Matthew 13:13 (NIV) This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
Jesus’ explanation about why He used parables is a parable all by itself. Was He purposely trying to be unclear and difficult? Wasn’t His message something that should have required directness and clarity? Instead it’s like a message within a message or riddles for little children to ask about. Why doesn’t He speak with clarity like we expect in good sermonizing?
I’ve often pondered His purpose and design for using parables and when reading a book by Brian Maclaren, “The Secret Message of Jesus”, that I found the clearest explanation for such a “poor” method of dispensing cognitive information. I’m almost hesitant to write this excerpt as it will give away the secret. But as a friend of mine often reminds me, “When you tell someone the truth they only hear it if they want to.”
So here’s the excerpt for those that can hear the secrets of the kingdom.
“One might expect the disciples to ask, “What does this parable mean?” But instead they ask why: “Jesus, why are you doing this? You’re telling these stories, but nobody is getting your point. Can’t you find a clearer, more direct, obvious approach?”
Parables entice their hearers into new territory. If the goal is an interactive relationship (which is at the heart of terms like kingdom of God and eternal life, as we have seen), a parable succeeds where easy answers and obvious explanations couldn’t. With a clear and easy explanation, hearers can listen and achieve understanding and then go on their way, independent of the teacher. But when a parable confounds them, it invites them to ask questions, so they continue to depend on the teacher himself, not just their independent understanding of his words.
So if a parable leaves you confused, you will have one of two responses. You can respond with arrogant and impatient anger (“I have not idea what he’s saying. This is a waste of time!”), which makes you walk away. Or you can respond with eager and curious humility (“I can’t let this go. I must know more!”), which keeps you coming back. In this way parables have a capacity that goes beyond informing their hearers; parables also have the power to help transform them into interactive, interdependent, humble, inquisitive, and persistent people." (end of excerpt)
It’s probably why institutional church models with distant pastors are so captivating. We demand clear explanations with no confusion. Things are clearly spelled out and ritualized in such a way that further relationship building processes can be minimized or better yet, put into a memo or a policy.
But whoa!!! Kingdom of God stuff is all about relationships. We need more stories and more messy communication so that our hearts can be knit together by something deeper and more meaningful than a few axioms that make us look smart but often merely isolate. Let’s cherish the weaving back and forth of our stories through dialogue and action in such a way that we truly infect each other’s lives with His life.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A Pastor's Authority
Many people want to be under the authority of a pastor. I used to think that this was very important and that if you weren’t, then you would miss out on following God’s plan for your life. There have been books written to enforce this point with one of the latest being John Bevere’s, “Under Cover”. The point of having a covering is that you will know more freedom in Christ when you have it.
The problem of course with this thinking is that you must choose your “covering” in the first place. How do you know when it’s the right one? I addressed this in a different blog, Designer Pastor.
Some would say it’s ok to change your covering but for heaven’s sake make sure you have one. It’s in the Bible you know. It really is a nice thought that I can choose someone to follow and if he/she is limited in what they bring to me, it’s all their fault. Sounds like the perfect formula for abuse or to hide out from our own personal growth. Inevitably everyone is faced with choosing a different “authority figure” to cover them. Moves, deaths, transfers, or moral failure inevitably cause us to look elsewhere for this mystical experience of having a covering.
Let’s look at a mini case study to see if this quasi universal principle of a pastor’s authority really holds water. Picture a church of 400 people who have committed themselves to a designated authority figure whom they call their pastor. He implements a program called Alpha on Monday nights. Alpha is a twelve week teaching series by Nicky Gumbel that has broken through denominational lines because of it effectiveness. The genius behind Alpha is that there is a meal, a sermon, followed by dessert and discussion time. It has proven to be one of the most durable, innovative and successful church programs in recent history and can be found operating in almost every nation in the world.
The pastor of this church gets a brain wave because of the success of the Alpha program and besides, everyone taking the course is always asking what’s next? He realizes that one of the great things is that people get to know each other over a nice meal and enjoy being able to discuss amongst themselves their thoughts about what was taught. So this pastor with the aid of a few Alphaites decides to take it to the next level.
On Saturday, he clandestinely goes into the church sanctuary and rips out all of the pews and replaces them with round tables and comfortable chairs. Of course he can’t fit everyone into the sanctuary anymore, so he has to go to 4 services on Sunday to accommodate the new seating arrangement. He reasons that 1,700 years of the same methodology of using pews is more than enough. He knows that Jesus never did it that way. He hires a wonderful caterer to supply the food for the Sunday service “love feasts”. (Jude 1:12) He found this term in the Bible and is sure that his people will love the fact that he is being obedient to the scriptures. His people love him, therefore he is confident that they will enjoy this much more relational approach to church services.
A few comments overheard after the first Sunday.
“Multiple services, I won’t be able to know everyone.”
“The money for the food could have been given to the poor.”
“Wow, I’d love to invite my friends to this kind of service.”
“Who’s going to clean up afterwards?”
"We need to call an emergency board meeting."
"Food in the sanctuary. Isn't there a rule against that?"
"He wants us to think. What does he think we pay him for?"
“How dare he throw out my pew!!!”
"Another fad. He must think church is about knowing others."
“Pastors come and pastors go, we’ll get through this just like we always have.”
Here’s the question.
Of the 400 people, what percentage of the people will enjoy this new innovative style of sharing their lives together at this new Sunday “serve us”?
I have a feeling that some will love it and some will hate it. I even think that some will leave. But over what? Of the ones that leave, what percentage will be bigger: long time members or new members?
How important is a pastor’s authority and how much do people really believe in it?
Simple answer. It’s very important as long as it doesn’t cost anyone anything and it's especially important to the pastor.
The problem of course with this thinking is that you must choose your “covering” in the first place. How do you know when it’s the right one? I addressed this in a different blog, Designer Pastor.
Some would say it’s ok to change your covering but for heaven’s sake make sure you have one. It’s in the Bible you know. It really is a nice thought that I can choose someone to follow and if he/she is limited in what they bring to me, it’s all their fault. Sounds like the perfect formula for abuse or to hide out from our own personal growth. Inevitably everyone is faced with choosing a different “authority figure” to cover them. Moves, deaths, transfers, or moral failure inevitably cause us to look elsewhere for this mystical experience of having a covering.
Let’s look at a mini case study to see if this quasi universal principle of a pastor’s authority really holds water. Picture a church of 400 people who have committed themselves to a designated authority figure whom they call their pastor. He implements a program called Alpha on Monday nights. Alpha is a twelve week teaching series by Nicky Gumbel that has broken through denominational lines because of it effectiveness. The genius behind Alpha is that there is a meal, a sermon, followed by dessert and discussion time. It has proven to be one of the most durable, innovative and successful church programs in recent history and can be found operating in almost every nation in the world.
The pastor of this church gets a brain wave because of the success of the Alpha program and besides, everyone taking the course is always asking what’s next? He realizes that one of the great things is that people get to know each other over a nice meal and enjoy being able to discuss amongst themselves their thoughts about what was taught. So this pastor with the aid of a few Alphaites decides to take it to the next level.
On Saturday, he clandestinely goes into the church sanctuary and rips out all of the pews and replaces them with round tables and comfortable chairs. Of course he can’t fit everyone into the sanctuary anymore, so he has to go to 4 services on Sunday to accommodate the new seating arrangement. He reasons that 1,700 years of the same methodology of using pews is more than enough. He knows that Jesus never did it that way. He hires a wonderful caterer to supply the food for the Sunday service “love feasts”. (Jude 1:12) He found this term in the Bible and is sure that his people will love the fact that he is being obedient to the scriptures. His people love him, therefore he is confident that they will enjoy this much more relational approach to church services.
A few comments overheard after the first Sunday.
“Multiple services, I won’t be able to know everyone.”
“The money for the food could have been given to the poor.”
“Wow, I’d love to invite my friends to this kind of service.”
“Who’s going to clean up afterwards?”
"We need to call an emergency board meeting."
"Food in the sanctuary. Isn't there a rule against that?"
"He wants us to think. What does he think we pay him for?"
“How dare he throw out my pew!!!”
"Another fad. He must think church is about knowing others."
“Pastors come and pastors go, we’ll get through this just like we always have.”
Here’s the question.
Of the 400 people, what percentage of the people will enjoy this new innovative style of sharing their lives together at this new Sunday “serve us”?
I have a feeling that some will love it and some will hate it. I even think that some will leave. But over what? Of the ones that leave, what percentage will be bigger: long time members or new members?
How important is a pastor’s authority and how much do people really believe in it?
Simple answer. It’s very important as long as it doesn’t cost anyone anything and it's especially important to the pastor.
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Opposite of Love
What’s the opposite of love?
Some would say hate. No, I don’t think so. Hate has energy and creativity although it is always used destructively.
In the movie “Castaway”, Chuck Nolan, played by Tom Hanks, survives by talking to Wilson: played by a Wilson volleyball. (I wonder if Wilson won anything for best supporting character?)
In one of the poignant scenes near the end of the movie, Chuck is adrift on the ocean having given up all hope of rescue. Wilson gets loose from the raft and is drifting too far away to be saved. It is one of those teary eyed moments that is so very striking because when come to your senses and apply logic to the tragic separation it is merely about the loss of a volleyball.
What is the opposite of love? Nothingness, emptiness, loneliness…
Some would say hate. No, I don’t think so. Hate has energy and creativity although it is always used destructively.
In the movie “Castaway”, Chuck Nolan, played by Tom Hanks, survives by talking to Wilson: played by a Wilson volleyball. (I wonder if Wilson won anything for best supporting character?)
In one of the poignant scenes near the end of the movie, Chuck is adrift on the ocean having given up all hope of rescue. Wilson gets loose from the raft and is drifting too far away to be saved. It is one of those teary eyed moments that is so very striking because when come to your senses and apply logic to the tragic separation it is merely about the loss of a volleyball.
What is the opposite of love? Nothingness, emptiness, loneliness…
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
This is the Church
This is the church
and this is the steeple
open the doors
and see all the people.
This cute little children’s nursery rhyme is meant to be chanted while interlocking fingers together with the index fingers being the steeple, sums up many people’s definition of church. It’s a building with people wiggling around inside. (careful about the wiggling or you’ll be considered irreverent)
Greetings when you meet someone and find out that they’re a Christian.
What church do you belong to?
Who’s church do you belong to?
Common enough questions within church circles. If not answered with a name other than Jesus, your very essence of being a Christian may be regarded with skepticism, antagonism or pity. (Oops, even when you do give a name other than Jesus, you may still be regarded with skepticism, antagonism or pity.)
How was the word, church (ekklesia), morphed into meaning a building and/or a group of people led by one man? That’s a huge question that can only be understood through studying church history. Not for the faint of heart who want 5 second answers handed out neatly like napkins at a restaurant. Have no fear we can dispense of the history lesson because it’s actually easier to go back to the original meaning of the word. Whew, history lesson averted.
How the bible defines the word “church”.
Matt 16:18 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Ephe 1:22 (NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
1Pet 2:4 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Some would say, “I knew it meant that.”
Really? I'm so glad you know that we are brothers and sisters, His church, joined together by none other than Jesus Christ himself.
and this is the steeple
open the doors
and see all the people.
This cute little children’s nursery rhyme is meant to be chanted while interlocking fingers together with the index fingers being the steeple, sums up many people’s definition of church. It’s a building with people wiggling around inside. (careful about the wiggling or you’ll be considered irreverent)
Greetings when you meet someone and find out that they’re a Christian.
What church do you belong to?
Who’s church do you belong to?
Common enough questions within church circles. If not answered with a name other than Jesus, your very essence of being a Christian may be regarded with skepticism, antagonism or pity. (Oops, even when you do give a name other than Jesus, you may still be regarded with skepticism, antagonism or pity.)
How was the word, church (ekklesia), morphed into meaning a building and/or a group of people led by one man? That’s a huge question that can only be understood through studying church history. Not for the faint of heart who want 5 second answers handed out neatly like napkins at a restaurant. Have no fear we can dispense of the history lesson because it’s actually easier to go back to the original meaning of the word. Whew, history lesson averted.
How the bible defines the word “church”.
Matt 16:18 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Ephe 1:22 (NIV) And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
1Pet 2:4 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Some would say, “I knew it meant that.”
Really? I'm so glad you know that we are brothers and sisters, His church, joined together by none other than Jesus Christ himself.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Religious Dysfunction
I was talking with a pastor friend of mine yesterday and he was retelling a story of how a group of men that he is connected to are learning to be really open and honest with each other. On the drive home from visiting a prison the question came up about which of these sins: power, money or sex, have the greatest chance of creeping into their hearts. What was refreshing and encouraging to my friend was that the men answered honestly about their struggles and that they were there to strengthen each other in order to overcome their particular area of weakness.
I fully agree we need more honest discussions like these but I also know that within many church models these conversations and care are rare to say the least. Week after week many Christians unfailingly go to a Sunday church “serve us” and yet rarely end up in trusting relationships like my friend is experiencing.
We all definitely do battle with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. But sometimes we forget that these very destructive forces can be hidden within religious practices as well. I’ve counseled too many people who have struggled deeply with sinful actions and thoughts and yet have been part of a church system for most of their life. The simple question of who are your friends is both revealing and disturbing. Most don’t have friends like the ones I describe above. It is too shameful to open up to others on the journey because of pride or shame and with no one leading the way.
Even more disturbing is that many of these “churched” people can recite doctrinal truths accurately. But again when the most vital aspect of Christianity, friendships, is asked about, they kind of glaze over. Even my friend who is experiencing vital friendships describes them with great enthusiasm because they are such a rare commodity in his church system.
The rituals of religion have very little to do with knowing Jesus as our friend and building his church around friendships. When Jesus smiles at someone their life is changed. Interestingly enough when religious folk even hear the thought about Jesus smiling they can’t relate to its power.
This happened when Jesus was sitting with tax collectors and sinners around a meal. They would likely have been laughing and telling stories. Then the religious guys showed up with their long frowns and arms crossed to show their displeasure with such frivolousness. They couldn’t catch the transforming power of friendship, acceptance and love. Even when Jesus told them the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the tragic result of religious thinking that separated two sons they couldn’t comprehend how valued they and everyone is to God. Luke 15.
The older brother who represents religion in the story couldn’t fathom that his father would welcome back the prodigal with such selflessness and extravagance. He had stayed home and did what was right but his heart was far from his father’s.
Religion is like that. It emphasizes the right, the duties, the commitment, the morals, the rituals and even the truth but fails when it has no love. These same men who hated Jesus smiling and laughing with sinners, eventually used their religious understanding to conspire to put Him on the cross. John 12:9
I agree with my friend that it is a wonderful thing that men are learning to come alongside each other in their battle with sin. We simply need to recognize that within the battle to overcome those things which so easily entangle us is an even greater and more insidious threat of missing out on Father’s heart: religion itself.
How often have you heard this line after not being at a religious “serve us”, “We missed you?” Was a phone call made, a coffee invitation given or a meal provided? Of course not, why do that when a “serve us” has been provided to relieve our consciences and make others feel appropriately guilty when they have missed it?
How do we overcome? By loving one another and giving our lives for our friends who may be sinners.
I fully agree we need more honest discussions like these but I also know that within many church models these conversations and care are rare to say the least. Week after week many Christians unfailingly go to a Sunday church “serve us” and yet rarely end up in trusting relationships like my friend is experiencing.
We all definitely do battle with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. But sometimes we forget that these very destructive forces can be hidden within religious practices as well. I’ve counseled too many people who have struggled deeply with sinful actions and thoughts and yet have been part of a church system for most of their life. The simple question of who are your friends is both revealing and disturbing. Most don’t have friends like the ones I describe above. It is too shameful to open up to others on the journey because of pride or shame and with no one leading the way.
Even more disturbing is that many of these “churched” people can recite doctrinal truths accurately. But again when the most vital aspect of Christianity, friendships, is asked about, they kind of glaze over. Even my friend who is experiencing vital friendships describes them with great enthusiasm because they are such a rare commodity in his church system.
The rituals of religion have very little to do with knowing Jesus as our friend and building his church around friendships. When Jesus smiles at someone their life is changed. Interestingly enough when religious folk even hear the thought about Jesus smiling they can’t relate to its power.
This happened when Jesus was sitting with tax collectors and sinners around a meal. They would likely have been laughing and telling stories. Then the religious guys showed up with their long frowns and arms crossed to show their displeasure with such frivolousness. They couldn’t catch the transforming power of friendship, acceptance and love. Even when Jesus told them the story of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the tragic result of religious thinking that separated two sons they couldn’t comprehend how valued they and everyone is to God. Luke 15.
The older brother who represents religion in the story couldn’t fathom that his father would welcome back the prodigal with such selflessness and extravagance. He had stayed home and did what was right but his heart was far from his father’s.
Religion is like that. It emphasizes the right, the duties, the commitment, the morals, the rituals and even the truth but fails when it has no love. These same men who hated Jesus smiling and laughing with sinners, eventually used their religious understanding to conspire to put Him on the cross. John 12:9
I agree with my friend that it is a wonderful thing that men are learning to come alongside each other in their battle with sin. We simply need to recognize that within the battle to overcome those things which so easily entangle us is an even greater and more insidious threat of missing out on Father’s heart: religion itself.
How often have you heard this line after not being at a religious “serve us”, “We missed you?” Was a phone call made, a coffee invitation given or a meal provided? Of course not, why do that when a “serve us” has been provided to relieve our consciences and make others feel appropriately guilty when they have missed it?
How do we overcome? By loving one another and giving our lives for our friends who may be sinners.
Friday, June 15, 2007
In the Service
One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque.
It was covered with names with small American flags mounted on either side of it.
The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."
"Good morning "Pastor, what is this?" he asked the pastor.
The pastor said, "Well, son, it's a memorial plaque to all the young men and women who died in the Service."
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear, asked,
"Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"
(author unknown)
It was covered with names with small American flags mounted on either side of it.
The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."
"Good morning "Pastor, what is this?" he asked the pastor.
The pastor said, "Well, son, it's a memorial plaque to all the young men and women who died in the Service."
Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.
Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear, asked,
"Which service, the 8:30 or the 10:45?"
(author unknown)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A Pharisee's Way of Thinking
This is an excerpt from the book, “The Secret Message of Jesus”, by Brian D. McLaren. (page 12,13)
The Jewish people of Jesus’ day wanted to be free, to live in their own land without outside interference, occupation, and domination. In particular, it seemed wrong to the Jews, deeply wrong, that pagan nations would rule over a people who believed in the one true and living God. Why would the people with wrong, false religions rule over those with the right, true religion? How can we remain quiet and compliant citizens when our government is declaring itself to be god?” they would ask.
The Pharisees had a diagnosis and prescription: “The Lord would send Messiah to deliver us if we would just become purer. If we would obey the Bible’s teachings more rigorously, God would liberate us. There’s too much sin and not enough piety among us. If there were more righteous people like us and fewer sinners among us—fewer prostitutes, drunks, and Roman collaborators—then Roman domination would be brought to an end by God. It’s the fault of those notorious sinners that we remain under the heel of the Roman boot! Religious purity and rigor—that’s the answer!” (end of quote)
Interestingly enough, the Pharisees, for the most part, missed Jesus. What’s even scarier is that the Pharisees’ way of thinking is generally alive and well in many churches today and oh my, how it reaches out and seduces me way too often.
The Jewish people of Jesus’ day wanted to be free, to live in their own land without outside interference, occupation, and domination. In particular, it seemed wrong to the Jews, deeply wrong, that pagan nations would rule over a people who believed in the one true and living God. Why would the people with wrong, false religions rule over those with the right, true religion? How can we remain quiet and compliant citizens when our government is declaring itself to be god?” they would ask.
The Pharisees had a diagnosis and prescription: “The Lord would send Messiah to deliver us if we would just become purer. If we would obey the Bible’s teachings more rigorously, God would liberate us. There’s too much sin and not enough piety among us. If there were more righteous people like us and fewer sinners among us—fewer prostitutes, drunks, and Roman collaborators—then Roman domination would be brought to an end by God. It’s the fault of those notorious sinners that we remain under the heel of the Roman boot! Religious purity and rigor—that’s the answer!” (end of quote)
Interestingly enough, the Pharisees, for the most part, missed Jesus. What’s even scarier is that the Pharisees’ way of thinking is generally alive and well in many churches today and oh my, how it reaches out and seduces me way too often.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Handful of Dandelions
As I’ve been deconstructing my entire Christian experience over the past several months I have been plagued with one idea. I couldn’t shake it even though I had sincerely repented of ever having been a full time, paid minister. The thought was that I had cost my family a great deal of financial security that was my responsibility to provide.
I had been a toolmaker at General Motors throughout my twenties. The job was interesting and had built within it a high level of satisfaction due to its requirement of needing a fairly high skill level. The pay was great and the job was secure. In fact I would be able to retire next year if I had stayed. Instead of staying with this great job I felt I needed to quit to pursue full time ministry.
So at the age of 30, with 3 kids between 7 and 10, I quit GM and we marched off to Bible College in Peterborough for the next 4 years. I earned my degree in theology and then set our sights on ministering in a little church of about 50 people in Wawa, Ontario. 5 years later we left this little northern community and ended up in London, Ontario. We didn’t know anyone in this city but felt it was where we wanted to be. A few months later I ended up on staff at one of the larger churches in the city and pastored there for the next 2 and a half years. This chapter in my life gave me a bird’s eye view of the inner workings of both the small and the large church. Each setting allowed for a revealing of the ways of man and the ways of God to my heart.
As my journey continued, Therrie and I set sail (actually jet) to Korea to teach English for the next 3+ years. Our journey was one of being together with none of the religious duties or masks that had so crowded out our marriage. Korea became a wonderful place to hide in the cleft of the rock. We attended church on occasion but didn’t feel the duty to perform on a regular basis. This raised an eyebrow or two from some younger Christians that we were working with but we were content just to be with each other.
When we finally came back to Canada in 2004 it was a strange experience to return to our “Nazareth”. (for me Nazareth represents going back to a place of loss in order to hear God's perspective on it.) Therrie was busy teaching and I was learning what it meant to work out of our home as a self employed ‘entrepreneur’. But I was trying to answer questions that were beyond our own personal family life. How do we function here? What church do we perform in? Will I go back into the ministry that had so devastated our lives? Other questions were there for us as well and I had no answers. There were days when my heart burned to be in ministry once again and there were days that I wanted to run as far as possible from it.
And then something happened over these past 9 months that has changed my perspective more than anything else in my lifetime. I’ll write about the details at some other time but suffice it to say that everything about organized church life has been and is being demolished within my life. Thankfully it has not only been demolished but is being replaced by a deeper understanding of the body of Christ and God’s desire to be our friend.
Going back to the original idea that I had hurt my family financially because I now see all of my religious fervor, sacrifice and obedience as nothing but dung. I had taken my family on a journey that I had concluded was done with the mere teachings of man. I felt nothing but shame and loss. Even knowing how religion had so ensnared me, I still know how the religious tentacles of my life continue to reach out and suffocate me.
But then a friend gave me a gift yesterday. You see I was learning how much Father loves me and enjoys me but I was so trapped by my religious judgment of my wasted past that I had forgotten something. I had done many things that were based on false assumptions of what the Bible said about ministry. If I could go back I wouldn’t do any of them the same way again. I thought they were nothing but loss. Leonard allowed me to get away from myself and see through Father’s eyes.
This was a revelation to me. When I made my mistakes for Father, He saw me with nothing but love. He knew I was just a little child that could only bring a handful of dandelions to Him. I had “matured” and could only see the foolish dandelions. But now I see what He saw: a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
I had been a toolmaker at General Motors throughout my twenties. The job was interesting and had built within it a high level of satisfaction due to its requirement of needing a fairly high skill level. The pay was great and the job was secure. In fact I would be able to retire next year if I had stayed. Instead of staying with this great job I felt I needed to quit to pursue full time ministry.
So at the age of 30, with 3 kids between 7 and 10, I quit GM and we marched off to Bible College in Peterborough for the next 4 years. I earned my degree in theology and then set our sights on ministering in a little church of about 50 people in Wawa, Ontario. 5 years later we left this little northern community and ended up in London, Ontario. We didn’t know anyone in this city but felt it was where we wanted to be. A few months later I ended up on staff at one of the larger churches in the city and pastored there for the next 2 and a half years. This chapter in my life gave me a bird’s eye view of the inner workings of both the small and the large church. Each setting allowed for a revealing of the ways of man and the ways of God to my heart.
As my journey continued, Therrie and I set sail (actually jet) to Korea to teach English for the next 3+ years. Our journey was one of being together with none of the religious duties or masks that had so crowded out our marriage. Korea became a wonderful place to hide in the cleft of the rock. We attended church on occasion but didn’t feel the duty to perform on a regular basis. This raised an eyebrow or two from some younger Christians that we were working with but we were content just to be with each other.
When we finally came back to Canada in 2004 it was a strange experience to return to our “Nazareth”. (for me Nazareth represents going back to a place of loss in order to hear God's perspective on it.) Therrie was busy teaching and I was learning what it meant to work out of our home as a self employed ‘entrepreneur’. But I was trying to answer questions that were beyond our own personal family life. How do we function here? What church do we perform in? Will I go back into the ministry that had so devastated our lives? Other questions were there for us as well and I had no answers. There were days when my heart burned to be in ministry once again and there were days that I wanted to run as far as possible from it.
And then something happened over these past 9 months that has changed my perspective more than anything else in my lifetime. I’ll write about the details at some other time but suffice it to say that everything about organized church life has been and is being demolished within my life. Thankfully it has not only been demolished but is being replaced by a deeper understanding of the body of Christ and God’s desire to be our friend.
Going back to the original idea that I had hurt my family financially because I now see all of my religious fervor, sacrifice and obedience as nothing but dung. I had taken my family on a journey that I had concluded was done with the mere teachings of man. I felt nothing but shame and loss. Even knowing how religion had so ensnared me, I still know how the religious tentacles of my life continue to reach out and suffocate me.
But then a friend gave me a gift yesterday. You see I was learning how much Father loves me and enjoys me but I was so trapped by my religious judgment of my wasted past that I had forgotten something. I had done many things that were based on false assumptions of what the Bible said about ministry. If I could go back I wouldn’t do any of them the same way again. I thought they were nothing but loss. Leonard allowed me to get away from myself and see through Father’s eyes.
This was a revelation to me. When I made my mistakes for Father, He saw me with nothing but love. He knew I was just a little child that could only bring a handful of dandelions to Him. I had “matured” and could only see the foolish dandelions. But now I see what He saw: a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Jesus: Legend, Liar, Lunatic or Lord?
In my previous blog, Do You Like New Wine, I gave an impression that new wine is about today. I need to correct that impression. The new wine that Jesus was speaking of, is himself. He is the one that came to change the very essence of how we are to know God.
His declarations about himself make us answer the question of whether we believe he was a legend, a liar, a lunatic or Lord.
I didn’t expect to put in so many of his words but why not take 10 minutes of your life and ponder what Jesus said of himself.
He said:
Matt 11:29 (NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matt 16:16 (NIV) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Matt 16:21 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Matt 18:19 (NIV) "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matt 20:26 (NIV) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matt 28:19 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 1:41 (NIV) Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Mark 14:61b (NIV) Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Luke 4:18 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
John 6:35 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:28 (NIV) So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:58 (NIV) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 9:1 (NIV) As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 10:7 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:14 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 11:25 (NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 12:32 (KJS) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:10 (NIV) Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 17:24 (NIV) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 18:36 (NIV) Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
John 15:1 (NIV) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
His declarations about himself make us answer the question of whether we believe he was a legend, a liar, a lunatic or Lord.
I didn’t expect to put in so many of his words but why not take 10 minutes of your life and ponder what Jesus said of himself.
He said:
Matt 11:29 (NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matt 16:16 (NIV) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
Matt 16:21 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Matt 18:19 (NIV) "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Matt 20:26 (NIV) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matt 28:19 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 1:41 (NIV) Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Mark 14:61b (NIV) Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Luke 4:18 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
John 6:35 (NIV) Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:28 (NIV) So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am [the one I claim to be] and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." 30 Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:58 (NIV) "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
John 9:1 (NIV) As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
John 10:7 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:14 (NIV) "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 11:25 (NIV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 12:32 (KJS) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
John 14:10 (NIV) Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 17:24 (NIV) "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."
John 18:36 (NIV) Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.
Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
John 15:1 (NIV) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Do You Like New Wine?
As a non-wine connoisseur I don’t fully know how to relate to Jesus’ teaching about old wine and new wine. Luke 5:39 (NIV) And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, `The old is better.'" I gather from Jesus’ illustration that aged wine is preferable to freshly made wine.
He is talking about new wine to help us understand something in the spiritual through something that is apparent in the natural. New wine represents the present or today. It is not about yesterday. Jesus makes it clear that in the same way that people prefer old wine, that they will prefer yesterday spiritually. It is why traditions and rituals are the favorite pastimes of us all. The innovator of today becomes tomorrow's pillar promoting the past.
Living in the ‘now’ is actually very challenging for me. I’m not really thrilled with asking God for my ‘daily’ bread. I have a fridge, 3 freezers and a large pantry. I like enjoying ‘today’ with the security of yesterday at my beck and call.
In the same way I like religion that is predictable and ritualistic. Sure, I can put it in new garments like a new building or a new worship song once in a while, but generally I prefer living in the known. Believe it or not I actually like religious services that are scheduled and meet my expectations. I don’t like being like a little child in which each day is a wonderful mystery unfolding before my eyes.
In a blog by Ashleigh, she describes a wonderful experience of living in the 'now'. I don't know of any religious structures that could have accomplished that life embracing, 'spiritual' experience. I have a deep sense that that is God's desire for us. Expect the unexpected should be the norm of everyone of God's children.
Jesus never stopped shocking people in the 'now'. He seemed to love living as the I AM. Exod 3:14 (NKJV) And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.' "
Since, I AM, is living in us, it follows that the “now” needs a wineskin that can contain it. Interesting enough the only wineskin (structure) that is pliable enough to contain the present is you and I. This is why Peter describes us this way;
1Pet 2:4 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
When we describe our relationship with “I AM” through structures that are made from yesterday, ie. buildings, rituals, traditions, we miss out on the wonder of ‘today’. Religious structures and systems are simply not responsive enough to keep up with the God of “today”.
What does all this mean? Do you like new wine?
He is talking about new wine to help us understand something in the spiritual through something that is apparent in the natural. New wine represents the present or today. It is not about yesterday. Jesus makes it clear that in the same way that people prefer old wine, that they will prefer yesterday spiritually. It is why traditions and rituals are the favorite pastimes of us all. The innovator of today becomes tomorrow's pillar promoting the past.
Living in the ‘now’ is actually very challenging for me. I’m not really thrilled with asking God for my ‘daily’ bread. I have a fridge, 3 freezers and a large pantry. I like enjoying ‘today’ with the security of yesterday at my beck and call.
In the same way I like religion that is predictable and ritualistic. Sure, I can put it in new garments like a new building or a new worship song once in a while, but generally I prefer living in the known. Believe it or not I actually like religious services that are scheduled and meet my expectations. I don’t like being like a little child in which each day is a wonderful mystery unfolding before my eyes.
In a blog by Ashleigh, she describes a wonderful experience of living in the 'now'. I don't know of any religious structures that could have accomplished that life embracing, 'spiritual' experience. I have a deep sense that that is God's desire for us. Expect the unexpected should be the norm of everyone of God's children.
Jesus never stopped shocking people in the 'now'. He seemed to love living as the I AM. Exod 3:14 (NKJV) And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, `I AM has sent me to you.' "
Since, I AM, is living in us, it follows that the “now” needs a wineskin that can contain it. Interesting enough the only wineskin (structure) that is pliable enough to contain the present is you and I. This is why Peter describes us this way;
1Pet 2:4 (NIV) As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
When we describe our relationship with “I AM” through structures that are made from yesterday, ie. buildings, rituals, traditions, we miss out on the wonder of ‘today’. Religious structures and systems are simply not responsive enough to keep up with the God of “today”.
What does all this mean? Do you like new wine?
Friday, June 1, 2007
What Am I Doing Wrong?
How often have I heard these thoughts in religious circles?
If I tithe I will be prosperous.
If I fast I will be healed.
If I pray more I will receive more answers.
If I memorize more of the Bible I will know God more.
If I give up everything I will be loved.
If I sacrifice there will be no pain.
And yet there are times when God is crushingly silent with all of our efforts.
Pagan religion even takes it a step further and sacrifices children to appease their gods.
The reality is that it all comes from this horrid question of what am I doing wrong?
Friends don’t demand anything from their friends. They enjoy being with them and do not like the feeling of manipulation or control. It doesn’t seem friendly when those things are felt.
Friends give to each other but they do not take. When we ask, "what am I doing wrong or what can I do more to get God to do my bidding", we aren’t exactly calling Him our friend.
Above all else He has called us to be friends. He even says we’re not His friend if we’re not friends with each other.
So, let’s be friends with each other and with Jesus.
If I tithe I will be prosperous.
If I fast I will be healed.
If I pray more I will receive more answers.
If I memorize more of the Bible I will know God more.
If I give up everything I will be loved.
If I sacrifice there will be no pain.
And yet there are times when God is crushingly silent with all of our efforts.
Pagan religion even takes it a step further and sacrifices children to appease their gods.
The reality is that it all comes from this horrid question of what am I doing wrong?
Friends don’t demand anything from their friends. They enjoy being with them and do not like the feeling of manipulation or control. It doesn’t seem friendly when those things are felt.
Friends give to each other but they do not take. When we ask, "what am I doing wrong or what can I do more to get God to do my bidding", we aren’t exactly calling Him our friend.
Above all else He has called us to be friends. He even says we’re not His friend if we’re not friends with each other.
So, let’s be friends with each other and with Jesus.
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