Marked By Our Owner

Back when I was a kid, mom would have me write my name or initials on my toys, games, and jackets to distinguish them as my belongings. This was a good strategy for actually going home from school, sitters', play-dates, parks, school, etc. with what belonged to me and for avoiding fights with kids who wanted to insist that what you brought was theirs since they had one just like it at home. Granted, this strategy drastically decreased the later collector's value but at least it solved some problems. By bearing my mark, the item was identified as mine and, therefore, revealed a little about me.

I was reading in Luke's Gospel this morning and came to a revelation. The section I read was Luke 20:20-26 where some spies for the teachers of the law go to Jesus to try and trick Him by asking about paying taxes to Caesar. The scene ends with the classic "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." I have heard many interpretations of this, usually only along the lines of financial responsibility. However, if you step back to verse 24, then you can see that Jesus asks an important question that provides the true key to His answer.

"Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?"

Jesus identifies the money with Caesar - it is his, give it to him. Then He tells us to give to God what belongs to Him. We can take from the context that this means that whatever bears God's image and inscription belongs to Him and should thus be given. Now what bears God's image?

"So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:27

30 Days of Thanks - Day 19 - Ah-ha! Moments

You know what I am talking about. Those little moments when something just clicks in your head and it makes all of the difference. As someone who taught and still ministers to kids, too, this can be just as rewarding of an experience for the teacher as it is for the student. I think it can be these moments that make God smile when something the Holy Spirit has been trying to get through to us finally resonates in our minds or when we finally notice that nifty connection in Scripture.

I had one of these moments while I was reading in my Bible this past week. Something that happened in John 2 finally hit me on a much deeper level. It was about the miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. No, this is not some revelation that is going to give people another excuse to be drunken idiots - they have already twisted this Scripture enough for that purpose. This involves the jars used.

We are told in John 2:6 that, "Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons." These are the jars chosen to be filled with water which is then turned into wine. I have heard preachers try to argue that changing the water to wine was about making the dirty water into something useful but that is an interpretation that completely overlooks the fact that in verse seven Jesus tells them to fill the jars with water. These are clean jars. These are not jars that were just being used for washing. The water was as clean of water as they had available. The symbolism is not of dirty water being made into clean wine.

Think about it. These were the water jars to be used for ceremonial cleaning - a ritualistic washing that would be undone as time progressed. We also know that wine is later used as a symbol for Christ's blood in the Eucharist. So this ceremonial water, which was not sufficient, is transformed into a symbol for the cleansing blood of Christ that is sufficient. From this, verse ten takes on greater meaning as it describes much more than party provisions by alluding to Grace coming in to fulfill the Law. It also amplifies verse eleven when it says that He was revealing "His glory" and not just "His power".

30 Days of Thanks - Day 15 - Peacemakers

Once upon a time in China, two rival lords were entangled in grueling land and trade negotiations. As discussion progressed, one lord felt as if the denial of certain concessions by the other had dishonored him. This lord decided to avenge himself, gathering the entirety of his troops and moving toward a hillside on the border between the two territories. The other lord, hearing of this movement, gathered his troops and camped in the plain a ways off from the hillside. This lord had managed to muster a more impressive army than the other yet the avenging lord still sought war.

The night before going to battle, the avenging lord sought the advice of a local sage. This sage had also heard of the plans and that the lord was coming to him for direction. The sage knew, too, that the lord was set on action and was unwilling to withdraw. When the lord approached him, the sage arose and began walking toward the camp. The sage declared, "Come. We must work quickly to finish before the sun rises. I will arrange your troops in a formation that will assure true victory and you will rest to prepare to receive it." The lord followed the sage back to camp, excited about his upcoming victory. He put the soldiers at the sage's command and went to his tent to rest.

As daylight broke, the lord emerged from his tent in full dress for victory. He saw that his troops had been arranged in a strange row formation over the course of the night and he smiled at the thought that this would bring him what he desired. Shortly after sunrise, the other lord sent over a delegation to speak with him. "Good," he thought. "This formation is so fearsome, I have already won."

The other lord sent the following declaration: "Greetings. When I had heard that you had gathered troops to advance on my territory, I became furious and gathered the force you see across the plain. However, having seen your message displayed upon the hillside this morning, I know now that I was mistaken. I offer to you the concessions that you requested in our meetings in light of this. I see now the sincerity you give to our alliance. There shall be peace between us as long as we both shall live."

The lord stood, looking at the hill. The sage had arranged the troops in a formation that assured true victory.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9

A peacemaker, like the sage, knows that a force that cannot be stopped must be redirected.

As far as I know, I just came up with the story above so: Copyright 2011 by Shannon Nichols.

For a good series on the Chinese written language:

How to Write 'Friend' in Chinese -- powered by ehow

Rabbit Hole Verses - Judges 6:13-14

Gideon answered him, "But sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian."

Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you."

- Judges 6:13-14 (NRSV)

Our verses above [1] show us a young Gideon venting to someone he does not at first realize is a messenger of God and then God seemingly taking his vents as volunteering. Doesn't seem very fair, does it [2]? However, when we analyze what's going on here, we then see that Gideon is essentially asking the common question of today:

"If God's so good, then why does He let ____________ happen?"

First of all, if you are living in the United States and haven't heard a question like this yet, then I'd like to welcome you out of your hermitage and, furthermore, to the Internet. Second of all, if you are living in the United States - or if you are a human in general - and haven't said something like this yet, then you've led an extremely sheltered life and I'd like to welcome you to the Internet with a warning that you are probably soon to feel much like Siddhartha Gautama when he first left the palace.

Now, onto our analysis. Gideon is doing what we all do at some point or another - looking at his present situation and seeing a severe disconnect from what he is told has been promised or has happened before. Gideon has a clear understanding of the problem, but a poor understanding of the needed solution.

When I hear questions like that above, it is usually coming from someone who is either trying to justify their disbelief or is looking for an excuse to disbelieve so that they can justify their other behavior. Essentially, they want an easy way out of actually having to think and don't really care about the problem that fills the blank. Unfortunately, the issues that are brought up are real but often ignored by these and others who want to make it someone else's problem [3]. They are willing to complain but not to do anything beyond that. However, there are some who actually care and to those, I address this post.

Many solid Christians also have these questions, but keep them to themselves for fear of either being labeled as faithless complainers or having to admit that they don't know how to handle the situation on their own [4]. To you, I also address this post.

There are others in the body who have these questions and may even voice them considerably, but have no desire to actually do anything to help. They consider themselves to be helping merely by pointing out what they perceive to be problems - perhaps even seeing themselves somewhat as prophets, leading the church in the way they think it should go [5]. To you, well . . . hopefully you will get something out of this.

Anyway, we all have these questions like Gideon. We recognize that something isn't right in our world and needs to be fixed [6]. We voice these concerns and what does God do? He makes it our problem. Or does He make us its solution?

Cue the turn-around music.

When we take this verse into consideration with others like Ephesians 2:10, which point to us as having been created to fulfill what was a foreseen need, we suddenly find our complaint to be an agreement. Something is wrong and the fact that I recognize it suggests that God wants me to be part of the solution. Look back at what God said to Gideon:

"Go in this might of yours . . . I hereby commission you."

God sees something in Gideon (concern, caring, whatever you want to call it) that gives him might that will ultimately be used to fix the situation. He had already prepared Gideon for a time such as this, a time when He would use the boy to accomplish something great beyond the boy's ordinary capacity.

When you are moved by an injustice, recognize that God is also moved (check out His Word for more information about it). Recognize that He may very well be moving you and preparing you to correct it. Don't use it as a cop out to turn away!

I once was listening to a friend of a missionary (who is also now a missionary) [7], who was talking about a terrible time through which his friend had gone. Long story short, he could probably swap lamentations with Job. When asked by someone if he felt like God had failed him, he replied, "No, someone failed God!" That statement has stuck with me.

Disaster and suffering are going to happen, but it's what gets done with them that matters. We were put in charge of this world and we drop the ball time and again. However, we were made with good works in mind. Furthermore, we are where Heaven is to meet Earth. We can whine about it or we can go in the power that He gives us and fix it.

What seems like a long time ago now, God put a special urging of this type on my own heart. He opened my eyes to the path of the Spirit of adoption and the pure and undefiled religion for which I was made. When I watch things like Hotel Rwanda or see things in the news, my heart is moved for the fatherless. I know there are other issues surrounding these tragedies, but God has called me to the fatherless. I also know that other Christians have not been called in such a way as I have - my call being more to the midst of it. I pray for other workers for these fields, but I also respect the workers of other fields [8]. We will solve these problems and others in our parts. We are all called, so we must be attentive to the promptings. We are all called, so we must not try to buck the responsibility off on God - He's already doing His part, and through us!

Let's not ask, "If God's so good, then why does He let ____________ happen?" Instead let us ask, "God, You're so good, what can we do about ____________?" Be ready to follow His guidance. We are all called, so we must not fail God.

[1] Please read Gideon's whole story for context.

[2] Although we shouldn't go arguing fairness with God as it's never worked for anyone else. Ultimately our definition of 'fair' tends to be lacking in both knowledge and wisdom, falling into selfish desire and weak attempts at self-justification. We're really no better than Satan in that regard, but that's a blog for another day.

[3] One common example of this is the genocide that goes on in Africa. I recently finished Hotel Rwanda with a good friend of mine. I say finished because I had started watching it at another friend's a long time ago but had to leave half-way through to get to a class. Sadly, that was not just a one-time ordeal and terrors like that have been perpetrated in many areas of the world throughout time (see Schindler's List sometime). I've noticed that a lot of people talk about this but very few really do anything - and that's even after I remove those who are called to serve elsewhere.

[4] The last three words being key.

[5] These types are especially dangerous when they do involve themselves. They typically make everyone else's lives a living heck while they continue on their warpath to renovate. They have forceful personalities and tend to be expert manipulators. Although they probably won't recognize themselves as they read this blog (everyone appreciates all of their hard work, right?).

[6] Although, sometimes, it's our perspective that needs adjusting, there is still a problem to be addressed. Also, I recently read something that pointed to this notice of a lack of what we will call justice as an argument for the existence of God. The argument is weak. Although I don't have time to deal with it here (maybe Kyle will), I will simply ask you to avoid using it - you probably won't once you think about it anyway.

[7] I know, I know. A lot of missionaries tell some great stories that are delightfully unconfirmable that people get all jived up about. This is not one of those stories. Mostly because I don't remember the details, but more so because the details really weren't important - it was the thought.

[8] This is a point that many miss, especially those in [5].

Rabbit Hole Verses - I Peter 3:8

"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - I Peter 3:8 (NRSV)

I have a habit during service of turning to the passage being discussed, catching sight of a verse, and mentally getting lost in it for the next few hours. Thankfully, I have a multi-threaded mind so I can continue to follow along in the service and conduct myself in other functions. Usually I just mull these over and then move on without recording the instance. Today's verse I feel compelled (and have time) to analyze and write about. Let's break it down:

First of all: "Finally"

It may be odd to begin at an end but it is important to note that this verse comes at the climax of a guide that began as an encouragement to those who, having not seen, still believed during the trials that they continued to suffer. "Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - I Peter 1:8-9 (NRSV).

Peter instructs his audience to recall the prophets of old who, though made aware that this promise was to culminate at a latter time, still rejoiced in their labor toward that glorious day (10-12). From this foundation, he puts forth that our minds must be prepared for action so that we may live in the promise and not return to ignorance and its fruits (13-16). Peter also explains that we are capable of living in this way because Christ picked up our tab (17-21). With this he introduces his major topic and the secret to enduring this time of trial before the glory is revealed: "Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart." - I Peter 1:22 (NRSV)

And there it is: the secret is love. Peter is writing to let us know that, because of Christ's sacrifice, we actually have an excuse (and an ability) to love each other and that this is what will help us to continue. Our souls have been purified through obedience and that which will sustain this state within us is love, is community.

Peter gives instruction on cleaning inner-house (2:1), on developing a positive self- and communal-image (2-10), in dealing with living in an antagonistic society (11-25), and in preserving peace in the union of marriage (3:1-7). But then we come to "Finally . . ."

Second of all: "all of you"

This is where Peter signifies that this is not optional. It's not a "well that works for you, but I've got my own way" type of thing. This isn't merely relative to a specific time or place or sub-group, this is a universal command to those who would claim Christ.

Third (and, technically, fourth) of all: "have unity of spirit, sympathy"

Sympathy means (from dictionary.com):

1.harmony of or agreement in feeling, as between persons or on the part of one person with respect to another.

2.the harmony of feeling naturally existing between persons of like tastes or opinion or of congenial dispositions.

3.the fact or power of sharing the feelings of another, esp. insorrow or trouble; fellow feeling, compassion, or commiseration.

4.sympathies: a.feelings or impulses of compassion. b.feelings of favor, support, or loyalty: It's hard to tell where your sympathies lie.

Here Peter calls us to truly be a community - feeling with one another and sharing in each other's struggles. He calls us to be considerate, to be compassionate, and to be loyal to one another. There is a charge here to think; a charge to put my mind to serving the man to my left and the man to my right because they are more than just loose associations - they are a part of who I am. Consider: when you get a cut on your foot, you adjust the way your body operates to help that foot to heal. Some parts carry more weight, some parts move into action to apply aid. Your entire body is affected. If this didn't happen, that cut would continually rip open, becoming deeper and more severe each time. The cut would eventually become infected and either be lost or act as a gateway to a greater disaster. If the body doesn't choose to act, it will be forced to act. In the same way, we - as a body - must choose to be compassionate to the other parts of the body or we will be drug down with them when they fail.

Fifth of all: "love for one another"

This call for mutual love is not merely a weak echo. Love, like faith, is often a word we treat as a simple noun and not as the action verb that it is. This is a call to choose the action of love. A call to remember that our responsibility is to do everything that is in our power (which we have been given in great abundance) to love each other. Although we cannot control the actions of others, we can - and must - control ourselves to strive for peace and, most of all, truth. Love cautions; love corrects. Love is not silent. Love builds up. Love maintains. Love sustains.

Sixth of all: "a tender heart"

Peter calls for awareness - that we should not be blind or deaf or numb to that which afflicts the rest of the body. Again, we must be considerate, compassionate, and loyal that the body may survive and grow. We should not ignore the needs of our greater family be they physical, mental, or spiritual - even needs of discipline.

Seventh of all: "and a humble mind."

You're not perfect. Deal with it and move on. You can be wrong. To survive we must be teachable; willing to take the correction from those of tender heart - those who have felt the suffering we may have even come to ignore. As Solomon passed on to his son, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body." - Proverbs 3:5-8 (NRSV)

And, if you just skimmed through that last verse thinking, "Oh, I've read this before, I know it," then look again. Read it and let it sink in. Take on the humble mind, drinking in deep the beauty and novelty of the passage (and noticing that I didn't cut it after verse six as many are in the habit of doing).

Get lost in the Word and come out with a story to tell.