But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. Acts 14:19-20 (NASB)
There's a lot of things to beat us down on any given day. Criticisms from without, worries from within. Some days the failures seem to overwhelm any victories, and the frailties of body and soul seem to sabotage any of our best intentions. We find that our fallen nature has ambushed us once again and we lie wounded in a pool of disappointment.
It is at those times when we can keenly understand the reason God made us to live in community. We need others who can pick us up, brush us off, and set us back on the path. "It is not good for man to live alone," declared the Creator-God. "Two are better than one," explained the wise teacher in Ecclesiastes.
In the Book of Acts we see Paul, beaten to the point of death. "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up ..." and continued on his mission. I need those disciples to stand beside me when my heart is bruised, my thinking jumbled, my body weary. I need them to gather around to pray, to speak truth, to love, to help.
And as a disciple myself, I need to be available to others when they need the same.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
It's a gift
"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (NLT)
What do you do when offered a gift? In my upbringing, you accept it with profuse appreciation. Then you might tuck it away in the closet to later put into the 'goodwill' bin, or re-gift it to someone who might actually want it or make better use of it. In a few instances you might actually like it and use it. It is at those times that you actually receive the gift.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus tells us of many things God will give or has given those who follow Him: rest (Matthew 11:28); authority (Matthew 10:1); instructions (Matthew 11:1); the life of Jesus as a ransom (Mark 10:45); the right to become children of God (John 1:12); the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), and many more.
In John 14:27, Jesus offers his followers the gift of peace of mind and heart. What have I done with that gift? Put it away for a time when I really need it? Dismissed it as something I don't really want? Rejected it for the costly and impotent substitute the world offers?
Or have I received the peace of Christ (that passes understanding-that is not like what the world gives), so my troubled soul is calmed and my fearful heart is comforted?
What do you do when offered a gift? In my upbringing, you accept it with profuse appreciation. Then you might tuck it away in the closet to later put into the 'goodwill' bin, or re-gift it to someone who might actually want it or make better use of it. In a few instances you might actually like it and use it. It is at those times that you actually receive the gift.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus tells us of many things God will give or has given those who follow Him: rest (Matthew 11:28); authority (Matthew 10:1); instructions (Matthew 11:1); the life of Jesus as a ransom (Mark 10:45); the right to become children of God (John 1:12); the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), and many more.
In John 14:27, Jesus offers his followers the gift of peace of mind and heart. What have I done with that gift? Put it away for a time when I really need it? Dismissed it as something I don't really want? Rejected it for the costly and impotent substitute the world offers?
Or have I received the peace of Christ (that passes understanding-that is not like what the world gives), so my troubled soul is calmed and my fearful heart is comforted?
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Language Learning
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 (NASB)
The Scriptures introduce us to a new language - the language we will use in heaven throughout all eternity. It is the language of worship. We see examples of what the Seraphim say when they stand around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,3). We get a peak at the praise language of heaven as the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song to the Lamb (Rev 5:8-10).
The Scriptures also instruct us on how to learn this new language of praise. Our private and corporate worship times give us opportunities to practice our new language.
One method the Bible employs to teach us to speak "worship" is mirrored in the language learning technique called "total physical response." An aspect of this process requires the learner to actually do with the body what the mouth is saying. So if the words I am practicing are "open the door," then I actually get up and open the door. I use my body to reinforce the words, and to learn the concepts behind the words.
In Scriptures we are told to lift our hands; bow; stand; kneel; dance; clap, etc. In all these things our bodies are assuming postures that reinforce what our words are saying and help us learn the language of worship.
The Scriptures introduce us to a new language - the language we will use in heaven throughout all eternity. It is the language of worship. We see examples of what the Seraphim say when they stand around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,3). We get a peak at the praise language of heaven as the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song to the Lamb (Rev 5:8-10).
The Scriptures also instruct us on how to learn this new language of praise. Our private and corporate worship times give us opportunities to practice our new language.
One method the Bible employs to teach us to speak "worship" is mirrored in the language learning technique called "total physical response." An aspect of this process requires the learner to actually do with the body what the mouth is saying. So if the words I am practicing are "open the door," then I actually get up and open the door. I use my body to reinforce the words, and to learn the concepts behind the words.
In Scriptures we are told to lift our hands; bow; stand; kneel; dance; clap, etc. In all these things our bodies are assuming postures that reinforce what our words are saying and help us learn the language of worship.
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