He is a tiny newborn in a trough of animal food in a drafty barn. He would be shivering and His very life in danger, were He not wrapped in strips of cloth. He has done nothing yet; said nothing yet; can do nothing yet. His survival depends completely on His mother and her husband. Within days or weeks, armies will be searching for Him to murder Him because of the time He was born and the star He was born beneath. And His little family will run for their lives.
They are nothing if not virtuous. But beyond that, they are nothing as the world counts somethings. Their royal heritage no longer counts for anything in the current regime. They live in a nowhere country. They have nothing but Him, a precious baby, and a mount for His mother to ride.
But for a moment or two, there is a timeless intrusion of eternity into this smelly stable - an indescribable glory that a few simple shepherds have abandoned their flocks to the night to witness; that seers have traveled hundreds of miles to see; that angels in the very heavens are distantly singing about.
For all have come to worship, and they have brought with them - through history or anticipation - a hopeful host of mankind who can see their salvation in His tiny face.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Lessons from the Farm:Spiritual Insights from Rural Life
LIKE REGGIE:Exceptions to the Rule
Animals have personalities. We’ve had cattle on our farm as gentle at kittens, but others as mean as Al Qaeda operatives. Our place has been home to a snapping turtle with an attitude and an old black snake who's getting grumpier in his advanced years. Currently, we have six Golden Retrievers, who, for the most part, are very friendly and loving; however, there are exceptions to the rule…like Reggie, for instance.
Reggie came to us as an adult. She’s beautiful: deep copper coat, loaded with curls, regal shaped head, and creamy undercoat highlights. The first day we had her she was a little nervous, almost fearful. “Probably, just not accustomed to the new surroundings. She’ll settle down in a few days,” I told myself.
That was two and a half years ago. She is better, but yet, she never allows me closer to her than 10 feet. I’ve tried bribing her with food, cornering her and then calmly petting, scratching behind her ears, and speaking kindly. So far, nothing has managed to alay her fears. I think she was abused by the former owner and fears being hurt again.
Though understandable, her stand-offish behavior makes it tough for me to give her medications, comb her coat, or just generally love on her like I do the others. I told myself that if she wouldn’t allow me to help her, I’d have to give her away or have her put down.
Believe me, neither of those are desirable options. So, I was extremely delighted when I happened on a workable way of caring for her. It came by surprise one day when she voluntarily walked up to my son Benjamin. He patted her on the head and she responded by moving even closer.
Some time later I needed to move her to a different kennel, but she bolted when I walked toward her. We “played” chase until I was frustrated. Then I remembered how she’d responded to Benjamin. So, I sent him to catch her. Continuing to keep one eye on me, she sat still as Benjamin approached her. He slipped on the leash and led her into the new kennel. Her tail wagged all the way.
I told Benjamin, “She seems to trust you, Son. If you can manage her, you can have her.” He grinned with pleasure. Her tail wagged. I guess she’ll be staying with us after all. She's now responding to His care and we’re all happy to have found a solution, though honestly, I don’t know who is happier—me, Benjamin or Reggie.
Our tussle with Reggie is somewhat like the history of God’s troubles with mankind. Scripture says, “Lastly, the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ Therefore, God so loved the world that he sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Some people, like Reggie, live with fear. Working off personally painful experiences they pre-suppose that God may hurt them too. It's sad. They miss so much care and love by standing outside of His reach. The good news is that He's been kind enough to try reaching them via a new way--Jesus, His son. While it is true that not everyone responds to His son, there are, thank God, exceptions to every rule. I hope you are, or someday will be, such an exception…like Reggie, for instance.
Animals have personalities. We’ve had cattle on our farm as gentle at kittens, but others as mean as Al Qaeda operatives. Our place has been home to a snapping turtle with an attitude and an old black snake who's getting grumpier in his advanced years. Currently, we have six Golden Retrievers, who, for the most part, are very friendly and loving; however, there are exceptions to the rule…like Reggie, for instance.
Reggie came to us as an adult. She’s beautiful: deep copper coat, loaded with curls, regal shaped head, and creamy undercoat highlights. The first day we had her she was a little nervous, almost fearful. “Probably, just not accustomed to the new surroundings. She’ll settle down in a few days,” I told myself.
That was two and a half years ago. She is better, but yet, she never allows me closer to her than 10 feet. I’ve tried bribing her with food, cornering her and then calmly petting, scratching behind her ears, and speaking kindly. So far, nothing has managed to alay her fears. I think she was abused by the former owner and fears being hurt again.
Though understandable, her stand-offish behavior makes it tough for me to give her medications, comb her coat, or just generally love on her like I do the others. I told myself that if she wouldn’t allow me to help her, I’d have to give her away or have her put down.
Believe me, neither of those are desirable options. So, I was extremely delighted when I happened on a workable way of caring for her. It came by surprise one day when she voluntarily walked up to my son Benjamin. He patted her on the head and she responded by moving even closer.
Some time later I needed to move her to a different kennel, but she bolted when I walked toward her. We “played” chase until I was frustrated. Then I remembered how she’d responded to Benjamin. So, I sent him to catch her. Continuing to keep one eye on me, she sat still as Benjamin approached her. He slipped on the leash and led her into the new kennel. Her tail wagged all the way.
I told Benjamin, “She seems to trust you, Son. If you can manage her, you can have her.” He grinned with pleasure. Her tail wagged. I guess she’ll be staying with us after all. She's now responding to His care and we’re all happy to have found a solution, though honestly, I don’t know who is happier—me, Benjamin or Reggie.
Our tussle with Reggie is somewhat like the history of God’s troubles with mankind. Scripture says, “Lastly, the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’ Therefore, God so loved the world that he sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Some people, like Reggie, live with fear. Working off personally painful experiences they pre-suppose that God may hurt them too. It's sad. They miss so much care and love by standing outside of His reach. The good news is that He's been kind enough to try reaching them via a new way--Jesus, His son. While it is true that not everyone responds to His son, there are, thank God, exceptions to every rule. I hope you are, or someday will be, such an exception…like Reggie, for instance.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
God is Coming
In Malachi 4:1-6, God told the people of Jerusalem that they would be visited. The nation had been brought back from captivity in Babylon/Persia, had rebuilt the temple, and had (in a short time) returned to their old ways. They were showing partiality in judgment and oppressing the widows, orphans, and strangers in their community (2:9; 3:5). They were giving honor to the bad people rather than their faithful God (1:6; 2:17; 3:15). They were violating their covenant with God (2:5,10,11). In fact it is possible that God was the wife of their youth and they were worshipping the female goddess Asherah (2:11,14). God did not want to divorce them but they were leaving little choice.
So God planned to visit them. For the wicked it would be a day of burning judgment (4:1). For the ones who loved God, it would be a day of joy (4:2). They would be like calves let out of the pen and as those who crush the wicked under their feet (4:3). God was coming into the world to bring justice, victory, and peace.
400 years of silence until Jesus came to once again free the captives and defend the oppressed (Luke 4:16-19). Mary, the simple servant, the young child, and the one favored by God was told that her son would be great. She was told that Jesus would have an everlasting kingdom. She was told that this would happen by the power of the Spirit and the overshadowing (visiting) by the power of the Most High God (Luke 1:32-35). The coming of God would bring justice to the oppressed and freedom to the captives. It would also bring judgment on those who spend their lives and energy at the expense of people.
Christmas caroling, bonuses, and wassailing. These were popular methods, during the days of the Puritans, for the poor to have advantage over the rich. As far back as the festival of Saturn (called the Saturnalia in the 3rd century AD) the rich served the poor and the masters served the slaves. Gifts were given to the oppressed and the week of December 25 was a time of equalizing all people. In the colonial days caroling was a form of harassment, by the poor. Our song: “Now bring us a figgy pudding and bring it out now! We won’t go until we get some…” are remnants of this archaic form of harassment. Bonuses are given to employees as a sign of good cheer. In colonial days you gave a bonus to make sure that the little guy didn’t hurt you doing the year. Now we know why Scrooge hated Christmas so much! But the little guy just wanted to be loved, noticed, and honored.
I forget sometimes how deep these traditions run in our practices. We give, we bless, we serve, and we remember during this time of year. While the history of the traditions may be in blackmailing people or harassment—we know that giving and serving are good things to teach our children. So it is with the coming of the Messiah. Jesus came, not only to save us, but also to bring justice. This time of year is not only a time to give, but also a time to reflect. It is a time to remember the poor and continue to remember the poor throughout our lives. Jesus came to bring justice in a land that had forgotten to take it to heart. So this season, we remember that Jesus came to lift up and empower the oppressed, the afflicted, the weak, and the sinner. Those among us who struggle with depression this time of year over the loss of a spouse or loved one, distance from family, divorce, or loss of a job need love, mercy, and justice. Those among us who are without, who feel imprisoned from sin, or who don’t want to face the future need hope that the coming of Jesus brings. Yet—it begins with us. God came to people as a merciful judge. God did not come to condemn but to empower people to love God and our neighbor. Jesus came to turn our hearts to each other and become a community of peace and justice.
Ron Clark
Portland, OR
So God planned to visit them. For the wicked it would be a day of burning judgment (4:1). For the ones who loved God, it would be a day of joy (4:2). They would be like calves let out of the pen and as those who crush the wicked under their feet (4:3). God was coming into the world to bring justice, victory, and peace.
400 years of silence until Jesus came to once again free the captives and defend the oppressed (Luke 4:16-19). Mary, the simple servant, the young child, and the one favored by God was told that her son would be great. She was told that Jesus would have an everlasting kingdom. She was told that this would happen by the power of the Spirit and the overshadowing (visiting) by the power of the Most High God (Luke 1:32-35). The coming of God would bring justice to the oppressed and freedom to the captives. It would also bring judgment on those who spend their lives and energy at the expense of people.
Christmas caroling, bonuses, and wassailing. These were popular methods, during the days of the Puritans, for the poor to have advantage over the rich. As far back as the festival of Saturn (called the Saturnalia in the 3rd century AD) the rich served the poor and the masters served the slaves. Gifts were given to the oppressed and the week of December 25 was a time of equalizing all people. In the colonial days caroling was a form of harassment, by the poor. Our song: “Now bring us a figgy pudding and bring it out now! We won’t go until we get some…” are remnants of this archaic form of harassment. Bonuses are given to employees as a sign of good cheer. In colonial days you gave a bonus to make sure that the little guy didn’t hurt you doing the year. Now we know why Scrooge hated Christmas so much! But the little guy just wanted to be loved, noticed, and honored.
I forget sometimes how deep these traditions run in our practices. We give, we bless, we serve, and we remember during this time of year. While the history of the traditions may be in blackmailing people or harassment—we know that giving and serving are good things to teach our children. So it is with the coming of the Messiah. Jesus came, not only to save us, but also to bring justice. This time of year is not only a time to give, but also a time to reflect. It is a time to remember the poor and continue to remember the poor throughout our lives. Jesus came to bring justice in a land that had forgotten to take it to heart. So this season, we remember that Jesus came to lift up and empower the oppressed, the afflicted, the weak, and the sinner. Those among us who struggle with depression this time of year over the loss of a spouse or loved one, distance from family, divorce, or loss of a job need love, mercy, and justice. Those among us who are without, who feel imprisoned from sin, or who don’t want to face the future need hope that the coming of Jesus brings. Yet—it begins with us. God came to people as a merciful judge. God did not come to condemn but to empower people to love God and our neighbor. Jesus came to turn our hearts to each other and become a community of peace and justice.
Ron Clark
Portland, OR
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Safe
(written by David Underwood; posted by Keith Brenton from David's blog lightandsalt.blogspot.com)
There is a lot of talk in the air lately about being "safe". I am not talking about in the context of the physical world. The circles where I have been hearing it have been in the spiritual context. What is your response when you hear the term "safe" used in that context?
First, I think it is important to acknowledge that being safe in the physical world makes a lot of sense ... in fact it is down right crucial and essential! If you aren't safe, you lose your life and probably endanger the lives of others also. How many of us get steamed when we see someone driving carelessly? How many of you remind your teenager to be safe when they leave the house? Being safe is mandatory ... in the physical world. Simply said, not being safe leads to death in the physical world.
As we all know, things in the spiritual world are all upside down ... topsy turvy. It makes NO sense! If you want to live, you must die. If you want to be first, you must be last. If you want to be the most important, you must be the servant. If you want to be really rich in spirit, you must be poor in spirit. If you want to be strong, you must be weak. Instead of hating your enemies, love them! Would it be safe to say that in the spiritual world, most things are the direct opposite of what we think of in the physical world? The world view vs the spiritual view.
Well, what I want to submit for your consideration is that the same holds true with the concept of being "safe". Yeah, that means "safe" in the spiritual context has the direct opposite consequence from the physical world. Being safe in the spiritual world can kill you, and endanger the spiritual lives of those around you.
And by "Kill you" I mean "to make you ineffective and irrelevant." Have you ever seen someone you considered to be dead spiritually? Ever seen a congregation you considered dead spiritually? My bet is that in both instances you find being "safe" a priority. Are there examples in scripture of people and groups of people who put a priority on being "safe"? Ask Joshua and Caleb about the other 10 wanting to be safe, and the consequences. How long did choosing to be safe cause the Israelites to be ineffective and irrelevant to the world around them?
Without exception, all "safe" choices are made out of FEAR of something. In this spiritual world, fear can only exist as a result of a lack of faith. So yes, the link is that safe choices are made ultimately because of a lack of faith. Let's go back to scripture again and see those who had incredible faith, and the power it gave them over fear and safe choices.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the fire, Daniel and the lions, Hezekiah and facing Sennacherib ... and the list goes on and on. All of them could have made safe choices. Their faith wouldn't allow it. Safe and faith can't coexist. Want to move on to the New Testament? Here we go! I wonder how things might have been different if Joseph had put away Mary, which undoubtedly would have been the safe choice! Peter could have stayed in the boat, Zacchaeus could have stayed home, the blind man in John 9 could have given the Pharisees a safe answer when they had him in their Kangaroo court. Nope, no safe actions by those folks. Their faith motivated them to be bold, in the face of whatever was before them, because they knew God was greater than the thing they might fear.
Ahh ... and then we come to Jesus. (I've been saving the best for last!) First off, I think for sure the safe thing would have been to stay with the Father instead of coming here for us. Jesus was consistent, and from that first choice to his last one, he ALWAYS shunned the safe choice. He chose quite the opposite, really. Not only was he NOT safe, he was the complete oppositehe chose to be RADICAL! We all acknowledge who the folks were who were making the safe choices, like not healing on the sabbath and the likes. The Pharisees wanted to be safe, at all cost. And Jesus drove them crazy! To be more accurate, they hated him for it ... to the point they looked for ways to kill him, and eventually did.
Other examples of Jesus not being safe? Who did he hang out with? How safe was it to pick common fishermen and tax collectors as his leaders? How about choosing Saul? Can you hear that choice being discussed in the Sanhedrin committee meeting? No way would they have chosen him - too risky! He might offend someone - namely them!
And last but not least, thank goodness Jesus wasn't safe when it came to the cross. If he had been, you and I would never know what it would be like to be safe from sin and safe from Satan. We never would have had the chance to experience God's SAVING grace. You see, being radical and bold and acting in faith, instead of fear, is what leads to REALLY being safe ... ain't it a topsy-turvy upside-down spiritual world? Yeah, that is why we feel like aliens here. When we aren't making safe choices, that is. In our walk with him, He NEVER, EVER calls us to be "safe". Why? Because instead of leading to life, it leads to death.
It wasn't a safe walk.
There is a lot of talk in the air lately about being "safe". I am not talking about in the context of the physical world. The circles where I have been hearing it have been in the spiritual context. What is your response when you hear the term "safe" used in that context?
First, I think it is important to acknowledge that being safe in the physical world makes a lot of sense ... in fact it is down right crucial and essential! If you aren't safe, you lose your life and probably endanger the lives of others also. How many of us get steamed when we see someone driving carelessly? How many of you remind your teenager to be safe when they leave the house? Being safe is mandatory ... in the physical world. Simply said, not being safe leads to death in the physical world.
As we all know, things in the spiritual world are all upside down ... topsy turvy. It makes NO sense! If you want to live, you must die. If you want to be first, you must be last. If you want to be the most important, you must be the servant. If you want to be really rich in spirit, you must be poor in spirit. If you want to be strong, you must be weak. Instead of hating your enemies, love them! Would it be safe to say that in the spiritual world, most things are the direct opposite of what we think of in the physical world? The world view vs the spiritual view.
Well, what I want to submit for your consideration is that the same holds true with the concept of being "safe". Yeah, that means "safe" in the spiritual context has the direct opposite consequence from the physical world. Being safe in the spiritual world can kill you, and endanger the spiritual lives of those around you.
And by "Kill you" I mean "to make you ineffective and irrelevant." Have you ever seen someone you considered to be dead spiritually? Ever seen a congregation you considered dead spiritually? My bet is that in both instances you find being "safe" a priority. Are there examples in scripture of people and groups of people who put a priority on being "safe"? Ask Joshua and Caleb about the other 10 wanting to be safe, and the consequences. How long did choosing to be safe cause the Israelites to be ineffective and irrelevant to the world around them?
Without exception, all "safe" choices are made out of FEAR of something. In this spiritual world, fear can only exist as a result of a lack of faith. So yes, the link is that safe choices are made ultimately because of a lack of faith. Let's go back to scripture again and see those who had incredible faith, and the power it gave them over fear and safe choices.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and the fire, Daniel and the lions, Hezekiah and facing Sennacherib ... and the list goes on and on. All of them could have made safe choices. Their faith wouldn't allow it. Safe and faith can't coexist. Want to move on to the New Testament? Here we go! I wonder how things might have been different if Joseph had put away Mary, which undoubtedly would have been the safe choice! Peter could have stayed in the boat, Zacchaeus could have stayed home, the blind man in John 9 could have given the Pharisees a safe answer when they had him in their Kangaroo court. Nope, no safe actions by those folks. Their faith motivated them to be bold, in the face of whatever was before them, because they knew God was greater than the thing they might fear.
Ahh ... and then we come to Jesus. (I've been saving the best for last!) First off, I think for sure the safe thing would have been to stay with the Father instead of coming here for us. Jesus was consistent, and from that first choice to his last one, he ALWAYS shunned the safe choice. He chose quite the opposite, really. Not only was he NOT safe, he was the complete oppositehe chose to be RADICAL! We all acknowledge who the folks were who were making the safe choices, like not healing on the sabbath and the likes. The Pharisees wanted to be safe, at all cost. And Jesus drove them crazy! To be more accurate, they hated him for it ... to the point they looked for ways to kill him, and eventually did.
Other examples of Jesus not being safe? Who did he hang out with? How safe was it to pick common fishermen and tax collectors as his leaders? How about choosing Saul? Can you hear that choice being discussed in the Sanhedrin committee meeting? No way would they have chosen him - too risky! He might offend someone - namely them!
And last but not least, thank goodness Jesus wasn't safe when it came to the cross. If he had been, you and I would never know what it would be like to be safe from sin and safe from Satan. We never would have had the chance to experience God's SAVING grace. You see, being radical and bold and acting in faith, instead of fear, is what leads to REALLY being safe ... ain't it a topsy-turvy upside-down spiritual world? Yeah, that is why we feel like aliens here. When we aren't making safe choices, that is. In our walk with him, He NEVER, EVER calls us to be "safe". Why? Because instead of leading to life, it leads to death.
"Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did". - I John 2:6
It wasn't a safe walk.
David Underwood is an advancement officer at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. He is married to Jan, travels a lot in his work, and among his community of Christian blogging friends is known as an indefatigable encourager ... a "Barnabas" of the blogs. E-mail him at [dunderwood@harding.edu].
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