02 February 2010
Prayer, much prayer, is needed. We as believers do want the Holy Spirit to have HIS way…so since I don’t have much to do today, I think I better make some GOOD use of my “spare time” by praying! Praying that GOD’S WILL be done – and that He shows that will to each one (including me, of course!) and bring each one prepared and in unity with the Spirit as we gather together.
I think that each of us really does want that – but if people are like me (and I think we all are to some degree – it is part of the human condition, eh), we each do “perceive” to some degree through our own past experiences and so on, and so we really do need to pray, pray, pray that God will open our eyes so we see past our own perceptions, to see as He sees. Not easy for any of us, but the only way to really be willing to give up everything we personally desire, and come together in unity in our Father, in HIS desires.
Perhaps we need most of all to pray for ourselves and each other, that we would all truly be “one in the Spirit,” casting aside our own longings and wishes and past experiences and even our own “interpretations of Scripture” … and become united in HIS love, as we let HIM have HIS way 100% even if we don’t like it (and boy, oh boy, sometimes “I” my “self” don’t like it!)… because if we can let Him have His way unimpeded, that unity and love will come. It is so hard for us to see beyond our own viewpoints and experiences and even our own interpretations of Scripture…
It is a long journey, one that has to be taken day by day, moment by moment, with our Father… and, tough as it may be, day by day together! The enemy desires above all to destroy our unity with our Father, and with each other as Father’s children. He does that by appealing, just as he did to Eve in the garden, to our “self.” In my personal walk, “dying to self” has always been the hardest thing … my “self” is the thing the enemy tries to keep alive. And I believe he does it to each of us. A lot! If he can succeed in making me “get my back up” with my brothers and sisters (and with my Father), he has won. He doesn’t have to care about programs or outreaches or methods or styles or anything… he just has to keep me being “self”-ish, wanting “my” way… He succeeded with Adam and Eve in the garden and he’s been doing a lot of succeeding ever since. But Jesus has won the war (though the enemy is determined to fight to the bitter end, and bring down every member of Father’s family if he possibly can, in one way or another, manage it).
We ARE in a position to be united with our Father and each other… but only when we are willing to give up every ounce of “my way” to completely submit to Father’s way. That’s what “abiding in the Father” means. And it can only be achieved if we are “praying without ceasing” … if we are consciously turning to Him for every little step, every little moment, every little conversation, every little action, every little decision… every little thought!
Maybe when we get together for “meetings” to try and “sort things out,” we should just pray and pray and pray and pray together as long as it takes, until the moment comes when Jesus’ Spirit confirms in all our spirits that we are finally united in His plans and purposes and love.
We are not called to battle with each other – only with the enemy and with our own flesh, our own “self.” And we already know that we can’t win that battle, ourselves. Only God can defeat the enemy – and He already has. But we have to be so united with Him, so walking in His Presence, that we totally allow Him to be the Head, our only leader, our only teacher, the one Shepherd, the “Lord of Hosts!”
Friday, 5 February 2010
"The best mission anywhere: it's family!"
01 February 2010
This morning at street church coffee time, the guys were saying that they think our community has “the best mission anywhere” because here it is really a family. And yet, we do not have a building (though we borrow some space some of the time), and we do not have any source of regular income, and we do not any fancy programs… But still, “we are family!” In and because of Jesus! That is pretty cool!!!
This morning at street church coffee time, the guys were saying that they think our community has “the best mission anywhere” because here it is really a family. And yet, we do not have a building (though we borrow some space some of the time), and we do not have any source of regular income, and we do not any fancy programs… But still, “we are family!” In and because of Jesus! That is pretty cool!!!
Words... connotations... denotations....
31 January 2010
At street church breakfast today, Pastor P was saying, “That’s abundant life!” about something good that God had done in someone’s life (and he was right). But I kind of shivered.
It’s amazing how perfectly wonderful words and phrases can take on sadly negative connotations when they are used too loosely and too often, or applied to what should be but often isn’t…. So I thought to myself, maybe from now on I’ll change that expression to “living abundantly” – which really isn’t all that different, but it doesn’t have that negative connotation for me… and because it puts the verb, the action, in first place, instead of the adjective, the descriptor, coming first…. Hmmm….
(Is that bad/evil of me to feel that way, to feel negatively about certain words or phrases because of personal experience?)
At street church breakfast today, Pastor P was saying, “That’s abundant life!” about something good that God had done in someone’s life (and he was right). But I kind of shivered.
It’s amazing how perfectly wonderful words and phrases can take on sadly negative connotations when they are used too loosely and too often, or applied to what should be but often isn’t…. So I thought to myself, maybe from now on I’ll change that expression to “living abundantly” – which really isn’t all that different, but it doesn’t have that negative connotation for me… and because it puts the verb, the action, in first place, instead of the adjective, the descriptor, coming first…. Hmmm….
(Is that bad/evil of me to feel that way, to feel negatively about certain words or phrases because of personal experience?)
Scattered flock - or filled to all the fulness of God?
31 January 2010
Jer 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
Jer 10:21 For the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered…. 32 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. 24. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
Hosea 5:6 They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. 7. They have dealt treacherously against the LORD… 15. I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21. to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus – to all generations forever and ever, Amen.
Jer 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
Jer 10:21 For the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the LORD; Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered…. 32 I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. 24. Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger, or You will bring me to nothing.
Hosea 5:6 They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. 7. They have dealt treacherously against the LORD… 15. I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.
Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18. may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19. and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21. to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus – to all generations forever and ever, Amen.
More thoughts about love - and how it can become twisted and prideful
More thoughts about love – and how it can become twisted and prideful
30 January 2010
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I [wisdom] hate… 17… those who diligently seek me [wisdom] will find me… 35 For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. 36 But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death.
See? When our “love” becomes perverted by “pride and arrogance and the evil way” we from our Lord’s favor – though His love stands firm and longs to bring us back into love with Him and others – and, instead of our prideful goal of exalting ourselves we actually injure ourselves – and lack wisdom – and love death!
(Lord, please forgive me for being “proud” in this situation I’ve been in… please! Help me! thankYou!). (You put me there, perhaps, to point some people to Your love… but oh dear God, it is too easy, even “pleasurable” for me to take pride in it… Please forgive me and keep me humble and keep me always glorifying You alone!!! Please!!!)
Wow! Words of warning to God’s own people:
Jer 7:4 Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ 5. For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, 6. if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruins, 7. then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever…
11. ‘Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,’ declares the LORD…
19. ‘Do they spite Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame… 23. But this is what I commanded them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people, and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.
Jer 8:7 … My people do not know the ordinance of the LORD… 8… behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. 9…. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, and what kind of wisdom do they have? 10…. Everyone practices deceit. 1. They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace… 2. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?
Hosea 5:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… 11. Harlotry, wine and new wine take away understanding. 12… they have played the harlot, departing from their God… 14… so the people without understanding are ruined.
Luke 12:48 … From everyone who has been given much, much will be required… 56. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57. And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?
30 January 2010
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I [wisdom] hate… 17… those who diligently seek me [wisdom] will find me… 35 For he who finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. 36 But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death.
See? When our “love” becomes perverted by “pride and arrogance and the evil way” we from our Lord’s favor – though His love stands firm and longs to bring us back into love with Him and others – and, instead of our prideful goal of exalting ourselves we actually injure ourselves – and lack wisdom – and love death!
(Lord, please forgive me for being “proud” in this situation I’ve been in… please! Help me! thankYou!). (You put me there, perhaps, to point some people to Your love… but oh dear God, it is too easy, even “pleasurable” for me to take pride in it… Please forgive me and keep me humble and keep me always glorifying You alone!!! Please!!!)
Wow! Words of warning to God’s own people:
Jer 7:4 Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, ‘This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.’ 5. For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, 6. if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruins, 7. then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever…
11. ‘Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,’ declares the LORD…
19. ‘Do they spite Me,’ declares the LORD, ‘Is it not themselves they spite, to their own shame… 23. But this is what I commanded them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be my people, and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24. Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.
Jer 8:7 … My people do not know the ordinance of the LORD… 8… behold, the lying pen of the scribes has made it into a lie. 9…. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, and what kind of wisdom do they have? 10…. Everyone practices deceit. 1. They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace… 2. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?
Hosea 5:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… 11. Harlotry, wine and new wine take away understanding. 12… they have played the harlot, departing from their God… 14… so the people without understanding are ruined.
Luke 12:48 … From everyone who has been given much, much will be required… 56. You hypocrites! You know how to analyze the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not analyze this present time? 57. And why do you not even on your own initiative judge what is right?
Talking with Father about pride and dignity... and Your love
30 January 2010
“We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord…
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love….
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand…
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land…
We will work with each other, We will work side by side….
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride…
All praise to the Father, from Whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
All all praise to the Spirit who makes us one,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
(Carolyn Arends – lyrics)
That line about “save each man’s pride” … I’ve often wondered about that – “pride” being probably the basic sin, the sin of “self,” of desire to be independent, separate from, equal to – even above – You! I suppose the song write meant it to be a part of the idea of “guarding each man’s dignity” which of course can only truly happen when we love others with Your love, and they enter into Your love themselves, and we are “one in the bonds of love.” It’s about loving others the way You love us – unconditionally! Where nothing they can do – or not do – makes any difference to Your love (and to Your love to others through us). Where we see others as You see them – Your precious, beloved children, bought, restored, forgiven, because of the sacrificial shed blood of Jesus, Your only begotten Son!
Then, all their “dignity and pride” is found in their relationship to You, their position as Your children – children of the Almighty God of the Universe, of all that is! No more is in grounded in their own “self-worth” or “self-esteem” which is always bound to fail. Actually, we can’t “guard” or “save” other’s dignity and pride at all, ourselves, though as we love them unconditionally with Your love, their eyes may be lifted from their woundedness, their sense of self-defeat, their battered self-esteem and self-worth, long enough that in us they might catch a glimpse of You, of Your love and Your glory and Your majesty – and then they might choose to come into Your arms that You spread wide open on the cross – and in You, in Your love, they will find true dignity, and yes, pride… because then their lives will be about You, no longer about themselves (and they will be saved from their self-pride!).
But I guess it is also true, that as we treat others with the dignity which we ourselves have received in You, even before they come to know You, they will get a taste of what true dignity feels like… and that will give them a longing for more… for You! I think that for many people, that “taste of dignity” is necessary, for their “own” sense of dignity has been so shattered by an unkind, unsympathetic, each-man-for-himself world, that they have fallen into hopelessness and self-loathing so deep that they have given up. And then when a taste of dignity – from those who have experienced Your love and are passing it on to others – comes along, the hope arises in them and they lift up their eyes to find the Source of love and life – and the Source of true dignity and true pride, untainted by the evil of self-seeking and self-serving!
By the way, sadly, ironically, we far too often don’t even love, and treat with dignity, those who are our brothers and sisters in Your family, Your church, Your body, Your kingdom. It seems sometimes like we are far more likely to treat with dignity our co-workers, our employers, those we meet in the marketplace, etc – even treat with a kind of self-righteous dignity those whom we may actually “despise” as the “bum on the street corner”! - while we show so little dignity, so little true love, to those right in the body of Christ.
I wonder, do we think that since they’re already “saved,” it doesn’t matter? Perhaps… but I fear that it is even more likely that too often the “dignity” we (as individuals, yes, but sometimes as whole “churches” too) afford to others around us in the world may actually be more self-seeking, as we ourselves seek to be liked, appreciated, approved, even bowed-before… while the way we often treat fellow-believers is even worse: with unkindness, despising, even just ignoring them – and again it comes down to the same thing – just us wanting to be “number one” at the expense of others. The old number one sin of pride and self-esteem above God and others, keeps trying to raise its ugly head. And when the world looks down at Christians and despises us, it is because we “proclaim” a God of love – and yet what they see… well, maybe the lyrics of reality are different, for example:
They’ll know we are Christians by our lack of love…
Our lack of unity…
Our failure to treat each other with dignity….
Our failure to truly walk and work together…
And our overwhelming, self-righteous, actually sometimes more worldly than the world’s, attitudes and actions that so often scream out “pride!”
Oh dear.
(But thank You for showing me that..) (Please change me) (Please conquer and destroy MY PRIDE! Please replace it with pride in You alone.) (And yes, maybe we do need to change that line in the song about “saving man’s pride”??? Papa??? New lyics??)
“We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord…
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love….
We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand…
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land…
We will work with each other, We will work side by side….
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride…
All praise to the Father, from Whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
All all praise to the Spirit who makes us one,
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”
(Carolyn Arends – lyrics)
That line about “save each man’s pride” … I’ve often wondered about that – “pride” being probably the basic sin, the sin of “self,” of desire to be independent, separate from, equal to – even above – You! I suppose the song write meant it to be a part of the idea of “guarding each man’s dignity” which of course can only truly happen when we love others with Your love, and they enter into Your love themselves, and we are “one in the bonds of love.” It’s about loving others the way You love us – unconditionally! Where nothing they can do – or not do – makes any difference to Your love (and to Your love to others through us). Where we see others as You see them – Your precious, beloved children, bought, restored, forgiven, because of the sacrificial shed blood of Jesus, Your only begotten Son!
Then, all their “dignity and pride” is found in their relationship to You, their position as Your children – children of the Almighty God of the Universe, of all that is! No more is in grounded in their own “self-worth” or “self-esteem” which is always bound to fail. Actually, we can’t “guard” or “save” other’s dignity and pride at all, ourselves, though as we love them unconditionally with Your love, their eyes may be lifted from their woundedness, their sense of self-defeat, their battered self-esteem and self-worth, long enough that in us they might catch a glimpse of You, of Your love and Your glory and Your majesty – and then they might choose to come into Your arms that You spread wide open on the cross – and in You, in Your love, they will find true dignity, and yes, pride… because then their lives will be about You, no longer about themselves (and they will be saved from their self-pride!).
But I guess it is also true, that as we treat others with the dignity which we ourselves have received in You, even before they come to know You, they will get a taste of what true dignity feels like… and that will give them a longing for more… for You! I think that for many people, that “taste of dignity” is necessary, for their “own” sense of dignity has been so shattered by an unkind, unsympathetic, each-man-for-himself world, that they have fallen into hopelessness and self-loathing so deep that they have given up. And then when a taste of dignity – from those who have experienced Your love and are passing it on to others – comes along, the hope arises in them and they lift up their eyes to find the Source of love and life – and the Source of true dignity and true pride, untainted by the evil of self-seeking and self-serving!
By the way, sadly, ironically, we far too often don’t even love, and treat with dignity, those who are our brothers and sisters in Your family, Your church, Your body, Your kingdom. It seems sometimes like we are far more likely to treat with dignity our co-workers, our employers, those we meet in the marketplace, etc – even treat with a kind of self-righteous dignity those whom we may actually “despise” as the “bum on the street corner”! - while we show so little dignity, so little true love, to those right in the body of Christ.
I wonder, do we think that since they’re already “saved,” it doesn’t matter? Perhaps… but I fear that it is even more likely that too often the “dignity” we (as individuals, yes, but sometimes as whole “churches” too) afford to others around us in the world may actually be more self-seeking, as we ourselves seek to be liked, appreciated, approved, even bowed-before… while the way we often treat fellow-believers is even worse: with unkindness, despising, even just ignoring them – and again it comes down to the same thing – just us wanting to be “number one” at the expense of others. The old number one sin of pride and self-esteem above God and others, keeps trying to raise its ugly head. And when the world looks down at Christians and despises us, it is because we “proclaim” a God of love – and yet what they see… well, maybe the lyrics of reality are different, for example:
They’ll know we are Christians by our lack of love…
Our lack of unity…
Our failure to treat each other with dignity….
Our failure to truly walk and work together…
And our overwhelming, self-righteous, actually sometimes more worldly than the world’s, attitudes and actions that so often scream out “pride!”
Oh dear.
(But thank You for showing me that..) (Please change me) (Please conquer and destroy MY PRIDE! Please replace it with pride in You alone.) (And yes, maybe we do need to change that line in the song about “saving man’s pride”??? Papa??? New lyics??)
Networking!
29 January 2010
Well! Went to street outreach coffee time this morning. Pastor P was excited because he went to that downtown association meeting and got to meet with the mayor, business people, police, etc, and share his vision for a mission. Now he’s been invited to attend other meetings… As he said, he’s not looking for what they can do for him, but to let them know how Another Chance street ministry can help them.
Well! Went to street outreach coffee time this morning. Pastor P was excited because he went to that downtown association meeting and got to meet with the mayor, business people, police, etc, and share his vision for a mission. Now he’s been invited to attend other meetings… As he said, he’s not looking for what they can do for him, but to let them know how Another Chance street ministry can help them.
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