THE COVENANT IS LIFE!

As we anticipate our new study in small groups on Genesis, I could not in my own initial reading get past the title of our study booklet. It has the subtitle: The Covenant Comes to Life. As I got to reflecting and thinking about this I realized we needed to go even more basic than that.

Instead of the covenant coming to life, the covenant IS life! In his commentary on Genesis, the Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann boils this first Bible book down to the following sentence:

“Creator creates creation.”

After this initial action, then the next simple sentence in my mind would be:

“Creator creates covenant.”

We find that God establishes a covenant relationship with the material creation. This covenant is the source of life. Life as we know it flows from the being of God. Without God there could be no life. Without God there could be no covenant.

The covenant is life. This is precisely why our covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ is so vital and important.
God initiated this covenant relationship, and made it all possible through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This is why our life in Christ makes a difference.

Living the covenant-centered life in Jesus every day transforms how we view everything. It stands in awe of the Creator who has the power to initiate all of this to start with. May we all realize how much we owe our very lives to the Creator of creation and covenant!

In Christian love, Curtis

FOLLOWING JESUS BACKWARDS

While reading John’s gospel one comes across this sad comment:

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him”(John 6:66).

“Turned back” is literally the phrase, “they went away to the things that were behind,” or as we would say, “they went back.”

This is the opposite of following Jesus forward—this is following Jesus backwards. What would cause Jesus’ followers to leave him and go back where they came from?

Jesus had been giving his disciples some “hard sayings.” They could not fathom the depth of their meaning, and what they did understand seemed to run counter to their expectations of Jesus claiming to be Messiah.

He confronted some of his followers by going straight for the jugular vein: “But there are some of you that do not believe”(John 6:64). It is hard for us to fathom that people actually followed Jesus day by day but still did not believe!

But this narrative in John raises for us a stark question:

Am I following Jesus forwards or backwards?

This had to be a hard day for Jesus. But this is the risk that love and freedom takes. He mentored for them day after day what the kingdom of God was all about. They had their ideas. When those disciples walked away, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them, “Do you wish to go?”

It is hard to pour your life into someone—praying, caring, supporting and guiding them in the ways of Jesus—and then watch them just walk away. For me, as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, my heart is heavy for those I know who have chosen to walk away.

May God give us the grace and gentleness toward those who choose to follow Jesus backwards!

In Christian love, Curtis

John, the Apostle of Love

Are there any indications in his gospel about Jesus or his letters that bear his name, in which John the apostle learned sacrificial love as a servant?

I am reminded of a tender scene in which Jesus, with his dying breath, said to John…

John 19:27—And to me he said, “She is your mother!” And from then on I took her into my home.”

From then on, I took her into my home. Oh…how I wish that John’s gospel ended with a chapter on how John cared for this adopted mother. I suspect that at least the next three days before Jesus arose from the dead that he wiped many a tear from her cheek. He provided a place for her to grieve the loss of her son. He provided a safe place for her to express the depth of her despondent heart. He provided a safe haven for her heart broken with despair.

John models love for us and then tells us about it later in his first letter toward the end of the New Testament. John is very old by this time. He has seen a lot of Christians make sacrifices for others because of their love. He says…

1 John 3:18—stop saying we love people, and show it by our actions!

Show it by our actions. This is sacrificial love of a servant. Parents know this well. Staying up all night with a feverish child. Staying up all night with a child who has croup. Taking off work and driving your child to the doctor because they have broken an arm. The list is as endless as the love is deep! The love of parents just naturally includes sacrifices.

Wouldn’t it be a wonderful and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if we could sit at John’s feet and ask him about sacrificial love. I wonder what he would share?

Would he talk about Jesus’ becoming human? What a sacrifice!

Would he talk about the 12 disciples leaving jobs, family and livehood just to follow in the steps of Jesus? What a sacrifice!

Would he talk about Jesus’ spending time with the Samaritan woman at the well? What a sacrifice!

Would he talk about that embarrassing and silent experience of Jesus washing his feet in the upper room? What a sacrifice!

Would he talk about Jesus’ lonely and anguished walk to Golgatha carrying his own cross? What a sacrifice!

What actions of sacrificial love will define our day today? Are all our attempts at service motivated by this selfless love? A few years ago I experienced a silent retreat at Colombiere Retreat Center in Oakland County, Michigan. One afternoon I was in the hallway of the retreat center and saw this spiritual dictum in mosaic form on the wall:

"In the spiritual life...progress will be in proportion to...

surrender of self-love

and of self-will

and of self-interests."

No wonder my attempts at loving service fall so short! God, have mercy on me!

In Christian love, Curtis

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY?

There are times when a book is published that it so grounding and foundational in its area of focus that one must purchase a copy and read it. The book by Evan Howard, The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, it just such a volume. In the past I have used it for my own reference and deeper understanding of the Christian life.

Howard says that there are actually three levels of meaning to be attached to the meaning of the term “Christian spirituality.”

1. The practice or actual lived relationship with God, individually and communally. [experiential]
2. Formulation of teaching about that lived reality. [theological]
3. Academic field of study regarding the history of Christian thought and experience[academic] [pages 16-17].

Since our congregational motto is “Spiritual growth through loving and serving” it behooves us to understand what we are talking about. For our church and its immediate application, we are referring to the very first level of meaning regarding Christian spirituality. At the level of actual practice this means…

“…Life in the Spirit as brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ and daughters and sons of the Father.”

This life is described as “fellowship,” “one another,” “the body,” etc. This common life in Christ is the context in which our spirits are nourished, our burdens are lifted, and our journey is shared. God would have it no other way. We really do need each other in our quest to grow spiritually. In fact, we grow with one another toward God and away from self. There is no other way!

One final thought today: thinking of Christian spirituality in terms of a lived relationship with the divine is comprehensively included in the word “covenant.” God is in covenant relationship with us, we with God, and we with one another. Covenant commitments are to be taken seriously and never adulterated. Faithfulness, fidelity and staying true to covenant is the backbone of a healthy Christian spirituality!

In Christian love, Curtis

THE CHRISTIAN MIND-SET & PERSPECTIVE (2)

Thinking like Jesus is not easy. Having his attitude and mindset is hard day after day. Especially if people around you don’t care. Caring when others don’t is a real challenge. But it is in contexts like this that we shine the brightest for God. But we really do need each other in the church to help us learn how to think and be like Jesus at all times.

Probably the best portion of Paul’s writings to help us with this is Philippians 2:1-11. In the first paragraph he addresses interpersonal problems plaguing their fellowship: selfish ambition, vain conceit and self-centeredness. All of these are rooted in personal pride. How does the body of Christ overcome these?

By being like-minded (focusing on the same thing)

By being one in spirit and purpose (thinking the same thing about Jesus)

By having the same love

By having the mindset of Jesus Christ

If we are to focus on thinking the same thing about Jesus, and having the same love for each other because of that, what then did Jesus think? Again, Paul provides the model.

Jesus took on the attitude of humility and emptied himself.

Jesus did not grasp onto his position of being equal with God.

Jesus took on the form of humanity with all of its challenges and suffering.

Jesus humbled himself and became obedient even to the point of death.


Once we realize the power of the mindset of Jesus, we are then willing to give up self, relinquish personal pride, dethrone personal ambition, emptying ourselves so that we can be filled with the Spirit and the mind of Christ. This is a total transformation of the mind and heart that defines the Christian perspective on life. I know it is hard, but living otherwise is harder!

In Christian love, Curtis

THE CHRISTIAN MIND-SET & PERSPECTIVE

Being a Christian means that my view of the world is seen through a unique set of lens. Instead of a mechanistic, fatalistic or humanistic perspective, this world takes on a different hue because my mind has been transformed by the power of God’s Spirit and the power of my risen Lord.

Interestingly, in his letter to the church at Philippi, the apostle Paul uses a distinct word which can be translated as “mindset” or “focus” or “how one thinks about something.” Ten (10) times Paul uses it in this short letter to his Christian brothers and sisters.

Perhaps this is not by accident, since Paul himself is in prison. We have seen this before in Paul’s life. Remember in the book of Acts where he and Silas were in prison and they sang songs? Instead of playing the “poor-pitiful-me” card, Paul and Silas praised God that they had been counted worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. This unique mindset let to the conversion of the Philippian jailor.

Perhaps no one in the early church is more qualified to tell us how to see the world through Christian lens, or approach things from a Christian mindset than Paul. His own resume of suffering for the cause of Christ is lengthy. It certainly lends credibility to his comments on how Christians are to think in circumstances less than ideal.

Listen to Paul’s first reference in Philippians:

“It is right for me to feel (think about, have this mindset) about all of you, since I have you in my heart”(l:7).

What frames Paul’s view of his readers? What contributes to the wonderful way in which he sees them?

1. He is confident that God who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
2. He has them in his heart; he loves them deeply and continues to lay his life on the line for them.
3. All of them shared in God’s grace with him.

Think of how powerful these aspects of the Christian mindset can be in our life! Confident of God’s work in others! Loving others from our heart deeply! Sharing in the outpouring of God’s in each other’s lives! I cannot think of a better way to view life. I cannot think of a better mindset to have! Can you?
In Christian love, Curtis

RE-DEFINING SUCCESS FOR THE CHURCH

The last big point that I want to reflect on made by Randy Harris at ElderLink is this: we must redefine success in order to reach our world with the good news of Jesus. The church has been enamored with business models of success and measuring that success. But it is strange that things we count as important rarely, if ever, surface in the New Testament with regards to the life and vitality of the church.

If a core value of the kingdom is (as Randy suggested) reconciliation, then perhaps we need to re-think the success and progress of the church. Let me be candid here and provide an example.

Every church I have worked with over the last 36 years of pastoral ministry usually gives a financial and success report in January that is based on yearly contribution, attendance figures, etc. What if we changed that and let “reconciliation” be what we reported on? Here is what the report for the year would be like…

This past year 25 people were reconciled to God, and put on their Lord Jesus in baptism.
This past year 8 couples were reconciled to each other.
This past year 4 individuals in the church who had issues with one another were reconciled with each other.
This past year 12 people came down front during the worship assembly and asked for forgiveness and to be reconciled to God.

What if this is how we viewed the church and her mission? What if reconciliation defined our mission, not dollars and attendance? What if relationships with one another, with outsiders, and with God were our main concern?

Not only do we need to re-define success, we need to remove the word “success” from our Christian vocabulary! It needs to be replaced with words such as “faithfulness,” “fruitfulness,” “reconciliation,” etc. Whether we like to admit it or not, our culture has defined church for us. We have allowed the marketplace to dictate to us how think Christian-ly.

Is the heart of the Christian experience about reconciliation? If it is, we need to clean up our vocabulary, our act, our pride and humble ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God. “Be reconciled to God…and to one another!”

In Christian love, Curtis

WORTHLESS WORDS OR A MEANINGFUL MESSAGE?

As much as we hate to admit it, the meaning of words change. It is the ongoing change that challenges the message of the gospel. I am torn between two things here: the traditional language of the Christian faith, and the non-communicability of that language to the current generation.

On the one hand, some of the vocabulary of the Christian faith cannot be erased. On the other hand, perhaps some of it needs replaced, or at the bare minimum explained and defined every time such words are used. I am thinking of the following words as the “non-negotiables” of the Christian faith:

Cross, resurrection, heaven, hell, gospel, church, sin, love, servant, friend, etc.

I think our difficulty is realizing that today’s American culture is by and large non-literate in the biblical narrative. The vast majority of our church activities and worship assemblies assume that everyone is biblically literate. It is this very truth and reality that Randy Harris challenged us at ElderLink in Atlanta.

I remember hearing Dr. James Thompson speak at Abilene Christian University during the Restoration Quarterly Journal breakfast. He made a strong case for Christians not giving up their distinctive vocabulary of faith. Our life of faith is often couched in language directly from the biblical text. I believe that is a good thing. We must remember, however, that when we are trying to communicate the Christian faith to others, they have neither the benefit of knowing the words we use nor the powerful narratives out of which that language arises.

Perhaps a good place to start is by asking others what meanings they attach to the words we use. What does the average person think of when we use the word “sin?” What do most people think of when we talk about “church?” Easy-to-read translations and taking time to explain our words with others may be the best place to start. The good news of Jesus Christ (“gospel”) cannot afford to be communicated with worthless words. Rather, we are challenged to present it with meaningful words that convey the power of God at work in the human heart!

In Christian love, Curtis

THE GRAYING OF THE CHURCH

One of the most difficult things for the average, traditional church today is to face the fact that there is an increasing age and social gap. Many congregations have had to close their doors because members have died and no one was their to take their place.

Additionally, because there have been more women than men who attended the assembly and was more involved in church functions, there are less and less men who are growing up to take leadership roles. What this means practically is that young men often do not have older men in their lives who can and are willing to be a spiritual father or mentor to them. It is my sincere conviction that all of us who are over fifty need to seriously step forward and make a commitment to reach out and mentor young people in the faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:8 is Paul’s crowning message on this topic. Listen closely:

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

Paul’s word for this dynamic is “imitation,” and he uses it several times in his correspondence. Providing direction, mentoring and being a spiritual guide was crucial in the spiritual growth of his readers.

Paul uses two critical metaphors to convey this awesome and exciting responsibility of spiritual mentoring: a nurse with a baby, and a father with his children. Care, commitment, well-being, sacrifice, training, responding, etc.—these are all words that come to mind with these metaphors.

It may be that the graying of the church is providing right now one of the most exciting opportunities for mentoring we have ever seen! All it takes is men and women of faith willing to step forward and listen, be gentle, pray with and guide those who are desperately seeking.

Think of combining these two metaphors together! After all, think of the young men over the last decade who have entered the nursing profession. God is not asking for the impossible from those of us who are older. God is just asking that we open our hearts and allow Him to work through us to transform others by the power of His Spirit. Are we ready for the challenge?

In Christian love, Curtis

A POST-CHURCH WORLD

We are living in a post-church world. This was Randy Harris’ second observation about our culture at ElderLink. We have to qualify this statement because most every community you visit there will be several church buildings visible. What do we mean by a “post-church” world?

First, the church no longer is at the center of society’s conscience. Two or three generations ago many towns and villages were defined by the church’s steeple arising from the town square. Its image and presence meant something to the people living and working there. It was a symbolic reminder of a moral center. In many of today’s controversial moral questions, every specialized interest and trained expert is allowed to weigh in except the church.

Second, the rituals of religion seem empty to people trying to find their way out of chaos. Fragmentation, mahem, chaos, fear, confusion: these define the post-modern journey for many individuals. Tired rituals and empty religious clichés are not the answer.

Third, the language and vocabulary of the church seems disconnected from people’s lives. Or, even on the flip side, people of the church from different generations mean different things even though they use the same words. Unfortunately, good biblical words such as “propitiation,” “justification,” “reconciliation,” etc., no longer are common words. And even Christians often misuse or misunderstand them.

Fourth, the church is not the only place where community is formed and nurtured. This is only too painfully clear to Christians. The local bar, the local clubs, local associations, etc., all take the place of the community of faith. Individuals are looking for a place to belong, where they can be validated as a person, and affirmed as to their worth. Because we have been a miserable failure at this, other groups have stepped forward and filled the gap.

We do live in a post-church world. What is the answer? Focus on bringing people to Jesus with authentic servanthood. Only then will the church make sense!

In Christian love, Curtis

I Think Everything is about “i”

Last week we mentioned that Randy Harris at ElderLink proposed 5 ways of getting a grasp on and understanding our current culture. Having such awareness will help us be more sensitive to where people are coming from. Additionally, as responsible and accountable stewards of Jesus with our time, gifts and commitments we can be more faithful to the opportunities afforded us when we share the good news of Jesus.

The first thing to consider is that technology has reshaped us. There is the i-phone, the i-pod, the i-pad, etc. It seems that everything technological serves the “i” in mine. It is all about me, mine and my world. Because such reshaping has taken place, this challenges many of us who have resisted technology in its various forms. There are three things that I want to mention briefly here: technolatry, Sabbath and connectivity.

There is a real danger of the tool/s becoming the master. Time, energy and resources are constantly being sunk into technology. But the problem is that it controls us and reshapes us, instead of being controlled by us. The tool has become the master. Depending on what the technological gadget is we are talking about, many have taken over time in learning how to use and maintain them. We almost worship our tools, and thereby are guilty of technolatry. They are not the answer to all of life!

There is the real possibility of connecting with others as never before. Discrete use and wise management of these resources can help us connect with people in meaningful ways. Often we can say and interact with people on a deeper level when technology is used. This is one of the greatest paradoxes of the post-modern world. Privacy has become public. Discretion has been replaced with disclosure. Because of this, people are revealing needs and sending out calls for help in ways unheard of in the past. Such level of connectivity presents incredible moments for ministering in the name of Jesus!

There is the real need for a weekly Sabbath. Because the foregoing is true, we need to declare a once a week Sabbath from using technology. I have found in my own life that one day away from the tools of communication enables me to stay grounded, centered and more alert when I am using such technology the other six days. This keeps everything from being about the “i” in mine!

In Christian love, Curtis

ASSESSING THE SITUATION

“What are we looking at?” This question is posed in a variety of circumstances. It may be we have called someone over to look at repairing the roof. It may be that we are watching a movie, someone has been taken hostage and the chief of police arrives on the scene. It may be someone has been arrested for a misdemeanor or a felony, and they ask this of their attorney.

But we now pose the question regarding the future of the church. Why is it so hard to reach people? What is there about our culture that makes “church” untenable for so many young people and young adults?

This past week Randy Harris at ElderLink in Atlanta proposed the following 5 ways of getting a grasp on assessing the situation with our culture. Perhaps knowing this will enable us to be more patient with the un-churched and the non-Christian, or unbelievers.

1) Technology has reshaped us
2) We are living in a Post-church world
3) Increasing age and social gap in churches
4) Big challenge of defining gospel and discipleship
5) Redefining what “success” looks like for the church


Each one of these components are critical if we are to take seriously the task and mission of the church in an increasingly hostile culture toward traditional Christianity. Jesus gave the church a simple mission: “…Go and make disciples of all nations…”(Matthew 28:19). So simple, yet so hard!

By assessing our situation, we find out that our contemporary culture has radically shifted from what it was sixty years ago. Two generations have come and gone since many of our churches were planted in various communities. Because our way of doing church has become entrenched, in many places, we are on the verge of closing doors of what was once vibrant, faithful congregations.

In the next few weeks, I want to look specifically at the five items listed above. This will enable us to get a better grasp on understanding our culture. Given this environment, we then need to look at the biblical mandate of “go and make disciples of all nations.” What needs to change in our church culture so that we can reach the larger culture?

Here is a question to think about: is it possible that our culture holds any promise for being receptive to the good news of Jesus? Assessing the situation will give us clarity and mission.
In Christian love, Curtis

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Would it be strange for a minister to share his thoughts about growing spiritually? Most of us would expect that! Well, since our congregational theme this year is “Growing Spiritually through loving and serving,” I have had a million thoughts swimming around in my head that I have been wanting to share. The one that is strongly on my heart today has to do with a proper view toward obstacles that get in our way.

Just recently, I have had the opportunity and privilege of meeting with a number of individuals who are struggling with gargantuan obstacles and problems in their lives. I have found myself saying this to each person:

“The bigger the obstacle you are faced with and the harder something is becoming, that is a testimony to the fact that you are indeed growing spiritually and drawing nearer to God. Obstacles, testing, trials, temptations, and difficulties are different ways that God can use to discipline and train us in the spiritual life.”

This gives us healthy way of viewing our problems as we seek God’s face. Just mark it down: any spiritual goal we have in mind will have with it inherent obstacles to overcome. The greater the goal the bigger the obstacle!

So, how can I overcome and be victorious? The apostle Paul provides the answer with a rhetorical question: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:35, 37).

As is common practice for Paul, he utilizes a military metaphor to communicate his spiritual concept. “Conquerors” overcome obstacles. Conquerors keep their eyes on the prize. Conquerors let nothing hold them back.

I love this concept…conquering obstacles. Obstacles are constantly thrown in our path to make us throw in the towel! But remember, we have the power of Christ’s love to sustain us. So, let us overcome obstacles so we can grow spiritually in the following ways:

Our commitment to God, our commitment to our spouse, our commitment to our children & grandchildren, our commitment to stay clean from addiction, our commitment to help others with our financial resources, our commitment to visit and help the elderly, our commitment to ourselves to be a person of truth and integrity, our commitment to academic excellence, our commitment to stewardship of our bodies, our commitment to agape love for others, etc. Through the power of Christ's love and his resurrection power we can overcome obstacles to the glory of God!

In Christian love, Curtis

PAUL, THE APOSTLE OF AGONY

One way of characterizing the life of the apostle Paul is by the word “agony” or “struggle.” In his own letters to churches he often referred to the intense inner angst and agony that he felt and experienced. Remember last week we mentioned Paul’s habit of “urging” his readers toward urgent activities? In Romans 15:30 we have such a combination: Paul’s urgent pleading for his readers to join him in his agonizing! Listen to this:

“I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

Paul is urging his readers to join him in his struggle; literally, Paul says “agonize with me.” It is a verb prefixed by the preposition “with.” This indicates to us how deeply Paul envisioned fellowship.

Our inner distress was never meant to be experienced in isolation. From what Paul is saying here, I see the following application to body life in the congregation:

1) My inner world of apprehensiveness must be shared with others.

2) We need to urge and plead with others to share in our prayer life and concerns of petition.

3) There is no struggle outside the purview of Christian fellowship and joint struggling in prayer.

It took my own father’s suicide 18 years ago for me to truly understand this.
My wife, Nancy, and my children shared this agonizing journey with me. My mother, my brothers, and my sisters shared this agonizing journey with me. My Christian brothers and sisters shared this agonizing journey with me. I understand the depth of struggling “with” others in their agony and inner troubles.

May God give each of us two desires: the wisdom to urge others to join us in our prayerful struggles, and the wisdom to respond when others ask us to join them! In Christian love, Curtis

URGENT URGING

Parents learn the art of urging early. It comes in the following forms: brush your teeth so you won’t lose them. Look both ways before you cross the street. Do not talk to a stranger. Do your homework so you can get good grades. Eat your brussel sprouts so you can grow up strong.

As children get older, the parental urging stakes go higher. Do not try drugs, they will fry your brain. Do not get drunk—remember your friend who died in the auto accident? Practice abstinence because STD’s are around every corner.

We understand the need for urging. It is the same in church life. There is the need for urgent urging. Listen to the apostle Paul as he urges his fellow Christians in Rome:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (12:1).

It was common practice in Paul’s day, while writing letters, for a person to highlight one of the most important features of composition by prefacing it with the word “urge.” This was used to address the ethos (character or behavior) desired in the recipient of the letter. It basically has the idea of “calling in alongside of” or, strongly encouraging someone. One ancient Greek writer uses it to refer to calling in the general for strategy. He would have urged and encouraged his troops in the heat of battle.

What does Paul want in the character or behavior of his readers? He wants them “to offer their bodies as living sacrifices.” This was the point of his urgent urging. In Paul’s letters it is clear, just like today, that too many people separated their “spiritual” life from their “physical” life. But Paul attacks this heresy head-on. All forms of spirituality are embodied. That is, how we offer our bodies to God is the center of our spiritual life.

This urging of an embodied spirituality is just as relevant today as it was in the first century. It is easy to think that our spirituality has nothing to do with our bodies. But Paul insists that this approach to life is “spiritual act of worship.” Paul does not list this as one act of worship among many. This is the only time in Paul’s writings when he calls the doing of a thing a “spiritual act of worship.” He is not talking about something we do in the assembly on Sunday morning. He is urging a congruence between the spirit and the body as we live out our faith.

The church today needs more urgent urging! Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are bought with a price. We are not our own. Therefore, we need to let our character and behavior glorify God!

In Christian love, Curtis

Resources:

Bjerkelund, C. J. 1967. Parakaleo: Form, Funktion und Sinn der Parakalo Satze in den Paulenischen Briefen. Bibliotheca theological Norvegiva 1. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget.

Grayston, K. (1980). “A Problem of Translation: The Meaning of parakaleo, paraclesis in the New Testament.” Scripture Bulletin 11: 27-31.

O’Brien, Peter T. 1999. “Letters, Letter Form.” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, 552. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Xenophon. Anab. 3.1.32. Cited in Braumann, G. 1979. “Exhort.” New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Volume 1, 567-573. Edited by Colin Brown. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

SPIRITUAL STRUGGLE

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. If it were that visible, that definable, that clear…then it would be an easy battle for the disciple of Jesus. But how many times do we make it against flesh and blood?! We put a face on our enemy. We define geographical territory. Turf wars at the office emerge. In-laws become out-laws. The scenario multiplies and never seems to stop!

Struggle. Literally, the apostle Paul says “wrestling.” We wrestle against the sources of evil and the power of evil. This is the only time in the New Testament that “wrestling” is used. In the papyrus, “wrestler” or a “wrestling man” is found a couple of times, dating around the 2nd and 3rd century. In the 3rd and 4th century a short Christian sermon survives that mentions “spiritual wrestling.”

Paul uses many metaphors of warfare to depict the struggle of living the Christian life. It may be that the “wrestler” here is really describing brutal hand-to-hand combat. Life and death struggle. Resistance and strength spent to the bitter end.

We live in a day and time where Christianity is measured. Dollars. Attendance. Programs. Events. Good time. Fun. Self is pampered. Egos are stroked. Comfort is the highest value.

What happened to the daily reminder that we are involved in a life and death spiritual struggle? Nowhere in Scripture are we ever promised that following Jesus is “ rose garden without the thorns.”

Paul makes it clear in Ephesians that this struggle is because of our sinful nature, desires of the flesh. Once we were dead in trespasses and sins, therefore there was no struggle. Heart is hardened. Conscience is dead. Desires and thoughts focused on sinful desires.

God made us alive in Christ! Now we struggle. The battle lines have been drawn. Satan and his forces are lined up against us. I have learned that the harder the struggle, the more testimony it is to a stand of faithfulness. Our spiritual struggle, then, is not against people and property. It is against Satan, our adversary. Praise be to God who has given us the victory in Christ!

In Christian love, Curtis

CAN ANYTHING GOOD COME OUT OF SUFFERING?

Suffering is quite painful and appears to be non-productive. We live in a culture where suffering is to be alleviated at all costs. Because it appears to be non-productive, untold millions is spent on trying to alleviate what seems to be senseless. And we are not just talking about physical suffering, there is also emotional and mental anguish than can almost trump anything physical. What does the Christian make of this?

The apostle Paul gives us another perspective on suffering that is not defined by a negative reaction because pain is ONLY perceived in a negative way. Paul answers very plainly the question, “Can anything good come out of suffering?”

Before we hear Paul’s answer, we have to ask ourselves, “Are we ready to hear his answer?” Sometimes, being in the middle of pain and suffering, we cannot see or hear Paul’s prescription. Perhaps his answer is more of journey, a journey that stretches out over time in which we are slowly prepared to see and accept the answer. Listen to his perspective:

“Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Notice that Paul goes a step further than what we are often prepared to do. He says “rejoice”!? I think it would have been much easier for us to swallow if he had said, “tolerate.” But rejoice?! Yes, because we are aware of a divine, transformative process that comes about that ONLY suffering can produce: a formation of character that hangs on to hope because it is rooted in the gift of the Holy Spirit whom God has given us. It almost sounds like Paul is saying that suffering makes us aware of and rely on the gift of the Spirit whom God has poured out into hearts which is the medium and measure of His love.

Maybe, then, suffering is the process by which I am made aware of that which is more important than the pressing pain of the moment. It is often ONLY through pain and suffering that I am ready for God to do His greatest work in me and through me. Therefore, “we rejoice in our sufferings.”

In Christian love, Curtis

A STRANGE PHRASE FROM PAUL

We encounter almost daily strange phrases. “It will cost you an arm and a leg!” What does that mean, and where does it come from? “Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water!” What does that mean? “Shoot the breeze.” What does this mean? “Barking up the wrong tree.” So, what does this mean?

The Apostle Paul uses a strange phrase in his letter to the Christians at Rome. It is found twice: “for/unto the obedience of faith” (1:5 and 16:26). What does this strange phrase mean? It seems that there are basically two options: either Paul is talking about obedience that comes from faith, or essentially faith is obedience. Which one is it, and what is Paul trying to say?

Probably it is both. Paul cannot separate faith from obedience, and obedience springs from faith. This is the two sides of Paul’s missionary zeal. He wants and desires people to respond faithfully out of a heart of obedience. He wants this to happen among all the nations for the sake of Christ’s name. Paul also wants this to happen by being made known to all the nations, anticipating his future evangelistic endeavors and proclamation.

A strange phrase from Paul. Yet powerful. Here is what is translates for us today:

The gospel is for all who obey God out of faith.

The gospel is to be made known and proclaimed so all CAN faithfully respond to the good news.

Inclusiveness and powerful proclamation. The church must never tire of its gospel mandate with these two aspects. The gospel is for all. Young and old. Rich and poor. Male and Female. Slave and free. Black, Hispanic, Caucasian, etc. And it is the proclamation of the good news powerfully testifying to the risen Lord that makes it possible for all who have sinned to be forgiven!

Paul understood his calling as an apostle and he called upon others who were the “saints” at Rome to remember their calling. Conversion is a calling to claim our identity as “beloved” and “holy” and to share such good news with others. May we faithfully and obediently respond!

In Christian love, Curtis

THE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE

Mike Bettes of the Weather Channel did the unthinkable. While in Chicago this past week, he took on the challenge of the polar bear plunge. Participants had to chop a big section out of the ice off the shore of Lake Michigan. I think this practice began around 1907 and is reported to help individuals with vigor, strength, clear thinking and regain a zest for living!

I took my own version of the polar bear plunge about month ago—accidentally falling into my koi pond. I thought about the differences and similarities between my experience and Mike’s experience.

His plunge was intentional, mine was accidental.
He had sympathizers and helpers to get him out of the water, I had none!
His took real commitment from the beginning, mine did not.
He recorded his experience, I did not and had no intention to!
His was viewed as courage, mine probably as less than smart!

In making these comparisons, it dawned on me how the polar bear plunge is so much like the plunge into Christian baptism.

It is a communal experience.
It is intentional.
It is viewed as initiation into a group.
It takes real commitment.
It takes courage.

One thing different however: Christian baptism is the plunge that transforms the inside by the power of Christ’s resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit forever. Polar Bear participants do not want any inner change, because that results in hypothermia. But the Christian baptism plunge effects inner change that lasts a lifetime. Polar bear plunge participants have to do it again next year! No thank you!

"Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:3-4).

In Christian love, Curtis

REJOICE!

Her name was Anita. She was thin and frail, and the blankets smothered her tiny body on the hospice bed. As I entered the living room that afternoon, I was anxiously trying to figure out what I could say. It was evident from her shallow, rhythmic breathing that life was hanging on by a thread.

The afternoon sun cast a heavenly glow on the hand-made quilt. Family members had spent time assembling the various blocks—each one a piece of memory stitched in time. As I ran my hand over the knotted threads of the quilt, I breathed a silent prayer, asking God to give me the wisdom to know what to say. He knew better.

I did not need to say anything. I was not there for Anita, she was there for me! Somehow she sensed I had entered the room. Her eyelids fluttered, and she opened her eyes. A sweet twinkle emanated from those tired, green eyes when she saw that it was I. Her hand slowly emerged from the covers and motioned me to come down closer.

Her voice was barely perceptible. The cancer had destroyed her lungs, and she had no strength to form the words. “This is for you. I want you to have it. I will no longer need it. I am going to be with my Jesus.”

She summoned all of her strength, and in slow, shaky motions took hold of the transparent, glass ornament and gave it to me. Then she smiled, sank back into the pillow and drifted off into the arms of Jesus. I was spell-bound, not sure what to say to the family standing around in silent expectation for the moment.

I held the colored glass ornament up to the sun and it burst into rainbow brilliance. I could not keep back the tears when I read:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”(Philippians 4:4)

The beautiful colors of the butterfly etched in glass, the dazzling colors of the flower, and the illumination of the sun through the ornament burned into my heart forever this powerful verse from the pen of Paul. In life and death we can rejoice!

In Christian love, Curtis

SEISMIC SHIFT IN WHAT WE SEE

Whether we realize it or not, we are all affected by global events. None more drastic than the earthquake in Haiti. The widespread desolation was of epic proportions. An apocalyptic atmosphere brooded over the land. We could feel the dismal mood over here in the heartland of America.

Images of devastation allow us to see more than is there. Yes, we hear the stories and see the pictures. But, for the Christian there is a seismic shift in what we see. This catastrophe allows us to see the “heart” of it all. Daily living and “things as usual” provide a film over our eyes so that we cannot see clearly or perceptively. Tragedy and suffering violently removes the hindrance. Now we can see to the “heart” of it all and respond.

We see the heart of God through helping hands. Myriads of ministries, relief organizations and medical missions have rushed to the aid of the hurting in Haiti. This is where the divine meets the human. The God of all healing and comfort touches through our hands.

We see the heart of humanity felt and displayed through contributions. There are the tireless contributions of volunteers with gifts and skills. There are the contributions of medical supplies, along with food and water. There is a solidarity of compassionate hearts unequalled except during times of crisis. These hearts beat in unison, responding to the collective angst.

We see the heart of healing prompted by our prayers. The compassionate heart of God walks alongside the hurting through our intercessory efforts. The deepest desires of our hearts (“wanting to be there”) are honored through agonizing prayers from us. We cannot go in person, but we can be present through our prayers.

Do we respond to what we see globally? In this case, yes! There is a palpable passion in our collective response as Christians. The media gives credit to organizations for responding. Christians give credit to God who enables them to respond to the most dire needs of the hour.

We have an opportunity to let our light shine right now in a dark world! We see differently now. The normal has been shaken up. Earthquakes have a way of doing that!

In Christian love, Curtis

FITTING THE PUZZLE PIECES TOGETHER

The third positive quality in helping the church restore her soul is that of wholeness. Kent Groff says this:

“Ministry in an overspecialized world gets complicated. The soul of ministry is about healing personal and social fragmentation, finding simplicity in complexity. It is about defragmenting, as when my computer reunifies scattered information” (The Soul of Tomorrow’s Church, page 28).

At the core of Groff’s observation is the power of healing and restoration. Moving toward simplicity is the effectiveness and faithfulness of ministry in all of its expressions. When the church sees herself as the community of the integrated, then healing and wholeness occurs. Here is what this practically means for the heart and soul of the church.

>Members and ministries are not in competition for time and resources
>Loving God and loving neighbor is the foundation of all service
>Decisions are not arbitrary, rather participatory
>Atmosphere and morale are indicators of the congregation’s health
>All diversities of ministry complete the overall picture
>No one person has to do it all
>Meaningful involvement of every person is the goal
>Ministry is rooted in calling and responding to God’s calling

No doubt you can think of other practical implications of the church being aware of her soul, along with the simplicity of loving and serving. My mother-in-law gave me a puzzle that had the picture of a train on railroad tracks. It is now hanging in a frame. All of the pieces are integrated into a complete picture that is amazing.

We are all pieces of the puzzle, working for the same Lord, with the same zeal and calling. Integrity, passion and wholeness are the three positive qualities that define a group of Christians serious about embodying our risen Lord in the present time. Ministry does not have to be overspecialized and complex. With the power of God’s Spirit we are all about healing, integration and wholeness! May God be glorified in that process.

In Christian love, Curtis

PASSION IS THE POWER BEHIND MINISTRY

The “Passion of Christ” is the traditional phrase used to describe the suffering of the Paschal Lamb. This means that Jesus as the Passover Lamb went through horrific suffering to fulfill his ministry here on earth. Groff in his book, The Soul of Tomorrow’s Church, maintains that “passion” is one of the positive qualities necessary to restore the soul of the church. He means “pouring your heart and soul into what you do” in ministry. This is a little different from how I want to pursue this line of thought.

According the life of Christ, suffering (pascho in the Greek) or “passion” was inherent in his role as the Passover Lamb. Like the Old Testament, his blood was shed for the life of the participants. I maintain that it is not our “pouring your heart and soul into what you do” that is power behind ministry. It is the power of the blood of Christ as our Paschal Lamb that is the power behind everything! I see at least three foundational realities that define powerful, faithful ministry that expresses the dynamic soul of the church.

First, Christ as the Paschal Lamb gives us the redemptive view of suffering. I think that most of us have the wrong view of being involved in the life of the church. We think of volunteering for those things that fit our schedule and are easy. There is nothing easy and convenient about ministry. The more responsive you are to the needs of others, the more personal suffering is involved. It is Christ’s own suffering that redeems our own, and gives God space to work in our lives for His glory.

Secondly, Christ as the Paschal Lamb gives us life through his resurrection. It is amazing to think that death can bring forth life! In our own baptism, the apostle Paul tells us that we died with Christ and were raised with him to newness of life. Powerful ministry is demonstrated out of the context of a new way of life.

Thirdly, Christ as the Paschal Lamb gives us the power to remain faithful. According to Paul in Ephesians 1, we have the same power in our lives that raised Christ from the dead. This is a staggering thought, and I am not sure that I have comprehended it fully in my own Christian walk. That is where the power to be a fully engaged member of the body comes from!

Passion, suffering, is the power behind ministry. This may explain our hesitancy to get involved more. The more effective the ministry of the church is in the lives of others, the more suffering and sacrifice will be required. “Being God’s Hands”(our motto for 2010) is possible when Jesus remains the power behind everything we do!

In Christian love, Curtis

THANKSGIVING COMES FROM THANKS-LIVING

Giving thanks is at the heart of daily Christian living. I was amazed to discover this week that the New Testament mentions “thankfulness” and “gratitude” a total of 55 times. It is glaringly missing in the General Epistles for some reason (Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John and Jude) But the Gospels, Acts, Paul’s letters and Revelation are replete with references to giving thanks.

Perhaps one of the best verses to start with is Colossians. Consider this amazing verse:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

In this particular section of Paul’s letter he is reminding his readers of what it really means to live a life patterned after Jesus. As God’s chosen people, they are bound together in perfect unity by love. Being bound together this way leads to peace.
Paul tells his readers to be thankful in the context of allowing Christ to rule in each heart because that is where the unity of the body comes from. Out of this admonition we learn to be thankful for the peace that binds us together in Christ.
Having a thankful heart and living thankfully with one another is because we allow the peace of Christ to rule among us.

Are we all allowing the peace of Christ to rule in us?
Are we reminded daily of our being a part of one body?
Do we remember that we are called to peace?

And most importantly, does all of this cause thankfulness to spring up within our hearts to glorify God and love others?
If we are not careful we tend to limit our idea of Thanksgiving to physical provisions. But the spiritual reality of living as members of the same body, letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts because we are called to peace provides the greatest reason for our thankful hearts this season!
In Christian love, Curtis

LUBRICATION FOR THE SOUL

Perhaps last week you were able to catch some of Ken Burns’ special on PBS entitled “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.” One comment by a writer really caught my attention: “Beauty is the lubrication for the soul.” Certainly, when seeing the majestic views and outstanding vistas of landscape one is moved to a transcendent experience of beauty.

For centuries philosophers have tried to pursue and define the good, the beautiful and the true. The Bible has something to say about what is beautiful. In his search for the good life “under the sun,” King Solomon recognized that “God has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This is a rather interesting observation because there is indeed an element of timing in describing what is beautiful. Think of a beautiful baby, think of a beautiful sunset-our perception of their beauty changes quickly in a short time.

Jesus warned against the sham and hypocrisy of trying to make everything look beautiful on the outside while the inside was rotten: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean”(Matthew 23:27).

It seems that there are two legitimate kinds of beauty: one emanates from within a person, and the other is an appreciation for God’s creation. Our progressive society has gotten it all turned around: beauty is ascribed to the outward person, and God’s creation is often overlooked.

Think of how beauty is the lubrication for our soul: music, art, poetry, imagination, a sunset, a rainbow, the spirit of gentleness, the spirit of forgiveness, the spirit of love, etc. The apostle Paul put the highest compliment on those who share the Good News as having “beautiful feet.” In the ancient world, a herald would run from battle field to city with the beautiful news of victory.

May our daily words be the beautiful Good News of victory in Jesus! May we recognize that God has made everything beautiful in its time! May we recognize the beauty in every person’s spirit! May we allow the beauty of the moment, the experience and the person to lubricate our souls!

In Christian Love, Curtis

CARDIO-CHRISTIANITY

We take the condition of our heart seriously. I remember about five years ago when I had an annual checkup that my family doctor referred me to a cardiologist. He saw something on an X-ray he did not like. It turned out to be nothing, but my visit with the cardiologist was enlightening. I got to actually see the chambers of my heart beating and the blood flowing through the valves, thanks to the latest technology.

God takes the condition of spiritual heart seriously. In fact, I ran across a compound adjective that is used of God only twice in the Scriptures. The word is “heart-knowing.” We have a lot of traditional ways that we understand the Bible describes God: God is love, God is everywhere, etc. Probably the description of God as “heart-knowing” does not immediately come to mind.

The fascinating thing is that this adjective describing the character of God is found twice in Acts: 1:24 and 15:8. The idea of “heart-knowing” (καρδιογνώστης, kardiognostes) means one who is a knower of hearts and understands what is on the inside of human beings. This affirmation of God’s character is found once in the Apostolic Fathers:

“For those, then, who were called before these days, did the Lord appoint repentance, for the Lord knows the heart (literally in the Greek it says: for the Lord being a heart-knower), and knowing all things beforehand he knew the weakness of man and the subtlety of the devil, that he will do some evil to the servants of God, and will do them mischief” [The Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate IV. 3.4; The Apostolic Fathers, Loeb Classical Library, Volume II, page3 84-85].

From Acts and the Shepherd of Hermas we find out that this essence of God is discussed within the context of the weakness of humanity & sin, Judas being replaced as an apostle, and the Jerusalem Council in which the Gentiles were accepted without keeping the Jewish law.

God knows about the presence of sin in our life. God knows about who should be a leader in the church. God knows about what the converted heart should do to be faithful to him.

Yes, cardio-Christianity. We serve the greatest cardiologist in the world. God knows our hearts. May that awareness bless us moment by moment.
In Christian love, Curtis

MOVING TOWARD OUR GOAL

While moving toward a goal, someone at sometime needs to be still. Listen to Kent Ira Groff describe it:

“Every good action arises out of contemplation, as a surging waterfall originates in a still spring. As a weaver contemplates the design for a rug before and while moving the shuttle, so action and contemplation need not be separate but two movements of a seamless whole. ‘Be still and know that I am God!’ (Psalm 46:10). It is ‘The Practice of the Presence of God’ to be present in the world”
(The Soul of the Congregation: Weaving Spiritual Practices in Ministry Together. 2000. Nashville, TN: Upper Room Publishers; page 17).

Surging waterfall and weaver. Both have their still point of beginning. Out of stillness is born power and design. Out of stillness one hears the voice of God. Out of the context of stillness the goal and journey are recognized.

We are such a busy-oriented culture that we barely have time to stop and be still. It is more than just the idea of stopping to smell the roses. It is an intentional stillness that goes to the heart of spirituality. It is choosing to be still so we can know who God is! Too often much of our “church work” is frantic action covering up the fact that we do not know God.

With respect to our visioning process going here at Highland View, we all need to spend some intentional time in stillness before God to know God. Out of such contemplation we believe wholeheartedly that the direction for “good action” will arise! You have heard of the saying that “still waters run deep.” It is out of this depth that we drink from the Spirit of God the life-giving water that fills and refreshes our soul.

One of the most significant blessings from our visioning process should be that of spiritual nourishment and refreshment. At this point we do not know what the configuration of shape and color will define the rug. But the Divine Weaver knows, and asks us to be still long enough for that vision to materialize before our very eyes. Action and contemplation—both are the seamless whole of a congregation seeking and immersing itself into the presence and power of God.
In Christian love, Curtis

Cranberry Bog

I know nothing about Cranberry bogs. I saw a few times a commercial on television, and it captured my interest. In doing some research about them, I found out some rather interesting stuff. As a plant, it sends runners out each year that can grow as long as six feet. All of these vines form a thick mat over the cultivated bed.

Along the runners there are shoots that develop called “uprights.” It is from these uprights that the flowers and the cranberry fruit are grown. These plants grow in bogs or kettles, some naturally formed and others formed where iron ore had previously been mined.

The soil in a cranberry bog is unique in that it is alternating with soil, sand and organic matter. Flooding of the area is confined to winter protection, harvest and other specialized treatments for pest-control.

The growth cycle of a cranberry (from the bud to the mature fruit) begins in July of one year and is complete by September or October of the following year. This means that the cycle is about sixteen months long. And during the first three weeks after the fruit is mature, that is when most of the mineral components are acquired. Irrigation is usually necessary at this point and creates the traditional cranberry bog that we see on television commercials. My summary above is just a brief synopsis. It is much more involved and detailed. The following though is my take on all of this…

Fruit takes time to grow and mature. There are no shortcuts that can be taken. Sixteen months are necessary to produce the ripe cranberry. A knowledge of all the factors is necessary for those who work in this setting: weather, the fruit cycle, the soil composition, the season, etc.

As Christians we know that our spiritual growth is just as complex and dynamic. We need to be just as intentional with our “soul care” as the farmers are with “cranberry care.” The goal is maturity and God cooperates in the process. If we could envision ourselves as a cranberry, I wonder where we would be right now in the sixteen month maturation process?

In Christian love, Curtis

TEACHINGS OF THE DAY

Too often we start every day thinking of the accomplishment of tasks looming before us. Perhaps we have overslept, or at least we are behind, the traffic was slow and the responsibilities are piling up by the minute. As Christians we have to shift out of the panic and urgent mode into a more God-honoring mode. I want to suggest that an old hymn gives us a place to begin reframing our thinking.

I recently came across an old hymn entitled, Lord, We Ask Thee Ere We Part. George Manwaring, 1854-1889, composed the text and the tune originally arranged by Benjamin Milgrove, 1731-1810 was adapted for this song. Here is the first verse:

“Lord, we ask Thee ere we part,
Bless the teachings of this day.
Plant them deep in every heart,
That with us they’ll ever stay.”

Originally this was used as an “assembly” prayer so that when members of a congregation were ready to leave the day’s activities, they parted with this prayer-wish on their hearts. This is a petition asking the Lord to bless the teachings of the day. Even though its original application was for a “worship” assembly, its daily application is quite profound.

Think of what each day waits to teach us. If we have the attitude and desire for God to plant those lessons deep in our hearts, they will indeed stay with us forever! This reminds me of James’ challenge that we need to “humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you”(James 1:21).

This kind of openness to the work of God will enable lessons to go down deep into our very soul. When God does the planting, and the heart is receptive, a fruitful harvest of righteousness will be the result.

What are we ready for today to teach us? How do you think our lives would be different if we took a moment every evening to write down answers to the question: What did today teach me, and what did God plant deep in my heart? It is being in this daily mode of receptiveness to the teaching and implanting of God’s Spirit that is part of the transformational process of being moulded more and more into the image of Christ.

May we be good stewards of teaching moments God sends our way!
In Christian love, Curtis

CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY: ENGAGING THE CULTURE FROM A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

It is so tempting to denounce the culture at large as so hopelessly adrift in hedonistic aspirations that we do not need to take the time to take it seriously. But such a stance of denunciation would eclipse two things: we are shaped by that very culture we would decry, and we have a moral and missionary obligation to engage the culture.
T. M. Moore in his book, Culture Matters: A Call for Consensus on Christian Cultural Engagement, reminds us that

A Christian approach to culture begins with a thoughtful, ongoing critique
of the issues and events of our day, in conversation with like-minded
believers who seek above all else to preserve the light of truth and grace
in a day of decadence and doubt (page 41).

From this insight we see that have both a challenge and an opportunity to engage culture from a Christian worldview. The challenge is to be engaged in “a thoughtful, ongoing critique of the issues and events in our day,” and the opportunity is to “preserve the light of truth and grace in a day of decadence and doubt.”

Having said this, I hear the strong reminder of the apostle Peter to his readers to live as aliens and strangers in this world, being aware of the power of their good lives to reflect light in a dark world, engaged in the titanic struggle between right and wrong (see 1 Peter 2:9-12).

It is not pessimistic nor judgmental nor dismissive to describe our culture as “decadent” and in “doubt.” We would be hard pressed to come up with two better words that describe the behavior and the mindset of our current culture. Because such decadence abounds, this is all the more reason for Christians not to hide their light under a basket. Because such doubt abounds regarding truth, revelation, and destiny this is all the more reason to share a message of confidence and trust in the revelation of God.

Practically speaking, we Christians need to shine our light more brightly everyday now more than ever. We Christians need to share a message of hope and faith now more than ever. From a Christian worldview, there has never been a time in our recent history where so many opportunities abound if we but step forward in faith, trust, and the power of the Spirit and accept the challenge before us. May we live and speak in such a way that others “may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us!”(1 Peter 2:12).

In Christian love, Curtis

SEEKING PARADISE

This past week while on vacation Nancy and I traveled to Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. It was literally a step back in time for us in two ways. First, right after we were married we went to the village. This was about 33 years ago. Second, for about 40 years now ongoing restoration has been taking place at the village. You really feel that you are among the Shakers in living history when you visit.
I was intrigued during this visit with four things that stood out for me.

*Work is worship
*Exclusivity & Sectarianism lead to extinction
*Silence of history speaks volumes
*Community of believers

The Shakers had a work ethic that was rooted in their view of worship. To them manual labor represented their faithful worship and offering to God. It reminded me of the apostle Paul’s challenge “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). They saw themselves trying to bring together spirituality and materiality in such a way that this world was the context of their faith practice. Their "shaking" in the worship gathering was perceived to be a working of the Spirit.

One thing stuck out though: when one’s practice of religion becomes exclusive and sectarian (and especially since they were celibate!) the road to extinction and irrelevance is being paved. It is amazing how many religious movements no longer are in existence because of an underlying spiritual pride of being the only “religious” and faithful ones around. As a religious movement they broke away from the Quakers and began to propose a more radical faith commitment and openness to the Spirit.

There was a silence of history in the village that spoke volumes. The voice of the past was a testimony to the temporary efforts of well-meaning people. Their heritage has left us admirable examples of commitment, simplicity, hard work and humility in their craftsmanship.

And, I was amazed at their understanding of the communal nature of faith. Their main verses came from Acts 2:42-47. They had all things in common. Their perception of community was truly remarkable with its sense of everyone being the same and no one getting preferential treatment. Everyone was equal and treated the same.

Though the Shakers thought they were trying to create a Paradise on earth, we know that such is impossible. But on our way to the true Paradise when Jesus returns, I believer the Shakers can give us food for thought!
In Christian love, Curtis

Resource:

Merton, Thomas. 2003. Seeking Paradise: The Spirit of the Shakers. Edited by Paul M. Pearson. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

THE CENTRALITY OF COMMUNION

The place that communion plays in the life of the believer has always fascinated me. Some take it seriously, others think of it as an inconvenience. Some take it infrequently, others on a more regular basis. But what strikes me is that the apostle Paul and the early church saw it central to one’s spirituality and the vitality of the church.

Another thing that fascinates me is the tradition that has been built up around its practice. Not that tradition is a bad thing. But sometimes traditions connected with the Lord’s Supper, communion, have a way of becoming carved into stone as a sacred monument. It is not my purpose in this brief article to examine all of the traditions, rather I want to bring us back to the central place this practice has in our faith.

Some call this a “Eucharistic banquet.” This means an experience of God’s people eating at the Lord’s Table together, giving thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus. Even in Paul’s day, he observes that some Christians had begun to neglect its practice, and as a result a spiritual malaise had set in. Listen to Paul:

“That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 11:30).

When we Christians neglect the fellowship that comes from gathering around the Lord’s Table, we should not be surprised when spiritual weakness and sickness sets in. It had gotten so bad with some Christians that Paul describes them as “sleep-walking.” A spiritual and moral numbness characterized their life.

Does it make a difference whether we partake of communion or not? Leaving legalistic tendencies aside, we need to remember that God in His divine wisdom designed the communion to minister to our hearts. It is sort of like periodic “heart” medicine. Remember where Jesus said that if we had something against a brother, we had to put down our offering at the altar and go and make it right first. Then, we could bring our offering.

Communion is about priorities. It is about God. It is about Jesus. It is about one another. It is about our hearts. We should look forward to communion more than a backyard BBQ and the long-awaited family reunion! Because, truly, communion is our reunion with one another at the Lord’s Table, with Jesus as our host!
In Christian love, Curtis