Older, but not Wiser...

Well, another year has past, I am another year older, closer to my demise, and still I am no closer to answering those perplexing questions that seem to dog my every step... When will I be enlightened? How long must I search for the wisdom to sate my curiosity, to solve these life riddles?
Here are some curveballs life has thrown me:

Did Adam have a belly button?

If I travel at the speed of light and turn on my headlights, what happens?

It is said that if one is capable of traveling faster than the speed of light then he would actually travel backwards in time... then if I could travel fast enough could I get to where I am going before I actually leave?

Why are they called paper clips if they're metal?

If I were to ship a load of styrofoam what should I pack it in?

Why do we call it a "hot water heater"? If the water's hot, why heat it? If it's cold then we should call it a "cold water heater".

Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

Why do we call a delivery by truck a "shipment" but a delivery by ship "cargo"?

What was the greatest thing before sliced bread?

When two planes almost collide it's called a "near miss". Wouldn't a near miss be a hit?

If 7-11 stores advertise they're open 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year then why do they have locks on their doors?

If the little black box is so indestructible why don't they make the whole plane out of it?

If you choke a Smurf what color does it turn?

If nothing sticks to Teflon then how does it stay on the pan?

If you make a cow laugh real hard would milk come out it's nose?

Why don't we spell Phonetic the way it sounds?

Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?

Before drawing boards were invented what did we go back to?

What hair color do they put on a bald man's driver's licence?

If a book about failures doesn't sell is it a success?

Do cemetary workers prefer the graveyard shift?

Well, tghat's it for now. My mind hurts from all the fruitless processing... I hope you enjoy...

Anger...

I had an encounter today, with a driver full of road rage. I didn't think I did anything wrong, but it didn't matter. It's interesting how God brings these things into my life when I am supposed to be learning something. My studies this week centered on anger and contempt, and one illustration I read was about people who experience road rage. The author, Dallas Willard, made a statement to the effect that people who experience road rage have bottled anger long before the incident, and the incident is just a vehicle to allow them to release it. With that in mind I decided to not be provoked by this ignorant driver, to just ignore him. Strangely, by ignoring him it only served to make him all the more animated and angry. He followed me a ways and yelled obscenities at the stoplights. By ignoring him I didn't allow him the release or confrontation he desired and finally, very frustrated, he drove off. I hope I responded the way the Jesus wanted, but I think I could have done better...
You can't compartmentalize anger; being angry at one person will play itself out in all your relationships until the emotion is resolved. How many times in my life have I gotten angry at one person only to find myself being short and snappy at another, and usually someone I love. The next thing I know there's hurt feelings anew, perhaps more anger, new anger, and a whole new set of issues. Anger itself isn't wrong; our response to anger is where our sin begins. In Ephesians chapter 4, verses 26 and 27 Paul writes: "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.(NIV). Paul is clear; we will get angry, and anger itself isn't wrong. Yet our response to our anger, and our willingness to let it fester is wrong. When we embrace our anger, when we indulge it with our self-righteousness and vanity we allow it to wound our ego, and a wounded ego is always destructive to a healthy and productive life. Anger indulged is poison to the soul. Retaining anger, cutivating it and allowing it to continue gives Satan the foothold he desires.
Satan needs us to attack us; his tools are our inappropriate responses, our self-righteousness, our ego, our vanity. He plays on our wounds to keep us wounded and angry. Satan cannot directly attack us for we are protected by our heavenly Father, but Satan can use intimidation and our emotion agasinst us. That's why Paul is so adamant about not letting time go by when angry. Our response to our anger should be persistent love, willingness to wave off the anger for the benefit of another, releasing the negative emotion to God. Responding in love, in a manner consistent with a Kingdom heart, defuses anger, honors God, and defeats Satan...
Tomorrow I am 48... I am not angry... :-)

Love

"There's a fine line between love and hate". I've heard that all my life from many, many different sources, but never really processed the validity of that statement until the past several years... I believe the line is so fine because both emotions are so highly charged; when one is deeply in love and then has that love violated, the resulting hurt is directly proportional to the depth and passion of that love. The deeper the love the more likely the hurt will cause the violated one to despise or hate the violator. But what does that do to the violated one?
To have your love violated, or compromised, causes complications in many areas of life. The biggest complication is the destruction of trust. Any future relationship is compromised to the extent that one cannot, or does not trust their partner, even if the partner has done nothing to disallow that trust. This can cause anger, frustration, withdrawal, breakdown in communication, and other resentments from the unoffending party. If they don't understand the depth of the wound their response will most likely be defensive or inappropriate to the wound causing even greater stress between them and their partner. The violated one withdraws, or protects their heart against future hurt.
Our ability to fully love is directly proportional to our willingness or ability to allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable to the possibilty to being hurt again. If we protect our heart, if we build emotional walls of protection around it to keep hurt out we are effectively keeping out our ability to receive and give love also. To fully love one must be fully vulnerable; one must trust that their partner has their best interests at heart, that they are willing and able to protect your heart if you lay it out there. This is the paradox of love, for to love is to trust, and to trust is to put oneself back into the very position that previously hurt so badly, that left life devestated...
It is said that "it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all". I have found credence in this, for I have loved, and lost several times in my life. Personally speaking, I have had my love, my trust, violated several times over. It is the most painful, the most difficult of all emotional states to deal with. The feelings of abandonment, of betrayal, the anger and bitterness, even unwarranted jealousies, all are detrimental to building a good and healthy future relationship with anyone. Do not despair though, for God is faithful, and he desires us to experience that agape love in relationship, to have someone love us "in spite of" ourselves, our faults, our warts. To find that person who is willing to work with you, to patiently help rebuild the shattered trust, to love you despite the baggage, the issues, is a blessing from God. "Delight yourself in him and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps. 37:4). I have delighted myself in Him and he has given me the desire of my heart, the companionship, the love, and I can't help but think that this is what God desires from us in our relationship with Him... He wants us to desire Him, to give ourselves fully and completely to Him, to love and long for Him every minute of every day. He longs for our fellowship, our communion.

Father, let my heart long for you, let my soul thirst for your fellowship. Fill me with desire to delight myself in You, and find pleasure in my worship. You are my Father in the Heavens, and I praise your name. As I love my children so You love me, only perfectly, beyond my finite comprehension. I love you Father. Amen

Patience

PATIENCE 3-22-2006

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11). A man's wisdom gives him patience... it made me realize how difficult patience is for me, and just how lacking in wisdom I really am. It's not enough to say wisdom is one of my Spiritual gifts; it is a daily, living exercise of faith in God to do what he's promised; but in His time...

As I struggle to be patient with issues I've given to God I am reminded how lacking in wisdom I really am... It's so easy to get a little learning, a little knowledge, and appear to be "wise", to get puffed up with self-importance... And yet true wisdom comes when I realize the depth of my ignorance, how difficult it is not to fret, or fuss, or "take back" those things I've entrusted to Him... Patience is so much easier when I have a modicum of control over what I'm waiting on; it's when I have no control, when no amount of processing, or problem-solving, or interference will make a difference, it's then that I have to rely solely on Him, to wait for an answer in His time, that patience is so difficult for me. Waiting on other people to reach my conclusions is oh so difficult...

I realized this morning another facet of patience; it is easier to be patient, to wait on God, when I have fewer "things" in my life. I think, as we acquire things, it makes us impatient for those things we want, but don't yet have; we know what we want and want it now. Instant gratification is a desire of children; delayed gratification, learning to wait until the appropriate time, recognizing the right time when we're ready, is a sign of maturity... Realizing patience is a sign of maturity turns my thoughts to James, who exhorts us to become "mature and complete" through perseverance of trials; and to persevere one needs patience...

As I look at the different Scriptures concerning patience, I am especially struck by I Titus 1:16, where Paul writes,” But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." Patience, unlimited patience, is an attribute of Jesus Christ, one that we are commanded to pursue and emulate... Colossians 3:12 says, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (An interesting sidebar here; God, in His wisdom, destroyed the physical evil of this world with a flood. He promised never to do so again, yet man returned to his evil ways, and Satan continued to rule this earth as his domain. Yet God, wise in His unlimited patience, deemed the time as right to send His son as sacrifice for our sin, our evil... Jesus Christ came as a "Spiritual" flood, to wipe out spiritual evil...). It is amazing how patience ties together so many of those attributes God desires us to strive for: perseverance, maturity, wisdom, long-suffering... Patience is an intricate part love, kindness, gentleness, humility, compassion, and faith... Its no wonder God desires us to learn patience, His patience...

With humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2). Wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10). A patient man calms quarrels (Proverbs 15:18). A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered” (Proverbs 17:27). A humble, wise man, is a peacemaker, who controls his tongue, and his temper…

Father, teach me to lean on you and your understanding, to wait for you and your timing. Give me peace in my spirit as I turn over to you those things and issues that bind my heart; refresh me when I desire to take back those things I've given to you. Allow your patience to grow in me so I may better understand your ways, your wisdom, and your heart for me. Father, make me a humble man; a wise man; a peacemaker who controls his tongue and temper. Thank-you Father, for some small measure of understanding, to allow me to stretch my faith and lean on you even more. I love you Father. Amen.


PATIENCE 3-29-2006

Patience is more than “waiting” on something; it is the gift of God that allows us to not fret, or worry, while we wait. I find I can force myself to wait, discipline myself from refraining from an action. On the surface I may appear patient, but God knows the true turmoil in my heart; the fretting, and wishing, and worrying that continues on. To be truly patient one must learn to completely give those worry things to God and believe He is in complete control. We, no I, must be willing to trust Him to act as He’s already promised, on my behalf, and be content to allow His work, in His time…

Father, help me to remember that these things I fret over, these things that cause me such angst, are under your control if only I am willing to release them. Help me to remember that, if things aren’t happening in my time, then perhaps the time is not absolutely best for them to happen in my life. Please grant me your peace and contentment, help me to release these things to you and not take them back. Father, help me to learn to lean on you, and not my own understanding, for I know nothing in the light of your wisdom. I love you Father, and I know you love me, with that perfect love that surpasses all understanding, so when I err, please forgive me, for I don’t want to rebel against you. Come along side me Lord Jesus, enthuse my life with your grace and power, let my life shine for you, and take these worries that seem so important, so stressful, and deal with them in your perfect time and way. Thank-you Father, for being faithful to me, even when I fail you. I love you. Amen.

Defending the Rock -Pt 2

Again, in John’s gospel, chapter 18, beginning with verse three, we find this incident concerning Jesus and Peter:
So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)
When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.
Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."
This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him.” (NIV)Jesus was being betrayed by one of his own, Judas, while the other disciples stood by watching. Judas has all the “help” he needs to secure Jesus’ arrest; he has officials representing the Jews and soldiers representing Rome, giving at least tacit consent of the prevailing government. Jesus has committed no wrong, yet they are arresting him. Again, actions do not emerge from nothing, so out of his ignorant love Simon Peter pulls a sword to defend his Lord, though not a soldier, and greatly outnumbered. The important note here is Peter acted; while the others stood idly by, too afraid to come to Jesus’ defense, Peter acted, despite any hope of winning and realizing the probable outcome. All too often we call Peter impulsive, acting rashly, but in light of the circumstance, we must realize that he was living a kingdom heart, for as Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Peter was willing to lay down his life for his friend, his Lord, Jesus. Peter actively demonstrated the very love Jesus desires us to live; the heart was right, even if the action was wrong

Defending the Rock

I was raised on Bible stories, and one of the central New Testament characters outside of Jesus Christ himself was the Apostle Peter. I read the stories of Peter walking on water only to sink, of his denial of three times of Jesus, of his impulsive actions when he cut off a soldier’s ear- just some of the examples of Peter’s “failings” in his walk with Jesus Christ. But I think we’re wrong to view these recorded instances of Peter as failures, indeed, we’ve conditioned ourselves to view his actions as an example of what not to do for so long we’ve lost his example that Jesus so readily embraced. Peter was “The Rock” upon which Jesus was to build his church! Jesus said, in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 16, verse 18, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (NIV) Jesus himself, the most brilliant, intuitive, enlightened man ever to walk this earth saw in Peter a lasting legacy of Kingdom living that we have somehow missed or lost sight of. Noted theologian and scholar Dallas Willard wrote, “Actions do not emerge from nothing. They faithfully reveal what is in the heart, and we can know what is in the heart that they depend upon.” With that in mind let’s look at Peter and his “failings”.

Perhaps the most widely recognized story of the Apostle Peter is found in Matthew’s gospel, the fourteenth chapter. This is what we read:
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." (NIV)
When we examine the text directly as recorded, we don’t necessarily find our English translation entirely accurate. The word used by Jesus when he said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” is the word “autos”, and can just as easily refer to you, as a group, as well as you singular. Consider for a moment, that Jesus, as he reaches down to pull Peter up from the swells, doesn’t address Peter, but looks beyond him at the eleven watching from the boat, and directs his question to them. Perhaps the lesson here isn’t Peter’s failure to keep his eyes on Jesus, the source and author of his faith, thus his experiencing that sinking feeling that so often plagues all of us when life’s storms seem to overwhelm us, but perhaps the lesson we need to take from this is found still in the boat. There were twelve watching Jesus walking out to them on the water, twelve terrified men. Yet, when the offer was issued to come, only Peter got out of the boat and went. That was an act of faith that the other eleven failed to exercise. Eleven men opted for the dubious safety of the boat; Peter elected to step out in faith and answer Jesus’ call. What benefits did Peter reap from his willingness to act?

Before Jesus came out to the boat the apostles found themselves in the midst of a storm. They were tired, and harried, and scared. When Jesus walked across the water to them they still remained in the storm, remained harried, but their fear intensified to terror. Yet when he called they stayed in the boat, in their “known” world, in the setting they were most comfortable in, where they could rely on themselves, on their skills for their safety. There wasn’t any reliance on God. But what about Peter? How was his experience different?
First, Peter acted out his faith. He asked for specific instruction from Jesus, and upon receiving it he acted. Because he stepped out in faith he experienced God sustaining him, and allowing him to perform in a supernatural way, allowing him to also walk on water. Stepping out in faith gave him an opportunity to experience the power of God beyond the life experiences of the other eleven. Yet when circumstances caused him to take his eyes off Jesus, and he began to realize how he was so far beyond his own capabilities to sustain himself, he began to sink, his faith began to “fail”. His response was immediate; “Lord, save me”. At once, in the face of the storm, he redirected his focus back on the author of his faith, Jesus Christ, and Jesus saved him. The interesting thing to note is that, while all twelve were in the storm only Peter obeyed Jesus, and in his most desperate moment we find him closest to Jesus, so close in fact that Jesus reaches out and draws him up to himself. Peter was immediately reassured of his safety and comforted while in the midst of the storm, comfort and assurance the eleven didn’t yet experience. Because of his willingness to act Peter was touched by Jesus, and was again brought into that supernatural power of God, for after Jesus lifted him up they walked again together, and got into the boat. It was then Jesus caused the storm to be still; it was then the others experienced peace and comfort from the storm. It is important to note that the others received their comfort when Jesus came to them and met them where they were. Peter experienced that comfort and assurance by going to where Jesus was. Peter’s willingness to act in faith, to move toward Jesus, gave him a whole new level of experience and appreciation for the power and sustaining grace of God.