Luke 6:6 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.3 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and athe ruin of that house was great.”
The Tornadoes that ripped through the Southeast on April 27th were devasting. The trails of death, rubble and destruction throughout my home state of Alabama look more like the effects of carpet bombing than a tornado. Walking through rubble of what used to be people's homes and lives is humbling and will force you to examine the true fragility of our days on Earth and the things we wrongly view as safe and secure. One thing that is impossible to notice as you walk through the carnage is the difference between total and partial destruction from the winds often depended on the foundational strength of the structure. Homes that had no rock solid foundation, anchored deeply into the Earth, were tossed around with great violence and mostly destroyed when the 200 mph winds engaged them. The stories of people whose homes took a direct hit, but escaped death by huddling in their "safe places" are incredible. Among the many faith lessons of struggle and victory in the wake of the destruction lies a simple one for us all. We all need a "safe place" that has an unshakeable foundation.
I have a picture of a house in my mind that specifically stoked the fire of this blog post. This one house had deeply poured concrete foundations that anchored it and held the structure of the house together while many of the houses around it had evaporated. I believe this is the same picture that Jesus wants to paint in our hearts about obedience to Him and our salvation. I want to be clear that I am not saying anything about people's obedience or disobedience and their fate during the tornadoes, as that is God's job. What I am saying is that one day we will face a spiritual test of our spiritual foundations as we stand before God that will mirror what happened to the structures as the violent winds tested their integrity.
Jesus' words are quite clear. If you want an unshakable foundation that is divinely anchored by His Power to Him, then joyful obedience based on desire for Him and His Glory is the only answer. The building your house upon the rock is much more than knowing about Jesus, singing the cute songs we learned in school and attending religious events. Jesus is crystal clear that the integrity and strength of our spiritual house, called the soul, is only unshakable when we fully lean in to His identity and submit to Him. When we know Him, we can't help but follow. When we follow, we melt into Him and His love as we are transformed into Him.
Throughout the bible, God is referred to as a refuge. Standing before the judgement seat of Christ, the only safe place of refuge will be worshipping at the feet of Jesus. Are you there?
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Higher Love
1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we may die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you are healed.
Everyone intuitively knows that there has to be a deeper meaning and purpose in life than mortgages, two week vacations, smart phone apps, new toys and shiny cars. Busyness, indebtedness and constant over communication can leave us tired, searching for a true peace and just plain worn out. We know there is something bigger and better for us out there, we just don't really have the time to investigate what it might be. Check out the lyrics to Steve Winwood's Higher Love, one of my favorites from the 80':
Think about it, there must be higher love
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above
Without it, life is wasted time
Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine
Things look so bad everywhere
In this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind and we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love, oh
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love, I keep thinking of?
Obviously , Steve sees the monotonous routine of life as mostly underwhelming. He is craving something bigger than himself, his world and routine. He is searching for a higher love. I believe we all are, unfortunately we tend to look in all of the wrong places. Peter in the verse above, and throughout His ministry, is passionately calling us to look at Christ and His mercy and Love on the cross. The Higher Love that Peter is declaring, Steve Winwood is singing about, and our souls crave is Jesus. His love is a self sacrificing love that not only provides mercy at judgement, but overpowers our sins in our lives. As we worship and obey Jesus, the conquering King and suffering servant, our hearts are freed from slavery to sin. The captivating power of His love overcomes our weak desires to dabble in destructive sin habits and propels us to thrive in His love. He replaces our desires to sin with desires for Holiness and purity. How can we not fall head over heels for a God that will take our judgement and change our hearts to yearn for Holy and Helpful things, friends, habits and worship?
It is only when we engage our maker through the worship of Christ that we find any true and lasting peace and purpose. To answer Mr. Winwood's question of "Where's this higher love, I keep thinking of?" It is at the foot of the cross where we find the only true Higher Love. Take a look at any newspaper, or news source, and thoroughly investigate the struggle of mankind around the world, in your city, neighborhood and family. Steve is dead on. We all desperately need a higher love to free us from our struggles and even ourselves.
May the Hope of Glory touch and activate your heart with a Higher Love.
Everyone intuitively knows that there has to be a deeper meaning and purpose in life than mortgages, two week vacations, smart phone apps, new toys and shiny cars. Busyness, indebtedness and constant over communication can leave us tired, searching for a true peace and just plain worn out. We know there is something bigger and better for us out there, we just don't really have the time to investigate what it might be. Check out the lyrics to Steve Winwood's Higher Love, one of my favorites from the 80':
Think about it, there must be higher love
Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above
Without it, life is wasted time
Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine
Things look so bad everywhere
In this whole world, what is fair?
We walk blind and we try to see
Falling behind in what could be
Bring me a higher love
Bring me a higher love, oh
Bring me a higher love
Where's that higher love, I keep thinking of?
Obviously , Steve sees the monotonous routine of life as mostly underwhelming. He is craving something bigger than himself, his world and routine. He is searching for a higher love. I believe we all are, unfortunately we tend to look in all of the wrong places. Peter in the verse above, and throughout His ministry, is passionately calling us to look at Christ and His mercy and Love on the cross. The Higher Love that Peter is declaring, Steve Winwood is singing about, and our souls crave is Jesus. His love is a self sacrificing love that not only provides mercy at judgement, but overpowers our sins in our lives. As we worship and obey Jesus, the conquering King and suffering servant, our hearts are freed from slavery to sin. The captivating power of His love overcomes our weak desires to dabble in destructive sin habits and propels us to thrive in His love. He replaces our desires to sin with desires for Holiness and purity. How can we not fall head over heels for a God that will take our judgement and change our hearts to yearn for Holy and Helpful things, friends, habits and worship?
It is only when we engage our maker through the worship of Christ that we find any true and lasting peace and purpose. To answer Mr. Winwood's question of "Where's this higher love, I keep thinking of?" It is at the foot of the cross where we find the only true Higher Love. Take a look at any newspaper, or news source, and thoroughly investigate the struggle of mankind around the world, in your city, neighborhood and family. Steve is dead on. We all desperately need a higher love to free us from our struggles and even ourselves.
May the Hope of Glory touch and activate your heart with a Higher Love.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Margaritaville
Hebrews 4:10 For whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his worls as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience
I just got back form the beach yesterday and found some true physical and spiritual rest that was well needed as life has been zooming lately. Have you ever really thought about your search and need for rest? Most people at the beach are hard at work trying to rest. The theme of "Margaritiville", by Jimmy Buffet kind of says it all:
Nibblin on sponge cake
Watchin the sun bake
All of those tourists covered with oil
Strummin my six-string
On my front porch swing
Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil
Chorus:
Wastin away again in margaritaville
Searching for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame
But I know it's nobodys fault
This song, more than any other, sums up what most of us have chased after in our lives. The heartbeat of the song is to saturate yourself in a carefree, margarita -induced, no schedule, beach chill out. Why can so many people identify with that? The message of "carefree rest" is a message that we all desperately need to hear in our lives of smart phones and urinal advertisements. We all need a break. We all need rest. I know I do.
If you think deeply about work and rest, it is pretty complex. Not only do we work hard at our jobs, but there is an underlying work underneath the work. We work hard to prove to the world our identity as an executive, room mother, athlete, low-body fat health nut, leader, proud parent of the slugger or gymnast, and many other things. The work we do is taxing, but not nearly as taxing as the pressure to build your own identity which is the work underneath the work. When the identities we build come crashing down, our natural instinct is to either work twice as hard as before to rebuild them, or we just head to the beach and crank up Margaritiville. Even though Margaritiville may help you ignore reality for a while, it leaves you more tired than when you started. If you don't believe me just drive to the beach and watch families pack up on Saturdays. It isn't a pretty sight. Stress is thick.
Is there hope for us? How do we rest? The author of Hebrews sees a bright hope and offers up a suggestion and a warning. He shares with us that w all have an opportunity to find a truly deep rest in the finished work of Christ on the Cross. He says you are going to have to strive to get it as you follow Christ on some seemingly odd paths at times, but if you want a permanent rest in a perfect identity, then look to Christ. It is only when we rest in His work and identity that we really have any true rest. Any striving we do to construct any other identity outside the one he offers is guaranteed to wear us out.
So ask yourself, what am I trying to prove to the world? Who do I want people to see me as? Are you deep at work trying to be accepted because people have hurt you?
There is only one work, one person that is acceptable to God, Jesus. So next time you are worn out ask yourself," why?" If you look deep enough, you will find out you are hard at work trying to prove yourself to God and man. Breaking that wicked cycle is the reason Jesus came. "Seek him all who are weary and are heavy laden and he will give you rest."
And the warning Jesus gives? Avoiding his rest will leave you restless eternally.
What depth do Jesus' words on the cross, "it is finished", hold in your heart?
I just got back form the beach yesterday and found some true physical and spiritual rest that was well needed as life has been zooming lately. Have you ever really thought about your search and need for rest? Most people at the beach are hard at work trying to rest. The theme of "Margaritiville", by Jimmy Buffet kind of says it all:
Nibblin on sponge cake
Watchin the sun bake
All of those tourists covered with oil
Strummin my six-string
On my front porch swing
Smell those shrimp they're beginnin to boil
Chorus:
Wastin away again in margaritaville
Searching for my lost shaker of salt
Some people claim that there's a woman to blame
But I know it's nobodys fault
This song, more than any other, sums up what most of us have chased after in our lives. The heartbeat of the song is to saturate yourself in a carefree, margarita -induced, no schedule, beach chill out. Why can so many people identify with that? The message of "carefree rest" is a message that we all desperately need to hear in our lives of smart phones and urinal advertisements. We all need a break. We all need rest. I know I do.
If you think deeply about work and rest, it is pretty complex. Not only do we work hard at our jobs, but there is an underlying work underneath the work. We work hard to prove to the world our identity as an executive, room mother, athlete, low-body fat health nut, leader, proud parent of the slugger or gymnast, and many other things. The work we do is taxing, but not nearly as taxing as the pressure to build your own identity which is the work underneath the work. When the identities we build come crashing down, our natural instinct is to either work twice as hard as before to rebuild them, or we just head to the beach and crank up Margaritiville. Even though Margaritiville may help you ignore reality for a while, it leaves you more tired than when you started. If you don't believe me just drive to the beach and watch families pack up on Saturdays. It isn't a pretty sight. Stress is thick.
Is there hope for us? How do we rest? The author of Hebrews sees a bright hope and offers up a suggestion and a warning. He shares with us that w all have an opportunity to find a truly deep rest in the finished work of Christ on the Cross. He says you are going to have to strive to get it as you follow Christ on some seemingly odd paths at times, but if you want a permanent rest in a perfect identity, then look to Christ. It is only when we rest in His work and identity that we really have any true rest. Any striving we do to construct any other identity outside the one he offers is guaranteed to wear us out.
So ask yourself, what am I trying to prove to the world? Who do I want people to see me as? Are you deep at work trying to be accepted because people have hurt you?
There is only one work, one person that is acceptable to God, Jesus. So next time you are worn out ask yourself," why?" If you look deep enough, you will find out you are hard at work trying to prove yourself to God and man. Breaking that wicked cycle is the reason Jesus came. "Seek him all who are weary and are heavy laden and he will give you rest."
And the warning Jesus gives? Avoiding his rest will leave you restless eternally.
What depth do Jesus' words on the cross, "it is finished", hold in your heart?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Kiss the Frog
Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to me an does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me can not be my disciple. 28 for which of you desiring to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish"
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has can not be my disciple.
These words above are some of the most demanding and challenging words that Jesus ever spoke. People for centuries have tried to soften, pull down and find cracks in this ultimatum of Jesus. His blunt words are "Whoever does not pick up their cross (instrument of brutal execution of one's body) and follow me can not be my disciple". "Whoever who does not renounce all that He has can not be my disciple". Jesus lovingly says "count the cost" before you come to follow as you will lose anything that has any meaning to you. You will lose your identity, control of your schedule, possessions, thoughts, passions, ambition, desires and work. You will lose your privileges (if you have any), right to use your money as you please (namely on you) and social standing. Jesus says if you want to be my disciple you will have to come hating everything else in comparison.
No doubt these are tough words for our ears to hear. I have read many books and had many sermons preached that have pierced my privileged American Heart. What do you think Jesus is really after in this picture?
In the American interpretation of the Brother's Grimm fairy tale, The frog Prince, The beautiful Queen encounters a slimy frog. As most of you know, she has to perform an apparently dreadful duty of kissing the frog. It only appears dreadful, because a spell has masked the true beauty of the Handsome Prince to her eyes. She enters into the kiss dutifully, as her eyes are deceived. As the spell is broken and the prince is revealed in His splendor and beauty, she is overwhelmed with Joy at the Work of her kiss. What seemed like a dreadful duty, was really the most joyous work available and her rewards were everything that a fairy tale princess could want. The Handsome Prince who would take care of her for happily ever after.
I have met people who take Jesus challenge in the verses above as a lifelong tag of misery, debasing themselves as the center of the challenge. The center of Jesus challenge and calling is Him as our identity and treasure, not our works. The problem is our sin nature masks the beautiful invitation of Jesus, just like the spell makes the Handsome Prince look like a frog. We can read these tall words and think , "Oh man, if I follow Jesus my life will be devoid of any joy, identity, and life. It will be a dreadful mundane imprisonment." In fact, just the opposite is true. Losing yourself in Christ is the only way to have any true joy, lasting identity and freedom from spiritual imprisonment. We must recognize that our flesh wants to mask Jesus offer as a dreadful duty that sucks the life out of you. Again, the truth is that Jesus is offering the only true life source available. Once someone counts the costs of following, and submits to the graceful cleansing of Christ's blood washing over the power of fleshy disillusionment, one will realize that dying in the flesh is beautiful. The ultimate handsome prince will truly be our refuge and there will truly be a happily ever after.
Now be aware that Jesus often asks us to do seemingly dreadful and dangerous things once we are His. Giving up our money, time,position in life, privileges, and all of the things that once made us who we were. The difference will be that the believer sees this as simply a joyful reward to serve His Savior King, not a dutiful task to approach with misery. Jesus is not inviting us to prove our worth to Him by our far reaching self empowered sacrifice. He is offering us a chance to rest in His.
So how do these words strike your heart? Is Jesus' offer a dread to you? Does it send you into a "i will prove my self to you" mode?
Jesus' ministry is about drawing sons and daughters to His feet for worship. he is about freeing people from misery and dread as we feast with the King at His table to celebrate His work. Personally, I know that I need more faith each day to see the Joy of toting around my Cross that kills Chad and tranforms me into Christ. The costs of discipleship are not mine to pay at all. Jesus has already done that in my place. The choice of free will simply ask my soul and yours, "Is Christ identity and work worthy enough to replace yours?" The answer is an obvious "yes". Unfortunately many people can't see how beautiful Christ is. they see the offer of "follow me" just like kissing a frog.
If you can not see the joy in following, please pray that Jesus would help you break the hold that sin has in your life.
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has can not be my disciple.
These words above are some of the most demanding and challenging words that Jesus ever spoke. People for centuries have tried to soften, pull down and find cracks in this ultimatum of Jesus. His blunt words are "Whoever does not pick up their cross (instrument of brutal execution of one's body) and follow me can not be my disciple". "Whoever who does not renounce all that He has can not be my disciple". Jesus lovingly says "count the cost" before you come to follow as you will lose anything that has any meaning to you. You will lose your identity, control of your schedule, possessions, thoughts, passions, ambition, desires and work. You will lose your privileges (if you have any), right to use your money as you please (namely on you) and social standing. Jesus says if you want to be my disciple you will have to come hating everything else in comparison.
No doubt these are tough words for our ears to hear. I have read many books and had many sermons preached that have pierced my privileged American Heart. What do you think Jesus is really after in this picture?
In the American interpretation of the Brother's Grimm fairy tale, The frog Prince, The beautiful Queen encounters a slimy frog. As most of you know, she has to perform an apparently dreadful duty of kissing the frog. It only appears dreadful, because a spell has masked the true beauty of the Handsome Prince to her eyes. She enters into the kiss dutifully, as her eyes are deceived. As the spell is broken and the prince is revealed in His splendor and beauty, she is overwhelmed with Joy at the Work of her kiss. What seemed like a dreadful duty, was really the most joyous work available and her rewards were everything that a fairy tale princess could want. The Handsome Prince who would take care of her for happily ever after.
I have met people who take Jesus challenge in the verses above as a lifelong tag of misery, debasing themselves as the center of the challenge. The center of Jesus challenge and calling is Him as our identity and treasure, not our works. The problem is our sin nature masks the beautiful invitation of Jesus, just like the spell makes the Handsome Prince look like a frog. We can read these tall words and think , "Oh man, if I follow Jesus my life will be devoid of any joy, identity, and life. It will be a dreadful mundane imprisonment." In fact, just the opposite is true. Losing yourself in Christ is the only way to have any true joy, lasting identity and freedom from spiritual imprisonment. We must recognize that our flesh wants to mask Jesus offer as a dreadful duty that sucks the life out of you. Again, the truth is that Jesus is offering the only true life source available. Once someone counts the costs of following, and submits to the graceful cleansing of Christ's blood washing over the power of fleshy disillusionment, one will realize that dying in the flesh is beautiful. The ultimate handsome prince will truly be our refuge and there will truly be a happily ever after.
Now be aware that Jesus often asks us to do seemingly dreadful and dangerous things once we are His. Giving up our money, time,position in life, privileges, and all of the things that once made us who we were. The difference will be that the believer sees this as simply a joyful reward to serve His Savior King, not a dutiful task to approach with misery. Jesus is not inviting us to prove our worth to Him by our far reaching self empowered sacrifice. He is offering us a chance to rest in His.
So how do these words strike your heart? Is Jesus' offer a dread to you? Does it send you into a "i will prove my self to you" mode?
Jesus' ministry is about drawing sons and daughters to His feet for worship. he is about freeing people from misery and dread as we feast with the King at His table to celebrate His work. Personally, I know that I need more faith each day to see the Joy of toting around my Cross that kills Chad and tranforms me into Christ. The costs of discipleship are not mine to pay at all. Jesus has already done that in my place. The choice of free will simply ask my soul and yours, "Is Christ identity and work worthy enough to replace yours?" The answer is an obvious "yes". Unfortunately many people can't see how beautiful Christ is. they see the offer of "follow me" just like kissing a frog.
If you can not see the joy in following, please pray that Jesus would help you break the hold that sin has in your life.
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