When good things in life happen unexpectedly, people sometimes describe what occurred by saying “I was just in the right place at the right time.” When bad things happen unexpectedly, people sometimes describe what occurred by saying “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” In both cases, these people could be referred to as ‘innocent bystanders.’
Either person was just ‘standing-by’ when something happened. They were innocent. The one to whom something ‘good’ happened didn’t do anything to cause the ‘good’. The one to whom the ‘bad’ happened didn’t do anything to cause the ‘bad.’
History is filled with people who we could call ‘Innocent Bystanders.’ Noah was an innocent bystander. He is minding his own business, tending to his family and tending to life, when out of the blue God calls him to spend 100 years building an ark. People made fun of him and he surely took brunt of the ridicule of his neighbors. He was just standing by doing life when he was brought into world history.
Amos was a shepherd and a fig farmer when God spoke to him and called him to be a prophet. He was an ordinary man, living an ordinary life, minding his own business when God called him and for the next 10 years he was thrust into the center of history. 3500 years later people all around the world read an Old Testament book called Amos. The book of Amos is the record of an Innocent Bystander who was drug into history.
The story that has been told and retold at Christmas time for 100’s of years is filled with Innocent Bystanders. Over the next few weeks we are going to take a look at Innocent Bystanders from the Christmas story and then draw some lessons about how each of us, at one time or another, are ‘minding our own business’ when life jumps out from behind a bush, takes us by surprise, and we travel down a road that we were not expecting.
How will we respond to life’s curveballs? What are the fears we must overcome? What are the faith lessons that we will come face to face with? There are countless questions, lessons and applications found in the Christmas story.
This Christmas, bring your family and friends with you to uncover life from the stories of ‘Innocent Bystanders.’
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Anticipation
This time of year can be described by one word – Anticipation. Almost everyone experiences anticipation in some way.
To some people anticipation is a good thing. They start playing the Christmas music, decorating the tree, and hanging the lights. The days get counted down. Each day is crossed off on the calendar. Each card written, present purchased and wrapped helps build the anticipation of the festivities of Christmas. For many teachers and students anticipation describes the days leading up to ‘Christmas Break.’
For some, anticipation is not so good. Every part of the build up to Christmas serves to remind them of something. The anticipation of Christmas time might be a tainted by a memory, a broken relationship, some sort of rejection, another year going by without seeing a loved one. Every part of the buildup brings anxiety, dread, fear, regret, disappointment and depression.
Years ago, Carly Simon sang the words – ‘Anticipation is making me wait, is keeping me waiting.’ The coming of Jesus into the world can be described by that one word - Anticipation.
When Jesus came into the world God’s people had been anticipating a deliverer for hundreds of years. Moses had described a deliverer; the prophets had foretold the coming of a ‘Messiah.’ History tells us that during the span of Jesus’ life there were at least 18 different ‘messiah’ candidates who claimed they would lead a deliverance from Rome for the people of God.
The anticipation was so powerful that Luke describes a couple of elderly people who spent night and day in the temple waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah. Simeon, a devout elderly man, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. Ana, described as a prophetess, was waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah.
Anticipation was a state that the people of God lived in. It was so strong that many followed some of these ‘messiah’ candidates. 2000 followers of one of these men were executed on crosses that lined the roads around Galilee, the region that Jesus lived in. He would have walked the roads lined with corpses on crosses. Anticipation was in the air.
Anticipation is also a word that could describe followers of Jesus down through 2000 years as they await His return. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, the church leader in Ephesus, about a ‘crown of righteousness’ that will be given to those who anticipate, to those who have ‘longed for his appearing.’ (2 Timothy 4:8 NIV) The crown is available to everyone. The crown will only be given to those who ‘anticipate’ His return.
Anticipation, it is in the air. Are you anticipating His return? Are you living like it?
To some people anticipation is a good thing. They start playing the Christmas music, decorating the tree, and hanging the lights. The days get counted down. Each day is crossed off on the calendar. Each card written, present purchased and wrapped helps build the anticipation of the festivities of Christmas. For many teachers and students anticipation describes the days leading up to ‘Christmas Break.’
For some, anticipation is not so good. Every part of the build up to Christmas serves to remind them of something. The anticipation of Christmas time might be a tainted by a memory, a broken relationship, some sort of rejection, another year going by without seeing a loved one. Every part of the buildup brings anxiety, dread, fear, regret, disappointment and depression.
Years ago, Carly Simon sang the words – ‘Anticipation is making me wait, is keeping me waiting.’ The coming of Jesus into the world can be described by that one word - Anticipation.
When Jesus came into the world God’s people had been anticipating a deliverer for hundreds of years. Moses had described a deliverer; the prophets had foretold the coming of a ‘Messiah.’ History tells us that during the span of Jesus’ life there were at least 18 different ‘messiah’ candidates who claimed they would lead a deliverance from Rome for the people of God.
The anticipation was so powerful that Luke describes a couple of elderly people who spent night and day in the temple waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah. Simeon, a devout elderly man, had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would see the Messiah before he died. Ana, described as a prophetess, was waiting, praying and looking for the Messiah.
Anticipation was a state that the people of God lived in. It was so strong that many followed some of these ‘messiah’ candidates. 2000 followers of one of these men were executed on crosses that lined the roads around Galilee, the region that Jesus lived in. He would have walked the roads lined with corpses on crosses. Anticipation was in the air.
Anticipation is also a word that could describe followers of Jesus down through 2000 years as they await His return. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, the church leader in Ephesus, about a ‘crown of righteousness’ that will be given to those who anticipate, to those who have ‘longed for his appearing.’ (2 Timothy 4:8 NIV) The crown is available to everyone. The crown will only be given to those who ‘anticipate’ His return.
Anticipation, it is in the air. Are you anticipating His return? Are you living like it?
Friday, November 16, 2012
Soul Dis-integration is like a 'Dirty Bomb'
I have been thinking a lot this week about the damage that can be done by someone whose soul has disintegrated. The lead news all week has been about extramarital affairs, deception and entanglements. I don’t know all the intricate details of this unfortunate situation but it is not the first time in history and certainly won’t be the last time that these kinds of events take place.
The question has been asked more than once, in a number of different ways, ‘How could this happen?’ or ‘How could someone so smart and so experienced and with so much to lose do something like this?’ Those are great questions to ask, but they are tough questions to answer.
From the perspective of someone who works with people and their souls, it is clear from experience that people make these kinds of choices not from a soul that is ‘integrated’ but from a soul that is in some way ‘disintegrated.’ A soul where the mind has been disintegrated from the emotions, will, relationships and consequences will make poor choices and even catastrophic choices.
In a very real way we’ve witnessed the effects of a ‘dirty bomb’ going off and the destruction that it can bring. A ‘dirty bomb’ combines radioactive material with conventional explosives in order to contaminate the area around the explosion. A dirty bomb is not immediately life threatening. The effects of the contamination are real. They leave areas unable to be lived in, worked in and traveled in. They leave people who have been contaminated with long lasting health issues that can ultimately be fatal. The emotional and psychological effects can leave people socially paralyzed for a long time.
When an affair occurs it is like a dirty bomb going off. There isn’t immediate death, but almost everything experiences contamination. One man with a disintegrated soul gets involved with a woman who has a disintegrated soul and eventually the bomb goes off. The wife of the man, the husband of the woman, the children of both families, the co-workers, the subordinates, the authorities over and the world around watch as the contamination spreads.
The only prevention to this ‘dirty bomb’ going off and other ‘dirty bombs’ going off is the integration of the soul.
Lord, integrate my soul! Lord, integrate our souls!
(If you’ve been unable to catch our ‘Soul Care’ series you can get it at swag-online.org or in iTunes.)
The question has been asked more than once, in a number of different ways, ‘How could this happen?’ or ‘How could someone so smart and so experienced and with so much to lose do something like this?’ Those are great questions to ask, but they are tough questions to answer.
From the perspective of someone who works with people and their souls, it is clear from experience that people make these kinds of choices not from a soul that is ‘integrated’ but from a soul that is in some way ‘disintegrated.’ A soul where the mind has been disintegrated from the emotions, will, relationships and consequences will make poor choices and even catastrophic choices.
In a very real way we’ve witnessed the effects of a ‘dirty bomb’ going off and the destruction that it can bring. A ‘dirty bomb’ combines radioactive material with conventional explosives in order to contaminate the area around the explosion. A dirty bomb is not immediately life threatening. The effects of the contamination are real. They leave areas unable to be lived in, worked in and traveled in. They leave people who have been contaminated with long lasting health issues that can ultimately be fatal. The emotional and psychological effects can leave people socially paralyzed for a long time.
When an affair occurs it is like a dirty bomb going off. There isn’t immediate death, but almost everything experiences contamination. One man with a disintegrated soul gets involved with a woman who has a disintegrated soul and eventually the bomb goes off. The wife of the man, the husband of the woman, the children of both families, the co-workers, the subordinates, the authorities over and the world around watch as the contamination spreads.
The only prevention to this ‘dirty bomb’ going off and other ‘dirty bombs’ going off is the integration of the soul.
Lord, integrate my soul! Lord, integrate our souls!
(If you’ve been unable to catch our ‘Soul Care’ series you can get it at swag-online.org or in iTunes.)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What direction are you moving in?
God has a direction for every person to travel. The direction is not arbitrary or capricious. God doesn’t do arbitrary or capricious.
The direction of travel He desires for each of us is in some ways general and the same for all of us. He has given us a very clear picture of the overall or basic direction that our travel in life is to take. That direction is the direction of love. Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the general direction that God wants each of us to travel.
Everything God does in your life, big or small, is in some way about moving you in the direction of love. He was at work yesterday in your life in ways that will encourage movement in the direction of love for God and love for others. He is at work today in your life in ways that will prod movement in that same direction.
It is always in our best interest and in the best interest of others to travel in the direction of love for God and love for others. This direction might not lead us towards the easiest path. This direction does not include safe travel, smooth travel or quick travel. The direction of love for God and love for others can be a dangerous direction to travel in. The direction of love for God and love for others can lead us to traveling along very windy, bumpy road. The direction of love for God and love for others can be an extremely slow plod. The difficulty of the travel is no indication that the direction is wrong.
Anytime any of us move in a direction that is counter to love for God and love for others, we are moving in the wrong direction. When we are traveling in the wrong direction, there are warning messages that are communicated to us. Our conscience tells us to change direction, others tell us to change direction, and guilt tells us to change directions. The messages warning us to change direction are either built in warning systems or external messages that come for our good and the good of others.
The question to ask is: Is this direction moving me towards greater love for God and greater love for others or is this direction moving me away – moving me towards loving God less and loving others less?
Which direction are you moving in?
The direction of travel He desires for each of us is in some ways general and the same for all of us. He has given us a very clear picture of the overall or basic direction that our travel in life is to take. That direction is the direction of love. Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. This is the general direction that God wants each of us to travel.
Everything God does in your life, big or small, is in some way about moving you in the direction of love. He was at work yesterday in your life in ways that will encourage movement in the direction of love for God and love for others. He is at work today in your life in ways that will prod movement in that same direction.
It is always in our best interest and in the best interest of others to travel in the direction of love for God and love for others. This direction might not lead us towards the easiest path. This direction does not include safe travel, smooth travel or quick travel. The direction of love for God and love for others can be a dangerous direction to travel in. The direction of love for God and love for others can lead us to traveling along very windy, bumpy road. The direction of love for God and love for others can be an extremely slow plod. The difficulty of the travel is no indication that the direction is wrong.
Anytime any of us move in a direction that is counter to love for God and love for others, we are moving in the wrong direction. When we are traveling in the wrong direction, there are warning messages that are communicated to us. Our conscience tells us to change direction, others tell us to change direction, and guilt tells us to change directions. The messages warning us to change direction are either built in warning systems or external messages that come for our good and the good of others.
The question to ask is: Is this direction moving me towards greater love for God and greater love for others or is this direction moving me away – moving me towards loving God less and loving others less?
Which direction are you moving in?
Friday, November 2, 2012
Soul Care is Hard Work
Over the recent weeks we’ve been digging into the idea of Soul Care. We’ve looked at how the soul is the merging of all the various parts of life. The soul is the integration of my mind, emotions, heart, will, conscience, desires, impulses, people, memories, intuition, strengths, weaknesses, successes, failures … The health of a soul can be measured by looking at how well the components of life are working together . Likewise, the lack of health of a soul can be measured by looking at the dis-integration of each of the components of life.
Jesus said: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?
What does it mean to ‘lose my soul?’
If my soul is the integration of all the parts of my life then losing my soul is the dis-integration of all the parts.
Soul Care is hard work. Soul Care is looking at every aspect of life and how all the parts are merging . If I’m going to care for my soul, I can’t just look at one or two or three areas. Soul Care is looking at all the areas and the integration or dis-integration. Most people don’t want to look at their soul. Most people don’t want to ask the question that I’ve challenged you to ask. “What is this doing to my soul?”
It is said that Christopher Columbus stated: You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
You and I can never ‘cross’ the soul unless we have the courage to lose sight of the ‘shore’ of how our soul has worked or not worked up to this time.
Are you willing to lose sight of the ‘shore’ of how your soul has functioned and ‘cross the ocean’ to a new life of a greater integration of your soul?
With this in mind we’ve been asking – What is this doing to my soul?
With this in mind we’ve been praying – Jesus, Integrate my soul!
This week the question changes a little – “What is this doing to THEIR soul?”
The idea: What is my life doing to the soul of people in my circle?
Jesus said: What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?
What does it mean to ‘lose my soul?’
If my soul is the integration of all the parts of my life then losing my soul is the dis-integration of all the parts.
Soul Care is hard work. Soul Care is looking at every aspect of life and how all the parts are merging . If I’m going to care for my soul, I can’t just look at one or two or three areas. Soul Care is looking at all the areas and the integration or dis-integration. Most people don’t want to look at their soul. Most people don’t want to ask the question that I’ve challenged you to ask. “What is this doing to my soul?”
It is said that Christopher Columbus stated: You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
You and I can never ‘cross’ the soul unless we have the courage to lose sight of the ‘shore’ of how our soul has worked or not worked up to this time.
Are you willing to lose sight of the ‘shore’ of how your soul has functioned and ‘cross the ocean’ to a new life of a greater integration of your soul?
With this in mind we’ve been asking – What is this doing to my soul?
With this in mind we’ve been praying – Jesus, Integrate my soul!
This week the question changes a little – “What is this doing to THEIR soul?”
The idea: What is my life doing to the soul of people in my circle?
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