The High Calling Of Unity

Unity is fragile. It is the necessary commodity of all healthy relationships. Jesus said where two or more are gathered in his name he would be in their midst. When a husband and wife, parent and children, family, business partners, neighbors, schools, or the church acknowledge the name of Christ he is with them. But the presence of Jesus, as wonderful as it is, often isn't enough to keep the bonds of unity from unraveling. Spouses divorce, children rebel, and churches split over the smallest of issues. Sin creeps in and we abandon unity for convenience. We rationalize our behavior by elevating our reason above the word of God.

The one reason people give in the church for leaving that disturbs me the most is "I am leaving for the sake of unity. I don't want to cause any divisions." But God never calls us to leave a church for the sake of Unity. He calls us to have Unity. We are to maintain unity in the midst of disagreement. We are to strive for unity in the midst of failure and sin. In the United Sates it is easy to for go this important aspect of body life because we can always go to another church. Lack of unity and the refusal to fight for it is contrary to the will of God.

Jesus said that the world will know us because of our love for one another. Our love is an expression of God's character, and where two or more are gathered his love is manifest. When Paul told the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of their calling he was talking about unity, getting along, practicing love, offering and asking for forgiveness, and extending grace and mercy. It means tolerating others political and social views, speaking the truth in love, overlooking offensive behaviors, speech and attitudes for the sake of unity.

Unity doesn't come easy it requires humility and gentleness, patience and love. These characteristics are not the manner of walk that is worthy of our calling. They are necessary tools by which unity is maintained. In our rush to judge the sins of others we wag our fingers in self righteous condemnation. We use the word of God as a hammer, and expect people to change over night. We say it is loving when we bring to light what we believe are the flaws and missteps of others, and then turn our backs on them when they don't change they way we believe they should. We must maintain purity, both doctrinally and morally. That begs the question, "Unity at all cost?"  Are there times when we should break the unity, expel the transgressor and walk away for the doctrinally errant? 

The short answer is yes, but it isn't the first answer. The first answer should be directed to these questions, What have I done to maintain the unity of the Spirit? How have I humbly, patiently, gently, and lovingly endured for the sake of Unity? What have I sacrificed for what Christ died for? Have I forgiven 70 times 7? Have I sought reconciliation? Have I extended mercy over and over again? The easy route is to find a group of people just like me, who think like me, talk like me, and believe like me. 

My son and his family live in the Middle East and attend a church of Expats. They come from all over the world and the one thing they have in common is their faith in Jesus. From my perspective most of them have faulty eschatology, ecclesiology, views on social issues, and science and religion. Yet they come together for worship, fellowship, and outreach. They have to maintain the Spirit of Unity because they have very few choices. I have met with and fellowshipped with them and they are some of the most loving people I have ever met.  They, by necessity, have learned to keep the Unity of the Spirit.

When we have this kind of attitude we become eager to maintain unity. We hunger for it because true fellowship is life. We thirst for it because it is a spring of living water in Christ. We fight for it because the enemy would like nothing more then to see the church fail. We rest in it because true peace isn't the absence of conflict but the assurance that God is on control 

Unity is fragile but our strength comes for The Lord. Unity can only be maintained by walking in the Spirit and seeing the Spirit in one another. How is your walk today? Is it worthy of the calling by which you have been called? I am just saying...

Eph. 4:1-3 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

What Does Mustard and Strawberries Have In Common?

I made a ham sandwich the other day and it was overflowing with the deliciousness of mustard. Carelessly I began to devour the succulent meal and when I looked down mustard had dripped on to my shirt. Taking my napkin I dabbed the yellow blob only to find that a stain had been left behind. Likewise, while eating a strawberry I placed the stem on my lap and when I picked it up a round red stain was the result. If left to myself I would become a multi colored tapestry of mealtime residue. Stains do not add to the glory of my apparel. They diminish its appearance and bring judgement from the more tidy.

In the same manner sin has stained the imprint of God's glory in our lives. All have fallen short and we lack the means to remove its residue. Yet, God in his mercy has washed us clean through the blood of the lamb. His glory becomes our glory, the riches of his glory the sustenance of our being. We owe all to him who gave all of himself for our benefit, that we might be saved for His glory. As a result everything that we do is to extol and bring glory to His name.

God's glory is the essence of his being, the totality of his character, and the representation of his nature. His glory shines, gives light, is majestic, it fills the whole world and every believer. His glory is without boundaries and yet contained in the person of Jesus. 

We fall short of it, but as the redeemed we can reflect it. Jesus said we are to let our light shine in such a way as to give glory to God. Our thoughts, our behavior, and our speech bring glory to God when they reflect his character. In his exclamation of praise Paul says that God is glorified in the Church and in Christ throughout all generations. It is the redeeming work of Christ in the church that brings glory to God. Despite her flaws, her inadequacies, her failures and sin, it is the act of God in Christ which brings Him glory.

As the church we are to conform our behavior in such a way as to bring glory to God. But we will fail, and the world is ready to wag its finger to remind us that we are no different then they. In the same way the church devours its own when they stumble and fall, wagging their fingers in self righteous indignation. 

God's glory, however, is demonstrated in our failure. The more we sin the more glory God receives through his grace and mercy. That isn't an excuse to sin more, but rather an expectation of hope. I strive to bring glory to His name in all that I do, but when I fail He extends forgiveness and His glory is magnified. That is how God's glory is perpetuated through every generation. The church is the object of his love, mercy, and grace through the sacrificial condemnation of sin in Christ Jesus. God's glory is the intersection where his love, mercy, and grace meet righteousness, justice, and wrath in the person of Jesus for the benefit of the church.

God's glory is not dependent on me. I am the recipient of His act of bringing glory to Himself. His glory is not diminished in my failure, but I am raised out of the mire because of it. Solo Deo Gloria! I'm just saying...

Eph. 3:21 "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Jesus Is Apolitical

To all my political friends I feel compelled to write a brief clarification as to the political leanings of our savior. Too often both liberal and conservatives find it necessary to illicit teachings from the bible, specifically the words of Jesus, to give strength or justification, for their political ideologies. It soothes their conscience in some way. Jesus, however, was not conservative, he was revolutionary, and he wasn't liberal, but rather liberating. The following are ten things Jesus would say to all who would use his name in the vanity of political discourse.

To the conservative: obey the governing authorities and render to Caesar what is Caesars.  Taxes pay for the governing of our society.

To the Liberal: do not take more then what is necessary for good government. 

To the conservative: feed the poor, stand for the oppressed, look after the widow in her distress. Treat your employees as brothers knowing you have a master over you.

To the liberal: if you don't work, you don't eat, and be satisfied with the wage you for which you have agreed to work.

To the conservative: do not judge for there is but one judge who is over all, instead love one another.

To the liberal: tolerance and grace doesn't mean acceptance. Be holy as I am holy, go and sin no more.

To the conservative: wage peace, for my kingdom is not of this world. Our battle is not with flesh and blood.

To the Liberal: governments exist to wield the sword of justice, establish the rule of law and sometimes that might mean war.

To the conservative: it is difficult for the wealthy to enter into the kingdom of God, and God's blessing is his opportunity for generosity

To the Liberal: accumulation of wealth is not evil, but the of it. God never condemns the wealthy or asks him to redistribute his wealth. The poor will always be with us.

To the conservative: love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you.

To the Liberal: love your enemies, do good to those who persecute you.

To the conservative: Extend mercy those who have made mistakes and need help.

To the Liberal: all life is sacred, don't sacrifice babies on the alter of convenience.

To the conservative: put your money where your mouth is.

To the Liberal: put your actions where your mouth is.

To the conservative: the blessing of God is not evidenced in the abundance of material possessions.

To the Liberal: God's blessing doesn't rest on the poor for poverty's sake.

To the conservative: the chief end of man is to glorify God.

To the Liberal: the chief end of man is to glorify God.

I can hear both liberal and conservative say that this does not reflect what they believe. But I have heard both judge each other with the accusation the above address.  We love to label each other and for most Christians the labels liberal or conservative doesn't adequately describe them. Followers of Jesus find themselves agreeing with different aspects of political ideologies where they describe a clear Christian world view, and should reject tenets of either when they don't.  

What is important is that we allow Jesus to guide each decision we make instead of manipulating his teachings to justify our political ideologies. I'm just saying... 

Does God Really Provide More Than I Can Ask Or Think?

Can God find my car keys? Can he really get my car fixed? Can God provide me  a better job? Can he keep my baby from crying, my children from being disobedient, and my teenager from getting pregnant? Can God keep me sober? Can he free me from pornography? Can God stop the abuse, pull me out of my depression, heal my cancer? Can God stop the genocide? Can he prevent war? Can God bring the rain and produce a better harvest? Can God stop Ebola? Can he rescue the abducted? Can he bring justice to the oppressed, and break down the walls of hatred, prejudice, and violence? Can he do more abundantly than I am able to ask or think?

At times it is difficult for me to listen to "testimonies" of God's provision and deliverance. They are antidotal evidence of His working that people try to make normative. For every answered prayer there are scores whose prayers fall in the silence. For every claim of healing there are those who weep at a loved ones funeral. For every job provided another one is lost. For every praise of God's deliverance from spiritual oppression there is a believer who has died at the hands' of tyrants. Can he do more than I am able to ask or think?

At church this past week the pastor spoke on giving and gave an illustration of when in seminary he wasn't "tithing." He had a broken car that no one could fix. During a time of study and prayer he was convicted about his lack of giving, and felt cursed. Though they had little money they tithed, and low and behold the next mechanic was able to fix their car and his grandfather gave him an new car. All because he decided to tithe. If this is true then I am cursed above all else, but wait, I faithfully tithe. Can He do more than I am able to ask or think?

In the context of Ephesians chapter three Paul is encouraging believers in their possession of all the spiritual blessings of God. He is talking about the glorious riches of God in Christ. He is extolling God's work to break down the dividing wall between himself and sinners, and between Jews and Gentiles. Paul is explaining the mystery of God hidden to generations past and revealed to us in Christ. He is praying for our minds to be enlightened to the depth of God's unfathomable love so that we can love him and others. He is asking God that we will be strengthen in our inner being. It is within this context that he breaks out in praise to Him who is able to provide the things He has promised more abundantly then we can ask or think.

Does God work in our lives in miraculous ways? Yes, but what he does for one person isn't normative for the next. All good gifts come from God, but not all we ask for is given. What is beyond our ability to ask and think are not the temporal requests we lay before the throne. What he  abundantly provides through the power working in us is a deeper understanding of His love, mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation, and filling of the Spirit. What is beyond our ability to ask and think is how to love our enemies, pray for the persecutor, love the unloveable, serve others, sacrifice for the kingdom, and faithfully keep our covenant between our spouses and God.

Should we stop praying for the temporal? No. We are called to trust God with everything and give him glory for however he responds. But if we see the prayers for the temporal from a fleshly perspective we will be disappointed when God doesn't come through. Only when we allow Him to provide abundantly more according to the power working in us to understand the heavenly perspective will we stand firm in both blessing and trial. I'm just saying...

Eph. 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,"

Flowers, Kitty, and One More Book

You learn more about life from grandchildren then you ever did being a parent. As a parent (especially moms) your days are filled with schedules, routines, cleaning up messes and bottoms, bumps and bruises, and herding little ones from one place to another. You are an educator, physician assistants, counselor, and activities coordinator. You are in the business of raising your children to be well rounded, godly participants in the human race. It is exhausting and parenting is for the young.

Grandparents (with the exception of those who are heroically raising a second generation) are entertainment participants and personal valets. We are less concerned about molding children as we are about being children. We can silly dance and not be embaressed because, well, we just don't care what other adults think, we are with our grandchildren. We sleep better at night too because the energetic enthusiasm of grandchildren is exhausting.

Eva favorite stuffed animal is a kitty. Despite our best effort to give her the most awesome Build A Bear she is still comforted at night with her favorite friend. It is the Kitty who finds its way into imaginary conversations and backpacks when we go on a trip. There is something soothing about its texture as she touches it to her cheek. Why this kitty instead of another? Who knows, but at some point a meaningful gift became an indispensible friend. Reminds me of Calvin and Hobbs. Kitty is that one friend who is never dissappointed, always listens, doesn't judge, and is there when you need a soothing companion. We all need someone in our lives like that, but this kind of friend is difficult to find. Our Heavenly Father and the endwelling Spirit can be that kind of friend. Jesus calls us his friends because he has drawn us into his inner circle and we are participants in his plan. He doesn't judge because he was judged, the Spirit comforts when the world tears us down, and the soothing texture of his presence stills our troubled souls in difficult times. All believers have aceess to the best friend you could ever have, and if double blessed there is another human God has placed in your life who displays His love in the flesh.

Taking a walk was one of the highlights of the day. It was a feat to get three children into strollers, wagons, and a big wheel while keeping the dog on the leash. Once we headed out we were an odd parade in the neighborhood. I was pulled along by the dog while I was pulling Gabe in the wagon. Eva peddled the big wheel with an occasional push by Rebecca who pushed the stroller with Phillip. As adults we had an objective...go for a walk around the block. As an inquisitive child Eva saw every flower as an invitation to stop, smell, and if allowed pick and placed in the basket. It didn't make any difference the kind or size of the flower. Each was magical and it drew her like gravity. The journey was only an opportunity to see the wonder along the way. We focus so much on the end that the wonder of the journey is often lost. The end could be our career plans, educational goals, financial security, or even the gates of glory. Yet, God has gifted us with creation and it is full of wonders that are missed because of our frantic pursuits. One summer Alison pointed out all the fractals that crossed our path. I think this is where Eva gets her love for creations beauty. I didn't know what a fractal was and was fascinated with God's creativity. I started seeing them everywhere and enjoyed stopping and enjoying the simple pleasure of God. We need to take more time stopping and smelling the roses or we will stand before God some day to hear him say, "Really, you didn't see that? And I put it there just for you to find."

Reading didn't become a pastime for me until I was in High School. Books open up a world of ideas and imagination that broaden our understanding of the world and the human experience; even Fox in Box and the Berienstein Bears. Eva was playing Legos on the floor with grandma and I was reading to Gabe. From the first word read Eva was distracted by the story, so much so, she turned to Grandma and said, "I will come back and play with you latter." She crawled in my lap with her brother for the rest of the story, and five stories after that. They couldn't get enough. I finally had to stop because I was losing my voice. The love of reading is a learned behavior. Children who are read to and see their parents read are more likely to be readers themselves. As important as it is to read the great literature of the world more important is the ability and love for reading that opens up the wonder of God's word. The living Word (Jesus) spoke to us of God's presence. The written Word continues to speak to us of God's love and character. When we teach a child to read, and to read the Word of God, we open to them wonder of God himself. As newborns hunger for milk so are we the Word of God. Its a foundation worth exploring.

Imagination, exploration, and foundations are things I observed in my grandchildren this summer. I have learned that I need to soak in all that God has provided for me and take the time to revel in Him and His creation. I'm just saying...

All We Need Is Love

The world is full of hate. Our televisions flicker with images of killing, rioting, rape, murder, and abuse. It would seem that the end is coming and if Jesus doesn't return soon all will spiral into the abyss. The Scriptures say that before the end there will be wars and rumors of war, and it looks to be playing itself out right in front of our eyes. The world plays tit for tat and tempts to pull Christians into its insidious game.

In a world that wages war our answer is to wage peace, through love, but before we can wage this kind of battle we have to be grounded in the fabric of God's love. We need to be rooted, established, anchored, moored, cemented, super glued into this one characteristic. How can we have compassion and forgiveness toward people if we do not have love? How can we sway people for Christ if our concern is to win arguments?

We throw words around in the name of truth, qualify our statements with concern, and then rail against vain conceptions and step back and feel good because we have spoken out. But are we rooted in love? Do we really care for others or just the sound of our own words?

There is a balance because taking a stand for truth is important, but only if its goal is to shed light on God's love through Christ. God doesn't need us to defend his honor, but he does call us to love others. He doesn't call us to take up arms, but he does call us to lay down our lives. He doesn't call us take all we can get, but he does call us to sacrifice all that we have. He doesn't call us to love ourselves, but he does call us to treat others better then we treat ourselves. 

This is incomprehensible, and that is why the Apostle Paul confidently went before the Father. He knew that to be enlightened meant to be filled with the Spirit. He knew that to love like this would take a supernatural strength. He knew that we needed power that could only come from Christ. When we come to understand and put into practice the love of Christ then we will have the fullness of God dwelling in us. 

How will you love today? How will you speak words of life? How will you show compassion, mercy, forgiveness, sacrifice, and selflessness to someone? How will you be the explanation of God's unfathomable love today?  I'm just saying...

Eph. 3:17-19 "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Grandpa, Grandpa

Grandpa, wake up, wake up!

Grandpa, read me a book.

Grandpa, wrestle with me.

Grandpa, tell me a story.

Grandpa, I'm hiding from mommy (under my desk)

Grandpa, can we go for a walk.

Grandpa, can you come on the plane with us?

Grandpa, I love you

I loved my children growing up and I spent 18+ plus years working to get them out of the house. Now I would do anything to have them come home and bring the grandchildren. Over the last few months my youngest was married, my middle son and his wife bought their first home, and my oldest and his family have visited with us for four weeks. I am proud of my children and their godly families.

My oldest son asked me last night what Rebecca and I will do tonight after they leave. Well, I can watch my TV shows, eat in the living room, not have to walk through an obsticle course of toys, not have to keep the dog out of the reach of the baby, not have to find the remote somewhere only a baby can find, not have to worry about coordinating schedules around nap time, listen to children cry, argue, screem, or lock themselves in the bedroom. In other words it will be quite dull.

The grandchildren have brought so much joy into our lives and we love having them around. We love their laughter and their innocence. We love taking them for walks, riding in the wagon, and peddling the big Wheel. We love watching them play in the pool and water park I made for them in the backyard. We love the interuption in our work schedule to hold the baby who pushed past the gate and triumphantly smiled at us. We love going to the park and pushing them on swings, climbing jungle gymns, and watching them make new friends quickly. We love reading books, telling stories in funny voices as stuffed animals talk to one another. We love their imagination as they play with their toys and imaginary friends. We love taking them out to eat, the play area at the mall, and having fun at Build a Bear. We love singing the prayer at dinner and listening to their parents teach them about Jesus.

Today they are packing their suitcases, will walk through security, board the plane and sore half way around the world to their home. Rebecca will cry, I will sniffle, but our hearts will be full of the love we have experienced with our family. We will cherish the memories and trust in the good providence of God to bring them back to us or us to them. I'm, sniffle sniffle, just saying...

Proverbs 17:6 "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."