Money Can't Buy Everything

 

Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Luke 18:26

The disciples were taken aback.

Confused might be a better word.

All their lives, they assumed that if a person had wealth, it was a sign that God was pleased with them. Health and wealth meant you and God were on excellent terms. Sickness and poverty were the Lord's punishments when you sinned.

And then, this young, politically powerful, financially well-off guy comes to Jesus and asks, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v18)

Jesus gives him the standard, expected response about following the commandments, but the rich young man feels the need for something more:

“I have kept all these from my youth.”

Seeing that his original question was sincere and not just another attempt to trap him in some kind of blasphemy, Jesus then lays out a plan of action that, for this wealthy man, sounds a lot like "Take up your cross":

“You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Apparently, this crosses some kind of line, and the guy's face drops as he turns and walks away.

This leads to Jesus saying the line about it being easier for a camel to thread its body through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven.

That's when the collective jaw of the disciples goes slack and they sputter, "But, but, but...if the rich...the people who God obviously favors, can't enter the Kingdom . . . what hope in the world does ANYbody have??!?"

Jesus tempers their panic with this bit of truth:

“What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Jesus doesn't ask everybody who wants to follow him to take a vow of poverty. That was for that particular man at that particular time. It's all about priorities. If anything is more important to me than following Jesus, am I really following him at all?

Besides, my entrance into heaven doesn't depend on what I do, but on what Jesus has already done.

Why Do We Wander?

 

A former co-worker messaged me out of the blue:

Asking for myself  -  why do we sometimes wander from God? Why do we get caught up in the world? Just some deep thoughts this morning.

My response:

Deep in the realm of My Personal Take here, but I do think these thoughts are Scripturalesque-ish. We sometimes wander from God because we are bent toward sin. Our human nature is one that wants its own way. We are NOT basically nice people who sometimes "make mistakes". Without Jesus, we are dead set against the things and ways of God. And I do mean dead.

Now, when we accept Jesus' work on the cross, we are instantly forgiven and justified...just as if I'd never sinned. But the work of being sanctified, actually being made holy, is a longer process. We LEARN to walk in step with the Spirit, but there are many missteps along the way.

The ways of the world are right here in our face 24/7 and we ARE called to be in the world...just not to be OF the world. To live in the midst of something but not accept its wrong motives/desires/priorities is challenging.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...I am grateful for this opportunity to focus on the fundamentals of faith. It reminds me to be thankful for Yahweh's everlasting love and overwhelming grace.

Dear Jesus

 

Dear Jesus,

How do you put up with it all?

I mean...every day, thousands upon thousands of people make social media posts that pretend to understand what you've said and what your priorities were while living on the planet. And every day, thousands upon thousands of people attribute to YOUR heart whatever notion THEY are committed to.

Your name is used to express contempt for everything from human trafficking to getting cut off in traffic.

We swear to love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then pray for you to help us get even with those who disagree with us about how we voted in the last election.

I talk a good talk about starting my day with you in my heart and your word in my lap, but somehow, checking to see how many Likes my last post got takes precedence.

I honestly don't know how you put up with it.

I mean...with me.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is (P.S.)...If you didn't love us all so much, you wouldn't be so quick to show us grace and mercy. And all I can do is be grateful and pray for the power of the same Spirit that resurrected your dead body to stand me up, brush me off, and push me in the right direction again.

And again.

I Changed My Mind About Halloween

 

When our children were young, and I was employed full-time as a youth pastor, Beloved and I never encouraged any kind of celebration of Halloween. We never took our kids trick-or-treating. We never turned on our porch light and distributed candy to the neighborhood kids. I never even organized an alternative "Christian-themed" event at any of the churches I served. I protested against the exaltation of all things spooky and death-related by purposefully ignoring it all.

Well...not completely ignoring it. I DID teach a lesson or two about the pagan and superstitious origins of jack-o-lanterns, gruesome disguises, and the like.

What I also did was inadvertently give credence to the stereotype that Christians are people who are grouchy, hateful, and have no desire to interact with anyone different from them.

Besides, our North American culture has done the same thing with Halloween that it did with Christmas: totally separated the current customs and celebrations from any meaningful connection to their spiritual origins.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...As with most things, there is probably a balance between the extremes that should be strived for. I hope my current practice of dressing like Santa Claus to hand out candy canes tonight is somewhere close.

No Need to Fear God's Judgment

 

There's an episode of Calvin & Hobbes that sent me on a search for a spiritual tract from the 1970's...and that ended up helping me appreciate the grace of Jesus.

But first, Calvin explains to his mom how it is that he finished his homework so quickly:

But then, with the specter of accountability looming, fear explodes:

That look of fear and desperation on Calvin's face is what reminded me of a series of cartoon-based tracts from "back in the day" produced by Chick Publications. They were almost all meant to literally scare the "hell" out of people. (I searched "scary tracts" and chick.com was the third item on the results page.)

I was specifically reminded of this panel from a tract titled This Was Your Life which pictures a guy dropping dead and then, before the judgment seat of God, a movie was shown of everything he ever did.

Truth is...for those who confess Jesus as Lord, there is no need to fear the cat being let out of the bag during the final day of judgment. And here's why you can be sure of that"

Micah 7:19 (NIV): "You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."

Psalm 103:12 (NIV): "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Everybody's Headed to Hell

 

Previously (as in last week) on Truth Is...

"It's kind of amazing that even though Jesus has every right to rule with an iron fist, he chooses to persuade and call; to open the door and invite."

I made that statement last week, and I repeat it today, fully confident that there are many who think I'm full of beans. They simply do not picture Jesus giving a gentle invitation. Instead, they characterize God as an egotistical despot who sends people to hell if they don't believe in him . . . while refusing to give any undeniable proof that he exists.

Well, let's just back up a second.

I would contend that God doesn't send ANYone to hell. Hell is the default destination of all those who sin. And the list of "all those who sin" includes the names of everyone who has ever lived except Jesus.

God doesn't have to take any action at all for a human soul to wind up completely separated from his perfection, which is the state of existence that we call hell.

That's pretty bad news.

The good news is that not only did God NOT do nothing, but he in fact went to great lengths to pave a path that leads directly to eternal bliss in his presence, which is the state of existence that we call heaven.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...rather than sending people to hell, Yahweh sends people to heaven; a gracious gift made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. It's a gift we must choose to receive. It's an invitation we must RSVP to.

Softly and Tenderly

 

Depending on how long you've been around this blog, you may or may not be familiar with what I call prosification  -  taking a hymn or poem and translating its meaning into prose. It's meant as a way to help a modern audience understand the sometimes antiquated, poetic imagery of the songs of the faith.

Currently at the top of my To Be Prosified list is the 1880 hymn by Will L. Thompson, "Softly and Tenderly".

When I read the lyrics in preparation for prosification, I realized they didn't need to be modernized or simplified. They are perfectly understandable as is.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
calling for you and for me;
see, on the portals he's waiting and watching,
watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not his mercies,
mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
passing from you and from me;
shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
coming for you and for me. [Refrain]

O for the wonderful love he has promised,
promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon,
pardon for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home;
you who are weary come home;
earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, O sinner, come home!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...It's pretty popular nowadays to walk away from faith; saying that you've been wounded by the church or a church leader. We see the hypocrisy of those who declare with their mouths they love Jesus, but whose actions say something else entirely, and we say, "I'm done!"

Consider this: It's not any particular church that offers mercy and grace and reconciliation. It is Jesus himself, and he's not pounding a pulpit or pointing fingers. He is welcoming us home.

Matthew 11:28-29

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Reasons to Pray: There's Only One Way to Get It Wrong

 

More from Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton:

Pray Because the Only Way to Get It Wrong Is by Trying to Get It Right

I find it so helpful that when teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus included this line right in the middle: "Give us today our daily bread."

What a simple request! Bring your felt needs to God  -  the needs of this day  -  and talk to him about them. How should we pray? The most straightforward response is to talk to God about what's on your mind. That's it! You talk to God like a friend. You vent. You ask. You laugh. You listen. You unload. You just talk. You don't try to sound more holy or pure or spiritual than you are. Prayer isn't a monologue; it's a free-flowing conversation, and the only way to get prayer wrong is to try to get it right.

In the wise words of Candler School of Theology professor emerita Roberta Bondi, "If you are praying, you are already 'doing it right.'"

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...this may be the hardest truth about prayer to actually live out.

If This Doesn't Break Your Heart...

 

I became aware of a grief-inducing statistic the other day.

Because of my years of speaking in high school health classes on behalf of Amnion Pregnancy Center, I am on a mailing list that gets sent the state's annual abortion report. In this year's report, there are plenty of tables and graphs that could start a person ranting and raving, but I want to share with you one that practically broke my heart.

For each of the abortions performed in Minnesota, a record is kept of how many previous abortions that person has gone through. The numbers surprised me...and maybe shocked would be a better word.

Just to make sure you're understanding this table, there were 6,015 first-time abortions performed in Minnesota during the 12 months being reported on. There were also 2,335 abortions performed where the woman had had one previous abortion.

That isn't the shocking part.

Go down further and let the realization hit you that for 88 women who had abortions last year, it was their sixth one. For 21 women, last year marked their tenth...or more.

Truth is...This doesn't make me want to jump on a soapbox or urge anyone to vote one way or another. This makes me want to wrap my arms around these women and pray for Yahweh to shower them with comfort and grace.

Little Country Church

 

Sad to say, it has probably been true throughout most of the history of the church that some church people have had an attitude that directly opposed the heart of God. Namely, there have been those who have said, either inwardly or right out loud, "We don't want that kind of people here."

The good news is that Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California did not have that attitude back in 1970 when four "long-haired freaky people" walked into the church building and asked if they could play some songs the Lord had been giving them as part of their brand new commitment to Jesus.

The foursome called themselves "Love Song" and they were not the only hippies coming to Christ. History was made as the church welcomed them all with open arms and loving hearts.

It was so noteworthy, Love Song put together several notes and words to come up with the song, "Little Country Church."

Little country church on the edge of town

Doo-do-do-dn-do-do-do

People comin' every day from miles around

For meetings and for Sunday school

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

Preacher isn't talkin' 'bout religion no more

He just wants to praise the Lord

People aren't as stuffy as they were before

They just want to praise the Lord

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

They're talkin' 'bout revival and the need for love

That little church has come alive

Workin' with each other for the common good

Puttin' all the past aside

Long hair, short hair, some coats and ties

People finally comin' around

Lookin' past the hair and straight into the eyes

People finally comin' around

And it's very plain to see it's not the way it used to be

(Chuck Girard - Fred Field)

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...The church still needs to love God and love people...all people. We can still make history!

The Overwhelming Fury of God's Love

 

Rich Mullins sang about the love of God being a "reckless, raging fury"; an ocean of both joy and sorrow. That is so much more than an encouraging thought. It is meant to be a transforming truth.

Brennan Manning makes the point in powerful prose from his book The Furious Longing of God.

Jesus cried from His heart, nails in His hands, and poured out His blood that we might believe His love for us. Significantly, Jesus chose the giving tree, His cross, as the demonstrative sign of His absolutely furious love for men and women. In the words of one early church father: "the mightiest act of love ever to arise from a human soul."

How is it then that we've come to imagine that Christianity consists primarily in what we do for God? How has this come to be the good news of Jesus? Is the kingdom that He proclaimed to be nothing more than a community of men and women who go to church on Sunday, take an annual spiritual retreat, read their Bibles every now and then, vigorously oppose abortion, don't watch x-rated movies, never use vulgar language, smile a lot, hold doors open for people, root for the favorite team, and get along with everybody? Is that why Jesus went through the bleak and bloody horror of Calvary? Is that why He emerged in shattering glory from the tomb? Is that why He poured out His Holy Spirit on the church? To make nicer men and women with better morals?

The gospel is absurd and the life of Jesus is meaningless unless we believe that He lived, died, and rose again with but one purpose in mind: to make brand-new creations. Not to make people with better morals, but to create a community of prophets and professional lovers, men and women who would surrender to the mystery of the fire of the Spirit that burns within, who would live in ever greater fidelity to the omnipresent Word of God, who would enter into the center of it all, the very heart and mystery of Christ, into the center of the flame that consumes, purifies, and sets everything aglow with peace, joy, boldness, and extravagant, furious love. This, my friends, is what it really means to be a Christian. Our religion never begins with what we do for God. It always starts with what God has done for us, the great and wondrous things that God dreamed of and achieved for us in Christ Jesus.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...It's easier to type this than to live it, but if God's love is an ocean, I long to drown in its reckless, raging fury.

Your Church Is a Mission Outpost

Have you ever thought about the possibility of your church shutting its doors for good?

Sounds weird to most of us, I suspect.

Most of us see a building and a parking lot and a staff of professional speaker/teachers and think of our church as a well-established institution.

We understand when a radio station or podcast ministry says they depend on the financial support of their listeners. We get it when a missionary in Africa or Central America expresses a need for funds to be able to reach the unreached. But somehow, we expect our church to, like Old Man River, just keep rollin' along, no matter what.

Truth is...your church is just as much a mission outpost as a no-walled, thatched-roof shelter in the jungles of Nicaragua. It is a tiny portion of the Body of Christ embedded in a culture that is foreign to the ways of Christ. And it depends on the grace of God, expressed through the financial support of her members (that would be you), to continue to exist and serve and advance the Kingdom. 

Stop Trying So Hard

Can we finally kill off the notion that our relationship with Yahweh is determined by the balance of good and bad deeds we accomplish? Can we stop living our lives in fear of not being good enough?

According to Keith Green's song, "When I Hear the Praises Start," the answer is yes...yes we can.

My son, my son, why are you striving

You can't add one thing to what's been done for you

I did it all while I was dying

Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start

I want to rain upon you

Blessings that will fill your heart

I see no stain upon you

Because you are my child and you know me

To me, you're only holy

Nothing that you've done remains

Only what you do for me

My child, my child, why are you weeping

You will not have to wait forever

That day and that hour is in my keeping

The day I'll bring you into heaven

For when I hear the praises start

My child, I want to rain upon you

Blessings that will fill your heart

I see no stain upon you

Because you are my child and you know me

To me, you're only holy

Nothing that you've done remains

Only what you do in me

Just what you do for me

My precious bride, the day is nearing

When I'll take you in my arms and hold you

I know there are so many things that you've been hearing

But you just hold on to what I told you

For when I hear the praises start

My bride, I want to rain upon you

Blessings that will fill your heart

I see no stain upon you

Because you are my child, and you know me

To me, you're only holy

Nothing that you've done will remain
Only what you do for me
©1977 April Music

https://youtu.be/W5HGNyBfhbU

Truth is...the good news of the gospel really is good news. We don't need to try to live up to a list of rules and expectations. Our challenge is to live lives of gratitude for what Jesus has already done on our behalf.

I Can't Believe It!

Sometimes, even song lyrics that are meant to express spiritual truth cannot be taken for their literal meaning.

Case in point: Keith Green's second song on For Him Who Has Ears to Hear, "I Can't Believe It!" It's meant to be a confession of new-found faith, much like Randy Stonehill's "First Prayer," but it's titled "I CAN'T Believe It!" Whaaaaat?

There is nothing new

I could give to you

Just a life that's torn

Waiting to be born

Rivers overflow

Friends may come and go

But you've been by my side

With every tear I've cried

Oh, I can't believe that You'd give everything for me

I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no

I know You've never lied and so it's just my foolish pride

That won't receive it yeah

It's so hard to receive it in my heart and make the start with You

Help me, help me now

I just don't know how

You know, I've been so alone

Please melt this heart of stone

Lah, lah, lah, lah

Oh, I can't believe that You'd give everything for me

I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no

I know You've never lied and so I'm giving up my pride

So I can receive it yeah

I just want to receive it in my heart and make the start with You

©1977 April Music

https://youtu.be/dVkjWFv8zqw

Truth is...the overwhelming, neverending graciousness of God really is "unbelievable"...even in the midst of believing it.

Have You Been Doing It?

It's one of the easiest things in the world to do. Almost all of us find ourselves doing it without even thinking about it.

And we need to stop it.

The "it" under consideration here is comparing ourselves to others.

Whether we're considering our job performance, swimming abilities, or usefulness to God, we always seem to be glancing around ourselves to see how well we're doing compared to those around us.

The problem with doing that, no matter how naturally we fall into it, is that we end up in one of two unhelpful situations. Either we start thinking too highly of ourselves or we start putting ourselves down.

Take the opening lines of the Rich Mullins song, "Hard", for example:

Well, I am a good Midwestern boy 

I give an honest day's work if I can get it 

I don't cheat on my taxes, I don't cheat on my girl 

I've got values that would make the White House jealous 

Well, I do get a little much over-impressed 

'Til I think of Peter and Paul and the apostles 

I don't stack up too well against them I guess

But by the standards 'round here I ain't doing that awful

More often than not, I see folks leaning toward the extreme of thinking their gifts, their abilities, and their skills aren't good enough to be of any use for the Kingdom...that there are way more people who can do way more impressive things and get way bigger results.

The sad part of that kind of thinking is that it usually results in the person not doing anything with their gifts, abilities, and skills. It gets left up to "all those other people who are more talented."

Paul had something to say about this in First Corinthians 12:12-21.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ....

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

Truth is...We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed. (Brother Lawrence)

Measuring Up

I'm one of the elders at my church. We are primarily pastors, dedicated to caring and praying for the members of the congregation and overseeing the spiritual direction of what is taught within our walls.

We are currently in the midst of bringing a couple new people on board, and part of their apprenticeship is filling out a questionnaire so we can get a better idea about each person's spiritual background and outlook.

As I read through the set of answers from our most-recent apprentice, and look at the partial list of qualifications Paul documented in First Timothy 3, I am practically forced into some self-evaluation...and a renewed doubt as to my fitness for the role.

According to Paul (I Timothy 3:2-7), someone who serves as an elder should be:

• above reproach
• faithful to his wife
• temperate
• self-controlled
• respectable
• hospitable
• able to teach
• not given to drunkenness
• not violent but gentle
• not quarrelsome
• not a lover of money

Moreover, he must:

• manage his own family well
• see that his children obey him
• do so in a manner worthy of full respect
• not be a recent convert
• have a good reputation with outsiders

I'm certainly stronger in some of these things than in others, but I'm glad this is a list of guidelines as to the type of person who should be in church leadership, and not necessarily a strict checklist.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...this isn't such a bad list of personal goals for anyone to do some self-evaluation against.

The Original Ragamuffin On God's Love & Compassion

I only experienced Brennan Manning in person once in my life, and he was not as animated and on fire as he is in the short clip I'd like to share with you today.

But whether excited and flamboyant, or quiet and introspective, he always delivered the message that God loves us...

NO

MATTER

WHAT

https://youtu.be/0dMwu1rhTCQ

Truth is...I hope you are encouraged today. I hope you are inspired to greatness today. I hope you accept the love of Christ today.

When Johnny Cash's Voice Changed

I'm in the midst of reading CASH: The Autobiography, by Johnny Cash with Patrick Carr, and particularly enjoyed The Man In Black's account of when his voice went from a boyish tenor to his manly baritone/bass.

     I was singing as I walked in the back door, and [my mother] wheeled around from the stove in shock and said, "Who was that?"

      I sang some more for her, exploring my new range, and as I found out how deep I could go, her eyes teared up and she said, "You sound exactly like my daddy." Then she said, "God has His hand on you, son. Don't ever forget the gift."

     I don't think Moma really wondered who was singing; she knew it was me. And that was the first time I remember her calling my voice "the gift." Thereafter she always used that term when she talked about my music, and I think she did so on purpose, to remind me that the music in me was something special given by God. My job was to care for it and use it well; I was its bearer, not its owner."

Truth is...any innate ability or talent any of us has can rightly be called a gift. We have not, nor cannot, create them. We can certainly develop them, harness them, and train ourselves to use them with excellence, but their existence within us is absolutely dependent on the grace of God.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17 (NIV)

Pastoral Potpourri from Rich Mullins

I admit I probably quote the songs of Rich Mullins and just generally refer to Rich far too often, but I refuse to apologize for bringing to folks' attention gems like this...

https://youtu.be/7zQOX8NmC0c

Truth is...even without being able to hear the questions, there are plenty of sound bites of wisdom in the answers Rich gives in these 11 minutes. Listen closely to what God brings to your attention today. Favorite quote: "If God wants you to go to Egypt, he will provide you with 11 jealous brothers who will sell you into slavery."

Truth from an Elephant

A trip to Walt Disney World can be a lot of fun...and exhausting.

Max Lucado, however, learned something about human nature and has passed the lesson on to us in his book, In the Grip of Grace.

One of the most popular attractions at Disney World is the Jungle Cruise. People will spend forty-five minutes waiting in the Florida heat for the chance to board the boat and wind through snake-infested forests. They come for the thrills. You never know when a native will jump out of the trees or a crocodile will peek out of the water. The waterfalls drench you, the rainbow inspires you, and the baby elephants playing in the water amuse you.

It's quite a trip  -  the first few times. But after four or five runs down the river, it begins to lose its zest. I should know. During the three years I lived in Miami, Florida, I made nearly twenty trips to Orlando. I was single and owned a van and was a sucker for anybody who wanted to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom. By the eighth or ninth trip I could tell you the names of the guides and the jokes they told.

A couple of times I actually dozed off on the journey. The trail had lost its secrets. Ever wonder why people sleep in on Sunday mornings (whether in the bed or in the sanctuary)? Now you know. They've seen it all. Why get excited? They know it all. There is nothing sacred. The holy becomes the humdrum. Rather than dashing into life-like kids to the park, we doze through our days like commuters on a train.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...Lucado makes a sad-but-true observation from his experience at The Happiest Place On Earth: "Ironically, the more we know, the less we worship. We are more impressed with our discovery of the light switch than with the one who invented electricity."