Our culture has been so influenced by Christianity that we sometimes miss some elements in the Christmas story. The story is so familiar to us that we perhaps don’t realize just how revolutionary the birth of Christ was!
For instance, at the birth of Jesus there was a lot of talk about this “child”. We might miss the impact of this word, but in Jesus’ day, children were often the objects of scorn by Roman culture. They were seen as weak, fearful, and helpless.
There was a stark contrast between Jesus “the child” and “Herod the Great”. Herod was not the cardboard villain of our children’s Christmas plays (if he even gets a part in the play). Herod was the guardian of the Pax Romana. He was considered nearer to the gods than the rest of the peasants. He was feared. He was the “king of the Jews” and a “friend of the Romans”. He was famous for his ambitious building projects. He was, in his day, truly “Herod THE GREAT”.
No one ever called this “child” born in a stable, “Jesus the Great”. And yet, how Jesus turned history on its proverbial head! How Jesus turned our perspectives on life, human worth, God’s grace and even children on their proverbial heads too!
Never forget that Christmas was a truly revolutionary event: indeed, THE revolutionary event in all of history!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Choosing with Discernment
Decisions face us every day and that can be scary!
What we decide means not simply what we choose, but also what we reject (every decision means you and I have decided against something in making a positive choice). In fact, the word “decide” is rooted in the word “to kill” - de-cide, like “homi-cide”, “sui-cide”. We choose, and thus we kill, other options. And in doing this all-important act, I am more concerned than ever that Christians do this well.
The Book of Proverbs calls us away from choosing randomly, or by our emotions, or even by reason! Instead, we are called to use the gift of discernment. Reflect on Proverbs 2:1-10 in which we see a simple “if-then” format for how we get this wonderful treasure called “discernment” (the Hebrew word - binah - is sometimes translated “understanding”).
You will find that while not all of us can be members of Mensa, we can all acquire wisdom and discernment through the simple practice of loving and living God’s Word…if we choose!!
What we decide means not simply what we choose, but also what we reject (every decision means you and I have decided against something in making a positive choice). In fact, the word “decide” is rooted in the word “to kill” - de-cide, like “homi-cide”, “sui-cide”. We choose, and thus we kill, other options. And in doing this all-important act, I am more concerned than ever that Christians do this well.
The Book of Proverbs calls us away from choosing randomly, or by our emotions, or even by reason! Instead, we are called to use the gift of discernment. Reflect on Proverbs 2:1-10 in which we see a simple “if-then” format for how we get this wonderful treasure called “discernment” (the Hebrew word - binah - is sometimes translated “understanding”).
You will find that while not all of us can be members of Mensa, we can all acquire wisdom and discernment through the simple practice of loving and living God’s Word…if we choose!!
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Doctrine of Vocation
Gene Edward Veith’s little book titled God at Work is a very refreshing book on the doctrine of vocation.
In this book, Veith talks about how God has provided food for him and his family, brought healing to him and his family, etc…. Of course, as he explains it, God provided food through a local baker. God provided healing through medical professionals. God got other goods and services to him through the hard work of others. This is the doctrine of vocation - that God typically uses our talents, gifts, efforts and jobs to serve one another.
What meaning is brought to those areas of our lives when we realize that whether we do something highly-skilled like bypass surgery or something innovative like run a business or perhaps something non-sensational like raising children or changing the oil in cars, we are serving God by serving our neighbors.
This is why we are called to hard work and find satisfaction in a job well done.
In this book, Veith talks about how God has provided food for him and his family, brought healing to him and his family, etc…. Of course, as he explains it, God provided food through a local baker. God provided healing through medical professionals. God got other goods and services to him through the hard work of others. This is the doctrine of vocation - that God typically uses our talents, gifts, efforts and jobs to serve one another.
What meaning is brought to those areas of our lives when we realize that whether we do something highly-skilled like bypass surgery or something innovative like run a business or perhaps something non-sensational like raising children or changing the oil in cars, we are serving God by serving our neighbors.
This is why we are called to hard work and find satisfaction in a job well done.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Commitment to Prayer
Last week was another wonderful Milestones event where we celebrated family dedication, new members, remembering those who passed away this year, communion and baptism. It was so exciting to celebrate these moments for each family and individual!
One of the things we did during Milestones was a vow of commitment. Along with vows to honor God in our families, with our marriages, children, etc., was a pledge to begin and end each day with prayer specifically for one’s family and the Fellowship family.
I would like to make sure that anyone who was not able to attend Milestones will nevertheless have the opportunity to make this pledge of prayer! We need to pray for our families, for our church family, and yes - for our country. Make sure that the first and last thing you say each day is a prayer for others!!
One of the things we did during Milestones was a vow of commitment. Along with vows to honor God in our families, with our marriages, children, etc., was a pledge to begin and end each day with prayer specifically for one’s family and the Fellowship family.
I would like to make sure that anyone who was not able to attend Milestones will nevertheless have the opportunity to make this pledge of prayer! We need to pray for our families, for our church family, and yes - for our country. Make sure that the first and last thing you say each day is a prayer for others!!
Friday, November 2, 2012
Slow To Speak
One of the lessons I am learning is to be slower to open my mouth. Proverbs 13:3 cautions us to control our tongue for a longer life and James 1:19 urges us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. We are told that even fools can look wise by simply not talking (Proverbs 17:28).
So, I am trying to be less foolish than I already am by being slower to speak. But, as I thought about the wisdom of silence, I was drawn to the ultimate example - Jesus. When you read Isaiah 53:7 where this “Suffering Servant” refused to open his mouth or Matthew 27:13-14 where Jesus left Pilate completely perplexed by not answering a single charge, you cannot help but see Wisdom in all of its embodiment.
The next time you feel like you just HAVE to get in your two cents, you feel the urge to speak over somebody else, or you need to find someone with whom to air your grievances, consider wisdom in the flesh: Jesus, the Silent One, who accomplished more by not talking than the entire history of humanity’s clamoring.
So, I am trying to be less foolish than I already am by being slower to speak. But, as I thought about the wisdom of silence, I was drawn to the ultimate example - Jesus. When you read Isaiah 53:7 where this “Suffering Servant” refused to open his mouth or Matthew 27:13-14 where Jesus left Pilate completely perplexed by not answering a single charge, you cannot help but see Wisdom in all of its embodiment.
The next time you feel like you just HAVE to get in your two cents, you feel the urge to speak over somebody else, or you need to find someone with whom to air your grievances, consider wisdom in the flesh: Jesus, the Silent One, who accomplished more by not talking than the entire history of humanity’s clamoring.
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