You have heard that it is said, "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime." But I tell you, give a man a fish so that he can concentrate while you teach him how, and then be his friend; for what good is food to satisfy the stomach if the soul starves.
And when we are without food and friend:
"Christ's cross does not always protect us from our own crosses."
-The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary on 1 Peter 2:18-3:7, Reflection 5
Friday, October 31, 2008
Maker Moments
Waiting is fast and slow.
Once the blessed day arrives,
It seems as if no time has passed at all.
But waiting for the day to come,
Each excruciating moment is felt,
And each one is connnected to another,
Until you are worn down by their gravity,
And you would give up the pain in a second.
Nothing is more impossible.
For who can give up their love?
Knowing one moment they will know
That the blessed day is really blessed
And the love is really love
For it is consumated.
Both souls in agreement
As moments collide,
And waiting fulfilled.
Once the blessed day arrives,
It seems as if no time has passed at all.
But waiting for the day to come,
Each excruciating moment is felt,
And each one is connnected to another,
Until you are worn down by their gravity,
And you would give up the pain in a second.
Nothing is more impossible.
For who can give up their love?
Knowing one moment they will know
That the blessed day is really blessed
And the love is really love
For it is consumated.
Both souls in agreement
As moments collide,
And waiting fulfilled.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Gift of Freedom
Robert W. Jenson says in his Systematic Theology, “Faith as my act is that I give up my attained self in order to receive myself from the Coming One who just as such undoes all security. But when I try to perform this act, I of course achieve the opposite, for I necessarily do it within my project of self-securing, even if in this case religiously.”
This is exactly what I have been coming to realize. I felt myself becoming a stoic by my own might in order that I might achieve Christianity. I gave up all I knew to manipulate and get the thing I wanted; God. It is not so bad to desire God. Isn’t that what we sing? “You are all I want. You are all I long for. Nothing I desire compares with you.” Don’t we teach that we should throw off everything that entangles us? My combination of these two formative Christian teachings lead me to desire God with the only thing I thought I had. Kierkegaard said that there is a double-movement to faith. First you give everything up, and then you receive everything back as a gift. Fear and Trembling is itself written by one (Johannes de Silentio) who cannot reason himself and think himself into faith. Jenson clarifies Kierkegaard’s leap of faith by saying the gift undoes all security. As I found out, the gift of the Coming One is really that he came so that I can give up my attained self. In this giving up, all security vanishes. Security is that part of a person who reserves the right to take forceful action against someone or something that threaten the perceived well being of the self. In the coming of the Coming One I have the option of giving that up. It is possible to give up everything you have except your own security. I kept my security and gave up all that I had, honestly ignorant that I maintained security. Performing the faith, I was enslaved to my own security and I fought to control myself knowing this was the demand of God. Thanks be to God whose revelation continues, I have realized that security is the enemy of the gift of freedom. To give up yourself to God is to be unable to retain security in case God does something wrong. It is pure love, undefiled union. This faith trusts God in whatever happens. I knows and sees the threats it use to trust, but now new eyes have caused a revelatory transformation of those objects. They now appear as gifts.
This is exactly what I have been coming to realize. I felt myself becoming a stoic by my own might in order that I might achieve Christianity. I gave up all I knew to manipulate and get the thing I wanted; God. It is not so bad to desire God. Isn’t that what we sing? “You are all I want. You are all I long for. Nothing I desire compares with you.” Don’t we teach that we should throw off everything that entangles us? My combination of these two formative Christian teachings lead me to desire God with the only thing I thought I had. Kierkegaard said that there is a double-movement to faith. First you give everything up, and then you receive everything back as a gift. Fear and Trembling is itself written by one (Johannes de Silentio) who cannot reason himself and think himself into faith. Jenson clarifies Kierkegaard’s leap of faith by saying the gift undoes all security. As I found out, the gift of the Coming One is really that he came so that I can give up my attained self. In this giving up, all security vanishes. Security is that part of a person who reserves the right to take forceful action against someone or something that threaten the perceived well being of the self. In the coming of the Coming One I have the option of giving that up. It is possible to give up everything you have except your own security. I kept my security and gave up all that I had, honestly ignorant that I maintained security. Performing the faith, I was enslaved to my own security and I fought to control myself knowing this was the demand of God. Thanks be to God whose revelation continues, I have realized that security is the enemy of the gift of freedom. To give up yourself to God is to be unable to retain security in case God does something wrong. It is pure love, undefiled union. This faith trusts God in whatever happens. I knows and sees the threats it use to trust, but now new eyes have caused a revelatory transformation of those objects. They now appear as gifts.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Truth
Today has been a great day. Very relaxing.
I spent most of the morning.. well morning .. sleeping.
But then! I got up and was able to really just sit down and enjoyably organize my life a little.
We had a KiA event tonight and it was great. There are always a few new faces. It is awesome to see God working His way into peoples hearts as they slowly begin to become open to Him. Community and Fellowship are really happening and I think almost more than anything having great affect.
There is one man in particular. His name is Christian. I finally discovered that he is originally from Hungary, I think at some point in his life he might have lived in the U.S. for a little while, but obviously now he is residing in Germany. He is homeless as far as I can tell. I often see him anytime I go into the city. Sometimes I see him at certain spots playing his harmonica for whatever change he can get. My heart goes out for Christian. He has such a sweet spirit about him. Always smiling. The hard part is that he really doesn't speak much German at all, and it seems he knows even less English. But even so I always try to communicate with him, it usually doesn't go to far. But as time goes I can feel a deeper connection with him building. As I can look across the room and catch a smile from him or just wave as I see him out. Despite the language barrier he comes to all the KiA Events. Perhaps he understands more than he can speak, in which case I totally understand. But I don't know.
Tonight I saw Christian, this man I often see playing his harmonica for music on the streets, give during the offering. More than that, God saw Christian.
I am more and more learning that God is working in a lot more lives than we recognize. I am learning that God is a lot closer to the hearts of people who may not even know the name of "Jesus." I believe we have so often created such a formula for someone to follow through to come to know God. But I am learning, I'm not so sure there is one. I know that the things I see people do, the good acts and intentions that I see people have, their hearts, could only have something good if it were from God. Only God is good. God is breaking in to lives everywhere. We must see that, and accept it, and support it, and nourish it. God is found where truth is found..And Truth is found everywhere. Keep your eyes open.
I spent most of the morning.. well morning .. sleeping.
But then! I got up and was able to really just sit down and enjoyably organize my life a little.
We had a KiA event tonight and it was great. There are always a few new faces. It is awesome to see God working His way into peoples hearts as they slowly begin to become open to Him. Community and Fellowship are really happening and I think almost more than anything having great affect.
There is one man in particular. His name is Christian. I finally discovered that he is originally from Hungary, I think at some point in his life he might have lived in the U.S. for a little while, but obviously now he is residing in Germany. He is homeless as far as I can tell. I often see him anytime I go into the city. Sometimes I see him at certain spots playing his harmonica for whatever change he can get. My heart goes out for Christian. He has such a sweet spirit about him. Always smiling. The hard part is that he really doesn't speak much German at all, and it seems he knows even less English. But even so I always try to communicate with him, it usually doesn't go to far. But as time goes I can feel a deeper connection with him building. As I can look across the room and catch a smile from him or just wave as I see him out. Despite the language barrier he comes to all the KiA Events. Perhaps he understands more than he can speak, in which case I totally understand. But I don't know.
Tonight I saw Christian, this man I often see playing his harmonica for music on the streets, give during the offering. More than that, God saw Christian.
I am more and more learning that God is working in a lot more lives than we recognize. I am learning that God is a lot closer to the hearts of people who may not even know the name of "Jesus." I believe we have so often created such a formula for someone to follow through to come to know God. But I am learning, I'm not so sure there is one. I know that the things I see people do, the good acts and intentions that I see people have, their hearts, could only have something good if it were from God. Only God is good. God is breaking in to lives everywhere. We must see that, and accept it, and support it, and nourish it. God is found where truth is found..And Truth is found everywhere. Keep your eyes open.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The Importance of Time
Even though the morning was foggy, today has turned into a beautiful October day. I thought it would be a good day for a walk. No sun screen today, I need my vitamin D, it's getting more rare to come by in Germany in October. My walk takes me through a part of the neighborhood in which I've never been. And then I see the stone gateway in which leads me into a beautiful cemetary. As is common at 3:30 on a fall day here the sun has already begun some what of a descent into the west. All the different colours of the season have finally truly made their arrival. I'm unsure of what I find more appealing, the beautiful greens, yellows, reds, brown that I see above and around me, or the places they have so rained upon, as I gaze at the newly decorated graves. Every tombstone is erect, and it just feels as if they all have a story to tell. But I cannot hear it. As the sun goes farther down, I notice each monument is facing foward to the east. And the shadows cast over the ground, where underneath - something lifeless lay.
The rays of the sun come and touch my cheek warming me. As if the grace of God were stretching out to me. I feel it. I feel it now just as Anna Muy felt it - somewhere between September 30th 1886 and December 31st 1975.
And I can't help but think I will soon follow Anna. It says she was born 100 years before me. I would say that would be a blessed life to live to 2075. But thats all I know about her - she lived to be 89, it seems she had some family, and there is a cross on her tombstone. I have lived a great 22 years so far. I honestly love my life - all my family and friends, all the stories I have, all the memories. Most of All, God has been faithful to me so much more than I know how to say or comprehend.
The leaves fall.
I feel somehow that I, we all, are one of them. If I live my life, and am blessed enough to have such adventures, my life time over again three times - I'll be about where Anna was. If I'm blessed.
(Reading "Today Matters" by John Maxwell )
chapter - 'Priorites'
What are my priorities?
We must manage our life before it is gone.
We must harness our time.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Currently I am living in Mainz, Germany. I spend my time here ministering.
Which in saying that, it always seems to sound a little funny. Because truly that is what we are all called to do as we follow Christ. That is, to spend our lives ministering. But I suppose I would say it is my "profession" if you will. And that sounds even more strange... because I do not do what I do to get rich, or any money for that matter. If that is what I wanted, I simply wouldn't waste my time with a profession of ministry. I take on this way of life because I have been equipped and called by my God to do this work. We have all been equipped by God for something. Some of us are equipped in engineering, some of us are equipped for working with babies, and some of us are equipped to counsel. I happen to be equipped to preach and teach. Also, as we are in Christ, we have all been given gifts. Some of us have gifts of generosity, some faith, and others healing. I myself have been gifted with pastoring/shepherding, encouraging, and leading. Even though it seems we all have some tastes of many different gifts, I believe these are my strongest. Ok, so I know what I am equipped for, what I am gifted with. But what do I do with all that? What I must understand then is what I am passionate about. What is it in this world that gets my stomach churning, what are the things that I see that I simply can not leave alone. What are the injustices around me that I must fight against or die!? What do I love? Some have heavy hearts and great passions to see hungry people fed, others have a passion to see great quality structures built, or even others might have a passion to help the sick and diseased. Sure again I would say we all have something inside us that would like to see all these good things happen. But my passion lies with people. But maybe even more specific, the people of God. My heart burns for the church. I can't stand to see the people of God in places where they are not being discipled, where they are not maturing, where they are not excercizing their faith.
All that to say, that is why my profession is ministry. Even beyond that though... why should I call what I do ministry? Doesn't the person who is equipped to work with children, gifted with generosity, and passionate about hungry kids in the world have just as much right as me to say their profession is ministry. Doesn't the person who is equipped to engineer, gifted with discernment, and passionate about building quality things have the right to call whatever they do ministry as they do it all for the sake of Christ!? I think so. The people of God must wake up and realize that each and everyone of us are called to do the very same things the Apostles did. To make disciples in the nations.
We have far too long attempted to draw line between those who minister and those who "don't." I am no more of a minister than any other member in the body of Christ. We are all called to impact the world and invest in the lives around us for Christ. Don't write that off and say that it is someone's else job to do that. God is tired of fat Christian. I don't mean size, but I mean heart, soul, and mind as-well. We are so good and soaking up God, and getting all the "I Need" out of Him. But being straight forward with you - we absolutely and positively (and repusively) are horrible at putting feet on our faith. We have become gluttons. This may sound shrude and harsh. But Christians have tried to be too nice for too long.
God is waiting to use us. But we must first stand up, we must first understand who we are, what we are equpped and gifted to do. We must get angry against the injustices in our world. And we must Act. I pray we Act.
Which in saying that, it always seems to sound a little funny. Because truly that is what we are all called to do as we follow Christ. That is, to spend our lives ministering. But I suppose I would say it is my "profession" if you will. And that sounds even more strange... because I do not do what I do to get rich, or any money for that matter. If that is what I wanted, I simply wouldn't waste my time with a profession of ministry. I take on this way of life because I have been equipped and called by my God to do this work. We have all been equipped by God for something. Some of us are equipped in engineering, some of us are equipped for working with babies, and some of us are equipped to counsel. I happen to be equipped to preach and teach. Also, as we are in Christ, we have all been given gifts. Some of us have gifts of generosity, some faith, and others healing. I myself have been gifted with pastoring/shepherding, encouraging, and leading. Even though it seems we all have some tastes of many different gifts, I believe these are my strongest. Ok, so I know what I am equipped for, what I am gifted with. But what do I do with all that? What I must understand then is what I am passionate about. What is it in this world that gets my stomach churning, what are the things that I see that I simply can not leave alone. What are the injustices around me that I must fight against or die!? What do I love? Some have heavy hearts and great passions to see hungry people fed, others have a passion to see great quality structures built, or even others might have a passion to help the sick and diseased. Sure again I would say we all have something inside us that would like to see all these good things happen. But my passion lies with people. But maybe even more specific, the people of God. My heart burns for the church. I can't stand to see the people of God in places where they are not being discipled, where they are not maturing, where they are not excercizing their faith.
All that to say, that is why my profession is ministry. Even beyond that though... why should I call what I do ministry? Doesn't the person who is equipped to work with children, gifted with generosity, and passionate about hungry kids in the world have just as much right as me to say their profession is ministry. Doesn't the person who is equipped to engineer, gifted with discernment, and passionate about building quality things have the right to call whatever they do ministry as they do it all for the sake of Christ!? I think so. The people of God must wake up and realize that each and everyone of us are called to do the very same things the Apostles did. To make disciples in the nations.
We have far too long attempted to draw line between those who minister and those who "don't." I am no more of a minister than any other member in the body of Christ. We are all called to impact the world and invest in the lives around us for Christ. Don't write that off and say that it is someone's else job to do that. God is tired of fat Christian. I don't mean size, but I mean heart, soul, and mind as-well. We are so good and soaking up God, and getting all the "I Need" out of Him. But being straight forward with you - we absolutely and positively (and repusively) are horrible at putting feet on our faith. We have become gluttons. This may sound shrude and harsh. But Christians have tried to be too nice for too long.
God is waiting to use us. But we must first stand up, we must first understand who we are, what we are equpped and gifted to do. We must get angry against the injustices in our world. And we must Act. I pray we Act.
