Welcome, Come Right This Way ...

S - Luke 7:37-38, 47-48 (NIV): "When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.  … Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.  Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

O - What was it about Jesus that made this particular sinful woman think she could (let alone should) do what she did?  How did she ever conclude that her actions would not only be tolerated but accepted and affirmed by the only human being known to be sinless? According to Jesus, both the woman and the Pharisee were sinners.  Interestingly enough, Jesus is willing to be friends with both of them.  The ultimate distinguishing feature would not be their lifestyles, histories or religious moorings. The difference would be found in their response to person of Jesus. The basis of the exchange between them all was love not moral agreement, theological rubrics or religious formulas.  Jesus, friend of sinners.  Jesus the same yesterday, today and forever.

A - Today there is only one purpose for my life and the lives of all who are following Jesus: love God with all the heart, mind, soul and strength and our neighbors as ourselves.  According to Jesus all the law and prophets are filled in this, everything depends on this and if we'll do this we will live forever.  My world (secular and religious) wants me to believe that there are occasions and exceptions to this; certain very important settings and circumstances where I may "temporarily" set aside the greatest imperative.  Jesus doesn't want me to believe that at all.  I will believe Jesus, love him back and love my neighbor (anyone who is not me) today while it's called today.

P - Lord God,

Thank you that you want me to think that I am wanted by heaven.  You want me/ us (no matter where we've been or what we've done) to come near and stay near according to love. I admit that you call me to yourself according to love and ask, instruct, insist that love be my primary purpose above all others and that the only real work to which you call us is the work of believing you … your beautiful, accessible, irrepressible person.  I give myself to you and to all you already have in mind.  I do love you back and remain amazed at you and your relentless love for all.

Loving much,

Steve 

Sent the Same Way

S - John 20:21-23 (TLJ): "Then Jesus said again, 'Peace be with you. It was the Father who sent me, and I am now sending you in the same way.' Then he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven. If there is anyone whose sins you don't forgive, their sins are not forgiven.'"

O - In what "way" was Jesus sent by the Father?  Certainly in and by the Spirit. Yet, the immediate application of the Spirit's presence was connected to forgiving sins rather than demonstrating the Spirit's gifts of power. The issue of forgiving or not forgiving sins was not empowering the disciples to "send someone to hell" by refusing forgiveness; but a commission to never refuse to forgive.  It's an assignment with a caution not an enablement with a threat. The way of Jesus is the way of unflickering forgiveness; relentless love; defiant mercy.

A - Jesus is the way and he calls me to follow him in that same way … the way he was sent by his Father.  It is not the way of this world (secular and religious). The way of this world is always afraid of something and the way of Jesus and his Father is the way which fears nothing and always loves all.  This how Jesus was sent … not to condemn, not to judge (and he's even THE Judge), but to serve, forgive, love and call all to come near and stay near.  Today I will come near, stay near and follow him in the way that IS Jesus. It's the only way the Father sends.

P - You Who leads, sends and is with us always,

Today is in your hands and so am I; whatever the circumstances and/or logistics coming my way the way remains the same.  I choose you, your way, you who are the way.  I want to start at love, lead with mercy and then face the facts (mine and others).  I choose to forgive any and all and admit that this alone is the marker of my own forgiveness.  Thank you for tying the forgiveness of heaven to my forgiving on earth … it is most helpful.  You lead; I'll follow unto the life that is really life.

All my love,

Steve

Forget the Ball; Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow

S - Job 35:1-8 (NIV): "Then Elihu said: "Do you think this is just? You say, 'I will be cleared by God.' Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?' "I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you.  Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds so high above you. If you sin, how does that affect him? If your sins are many, what does that do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him, or what does he receive from your hand? Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men."

O - Elihu captures the bi-polar experience of humans when the misery of God’s mysterious and brilliant ways overtakes them.  Surrounded by the difficulties of inexplicable circumstances we humans vacillate between utter despair (I quit following because it's futile) and God's character and unfailing love (He loves me and is working everything for good). He also identifies the reality of God's insular existence and his unflinching decision to not live in it.  By nature he has no need and there is no one/nothing that can unilaterally affect him. Yet, this story will conclude with the beauty of God's ongoing connection with and commitment to the creatures/humans he has made.  He is insular by nature and yet he chooses to directly interface with his creation. Jesus asks (Luke 12:6-7):"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."

A - God Almighty, Heaven, Jesus and the Scriptures all confirm that regardless of how things may currently appear, we are not alone, not on our own and not our own.  This will be Job's discovery and experience and this continues to be mine. Not once or twice but repeatedly.  I have been in the bi-polar dynamics described and my opinion is that I will be in them again.  Not only so, but I will not be in them alone and God is not offended when this wild swing from one extreme to the other is "rocking my world."  I used to think the goal was getting to such a state that I would never be subject to such fits.  While the frequency may diminish over time … this is not the point.  A lack of despair can come from sources other than confidence in God (e.g. emotional collapse/shut down, current human resource to overcome the situation "without God", ignorance/naiveté, etc.). The "goal" is the same regardless of boon or battle, undeserved challenge or unexpected blessing. Today I will not be the master of all my circumstances but I can choose where and how I will live.  Today, I will abide in him, in his love and in his words unto the life that is really life.  He is for us, with us and will not change his mind.  Today I will live in the confident reality that I am loved and not alone; that I am loved and not on my own; and that I am loved and not my own.

P - Lord who is love and is near,

I thank you for being the author of every day and for committing to work every thing in it for good. I admit (according to your awesome brilliance, limitless power and extreme goodness) that you are purposeful in everything you cause and in everything you allow.  I choose (according to the grace that is in Jesus) to abide in you, your words and your love … unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and to that which is too wonderful for me.  I love you back and say YES to all that is in your heart and mind to do.  I will follow and stay near … all the rest I leave where it belongs … your will on earth like it happens in heaven. I'll watch for you and when my vision is weak I'll look for and keep my eyes on the sparrows.

Steve

Don't be Like this Psalm of Asaph!

S - Psalm 79:1, 6, 8-9, 12-13 (NIV): "O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble. … Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; …  Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. …Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord. Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise."

O - The historical context of these words is the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon and resulting destruction. There is however one glaring silence this psalm doesn't mention.  Israel had been defiling the temple for generations and reducing to “rubble” the worship and lives of the people.  Asaph is asking for retribution against those who hurled reproaches at the Lord yet the Old Testament Prophets called Israel to account for this same tragic activity. This psalm assumes only Israel is included as the Lord's people; another blind spot the Prophets speak to correct.  Finally, this psalm promises something religion/culture often promises but never delivers … forever loyalty from generation to generation.  O yes and one more cultural religious blind spot: forgive our sins but don't forgive theirs.

A - The religious, cultural mindset of this psalm is that which Jesus came to transform/destroy.  It examples the blindness of the Pharisees who claimed to see and reveals the filth of the inside of the cup he calls all people to admit and address.  I admit that I am vulnerable to this sad way of thinking and responding.  The remedy? Jesus' daily help with getting and keeping the plank out of my own eye and a focus on keeping the inside of the cup clean. 

P - Lord who transforms,

I do admit my capacity to want mercy for my sins and judgment for others. I am asking for help … for transformation! I need the yeast of your kingdom and to have the yeast of the Pharisees expelled from my life.  I present the inside of the cup to you for transformation and for your ongoing help in getting and keeping the plank out of my own eye. Jesus, thank for having sheep from other folds. I want to be among them.

Calling to you,

Steve

All Things not Just Some Things

S - Revelation 3:19-20 (NIV): “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

O - These words spoken by Jesus to believers identify very specific expectations he has on those who have come near.  Most of us have heard about the Lord's discipline according to love. The expectation is not that we'll never need any discipline or rebuke but rather that we'll respond to it by changing the way we think, speak and live (i.e. repent in its fullest and intended sense). The folks receiving this instruction were experiencing a serious uptick in their financial status.  Their personal booming economies had rendered them lukewarm and put them at great risk here and hereafter.  Religion/culture wants us to change the way we think about some things - Jesus wants to change the way I/we think, live, speak about everything.  He wants into one's entire life, one’s whole heart, having set his sights on a complete transformation.

A - Jesus wants into my complete life every day while it is called today.  I admit I normally think that when the blessings are rolling in one is in complete favor with God.  This is not true, has never been true and never will be true. Also, repentance (literally – change your thinking) is not reserved for sins but is required for all of my life, every quadrant and optic … I am always at risk to see myself or others like trees walking; to be thinking logically but not rightly; to have in mind the things of humans rather than the things of God. Jesus stands today wanting into my life and his desire is not for another Bible study or worship service. He wants in so that we can be together (eat today's main meal together) with his irrepressible life and transformation flowing into me unto the life that is really life.

P - Lord who loves unto rebuke and discipline,

Thank you for wanting in, for caring, for calling out to anyone who will hear your voice. Lord, I throw open the door/gate of my life to you and say please come in and see everything. Do everything that is in your heart to do and please enable me, according to your irrepressible life and power, to change and be changed.  I am edgy today and not exactly sure why. I am very sure that I am in desperate need of you, your company and care because that's how I am every day, all the time. I am very grateful to be called to you and to the beauty of change. Lord, I engage repentance unto eyes that see, hears that hear and a heart that understands - kata karis (according to grace).

Looking forward to our meal together,

Steve

Confession - Good for the Soul; Insufficient for Forgiveness?

S - 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV): “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

O - When we think of the need all of us have for forgiveness these verses are clear but they are not complete.  Jesus has something to say about forgiveness … an essential instruction which includes MORE than confessing.  Jesus says (Matthew 6:14-15) "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." This unflinching reality is repeated by Jesus (Matthew 18:35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37). It also forms the basis for how he teaches us to pray and receive forgiveness (Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4). According to Jesus, we must not deceive ourselves into thinking that we will be granted forgiveness if we are unwilling to give it.  Loving God with all we are and our neighbors as ourselves is always the most important, the greatest commandment. Jesus tell us that everything hangs on these and if we do them we will live (cf. Matthew 22:40; Luke 10:28).

A - As a follower of Jesus why would I think that confessing alone would be enough to garner forgiveness when the One I'm following repeatedly says it won’t?  Perhaps it’s because I was taught to separate my standing with God from human's standing with me.  This is a separation Jesus never condones or allows and one the Scriptures do not present us. Today I will not only be a consumer of forgiveness but a distributer as well; a combination keeping me from deception and near Jesus.

P - Lord who is quick to forgive,

Thank you for insisting that I learn this response toward all others and not just try and "get my own" from you.  I'm choosing to forgive any and all … and welcoming the relief of loving others the way I'm being loved by you.  Thank you for the superlatives--the greatest and most important activity of any day, hour, circumstance and/or situation.  Lord, I will love you back and my neighbors as myself.

Glad to be near Jesus,

Steve

Note to Self: Jesus is NOT Dr. Phil from Heaven

S - Matthew 15:16-20 (NAS): "Jesus said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? “Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.” For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.""

O - Religion (culture) focuses on what is seen (hands washed or not).  The Kingdom focuses on what is unseen (the condition of the heart).  Culture wants a better person and the Kingdom insists on a transformed person.  Religion teaches people self-help while the Kingdom offers people help.  The first is always talking about getting things out (anger, lies, greed, sexual immorality, etc.) reducing the volume and becoming "a little better". The latter is making itself available to come into the complete and sad internal reality transforming it and creating a "new self." Religion wants us to work harder to get such things "out" while the Kingdom wants us to constantly throw open our lives to the person of Jesus and his transforming, irrepressible, powerful, vibrant and eternal life.  Culture puts and keeps the pressure on the person.  Jesus comes and takes the heavy load from the person. One of the countless beauties of the presence and person of Jesus is that he is not "Dr. Phil" from heaven bringing us a new and improved version of self-help. He is the friend of sinners and re-creator of all bringing us help not self-help.

A - In the physical world how does one get darkness out of a room?  I can't get darkness out I need to bring light in.  Culture (secular and religious) is forever telling me/us to get darkness out while God's Kingdom is forever calling me/us to let light in … and light is a person.  Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.'  Religion wants me to get out anger and the Kingdom wants me to welcome in compassion. The first wants hate out while the second wants love in.  The former tells me to expel anxiety while the latter calls me to let peace in.  Religion always wants more while the Kingdom only wants all.  Today I will throw open my complete life to him who has loved me first, most and refuses to change his mind … unto the transformation only he can accomplish.

P - Lord who wants in,

I want you into it all.  You are light, come into my darkness.  You are peace, come into my anxiety.  You are love, come into my hate.  You are compassion, come into my anger.  I welcome you and your will on earth/in me like it happens in heaven.  I say with the leper, Lord if you're willing YOU can make me clean.  I know you are willing and so I say YES to all you have in mind.  Jesus, I do love you back!

Steve

PS Thanks for not being a Dr. Phil from heaven but the Savior.