Living and growing up on the gravel road out in the country, politics was something that you were aware of, TV ads and all, but it never seemed like something anybody was too concerned about. Maybe it was just being a kid. Maybe it was because it didn't seem to matter who won because farm policy was always about the same anyway. No matter, most of life was pretty removed from politics...at least the ones where votes were taken and somebody got elected and somebody didn't.
There was of course another kind of politics evident in family dealings, especially at the extended family level, the politics of who likes who, who is mad at who, and how one might 'get back' at someone else. Be sure to smile and pretend like everything is OK on the outside, but 'play politics' behind the scenes to get at or get what you want.
It seems to me that life in the church of Jesus Christ can be like playing politics. It must not be that way. When a person is self seeking, or selfish, and by the way who isn't to some degree, we tend to do and say things to manipulate people and settings to our advantage. We tend to smile on the outside while we seethe with revenge on the inside just waiting for our opportunity to get back, or slyly working the angles to arrange things to our advantage, or laying low to try to find out who is on 'our side' or to give people a test to find out 'if they love me'.
It turns out that no matter how deep the pity party we allow ourselves to wallow in, Jesus followers are called to something different. It isn't playing politics at all. Think for a minute about some of the things Jesus had to say and see how much it sounds like he is talking like a politician. Turn the other cheek...go the extra mile...do not judge...leave your gift at the altar (the gift for God) and go be reconciled to your brother...blessed are you when men heap insults upon you...you cannot serve God and money...how can you love God whom you can't see but not love your brother who you can...
This world and the people we intersect with will never be a better place by playing politics and deftly maneuvering. It will be changed as people become Christ followers, disciples of Jesus Christ and invite others into that life changing relationship. Vote for who you think is best, but live for Jesus!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Enough
Is Jesus enough for you?
That question is one of those questions that sounds a bit laughable up front (the obvious answer being of course, yes) but then it begins to penetrate after a while. As I sit here plunking away it has been what may be considered a historic week in terms of the economic realities. Then again it is a normal week with all the business that life brings with it, relational tweaks, and 'must do to do lists'. The penetrating part of the question, which I heard from a speaker earlier in the week, is that upon reflection in the midst of the realities of life, it is a fair question. And, a question that isn't so easily answered in the affirmative. Not so easy because in the realities of life we do seem to want what we have our sites set upon, whatever that may be, and not on the Savior of our souls.
The question turns out to be like being on that gravel road again. You know, the one that is going to get you from where you are to where you really want to be. But the one that has a lot more interest off to the sides than what is right straight ahead. I know I have nearly driven off the road, actually have if you count the edges of the ditch, in my peering off into the corn/bean fields, or watching deer out walking in the field. So it is in life that we tend to know in our heart and mind that we want to stay on the gravel road, the path toward Jesus, but we get so dog gone distracted. They are lesser things to be sure, but so tangible compared to the invisible Jesus.
Well, I don't know what else to do. I just have to pause and ask myself the question again every so often...and be honest with the reply in order that I make amends as necessary. Jesus is enough.
That question is one of those questions that sounds a bit laughable up front (the obvious answer being of course, yes) but then it begins to penetrate after a while. As I sit here plunking away it has been what may be considered a historic week in terms of the economic realities. Then again it is a normal week with all the business that life brings with it, relational tweaks, and 'must do to do lists'. The penetrating part of the question, which I heard from a speaker earlier in the week, is that upon reflection in the midst of the realities of life, it is a fair question. And, a question that isn't so easily answered in the affirmative. Not so easy because in the realities of life we do seem to want what we have our sites set upon, whatever that may be, and not on the Savior of our souls.
The question turns out to be like being on that gravel road again. You know, the one that is going to get you from where you are to where you really want to be. But the one that has a lot more interest off to the sides than what is right straight ahead. I know I have nearly driven off the road, actually have if you count the edges of the ditch, in my peering off into the corn/bean fields, or watching deer out walking in the field. So it is in life that we tend to know in our heart and mind that we want to stay on the gravel road, the path toward Jesus, but we get so dog gone distracted. They are lesser things to be sure, but so tangible compared to the invisible Jesus.
Well, I don't know what else to do. I just have to pause and ask myself the question again every so often...and be honest with the reply in order that I make amends as necessary. Jesus is enough.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Church Stew
No question about it, the highlight of my week was the Shepherd Group I attended this past Wednesday. The official program says that we are studying Colossians, but the group understands that before we get to that and our parallel study on being a Witness, we would all come prepared to share what God is doing in our own lives. We never got to the 'official' study, and I loved it! What we did instead was to have a great discussion on things going on in people's lives and how that intersects with God and His Word. While it of course doesn't mean that a leader shouldn't be listening to what the Lord wants to speak through them, it is refreshing and meaningful to be in the circle talking about significant stuff that will impact the way we think/live the Christian life from that point on.
Does the format of a group of people coming together to share what the Spirit is doing feel strange? It is good tasting stew when everybody contributes something and we together sense the Spirit's leading. Does it feel disjointed just because there is no 'talking head' leading the discussion? I suppose it is a more difficult group to belong to because it requires a level of authenticity and God activity in our own lives.
1 Corinthians 14:26...when you come together everyone has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or and interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. That to me is church stew, can't happen at the Sunday morning event, but it is a very satisfying meal with friends and children of God.
Does the format of a group of people coming together to share what the Spirit is doing feel strange? It is good tasting stew when everybody contributes something and we together sense the Spirit's leading. Does it feel disjointed just because there is no 'talking head' leading the discussion? I suppose it is a more difficult group to belong to because it requires a level of authenticity and God activity in our own lives.
1 Corinthians 14:26...when you come together everyone has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or and interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. That to me is church stew, can't happen at the Sunday morning event, but it is a very satisfying meal with friends and children of God.
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