I am........the reason for the season!

As we approach Christmas it is good to put aside the food, gifts and family time to focus on the "reason for the season" the Lord Jesus Christ. To not focus first and foremost on Christ takes the Christ out of Christmas and you end up with a ..............mas. A time without meaning beyond the temporal.

Todays writer Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) writes a style of metaphor common to the Middle Ages and foreign to post reformation Christians about the "The Bridge". While difficult understand to it creates a word picture of Jesus being a bridge through the cross to "the Father". Which for us is good to focus on in this Christmas season. You may say but that is an Easter theme and to a certain extent is true. But for me if  we don't acknowledge the work of the cross then the significance of Christmas does not make complete sense. The Father sent has Son so that we might be reunited with him. This begins with one the most significant events in human history........... the birth of the Christ Child, Immanuel "Christ with us"

Jesus said of himself That I AM the way the truth and the life. We could do to focus on that this season . He is the only way to the Father, He is the truth that will show you the way and lastly he is the life that you will gain on the way as you on Christlikeness. In an age were Hope is in short supply for many this is a story of hope and redemption that we cannot afford to put off to the side.

As Richard Foster commented Catherine's work has echoes in the 20th Century in the Simon and Garfunkel song Bridge over troubled if we use that as an analogy it may become clearer. Jesus indeed is our bridge in the troubled world we live in.

May you have blessed time with you those you love this Christmas but...................acknowledge your "first love" then all will be well whatever happens!

I love that bottom  statement about what you are hear!. What you listening for this Christmas?

Hidden and not so hidden dangers

Our Christianity today can be put into very positive terms a lot of the time, but are their hidden dangers. This weeks author  who wrote Christian Perfection thinks so. John Wesley is the well known as a founding father of modern Methodism. His work is practical advice for those seeking perfection. This however did not mean to Wesley that we had become sinless but had desire to be fully in love God with one's whole heart, soul,mind and strength.

The first of his dangers is Pride:
He states that the advice he would give to those who are saved by grace was watch and pray continually against pride. For it is pride not only to ascribe what we have to ourselves, but also think we have what we do not. I find this last part of the statement really interesting that we think we have what we do not. I think this is a very real potential for the modern church. We think we are in a better place than we possibly are. Certainly food for thought there.

The second of his dangers is enthusiasm:
I must admit I was a little perplexed when I first read the title of enthusiasm. However reading on made more sense.

He entitled enthusiasm the daughter of pride is enthusiasm where ascribe everything to God , supposing visions dreams and voices to special revelations that God has given you. While they may be from God they may also be from the Devil. He stressed the need to test every spirit. I can attest to this one I once bought a car because of a dream and it ended up costing us a fortune in the long run. possibly not from God. Because I usually didn't have dreams I could remember I assume it it was from God..................maybe not, may be just a little over enthusiastic.

I have only chosen a couple more as being relevant to todays church.

Next we have the dangers of Sins of Omission:
This is avoiding doing good when we have the opportunity......................according to Wesley we need to zealous for good works Give no place to laziness. Are we lazy in the outworking of our faith? A Sound and important question................. Faith without works is dead - James

The last danger for today is desiring to do anything but God.
Jesus said "If your eye remains single your whole body will be full of light"

Do not allow the desire for tasteful food or other pleasures of the senses to rule you, the desire of pleasing of the eye or imagination, the desire for money praise or power to rule you. While you have the ability to feel these desires, you are not compelled to feel them Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. In an age where distractions abound it is good advice to put Christ in the centre of our lives. It kind of goes with Paul's statement all things are permissible, but not all are useful. The key statement for me in Wesley's thoughts are the three words to rule over you. With Jesus Christ at the Centre that can not happen, however with ourselves at the centre distractions can easily reign over us.

These may seem old fashioned thoughts but are indeed wisdom that the modern church would benefit from. May be we should be looking for perfection in Wesley's terms.

God’s Economy?

In establishing the Church of the Saviour, Elizabeth O’Conner explained they needed to establish how future church members would handle money. Would they tithe, would they tithe and add some? Would it be up to the individual?

They decided to ask Reinhold Niebuhr an eminent theologian his opinion of their thoughts. He came with the concept of proportionate giving: “We covenant with Christ and one another to give proportionately beginning with a tithe of our incomes.”

I am just going to use Elizabeth’s words here because I can do no better:

“None of us has to be an accountant to know what 10% of our gross income is, but each of has to be on our knees before God if we are to understand our commitment to proportionate giving.

Proportionate to what? Proportionate to the accumulated wealth of one’s family? Proportionate to one’s income and the demands upon it, which vary from family to family? Proportionate to one’s sense of security and the degree of anxiety with which one lives? Proportionate to the keenness of our awareness of those who suffer? Proportionate to our sense of justice and God’s ownership of all wealth? Proportionate to our sense of stewardship for those who follow after us? And so on and so forth. The answer of course is in proportion to all of these things.” – Elizabeth O’Connor

These thoughts are challenging given the modern Christian environment we move in. I do know of churches that would subscribe to this style of economic thinking……………what about you?

A realistic opinion of yourself!

Humility is not a common characteristic in our 21st century there are so many things vying for our attention, including people organisations and causes. The way of our world is blatant self promotion. This is quite contrary to the values espoused in the Gospels, but the Christian world and individual Christians can become easily ensnared.

That is why I so love the work of our next writer Jeremy Taylor (1713-1667). He is so in your face with truth. So I am going to give you straight quotes for a start because I can do no better.

The grace of humility is exercised in the following rules.
First do not think better of yourself because of any outward circumstance that happens to you. Although you may - because of the gifts bestowed upon you - be better at something that someone else ( as one horse runs faster than another), know that it is for the benefit of others, not yourself.
Remember that you are merely human and that you have nothing in yourself that merits worth except your right choices.

Second, Humility does not consist in criticizing yourself, or wearing ragged clothes or walking around submissively wherever you go. Humility consists of  a realistic opinion of yourself namely that you are an unworthy person. Believe this about yourself with the same certainty you believe that you are hungry when you have gone without food.

Third, When you this opinion of yourself be content that others think the same of you. If you realise that you are not wise, do not be angry if someone else should agree!

Fourth, Nurture a love to do good things in secret, concealed from the eyes of others and therefore not highly esteemed because of them. Be content to go without praise, never being troubled when someone has slighted or undervalued you. remember no one can undervalue you if you are unworthy.

There are another eight rules, but we just don't have time to cover them at this stage.

Wow this is very radical thinking for our day and age! Acknowledging that it is by God's grace that we have any gift or ability. to develop any of these gifts is but to do what is right before god as long as we acknowledge they are not for our glory but the glory of God and the service of others.

I must admit that I so struggle at times if I do not get recognised for what I do or my ideas. This puts an entirely new spin on it. I obviously have some work to do.  There in may be the beginning of my right choices.It may not be easily be received in our generation because it counter cultural, especially in an age of the celebrity preachers and mega churches.

Definitely food for thought!!

Until Next time

John maybe be quite right.

Hannah Whitall Smith was a Quaker born in 1832 makes some interesting comments as she talks about the decline of our first love relationship to one of obligation and duty. I would imagine all of us who have been around the Christian world for some time will have experienced that.

She describes it like this: The souls finds itself say instead the "May I" of love the "Must I" of duty. Service that has become more or less bondage, done purely as a matter of duty and often as a trial or a cross to bare. Things that were at first a joy and delight have become after a while weary tasks, performed faithfully but with a secret disinclination, or wish that they did not have to be at all or at least so often!

Her perspective is that it is altogether the way we look at things whether we consider them crosses or not. Seeing she died in 1911 she would probably be shocked at the fairly Consumer viewpoint that seems to have developed towards the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st Centuries. It would have probably appalled her with the state of Christianity in some quarters. "Our what's in it for me culture???"

John The Baptist

She goes on and says what we need to do is...............get believers to want to do the will of God as much as other people want to do their own will. This would seem a judgemental viewpoint until she says this.......and this is the idea of the gospel. It is what God intended for us ; and it is what he promised. it started to make a little more sense when we start to think in light of the gospel. In John 3 John the Baptist states that I must grow less so he(Jesus) can grow more. Loosely explained our own will must begin to decline to allow the Spirit of God to take over. Therefore we are subject to the guidance of the Spirit of God rather than our own more self interested carnal thoughts and desires.
This sounds easy but is difficult to practice but that does not make it wrong or undesirable. As many of us are a long way from "our first love" it will take a very conscious effort to hand our will over to God. But as any recovering addict will tell you it can be done!!

Hannah puts a finger on what many of us experience daily the weary treadmill of Christian duty. The thin end of religion rather, than relationship with our loving heavenly Father much like the older son in the Prodigal Son story of Luke 15.

Hannah's words may seem dated, patronising, harsh and judgemental in  a 21st century setting. However the truth is the truth which ever way you look at it. Jesus made no claim to being user friendly. Quite the contrary he said the path is narrow!

Until next time
Paul

As the poem says I took the Road less travelled and it made all the difference!

Where is your focus?

Hasn't it been an interesting time in the elections in the United States recently, with an aftermath of protests and even riots in some areas. The candidates themselves seemed to have some fairly obvious character flaws, yet both aroused passion in their followers. Thus bringing about the subsequent events and a divided nation. This weeks author John Woolman (1720-17772) was a Quaker  from pre-independence America. He would not recognise his country to today for so many reasons.

John's life was devoted to living a life with the True Shepherd. A life based on Christian principles moderated by the Holy Spirit. This was his key focus where is God and what is he saying in this situation. He gave up what we would probably see as opportunities to better himself  financially to align himself with what God would have him do. For me this is a remarkable thing in any age, but would seem to be a marvel in our current social climate. In our country where political correctness is rampant and we spend so much time not wanting to appear offensive in way. I wonder if we have we lost some of the strength of the Christian message?

John put it like this:
"Our standard value is the way things affect us. Each of us takes our place in the centre of our world. But I am not the centre of the world, or the standard of reference between good and bad. I am not, but God is."

There are so many of us that though we profess Christ we are still at the centre of our world not God. We are not truly following the true shepherd we are shepherding ourselves. Which is why to the world doesn't seem to see that there is any major difference between the church and themselves. It takes time and courage to step away from the consumerist mentally that seems have gripped the western church on Sundays as well as every other day of the week. When we learn to fear God as much as we love him and his grace, we may overcome the fear of man that so blights the modern church.

So where is your first focus on God, yourself or the opinions of others. If you are like me it is a question worth asking on a fairly frequent basis until change develops.

As John the Baptist said "I must grow less so he can grow more."

The Deity of Self

We are now moving into a new section in our journey which is that of the "Compassionate Life", which might be loosely translated as social justice. This weeks writer is a twentieth century Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury,  William Temple (1181-1944), who shares some thoughts on the subject with us.

He suggests that the church has two basic roles in social justice. Firstly it is to announce Christian principles to the existing social order and point out where society is at odds with them. Secondly the church must pass on to Christian citizens acting in their regular life the task of reshaping that order and moving into closer proximity to the Christian principles. As someone who is very interested in social justice I am in reasonable agreement with those ideals.

 I guess the problems may arise with varied methods decided on by individuals and Christian organisations; churches, "para-churches" and aid agencies about what that might look like. Temple suggests that our role isn't solving all the problems but highlighting the need and where society has strayed from the principles of scripture. I am not sure that I can totally live there in the arena of social justice. I personally believe we have to a more defined active role that makes us part of the solution as a Christian. Rather than just as Christian individuals within some wider premise of being a good citizen.

One of the things that he later brings up is the simple fact we are "self-centred". I think we are probably even more obviously self-centred than people were in the earlier part of the Twentieth Century when he wrote this. We seem to have made "I" a socially acceptable art form with self awareness, self actualisation self help, self talk, personal visions and the list goes on.

The almighty "I" seems to be very much alive and well. This would definitely seem to be a real impediment to social justice. Because while we are so absorbed in finding out who "I" am and what "I" want, others are homeless, starving and going to Hell while we watch. I guess for me this is why the social justice section is placed towards the end of the book, so that Spirit of God can make us God focussed and therefore we replace the god of Self with the Trinity. There by making us God focussed and in that same process we become "others focussed".   Focussed on making a difference for others who are ultimately change and grow themselves.

Be part of the solution help someone out this week.

 

Instrumental in God's Purpose.

“They in fact, blessed God for me, unworthy wretch though I was, and counted me as God's instrument who showed them the way of salvation.” John Bunyan 1628-1688.

John Bunyan is usually known for writing the Pilgrim’s Progress but this particular quote is from “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners”. This was Bunyan’s first work also written in prison.

As I read this particular passage the concept of being an instrument for God’s purpose really struck me. It is not an isolated concept. It has brought out by a number of writers, including the Apostle Paul and St Francis of Assisi.

What might it look like to be God’ Instrument in the 21^st Century?

Would it look that much different form the call of Timothy who Paul was writing to in the first century or St Francis in the thirteenth century?

 I don’t think so, but it will never be easy.

There would seem to be some basic characteristics:

·         Holiness: cleansing ourselves so we can be used of God. (2 Timothy 2:21).

·         A commitment unselfishly to seek the salvation and interests of others.

·         Walking the talk, rather than just talking.

·         Put into practice whatever you know on a daily basis.

·         Go wherever God wants you to go.

These words are often attributed to St Francis although some would contest this. It is still a great sentiment.

“Preach the Gospel on all occasions and when necessary use words”

We all know people who are God’s instruments……………………………………….. Are you one of them?

 

A rare comodity ................Wisdom

How do we acquire wisdom?

Proverbs 2:6 says,
For the LORD gives wisdom;
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

In the 21st century we are great chasers of knowledge. We live in the age of the"knowledge super highway".  Where everything you could ever want know is available at the push of a button, including this blog. It is said that knowledge is doubling every 5-10 years. Does this mean that God is speaking more than he has in the previous 20 centuries?

I would doubt that myself otherwise, I wouldn't have to look back to the 17th century to find this weeks author Isaac Penington (1617-1680). God is always speaking and always has been. So does that mean that Solomon got it wrong in proverbs, is it really all about Google?

I would suggest that there is a plethora of information available from a variety of sources. The trick becomes how we use the information we have access to. Information is not knowledge and it is certainly not wisdom. It is just what is says information or data! It is what you do with it the will either develop it into knowledge when referenced to other things or possibly understanding. Even more rarely it may become wisdom.

Isaac Penington would suggest wisdom comes from the witness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He maintains that we need to wait diligently for the leadings of the Spirit in everything that we do. It prevents us form sliding backwards into the traps of the enemy, false dogma or the vain spirit of this age. If we have no witness to what we need to know, we should continue to wait until the Spirit enlightens us. This fits with the proverb above much better.

In an age where speed is of essence of everything, does that make this advice wrong?  I don't believe it does. I believe the need for speed is an illusion in most cases. We have a lot more time in decision making than we think!! Literally waiting on God. (Isaiah 40:31)

Until Next time
Paul

Living in the now..................... with God!

"God's order and his divine will, humbly obeyed by the faithful accomplishes his divine purpose in them.....
.........it is God's order and his will which sanctify and not the curious speculations about it's origins."

Jean-Pierre de Caussade 1675-1751

 

de Cuassade basically states we spend so much time with theology and theories that we actually miss the point of being in the will of God. We are vainly chasing and theorising about something we already have. If we chose to submit to the will and Spirit of God, we would not only be obedient we would be fulfilled, sanctified and justified. Not just talking about it!

 

The will of God is the presence, the reality and virtue of all things. Without Gods direction it is all meaningless. We are but walking in the dark, with superficiality vanity, words and death. God is our light, our salvation, our sanity and our life!

 

Our only question should be LORD what shall I do? The presence of God which sanctifies our souls is the Holy Trinity which dwells in our hearts when we surrender to the divine will.

 

God will treat us as an individual and may communicate with us anyway he chooses!!

 

This is very freeing and oh so simple, but not necessarily easy to do as it is quite counter cultural to modern church!!

 

 

Give it a go! Ask the question! LORD shall I do?. This is not the speculation of What Would Jesus Do, but a simple question as we go to the source. Do it now!

 

I love this........................... it is awesome!!

The Spiritual Gym

Ignatius of Loyola ( 1491-1556) is famous for his spiritual exercises and devotional practices such as Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. They have been standard practice for the Jesuit Movement and still are.

Ignatius rightly points out that they Devil will attack where we are most vulnerable and at our weakest moments. Does that mean we are helpless......we all have weaknesses that make us vulnerable to attack, our task is to develop resilience against that attack. To develop strategies that will enable us to resist the Devil as it says in scripture and he will flee.

 Our reflective practice of knowing ourselves is a great weapon at our disposal. If we are self aware we may be able to discern our weakness and makes efforts to strengthen ourselves in that area. 

The old saying goes "for warned is for armed" . If we are vigilant we can identify an issue or weakness before it become a major problem by acknowledging our risk and developing good strategy and support. One of the best strategies I know is to develop strong relationships with other believers especially if you are men. There are areas that men particularly are vulnerable, such as pornography. Acknowledging our weakness and having close male support and a strategy to deal with this which makes  us safer.

Ignatius writes the enemy is weak in the presence of strength. We need to practice our spiritual disciplines on a regular basis. Most times we don't succumb to temptation overnight it is a process that can be alleviated at any stage along the way. Although it does get more difficult the further into the temptation you move.
So what do we do:

1. Acknowledge our weaknesses.
2. Develop our spiritual disciplines.
3. Develop a strategy to deal with our weaknesses.
4. Involve your brother and sister Christians...... Do not try and fly solo! There is safety in numbers who move in transparent and authentic fellowship.

Practice these things, spiritual muscle is born through exercise just like going to the gym!

What are your weaknesses? If you don't know ask someone close to you......................... they can probably tell you.

 

Until next time.
Paul

Obedience such a loaded term in the 21st Century!

I looked up in the word obedience in the dictionary and it defines obedience as following the rules or those in authority. I believe that this provides only a partial story because it does not suggest why we might want to follow this process. As Christians I believe the "why" is almost as important as the action itself! This weeks author George Fox (1621-1691) a Puritan who founded the Quakers thinks along the same lines.

For George the first and most important reason for our obedience is that it glorifies our Heavenly Father. That our chosen lifestyle of obedience to the "Truth" brings glory to God through our actions rather than just our words....his renown may be seen in you and among you". He suggests that obedience brings guidance and nourishment to our souls. Our obedience to the word of Truth would govern our behaviour, how we do life as individuals, families and faith communities. As I look at some of the ways the wider body of Christ behaves in all its roles I don't always see that obedience being reflected. I can't always see the difference between us and the rest of the world. That saddens me and if it saddens me, it must make the Father weep! Looking at the way we behave sometimes, if Jesus came again "incognito", would he a want to be Christian? I am not so sure!!

I personally believe that our obedience is part of our worship.  By being obedient to the "logos" word and the "rhema" word we show honour and worship to our King, Our actions as well as our words. It is simply put in John 14:21  "If anyone loves Me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him , and we  will come to him and make Our home with him."



Deuteronomy 28  also covers Obedience

 Following along the statement from John, the next result I see is that of "blessing". We are blessed with HIS presence in our lives first and foremost.  Deuteronomy 30 suggests That we will also be blessed in other ways when we follow his commands and statutes. God will bless us in the land, we will live long and multiply. This passage suggests it is as cut and dried as Life and Death and implores us to chose Life.

Which will you chose!

For me I come back to Joshua 24:15
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then chose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.

A choice I make every morning!

Little by Little….. Why God is smarter than we are!

Little by Little….. Why God is smarter than we are!

May this be our prayer: “I do not want to turn my eyes from you O God. There I want them to stay and not move no matter what happens to me, within or without.” For those who put their trust in God need not worry about themselves. As I think about you my spiritual children, I see that God’s pure love is attentive to all your needs. It is because of this tender love that I need not ask anything of God for you. All I need to do is to lift you up before his face. - Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510)

Catherine comments, “at times I have thought my love complete but later as my sight grows clearer, I became aware that I had many imperfections.” This is the simple but effective strategy that God uses to keep us moving while keeping us humble that we may be encouraged and taught. Gradually God takes the specks out of our eyes that we may keep on moving no matter how slowly it appears.

God and sin cannot live peaceably side by side. As John the Baptist said “I must grow less so he can grow more”, so it is with our self-will as God reveals it to us. Our will must decline so his will can ascend. If we attempt to fight our sin with our will............................ we are doomed to failure. As with any addiction, we must trust in the will of God to set us free and ultimately triumph over our sin. As we step freely into the will of God and ultimately we will see all that he has for us.

This is not all that Catherine describes but for me it is the crux of the issue. It is the stepping into the will of God as he reveals it to us. This allows us to fight battles that we can win and ultimately step towards the freedom that our heavenly Father wants for us. Timing is after all, everything!  The battle belongs to the LORD!

For me it is summed up in in Philippians 1:5-6

 Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that HE who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day Christ Jesus.

May you richly blessed in name of Jesus Christ in the coming week  as you seek to follow his good and perfect will.

Until next week.
Paul

Mind Matters

In my last blog I referred to the work of Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God whose basic statement is that God is always speaking and in action. According to our latest author the Quaker Thomas Kelly (1993-1941) so is our spirit below the surface.

Our mental life is constantly in action as well. At one level we are thinking, discussing, seeing calculating and meeting all the natural demands on us in daily life. Thomas suggests that that at a profounder level, deep within we may be also in prayer, adoration, song and worship. The key would seem to be bridge the gap between the levels, to bring our conscious into the unconscious. Bringing the conscious level into the very presence of God. Very much like Brother Lawrence in Practicing the Presence of God.

It would appear that the key is bringing God into our everyday as often as we can. When do actively think about  God, act upon it, until it becomes a natural way of life. I don't imagine this being a short term process. However as we got better at it I believe it could be very rewarding, linking the conscious with the unconscious. The early stages seem quite foreign as I have given it a try, but guess it will get easier.

"Not always a fairytale castle"

This our last journey into the "Virtuous Life", so we are finishing on Teresa of Avila's (1515-1582)Interior Castle. Her writing this followed a vision she had describing a journey from the outside of the castle through its many rooms to the centre. In the centre is the place where  we can completely unite with God. The journey is an allegory describing the trials and joys along the way. Much like John Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress.

Teresa describes how some of us struggle to overcome our sin to even in engage in the process while other remain content at the early stages. God is calling  us unceasingly to come further and further in towards him. Our reason can get in the way as Teresa describes our earthly pleasures can get in the way of our faith developing and taking over. we may seek refuge in comfort rather than the discomfort of moving from room to room. As we change rooms there is a stepping up required, a changing level of expectation.

Teresa describes how we are ruined by our vain habits and the work of the Devil to entice us to seek comfort of the flesh. According to her we should not complain but be resolute as we move forward, no matter how uncomfortable it gets. Doesn't very 21st Century Western World does it?

Blackaby's Experiencing God

So how does this work in the 21st century? Well the thing that came to mind for me was the work of Henry Blackaby in his Experiencing God. He describes hearing/experiencing God as a cycle which we move through. Like Teresa he says God is always talking, but we are not always listening. They also agree that the key to the castle is prayer even though Henry does not put it in those terms. They  also agree God speaks through his word, other people and prayer. Henry's comment is that after hearing God there is often a realignment necessary to be able to follow God.
This may cause a crisis of belief:
This seems very hard!
Did I really hear God?
Is this what he really wants me to do?

Henry suggests that we have to realign with God in this new phase of our spiritual walk to be we God would have us. This would seem to be much how I have experienced my spiritual journey and much how Teresa has described the travel between rooms. The realignment can actually take quite a while if there is a major adjustment needed to establish what God wants for us.

Prayer is the key to the journey but I also believe it is what is at stake in the journey. The enemy would like us to remain "prayer-less" . To God prayer is as important as our breathing.  Not matter where we sit today we can go forward. remember that feeling comfortable in the process is not necessarily an indicator that it is God. There are many occasions where we can feel very uncomfortable in bring obedient to God. The question really is, does that make it wrong? What do you think?

Next week the Spirit -Empowered Life!

Until Next time.

It is what it says.

"Devotion is neither private or public prayer, though private and public prayers are part of devotion. Devotion signifies a life given or devoted to God." This is the profound but simple principle that William law 1686-1761 expounds in A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life. He is basically speaking against "Sunday Christians" who are pious on Sunday and live a life that bears no resemblance to what they profess every other day of the week. They just do their own thing!

He is basically speaking against those have no outward expression of devotion to God beyond their Sunday attendance or their prayer life. Scratch the surface and you will find not much there. he closely aligns with  the Apostle James in that faith will translate to works and an outward expression of what we pray study and read in private and at church. "Faith without works is Dead"

There is no more to be said it profound yet simple. Do you walk the talk?

Temptation a force to be harnessed.

Our featured author became a monk in an Augustinian monastery at 19 and died there at age 91. A grand age for anyone, but particularly notable in the 15th century. In life, his days were not especially eventful but Thomas a Kempis lived a deep and rich spiritual life. He is best known for his editing of Gerhard Groote's diary The Imitation of Christ.

Our topic this week looks at the temptations in our life. His opening comment is "our life on earth is warfare" acknowledging Job, but establishing a lens through which he wishes to offer as a framework. I really love this because it is a perspective that is not often preached these days but is so valid. We do have an enemy who is out kill and destroy us, but in a corporate sense we largely ignore that fact. It comes back to ourselves at the simplest level. The lowest common denominator in God's army is the individual and how you and I walk our lives. Thomas acknowledges that no one is so holy that they do not have to deal with temptation. His question is, is  that a bad thing? He suggests not!

The lowest private in this army to the greatest general will be beset with temptation it will probably be different but it is still there. Is this bad .......not necessarily, but it is painful and difficult ..................... probably. This temptation can teach us, it can cleanse us and it will humble us! This is all part of the journey as we fight against our inborn "fallen nature" in the journey towards becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Our temptations reveal who we are whether we like it or not. They reveal the lack of stability in our thought life and how much or little trust in God. This gives us a reality that is useful if we can harness it to go forward and win our little battles "one day at a time" as the name of this blog series suggests. As one challenge is overcome another will take its place, but you are stronger and smarter each time. As you win and the things that were your weaknesses now become your strengths. Your liabilities now become your opportunities to take ground for the Kingdom of God.

In an age where ease is sort after...........anything that is faster, is easier, or  saves time.  In our instant world Thomas's type of thinking is not popular truth. Thomas would suggest as you and I withdraw from the world and overcome the lower delights of worldly things the more spiritual consolation you will be given. I was  talking to a person I know, when he said something quite profound to me and a few others. He said this is part of our problem is that we talk  of be made of body, soul and spirit and that is the way think and do life. In reality we need to look at this as Spirit, soul and body because what we put first is most important. We will not live eternally as body or soul ................................we will be spirit. We must begin to operate eternally!! In the spirit!!

From this we can see that temptation is to allow us to bring our body and soul under the authority of the spirit. That is the only way to win the war is to be in the spirit as Paul urges  us. We do not war against flesh and blood, but (spiritual) principalities and powers. If we stay with body and soul, we tie our hands behind our back and expect to win against temptation. Paul urges us to do what? Pray in the spirit at all times. We must start to operate as spiritual being. I have strayed a distance from what Thomas a Kempis wrote. but I believe this is key if we wish to survive the battleground we are on, let alone win on it. We must untie our hands and fight as God intended in the spirit, and with HIS Spirit. 

Temptation as Thomas points out is a good indicator of where we are. BUT IT IS NOT THE FINAL WORD! No matter where you are today, you plus the Spirit of God is a majority. You can overcome your besetting temptation with the weapons (Check out Ephesians 6) he has provided and other members of his army who are in the trench next to you. Help is near as your phone ask another brother or sister in your platoon to join you in you struggle.

See you on the battlefront next week!
Paul

 

Who is Benedict - A general for the 21st century?

Monte Cassino today (Rebuilt after WW2)

Benedict of Nursia ( 480-543) is the founder of the first Benedictine monastery between Naples and Rome called Monte Cassino. This weeks reading comes from his famous writing  The Rule. This provides clear, direct and effective disciplines for living a holy life. The Rule was to form the basis of how future Benedictine orders were to run for hundreds of years. The Benedictines still exist today and largely adhere to the principles of The Rule. Such has been the lasting impact of St Benedict.


This particular passage dealt with humility based on the metaphor of "Jacob's Ladder". There are 12 steps to the development of humility.
We each have a call to ascend the ladder of humility based on "he who humbles himself will be exalted." The way of ascending Jacob's ladder is humility.

1. Our first step to humility is reverence to God. Constant reverence as the way to stay away from hell. So let us live in faith with God. Much as Peter walking on water, we must keep our eye upon Jesus and act appropriately. This is so basic, but so overlooked.
2. The second step is doing God's will: As disciples of Jesus Christ this would seem obvious, because as followers of Jesus we would seek to emulate him. Jesus said "I only do what I see the Father do." If we let our "self will" run riot we will be in trouble long term!!
3. The next step  is obedience to others. This is a really interesting concept in the 21st century as we tend too not like the concept of obedience. We value our independence not dependence, we prefer to do our own thinking and decision making, However in a spiritual sense being under authority of those above is essential to being able to utilise all that God has to offer, so this makes perfect sense.To understand authority we must be under authority.
4. Enduring affliction: accepting the hardships of the commandments and enduring with patience the injuries and afflictions that we face. In an age that worships comfort and the easy way this would seem an anathema, quite contrary to our surrounding culture. To a culture that values the fast way, enduring and patience would seem to be over the top. Yet that is what scripture calls us to. 
5. Humility is confession. We are to keep no secrets from to one to whom we confess! Wow that makes a big assumption in this day and age, that we actually have anybody including God that we confess to at all! Confession is not often preached in my experienced and probably less often experienced. Yet to me this is such an important part of the Christian experience, so who actually knows you inside and out? this is a level of intimacy that cannot be developed or experienced any other way. Somebody who knows you and loves you "warts and all". Do you have like that someone in your life? It may be a challenge to think about. We are as authentic as we are transparent!
6. This sixth step is Contentment: Now from a Benedictine perspective he speaks of being content with the meanest and worst of everything. We would have to mindful of our own lowliness, considering ourselves lowly and meek. This is certainly not a particularly 21st century Christian concept. However if we transpose this towards being content and thankful for what we have. I think we are able to utilise something very powerful in our Christian walk releasing the power of thanksgiving in our lives through being content! The next of the six steps are probably more directed at the Benedictine order as a Monk would interpret it, so I have just listed them.
7. Humility through self reproach.
8. Humility through obeying the Common Rule.
9. Humility of Silence - while undoubtedly a spiritual discipline, I feel this is part of the Common Rule in this case.
10. Humility through seriousness
11. Humility through simple speech.
12. Humble through appearance.

The first six of these steps I believe are actually fundamental to our Christian faith, whether popular or not. Developing humility as away of life would bring many things to our faith. Firstly it would make our general Christian walk better on a daily basis. Secondly it would mean as Jesus and Benedict intended that we could effectively function as a community, interdependent not independent. Last and certainly not least from my perspective it would equip the Church for war. Placing us on the warfare footing we so desperately need in the 21st century. As the enemy comes against us we would stand our ground on the outworked truth of God.

And you know what, we would WIN!

Until  next time.

Paul 

Greatness and wretchedness - two sides of the same coin.

Blaise Pascal ( 1623-62) is best remembered for his genius in mathematics. Yet on November 23rd 1654 he had  profound experience with God in a religious community in Port Royal. So profound that he spent the next six years there. He wrote down his rather random thoughts and notions of God.  Upon is early death aged 39 they were collated together in a now famous book Pensees.

Pascal believes God created us for glory, innocence and perfection but because like Adam and Eve we choose to go our own way. We fall into self centredness and independence from God causing us to  fall into pride and lust. Pride causes us to be distant from God and Lust binds us to the carnal things of the earth not heaven. Pascal studied all the religions of his time as he noted how man attempts to meet with God while trying to retain control. His encounter with Jesus led him to see that only through was giving away control and following him. Could we let go of all that held us back ,the pride and the lust? Because we in ourselves can do little of eternal value without the second Adam..... Jesus Christ.

Hence we have this dual capacity to walk in greatness with God and fall into wretchedness in our desire for control and self satisfaction. When we look at ourselves the dual capacity is so close to us. We flip and flop in and out of both of those states in the same day, in the same hour. To me that is what make our journey so amazing, it maybe slow but if we stick at it God, he will work wonders that will make the greatness side stronger and more often as we seek him.

It reminds me of the often quoted scripture Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11-13New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This is the promise of a journey to greatness, But as we add the conditions in scripture in Jeremiah 29:12 and 13, we begin to understand how Pascal saw us overcoming our wretchedness little by little, day by day. Our Father working in small but important miracles in us on a regular basis. This allows you and me to look at our wretchedness at our worst and know there is HOPE! There is always grace to try again!

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

May you find HOPE as you walk your journey this week.

 

And the motive makes all the difference

The are many ways to live a life of virtue these days. You can support good causes; feed the poor, become involved in social justice issues e.g. the sex trade or standing up for the down trodden. They may help many and achieve great things, however in John Calvin's (1509-1564) eyes  unless these are done to the glory and worship of God.......... they are about ego. The spirit of the age, the all present "I". Yes great things can be done, but if in fact it is all about what "I do" how "I feel" then they are of no eternal value.

For Calvin it is not so much what we do as why we do it. If it brings attention and praise to us as its primary then it is vanity. However if we do those same acts out of obedience and with the instruction of the Lord Jesus Christ it is vastly different. We can do all sorts of things in the name of God but it is what is going on our heart that matters. Are we acting in  harmony with the Spirit of God to see his will fulfilled or to make ourselves feel good, valued, important or virtuous.

The enactment of the will of God becomes the essence of our life in line with scripture.

Romans 12:1-2New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Looking at how we do life as an act of worship is both humbling and difficult. It is truly not about us in an eternal paradigm. When you and I can truly grasp that we can at last become effective in the spiritual realm in a way that will truly rattle the gates of hell. 

Until Next time

Paul

 

 

I just want to be noticed!!

This weeks is quite an interesting reading in a 21st century context. Richard Rolle (1290-1349), sometimes known as St. Richard the Hermit wrote this work "The Fire of Love" . He talks about his personal devotional experience of feeling real warmth surging about his body as he prayed. The warmth or what called "The Fire"brought him great comfort and interior sweetness as result of his prayer. The warmth itself both comforted and enlightened him.He however observed that when he became distracted by other things the warmth left him.  

He as hermit spent a lot of time on his own. I find this interesting as being truly alone is quite rare these days, we are surrounded by many distractions. Even being alone distractions are so readily available with modern technology. As I lifestyle I think I would struggle to see how I could fulfil that call. Maybe I need to think harder!!

He believed we are exchanging glory for baser more earthly pursuits such as vanity, fame, love of possessions and money. This would seem to promote major concerns for us in the days of mega churches, superstar preachers and pastors, prosperity doctrine permeating the western Church. Are we so far off the mark? Richard Rolle would say that we are deceived and the love of God is not in us. He would regard all this as idolatry. Is he that far wrong? Are we that far wrong? 

It would be a great thing for us to examine the things that we love. These questions may give you a framework

Are other things coming before God while masquerading as the light?
Are worldly  or religious honours of greater interest than our pursuit of the "Holy One?"
Are we so busy working for God, that we have lost God?
Is this a religious form of idolatry?
Is the Father really our "significant other" in the spiritual realm?

These are Hard questions but worth a look. Think about it this week.

 Paul