There exist requests which will not be granted on the basis of relationship,but will be granted because my persistence in asking. Though, my relationship may give me access to make the request. This is true in my relationships with other people, and it is true in my relationship with my Father.
Lu 11:
5 And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 'for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him';
7 "and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'?
8 "I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
I didn't suck!
For the past eight years, I have felt like I was a failure in college. I did not do as well as I wanted. I have at times considered that I spent too much time and effort in church and ministry activities distracting me from my academic work.
Now, I realize that I've been tripping for the past eight years. I just looked at my transcript from school, and in fact, I finished with a B-. That isn't outstanding, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. Add to that, I made significant contributions to grow a fledgling church and campus ministry. While I was not a great student or even a very good student, I didn't suck!
Now, I realize that I've been tripping for the past eight years. I just looked at my transcript from school, and in fact, I finished with a B-. That isn't outstanding, but it's nothing to be ashamed of. Add to that, I made significant contributions to grow a fledgling church and campus ministry. While I was not a great student or even a very good student, I didn't suck!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Cold
My brother reminded me last week that I am cold. He has mentioned this before as have some other friends of mine. I always took it as a complement. I thought that they meant cold as in decisive, practical, and resolute.
This time when he called me cold, though, it was more like he meant insensitive, abrasive, and unemotional. After considering this for a few days, I have to admit that he's not all wrong. I must also confess that cold is not a good thing. Jesus, my big brother and role model, was not cold. I'll have to talk to Dad about that one. I'm sure He will help me make the adjustment.
This time when he called me cold, though, it was more like he meant insensitive, abrasive, and unemotional. After considering this for a few days, I have to admit that he's not all wrong. I must also confess that cold is not a good thing. Jesus, my big brother and role model, was not cold. I'll have to talk to Dad about that one. I'm sure He will help me make the adjustment.
Give it away
I started to become unreasonable about 8yrs ago. At least I became significantly more unreasonable. Through a series of circumstances and with the influence of people I respected, I got the idea that I should give my life away. I began to talk with Father about what I could do to give it away. I wanted to do it to honor Him . So, I thought to ask what would He be most satisfied with. Some people think it's ridiculous to let your Father have so much control in your life, but what can I say? I'm a Daddy's boy.
Sometimes Dad is a little mysterious about answering these sort of questions. He's pretty good at getting your attention when He wants it. He's started fires, made people crazy, sent messages special delivery by really scary looking guys. I was hoping He would work hard to get my attention focused on the right things. He didn't . I had to keep bugging Him, reflecting on things He'd already told me, and examining my performance and enjoyment with the volunteer activities I was already involved in. Our conversation on this matter resulted in my being convinced that I could best give my life away by becoming a professional recruiter/marketer/promoter for a very famous man.
The position may seem prestigious, and it is, but it is also an unpaid position. After spending 5.5 years in college and becoming the only one in my family to graduate, my decision only brought confusion to my parents. They thought my intentions were honorable, noble, and charitable, but my choice they thought misguided. They've been lovingly supportive while making their opinions clear.
They don't understand what I do. It is pretty countercultural to work for free. It seems to them be poor judgement at best and irresponsible at worst. I think I'm being very responsible. I'm responding to my Father's voice and my Father's heart as best I can understand it. I'm still learning how to give my life away. I might be doing it the wrong way; there may be a better way. I'm not doing the wrong thing.
No regrets.
mark 10:28-31; mark 8:35; matthew 6:33
Sometimes Dad is a little mysterious about answering these sort of questions. He's pretty good at getting your attention when He wants it. He's started fires, made people crazy, sent messages special delivery by really scary looking guys. I was hoping He would work hard to get my attention focused on the right things. He didn't . I had to keep bugging Him, reflecting on things He'd already told me, and examining my performance and enjoyment with the volunteer activities I was already involved in. Our conversation on this matter resulted in my being convinced that I could best give my life away by becoming a professional recruiter/marketer/promoter for a very famous man.
The position may seem prestigious, and it is, but it is also an unpaid position. After spending 5.5 years in college and becoming the only one in my family to graduate, my decision only brought confusion to my parents. They thought my intentions were honorable, noble, and charitable, but my choice they thought misguided. They've been lovingly supportive while making their opinions clear.
They don't understand what I do. It is pretty countercultural to work for free. It seems to them be poor judgement at best and irresponsible at worst. I think I'm being very responsible. I'm responding to my Father's voice and my Father's heart as best I can understand it. I'm still learning how to give my life away. I might be doing it the wrong way; there may be a better way. I'm not doing the wrong thing.
No regrets.
mark 10:28-31; mark 8:35; matthew 6:33
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Security
I am my Father's son. I did not merit this position. This is not an honor awarded to those found worthy. I am His son. This is based on His initiative involving my response. I am chosen. My relationship as a son is based on my Father not on me. I cannot disgrace my way out of the relationship by bringing my family shame. Lack of productivity may cost me income, benefits, and rewards, but it will never affect my sonship. Failure may hurt my pride. Happenstance may disappoint. Promises I'll break, and promises to me will be broken. I will be then as I am now and as I have been since my birth into forever life, my Father's son.
1peter 1:23; john 3:16-18; 1tim2:11-13;eph1:5;gal4:4-6
1peter 1:23; john 3:16-18; 1tim2:11-13;eph1:5;gal4:4-6
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Derived Significance
His death gives me life
His life gives me hope
His love gives me meaning
His will gives me purpose
His life gives me hope
His love gives me meaning
His will gives me purpose
Sunday, August 13, 2006
How, not What
I seem to be learning something. It seems like a thing I once knew something about, but then forgot much of. I won't know if I am really learning until I'm tested, but what I seem to be learning is the following:
How I live and how I pursue goals is more important than what I pursue. It is even more important than the success of the pursuit. Also, how I react to situations is significantly more important than the circumstances themselves.
How I live and how I pursue goals is more important than what I pursue. It is even more important than the success of the pursuit. Also, how I react to situations is significantly more important than the circumstances themselves.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
How to Hate
In order to hate someone, alienation is the key. You must first refer to them as something inhuman. Call someone a rat, cockroach, piece of trash, or other thing you consider worthless. If you do this well enough, you can redefine this person or group or people as worthless in and of themselves and will no longer have to relate them to something else to hate them. In the future, you may enable yourself to hate new persons or groups by thinking of them just like you thought of the previous group you learned to hate. Alienation is essential. Before killing, no one says, "This is my brother no different than myself."
For sustatinable hatred between groups of people apply the above techniques and begin a cycle of violence. This may be very difficult if the group to be hated is very peaceful and meek. Keep trying, eventually someone in the group should crack.
For sustatinable hatred between groups of people apply the above techniques and begin a cycle of violence. This may be very difficult if the group to be hated is very peaceful and meek. Keep trying, eventually someone in the group should crack.
Inactive God
"Apart from the natural and spiritual laws He established to govern creation, God acts in the realm of human affairs exclusively by proxy. Except by the faith of someone expressed by prayer, pronouncement, action or some other means, God makes no alteration in circumstances no matter how unjust."
I suspect this is true. If I conclude it is, then it will have significant repercussions to my life and of those I minister too as I apply it. It will only take one counterexample from scripture to disprove it, though. Do you know of one?
I suspect this is true. If I conclude it is, then it will have significant repercussions to my life and of those I minister too as I apply it. It will only take one counterexample from scripture to disprove it, though. Do you know of one?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Coward
coward
n 1: a person who shows fear or timidity
I notice that when I direct love inward I prioritize self preservation for its own sake. This results in avoiding risky behavior such as acts born of caring deeply for others, and I tend to seek comfort and consider those my enemies who disturb that comfort. In that frame of mind, fear becomes reasonable expectation and timidity caution. Preserving oneself is necessary to be available to serve others , but is futile as an end unto itself.
The following scripture got me started thinking about the consequences of being timid and fearful:
Re 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
So, not only is the coward less useful to others, but he is also subject to severe judgement. Obviously, fearfulness is not a slight sin but a grave offense. When I read that eight years ago it shook me. I thought I needed more hugs and comforting words to push me out of self pity and discouragement. I needed a stern warning.
n 1: a person who shows fear or timidity
I notice that when I direct love inward I prioritize self preservation for its own sake. This results in avoiding risky behavior such as acts born of caring deeply for others, and I tend to seek comfort and consider those my enemies who disturb that comfort. In that frame of mind, fear becomes reasonable expectation and timidity caution. Preserving oneself is necessary to be available to serve others , but is futile as an end unto itself.
The following scripture got me started thinking about the consequences of being timid and fearful:
Re 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
So, not only is the coward less useful to others, but he is also subject to severe judgement. Obviously, fearfulness is not a slight sin but a grave offense. When I read that eight years ago it shook me. I thought I needed more hugs and comforting words to push me out of self pity and discouragement. I needed a stern warning.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Nothing More, Nothing Less
The gospel is nothing more and nothing less than Jesus Christ … who He was, what He did, and the fact that He is alive. He is alive to save and to create a community of faithful people who will proclaim Him, live and act as His presence in the world, and make real, at least in part, the Kingdom that one day He will establish in power and glory. Who Jesus is, what He did and does is absolutely decisive, uniquely authoritative, and universally valid.
In Matthew 28 Jesus announced His desire for all nations to be baptized in the name of the Triune God and to be taught all the teachings of Christ. This was and is His invitation to the Church. Could it be that the Great Commission is no longer a part of the DNA of the church because the church is no longer convinced of the uniqueness of Jesus as the incarnation of God and God's gift of Himself for the salvation of humankind? If we are unconvinced of the uniqueness of Jesus as Son, Savior and Lord, then we have no compulsion to share the gospel with the world. This is our problem in the mainline church in America. We have allowed a distorted understanding of inclusiveness to diminish the exclusive claims of the Christian gospel. We have allowed our commitment to ethnic and social pluralism muddy the water of our response to doctrinal pluralism.
Fifty years ago James Stewart said, “The one thing that can justify the church is a great passion for Christ." He warned that if ever a time should come when Christ and His uniqueness are no longer the central theme of the Christian Church, then the day of the Church will be finished. I'm afraid this has already happened to a marked degree. The church has lost her passion for Christ and is thus losing her identity. By diminishing the authority of Scripture and enthroning doctrinal pluralism, we have diminished, and in some cases, even denigrated the saving incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Lesslie Newbigin was a great apologist in the past century and the Anglican Bishop of the Church of South India. After preaching at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland a student addressed him, "Bishop Newbigin, I didn't expect to hear such a provincial message from you this morning. You've traveled all over the world, you've lived in many different cultures, and yet all you talked about was Jesus Christ. Why didn't you bring some light from Mohammed or some inspiration from Buddha or some insight from the Upanishads?”
Newbigin looked at the young man and courteously asked, "Are you Muslim?" The fellow responded, "No.”
"Well then, are you a Buddhist?”
"No, I'm not.” Newbigin graciously inquired. "If you are not a Muslim or a Buddhist, what are you?”
The young man stammered, "I don't know," he said. “I'm supposed to be a Christian."
I like Newbigin's response. "You know what, young man? If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about Mohammed or Buddha until I had made up my mind about Christ. Depending on what you do with Him, your path in life will then take shape."
So, we are back to where we started. The gospel is nothing more and nothing less than Jesus Christ … who He was, what He did, and the fact that He is alive. Alive to save and create a community of faith, people who will proclaim Him, live and act as His presence in the world, making real, at least in part, the Kingdom that one day He will establish in power and glory.
— Maxie D. Dunnam
Maxie D. Dunnam is internationally known as an author and church visionary. He currently serves as the Chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary. Maxie and his wife Jerry live in Memphis, TN.
In Matthew 28 Jesus announced His desire for all nations to be baptized in the name of the Triune God and to be taught all the teachings of Christ. This was and is His invitation to the Church. Could it be that the Great Commission is no longer a part of the DNA of the church because the church is no longer convinced of the uniqueness of Jesus as the incarnation of God and God's gift of Himself for the salvation of humankind? If we are unconvinced of the uniqueness of Jesus as Son, Savior and Lord, then we have no compulsion to share the gospel with the world. This is our problem in the mainline church in America. We have allowed a distorted understanding of inclusiveness to diminish the exclusive claims of the Christian gospel. We have allowed our commitment to ethnic and social pluralism muddy the water of our response to doctrinal pluralism.
Fifty years ago James Stewart said, “The one thing that can justify the church is a great passion for Christ." He warned that if ever a time should come when Christ and His uniqueness are no longer the central theme of the Christian Church, then the day of the Church will be finished. I'm afraid this has already happened to a marked degree. The church has lost her passion for Christ and is thus losing her identity. By diminishing the authority of Scripture and enthroning doctrinal pluralism, we have diminished, and in some cases, even denigrated the saving incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Lesslie Newbigin was a great apologist in the past century and the Anglican Bishop of the Church of South India. After preaching at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland a student addressed him, "Bishop Newbigin, I didn't expect to hear such a provincial message from you this morning. You've traveled all over the world, you've lived in many different cultures, and yet all you talked about was Jesus Christ. Why didn't you bring some light from Mohammed or some inspiration from Buddha or some insight from the Upanishads?”
Newbigin looked at the young man and courteously asked, "Are you Muslim?" The fellow responded, "No.”
"Well then, are you a Buddhist?”
"No, I'm not.” Newbigin graciously inquired. "If you are not a Muslim or a Buddhist, what are you?”
The young man stammered, "I don't know," he said. “I'm supposed to be a Christian."
I like Newbigin's response. "You know what, young man? If I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about Mohammed or Buddha until I had made up my mind about Christ. Depending on what you do with Him, your path in life will then take shape."
So, we are back to where we started. The gospel is nothing more and nothing less than Jesus Christ … who He was, what He did, and the fact that He is alive. Alive to save and create a community of faith, people who will proclaim Him, live and act as His presence in the world, making real, at least in part, the Kingdom that one day He will establish in power and glory.
— Maxie D. Dunnam
Maxie D. Dunnam is internationally known as an author and church visionary. He currently serves as the Chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary. Maxie and his wife Jerry live in Memphis, TN.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
priviledged
It is the believer's priviledge to draw from an unlimited reservoir of hope and joy in all circumstances whether wealth or poverty, inclusion or isolation, honor or humiliation and to enjoy fellowship with the Holy Spirit, our comforter and teacher.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Illustration
For the past couple of days I had felt a strong sense of discouragement or depression. I shook it off, and this illustration came to mind:
Depression is like a hand holding your head under water. You need to breathe but can't because you know you'll drown. Then, you realize that there is no water and the hand holding your head is your own.
Depression is like a hand holding your head under water. You need to breathe but can't because you know you'll drown. Then, you realize that there is no water and the hand holding your head is your own.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Hope Fearlessly
I always thought of myself as a realist. Then I realized I was mainly "real" about the negative aspect of a situation. I guess that makes me a pessimist. I can't justify pessimism though so I setup mental detours, by God's grace, to help me get off of the pessimism track. These are really helpful when I start remembering failures and disappointments I've had because I'll see a detour sign like "Love hopes all things, believes all things...keeps no record of wrongs...."
Then, I usually grit my teeth and grunt as I recalibrate my will to hope despite disappointment in myself, my family, my community, my church, and my God. I continue with a groan and a growl as I renew my resolve to believe in myself and my dreams. At least that's how I did it yesterday.
Love Courageously,
Hope Fearlessly
Then, I usually grit my teeth and grunt as I recalibrate my will to hope despite disappointment in myself, my family, my community, my church, and my God. I continue with a groan and a growl as I renew my resolve to believe in myself and my dreams. At least that's how I did it yesterday.
Love Courageously,
Hope Fearlessly
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Family Time
I spend most of the year at least a thousand miles away from any family, but for the last month I have been living with and near parents, uncles, aunts, and cousins and it's been great! It's hard to believe I can sometimes forget how much I love these guys. Especially, the two most directly responsible for my creation, mom and dad shown in the picture.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Progression of faith
A few days ago I wished I was.
I wanted to be .
I hoped.
Today I am.
Hope has been substantiated though not yet materialized.
I wanted to be .
I hoped.
Today I am.
Hope has been substantiated though not yet materialized.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Good, Love
God is love
Does this mean that God embodies the characteristics of love or is love defined by who God is?
God is good
Does this mean that there is an independent standard of goodness that God lives up to and can therefore be measured by, or rather, is what we experience as good only a consequence of what we perceive of the nature and character of God evident in creation?
I hold the later to be true in each of the above.
"No greater love has a man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Does this mean that God embodies the characteristics of love or is love defined by who God is?
God is good
Does this mean that there is an independent standard of goodness that God lives up to and can therefore be measured by, or rather, is what we experience as good only a consequence of what we perceive of the nature and character of God evident in creation?
I hold the later to be true in each of the above.
"No greater love has a man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Thursday, July 06, 2006
blessed mourning
"blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"
when i refuse to hope in an attempt to avoid pain of desire delayed or denied, do I also by the same act of will prevent myself from being comforted? who comforts when there is no loss. where is loss where hope never was.
I think the pain of unfulfilled desire is preferable to the numbness of no expectations. At least then, there is the hope of comfort should other hopes fail.
when i refuse to hope in an attempt to avoid pain of desire delayed or denied, do I also by the same act of will prevent myself from being comforted? who comforts when there is no loss. where is loss where hope never was.
I think the pain of unfulfilled desire is preferable to the numbness of no expectations. At least then, there is the hope of comfort should other hopes fail.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
on loving God and others
"Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself" Luke 10:27
first i thought that love meant obedience. partly because i thought obedience is what christianity was about and parlty supported by the statement by Jesus saying if we loved him we would keep his commands.
then i thought that love meant sacrificial service for the sake of another. this meant obedience to God and deference to others.
now i think it means consistent devotion so I endeavor to
consistently devote myself to the Lord my God in all of my desires, and in all of my emotions, and with all of my efforts, and with all of my thinking, and be as consistently devoted to my neighbor as I am to myself.
first i thought that love meant obedience. partly because i thought obedience is what christianity was about and parlty supported by the statement by Jesus saying if we loved him we would keep his commands.
then i thought that love meant sacrificial service for the sake of another. this meant obedience to God and deference to others.
now i think it means consistent devotion so I endeavor to
consistently devote myself to the Lord my God in all of my desires, and in all of my emotions, and with all of my efforts, and with all of my thinking, and be as consistently devoted to my neighbor as I am to myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
