Knowing Jesus #2 - Jesus is Creator

For the second week in a row, I joined WFC's Online Campus to hear Pastor Dan talk about Knowing Jesus.  I had actually planned to venture out to the Speedway Campus to attend worship in person.  It's a blessing to be able to attend church regardless of what roadblocks detour my path. 

JESUS IS CREATOR
Knowing Jesus - 2

January 15, 2011
Dan Southerland, Lead Teaching Pastor

We are studying through the book of John, asking:

•    who is Jesus?
•    what does Jesus say?
•    what does Jesus do?

Big idea for this series:  Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. -- Hebrews 13:8

As we see who Jesus is and what He says and does in the Bible we know who Jesus is what He says and does today.

1.  Jesus is Creator.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.   Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. --John 1:1,3

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness." So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:26-27

But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT)

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.  Revelation 4:11

Creation was a team effort.  The God who exists in community also created in community and then placed us in community.

Summary statement: God screams community. 

2.  Jesus is Re-Creator.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.  Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;  behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJ)

In Greek grammar, the present imperative is a verb tense/form that means do this and keep on doing it.

We don’t have that in English.  So sometimes what is said in the Gospel doesn’t come through with quite the mood it ought to.  Example:  Ask and you shall receive is really:  Ask (and keep on asking) and you will receive (and keep on receiving).  

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ (and stays in Christ), he is (and will continue to be) a new creation; old things have passed (and will continue to pass) away; all things have become (and will continue to become) new. (emphasis added by Pastor Dan).

As I keep following Jesus, He keeps on making me new.    

Jesus wants to keep on re-creating me as I stay in Him. 

Two pieces of great news:
•    God is not finished with me yet.
•    What I am today is not the final version of me.

More on the Creator, creation, re-creation: John 17:24, Romans 1:20, Colossians 1:15-20, Ephesians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-20, Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:10

If not a member, Pastor Dan asks you to step up.

If you are already a member, Pastor Dan asks that you join a group. 

Next week:  John 1:4 … The Light of the World. 

Notes on New Sermon Series at WFC: Know Jesus

I popped into WFC's Online Campus this morning after seeing a Tweet from Pastor Jason Morris and just happened to logon just five minutes before worship began.  I had some initial problems with the video feed (a simple browser refresh fixed that) and wasn't overly impressed or inspired by this morning's worship song set (but I'm partial to Speedway's worship band and not the main campus' one). 

Pastor Dan introduced the new sermon series "Know About Jesus" by stating that he plans to focus on the Gospel of John exclusively for the entire year (and joked that his sermon today would cover only the first verse of John).  I listened attentively to his sermon, took notes as directed (see below) and pondered questions I've pondered before. 

I have a big personal concern with our (and by "our" I mean Christians) focus on Heaven as the reward for our good behavior (dare I say our 'good works'?)  Often, I feel like it's a golden carrot dangled in front of me and I'm waiting for the whip to fall.  Does Jesus (and God) really want me so selfishly focused on my own salvation?  Shouldn't I be willing to risk Hell (as Jesus himself did) if it means saving just one other person, no matter how unworthy or sinful or ungrateful?  I struggle with this internally and often.  Do you?  Or am I just over-analyzing (again)?  I guess it's time for more prayer on that. 

In the meantime, enjoy the notes I took this morning while Dan Southerland preached about knowing Jesus and knowing God (and they're one and the same):

JESUS IS GOD
Knowing Jesus - 1
January 8, 2011
Pastor Dan Southerland

Studying through the book of John, asking:

•    who is Jesus?
•    what does Jesus say?
•    what does Jesus do?

Pet peeve:  Jesus is not past tense ... he is alive ... present tense.  What he said then, he would say now.

Big idea for this series:  Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus.

1.  Jesus is God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God ... John 1:18a

• Jesus is not just a good man
• Jesus is not just a great teacher
• Jesus is not just a prophet

The Bible declares repeatedly and clearly that Jesus is God.

John 14:6, John 20:31, Acts 10:36, Acts 20:21, Romans 6:11, Romans 6:23, Romans 8:39, Romans 15:17, Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 1:3,1 Corinthians 8:6, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 3:26, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 4:7, Colossians 1:1, Colossians 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 4:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, 1 John 4:15

How does anyone read this book and claim Jesus isn't God?

Handiwork ... Greek word for poem ... we are a real piece of work ... God's.

Everything is built on the foundation that Jesus is God.

2.  If you know Jesus, you know God.

God with skin on (according to Dan's daughter).

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.     

Jesus came so that we can know God.

If you know the Son, you know the Father.

3.  If you don't know Jesus, you can only know about God.

You can learn about God in any religion.  There is good in all religion.  All religions will lead you closer to good (Pastor Dan believes that).  It can't take you all the way there.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.  John 17:3

I can see it now - at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here ...  Depart from me.  I never knew you.'  Matthew 7:22-24 (Mes, NIV)

There are many people who know a lot about God but do not really know God at all.

Do you know Jesus?  He is God!  And He is worth knowing!

Invitational (altar call) prayer

Jesus, I don't want to just know about you.  I don't want to just have information in my head.  I want to know you.  So right now, Jesus, I am putting my life in your hands.  Thank you for loving me.  I am going to go after you.  I want to follow you.  I want to know you and love you back.  Thanks for beginning this new journey with  me today Jesus.  I look forward to knowing you more and more.  In Christ we prayer, Amen.

Prayer Request

Yesterday, my husband received discouraging news from his doctor.  The sort of news, when piled on top of all his other health issues, that makes you instantly angry, scared and depressed.  We know more than we knew last week, but we know less than we need to know to deal rationally with the situation.  Now a specialist is needed and more tests, all of which will not occur fast enough to suit either of us, especially with the delays in scheduling that the normally joyful holiday season will inflict on us. Just when you need it most, patience and peace flee before the storm of doubt and uncertainty.

So, I'm sending out an appeal to family and friends to prayer for healing and comfort for my husband.

Healing Prayer

Dear Lord of Mercy and Father of Comfort,

You are the One I turn to for help in moments of weakness and times of need.  I ask you to be with my husband during this illness.  Psalm 107:20 says that you send out your Word and heal.  So then, please send your healing Word to my husband.  In the name of Jesus, the Great Physician, drive out all infirmity and sickness from his body.

Oh Lord, I ask that you turn this weakness into strength, this suffering into compassion, this sorrow into joy, and this pain into comfort for others.  May my husband trust in your goodness and hope in your faithfulness, even in the midst of this suffering.  Let him be filled with patience and joy in your presence as he waits for your healing touch.

Please restore my husband to full health, dearest Father.  Remove all fear and doubt from his heart by the power of your Holy Spirit.  And may you, Lord, be glorified through his life.  As you heal and renew my husband, Lord, may he bless and praise you.

All of this I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

15 And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins will be forgiven. 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.

James 5:15-16 (New Century Version)

To Occupy Christmas or Not?

Hallmark Lobby Christmas Tree
(with the Mayor's Christmas Tree in the background)

I drive a vanpool from Lansing to downtown, midtown and the Plaza areas of Kansas City, Missouri every weekday.  My final stop, before heading to my own work place, is Crown Center, the 'home' of Hallmark Cards.  As you can see from the slightly blurry cellphone photo I took this morning, the decorations at the world headquarters for Hallmark simply exude the Spirit of Christmas.  I need this extra immersion for Christmas cheer to confront the gauntlet of bland and vaguely wintery decorations my building lobby sports.  I left the house without my red and green ball Christmas tree ornaments, so I can't 'occupy' the decorations today.   And I have my uncle to thank for that 'Occupy Christmas' idea, thanks to a comment he posted to my post yesterday about the prevalence of unholiday decorations littering the lobby.

For the entire drive in this morning, I kept thinking of picket sign slogans I could hand paint for such an occupation, such as:  "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" or "Put Christ Back in Christmas" or "The Cross (X) Marks the Spot" and so on.  Rather than being the 99% we could be (and are) 100% loved by Him.  I know I'll be saying "Merry Christmas" rather than "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" for the next thirty or so days (until Epiphany anyways).

I'm also curious about the decorations in the lobby of your workplace buildings.  Snap a photo with your cell phone and comment with the link to participate in this unofficial and informal survey of corporate expressions of Christmas (or unHoliday) cheer.

With a Grateful Heart

Today, I reach the end of my 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness' series, but by no means have I reached the end of my blessings.  I barely scratched the surface of all the people, places and things I'm grateful for.  Each morning when I wake up, I'm thankful for my life, my family, my friends, ... the list is never ending.

I had grand ideas to post an appeal for world peace in this final entry, beseeching each of us to 'Just Love' each other.  And I don't mean the people who are easy to love, like your family, your spouse, your kids, your friends.  I mean the people who make you boiling mad, who make you foam at the mouth, the stranger (or country or ethnicity or religion or political party ... you fill in the blank) that you verbally abuse or berate via status updates.  It's not enough to wait for them to change or extend the olive branch.  It must start with us.  It must start with you and it must start with me first.

As much as I detest admitting it, the Beatles (and John Lennon in particular) got something right with 'All You Need is Love.'  Jesus, though, is a hard act to follow:

He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence - and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."

Luke 10:27 (The Message)

To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

Luke 6:27 (The Message)

I never said it would be easy (and neither did He).  I can do my small bit to bring about peace and hope in my small corner of the world.

And as we approach the season where we celebrate the Greatest Gift ever given to such unworthy recipients, I would like to share two final quotes.  The first I consider my 'life verse' and refer to it frequently when I need a reminder of where to keep my thoughts and the second is an excerpt from the lyrics of a contemporary Christian hymn that often plays as a soundtrack of thanksgiving for my mindscape.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
Give thanks.

Give Thanks by Don Moen

* * *

And I wish to thank all of you who stayed with me through this month of blogging.  I assure you I will now return to my regularly scheduled programming, meaning the occasional book or movie review with an occasional odd tidbit tossed in for some added vim and vigor.  I sincerely appreciate that you took the time from your busy lives to peruse my musings.  I pray each and every one of you has a wonderful life and spreads good cheer to all you meet.

Oh, one final suggestion.  I thought I'd share our family tradition (since the mid 90s) of re-watching the Muppet Christmas Carol each year around Christmas time. How can you go wrong with Dicken's classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol, and Muppets?  The music isn't half bad (I even bought the songbook) and the narrators are always good for a few laughs.  Once Derek, Royna and Rachelle arrive (two before and one after Christmas), we'll sit down one evening and re-live the 'good old days' with Scrooge and Bob Cratchit.

So I'll close with the lyrics to my favorite Muppet Christmas Carol song, written by Paul Williams, called 'A Thankful Heart':

With a thankful heart, with an endless joy
With a growing family, every girl and boy
Will be nephew and niece to me (Nephew and niece to me)
Will bring love, hope and peace to me (Love, hope and peace to me)
Yes and every night will end, and every day will start
With a grateful prayer and a thankful heart

With an open smile and with open doors
I will bid you welcome, what is mine is yours
With a glass raised to toast your health (With a glass raised to toast your health)
And a promise to share the wealth (Promise to share the wealth)
I will sail a friendly course, file a friendly chart
On A sea of love and a thankful heart

Life is like a journey, who knows when it ends?
Yes and if you need to know the measure of a man
You simply count his friends
Stop and look around you, the glory that you see
Is born again each day, don't let is slip away
How precious life can be

With a thankful heart that is wide awake
I do make this promise, every breath I take
Will be used now to sing your praise (Used now to sing your praise)
And to beg you to share my days (Beg you to share my days)
With a loving guarantee that even if we part
I will hold you close in a thankful heart

I will hold you close in a thankful heart

Belated Thanks

I'm three days behind in posting for my 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness' series.  I'm going to include links to those three entries hosted at my WordPress blog to save time and consternation (since Blogger frustrates me to no end). 

Day 26: Living on the Edge ... of the Terminator (Sunrises/Sunsets)

Day 27: Expectant Waiting (Advent)

Day 28: The I's Have It (Interstates)

The next two posts will return to the regular formatting you know and love. 

Wholly, Holy Bible

For the twentieth day, and third Sunday, of my 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness,' I thank God for His Word.  I have at least ten different translations in print on my shelves at home (and one in my desk at work), including the Good News Bible, the KJV, several NRSV study Bibles and a couple of NIV devotional ones.  I may even have a few children's editions and the teen editions from when my kids attended youth group and Sunday school at our local church.

But my favorite place to read and study the Bible is on my computer or my Nook Color via a website called Bible Study Tools.  It's my one stop shop for research, searches and a plethora of translations.  When I'm looking for just the write devotional or inspirational verse, I can always find it there.

As an example, let's review my favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:8, first from the King James Version:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

As compared to the NRSV edition:

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Or the Good News translation (popular back in the 60s or 70s I believe):

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.

Or one of my favorites for a really modern devotional paraphrase warm fuzzy translation called the Message:

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious - the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

And for the occasional status update on Facebook or Twitter, I like to use the New Century version:

Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.

If I want to delve deeper into a verse, passage or chapter, I'm just a click away from a dozen study tools.  The site also can help me read the Bible in a year, has several daily devotions and study guides and provides a daily verse.  And I'm just scratching the surface!  I follow the site via Twitter and receive daily trivia questions that I can sometimes answer without having to look it up.

While I always take my study bible with me to an evening Bible study gathering, if I'm leading the discussion, I do most of my research and preparation online.

I am so very thankful for the abundance and availability of God's Word, leaving me no excuse not to read His Good News whenever I can.

Thank You, Lord!

God's Gift

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish!

Ephesians 2:8 (The Message)

"Forgiven" by Thomas Blackshear

I am eternally grateful for God's gift of grace, today and every day. So I will pause and reflect on my thirteenth day of 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness' upon faith and grace.

As I imparted a week ago in my post on John and Charles Wesley, I am a Methodist, born baptized and raised one. Yet until I studied to be a local Lay Speaker for my local church that I fully understood what it meant to be a Methodist and showed me the path of discipleship.

Grace can be defined as the love and mercy given to us by God because God wants us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.

Our Wesleyan Theological Heritage, UMC.org

Grace centers nearly all Christian sects and denominations. To me, it boils down to love and compassion. Keep it simple, please. Less chance for me to mess up.

But Wesley, ever the scholar, took it one or two steps farther, defining grace in triplicate:

• Previent Grace: God's active presence in our lives; a gift always available, but that can be refused.
• Justifying Grace: Reconciliation, pardon and restoration through the death of Jesus Christ.
• Sanctifying Grace: The ongoing experience of God’s gracious presence transforming us into whom God intends us to be; we grow and mature in our ability to live as Jesus lived.

Excerpts from Our Wesleyan Theological Heritage via UMC.org

The journey, not the destination, and Wesley provided the map, charting a course that even I can follow, called the Means of Grace. He broke his method down into two broad categories: Works of Piety and Works of Mercy. The former flows naturally out of my upbringing, Sunday school classes and worship service attendance. The personal practices of prayer, Bible study, healthy living and fasting together with the communal ones of Holy Communion, Baptism and participation in the Christian community, flow and grow naturally with regular usage. The latter stresses the outpouring of service to the sick, the poor, the imprisoned and seeking justice for the oppressed.

Yes, there was and is a method to Wesley's 'madness' or rather his enthusiasm to follow God's will and His vision for all of us, as His disciples, to bring His kingdom of mercy, peace and love to fruition here on Earth.

John Wesley: "I look on all the world as my parish"

For the first Sunday of my 'Thirty Days of Thankfulness' I wish to lift up the names of John Wesley, and his brother, Charles, and thank God for inspiring both of these great men. Yes, I'm biased. I was raised a Methodist and my great-grandfather, the Rev. John Hodge, was my first pastor. He baptized me and I learned discipleship at his knee. I sang Charles Wesley's hymns Sunday mornings. Later in life, as a Lay Speaker, I studied grace (previent, justifying and sanctifying) for the journey of Christian perfection. I won't even attempt to summarize the lives of the Wesley brothers. Primary sources for both men are freely available via the Internet with a simple Google search. I will share my John Wesley favorite quotes and my favorite Charles Wesley poem/hymn.

John Wesley Quotes

“Having, First, gained all you can, and, Secondly saved all you can, Then give all you can.”

—from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley

“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”

—from a sermon in the Works of John Wesley

I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.

-- Journal (11 June 1739)

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put met to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you,
enabled for you or brought low by you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen. (Wesley Covenant Prayer)

Charles Wesley Poet

Charles wrote the lyrics to my favorite Christmas carol, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," and the familiar standards "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and "Love Divine All Love Excelling." But nestled near the center of the United Methodist Hymnal rests "Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown." Two weeks after his brother's death, John Wesley tried to teach this hymn at Bolton, but broke down when he came to the lines "my company before is gone, and I am left alone with thee."

Come, O thou Traveller unknown,
Whom still I hold, but cannot see!
My company before is gone,
And I am left alone with Thee;
With Thee all night I mean to stay,
And wrestle till the break of day.

I need not tell Thee who I am,
My misery and sin declare;
Thyself hast called me by my name,
Look on Thy hands, and read it there;
But who, I ask Thee, who art Thou?
Tell me Thy name, and tell me now.

In vain Thou strugglest to get free,
I never will unloose my hold!
Art Thou the Man that died for me?
The secret of Thy love unfold;
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go,
Till I Thy name, Thy nature know.

Wilt Thou not yet to me reveal
Thy new, unutterable Name?
Tell me, I still beseech Thee, tell;
To know it now resolved I am;
Wrestling, I will not let Thee go,
Till I Thy Name, Thy nature know.

’Tis all in vain to hold Thy tongue
Or touch the hollow of my thigh;
Though every sinew be unstrung,
Out of my arms Thou shalt not fly;
Wrestling I will not let Thee go
Till I Thy name, Thy nature know.

What though my shrinking flesh complain,
And murmur to contend so long?
I rise superior to my pain,
When I am weak, then I am strong
And when my all of strength shall fail,
I shall with the God-man prevail.

Contented now upon my thigh
I halt, till life’s short journey end;
All helplessness, all weakness I
On Thee alone for strength depend;
Nor have I power from Thee to move:
Thy nature, and Thy name is Love.

My strength is gone, my nature dies,
I sink beneath Thy weighty hand,
Faint to revive, and fall to rise;
I fall, and yet by faith I stand;
I stand and will not let Thee go
Till I Thy Name, Thy nature know.

Yield to me now, for I am weak,
But confident in self-despair;
Speak to my heart, in blessings speak,
Be conquered by my instant prayer;
Speak, or Thou never hence shalt move,
And tell me if Thy Name is Love.

’Tis Love! ’tis Love! Thou diedst for me!
I hear Thy whisper in my heart;
The morning breaks, the shadows flee,
Pure, universal love Thou art;
To me, to all, Thy bowels move;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.

My prayer hath power with God; the grace
Unspeakable I now receive;
Through faith I see Thee face to face,
I see Thee face to face, and live!
In vain I have not wept and strove;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.

I know Thee, Saviour, who Thou art.
Jesus, the feeble sinner’s friend;
Nor wilt Thou with the night depart.
But stay and love me to the end,
Thy mercies never shall remove;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.

The Sun of righteousness on me
Hath rose with healing in His wings,
Withered my nature’s strength; from Thee
My soul its life and succour brings;
My help is all laid up above;
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.

Lame as I am, I take the prey,
Hell, earth, and sin, with ease o’ercome;
I leap for joy, pursue my way,
And as a bounding hart fly home,
Through all eternity to prove
Thy nature and Thy Name is Love.

Methodist Character

In closing, I wish to share the seventeenth paragraph from John Wesley's "The Character of a Methodist," the reading of which often brings tears to my eyes:

These are the principles and practices of our sect; these are the marks of a true Methodist. By these alone do those who are in derision so called, desire to be distinguished from other men. If any man say, "Why, these are only the common fundamental principles of Christianity!" thou hast said; so I mean; this is the very truth; I know they are no other; and I would to God both thou and all men knew, that I, and all who follow my judgment, do vehemently refuse to be distinguished from other men, by any but the common principles of Christianity, -- the plain, old Christianity that I teach, renouncing and detesting all other marks of distinction. And whosoever is what I preach, (let him be called what he will, for names change not the nature of things,) he is a Christian, not in name only, but in heart and in life. He is inwardly and outwardly conformed to the will of God, as revealed in the written word. He thinks, speaks, and lives, according to the method laid down in the revelation of Jesus Christ. His soul is renewed after the image of God, in righteousness and in all true holiness. And having the mind that was in Christ, he so walks as Christ also walked.

-- From the Thomas Jackson edition of The Works of John Wesley, 1872.

To Scream or Keep Silent, That Is the Dying Question

Scream by Edvard Munch

September went into a tailspin about a week ago. I can't remember the last time I actually received personal good news from family or friends. Death or dying and depression crowd around me, jostling for position and attention, blotting out my surroundings: beautiful sunrises and sunsets, crystal clear night skies bursting with twinkling stars, perfect weather any southern California native would drool over.

I woke up this morning after having tossed and turned and lost the skirmish with my sheet and pillows. Apollo couldn't wait to jump up and greet me with a wagging tail and unconditional canine adoration. Roxy slept on, sprawled on the floor, oblivious to anything but her dreams of breakfast. I rubbed the crusty, dried sleep from my eyes, slipped on my reading glasses and woke up my Nook to see what had happened in the wider world while I pretended to sleep.

I soon read the sad, tragic news of the death of Sara Douglass (aka Sara Warneke). I discovered this astounding Aussie female fantasy writer a half dozen years ago and loved everything she wrote, especially Threshold, the first novel I found written by her. As I perused the various postings on Twitter and Facebook about her passing, I found her blog post from March 2010 she entitled "The Silence of the Dying." I took a few minutes to read the entire post, after which I couldn't help but shiver, especially after the seemingly prophetic nature of the most recent Doctor Who episode "Closing Time" wherein the Doctor seems to fall apart (emotionally) as he approaches the day of his death (flashback to the start of this season and the "Impossible Astronaut"). He even utters some dialog containing the words 'silence' and 'dying.'

After reading Sara's thoughts on how modern society sticks it's head in the sand with respect to death (and the dying), I pondered my own situation. Part of my September tailspin centers on a sharp worsening in my health. Par for the medical course, I'm running the gauntlet of various tests, procedures and eventually a biopsy (scheduled for mid-October), all of which amounts to endless waiting for results and the accompanying anxiety. Just as Sara describes in her blog post, I prefer to keep silent, as I don't want to appear 'weak' by complaining. Of course, at this stage of the 'game' I'm not in much pain or discomfort (not compared to what Sara or other cancer victims endure). And I must put up a good front for my husband, one of the chronically ill routinely maligned or ignored by modern day society. He needs me to be 'strong' and I will remain so as cheerfully as I can.

Normally, I look forward to the beginning of October and the advent of autumn with peace and joy in my heart. Of course, the fact that my birthday occurs the day after the first of October wouldn't have anything to do with that would it? But this year, no birthday cake with sputtering scores of candles will great me. Instead, my husband and I will travel south, to his home town, to console and support his life-long friend and his wife in the sudden and unexpected loss of her mother, so soon after his mother's death. Oh, and their dog died last week in the midst of all this family tragedy.

I am full of unanswered questions and troublesome, uncomfortable thoughts today, ones that I wish I had the courage to shout out on a street corner to the self-absorbed oblivious passersby. Rather than deprive a homeless person of their accustomed spot, I will jump up on my bloggity soap box instead.

From a Christian worldview, I can understand some of the silence surrounding death and dying. Jesus conquered the grave, therefore, it follows, that we can sweep this whole messy business of dying under the proverbial rug. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic). Yet, even Jesus wept (and raised Lazarus from the grave). Jesus also suffered, but not silently, and died, nearly alone, on a cross we nailed him to, at a crossroads dung heap outside Jerusalem. Two thousand years later, we've sanitized and compartmentalized dying, hiding it from ourselves so we can ignore the writing on our own walls.

I ask that you stop for a moment and spend time, yes, that very precious commodity you can never, ever get back, with a friend or family member who is dying. Don't send flowers, or stuffed animals or Hallmark cards. Give them comfort. Don't expect them to put you at ease about their situation. Embrace the truth. For you know, it's not 'if' we're going to die, it's when. We're all dying. And I, for one, will not go silently into the night.

Book Review: Day of War by Graham

Day of War by Cliff Graham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I snagged this novel from one of the Barnes & Nobel free Friday offerings for Nook owners. A Christian fiction, with heavy emphasis on Bronze Age/Early Iron age military tactics, retelling or 'filling in the blanks' of David and his warriors (and Jonathan and his army).

In his Note to the Reader, Cliff Graham references 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 as inspiration for his retelling of David and his 'Dirty Dozen.' He warns the reader about the battle violence and after-battle pillaging and plundering, although compared to some of the dark fantasy I've read, Graham did an admirable job restraining himself from too much gratuitous violence or sex.

He modernized the language (both internal and external) to such a degree that I found it distracting. And he repeatedly lapsed back into passive voice, despite his riveting active voice fight scenes. A compelling read, but I'm not the intended audience (which probably requires a lot more testosterone than I have flowing through my estrogenized veins).

View all my reviews

Cow Tipping 3 - Grace Is Free, But It Isn't Cheap

Cow Tipping - 3
Grace Is Free But It Isn’t Cheap
Brian Phipps, GROW (Discipleship) Pastor at Westside Family Church

Big idea for this series:  Jesus expects us to examine our beliefs in the light of scripture.

... East Coast City Boy anectdotes ... college in Oklahoma  ... an automobile graveyard in Missouri ... old Pontiac Firebird ... rusting combine ... Spirital Aha ... we are created in God's image ... but that image of God is still visible in us, but is corrupted and rusted away.  We resist God's truth.  Our emotions go up and down ... crazy ... guilt and shame ... we are left broken on the side of the road ... in need of someone to come and restore us.  Talking about the American Restoration show ... transition to Jesus, the master restorer of lives. 

Big idea for this teaching: Jesus came to give you life... not just life insurance!

... He is not just a rescuere ... he's a restorer. 

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  

2 Peter 1: 3-4 (NIV)

1.  Prioritize what Jesus made possible!

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith...

2 Peter 1:5 (NIV)

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  

Philippians 2: 12-13  (NAS)

... What do we prioritze in our life?  Our checkbooks and our calendars are great indicators of what we prioritize. 

2.  Take your next step!

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 

2 Peter 1: 5-7 (NIV)

... can get overwhelmed with the process ... can't get to the end zone tomorrow ... take little steps.  Goodness then Knowledge then Self-Control then Perseverence then Godliness ... one step at a time. 

... from preaching to meddling ... Brian shares his life with us ... we need people around us to have the same passion to be restored.  He's been in a men's group since college and he'll be in one until he dies because he doesn't trust himself.  He needs accountability. 

... You might ask, why bother? 

“Life is an uphill battle. If I am in neutral, I’m going backwards!”

... we must be going forward, taking initiative. 

3.  Never forget the price Jesus paid.

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

2 Peter 1:9 (NIV)

... driven to restoration by Christ's sacrifice. 

Back to American Restoration anectdotes ... combined episode (entitled "The Pick, the Pawn, & the Polish") between American Pickers, Pawn Stars and American Restoration ... restoring a 57 Chevy for 70th birthday to the tune of over $70k ... Jesus went all-in. 

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 1: 10-11 (NIV)

That's what God wants for you.  That's what Jesus has done for you. 

... back to Roach, Missouri and the old Firebird (before and after pictures). 

Discipleship Pastor (GROW Pastor) is Brian's title.  Heads a team of five who fast and pray to get you into the right group.  Ask God for your next step and take.  Sign up for a Life Group this week. 

Prayer:  Jesus, all glory and praise and honor to you who though scorn and pain was coming, walked past it and through it, and the Cross and endured it ... let us be restored in your image to your glory.  Amen. 

Pastor Dan ... don't just float along.  Go for it.  If you are not in a group, why not?  You cannot do the Christian life solo.  Next Week:  My Health Really Doesn't Matter 

***

Later in the week, you can watch the video of this message from Westside's website repository. 

Cow Tipping 2 - Jesus and Politics

JESUS AND POLITICS
Cow Tipping - 2
August 14, 2011
Pastor Dan Southerland

... is a fan of country music (not the old twangy stuff, the new young stuff).

... list of worst Country Music song titles (and shared a few of his favorites with us): 

Drop Kick me Jesus through the Goal Posts of Life
I've been roped and thrown by Jesus in the Holy Ghost Corral

How can I miss you if you won't go away?
I would have writ you a letter but I couldn't spell yuck.
I'm just a bug on the windshield of life
If you don't leave me along I'll go and find someone else who will
If you leave me, can I come too?
She made toothpicks out of the timber of my heart?
Momma get the hammer, there's a fly on Daddy's head
Get your biscuits in the oven and your buns in the bed.

... he's not making these up!


Big idea for this series:  Jesus expects us to examine our beliefs in the light of scripture.

Sacred cow: A belief that adds up to something that isn't necessarily true.  Sincerity doesn't make a belief true.  Take the belief and hold it up in the light of scripture. 

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to observe what is right."

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

... Scripture corrects us and teaches us.  You should leave church feeling corrected and feeling like you can learn to change.  Change by correction or encouragement or both.

Today's sacred cow: when it comes to politics, Jesus is a member of my political party.

... We've just decided that he's on our side.  Let's stuff Jesus in the small box of a political platform.  He don't fit.

The truth of scripture:  Jesus’ purpose is higher than politics.

... Let's have a little fun.  Context:  How can we understand from the 21st centurary what was happening in the 1st century. 

The politics of Jesus day – a three party system:

    * Pharisees – party of religious and cultural purity – preservers of traditional values – conservatives.  ... Rule keepers, litmus tests.  Hard on everyone, particularly on Jesus.  Political Right Party (way to the right).
    * Saducees – no belief in life to come – emphasis on here and now – religious liberals. ... Did not believe in an afterlife, if there's only this life, we'd better do some good now, the only thing that lives after us is our influence, or legacy.  Love to ask ridiculous questions.  Answered questions with questions.  Doing good was more important than God (doing the stuff that made you look morally good). 
    * Zealots – fanatical crusaders – wanted to overthrow the political system – revolutionaries. ... Rebels looking for a cause; looking to over throw everything.  Always armed.  The original conceal and carry folks.  Carried large knives or short swords under their garmets.  Always looking for a fight.  Simon the Zealot, the Knife Carrier, one of Jesus' disciples. 

... not much has changed in 21 centuries in politics.  It's about the nature of man. 

Jesus endorsed none of these political parties.

... was courted by all the parties, but he never endorsed any of them.  Why?  He had a higher purpose.  If politics could change the world, God would have sent a politician.  But because we needed a savior, that's who he sent. 

Why did Jesus not get involved in politics?

    * Jesus was building a different Kingdom.
      My Kingdom is not of this world.  John 18:36
    * Jesus was focused on regeneration (on saving souls).
      I came to seek and to save those who are lost.  John 19:10

... Jesus is conservative in theology, moderate in his habits, and liberal in his love.  He doesn't fit our labels.

Would Jesus endorse any political party today?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

... He did not.  Is he endorsing one today.  He is not.  He has a higher purpose. 

What are our civil responsibilities as Christ followers?

    * Recognize the authority of government.

      Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 

- Romans 13:1 (NLT)

    * Pray for the leaders of our government.

      I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior …”  

- 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Prayer:  (You don't have to like someone to pray for them) 

Prayer for our President (and other government leaders): 

Jesus, in all the years of my life, I've never been this concerned for our country.  We are economically wrecked.  We have forfeited the position of the strongest economic nation in the world.  We are morally bankrupt.  We have forfeited our position as the leader of morality in this world.  And, God, it feelsl ike we are politically adrift.  Jesus I know you use everyone in authority.  Change is possible.  Prayer is necessary.  You want us to beseech you.  So right now we lift up the Presidence of the United States to you.  I cannot imagine the burden he carries, the pressure he is under.  And Lord, I think he's probably at the "I can't do this alone" place.  I pray he turns to you.  Lord, surround him with wise consellors and let him hear  for your Word.  Forgive me Lord for spending more time being critical than I have in prayer.  In Christ's name, Amen. 

To view the video of this message (later in the week - usually around Wednesday) follow this link.

Pickle Jar Theology Message Notes

CHRISTIANS IN A PICKLE JAR
Cow Tipping - 1
August 7, 2011
Dan Southerland, Senior Pastor at Westside Family Church (as broadcost via their Online Campus). 

Follow this link to watch Pastor Dan give this message.  

Intro Thoughts:

• Sacred cows are commonly held beliefs that are considered to be immune from question or criticism.

• Sacred cows can be a problem because they are often based on non-biblical ideas. Example:  God's Will is always done.  Do you think God's happy with the condition of this world?  

• Sacred cows make great hamburgers. Shoot 'em and eat 'em.  Vegetarians ... don't e-mail Pastor Dan.  He claims the word vegetarian is ancient Greek for 'bad hunter.'

Big idea for this series: Jesus expects us to examine our beliefs in the light of scripture.

"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to observe what is right."2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)
... Scripture is not for our entertaiment or to make us feel good.  Basing your belief on logic or emotion will not get you the whole picture.

In other words - we should have no sacred cows!

What happens when we do not examine our beliefs in the light of scripture?

"These people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. They have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." Mark 7:6-9 (NIV)
.. so said the Son of God.
... Why is this so important?  What we believe eventually determines what we become.

Today's sacred cow: God picks us, God saves us, and God keeps us - and that is all there is to it.
... The first part of that statemen tis totally true, but the second part is totally false.
... 'That's all there is to it."  NO!!!! That's just the start.  Why has Pastor Dan called this 'Christians in a Pickle Jar'?  Anecdote about his Aunt's garden, cucumbers into sweet pickles ... the point being to give those away.

The truth of scripture: God does pick us, save us and keeps us - but that is only the start! God also calls us, sends us and uses us.
... What was Jesus's number one invitation?  "Come and follow me."

"Come and follow me and I will send you out to fish for people."Jesus in Matthew 4:19 (NIV)

The invitation - Jesus calls us.
Come and follow me ...

The ordination  - Jesus sends us.
and I will send you out ...
... means you have sent someone with a mission.   If you read a harmony of the gospels, after four months, Jesus sent the disciples out.

The expectation - Jesus uses us.
to fish for people.
... God uses me becuase I expect God to use me.  And I expect God to use me because he's promised that he'll use us.

If God picks us, saves us, and keeps us - and that is all there is to it - then it is all about me.
... Here's the problem ... it makes it think it's all about me.  Christian in a Pickle Jar theology.

That belief system leads to a self-centered life.
... Pastor Dan ... the most self-centered people I've ever met are at church.

If God also calls us, sends us and uses us, then it is all about others.
... Do you hear the difference?

That belief system leads to a service centered life.
... Who else can we rescue?

What do you believe? Which life do you want?

Next week:  Jesus and politics.  Pastor Dan guarantees he's going to offend everyone in the house.

Humble Pie Notes

My notes from today's message at Westside Family Church Online Campus

Life Apps - Week 4
Humble Pie - Jimmy Nickelsen
James 4:1-11


Big Idea for the series:  God offers the wisdom you need, download it, use it.

Pastry filled with the entrails and organs of slaughtered animals ... basically hot dogs.  :)

Jimmy telling his story ... being his own boss as a plummer.

Make sure you can fulfill the promises that your making ... the little voice in the back of his head. 

Relationships stretched to the breaking point ... heading for a train wreck.

He was cracking under the pressure, he cracked, it was crushed, end of dream. 

James 4.6 - opposes the proud, grace to the humble

Today’s Big Idea:  “God’s plan A: humility   God’s plan B: humiliation"

1. God loves you enough to oppose you.

Proverbs 8:13b  ...I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

... I had stretched everyone around me ... evil behavior, nothing uplifting ... this verse applied to me. 

Leviticus 26:19  I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the earth beneath you like bronze.  (Holman Christian Standard)

... God will oppose your work and dry up your resources in order to get your attention. 
... Humble Pie app is the bell at the back of your head dinging ... the idiot light on your dashboard.  God's trying to get your attention.  Stop, slow down, read the road signs (Danger!)

What's this look like in real life?  Fewer friends, and the friends you have left are perhaps telling you you're drinking too much.  You're not sleeping enough.  Feel like God is judging you. 

Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

... Back to the basics.  Own those bad behaviors. 

2. Win through daily humble choices.

Luke 14:8-10  “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.  If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.  But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.

... parable that talks about daily choices.  Choose the cheap seats, not the box seats. 

Philippians 2:3-4  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own  interests but each of you to the interest of others.

... Pay attention to the little things.  Small steps of obedience. 

Romans 12:10  Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourselves.

... God does not guarantee a result that we will like.  No expectation of a reciprocating response.  Trust Him to lift you up. 

3.  Trust God to do the lifting.


Isaiah 66:2  These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit and who tremble at my word.

... contrite=broken, teachable

... Back to the end of the story.  End of Jimmy's dream.  Talking to an attorney, who advised he file bankruptcy.  Scary moment before the bankruptcy judge.  Judge said: I'll be seeing you again ... I know your type.  Something hit Jimmy, that shattered his crust.  He did not like that judge because he saw through him.  There is another Judge, his name is Jesus, and he knows your type. 

Jesus is the Judge!  He knows your type.

... We are all built to need praise, love and respect.  Need to be held and validated.  But we must look in the right direction and trust God to do the lifting. 

Philippians 2:8  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross!

... God lowered himself to be with us (as Jesus).  How do you tell the difference between a good shepherd and a bad shepherd.  He smells like his sheep.  He got stinky for us and endured the shame of the cross but before that he walked in humility among us.  He was the lowest, and lifted up the highest.  Trust God to do the lifting up. 

... God's plan for us is humility. 

Choose Plan A!

Prayer:  You are the hope that we have.  Turn toward God.  Look to God and trust Him with all your heart.  Jesus, we love you, we pray to you and in your perfect name, Amen.

My Notes from "Pray Like It Matters" part 4 of "Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World"

 PRAY LIKE IT MATTERS

 Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World - 4

 October 24, 2010

 Dan Southerland

John Huber (Family Pastor)

Reactive prayers: In crisis mode
Proactive prayers

Survey results from 50 of our teens:
"If my parents only knew ..."

•  drinking, drugs and sex
•  peer pressure
•  pressure to succeed; terrified to fail
•  my parent's ability to relate to me
  

Prayer for one kid proactively ... pass over to Pastor Dan

Big idea for this series: my greatest opportunity to change the world for Christ is the kids God has put in my life.

Big idea for this teaching: there is nothing I do for the kids in my life that matters more than prayer.

Join Jesus in what He is already doing.(theological premise)
You need the prayer; I need the practice (turn to your neighbor)
John 17 - Jesus prays for His kids

(second favorite theologian after Charlie Brown)
John Wesley: Pray like it all depends on God.
                      Work like it all depends on you.

Three Prayers Jesus Prays for His Kids (and Three Actions to Go With Them)


1.  Pray for your kid's protection.

Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name. - John 17:11 (NIV)

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from evil. - John 17:15 (NIV)

• from bad choices
• from bad friends
• from bad habits

Is your home a safe place for your kids?

2.  Pray for your kid's joy.

May they have the full measure of my joy within them. - John 17:13 (NIV)

• salvation experience
• service orientation
• security

How is the fun factor in your home?

3.  Pray for your kid's maturity.

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  John 17:11 (NLT)   

Luke 2:52 (Jesus 12 years old for his bar mitzvah)

• wisdom; grow intelectually
• stature; physical growth
• favor with men; socially
• favor with God; spiritually
  

Let your kids see Jesus in you.

It is never too late to start praying for your kids.
It is always too early to stop.

My Notes from WFC's Online Church Sermon by Brian Phipps

PROVIDE DISCIPLINE

Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World - 3

October 17, 2010

Brian Phipps

 
 
Big idea for this series: my greatest  opportunity to change the world for Christ is the kids God has put in my life.
 
Todays’ big idea: discipline + discipline = discipline
 
 
Discipline #3. The lifestyle of a disciple (end goal)

A person who is loving  Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and share Jesus.
 
Romans 8:29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.
 
Heb. 12:10 “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.”
 

Discipline #2. A commitment to train

Prov. 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
 
Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

 
Discipline #1. Constructive course corrections.  (build up)

Proverbs 3:12 “The Lord corrects those He loves.”
 
Constructive course corrections:
 
         -include the moral reason why
         -help *** the value.
         -are never done in anger
 
Eph. 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
 
         -are consistent
         -don’t allow arguing, but welcome limited challenges
         -are different for each kid

 

Couple of books: 

Parenting with Love and Logic - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46186.Parenting_With_Love_and_Logic

How to Make Your Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Lehman - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3099208.How_to_Make_Children_Mind_Without_Losing_Yours

Correction warning!!!
Correction without a relationship fosters rebellion
 
Heb. 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
 
Want to be a friend to your kid?
 
Be a trainer now, so you can be a friend when they are older.

Favorite coach, favorite teacher ... the ones who corrected you in love.  We can make an amazing difference in this world by investing pure love in our children.