From Fear to Recognition

Do you remember your childhood fears? Certain situations bring mine to light, and I have the opportunity to ponder them from a different perspective. I like that. Last week I was reminded of a childhood fear: What if I don't recognize Jesus at His second coming.... Is that a "normal" childhood fear? I also remember fearing that my future husband would smoke cigarettes, but that he would hide it from me until after we married. Yes, that fear is strange!

On more than one occasion, I've heard a preacher ask, "Would you recognize Jesus? Would you even like Him were He on earth today? You know, He would likely offend you!" These are questions and comments that I am likely to ponder.... Yet, this much I know: I want to experience Christ! I want to know Him. Not only do I want to recognize Him, I want to run into His arms with abandon. I'm not so much concerned about Him offending me, but I certainly don't want to offend Him!

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:4-9, NIV).

I am certain that my worldview is tainted by my life experiences in the US of A. These verses lead me to believe that my spiritual understanding does not need to be complete in order for me to recognize Jesus. It is not my human mind that matters, but it is my openness of mind that allows God to "enrich" me. Truth is not based on my intellect, but on my willingness to hear His voice, and see His presence. With all that I lack, Jesus promises to make His presence recognizable to even me as I seek Him.

The need to make sense of all that is around me utilizing intellect is overwhelming -- the kind of overwhelming that makes me want to throw in the towel. At the same time, the need to hear God's voice, and sense His presence day-to-day is invigorating. So, I choose to focus mind on the latter - the supernatural aspect of seeking and receiving Godly knowledge - to recognize Him.

Truth that Truly Matters

I am after Truth that Truly Matters. Truth that truly matters to God - not me, not denominations, not theologians, not intellectuals, not scientists, not those who focus on social justice.... There is a place at the table for all of God's children. Each one of us may learn from, and be challenged by, one another. BUT, I desire to seek God first - His Truth - the only Truth that truly matters. It's not a simple desire.

I have friends - folks I highly respect and enjoy - in each of the categories mentioned above. I am challenged by the diversity of thought represented in my relatively small community of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Thoughtful challenge is a good thing - a very good thing - but, more than anything, I long to be firmly grounded in God alone.

What does that mean? On earth, it doesn't mean utopia - though that's a nice thought.... It is not simple, or easy, or natural. When it comes to knowledge and understanding, there is no "finish line," or "final grade" this side of eternity. And, though I believe God's Truth is timeless and unchanging, our world (our applications) are always changing. Our human knowledge and understanding are equally fluid - stemming from our sin, and our lack of complete revelation. Earthly knowledge will never equal God's mind.

So... how do we navigate life, decisions, dissension, and change? The bottom line remains constant: An individual, personal relationship with Christ - coupled with community among those who invest likewise. The personal relationship - the personal pursuit of revelation and Truth - must never be secondary.

I am reading and studying 1 Corinthians. Will you join me?

A Simple Quote

I haven't had time to blog this week, and Internet service is lacking in my current housing, but here is a quote to consider:

Christians, unfortunately, often talk to themselves. We think in ruts, and express ourselves in a familiar kind of family jargon. Unless we understand the thought- and value-patterns of our day, as well as those of biblical revelation and the Christian community, and unless we speak fluently the language of our contemporaries, we tragically limit our effectiveness (Holmes, 1987, p. 5-6).

Holmes, A.F. (1987). The Idea of a Christian College (Revised Ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Tight Jeans & Truth

I heard a person characterize their sheltered childhood in terms of being intentionally kept narrow-minded. When this person spoke of maturing, he/she referred to the mind uniquely being opened to new possibilities. These possibilities were considered fresh and eye-opening, thereby leading this person to pursue a different lifestyle that became more fulfilling than the teachings of a narrow-minded childhood. From my perspective, the lifestyle choices of this individual were questionable, and I wondered how one makes such drastic changes in belief systems?

While there are certainly neither easy answers to this question, nor quick fixes, I do believe the above scenario represents common human experiences. Take the biblical Eve, for example. She did not choose to eat the fruit simply because she was starving, and an apple was her only option. She choose to eat the fruit because she was enticed to eat it. She considered the options before her, and she believed the lies of the serpent. We all make similar evaluations and decisions on a regular basis. I struggle with eating too much. I hate the way my jeans fit, but when edible options are before me - even while in my tight jeans - I have a hard time choosing the healthy option over the more convenient option, or the more tasty option. My taste buds have experienced a different lifestyle, and they find the new lifestyle option quite fulfilling - whether it is best for my body, mind, and spirit, or not. My desires regularly convince me to compromise (and to forget about the tight jeans).

The serpent, the enemy, is very good at convincing humans that what is best for us is really rather narrow-minded. The enemy makes his way appear fresh, and new, and delicious, and oh, so wise. He entices us by making us believe that our struggles and hardships may be overcome by following his way, rather than God's way. The road of the enemy is complex - as one compromise leads to another until one does not even recognize the difference between Truth and deception. There are many people who are feasting on deception, and they do not even know it!

"There are many who walk along the Christian road who are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is life here on earth" (Philippians 3:18-19, TLB).

God gladly provides Truth to anyone who sinerely seeks Truth. Seeking Truth, much like pursuing healthy lifestyle choices, takes discipline and focus. I know the joyous feeling of fitting into a smaller jean size, but the fulfullment of finding Truth is beyond measurable!

A Recipe for Depravity

It is May 6th, and I just realized that I have not shared with you my verse for May 1-15. So many of you have commented, emailed, and called to remind me - not! :)

Here it is:

Jesus said to the people who believed him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

John 8:31-32 (NLT)

To Obey Christ's Teachings = Knowledge of Truth & Freedom

Do you believe God? Not, do you believe in God, but do you really believe God? Beth Moore wrote a whole bible study about the the idea of Believing God. There is a powerful difference, and the difference will affect whether or not you are growing in your knowledge of Truth, and whether or not you are experiencing freedom.

As Christians living in this depraved culture, we must know Truth. Truth is sort a tricky sometimes - not that it was originally intended to be tricky, but we humans have made truth tricky. A biblical example is evident through Noah. In Noah's day, the scriptures refer to the flood being a consequence of God's frustration with mankind and their depravity. The part that stands out to me is "HOW" the depravity came to be so dark and pervasive. In Genesis 6:1-8, the scriptures speak of intermarrying being a source of the darkness. To me, this represents righteous people being woven together with unrighteous people to the point that the lines were completely blurred between that which was right and what which was wrong. My study Bible uses these phrases to describe the phenomenon: "weakened the good influence," "increased moral depravity," and an "explosion of evil." And, herein lies the difference between being in the culture and of the culture.

All it takes is one generation to completely erode Truth. It is a little like a recipe:

Mix a cup of evil (whether by choice or by victimization)
With a teaspoon (or less) of Christ's influence
Add a heaping tablespoon of exposure to the unimaginable

And, the result may be deep, unexplainable pain, rejection, questions, and/or doubt

Or, the result may be passion to make a difference

However, unless transformation through Christ is liberally added,
Along with a deeper devotion to Him, His glory, and His agenda,
then the mixture becomes confusion, chaos, unbalanced passion.... maybe even liberation theology.

As I attempt to make sense of the weakened good influence of Christians, the growing moral depravity, and the explosion of evil in America, I can't help but consider possible sources (i.e., the aforementioned "recipe"). At the same time, I must also consider my response. In 2 Thessalonians 2, the scriptures refer to something that is holding back evil. My study bible offers three possibilities: 1) government and law; 2) the ministry and activity of the church; and 3) the Holy Spirit. I am thinking my response to evil should include a combination of these three possibilities, with the strongest emphasis being the Holy Spirit.

If I truly believe God, then I have no doubt that I have a role to fill in Christ's mission -within this culture and on this earth.... Fellow Christ followers, so do you!

Do the Math: Belief + Action = Your Version of Truth

We attended Easter services at the Free Methodist Church in Galion, Ohio where Steve's family regularly attends. It is a GREAT church, in my opinion - I love visiting their services. This year they hosted an Easter Service for the community at the local high school. The church's care for the community was clear throughout the Easter Sunday experience. They set a wonderful example for how to put others ahead of yourself in being an active community church.

An issue I have been processing for six months or more involves the vast differences between the beliefs among Christians in America (since I do not have much experience with Christians outside of America, I know my perspective is limited). Interestingly enough, it is the Internet social networking phenomena that has created this dilemma inside of me. People share their thoughts and beliefs much more freely on the Internet - which I think is good, for the most part. I enjoy reading the thoughts and beliefs of those I trust and admire, yet it is also internally troubling when these beliefs are so different from my own. You see, I don't really like conflict, and great differences of opinion represent conflict to me. At the same time, I am not naive enough to believe that everyone will espouse the same belief system. It is just interesting to me, and oftentimes troubling to me, when seemingly similar people have such different beliefs about extremely important topics. I have been deeply pondering these differences and seeking God for guidance - hence my pursuit of Truth.

At the Easter Service a phrase from the pastor's sermon added some enlightenment to this pursuit. Pastor Paul Walters said, "What you believe to be true changes the way you think and ultimately changes the way you live" (personal communication, April 12, 2009). As I type this statement right now, it comes across very simple, yet as I have been pondering and praying about Truth, I find this statement quite complex.

I believe one's values, morals, and ethics are foundational for all things important in life. I also believe we are constantly bombarded with cultural messages that influence our values, morals, and ethics more profoundly than the Word of God, and our personal relationships with God. We look to these cultural messages to make sense of the evil we personal encounter rather than looking to God for guidance and healing. Our personal experiences, through the lens of our culture, lead us to all sorts of different truths that we espouse with great passion. I am of the belief that there is One Truth, though Jesus Christ.

Just as I am passionate about the One Truth of Jesus Christ, I am also just as passionate about expressing it in and through love at all times. First, we have to accept Christ's love for us; and then, we have to seek His Truth more passionately than any other drive in our lives. His Truth sets people free! Cultural truth enslaves its victims and strangles them to death; it causes confusion, chaos, and destruction.

Though my processing goes much deeper than the example I will share, I am not personally ready to share more controversial examples of my personal beliefs in the pursuit of Truth.

When Shaunti Feldhahn spoke at the recent MVNU Women's Auxiliary Retreat, she spoke of how differently the male and female brain is wired. Shaunti did not speak from only an antedoctal point of view, but she spoke from a scientific point of view - specifically, a point of view based on up-to-date brain science and credible, nationally represented scientific research. Based on these foundations, we know that men typically respond differently to revealing clothing on women than women respond to revealing clothing on men. In a sentence, Shaunti found that men watching a professional presentation led by a woman wearing a revealing, professional suit actually heard and retained less information than the men watching the same presentation led my a woman wearing a modest suit.

How do you respond to this? Many women respond with, "He needs to get over it and control his mind, for Pete's sake!" I must admit that, at one time, I would have responded like this, too. But, if I am going to claim to be a critical thinker, basing my thoughts, beliefs, and actions on God and science (which I believe, when it is credible, will eventually lead mankind to Godly beliefs), then I must take another look at my personal beliefs about dress and how it affects men. To ignore the scientific facts, or to rely on unsubstantiated "facts," is to be led by a lie, or our cultural chains of bondage. As a women, when I have something to share, I want to be heard, so this research impacts me. It only takes a few minutes of viewing how girls and women dress, however, to realize that our culture is valued much more than God or science.

Will you take some time today to pray with me in response to Pastor Paul's statement and its relevance in your life?

"What you believe to be true changes the way you think and ultimately changes the way you live"

(personal communication, Pastor Paul Walter, April 12, 2009).