Archive for September, 2003

God’s Fishbowl

Published
by
Mike
on September 18, 2003
in Church
. 1 Comment

One of my elders, John Willis, writes a daily devotional that he e-mails out. Here’s the one from today:

According to Ephesians 3:10, God’s “mystery” “revealed” is “that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

Paul is not talking about the church proclaiming the gospel to the world by teaching and preaching. Instead, he declares that the church is like a fishbowl which reflects God’s nature, love, and purpose to the world by the love it exhibits in all its words and actions and by the unity it reflects between all human beings, whether Jew or Gentile. Markus Barth (Ephesians 1-3. The Anchor Bible 34, pages 364-365) expresses well the thought of Ephesians 3:10:

“The church is not an end in itself but a functional outpost of God’s kingdom. . . . In her total being, that is, as founded and ruled by the Messiah; as composed of Jews and Gentiles formerly dead in sins and divided in hostility; as a people daring to live on the basis of forgiveness; as a community boldly looking into God’s face and speaking to him; as a suffering and struggling, poor and yet enriched nation–this way the church is God’s display, picture window, legal ‘proof’ (2:7), lighthouse (5:8), for the benefit of the world. . . . As established, maintained, and set out by God, the church is an instrument through which he reveals himself. She is, in brief, by her very existence the ‘revelation of God’s secret in action . . . the manifestation of the wisdom of God.’ . . . The function of demonstrating God’s dominion and love is entrusted to the church. She is appointed and equipped to be a public exponent of grace and unity. . . . To let God’s light shine–this is the servant task ascribed to the church in Eph 3:10. . . . Chapters 4-6 will describe in some detail the conduct by which the church ‘without word,’ i. e., by sheer good conduct, shall excel among people and powers outside the church.”

So, what does the world see when it looks at the church? Does it see people from all races and nations and social backgrounds loving and helping and caring for one another, and living in forgiving, forbearing, understanding unity? Or does it see people slandering one another, criticizing one another, finding fault with one another, gossiping about one another, discouraging one another, bickering and quibbling over differing worship styles, interpretations of scripture, understandings of the nature of God and Christ, long held traditions and beliefs which the Bible does not even mention, and the like? Is the world drawn to God or repulsed from God when it sees the church, which is supposed to be his lighthouse or fishbowl or picture window in the world?

Forget Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Pretty Woman

Published
by
Mike
on September 18, 2003
in marriage
. 0 Comments

As I mentioned last night, Richard Beck wrote me about research that’s been done concerning theories people have about love. They found that there are basically two competing theories at work.

Some are destiny theorists. They believe that there is one right person for you, and that when you find them it will be wonderful. Somewhere out there is a “soulmate.” This group tends to discard romantic relationships when there are problems.

Others are growth theorists. They believe that love is something that emerges over time as you work through lots of ups and downs. Research shows that they wind up much happier in their relationships.

I’ve heard so many people over the past decade use the “soulmate” language. No wonder most of them are so frustrated in their dating lives or in their marriages. Forget Cinderella, Prince Charming, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. Love takes time, patience, energy, commitment, and service.

Sanctuary People

Published
by
Mike
on September 16, 2003
in Books and General
. 0 Comments

I’ve been reading two of Rachel Naomi Remen’s wonderful books that flow out of her experience of working (as a physician) with cancer patients: KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM and MY GRANDFATHER’S BLESSINGS.

Try this passage:

“The life in us is diminished by judgment far more frequently than by disease. Our own self-judgment or the judgment of other people can stifle our life force, its spontaneity and natural expression. Unfortunately, judgment is commonplace. It is as rare to find someone who loves us as we are as it is to find someone who loves themselves whole.

“Judgment does not only take the form of criticism. Approval is also a form of judgment. When we approve of people, we sit in judgment of them as surely as when we criticize them. Positive judgment hurts less acutely than criticism, but it is judgment all the same and we are harmed by it in far more subtle ways. To seek approval is to have no resting place, no sanctuary. Like all judgment, approval encourages a constant striving. It makes us uncertain of who we are and of our true value. This is as true of the approval we give ourselves as it is of the approval we offer others. Approval can’t be trusted. It can be withdrawn at any time no matter what our track record has been. It is as nourishing of real growth as cotton candy. Yet many of us spend our lives pursuing it.”

So here’s the question for the day: In what people you know do you have a true resting place and sanctuary?

My Selfless ACU Class

Published
by
Mike
on September 14, 2003
in General
. 1 Comment

After worship today, Matt and I are off for a brief trip. He’s letting me tag along for one of his medical school interviews.

When I told my freshman Bible class that I was thinking about going but that I hated to because we’d have to miss class on Monday, they quickly reminded me that I was a father first . . . that my kids will be gone before I know it . . . that we’ll have many chances for class but this might be my only chance to go on one of these interviews.

I love the selfless way these 18 year olds were watching out for me! :)

The Glory Is in the Struggle

Published
by
Mike
on September 13, 2003
in faith and spiritual formation
. 0 Comments

I recently got to know a young father better at the Zoe worship conference in Phoenix. I learned a lot more about his life-and-death battle with cancer. I asked him to keep me up on the journey so I’d know how to pray for him.

Here is one of his recent notes (posted with his permission). Read in wonder . . . .

“Recovery in the hospital went very well — I heard myself described as a ‘highly motivated’ patient. I thank God for his mercy in giving me the ability to heal rapidly. One of the things I resolved, on the day I was diagnosed nearly 3 1/2 years ago, was to give him the glory, whether in life or in death. Of course, I immediately started looking for rationale to support the assertion that he would be given more glory if I lived, because I preferred living. In doing all this reflection, I seriously pondered the question, Does God get more glory through living (a triumphant, miraculous healing, for example) or through dying (a dignified, submissive passing)? I came to the conclusion that the answer was neither — that the glory was in the struggle. (With a theology like this, no wonder I’ve had so many recurrences!) Anyway, if I’ve struggled well, I just wanted to be sure he got the credit.”

Two Years Ago Today . . .

Published
by
Mike
on September 11, 2003
in General and memories
. 0 Comments

I can still remember Diane Sawyer standing in the rubble near the site of the Twin Towers two years ago this evening. She picked up some financial papers that were blowing around and said, “You know, I’ll bet that 24 hours ago someone thought these papers were ultimately important. Now our priorities have changed.” Thoughts turned from MAKING ALL YOU CAN to family, friends, faith, hope, and grief.

I remember exactly where I was when word came that JFK had been shot in 1963 (in Mrs. Ferguson’s 2nd grade at Field Elementary School in Neosho, MO) . . . and I’ll never forget the morning of 9/11/01.

Righteous Fights That Cost Us Nothing

Published
by
Mike
on September 10, 2003
in justice and politics
. 1 Comment

Bob Riley, the Republican Governor of Alabama, had a “re-conversion” experience as a Christian. This prayerful, Bible-reading Southern Baptist became convinced from scripture that Christians have a duty to help the poor and reform tax systems that are immoral. He became convinced (through the numerous passages in the Torah, the prophets, Luke, etc.) that the wealthy should use some of their abundance to provide for the poor.

Of course, his proposal was defeated. It’s much easier to get behind Judge Roy Moore’s fight to keep a 10 Commandment monument in a prominent place. We love righteous fights that cost us nothing!

Holiday Inn Towels

Published
by
Mike
on September 8, 2003
in General
. 0 Comments

Here’s a great piece from my buddy Rubel Shelly:

Some travelers apparently think they are entitled to take more than the little bottles of shampoo and body lotion hotel chains provide in their rooms. Would you want some stranger’s half-used bottle of either when you check into that room the next night? So take them. The cost has been factored into your room charge.

But lots of those big, fluffy towels disappear too. For industry giant Holiday Inn and its 2,638 locations, that generates some pretty big numbers. According to a company spokesman, 500,000 towels disappear from their sites every year. That’s half a million towels swiped annually. Can you believe it?

Okay. Here’s the deal. Holiday Inn has announced an amnesty program for all the folks who have picked up their big fluffies over the years. No jail time. No fines. Why, you don’t even have to give the towels back! They just want to know your story — and might even give you a reward for the best one.

One man who has already confessed said he took a towel from a Holiday Inn property in Monterey, Mexico. It was where he and his wife spent their honeymoon, and he took it as a memento. Incidentally, the relationship with the woman didn’t last, but the towel is still holding up quite well.

“This really is lighthearted,” said Mark Snyder, senior vice president for the company’s brand management department. “It’s just a way for people to come on, tell us their story, and relieve any lingering guilt they might have about having a Holiday Inn towel in their linen closet.”

You know what’s happening here. It’s a gimmick. A way of getting the company name into news stories. A slick promotion. Guests provide their stories to the HI Web site through September. The twenty-five judged best of the lot will receive — you guessed it — a limited edition souvenir Holiday Inn towel.

Aside from the creative gimmickery here, this is an illustration of a healthy principle about relationships. When you hurt someone, do something wrong, or know that a relationship is in jeopardy, be honest. Do the virtuous thing. Come clean about it. Ask forgiveness. Work at rebuilding the relationship.

A co-worker, friend from church, neighbor, wife, boyfriend — maybe you have the person in mind already. It’s worth the effort to clear the air. Maybe you could begin with a towel in hand. “I read this story about Holiday Inn towels, and it made me realize there’s something I ought to say to you . . .”

Cheering On Young Moms

Published
by
Mike
on September 8, 2003
in General and family
. 0 Comments

I spoke to lots of young mothers this morning: a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group that meets at Highland. As I looked out at them, I felt confident I was the most rested person in the room! Families with babies and toddlers deserve our cheering, our affirmation, our encouragement . . . yes, even our help! What they’re doing is central to our beliefs that the rule of God has broken in.

Sunday Morning, Dark and Early

Published
by
Mike
on September 7, 2003
in General
. 1 Comment

I love these early Sunday mornings at the church building. No one else arrives until about 7:00. Here in Abilene, near the west end of the time zone, it’s still dark until about then. It’s a moment for me to be a private worshiper before I’m a public worshiper.