...or maybe just a blog!
Long time no see, right? I learned so much through the process of blogging here, and I hope you enjoyed reading Spurs as much as I enjoyed writing it! While I will not be spending time here anymore, I would like to invite you to visit my new blog, These Traveling Days. It is still new, and changes will likely be made from time to time, so I would love to hear your suggestions. I hope to see you there!
-Lauren
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Only a Boy Named David
It started innocently enough.
In season and out of season, through sunny days and stormy nights, David and his men had protected the sheep and shepherds of another man. Even though David was still running from Saul, he and his band of a few hundred men guarded the shepherds.
Now the day had come to return the favor. It was a feast day, and David and his men were hungry. Who better to visit than the man whose shepherds and sheep they had protected? So David sent some messengers to see Nabal. "'Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David'" (1 Samuel 25:8).
David was angry. He and his men had expended so much energy to protect the sheep and shepherds of a man who did not even acknowledge the favor. David's men had labored without reward or repayment. And when they asked for a kind return, they were not only refused, but insulted.
Fuming, David led his men to the attack. They were men of war, after all. Four hundred men went stomping to Nabal's place, but they never got there. David halted in his warpath, dissuaded by the words of a woman. Nabal's wife Abigail humbly asked David to turn from his murderous intentions, telling him that "'...the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand...'" (1 Samuel 25:26).
Saving with his own hand.
Throughout the Bible, God proves Himself faithful to His faithless people over and over and over and over again. When all else fails, when every earthly support crumbles away, God is the One who saves. When Moses faced a despairing crowd and a lack of food, the LORD asked him, "'Is the Lord's hand shortened?'" (Numbers 11:23). He saves us when we feel we can go no deeper (Psalm 103:4). He rescues us and fulfills our desires (Psalm 145:19). Paul told the Romans (5:10), as is true for us today, that we are saved by the life of Christ, not by our own doing. After all, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus. His very Name means "Savior."
David was distracted. Blinded by his fury and hate, he forgot all that had brought him to where he was. Earlier, when he was dangerously close to his pursuer, Saul, David knew that God was sovereign over David's earthly situation, and that God would be faithful to fulfill His promises to him. David had only to trust, obey, and wait.
David wasn't doing any of that as he hurried to confront Nabal. Instead, he was seeking to be master of his own destiny and avenger of his reputation. But God led Abigail to block David's path.
"'If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God,'" Abigail assured David. As for his enemies, she told him, God would "'sling [them] out as from the hollow of a sling'" (1 Samuel 25:29). A sling. David was well acquainted with the sling. Years before, he had been catapulted to royal recognition with a sling and a giant named Goliath.
It was as if Abigail was reminding David of his calling - his charge - from God. It involved fighting God's battles, not executing vengeance in personal matters. David had more pressing concerns.
David humbly thanked Abigail for her reminder, and praised God for leading her into his path. He and his men retreated, leaving Nabal in the hands of God. Within a few days, Nabal was dead.
God didn't need David's help with Nabal. God didn't need our help in bringing salvation to earth. Jesus alone saves us from our sin, its consequences, and the prison of a life addicted to that sin, even as he equips us to live a life of service to Him. He has a sovereign plan for our life and it will come to pass. No matter what struggles, trials, or unexpected circumstances we face, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control. We can trust Him as we obey His will in our lives.
Fight in God's time, strength, and cause. But leave personal vendettas with Him. As David (and Nabal's servants) found out, it just works better that way. It always does. After all, His ways are higher than ours.
In season and out of season, through sunny days and stormy nights, David and his men had protected the sheep and shepherds of another man. Even though David was still running from Saul, he and his band of a few hundred men guarded the shepherds.
Now the day had come to return the favor. It was a feast day, and David and his men were hungry. Who better to visit than the man whose shepherds and sheep they had protected? So David sent some messengers to see Nabal. "'Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David'" (1 Samuel 25:8).
"And Nabal answered David's servants, 'Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters.'" (1 Samuel 25:10).It was a simple concept, really. Even young children can understand the trading concept of "I give you this, you give me that." Not Nabal. Commonly considered a "fool" by those who knew him, Nabal rashly and angrily responded to David's men, utterly refusing to give them anything. Not a good idea on Nabal's part.
David was angry. He and his men had expended so much energy to protect the sheep and shepherds of a man who did not even acknowledge the favor. David's men had labored without reward or repayment. And when they asked for a kind return, they were not only refused, but insulted.
Fuming, David led his men to the attack. They were men of war, after all. Four hundred men went stomping to Nabal's place, but they never got there. David halted in his warpath, dissuaded by the words of a woman. Nabal's wife Abigail humbly asked David to turn from his murderous intentions, telling him that "'...the Lord has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand...'" (1 Samuel 25:26).
Saving with his own hand.
Throughout the Bible, God proves Himself faithful to His faithless people over and over and over and over again. When all else fails, when every earthly support crumbles away, God is the One who saves. When Moses faced a despairing crowd and a lack of food, the LORD asked him, "'Is the Lord's hand shortened?'" (Numbers 11:23). He saves us when we feel we can go no deeper (Psalm 103:4). He rescues us and fulfills our desires (Psalm 145:19). Paul told the Romans (5:10), as is true for us today, that we are saved by the life of Christ, not by our own doing. After all, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus. His very Name means "Savior."
David was distracted. Blinded by his fury and hate, he forgot all that had brought him to where he was. Earlier, when he was dangerously close to his pursuer, Saul, David knew that God was sovereign over David's earthly situation, and that God would be faithful to fulfill His promises to him. David had only to trust, obey, and wait.
David wasn't doing any of that as he hurried to confront Nabal. Instead, he was seeking to be master of his own destiny and avenger of his reputation. But God led Abigail to block David's path.
"'If men rise up to pursue you and to seek your life, the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God,'" Abigail assured David. As for his enemies, she told him, God would "'sling [them] out as from the hollow of a sling'" (1 Samuel 25:29). A sling. David was well acquainted with the sling. Years before, he had been catapulted to royal recognition with a sling and a giant named Goliath.
It was as if Abigail was reminding David of his calling - his charge - from God. It involved fighting God's battles, not executing vengeance in personal matters. David had more pressing concerns.
David humbly thanked Abigail for her reminder, and praised God for leading her into his path. He and his men retreated, leaving Nabal in the hands of God. Within a few days, Nabal was dead.
God didn't need David's help with Nabal. God didn't need our help in bringing salvation to earth. Jesus alone saves us from our sin, its consequences, and the prison of a life addicted to that sin, even as he equips us to live a life of service to Him. He has a sovereign plan for our life and it will come to pass. No matter what struggles, trials, or unexpected circumstances we face, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control. We can trust Him as we obey His will in our lives.
Fight in God's time, strength, and cause. But leave personal vendettas with Him. As David (and Nabal's servants) found out, it just works better that way. It always does. After all, His ways are higher than ours.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
The Way
The Author of Life consented to die
Death had a victory.
The earth gave a shudder, the land was dark,
No good soul could see.
How could this be the good plan of God,
Above the thoughts of man?
Either God had lost or else turned bad,
How could this be His hand?
As evil triumphed and good men wept,
All that was right seemed gone.
Yet when the LORD is in the fight,
The battle is not done.
How often in this earthly world
Our eyes don't truly see.
Where we see despair or certain defeat,
God works mightily.
With a triumphant quake one early morn,
The truth was seen at last.
The Author of Life could not be held down,
Death's dark rule was past.
Wonder of wonders, joy of joys,
Beyond all earthly thought!
God granted to us this great victory,
The peace for which He fought.
No matter the struggle, sin, or setback,
No matter the earthly loss,
We as God's people are assured of great gain,
Because of the Tomb and the Cross.
Death seemed at first to have full rein,
Wreaking grief and strife.
But God knew all along that this would be
The way to give us Life.
by Lauren
image credit
Monday, March 5, 2012
I Want to Save the World - but I Need to Clean My Room
Abortion. Poverty. Malnutrition. Slavery. Oppression. War. Famine. Drought. AIDS. Abuse.
"What a Wonderful World," right?
When faced with any one of these tragedies, it's easy to be fired up and feel ready to hit it head on.
But where do we start?
You know, Jesus told a story about this once. Soon before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples a parable. In this parable, a man was going on a journey and entrusted his servants with money before he left. To one servant he gave five talents, to one servant he gave two talents, and to another servant he gave one talent. When he returned, he called his servants to give account for how they managed his money. The servant with the five talents and the servant with the two talents both doubled the amount that their master had entrusted to them. Interestingly, the master gave both servants the exact same compliment, even though one servant gained five talents and one servant gained two. They both were faithful stewards with what they were given, and they both heard: "'"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master"'" (Matthew 25:21, 23). The servant with the two talents wasn't responsible for the five the other servant had. He was only held accountable for the two that had been entrusted to him, and for what he did with what he was given.
Maybe we feel like we should be changing the world in big, noteworthy ways. While it is true that we could be called to do big things, we are also often called to do small things. It doesn't matter how big our works are; what matters is our faithfulness to what God has called us to do. Sometimes we may want bigger responsibilities than we have been entrusted with - but here Jesus gives encouragement. Whenever you find yourself doing something that you know is God's will (like cleaning your room) but not on your list of life goals, remember the master's words to his servants: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."
God is sovereign over you, where you live, who you know, what you're good at, what you enjoy. He knows what righteous burden is on your heart (be it abortion in your city or slavery in Africa), because He put it there. What good work He has begun in you, He will complete. With unmatchable knowledge and perfect timing, He will guide you as you seek to magnify Him in your God-given mission and faithfully complete any tasks He has called you to do now. You can't do it alone. You can't do it all. It is a good thing you don't have to.
Believe it or not, there is no Superman or Superwoman with special powers to save the world. That is God's job. And He is doing it. And, wonder of wonders, He is using us to do it. We don't have to invent a world-saving plan. God already has one. We don't have to solve the world's problems - and we couldn't even if we tried. We are only called to be faithful where God has us, be that the halls of Congress or the halls of our own home. God multiplied the loaves and fish. He can multiply our feeble efforts in His service.
Image Credit
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The ME in MEtanarrative
Several years ago, a national news network regularly showed a segment on TV called "Everyone Has a Story" (at least, I think that is what it was called). The news network would randomly choose a city, open the phone book and randomly choose a name, and then interview that person and air their story. It was an enjoyable feature, sharing stories of everyday Americans. Every one of us has a story that we'd be happy to tell to whoever asks. Unfortunately, though, the stories we tell about ourselves are only about us.
A metanarrative can be defined as a view that encompasses the whole world, or a belief system that explains everything in the world. A metanarrative is basically one story that describes all of reality. You know, like the Bible.
French philosopher Jean-François Lyotard wrote that he defined postmodernism (a dominant, self-centered worldview) as "incredulity toward metanarratives" (as quoted here). In other words, there are no overarching, all-encompassing explanations. That way, instead of believing God's truth about the world, we can all have our personal, contradicting bits of truth and reality, because, ultimately, truth and reality don't exist. We live for pleasure, comfort, entertainment, and the pursuit of happiness. Sounds fun, right?
Those who hold such views might have a difficult time understanding the Pilgrims.
In 1620, 102 English Christians sailed for America on the Mayflower. Because of their unpopular religious views, they had been persecuted in England. They had high hopes for their time in America, but they also realized the gravity of their decision. After two months aboard a very crowded ship, the Pilgrims finally reached America in November of 1620. They were now safe from stormy seas and no longer had to live in cramped quarters below deck. Unfortunately, their troubles were far from over.
That winter, half of the Pilgrims died. The Mayflower stayed in the harbor through the winter, providing shelter for those who needed it. How the Pilgrims must have despaired as they found themselves without human help in a foreign, wintry land while their friends and family members were succumbing one by one to disease. When spring finally came and the spread of the disease was halted, the Mayflower left the shores of America to return home. This was the Pilgrims' chance to retreat to the safety and comfort of Europe! Yet not one Pilgrim returned.
They, of all people, knew of the danger. They felt the sting of loss. They knew that the coming months would be full of toil, hardship, and more death. Yet they stood fast.
As Winston Churchill once wisely said, "The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it and ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." Sometimes we don't like the truth, but it is still the truth. And the truth is, there is only one metanarrative - and we didn't write it. The Bible informs us that God had a plan before time began. We weren't around for consultation.
The Pilgrims pursued their goal - not for individual accomplishment, but for the advancement of the Christian faith. Not for comfort, but for the betterment of the future generations who would come behind them. Not for the pursuit of happiness, but for the glory of God. They understood that God had a metanarrative, and was weaving their stories for His glory. This knowledge - and God's grace - sustained them through times and trials of disease, danger, and death.
The news network had it right - we all have a story. Ultimately, however, our stories are not about us, but about how God has orchestrated our lives into His great story. The big story of God gives our little stories meaning. Sometimes we hear stories that didn't end like we would have written them. What about the Pilgrims who perished that first, cold winter? What was the purpose? Why would God lead them on such a long journey only to have them die when they get there? When we realize that God has a plan bigger than our few years on earth, we can understand that, as hard as it may be for our earthly eyes to see, there is a plan, and God is in charge.
Image Credit
Monday, February 13, 2012
Battle for the Lord
"Just beyond man's narrow daily vision stand the immortals. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire about Elisha. At the front of this nation's way ride the strong guards of our own past, their authority immortalized by death. In the hour of decision we see them; their grave eyes watch us, the keepers of our standards, the builders of our freedom. They came from God to do His bidding-and returned. To each of them the past has given his own labor. The future we cannot see; nor what the next imperious task; nor who its strong executant. But for this generation the task is clear: you who gird yourselves for this great fight in the never-ending warfare for the good of mankind, we stand at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord."
Theodore Roosevelt
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
It's All in the Perspective
It's funny what we remember. I think I speak for most of us when I say that my young childhood memories are few and far between, until I reach a certain age. My memories provide nothing that resembles a comprehensive perspective of my life or my family's life; instead my memories are more like an unorganized photo album of random instances. Do you ever wonder what causes us to remember some things more than others? Is my three-year-old brother going to remember anything from this week? (Wait - I can answer that: Do I remember anything from when I was three?) My memories of a church we attended when I was about nine are very limited. One memory that - for whatever reason - is implanted in my brain is sitting in the pew one Sunday morning during the offering. I distinctly remember wondering just how the ushers or the pastor were going to get the money to God. From my perspective, it would be quite hard for the pastor to reach all the way to heaven. I completely understood that all these people were giving the money to God, but I just couldn't figure out how the money actually got to Him.
When Jesus encouraged His followers to do good to others, He assured them (and us) with a promise: When we reach heaven, we will be praised for our charitable acts to others because "'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'" (Matthew 25:40). When we give to others, we are really giving to God. What an amazing picture! When we give to those who desperately need financial help here on earth, we are really giving a gift to our Father in heaven.
Obedience always brings blessing (though not always immediately). While we experience great joy in giving to God when we give to others here on earth, our full reward is waiting in heaven for us. By giving to God (and His children), we build up for ourselves treasure in heaven - that will always be valuable whether the stock market climbs or crashes. In giving to others, a giver grows closer to God and receives treasure in heaven. It's a win-win!
Back in that church pew, my childlike perspective pictured God in heaven accepting literal money from His people. Little did I comprehend that God was actually giving to us. Giving is itself a gift - we get to be part of God's plan and we are rewarded in heaven. What better investment could there be?
When Jesus encouraged His followers to do good to others, He assured them (and us) with a promise: When we reach heaven, we will be praised for our charitable acts to others because "'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'" (Matthew 25:40). When we give to others, we are really giving to God. What an amazing picture! When we give to those who desperately need financial help here on earth, we are really giving a gift to our Father in heaven.
"Suppose you're giving to help African children with AIDS. When you see an article on the subject, you're hooked. If you're sending money to plant churches in India and an earthquake hits India, you watch the news and fervently pray. As surely as the compass needle follow north, your heart will follow your treasure. Money leads; hearts follow." - Randy Alcorn, The Treasure PrincipleHow can you tell a foreigner from a citizen? I'm sure there are many ways, depending on the situation. Foreign guests may speak with an accent or wear different clothes. They may prefer different food or have different interests. They might spend their money on different things. How we spend our money is a witness to everyone around us where our hearts and citizenship are. As Christians, we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Philippians 3:20-21). Would an American citizen traveling through India prefer to accumulate rupees or dollars? Would he seek to build up a stash of money that is only worth something in the country he is visiting? Or would he want a full bank account in the land that he calls home? It's so easy to forget that we are only here on earth for a short time, and that our real home is heaven. One way to remind us of our eternal destination is to use our earthly currency to gain heavenly treasures.
Obedience always brings blessing (though not always immediately). While we experience great joy in giving to God when we give to others here on earth, our full reward is waiting in heaven for us. By giving to God (and His children), we build up for ourselves treasure in heaven - that will always be valuable whether the stock market climbs or crashes. In giving to others, a giver grows closer to God and receives treasure in heaven. It's a win-win!
Back in that church pew, my childlike perspective pictured God in heaven accepting literal money from His people. Little did I comprehend that God was actually giving to us. Giving is itself a gift - we get to be part of God's plan and we are rewarded in heaven. What better investment could there be?
"'Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.'" Luke 12:32-34Much of the Christian life seems paradoxical at first glance. Whoever loses his life will find it. Whoever strikes your cheek, turn to him the other also. A king in a manger. Moneybags that never age, but are not used to accumulate earthly gold. Everyone in this world is a fellow traveler speeding their way toward eternity. Unfortunately, many, many travelers are preparing for their eternal destination with temporal currency, as they hoard their wealth instead of giving it away. What many people see as paradoxical and foolish is really the only wise choice - when your perspective is right.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas!
"Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in our punishment, in our grave, and now with us, or rather we with Him, in resurrection, ascension, triumph, and Second Advent splendor."
- Charles Spurgeon
"He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute."
- Augustine
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
- Isaac Watts
photo credit
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Not My Ways
About a year ago, my family and I were planning to take a much-anticipated out-of-state trip. A few days before we were supposed to leave, my toddler brother started throwing up. As the bug slowly went through the rest of the family, we hoped that this would not change our plans. Eventually, however, it was clear that some of us were not going to be able to make the trip.
Needless to say, this was not what we had planned.
This was not what I had planned.
For centuries, the Jewish people had waited for the promised Messiah. Ideas and expectations abounded as the conquered people hoped for a majestic Jewish ruler to restore greatness to their nation. Many, especially the zealots, expected a great and mighty man to come in the greatness of physical power, and he would show the world that the Jews were God's people - invincible conquerors. The zealots were looking for the Messiah in high and powerful places.
They weren't looking in a manger.
Mary and Joseph were a devout couple with godly plans for the future - their future. As a God-fearing couple, their plans for their future together were good plans: they desired to bring glory to God with their lives. But it only took one verse, and all those good plans and dreams came crashing down.
Mary and Joseph didn't expect to be making the arduous journey to Bethlehem. Mary didn't expect to place her firstborn in a cattle trough. As poor citizens in an occupied land, Mary and Joseph didn't expect to have to flee to Egypt when the king of the land pursued them. Mary and Joseph didn't expect to be told, "'And a sword will pierce your own soul, too'" (Luke 2:35).
"Christmas" didn't meet Mary and Joseph's or the zealots' expectations. Christmas really didn't meet any human's expectations. But God never consults man about His eternal plan; God writes our stories, not us.
I may never know why God kept us home that week. Mary and Joseph may not have understood some aspects of God's plan for their lives until they reached heaven. Many of the zealots probably never figured it out, either. God's plans are always way above our plans, and it's His plans that are best.
Merry Christmas.
Needless to say, this was not what we had planned.
This was not what I had planned.
For centuries, the Jewish people had waited for the promised Messiah. Ideas and expectations abounded as the conquered people hoped for a majestic Jewish ruler to restore greatness to their nation. Many, especially the zealots, expected a great and mighty man to come in the greatness of physical power, and he would show the world that the Jews were God's people - invincible conquerors. The zealots were looking for the Messiah in high and powerful places.
They weren't looking in a manger.
Mary and Joseph were a devout couple with godly plans for the future - their future. As a God-fearing couple, their plans for their future together were good plans: they desired to bring glory to God with their lives. But it only took one verse, and all those good plans and dreams came crashing down.
Mary and Joseph didn't expect to be making the arduous journey to Bethlehem. Mary didn't expect to place her firstborn in a cattle trough. As poor citizens in an occupied land, Mary and Joseph didn't expect to have to flee to Egypt when the king of the land pursued them. Mary and Joseph didn't expect to be told, "'And a sword will pierce your own soul, too'" (Luke 2:35).
"Christmas" didn't meet Mary and Joseph's or the zealots' expectations. Christmas really didn't meet any human's expectations. But God never consults man about His eternal plan; God writes our stories, not us.
I may never know why God kept us home that week. Mary and Joseph may not have understood some aspects of God's plan for their lives until they reached heaven. Many of the zealots probably never figured it out, either. God's plans are always way above our plans, and it's His plans that are best.
Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A World of Instant, A Culture of Hurry
As the song says, this really is "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year." With carols playing, lights twinkling, and the weather turning crisp, everyone is constantly busy. It all points to a day still three weeks away - Christmas. For an entire month, we wait for this day. For the rest of the year, we look back with fondness on the last Christmas and look forward to the next.
As Christians, we celebrate the season of Advent, a month-long anticipation of Christmas Day. It's a strange time for the culture we live in. In this world of instant, with fast food and instant video streaming, it's hard for us to slow down and wait for any amount of time - let alone an entire month.
The word "Advent" is Latin, meaning "arrival" or "coming." Advent, typically the three to four weeks before Christmas Day, is a time of preparation before the celebration of Christ's coming. With Advent, churches and families celebrate Christmas as an entire season, not just a day. While it reminds us of Christ's first coming, Advent also points to the time of waiting for Christ's second coming.
Promises were given by God long ago. The fulfillment of those prophecies came to pass, sometimes hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years after the prophecies were made.
More promises have been made - Christ will come again! Just as certainly as God kept the promises of Christ's first coming, He will keep the promises of His second coming.
During Advent, we celebrate the Faithful God who always keeps His promises.
During Advent, we remember those who waited a lifetime for the fulfillment of those promises - and those who never saw the fulfillment, but trusted it would come just the same.
During Advent, we celebrate Immanuel, "God With Us," when God entered His creation as a baby.
During Advent, we realize - even in our culture of instant - that it was worth the wait.
As Christians, we celebrate the season of Advent, a month-long anticipation of Christmas Day. It's a strange time for the culture we live in. In this world of instant, with fast food and instant video streaming, it's hard for us to slow down and wait for any amount of time - let alone an entire month.
The word "Advent" is Latin, meaning "arrival" or "coming." Advent, typically the three to four weeks before Christmas Day, is a time of preparation before the celebration of Christ's coming. With Advent, churches and families celebrate Christmas as an entire season, not just a day. While it reminds us of Christ's first coming, Advent also points to the time of waiting for Christ's second coming.
Promises were given by God long ago. The fulfillment of those prophecies came to pass, sometimes hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years after the prophecies were made.
More promises have been made - Christ will come again! Just as certainly as God kept the promises of Christ's first coming, He will keep the promises of His second coming.
During Advent, we celebrate the Faithful God who always keeps His promises.
During Advent, we remember those who waited a lifetime for the fulfillment of those promises - and those who never saw the fulfillment, but trusted it would come just the same.
During Advent, we celebrate Immanuel, "God With Us," when God entered His creation as a baby.
During Advent, we realize - even in our culture of instant - that it was worth the wait.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Surprises in the Hall of Faith
By faith. By faith. By faith. By FAITH.
So reads the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter in the New Testament - Hebrews 11. As I read this chapter the other day, most of the names fit comfortably in my idea of "faith." There was Abraham. Noah. Moses. Easy - they all had much faith.
But then my eyes stopped at a name I didn't expect to see in Hebrews 11: Samson.
Samson?
Is this the same Samson who blatantly defied his parents - and God? Is this the same Samson who chose a bride among the "uncircumcised Philistines" (Judges 14:3)? Is this the same Samson who left his God-given purpose for a woman? Is this the same Samson who foolishly gave away his 'secret' to the same woman who had betrayed him not once, not twice, but THREE times before? Is this the same Samson?
Yeah - that's the one.
Samson chose a wife, not by his parents' guidance or God's precepts, but because "she was right in Samson's eyes" (Judges 14:7).
Eventually, Samson's self-centered foolishness led to his downfall. His enemies, paid by his girlfriend, captured him, enslaved him, and blinded him by putting out his eyes. For some time Samson performed servile tasks for his captors.
But little by little, Samson's hair grew back. Day after monotonous day, it grew longer. Matthew Henry points out that the growth of Samson's hair was not so much a sign of his strength as it was a sign of God once again working through him. Samson was penitent of his past sins, and turned to the God who had orchestrated his entire life.
Then one day, the Philistines brought Samson out to gloat over him. At long last, they had captured the elusive and legendary Samson of the neighboring Israelites. Samson came out, led by the hand as his own eyes were no longer any good for him. At Samson's request, the young man leading him placed Samson's hands on the pillars that were upholding the building. Samson prayed to his God: and pushed hard on the pillars.
Thousands of Philistines died that day as they were having a good time and praising their god for delivering Samson to them.
I guess God had the last word.
Samson is only mentioned one more time in the Bible after his death in Judges 16. That one time is in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith.
Who would have thought that a stubborn and rebellious young man would be named as a man of great faith? God changed Samson's heart. Once Samson turned to God, he put his faith in the only One deserving of his trust. Once Samson's own eyes were out of the question, he saw what was right in God's eyes - and acted on it.
God can redeem the lowest sinner. And Samson could still follow God after refusing His leading for so long.
Just like Jonah still preached to Nineveh - after literally running away from God. Peter still led the disciples - after denying Christ three times. And who can forget Saul, who changed his name to Paul? He wrote nearly half of the books in the New Testament - after agreeing to the stoning of the first Christian martyr.
Every great man or woman of God is also a great sinner. "For all have sinned," Paul wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But God is a God of redemption, of saving that great sinner and making him or her a great servant of God. All of history shows God's redemption. All of our lives showcase His faithfulness.
Great men or women of faith are not great in and of themselves. They are great because they have placed their faith in a faithful God - and they know that He is worthy of that faith.
So reads the famous "Hall of Faith" chapter in the New Testament - Hebrews 11. As I read this chapter the other day, most of the names fit comfortably in my idea of "faith." There was Abraham. Noah. Moses. Easy - they all had much faith.
But then my eyes stopped at a name I didn't expect to see in Hebrews 11: Samson.
Samson?
Is this the same Samson who blatantly defied his parents - and God? Is this the same Samson who chose a bride among the "uncircumcised Philistines" (Judges 14:3)? Is this the same Samson who left his God-given purpose for a woman? Is this the same Samson who foolishly gave away his 'secret' to the same woman who had betrayed him not once, not twice, but THREE times before? Is this the same Samson?
Yeah - that's the one.
Samson chose a wife, not by his parents' guidance or God's precepts, but because "she was right in Samson's eyes" (Judges 14:7).
Eventually, Samson's self-centered foolishness led to his downfall. His enemies, paid by his girlfriend, captured him, enslaved him, and blinded him by putting out his eyes. For some time Samson performed servile tasks for his captors.
But little by little, Samson's hair grew back. Day after monotonous day, it grew longer. Matthew Henry points out that the growth of Samson's hair was not so much a sign of his strength as it was a sign of God once again working through him. Samson was penitent of his past sins, and turned to the God who had orchestrated his entire life.
Then one day, the Philistines brought Samson out to gloat over him. At long last, they had captured the elusive and legendary Samson of the neighboring Israelites. Samson came out, led by the hand as his own eyes were no longer any good for him. At Samson's request, the young man leading him placed Samson's hands on the pillars that were upholding the building. Samson prayed to his God: and pushed hard on the pillars.
Thousands of Philistines died that day as they were having a good time and praising their god for delivering Samson to them.
I guess God had the last word.
Samson is only mentioned one more time in the Bible after his death in Judges 16. That one time is in Hebrews 11, the Hall of Faith.
Who would have thought that a stubborn and rebellious young man would be named as a man of great faith? God changed Samson's heart. Once Samson turned to God, he put his faith in the only One deserving of his trust. Once Samson's own eyes were out of the question, he saw what was right in God's eyes - and acted on it.
God can redeem the lowest sinner. And Samson could still follow God after refusing His leading for so long.
Just like Jonah still preached to Nineveh - after literally running away from God. Peter still led the disciples - after denying Christ three times. And who can forget Saul, who changed his name to Paul? He wrote nearly half of the books in the New Testament - after agreeing to the stoning of the first Christian martyr.
Every great man or woman of God is also a great sinner. "For all have sinned," Paul wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But God is a God of redemption, of saving that great sinner and making him or her a great servant of God. All of history shows God's redemption. All of our lives showcase His faithfulness.
Great men or women of faith are not great in and of themselves. They are great because they have placed their faith in a faithful God - and they know that He is worthy of that faith.
"Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God..."
Monday, September 19, 2011
Risky Responsibility
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| Hans and Sophie with a fellow collaborator |
It seems that modern Christians don't always know what to do with their culture. Some want to hide from it (the Amish come to mind). Others see nothing wrong with living just as those around them live - and their similarities show. The divorce rate among Christians looks more like the culture than the Scriptures. Young adults are walking away from the church in droves; why stay when nothing is different?
John Stonestreet, of Summit Ministries and Breakpoint Radio, in a lecture titled "Christianity and Culture," reminds Christians that we are supposed to be in the world, but not of the world. Christians can have one of three responses to our culture, Stonestreet says. We can be offended by our culture and withdraw from it, but then we wouldn't be in or of the world. Or, as many other Christians are, we could be distracted by our culture and assimilate it. However, then we would not only be in the world, but we would also be of it - living just like everybody else in a culture of darkness where we are called to be light. The final approach Christians can take to culture is to be engaged in the culture and faithful to the gospel. In the world, but not of it. Sometimes we find ourselves asking, "How far is too far?" Instead, Stonestreet teaches that we should be asking, "'For what am I responsible?'"
Hans and Sophie Scholl didn't have to do what they did. In fact, Hans wrote to a friend that it was tempting to just retreat to a serene haven outside of the hubbub of Nazi activity, ignore what was going on, and live as if everything was fine. But he - and Sophie - chose a different path. "Isn't seclusion a form of treachery - of desertion?" Hans wrote. The decision was made.
"It's high time that Christians made up their minds to do something . . . What are we going to show in the way of resistance-as compared to the Communists, for instance-when all this terror is over? We will be standing empty-handed. We will have no answer when we are asked: What did you do about it?"
Hans Scholl
The brother and sister duo distributed pamphlets that counter-argued the Nazi propaganda and exposed their lies. Eventually, they were caught and, ultimately, executed by the Nazis.
"How can we expect fate to let a righteous cause prevail when there is hardly anyone who will give himself up undividedly to a righteous cause?"
Sophie Scholl
Hans and Sophie Scholl have left an indelible legacy behind for all who would stand up for the truth in a culture that is falling for lies. What will we be willing to risk? How far are we willing to go? For what are we responsible?
"The real damage is done by those millions who want to 'survive.' The honest men who just want to be left in peace. Those who don’t want their little lives disturbed by anything bigger than themselves. Those with no sides and no causes. Those who won’t take measure of their own strength, for fear of antagonizing their own weakness. Those who don’t like to make waves—or enemies. Those for whom freedom, honour, truth, and principles are only literature. Those who live small, mate small, die small. It’s the reductionist approach to life: if you keep it small, you’ll keep it under control. If you don’t make any noise, the bogeyman won’t find you. But it’s all an illusion, because they die too, those people who roll up their spirits into tiny little balls so as to be safe. Safe?! From what? Life is always on the edge of death; narrow streets lead to the same place as wide avenues, and a little candle burns itself out just like a flaming torch does. I choose my own way to burn."
Sophie Scholl
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