Thursday, May 24, 2012    

Paschal Spirituality

I just finished reading the sixth chapter in Brennan Manning’s The Signature of Jesus and I had to summarize some of his thoughts and ideas (more for myself, but perhaps you’ll gain something and/or decide to pick up the book for yourself). In this chapter Manning is talking about a concept he calls “Paschal Spirituality”. I must confess that I’d never heard the term before. He’s using the term “paschal” as a reference to the Hebrew concept of overcoming death with life…as Jesus did in the resurrection. Here’s his definition of “paschal spirituality”:

Essentially, it is our daily death to sin, selfishness, dishonesty, and degraded love in order to rise to newness of life. (p.75)

Manning then gives us seven characteristics of Paschal Spirituality. Here are the seven with a quick quote I took from each section (again, as much for my own reference as anything else). Paschal Spirituality…

  1. Is Christocentric, meaning it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ.
    The author of the fourth Gospel puts but one question to his readers: Do we know Jesus? To know him is life. Everything else fades into twilight and darkness. (p. 77)
  2. Is aware of the community of God’s people.
    The Christian life is meant to be lived in community. And community life is a radical imitation of the holy and undivided Trinity who is dialogue, spontaneous love, and relationship. (p. 80)
  3. Looks upon human nature as fallen but redeemed–flawed but, in essence, good.
    Human nature, freed from the slavery of sin, is capable of awesome holiness. (p. 83)
  4. Is stamped with the signature of Jesus.
    Tepid preaching and lifeless worship have spread so many ashes on the fire of the gospel that we scarcely feel the glow anymore. (p. 84)
  5. Is joyful and optimistic.
    Joy in the risen Jesus is directly connected with the quality of our faith. (p. 86)
  6. Promotes unity without uniformity.
    Each of us is called to be a unique and singular manifestation of Christ’s truth and love, not a carbon copy of someone else. (p. 87)
  7. Regards persons as free.
    If we really knew the God of Jesus, we would stop trying to control and manipulate others “for their own”, knowing full well that this is not how God works among his people. (p. 88)

There’s a lot to chew on in this chapter (one of the reasons for my summation here). Whenever I come across “good stuff” like this I tend to find myself asking where I most need to focus and improve. On this list it’s a close race between #4 and #5.  I want the signature and fire of Jesus stamped on my life and I want that to be reflected in the joy and optimism of my life. But I’m afraid I’ve allowed the cynicism and pessimism of our culture (and that includes Christian culture) to “dim the glow” and infect my joy.

The solution? As always, it’s found in Jesus!

02.14.2011 | Visits: 411 Books, Jesus, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Saturday Funnies 02/12/11

Here’s a short, fun video to get your weekend started right…

Happy Saturday!!

02.12.2011 | Visits: 133 Humor, Saturday Funnies, Video 3 Comments

A Tale of Two Leaders

Aaron was appointed by God as the High Priest of Israel…the direct connection between God and His people. He had the awesome task of representing the people before God and God before His people. He was God’s spokesman. He was God’s representative. He was the spiritual leader for God’s chosen people.

He led them astray.

Sure, they asked for it. They got restless and asked for what was comfortable in place of all the crazy new stuff going on all around them. They asked for it, but Aaron certainly wasn’t obligated to give them what they wanted; he was obligated to give them what they need. His first opportunity to lead and he blew it.

So Aaron said, “Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!” (Exodus 32:2-4, NLT)

The people asked for a god to worship and Aaron had every opportunity to point them to God. Instead, he built them a golden calf (reminiscent of the gods they left behind in Egypt). And when he saw how excited they were about the calf he built an altar..and THEN tried to get God involved the celebration. Slippery slope!

Enter from stage mountain…Moses. He comes down from the mountain after talking God out of destroying the people for their idolatry (something He had JUST warned them about). Moses sees the mess that Aaron has made and he takes charge. He destroys the idol. He gives the people what they deserve. And then he continues to lead His people back to the right path…back to God and His promises.

Am I an Aaron or a Moses? Do I lead out of my own comfort zone or do I lead people down the harder path of obedience and love toward God? Do I have what it takes to make a stand against convention and cultural acceptance?

Am I on God’s side or the other side?

02.11.2011 | Visits: 143 Leadership, Ministry, New Pastor Journal, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

I Think I’m Failing the Test

Jesus gave the command, pure and simple:

Love One Another

It really does all boil down to this “simple” command and He says it over and over again in Scripture. And the more I study it (which I have been doing lately for several reasons), the more convicted I am. This isn’t a feeling of love for others, but an active demonstration of love.

It’s much easier to say that we love someone; it’s something else entirely to prove it with our actions. John dares us to prove our love for others:

Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18, NLT)

Jesus says this is our test as disciples. It’s a test we’re taking every day:

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (John 13:35, NLT)

Unfortunately, I think I’m failing the test. And I’m not trying to be self-deprecating here, just an honest assessment. I’ve got the feeling part down (mostly); it’s the active demonstration of love where I’m falling short. Which is bad news, because Scripture is very in saying that my love for others demonstrates how much I love God. John again…

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8, NLT)

Ouch. Too much saying and not enough doing on my part. Why? Good question…one I’m off to pray, ponder, and meditate on. I’ve got to start doing better.

02.10.2011 | Visits: 126 Discipleship, Jesus, Spiritual Musings Add a Comment

Casting Lots

I’ve always been intrigued by the usage of casting lots as a method for discerning God’s will in Scripture. By my count (very unscientific) there are 39 (give or take a few) references in the Old Testament about casting lots. Even though I’ve been interested,I’ve never done much study on the topic.

This topic came up again this morning as I was doing my daily reading through Exodus. I’m at the part where God is giving His instructions to Moses regarding the tabernacle. And this morning was specifically about the clothing that Aaron (and subsequent High Priests) should wear. Included in the instructions is this:

Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord. (Exodus 28:30, NLT, Bold Added)

I was curious about what the “Urim and Thummium” looked like and how they were used. Unfortunately there isn’t much specifically known about them. The picture above is possibly what they looked like, but we simply don’t know for sure. They are only mentioned another five times in the Old Testament. The best evidence indicates they were used to discern God’s will “at certain times”. Nobody is exactly sure when or how that was done.

It’s very similar to the idea of casting lots. We’re not exactly sure how that was done either…the closest thing we have today is flipping a coin or throwing dice. We do know that it was done and even commanded by God. It just seems odd to me that God would use the equivalent of a coin-flip (although one directed by Him) to help His people make decisions.

Even the disciples used casting lots…although they shouldn’t have. The last recorded instance of casting lots was in Acts, before Pentecost when the remaining disciples where trying to select Judas’ replacement…

Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven. (Acts 1:26, NLT)

Two problems here. First, this wasn’t what Jesus had instructed them to do…they took matters into their own hands instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit as Jesus had instructed them to do (Acts 1:4-5). Which led to the second problem, Matthias wasn’t the guy…Paul was the replacement and God had to go make that happen without the disciple’s help because they got ahead of Him.

Which brings me back to now. How often do I wish discerning God’s will was as “simple” as  coin flip? How often do I get ahead of God and try to do things the way I think they should be done (or they way they’ve always been done)? How often does God have do things without me because I wasn’t patient enough to wait on the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

How often indeed…

02.08.2011 | Visits: 412 Devotional, Faith, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Is Freedom Killing Our Faith?

Last night’s Upper Room service at Pinecrest was a sobering reminder that so many around the world are suffering injustice. Social injustice. Religious injustice. Political injustice. We prayed for five countries: China, Sudan, Nigeria, North Korea, and Egypt. All countries where people are suffering at the hands of others.

I couldn’t help to think about how removed I am from that sort of oppression and injustice. It’s hard for me to put it into context. I don’t understand how people can be so driven to abuse and injure those around them…certainly not to the degree that is happening in so many countries around the world. But it is happening. But it’s never happened to me so it’s hard to contextualize it (maybe that’s one of the reason we’re commanded to GO…partly to understand?).

Then I had another sobering thought. God is making Himself known in these countries. Many people in these countries (and many other just like them) are turning to Him in the midst of their suffering and pain. Their anguish is being turned into hope as they turn their hearts toward God. The process may be slow, but it’s happening.

Since the beginning of the year I’ve been praying every day for a different country around the world as part of the Operation World Prayer Movement (I highly recommend you join…it’s simple, give them your email and you get a country in your Inbox every day with a short bio, prayer requests, and even a little video of someone else praying for the country).

Here’s the thing: I’m not just praying for countries where oppression and injustice are rampant (although they are included). They also have me praying for countries with religious and political freedoms. Here’s what I’ve noticed recently as I’ve been praying for countries like Spain, Switzerland, and South Africa…it seems that the more freedom we have and the more economic prosperity we have the more we turn from God.

Freedom seems to endanger, if not outright kill, our faith.

This is only an observation. I’m not making a clear, definitive statement…yet. And it makes me wonder about my own proclivity (big word huh?) to take the easy road when it’s presented to me. It almost makes me wish for more hardship so that America (okay, so that I) and other countries that have the freedom we want for others with step up, take our faith seriously, and reach a hand out to those who need it.

It just feels like those who are turning to God because of their hardship are onto something. And it feels like those of us who have everything we need turn away from God instead of turning to Him with thankful and grateful hearts. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have freedom…no way, God gave that to us. I just don’t want to be counted among those who squander what’s been given.

More to ponder…what do you think?

02.07.2011 | Visits: 143 Outreach, Soap Box, Spiritual Musings 2 Comments

Saturday Funnies (2/5/11)

Laugh or cry. Sometimes those are our only two choices. I prefer to laugh. So, with that in mind I bring you a new weekly segment of Journeyman Journal: Saturday Funnies. Just a little something each weekend to tickle your funny bone and start the day off right.

Here’s today’s submission (feel free to send me ideas during the week…there may be a reward!)…

I think it might be me!

02.05.2011 | Visits: 150 Humor, Saturday Funnies 2 Comments

Uncut Stones

The Israelites stand at the base of Mount Sinai shaking in their boots. God is displaying His awesome power in an effort to to strike fear in His people so that they won’t sin (Exodus 20:20). He’s already laid out the Ten Commandments and He’s giving them more rules. Not rules for the sake of rules, but rules because they are about to start a new nation that needs a set of laws…regulations to govern themselves by. Laws to prevent anarchy.

It’s not so surprising that God begins by giving them instructions for worship. He warns them against making idols made from gold or silver (a rule went on to consistently break).  Then He tells them how to build an altar. That alone caught my attention…who doesn’t know how to build an altar? Apparently I don’t.

And then God said something that caught my attention:

If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use. (Exodus 20:25, NLT)

I had to read this a few times. I’m not sure why it stopped me in my tracks to begin with, but God used it to show me something about my own worship. God tells His people NOT to fashion an altar with smooth, carefully crafted stones (which was my natural assumption…we want God’s stuff to look good right?). No, He tells them specifically (and carefully) that they are only to “use natural, uncut stones” and that they are not to “shape the stones with a tool”. Why? Because “that would make the altar unfit for holy use”. Really? Wow! That goes against everything I thought about making an altar (which admittedly wasn’t much).

How does this apply to me since I’m not in the habit of building altars? It’s about my worship. God doesn’t want me to shape and fashion my worship into something I think will honor Him. He wants my raw, uncut worship. He wasn’t natural worship that flows from the heart…”as-is”.

Part of the reason God warned them about shaping the stones for the altar is because it would lead them right back to idol worship. Either they’d end up shaping the stones into an idol or they’d stand back and admire their own work. The focus would shift away from the “worshiped”. The same danger exists for my worship. If I shape it and craft it into something I think will honor God, I am in danger of focusing on that shaping instead of the worshiping…or more importantly, the One I’m supposed to worship.

So, I am re-dedicating myself to uncut, natural worship. What’s that look like? Good question…

02.04.2011 | Visits: 423 Devotional, Spiritual Musings 2 Comments

What I Think the Broncos Should Do

With the Super Bowl drawing near (and the Broncos as far from that dream as they can possibly be) I turn my attention to what the Broncos are doing right now…preparing for the future. Not merely willing to stand on the sidelines and watch I thought I’d share my two-cents…and if you know me you know that’s not worth even that. Here’s what I think my beloved Broncos should do (and they should probably do the opposite of what I think since I’m never right anyway). ;o) Here we go…

Trades

  • Kyle Orton should be traded while he still has value. I firmly believe Elway’s statements this week are a smoke-screen to increase (or at least retain) his current value. I don’t see them getting much more than a 3rd round pick, but 2nd round would be sweet!
  • We should trade at least one of our Wide Receivers. This is the strength of our team and we need picks. Jabar Gafney tops my list of expendables with a good stable of younger talent in the clubhouse. I don’t think we get much for him (maybe a 5th or 6th rounder), but anything will do.

Free agency

  • Go get DeAngelo Williams. He knows this coach and this system. Even if we keep Moreno, he’s going to need some support (or better yet…he should be the support for DWill).
  • Albert Haynesworth? It’s worth a shot since most of his guaranteed cash has been paid. I’d like to see it happen, but I don’t think it will happen.
  • SIGN CHAMP BAILEY!!! We simply cannot let this man go! Give him his contract knowing that he has a couple years left at corner and several more at safety. Franchise tag him if we must, but keep him here!

The Draft

  • Defense, Defense, defense…and then some more defense! I wouldn’t be sad if that’s the only focus in this year’s draft (even though I think they need a TE and another OL).
  • We have six picks in this year’s draft. I won’t get into predicting each pick (I’m not that sick). Assuming they don’t pick up any other picks (for the sake of argument) here’s what I think their areas of needs are (in order of importance): Pass Rushing DE, Run Stuffing DT, Linebacker, Corner, Safety, Pass Catching TE, Offensive Line (yes,I know that’s seven…sue me).
  • I think we should keep the #2 pick and not trade down. Picks are important, but they need to hit a home-run with this pick. They need a play-maker that can come in and contribute on defense right now. Would I cry if they traded down? No…but that’s not what I would do unless the offer is just too good to pass up. It won’t be.
  • With the #2 pick I think they should take either Fairley or Bowers…don’t care which one, just get the one they value they most or the one that’s left after Carolina picks.

There you have it…my worthless take on what should happen for the Broncos this year. I must say that I’m once again hopeful for the future…we’ll see how things go though. At least there is hope!

02.03.2011 | Visits: 138 Broncos, Guy Stuff, Sports Add a Comment

Haven’t You Read the Scriptures?

I was reading through Matthew this morning as I have been for the past month (with fresh eyes, remember?). One of the advantages of reading through an entire book of the Bible is you get a sense of the book as whole instead of little pieces we pick up here and there.

This morning I read something that Jesus said and realized I’d heard those words several times before. Jesus repeated this phrase over and over. When Jesus repeats something I generally try to pay attention because it’s important (He wasn’t into repetition for its own sake). Usually He was speaking to the Pharisees when uttering this particular phrase, but the general concept is still important. Here’s what He said:

Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? (Matthew 21:42, NLT)

Like I said, I knew I’d read these words from Jesus before. So I looked it up. Jesus says this phrase (or something very close to it) eight different times in the book of Matthew alone. Of course, I could focus on Jesus blasting His opponents by scolding them. But I don’t think that’s what really applies to me here (pride isn’t God’s goal here…even if it’s pride about my Bible knowledge).

I think what’s important is the implication behind what Jesus is saying here. He expected His listeners to have read and rightly understood the Bible. And it takes both. First, we need to pick up our Bibles and actually read them—for ourselves. There’s no other way to get God’s Word in your life. Nobody else can do that for you. Sermons and books about the Bible simply do not cut it (they can only enhance what you’ve already got in you).

The second mistake we make is that we don’t know what we’re reading when we do pick up the Bible. This was the Pharisee’s primary issue. They certainly read the Scriptures (they had most of it memorized). But they didn’t understand it—in Matthew 22:29 He tells them:

Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

They had read the Scriptures, but they didn’t know them (which they proved over and over again!). I think the issue of understanding Scripture is why so many today don’t even pick their Bible’s up. So how do we understand the Bible? First, we need to study them…there are plenty of resources to help us dig in and get some context for what we’re reading (we just can’t be lazy about it). But more importantly, we need to allow God’s Spirit to teach us:

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14:26, NLT)

The first step is the most important. Pick it up, dust it off, and get reading. It just might…check that…it WILL change you forever!

02.02.2011 | Visits: 231 Devotional, Jesus, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

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