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