April « 2010 « Journeyman Journal

Word!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

At church we’re going through a short series on the Trinity and this past Sunday we unpacked “The Son”. The passage Ray used for his message was John 1:1-14 and this has always been one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. I love the imagery that John uses at the beginning of the passage:

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:1-5, NLT)

At first glance, the wording John uses here can seem a little confusing (or at best just fly right over our heads). Why isn’t John more direct? Why doesn’t He just say “In the beginning Jesus already existed…”? Why use the imagery of “The Word” here? A quick study helps to see that John uses this phrasing to kill two birds with one stone…which makes his meaning more complex and deeper.

The Greek word that John uses here is the word: Logos. This word had been around for quite awhile before Jesus was born. It has it’s root in Greek Philosophy. It was used way back around 500 B.C. by Heraclitus (I didn’t make that up) and even by Aristotle (you can read more here). To the Greek philosopher the “logos” represents “the principle of order and knowledge in the Universe.” For them, however, this was about reasoning and rationality.

John steals this word and applies it directly to Jesus. And in doing so he…

Links Jesus with the Greek concept of order and knowledge in the Universe. Jesus is what holds Creation together (see Colossians 1:17). This resonates with the Greek mind (John’s principle audience for this Gospel). He embodies this philosophy on the person and deity of Jesus Christ.
For the Jewish reader this concept referred back to the Creation story in Genesis where God spoke the world into existence (could that have been Jesus as The Word?)

John uses one word (Logos) to speak to two different cultures…

Now it’s your turn…how does this imagery speak to you and our culture…?

26.04.2010 Jesus, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Haven’t Worked a Day Since January

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

I’ve been at my new “job” now for a little over three months, but I haven’t blogged much about it. That’s mainly because it doesn’t feel like work. I was at lunch yesterday with a friend from Visa who is struggling with a decision about job options (both within and outside of Visa). She was asking my advice and all I could say was that she should find something that she truly loved…at almost any cost.

This is no original idea/concept. Confucius said it best…

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

I can honestly say that I haven’t worked a day since January 1st of this year. I’ve been plenty busy…but it hasn’t been work. Why? Because I love it and it’s what God has called me to do. I’m not even sure which part is most responsible…the doing what I love or following God’s leading (they are very interrelated!). I just know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing and I have the blessing of loving every second of it.

Has it all been rosy? No. Has it all been fun and games? Of course not.

But it hasn’t been “work” either.

So, I stand behind Confucius’ advice and I take a little poetic license and tag on a little something extra: “Chose a job you love and that God has called you to, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I am blessed. I know it. And I thank and praise Him for it every day!!

14.04.2010 Ministry, New Pastor Journal, Soap Box No Comments

Coach is a Verb

Monday, April 12th, 2010

A little warning as I start this blog post…it’s a rant on my part and I just hope I feel better when I’m done.

Lindsay is playing soccer for her school this year. She loves playing organized sports and she puts effort and heart into it. She’s good at volleyball and soccer. Her team…not so much. They’ve played three games so far this year and if my math is correct they have lost by a combined total of 30-2 (and no, I am not exaggerating). One of the games they lost they actually played two extra players for half of the game (their field is so small they play 9 players instead of 11). The last game they lost to a team with only 9 players…no subs.

And it’s not that the girls aren’t playing hard…they are giving it everything they’ve got. They want to win. They want to learn. Lindsay left the last game crying because she wants to win and get better. But it isn’t happening…and I know part of the reason why…coaching.

The word “coach” is a noun…as in: “One who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy.” More importantly, it’s also a verb…as in: “To instruct, direct, or prompt”. Lindsay’s coach has the title of coach, but isn’t taking the verb part seriously. They don’t run drills, they don’t get basic instruction, they don’t get correction during the game. They don’t even get passion.

It’s hard to watch. I don’t want to be one of those parents…but that’s becoming increasingly more difficult with each game. I’ve offered to coach (or assist) in the past for her school and been turned down every time. I don’t claim to be a great coach, but I’d at least be active and help the girls learn along the way. I don’t even really care about the winning part as long as they are learning and getting better (which will often lead to winning a few games).

Frustrating…and not sure I actually do feel better…but I tried. ;o)

12.04.2010 Family, Hobbies, Misc Ramblings, Sports 1 Comment

It’s Empty!!

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Happy Easter!!

“Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7, NLT)

This is true every day…not just today.
And it changed EVERYTHING!

04.04.2010 God's Love, Holiday, Spiritual Musings No Comments

The Best Medicine

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

I love to laugh. Come to think of it…is there anyone who doesn’t like to laugh (and would you trust them if they didn’t? I love a good joke, for example…

A couple of hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a calm, soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead. “There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy’s voice comes back on the line. He says: “Okay, now what?”

I laugh at myself, I laugh with others (I try to not laugh at them too often). Laughing feels good. It’s fun. “They” say it’s the best medicine. We laugh a lot in our family and I love to hear my kids’ laughter. It keeps us from taking life and ourselves too seriously. Laughter is good for the soul.

That last sentence got me thinking today about what Scripture says about laughter. I must admit I couldn’t think of a single verse off the top of my head that dealt with laughter. But God invented it so it has to be there right?

So I went on a little search. Most of the references to laughter are about laughing at someone’s defeat (see the Psalms) or someone laughing at something God told them (see Sarah). But there are a few positive references…

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4; NLT)

God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. (Luke 6:21, NLT)

That’s not to say that we’re supposed to be a bunch of fuddy-duddy’s. The more common term is “joy”. As in…

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10, NLT)

Jesus was known for having a good time (even got accused of having a little too much fun at times). So live it up…laugh it up. Enjoy life. And if you’ve got a good joke…send it my way!

01.04.2010 Humor, Misc Ramblings, Spiritual Musings No Comments