It Takes Time

I’ve been known to say, "I was born in a hurry and have never fully recovered." Quick, fast and direct is in my DNA. Most everything that is worthwhile requires time, lots of time.

If one wants to enclose space, inflating a balloon is a quick and easy way. But, the space is fragile and is difficult to access. One pin prick and the space is history. And, getting to the space enclosed presents a challenge. Tents are a bit more stable and much more accessible. A tent will provide protection from the elements if winds are not too strong and the shelter is pitched on high enough ground.

Cathedrals, on the other hand, are far more permanent. The main body of The Cathedral of Saint Mary in Salisbury, England was completed in only 38 years, from 1220 to 1258, and still stands. The clock in the spire, the tallest church steeple in England, dates to about AD 1386 is supposedly the oldest working modern clock in the world. Thirty-eight years doesn’t seem so long when one considers that the cathedral remains in use almost 800 years later!

A much newer church building, Philadelphia’s Highway Tabernacle, was built by the Fifth Baptist Church in the mid 1850's and remains in use. A cursory glance at the workmanship informs one that the place was not quickly built. And, Solomon’s Temple took seven years to build and required 30,000 laborers working in shifts!

When it comes to spiritual formation, we must commit to more than 75 minutes a week on Sunday morning. To be formed by the Holy Spirit, one must learn to wait and to listen. The truths of the Holy Spirit ought to be allowed to ferment in the human spirit over time. The ornaments in Solomon’s Temple and the handiwork of the far more modest pre-Civil War Highway Tabernacle were shaped by skilled hands over months and years. The corrective shaping of human lives twisted into grotesque forms by willful sin and evil pressures in every nook and cranny of the world, requires time. To become the habitation of God worthy of His Name deserves and requires uninterrupted quality time.

Charles Wesley’s spiritual formation began at his mother’s knee when he was a boy. He wrote the lyrics of songs sung 250 years later. Deemed so important in English culture, Wesley’s hymn, "Love Divine All Loves Excelling," was sung by the congregation in attendance at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding in 2010. The truths are Wesley’s lyrics are of cathedral stature and permanence.

Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down,
fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
all Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast;
let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning,
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all Thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as Thy hosts above,
pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.

Finish then Thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.



　

God Distributes Power

The book of First Kings records a season of personal, familial and national transition. After four decades as king, David was aged and dying. Long buried family stresses and conflicts surfaced. Wives and concubines pled for special roles for sons. Priests pledged loyalty to those vying for the throne and military leader’s jockeyed for position. Half-brothers killed one another. Can you imagine what the Washington Post’s Woodward and Bernstein of Watergate fame would have done with the rumors and intrigue of Israel’s special challenges? A Pulitzer Prize is waiting for investigative reporters working the palace gates and Jerusalem coffee shops.

Adonijah was an all-American youth, a self-made man! The son of David’s concubine, Haggith, Adonijah was long on confidence and ambition. Adonijah, like current political candidates who salute themselves in false humility and retell anecdotes describing their accomplishments, woke up one morning and said, "I will be king!" (1:5)

As an aside, parenting skills during this era were unevenly distributed. David made promises and gushed satisfaction about Solomon ascending to his throne (1:48), but ignored Adonijah. "(His father had never interfered with him by asking, ‘Why do you behave as you do?’ He was also very handsome . . ." (1:6) The unbalanced parental influence over Adonijah teetered toward the maternal. Haggith had, like Rebekah, involved herself in plotting his security (2:13ff).

There are enough fratricides, homicides and executions in the transition between David and Solomon to make a really gory B movie. The thirst for power and the urge to dominate is evidence that all really have sinned and fallen short. Nothing has changed. The key players of ancient Israel could have been Republicans and Democrats. Ambition is always brutal and is often fatal.

But, then, in the arena of conflict and chaos, Solomon had a dream (3:1-15). In the Bible, dreams are often an activity of the Spirit. Solomon’s forefather’s had dreams. Jacob dreamed and his life trajectory was altered. It happened similarly with Joseph. And, now, Solomon’s course is set by an encounter with God’s Holy Spirit. Solomon dreamed and because of his encounter with the One who makes kings, the chaos and confusion settled like lint on a laundry room floor. Sanity emerged from the portals of the Almighty’s dwelling place and Solomon remains as the personification of wisdom to this day. Peace and prosperity followed unabated.

Many Americans know exactly who ought to be the next President of the United States. I am not as certain as others. But of this I am sure. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows and will distribute power according to His wisdom and will. The One in whom we ought to trust, once confounded Israel by distributing power to the Babylonians.

Charles Wesley’s anthem announces the triumph of Jesus, the King of Kings. When we know Him the kind of peace and prosperity that really matter are ours and we can sing!

Servants of God, your Master proclaim,
And publish abroad His wonderful Name.The Name all victorious of Jesus extol,
His kingdom is glorious and rules over all. 

When devils engage, the billows arise,
And horribly rage, and threaten the skies:
Their fury shall never our steadfastness shock,
The weakest believer is built on a rock.

God ruleth on high, almighty to save,
And still He is nigh, His presence we have;
The great congregation His triumph shall sing,
Ascribing salvation to Jesus, our King.

"Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!"
Let all cry aloud and honor the Son;
The praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
Fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give Him His right,
All glory and power, all wisdom and might;
All honor and blessing with angels above,
And thanks never ceasing and infinite love.
(Ye Servants of God, Charles Wesley, 1774)

Unexpected, undeswerved graces

Grace comes in wonderfully wrapped packages. None of the gifts of God are deserved, but they are all marvelous. Unlike birthday presents which we come to expect, God graciously adds to life surprisingly, in unexpected ways, on unanticipated paths.

Consider three of the graces, unearned, undeserved gifts the Lord shares with us, friends, songs and books. While reading 2 Samuel, one learns that the Lord gave David 30 Mighty Men to fight with him in battle. Among the 30 were three who were the mightiest, Jashobeam, Eleazar and Shammah. While "The Three" are not household names, each played a key role in Israel.

Jashobeam singlehandedly killed 800 enemy troops with a spear, in one battle! Navy Seals, take note!

Eleazar fought until he could not lift his sword. The rest of the army had fled and only returned to the battlefield to loot the enemy’s stuff.

And, Shammah, like Eleazar, stood his ground, alone and defeated the enemy Philistines.

The story of David mighty men is recorded in 2 Samuel 23. God’s grace, His gift of faithful friends standing with us in life’s battles is a phenomenal expression of His generosity.

Do you have friends who help move a pile of bricks, pray for you and wisely encourage you when the demands of life are heavier than the bricks they helped you move? Is anyone making you laugh when all you want to do is cry? Who prompts you to holy thoughts and generous giving when you get lost in self-pity and stinginess? One of my friends proofreads my posts before they are sent. God wraps His grace with friends.

This past Sunday, the worship team at our church led the congregation in singing Henry van Dyke’s "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," set to the tune of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. My spirit soared as the grace of God was unwrapped in joyous assembly. It remains, liltingly lightening my days. What a gift! What a grace!
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.
A friend sent the following link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHQ-w-IByrc. A flash mob affects a crowded Spanish square with Beethoven and van Dyke. Or you may enjoy a lighter version from "Sister Act 2" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wNmlrdCBkE. God’s grace is often wrapped in a song!

And, gifts of grace are delivered to me, God’s hand to my heart, in books! Perhaps the Lord will allow me to be His hand extended, to deliver a recommendation to read John Wesley’s Message for Today. The beauty and blessing of the book is compounded by the way it came into my library. The volume was on a "Free: Help Yourself" display at the local "Friends of the Milton Library" bookshop. If I had known what was in the book, I would have been willing to pay a handsome price. But, it was free, a wonderful wrapping around an undeserved gift from heaven!

Grace! You will find it with many wrappings.

Fact, Faith, Feeling

Every once in a while I feel like pontificating! I get pompous and even stoop to thinking that others may find value in what I think. So, here goes!

 

For the past two weeks Pat and I have stayed up late to listen to political speeches and to assess the endless stream of promises. Two observations seem worthy of thoughtful conversation. First, thoughtful people ought to be amazed that political operatives can gather thousands of rabid partisans into an arena, all of whom are fully convinced that world peace and prosperity for all are possible within four years. The fact is, this world has been at war so long that universal peace is an abstract idea.

 

The second observation is the mindless reaction of Christians to the ineptitude of the politicos, on the ideological right and left. Some candidates, and incumbents, make Christians feel better, and therefore, they must be right. When one with an opposing view speaks he is too often dismissed while trying to explain himself and the material for thoughtful choices is effectively cut in half. We forget that we learn more from those with whom we disagree than from those who already share our viewpoint. A sage teacher once shared that FACTS is the locomotive pulling the decision-making train. The second car is FAITH. Faith must be rooted in fact, not wishes or desired assurances. And, then, FEELINGS is the caboose! The teacher’s counsel is, “Get the facts right first.”

 

For the next three full months we will suffer a barrage of heated rhetoric, candidate-bashing ads, and a redundant volley of accusation-counter accusations. This election season is almost enough for some to rediscover the joy of reading! But, I suggest that there is something more that we can do. 

•                  We can discipline ourselves to be consistently respectful toward those who hold elective office. It seems to me that people who claim the Bible as their rule for faith and practice ought to observe how people in the Bible handled similar circumstances. My last reading of Daniel uncovered no compromise in the prophet or his friends. And I cannot find any disrespect for some of the most ruthless leaders in history. Three Hebrew faithful men crossed the threshold of the fiery foundry furnace without dishonoring the king. As an object of Babylon’s cultural reorientation program, Daniel maintained personal convictions and integrity without disrespecting the crown. David lamented that he snipped a corner off the robe of “the Lord’s anointed.” I wish my contemporary zealots would be of the same spirit.

 

•                  We can pray! Now, that is a novel idea for a politically charged arena. I gently remind us that our prayers can be rooted in the assuring FACT recorded in God’s Word. The Lord makes kings and brings them down again. (Daniel 2:21) Our President is a husband and father. Shouldn’t we want him to succeed in those roles? He is also the one elected by the majority of Americans. Can’t we be magnanimous in respecting the decision our neighbors have made in a constitutionally mandated election? If the President’s decisions affect the quality of life and destiny of people around the world, isn’t prayer for those in power the best thing we can do? Have we misplaced Paul’s clear teaching, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 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, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth?” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

 

•                  We can love our adversaries. Why do Christian people gloat when others stumble? Jesus defined the attitude required of His followers in the Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48) Who deputized Jesus’ followers to be rude, crude dudes?

 

•                  We can convene a new coronation of the King of Kings! Jesus’ followers will benefit as they meet in sacred, glorious assembly affirming that Jesus is Lord and that His Kingdom is now and will never pass away. That ought to be happening every time the church assembles. We don’t have time for hand-wringing, fear-enlarging responses to events in the public arena. Jesus’ followers are citizens of another kingdom. Worshiping Jesus as King of Kings minimizes the strength of the kings of the world. For disciples of Jesus, we are refreshed in soul and mind. We remain sane and serene in public arenas gone mad.

 

Do you remember this scene? 

“Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.” (Daniel 3:19-23, The Living New Translation)

 

I remember the story. I learned it as a child. And, I pray that the quality of my life will contribute to a response from contemporary leaders similar to Nebuchadnezzar’s,

“Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.
“Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
“‘Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, (My friend suggested that including “or political party.”) speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!’
“Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in the province of Babylon.”

I really believe that the King of Kings is better prepared to lead His world from the moral morass and economic confusion in a way that confounds politicos and potentates, the wide and learned, the power wielding strong arm of man!  That is a FACT! Therefore, I believe it, FAITH! There it is! I have pontificated! And, I know peace and I FEEL good too!

The Bible: A Sure Word for Confusing Times

A friend sent me a book, Nobody Moved Your Cheese: How to ignore the "experts and trust your gut." The author, Ross Shafer, is a comic, has hosted TV shows, and survived enough personal and professional reverses for several people. The book’s theme is, "Take charge of your own life!" Sarah Palin would say, "Man up!"This is not an endorsement for the book, but a wordy introduction to a subject Ross addressed.

In the chapter titled, "Don’t listen to those fear mongering futurists," Shafer asks important questions, "Who are you listening to for advice? (From) whom do you get your answers from about your future job? . . . The future of the world? Do these people really know what they are talking about or are they making totally unfounded predictions to make a name for themselves?" These and other salient questions beg for serious answers.

Thank God for those who have brought others to the reliable answers which are found in God’s Word, the Bible. Parents, Sunday school teachers, Bible club organizers, Vacation Bible School workers, college and seminary professors and many others have generously poured into our lives. They have been worthy of being heard. Their lives validate what they say.

The truth of God’s Word eliminates fear. Politicians do their best to manipulate the electorate to fear, and then promise to alleviate anxieties in the desperate attempt to collect votes. It is a vicious cycle played out on TV screens every few minutes. Billboards and yard signs make seven word promises – cheap sloganeering, firmly rooted in thin air, with no substance nor real information.

God’s Word, in contrast, announces fear-quieting, sin-forgiving, hope-building truth rooted in God’s character and validated in history. I am drawn to Peter’s assurances.
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." (2 Peter 3:8-14, NIV)
Knowing God’s Word is potent, practical and peaceful. To be ignorant is to be condemned to lackluster existence, aimless searching and unslaked anxiety.

How does one gain a healthy grasp on God’s Word? I have learned that:I must read the Bible regularly, and in a large context. Verses in isolation are frequently dangerous. Romans 8:28 is often chanted mindlessly like an Eastern mantra, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Good enough, but the context adds weight and brings God’s intentions into focus. The purpose of God is, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)

• I must read the entire Bible because God’s Word interprets itself. A prophet often is interpreted by an Epistle written centuries later. Reading an Epistle and being able to recognize the source the of writer’s source material is an enriching, faith-building event!\
• I must allow the Holy Spirit to teach me. By the Spirit St. Paul penned, "The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:10-14)
• I must listen to those whose lives can be verified. Some are overly influenced by what they read in books, see on television, or hear via the snarled vines of rumor. Someone recently related how thousands of people were being raised from the dead in Asia. The reported phenomenon was staggering. People of other religions, even whole nations were coming to the Lord. If this were so, wouldn’t the press be thronging at the site of the miraculous happenings? Those resurrected would certainly be in demand as public speakers. Publishers would be paying huge advances for book rights. Friends, it is not unspiritual to check your sources! Learn from people who validate their teaching with their lives.
• Attend church! The people of God gathering is a provision sent from heaven! When we meet with God’s people, we ought to expect to learn, experience God in a special dimension, and discover new potential of God’s Word at work in the people we know and love.

Even a frequently failing comedian who writes a book of average quality can be an instrument of the Spirit to awaken truths. Thank you Mr. Shafer! But, if God’s Word had not been faithfully imbedded in my spirit by the Holy Spirit, Shafer’s paragraph would not have triggered new dimensions of faith.