Are you a generous person? Am I?
Why, when we give, do we give? It is to get something in return? Perhaps an accolade, a public recognition? God forbid that it would be motivated by self-promotion?
Recently, I was driving through central Missouri on a lovely, winding highway. Suddenly, on my right, a Christian church site where there were two buildings facing the highway. The building on the right, with a cross, appeared to be the worship center. The building on the left, "Thomas Johnson Family Center." Apparently, either someone died and left the church money to build more space, or someone still living did so. Nice touch to have your name publicly attached to your gift.
So much for the left hand not knowing what he right hand is giving?
The front page of the "Review" section of Aug 31-Sept 1 (2013) Wall Street Journal splashes the following headline, Hard-Wired for GIVING. I think this is a must-read article for those of us trying to sort through why and what we give as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I think about it, one thing this article helps demonstrate is that God may well have wired us, in making us in His image, to be giving and generous. That is, just like Him. "God is Love," John tells us. Agape love - selfsacrificing giving love. I'd contend that it was the giving, loving, sharing nature of God that compelled Him to create us.
Yet even with all the research and studies which measure why we given and when we give, the article does not answer all the questions. The article's final paragraph's 1st sentence is telling. "While we are hard-wired to 'do unto others' in a multitude of ways, we also have power of whether to take advantage of those natural capacities or let them wither away."
In other words, giving, loving, and being generous is still a choice of the heart.
We love, John tells us, because He first loved us.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
A Kind of FirstFruits among God's Creatures
"What's he mean by the 'firstfuits' thing?" the D-Line coach asked.
We were just starting in to our Fall 2013 "Hard-Hat Spirituality" study of James. A weekly Coaches Huddle. 30 quick minutes in the Word.
After noting that James was Jesus' 1/2 brother, who grew up with Jesus in the home of Joseph the Carpenter (cf. Matthew 13:53-56), who didn't buy into his brother's identity or mission (cf. John 7:1-5) until after the resurrection (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-6)...we took a look at the best thing God ever did for us.
"Out of the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits among His creatures" (James 1:18).
"Comes from the Old Testament," I said. "The first and the best of a field's crops were given to God. The first and the best of a flock was given to God. Firstfruits means the 'first' and the 'best.' When God gives us birth into His family, by the word of truth, we become a 'kind of firstfruits' among all the rest of His creatures."
You could hear the mental wheels turning, and the thought of that sinking in. "Among all those whom God has created in His world, His children - to those whom He has given spiritual birth - they are to be the first and the best on the planet. More particularly, as God's men on this coaching staff, you are His firstfruits."
The most thrilling moments in my life happen when the Word of God sinks in and changes a paradigm, lifts the heart, and repurposes a life. If you are a follower of Jesus, a Good God has given you a perfect "from above" gift. Birth into his family, SO THAT you are a firstfuits among His creatures.
Love the Word. Live the Word.
We were just starting in to our Fall 2013 "Hard-Hat Spirituality" study of James. A weekly Coaches Huddle. 30 quick minutes in the Word.
After noting that James was Jesus' 1/2 brother, who grew up with Jesus in the home of Joseph the Carpenter (cf. Matthew 13:53-56), who didn't buy into his brother's identity or mission (cf. John 7:1-5) until after the resurrection (cf. 1 Cor 15:3-6)...we took a look at the best thing God ever did for us.
"Out of the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits among His creatures" (James 1:18).
"Comes from the Old Testament," I said. "The first and the best of a field's crops were given to God. The first and the best of a flock was given to God. Firstfruits means the 'first' and the 'best.' When God gives us birth into His family, by the word of truth, we become a 'kind of firstfruits' among all the rest of His creatures."
You could hear the mental wheels turning, and the thought of that sinking in. "Among all those whom God has created in His world, His children - to those whom He has given spiritual birth - they are to be the first and the best on the planet. More particularly, as God's men on this coaching staff, you are His firstfruits."
The most thrilling moments in my life happen when the Word of God sinks in and changes a paradigm, lifts the heart, and repurposes a life. If you are a follower of Jesus, a Good God has given you a perfect "from above" gift. Birth into his family, SO THAT you are a firstfuits among His creatures.
Love the Word. Live the Word.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Understanding the Lostness People Around Us
When she was 13 years old, Rebecca Bazell was lost at sea (cf. WSJ, August 27, 2013).
For 4 days and 3 nights. 1982. During a vacation near Grand Caymen, her family set out late one afternoon to return a small, rented, uncovered aluminum rowboat. Five miles offshore, the engine suddenly quit, and they soon realized that the boat itself had little to offer them -- no spare tank of gas, no oars. A forceful tide was taking them away from the shoreline. Dad put on his snorkel gear and attempted to swim ashore for help.
In the boat were Rebecca, her stepmother, and her brother. They drifted off into the night.
Rebecca describes her physical and mental experience of lostness. There were no dramatic emotions, but rather a shutting down of her body which was deprived of what it really needed. Day two, she was "more peaceful." By day three, "I'd begun to see myself the same as plankton--just existing until I didn't. I never consciously stopped wanting to live, but I ran out of energy to care."
The small boat would be seen by the crew of a far-away tanker on the fourth day, and the diminished family was hauled aboard and cared for. They had drifted 50 miles. They were also shocked that "we had been missed." The Coast Guard and hundreds of volunteers had been looking for them for 96 hours.
Rebecca (now 44 years old) imagines what it would be like to meet other survivors of times being lost at sea. "I wonder if any of them share my sense of dread when (present day) search efforts (in earthquakes, accidents, or war zones) are called off....I have a sense that there are people who are miraculously still alive, just waiting to be found."
This brief recollection has the power to stir us, and it should. Her descriptions help us understand the feelings of those who are spiritually lost at life. The sense of just drifting with no particular direction. The loss of purpose. Peaceful, resigned, just existing until you don't. No energy to care if I live or die. Licking the bottom of the boat for water from a brief rain shower.
As those who have found rescue and life in Jesus Christ -- the only true source of life -- we should read things like this. Let it lead to NOT calling off your search effort for those who are drifting through life and lost in the swells of it.
One night, a bunch of sea veterans found themselves lost and out of control. To their surprise, Jesus came to them and brought peace. Keep your eyes peeled on the sea around you. You may see a boat with a few who long to be rescued.
For 4 days and 3 nights. 1982. During a vacation near Grand Caymen, her family set out late one afternoon to return a small, rented, uncovered aluminum rowboat. Five miles offshore, the engine suddenly quit, and they soon realized that the boat itself had little to offer them -- no spare tank of gas, no oars. A forceful tide was taking them away from the shoreline. Dad put on his snorkel gear and attempted to swim ashore for help.
In the boat were Rebecca, her stepmother, and her brother. They drifted off into the night.
Rebecca describes her physical and mental experience of lostness. There were no dramatic emotions, but rather a shutting down of her body which was deprived of what it really needed. Day two, she was "more peaceful." By day three, "I'd begun to see myself the same as plankton--just existing until I didn't. I never consciously stopped wanting to live, but I ran out of energy to care."
The small boat would be seen by the crew of a far-away tanker on the fourth day, and the diminished family was hauled aboard and cared for. They had drifted 50 miles. They were also shocked that "we had been missed." The Coast Guard and hundreds of volunteers had been looking for them for 96 hours.
Rebecca (now 44 years old) imagines what it would be like to meet other survivors of times being lost at sea. "I wonder if any of them share my sense of dread when (present day) search efforts (in earthquakes, accidents, or war zones) are called off....I have a sense that there are people who are miraculously still alive, just waiting to be found."
This brief recollection has the power to stir us, and it should. Her descriptions help us understand the feelings of those who are spiritually lost at life. The sense of just drifting with no particular direction. The loss of purpose. Peaceful, resigned, just existing until you don't. No energy to care if I live or die. Licking the bottom of the boat for water from a brief rain shower.
As those who have found rescue and life in Jesus Christ -- the only true source of life -- we should read things like this. Let it lead to NOT calling off your search effort for those who are drifting through life and lost in the swells of it.
One night, a bunch of sea veterans found themselves lost and out of control. To their surprise, Jesus came to them and brought peace. Keep your eyes peeled on the sea around you. You may see a boat with a few who long to be rescued.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Free At Last
Unless you're isolated away in a sound proof, sight-proof box, then you are well aware that we are marking the 50th anniversary of the freedom March on Washington - August 28, 1963.
I was a scant 9 years old then, and only days old "in the Lord." Twenty two-days earlier, I had knelt beside the orange couch on the green carpet in our home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and placed simple faith in Christ, realizing like never before that He had died for me and rose again. Glad like never before that I could be fully forgiven of my sins. Free at last.
As a 9 year old, I did not follow events in Washington, D.C. In southeastern Wisconsin, I was not aware of tensions between whites and blacks; I was just beginning to be taught American History. I had no appreciation of the struggle of blacks in our country "to be free."
TIME magazine's issue reminds us of those turbulent times with a series of articles around 4 touchpoints - One Man (Martin Luther King, Jr.), One March (8/28/1963), One Speech (King's address at the Lincoln memorial), and One Dream ("I have a dream today..."). It is said that in the moment, King set aside his scripted speech and let words of unparalleled power and moral authority flow.
The crowd loved it.
I've heard the tape of King's speech many times. It sends a chill down the spine when you listen to it with eyes closed, putting yourself in the moment.
I imagine that a greater leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, had moments like this as well during his career of teaching and healing some 2,000 years ago. His words were equally, if not even more so, powerful. "You shall know the truth," he offered, "and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). This is often quoted, but the context of his statement neglected. Jesus tied the experience of being "set free" to (John 8:31) "obeying my teaching and truly being His followers."
There is a great freedom in being released from slavery, from overcoming in the right way (King: nonviolently) after a long period of abuse and mistreatment. We have come a long way since the oppressive days of legal slavery and persistent segregation and discrimination. We still have a ways to go.
But there is a greater freedom in knowing and following the Lord Jesus Christ. There is an enslavement to sin that is not overcome apart from Him -- His truth and His direction in our lives, indeed His presence in and with us.
Are you free today? Are you following Christ?
I was a scant 9 years old then, and only days old "in the Lord." Twenty two-days earlier, I had knelt beside the orange couch on the green carpet in our home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and placed simple faith in Christ, realizing like never before that He had died for me and rose again. Glad like never before that I could be fully forgiven of my sins. Free at last.
As a 9 year old, I did not follow events in Washington, D.C. In southeastern Wisconsin, I was not aware of tensions between whites and blacks; I was just beginning to be taught American History. I had no appreciation of the struggle of blacks in our country "to be free."
TIME magazine's issue reminds us of those turbulent times with a series of articles around 4 touchpoints - One Man (Martin Luther King, Jr.), One March (8/28/1963), One Speech (King's address at the Lincoln memorial), and One Dream ("I have a dream today..."). It is said that in the moment, King set aside his scripted speech and let words of unparalleled power and moral authority flow.
The crowd loved it.
I've heard the tape of King's speech many times. It sends a chill down the spine when you listen to it with eyes closed, putting yourself in the moment.
I imagine that a greater leader, the Lord Jesus Christ, had moments like this as well during his career of teaching and healing some 2,000 years ago. His words were equally, if not even more so, powerful. "You shall know the truth," he offered, "and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). This is often quoted, but the context of his statement neglected. Jesus tied the experience of being "set free" to (John 8:31) "obeying my teaching and truly being His followers."
There is a great freedom in being released from slavery, from overcoming in the right way (King: nonviolently) after a long period of abuse and mistreatment. We have come a long way since the oppressive days of legal slavery and persistent segregation and discrimination. We still have a ways to go.
But there is a greater freedom in knowing and following the Lord Jesus Christ. There is an enslavement to sin that is not overcome apart from Him -- His truth and His direction in our lives, indeed His presence in and with us.
Are you free today? Are you following Christ?
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