Bringing forth a Well of Life

The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,

But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:11

The picture a well of life means less in modern culture than it did at the time this proverb was written.  We may never be so far from clean fresh water that we are in the least bit of danger.  That difference is key in understanding how valuable the mouth of a righteous person has become.  Because while water may be very easy for us to come by, a person who is in right standing with God, growing with Him, and speaking words of wisdom is as difficult to come across as ever!  A well of life was rare, a fresh well was a refreshment to the thirsty, and it could mean the lively hood for an entire community.  This is a rich comparison as the person who is in right standing with God through Jesus Christ.  The person who is growing in Christ offers just these things to the world: refreshment, peace, satisfaction and the hope of life.  By contrast the wicked mouth is marked by violence.  Conflict and dishonesty are the destructive forces that cause a person and a community to starve to death.  In considering our daily speech is it most characterized by the image of a “well of life” or is it characterized by violence and conflict?

A Husband's Fury

For jealousy is a husband’s fury;
Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

He will accept no recompense,

Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.

Proverbs 6:34-35

Few wounds in life surpass that of marital infidelity.  Leo Tolstoy is said to have had an affair in his younger days and his wife still wrote about that event with bitterness and hurt decades later.  Human culture is at strictest odds with the character of God on this issue.  One such worldling produced the thought: “Just because I am not faithful to my wife and children does not mean that I don’t love them.”  This man could not be more mistaken.  There is no love at all for his family.  This attitude betrays the reality that this man loves only himself.  The same could be said of any who cross the lines of marital faithfulness.  They do not love their spouse, nor do the love the one to whom they are running.  They are using others for their own pleasure and advantage without the slightest concern for their well being.  How much more the wrath of the one who is the victim of such selfishness.  By God’s grace many marriages have been healed, and many have forgiven for these egregious errors.  Yet, make no mistake, the scars last for the rest of this lifetime on everybody involved.

The Amazing Wisdom of Marriage

Drink water from your own cistern

And running water from your own well.

Should your fountains be dispersed abroad,

Streams of water in the streets?

Let them be only your own,

And not for strangers with you.

Let your fountain be blessed,

And rejoice with the wife of your youth.

As a loving deer in a graceful doe,

Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;

And always be enraptured with her love.

For why should you, my son,

Be enraptured by an immoral woman,

And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?

Proverbs 5:15-20

Marital fidelity is a constant theme in scripture.  Perhaps because sexual temptation is such a ready temptation to people of all ages.  These verses clash violently with the tide of human thought.  We think of love as a feeling, we use phrases like “fell out of love” and imagine that we might be justified in our selfish and self-satisfying thoughts and actions because the wind of fancy and emotion blew us in another direction.  Yet Scripture is clear: love is a choice and a commitment.  This is the love that God has shown humanity in Jesus Christ who died for us while we were yet sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:1-8).  It is this love and commitment that is meant to permeate the marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:22-33).  This love is only found in, and supplied endlessly by, the vital relationship of the believer with Jesus Christ.  Anything less than that is sin and sin as always brings only waste, division, destruction and, ultimately, death.  When Christ’s love is at the center of the marriage there is the full display of all of the joy and happiness that marriage was always meant to bring.  

Advent 4: Love

The human race knows very little of love, yet we long for it so deeply.  Most often we see true love displayed in sacrifice.  The father who, for the love of his family, works hard each day to provide and care for them.  The mother who sacrifices countless nights of sleep in caring for young children.  The friend who sets aside their own agenda to come alongside us and help us in our moment of need.  Yet the greatest sacrifice ever made was by Jesus Christ.  The Hymn Love was When gives us these words:

Love was when God became a Man,
Locked in time and space, without rank or place;
Love was God born of Jewish kin;
Just a carpenter with some fishermen.

For Jesus Christ to law aside His rights as God and take on human flesh was the ultimate act of love.  That act, however, was only a beginning.  The same hymn continues in the third verse:

Love was when God became a Man,
Down where I could see Love that reached to me;
Love was God dying for my sin
And so trapped was I my whole world caved in.

This is the love of God for the lost and perishing world.  It is concrete and demonstrated within time.  There is no question that Christ’s love is meant to be at the very center of understanding the character and plan of God.  May we all know that we are infinitely loved this Christmas season.

Process

The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2

I love watching flowers grow each spring. Seeds turn into sprouts, which turn into stalks, which bring forth buds, which bloom into beautiful and fragrant flowers.  The flowers are beautiful, and they come through a process that is beautiful. I needn't even compare that with the beauty of seeing a loving couple, then a pregnant woman, then that couple holding their child and watching that child grow to maturity...it is too beautiful.  Genesis 1:2 shows that God, the inventor of time, meant for it to be used. Even before the entrance of sin into the world process was part of God's plan. He took time to create the world, carefully and lovingly shaping its every feature and aspect. He took time to redeem the world after man's sin brought destruction, decay and death. Leading up slowly, year by year, generation by generation up to the full revelation of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. When God put on flesh He did not bypass the process of growth the physical maturity. God, who seems always to create by process, would then not be out of order in re-creating by process. This is what we see. Every Christian is in a marathon journey towards conformity with the character and life of Jesus Christ. It can be painful, frustrating, even unnerving. However, it is a beautiful process. It is beautiful because of the One who is doing the work.

The Creator

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth." Genesis 1:1

Henry Morris once said that anyone who believes this verse will have no trouble believing the rest of the Bible. In this verse there is so much to be found. God created everything from nothing. It shows His limitless power. God created a world so beautiful. It shows His artistry and love. God created time, space and matter before any of those things existed. God's innovation is beyond comprehension to us. God didn't succomb to order and structure, reason and logic...He created and what He created dictated all of those necessaries as a mere result of what God had done.  When we discover how atoms hold together or how planets revolve and fly through space without colliding we are only observing what God designed. This is the God who loves us. This is the God who sent His Son to die for us. This is the God who promises salvation to all who believe in His Son and His payment for our sin.

His Grace is Enough

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

It is often far easier to take an inventory of the reasons not to do something, than to find the reason to do it. It is so easy to see our limitations, our difficulties and our challenges as evidence that the Lord can't do anything with us. As we count up all of the reasons "why not" we fall into one of the subtlest traps our three-fold enemy sets out for us: self-centeredness. If our eyes are found looking to ourselves, even to take account of our inability, our eyes are ultimately fixed upon us and our inability and not our Lord, who IS ABLE!

What would the Lord do through you this week? Who would you share the gospel with? Who would you call to comfort or encourage? What would you take part in if failure were not possible? If you know that you could never do this on your own, you are in just the right place to start! Paul penned these words only one chapter after listing off all of his qualifications, he defended himself for the sake of his message that was given to Him directly from the resurrected Christ. But before anyone could wonder if Paul was used of God because of his great qualifications, he gives them a clear illustration of the reality: God uses us in and through our weakness. If we think we can serve from our own strength, our own strength we will waste. The Lord is interested in working through those who know best that is it He and He alone who is doing the work.

Wonderfully Made

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14

The complexity of the human body continually defies understanding. Each day that passes new journal articles and books are written charting the latest discoveries and observations about how the human body works and what the different parts do. Doctors of uncharted brilliance spend their entire lives in the study of one organ, piece or part of the puzzle and never fully unravel it's mysteries. As long as the Lord allows us to remain on this planet one thing is clear: we will never fully understand or appreciate the statement of the Psalmist. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

However, as we turn to the New Testament we see further depth and intricacy to this reality. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone is in Christ he is a New Creature, new in kind rather than new in time. If at all possible this new act of creation was more astounding yet. I order for this new creation to occur, Jesus Christ put on a tabernacle of flesh. He lived among us, died on the cross for us, and was raised from the dead. He was then ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father. When we put our faith in Christ we were identified with Christ. This new act of regeneration (Titus 3:5) forever placed us "in the Beloved". The very power used in resurrection Christ is used towards us as the saints (Ephesians 1:18-20), and it is by this very grace that He again is able to call us his workmanship, His beloved masterpiece. We are, once again, fearfully and wonderfully made.

In the Beginning

"One who really believes Genesis 1:1 will have no difficulty believing the rest of Scripture."

~Morris

Genesis starts the great love story of Earth's History. As we look around at the Earth and the Cosmos we are blown away by all that now exists. The beauty and ferocity of the mountains, the overwhelming power of the oceans, the mind-blowing depth of space and the beauty of the starlight. The more we learn about the symphony of creation and the influence of the moon on the tides and the exact placement of the earth in relationship to the sun we are even more overwhelmed with the power with which everything is held together (Col. 1:17). As we consider it all we realize that when we consider God and His power and ability we are far beyond our ability to comprehend.

This is the God who has promised to save all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. His power is displayed in the work of creation. The physical world is a toy in His hand, and He can manipulate them as He pleases. It is He who created, He who sustains and He who will consummate this world. It is also He who loves you, He who calls sinful humanity to Himself to forgive and give eternal life. It is He who made the perfect provision because He desires to be in a relationship with us. He alone is able, and we are to be occupied with Him, with Jesus Christ, because He alone is worthy.

Do You Have a Nose for Jesus?

The great play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand tells the story of a man names Cyrano who loves a girl. However, he feels he is unable to approach her because of his incredibly large nose (Remember the movie Roxanne with Steve Martin - same story). Another young man comes into the story who is handsome, though not as good with words, and who does not bear the same authentic love for the female lead. Not realizing that Cyrano loves the girl the handsome captain enlists Cyrano's help to write (and in a particularly comical scene - speak) on his behalf. I won't spoil the drama for you, but the point is plain, neither man counts himself fully qualified for the task of courting this woman on his own.

Is there someone in your life you have trouble loving? Some task that you are certain you are simply not up to? Perhaps there is a person (or more likely a number of people) whom you are simply unable to treat as you know Christ would have them treated. Perhaps their words, mannerisms and actions all make them difficult to love. Often we find ourselves able to be only civil with these people (if even that!). I imagine for many of us the person is already in your mind. Like Cyrano we find ourselves with a desire to love this person, but an inability of some defect within us that makes it impossible. I have some good, sound, Christian advice for you: Stop trying.

Your realization that you can't love them is quite true. Did you come to expect more from your flesh and your "best efforts"? Furthermore, does that person really need YOUR love if they are ever to grow, heal or draw nearer to Jesus? No, they have needed HIS love all along. And now for the great news!

Jesus Christ, who dwells within you, loves them immensely! When you remember that the One who gave Himself up to save you also saved them it will become more clear: you are to rest in Christ and let He who loves you so very much, love them through you. The very hardest part is getting out of the way.

Perhaps something to this effect would be appropriate:

"Lord, I can't love this person, but You DO. To me they are an annoyance, a hindrance, a difficulty. To You they are someone that they loved so very dearly that you sent your Son to die on a cross to bring them into a relationship with You. To me they are unlovable, as I am unlovable, but You are the One who loves us both. Use me as Your instrument, Your letter, Your pen, to show them Your amazing love for us in your Son Jesus Christ."

Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to have this goal for those whom we think we love very easily!

How much Perfection can a day hold?

I may have to group all of these "perfect day" posts together and hide them under something heavy for another day when I will need them. This has been another one of those days/moments that I simply want to freeze in time.

After a somewhat turbulent night's sleep I awoke, had a great time of prayer. Enjoyed eating eggs with my kids (watching kids peel/eat boiled eggs is a great pleasure that is often overlooked). Then bustled off to church to get some things done there. Praying over the congregation here is such a pleasure and an honor I cannot describe it fully.

I did my morning reading and prepared for my days studies. Providence forced a change of locale and off I went to the local coffee shop. This coffee shop is a nice sized house to which a friend had given us a gift certificate. For just over $2 an "all day cup" is given and since 10:00 I have been sitting listening to my bluegrass music, slowly sipping coffee and building studies for our Sunday evening service, and our Thursday pm. Romans group.

The weather is getting cooler and I am in a comfortable sweater and my favorite hat. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive wife; and supported by the Body of Christ. But of course I haven't even mentioned my 3 happy, healthy children and the endless love and care with which Christ has filled me for them. How much perfect can you fit in one day? There is only one word to describe such perfection that I have no way of taking any credit for: Grace.

Don't Know Fear

The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Media sells to us based, in large part, on fear. Commercials sell us things by trying to convince us that we will not be able to keep up without this, or we will fall behind our neighbors without that, even something you may want or need will be sold with the threat that "this price won't last!" Fear and anxiety have effects traversing the spiritual, psychological and physical realms of life. The negative effects of fear had been seen by medical science. The world can come up with solution after solution about this, but we find the Psalmist has found a solution outside of himself.

The Psalmist fears no one and no thing because he trusts in the character and nature of God. For light, salvation and protection, David chose to look to the Lord and trust in Him. Notice that there is a resolve throughout this psalm. While David's faith is based on the facts of God's Word and built by God's faithfulness to him in the past each instance is a new opportunity to trust the Lord, and be without fear. When David was again surrounded by His enemies the choice to trust the Lord and not fear had to be made again. That trust is a forceful act of will, choosing faith over fear. Trusting that God really is who He says He is, and loves as the Bible tells us He does. There is a dogged determination to this courage that is rooted in the character of God, making the last verse of this psalm poignant and appropriate:

Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:14

Identification and Train T's

Finn is just plain crazy for cars and trains. Nobody told him to be crazy for them, he just loves them. Most every outfit he wears has either a car or a train on it, including pajamas. One of the most difficult things I have to do in a week is to convince him to take off one train outfit for another. He just loves being identified with trains. It is so strange! He is too young to think about advertising for Thomas the Tank engine, and isn't really old enough to think about any desire to be professionally involved with them. He just loves trains. He can't even communicate why he loves them (as he is only 2 years old!).

So aside from cuteness why do I mention it? As humans we do long to be associated with what we truly love. Band T-shirts, bumper-stickers, hobby clubs and interest meetings, sports jerseys regularly turn big profits, and even posters for rooms and fences. We like people to know what interests we define ourselves by. As I write this I am wearing a t-shirt with my kids screened onto the front! (Thank you, April!) So what is the point?

I am not suggesting we all get more magnets, bumper-stickers and t-shirts with Christian messages on them (I'll let you make your own decision about those). I AM suggesting that we remember our close identification with Jesus every day. Finn can't wait to put on a new train shirt, what a great example for us. How thrilling that each day we are found in Christ! This wonderful garment of love, peace, hope and joy. We are to abide in Him, rest in His care, and believe that we are loved beyond our wildest imagination. Are you excited to wake every morning because you are identified, by His grace, with Jesus Christ, the source of love, joy and life? I hope you are...it is wonderful!

Pooh-line Theology

If I had to choose a favorite literary character it would undoubtedly be Winnie-the-Pooh. I have loved A.A. Milne's children's tales my whole life and have continually enjoyed them. And I think there is a very good reason why. Remember the time that Pooh and Piglet were tracking a woozle? As they walked around the spinney in the snow they continued to rediscover their own tracks thinking that they were chasing a whole pack of "woozles" and "wizzles". Finally, Piglet runs home and Christopher Robin comes down out of the tree, having watched the whole thing. After Christopher Robin explains things to Pooh we read:

He sat down and though, in the most thoughtful way he could think. Then he fitted his paw into one of the Tracks...and then he scratched his nose twice, and stood up.

"Yes," said Winnie-the-Pooh.

"I have been Foolish and Deluded," said he, "and I am a Bear of No Brain at All."

"You're the Best Bear in All the World," Said Christopher Robin soothingly.

"Am I?" said Pooh hopefully. And then he brightened up suddenly.

"Anyhow," he said, "it is nearly Luncheon Time." So he went home for it.

This is one instance of what happens in nearly every chapter of Milne's masterpiece. Pooh finds his entire identity, value and importance in Christopher Robin. Though he has been proven "Foolish and Deluded" he wastes no time with his own embarrassment. All self-centered thoughts are wiped away Christopher Robin's evaluation of him. Isn't that grand?

Brothers and Sisters, have you been back to find how your caring Lord sees you? Read John 10; Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8; and 1 John 4:9-19. Then answer the tough question. Do I believe it? Do I trust in His power, His ability, His character, to love me like the Bible says?

Jesus Loves Me this I know...For the Bible tells me so.

Father and Son

As we continue in our study of our relationship with God, it seems important to remember how we received this new relationship. We must remember that it is nothing that we have done, and it is therefore nothing that we can lose. It is Christ's work on the cross that we take hold of by faith (belief, trust) in the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Of the many ways that our relationship with God is described in Scripture, this is always an amazing amount of assurance in this truth.

The Jews would be comfortable calling God "Our Father" meaning that they corporately were the children of God, but would not presume that they could individually call God "my Father." It seemed too close, too intimate, and placed God too close to man for comfort. Seemingly, degrading God and over-elevating man. So first century Jews would avoid this altogether. Truthfully, they were wise to do so. However, a distinct change has occurred and we can call God "my Father" with confidence because of what we know through the Scripture.

Jesus referred to God as His Father in a special way (John 20:17). The eternal relationship between God the Father and God the Son justified His special and unique address to God as His individual Father. Here is the exciting thing: because we are positioned in the Son of God we have this position of sonship, and can address God as our Father and come to Him boldly, based on the work of Jesus Christ and our position in Him. Paul puts in this way: "For you did not recieve the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out 'Abba Father.'" (Romans 8:15) The word abba is an intimate term and sounds much like our English word "papa", not coincidentally! We can glean so much from this amazing revelation. God wants us to address Him as "Papa" and come to Him with the same readiness that any toddler would run to their loving Father, whether running to show a finger-painting, or to seek comfort for a skinned knee.

One final thought on this Fatherhood of God from Jesus: "If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your childen how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) A principle of your Heavenly Father is that He will care for you and delights in the moments when you trust in Him. As a father of 3 I think I can see a bit of what God is trying to tell us. Nothing is more beautiful, honoring and pleasing to me when my kids are willing to trust me, that I am looking out for their best good. This gift is amazing, don't forget the great undeserved privilege that we have each and every day to come to our "Papa" and trust in His care.

Doulos

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth with accords with godliness... Titus 1:1

In a quick study of Scripture we see that Paul describes himself this way repeatedly, as does Peter (2 Peter 1:1), James (James 1:1) as well as Jude (Jude 1:1). What is this title that they all use to describe themselves? In the New King James Version we have it brought across as "bondservant of God" but could just as well be brought across with the word "slave." When we think of slavery we think of the tragedy that occurred in our own country (and much of the rest of the world) that reached it's peak in the American Civil War. This however was not the context of slavery that Paul and the other New Testament writers lived in.

While many important observations could be made about the system of slavery in Rome, and the systems that occurred throughout the ancient world, I believe their is something directly from scripture that each of these men were thinking of when they described themselves as "slaves of God." Exodus 21:5-6 give us the most beautiful picture of slavery I know: "But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' then his master shall rbing him to the judges. He shall aslo bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."

In this Old Testament picture we see a slave who is scheduled to be free (a clear difference between the slavery that we know about and the biblical system of slavery) but he loves his master, he loves the care that he has received, and he wants to be BONDED to that master for the rest of his life. This process was painful (the ear of the servant was pierced with an awl into the doorpost of the house) and the result was that person was forever bound to that household. This, I believe is the picture that Paul and the others had in their mind when they proclaimed themselves bondslaves of God.

Who We Were

Philip Yancey, in his book What's So Amazing About Grace, tells a story about a woman that he knew who was struggling with some major issues, including drug addiction and prostitution. When he asked her if she would like to come to church she replied, "Church? Why would I go there? They would just make me feel worse!" This quote probably reflects the attitude of more people then we know, and it is heart breaking. In the same book Yancey poses a powerful question which I will paraphrase, "Why were tax collectors, drunks, and prostitutes so comfortable around Jesus, yet now so uncomfortable around those who now claim to be His followers?"

Jesus was not sinful in any way, nor was he permissive of sin. Yet He embodied grace and compassion and displayed it freely to these hurting people. Paul wrote: "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

May we never forget: Being a Christian is not about what we have done, but about what HE has done. When we see the lowest wretch in the saddest condition, totally by their own doing (or not), we must always remember, "...but for the grace of God, there go I." Other religions of this world may grow because of the greatness of it's adherents, but true Christianity can only grow because of the greatness of our God. There is not one person in human history at whom we can look down our nose and say, "I would never be that bad!" But only confess the greatness of our Lord who saves us at His own expense. We can only confess, that if it had not been for the Grace of Jesus Christ, His sacrifice for our sin and His resurrection from the dead, we would be no better off. We have a great message of love and grace for the lost! We can weep with them and say, with all honesty and humility, "I am no better than you, no stronger, no smarter, but I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ, and HE has saved me." We don't clean up to come to God, we come to God to be cleaned. Do you know someone who needs to hear this message?

Love is...

Tonight was beautiful. Tonight we shared a meal with our brothers and sisters at Holly Hills. It's cold here in Denver. It was so very fun to pile into the van and drive through the winter weather listening to the 24 hr Christmas music station and park our car in the church parking lot. We all shuffled in and played a game with the group. The kids played together in the Sunday School rooms and someone was kind enough to bring some folks along who were willing to watch the kids so the parents could have the evening to talk with grown-ups.

One generous family catered the party beautifully. The food was delicious and it was just so quaint. The tables were arranged beautifully and there was nice silverware and linen napkins. Delicious foods and cheesecake for desert. It smelled of family. Laughter and love filled the air. After a game and dinner we had a message from one of the beloved brothers of our congregation. He is such a wonderful teacher and we were so very blessed to be able to behold the Lord through Randy's teaching. Who could think that the "hypostatic union" (the doctrine that teaches Christ's simultaneous deity and humanity) could be so practical, and wonderful. We sang some Christmas songs and had a "white elephant" gift exchange.

Generally, I find gift exchanges to be painful and long. Given the fact that there were more than 60 people there I was concerns. There was so much laughter, so many jokes told. So many great stories shared. Gifts that kept coming back for year after year of "re-gifting" seemed to take on a life of their own. I also never thought I would see so many people so excited over a rubber chicken. But then, that's what makes it so silly and fun. One more song and off we went home. What a blessing.

The kids were pooped so we hustled off home and put them to bed. Cadence needed some extra snuggling and I was happy to give it. Truthfully, I love the long bedtime procedure we have put together and I love rocking and snuggling, cuddling, book reading and seeing her sweet self drift off into a careless sleep. I love doing things and spending time with people that make me want to love my family more. Things that fill, things that replenish, things that bless, things that point us towards Jesus.

Perhaps a meandering account, but even still...a beautiful evening!

Is that the way Daddy wants it?

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

Ephesians 4:15

Today I was honored to get into a deep (albeit unoriginal and boring) theological debate with a brother. I am tempted here, of course, to reveal the topic of the debate and turn my brother in the Lord into a perfect "straw man" which I can set up and knock down easily to show that I was right then, I am right now, and here are all of the people who agree with me. But what good would that do? I am convinced that until Jesus comes back we will (as his Body here on earth) have disagreements about His word. I have had this specific debate hundreds of times with many different people and as would be expected we trod the old path realizing that our core disagreements and assumptions would not be reconciled in the space of 15 minutes, if ever. The "I said, he said" part is immaterial to the purposes of this article. The main thing that had me perplexed was that as the discussion continued and my brother in the Lord (who is at least 15 years my senior) got increasingly agitated, and frustrated to find that his "ex cathedra" arguments were not given any weight he became angry, raised his voice, and began to use crude insults.

Of course it would be a logical fallacy for me to claim that because he was losing the argument and became emotional that I have more reason to believe his argument false and his intentions bad, but the question that faces me is this: How must our Father in Heaven feel when He sees us willing to slash each other to the ground and nearly go to blows over something that we can only get the most basic understanding of from His word? It must be comical on one hand to see two little specks of earth filled with the divine breath arguing about something way out of their depth and ability. Almost like two bugs arguing passionately over whether humans have different color eyes or not (when they themselves can't even see in color). I don't know if bugs see color or not, but it makes a better analogy if they don't. We argue and only achieve displaying our own silliness to ourselves (if we are honest enough to see it).

On the other hand it must be all the more tragic for the Father who wants us to be united in sharing Christs love with one another. What a plague it is to have to be right all the time! These realizations in my life made the discussion somewhat unemotional for me. However, I was struck by angry and sad this fellow became as his paper mache arguments that he had repeated over and over to himself (and now to me) fell apart before him as crumbling messes of presupposition and pomp. I was disturbed by his insults and angry words, and especially disturbed by the fact that I often am reduced to the same emotional state when fighting for something that I want to be right about. He felt that he was defending the truth, but he could not speak it in love. I think the best thing to do, when we find that we are no longer speaking the truth IN LOVE is to stop speaking. (Exegetical note - "speaking the truth in love" here is a tough one to translate because in Greek "truth" has a verb form. Literally the verse would be "truthing in love" meaning more than our words but how every aspect of our lives is conducted. Cool stuff.) I pray for my brother in the Lord. He is hurting a great many feelings and then wonders why he is isolated and why he can't find any fellowship at out church. His "backpack" full of anger, hurt, resentment, bitterness, pride and so forth keep him from experiencing and enjoying the love of the saints, and presumably the love of God as well. Certainly a keen reminder to me when I feel like I am not experiencing those things. What blessing am I missing because of a full "backpack"?

My peace I leave with you...

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)

I can't seem to move away from John 14-17 in my Bible reading. I don't know precisely why. It hasn't been that I cannot look elsewhere in Bible reading and study, because I have been all over, but for some reason I continually return to these chapters of comfort and assurance constantly over the past six months. There are so many nuggets of joy, of peace, or assurance. It feels so very intimate. Jesus talking to His friends just before He leaves them. Giving them all of these wonderful promises and gifts that they don't even understand why they will need. But I need them. There is so much deep intimacy and love to be had as we seek after Christ. The peace of Christ is given to us, not as the world gives. The world always seems to want something back, something in return, some favor for future redemption. Peace, as the world can provide, has a cost, is merely a delay of oncoming conflict. Christ's peace is deeper, rooted in who He is and who we are to Him.

I love the promise of a Comforter. I don't allow the Holy Spirit to comfort me. I don't allow myself to see Him as such. First as a Person and second as a Person who sees what goes on inside and out and wants me to realize that my sole and entire need is for Him. There is a sort of self-forgetfulness about peace, realizing that the peace is rooted in Christ forces me to look at where I am in order to receive and live in that peace. What a comforting statement Christ makes upon discussion of the ruler of this world: "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me." (John 14:30) Then I realize that I am in Him. The place that God has put me in Christ is a place where no evil can touch me because our enemy has nothing in Christ and that is where I am. (John 17:20-23; Eph. 1:3-14) What a blessing! These words wash over my mind and enrich every moment of my life.