GroshLink

Note: resonse to a final exam essay question for "Theology of the Church."  You may note it's hurried pace and it's need for refinement.  Please feel free to comment and make suggestions.  It was written in 1 hour with attention given to drawing in references from the class readings.  As I mentioned on Facebook here/there, I didn't have time to include Facebook, blogging, sharing herbs (herbal recipes), and being part of the local fair -- let alone the Christian Scholar Series ;-) 

Why do many of us, even in the heart-land of Lancaster County Anabaptist hospitality, yearn for more genuine community in our local congregation? How do we criticize and energize our local congregations as we engage busy schedules which lack reference to our call to be the people of God?

When considering larger questions, it is important to remember who we are as the people of God, i.e., return to what we have come to know by relationship to God the Father, Son, and Spirit through the Word, Presence, and Body of Christ working out through history. In "Theology of the Church," Terry Brensinger drew attention to the three core characteristics of the people of God which extend through the whole Biblical story and receive full incarnation in the person of Christ, i.e., righteousness, compassion, and worship.

The local congregation is an assembly of the people of God in particular place dwells in, wrestles with, and embraces the larger story of the people of God. Below are some thoughts regarding the building of more genuine community through righteousness, compassion, and worship.  (More)

A friend passed along this encouragement to me.

Nothing is lovelier in life, than the spirit of contentment. Fretting mars the beauty of many a face. Discontent spoils all one's world. Out of whatever window he looks--the discontented person sees something that is not pleasing.

But a contented person sees only good everywhere. The happiest homes in the world are not those in which are the finest carpets, the costliest pictures, the most luxurious furniture -- but those in which contented, joyful hearts dwell. A mind at peace, beautifies the plainest surroundings and even the hardest conditions.  Saint Paul was in a prison when he wrote: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” The secret was in himself. -- James Russell Miller. Counsel and Help (1907). http://lesson-love.jr-miller.com/2-things-that-are-lovely-3.html.

I am unfamiliar with the author/book.  According to wikipedia, James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 – July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.  FYI:  I noticed an error in the wikipedia page.  It links to trivia on Charles Monroe Sheldon's In His Steps (note: this link takes you to google books) instead of the earlier In His Steps published by Miller.  The two versions have a different purpose and style of writing.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

A friend passed along this encouragement to me.

Nothing is lovelier in life, than the spirit of contentment. Fretting mars the beauty of many a face. Discontent spoils all one's world. Out of whatever window he looks--the discontented person sees something that is not pleasing.

But a contented person sees only good everywhere. The happiest homes in the world are not those in which are the finest carpets, the costliest pictures, the most luxurious furniture -- but those in which contented, joyful hearts dwell. A mind at peace, beautifies the plainest surroundings and even the hardest conditions.  Saint Paul was in a prison when he wrote: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” The secret was in himself. -- James Russell Miller. Counsel and Help (1907). http://lesson-love.jr-miller.com/2-things-that-are-lovely-3.html.

I am unfamiliar with the author/book.  According to wikipedia, James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 – July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.  FYI:  I noticed an error in the wikipedia page.  It links to trivia on Charles Monroe Sheldon's In His Steps (note: this link takes you to google books) instead of the earlier In His Steps published by Miller.  The two versions have a different purpose and style of writing.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situat

At PSU-Christian Medical Society's Tuesday Bible study, we focused upon I Peter 4:12 - 5. This week we'll finish our summer study of I Peter by focusing upon I Peter 5:5-11.  I Peter 5:5-11 has returned to my mind several times over the course of the past several days.  I share it for your edification and to ask for you to pray for growing Christ-likeness in my life/ministry.

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 

"God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble."

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.  -- I Peter 5:5-11 (NIV)

Thank-you to my friend Miller for sharing Resurrection Sunday Dance, Budapest, Hungary.  The twins loved watching over 1,300 young people, all of them members of Faith Church celebrate Resurrection Sunday (April 4, 2010) in Budapest, Hungary.  Brings back the powerful moments of 1989 doesn't it?  What a revolution.  What a powerful example of the Kingdom of God breaking into history.  To God be the glory!

The Faith Church Hungary has quite a story, quite a perspective

• "Faith Church considers itself as representing a modern Reform movement in Hungary. It accepts the results and spiritual, moral values of both early Christianity and the Reformation, as well as other revival movements serving the progress of the Christian faith. Nowadays the process of renewal gains new momentum from all around the world, affecting both the traditional Christian communities and the Pentecostal-Charismatic churches formed during the 20th century." -- http://www.facebook.com/faithchurchhungary#!/faithchurchhungary?v=info
• Official Faith Church Hungary Website, http://www.hit.hu/eng/index.html

When God asks for something to be surrendered, it is important and necessary to surrender it.   In other words, God Himself is worth giving up everything else to gain.   Otto Konig's series of sermons entitled "The Pineapple Story" is a great reminder of this principle.  It is interesting that God often requires "extended surrender" or "repeated surrender".... not just a one-time event, but as in Abraham's case, a three-day demonstration, or in Job's case a several-week or several-month demonstration...  even many years, as in some of the prophets' lives.   This provides greater glory-to-God as it demonstrates to others in an extended way how valuable God is. -- on surrendering things to God (http://tim223.xanga.com/727905835/on-surrendering-things-to-god/, 5/29/2010)

Amen!

Note:  The post on surrendering things to God begins with a reference to Genesis 22:1-19 and ends with Philippians 3:7-11.

Thank-you to Kevin for the recommendation of Praying for the World (http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/praying-for-the-world/, 4/29/2010), "An Orthodox priest, Father Stephen Freeman, has some very convicting words here on the issue of individualism.  Humbling and refreshing." Below's a quote which connects with a thought which I've been articulating in a similar manner for some time.  Please visit the blog post for the larger context and Father Stephen Freeman's clarifying comments on boundaries. 

Our lives are a common life. Whether I want it to be so or not – my life is intimately connected with the life of every human being – both those now living as well has those who have gone before and those who are yet to come. This is an inherent part of the fullness of the Christian faith.

Refusals of this teaching mark the earliest sins of mankind. Adam refuses to accept union with his wife when he seeks to pass blame on her (and through her to God): “The woman You gave me – she gave me and I did eat…” In a similar fashion Cain, when confronted by God about the murder of his brother, defends himself by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

In Long Distance Spirituality (http://www.redeemer.com/news_and_events/newsletter/?aid=46, Timothy Keller, Redeemer Report, 5/2010, HT: Kevin), Timothy Keller shares his appreciation for the practice of a monthly reading of the Psalms (which confesses he doesn't always finish) and highlights Psalm 71.  Psalm 71 has led Keller to embrace the truth, "When it comes to the spiritual disciplines, don’t be a sprinter. Be a long-distance runner." Take some time today to join me in reflecting upon Psalm 71 through the lens of Long Distance Spirituality.

Thank-you to Kevin for forwarding How and Why Pornography Hurts a Marriage: Occasional and addictive use is damaging to real relationships (Harvest USA, Nicholas Black).  The article begins by discussing the decline in Christian marriages and the role which pornography (especially internet pornography) has played, particularly among men.  Black highlights three central ways in which Pornography damages marriage:

• Makes Sex Selfish and Self-centered.
• Isolates You From Your Wife and Family
• Can Make Sex a Compulsion

Conclusion:  "This article started by saying this: One way to start on the road to change and transformation is…to examine the damage to oneself and others when one is caught in addictive struggles. Honestly facing the damage it can cause can provide some motivation to change. But there needs to be more. You need to believe that God has so much more for your life and for your marriage. Real relationships are worth the investment of your time and your heart. They always are, even in the midst of their brokenness.   When God entered our world in flesh-and-blood he placed the highest value on our bodies and on our relationships. His forgiving work toward us on the cross is what he came to do—to heal the brokenness in our lives and in our relationships and to give us a taste of what real life is all about.

 

There is a wonderful journey of freedom ahead.  But as pornography was an isolated activity, the hope for change cannot be done all by yourself.  It must begin by asking God for forgiveness and to seek his help to change. And God is gracious to forgive and help, but the help that God will give you will come only through your willingness to seek help from others.  That is generally how God works, through his people, the church.  Begin that journey by talking openly and honestly with a friend, or a pastor or church leader.  Taking that first step will give you the experience of forgiveness that you need and the hope for something better that you long for."

Thank-you to Kevin for passing along Timothy Keller's The Gospel and Sex, http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/The_Gospel_and_Sex.pdf.  An excellent piece for all believers, but a particularly helpful piece for young adults wrestling with marriage and singleness.

Summary:  Christian community is to be an alternate society in which sex, money, and power are used in life-giving ways that differ sharply from the practices of the broader culture. This article addresses sex in the context of the gospel and Christian community.

Below's what Keller offers as The First Theological Purpose of Marriage.

Do you see how the gospel changes our view of marriage and singleness? Christians are to choose between marriage and singleness not for the basic contemporary motive of personal fulfillment, nor for the traditional motive of propagating family legacy. Rather, we are to marry or to remain single on the basis of which state best makes us a sign of the kingdom. Hauerwas says that single Christian adults were a startling witness to the coming kingdom in that ancient world by showing that their hope and significance was not in family or heirs but in the kingdom.

It follows, then, that being married is also a way to be a sign of the kingdom. Because one of the main purposes of marriage is to build kingdom-exhibiting community—to show the world how Christ transforms everything, including marriage—God forbids Christians from marrying nonbelievers. A Christian who knowingly marries a nonbeliever shows that his or her motive is not mission or kingdom exhibition. One of the main ways—and perhaps the main way—that married Christians witness to Christ is to show the difference Christ makes in a marriage.

This explains why many single Christian adults do not marry even though they desire to do so. If one non-negotiable reason for marriage is kingdom exhibition, then that removes a lot of otherwise good prospects! When a single Christian remains single largely because he or she will not compromise on this point, then he or she is paying a price for the kingdom and will be blessed for that (1 Peter 4:13–14, 19).  Furthermore, God will use the Christian’s singleness to minister to others in ways that married people cannot (cf. 1 Cor. 7:32–34). 

In summary, then, the purpose of both singleness and marriage is to create communities that reflect the glory of the coming kingdom of God. Every church, then, needs a combination of Christian married couples and Christian singles. Couples and singles can minister to each other; there are advantages and disadvantages in ministry for both singles and married members. The world needs to see both.

-- Copyright © 2005 by Timothy Keller, © 2010 by Redeemer City to City. This article first appeared in The Gospel and Life conferences of 2004 and 2005. We encourage you to use and share this material freely—but please don’t charge money for it, change the wording, or remove the copyright information.

Does the satire of this commercial stick to Evangelical assemblies with whom you are familiar?  Does the video, http://vimeo.com/11501569, and the numerous comments lead one to helpful next steps for a worship service or into a liturgical quagmire? 

How does your local congregation bring the Body of Christ's focus upon the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit through the Word, worship, regular practices/habits, and teaching?  Starting to desire to write on these topics instead of passing the link along and throwing questions out.  A few brief words:  Praying for God to be truly worshipped today (and every day).  It takes significant time, energy and focus of the heart for the Body of Christ to counter-culturally enter Word and Spirit guided/led worship instead of performance to appease the masses. I encourage you to take up the challenge.  Please share your thoughts, insights, practices, and/or wrestling with this concern.

Thank-you to my friend Miller for passing along a note of encouragement comprised of selections from Psalm 109.  May you also find them a blessing.

   O God, whom I praise,
      don’t stand silent and aloof
2 while the wicked slander me
      and tell lies about me.
3 They surround me with hateful words
      and fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations
      even as I am praying for them!
5 They repay evil for good,
      and hatred for my love.

21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord,
      for the sake of your own reputation!
      Rescue me
      because you are so faithful and good.
22 For I am poor and needy,
      and my heart is full of pain.
23 I am fading like a shadow at dusk;
      I am brushed off like a locust.

26 Help me, O Lord my God!
      Save me because of your unfailing love.
27 Let them see that this is your doing,
      that you yourself have done it, Lord.

30 But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord,
      praising him to everyone.
31 For he stands beside the needy,
      ready to save them from those who condemn them.

Thank-you to my friend Miller for passing along a note of encouragement, comprised of selections from Psalms 18 & 30.  I shared it with the twins during our bed time readings/singing of hymns.  Note: just finished Gary Schmidt’s retelling of Pilgrims Progress (Eerdmans Press, 2008).  I commend this to all Pilgrims on the road to the Celestial City.

Psalm 18:
     I love you, Lord;
      you are my strength.
     The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
      my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
      He is my shield, the power that saves me,
      and my place of safety.
     I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
      and he saved me from my enemies
     God’s way is perfect.
      All the Lord’s promises prove true.
      He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
      For who is God except the Lord?
      Who but our God is a solid rock?
     God arms me with strength,
      and he makes my way perfect.

Psalm 30
     I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
      You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
     O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
      and you restored my health.
     You brought me up from the grave,[a] O Lord.
      You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

     Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
      Praise his holy name.
     For his anger lasts only a moment,
      but his favor lasts a lifetime!
     Weeping may last through the night,
      but joy comes with the morning
    
    Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
      Help me, O Lord.”

    You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
      You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with  
      joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
      O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!

A few weeks ago *CultureIsNotOptional's (*CINO) Daily Asterisk drew a quote from Brian Walsh & Sylvia Keesmaat's Colossians Remixed (Downers Grove, IL:  InterVarsity Press, 2004). I kept it on hold for Mother's Day.  It's been awhile since I've read this commentary, I would be interested in looking up this quote to read it in context.

Thank-you to my friend Miller who passed along the below reflection:

It's so funny to hear students in math say, "I didn't do any homework because I haven't caught on yet."... They're waiting for an epiphany before doing anything. ... Something to drop down from the sky. ... One senior said, "I am not applying for any employment until God tells me where He wants me."  Someone said "You can't steer a parked car."  The Israelites could have stood back from a mile from the sea and waited until they saw it turn into dry ground, maybe send engineers ahead to test whether the ground was solid enough, and then tentatively walk toward it. ... Instead the waters didn't part until they stepped in. ...

I said to _____, "I can imagine someone sitting on the edge of a swimming pool and saying I won't go in the water until I know how to swim."  ... Many writers find they can't start to write until they start to write. ... They get paralzyed sitting around waiting for inspiration. ... The inspiration comes as we jump in and do it. ...Students I had in computer programming often said, "I didn't do anything, I didn't know what to do." ... I said, "Just start, write a very simple version first. ... Just do it. ... And then the ideas will begin to come."

A former dept chair said "Math is not a spectator sport."... _____ is doing shot put for track. ... Did you just watch someone throw the shot put and say, "It looks easy. ... I tried it once and didn't catch on, so I quit." ..."Oh taste and see that the Lord is good."  Second Peter says, "Don't sit around wondering whether you're saved. ... Begin to add to your knowledge practice. ... Then it will become clear your standing with God." ... Don't sleep so close to the edge of the bed, that you could fall out at any moment. ...

Credo ut intelligam. ... Not the other way around "I understood, and then believed."  "Those who will to do God's will, will know if it's true," Jesus said. ... Forrmer pastor of Mt. Lebanon UP said, "Nothing makes an old truth shine as putting it into practice."... Faith without works is dead.

Below's another challenging quote from the final chapter of Jon Acuff's Stuff Christians Like (Zondervan, 2010),* the context is a discussion of sharing true confession of sin/prayer requests ...

If I stop writing tomorrow this is the lesson which I'll cling to the most, When you go first, you give everyone in your church or your community or your small group or blog, the gift of going second.  It's so much harder to be first.  No-one knows what's off limits yet and you're setting the boundaries with your words.  You're throwing yourself on the honesty grenade and taking whatever fall out that comes with.  Going second is so much easier and the ease only grows exponentially as people continue to share, but it has to be started somewhere.  Someone has to go first and I think it has to be us.  Let's give the gift of going second. -- Jon Acuff's Stuff Christians Like (Zondervan, 2010).

Father, grant me the grace to follow the lead of your Son Christ Jesus and the direction of your Spirit and Word as part of the Body of Christ spanning history in all the contexts to which you have called me to serve.

*Earlier Stuff Christians Like excerpt posted at Who is carrying all that with you?, http://groshlink.net/archives/2010/04/17/who-is-carrying-all-that-with-you.

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." -- Matthew 9:11-13

If you haven't already heard it, listen to WJTL's interview of Jon Acuff, author Stuff Christians Like (Zondervan, 2010).  Thanks to Christian Audio's free month of April posting, I've been listening to the book over the course of the past several weeks.

Some initial thoughts on Stuff Christians Like, more will be coming ;-)

1. Comment on Acuff's promo, "Do you think we Christians are weird? Me too. This book is for you." Yes, followers of Christ are weird and much to be pitied, if Christ has not be raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:12-19).  But, I didn't grow up in and have only touched on the outskirts of the Evangelical subculture at which Acuff directs his satire, as such it probably wasn't as funny/liberating for me as I imagine it may have been for others.  I know it was not Acuff's intention, but it seems to me that it's hard for some of his material to not come across as mocking the faith/practices of some in these traditions.  I'd be interested in thoughts from other readers/listeners. Note:  You can browse the paper copy at http://browseinside.zondervan.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780310319948.
2. Out of the whole book, I resonated most with Chapter 10, which follows Stuff Christians Like's Wednesday practice of turning to "more serious."  In particular, I appreciated the challenge to listen to the concerns of others. ... To ask, "Who is carrying 'all that' with you?"  This is the ultimate question of the Gospel because "everyone has an 'all that' that they're carrying." Yes, many times the answer is "no one," because it's hard to share our burdens (real, deep inner spiritual life) with others. 
3. Acuff challenges himself and the friend/follower of Christ Jesus not just to listen and not just to give a "drive-by Jesus," but to carry our friend's "all that" with them as they come to know our friend Jesus.  Unless one gives up/offers one's burdens, fears, anxieties, sin, and brokenness to God, life is overwhelming on the individual, familial, societal, and cosmic scale. We offer "all that" (and more) to the Son as as we enter relationship with the Father by the gift of the Word, Spirit, and Body of Christ.  This is an act of submission of our whole being and the transformation of our whole being to love God leading to proper love of neighbor, self, and creation. Later in the final chapter, Acuff summarizes the Gospel as "Be sick. Be loved." [That is, be who you are as you come to God to receive His love].

A meditation on being Under the Grace as I begin a busy day in a coffee house, on the phone, at PSU-Harrisburg, and Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ ... May you also find it a blessing.

When Rich Mullin's started introducing "Elijah" on Rich Mullins: Here in America DVD, I heard from the back, "That's your favorite Mullins song."  Yes it is.  On the DVD he gives an excellent introduction in which he wonders why people listen to him (and other artists) and points the audience back to the Word of God. Wish that introducation was included in this YouTube post :(

What an encouragement to take some time out to watch, reflect, sing along with Rich Mullins: Here in America DVD.  What gifts he shared with the people of God. ...

YouTube link for Facebook friends.

Hard to illustrate John Michael Talbot's The Creed.  If you're unfamiliar with the song, I'd recommend you listen the first time through before considering the pictures which this youtube presentation offers.

And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not
The invention of any man -- Chorus, Rich Mullins, Creed

Note:  Before the video runs, there is a slide from the person who posted the video on Youtube.

Who makes your faith? 

I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. ...

On Easter Sunday, I read, walked through, and re-affirmed The Apostles Creed with the twins using The Apostles' Creed: Follow and Do (Joni Walker, Concordia College Press, 2005).  Note:  Although the art and some of the text is a little young for the twins, leading to some smiles, but the explanatory text is quite helpful.

We're going to dig into The Apostles Creed of the course of the coming week as part of raising our children in the reality of affirming life lived in Christ.  Any tips which you have regarding the introduction of youth to and the continuing affirmation of one's walk in Christ as a family?

A brother in Christ passed along Psalm 28 as a note of encouragement.  May you likewise find Psalm 28 a blessing as you begin this week.

Psalms 28   NLT

¹ I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
      Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
   For if you are silent,
      I might as well give up and die.
 ² Listen to my prayer for mercy
      as I cry out to you for help,
      as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

 ⁶ Praise the Lord!
      For he has heard my cry for mercy.
 ⁷ The Lord is my strength and shield.
      I trust him with all my heart.
   He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
      I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

 ⁸ The Lord gives his people strength.
      He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.
 ⁹ Save your people!
      Bless Israel, your special possession.^a]
   Lead them like a shepherd,
      and carry them in your arms forever.

Watch and listen to the story of the Resurrection as it is found in the Jesus Storybook Bible from Zonderkidz. Written by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago, and read by David Suchet. Find out more at http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com.

While listening to Jim Belcher's Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional (InterVarsity Press, 2009), I was deeply moved by the reading of the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed. The affirmation of faith, timely to Easter which has been the traditional time of completing catechism with baptism into the community of faith, reminded me how I grew up saying the Apostles' Creed, but not living in the Reality of the Story/Truth which the Apostles' Creed tells/proclaims. 

What is the difference between saying the words and living in God's story?  A transformation of heart, soul, mind, and strength enacted by the God the Father, drawing us close to Himself by the love, life, death, resurrection, of God the Son who spoke/embodied the Word and breathed out His Spirit (and don't forget this includes the fruit of the Spirit) upon His Body, i.e., the Church. The radical transformation to loving God with our whole person leads to the radical, daily, messy loving of our neighbor (even those we are close to and have difficulty doing such in the mundane aspects of day-to-day living), the very creation, and even our own being (loving our neighbor as ourself is rooted in coming to understand/embrace who we/I/you have been been created to be as one who reflects the image of God, one who is called to become more and more like Christ each and every day, i.e., a little Christ as part of the Body of Christ). Given below, for our mutual edification, is the Athanasian Creed.