Breath of Fresh Air

My grandparents homesteaded in the canyon lands of southeastern Colorado. The canyon where they built the house, outbuildings and corral was relatively narrow, which somewhat protected the structures from the storms that hit the prairie above the canyon. However, on a still day the canyon could also cut off any chance of having a breath of fresh air. The lack of wind, a breeze, or any air movement on a summer afternoon and throughout the night was stifling. Grandma placed box fans and oscillating desk fans all over the six-bedroom house just to stir the air. I’m now contemplating the earth without wind. John said, “After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree” (Rev 7:1 NIV).

New Creation

On the TV series American Pickers, a collector of old motorcycles told the host, “They're not worth anything if they're restored.” It occurs to me that many believers confuse being reborn with being restored. For instance, when we come to Jesus we want to be cleaned-up, polished and restored to our former selves. I suppose it’s because, generally speaking, we like ourselves and we’d prefer being refurbished rather than recreated. Paul said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:17-19 NIV).

Lording Authority Over Others

Some denominations utilize a vote of confidence to show that the majority continue to support those in leadership — preachers, elders and deacons. My congregation does not have such a tool in their tool box. I just learned that one of the elders, who was not only instrumental in starting the church, but also served as pastor for a number of years, resigned from his elder position. The resignation took place some months ago; however, the congregation has not been notified. Rather than serving the membership, the lack of transparency from the leadership is self-serving, has the appearance of lording authority over others and smacks of worldly manipulation. When a dispute arose with the 12 disciples on who was the greatest, Jesus said, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27 NIV).

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

In the 1960’s my grandma took me to a Billy Graham Crusade in Denver. Following the message, I watched as thousands of people responded to the altar call, left their stadium seats and filed onto the stadium floor to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Across the country pastors and church leadership criticized Graham’s methods claiming he did not know the heart of the respondents. Were they repentant, did they confess sin and did they really understand the meaning of becoming a Christian? The apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. The priests, captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees were greatly disturbed, “They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand” (Acts 4:3-4 NIV).

Memorabilia

A friend went to a garage sale and bought a signed softball for fifty-cents. She then gifted me with the collector item because my signature was on the ball as one who played in the local 1988 All Star Game. I had to laugh…the 30-year-old softball was in much better condition than those of us who signed the ball. The signatures brought back memories and it occurs to me that biblical genealogy, as dry as it sometimes seems, is more than a historical record, it is a walk down memory lane. “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers…” (Matt 1:1-2 NIV). 

Flying in Formation

We have a lot of geese who winter in the area and last weekend about 80-100 were flying back to the city pond in wind gusts of over 40 MPH. Over a quarter mile radius some strained to fly in a line, others grouped in small V-shaped clusters and a few stragglers struggled to find their place. Their temporary dysfunction made me realized that a similar situation occurs in the church. Many of us, especially church leadership, expect believers to fly in formation rather than function as a God-designed body part. Paul said, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Cor 12:12-13 NIV). 

Rebuking the Lord

In what appears to be an attempt to empathize and sympathize with the congregation one pastor commiserates with them about how hard it is to walk the Christian walk. Most recently he quoted a passage of Scripture where Jesus said, “Oh you of little faith…” Then adding his opinion, the pastor said, “I think that was a little harsh.” The pastor’s rebuke of the Lord likely went unnoticed by attendees, meaning it will also go unchallenged by the elders and leaders of the church. However, Paul spoke about orderly worship and reminds us that the words of speakers, and even prophets, are to come under church scrutiny. “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said” (1 Cor 14:29 NIV).

President’s Day

I’m not surprised by the tirade against President Trump from those who are labeled liberals, democrats and the media. However, I’m taken aback when I hear those bearing the name of Christ joining in with the name-calling, threats and outright disrespect for the President. These confessed believers may feel their subversion is against the government and those who voted for Trump, but they are mistaken. Paul said, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Ro 13:1-2 NIV).

Airing Opinions

Newspapers, at least on the local level, seem to be emboldened with a sense of entitlement. They no longer report facts, serve readers, or play the role of government watchdog. Rather they offer magazine-type fluff, person-of-interest articles about themselves and publish their personal opinions with unabashed political bias and spin. It’s no wonder they are losing readers, advertisers and subscribers. Proverbs makes an apt observation, “An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions” (Proverbs 18:1-2 NIV).

Resurrection of the Dead

There is a disturbing accusation of a local funeral home director selling body parts. It appears that, for a reduced fee in expenses, some clients and their representatives signed releases for the deceased to be used for “research” purposes. Clients were unaware that the body-broker was then selling body parts. The outcome of the FBI investigation remains to be seen. I understand the outrage of those who feel the body of their loved one may have been abused. However, Paul would have us look beyond earthly death, “But someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body…So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:35-38, 42-44 NIV).

Valentine’s Day

There are times I struggle with the Lord’s command to love my enemies and my preferred coping mechanism is to ignore and avoid enemies. While I know my husband loves me, if he came to me and told me he loved my arch enemy I’m sure I’d be taken aback and feel abandoned, betrayed and un-loved. And yet, that is exactly what God does…He loves my enemies! Israel had a hardening until the full number of the Gentiles had come in. Paul wrote, “As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable” (Ro 11:28-29 NIV). 

Spin

In my role as a reporter I cover city government and I continue to be amazed at how often the report I file for my on-line publication differs in context and content from the articles in the local print newspaper that cover the same meeting. I report on the facts I hear in meetings; however, other reporters contact sources after the meeting giving the source the opportunity to clarify, expand, justify and yes, spin the story. I’m reminded of the stone that was rolled away from the tomb of Jesus. The guards reported to the chief priests everything that happened, “When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day” (Matt 28:12-15 NIV).

A Case for Independence

Today community development is becoming more and more about partnering and collaboration. For instance, organizations who don’t have the funds they need for a project apply for grants. However, grants are often awarded based on whether or not the organization has support and buy-in from others for the project. I see something similar with people of faith when they feel they must find partners within the church in order to accomplish their vision or mission. Certainly, we can accomplish a lot when we partner with others, but just as with a grant application, strings are attached to collaboration. Paul makes a good case for remaining independent as he moved from mission field to mission field, “So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (Ro 15:19-20 NIV).

Exposure

The careers of politicians and high-profile personalities continue to topple as their past indiscretions, domestic abuse and adultery are exposed. On the one hand I’m getting weary of all the dirty laundry; however, when I look at each situation through a spiritual lens I see God’s hand. Jesus taught that no one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or under a bed. In my mind the accompanying verse that follows can be seen as a warning, as well as a word of encouragement. “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open” (Luke 8:17 NIV).

Lifeboat

A storm of hurricane force called a northeaster swept down from the island and Paul’s ship was caught in the storm. “In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away” (Acts 27:30-32 NIV). I’m a Navy veteran and the thought of Army soldier cutting the rope to my lifeboat doesn’t sit well. But isn’t that just like God…He’s always cutting the rope so that we depend on Him rather than the lifeboat.

In Good Company

I’m not a feminist, but I’ll admit that I struggle when I’m not allowed to use my Bible knowledge in the church. Male Sunday school teachers value a man’s comments over that of a woman’s and over the years I’ve experienced numerous occasions where I’ve been condescendingly put in my place for contributing to the collective discussion. Certainly, Scripture is clear on church structure and male leadership; however, I can’t help but wonder why women keep studying the Bible if we must then keep the Word if God to ourselves. I suppose that at times Paul may have had the same type of feelings, “Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (Acts 16:6-7 NIV).

Owing Respect and Honor

Our church leadership is interviewing for an associate pastor position and while the congregation was not afforded the opportunity to hear the applicant preach, he did give the communion mediation. I appreciate that the man was comfortable behind the podium; however, he was way too comfortable in casual attire. With his denim jeans, untucked and unbuttoned sport shirt over a T-shirt he might well have been delivering a communion meditation at church camp. Certainly, clothes don’t make the man, but they do make an impression…and they are an indicator of the respect one holds for their audience. Paul said, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Ro 13:7 NIV).   

Putting God to the Test

Bill and I bounce around supper menu suggestions and one of us may say, “Nothing sounds good.” I hear something similar from my 94-year-old mother-in-law who, like other elderly people, will say that nothing tastes like it used to, hence nothing is appealing. During the Exodus the Israelites grumbled because their pots of food and the amount of food didn’t compare with what they had in Egypt. God addressed their discontent by providing manna and quail as they wondered for 40 years in the desert. I’m now wondering how the nothing-sounds-good-to-me phrase falls on God’s ears today. Moses might very well say to us, “Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling” (Ex 16:9b NIV).

When Did We See

I recently talked to a man who told me his normal work schedule had to change because, “I need to help a homeless man move.” My first though was, how does that work? If a man is homeless where does he move from and where does he move to? However, once I put his comment into a spiritual context I heard Jesus say, “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ (Matt 25:37-40 NIV).

The Lord’s Prayer Tweaked

Pope Francis recently changed the Lord’s Prayer from, “…lead us not into temptation,” to “…don’t let me fall into temptation.” The Pope’s translation seems to imply that temptation is accidental; like falling into a pit. While God did not tempt Jesus, He did allow his Son to experience temptation, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil” (Matt 4:1 NIV). Jesus shared in our humanity and He fully understands our struggle with temptation. The writer of Hebrews said, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Heb 2:18 NIV).