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“Citizens of the culture and dabblers in the faith”

13 Dec

Dear God, I visited a Methodist church yesterday and there was a guest preacher, Colleen Haley. She gave a really good sermon, but this one line stood out to me: “Too many of us are citizens of the culture and dabblers in the faith.” I really liked that. It took me back to something I’ve thought before about myself and others: we treat Christianity more like a philosophy to live our lives by than a submitted, worshipful relationship with you. And I’m guilty of it too. Maybe I fight against that tendency more than most, but I’m certainly “prone to wander,” as the line in. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” says.

But the phrase citizen of the culture and dabbler in the faith was particularly convicting. What does it mean to be a citizen of the culture? What does a citizen of heaven here on earth look like? The question that might condemn me the most: Which one does my life more closely represent?

Maybe I can look at the parable of the farmer scattering seed on the different types of soil (Matthew 13). I think the dabbler in the faith citizen of the culture is best represented by the soil filled with weeds and thorns: “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.“ Conversely, the citizen of heaven is represented by the hood soil: “The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

Father, help me to let go of the cares of this life and the lures of wealth. I confess that I’ve been a little materialistic and selfish lately. I’ve cared more about myself than sharing what I have with others. I’ve cared more about my own respite and entertainment than about worshipping you. I’ve probably been more of a citizen of the culture and dabbler in the faith than I’d like to admit. I’m sorry.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 13, 2021 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

Christmas

12 Dec

Dear God, there are a lot of paradoxes in American life. One paradox is that the more we advance as a society in things like technology, economy, medicine, etc. the more we seem to regress emotionally. High depression rates. High rates of dissatisfaction. More anger.

This leads me to the paradox of Christmas. There are some who do not believe in you but want the (I’m having a hard time coming up with the word…) extravagance (I think that word works) that comes with the season. More spending. More partying. There’s even more giving. I think it is because we are looking for respite. We want respite from the slog of our year. We want to feel that adrenaline rush from giving or receiving a gift. We want to exhale and take a break. I think that is what is behind the current view of Christmas in American culture.

As Christians, we get caught up in this too. I had a Christmas party for our staff at work. We are in the middle of our biggest fundraising campaign of the year, so I am having to work as hard as I ever work this time of year. I spent some time this weekend thinking about presents for family and friends. I’ve also thought about where some of my wife’s and my year-end giving should go. I’ve thought about trips I want to take, and I’ve planned one for between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I’ve watched some Christmas movies like Die Hard and It’s a Wonderful Life. Notice there is not much there about you. Okay, there isn’t anything there about you. I’ve spent some time singing Christian Christmas carols/songs. I’m planning to attend and speak at a Christmas service this Wednesday, so I’ve been preparing for what I will say. I delivered toys for Toys for Tots and our Rotary club yesterday, but even that wasn’t about you.

Father, I’m going to a church service here in a little bit, and with that service, I want to fully immerse myself in your presence. I want to worship you. I want to be still and know you. I want to feel your Holy Spirit. I want to cultivate good soil in my heart that will give your seeds good space to grow and return a yield that is 10 or 100 times as much. I want to experience and be an instrument of your peace. Show me how to do all of this. Meet me where I am this morning.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 12, 2021 in Miscellaneous, Musings and Stories

 

Matthew 11:12-13

10 Dec

And from the time John the Baptist began preaching until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people are attacking it. For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this present time.
Matthew 11:12-13

Dear God, we are so ignorant. Jesus is talking here about the Kingdom of Heaven forcefully advancing, and I’m sure the people listening interpreted his words to mean that revolution was coming. They would have been shocked to learn that John was about to die, and Jesus wouldn’t be terribly far behind him.

So we have the wrong image of what “advancing” looks like. For us, advancing looks like power, influence and control. For you, it seems like advancing looks like enacting an unseen plan that might look like losing. I go back to Andy Stanley’s sermon from August 2020, Not in it to Win It. And I can take that concept and apply it to every area of my life—not just politics. What does your Kingdom advancing in the lives of my children look like? What about my work? My marriage? My relationships with family? The politics of our community or our country. My intelligence tells me that the fastest way to get where I think things should be is a straight line, but maybe we have to take what looks like losses so that we can ultimately be part of your Kingdom advancing.

Father, I don’t even need to understand your plan. I never could anyway. I just need to be faithful and trust you. Help me to trust you, worship you, and give you glory for everything you’ve done that I can and cannot see. You are my God, and I am grateful for you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2021 in Matthew

 

The Soul’s Worth — “O Holy Night”

08 Dec

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

Dear God, I was listening to this Christmas hymn yesterday and the part about Jesus appearing and our soul knowing it’s worth is struck me. It all gets wrapped up in this hope of Christmas that I’ll be speaking about next week at our town’s church-to-church Christmas service. Without you, we have zero idea about our worth.

I read an article this morning about declining teen mental health in our country—the world, really. Especially developed countries. Our technology is leading us into this toxic environment of engagement through social media. Interaction by remote.

So what is our worth? Without you, without understanding how you see us, it’s just a vapor. That’s our worth. But you created us. You know us. You love us. You need us. We have our worth in you, and we didn’t realize how much we were worth until you came and did what you did through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Father, thank you for making my soul worth something. Thank you for showing me my worth through Jesus. Help me to know how to share it with others—especially youth and young adults.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2021 in Hymns and Songs

 

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John 11:25-27

07 Dec

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
John 11:25-27

Dear God, what would you like to make sure I believe? For example, the Jewish people at the time were supposed to believe in the future coming of the Messiah. Jesus wanted Martha to believe he was that person. I guess the equivalent of that today would be the second coming. But since that won’t be a vague event, but something that will knock me over the head with Jesus appearing in the east, trumpets, and all of that, I don’t know that that will be left up to my interpretation. So is there any part of theology that you want to make sure I believe?

Actually, now that I read this a little closer, Jesus is also asking if she believes in the peace of knowing she and those she loves will endure into the next life. I actually believe this, I think pretty soundly. Probably since I was taught it from an early age. I wonder what death would be like if I didn’t believe it.

I spoke with a woman yesterday who just lost her mom from a long illness. I’ve seen my wife go through the loss of both of her parents. I know we’ve talked a lot about their current existence together with you. Those losses have been very hard for her, but there’s a foundation of peace as well thanks to this good news. We can be reconciled to you and dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Father, open my eyes so I can see. Help me to not only learn and know what you want me to know but also share that with others. Help me to be in Christian community to the point where I am learning from you through others. I pray that you will raise up voices in the lives of those I love, like my children, who will be your presence and words to them. Do the same for me as well. Help me to be everything you want and need me to be for your glory’s sake. And thank you for the peace of knowing I get to physically be with you and those most precious to me for all eternity.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 7, 2021 in John

 

“Down on my Knees” by Susan Ashton

05 Dec

I’ve got a witness not too stable
It wouldn’t get me very far
I’ve got one hand on the table
And one in the cookie jar
I’ve got sins that need eviction
From a temple that’s a wreck
I’ve got a chain of contradiction
Hanging around my neck
So I go down, I go down, down
I go down on my knees

I feel the bitter winds grow colder
They are dancing with my pride
I’ve got a chip on my shoulder
Bigger than a mountainside
And these claws of human nature
Hold me tight within their clasp
I’m not worthy of forgiveness
But I just had to ask
So I go down, I go down, down
I go down on my knees

Feed my hunger – slake my thirst
For a spiritual rebirth
Light my darkness
Move in me
Make me more than what you see
As I go down on my knees

When I’ve all but killed the fire
And my soul’s in desperate need
But I wallow in the mire of complacency
That’s when I go down on my knees
I want to taste the fruit I’m missing
And yet I feast only on the bread
My desire’s alive and kicking
But my drive is dead
So I go down on my knees

Feed my hunger – slake my thirst
For a spiritual rebirth
Light my darkness
Move in me
Make me more than what you see
As I go down on my knees

You bear the weight of condemnation
Cleansing with the blood of truth
So with my humble acclamation
I want to give myself to you
So I go down, I go down, down
I go down on my knees
I go down, I go down, yea
I go down on my knees
I go down, I go down, down
I go down on my knees

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Wayne Kirkpatrick

Dear God, I think Wayne Kirkpatrick is an underrated songwriter. I remember when this album coming out 30 years ago and noticing that he wrote a lot of the songs. The lyrics are great and obviously written by someone who knows what working out their faith with fear and trembling through the trials of life is like. I put Ashton’s first two albums on yesterday while I worked out and was brought back to some really great songs from my past. So I thought I would start today with her first single that shot up the charts of Christian music, “Down on my Knees.”

To look at the lyrics of this song, it’s all about the internal (and outward) hypocrisy and struggle against our nature that we experience as Christians. The first verse just exemplifies Paul’s words in Romans 7 when he talks about struggling with sin. In verse 15 he says, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” I think anyone who has submitted themselves to discipleship and following you has felt these internal emotions. Kirkpatrick definitely has, and Ashton did a great job articulating it:

I’ve got one had on the table and one in the cookie jar.

I’ve got sins that need eviction from a temple that’s a wreck

I’ve got a chain of contradiction hanging around my neck

These claws of human nature hold me tight within their clasp

I’ve all but killed the fire and my soul’s in desperate need, but I wallow in the mire of complacency

I want to taste the fruit I’m missing, but I feast only on the bread

My desire’s alive and kicking, but my drive is dead

So what do I do with all of this? That’s when I come here in prayer to you. That’s when I go down on my knees and humbly repent and ask you to:

Feed my hunger

Slake my thirst

Light my darkness

Move in me

Make me more than what you see

And when I do that, here’s what you do:

You bear the weight of condemnation

[Cleanse me] with the blood of truth

Father, sometimes this life in you is just about slogging away each day–each moment. Slogging against my lethargy and self-indulgence. Seeking your forgiveness and your strength. Asking you to move through me in to the world in ways that I’m not capable of on my own, yet they will help you to enter the world and let your kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. So, please give me this day my daily bread. And forgive me as I forgive others. Help me be strong against temptation. Deliver me from Satan’s plans. For the kingdom, power, and glory are yours, now and forever.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 5, 2021 in Hymns and Songs

 

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“Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flats

02 Dec

I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign pointed straight to you

That every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes, He did

I think about the years I spent just passin’ through
I’d like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there, you understand
It’s all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yeah

And now I’m just a-rollin’ home
Into my lover’s arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, mm, mm

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Marcus Hummon / Jeff Hanna / Bobby Boyd

Dear God, this is a love song, but I think it has a great message from a macro level. We all have broken roads in our lives. I’ve certainly had things that didn’t turn out the way I wanted. When I’m in the midst of the valley this is the concept I put my faith in: sometimes this is the only path that leads to where you need me to be.

I’ve mentioned in these prayers before the time I told a friend about some of my frustrations and he said, “It’s hard when we are disappointed with God.” It was the struggle through that concept of being disappointed with you that brought me to a reality that I didn’t truly trust you. I still had a baseline of expectation that I expected you to meet. I was willing to accept some potholes in the road, but I wasn’t ready to deal with mudslides that collapsed the road out from under me. But I’ve walked and traversed the broken road long enough now to at least come to some level of peace about accepting my circumstances and then seeking your direction as to how I should respond. I’m still sad. I still mourn loss. I’m not “okay,” but that’s okay. That’s part of my formation too.

Father, every long lost dream leads me to where you are. So take my dreams and be glorified through my life and the lives of those most precious to me, regardless of what it costs me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 2, 2021 in Hymns and Songs

 

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John 1:1-14

01 Dec

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:1-14

Dear God, sometimes I just need to get back to the basics. We layer a lot of theology onto things, but with Jesus it. One back to some simple things. Jesus is part of you come to earth. Essentially, you sent a piece of yourself to do something remarkable. What did you do? You simultaneously gave us instruction and reconciled all of us to you.

I’ve told people before that when I get to heaven I am going to learn that a lot of my theology is wrong. It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s just that theology is complicated and a lot can get innocently skewed over the years. That said, I think the Jesus part is important. The redemption part. Ah, there’s the word redemption again. You purchased me back through Jesus. Everything else is just me figuring out how you want me to use the rest of my days.

Father, help me to major in the majors. Help me to die to myself, take up my cross and follow you. Help me to know how to parent my children. Help me to know how to be a member of my extended family. Help me to know how to do my job, engage with my community and husband my wife. Break me, melt me, mold me, and fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on December 1, 2021 in John

 

2 Peter 3:8-10

30 Nov

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
2 Peter 3:8-10

Dear God, I was talking with my wife recently about Christians’ conflicted relationship with the end times. On the one hand we say, “Come on back Jesus.” On the other hand we see something that we interpret as a sign of the tribulation or whatever and we freak out. For example, if we see someone we perceive to be the anti-Christ, shouldn’t that excite us? Doesn’t that mean you’re getting closer?

It came up because she told me she had talked earlier that day with a friend who was freaked out by the recent lunar eclipse. It was the biggest one or whatever for 600 years and it will be another 600 years before it will repeat. So why does that thought cause fear and trepidation in the hearts of the faithful?

My theory is that we aren’t scared that we are losing our window to evangelize or make a difference. What is at stake is our comfort. Tell a slave or a suffering person that the end is near and they will be grateful. Tell a comfortable, fat and happy American Christian the end is near and there is resistance. There is fear of the unknown.

Father, the best thing I know to do with all of this is to take my eyes off of it and put them on you. I can’t get caught up in the future because it distracts me from this moment. Show me what you want me to do in this moment. Show me the work you have for me to do today. And help me to be what you need me to be for your kingdom so that it might come and you will might be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 30, 2021 in 2 Peter

 

Matthew 8:5-13

29 Nov

When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.
Matthew 8:5-13

Dear God, so faith is more important than sinlessness. I find this story interesting because we are talking about a sick slave here and Jesus doesn’t seem to care about the slave part. He had a goal and a mission. He had a limited amount of time. T

here were all kinds of societal issues of the day he didn’t address. I guess it is significant to examine what his priorities seemed to be: Faith, love, no hypocrisy, repentance, caring for poor, etc. He didn’t seem to even notice Rome or its power over everyone. He was grassroots, bottom-up, not top-down.

Father, help me to start with the basics Jesus taught and then build everything else in my life upon those things. Help me to create a foundation of repentance, faith, love, caring food the poor and no hypocrisy. Then I can put up walls that includes loving my family and those around me. I can put on a roof that sees me serving my community. And ultimately I will have a house that represents you to the world and invites them in to build the same for themselves—from the ground up.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on November 29, 2021 in Matthew

 
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