Secrets From the Unknown
Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care. Oh that you would listen to his voice today! The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts”
Psalm 95: 6-8 author unknown NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
I try to go against my instincts and be an open and outgoing person. But, I’d honestly rather stay at home and practice my favorite professional sport which is watching television. I love to stay in practice! Besides watching television, I also like staying in the house as it is a safety net. For me, no people means no pain. Over the last four years I have met with derision from many that find my behavior contemptible. Two people at the old church I served told me in their opinion; I should not be there because I “did not belong.” Not long after, I had a nice couple tell me I did not belong with their group and that I had “off center” theology. Another couple told me I “let them down” because I did not apologize fast enough for a mistake I made. Another person told me I had a “closed and small mind.” Someone else told me I was “unlikable.” Now the interesting thing to note is that these were all Christians. The aforementioned is a short list that represents a longer series of put-downs, disappointments, misunderstandings and mistakes. As a result, I am fighting the disease of having a hardened heart toward God’s people.
The unknown author of Psalm 95 indeed understood something of the human heart. He or she understood a lot of hurts in the same area makes a person so overtly cautious that the person recoils in self protection. That can be a good thing only as long as it is a reaction till healing is complete. Prolonged recoil can lead to bitterness, anger and a distorted judgment of others. In this prolonged bitterness, our anger will no longer need a reason to exist. As long as you are justified in your own head, your ill treatment of others will be justified. Now that’s just sick.
The author of Psalm 95 cautions us to listen to God’s voice and not become bitter. It may seem like weird medicine, but let your hurts cause you to praise God. You can praise Him with an instrument. You can praise Him with a song. You can praise Him by remembering a time when He has blessed you. If you can’t remember a specific time, I’ll start you off . . . remember THE CROSS.
When we praise God in the midst of pain, our minds are taken off the struggle, and placed on the One that endures the struggle along with us. Yes, God certainly is with us in the pain. We are the sheep under God’s care. He cares for you, and for me. He even cares for the people that told me I didn’t belong, that my theology is screwy, that I don’t apologize fast enough and that I am unlikable. God watches over us all. God sees.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Why Me? – Why Not You?
Why Me? – Why Not You?
Do you know where light comes from and where darkness lives, so you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? Why, of course you know that. You’ve known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood as them!
Job 38:19-21 THE MESSAGE
I once had a conversation with a person, let’s call her Mary. She spoke of suffering the loss of her spouse and two children to cancer. She said it was unfair and that God had a lot to answer for. When my dad passed on, one of my brothers voiced his anger in that God did not spare my dad because the rest of us were lacking in faith to heal him. Mary and my brother’s anger and frustration are universal to the human experience. It’s really hard to lose someone you love. It’s hard when you have tried your best to live a good life, to honor God in all that you do and to help others, but the payoff is that your spouse leaves you or you lose your money or health. It makes sense that if you do well, you will get good back. Worldly wisdom has always taught, “What goes around comes around.” How about, “What you put out is what you will get back?” People that may not have even read the Bible will say to, “Treat others the way you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12). My friend “Mary” says that God has dealt unfairly with her. The biblical patriarch Job (pronounced “Jobe”) said the same exact thing. In chapter 23 Job says, “God has no right to treat me like this-it isn’t fair!”(THE MESSAGE Remix)
The answer to the dilemma of good people suffering is that. . . well, there is no good answer. We all suffer. That is the way it works. No, it does not seem fair that bad people “seem” to get away with proverbial and sometimes literal murder. It seems unfair that God-loving people should suffer at all. But, this world has been turned on its ear from the effects of sin. In this life, there is no escaping trouble.
I believe God’s (albeit lengthy) answer to Job’s question of suffering is a bitter-sweet one. First, consider the major fact that God has created everything, including you and me. Secondly, I think a translation of God’s answer to Job is something like, “If I told you the answer to suffering, you would not understand it. So, since you cannot see all the angles to this, just trust me.”
Sometimes I believe we are asking the wrong questions of God. Instead of asking why God allows suffering, ask God how we can honor Him in the midst of suffering? Maybe God allows His people to suffer so the rest of the world can see the difference.
Do you know where light comes from and where darkness lives, so you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? Why, of course you know that. You’ve known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood as them!
Job 38:19-21 THE MESSAGE
I once had a conversation with a person, let’s call her Mary. She spoke of suffering the loss of her spouse and two children to cancer. She said it was unfair and that God had a lot to answer for. When my dad passed on, one of my brothers voiced his anger in that God did not spare my dad because the rest of us were lacking in faith to heal him. Mary and my brother’s anger and frustration are universal to the human experience. It’s really hard to lose someone you love. It’s hard when you have tried your best to live a good life, to honor God in all that you do and to help others, but the payoff is that your spouse leaves you or you lose your money or health. It makes sense that if you do well, you will get good back. Worldly wisdom has always taught, “What goes around comes around.” How about, “What you put out is what you will get back?” People that may not have even read the Bible will say to, “Treat others the way you want them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12). My friend “Mary” says that God has dealt unfairly with her. The biblical patriarch Job (pronounced “Jobe”) said the same exact thing. In chapter 23 Job says, “God has no right to treat me like this-it isn’t fair!”(THE MESSAGE Remix)
The answer to the dilemma of good people suffering is that. . . well, there is no good answer. We all suffer. That is the way it works. No, it does not seem fair that bad people “seem” to get away with proverbial and sometimes literal murder. It seems unfair that God-loving people should suffer at all. But, this world has been turned on its ear from the effects of sin. In this life, there is no escaping trouble.
I believe God’s (albeit lengthy) answer to Job’s question of suffering is a bitter-sweet one. First, consider the major fact that God has created everything, including you and me. Secondly, I think a translation of God’s answer to Job is something like, “If I told you the answer to suffering, you would not understand it. So, since you cannot see all the angles to this, just trust me.”
Sometimes I believe we are asking the wrong questions of God. Instead of asking why God allows suffering, ask God how we can honor Him in the midst of suffering? Maybe God allows His people to suffer so the rest of the world can see the difference.
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Good, the Bad & the Beautiful
The Good, the Bad & the Beautiful
But Job replied, “You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Job 2:10 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
In the old days, people would say of Job, “He was a man of patience.” I believe they were almost right. Job was really a man of trust. I am sure my response to the death of my children, financial ruin and a request from my wife to “curse God and die” would not be to “trust God.” But, that indeed was Job’s answer. When tragedy strikes, what is your response?
Many people today think believing in God is an automatic and almost magical protection from hurt and danger. Furthermore, they feel we should always have justice and that life should be mere perfection. But a running theme in Job is (1) we will suffer, (2) we do not have all of the answers to why God allows suffering and (3) whatever the outcome, God should be worshipped because of who He is, not what He supplies.
Of course none of us is looking to suffer, but there is a beauty in the suffering. Faith is the result of a life that incessantly pursues God, in spite of the circumstances. Faith never grows independent of trouble. Some problems we clearly bring on ourselves with poor life choices. Some problems come from attacks of Satan. Some problems come because we are in a fallen world where justice is turned upside down. Because of all those factors, we will have troubles. But, God has an awesome strategy He wants us to follow. . . perseverance! We know that suffering produces perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope, which leads to joy (Romans 5:3-4 paraphrased).
Thank you, God for hope!
But Job replied, “You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Job 2:10 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
In the old days, people would say of Job, “He was a man of patience.” I believe they were almost right. Job was really a man of trust. I am sure my response to the death of my children, financial ruin and a request from my wife to “curse God and die” would not be to “trust God.” But, that indeed was Job’s answer. When tragedy strikes, what is your response?
Many people today think believing in God is an automatic and almost magical protection from hurt and danger. Furthermore, they feel we should always have justice and that life should be mere perfection. But a running theme in Job is (1) we will suffer, (2) we do not have all of the answers to why God allows suffering and (3) whatever the outcome, God should be worshipped because of who He is, not what He supplies.
Of course none of us is looking to suffer, but there is a beauty in the suffering. Faith is the result of a life that incessantly pursues God, in spite of the circumstances. Faith never grows independent of trouble. Some problems we clearly bring on ourselves with poor life choices. Some problems come from attacks of Satan. Some problems come because we are in a fallen world where justice is turned upside down. Because of all those factors, we will have troubles. But, God has an awesome strategy He wants us to follow. . . perseverance! We know that suffering produces perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope, which leads to joy (Romans 5:3-4 paraphrased).
Thank you, God for hope!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Anthem (In Review)
Anthem
by Ayn Rand
Plot: Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938. Think of any dystopian (degraded into a repressive and controlled society) story such as Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury or even the movies Nineteen Eighty Four or the silent film Metropolis from Fritz Lang.
In the world of Anthem, the world is a collective one of the whole. Words like "I" or "me" have been lost in general, but if spoken, they are punishable by death. The revelation of technology is controlled (if released at all) and creativity (thinking outside your assigned duties) is strictly forbidden. The story centers around Equality 7-2521 who has a sin (or transgression) of a desire to learn. His love interest is Liberty 5-3000. He also has friends, International 4-8818 and Union 5-3992. And even having friends is sort of a transgression because no one person should value another person over the collective.
Without giving away the end, let's just say that Equality 7-2521 commits the worst of crimes and finds a new name fitting of his new freedom and self awareness.
At first I had to get accustomed to a few things like the long names that included numbers and a constant reference to an individual in the plural. I think I was also challenged with the culture of an oppressed society. Though I have thought that we have a certain type of freedom, it would be naive to believe that our society is without certain types of oppression (economic, religious etc.) and inoculations to hide the truth such as television, the news, self help movement, guru's etc.
It is also obvious that their dystopian world is a shout out to the author's Russian roots. I think a story like this takes on an interesting life of its own when you stop to consider your own freedoms, or whether you truly have any. If someone took away your right for creativity, individualism and focused your whole existence on following a set of orders and protocols in exchange for lodging, food and occasional sex, would you accept that? Knowing what personal freedom is, would you rebel or fall into your intended purpose? And this book sort of asks the question of what gives "the powers that be" the right to force their ideas and laws upon me? When does something like that go too far. And then ask yourself, when does my freedom go awry? Can I become a megalomaniac because I have complete autonomy?
I liked the book. On the surface it is a dystopian sci-fi story that is an absolute classic. But if you dig deeper there are underlying concepts that should be thought about on a personal level if not further considered on a political and social level.
Should you read the book?: Yes
by Ayn Rand
Plot: Anthem is a dystopian fiction novella by Ayn Rand, first published in 1938. Think of any dystopian (degraded into a repressive and controlled society) story such as Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury or even the movies Nineteen Eighty Four or the silent film Metropolis from Fritz Lang.
In the world of Anthem, the world is a collective one of the whole. Words like "I" or "me" have been lost in general, but if spoken, they are punishable by death. The revelation of technology is controlled (if released at all) and creativity (thinking outside your assigned duties) is strictly forbidden. The story centers around Equality 7-2521 who has a sin (or transgression) of a desire to learn. His love interest is Liberty 5-3000. He also has friends, International 4-8818 and Union 5-3992. And even having friends is sort of a transgression because no one person should value another person over the collective.
Without giving away the end, let's just say that Equality 7-2521 commits the worst of crimes and finds a new name fitting of his new freedom and self awareness.
At first I had to get accustomed to a few things like the long names that included numbers and a constant reference to an individual in the plural. I think I was also challenged with the culture of an oppressed society. Though I have thought that we have a certain type of freedom, it would be naive to believe that our society is without certain types of oppression (economic, religious etc.) and inoculations to hide the truth such as television, the news, self help movement, guru's etc.
It is also obvious that their dystopian world is a shout out to the author's Russian roots. I think a story like this takes on an interesting life of its own when you stop to consider your own freedoms, or whether you truly have any. If someone took away your right for creativity, individualism and focused your whole existence on following a set of orders and protocols in exchange for lodging, food and occasional sex, would you accept that? Knowing what personal freedom is, would you rebel or fall into your intended purpose? And this book sort of asks the question of what gives "the powers that be" the right to force their ideas and laws upon me? When does something like that go too far. And then ask yourself, when does my freedom go awry? Can I become a megalomaniac because I have complete autonomy?
I liked the book. On the surface it is a dystopian sci-fi story that is an absolute classic. But if you dig deeper there are underlying concepts that should be thought about on a personal level if not further considered on a political and social level.
Should you read the book?: Yes
Friday, August 6, 2010
Post the Guard!
Post the Guard!
“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”
Nehemiah 4:8-9 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
After reading verse 9, I had to ask myself, “Do I combat trouble with prayer?” The answer, unfortunately, is “Not all the time. . .” Nehemiah understood that even in the face of death, prayer was the first response, not a last resort. I decided to test God on this. I had a problem that nagged me day and night. Every time I thought about it, or began to worry, I prayed. All during the day and even at night, I told God that this was his battle. Though I am not accustomed to God working so quickly, I saw an answer that was very positive, the very next day. But even if it takes a while to get the answer, what is important is to be persistent. If you really want to be heard, you usually stop at nothing to get your request made. Well, do the same with God. Sometimes, He wants us to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Persistence shows that you really want help, and more importantly, it shows that you want His help.
The second thing that stood out is to “post a guard day and night to meet this threat.”
If you have a problem that seems to plague your mind and heart, post guard! That is, say a prayer. Tell God you are thinking about it again. Tell Him how awesome He is and that you need His help. Every time we say a prayer about a problem that is really gnawing at us we are posting a guard on our hearts, our lives, our families, our finances, our children, our health and our faith!
God is more than willing to meet the threat with us and sometimes for us. Place God first and post the guard!
“They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.”
Nehemiah 4:8-9 NEW LIVING TRANSLATION
After reading verse 9, I had to ask myself, “Do I combat trouble with prayer?” The answer, unfortunately, is “Not all the time. . .” Nehemiah understood that even in the face of death, prayer was the first response, not a last resort. I decided to test God on this. I had a problem that nagged me day and night. Every time I thought about it, or began to worry, I prayed. All during the day and even at night, I told God that this was his battle. Though I am not accustomed to God working so quickly, I saw an answer that was very positive, the very next day. But even if it takes a while to get the answer, what is important is to be persistent. If you really want to be heard, you usually stop at nothing to get your request made. Well, do the same with God. Sometimes, He wants us to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Persistence shows that you really want help, and more importantly, it shows that you want His help.
The second thing that stood out is to “post a guard day and night to meet this threat.”
If you have a problem that seems to plague your mind and heart, post guard! That is, say a prayer. Tell God you are thinking about it again. Tell Him how awesome He is and that you need His help. Every time we say a prayer about a problem that is really gnawing at us we are posting a guard on our hearts, our lives, our families, our finances, our children, our health and our faith!
God is more than willing to meet the threat with us and sometimes for us. Place God first and post the guard!
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