Now it's your turn..... If God did exist, what would you ask him/her?  Answer in comments pls.

Photo Credit: Adolf Pirsch - St. Paul Preaching Before the Temple of Diana at Ephesus

One of the things that really ticks me off is the manner in which some Christians speak about people who might not see things the same way, or may believe differently.  All in the name of truth does not mean that we can act like jerks.  I have told people before, “your prophetic mantle does not give the right to be obnoxious”.  We must change.

There is an interesting comment made in the Bible.  Yes that’s right, Bible-believing-thumping-dude, it’s in the book so listen up.  In Acts 19 we read about Paul’s accomplishments in Ephesus, and as usual He caused a full-scale riot to break out. The Ephesians believed that Paul would cause great loss to their goddess Diana, an idol whose followers called “Queen of Heaven” in both adherents and business.  When the town clerk tries to restore order among the throng he exclaims the following:

“Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.  For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess (Acts 19:35b-37) (emphasis mine)

That is interesting!  Paul did in fact reason with these people, he talked with them, argued with them even, but at the end of the day his interaction with this culture was such that he was not considered to have blasphemed their goddess.  Surely there is a lesson in here somewhere?

How often do protestant Christians talk of their catholic neighbours in respectful ways regarding the virgin Mary (too much of a coincidence that some call her Queen of Heaven?)?  How do we Christians engage and interact with muslims?  Do these people or cultures leave certain that we have engaged robustly on the issues but have not blasphemed their beliefs? An interesting point, and I’m sure one in which there’s bound to be a multitude of opinions!

When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles (Bill Johnson):

Fear of deception has opened the door for a tragic movement among believers.  [....] This is the picture that many paint:  In one corner we have balanced looking people who value the Bible as the Word of God, and in the other we have emotionally unbalanced people who seek after esoteric, spiritual experiences with God.  Is that an accurate picture?  Jesus made a frightening statement regarding those who hold to Bible study Vs. experience:

"You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have life; and these are they which testify of Me." 

If our study of the Bible doesn't lead us to a deeper relationship (an encounter), with God, then it simply is adding to our tendency towards spiritual pride.

The Google way of life is condensed in a philosophy.  They call it “Ten things we know to be true”.... and if Google says its true.....

Organizations that do not hold to these “game rules” will see themselves become increasingly disconnected and irrelevant in this generation.  Companies, non-profits and churches need to catch-up to this brave new world’s modus vivendi.  Here’s the skinny:

Ten things we know to be true

1. Focus on the user and all else will follow.
2. It’s best to do one thing really, really well.
3. Fast is better than slow.
4. Democracy on the web works.
5. You don’t need to be at your desk to need an answer.
6. You can make money without doing evil.
7. There’s always more information out there.
8. The need for information crosses all borders.
9. You can be serious without a suit.
10. Great just isn’t good enough.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

 

 

“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” ~ James 2:15

 

Mercy, is the quality of not giving someone what they deserve.  Mercy needs to be the hallmark of the redeemed.  When we think about church, and church life, words like clemency, leniency, compassion, kindness towards the distressed, do not readily come to mind.  How is it that the community that should embody the quality of being merciful is known, for the most part, as being the community that is intolerant and merciless.  How far have we strayed from the example of that man whom history records as being the “friend of sinners”!

 

The truth is that the world is a pretty messed-up place – it has been since time immemorial.  At the same time Jesus came and showed how a person dedicated to walking in holiness and devotion could welcome and embrace people who were messed-up, who had their problems, who were “sinners”.  In and through it all, he showed us how to love these people, how to become part of their lives, how to have a relationship with these precious ones.  What would it look like if we could walk through life being agents of change that spoke mercy, release from bondage, opening of prison doors, to all who are hurting, struggling and even embracing “alternative lifestyles” or beliefs?

 

The above quote is from the Bible.  It says that mercy triumphs (boasts over, exults itself, pridefully shouts) over judgmental thoughts.  The Christian Church needs to reassess its attitude towards all those it considers to be “them”.  Only when we have no more “them” and “us” can we truly experience what a fully present and  incarnational manifestation of love looks like.

 

Today I officiated at the funeral of my wife’s uncle.  Francis Victor was my friend.  He was the sort of person who would always cheer you up - he was the sort of person you wanted to bump into when you were having a bad day.  He was a man of faith.  Francis passed away suddenly last night after suffering a stroke.  He was 73.

As I tried to comfort the family I was very aware that this family was saying goodbye to a husband, a father, a grandfather - but because of the circumstances of his passing, none of them had been able to say goodbye properly.  One minute he was fine, the next he was in critical condition in ICU only to pass-into the arms of Jesus shortly thereafter. Maybe only Jesus can make himself real to this family in such a way that they can be comforted and strengthened right now.  Surely there is a peace that passes understanding, and Jesus promised us this peace.  Funerals are tough.  Officiating at family funerals is really tough.

During the funeral, I was taken back to when my own father passed away.  One minute he was having lunch with me, then an hour later I was receiving “that call” telling me to rush to the hospital.  I arrived there only to be told that he had suffered a massive heart attack and had passed away.  No chance to say goodbye properly - just a funeral to say goodbye, without having said goodbye.

Today I was reminded that we do not always get to say goodbye properly.  We leave many things unsaid, many kisses unkissed, many hugs unhugged, many smiles unsmiled.  My father passed away 15 years ago, and it still hurts.  Dad I miss you.  I think I always will.

God is the friend of silence.

See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence;

see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... 

We need silence to be able to touch souls

Jeremy Paxman has challenged Britain's brightest to learn their Bibles, as the nation's youngest seem to be learning computing and science and are losing touch with the classics.  Just imagine what would happen if the classics, Ethics and Theology regained their place as the "enlightened arts" in our colleges and universities.  Maybe, just maybe, we would be realigning success with positive values rather than spin, virtue rather than polish.