Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Here's what I'm gonna do
"See, years ago I grabbed a pencil and wrote down a plan for my life. I listed all my priorities in order of their importance and included all kinds of details ... the career and paycheck I want, the size and style of house I'll buy, the make of car I'll drive ... even down to the height and hair color of the person I intend to marry. That's my plan for success, and I'm sticking to it!"
- Woody Allen
“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.”
- Woody Allen
How can I forgive?
As believers we're taught to Forgive, but isn't there a limit to what we can forgive?
Do we "forgive and forget" ... as though nothing ever happened? Isn't forgiveness meant to be unconditional? But then if we forgive a child molester, does that mean we must allow that person to baby-sit our kids ... as if we've forgotten what happened?
What does forgiveness mean, really?
-- -- --
To forgive means:
- to grant pardon for
- to renounce anger or resentment against
- to not seek retribution or retaliation
- to absolve from payment
-- -- --
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,"It is finished!"* Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
- John 19:30
*Greek tetelestai - "paid in full"
Do we "forgive and forget" ... as though nothing ever happened? Isn't forgiveness meant to be unconditional? But then if we forgive a child molester, does that mean we must allow that person to baby-sit our kids ... as if we've forgotten what happened?
What does forgiveness mean, really?
-- -- --
To forgive means:
- to grant pardon for
- to renounce anger or resentment against
- to not seek retribution or retaliation
- to absolve from payment
-- -- --
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,
- John 19:30
*Greek tetelestai - "paid in full"
Monday, August 25, 2008
Paul's Occupational Interpretation
(satire)
-After 2000 years of haggling and fighting, could there possibly be one more totally irrelevant issue for believers to argue over, disagree with, become factionalized and devisive about? Uh oh, I think maybe so ...
I was taught that the apostle Paul was a tent-maker, but I'm not so sure. See, I'm pretty convinced Paul was actually a sail-maker.
Sure I live on a boat, but that's not my only reason for being contrary to convention.
1. Take a look at the map and see where Tarsus is. Tarsus was not a desert community near a caravan trail with hundreds of nomads stopping by overnight, nor was Tarsus a resort community situated adjacent to the Fertile Crescent Campground or the Cilicia National Park ... the kind of places where people needed tents as they traveled.
Tarsus is on the ocean, and folks traveling the Med on ships needed sails.
2. Tents last a long time; sails do not. Thus, there's more demand for sails and sail-makers than for tents and tent-makers.
3. Paul frequently traversed the Med how? Walking? Camel-pooling? Did he hitch rides from passing chariots or tote a tent timeshare on top of his backpack?
Nope, Paul's choice was a sail boat. And if he was alive today, Paul wouldn't drive a minivan.
He'd choose a catamaran.
-- -- --
I hope the next national religious convention will make the critical Tents vs Sails issue an emergency priority and arrive at some kind of comprehensive interpretation, so local churches will know what their policy should be (and whether it's OK to fire their pastor for using a tent-friendly translation).
Besides, would you want your church welcoming those folks ... the kind who live in tents?
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
-After 2000 years of haggling and fighting, could there possibly be one more totally irrelevant issue for believers to argue over, disagree with, become factionalized and devisive about? Uh oh, I think maybe so ...
I was taught that the apostle Paul was a tent-maker, but I'm not so sure. See, I'm pretty convinced Paul was actually a sail-maker.
Sure I live on a boat, but that's not my only reason for being contrary to convention.
1. Take a look at the map and see where Tarsus is. Tarsus was not a desert community near a caravan trail with hundreds of nomads stopping by overnight, nor was Tarsus a resort community situated adjacent to the Fertile Crescent Campground or the Cilicia National Park ... the kind of places where people needed tents as they traveled.
Tarsus is on the ocean, and folks traveling the Med on ships needed sails.
2. Tents last a long time; sails do not. Thus, there's more demand for sails and sail-makers than for tents and tent-makers.
3. Paul frequently traversed the Med how? Walking? Camel-pooling? Did he hitch rides from passing chariots or tote a tent timeshare on top of his backpack?
Nope, Paul's choice was a sail boat. And if he was alive today, Paul wouldn't drive a minivan.
He'd choose a catamaran.
-- -- --
I hope the next national religious convention will make the critical Tents vs Sails issue an emergency priority and arrive at some kind of comprehensive interpretation, so local churches will know what their policy should be (and whether it's OK to fire their pastor for using a tent-friendly translation).
Besides, would you want your church welcoming those folks ... the kind who live in tents?
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Sarcasm, Wrath, Impatience, Deceit and Condescension
"Of course I act like Christ because Christ thinks like I do, in every way. That not only proves I'm always right, but that I've always been right from the very beginning.
"It also proves God loves me more than you, because he's just like me in every way I can think of. So when I look in the mirror and start comparing, it's clear as my face that I'm better than you. Which I've also known all along."
Scripture doesn't teach that faith in Christ justifies our personal shortcomings and opinions, but that we're justified in the name of Christ and that we should try to live, and treat others, as he did.
Not like we want to.
When we identify ourselves as believers and yet continue to embrace what feels like our strengths ... our sarcasm and impatience with others when things don't perfectly suit ME, when we can't see that our willingness to use deceit and deception to trick others to get what we want is a sin, when we're obstinate that Nobody's A Better Christian Or Knows More Than Me and that makes me More Saved than you, or when we behave toward others as though You're a kook and a liar because you don't act like I think you should act and must not be a Christian after all ... well then I wonder, are we trying to model ourselves like Christ, or trying to model Christ to fit us?
-- -- --
Christ is our example ... and Christ knew from the beginning who would betray him. But does scripture mention that Jesus was ever sarcastic, wrathful, impatient, deceptive, or condescended to Judas?
No, and neither should we treat others- not anyone- in any way less than as Christ commanded.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
- 1 John 4:16
"It also proves God loves me more than you, because he's just like me in every way I can think of. So when I look in the mirror and start comparing, it's clear as my face that I'm better than you. Which I've also known all along."
Scripture doesn't teach that faith in Christ justifies our personal shortcomings and opinions, but that we're justified in the name of Christ and that we should try to live, and treat others, as he did.
Not like we want to.
When we identify ourselves as believers and yet continue to embrace what feels like our strengths ... our sarcasm and impatience with others when things don't perfectly suit ME, when we can't see that our willingness to use deceit and deception to trick others to get what we want is a sin, when we're obstinate that Nobody's A Better Christian Or Knows More Than Me and that makes me More Saved than you, or when we behave toward others as though You're a kook and a liar because you don't act like I think you should act and must not be a Christian after all ... well then I wonder, are we trying to model ourselves like Christ, or trying to model Christ to fit us?
-- -- --
Christ is our example ... and Christ knew from the beginning who would betray him. But does scripture mention that Jesus was ever sarcastic, wrathful, impatient, deceptive, or condescended to Judas?
No, and neither should we treat others- not anyone- in any way less than as Christ commanded.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
- 1 John 4:16
Value X, or Value Added?
Who are you, and what are you worth?
We like to feel we have self-worth because self-worth gives us self-esteem, but what's our worth based upon?
Is our worth based on a job or a degree, a haughty title or a salary that includes lofty perks and fringe benefits? Or are we defining ourselves according to the color of our new debtors' card, or our latest sexual relationship (especially the physical attractiveness of our "other"), or the car we're driving (this year) or according to the house (with a mortgage we're struggling to crack every month) and the upscale neighborhood where we live?
Ah, well ... a hundred years from now, what will any of those things be worth?
I like this quote, because my friend Jake cuts right to the point:
"Many people are trying to define who they are by a position or a title. Position or title will never satisfy your soul or define who you are. We must define ourselves by who we are in Christ alone."
-- -- --
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
James 1:9-11
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
- 1 Corinthians 13:8
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths
- Psalms 25:4
We like to feel we have self-worth because self-worth gives us self-esteem, but what's our worth based upon?
Is our worth based on a job or a degree, a haughty title or a salary that includes lofty perks and fringe benefits? Or are we defining ourselves according to the color of our new debtors' card, or our latest sexual relationship (especially the physical attractiveness of our "other"), or the car we're driving (this year) or according to the house (with a mortgage we're struggling to crack every month) and the upscale neighborhood where we live?
Ah, well ... a hundred years from now, what will any of those things be worth?
I like this quote, because my friend Jake cuts right to the point:
"Many people are trying to define who they are by a position or a title. Position or title will never satisfy your soul or define who you are. We must define ourselves by who we are in Christ alone."
-- -- --
The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.
James 1:9-11
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
- 1 Corinthians 13:8
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths
- Psalms 25:4
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Bad Company
What would you say if I told you ...
I've got a friend who comes by at night on weekends and drills holes in the side of my house? (I live on a boat, so that would be bad)
I've got a friend who's constantly trying to set me up with his most recent ex-girlfriend?
That I've got another friend ... who can't help but dump her trash in the back of my truck every time she walks past?
Would ya wince and wonder What's Wrong with my friends ... or would ya maybe start wondering What's Wrong with MY Choice of friends?
Would ya have much sympathy if I started whining, and complained that (a) My boat's sinking; (b) My love life's just one loser after another; or (c) Everybody thinks my truck stinks?
Would ya wanna sit down with me and patiently try explaining why won't people act right and behave like they're supposed to?
Or would you tell me to get rid of "friends" and "relationships" who add unnecessary complications, grief and confusion to my life?
Like oh, duh.
-- -- --
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
I've got a friend who comes by at night on weekends and drills holes in the side of my house? (I live on a boat, so that would be bad)
I've got a friend who's constantly trying to set me up with his most recent ex-girlfriend?
That I've got another friend ... who can't help but dump her trash in the back of my truck every time she walks past?
Would ya wince and wonder What's Wrong with my friends ... or would ya maybe start wondering What's Wrong with MY Choice of friends?
Would ya have much sympathy if I started whining, and complained that (a) My boat's sinking; (b) My love life's just one loser after another; or (c) Everybody thinks my truck stinks?
Would ya wanna sit down with me and patiently try explaining why won't people act right and behave like they're supposed to?
Or would you tell me to get rid of "friends" and "relationships" who add unnecessary complications, grief and confusion to my life?
Like oh, duh.
-- -- --
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Deep Impact
According to folks more smarter than me, Karl Barth was one of the most important Christian thinkers of the 20th century.
Wikipedia hints that Barth gave Calvinism a big kick in the pants:
"Barth's doctrine of election involves a firm rejection of the notion of an absolute decree. In keeping with his Christo-centric methodology, Barth argues that to ascribe the salvation or damnation of humanity to an abstract absolute decree is to make some part of God more final and definitive than God's saving act in Jesus Christ. God's absolute decree, if one may speak of such a thing, is God's gracious decision to be for humanity in the person of Jesus Christ."
I don't know anything else about him, except that these quotes make me think Barth had a gift for plain-speaking, plumb pure and simple:
- "Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is Himself the way."
- "Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it."
- Once a young student asked Barth if he could sum up what was most important about his life's work and theology in just a few words. The question was posed even with gasps from the audience.
Barth just thought for a moment and then smiled, "Yes, in the words of a song my mother used to sing me, 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.'"
Wikipedia hints that Barth gave Calvinism a big kick in the pants:
"Barth's doctrine of election involves a firm rejection of the notion of an absolute decree. In keeping with his Christo-centric methodology, Barth argues that to ascribe the salvation or damnation of humanity to an abstract absolute decree is to make some part of God more final and definitive than God's saving act in Jesus Christ. God's absolute decree, if one may speak of such a thing, is God's gracious decision to be for humanity in the person of Jesus Christ."
I don't know anything else about him, except that these quotes make me think Barth had a gift for plain-speaking, plumb pure and simple:
- "Jesus does not give recipes that show the way to God as other teachers of religion do. He is Himself the way."
- "Belief cannot argue with unbelief, it can only preach to it."
- Once a young student asked Barth if he could sum up what was most important about his life's work and theology in just a few words. The question was posed even with gasps from the audience.
Barth just thought for a moment and then smiled, "Yes, in the words of a song my mother used to sing me, 'Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.'"
What's on your mind- really?
Ever feel uneasy about your life's direction? Ever wonder what's gonna happen next, or why things keep going wrong ... or whether some overlooked, uncrossed t is gonna show up without an invitation and absolutely ruin your whole week?
Or is worrying about Me ... the un-dotted, unfulfilled i ... an irritation constantly festering in the emotional background?
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- Matthew 6-30-32
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
- James 1:2-3
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
- 1 Peter 1:8-9
Or is worrying about Me ... the un-dotted, unfulfilled i ... an irritation constantly festering in the emotional background?
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- Matthew 6-30-32
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
- James 1:2-3
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
- 1 Peter 1:8-9
Friday, August 22, 2008
Just look what I've done
Man, I've done so many bad things ... there's no way God could ever forgive me. How can I be sure he loves me, and that I've been forgiven?
Some sins seem to stick like glue, don't they?
No matter what we've read in scripture or heard in sermons, when we're all alone, sometimes the past arrives with a punch that leaves us staggering with a painful, nagging doubt about ourselves ... Wow, what kind of person would do that? ... and cause us to look at ourselves and feel, not "left behind," but left out.
I'm talking about the sins that seem permanent, inescapable and irredeemable.
Except that God's grace is eternal ... and his love is bigger than any of our doubts. Paul had persecuted Christians, but after seeing Christ on the road to Damascus his life changed forever, and he would later write:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 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.
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16
-- -- --
Christ never said, "Look backwards and there shall you find me."
Instead he promised, "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."
- Matthew 11:30
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
- Ephesians 1:6-8
Some sins seem to stick like glue, don't they?
No matter what we've read in scripture or heard in sermons, when we're all alone, sometimes the past arrives with a punch that leaves us staggering with a painful, nagging doubt about ourselves ... Wow, what kind of person would do that? ... and cause us to look at ourselves and feel, not "left behind," but left out.
I'm talking about the sins that seem permanent, inescapable and irredeemable.
Except that God's grace is eternal ... and his love is bigger than any of our doubts. Paul had persecuted Christians, but after seeing Christ on the road to Damascus his life changed forever, and he would later write:
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 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.
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16
-- -- --
Christ never said, "Look backwards and there shall you find me."
Instead he promised, "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."
- Matthew 11:30
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
- Ephesians 1:6-8
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34
Sometimes I amaze myself
Tonight I fixed a problem.
The starboard (right-hand) speaker at Calypso's helm didn't work; the problem turned out to be a bad connection at the CD player.
Aren't you impressed?
It was dark by the time I had the solution worked out and when I was finished, almost as a reflex, I glanced up at the nighttime sky (weather is important when you live on a boat).
Shoot. There's some big stuff- galaxies that dwarf the Milky Way- hanging up there in the sky.
Things so big and amazing I can't even pretend to understand.
-- -- --
We have doubts and feel so overwhelmed about the circumstances of our lives that we'll lie awake nights yearning to simply have more control, make ourselves sick worrying about the big WHAT IF issues, that we'll buy best-sellers, consult today's newspaper astrology forecast, talk over our problems with any stranger who'll listen, start a new diet, hire a personal trainer, go out bar-hopping or binge-drinking for "relaxation because I've earned it" ... whatever it takes to quiet the doubt inside and just make us feel better about ourselves.
-- -- --
Even with the nighttime sky there to remind me, the idea that the Creator who made everything from nothing loved me so much he was willing to be born on earth as a man with the sole purpose of dying in my place seems amazing. But then God's awesomeness is more than amazing: It's incomprehensible.
Just look at the sky.
God is total, complete, unqualified, infinite and perfect Love.
-- -- --
Understanding Christ's love sometimes seems impossible because it's so vast and complete that I know I've done nothing to earn or deserve it.
And then to remember all he asks- that we love and follow him- is even more amazing.
-- -- --
Sometimes I amaze myself for protesting Yeah but, right now you're just getting in my way and holding me back from what I wanna do.
When feeling humbled, ashamed of my selfishness and unworthy of his sacrifice- would describe my position in the universe, down to the last atom, better instead.
Technoid News
1. Look Ma, no wires
When Nikola Tesla tried, I thought scientists had said delivering electricity wirelessly was impossible. But now it seems Intel has developed the technology to do it.
2. I know a hot product when I see one
Uh oh. Looks like overheated iPod Nanos have been blamed for 3 fires.
3. She's virtually real
I noticed this video mentioned over at avclub.us ... and can't help but wonder what's coming next.
When Nikola Tesla tried, I thought scientists had said delivering electricity wirelessly was impossible. But now it seems Intel has developed the technology to do it.
2. I know a hot product when I see one
Uh oh. Looks like overheated iPod Nanos have been blamed for 3 fires.
3. She's virtually real
I noticed this video mentioned over at avclub.us ... and can't help but wonder what's coming next.
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