tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10285951504714985982024-03-14T04:02:09.312-04:00the fire in His eyesDevotions, poems, and incites to help your daily walk as a Christian.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-59632784431236489762016-02-08T10:00:00.001-05:002016-02-08T10:00:33.441-05:00The Apostle Paul at the Super Bowl - a targum of Acts 17:16-34At the close of my sermon yesterday I shared a targum of Acts 17:16-34. Targums were used by rabbis to paraphrase Scripture in order to help foreigners understand Scriptures in their current times. This is my attempt at a targum that i've titled "Apostle Paul at the Super Bowl. May it encourage you to engage the world around you like Paul did.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
16 While Paul was a missionary in the United States of
America he happened to be touring during the week leading up to the Super Bowl,
the NFL’s championship game and host of the world’s most watched television
programming. This single event contained worship of many things like sports,
music, sexuality, greed, and hyper-capitolism. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17 So he used his fame to submit articles for Time magazine,
the New York Times, the Washington Post, spoke on shows on all the major news
networks, and even recorded a sermon that could be viewed online on the matter,
and it went viral. He also went to the sports bars and the grocery stores and
struck up conversations with people who he overheard talking about their Super
Bowl plans. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18-21 The news stations ridiculed him, but a few executives
saw their chance to gain viewers by the outlandish opinions that Paul had
concerning modern day idols and the ironic religiosity of football being played
on Sundays, the day that Jesus, the true target of our should-be worship, who
was resurrected once for all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
22-28 In a surprising nationally televised address, he
spoke, and began saying, “People of ‘Merica! I see that in every way Super Bowl
Sunday strikes up worship in your heart, but your worship falls on athletes who
fade, on guacamole that last only a few chips (way too few, the guac to chip
ratio is always too low if you ask me, anyway), at a television screen that
can’t really hear you, nor a team who benefits from you, nor do you really
benefit much from them. But worship itself is not where your fault lies, but
the fault is in where you aim your worship. Your adoration, your praise, your
energy, your money, your cheering, your time-orienting should all be centered
around Jesus, for He centered His all around you so you could have football.
For it was He who created football and nachos and music and everything else
this world has to offer. He is not swayed by your cheers for one team or
another, nor does He listen to your heartfelt prayer for that field goal to go
through the goalposts or wide of them. But what He has done is this, He has
placed human beings in the past, like Adam, Abraham, and Jesus, like your
parents, their parents, and their parents’ parents, in the nations they lived
knowing that you, yes you as an individual, would one day live in a nation that
produced something like a Super Bowl and would be inspired to set your heart,
your stomach, your eyes, your energy, your wallets totally aside for one Super
Day and one Super Team, when your heart, your stomach, your eyes, your energy,
your wallets were always meant for one man: Jesus. Though it is Coldplay who
sings at halftime that “You’re a sky, ‘cause you’re a sky full of stars, I’m
gonna give you my heart… ‘Cause you’re a sky, ‘cause you’re a sky full of stars
I want to die in your arms.” It is God who feels this way about you, you are
the stars that fill His sky, and He has died for you. When you believe in His
love, His death, and resurrection it is He that sings “Lights will guide you
home, and ignite your bones, and I will try and fix you.” For He does fix us
through and through, by and by, and he fixes us a spot in heaven to eternally
worship Him as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
29-31 “Don’t you see it’s silly to put all of your worship
eggs in this one bowl? It’s ok to enjoy the game, the music, the guacamole
because they all have God’s fingerprint on them, though they have been crafted
by mere human hands. God overlooked such silliness in the ages before Christ.
But with Christ having come, fully revealing God’s nature, through His death
and resurrection, through His forgiveness and mercy, He also has set a future
date for his reappearance to judge who or what we’ve worshipped with our lives.
It’s time to decide now on your end what He will see on His end on that day
when He comes back. What will you want to say you worshiped: the God who gives
us all these good gifts of football, music, and delicious foods, or the plate
of wings and a soon to be forgotten sporting event?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
32-34 When he was finished, Anderson Cooper and Stephen
Hawking were in tears, repenting openly and recognizing the error of their
ways. The Commissioners of the major sports weren't’ convinced but all wanted
to hear more, and yet many businessmen, professors, and even some very strict
and religious Christians all snickered and said “this guy doesn’t know what
he’s talking about.” A dejected janitor named Steven had no idea his new friend
he made just the other day at the bar was going to speak on national television
and change his heart forever. In fact, many like Steven who listened to Paul
enjoyed the game (and the guacamole), but worshiped the Creator instead of the
game that Sunday.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-33175492577832040442013-07-07T22:37:00.003-04:002013-07-07T22:37:58.904-04:00I'm short.I'm five feet, nine inches tall.<br />
<br />
On a good day.<br />
<br />
I was the starting center for the basketball team.<br />
<br />
In sixth grade.<br />
<br />
I was on an intramural basketball team where the average height on the team was six feet, three inches.<br />
<br />
Mind you, i "contributed" to that average.<br />
<br />
I'm not super short, but i have settled on the fact that for a guy, i'm short.<br />
<br />
Matthew 6:27 can be translated "Who of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his height?"<br />
<br />
Worry silently kills even our best days, let alone our bad ones.<br />
<br />
Worry is the belief that you somehow have the ability to do a greater amount of bad than God can do good. At the end of the day, worry is at best a distraction and at worst an idol that is unable to eclipse the Son.<br />
<br />
You should not worry not because God commands you not to, but because your worry hides you from God and His goodness.<br />
<br />
That chapter in Matthew ends with the command, "But seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (v. 33)<br />
<br />
Do you trust that His storehouse of goodness does not compare to the worst-case-scenario? Do you trust enough to seek. Because seeking takes faith.<br />
<br />
Trust is for what has already occurred. Faith gives us the boldness to step into what hasn't yet occurred. We need both to stand and then move forward in any scenario of our faith.<br />
<br />
Worry keeps us in our seats.<br />
<br />
Keeps us short, and more importantly, non-effective in our faith.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-82545753325819419182013-01-27T22:39:00.000-05:002013-01-27T22:39:22.710-05:00You are the light.As a little leaguer i got hit by the pitch a lot. A whole lot. As in "i was the kid with the facemask in little league" - a lot.<br />
<br />
As a result, i was afraid of a particular kind of pitch: the fast one. I was naturally a good hitter, but i remember sometime around the age of 15 i reached a point where the pitcher was throwing 90 miles per hour. That was the first time i understood the term "radio ball" so named because the ball made a sound as it came in that sounded a lot like the "fuzz" you hear on the radio between radio stations. That's just how fast the ball was moving.<br />
<br />
I had never feared a pitch more in my life, and yet i remember being faced with this reality:<br />
<br />
Nothing i could do with a pitch that fast would prevent me from getting hit by it. Am i going to be afraid of something i have no control over? Or am i going to decide against my fear, and go all in to standing in there and taking a full hack at the ball.<br />
<br />
I took a deep breath and decided that would be the day i stopped fearing the ball. On the second pitch i rocketed a single right back at the pitcher's head, narrowly missing his face.<br />
<br />
I can't say i lost 100% of my fear from then on (i ended up facing a guy that threw 94 mph once. Yahtzee! I went 2 for 4.) but i can say that i was forever changed.<br />
<br />
In a really odd way, i wonder if we have the same sort of fear when we come across Matthew 5:14 when Jesus looks to a crowd and declares to them that they "are the light of the world."<br />
<br />
When i put aside my fear, my ability to hit the ball came right out into the open and now the pitchers had to think twice about facing <i>me.</i><br />
<br />
When we put aside our fear and recognize that Jesus declares us to already be the light of the world, and to "let your light shine before men" (v. 16) we often well up in fear rather than show up in light. What if Jesus would have worded it, "Let your light shine so the darkness has to think twice about you."<br />
<br />
What is it exactly that we fear? What will people say? What if i offend somebody? What if i'm wrong? What if i come across as prideful?<br />
<br />
Here's what we fear: that we won't be in control.<br />
<br />Once i let go of the fact that i could not control that fastball from hitting me, i hit it.<br />
<br />
The only thing the darkness can do is hide us, but it can not control us. And we can not control it. We can only drive it back by not succumbing to it and its fear-mongers.<br />
<br />
Worse off, our fear drives us back from the thing we want the most. Success.<br />
<br />
Perhaps <i>success</i> will be one for another time. But for now, consider the passage in Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus proclaims that <i>you</i> are the light to the world. What are you going to do with that passage? Fear it, or hit it right on the sweet spot?philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-74640701992230749012013-01-20T22:29:00.003-05:002013-01-20T22:29:37.692-05:00Hoax.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXEbsZOOTsk/UPyup80bO8I/AAAAAAAAAEs/LVwciCe4310/s1600/lance+and+oprah.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LXEbsZOOTsk/UPyup80bO8I/AAAAAAAAAEs/LVwciCe4310/s320/lance+and+oprah.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Whether or not you are a sports fan, you probably got a fair dose of this word:<br />
<br />
<i>hoax</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Whether it was Lance Armstrong answering to Oprah for a decade and a half of lying, cheating, and intentionally suing other people to maintain his lying and cheating <i>or </i>it was Manti Te'o revealing that his girlfriend that recently passed away not only did not pass away, but she didn't even <i>exist.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y8fEZFo4ns/UPywIkCp6yI/AAAAAAAAAE8/AyH4Hh1Vg74/s1600/manti+teo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Y8fEZFo4ns/UPywIkCp6yI/AAAAAAAAAE8/AyH4Hh1Vg74/s320/manti+teo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
I have plenty of opinions on both stories and what I think about the characters in these stories (for one I'd like to invite Armstrong over to lunch and ask him if he things he could ever make amends to all the people he's hurt in his life like he suggested at one point. I think receiving God's grace would make a much better solution to his situation. And for Te'o, I think he needs a friend, and an assuring word from his dad. But anyway...) it amazed me that such incredible degrees of deception have occurred on such a public stage.<br />
<br />
There is a lot of evil in the world, and many many words to describe all the evils. But intentionally deceiving someone, or what we have been calling this past week a "hoax," is at the heart of the throne of satan. And I don't just say that to add drama. In Genesis 3 and Luke 4 we see satan in clear view, intentionally deceiving the likes of Adam, Eve, and Jesus. satan whispers half-truths, outright lies and deception in attempt to increase his own rule, his own kingdom. To what end? To be honest, i'm still not entirely sure. Does he want the attention? The authority? Is he just plain evil? I honestly couldn't tell you. But what I do know is that his plan and his hoax can be thwarted.<br />
<br />
Colossians 1:12-14 says, "[God] has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the <i>kingdom of light.</i> For He has rescued us from the <i>dominion of darkness</i> (or of satan) and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (emphasis by italicizing and parenthetical statements are mine.)<br />
<br />
One of the promises of God is that He has delivered us from satan's rule, the "dominion of darkness," and brought us into His Son's kingdom, one of light. Light often represents truth, and the presence of God. And though i cannot guarantee that growing in your relationship with God will act like a force-field keeping us far from the efforts of deceptive people, I can promise that it means that we ourselves grow into people who despise deceiving others. This is why Jesus was so emphatic about maintaining our "yes to mean yes and our no, no" in Matthew 5:33-36, even including that "anything beyond this comes from the evil one."<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, many have been deceived by those from <i>within</i> the church, and it's time for us to take our citizenship in the Kingdom of Light seriously from here on forward. And do not think for one second that you could never end up like Lance Armstrong, deceiving people to the (international) level that he has. That is the very step on a very slippery slope. The moment you think such a thing is the moment you allow yourself to have one foot in the kingdom of light and one in darkness.<br />
<br />
I'll leave you with Psalm 37:3-6 and a last word:<br />
<br />
"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this:<br />
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."<br />
<br />
Notice that <i>our</i> light increases as we dwell in the land (the kingdom of light, if you will), delight ourselves in Him (not in darkness), and commit our way to Him.<br />
<br />
May your light grow like the dawn and its increasing light, all the way to the noonday sun.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-23126933102420585882013-01-14T21:12:00.002-05:002013-01-14T21:17:56.631-05:00Dead Dogs and Echoes of the Soul<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You must read II Samuel chapter 9 or be very familiar of the story of David and Mephibosheth to understand this post. Feel free to click <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel+9&version=NIV" target="_blank">here</a> to read II Samuel 9 before reading on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And for the sake of me having to type out Mephibosheth, he will now be referred to as Bo.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bo goes through a classic case of identity that i believe we all are going through in one way or another. Bo is crippled in both feet, and even though he has a royal lineage (he is the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, Israel's first king) he sees himself as a "dead dog" (v. 8).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">How many of us judge ourselves according to what we see in the mirror? Or what we see on the report card? Or in our annual review at our job? Or in (or what's <i>not </i>in) our wallet? And when we do look at such things, no doubt the result is we see ourselves as good as a "dead dog." We all have an ache somewhere in our lives that cries out, and the yell bounces off the walls of our own soul and somehow echo back:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"<i>dead dog!</i>"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But in this passage David restores Bo in two huge ways.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first is <i>provision.</i> Did you see the message that was repeated FOUR times in this one short chapter? It was the fact that Bo "ate at the king's table" (or something equal to that) in verses 7, 10, 11, and 13. Look at the question in life that particularly bugs you. The question underneath it probably lies in the realm of provision. Will there be enough money? A high enough social standing? A good enough resume? Etc. But one of the great promises of God is provision. Look at these passages:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Matthew 6:25-33</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-25">“Therefore I tell you, do not worry<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23308AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></sup> about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?</span> <span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NIV-23309">Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23309AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></sup> Are you not much more valuable than they?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23309AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-NIV-23310">Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23310AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-28" id="en-NIV-23311">“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.</span> <span class="text Matt-6-29" id="en-NIV-23312">Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23312AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></sup> was dressed like one of these.</span> <span class="text Matt-6-30" id="en-NIV-23313">If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23313AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-NIV-23314">So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span> <span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-NIV-23315">For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23315AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-NIV-23316">But seek first his kingdom<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23316AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></sup> and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-33"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-33">II Peter 1:3</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-6-33">"</span>His divine power<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30483G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30483H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup> who called us<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30483I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup> by his own glory and goodness."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you believe these promises to be more true than the echoes of your soul telling you otherwise? I promise you that Scripture always holds more sway than our fear of lack in our lives. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The second way that David helps restore Bo is through <i>fruitfulness</i>. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Notice that at the end of the passage Bo actually bears a son. The son's name is Mika which curiously can mean "Who is afraid?" or "Who is a wimp?" The ultimate show of fruitfulness in the Old Testament (and still today in many ways) is to bear a child. It's part of God's command of fruitfulness in Genesis 1, it's the long awaited promise for Abraham, etc. And Bo names his son Mika, I believe as a testimony that he (Bo) is no longer afraid, and no longer sees himself as weak/a wimp! It's a nomenclative brushing off of the shoulders! It's Bo's way of saying "I'm provided for, therefore I can be fruitful. Nothing can stop me."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Colossians 3:1 says, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29519A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." And where is Christ seated? On a <i>throne.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even more interestingly we are reminded with the very last words of this passage that Bo is lame in both feet. And yet his whole identity has undergone a giant transformation! Now, I believe our God is one that can heal feet, but He is also one that is not afraid to keep our circumstances the same until our soul, our identity is elevated to that of royalty. Kingdom of God royalty.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Provided for, fruitful, the divine meshing with human, from dead dog to</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>royalty.</i> </span></div>
philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-47072573309604804272013-01-06T20:36:00.001-05:002013-01-06T20:36:19.890-05:00Resolutions<br />
We are all guilty. We all have fallen short. None of us have ever reached the top.<br />
<br />
No I’m not talking about the affects our fallen, sinful state. I’m talking about New Year’s resolutions!<br />
<br />
How many times have we promised to lose the weight, pick up that new hobby or habit, or made vague<br />
promises about becoming a better person? We all have in one way or another, and most often around<br />
this time of the year. The question that always weighs on my mind as I work with college students is this:<br />
how does a person actually change?<br />
<br />
If the answer was quick and easy, we would go to the drive-thru of the McResolutions or download the app or buy the product for 3 easy payments within the next eight minutes or of course miss out. But the answer is not easy; no, the answer is <i>Biblical </i>in its proportions! Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That is the NIV’s rendering of it. Here’s the Phil Living Translation:<br />
<br />
“You have a choice. Live out the story that the world offers you and feel hollow, or choose to live out the<br />
story that God offers you and become fully alive.”<br />
<br />
Too often we make these resolutions without considering what the best overarching story would be<br />
for our lives. I believe this makes us like waves tossed in the ocean (see the warning in Ephesians 4:14).<br />
I have come to believe that if we really want to change, we must become <i>enchanted </i>by the story of<br />
God’s great love for us, a love that frees us to be history makers and world changers. A story that reflects God's story, His love.<br />
<br />
I'm also amazed around this time that we as followers and children of God don't lead the charge on making and keeping great resolutions, around New Year's and all the time! In Matthew 5:33-37 Jesus tells us not to swear by anything, whether it's heaven, earth, Jerusalem or our own head. I think the idea here is that we would no longer say things like "I swear by my mother's grave" or "cross my heart..." type phrases. But i also think Jesus would address our need to always "Betchya" that we can do something. But why does He give us the standard of "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No."?<br />
<br />
Because imagine if God was any different. Imagine if God had to <i>coax us</i> into <i>His promises! </i>And keeping oaths or promises or resolutions wasn't a new level of legalism that Jesus was setting up for us, nor a new level of perfection, per se. He was setting us up for a new level of responding to and reflecting His love expressed to us and to creation.<br />
<br />
Again, keeping our oaths, promises, resolutsions, etc. causes us to reflect His likeness on earth, in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods, in our circles. Anything less displays a God that has to somehow coax us and lay wagers on His dependency!<br />
<br />
May you have grace and peace and boldness going into this new year, especially along the lines of your New Year's resolutions/reflections of God! The following are a few books that have helped me along the lines of this blogpost in my own day to day life. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
----------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
“Engaging God’s World” by Cornelius Plantiga Jr. A brief Biblical look on how the overarching story of<br />
God impacts the way we live out our faith.<br />
<br />
“Boundaries” by Cloud and Townsend. This duo has penned several books that get into the practicality<br />
of taking back our lives so we can fully offer them to God.<br />
<br />
“Reordered Love, Reordered Lives…” by David K. Naugle. I haven’t finished this book yet but Naugle<br />
offers a fantastic look into our own souls to help us discover how happiness effects our lives every day in<br />
every way.<br />
<br />
“A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller. Miller is being touted by many as being the voice<br />
to the young adult generation. I consider this his best book! It isn’t going to aide you on the practical<br />
end, but it will change your life from the inside out. It’s the best book out of this group I’ve offered.<br />
philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-32911827071304154692012-10-08T21:43:00.000-04:002012-10-08T21:43:00.855-04:00Smyrnan Wealth<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.05em;">
<span class="text Rev-2-8" id="en-NIV1984-30710">To the Church in Smyrna</span></h3>
<div class="no-indent" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Rev-2-8">“To the angel of the church in Smyrna<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30710P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup> write:</span></div>
<div class="indent-1 top-half" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; margin: 1em;">
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-2-8">These are the words of him who is the First and the Last,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30710Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup> who died and came to life again.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30710R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Rev-2-9" id="en-NIV1984-30711">I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30711S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup> I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30711T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> but are a synagogue of Satan.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30711U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Rev-2-10" id="en-NIV1984-30712">Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30712V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> and you will suffer persecution for ten days.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30712W" title="See cross-reference W">W</a>)"></sup> Be faithful,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30712X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></sup> even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.<br /><br /><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30712Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></sup></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-2-11" id="en-NIV1984-30713">He who has an ear, let him hear<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30713Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></sup> what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-2-11">Revelation 2:8-11</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><br /></span></div>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The most shocking verse in this section to me is this:</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich!"</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When was the last time you looked at "your afflictions and your poverty" and said to yourself, "my spiritual wallet is full because of these." "To God, i am rich in this moment of affliction." It's totally like God to look at the poor and afflicted and see them as wealthy. It's totally <i>unlike</i> us to see ourselves in the same way, the way God sees us. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm completely on board with us when we look to God for healing, wholeness, completion, redemption, etc. in any of our situations. But often times, when what we are looking for in our circumstances doesn't happen the way we want or change the way we want, we think we have become "spiritually poor." Or that something's wrong. Or we go as far as thinking that God Himself must be wrong!</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But fortunately we have the promise of the "crown of life." I don't necessarily see this as something that is only received when we "get to heaven." I believe that we can wear this crown of life on this side of heaven by persevering through our afflictions that we have <i>now.</i> And by seeing that we become wealthy (crown-wearers if you will) by persevering through the things that seemingly kill us, give us death.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our first look at Jesus in this passage is one that shows us that He is the one who <i>died </i>and came to life again. If we are to follow Him, we will follow Him all the way to and <i>through</i> death and (back) into life. I once heard a preacher say "You can't have a resurrection without a death." And again, I'm not saying this is a literal death, these are the things that kill little parts of us, greeds, lusts, idolatry, all sorts of evil desires (Colossians 3:5-11). And lastly this is <i>not</i> punishment by any means. If anything it is reward because now we have the opporutnity to see His love in a way that we become zealous and repent (Rev 3:19 ESV). </span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We all have at least one story where we can look back and say "I'm glad I went through that really bad thing, because now I'm better for it." What Jesus longs for us to see is that in our moment of affliction we can have a "living hope" (I Peter 1:3) through the things we see as affliction. </span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Are you willing to see your afflictions and poverty as a means to your truest wealth?</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rev-2-11"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-42357375542454590822012-09-30T22:31:00.000-04:002012-09-30T22:32:28.912-04:00The Ephesian SlumpRevelation 2:1-7 should be read before reading this post and can be found <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=rev%202:%201-7&version=NIV1984" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> To him who overcomes,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30709M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> I will give the right to eat from the tree of life,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30709N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> which is in the paradise</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV1984-30709O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> of God." -Revelation 2:7</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
I played organized baseball for 11 years of my life and only once have i ever really suffered "a slump." I remember doing all of the right things that a dedicated baseball player should do while they were in a slump:<br />
<br />
*I hated the fact that i was in a slump.<br />
*I took extra batting practice.<br />
*I consulted my coaches and asked them for their advice.<br />
*I made adjustments to my batting stance.<br />
<br />
I basically did everything a coach could ask for, except for one thing: I still wasn't hitting the ball!<br />
<br />
That was until one day i was about to go up to the plate and bat but i was abruptly stopped by my 6' 5" coach grabbing my shirt right under my throat, staring me in the eyes, and firmly saying "Quit overthinking. See the ball - hit the ball."<br />
<br />
He scared the slump right out of me. I went 4 for 5 that day and hit nearly .600 the rest of the season (which for those of you who don't know, is really good). I finally focused on the right thing to do rather than <i>not doing</i> all the things i <i>shouldn't do.</i><br />
<br />
I feel as though the Christians in Ephesus were in a similar slump but probably didn't realize it. They hated the right things. They probably didn't do the wrong things. They <i>did </i>do all the right things that would be asked of them. But the main objective still wasn't being completed! And that objective: love.<br />
<br />
They were already praised for enduring harships, so in verse 7, "To him who overcomes" is probably directed at those who are to overcome their own need to be right about what to say and who to "not tolerate" and why to have the reasons you do about anything (how to spend money, who to vote for, what music to like, how and when to baptize, and all the other hot-buttons). Very few people fall in love and ask about what rules to follow and what not to do; they simply act out what's inside them!<br />
<br />
Jesus seems to be calling the church in Ephesus, and us, back to acting like we have just fallen in love.<br />
<br />
With Him.<br />
<br />
With people.<br />
<br />
With the creation around us.<br />
<br />
Maybe if we spent more time being madly in love, and acting on it, people would respect our opinions on all the hot-buttons more. (Or maybe not!) But the overcomers overcome the need to be right about all the negative things in society and fall in love again. And somehow this grants us access to a Tree of Life in God's paradise.<br />
<br />
May we find each other at the Tree eating deeply because we were focused on how to do the right things rather than focused on how to not do the wrong things.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-17419767893693123972012-09-16T22:06:00.001-04:002012-09-16T22:06:41.939-04:00Shortings"I can't get no satisfaction." -Rolling Stones, <i>Satisfaction</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." -Proverbs 13:12<br />
<br />
Over the past several months i shut down blogging for a bunch of reasons that i'm sure i would make sound very poetic if i explained them on here. But one of the reasons, to be perfectly honest, is that i didn't push myself <i>or</i> i didn't set any goals worth achieving.<br />
<br />
I'm also very dissatisfied with my writing and blogging as a result.<br />
<br />
And yet i also have learned a lot over the summer, particularly from receiving a concussion. How i got my concussion isn't necessary to this blog post, but i suffered it on July 6th. Since then i've had moderate symptoms almost every day. The last week and a half have finally brought relief, but before that i often suffered from headaches, "sea legs," dizziness, light headedness, fatigue, and a sudden onset of a severe lack of focus that would come about at any moment. My recovery has meant the world to me though, not just from the symptoms but <i>through </i>them.<br />
<br />
The two months of almost constant symptoms and my constant attention to not pushing myself reminded me that satisfaction never comes quickly. And if it does, then it probably didn't.<br />
<br />
Even in the Rolling Stones day, they couldn't "get no satisfaction" from "the guy on the radio" or "the guy on the T.V." because of the quick solutions they offered through "useless information" and squeaky clean clothes. I wonder how the world of the internet and cell phones would affect this song today? Either way, "a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" according to Proverbs.<br />
<br />
The problem is we've been satiated by too many <i>shortings.</i> Think about it. How many times do we skip the long and hard work for the thing that comes easily? We settle for fast food when a Thanksgiving dinner is right before us... if we would just <i>long</i> after it long enough.<br />
<br />
Technology and simple solutions aren't evil, they simply aren't solutions to our longings. And ever since an angel with a flaming sword was set to guard the Tree of Life at the end of Genesis 3 we have not had access to it. Or have we?<br />
<br />
If a longing fulfilled is a tree of life, then maybe a longing fulfilled is one of the few passwords allowing us entrance to this precious fruit. But my guess is that the sentinel in the Garden can see it in our eyes when we want to eat of it too soon. I would even wage a guess that we somehow back ourselves into the garden without knowing it on this one. And the sentinel need not ask us the password when we approach correctly.<br />
<br />
Dig deep in your heart for what it truly longs for, and live for those things. Take the daily risks and work hard. Trust in the long haul over the quick fix.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-38633364312995045312012-04-01T21:11:00.000-04:002012-04-01T21:11:00.858-04:00The Coming Flood, Part 2The passage we worked with last post, and will work with for a few more is this from Luke 6:46-49:<br />
<br />
<span class="woj" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”</span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The first sentence in this passage says a lot that we may very well overlook if we don't pause on it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"<br />
<br />
For the most part we use the word "Lord" and without realizing it we confuse it for Savior. I don't mean this to sound harsh, but most of the time when people get talking about the Lord and all that He has done and will do, it's typically in the context of Him saving us and providing for us. Granted, Jesus is Savior, and He provides for sure. But calling Him Lord is not so much about what He does but who He is to us, in relation to us. In authority over us. Or i could put it this way...<br />
<br />
Calling Jesus Lord isn't so much about what He does but about what <i>we </i>do.<br />
<br />
And calling Him Lord means we do what He says. Otherwise one could say we are like a man who builds a house on sand and... well, you know that one by now!<br />
<br />
For most of us reading this, calling Him Lord has become synonymous with calling Him Savior, calling Him Jesus or even just plain ol' God. But i want you to evaluate your heart on this matter, and not just in getting the nomenclature correct.<br />
<br />
There are some areas, if you will, of my heart that are quick to call Jesus Lord. Most of these areas are as a result of trials in my life i've been given and have overcome (physical illnesses, being single for a long time, divorce in the family, etc.) but all of these areas took time to dig deep and have a solid foundation of one thing: doing what i know Jesus would have me do.<br />
<br />
However, there are other areas of my heart where i am not quick to do what Jesus says, and these areas are doomed to experience the storm. I've not dug deep, i continue to use cheap resources, find quick ways out, just get by, trust simply in forgiveness rather than build upon forgiveness with long-term sustained obedience. These areas are often areas that i have fear, doubt, wounds from the past, temptations and greed in. But notice this: all of those areas can also become areas where i can call Jesus "Lord." There's potential laden in all of them. So now it is up to me.<br />
<br />
Will you call Jesus "Lord" and reflect to Him a life that shows it to be true?philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-60027180992647628882012-03-19T22:10:00.001-04:002012-03-19T22:12:24.121-04:00The Coming Flood, Part 1<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the passage from Luke i referred to in the last post. It is Luke 6:46-49</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;">“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;"> I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;"> He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.</span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white;"> But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be breaking this down into several themes over the next couple posts, but for today i want to look at the flood that came upon the houses. Notice that the flood comes first to the one who built the house well, not the one who didn't. We as Christians often think in a default manner that judgment first comes to "those sinners over there." But here we see that Jesus first points judgment at those that have built well. Even if this didn't happen chronologically it happened first in Jesus' telling of it. In I Peter 4:17 it says, "<span style="background-color: white;">For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God." The Lord brings the flood, judgment and, yes, even sufferings (if you read on in I Peter 4) not to harm the children of God but to exalt them! "He who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:14. What is more humble than hearing the word of God, and then obeying that word? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you humble yourself and do what God says, most likely you will have some sort of suffering come your way. This is to test the quality of the materials you are using to build your house. ("<span style="background-color: white;">If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, </span><span style="background-color: white;">his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work."</span> I Corinthians 3:12-13) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are suffering, it is time to humble yourself even more. For your exaltation will bring others to knowing God in such a way that they will see how to build <i>their</i> lives on the Rock Himself. No one really <i>wants</i> to suffer, but i believe the mature see that in times of suffering that there is opportunity to see A) what their house is really built on in a certain area of their life and 2) where the Gospel of the Kingdom is really effective in reaching the hearts of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Think about it in terms of this really simple example: if i'm in line for lunch and it looks like it's going to be five minutes longer than normal, what is my reaction? Do i complain and moan and make things more miserable for others? If so, the storm has come and revealed that no work of God in the area of my patience has stood. In the area of patience i have built with wood, hay, and straw.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, we will talk about this idea of the different areas of our souls going through floods in more detail.</span>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-5762843300833509702012-03-04T22:07:00.000-05:002012-03-04T22:07:33.154-05:00This is My HomeI picked up a brick for at least the fiftieth time. It was the end of a long day, and i was doing something charitable for those who suffered from the worst hurricane in U.S. history, but i couldn't help but not feel like my efforts were being a little wasted. I was picking up bricks from the destruction of a gateway that led to a gigantic ocean side house that withstood Hurricane Katrina and all of her rage. Meanwhile i knew that there were millions suffering from leveled (or even missing) homes, and here i am cleaning up a really rich man's driveway decoration that told everyone around him his (high) economic status.<br /><br />The owner would come by every now and then and humbly thank us for doing something so mundane. He had a wheelbarrow and was working pretty hard himself but often seemed distracted. This often led me to believe he was lazy. I soon found out i was horribly, incredibly wrong.<br />
<br />
As the man smoked a cigarette and called his golden retriever to him i detected a tear in his eye that escaped the shadow of his shaggy sun-bleached hair. A couple of us started asking some of the typical questions, "How long have you lived here?" "What was the hurricane like for you?"<br />
<br />
He began to tell us how the only thing he had left was his dog and his FEMA trailor. I asked him "Well, what about your house over there?" as i pointed to the three story mansion. He gave a half hearted chuckle and said, "Oh, sir. That's not my house, this... THIS is my house."<br />
<br />
What he pointed to was nothing. Literally, flat ground that revealed a couple cynder blocks, broken bricks and a barely recognizable foundation. The bricks we were picking up weren't to the driveway of the mansion, but of the walls of a small one story house that got swallowed up by the ocean.<br />
<br />
I've never felt so shallow in my whole life. I walked away in shame and refused to even make eye contact with the man as i did my best to pick up even pebble sized portions of brick in honor of this man. And his dog.<br />
<br />
I did overhear him say one more thing though before we left.<br />
<br />
"This is my home. A lot of people are moving north, fleeing to the hills, looking for a new place to live. But Pass Christian is my home whether i have a house or not."<br />
<br />
This man's circumstances did not deter his perseverance. My next blog (i'm attempting to blog on Sunday evenings now, but will be gone next Sunday because of Spring break, so the next one will be in two Sundays) i will go into the passage in Luke where one house stands against the flood and one house falls and what that means for us going forward. But until then, know that there are a few things we must place deep in our hearts for this coming season:<br /><br />*perseverance can only be found in trying times<br />
*there are no accidents, just opportunities<br />
*no matter what structures stand or fail, know where your true home isphilip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-84746171064310857522012-02-26T22:06:00.001-05:002012-02-26T22:06:50.147-05:00What's The Expression on God's FaceIf God walked into the room where you are sitting right now, what would the expression on His face be?<br />
<br />
Would He be upset with you? Indifferent? Angry?<br />
<br />
We typically believe the first thing God would do is lecture us about is His constant displeasure with us. <i>Why is this?</i><br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way we have elevated the concept of and the consequences of our sin above the characteristics of God Himself. We know and trust His anger, judgment and wrath above the idea that "God is love."<br />
<br />
I'm not pleading ignorance of His judgement, i'm stating that along the way we have magnified this facet of God's love (yes, His love) over His love itself. For "God is love." (I John 4:8, 16)<br />
<br />
When i ask the students i interact with the "expression on His face" question, i rarely ever get the one i've come to know as the true answer. This one is the one where in Luke 15 the father, the God-figure, cuts his son's repentance speech short to honor him as a cherished member of the family after seeing him come over the horizon from "a long way off." This is moments after Jesus colorfully portrayed him as a sinner worthy of the worst of Jewish punishments.This is moments before the son was going to request to be a slave instead of being considered a son. The father runs and gushes and kisses and clothes and gives jewelry and throws a feast large enough for the entire village because he was in his son's presence.<br />
<br />
On to first impressions.<br /><br />
In Genesis 3 we have the first act of rebellion against God, and God's first opportunity to show us that scowl we think we always see on His face in response to our sin. After Adam and Eve both eat of the forbidden fruit, what would you guess God says?<br />
<br />
Well, He says, "Where are you?"<br />
<br />
What type of person (or God in this case) says something like "Where are you?" (God didn't misplace Adam!) One student responded to this question with, "I would ask 'Where are you?' if i missed someone."<br />
<br />
Wow! What if our Gospel to people who don't believe in God became more like that?<br />
<br />
"God misses you."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-47613891860520388772012-02-12T22:07:00.001-05:002012-02-12T22:07:43.021-05:00"Plan A for Plan B" or "I'm the Vending Machine"(Let me begin by stating this before i begin: the views i reflect on this blog post are not necessarily those expressed by my fellow staff members from either The Shippensburg First Church of God or the CCO [the Coalition for Christian Outreach] nor of either organization as a whole. But even my restating of this hopefully compels you to read on with the understanding of just how important this is to me, and how important i think this is to those who have ever or is currently involved in the life of the Shippensburg community.)<br />
<br />
This is not a post about whether it's right or wrong for Shippensburg University to have a vending machine on it that dispenses the Plan B pill. This is a post about why it is Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, of all places that somehow managed to make national headlines because of a vending machine and its moral implications behind it. This is a post proposing a Plan A for Plan B.<br />
<br />
The vending machine is a perfect analogy to represent the larger yet hidden story of all that is going on here, and in most of western civilization. A vending machine allows you to turn your back to the rest of the world, pay a small price in a private moment, and receive a momentary and hollow solution to your problems whether it's a possible pregnancy or a case of the munchies or feeding a caffeine fix. When someone pens up their anger and then types a coded status on Facebook or Twitter "expressing" themselves, they've just used a vending machine. When i text someone i should call, or call someone i should visit, i've used a vending machine again. When i say i'm ok and i'm not ok: vending machine. I turn my back on the world, make a tiny (yet too small of a) sacrifice and find a quick solution that does not fix a thing.<br />
<br />
I'm thankful for a university that does employ people to help counsel people on all sorts of matters: academic, professional, health, physical, mental, and spiritual. And in fact, i think Shippensburg does it very well, all things considered. And yet this vending machine in the health center can't console a teenage girl who has made a choice she regrets and makes another choice she may regret as a result. It would be great to know that counseling would be offered <i>as</i> you engage the vending machine and not in a different corner of the campus <i>from </i>the vending machine. This is not to blame the university though. This is a reflection of the society, the system in which we live.<br />
<br />
The system is one of <i>fear</i>. We don't want to admit we need help, that we hurt, yes, we ache with all sorts of burdens we've carried into desperate situations. And since we are all scared, and all ashamed, it's even <i>easier</i> to seek a vending machine for help. The vending machine is stoic (won't make fun of you) yet responds with exactly what you <i>want</i> it to respond with rather than what it <i>should</i> respond with: timely advice, hope, and ironically in this case, <i>a plan.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
Unfortunately we, as the body of Christ, have become all too good at pointing the finger in blame rather than towards a hopeful future. We quickly echo Adam in blaming someone else ("kids these days" or the government), or blaming what we've been given (i.e. a pluralistic society with lacking morals). Instead, shouldn't we be like the father in the Prodigal Son story, searching the horizon for those with aches and pains and debauched lives looking for a place to call home and providing them with family? Shouldn't we be the ones that echo our favorite of verses in Jeremiah 29:11 that says "I know the plans i have for you, plans with hope and with a future, and with prospering"? But even worse than not being the solution for a prodigal culture, i fear we are at the <i>source</i> of this vending machine culture.<br />
<br />
I Peter 4:17 says, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God..." In Romans 5 it talks about how sin and death came through one man, Adam, and how righteousness and justification came through one man, Christ. You see, Scripture points to the "family of God," whether it was Adam years and years ago, Christ 2000 years ago, or the church now, it is the family of God that is the means through which the world receives its nourishment. "Can a spring bring both freshwater and saltwater?" begs James... no. And this is why God's judgment begins with the family of God, because God understands that the proposed solution for the world will happen <i>through</i> His children, not in spite of them nor will it be administered after their existence. However, if we take the curious case of the vending machine and do not take our own temperature and see what if anything is a result of us, then we will not notice our own need for a new plan to offer to the world. If we take the thermometer and put it in our own mouth we will see that it reads <i>vending machine</i>. We have mastered a vending machine version of the Gospel, and it's taking on flesh in the facets of our society.<br />
<br />
You see, when we offer a gospel, "the good news," in a form where one can simply whisper a prayer, be forgiven of all misdeeds, and wait to one day fly away to heaven, we offer a gospel where you place a couple quarters in a machine and slowly watch the vending machine vend a high sugar high calorie sweet piece of candy devoid of relationship, devoid of care. We offer a solution that's quick to obtain, quick to receive, and easily discarded with after we receive its momentary benefits. (We offer eternal life, but is it really eternal if it doesn't come with lasting results on <i>this</i> side of heaven?) When really the good news is a Thanksgiving dinner in contrast to a mere Snickers bar.<br />
<br />
The good news is that God came and is here and continues to chase after us all. He forgives and He offers hope <i>on this side of heaven </i>as well as a home in the other side<i>. </i>And not only that, but He recruits you and i to take part in the cosmic solution to all the world's deficiencies, aches, pains, homelessness, hurt and suffering. You become His superheroes, infused with His very Spirit. We become X-Men of a sort where are human bodies are infused with a supernatural call and ability. And one day, all of this work will usher in the fullness of God's joy and His ways and His healing as heaven comes and fully collides with earth shattering away all of its pain.<br />
<br />
The problem is, when we offer a vending machine version of the gospel, we live a vending machine sort of life. We refuse to take risks. We don't value hope and "long-suffering" (the true translation of the word "patience" in the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5). We become very comfortable and even demand ease.<br />
<br />
The worse problem is this: we offer a vending machine gospel and even if people don't believe it they live it out. And what do you get? A society where you can turn away from relationship and turn to a faceless, helpless machine for your hope... and receive it in pill form.<br />
<br />
If we really want to make a difference in our society, we will throw away our vending machines in our every day lives and commit to providing an every day Thanksgiving dinner mentality to those who desperately need spiritual food, spiritual family and spiritual recreation (my family is the best at playing games on Thanksgiving evenings).<br />
<br />
In the midst of the mocking and shocking headlines there is good news in all of this. Very good news.<br />
<br />
Shippensburg has the ability to be a city on a hill, a beacon of hope <i>to the world</i>. How?<br />
<br />
Do you need more proof? Is Tosh.0, Leno and Saturday Night Live not enough proof? What about CNN and all of the evening news shows and all of the news websites? A couple of my friends and i believe in Shippensburg. We've started families, joined churches, established businesses, bought homes, and invited others to join us. We pray and live for its well being (the exact prescription explained in the <i>beginning</i> of Jeremiah 29). And over this past winter break a few of us even began whispering, wondering and, especially looking in hindsight, prophesying that Shippensburg would have the anointing to be a light to the whole world.<br /><br />
But it's not New York City or L.A.? Right. One of my favorite passages in Scripture is when Philip (great name) invites Nathanael to come to see Jesus of Nazareth and Nathanael responds with "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" and Philip responds with "Come and see!"<br />
<br />
The thing that changed Nazareth from a place of "Can anything good come from there?" to a place renown for being the hometown to the whole creation's Savior was a move of God witnessed by a man committed to sharing the news about it. The good news.<br />
<br />
Listen, i've been there. I've had my doubts about Shippensburg. I've smelled the farms, i've stepped in buggy exhaust, i've seen people dancing drunk and naked outside at 6 in the morning (on Easter morning mind you). I've doubted it's importance. I've bemoaned the fact that i overheard my tenth graders i was student teaching at the time in a nearby school district were making plans to go to Shippensburg for the parties that weekend. My <i>tenth graders</i>.<br /><br />I've also lived the vending machine life in many ways. Choosing laziness, video games, and personal ease over responsibility, being a good friend or attending the church or community function.<br />
<br />
However, the only thing holding back Shippensburg from "light to the world" status is a group of people committed to <i>not</i> blaming the other person or the society, to <i>not </i>offering a vending machine version of the Gospel, and rather <i>committed to</i> discovering the full potential of the life afforded us while we are on this side of heaven and living it out.<br />
<br />
There are several churches in the area that i know are viewing the good news in this way and are sharing. I go to one of them, and i'm excited about that. I know a bunch of great families committed to being a community of good news. Will you search for what the good news really is and not settle for anything that sounds too cheap and easy? Will you provide hope rather than pointing a finger anywhere other than at yourself? Will you confess that you've led a vending machine life too long already and you're willing to turn and be a Thanksgiving meal for others? Will you point to Shippensburg and say "Come and see!" while being busy making it a place worthy of such an invitation.<br />
<br />
I hope you will.philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-38973013507689374732012-01-02T21:02:00.003-05:002012-01-02T21:35:46.858-05:00The Good Confession<span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made <b>your good confession</b> in the presence of many witnesses. </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of <b>Christ Jesus, who</b> <i>while testifying before Pontius Pilate</i> <b>made the good confession</b>, I charge you </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, </span><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> which God will bring about in his own time." I Timothy 6:12-15</span></span><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Isn't this interesting that there's this little teaser to what the "good confession" is? Now before you go through your Bible or search Biblegateway for what the conversation between Pilate and Jesus is like, i want you to think about what your mind already tells you the "good confession" is. </span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">If you are like me, you just LOVE frosted brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts. </span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">But you also probably thought of a confession like, "Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior." </span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Well, ok then, let's put this, and whatever other instant reactions you had, to the test. Here's the passage in Matthew 27 Pilate asks Him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And Jesus responds with, "Yes, it is as you say."</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">But in John 18 we get even more of this conversation. Stunning.</span></span></div><div><span ><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></span></div><div><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26809" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">34</sup> “Is that your own idea,”</span> Jesus asked, <span class="woj">“or did others talk to you about me?”</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26810" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">35</sup> “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26811" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">36</sup> Jesus said, <span class="woj">“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26812" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">37</sup> “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > Jesus answered, <span class="woj">“You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span > <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26813" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">38</sup> “What is truth?” Pilate asked.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Here's an attempt at summarizing this "good confession":</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >1) Jesus states that His Kingdom is not of this world.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >What if our good confession included yet went beyond Jesus being Lord and Savior but admitting that "what rules over me is not the ways of the world. My ruler is not money, my job, my grades, sex, drugs, obsessions, addictions, NOTHING rules over me except Jesus Himself and all His ways of living life."</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >B) Jesus is truth.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Around the Christmas season i love reminding myself of this passage because Jesus says, "For this reason I was born... to testify to the truth." Which earlier in the book of John Jesus called Himself "the Truth" (14:6). What's even more amazing is that Pilate asks, "What is Truth" right before dismissing it/Him to His death. What if part of our good confession included standing by what is Truth at all costs. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >III) Jesus is speaking.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >"Everyone on the side of truth (an earlier part of our "good confession") <b>listens</b> to me." Jesus could have said "listened" but didn't. What if part of our good confession included to constantly gain an ear for His voice in our lives. Through His Spirit inside of us, through others speaking into our lives, through Scriptures, through praying, and through listening.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span >Perhaps we should reconsider what it means to confess our faith to something more expansive than just WHO Jesus is but also to WHAT He is, what He is like, and having nothing else maintain rule over us.</span></p></div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-36991880545874625132011-10-15T21:37:00.005-04:002011-10-15T22:18:41.256-04:00Judah and Israel"When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, <b>Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel His dominion</b>." Psalm 114:1-2<div><br /></div><div>The second half of this passage is what really caught my eye. If we break down some of the name and word meanings, we gain interesting insight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Judah means "praise." Sanctuary means "sacred place" and connotes safety. When we praise God, <i>He</i> find a safe and sacred place there. In the King James Version in Psalm 22:3 it says that the Lord "inhabitest the praises of Israel." When we are able to praise Him, God is able to find His home. The place where He can be Himself. But for us to do this we must see Him as good, as available, and as a provider. And when we respond with praising Him for this, He enters OUR presence. Conversely, consequently, we enter His presence. </div><div><br /></div><div>Israel means "wrestles with God" or "He will rule as God." Dominion means "place of rule." When we wrestle with God, we find out He rules, He dominates. Jacob experienced this personally, He wrestled God. Literally. But the story makes it sound like the wrestled all night, and that it was Jacob that was resolute about not quitting until he was blessed by God. C.S. Lewis mentions that we often settle for playing with mudpies when a vacation at sea is offered to us by God. But too many of us won't actually wrestle with God. We don't wait. We encounter Him and leave. The main reason for this? We don't see opposition as God. Yes, God is for us, but even that facet of His character explains opposition, not defies it or contradicts it. </div><div><br /></div><div>A good coach knows this. He or she will know his players and will know when to encourage, and when to push or even discipline. The best athletes will even discipline themselves. Will do the sprints in the offseason. Will run a lap before the coach even commands it. Will seek correction, or if you will, opposition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Will you practice praise? And by doing so setting a place at the table and making a bed for God in the home of your soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>Will you encounter God through opposition? Finding out that in the end, like Jacob, you may limp but you will know that God rules over our lives and will transform us.</div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-43007635106489970332011-09-13T09:40:00.005-04:002011-09-14T08:10:53.192-04:00The Forgiveness of ManJust had this thought given to me...<div><br /></div><div>How come we have come to know the events of Genesis 3 (the chapter with the talking serpent, Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, you know, all that) as "The fall of man" or "The temptation in the garden"? </div><div><br /></div><div>Why isn't it more referred to "The Forgiveness of Man"?</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the chapter Adam graciously calls the woman "Eve" since she will be "the mother of all the living." Where did Adam get that idea from? Didn't Eve just give him the fruit that would cause all to <i>die, not </i>live? And yet Adam must have seen love in God's judgments upon them. Psalm 145:17 proclaims "The LORD is righteous in <i>all</i> His ways and loving toward <i>all</i> that He has made." This includes Adam and Eve, and includes the more harsh things said from God in that chapter... it's all still righteous and loving. I believe Adam saw this and couldn't help but respond in a similar way towards Eve, naming her Eve as a result. Think about it! Adam could have easily named her "Big Eternal Screw Up" or "Fall" or... you get the idea. And there would have been no righteousness or love in that at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nor any forgiveness. </div><div><br /></div><div>Forgiveness isn't just about our past mistakes, but it is also an action bent on the potential of one's future. The original meaning to forgive was to "completely give" or "give completely." When we think of forgiveness as just grace towards our past mistakes, it leaves us with no direction. Adam forgave the woman, <i>and </i>gave her direction in the area of her truest identity: to give birth to all of the living. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the truest acts of forgiveness and restoring one's identity is wrapped up in Adam's naming of Eve, which stems from Adam's perception of who God really is and was in that moment. This is a true fulfillment of "Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:14</div><div><br /></div><div>If i ever write a translation of the Bible, the subheading for chapter 3 will be "The Forgiveness of Man."</div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-42690925504637800282011-08-02T22:20:00.006-04:002011-08-05T22:13:34.544-04:00I've been tricked.<div>When Jesus was asked "Who is my neighbor?" it was meant to be a trap. He turned the trap and the question on its head masterfully by pointing out that the question was the wrong question. We are all to be the good "neighbor," not try and justify who we should or shouldn't love. We should be the good neighbor that shows compassion to all. I can hear the guy that asked Jesus the question think, "I tried to trick Him, and I've been tricked."</div><div><br /></div><div>I think He does the same thing with the question of the greatest commandment... He turns it on its head entirely. Here's the passage from Mark 12:</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”</b></span></div><p style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><b> <span class="woj">“The most important one,”</span> answered Jesus, <span class="woj">“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.</span><span class="woj">Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’</span><span class="woj">The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left; ">Did you see it? Well, if you didn't see it that's ok. Many of us have been taught that Christianity is about all these laws to follow, morals to live up to, and deeds to perform... or else. And we have been taught this <i>so</i> much that whenever the concept of <i>love</i> comes up, it manages to come through the same filter: another law to follow, a moral to live up to, a deed to perform. </p><p style="text-align: left; ">The "turning on its head" above is this: you can not <i>command</i> someone to <i>love. </i>Go ahead. Try it. Go up to that girl you've had a crush on for the last year and say "Love me." That's not a flip we can switch. However, the wonderful part about this is that the only way we can fulfill that is by <i>falling</i> in love. </p><p style="text-align: left; ">Right?</p><p style="text-align: left; ">And if you are sitting there thinking, "yeah, but i <u>must </u>love my neighbor" or "yeah, but i <u>have </u>to do my devos" well then you aren't really doing either of that out of love. You're most likely trying to climb some sort of religious ladder. </p><p style="text-align: left; ">So, then what?</p><p style="text-align: left; ">Preach to yourself the Gospel over and over and over and over again until you realized you are <i>loved.</i> 100%. God has NO regrets about loving you. NO regrets about dying for you. NO hesitation about living in you through His Spirit. </p><p style="text-align: left; ">You are created good.<br />Sin has tainted that experience.<br />Christ paid the penalty to remove the tainting.<br />You can live gratefully loved in response, on this side and the next side of eternity as a result.</p><p style="text-align: left; ">The greatest "command" is this... a natural response to just how </p><p style="text-align: left; ">LOVED</p><p style="text-align: left; ">YOU</p><p style="text-align: left; ">ARE.</p></div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-53498253905439305932011-07-07T16:09:00.003-04:002011-07-07T16:29:59.427-04:00Your Enemy is BreadIn Numbers 13 we learn that Moses sent spies into the Promised Land, Canaan. The spies came back and told of its glories by saying it was a land that "flowed with milk and honey." I imagine a modern day translation would be something akin to "flowed with bacon and Bolthouse farms beverages." (If you have sampled Bolthouse, you KNOW what i am talking about!) The spies also cowered at the size of its inhabitants saying that the Israelites were "like grasshoppers" compared to them. But Caleb tries to rally the troops saying that they can indeed win in battle. His reasoning is in Numbers 14:9:<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">"Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >How can two people who saw the same thing have such opposing reactions and reports? Simple: perspective. One saw the size of the people and their abilities and reported back that they should fear and flee, even back to Egypt where they were slaves. The other, Caleb, saw the fact that "the Lord is with us" and that their opponents' "protection is removed from them," assuming that it was the Lord who removed it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >When you perceive from your own point of view, then it is easy to succumb to fear, laziness, defeat and the like towards whatever your "promised land" is. Maybe it's that project you always wanted to complete, running a marathon, buying a house, becoming an avid reader, being more philanthropic... whatever! In some way we all have opposition that faces us when it comes to doing good. But what is your view, your perception of that opposition?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Will you let that perception be fear? Or apathy? Giving in to the enemy and its apparently overwhelming size? Or will you see that Jesus has stripped the enemy of all his power and has left him defenseless, and through perseverance, trust, faith, and hard work you can enter the promised land of your most ambitious dreams and goals?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >When you begin to see any opposition in your life as "bread," that which doesn't oppose you but actually NOURISHES you towards your goal, then you already have victory over that enemy. Now you must simply walk past that enemy of fear and into victory.</span></div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-86994033569164392792011-05-03T00:21:00.003-04:002011-05-03T00:31:01.234-04:00Mother's Day tribute.<span class="Apple-style-span" >Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.<p> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-23812" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">21</sup> “What is it you want?”</span> he asked.</p><p> She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”</p><p> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-23813" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">22</sup> “You don’t know what you are asking,”</span> Jesus said to them. <span class="woj">“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”</span></p><p> “We can,” they answered.</p><p> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-23814" style="line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">23</sup> Jesus said to them, <span class="woj">“You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”</span></p><p><span class="woj"><br /></span></p><p><span class="woj">One thing i never quite noticed before is that James' and John's mother doesn't get a lot of attention in this story, but maybe she should. What if when we worshiped Jesus (in greek, "kneeling down" is the same word for "worshiped") and when we get to that place where we know we have His attention, we begged and aspired (the greek for "asked" in that verse) for God's absolute highest blessings. By the end of this conversation Jesus has the disciples, the sons in position for martyrdom, an honor of the highest degree in the Kingdom. Now, whether the Father has them sit where they want is still in question by the end. And though the end is still unclear, the means have become very clear. And the tone of this doesn't seem like a rebuke either, in fact, it seems more like a teachable moment. Later on, the rest of the disciples all get a lesson in how "to be the greatest" as well.</span></p><p>As we aspire to "make disciples of all" i believe there's a nugget hidden in this. We don't want to simply make disciples (sons and daughters) by just getting people through their tragedies and dramas... don't we want to beg and aspire for Jesus to bless them with things we don't even understand? The highest blessings of heaven? And how unselfish is this of their mother too! She has Jesus full attention, He asks her (think about this for a minute) what SHE wants! And then her response has nothing to do with herself or her well being! So what if she has no idea what she's asking for... it's AWESOME! </p><p>I don't believe this to be some sort of formula we can follow, but at the same time i feel like there's treasure here that we can see. Worship, grab the attention of Jesus. Then let Him address you. Then address Him with your highest desires for your closest friends. And then let Jesus direct them. </p></span>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-24555251204067217732011-04-05T22:42:00.005-04:002011-08-11T23:23:36.356-04:00tell me about it (proverbs given to me recently)*my largest sin is not believing that God truly loves me. <div>
<br /></div><div>*carrying a weapon and arming yourself are different from each other. Learn how to not only know Scripture, but how to <i>live</i> Scripture.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*taking humility off is always costly. always.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*beauty is <i>not</i> in the eye of the beholder, unless I Am (i.e. "God is") the Beholder.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*Righteousness abhors injustice but loves its wife, Peacemaker</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*"Carry your cross" does <i>not</i> mean to be sad, it means to take on others' sadness and bear it with joy.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*The heavens await you.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*Tell heaven your heart and shake it with your tears. Repel heaven with your fears.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*If you're ashamed it's because your choices don't match your heart.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*Laziness is greed.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>*(From God's point of view) What I begin can only be halted by My people, not by satan.</div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-85330622908206551362011-02-04T20:45:00.004-05:002011-02-04T21:31:55.753-05:00Feeding your hunger<span class="Apple-style-span">Were you ever really, really busy and feeling dead inside at the same time?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In Genesis 1 God spends five and a half days making EVERYTHING. Light. Land. Water. Sky. Stars. Moon. Sun. Animals. Fish. Birds. Plants. EVERYTHING. Everything except man and woman. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And when God makes man and woman, He makes them in His image, in His likeness, in His ways. And when they wake up, so to speak, everything they could ever need, i.e. the EVERYTHING God had just made, was already provided for them. What a sign of grace! What did man and woman possibly do to deserve this paradise? They did <i>nothing</i>. They were simply brought to life. They were given life. And when they woke, they first saw the face of God (there's an alarm clock for ya), and then they were shown the rest of all that was created. </span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">In verse 28 of chapter 1, it says, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'” I will cover this in detail in another post down the road. But for now it is important to see that even though they had it all (face-to-face relationship with God Himself, and all of creation at their helm) the initial interaction between God and man is this: "God blessed them." How many of us have the first instincts of "Do! Do! Do! Do this, then hope there's blessings for doing so."? Isn't it true. We <i>hope</i> that He will bless us. The truth of the proper paradigm of being a child of God is this: He blesses us. And THEN sets us on mission.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">And again, i will go into more detail on the mission on a later post, but for now consider that it has something to do with interacting with the whole of creation around us and teaching others to do so with their talents.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">But my main point comes from the next verse, verse 29:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">"Then God said, 'I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30" style="font-size: 0.65em; line-height: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top; ">30</sup> And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.' And it was so."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">After showing the ultimate sign of grace of providing everything imaginable before man and woman were even ABLE to earn a single blessing, God assigns them a mission and then points them towards fulfilling their hunger. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">What are YOU hungry for the most? At the end of your life, what will you hope to say was accomplished through you? What injustices in the world make you angry? What are you doing to correct that injustice?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Inside each of us is a hunger, a desire, a thirst. God placed it there, and He also leads us to a variety of options it seems of how to properly nourish that hunger. However, in Genesis 3, that hunger was sullied on something that didn't fill man and woman, it fed a lust instead of nourishing a hunger. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">We've all been there. We've eaten candy instead of a meal and paid the price. We've toiled in greed instead of laboring in generosity or self-sacrifice and found ourselves still wanting more. We've acted quickly out of anger to only see the situation get worse instead of better.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Your hunger has many options, but they are all along one path: righteousness. When we step outside the bounds of God's righteousness, or His rights, or His right-ness, we step into the boundaries of sipping on the salt-water of greed, lust, quick-fixes, and dead-end decisions.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Notice that the food God pointed man and woman to all had the same characteristic: seed. The ability to reproduce. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">If we fill our hunger on things that end with the meal, we will be left hungry again. But if we fill our hunger on things that are able to lend itself to more, that can be reproduced in others, that bring us to life even if it makes us tired, then we will not only be satisfied, we will be more hungry! Proverbs 13:12 says, "a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Notice how just one longing can not only reproduce a fruit, it reproduces a fruit factory! This is true, eternal, abundant life at work, when our desires are not only fufilled, but reproduce more desire AND more fruit. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">There are probably those of you reading that have questions you wish i could answer. "Well what is my hunger?" "What is my desire i should persue?" But if i simply answered it for you, you would be full. Let your questions lead you to more hunger.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">May you feed your hunger with hunger.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">p.s. For you baseball fans and/or coincidence watchers i found this interesting ten minutes after i published this. Andy Pettitte retired on this day. If you take his first initial with his last name, you get A. Pettitte or "appetite." And few things would better describe this player now that i think about it.</span></div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-26180736907106113822011-01-24T12:30:00.002-05:002011-01-24T12:52:48.826-05:00Quote Board 2010Before i go back to my normal posts i will entreat you with another year-in-review type post. This one will be the many quotes that made it on to the Schiavoni Quote Board. Enjoy! Most of them you should get, some you simply will not. Have fun!<div><br /></div><div>"Don't judge a cover by its book. ... Dang it." -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"You've been injuring yourself a lot lately." -lindsay, right after poking me in the eye twice and nearly dislocating my thumb.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Have you ever shot each other with these?" -lindsay, about my pellet gun</div><div><br /></div><div>"I love Mexican food." -phil</div><div>"Me too." -lindsay</div><div>"I hope Mexican food accepted Christ." -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"You Aunt Dick and Uncle Judy... uhh... your Uncle Judy and Aunt Dick." -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>"Jesus, forget me." -lindsay attempting to say, "Jesus, forgive me."</div><div><br /></div><div>"She can't even count on her fingers correctly and she's in fifth grade, Phil, FIFTH GRADE! ... uhh, fourth grade... but STILL!" -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>"What is one thing in life you've really looked forward to?" -pastor brad from the pulpit</div><div>*at the same time lindsay and i responded to each other with...*</div><div>"The wedding!" -lindsay</div><div>"The fantasy baseball draft!" -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm feelin' kinda beefy." -lindsay, in regards to her dinner preference</div><div><br /></div><div>"Oh! Ow!" -phil</div><div>"Did that hurt?" -lindsay</div><div>"I don't know!" -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"You remember what you're asking Stauffer, right?" -phil</div><div>"Right!" -lindsay</div><div>"Which was...?" -phil</div><div>"ehhhhh..." -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>"You and your shoes... your socks." -lindsay to phil who was <u>not</u> wearing shoes.</div><div><br /></div><div>*on Flight of the Conchords*</div><div>"Are they British?" -lindsay</div><div>*phil laughs*</div><div>"What? Are they Australian?" -lindsay</div><div>*phil laughs harder*</div><div>"WHAT?!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"I disgrace your chips." -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"As they say, 'whoever smelled it, d...' well, uh... as they say!" -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>"You better get used to this." -phil, about lindsay doing the dishes</div><div><br /></div><div>"And we have football!... i mean dinner!" -phil. there was no football on or anything close to football going on.</div><div><br /></div><div>"What is it?!" -phil, to lindsay first thing in the morning after lindsay woke me </div><div>"Goosefly!" -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>phil pets lindsay's nose and says, "pumpkin pie time!" because he wants to eat pie</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'm wrestling you, aaaaaand falling asleep at the same time. Take that." -phil to lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>*in mid conversation*</div><div>"well, anyway. i think i just fell asleep. Good night!" -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"That's a man!" -a random boy at Panera Bread at least a dozen times, very loudly, at me.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It's really watery...sorry, it's really <i>wootery.</i>" -phil</div><div>*lindsay glares at phil*</div><div>"I'm tickling you with my eyes." -lindsay</div><div><br /></div><div>"want a banana chip?" -phil</div><div>"No. I can say 'no' ... but i'll take one." -t.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Can you..." -lindsay, as she holds out a corner of a bed sheet that phil smells... "hold this?!"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Is that the weird kid who dressed up as Jesus every day?" -lindsay</div><div>"No. No. <i>He</i> would <i>never</i> go crazy." -phil</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yeah, i put two and two together and got HEEEEEEYYYYYY-AYYYY!" - phil</div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-66421871302052926332011-01-10T12:35:00.003-05:002011-01-10T12:45:28.126-05:00The post-its around my laptopI was about to take down 8 post-it notes that i have adhered to the shelf that borders my laptop, and i thought that the quotes on there would be neat to share. Here they are. Be blessed.<div><br /></div><div>"Love, it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free. Be more like the man you were meant to be. There is a design, an alignment, a cry of my heart to see the beauty of love as it was made to be." <i>Sigh No More </i>by Mumford & Sons</div><div><br /></div><div>"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved." Sarayu, p. 128, <i>The Shack</i> by Young.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Your <i>gift </i>gives you your ability. Your <i>call </i>gives you your identity. Your <i>anointing </i>gives you your purpose." -Kris Valloton</div><div><br /></div><div>"Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and do confirm the work of our hands; yes, confirm the work of our hands." -Psalm 90:17</div><div><br /></div><div>"I'll LISTEN; look to have HOPE; and choose JOY."</div><div><br /></div><div>"When you love, you <i>do</i>." -Bob Goff, Jubilee 2010</div><div><br /></div><div>"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name." -Isaiah 45:2-3.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Many noble pursuits await the encouragement of a friend." p. 52, <i>The Five Love Languages for Singles</i>, Chapman</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1028595150471498598.post-1477917753348540772010-12-07T19:19:00.009-05:002010-12-07T19:51:17.601-05:00The Awesome BankWhat if you went to a bank and gave them $1 to join the bank. In turn, they gave you $2. What would you do?<div><br /></div><div>If you answered, "I'd give them the $2!" you're probably right. That bank would give you $4, and you would be proven right. And rather than bore you with the exponentials, i'll go directly to the hyperbole.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you gave the bank $25,000 and the next day they gave you $50,000, you'd gladly give the $50,000 to that bank!</div><div><br /></div><div>But what if you had to give $1,000,000? I mean, come on! That's a TON of money! You'd still do it! And you would receive $2,000,000.<br /><br />What would happen if you gave this bank your life?</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the calls of the Bible is to "lay down your life" (see John 13:37-38, 15:13, I John 3:16). And another call is to "carry your cross" (Luke 14:27). But why should we do such horrifying, frightening, dare i say "expensive" and costly acts?</div><div><br /></div><div>John 10:10 says, "I have come to give [you] life, and life abundantly." </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like my thoughts on these concepts have taken another evolutionary step recently. </div><div><br />"Stage 1: If i do enough with my life for Jesus (lay down my life, carry the cross), i'll go to heaven." Which, by the way, is a complete falsehood. but that's what i believed.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Stage 2: God laid down His life through Jesus, i need to lay down mine, and one day i will go to heaven for it." A small step away from Stage 1 in that Jesus laid His life down for me and i'm responding, rather than the other way around. But i'm still believing at this point that i earn my reward.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Stage 3: Jesus is full of grace in not only laying down His life for me, but offering me life <i>now</i>, and if i'm responsible with it i will be satisfied on this side of heaven, and abundantly full of life on the other side of heaven." Closer. But still not where i'm at now which is...</div><div><br /></div><div>"Stage 4: Jesus showed us that by daily giving over His life to His Father, He daily made a transaction with the Father, and constantly lived a heavenly life here on this earth and impacted earth with heaven through His deeds and words (the cost). And i can also live in this ridiculously multiplying abundance if i follow His example."</div><div><br /></div><div>If i "lay down my life" for Him (daily) i will inherit "life, and life abundantly" (daily). It's not that i earn anything, it's simply Heaven's bank statement on my resources and how i spend them.</div><div><br /></div><div>In math terms it looks like this: cost of my life = His life in me more and more and more and more each day. life = <b>life + life</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, the man with five talents gained five more AND THEN entered the Master's joy (i'm presuming to be heaven). Notice the servant's talents doubled on THIS side of heaven!</div><div><br /></div><div>Folks, the Gospel is going to cost us, but each day we are willing to lay down that cost, we are promised life and life abundantly back.</div><div><br /></div><div>And mind you, this has nothing to do with money; that's just the analogous term. Could this involve money? Of course. But this has to do with security, confidence, peace of mind, vibrancy, joy, laughter, generosity, freedom, etc., and all i have to do is say with my life, "Your will be done" through my life rather than "my will be done."</div><div><br /></div><div>That's an awesome bank.</div><div><br /></div><div>life = life + life</div>philip johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09521796273479604591noreply@blogger.com2