Those who know me probably aren’t surprised to hear that.
She’s usually right.
Probably no surprise there either…
Our van hit the 100,000 mile mark on Sunday. I took a picture at 99,999 and then at 100,000. It’s not our first vehicle to exceed that mark (and our other car is about 1,000 miles from doing it too!). I just felt like taking the picture. With a digital camera, it didn’t cost anything!
Strangely enough, I started thinking about our “disposable” society. Although the world is “going green,” we still have so much that we readily discard.
If there is no recycling bin around, we can either keep the empty water bottle until we find one or just pitch it in a trash can. I confess I don’t always wait.
We can recycle paper or just pitch it. How many of us want to wait until we get to a paper recycling bin?
Even if there is a recycling bin, do people pay attention? Having emptied a few bins, I’ve seen food, trash, etc… just randomly tossed in with bottles and cans.
When the economy was strong, most people would have sold their cars before they hit 100,000 miles. Now, we are all willing to drive a bit farther, keep things a bit longer, stitch up a hole instead of getting a new shirt…
Maybe it’s not such a bad thing that we have to think more?
Maybe we should apply those thoughts to other areas of life as well – especially our faith?
Do we truly value it?
Do we take time for it only when it is convenient?
Is it just part of life or part of who we really are?
I’m not sure how we “suddenly” hit 100,000 miles on our van. It seems to have happened overnight.
But it didn’t…
I’m not sure how I got to be this age – not to mention having two kids this old. It seems to have happened overnight.
But it didn’t…
Treasure the blessings you have. Life is not disposable. Enjoy the journey!
In preparation, research and study over the past several weeks, I have to say the importance of accuracy, culture and context has been screaming out to me. (Yes, I will admit the trip to Israel has greatly impacted my heart on this issue, but it was there before I went. It’s just been magnified more.) I just don’t think you can study the Word of God with any seriousness if you don’t try to dig into those issues. While that may come across as extreme, it is what it is…
So, what in particular has me reflecting on this during this rainy Thursday morning? I’m preparing for a bit more of a lesson on “How We Got the Bible.” (Not exactly a fancy title, but it is to the point!) In so much of my research, the Da Vinci Code garbage impact can’t be ignored.
Dan Brown – much like Philip Pullman and the “His Dark Materials / Golden Compass” whatnot – pushed a personal agenda behind a fictional narrative. Pullman was clear (an atheist trying to turn people from Christianity) but Brown was more vague in some ways. He pushed fiction as fact to the point of absurdity. (For example, the Priory of Sion is a mythical creation of Plantard in the 1950’s. This was proven by secular researchers long ago.)
Why do so many then take a novel and put the things it presented as fact? Why ignore culture, context and Truth? I don’t know.
In some cases, a reason may be the desire to run from God. In the same way we rebel against our earthly parents, we rebel against our Heavenly Father. Fearing “rules,” weignore relationship.
Another reason might simply be laziness. We read something and we are too lazy to check and see if it is true. I admit my own tendencies to get caught up in a novel. When I’m finished, the story (if well written) has taken on a level of reality through my engaged imagination. (Point of clarification – I don’t find the Brown novels especially well written but they do flow like a visual television program or movie at many points. Easy to get wrapped up.)
Whatever the reason, let’s be smart. The need we have to check things out in our personal and spiritual lives is paramount. If someone came to your door and told you to run because the aliens were attacking, would you run? While that may seem absurd, I find it equally mystifying to either believe or disbelieve something without doing a bit of research.
Again, to use another Brown example, he purports that Constantine was forced to be baptized at his death. He ignores the historical culture and context of the time. It was (erroneously, I might add) believed at the time that one should be baptized close to death so that past sins would be erased. This reflects an error in teaching on several levels – but principally the Christian belief that sins are atoned for through Christ’s blood shed on the cross – not baptism.
Ah… It’s getting time to start the regular day. Time to turn attention to the pile of work and stop musing.
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your [Philemon] faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Philemon is clearly a leader in Colosse. A church meets in his home. Paul has heard stories about him and his faith. In hearing these stories, Paul has then added Philemon to his prayer list. There were problems in Colosse – issues of humanism, the struggle between Jewish tradition and the new covenant with faith in Christ and angel worship. Paul had two people with him – Epaphras and Onesimus – who could tell him what was happening. But again, that’s for another time…
Paul was praying for Philemon. Paul also exhorted him to be active in sharing his faith. By doing this, the Good News of salvation through Christ’s blood shed on the cross for our sins would continue to be spread.
It was ALSO a way for Philemon himself to grow. We learn when we share. We learn when we dialogue. What’s the best way to understand something more completely? On-the-job training. How do you get better at something? Do it.
In February, we were inundated with stories of trials and triumphs at the Olympics. Each Olympian spent years studying, competing and striving to be the best at what they do. Snowboarding fascinates me. Just a person, a board and slopes. How do you think they learned to be as good as they are? They were active in the process of learning. The understanding of what they could do became fuller as they practiced their sport.
Sharing your faith is the same way. The more you do it, the easier it will be. You’ll learn that simply taking the time to share your story is a great way to break down the barriers and grow. Faith is not supposed to be kept inside. Hebrews tells us that it is living and active. Let it out and it will grow.
Paul’s first challenge to Philemon was to show his faith. Then Paul challenged him to demonstrate forgiveness.
If you are going to read one book this year, this has to be the one. You may think I’m kidding or exaggerating, but this is it.
Donald Miller meets J I Packer. Rob Bell meets John MacArthur. Bugs Bunny meets Beatrix Potter.
Dug Down Deep
OK – the last one was a bit of a joke. No insults to anyone intended, but you get the point – lightheartedness blended with good content.
In Dug Down Deep, Joshua Harris presents “a mixtape of Biblical Truth” written in language that everyone can understand. (For the non-cassette tape players out there, it’s your iPod playlist.) Harris clearly communicates theology with heart and passion. In his words, “We are all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God istrue.”
[If the word “theology” scares you, don’t worry. The words (jus-ti-fi-ca-shun, sanc-ti-fi-ca-shun, …) are not used as swords but rather as helps. How do those powerful words fit into your life and mine?]
Harris’ purpose in writing the book is clearly spelled out. “Dug Down Deep is my reveling in theology in my own simply way – not too polished, sometimes awkward, less than scholarly, hopefully gracious and faithful.”
What issues does he tackle? A quick, non-comprehensive snapshot in my words:
God – far away or right here?
The Bible – rules or food?
Jesus – did he really have a bellybutton?
Salvation – “born again” – imagine the guts and goo – not the flowers and balloons
The Holy Spirit – what’s beyond that one line in the Apostle’s Creed?
That’s enough I hope for you to get the picture. (And I didn’t even mention the atheist summer camp!)
So – looking for a good book? This is it. You will enjoy the content and – prayerfully – find something to enrich your faith walk a bit more. Put this on your reading list for the New Year!
Yours in Christ,
Marty
**Oh – for some odd reason, the FCC wants me to mention that I received a free copy Multnomah / Waterbrook. Seems a bit silly since M / W didn’t pay me to write anything? Job security for someone! :o)
In an interview w/Ace Collins for our radio program, he started describing how you can use some Christmas traditions to illustrate faith. One of the things he described was mistletoe. Being curious, I decided to do a bit more digging…
Mistletoe has been used in Druid ceremonies since 200 B.C. Why? Mistletoe has no real roots and stays green all winter. Say what? It is actually a parasite. It attaches itself to a tree and lives off that tree. If the tree dies, so does the mistletoe.
Celtics believed it had magical healing powers and used it for all sorts of things. Romans believed that enemies who met under mistletoe (a sign of peace) had to lay down their weapons and embrace.
What about kissing? There are all sorts of Greek, Scandinavian and other legends. Girls “caught” under the mistletoe are supposed to kiss or remain unmarried for the next year. Little known detail? You were supposed to pick a berry or it doesn’t count. No berries – No kissing!
There is all sorts of other information out there on the internets. Just google it and you’ll find it was also a symbol of long friendship, fertility, etc.
But what’s the connection to faith?
The analogy for mistletoe can be taken a few different directions. Faith, like mistletoe, needs a connection. That connection needs to be alive. If the mistletoe is separated, it will die.
We need to be connected to a church. That church needs to be alive in Jesus Christ (Parable of the Vine – John 15). It needs to be teaching and encouraging people towards spiritual growth and development.
As we approach Christmas this year, do you have a church home? Have you found a place to connect and grow? If so, great! If not, consider checking around for a place where the name of Christ is lifted up and people are living out their faith.
I posted a few days ago about slavery in the Bible and a particular passage with which I was wrestling. Want to know what happened?
After the 15th rewrite, I realized I wasn’t dealing with the text. I kept looking at an issue I wanted to understand. That’s not the right way to open the Word…
I went back to the text and my original outline. The point was not about slavery. The text (Galatians 3:26 – 4:7) described our freedom in clothing ourselves with Christ. It is HIM we are to reflect as others see us.
I used an illustration of my son from a week ago. We were at my in-laws playing a video game. Suddenly, he disappeared and came back wearing a mask. He didn’t miss a beat or say a word. (I’m not sure where he got the mask or why he was wearing it, but it was pretty funny!)
We all knew who was under the mask. However, he was trying to reflect someone else’s identity.
That’s the way it should be for each believer in Jesus Christ. When people see us, they should see the reflection of the character and love of Jesus Christ. They should see His identity through us. Simply put, they should see who we are trying to be.
In preparing a message from Luke 4 on the tempting of Jesus in the wilderness, I keep going back to the Pentateuch (First 5 books of the Bible: Genesis to Deuteronomy).
In these books (Moses’ writings), the parallels between what happened to Moses and the Israelites and Satan’s offerings and Jesus’ responses (quoting Moses) are fascinating.
Let me encourage you – pay attention to those cross-references. Yes, if you read them all, your amount of time spent reading will increase incredibly. BUT – you will be blessed! The way God’s Word flows as one grand Story is remarkable.
Appreciate your prayers as I share a message this weekend!
I’m very excited to hold in my hands the newly released Visual Guide to Bible Events by James Martin, John Beck and David Hansen.
Visual Guide to Bible Events
David has been an LRM Board member, team member and coordinator for a number of years. Having been blessed to spend a bit of time with him over that span, I’m always amazed at his passion for Scripture and interpretation in light of culture and context.
(I don’t know the other two gentlemen, but James Martin is the lead teacher on LRM’s trip to Israel / Egypt in 2010. Since he and David have been friends coworkers for so many years, I’m excited about this opportunity too!)
Having officially received my copy and thumbed through several pages, I have to say that it is everything I’d hoped to see. There are stunning pictures, excellent maps, Scriptural references and solid connections to help in understanding God’s Word.
FANTASTIC RESOURCE!
Yours in Christ,
Marty
And, for those who think a review isn’t complete w/o a criticism, the book is too short. Iwant to see another 250 pages!
In a few conversations recently, I’ve been struck by the manner in which some “choose” Scripture passages. What do I mean?
Do you remember the old game show Let’s Make a Deal? Contestants were able to choose between hidden items (under boxes, behind curtains, etc.). After the first item was revealed, the host (Monty Hall) would often offer the contestant the chance to switch to another hidden item.
In my conversations, it seems as if some will hunt through the Word of God, looking for a particular verse that fits what they want to hear / do / believe. If they find a verse, great. If they find a verse that states the opposite of what they want, they ignore it and keep looking. An entire belief system can be built around a few short verses…
The Bible – containing 66 books as compiled in the Old and New Testaments – must be approached as ONE book. There are many different authors but Scripture is “God breathed.” Because God is the One who inspired the writers (see also: previous post), the words are His. There is an incredible consistency within Scripture.
Tragically, there are those who don’t start in Genesis and end in Revelation.
Hunt and peck; flip open and point a finger; or any other study “method” that doesn’t approach the Word as One, simply is cheating the reader / hearer.
If something isn’t clear, interpret Scripture with Scripture. Read it in context and culture.
Yes, if you are struggling, let the Word speak. But please, please, please don’t pull out a verse(s) and twist it.
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