John Ortberg speaks of writing a thanksgiving letter to someone you're grateful for. Write it, make an appointment to see them - and then read the letter to them.
You can imagine receiving such an appointment as a little bit awkward. But it would be quite moving.
Writing the thanksgiving letter and reading it would also be quite an experience.
How about with God?
When we say grace before a meal, when we express our thanks in songs and prayers of praise at church - do we really feel the gratitude.
The art of talking to your soul...
I've been reading Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. Something that has struck me is the idea of talking to your soul. Especially this verse in Psalm 42.
It made me think of the nature of a conversation with your soul. In conversation as if I was separate from my soul. There is some wisdom in saying talk to your soul.11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
- Psalm 42:11
This is different to talking to yourself.
When you talk to yourself YOU feel pressure to respond. So you say to yourself: "Cheer up!" But you don't - and then you feel guilty for not listening to yourself.
When you talk to your soul you accept your sadness - and you say to your soul; as if it was separate from you - "Cheer up!" And there is no pressure for you to respond. You are talking to something deep inside you. And you are allowed to speak to yourself quite freely and honestly without feeling guilty about not cheering up - not listening to yourself.
And so the Psalmist talks to his soul: "Why are you cast down? Why are you disquieted?" And the Psalmist advises his soul: "Hope in God" Witnessing and encouraging: "I shall again praise him, my help and my God."
Try it.
Inner Child
I often dismiss the Spiritual Advisors advice to me to nurture my 'inner child'.
I remember my father talking to me in the car one day when I must have been about 10 years old. He said "Pog," (that was my family's nick name for me) "you've lost your laugh." I remember the laugh that I had lost - it was a belly laugh; my daughter has it... it rumbles up from deep within her and bursts out of her mouth when something is funny.
This morning Facebook reminded me of a memory of my son, 5 years ago when he was 2 years old eating a chocolate cupcake with a smile as wide as the moon. And chocolate everywhere.
Last night after story time I asked my children: "How can I pray for you?" My son asked that I pray that he passes his tests at school.
As I look at the nearly 2 year old and the 7 year old that he has become I am sad to see that his 'inner child' is slowly being buried beneath the cares of this world. I know that my 'inner child' is also firmly buried under the pressure of day to day life. And I'm sad to confess that I might be a part of the team of circumstances that are slowly pressing his 'inner child' into submission.
But God created me in his image. That inner child - in its purest form is God's image in me.
So I'm learning to rediscover that 'inner child'.
I'm learning to play more games and not take life as seriously as I seem to be taking it at the moment. On the weekend we bought Nerf Guns and shot each other; I need more of that.
I need to watch less news and listen to less talk radio and learn to dance and sing more.
Jesus reminds us:
"...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
- Matthew 18:3
So - pray for us, pray for our humanity, pray for me pray for the safety and security that every child of God needs.
And play more.
I remember my father talking to me in the car one day when I must have been about 10 years old. He said "Pog," (that was my family's nick name for me) "you've lost your laugh." I remember the laugh that I had lost - it was a belly laugh; my daughter has it... it rumbles up from deep within her and bursts out of her mouth when something is funny.
This morning Facebook reminded me of a memory of my son, 5 years ago when he was 2 years old eating a chocolate cupcake with a smile as wide as the moon. And chocolate everywhere.
As I look at the nearly 2 year old and the 7 year old that he has become I am sad to see that his 'inner child' is slowly being buried beneath the cares of this world. I know that my 'inner child' is also firmly buried under the pressure of day to day life. And I'm sad to confess that I might be a part of the team of circumstances that are slowly pressing his 'inner child' into submission.
But God created me in his image. That inner child - in its purest form is God's image in me.
So I'm learning to rediscover that 'inner child'.
I'm learning to play more games and not take life as seriously as I seem to be taking it at the moment. On the weekend we bought Nerf Guns and shot each other; I need more of that.
I need to watch less news and listen to less talk radio and learn to dance and sing more.
Jesus reminds us:
"...unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
- Matthew 18:3
So - pray for us, pray for our humanity, pray for me pray for the safety and security that every child of God needs.
And play more.
Samaritan #livesmatter
This past Sunday the gospel text was The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) we also read from Paul's letter to the Colossians 1:1-14.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan essentially answers two questions: "What does love look like?" And "Who is my neighbour?"
The Samaritan turns out to be the only one who reflects God's love to the beaten and broken man lying on the side of the road.
Modelling this kind of love is the condition says Jesus, for inheriting eternal life.
For being an heir, a child of God.
Samaritans, gentiles, red and yellow black and white they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the children of the world. Paul celebrates this community that is learning to love because they have heard the gospel news about Jesus and have 'understood God's grace in all its truth.' (Colossians 1:6).
The good news of God's love for you helps you to realise God's love for you and your Samaritan neighbour... And everyone else.
And also - learning to see the glimpses, the moments of Kingdom Brightness that shine through - Paul says the gospel is bearing fruit and growing.
I see this in churches and community organisations that are talking about bigotry and prejudice. In Christians who are confessing and doing something to make a difference. In acts of solidarity rather than division. Because of the parable of the Good Samaritan I must also see this among people who are different to me... different denominations, even different religions.
Lets bear that fruit.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan essentially answers two questions: "What does love look like?" And "Who is my neighbour?"
What does love look like?
Love doesn't look like a Priest who walks past a half dead body on the side of the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. The priest is a symbol of somebody allegedly caught up in loving God. The Levite, who also walks past the half dead body is allegedly somebody who rigorously enforces and keeps God's laws. But neither reflect God's law or God's love.The Samaritan turns out to be the only one who reflects God's love to the beaten and broken man lying on the side of the road.
Modelling this kind of love is the condition says Jesus, for inheriting eternal life.
For being an heir, a child of God.
Who is my neighbour?
Who is my neighbour / who are the children of God that I should love? The answer that Jesus gives to the lawyer is the example of a Samaritan. The answer for you and I is - whoever you are most prejudiced against. Samaritan lives matter. They are just as much God's children as you or I.Disillusioned
I became disilusioned. South Africa and the rest of the world are engaged in horribly hateful racist rhetoric. I wish I could dismiss this as fanfare but we see it and experience it on a daily basis. I start to think that there is no hope for the world because even Christians seem to forget Jesus' call to us to get over our prejudice and love our various Samaritans the way God loves them.Rekindled
In Colossians Paul writes to a church of people whose 'love for all the saints' (Colossians 1:3) is making them famous. This is not love for saints in heaven; or for fellow Christians. This is love for all the children of God who are holy to God because they are created in God's image.Samaritans, gentiles, red and yellow black and white they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the children of the world. Paul celebrates this community that is learning to love because they have heard the gospel news about Jesus and have 'understood God's grace in all its truth.' (Colossians 1:6).
The good news of God's love for you helps you to realise God's love for you and your Samaritan neighbour... And everyone else.
All over the world
Paul also says that 'all over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing.' (Colossians 1:6). I can easily be overwhelmed by the bad news of hatred and bigotry. But in faith I believe what Paul is saying - and I need to take up my place in this growing fruit bearing tree. Learning to love my personal Samaritans like the Samaritan loved; like God loves.And also - learning to see the glimpses, the moments of Kingdom Brightness that shine through - Paul says the gospel is bearing fruit and growing.
I see this in churches and community organisations that are talking about bigotry and prejudice. In Christians who are confessing and doing something to make a difference. In acts of solidarity rather than division. Because of the parable of the Good Samaritan I must also see this among people who are different to me... different denominations, even different religions.
Lets bear that fruit.
Words that spew...
I was camping in Taizé, spending my days worshipping and praying. My nights sleeping in a tent. All my worldly possessions contained in a back pack. Every night I would wash the shirt I wore for the day and let it dry and wear the next one.
Taizé is a community of thousands of young people. Some come in groups, some come as individuals, some are older, some are younger.
I washed my precious T-Shirt and had my only other one on when a wild group of Italian teenagers threw water at me - I was in the line of fire during their game. Before I could catch hold of my words they burst out: "You stupid wops!"
Wop was a word I had heard from my grandfather. And all I knew about it was it was a derogatory term used during the war and I shouldn't use it to talk about people. In that moment of anger, frustration, primal rage - my mind looked for the meanest thing to say and threw it out of my mouth.
They were too busy playing their game to notice what I had said in a language they didn't understand. But it shocked me that I could say such a thing - having spent so much time praying, worshiping, studying the Bible - and doing all those holy things we love to do.
Jesus warns us:
These surprise utterances that we write, that we say, that we do - in our moments of anger. The mean things that we call those closest to us, or those driving past in a car who can't hear us reveal something about us.
Its like dishing up out of a pot that you know has been burnt at the bottom. You don't want to scrape up the burnt food so you dip gently. But in a moment of anger you scratch the bottom and bring out the worst and throw it out on the plate for everyone to see.
There is something ugly going on in our hearts. Deep down in the darkest places - an inner ugliness that comes up when we're at our worst.
I don't think anyone is immune to this ugliness.
What should we do when people put that ugliness out on facebook / twitter / radio / tv / public / election rallying...
Should we all point and laugh like we were innocent.
Shall we condemn them to prison.
Shall we use their failure to benefit our selves?
Grace has a way of taking the burnt bitterness at the bottom of the pot and cleansing it.
I kept thinking during the whole Penny Sparrow debacle that Madiba probably would have flown to her house and had a long chat with her to help her understand the foolishness of her thinking and her words. It would have been a hand of grace and an opportunity for heart searching, cleansing and reconciling.
And how many times do we have to do things the Madiba way? How many times must the reconciliation way trump our desire to point out the sins of others? I think Jesus has some ideas.
Instead of responding with vitriol and attempts at shaming and bullying perhaps there needs to be a grace filled response. A wise mother or father who would call one aside and say yes, but no. Or maybe we all just need to recognize the stupid things that young people do and say and know that we are not immune.
The more we look at each other. The more we live in the public spheres of twitter and facebook. The more chances we will have of seeing each others worst ugliness.
The more we need to offer - and graciously receive a hand of grace.
The alternative will be too costly to contemplate.
Taizé is a community of thousands of young people. Some come in groups, some come as individuals, some are older, some are younger.
I washed my precious T-Shirt and had my only other one on when a wild group of Italian teenagers threw water at me - I was in the line of fire during their game. Before I could catch hold of my words they burst out: "You stupid wops!"
Wop was a word I had heard from my grandfather. And all I knew about it was it was a derogatory term used during the war and I shouldn't use it to talk about people. In that moment of anger, frustration, primal rage - my mind looked for the meanest thing to say and threw it out of my mouth.
They were too busy playing their game to notice what I had said in a language they didn't understand. But it shocked me that I could say such a thing - having spent so much time praying, worshiping, studying the Bible - and doing all those holy things we love to do.
Jesus warns us:
"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’"He then describes these things as 'coming out of the heart'.
- Matthew 15:18
These surprise utterances that we write, that we say, that we do - in our moments of anger. The mean things that we call those closest to us, or those driving past in a car who can't hear us reveal something about us.
Its like dishing up out of a pot that you know has been burnt at the bottom. You don't want to scrape up the burnt food so you dip gently. But in a moment of anger you scratch the bottom and bring out the worst and throw it out on the plate for everyone to see.
There is something ugly going on in our hearts. Deep down in the darkest places - an inner ugliness that comes up when we're at our worst.
I don't think anyone is immune to this ugliness.
What should we do when people put that ugliness out on facebook / twitter / radio / tv / public / election rallying...
Should we all point and laugh like we were innocent.
Shall we condemn them to prison.
Shall we use their failure to benefit our selves?
Grace has a way of taking the burnt bitterness at the bottom of the pot and cleansing it.
I kept thinking during the whole Penny Sparrow debacle that Madiba probably would have flown to her house and had a long chat with her to help her understand the foolishness of her thinking and her words. It would have been a hand of grace and an opportunity for heart searching, cleansing and reconciling.
And how many times do we have to do things the Madiba way? How many times must the reconciliation way trump our desire to point out the sins of others? I think Jesus has some ideas.
Instead of responding with vitriol and attempts at shaming and bullying perhaps there needs to be a grace filled response. A wise mother or father who would call one aside and say yes, but no. Or maybe we all just need to recognize the stupid things that young people do and say and know that we are not immune.
The more we look at each other. The more we live in the public spheres of twitter and facebook. The more chances we will have of seeing each others worst ugliness.
The more we need to offer - and graciously receive a hand of grace.
The alternative will be too costly to contemplate.
Church - What do I get?
We were talking about tithing - about giving money to the church. Quite a lot of money in fact. I have a few opinions about this. I think the church's teaching on tithing is quite manipulative at times. I think Jesus wants you more than your money. But I do think that church members should contribute proportionally to the life and ministry of the church.
I find it amazing how the poorest of the poor struggle to put coins together to give their portion. And interesting to see how the wealthiest find ways and means to justify giving without much commitment - and when they give - to give with strings attached.
But now I'm being judgmental.
Like I said - we were talking about tithing - and the question was asked: "What do I get?"
I have to bite my tongue to keep myself from saying: "You get to come and die."
But it made me think about the temptation to answer the question: "What do I get?" I would love to promise you an air conditioned sanctuary; padded seats - and professional musicians to give you what you want. But that is not what is on offer.
What is on offer - is the opportunity to die to yourself and become part of something bigger.
When a friend of mine was talking about the decision not to have children I was struck by how much I thought I should encourage him to have children. As we discussed the options I found myself saying that having kids has taught me to live outside of myself. (I don't know if I convinced my friend to have children - but he now has two.) But one thing I want people to know is that tithing is the opportunity to give. And not to get.
What you do get (I hope) is a robust community dedicated to discipleship. Resourced to minister the truth of the gospel to both the wealthy and the poor. Resourced to co-ordinate the care of orphans; training of ministers and teachers, the building of hospitals. Resourced to communicate the good news of the Kingdom of God and all that that entails.
All of these things that you get are not for you. They are for God.
I find it amazing how the poorest of the poor struggle to put coins together to give their portion. And interesting to see how the wealthiest find ways and means to justify giving without much commitment - and when they give - to give with strings attached.
But now I'm being judgmental.
Like I said - we were talking about tithing - and the question was asked: "What do I get?"
I have to bite my tongue to keep myself from saying: "You get to come and die."
But it made me think about the temptation to answer the question: "What do I get?" I would love to promise you an air conditioned sanctuary; padded seats - and professional musicians to give you what you want. But that is not what is on offer.
What is on offer - is the opportunity to die to yourself and become part of something bigger.
When a friend of mine was talking about the decision not to have children I was struck by how much I thought I should encourage him to have children. As we discussed the options I found myself saying that having kids has taught me to live outside of myself. (I don't know if I convinced my friend to have children - but he now has two.) But one thing I want people to know is that tithing is the opportunity to give. And not to get.
What you do get (I hope) is a robust community dedicated to discipleship. Resourced to minister the truth of the gospel to both the wealthy and the poor. Resourced to co-ordinate the care of orphans; training of ministers and teachers, the building of hospitals. Resourced to communicate the good news of the Kingdom of God and all that that entails.
All of these things that you get are not for you. They are for God.
Super Confident Christians - Do not be afraid of them...
You may say to yourself, “How can we recognize a word that the LORD has not spoken?” If a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD but the thing does not take place or prove true, it is a word that the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it.
- Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NRSV)
Just before this verse Deuteronomy warns that false prophets; or prophets who 'presume to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded' (Deuteronomy 18:20) 'shall die.'
Whenever we speak of God I think we should whisper / cover our mouths in humility; it is a dangerous thing to stand up and say: "Thus says the Lord..."
If I feel 'led' this way or that; if I pray and agonize all night about the message I should preach on Sunday because I know not everyone will like it; and feel 1000% convinced that this is of God. When the the conviction / the fire in my bones (Jer 20:9) is so strong it bursts in me; I still never stand up and say: "God has laid it on my heart to tell you this..."
I won't tell you how much I've prayed, I won't tell you how I have sweated over what it is I have to say. I believe that if what I have to say is from God; then it will be the job of the Holy Spirit to say yes in you. And I want you to know that sometimes I don't pray or prepare as much as I should - just in case you start to think that everything I say comes from the same place of conviction.
In fact - whenever someone starts with: "The Lord told me..." or "God has laid it on my heart to tell you..." I shut down. I worry about the person speaking; are you going to implicate yourself in blasphemy? Rather - humbly say: Do you think God is telling us to do... Does that resonate with you and the Holy Spirit?
Even the council of apostles in Acts when confronted with a difficult and delicate Theological and church polity problem - after debate and discernment on the highest level simply responded with the words: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." Such a humble way for such authoritative people to speak. A way that offers you the chance to say in your heart - does this seem good to the Holy Spirit and to me. Resonance.
Jesus warns us: "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great sings and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand..."
- Matthew 24:24
Too often we think that this is all about people who come along and pretend to be Jesus; we'd see through that one straight away (although some people fall for the trick). False prophets are subtle; everything they say sounds Biblical; sounds orthodox - they encourage you not to think too much about what they are saying, if you correct them they tell you that you are judgmental or you lack faith.
They never stand up and say Jesus is a monkey from Mars and you need to drink this cool-aid. They start by saying: The reason you don't have healing is that you haven't yet caught the tail of Jesus. Your church hasn't told you about the tail because they are afraid of its power... (They actually tell more believable and credible sounding stories but I liked the monkey example.)
The worry about the false prophets is that they target the kindest, sweetest, most innocent and lovely people. They promise a gospel that solves all the problems of the world with miracle cures and the kindest people wish that there hopeful stories were true. But the gospel is not the answer to our wishful dreams - the gospel calls us to the tough task of faithful, life sacrificing discipleship.
The worst example is the miracle healing crusaders that take up lots of cash to fly around in aeroplanes and some even charge money for you to go to miracle school. Normal - less spectacular 'honest to God' Christianity arrives in impoverished places; establishes schools, send graduates to varsity, establish hospitals and teaching hospitals... and miracles happen.
So - don't be afraid of those who speak to confidently about all the stuff they think God told them - and all the stuff they think God is doing; but they can't prove it.
Ask the questions.
Dissect the answers.
And if the answers are simply deflections or a call to 'just have faith'. Remind them that faith in Jesus is faith in a physically real - incarnational God. And not a case for 'just have faith'.
- Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (NRSV)
Just before this verse Deuteronomy warns that false prophets; or prophets who 'presume to speak in my name a word that I have not commanded' (Deuteronomy 18:20) 'shall die.'
Whenever we speak of God I think we should whisper / cover our mouths in humility; it is a dangerous thing to stand up and say: "Thus says the Lord..."
If I feel 'led' this way or that; if I pray and agonize all night about the message I should preach on Sunday because I know not everyone will like it; and feel 1000% convinced that this is of God. When the the conviction / the fire in my bones (Jer 20:9) is so strong it bursts in me; I still never stand up and say: "God has laid it on my heart to tell you this..."
I won't tell you how much I've prayed, I won't tell you how I have sweated over what it is I have to say. I believe that if what I have to say is from God; then it will be the job of the Holy Spirit to say yes in you. And I want you to know that sometimes I don't pray or prepare as much as I should - just in case you start to think that everything I say comes from the same place of conviction.
In fact - whenever someone starts with: "The Lord told me..." or "God has laid it on my heart to tell you..." I shut down. I worry about the person speaking; are you going to implicate yourself in blasphemy? Rather - humbly say: Do you think God is telling us to do... Does that resonate with you and the Holy Spirit?
Even the council of apostles in Acts when confronted with a difficult and delicate Theological and church polity problem - after debate and discernment on the highest level simply responded with the words: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." Such a humble way for such authoritative people to speak. A way that offers you the chance to say in your heart - does this seem good to the Holy Spirit and to me. Resonance.
Jesus warns us: "For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and produce great sings and omens, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note, I have told you beforehand..."
- Matthew 24:24
Too often we think that this is all about people who come along and pretend to be Jesus; we'd see through that one straight away (although some people fall for the trick). False prophets are subtle; everything they say sounds Biblical; sounds orthodox - they encourage you not to think too much about what they are saying, if you correct them they tell you that you are judgmental or you lack faith.
They never stand up and say Jesus is a monkey from Mars and you need to drink this cool-aid. They start by saying: The reason you don't have healing is that you haven't yet caught the tail of Jesus. Your church hasn't told you about the tail because they are afraid of its power... (They actually tell more believable and credible sounding stories but I liked the monkey example.)
The worry about the false prophets is that they target the kindest, sweetest, most innocent and lovely people. They promise a gospel that solves all the problems of the world with miracle cures and the kindest people wish that there hopeful stories were true. But the gospel is not the answer to our wishful dreams - the gospel calls us to the tough task of faithful, life sacrificing discipleship.
The worst example is the miracle healing crusaders that take up lots of cash to fly around in aeroplanes and some even charge money for you to go to miracle school. Normal - less spectacular 'honest to God' Christianity arrives in impoverished places; establishes schools, send graduates to varsity, establish hospitals and teaching hospitals... and miracles happen.
So - don't be afraid of those who speak to confidently about all the stuff they think God told them - and all the stuff they think God is doing; but they can't prove it.
Ask the questions.
Dissect the answers.
And if the answers are simply deflections or a call to 'just have faith'. Remind them that faith in Jesus is faith in a physically real - incarnational God. And not a case for 'just have faith'.
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