Chewing the Cud

National Pride

2010-12-31T13:56:00.001-05:00

King Nebuchadnezzar, supreme ruler of the Babylonian Empire, employed Daniel the faithful Jew as chief of magicians in his court as well as ruler of the province of Babylon. Daniel gained such position via his accurately interpreting the king's most baffling dreams.

One such dream warned Nebuchadnezzar that his pride would bring him judgment and discipline from Daniel's God. Daniel proclaims in 4.27, "Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue."

Nebuchadnezzar did not heed the warning and the consequences were significant (Daniel 4:28-37):

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”

Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing.

He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.

No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Mighty King Nebuchadnezzar is struck with some manner of deep psychosis by the hand of Most High and he lives the next seven years as some demented feral goat in the wilderness. I cannot imagine that he had too many friends during his little meltdown!

Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar had an epiphany. Perhaps the curse had simply run its course. Perhaps he finally tired of living in his private hell and just let go of his arrogant pride. For whatever reason or combination thereof, he finally lifted his eyes toward heaven and away from himself, and his sanity was restored.

Isn't that a universal Truth? When we tire of playing king or queen in our own lives, or in the lives of others, and simply acknowledge that our perceived power is meaningless and really offensive to Most High, we are freed to live in real prosperity under the benevolent, omniscient headship of God Almighty.

Nebuchadnezzar, following his mental and spiritual awakening, praises Most High, implicitly acknowledging his place well beneath the Deity. Then Nebuchadnezzar lays out the coup d' grace of this whole story: he testifies to the essential differences between Most High's Kingdom and all other human kingdoms. Most High's kingdom lasts forever. All human kingdoms come to an end. They are nothing before Him - they do not impress Him in the least. In fact, He gives them power and then retracts it at any holy whim (vv.32b, 36).

Nebuchadnezzar fades from biblical history as one who acknowledges the King of heaven and earth. He recognizes that he has no power that has not been given to him by the true King.

The Jewish people must have found great joy and vindication in this story. Though Nebuchadnezzar and his peerless army had destroyed their holy city, autonomy, place of worship, and carted many of them off to an unfamiliar pagan land, he was nary more than a puppet of Most High, and the powerful, greedy nation of his would soon come to an end.

It seems appropriate to view Nebuchadnezzar (and Babylon) as an archetype for all mighty rulers and all great nations. All nations - including America - are ruled by principalities and powers that drive them to greed, self-aggrandizement, and all manner of wickedness. They are motivated by seemingly innocent factors :self-defense and self-preservation. Spinning these motives for their citizens, great nations seek decent ends even if the means are bathed in wickedness.

The truth is that no nation is all bad or all good. The Lord continues to use nations for His purposes. For instance, American government has been the standard-bearer for worldwide governments to treat their citizens with respect, equality, dignity, and to give them a voice in the development of policy. That has the fingerprints of Most High all over it. The American government has also responded quite generously when other nations have experienced catastrophes and needed aid.

On the other hand, the default setting for all nations is always arrogant, unrepentant self-centeredness as witnessed in Nebuchadnezzar, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” All national leaders utter this same blasphemy - albeit with different words - and do it without qualm or recognition that they are living under a satanic illusion.

The rhetoric of nation and leader eventually take on religious significance. Remember: Nebuchadnezzar erected a monument to nation that was to be worshipped (3.1-6). The repercussions for not bowing down to the nation-god was death in a fiery furnace.

Fortunately, we Americans live in a nation where we are not required to bow down to Nation-God. Perhaps if we were required to, we would be less likely to actually do it, however. Though we are not mandated to worship Nation-God (Pseudo-YHWH), we sure have no qualms doing it. We are like the masses that bowed down to Nebuchadnezzar's ninety foot visage on the plains of Dura. We are unlike Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who could tell the difference between the real God and a real counterfeit.

Do we really think that Babylonian rhetoric was of any different substance than American rhetoric?
We are the greatest nation in the world!
We are the most powerful nation that has ever existed!
Our military might is unquenchable!
Our values are superior to those of others!
We should die and kill for our great nation!
God bless Babylon/America!

Like Babylon, we even have a symbol of worship: the flag.

It does not seem to me that Daniel is all that interested in critiquing the national religion. Pagans will worship who and where they will worship. He is interested in showing that powerful and wealthy people who revel in these things will be removed from their power. He is also interested in showing that a national religion is not for God's people, however. It is just as idolatrous as bowing down to Baal or Asherah or Vishnu. People who belong to YHWH Most High do not bow to Nation-God of Babylon nor to Pseudo-YHWH of America.

The American government is not Christian. Our nation is only Christian insofar as there are more self-identified Christians than there are say, atheists, Muslims, Hindus, and Wiccans. One might argue that our American way of life is indeed Christian because it was founded on some Christian principles. A few Christian principles become quickly irrelevant, however, when other Christian principles must compromised for the sake of self-preservation or continued prosperity.

The only government and nation that is Christian is the one that has as its head Christ Jesus and follows Him in selfless obedience. The only Christian nation is the one that lifts its eyes to heaven and renounces its pride. I'm having trouble seeing that in our nation or any other.

To love one's land and people is perfectly appropriate and respectful. To work for her well-being out of a call to discipleship is a divine call.

To bow at her altar because of her wealth and might, and to drink her poisonous rhetoric at the expense of the Gospel of Christ is the sin of Nebuchadnezzar. We should expect that God's response to our sin will therefore be no different than His response to Babylon's. They are no more.

We all must decide. Will it be the glory of Pseudo-YHWH I choose or will it be the suffering and self-sacrifice of the true King, Jesus Christ, to whom I bow down? We cannot choose both.

Clean or Unclean

2010-08-17T12:41:00.000-04:00

I am contemplating this morning these words: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean" (Acts 10:15). A voice offered these to Peter amidst a vision in which unclean animals were being lowered on a sheet from heaven.

In Peter's case, the Lord was communicating to him that Gentiles were no longer to be reviled and excluded but now pursued and included in the Lord's advancing kingdom (Acts 10:28). Jews and Gentiles would be sisters and brothers amongst the Lord's people: the Church.

In the OT, external factors contributed to one being unclean (contact with blood, a dead animal, a skin disease, etc.). Temporary separation, sacrifices, and rituals were necessary in order to restore a person to wholeness and community. Since Gentiles were not given to following Jewish purity rules, they had to be considered, of course, unclean.

Jesus reframed what constituted uncleanness.
What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' " ~ Matthew 15:11
Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' " ~ Mark 7:15
He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' " ~ Mark 7:20-23

Preventing and circumventing uncleanness, said Jesus, was not about performing the right rituals. It was instead about a commitment to avoiding sinful thoughts, words, and practices. It was about fearless and truthful self-assessment. It was about receiving forgiveness for sins when committed.

Jesus' harshest critiques were reserved for ones who presented themselves as ritually clean because they did all the right religious things but who were in actuality unclean due to their abominable behavior toward others.

I wonder what parts of my life are unclean in the Lord’s eyes that I myself have not recognized. I wonder what I call impure that the Lord has made clean.

Have any ideas about this?

Immigration 7

2010-08-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

As I've studied and drawn on what I've learned previously, a few truths are apparent to me in regard to immigration:
1. It was often part of the experience of God's people (see Abram & Sarai, Jacob & sons, the Israelites in Egypt).
2. When the tables were turned and God's people were the ones who possessed the land, God recognized the vulnerability of other aliens and insisted that His people love and care for these immigrants. They were to do this because they themselves were once vulnerable immigrants.
3. God's people are not to fear losing place, privilege, or property. Everything belongs to God. We can trust Him to take care of us.
4. One characteristic of wickedness is oppressing aliens. One characteristic of righteous behavior is caring for aliens.
5. The spiritual ancestors of Mennonites, the Anabaptists, were perpetually aliens, chased out of one territory after another because of their beliefs.

When it comes to immigration, regardless of whether you live in the US, Canada, Paraguay, Kenya, or Indonesia, people who belong to Jesus are to treat strangers with kindness and hospitality. It is the Lord's will. We should, therefore, do just that.

It is time for us to hang up on political rhetoric in regard to immigration. It is time for us to take courageous action as followers of Jesus not the stances of Democrats, Republicans, or Tea Party-ists. It is time for us to surrender our cushy, smug place of believing this or that about immigration. It is time for us to practice hospitality.

Immigration 6

2010-07-31T10:51:00.000-04:00

Those who are wicked display certain behaviors that define them thusly. I am wicked if I deny and hide my own sins. I am wicked if I murder my neighbor or seek to seduce his wife. I am wicked if am unable to follow the Lord in faith alone or if I turn to idols. I am wicked if I do not care for the needs of widows and orphans. And I am wicked if I oppress aliens.

Psalm 94:1-8
O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.

Rise up, O Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve.

How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of boasting.

They crush your people, O LORD; they oppress your inheritance.

They slay the widow and the alien; they murder the fatherless.

They say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed."

Take heed, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?

The wicked are proud, aggressive, violent, and show no apparent concern for those amongst them who are vulnerable.

Compare this to what we find in Psalm 146:7-9:
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The Lord, in direct contradiction to the ways of the wicked, shows preference for those who are suffering and being mistreated by others. And He despises the behavior of people that causes such suffering. He wants us to be about what He is about.

The Prophet Malachi records the Lord's words of judgment in this regard (3:5):
"So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the LORD Almighty.

The way we treat others and give them opportunities for life is clearly important to the Lord. He desires for us to live by His standards, not by our cultural common sense, not by personal deductions informed by ruminations.

Anything less is wickedness.

Immigration 5

2010-07-27T11:13:00.000-04:00

God commands His people to treat aliens with respect and love and to care for them because the Israelites themselves knew oppression and slavery.

Is there any other reason that He would command such?

Absolutely. God's command to treat aliens justly is a reminder to His people that what they possess by God's grace, they do not own.

The Lord reveals this fact to His people when they are tempted to cling too tightly to what the Lord has granted as a trust: "The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants" (Lev. 25:23). The land does not ultimately belong to anyone but the Lord. It is therefore not to be horded or regarded as a personal possession to the exclusion of others.

This certainly seems to be an attempt by the Lord to help His people reframe their conception of property. If I own my property, I can do with it whatever I please. If the Lord owns it and I am just a tenant, I need to care for what I have been lent, share it, and remember that Lord encourages me to be generous with what He has provided.

Pharaoh, as he impeded the Israelites from leaving Egypt, needed to be reminded that the earth belonged to the Lord and not to him. Ex. 9:29b - "The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's."

David reflected on this reality in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it..."

We see this understanding in the NT, within the Spirit-led church of Jerusalem, even practiced in a radical way, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need" (Acts 2:44-45).

Jesus Himself was critical of the impact that possessions had on the lives of His followers, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Lk. 12:15). At the heart of this is surely the understanding that God's dominion is all-encompassing. Our possessions really aren't ours. If we insist that they are and hold fast to them, they end up possessing us.

So what does any of this have to do with immigration?

Behind any resistance to aliens living in a given land is fear from natives that what they now have will be taken away or diminished. If there are aliens receiving the good of the land, that will mean less for them. Instead of seeing the Lord as a God of abundance and blessings, we too often see God as one who is miserly, providing barely enough for survival, therefore we must cling tightly to our "possessions." Ironically, this seems to be a phenomenon more common in rich countries than in poor ones!

The Word of the Bible flies in the face of this ungodly selfish attitude. Instead, it constantly encourages trust in God and selfless generosity, and seldom encourages us to take care of what belongs to us. This is the radical, unrealistic, challenging Word of Truth, and it should shape every one of our attitudes and beliefs.

Next: What does it mean to oppress an alien?

Immigration 4

2010-07-27T09:33:00.000-04:00

So far we have examined the matter of immigration during the age of the patriarchs from the perspective of God's people, noted the impact of being aliens on God's people, and briefly inspected the experience of Anabaptists as aliens in practically every setting they have ever found themselves in.

Let's focus now on the reality that aliens were an expected, normal part of Israelite culture.

At the institution of the Passover recognition, the Lord uttered these words to Moses (Ex. 12), "For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses. And whoever eats anything with yeast in it must be cut off from the community of Israel, whether he is an alien or native-born." The assumption is that aliens (non-Israelites) will be living amongst the Israelites. The consequences of consuming foods containing yeast pertains to both the kin of Abram as well as those who are strangers.

This assumption is confirmed in Leviticus 24:22, "You are to have the same law for the alien and the native-born." Israelites will have aliens amongst them and if they are living as a part of the Israelite culture, are to be come under both the privileges and responsibilities of God's Law.

The Lord knew that aliens were going to be naturally vulnerable living within Israelite parameters. He therefore set up guidelines to aid His people in relating to these folks. Check out this three-verse stretch in Exodus 22: "Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed. Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt. Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan."

In between a very strong admonition for the Israelites to stay away from false gods and a command to not abuse widows and orphans, the Lord instructs the Israelites to avoid mistreating aliens amongst them. Why? Because the Israelites themselves were once aliens themselves and were oppressed and enslaved by a tyrannical people. The Lord is making it clear that such behavior is not in keeping with the ways of righteousness and His people are to behave differently.

This command is so important to God that it is repeated in the very next chapter, "Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt" (Ex. 23:9). For good measure, take to heart the words of Deuteronomy 24:17-18. Notice how the words of the OT often place widows, orphans, and aliens together. "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this."

Not only are God's people to avoid mistreating aliens, they are also to make special provisions for their well-being and are to love them. Such behavior leads to blessings from the Lord.

Lev. 19:10, 33-34 - "Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." "When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
Dt. 10:18-19 - "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt."
Dt. 14:28-29 - "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."

The OT message in regard to aliens is clear. They will be a normal part of life. They are to be treated with dignity. God's people are to make sure aliens have what they need to live on. They are even to be loved because God loves them. And all of this because God's people knew full well what it was like to be oppressed aliens at the mercy of a mighty and rich people.

But that is not the only reason...

Immigration 3

2010-07-15T23:12:00.000-04:00

As I wrote in Immigration 2, the Israelites of yore knew full well the severe challenges of being constantly nomadic.

So did our spiritual ancestors, the Anabaptists. Anabaptist groups emerged in Europe in the early 16th century amidst a hostile world. Because their doctrine differed from that of both Protestant and Catholic state-churches, they were persecuted in practically every locale. For instance, Anabaptists of the 1520’s were relentlessly hunted in their native Austria and mercilessly killed if caught. Many had no choice but to flee to the much safer Moravia and genuinely hope for religious liberty (Dyck 51-2). There they lived as tolerated aliens - at least for a spell.

For the next 200 or so years, Anabaptist groups were on the move. They relocated when the persecution they experienced in a particular setting became too severe to tolerate. This culminated with eventual mass migration from Europe and Russia to North and South America in several waves.

It was a group of Amish-Mennonites worn by petty persecution, the militarism of Europe, and poverty that made the voyage from Switzerland and France to the United States in 1834, eventually settling and subduing the wilds of early Fulton County, Ohio. These German-speakers were welcome to make their way as aliens in a land formerly lightly inhabited by Native Americans. For many Central Mennonites these settlers were direct blood kin.

The relationship between these Mennonites - who eventually dropped the Amish identity - and their neighbors was often uneasy in the past, particularly during war-time. As pacifists, they refused to enter military service for reasons of conscience. As a result, they were at times deemed cowardly and almost always seen as unpatriotic; less than ideal citizens.

This was a reminder to the NW Ohio Mennonites that though their families had lived in this nation for 100 years, they were yet revealed to be theological aliens during times of national conflict.

Next: God teaches Israel about aliens

Immigration 2

2010-07-15T17:52:00.000-04:00

In Exodus, we find that Abram’s descendants have remained in Egypt, in Goshen. Joseph has truly spoken a prophetic word and now his family is prospering and multiplying in a foreign land (Ex. 1:5-13). These descendants of Abram, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph – the Israelites - are so successful that the Egyptians begin to fear them and take measures to control them (Ex. 1:8-14):

Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country."

So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly.

We can see in this that the Israelites were made into slaves in order to curtail their population growth and to inhibit their becoming an internal enemy. Additionally, there is the clear message that though the Egyptian pharaoh feared what might happen if the Israelites conspired with enemies against him, he also feared what might happen if they were to leave Egypt (v.10). They were considered at once liability and asset.

Even to the time of Moses, the most important of all Israelite prophets, these people were still seen as aliens in a land they had inhabited for nearly 400 years (Ex. 2:14-22).

Moses himself understood what it meant to be an alien. After killing an Egyptian, he fled the land of his birth, Egypt, when Pharaoh sought to kill him for his crime. He took up living in Midian where, ironically, he was confused for an Egyptian (Ex. 2:19)!

Even when the Israelites were rescued by God from the chains of the Egyptians, they yet ended up spending another 40 years wandering around in the desert, plodding through and living on land that did not belong to them. For hundreds of years they were perpetual aliens completely dependent on the Lord.

Later, the Lord used the Israelites' experience as aliens to teach them how to treat people who became aliens in the land they came to possess by God's grace.

Next: the Anabaptists

Immigration 1

2010-07-15T09:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a while...

There is much hubbub in the media and in our denomination (Mennonite Church USA) in regard to the national impact of Latino immigration, particularly in the southwestern part of our country. This issue has been politicized to such an extent that it is hard to think about it without the voices of left and right wing pundits exploding in our heads. Perhaps this is the best reason to simply look at the Scriptures to discover what they have to say about the matter. I plan to do this in several parts, this first being an exploration of the issue in Genesis.
The terminology used in the OT for immigrant or refugee is alien, stranger, foreigner, or sojourner – depending on the translation. I will be using the terms alien and stranger below.

Abram was sent by the Lord from his homeland of Haran to Canaan (Gen. 12:1). Later he was told by God that the land that he was living in as an alien – Canaan - would become the eternal possession of his descendants (Gen 17:8). Before settling more permanently in Canaan, Abram was forced to move himself and his family to Egypt because of a severe famine (Gen. 12:10). Abram got booted out of Egypt because of the deceit he practiced in having Sarai tell the Egyptians that Abram was her brother and not her husband (Gen. 12:19). Subsequently, Abram (Abraham) spent the duration of his life living as an alien here and there in Canaan and dealing righteously with the hosts who allowed him to live in their lands.

Abram’s grandson, Jacob, was the head of Abram’s family line when famine struck the whole world (Gen. 41:57) and only Egypt had adequate food-stores. Jacob sent his sons to purchase food in Egypt so that the family might live. They were at the mercy of a mighty nation that was filled with necessary resources. Fortunately for Jacob’s sons, their long-lost brother, Joseph, was a brilliant official working for Pharaoh. He did have mercy on them, the whole family was saved, and eventually came to settle in Egypt because the severe famine lingered (Gen. 45:8-11). There they lived and worked as shepherds in a territory called Goshen.

It is interesting to note that Egyptians despised shepherds (Gen. 46:34). This was the reason that Jacob and family were relegated to Goshen: presumably to stay out of the way of the intolerant Egyptians.

In Genesis, it is clear that Abram and his family as wandering aliens were often dependent on the benevolence of powerful people on whose land they were living. It is also clear that Abram and his family most often attempted to be humbly conscientious of their predicament as aliens living in territory that belonged to others. They knew they were at the mercy of their hosts.

Next post: Exodus

Worship, Again

2009-05-30T22:37:00.004-04:00

In the book of Malachi are described issues that the Lord has with His people. In Malachi 1, for instance, we learn that:
1. The people doubt that the Lord loves them (v.2);
2. The people do not honor Him as a Father should be honored (v.6);
3. The priests show contempt for His name (v.6);
4. They do this by allowing or even encouraging unacceptable offerings in the act of worship. That which is corrupted is offered instead of the first and the best that the Lord requires (vv.7-8);
5. The priests do not have their hearts in the right place for service to God (v.10);
6. The people show contempt for their offerings to God (vv.12-13);
7. The people offer corrupt sacrifices even though they have acceptable ones (vv.13b-14).

We see in all of this that all of the Lord's people have fallen into seeming apathy. The people have little interest in worshipping with hearts bursting with gratitude and love. The priests are little different. They do not guide themselves or the people into repentance.

In Malachi 2:1-9, the priests are again admonished. They need to listen to the Lord better. They are to re-set their hearts on the holy work of honoring Him (vv.1-2). In fact, the work of the priests is honoring, reverencing, and standing in awe of the Lord and teaching the people to do the same (vv.5-6).

The duration of Malachi 2 recognizes that idol worship and frivolous divorce within the community of believers causes the Lord to be slow to receive the worship of that community. We might say that sinful behavior amongst the Lord's people corrupted even the sacrifice of praise.

The time of Malachi reminds me of our day. Many of us have a really difficult time giving ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord in our worship. Because of this, our offerings are corrupt.

Likewise, priests like me have been too slow to call us to account as a community. I have tiptoed around the issue of worship just hoping that the matter will take care of itself. I reckon I need to start with my own repentance so that I have a clear conscience. But then I need to lead the people of my congregation to contrition and confession as well. I must honor, reverence, and stand in awe of the Lord and teach others to do the same.

Finally, we must all continue to root out sin in our own lives. We cannot continue to believe that our attitudes toward the Lord are untainted when we constantly strive for worldly things and partake of worldly activities.

It is time for us all to get down on our knees and ask for forgiveness. The Lord will restore us when we do, give us hearts of flesh, and our cups will overflow with joy that will become spasms of praise to Him.

Amen.

Worship

2009-05-18T12:17:00.002-04:00

A Mennonite scholar recently wrote in regard to the American Church, "We are both in the world and of it." He meant that we are no longer just in the world out of necessity, to minister and to work, while maintaining a palpable identity as the people of God. Instead in our engagement with the world, the ideas of the world have become our ideas, the behaviors of the world have become our behaviors, and the values of the world have become our values. And now we have transported what we have learned into our homes and churches.

If this is indeed the case, we as churches have some serious reckoning to do. If we are truly taking our cues from what we learn and absorb in our culture, what we believe to be true is certainly skewed and inaccurate.

One example of this, in my estimation, is our attitude toward worship. Worship is by definition abandoning our souls, bodies, minds, and voices to the praise of God. It is freely and actively offering whatever we have to the Lord. It is necessarily (other) God-centered.

Unfortunately, we have learned from our culture that life is to be me-centered. Life is about a headlong pursuit of personal happiness, pleasure, and fulfillment. We find vestiges of this throughout worship.

Relatedly, our culture has taught us that we deserve to be entertained. So when we show up somewhere as a group (like a concert or movie), someone else is responsible for running the program and we simply sit back and watch. In this we have been taught to be passive observers and active only in either applauding what we like or criticizing what we do not. Our culture expects this response because things like concerts and movies are a product to be consumed and consumers who pay money have a right to be distinguishing about the products they purchase.

And now we take this approach with worship. We have so long taken this approach to our worship, in fact, that I do not believe we readily see it as being culturally formed instead of Spirit breathed or even incongruent with God's desires for us.

There are enormous and myriad problems with this consumer approach to worship:

It assumes that worship is a product that has been created to be consumed by people. We come to worship to get something.
Very simply, it makes our being pleased the focus of our gathering. This is a violation of commandment numero uno, "You shall have no other gods before me."
It assumes that we are doing God a favor by showing up at worship, giving a whole hour or two of our precious time. We might even pay attention...for a minute.
It assumes that worship should conform to cultural standards in regard to entertainment (sitcom length, action, technology, movement, concert-strength music, comedy, etc.).
It assumes that worship has something to do with personal preferences and, really, that is what matters. I can even get a new worship experience elsewhere if I am not pleased with the one currently being served me.

I wonder what worship would be like if we were to strip it bare of anything that reeked of our culture? I wonder what worship would be like if we only did those things that had biblical precedent? I wonder what worship would be like if it was centered on God instead of us? I wonder what worship would be like if we showed up for a single purpose: to proclaim our love for the One who has saved us.

Dreaming...

Jeff

Memory

2009-05-07T14:31:00.003-04:00

Before Kathy and I got married I required (this word may be a bit strong!) her to memorize the entire starting lineup for the 1987 Denver Broncos. She did. I thought this was a small price for her to pay in order to experience a lifetime of joy in my presence! Yeah.

I can still recall the everyday lineup for the Cincinnati Reds during the days of the Big Red Machine: 1st base- Tony Perez; 2nd base - Joe Morgan; shortstop - Dave Concepcion; 3rd base - Pete Rose; catcher - Johnny Bench; outfielders - George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, Ken Griffey, Sr.

Some of us can recall the circumstances of May 7, 1945. Some of us can remember the middle names of all the US presidents. Some of us know 50 Cent's three top hits. Yes, we are good at trivia.

And, yet, many of us know little or no scripture by heart.

Proverbs 7:1-3 reads:
"My son, keep my words
and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart."

I cannot get into the head of the author here but it seems to me that an implication of writing something on the tablet of one's heart is manifold. First, it means to remember what has been taught. Second, it means to embrace what has been taught. Third, it means to remember by virtue of intentional memorization.

We would do well to resurrect that practice of memorizing various scriptures. When we do, we locate the Word of God in a place where we can always find it. It is available to us, then, when we want to meditate or find comfort or wish to teach and exhort.

To know trivia is okay. To know scripture by heart is divine. May we all commit to the greater good.

Prophecy

2009-04-27T13:04:00.002-04:00

We read these words in the latter part Isaiah 52:
"See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him — his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand."

It is commonly understood that this passage describes a holy servant of God that is to come. This servant will "act wisely." As a result, this servant will be "raised", "lifted up," and "highly exalted." Even though this servant is wise, he is rejected because of his appearance.

This rejection does not stop the servant from both blessing and taming the world. Salvation and truth will come through him.

It is also commonly understood amongst Christians that this passage specifically prophesies about Jesus of Nazareth. This allows us to interpret the Isaiah text as such: Jesus acted wisely by living a sinless life and dealing with his enemies in ethical ways. Ironically, he was crucified - lifted up into the air for the purpose of both killing and humiliating him.

The torture and means of execution that Jesus endured left him physically disfigured and marred. But this crucifixion which led to his death did not lead to permanent death nor humiliation. On the contrary, it led to his being exalted; raised to life by the Father, installed at the right hand of the Father, and worshiped by his followers.

Jesus' death and exaltation "sprinkle" the nations with the means for salvation. Though Jesus was a Jew from the insignificant land of Israel, the world and its leaders has now gained access to story of the one true God and His plan for rescuing all people.

Of course, these words flow easily from a Christian pastor and one who is thoroughly convinced of who Jesus was and is. Not so for everyone. Biblical prophecy has many contemporary naysayers who rely on in-depth scholarship for their opinions. Some of these naysayers would say that the Isaiah text should stand on its own and that making it christological is an exegetical error. Some would even say that they have no less faith in God than I.

What does it mean to interpret Jewish prophecy of the OT through the lenses of Christ Jesus? What does it mean for our faith if we do not?

~ Jeff

The Word

2009-04-16T16:35:00.002-04:00

The Bible has endured a good bit of critique in our post-modern society. Many scholars reject the notion that prophetic utterances actually foretold the future, but were actually written in a time after whatever had been foretold finally came to pass. Some scholars think that many of the words of Jesus that we find recorded in the gospels he actually never said. Some people hold that the Bible is bound to the past and does not have much to say that is relevant for modern people. A few even say that Paul's writings are not faithful at times to Jesus' message.

This suspicion of the Bible and its authenticity make us vulnerable. If we are like seeds planted on rocky soil in our faith, we may start losing ground in faith. We may actually fall away.

I do not expect biblical criticism to go away any time soon. I do wonder what we can take from it, however, and what we can do to maintain our firm grounding in Scripture at all once.

What is helpful about biblical critique? What is it that we must be wary of?

Needs

2009-04-09T16:23:00.003-04:00

Today is Maundy Thursday and I am thinking about needs. Jesus recognized needs in the crowds to whom He was ministering. He wanted to bless them in their feeling overburdened by the demands of the Pharisees and by the circumstances of life.

He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The Lord offers rest.

It is funny then how we contemporaries are not all that interested in rest. We are suspicious that rest is superfluous and for lazy people. We may even recognize our need for rest but choose to put it off until the kids are grown, the mortgage is paid, the grandkids are grown, or the wheels fall off of our car. We may forgo rest because we do not want to be labeled as lazy.

After the Lord made the world, He rested. Kind of an absurd notion, isn't it? God, who spoke the whole universe into being, needed to rest. Does that mean that He needed to replenish expended energy? Probably not. It is more likely that He just needed to stop and reflect and enjoy what He had done.

Maybe this is part of the Lord's desire for us as well - that we would stop long enough to notice what He has done and to just be in His presence. In this we will be rejuvenated body, mind, and soul. Our needs will be met - needs we were not even aware we had! The Lord desires this; it is why He commanded that Sabbath be established.

And yet it is not easy to pull off. We have work to do after all. We have children to care for. We have books to read and vacations to take and yards to landscape. We have ministry to do. We have films to watch and concerts to enjoy and TV to dig and ballgames to attend. Is there really time to rest? Is it reasonable? Won't we miss out on something?

Rest in Jesus' arms is what we need. How do we discipline ourselves to receive it?

Scarcity or Abundance?

2009-02-27T21:55:00.003-05:00

Just heard Dan Wiens from Mennonite Central Committee talk this evening on the myth of scarcity and its dreadful impact on those impoverished in our world.

The myth of scarcity is believing that there is not enough money nor resources to go around, and this is why there are people who are poor. Believing the myth leads to great fear within the individual. Such fear causes thoughts such as these to take root, "I am going to run out. I'm not going to have enough. I must protect what I have." This kind of thinking, in turn, leads to tightfistedness instead of generosity.

Ironically, the myth of scarcity is lodged in the ethos of American culture which, as we know, is exceptionally well-to-do. We who are rich are the ones who worry most about losing what we have! This is in contrast to the abjectly poor in Mozambique who insist on sharing the little they have to eat - greens and native tubers discovered here and there in the countryside - with a group of Americans who have come to visit them. They will have nothing for themselves and their children tomorrow but they share extravagantly and with joy anyway. Most of us could do this for weeks on end without a single trip to a supermarket.

I suppose we lay under the syndrome of the farmer who built bigger barns to keep what he had and to store up more for himself (Lk. 12:13-21). God called this fellow a name, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" Jesus finishes up his lesson by noting, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

A key for us who follow Jesus is to discard our belief in scarcity and instead embrace a new and biblical belief in abundance. Check this out:

"See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance" ~ Job 36:31-32
"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights" ~ Psalm 36:7-8
"You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance" ~ Psalm 65:9-11
"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing" ~ Psalm 145:16

Our God is about providing whatever is required for His Creation. He does not run out of gold and silver. He does not come up short on food or water or clothing. From thin air He can provide necessities for His children (Mk. 6:30-44). I think we believe this with our heads. I do not think we believe this with our hearts.

When we come to believe with our hearts that God is exceedingly generous, it frees us to be generous without worry. We can give and then we can give some more to those in need. And the Lord will replenish for us just what we need.

There is enough food in the world to feed the world. Distribution of food is the problem. Let us do our part in proclaiming the Lord's generosity by redistributing with joy, without fear, and with new confidence.

Evil III

2009-02-13T17:55:00.003-05:00

I'm back already. I've been thinking more about this concept of evil being all about control. For instance, in biblical stories demons possess people against their will. The spiritual forces have control over behaviors.

The converse of this in the bible is the message that the Holy Spirit inhabits us when we are in relationship with Jesus. We become the temples of the Lord. If we give the Spirit permission and do not thwart His work, we are transformed over the course of years into Jesus' image and our behaviors become more like His. On the other hand, the Spirit does not work against our will. He will not control us. We can therefore choose disobedience.

God will not control us. What are the implications of this reality if indeed evil is about controlling human behavior and Good is not?

Evil II

2009-02-13T14:46:00.004-05:00

I surveyed the New Testament in its use of the word, "evil." Granted, this was not an exhaustive search. However, I think I can make a few accurate observations about the nature of the word.

First, evil describes certain human actions. For instance, in James 4.13-17 we read, "Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." Knowing that it is wrong to boast and to not rely on God's purpose for our lives and doing it anyway is an act of evil.

Second, evil describes spiritual entities that inhabit and subdue human beings. They wrestle personal control from people, cause them to be less than the Lord has created them to be, and incite actions that bring harm to the possessed and to others around them. We might say that these entities are all about control. (Is that the very nature of evil?) "When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones" ~ Mk. 5.2-5.

Third, evil characterizes the essence of the adversary. Jesus euphemizes thusly, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" ~ Mt. 6.13.

Fourth, evil describes behaviors that find their genesis in rejecting Christ and/or in embracing that which is of the evil one. Jesus says in Mt. 15.19, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." A heart out of step with the Lord produces actions that are outside of the will of the Lord.

Fifth, and somewhat more obscure, is evil that is personality-driven and intent on sabotage. Take a look below:

Mt. 13.18-19, "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart." The evil one recognizes vulnerability in a person who is on the verge of faith. He does what he can to keep that person from choosing the Lord.

Listen to Jesus' prayer for His disciples, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one" ~ Jn. 17.15. We can see in this that Jesus is concerned that His disciples will be hurt or misled by Satan and so He asks the Father to help them.

Romans 7.21-23, "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." Conscious wickedness is here appearing to keep Paul from doing God's will. It is unclear whether this is in the form of temptation, battling wills, or, most likely, that part of Paul that awaits sanctification.

Ephesians 6.16, "In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." This reminds believers that life in the Lord is not without very real dangers. Trust in the Lord, however, is an antidote.

2 Thess. 3.3, "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." This final text seems to be frosting on the cake in regard to the idea that evil is real, intentional, and even bent on derailing us in faith.

Do you buy it?

My next question is about the reality of evil spirits - demons. Matthew through Acts are filled with stories of people being harassed or possessed by untoward spirits. The 21st century mind is relatively closed to this possibility. Have we really come to our senses in this regard?

Evil

2009-01-28T15:48:00.005-05:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about evil. As I look at the condition of our world and our lives, even the Church, I am more convinced that evil is a hyperactive, conscious and intentional force at work against us. There are times when I wonder if our enemy has been so effective in its work of deceiving us that we find ourselves all the way back in pre-flood Genesis: "The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time" (Gen. 6.5). We really do struggle to resist the temptations sends our way.

As a younger man, I believed that evil was real but more the absence of good than a volitional power. I believed that when we choose not to do God's will the result will most often be problematic because we have ignored the Perfect Truth that aids us in escaping disasters. In my mind, evil was dependent on humans to make errors in order to cause problems. I thought it was kind of like water only getting into your basement if it was not sealed properly not because the water wanted to get into your basement.

Though I certainly believe that evil takes advantage of our moments of disobedience, I also now believe that evil charts its own course and plans its own plans and does not require the assistance of human fallibility in order to be destructive.

For instance, is it too far-fetched to believe that the devastating spread of malaria by mosquitoes is the result of a demonic plan? Humans are not responsible for malaria and yet it destroys gladly. Or how about the proliferation of depression in our nation? Often this malady is not the result of ungodly human choices but instead brain circuitry gone haywire and/or chemical imbalances. This seems like a wicked scheme to me or at the very least the culmination of our souls being pressed upon by evil for millenia.

Or how about personality disorders, especially those of the egotistic variety? A pathology such as a narcissism is destructive to sufferer and bystanders alike. Yet it is very resistant to any form of treatment or behavior modification. Further, it is clearly not simply the result of faulty nurture but involves other vague factors that are difficult to pinpoint. What would evil like more than to corrupt humans in such a way that they become a corrupting, disruptive influences on their own? A clever scheme indeed.

Ephesians 6 reads in part like this, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Seems evident to me from a scriptural perspective that evil is an intelligent, active force that is seeking to bring chaos out of God's order and for all people to perpetually dwell in fear in the valley of the shadow of death to their own detriment.

So what do you think? Is evil a real force or is it just the absence of good? Does it plot and plan or does it simply creep into the void when we disobey the Lord?

I will look forward to your wisdom!

Jeff

The Unpreached Sermon

2009-01-18T11:05:00.002-05:00

In light of the cancellation of our worship service this morning due to a water-line break, I am posting what my sermon might have sounded like.

“The American Reality”
Sermon – “Let Justice Roll” series #2 - Racism
Text: Galatians 3:26-29

Take a moment and answer "true" or "false" to the questions in this short quiz:

I am afraid if I am in a neighborhood that is predominantly a race other than my own.
I am suspicious and tempted to call the police if I see an African-American walking in my neighborhood.
I believe that racial separation is best for everyone.
I occasionally use racial slurs like nigger or spic.
I would be upset if a Chinese family moved in next door to me.

If you answered “true” to any of these questions, it is time to address prejudices lurking in your heart. This does not mean you are ready to join the KKK, but it may mean that there are areas of racial woundedness within you that require the Lord's healing touch. Keep this in mind as we move forward.

In writing to the church at Galatia, Paul is attempting to correct a false belief that has been introduced to it following his departure. The belief that was introduced by Judaizers was this: if non-Jewish believers really want to be saved, they must be circumcised and follow the whole Law of Moses. If they want to be saved they must become Jews.

Paul, a Jewish man himself, argues throughout this letter that being saved does not come from circumcision nor from becoming Jewish (Gal. 3:1-14). Instead, it comes from entering into a relationship with Christ Jesus, the messiah. We read in 3.26-29 how this relationship changes everything for the believer:

Faith in Christ makes one a child of God (v.26).
True faith in Christ leads to a change in character (v.27).
Faith in Christ destroys barriers between people (v.28).
A relationship with Christ Jesus leads to becoming a recipient of all of God’s promises (v.29).

We can see in this passage that our relationship with Christ gives us a new identity and new character. We are changed and take on the character of Christ.

The character of Christ, amongst other things, is love (Gal. 5:22), "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..;" acceptance (Jn.4:9), "The Samaritan woman said to him, 'You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?' (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.);" forgiveness (Acts 5:31), "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel;" and proximity (Phil. 4:5), "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." When we are in relationship with Christ, these are some of the fruits we bear.

In contrast, there is the character of evil. Galatians 5.19-21 reads, “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” When we bear fruits such as hatred, discord, fits of rage, and dissensions, something other than the character of Christ is shining through.

This comes into play even as we consider our treatment of people of other races. If we treat them with contempt and hate and separation, we are not exhibiting Christ-likeness. And if we are not Christ-like in regard to race, the very authenticity of our faith in Jesus is brought into question.

I confess today that I am a recovering racist. In years past, I said and thought nasty and ignorant things about African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, Arabs; anyone who was not Anglo. I uttered hateful things like, “Speak English or die,” “They are taking over” and “Why can’t they stay in their own country?”

At some point, the Lord convicted me of this sinful behavior, and I repented of my wicked attitudes and asked God to restore my soul that had a gaping, pus-filled wound as a result of this untreated hatred I was harboring. I know that I have been forgiven of this evil and am more Christ-like as a result.

Many of us are indeed recovering racists though some of us persist in racist tendencies. To be clear, racism is prejudice against people of other races or belief that one race is superior to another. It should be noted, however, that racism has its greatest impact when the racist is a part of the dominant race in any particular culture. The combination of hate and power is lethal. This is what has made Anglo racism in America so destructive.

Early in American history, Anglos looked down upon Native Americans and treated them abominably, nearly wiping them from the face of the planet. At the same time, Anglos were enslavingAfricans and transporting them to this nation where they had no freedom and no rights whatsoever. When slavery was abolished, the attitudes left over from slavery did not change and separation and contempt ruled the day.

Fortunately, race relations have improved. And yet there remains percolating hatred that manifests itself amongst races. We see this in Anglo suspicion of anyone who is Middle Eastern. We see this in broad American negative attitudes toward Spanish-speaking immigrants. We see this in ugly prejudice toward those who are Jewish. We see this in our snobbery toward Pakistanis and Indians who have made their mark in commerce and other professions in this country.

It is time for we who are the church to close the door on racism. We can do this by refusing to give into hatred and by throwing ourselves headlong into an intimate relationship with Jesus. Our being in the arms of the Lord more fully cannot help but change the essence of our character and heal the wounds of hatred that we have harbored.

Practically speaking, we can engage in these behaviors:

Repent of hatred that lingers or has been expressed openly in the past.
Root out prejudices that emerge in our daily behaviors and attitudes.
Intentionally seek out a relationship with someone of another race.
Refuse to tell or listen to racial jokes, slurs, or stereotyping.
Immerse yourself in another culture.

I agree with MLK that this country at its core provides an awesome opportunity for all people to thrive and to live in right relationships. What a shame, then, that Satan has enticed us to reject so often that very opportunity. Instead of being willing to share the blessing we have been granted with those around us, we snatch it away and try to keep it for ourselves as if there was not enough to go around. It is not too late. We can now shut the door on our hate-filled past and live out more fully in our hearts and actions the Kingdom values that our Lord has called us to.

Blessed are...

2008-12-12T09:53:00.002-05:00

After quite a hiatus, I'm back.

I was praying yesterday for someone who I thought needed to change. As I began uttering the words, I was stopped mid-sentence and reminded that perhaps I was the one who required the change. Then I was led to this beattitude:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

My thoughts and the Lord's encouragement led me to write this paraphrase of the blessing in addition to a curse:

"Blessed is the homeless one who is dependent on the city shelter for a bite of breakfast, the soup kitchen for a crust at lunch, St. Matthew's Church for a change of clothing and a coat, the public library for warmth and relief from abject boredom, the government for a few food stamps, an irritated executive for $5 that will be spent on a burger and a bottle of cheap booze, and the shelter for a cot and a dirty blanket. The kingdom - the nation of God - belongs to this one.

"Cursed is the one whose home is their own, whose breakfast is purchased and prepared with their own hands, whose tidy coffers provide lunch and supper and more, whose work envelopes the day, whose joy in self-sufficiency is never quenched, whose self-righteousness refuses the gift of a car window-washing from an addict, and whose home is so clean that it sparkles throughout the community. Theirs is the kingdom of the world and all of its riches and glory."

Amidst our abundance, how do we learn to depend on the Lord? Without true dependence on Him we can in no way learn of the enormity of His blessings nor express the gratitude that is due.

~ Jeff

Hell

2008-10-28T21:01:00.002-04:00

In two weeks I will be preaching on hell. It is clear that modern Christianity has either used it as a tool to scare people into converting or ignored it completely - kind of like that crazy relative at a family reunion. The reality is that, like it or not, hell is a biblical concept. It is an important component of judgment and The End.

Do you believe that hell is actual or is just a metaphor? What will the role of hell be for humanity?

Let's talk...

Jeff

Voting

2008-10-10T11:08:00.004-04:00

Okay. Back to this voting deal.

I do not vote. Though this has not always been true, I would now consider myself a principled non-voter. Let me explicate.

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s,” says Jesus when the Pharisee lackeys and Herodians try to trap him. What is Caesar's? Economic systems, political systems, military systems, and the belief that tinkering with the aforementioned will bring life and goodness to the world. Voting, as a part of politics, belongs to Caesar. I choose to let him keep it.

The politics of Caesar ask us for complete devotion to nation. Notice John McCain's campaign slogan: "Country First." Remember what Jesus said in this regard? "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 10.37-39). To me voting is throwing at least part of my hope behind a candidate or issue. Isn't that exactly what Barack Obama is asking from us? "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring real change to Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours." I want both my devotion and hope to be placed in the hands of Christ Jesus, not country nor person.

We live in a politically polarized nation. One's definition as Democrat or Republican is more important than one's definition as American. Worse, one's political leanings in the minds of way too many have become the litmus test for whether or not one is truly a Christian. That is plain wrong and abiblical. Let's recall Romans 10:9 & 12-13, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" and "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Hmmm...the litmus test for salvation is confession and belief not ethnicity nor political affiliation! I cast my vote for Christian unity that is bestowed by the Spirit via the grace of Christ Jesus.

There has never been a candidate that reflected my beliefs in total nor one that I believed would remain convicted to always do what was right without compromise. Governments are fundamentally oriented to national self-interest and self-preservation. That is very nearly irreconcilable with Jesus' emphasis on selflessness.

I am a pacifist. I believe that Jesus' call to love enemies supersedes a nation's call to defend itself through violence. My choosing not to vote is a way of my trying to maintain personal integrity in regard to the government. I do not believe it is right for me to make choices about who leads the government and about policies if I, in turn, will not pick up arms to defend that which I have helped to install. Personally, I cannot with any integrity embrace certain benefits but then turn around and reject the responsibility that goes with those benefits. I want it to be clear that my primary citizenship is the Kingdom of God.

I like what John Roth has to say about politics and faith, “…the primary concern of Christians is not to redeem the state or take control of government or insist it live up to the standards of the NT.” There is this notion that we are a Christian nation. Certainly, we are majority Christian nation population-wise. But our government is never obligated to behave according to Christ's commands and ethical standards. It will instead act according to the world's standards. Until Jesus' return and His setting up His perfect kingdom, Christendom will never exist. It is my belief that all efforts to Christianize government will fail. In fact, it is not even our role as the Church. Instead, we are to proclaim the Gospel and to bring Christ's healing to those who are broken. To say it a bit more strongly, I believe that we have been deceived into believing our efforts in the political realm are the best use of our time. My not voting reminds me that my best efforts are to more closely resemble those of Jesus and the Twelve.

I could say much more but this is quite enough for now. I welcome your rebuttals and critique.

Jeff

To Vote or Not to Vote

2008-09-23T21:31:00.003-04:00

A response to this blog will prove your intestinal fortitude. This week Wanda and I are team preaching on Christian involvement in voting and the political process. I value your ruminations.

I will indeed chime in with my own opinions but not until early next week.

So here are the questions:

Do you vote?
Why or why not?
How has faith informed your decision or not?

Be brave. Let it flow. The Spirit is with you!

Jeff

Unified in Faith

2008-09-10T16:38:00.002-04:00

This Sunday I am preaching on Ephesians 4:1-16. Part of the passage goes like this: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

I really have been focusing on how the exercise of roles, which are gifts from God, builds up the church, leading people to greater spiritual maturity. Stuck in the middle of this passage, however, is this phrase "unity in the faith" and I am wrestling with what that looks like in reality. When a church is unified in faith what do they do? What do they not do? What do they appear to be?

What do you think? Anyone have a concrete illustration to share?

Jeff

The End

2008-09-01T22:42:00.003-04:00

Today completes my extended sabbath 2008. Post-sabbatical reflections are forthcoming but will arrive later than this Sunday when I do some live reflecting with the good Central folks. Don't want to ruin the surprise, after all.

Suffice it to say, I have learned, I have rested, I have played, and I have worked. I believe that my mind is clearer now than it has been in years. My wife and children know me again. I have experienced a sort of renaissance in my love of scripture via my work on my devotional book.

It seems like these are pretty good things.

I appreciate very much your prayers and your walking alongside of me in this journey.

I do plan to maintain the blog. My hope is that it will become a forum for dialogue, not monologue. I am simply too boring for that to be very fruitful!

I will post per movements of the Spirit and whims. Perhaps these will be connected to sermon and study preparation. Perhaps not. At any rate, I believe firmly that the Lord works in our dialogues to grant all participants a broader understanding of whatever matter is before us. It is a variation on that "wherever two or three are gathered in my name" thing.

You can chime in by clicking on "0 Comments" at the bottom of any given post.

Keep on walking with me. In Christ.

Pastor Jeff

Retreat

2008-08-27T08:30:00.002-04:00

I had the privilege of spending the last three days alone in retreat at Mi Dacha in Hudson, MI. It was a delight!

Some of the highlights:
1. Quiet
2. The Holy Spirit providing clarity as I studied scripture.
3. Lots of reading.
4. The voice of the Lord. Our conversations were needed and blessed.
5. Fishing. I caught like fifty bass. Seriously!
6. Watching three fawns, still sporting their spots, and their mama come to within about thirty feet of me.
7. Enormous butterflies. Multi-colored dragonflies. Myriad birds.
8. Campfires.

I had a strange experience, too. I had built a fire and placed a larger log on it in order to strengthen it. As I was doing this, suddenly a large ant ran directly into the flame and was instantly burnt to smithereens. I wondered why s/he had done that. Didn't seem prudent. I shrugged it off.

Later, I was reading as I sat near the blaze and noticed one of those large, flying grasshoppers inside of the fire-ring. This seemed strange in light of the significant heat from the fire. I concluded that the hopper had simply wandered too close by mistake. This was confirmed when it wandered back out of the ring soon after.

I was shocked, then, to see the deluded grasshopper back in the ring not long after. In fact, in a sort of bizarre act of apparent suicide, it darted directly into the flames! I guess it changed its mind at the last moment, however, and popped back out, flew over to, and sat on a rock.

At this point, I figured the hopper was fried so I went over to look at it. It was alive but not moving I much. I reached down to pick it up but it flew away instead. I thought to myself, "You scared it. It flew away. You helped save it from itself." I went back to reading yet contemplating what the attraction of the fire was for the grasshopper.

A couple of minutes later, I noticed that my friend had returned and was headed for the flame again! I could not believe it. Somehow s/he ended up on a grilling grate that sat quite near the fire and was surely very hot due to its proximity. Sure enough, the hopper kept lifting its tiny legs in a peculiar dance as if keeping them on the metal was just too much to stand. It looked like a firewalker.

A short time after, the hopper apparently concluded that fire was dangerous and flew off permanently.

The story is not over yet, however (sorry!).

Within ten minutes a juvenile sparrow had flown down from a tree and hopped right up to the fire. It hopped into the fire-ring and was within a foot of the flames. This happened a couple of times. It also made an appearance on the grate as well before its parents called it for supper.

Perhaps I'm just paranoid but after observing these strange occurrences I thought maybe the Lord was trying to tell me something. It struck me that these animals experiences of fire are not so different than human experiences with spiritual fire. We often conceive of hell as being a fiery place where God angrily tosses us when we have been naughty. But we also know that the Lord desires than none of His children would perish. Not one. He is full of compassion, you see.

It strikes me that it is instead our indiscretion, pride, and belief that we can handle our lives on our own that leads us into the flames, just as these animals I observed made their own way into the campfire. We in essence throw ourselves into the flames. God does not do it for us. Despite His gentle warnings and loving nudges, We choose the burning flames over the comfort of His arms.

If we are full of compassion, we will continue to befriend and love ones who venture perilously close to the fire. Perhaps our stories of what the Lord has done for us will help them to choose Life as well. Perhaps our abiding support will make an impact.

We cannot prevent anyone from throwing themselves into the flame but we can encourage a different way.

~ Just musing away

Jeff

The Next-door Neighbor?

2008-08-18T21:21:00.004-04:00

We had a good weekend in Middlebury with Phil, Shari, Rachelle, and Ryan. They took really good care of us! We also were able to listen to Ron Guengerich, formerly of the Zion church, preach on Sunday morning at Silverwood MC.

This evening we were at Archbold Elementary School for the beginning of the year open house. Savannah and Therin are quite ready for their return and got juiced even further by the visit to the school.

After this evening, Kathy is ready for them to go back to school as well!

**

I recently read a rather provocative article about Rob Hawkins in a magazine. Few of you, I predict, recall that name though I am betting that many of you would have been briefly familiar with it in the middle part of last December via the media.

The article related the story of Rob's early life, how he was born to parents whose bitterness toward each other was more important than nurturing their infant; how he was neglected for much of his childhood, finally ending up in foster homes; how he was ultimately not wanted by anyone; and how he was even set up to fail by the child welfare system that was supposed to protect him from further hurt.

Woven within this tale was the not-surprising information that Rob had terrible difficulty in school, a raging temper, and practically no ability to display empathy toward others. He could not hold a job after high school nor follow through on commitments. He was a drug addict. He struggled mightily in relationships. Surprise, surprise.

I wish I could say that the end of the story was triumph from tragedy. Alas, the end was entirely too predictable as well.

On December 5, 2007, nineteen year-old Rob Hawkins stepped into the Westroads Mall in Omaha, NB with his step-father's AK-47. He went to level 3 and mowed down eight innocent patrons. He completed his rampage by blasting a teddy bear and then taking his own life.

In Matthew 8, Jesus meets two demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes (v.28). They were known for their violence so no one would go anywhere near them (v.29). Jesus does not run away from them like all the others, however, instead commanding the legion of demons into a herd of pigs that subsequently hurled themselves down a steep bank toward a lake and there drowned (v.32).

We do not know what became of the newly healed men but we can guess that they were able to begin living new lives amongst a community that once feared them so greatly. Jesus' compassion gave them a chance to live free.

Even in an insulated region like Fulton Co, OH there are Rob Hawkins' lurking in the shadows, oppressed by evil and pain, and hoping for new life. Yes, in their fear they instill fear. Yes, they stir the quiet pot of our communities. Yes, we want them to go away or someone else to help them or for them to just stay in the shadows.

I think Jesus has a different idea.

You see, He grants us strength by the Holy Spirit and an enormous storehouse of love to bring healing. He empowers us to do as He did! I believe that He desires for us to take the love He has lavished on us and to pour it out on little ones who are in danger of becoming traumatized like Rob Hawkins. I believe He will show us ones who are deeply wounded as well, ones He will desire for us to befriend and minister to. Jesus loves Rob Hawkins and ones like him so much and He is waiting for us to courageously reach out to them.

Our prayers for ourselves and ones like these will lead us into ministry to them. Are you ready?

In Christ,

Jeff

Michael Phelps

2008-08-13T13:08:00.003-04:00

I have been watching the Olympics every night just to make sure that I do not miss another swim by Michael Phelps. He is a tremendously gifted athlete who also has the corresponding desire to compete at a very high level. He reminds me of a slightly wetter Michael Jordan.

His desire to win is gigantic; almost scary at times. As evidence, with several swims remaining, he has already harvested five gold medals. I suspect that he is a monster when he plays Monopoly, too!

Phelps has used God-given equipment to reach the apex of the game he plays. He is perhaps the greatest competitive swimmer to ever hit the pool.

It is a relative certainty that none of the rest of us will win five gold medals in a single Olympics. Almost none of us will appear on American Idol (in Hollywood), be elected president of the United States, star in a Batman movie, become the next Billy Graham, or cure cancer. Of course, the Lord is not necessarily looking for stars that are already shining, especially ones who think they have gotten themselves to where they are. Instead, He is seeking any dim old lamp that is willing to be lit and shine for Him.

Peter was just a regular fisherman when Jesus hollered at him. He willing followed at a surely high price and the Lord did wonders through him. I am sure that when Peter understood what was required of him he said within himself, "I can't do it!" He was right. He could not, and that is the key understanding. When we know we are incapable, God can then get some things done through us.

You see, the Lord can do all things. Believe it or not, he is even powerful enough to overcome our deficiences!

There is only one thing that stops God from doing miracles through any one of us dimsters: our saying "no." We decline His invitation to be used spectacularly for a variety of reasons but all of our excuses are ultimately born of fear. We are afraid of losing our freedom, of being made to look foolish, of seeming different, of not being able to do what we want to do, of failing. And our fear puts the brakes on God's plans for us.

A true exercise in faith, then, is saying "yes" to God when He asks us to do something we know that we cannot pull off. It is then that we learn to depend. Let's all pray for new-found courage to trust.

***
Besides Olympics, most recent days have been spent writing devotional, doing small home projects, reading, and just hanging out. Compared with the activities of earlier in the summer it is rather dull. I love it!

Late tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) we will be headed to Middlebury, IN to spend time with Kathy's sister, Shari, and her family. We look forward to being there through the weekend. Kathy and Shari will sing together during the worship service at Silverwood Mennonite Church in Goshen on Sunday morning.

All for now!

Jeff

A Bass

2008-08-07T14:44:00.003-04:00

Last night Kathy and I went fishing at the south Archbold reservoir. Savannah was with a friend at Good Shepherd Church for bible school. Therin was with Brandon Yoder. London was at MYF. It was therefore just the two us; a chance to hang out alone on a beautiful evening.

I did not expect much fishing-wise from the excursion. The dog days of summer are just not the best time of year to angle. So I was not surprised when the first hour of our time was fruitless, at least as far as catching fish goes. Of course, that was not really what the time together was about.

Before we left for home we decided to head down to the dock and throw our lines in there for a few minutes. The sun was going down, there was a light breeze, and there were no mosquitos. It was just perfect. I could have stayed there on the dock for several hours with or without fish. (I probably should have grabbed Kathy for a romantic moment but I forgot.)

Kathy wanted to at least catch a bluebill before we left. So I put a very small artificial on her line and she began dragging it along close to the dock. After a few minutes, I took a look back at her and noticed that she had gotten a bite. I figured it was just a wee little bluegill so I began to turn back around to return to my useless lure-chucking. Out of the corner of my eye, however, I noticed that the wee bluegill had leapt out of the water and had made an awfully big splash for such a diminutive fish. When my synapses started firing again I realized that Kathy had not hooked a bluegill but instead a rather robust largemouth bass. Because of the shallows, she landed it quickly and we both stared at it in wonder.

Because of her success, I think Kathy ought to go on tour with the World Bass Association (or whatever) and fish tournaments for a living. She could even wear those big funny sunglasses and spew, "I tell you what!" with abandon.

Silliness aside, the unexpected bass is a reminder that a moment of ministry may come from out of nowhere as well. It seems important, then, as a people of faith, that when we awaken in the morning, we say a prayer something like this, "Lord, give me courage to form new relationships with others. Keep my eyes open today for opportunities to minister. Prepare me for that which I do not anticipate." Of course, we need to know that He will take us up on this offer!

As Christ's children we are not commissioned to fill up church chairs, but we are commissioned to invite and love people into His kingdom. The harvest, y'all, is plentiful. Are we willing workers?

Jeff

Saturday in Archbold

2008-08-02T23:13:00.002-04:00

Today went like this:

Husk sweet corn (high-quality Zaerr corn).
Work on devotional.
Carve sweet corn off of the cobs.
Clean up the mess (from the sweet corn, not the devotional).
Go for power ride on bike.
Return exhausted.
Work on devotional some more.
Etc.

Not a half-bad day. Kathy worked much harder than I did!

I have been reading Bill Hybel's Just Walk Across the Room (a gift some time ago from Linda Nafziger!). It is a book that encourages all Christians to seize opportunities to form relationships with those who are not Christians because the Lord just may use those relationships to bring folks into His fold.

I have been thinking for years now that it is important for me to have some context in which I am able to form just such relationships because the reality is that I mostly hang out with people of faith. I must confess that I have failed in this regard. With the help of the Spirit, that can change.

Many of you work or live in places where you have regular encounters with those who do not know the Lord. How do you develop relationships effectively? How do you share your faith without scaring people off? How do you suspend judgments and continue to accept folks even when they are not open to hearing about Jesus?

I'll await your wisdom...

Your brother in Christ,

Jeffrey

Archbold

2008-08-01T01:40:00.001-04:00

The clock struck midnight and we found ourselves in Archbold. The Lord protected us and provided for us in amazing ways as we traveled. Hallelujah!

Jeff

Wichita

2008-07-30T00:41:00.002-04:00

We went to Wichita today to visit the Sedgwick County Zoo. It is an awesome zoo and the kids had a good time. It is always a blessing to spend time with Joy, Derek & family.

I have a new cell phone. Same number. I will tell you the story...sometime.

We will be overnight tomorrow night in Noblesville, IN. London is seeing a concert there before we return home.

Jeff

To Hesston

2008-07-28T13:02:00.030-04:00

Yesterday, we left the small town of Yoder for the metropolis of Hesston, KS. We are spending a couple of days here with my sister, Joy; her husband, Derek; and children, Cedon, Caryn, and Callie. We have already had a ball!

I am able to post a few more pictures now. Will do my best to narrate.

Therin riding Grandpa Ken's mower in Colorado. He was Sam Hornish, Jr., if Sam raced tractors and sported a mullet.

My brother, Jeremy, catching my trout on the Rio Grande River. You'd think he would be a bit more generous with his elder brother.

This is a shot of the beauty of Colorado near South Fork. The picture does not even come close to doing it justice.

Therin and Savannah enjoying the high life in South Fork.

The mountain we climbed in Palmer Lake.

The fam part way up the mountain. Therin was not feeling so hot at this point (the paleness on his face is not a problem in the photo). He did recover.

Palmer Lake - my hometown - from half-way up the mountain.

Savannah celebrating her conquest. She shouted from this rock, "I'm the queen of the world!"

London and Therin celebrating in similar fashion. They did not say anything about being queens, however.

Yes, I am wearing an OSU hat. Kept my feet on the ground as I hiked a couple of miles back to the reservoirs that moisten Palmer Lake. For you nature buffs, there is a dragonfly-like beast on my hat. In his/her clutches is a moth. Good eatin'!

The Smiths at the Garden of the Gods. I have been here a million times and the rock formations still amaze me. I do not know what the person to the left in the photo is doing behind that bush.

I really love this picture. Enough said...

Here is the mystery for the day: what made me take this photo of Kathy's mom's chalkboard? Hint - I have never known Nina to be a particularly political person, but she seems to have turned thoroughly Democrat!

Hope you are not too bored after all of that.

We leave for home on Wednesday. Will be in A-bold late Thursday sometime.

Jeff

Meade and Stuff

2008-07-25T23:48:00.004-04:00

We enjoyed our time in Meade. It was good to connect with family we have not often spent time with. Savannah formed an instant bond with Kathy's six year old cousin, DJ, not to mention DJ's kitten, Junior (who is female). Kathy's aunt Maggie cooked us an amazing Filipino meal. Her spring rolls were outrageous.

On the way to Meade, we stopped in Greensburg. This town, if you will remember, is the one practically wiped off the map by a tornado last year. To drive around town and observe the simultaneous presence of both death and life, both ends and beginnings, was a cause for pause. All over there were plots that formerly held homes, now overgrown with weeds, still sporting bent over basketball goals. I wondered if I waited long enough if I would hear the happy echoes of children scampering about near their homes. There is no indication that rebuilding will occur in these spots.

On the other hand, there are beautiful new homes sprouting up here and there. Businesses are rebuilding, and Greensburg is committed to being a place that is energy efficient and environmentally friendly, a model for us all. MDS, Habitat, and other organizations continue to have a presence in this community.

This town will never be the same. But God has not left her. From what was broken is emerging something new and God-breathed. This is a reminder to us that our God is a God who is not bound by what was or what we had hoped for but is instead intent on rebuilding lives through His unfathomable grace and power. May His name be praised forever! I cannot wait to see Greensburg in three, five, ten years!

If you ever have the chance, stop in Greensburg for a look-see. Spend some money. Check out the world's largest hand-dug well. It truly is amazing, even though you cannot venture into its bowls since the tornado. Then travel a few more miles west and stay at the Moon Mist Motel in Meade where you will be greeted by terribly friendly folk, enjoy a pleasant room, and even have the chance to hold a tiny pot-belly pig, pet a bunny, and avoid being butted by an aggressive little goat. This part of the world is Americana at its best.

Kathy's father, John, underwent surgery this morning in Wichita to remove a growth from his eye. Kathy and I had the privilege of accompanying him and Kathy's mom, Nina, to this appointment.

In that we live so far from extended family, it has been a rarity for us to be able to do this kind of thing so we were blessed to be present. Though it is a special thing for me to be able to make hospital visits with the Central congregation in a pastoral capacity, it was good to do it as just a plain old son-in-law as well.

The surgery went well and John is home and thriving this evening.

The office where the procedure was performed was constructed in such a way that we were able to observe the surgery as it took place. That was way cool! I did not even faint once.

God continues to be good. I'm not surprised.

Jeff

Duh

2008-07-23T01:34:00.003-04:00

There are some of you who have claimed that I am not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. Here is clear evidence. Yesterday, I plunged into a swimming pool with my cell phone in my pocket. When I realized my error I quickly removed it from my swimsuit but could only look at it with misty-eyed sympathy as it buzzed feebly but pathetically.

As I anguish in denial at the true condition of my beloved phone, the phone itself is nested in a Tupperware container filled with dry rice. Trying to remove some of the moisture, you see. Maybe I will try the microwave tomorrow...

On another note, it has been over 100 degrees the last two days. Yeowza.

Tomorrow we head for Meade, KS to visit Kathy's uncle Dave and his family. The challenge for the day: see if you can find Meade on a map!

Selah.

Jeff

Yoder

2008-07-21T00:58:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, we left Colorado for Kansas. We got a bit of a late start in that we had breakfast with friends from Colorado Springs mid-morning. It was a delight to be with Will, Kat, and Ryan O'Hearn. Will has been a dear friend to me for years.

We were sad to leave Colorado - our family and friends - but understood that there are more loved ones yet to see.

Our trip to Kansas was uneventful and that is really good. God has answered our prayers in keeping us safe and the van intact. This is especially true in light of London's driving two hours during the trip! (Just kidding, London).

This morning, we worshiped with the S. Hutchinson Mennonite Church. This is Kathy's parents' congregation. We were made to feel welcome and appreciated. Kathy even got to sing, thus providing her with a "fix." She no longer is experiencing the heebie-jeebies.

This afternoon, we had lunch with Kathy's folks at their home along with Mike & Vonnie (Kathy's bro and wife), Leonard & Ruth (Kathy's aunt & husband), and Marv & Dorothy (Kathy's aunt & husband). The food was dynamite and the company pretty good, too, although I did fall asleep a bit prematurely (though not during church).

This evening we just hung out. Tomorrow, I have been instructed that we will be going to Salt City Splash water park and then to eat pizza. I'm game.

Last week, Therin, London, and I hiked a couple of miles back to reservoirs that provide water for Palmer Lake. I had fished these plenty while growing up and almost always caught something. The three of us spent hours there doing all we could to lure fish to their peril this time around but without any luck. I found myself getting really irritated by this lack of fishing production, finally threatening God to just quit fishing altogether and completely (it is unclear when God actually entered this whole scenario!).

Within seconds, however, I was reminded that patience really is important in fishing because I cannot force the fish to bite the lure no matter how pretty I think it is. I was then further reminded that patience in life is triply important because there is not a lot that I can manipulate. I was still further reminded that when we engage in ministry, particularly evangelistic ministry, patience is vital as well. Many people during Jesus' time of ministry did not accept his message. Why would I expect that they would accept mine?

Sometimes it takes more than a couple of fishing trips to catch fish. Sometimes our prayers are answered in terms of years instead of hours and days. Sometimes we never see the fruit of that we planted while ministering to someone. Another person will be the one who receives the joy of harvest.

Patience is not having to control the outcome of whatever circumstance is before us. It is receiving with awe the gifts of blue sky, fresh air, and the company of sons on a fruitless fishing junket and calling the junket a life-changing experience. It is thanking God for making us wait to have our prayers answered because of the way it shapes and forms our character. It is celebrating the reality that when we have done God's will in ministry, fruit beyond our comprehension is being birthed even though we may never taste it firsthand.

Patience is letting God be Lord of our lives.

It's late...

Jeff

Chatauqua

2008-07-15T23:58:00.002-04:00

Today was a really good day.

I had my best day of devotional writing in over a week. My focus was simply more acute. Perhaps it is the Colorado air! Can't wait to see what the Lord will do tomorrow.
All six of us climbed Mt. Chatauqua (elevation 8340 ft.) which is in my parents' backyard (virtually). We flatlanders needed to stop here and there in that the trail was quite steep, but we finally made it to the top. When Savannah reached one point near the summit that had a most excellent view she peered out at the landscape in the distance and said, "I can see the whole world! This is amazing." She was right. Later she told me that I should use the term "deer droppings" instead of "deer poo" because that "grosses little girls like me out." I'm learning.
Kathy and I cooked supper together this evening. I made too much spaghetti.
I spent time with my grandma. In our conversation she reflected on what is so important in faith and how these "vitals" can quickly become obscured. Her stories were indicative of her attentiveness to the Holy Spirit in all of life. I am reminded of what a blessing it is to have people in our lives who live faith out evidently. We learn so much from this and are empowered and encouraged. I am also reminded of how important it is for all of us to live genuine lives of faith. It makes a difference in the lives of others whether we know it or not.

The Lord never fails.

Jeff

The Mountains

2008-07-14T23:52:00.005-04:00

Check out this blog, you Mennoists. I think the words there are words for all of us to ponder carefully: http://gregboyd.blogspot.com/2008/06/word-to-my-mennonite-friends-cherish.html

What do you think?

We enjoyed our three day stay in South Fork. London caught a trout. My brother caught ten. I felt bad about putting a hook in a poor fishy's mouth so I graciously allowed them all to steer clear unscathed. I did wade out into the river on two occasions in order to unsnag snags (I suspect that fish were pranking me!). It was cold.

By the way, Ron Dilbone, green drakes (accompanied by a copperjohn) were the food of choice for hungry browns.

While some of the boys fished, the girls and Therin did some shopping and hiking. Here are Kathy, Savannah, Therin, and Evie (our niece) on a trail near Beaver Reservoir. Therin is the weird one.

On Monday, we took the scenic route back to Palmer Lake. We followed the Rio Grande through Creede, Lake City, etc. and over Spring Creek and Slumgullion (which means, incidentally, "an unappetizing stew") passes. This route is called the "Silver Thread." We were awed by the sheer escarpments, maroon rocks and soil, opportunistic sage brush, and jagged, snow-spotted peaks. We were able to view the Lord's creation from over 10,000 feet and remember that He is the consummate and perfect Artist.

We ate lunch in Lake City at a place called No Name Restaurant. Seemed like an appropriate place for us Smiths. On placemats at each table, it was noted that on a menu in this restaurant many years ago one could get filet mignon and a pot of coffee for $2.00. This made me quite nostalgic. The contemporary food was good, too.

On the downside we were also awed by the price of gasoline in some of the more remote mountain towns: $4.45 and above per gallon. I did find some 85 ethanol fuel for $2.89 in Divide but the sign said it wouldn't work in my van. I decided not to risk it but just barely.

Following a trek through the area containing Blue Mesa Reservoir (96 miles of shoreline) and Gunnison, we enjoyed our ascents and descents of Monarch and Wilkerson passes. We saw quite a few pronghorns, some deer, and a bevy of chipmunks. We did not see, unfortunately, any elk or bears.

We also got to see one of the most infamous locations in all of Colorado. This is the spot, near Lake City, where Alferd Packer supposedly killed and ate five of his companions when they all became lost and starving on a journey during the winter of 1874. He claimed his innocence. This is Alferd. He looks innocent to me. Bon apetit!

If you are interested, you can check out Alferd's story http://wikipedia.com.

Despite the aesthetics of the Colorado mountain journey, it is clear that the Lord is working on me, especially as it pertains to my identity as a pastor. I find it quite disconcerting to not have that mantle right now. How am I to be viewing myself? How am I to be relating to others? It almost feels like I am walking around naked. This has implications for my relationship with my Heavenly Father, for the work I will resume in September, for the rest of the sabbatical as well. Stay tuned!

~ Jeff

Colorado

2008-07-11T02:02:00.003-04:00

After spending the night last night in Lincoln, NE (it was somewhat disconcerting for me to stay in this city which is the home of the University of Nebraska and the Cornhuskers. They are mortal enemies of any self-respecting Colorado University fan and I always felt like someone was watching me. Creepy... It would be like a Buckeye hanging out in Ann Arbor! I wondered if I should be ritually cleansed upon leaving.), we arrived safely in Palmer Lake, CO late this afternoon.

We had another two good days of travel. God has protected us from accidents and held our van together, even when I tried to wipe us out early on Wednesday morning near the Archbold toll plaza (don't ask). We are grateful for that. Kathy and the kids have been most tolerant of my paternal shenanigans as well.

On arrival, the kids were very excited to see Grandma & Grandpa and to experience all the available goodies. I think they were awfully glad to be out of the van after so many hours on the road. I must say that they travel amazingly well and I wanted to hurt them only a handful of times (fewer even than Denver drivers).

Otto the dachshund has accompanied us on this trip. He did not throw up in the van even once! He did rub his slobbery nose all over the driver's and passenger side windows, however. Delightful.

This evening my parents had some extended family for supper so I got to see aunts, uncles, cousin, etc. They also invited some dear friends from childhood. I had not seen my friend, Randy, for twenty years. It was great to catch up with him and his parents. It was good to see that he is nearly as grey as I am!

Tomorrow we head for South Fork, CO to spend time in a cabin there. My brother and his family will accompany us as well as my parents. We look forward to sitting at the feet of some enormous, majestic mountains and expect to be inspired by the Lord in that setting. The trout are calling my name, "Jeff, come and catch us. We're bored here in this beautiful mountain stream."

Hope to have photos of talking trout to post soon. Other neat stuff, too.

Shalom!

Jeff

Protecting?

2008-07-07T18:47:00.003-04:00

Last night I took a bike ride with Kathy and Savannah. We cruised around Archbold a bit doing our best to make the sojourn exciting. Riding on the embankment of the northern reservoir provided a few kicks especially when Savannah nearly careened off the side.

Later, I was following Savannah down Barr Rd., wanting to keep her safe from the dangers of the road. As I rode, however, it came into my head that if she swerved into the pathway of a car, there would be nothing I could do about it. She could be seriously hurt and I would be powerless to prevent it. That was a tremendously unpleasant thought.

Then I asked myself, Is this how God feels as he is tailing us, seeking to keep us safe and well? This is not to say that God is powerless in protecting us. He can as He wills. We do know that God, in His providence, does not always choose to rescue us from imminent peril nor does He always thwart the evil that actively seeks to wound and destroy us. He does not even rescue us from the repercussions of the poor choices that we make. And yet I believe that He is there close as we swerve perilously close to traffic, arms stretched wide-open, heart breaking as we plummet toward asphalt, weeping and bleeding as we weep and bleed, and devising ways to redeem us and heal us from the abrasions and contusions that have stopped our progress cold. This is grace.

And sometimes we must wallow in the aftermath of a disaster to which we have contributed until we have learned what the Lord needs us to learn. This, too, is grace.

It is always a struggle as a parent to know how much to protect our children, striking the appropriate balance between valid concern and choice- liberty (depending on the age of the child). One thing is sure. We cannot and should not protect them from everything.

This is the way of our perfect Parent.

Doing

2008-07-04T10:57:00.002-04:00

An irritation amid sabbatical is the feeling that erupts, particularly during the evening, that I ought to be going somewhere or doing something other than hanging out. I reckon that part of the feeling is guilt. I am accustomed to spending three evenings during any given work week busy with church activities. When this is coupled with activities the children are involved in during the school year, I really am not home very often on weeknights. To be home more often, then, leads me to feel sort of empty - like I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing.

I suspect that the feeling is a shadow of what a meth addict feels like when he/she does not have ready access to the drug: achy, exceptionally dissatisfied, panicky. Though I am essentially a homebody, evidence points to my having been converted into an activity junkie. I do not feel normal until I get my fix.

The Lord lavishes wisdom on us at the end of Psalm 46: "Be still, and know that I am God" (v.10a). Translation: "Stop moving. Stop your incessant motion and non-stop plotting. Quiet your worries and anxieties. Just be. Just be and accept that I am here with you and have everything under control. All of your activities do not cause me to love you more nor do they eliminate your problems (in context, win you the war). They do nothing but buy you personal satisfaction and admiration in the eyes of your peers which is nary more than getting your fix. For your health - stop. Let me take care of stuff. Listen. Receive my Spirit. Rest in me. Ingest my Word. Trust me."

A new discipline for me during sabbatical: to simply sit quietly with the Lord when I am feeling compelled to do something by virtue of guilt or over-functioning as opposed to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It seems likely that this discipline is not just for moments of sabbatical but for all of life.

Jesus modeled nesting with God in the Garden of Gethsemane as he slipped away to pray alone despite his understanding of the grave suffering to come. He prayed, "Yet not as I will, but as you will" (Mt.26:39c) and "...may your will be done" (26:42b). Was Jesus tempted to take matters into his own hands, to call down twelve legions of angels to smite his enemies? Certainly. Was he tempted to do something? Yes. Did he? No. And his Father's will was done.

I hope to learn how to rest in the Father's will.

~ Jeff

Home

2008-07-01T22:04:00.001-04:00

We're home. Thanks for the prayers!

~ Jeff

The Beach

2008-07-01T00:17:00.002-04:00

I am currently accessing the internet from a Travelodge hotel room in Woodstock, GA. Our time at Anna Maria Island, FL is complete and we are on our way home.

As I reflect on our time in Florida, "gift" is the word that leaps out at me. Beside Still Waters and the Taylor Foundation gave us the gift of a townhome while on the island. Because of their willingness to allow the Lord to work through them, we had everything we needed to live the beach life for a week. Further, the azur sky, scorching sun, scurrying anoles, crystal-clear surf, asundry shells, and elusive game fish, were all provided for our enjoyment by the Master of creation.

A swimming pool, new friends, bikes, rock jetties, and a cool restaurant, were also among the great provisions the Lord granted during our stay.

It is tempting to say, "Jeff, you've been a good boy and that is why you received such neat things while in Florida. Just keep being good and you'll get more!" The truth: None of these blessings were the result of my deserving anything. I am fallen, broken, sinful, and godless. I deserve condemnation instead of blessing!

But the Lord is so full of love that He blesses me despite my failures. He forgives me when I acknowledge my blunders and lifts me out of my self-destructive ways. He sets me under His tent, high upon a rock, and adopts me as His child. Then He takes care of me as any loving parent cares for a child. You see, I am blessed because God chooses to bless me as His kid. I have done nothing to merit this response.

May His name be praised for how He does this for any who will fall into His arms!

On another note...London had an adventure courtesy of Greyhound on Sunday. We put him on a bus in Tampa on Saturday so that he could meet up with the youth who were headed to WV for a service trip on Sunday. As the stated schedule went, he was to arrive in Huntington, WV about the same time as the youth would be arriving there enroute from NW Ohio. It was to work out just perfectly! Yeah.

London called at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday from Wytheville, VA saying that his bus had wheel problems and would be delayed 3-4 hours. So much for perfect coordination. He called 4 hours later and noted that the problem had not yet been rectified and no one was telling him anything. He also said that he finished the novel he had been nursing for a week. I knew that trouble was brewing!

Feeling guilty, I called around to figure out what Greyhound was going to do to rescue my son from the peril of long-term boredom. By the time I navigated Greyhound's automated phone disaster, talked to a singularly unhelpful customer service representative whom I could barely understand, and finally got someone at the Wytheville terminal, a replacement bus had arrived and loaded. London was back on his way. He was only 7 hours late for the apponited rendevous.

Poor Benny Avina had to retrieve London after 11:00 p.m. in Huntington after having already driven a bunch. Thanks, Benny!

Yes, God is good and we can always trust Him to take care of our loved ones. It is the trusting that is the hard part.

In Christ ~

Jeff

The Trip

2008-06-24T17:08:00.002-04:00

Sorry about my slowness in producing another post. Have had some difficulties in gaining net access here on Anna Maria Island. I'll not say from where I am blogging right now!

Some road trip observations:

Public restrooms gross me out. At one stop I had to close my eyes while doing my thing in order to avoid a panic attack.
You can buy a food called "Banana Planks" in the south. I don't know either - I was afraid to try it.
Palm trees are da bomb. I wish I had one in my backyard. Or living room.
There is a lot of heat and humidity as you travel closer to the equator. I had forgotten that I really did have sweat glands.
Even the brightest of people can make a mistake whilst on the road. Let's say - just hypothetically - that a certain 41 year old male started driving after a rest break somewhere in Georgia and gleefully drove 20 minutes north before being told by his somewhat smug 16 year old son that he was going the wrong way.
Boiled peanuts are a southern delicacy. You can even get them in cans.
I have often mumbled under my breath that Oprah Winfrey is the antichrist. I have changed my mind. Waffle House is the antichrist. There are more Waffle Houses in the south than there are churches and that is saying something. The franchise is slowly taking over the world with its blend of lousy coffee and sloppy eggs. Beware!
Sometimes Waffle Houses do not clean their grills.
People in the south are typically rather cordial.

We are having a wonderfully restful break here in Florida. We have spent time on the beach, in the pool, and exploring the island. We have looked at boats, caught lizards, and spent some time in Sarasota. We even stopped by at Bahia Vista Mennonite Church and were able to speak with some very kind sisters in Christ. We worshiped at a Baptist church on Sunday morning. It was a delight. Great, warm people and an excellent sermon (45 minutes long!) to boot.

The Lord is very good. Thanks all of you for your prayers on our behalf!

In Christ ~

Jeff

The Body

2008-06-17T14:21:00.004-04:00

As we were driving by the Central meeting house Sunday morning on our way to Wauseon, Savannah said, "I want to go to our church!" It's true that we are all rather attached to our church family and miss being there already. It is within that milieu that we find our primary identity and growth and belonging.

That reality not withstanding, it has been a blessing to worship with other brothers and sisters in Christ during sabbatical. On Sunday, June 8 we worshiped with Tedrow Mennonite Church. This past Sunday we were with the N. Clinton congregation. Who knows where we might end up next Sunday while we are in Florida because we would like to worship with some non-Menno folks as well.

At Tedrow, I was impressed with the youth and children, and the way people related to each other. There was evident life and love! This is incredible in light of an impending pastoral transition. It is a testament, I believe, to Randy Nafziger's faithful leadership and to the commitment of the core of this body of believers.

At N. Clinton, we were invited into earnest worship. Folks had gathered to give glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Such love for the Lord cannot help but bind people together and inspire mission. Bravo!

These observations about Tedrow and N. Clinton are likely not revelation to those who make up those congregations. They already know, at least at an intuitive level. It does seem important to notice these on occasion, however, so that we all remember with conviction that the Lord is alive and well and doing miracles wherever He chooses. Wherever, with whomever, and however He chooses to do His work is a cause for our celebration.

Central, Tedrow, and N. Clinton are unique congregations with different strengths. Worship is different in each, as is the personality of the gathered body. The individuals that make up each are obviously different. Despite this, I was far more impressed with the continuity that I found amongst the three groups than our differences. Perhaps it is because we all are NW Ohio Buckeyes. Perhaps it is because we are all Mennos.

I suspect that there is something greater at work: the Spirit of God moving, encouraging, blessing, and activating. The Spirit most certainly has not given up on us being a unified people working in different ways in different places with a single goal. That goal, whether one is a Central or Tedrow Mennonite, a Mexican Catholic, a Korean non-denominational, or a Nigerian Pentecostal, is to proclaim, like Jesus did, that the kingdom of God has drawn near.

May the Spirit of Christ Jesus make it so to His honor and glory.

~ Jeff

Recap

2008-06-13T19:48:00.003-04:00

Not quite two weeks into sabbatical I would use the following adjectives as descriptors: restful, stress-less, in anticipation, and grateful.

I have worked at riding my bike, fishing, fixing bikes and fishing rods, reading, mowing the lawn, fixing my lawnmower, getting kids to swimming lessons, and helping London to learn to drive (he got his permit on Friday). Okay, I may have been a bit hasty with the word, "stress-less."

Along with these extracurriculars I am studying the Word, reading, organizing, and writing the devotional. It has taken more form this week in terms of connecting pop themes to most of the words of Jesus that I selected last week. It was a joy to spend significant "think time" in extracting themes from Jesus' words and then discovering how these words might travel on the conduit of culture. I felt at times like the Apostle Paul in Athens!

I have also been pushed by God to continue to understand what it means for Him to be my friend and confidant. I am working on it. How exactly does one relate to a savior who is simultaneously omnipotent judge and intimate love? My tendency is to keep Jesus at arms length like I did doctors as a child. They were simply geniuses to respect, fear and to avoid unless needed. A close relationship was out of the question.

I was nudged in contemplating how I interact with the Lord as I read the novel, The Shack (noted in previous post). The author implies that when we allow all of God nearer, we cannot go on being bleakly broken. We will be healed. That sounds really good to me.

If any of you have the opportunity to read this book and comment on it, I would love to hear from you. Though it was dramatic and inspiring, I do not agree with all of the theology proposed. I'd like to hear you thoughts on it!

A snapshot of the other Smiths:

Kathy: working at Mom's Diner and two other cleaning jobs in addition to giving piano lessons; making sure I do not do weird things; cleaning up after me; being a great mommy.
London: driving; making plans for a summer concert in Indianapolis; hanging out with friends; being a computer geek; reading everything ever written by Orson Scott Card.
Therin: spending time with Brandon Yoder; reading one of the books in the Narnia series; riding his bike; hanging with Brandon; complaining that he is bored; doing the Lego thing.
Savannah: singing; playing piano; singing some more; riding her bike like a little female Evel Knievel; singing; taking ballet lessons; swimming; singing; making my bed; and sometimes she takes a minute or two to just sing.
Otto: laying around the house; marking his territory whilst on walks.

That's enough for tonight. God is good. I love you all!

~ Jeff

Lies Inside

2008-06-11T22:48:00.000-04:00

William Young writes in his novel, The Shack, "Lies are a little fortress; inside them you can feel safe and powerful. Through your little fortress of lies you try to run your life and manipulate others."

The lies that Young speaks of are the ones we tell ourselves about ourselves and have the audacity to believe. We believe so that we do not have to change something that really ought to change. For instance, I told myself for years that I had no control over my propensity for ogling women who were not my wife. This was not true and simply a way of rationalizing and therefore of not changing behavior hurtful to my marriage and to me personally. Certainly this reality stunted my ability to mature in Christ.

So...what do think? Are you adept like me at lying to yourself? What does this mean for our lives with Christ?

Nincompoop

2008-06-09T22:03:00.000-04:00

Did you ever notice that the word "nincompoop" is really funny? It always makes me giggle. Giggling is good for the soul. We should all do it more often!

Despite the giggling, it could be that being intrigued by this word makes me, well, a nincompoop...

Good progress was made today on the devotional. I have selected all 30 biblical texts: 7 from each of the gospels and 2 from Revelation. I have selected texts, I believe, that encourage us to ponder what we are or are not allowing the Holy Spirit to do in our hearts. It is simple for us, it seems, to block Jesus' Spirit from our hearts, to ignore the Spirit's knocking, to live embracing the invasive Darkness that is consuming the precious part of us that should be the abode of the Lord alone.

My hope is that I will surrender further to the Lord as I work. A further hope is that any who read what I write will do the same.

The Lord is knocking.

~ Jeff

Storms

2008-06-07T14:57:00.000-04:00

A storm blew through last night. Perhaps you even spent some time in your basement, heeding the warnings of your favorite meteorologist. Most of us experienced stiff winds, pelting rain, and even hail. Plus, we were told that tornadoes were a possibility.

As the storm sirens in Archbold blared warning of coming peril, I peered out a west window to see what I could see. Indeed, the clouds were ominous enough and I could see the wind picking up as the sprinting storm approached so I sent everyone to the basement. I went, too. There it was safer.

When Jesus offered words during his time on earth he was interested in each of his listeners discovering a safer place. His words often warn of coming danger, for instance. Unfortunately, I sometimes read and receive these warnings as arbitrary commands meant to limit my freedom when I could be receiving them as beautiful words of love intended to protect me from peril.

When I receive Jesus' warnings as an offense, it is like being offended by storm sirens as they notify me that a tornado is bearing down on my home. To my peril, I might stay in bed and say, "Those sirens are so irritating! My sleep has been ruined and now my dog is frightened. Tomorrow, I am going to give the village council a piece of my mind and have those sirens removed!" If am wise, I will instead head directly for the basement and give thanks for the warning.

Jesus speaks words of warning that I might avoid sin that seeks to pounce on me. If I heed it not, I can be sure that my heart will experience a destructive spiritual vortex. Worse, I may be responsible for a similar vortex in the lives of others.

It is important for me to receive Jesus' words as expressions of love so that I will not be hurt. The words are not meant to take my life but to protect and embolden it. You see, he loves me just that much.

I love you all!

~ Jeff

Launch

2008-06-05T17:11:00.000-04:00

There is a giggled-about adage promoted by non-clergy that implies that pastors always have something - perhaps too much - to say. I do not know if this is true universally, but I do know that I am less than a week into a sabbatical and am already assuaging the need to find an audience for my thoughts! If I won't be preaching for a while I may as well regale the three people who will actually look at this blog with so much drivel. Hey, three people is three people and I get my fix!

So far my sabbatical has proven to be restful. Though it is strange and somewhat discombobulating not to be running willy-nilly to this meeting or that, I have been basking in the slower pace. For instance, I went fishing last night to the Archbold reservoirs and caught five walleye. They were quite small but it really wasn't about the size of the fish. It was about wildlife, the setting sun, and the lapping water.

I have worked for hours on the devotional I am writing. The Lord has shown up in really tremendous ways already. Can't wait to see what it will look like in the end and to share it with others.

~ Jeff