In 1989 the Cubs and Giants were in a series for the National League Championship. My wife and I were living in the San Francisco area at the time. A friend called who had 2 tickets to one of the games at Candlestick Park - I hadn't seen my team - the Cubs - since moving away from Chicago years before. It ended up a terrible day. Earlier in the day I had 4 wisdom teeth out but was determined not to miss the game. Upon arriving in my Cubs shirt I was surrounded - not a Cubs fan to be seen - by Giants fans - they were only too happy to rain insults upon me the entire game - insults that increased with every round of beer they drank. My mouth was too swallen to give any response. The Cubs lost as I sat isolated in a hostile world!
Last weekend a good friend treated my son and I to a Diamondbacks/Cubs game up in Phoenix. Despite being born in Seattle I have successfully raised my son to love the Cubs and we were thrilled to get to see them although I wondered if I would experience a similar reception as I got at Candlestick. Not so - as we sat waiting to meet our friends, Cub fans - one after another arrived at the stadium - my son had on his Cub hat and shirt and was frequently greeted and encouraged the the steady stream of blue shirts. I am sure the stadium was 1/3 or more cub fans. We relaxed, cheered and felt quite at home ... as we watched the Cubs lose again.
I Peter 2:11 says that we are "aliens and strangers" in this world - other places tell us that we are of "God's household" and "citizens of heaven." What does that look like here? It can mean that we sometimes receive hostility - Jesus said to expect it. It doesn't mean we are to be antagonistic - the verses in Peter which follow tell us to "keep our behavior excellent" in the world. It doesn't mean we can just be about heaven and disengage - our calling is to engage and serve and love here and now! I am not sure how this all gets lived out but i do know that even while being involved, serving and living here - I am not to become rooted here - I don't think I am supposed to quite get comfortable. A stadium full of like minded Cubs fans is not where God has placed me - although I have many along the way that are an encouragement and we can walk together - ultimately this is not my home - I am a pilgrim - a stranger, an alien. I have found that when I get too rooted here - my calling to mission is actually dulled. When I embrace being a pilgrim - my passion for mission is increased.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Workship
It has been close to a month since I updated this - I would excuse it by saying I have had too much work but then I would be revealing how badly I listen to my own advice considering we just completed a 4 week series on "A Theology of Work"! We discovered that work - vocation - is integral to the image of God - that we participate in His creative and redemptive work as we work - that His redemption has broken the curse and finally that we always begin first with REST.
For this post I was looking up in my concordance the word for "cultivate" as used in Gen 2:15. I found the word and the proper reference and checked the number next to it - #5647 - I turned to the back of the concordance but accidentally looked at #5447. It said " burden ... load." I panicked thinking I had misled the church - perhaps what we all thought was true - our vocations are just a heavy load! Fortunately I discovered my error and turned to the correct entry - yes - just as we had studied... the word for cultivate - the vocation God gave to Adam - is sometimes translated - WORSHIP. I must admit - particularly last week - I viewed my vocations as a load or burden to carry rather than offerings of worship. But as we learned from Luther - God is hidden in our vocations - as we find Him moment by moment - there are unending opportunities to grow, serve and worship.
I received a prayer request from a someone in the church yesterday. He asked for prayer during a very challenging time at his job - his request was that he would not just survive the challenges - he wanted to thrive in them. This is letting our vocations be worship and God is glorified - not necessarily by getting it right - but rather turning to Him again and again and again and again.
For this post I was looking up in my concordance the word for "cultivate" as used in Gen 2:15. I found the word and the proper reference and checked the number next to it - #5647 - I turned to the back of the concordance but accidentally looked at #5447. It said " burden ... load." I panicked thinking I had misled the church - perhaps what we all thought was true - our vocations are just a heavy load! Fortunately I discovered my error and turned to the correct entry - yes - just as we had studied... the word for cultivate - the vocation God gave to Adam - is sometimes translated - WORSHIP. I must admit - particularly last week - I viewed my vocations as a load or burden to carry rather than offerings of worship. But as we learned from Luther - God is hidden in our vocations - as we find Him moment by moment - there are unending opportunities to grow, serve and worship.
I received a prayer request from a someone in the church yesterday. He asked for prayer during a very challenging time at his job - his request was that he would not just survive the challenges - he wanted to thrive in them. This is letting our vocations be worship and God is glorified - not necessarily by getting it right - but rather turning to Him again and again and again and again.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
work
This week we began a short series on work and discovered first that work began in the very heart and nature of God. The first verse of the Word begins with God working and it continues through the creation account. Gen. 2:2 states, "by the seventh day God completed His work..." We also noticed that God created Adam and gave him work to do and declared it GOOD. I mentioned Exodus 31:17 - a verse that we have considered several times in our studies on Sabbath rest - and I have been considering it this past week in regards to work.
In a world now marked by sin in which its effects are often most evident in our work - where is the refreshment? For many, work depletes, drains and causes a deep weariness. Is refreshment the weekend - a time of not "working" - somehow that is a far cry from the refreshment evidenced in Ex. 31. I believe our God is about redemption and it would seem that redemption would touch something as important to the heart of God as work. Here on this side of the cross God still opens a door to finding refreshment both in our labor as well as in laying it down - yes - delight in work - deep, abiding delight and refreshment.
So what is the key? I think there are several but one that we might consider for a time shows up in Acts 3:19 where it states "that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." When we begin to see that there is no sacred/secular divide - that every area of our lives are places of His presence, places of His work, places of worship - that everu "work" He calls us to is holy - when we begin to get that - we find delight in the most unexpected places - even work.
"... on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed."
Ex. 31:17
What does it mean that God is refreshed? Was He somehow depleted from His work in creation? God can't be depleted - He doesn't get worn out - He sure wasn't weary and in need of a nap. I think of refreshed as getting back something lost but perhaps it is more about the delight one receives when experiencing something good like the refreshment of a cold glass of water during a hot Tucson afternoon. When God ceased - maybe He experienced the delight both of work well done as well as the delight of laying the completed work down.In a world now marked by sin in which its effects are often most evident in our work - where is the refreshment? For many, work depletes, drains and causes a deep weariness. Is refreshment the weekend - a time of not "working" - somehow that is a far cry from the refreshment evidenced in Ex. 31. I believe our God is about redemption and it would seem that redemption would touch something as important to the heart of God as work. Here on this side of the cross God still opens a door to finding refreshment both in our labor as well as in laying it down - yes - delight in work - deep, abiding delight and refreshment.
So what is the key? I think there are several but one that we might consider for a time shows up in Acts 3:19 where it states "that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." When we begin to see that there is no sacred/secular divide - that every area of our lives are places of His presence, places of His work, places of worship - that everu "work" He calls us to is holy - when we begin to get that - we find delight in the most unexpected places - even work.
Monday, April 9, 2012
06 House Of God Forever
06 House Of God Forever
This is a Jon Foreman song done by the group that will lead our worship on 4/15 - page cxvi
This is a Jon Foreman song done by the group that will lead our worship on 4/15 - page cxvi
House
"Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6
This past Sunday morning - as we filled up on a great breakfast that we had each contributed to, as I listened to the beautiful noise of conversations out on our courtyard of green grass, as the music began to fill our neighborhood, and as I watched the children running around the property - this is the body of Christ gathered together! I thought about the children, and how this experience of "church" would shape their views of the Lord, His people, and what gathering together is meant to be. It got me thinking about Psalm 23 and what it means to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." I like how it is linked with "all the days of my life" for His Kingdom - His house is not just someday but it is here and now - out on the church lawn, in our homes, sitting together in a restaurant - wherever we might be.
First - the Scriptures tell us that we are His temple - so wherever I am - I am a dwelling place of a Holy God. Second - we are described as being "in Christ" - so I am always breathing, speaking, working, playing ... living, within the sphere of His life - it is the "environment" within which I exist. Lastly, as in Ephesians 2:19 - we are together 'God's household". Gathered together we experience the wonder of being "in His house"! So when we gather to sing, to discuss, to play, to eat!!, to watch our kids play, to hear the Word of God, to clean up a neighbor's yard - we are in fact enjoying being in "the house of the Lord forever. So - take every opportunity to be with one another for in doing so we experience the Lord's House!
By the way - if you live in Tucson - a great chance to "be together" is this coming Sunday night, April 15th. We will gather at 6pm - to eat of course - a BBQ out on the lawn followed by an evening of Hymns and Communion 7pm. We have special out of state guests coming to lead our worship - you can check them out at http://www.pagecxvi.com/
This past Sunday morning - as we filled up on a great breakfast that we had each contributed to, as I listened to the beautiful noise of conversations out on our courtyard of green grass, as the music began to fill our neighborhood, and as I watched the children running around the property - this is the body of Christ gathered together! I thought about the children, and how this experience of "church" would shape their views of the Lord, His people, and what gathering together is meant to be. It got me thinking about Psalm 23 and what it means to "dwell in the house of the Lord forever." I like how it is linked with "all the days of my life" for His Kingdom - His house is not just someday but it is here and now - out on the church lawn, in our homes, sitting together in a restaurant - wherever we might be.
First - the Scriptures tell us that we are His temple - so wherever I am - I am a dwelling place of a Holy God. Second - we are described as being "in Christ" - so I am always breathing, speaking, working, playing ... living, within the sphere of His life - it is the "environment" within which I exist. Lastly, as in Ephesians 2:19 - we are together 'God's household". Gathered together we experience the wonder of being "in His house"! So when we gather to sing, to discuss, to play, to eat!!, to watch our kids play, to hear the Word of God, to clean up a neighbor's yard - we are in fact enjoying being in "the house of the Lord forever. So - take every opportunity to be with one another for in doing so we experience the Lord's House!
By the way - if you live in Tucson - a great chance to "be together" is this coming Sunday night, April 15th. We will gather at 6pm - to eat of course - a BBQ out on the lawn followed by an evening of Hymns and Communion 7pm. We have special out of state guests coming to lead our worship - you can check them out at http://www.pagecxvi.com/
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Resurrection
Resurrection, a Puritan’s Prayer
O God of my Exodus, Great was the joy of Israel’s sons, when Egypt died upon the shore, Far greater the joy when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust.
Jesus strides forth as the victor, conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might;
He bursts the bands of death, tramples the powers of darkness down, and lives forever.
He, my gracious surety, apprehended for payment of my debt, comes forth from the house of the grave free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.
Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted, that the claims of justice are satisfied, the the devil’s scepter is shivered, that his wrongful throne is levelled
Give me the assurance that in Christ I died, in him I rose, in his life I live, in his victory I triumph, in his ascension I shall be glorified.
Adorable Redeemer, thou who wast lifted upon a cross art ascended to highest heaven.
Thou, who as Man of Sorrows was crowned with thorns, art now Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, no shame more deep than thine, no agony more bitter, no death more cruel.
Now, no exaltation more high, no life more glorious, no advocate more effective.
Thou art in the triumph car leading captive thine enemies behind thee.
What more could be done than thou hast done!
Thy death is my life, thy resurrection my peace, thy ascension my hope, thy prayers my comfort.
Resurrection, a prayer from the Puritan Valley of Vision
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Alive
So... I turned 54 this past week - kind of a weird number/age. 50 is significant and brought all sorts of thoughts about what's next, what have I accomplished etc.. 60 is big - I think. Even next year - 55 has a ring to it like "I can't drive 55!" or the lure of being able to order off the Denny's 55+ menu - can't wait!
But 54 ... it sounds so routine, nondescript, insignificant ... bland. Now that's a word I would not want to describe myself with! The dictionary says it means "pleasantly agreeable, nonirritating, indifferent - all passive words. To me it points to just passing time, lacking any impact, without a definable purpose - lacking in life, color and passion.
I hate to say it but that could often describe me - perhaps 54 is not only my age but is a fitting description of what I have allowed my life to become!
On Sunday we will be unpacking Ephesians 2:4-6 "even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ..." Romans 6 says that we were raised to "walk in newness of life!" To have been made alive is to be freed from sin, it is to have purpose and focus in His kingdom, it is to be brought in to share in His work and His life, it is to be brought from the dead so that color, passion, creativity and a fresh vision for the day can be generated by the Lord through my life! Why would I ever embrace blandness? I am not altogether sure but I think it slowly creeps into our days, sapping them of vitality, dulling our minds and creating the deception that this is what life is.
It isn't! As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us - "we are His workmanship (masterpieces) created in Christ Jesus for good works ..." Created for purpose, focus, wonder, mystery - to be pulled into the eternal working of our creator as He continues it in the midst of our everyday activities. His calling to me at 54 is "I have made you alive - live!" "I have prepared you - step forward!" ""I am in all your days ahead - embrace them with gratitude, expectation and delight."
So - Lord, a year from now when I am eating breakfast at Denny's - may I have learned to see Your Life anew - press me to keep me alive to the moments You give and do whatever You need to do to rescue me from my own blandness. amen
But 54 ... it sounds so routine, nondescript, insignificant ... bland. Now that's a word I would not want to describe myself with! The dictionary says it means "pleasantly agreeable, nonirritating, indifferent - all passive words. To me it points to just passing time, lacking any impact, without a definable purpose - lacking in life, color and passion.
I hate to say it but that could often describe me - perhaps 54 is not only my age but is a fitting description of what I have allowed my life to become!
On Sunday we will be unpacking Ephesians 2:4-6 "even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ..." Romans 6 says that we were raised to "walk in newness of life!" To have been made alive is to be freed from sin, it is to have purpose and focus in His kingdom, it is to be brought in to share in His work and His life, it is to be brought from the dead so that color, passion, creativity and a fresh vision for the day can be generated by the Lord through my life! Why would I ever embrace blandness? I am not altogether sure but I think it slowly creeps into our days, sapping them of vitality, dulling our minds and creating the deception that this is what life is.
It isn't! As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us - "we are His workmanship (masterpieces) created in Christ Jesus for good works ..." Created for purpose, focus, wonder, mystery - to be pulled into the eternal working of our creator as He continues it in the midst of our everyday activities. His calling to me at 54 is "I have made you alive - live!" "I have prepared you - step forward!" ""I am in all your days ahead - embrace them with gratitude, expectation and delight."
So - Lord, a year from now when I am eating breakfast at Denny's - may I have learned to see Your Life anew - press me to keep me alive to the moments You give and do whatever You need to do to rescue me from my own blandness. amen
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