Dear SWAG family,
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for your many prayers and financial gifts. The total offering from SWAG covered the traveling costs for Cynthia and Rocky and even some of the medical bills. Thank you! And we are praising God for what appears to be a miracle! When Cynthia saw the ophthalmologist here in Papua New Guinea, he saw what appeared to be holes in the back of both of her eyes. But, by the time she saw the ophthalmologist in Brisbane, the holes were nowhere to be found. And after numerous test and scans to make sure, everything came up normal. And we have pictures of the inside of her eyes, the outside of her eyes and even her whole brain and everything looks great. We are so grateful to know for certain that nothing serious is wrong. She does continue to struggle a bit with focusing properly, and she has glasses coming (in the mail) to help her with seeing better in school. The eye doctor told us her eyesight should go back to normal again in a few months. We continue to pray that it does. Cynthia’s faith was challenged and strengthened in all this, along with some of her close friends who had been praying for her through this. God continues to amaze us with His goodness and grace.
With love,
Rocky, Wendy, Cynthia & Leah Dede.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Relationships: Complex and Confusioning
Is anything in life more confusing than relationships? It doesn’t matter whether the relationship is marriage, parenting, in-laws, siblings, church family, neighbors, co-workers or extended community, they always have bumps and there is always some measure of confusion.
Some people handle relationships by just doing what comes naturally to them. These people of course don’t have very many relationships. The relationships that they do have are often broken, one-sided and not very pretty.
Some people have numerous relationships but, only with those that they want to relate to. They are very selective in their relationships. Some people have lots of relationships but they are not very deep. Others have just a few relationships that tend to be deeper. We could probably all agree that whatever the relationship landscape looks like relationships can be complex and confusing.
The book titles: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus or Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti or the parenting quote: Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-o to a tree, ring true because they describe the confusion and complexity of relationships.
Much of Jesus teaching was either about relationships – Love one another … (John 13:34) or used relationships to illustrate a point – the story of the Prodigal Son. Jesus was an expert at relationships. Since He was never selfish his motives were pure, his attitudes correct, his responses appropriate and his actions loving.
Jesus wants to create in us the selfless, pure, correct motives, attitudes, responses and actions towards others. We are to ‘Love our neighbors as we love ourselves.’ This will happen only as Jesus creates in us His nature, priorities, perspectives and purposes. Jesus being formed in us will revolutionize how relationships happen in our lives. If how relationships look in our life is not different than those around us – Jesus nature may not be being formed in us.
If Jesus is being formed in me – my relationships will be impacted by integrity and love.
Some people handle relationships by just doing what comes naturally to them. These people of course don’t have very many relationships. The relationships that they do have are often broken, one-sided and not very pretty.
Some people have numerous relationships but, only with those that they want to relate to. They are very selective in their relationships. Some people have lots of relationships but they are not very deep. Others have just a few relationships that tend to be deeper. We could probably all agree that whatever the relationship landscape looks like relationships can be complex and confusing.
The book titles: Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus or Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti or the parenting quote: Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-o to a tree, ring true because they describe the confusion and complexity of relationships.
Much of Jesus teaching was either about relationships – Love one another … (John 13:34) or used relationships to illustrate a point – the story of the Prodigal Son. Jesus was an expert at relationships. Since He was never selfish his motives were pure, his attitudes correct, his responses appropriate and his actions loving.
Jesus wants to create in us the selfless, pure, correct motives, attitudes, responses and actions towards others. We are to ‘Love our neighbors as we love ourselves.’ This will happen only as Jesus creates in us His nature, priorities, perspectives and purposes. Jesus being formed in us will revolutionize how relationships happen in our lives. If how relationships look in our life is not different than those around us – Jesus nature may not be being formed in us.
If Jesus is being formed in me – my relationships will be impacted by integrity and love.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Resurrection
You have no doubt heard Peter referred to as the Apostle Peter, or Paul referred to as the Apostle Paul. There were a number of leaders who were referred to as apostles but the number of those referred to as ‘The Apostles’ was limited by a number of factors. One of the factors that determined whether a leader was an apostle or was recognized as one of The Apostles was that the person had to be an eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus. Only those who were leaders in the church and who had seen the resurrected Jesus with their own eyes were counted among The Apostles.
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was the foundation for, and the basis of, the incredible increase in the number of those who committed their lives to follow Him as the Messiah. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, then everything else we know about Him would amount to little more than a good example and someone to quote. Millions of people, down through two millennia, would not pledge their life, family, fortune and security based on a good example or a good teacher.
Here is something you might not know:
“But here's the amazing thing that the media isn't telling you: More Iranians will celebrate Easter this year -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- than at any other time in human history. That's because more Iranians have renounced Islam and become followers of Jesus Christ in the last 31 years than the past 14 centuries combined.”
A Christian is not just someone who follows an example or who is a student of a good teacher. A Christian is someone who surrenders to Jesus, the resurrected Messiah, making Him the master, leader and Lord of their life. A Christian is someone who relies upon Jesus to continually change their life and to make them into the person God intended for them to be. Changing a person’s life and making them into the person God intends for them to be happens by the resurrection power of Jesus.
Have you surrendered to the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Is He the master, leader and Lord of your life? Are you continually relying upon Him to change you and to make you into the person that God intends for you to be? If not, today is the day to surrender to the resurrected Messiah and rely upon him to change you and make you into the person God intends for you to be.
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was the foundation for, and the basis of, the incredible increase in the number of those who committed their lives to follow Him as the Messiah. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, then everything else we know about Him would amount to little more than a good example and someone to quote. Millions of people, down through two millennia, would not pledge their life, family, fortune and security based on a good example or a good teacher.
Here is something you might not know:
“But here's the amazing thing that the media isn't telling you: More Iranians will celebrate Easter this year -- the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- than at any other time in human history. That's because more Iranians have renounced Islam and become followers of Jesus Christ in the last 31 years than the past 14 centuries combined.”
A Christian is not just someone who follows an example or who is a student of a good teacher. A Christian is someone who surrenders to Jesus, the resurrected Messiah, making Him the master, leader and Lord of their life. A Christian is someone who relies upon Jesus to continually change their life and to make them into the person God intended for them to be. Changing a person’s life and making them into the person God intends for them to be happens by the resurrection power of Jesus.
Have you surrendered to the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Is He the master, leader and Lord of your life? Are you continually relying upon Him to change you and to make you into the person that God intends for you to be? If not, today is the day to surrender to the resurrected Messiah and rely upon him to change you and make you into the person God intends for you to be.
Friday, March 19, 2010
MORE Blessed
Jesus said: “It is MORE BLESSED to give then to receive.” I am willing to bet that almost every one of us would like to be MORE BLESSED rather than LESS BLESSED. If this is true why do we give so little? Why do we give in such a way that we end up less blessed?
Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV)
In Jesus day the land was owned by a relatively few people. These people were the rich people. The rich were those in power and who controlled most aspects of society and life.
In the harvest field there were two classes of people that would be found in the field.
One class was the laborers who Jesus often spoke of in stories and parables. These workers were paid not by the amount of work they did but by the amount of hours they put in. The parable of the Landowner – Matthew 20 illustrates those who got paid based on the number of hours they would put in.
The other class of people was the poor people. These people were given the right to ‘glean’ from the field. They would follow the harvesters and gather the leftovers to supply their personal need. What they gleaned was free. It was theirs.
The laborers would fill a basket only partially full. They had to carry the basket from where they were working to the main holding area. They didn’t fill the basket all the way full because it would spill as they carried it across the field and what would be the point of that?
The poor, the gleaners, on the other hand would fill the basket full, they would shake it, they would press it down and as they walked away it would be running over. What they had was theirs and there was no cost to them. They were going to carry as much as they possibly could.
Being MORE BLESSED is what Jesus was referring to when He said: “Give, and it will be given to you. … For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
You and I are in complete control of MORE BLESSED and LESS BLESSED!
Jesus said: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38 NIV)
In Jesus day the land was owned by a relatively few people. These people were the rich people. The rich were those in power and who controlled most aspects of society and life.
In the harvest field there were two classes of people that would be found in the field.
One class was the laborers who Jesus often spoke of in stories and parables. These workers were paid not by the amount of work they did but by the amount of hours they put in. The parable of the Landowner – Matthew 20 illustrates those who got paid based on the number of hours they would put in.
The other class of people was the poor people. These people were given the right to ‘glean’ from the field. They would follow the harvesters and gather the leftovers to supply their personal need. What they gleaned was free. It was theirs.
The laborers would fill a basket only partially full. They had to carry the basket from where they were working to the main holding area. They didn’t fill the basket all the way full because it would spill as they carried it across the field and what would be the point of that?
The poor, the gleaners, on the other hand would fill the basket full, they would shake it, they would press it down and as they walked away it would be running over. What they had was theirs and there was no cost to them. They were going to carry as much as they possibly could.
Being MORE BLESSED is what Jesus was referring to when He said: “Give, and it will be given to you. … For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
You and I are in complete control of MORE BLESSED and LESS BLESSED!
Friday, March 12, 2010
“I NEED that!”
“I NEED that!”
At one time or another and more than just one time, I have heard each of our children exclaim, rather forcefully, that they had NEED of something.
It might have been at a grocery store, a stop along the road on vacation or in a restaurant somewhere – one of more of them would make the declaration. It was always somewhat comical. Barbara or I would remind the child that they didn’t NEED anything. I will be the first to admit that my children have never NEEDED anything. Of course they have lots of needs but those needs are always provided for. They’ve never been naked – (Well mostly never!) They’ve never gone hungry. They’ve never gone without a house or doctor visit or shots or toys or for that matter they almost never went without dessert due to their Dad’s sweet tooth.
Sometime along the way the “I NEED that!” declaration became more truthful. Each child, at some point, would change their declaration to “I WANT that!” For a parent, the new declaration is just as annoying as the old one but at least the new one is honest.
With each declaration Barbara or I would respond: “But I thought you wanted …” and they would reply – “Well, I WANT that too!” or “That was yesterday or last week or …” You get the idea.
Things don’t change much as we get old, do they? We don’t say to someone else “I NEED that!” But we convince ourselves that we NEED that. We have to rationalize, think through, argue with circumstances and the reasons that we don’t NEED that but eventually with enough finesse we convince ourselves that we need it.
I don’t have the that color of shirt though!
What if the other one breaks?
This will reduce the time that it takes to do the job now – it’s worth it.
You get the idea.
As teens and adults we would be better off telling ourselves the truth – I WANT that.
At least then we could ask the some helpful questions like:
Why do I WANT that?
Can I really afford all of my WANTS?
Is this WANT going to last or is this an impulse?
WANT is a powerful force … let’s be honest and let’s not let WANT rule our lives!
At one time or another and more than just one time, I have heard each of our children exclaim, rather forcefully, that they had NEED of something.
It might have been at a grocery store, a stop along the road on vacation or in a restaurant somewhere – one of more of them would make the declaration. It was always somewhat comical. Barbara or I would remind the child that they didn’t NEED anything. I will be the first to admit that my children have never NEEDED anything. Of course they have lots of needs but those needs are always provided for. They’ve never been naked – (Well mostly never!) They’ve never gone hungry. They’ve never gone without a house or doctor visit or shots or toys or for that matter they almost never went without dessert due to their Dad’s sweet tooth.
Sometime along the way the “I NEED that!” declaration became more truthful. Each child, at some point, would change their declaration to “I WANT that!” For a parent, the new declaration is just as annoying as the old one but at least the new one is honest.
With each declaration Barbara or I would respond: “But I thought you wanted …” and they would reply – “Well, I WANT that too!” or “That was yesterday or last week or …” You get the idea.
Things don’t change much as we get old, do they? We don’t say to someone else “I NEED that!” But we convince ourselves that we NEED that. We have to rationalize, think through, argue with circumstances and the reasons that we don’t NEED that but eventually with enough finesse we convince ourselves that we need it.
I don’t have the that color of shirt though!
What if the other one breaks?
This will reduce the time that it takes to do the job now – it’s worth it.
You get the idea.
As teens and adults we would be better off telling ourselves the truth – I WANT that.
At least then we could ask the some helpful questions like:
Why do I WANT that?
Can I really afford all of my WANTS?
Is this WANT going to last or is this an impulse?
WANT is a powerful force … let’s be honest and let’s not let WANT rule our lives!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Are you ‘steeping’?
Anyone who has made a cup of tea knows that tea colors and flavors the water when the bag is put into water. This process is known as ‘steeping.’ For the tea to color and flavor the water the water has to be hot. Cold water doesn’t make a good cup of tea.
Transformation of a person’s emotions is not a quick process. There is no quick memory ‘flash’ that will change habits and ways of feeling and responding in an instantaneous procedure. There are times, when treating a patient who is experiencing significant emotional or mental struggles, that a psychiatrist will prescribe medicine. Some of these medicines function to block the normal ‘electrical pathways’ in the brain and by doing so, allow new pathways to be created. Over a period of time the electrical currents in the brain find new paths to travel in. When that occurs, a person’s mental and emotional patterns and responses can change. Hopefully the new paths are healthier than the old pathways. The new pathways, if they are given time and repletion, will become the default pathways. None of this change happens quickly.
In a similar way, emotional and mental transformation of a follower of Jesus Christ is the creation of new paths and habits of living and thinking. These new paths eventually become the default habits and patterns of living. None of this change happens quickly. Paul wrote: Do not conform any longer 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. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Transformation usually happens during these different conditions: Tension, Trouble, Transition and Trials. People often change when the tension between bills and available finances are in conflict with one another. People often change when they find themselves in trouble for some reason. People often make changes in life during times of transition. People often change when they are experiencing some sort of trial in life.
It is interesting that these are the conditions when transformation most often occurs, but people do almost everything they can to avoid tension, trouble, transition and trials, thereby removing the very conditions under which transformation takes place.
The Bible says: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4 MSG) Could it be that followers are instructed to see trials, tests and challenges in a positive way because they are an advantage? I think so.
Going through times of tension, trouble, transition and trials is a sort of spiritual ‘steeping.’ Transformation happens in more powerful ways when we are steeping in tension, trouble, transition and trial.
Are you ‘steeping’ and being transformed, or are you trying to get out of the conditions of spiritual steeping?
Matt
Transformation of a person’s emotions is not a quick process. There is no quick memory ‘flash’ that will change habits and ways of feeling and responding in an instantaneous procedure. There are times, when treating a patient who is experiencing significant emotional or mental struggles, that a psychiatrist will prescribe medicine. Some of these medicines function to block the normal ‘electrical pathways’ in the brain and by doing so, allow new pathways to be created. Over a period of time the electrical currents in the brain find new paths to travel in. When that occurs, a person’s mental and emotional patterns and responses can change. Hopefully the new paths are healthier than the old pathways. The new pathways, if they are given time and repletion, will become the default pathways. None of this change happens quickly.
In a similar way, emotional and mental transformation of a follower of Jesus Christ is the creation of new paths and habits of living and thinking. These new paths eventually become the default habits and patterns of living. None of this change happens quickly. Paul wrote: Do not conform any longer 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. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
Transformation usually happens during these different conditions: Tension, Trouble, Transition and Trials. People often change when the tension between bills and available finances are in conflict with one another. People often change when they find themselves in trouble for some reason. People often make changes in life during times of transition. People often change when they are experiencing some sort of trial in life.
It is interesting that these are the conditions when transformation most often occurs, but people do almost everything they can to avoid tension, trouble, transition and trials, thereby removing the very conditions under which transformation takes place.
The Bible says: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (James 1:2-4 MSG) Could it be that followers are instructed to see trials, tests and challenges in a positive way because they are an advantage? I think so.
Going through times of tension, trouble, transition and trials is a sort of spiritual ‘steeping.’ Transformation happens in more powerful ways when we are steeping in tension, trouble, transition and trial.
Are you ‘steeping’ and being transformed, or are you trying to get out of the conditions of spiritual steeping?
Matt
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Worry - Fear
Almost 30 years ago, on Barbara’s and my wedding day, my Dad, in his early 50’s at the time, gave me some sage advice that I have always remembered and tried to apply to life. (My dad and mom had nine children. By the time I married, five older siblings had already married; so dad and mom had been through this event in life before!)
Barbara and I were getting ready to leave the church when my dad told me, “Most of the things in life I’ve spent time worrying about have never happened. Don’t waste your time worrying.”
I have to say that, at the time, I didn’t really understand what he was referring to or talking about. Now I am just a few years younger than my Dad was when Barbara and I got married, and I have a much better understanding of what he was trying to tell me.
I have to admit that I’ve spent my fair share of time worrying about things - family, financial, church relationships, church finances – just to name a few.
My Dad was right. Most of the things I’ve worried about have never happened. I’ve spent time and energy worrying when I should have trusted more. I spent time worrying about things that I had no control over. I spent energy worrying about things that I had very little ability to impact the outcome.
Jesus said: I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. (Matthew 6:25 NLT)
And: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
Paul wrote: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
Peter wrote: Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
‘For tomorrow will worry about itself.’
Lord, teach me not to worry but instead teach me to trust. I give you my worries and my cares. Thank you that you care about me! Amen
Barbara and I were getting ready to leave the church when my dad told me, “Most of the things in life I’ve spent time worrying about have never happened. Don’t waste your time worrying.”
I have to say that, at the time, I didn’t really understand what he was referring to or talking about. Now I am just a few years younger than my Dad was when Barbara and I got married, and I have a much better understanding of what he was trying to tell me.
I have to admit that I’ve spent my fair share of time worrying about things - family, financial, church relationships, church finances – just to name a few.
My Dad was right. Most of the things I’ve worried about have never happened. I’ve spent time and energy worrying when I should have trusted more. I spent time worrying about things that I had no control over. I spent energy worrying about things that I had very little ability to impact the outcome.
Jesus said: I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. (Matthew 6:25 NLT)
And: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34 NIV)
Paul wrote: Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
Peter wrote: Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
‘For tomorrow will worry about itself.’
Lord, teach me not to worry but instead teach me to trust. I give you my worries and my cares. Thank you that you care about me! Amen
Friday, February 19, 2010
Confession
Two of the greatest promises in God’s Word are:
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalms 32:1-5 NLT)
If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
There is nothing in this world or the next greater than the forgiveness that is promised and given because of Jesus’ death on the Cross! That forgiveness is worked in our spirit and soul through confession.
Confession requires, though, an embracing of guilt and shame. If I am not guilty, if I don’t feel shame, why would I need to confess? What would there be to confess? Guilt, shame and confession are forever connected. Without guilt and shame, there is no confession. Without confession, guilt and shame remain.
How often do you ‘confess’ a wrong to God? Are you in the habit of, or the practice of, confession?
It is possible to sin against God and not against people but it is never possible to sin against people without also sinning against God. In David’s processing of his guilt and shame over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, David declared: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (Psalms 51:4 NIV)
I want to encourage you to make confession of specific sin a part of your daily walk with God. It is one of the means by which the Holy Spirit forms ‘Christ in you.’ Confession is a lost art. I want to challenge you to rediscover the art of Confession. Confession is good for the soul!
“Father, forgive me and forgive your people for our neglect of the practice and the habit of confessing our sins. Make us sensitive to our conscience and teach us how to be quick to confess our sin. Amen!”
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalms 32:1-5 NLT)
If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLT)
There is nothing in this world or the next greater than the forgiveness that is promised and given because of Jesus’ death on the Cross! That forgiveness is worked in our spirit and soul through confession.
Confession requires, though, an embracing of guilt and shame. If I am not guilty, if I don’t feel shame, why would I need to confess? What would there be to confess? Guilt, shame and confession are forever connected. Without guilt and shame, there is no confession. Without confession, guilt and shame remain.
How often do you ‘confess’ a wrong to God? Are you in the habit of, or the practice of, confession?
It is possible to sin against God and not against people but it is never possible to sin against people without also sinning against God. In David’s processing of his guilt and shame over his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, David declared: Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. (Psalms 51:4 NIV)
I want to encourage you to make confession of specific sin a part of your daily walk with God. It is one of the means by which the Holy Spirit forms ‘Christ in you.’ Confession is a lost art. I want to challenge you to rediscover the art of Confession. Confession is good for the soul!
“Father, forgive me and forgive your people for our neglect of the practice and the habit of confessing our sins. Make us sensitive to our conscience and teach us how to be quick to confess our sin. Amen!”
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Judging and Criticism
As I have been considering the reality of spiritual formation in my own life (‘Christ being formed in me’), I have been reading The Imitation of Christ, written by Thomas A. Kempis almost 600 years ago. In Book 1, Chapter 14 he wrote: “Watch over yourself and take care not to judge the actions of other people. We gain nothing from criticizing others, but often are mistaken and thereby offend God.”
One line in this section has gripped my heart: “We gain nothing from criticizing others.” How often in my life I have criticized or even allowed a critical attitude to arise. I have done so with no thought about its effect on me. I know that it has not very often been beneficial to others, but when I think, ‘I gain nothing from criticizing’ it changes my outlook on criticism.
Does anyone benefit from ‘criticism’?
Can I think of even one time that being critical has helped someone else?
Can I think of one time that being critical has served any beneficial purpose in my life?
There are, of course, times when words of correction, suggestion, and oversight are needed. As a parent it is necessary to correct, suggest and give oversight. As an employer there are times that correction, suggestion and oversight are necessary. There is a difference between correcting, suggesting, oversight and being critical. Critical comes from a negative outlook rather than a positive outlook. Critical is an attitude of superiority, not an honest attitude of trying to help. Critical is about ‘beating down’ instead of ‘building up.’
The Apostle Paul wrote: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Talk comes out of attitude. The only way to have ‘wholesome talk’ is to have ‘wholesome attitudes.’ Critical, unwholesome attitudes will create critical, unwholesome talk.
Jesus, change me so that I have wholesome attitudes and wholesome words. Teach me to build up and not beat down. I gain nothing by criticizing and neither does anyone else. Teach me and change me. Christ form yourself in me!
One line in this section has gripped my heart: “We gain nothing from criticizing others.” How often in my life I have criticized or even allowed a critical attitude to arise. I have done so with no thought about its effect on me. I know that it has not very often been beneficial to others, but when I think, ‘I gain nothing from criticizing’ it changes my outlook on criticism.
Does anyone benefit from ‘criticism’?
Can I think of even one time that being critical has helped someone else?
Can I think of one time that being critical has served any beneficial purpose in my life?
There are, of course, times when words of correction, suggestion, and oversight are needed. As a parent it is necessary to correct, suggest and give oversight. As an employer there are times that correction, suggestion and oversight are necessary. There is a difference between correcting, suggesting, oversight and being critical. Critical comes from a negative outlook rather than a positive outlook. Critical is an attitude of superiority, not an honest attitude of trying to help. Critical is about ‘beating down’ instead of ‘building up.’
The Apostle Paul wrote: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Talk comes out of attitude. The only way to have ‘wholesome talk’ is to have ‘wholesome attitudes.’ Critical, unwholesome attitudes will create critical, unwholesome talk.
Jesus, change me so that I have wholesome attitudes and wholesome words. Teach me to build up and not beat down. I gain nothing by criticizing and neither does anyone else. Teach me and change me. Christ form yourself in me!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Devotional Practices aren't the measure
Churches regularly emphasize ‘devotional practices’ such as Bible reading, prayer, fasting, meditation, etc. To some it could seem that those are the most important parts of what a person can do as a Christian. Over time it is easy to believe that the sign of spiritual growth or maturity is Bible reading or giving or prayer or fasting or any number of ‘devotional practices.’ A person’s commitment is then gauged by some of these items. Evaluating ourselves and gauging our devotional practices is not a bad thing, but it might be the wrong aspect to calculate.
Devotional practices are not the measure of what God is doing in a person’s life. The Pharisees were experts at ‘devotional practices.’ In Jesus’ story in which the heart attitudes of the Pharisee and the tax collector were described, the Pharisee prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men … I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” This Pharisee was an expert in doing his devotional practices.
I am all for devotional practices. I am ‘religious’ about some of them but, they are the means to me growing and being transformed and not the final point. They are routines which God uses so that Christ will be formed in me. These devotional practices are part of my relationship and communication with Jesus. In the same way that there are certain routines and practices I have that communicate my love and devotion to Barbara.
In the area of ‘Christ being formed in us’ that we’ve been talking about, devotional practices are part of what God uses to form the nature of Christ in us. They are the tools. They are the means and not the end.
Sometimes the question is asked: Did I read my Bible? Good question, but maybe not the best question.
What if the question was: Am I growing more or less easily irritated these days? or, Am I growing more or less easily discouraged these days?
Those might be better questions because they would be the indicator of what is really happening in our spiritual life. They might be the indicator of whether Christ is being formed in us. There are lots of people who fast, read, pray, sing, etc. who are not becoming more Christ-like. The reading, praying, fasting, giving, etc. has become an end. Sadly, it has become the reason and the purpose.
Father, develop Christ in us!
Devotional practices are not the measure of what God is doing in a person’s life. The Pharisees were experts at ‘devotional practices.’ In Jesus’ story in which the heart attitudes of the Pharisee and the tax collector were described, the Pharisee prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other men … I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” This Pharisee was an expert in doing his devotional practices.
I am all for devotional practices. I am ‘religious’ about some of them but, they are the means to me growing and being transformed and not the final point. They are routines which God uses so that Christ will be formed in me. These devotional practices are part of my relationship and communication with Jesus. In the same way that there are certain routines and practices I have that communicate my love and devotion to Barbara.
In the area of ‘Christ being formed in us’ that we’ve been talking about, devotional practices are part of what God uses to form the nature of Christ in us. They are the tools. They are the means and not the end.
Sometimes the question is asked: Did I read my Bible? Good question, but maybe not the best question.
What if the question was: Am I growing more or less easily irritated these days? or, Am I growing more or less easily discouraged these days?
Those might be better questions because they would be the indicator of what is really happening in our spiritual life. They might be the indicator of whether Christ is being formed in us. There are lots of people who fast, read, pray, sing, etc. who are not becoming more Christ-like. The reading, praying, fasting, giving, etc. has become an end. Sadly, it has become the reason and the purpose.
Father, develop Christ in us!
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