances. God, help me to stay true to my commitment to follow you into the fire and know I'll be better than alright. Amen.
Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" (Jn. 13:37-38)
Cathy likes to buy boneless chicken. It saves her a lot of time, but it sure does fold over easily on the grill. It doesn't hold its shape. How can we be so committed one minute, and so quick to downshift into self-interest mode then next? It's easy to say I'll lay down my life until I'm actually asked to do it. The pressure cooker has a way of making boneless chickens of us all.
Most of the time, I have the conviciton to stand right beside Peter and say, "Lord, I'll lay down my life for you. Let me follow you wherever you are leading." But when the storms come, or even dark clouds just appear, I'm dismayed by how anxious and self-protective I can become in a hurry. Peter, you and I have an awful lot in common, more than I'd like to admit. That's got to change. Frankly, I don't see what a pilgrim's pride has to do with boneless chicken.
Lord, teach me that there really is victory in surrender, surprising blessing in self-sacrifice. Give me a backbone that won't collapse under the weight of disappointments or threatening circumstances. God, help me to stay true to my commitment to follow you into the fire and know I'll be better than alright. Amen.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Tears Testify
Jesus wept. (Jn. 11:35)
Short verse, but long on meaning. Mary and martha were heart-broken over their brother's death. And they were upset that Jesus hadn't been there and prevented it. Sometimes we feel like God must not care. We pray and he is silent. We beg and he doesn't respond. We feel abandoned. It hurts so badly.
These simple two words that John wrote tell us something so important about God--he does care. We may not understand the "why?" of the pain we go through or the suffering of the world. But we can know that God enters into our suffering with us. He doesn't stand aloof and apathetic. His tears mix with our own. God sees our pain and it breaks his heart.
As I consider the immense suffering in the world, and I wonder why God doesn't stop it, one thing I can be sure of is his compassion.
Father, I know your compassion for people's pain actually far exceeds my own. Forgive me for the times I have thought myself more merciful than you. I plead temporary insanity. Amen.
Short verse, but long on meaning. Mary and martha were heart-broken over their brother's death. And they were upset that Jesus hadn't been there and prevented it. Sometimes we feel like God must not care. We pray and he is silent. We beg and he doesn't respond. We feel abandoned. It hurts so badly.
These simple two words that John wrote tell us something so important about God--he does care. We may not understand the "why?" of the pain we go through or the suffering of the world. But we can know that God enters into our suffering with us. He doesn't stand aloof and apathetic. His tears mix with our own. God sees our pain and it breaks his heart.
As I consider the immense suffering in the world, and I wonder why God doesn't stop it, one thing I can be sure of is his compassion.
Father, I know your compassion for people's pain actually far exceeds my own. Forgive me for the times I have thought myself more merciful than you. I plead temporary insanity. Amen.
Uncommon Sense
Jesus answered, "...A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." (Jn. 11:9-10)
Okay, simple enough concept. It's a lot safer to travel by day than by night. Who wouldn't agree? But what if you shouldn't take the trip at all? That's what his disciples were saying. They had just voiced their concerns about the potential consequences of his plans to return to the Jerusalem area. Something about the death threats had them a bit rattled. Just worry warts, I guess! I wouldn't have any trouble marching headlong into dangerous territory, would you? (Yes, I'm talking tongue in cheek.)
Jesus' reply turns the focus from common sense (don't head for trouble) to uncommon sense. That's what the life of faith really is. He sees a different reality than they do. He sees that his life is directed by God. The real danger, he says, is in not taking the journey that God is leading you to take, living outside God's will ("walking by night"). If God is leading him to Judea, that is the only path that he won't stumble on.
Discipleship is not a matter of common sense, but uncommon sense. Try to live by common sense and you will be totally frustrated as a Christian. Giving sacrificially, serving unselfishly with no expectation of payback, forgiving people freely, taking significant risks that take you outside your comfort zone for the good of others--none of that squares up very well with common sense.
I will trust that if I let God guide which paths I take, I won't stumble. The path may not be safe, but it will be the right one for me to be on. My vision will be clear. I will be walking by day.
Father, I'll go where you tell me and do what you show me. I'm counting on you to keep me from falling. Amen.
Okay, simple enough concept. It's a lot safer to travel by day than by night. Who wouldn't agree? But what if you shouldn't take the trip at all? That's what his disciples were saying. They had just voiced their concerns about the potential consequences of his plans to return to the Jerusalem area. Something about the death threats had them a bit rattled. Just worry warts, I guess! I wouldn't have any trouble marching headlong into dangerous territory, would you? (Yes, I'm talking tongue in cheek.)
Jesus' reply turns the focus from common sense (don't head for trouble) to uncommon sense. That's what the life of faith really is. He sees a different reality than they do. He sees that his life is directed by God. The real danger, he says, is in not taking the journey that God is leading you to take, living outside God's will ("walking by night"). If God is leading him to Judea, that is the only path that he won't stumble on.
Discipleship is not a matter of common sense, but uncommon sense. Try to live by common sense and you will be totally frustrated as a Christian. Giving sacrificially, serving unselfishly with no expectation of payback, forgiving people freely, taking significant risks that take you outside your comfort zone for the good of others--none of that squares up very well with common sense.
I will trust that if I let God guide which paths I take, I won't stumble. The path may not be safe, but it will be the right one for me to be on. My vision will be clear. I will be walking by day.
Father, I'll go where you tell me and do what you show me. I'm counting on you to keep me from falling. Amen.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Out to Pasture
"[The shepherd] calls his own sheep by name and leads them out... I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture." (Jn. 10:3, 9)
I love this passage, even though it's a bit confusing with the mixed metaphors. Several times Jesus explains that the difference between his sheep and those that aren't is that his sheep know his voice, listen to it, and follow him.
In the statements above, the sheep aren't kept pinned up in the security of the fold. Jesus moves them out into the open pasture and then back to the pen. They many not feel as safe in the pasture as in the pen, but it is out in the pasture that they get the most nourishment.
To follow Jesus requires leaving the pen. I will feel insecure at times with the threats around me in the world, but I will trust that I am safer with the Shepherd in the pasture than with the thieves in the pen (v. 1, 28).
Lord, make me sense your protective presence as I follow you out into the pasture of your world. Amen.
I love this passage, even though it's a bit confusing with the mixed metaphors. Several times Jesus explains that the difference between his sheep and those that aren't is that his sheep know his voice, listen to it, and follow him.
In the statements above, the sheep aren't kept pinned up in the security of the fold. Jesus moves them out into the open pasture and then back to the pen. They many not feel as safe in the pasture as in the pen, but it is out in the pasture that they get the most nourishment.
To follow Jesus requires leaving the pen. I will feel insecure at times with the threats around me in the world, but I will trust that I am safer with the Shepherd in the pasture than with the thieves in the pen (v. 1, 28).
Lord, make me sense your protective presence as I follow you out into the pasture of your world. Amen.
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