In Memoriam....

Pastor Jim read these words of Dr. King's in church yesterday:

"...A religion true to its nature must...be concerned about man's social conditions. Religion deals with both earth and heaven, both time and eternity. Religion operates not only on the vertical plane but also on the horizontal. It seeks not only to integrate men with God but to integrate men with men and each man with himself. This means, at bottom, that the Christian gospel is a two-way road. On the one hand it seeks to change the souls of men, and thereby unite them with God; on the other hand it seeks to change the environmental conditions of men so that the soul will have a chance after it is changed. Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion. Such a religion is the kind that Marxists like to see - an opiate of the people."

An incredible paragraph, that has implications with my last post, but not what I am thinking about right now.

What is the proper way to remember someone? To me, volunteering on MLK day is a lot like working in a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Its a nice gesture, but if its something you do once a year, then it isn't reflective of a heart-attitude, and likely is done more to make you feel good, than a deep desire to help the brokenness around you. I suppose a little is better than none at all--and help that is at its core selfish is still help, but I really would rather "volunteer" the other 364 days of the year rather than on MLK day, just because its perceived as the day you go help people. Most people don't really know who he was, or what drove him to do what he did, they just have a vague sense that he wanted racial equality, he was assassinated, and so we should help those in need. That's not how you remember someone.

Joshua 4 is about the memorial stones that the Israelites placed after they crossed the Jordan into Canaan. He tells them to place 12 stones at the place they crossed, "that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'what do these stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them ..." Memorials are a very Biblical concept, the most famous being the Lord's Supper. I also think to Jeremiah 31, "set up road markers, make yourself guideposts" so as to not go back down that road. He had to continually remind Israel what He had done for them, and where they had come from. I think He knows how prone we are to forget, to live in the immediacy of now (or in fear of the future) and forget the past, all that He has brought us through, and all that He has done for His people throughout history.

Its for that reason that I think it is good to honor them memory of Dr. King, but only if it is actually tied to who he was and what he said. It is good to read the words of some of his speeches, and glean from his wisdom and insight. I think though, he would be more honored by a lifestyle of service and reconciliation, rather than a few hours once a year...

...Oh let me ne're forget, that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet...

Right now the wrong that is seeming so strong is not active, oppressive evil--as it often is--but rather seemingly insurmountable brokenness all around me. Been thinking very programmatically about development lately, or really about development as a means of poverty alleviation. And really, poverty alleviation as a cure for brokenness, and brokenness as a result of the fall. Doesn't work though, poverty (a relative term) is in itself a symptom of a greater problem, one that I can in no way solve. Without Christ, there is no hope, there is no help, and there is no salvation.

Editor's Note:

Ok, so before I continue...and I may not...Can I just say that God is at work! Incredible. As I continue to wrestle through all this:
- I am given a house to live in, in a neighborhood of image bearers, with a friend who has a similar vision for loving people.
- "When Helping Hurts" is a recurring them among people I dialogue with on this...
- JR Caines at East Ridge Pres preached on this very thing today, and DJ told me about it. (Read his sermon here.
- I've had some really challenging conversations with a number of people I respect, and I know of a few more who I will have the opportunity to dialogue with in the near future...
- I visited a church which I really liked, and can't wait to visit again--and they have a small group in my new neighborhood!
- Talked with Dad at length about some of my frustrations, and as always, he was able to give me some good insight and bring it all back to Jesus.
- I'll have to opportunity to explore this, in some fashion, at work--which will be quite the challenge, and will really test a lot of what I hold dear. Usually good, rarely fun.
- I'm encouraged. This stuff is well worth wrestling with, and while it seems that he didn't make me right, I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and it will all make sense in due time--ideally this side of heaven. (A little explanation: I was telling dad how I was frustrated that I seem to be wired to develop programs and systems, and at the same time given a heart for the needy and brokenness all around me--it also seems that programs and systems aren't the solution, but rather relationships--and so my heart seems to be at odds with my head.)

So, dear reader (both of you), be encouraged that I am encouraged.
Thanks.
I appreciate that.

The Blessings of Kenny G

Confession: I did go to a Kenny G concert the other day. Its not as bad as it may seem, as I had a free ticket, and so didn't pay $30ish dollars to sit and watch a guy blow into a sax for 2 hours. That's what I expected anyway, and was pleasantly blown away. Not only is he extremely talented, but the rest of his "group," as it were, are quite skilled as well. Since it was live, it was much more in the typical jazz style-improve and solos-than you can get on a cd. But this isn't really about my enjoyment of the concert, but rather my reaction to it.

As I was driving home, reflecting on that concert and thanking Him for all the recent blessings I have experienced, I found myself almost afraid of what was coming next. I don't know what it is, but I cannot seem to understand grace. Still. Had coffee with DJ on Thursday, and reflected on 2009. Its been such a great year, and while its had its ups and downs, I have so much to be thankful for, and I can see His hand all over it. I can not seem to grasp God blessing me just because, or Him being actually pleased with me. I vacillate between thinking I deserve blessings, or that He is about to send some hardship, so I shouldn't enjoy it too much. I know better, but doesn't seem to penetrate my heart. I am apprehensive about tomorrow, thinking that there is some great hardship about to befall me or that He will basically say, "That's enough, time for some more sanctification." So twisted. And even when He does send trials, they are not to be feared. I realized a while back, that I have a hard time accepting grace, both from God, and from others. More on that later, but as we approach the New Year, I think it'd be best to be thankful for the blessings of the past, and trust in His care for the future, whatever it may look like...

Reflections on: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.

It kind of has a haunting tune...reverent one might say. Such a neat song. The third verse has such a neat perspective, much different that what I normally think of during Advent. While His coming was the greatest gift, its more than just a cute story of a baby in a manger. His coming was also the final move in the cosmic battle between God and Satan. He uses battle imagery throughout Scripture, and its reflected in that verse. The vanguard is the first line of troops that go into battle. I can't imagine what it must have been like for the angels who, way more than we, understand what was at stake, and what it meant for the "Light of light" to descend from heaven to become a man. Imagine escorting the King of Kings down from heaven as he goes from All-powerful to the most vulnerable. Gives me chills...

Something to meditate on as we enter the advent season...

The Incarnation

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!

You are part of the "Great Congregation"

Psalm 40:10 "I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation."

Not sure who the 'great congregation" is, but I dare not hide from ya'll His steadfast love and faithfulness. So here's a testimony from a few weeks back.

Jeremiah 31:4 "Again I will build you, and you will be built, O Virgin Israel!"

On the surface, out of context, that seems like a nice verse from God to his people Israel, but this verse, in the context of the book of Jeremiah, is a radical shift in the language God uses to address his people and a turning point in their relationship with him. I hope so also with me.

The last month or so has been what some could call a desert spiritually. I would not however, because while the image of a desert makes me think that I am wandering and don't know where to find rest and refreshment. I did, but refused to go. More of an implicit refusal than an explicit refusal, but still a refusal. Funny how we have to relearn lessons. Thought I figured this one out in Rwanda...

So a few weeks ago, after working late in to the evening, I was on my way home, when I decided to stop by Miller Plaza and the fountain. I was pretty listless, and just sitting there, thinking about little. I had my Bible with me in my pocket. I'd kept it close lately, a subconscious admitting that I needed to read it, but yet I never really pulled it out. Finally, almost out of desperation, I pull it out and open to Jeremiah 31. How random. I had been studying the first half a few months ago, but never got to chapter 31.

Never again will I discount opening the Bible and letting God direct me to a passage. This was just what I needed to send me back to Him.

As I said, on the surface it seems to be merely a nice story of God loving Israel, but when you know the context of the earlier part of the book, you realize what an incredible thing He is saying. Reading over the first few chapters, and also looking at Hosea, God continues to refer to Israel as prostitutes, pointing out their whoring of themselves to anything and everything other than God. He condemns their actions in rather harsh terms, and things are not looking good for Israel. Then, as He works through their punishment and restoration an amazing thing happens, He calls them Virgins.

I cannot stress this enough: their Holy God has been calling and calling, doing marvelous works for them--only to have them turn away and refuse anything to do with Him. Though they run to other lovers time and again--looking for something, anything to satisfy--He keeps after them and draws them to Himself, and then He wipes away their record. In His eyes they are Virgins, the unblemished, pure Bride, for the perfect Bridegroom. Incredible!

Bam! Shot to the heart. Despite my recent distance, implicit refusal to submit to God and seek Him, He still is pursuing me and He will accept me back. Verse 20 reads: "Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the Lord." He yearns for us. Totally undeserved, totally incomprehensible. He remembers us still--despite all we've done and continue to do--surely I will have mercy on Him.

Then, to help matters more, He gives us instruction on how not to stray--something that is so easy to do. Verse 21 " Setup road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went." They were in fellowship with Him, and then they stayed, they walked down a road that led to destruction. So to in my life: it isn't a quick thing usually, but rather a process of little decisions, compromises and excuses that lead me down that road. So I read that verse, agreed that it was a good idea, and promptly closed my Bible and stood up. Thought better of it, pulled back out my Bible and journal, and began to write down what those road markers are: what little decisions, mindsets and compromises to I continually make that lead me away from Him. If I don't acknowledge them, then it becomes much more difficult to notice when I walk down that road. Now that I have identified some, I can pray through them, and be much more alert. Be sober, be vigilant for your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour. Wise words from Peter.

So, an exhortation to you, dear member of the "great congregation," is to take some time to pray, asking God to show you the road that takes you from Him. Set up guideposts and markers and share them with a friend: Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will life up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Also, read Jeremiah. Its a long one, and full of "poetry," but the picture of Israel's rebellion and God's redemption is incredible. We appreciate God more when we realize who we really are, and so what He has done. We truly are the new Israel, not only as recipients of the promise, but also just as deserving of His wrath.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (I Peter 2:9-10)

You alone, are worthy of my praise...

Once again, I'm listening to a song on the way home...here's the chorus:

I will give You all my worship, I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship, You alone are worthy of my praise.

I remember singing this in Youth Group, one of the leaders commenting about not liking this song, because he thought it made it seem like we are running around with praise looking to offer it to some one. I, on the other hand, do like it, because I think it hits on a important truth that we are tempted to overlook--the fact that we do have something important to offer God.

I don't think that we offer Him something in the sense that we make up for His lack, but rather we are important, and what we give has value. Denying this I think denies who we are, our value, and so denies His work in us--we are fearfully and wonderfully made, in His image, and that is important. Because we are valuable (He did send His son to die for us) then it is important what we praise, because our praise is valuable. He is a jealous God, and our praise is to be only directed towards Him. Were our praise nothing, then it would not matter that we give it to Him, and Him alone.

Simple song to be sure, but in that simplicity is wrapped up some significant truth about who we are, and how that effects our relation to God.