The Mind/Heart Connection

We have talked this week about matters of the heart; the spiritual renewal that happens when we trust in God no matter what is going on in our lives. It's living heart smart, taking care of our heart by focusing on things that renew it daily (it's almost as easy as eating Cheerios), mainly by deciding to trust in the presence of Christ daily, by praying, reading spiritual things (including the Bible), sharing with others (in a group, we'll get to witnessing some other time.) and others.

But matters of the heart are eternally linked to how we think and reason as well, and I want us to think on these things today. When Jesus asked the question of the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi, "Who do you say that I am?" he was not only challenging their heart/faith, but also their mind. He was asking them not to choose between a new doctrine that includes him as Messiah and the various pagan doctrines represented in Caesarea, but more of shifting their Judaism (their Jewish Faith) to see him as the one for which they had been waiting. How we think (our mind and our theology: words about God) is related to how we trust and believe (the spirit/heart). In other words, theology matters.

Do you still have family meals at the dining room table? Or pillow talk with your spouse? At both of these occasions for communication it is normal to talk about the day, what everyone had experienced at school, at work, at home and it was common for me to share my insights and experiences. The problem was, as I was excited about learning even some things that challenged my faith, it was not uncommon for Peggy and I to get into heated discussions on theology. It was not long before Peggy decided she hated seminary and what it was doing to me. (or more realistically what it was bringing in to our household.) She believed that I was being taught things that were contrary to the scriptures and that I was trying to harming both of our faith foundations. When in truth it was making both of us think very carefully not only about what we believe, but also why.

We can have deep faith and understand it little. We can trust in God for salvation, but stay very naive about matters of the mind and theology. Some would even wonder if the study of scripture might lead to doubt and questions that would lead to a weakening of our faith. Well, there is some of this that can happen. Even in United Methodism there is a diverse theology that has lead some to question their faith, but I have discovered that the more I doubt and question things, the deeper my faith grows. As I more formally define what and why I believe, by belief grows stronger. I do not believe anymore that "ignorance is bliss" rather growing in faith is directly tied to how we think about that faith. Bliss comes as we grow in our understanding.

A few years ago a friend of mine decided to take one of my classes (Disciple I) because they had questions expected to be answered by me. Many difficult questions came over that 9 month period and so did many answers including one I like to use, "I don't know." And while it is true that this person was skeptical entering class and thought it important to have all questions answered, it was discovered that getting an answer to one question might lead to a dozen more related questions. Somewhere during that year my friend discovered that while it was important to ask questions and find answers and know the things we believe, the answers were less important than the quest for them. In our time we discovered the mind/heart connection. Okay, so the class ended with more questions than when we began, but it also ended with greater faith. And that's the goal.

What we think about our faith is important. It is necessary for us to know what and why we believe. So we don't have to be afraid of theology, because it is here that our faith is put into thoughts and words and understanding. And we are renewed all over again.

Peace ><>
PC

Don't Give Up!

"So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. "
(2 Co 4:16-18, The Message).

The goal for this week is to renew our spirits in Christ and find ways to keep that renewal happening every day. Confession, trusting on the foundation of our faith, hoping in the promises of even better times ahead. We can do that in many ways: prayer, study (like reading this along with the scripture of the day, every day.), study groups, worship, Holy Communion, and sharing your life of faith with a "spiritual" friend. (I don't mean just a friend who is spiritual, but someone who shares a similar belief system, a Christian on the journey with you. It can be someone the same age, or generations different. And you don't have to be at the same place on the journey. It is just someone with whom can help you think and learn about faith and yourself, someone to keep you accountable.)

Each of these things is meant to help experience the life Christ promised was possible and meant for us. We have to believe this truth, that there is a richer part of the human experience that is found only in God through Jesus Christ. This is not to say that we cannot enjoy life without Christ or church because many people do experience a full life of apparent blessing. I've seen it in my own family and my own life. But I have discovered the fullness of this life of faith in Christ. It's the difference between the image of a simple window pane to one with great style, like the one pictured above (at a church on the Mount of Olives). The Christ-life (the Christian life) has a different quality to it and it is worth all of the difficulty and work it takes to share in it. Every sacrifice we make for the sake of Christ will reveal a new blessing for us. Every pain we endure is a new pane in the stained-glass window of our existence. We might not see it all right now, but when we step back and look at our lives, or as others will see us, the whole picture comes into focus. In other words, the more we strive to experience God, the more we do. The harder we work at discovering who God is, more is revealed. The rich life in Christ is being unfolded to us day to day, so DON'T GIVE UP!

It's only January 6th. I hope you haven't given up on your New Year's Resolutions just yet and especially not given up on Christ. He sure has not given up on you. Hang in there; keep plugging along, even if you don't think you are getting anywhere. You are going to make it! Christ will see to that.

In his Grip ><>
PC

Petra

In the southern wilderness of what is now the country of Jordan is a place called Petra. It is a deep gorge in a very arid area. It is naturally protected by the narrow valley entrance on its north side and so became a great place to build a city. Thing is, there wasn't much to build with. So with the natural rock formations, the sheer cliffs that lined the gorge, much the entire city was carved into the rock, which remains today. Petra is its name and is an apt description of its origin. The word, Petra, is used to descibe strength and firmness. In greek it means a large stone, foundation stone, bedrock. It is not only the name of the city, it is the city.

Early in Jesus' ministry he took his disciples to the location of another type of petra, Mount Hermon. At the foot of this mountain is a great city built by King Herod, Caesarea Philippi. Here was built a great pagan temple at what was known as the Gate of Hades. In this place of foreign gods and idols Jesus asked an important question of his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" You probably recall that Peter was the first to speak up.

But it's Jesus' response to Peter that's key. He says, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." (Matt. 16:18, NRSV). The keys in this simple response are not as obvious as they seem in English, but in Greek they are. Jesus doesn't tell Peter that the church will be built on him, a petros (which means little stone), but on a petra (foundation). The petra Jesus is talking about is Peter's response, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." (Matthew 16:16, NLT). It is on this confession of faith that Jesus will build his Church. It is the bedrock of our belief, of our faith, of our response. Jesus challenges us to be as bold as Peter to make this claim for ourselves, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God."

How do we know this is true? Not because someone taught you, but because this has been whispered to us by God's Spirit, just like Peter. It is God who teaches us what we need to know. And it happens as we become more spiritually alive and aware of God's presence. Then "spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing." (1 Corinthians 2:15, The Message). As we grow in our faith this year, may God's Spirit do amazing things in us as we build our lives on the Petra, which gives a new meaning to having a "Rockin' New Year!"

"Rock" On ><>
PC

Eyecrafters: A New Perspective in about a Minute

We see what we want to see, even when the forest is right in front of us, most of what we see are individual trees. It's not that we are totally self absorbed, but that we have been conditioned to see in this way. It's our culture to see with a narrow focus. But it's not the whole picture.

A few years ago before moving to NW Indiana, I had opportunity to spend a week in the Loop in Chicago for business. The group I was with stayed right on Michigan Ave and every evening after our days work, we set out for dinner on the streets of the city. Each evening began as a quest to fulfill our hunger, but turned into a lesson about another layer of real life in the city. We went to some of the best restaurants along side some of the most affluent people and passed many poor along the way. We pursued the upscale and had to pass by the downscale. What would provide us one meal would feed those on the outside for a week. Men in heavy woolen and worn coats asking for a bit of spare change. Women carrying bags that you just knew held everything they owned. And all they wanted was some compassion. During the day they were hidden, not because they weren't there, but because of the city moving past them. In the evening they became more visible just because the busyness had slowed. It was like watching a slow motion replay where you can see every detail and it wasn't pretty.

I learned much during that week. I learned about the company for which I worked and how better to do my job, but even more I learned to see more completely. Racing through this life with such a narrow view of the world makes us miss so much of what Christ is doing around us. So as Christians in a new year what we need to do is try on some new eyes. "Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that's where teh action is. See things from his perspective." (Colossians 3:2, The Message)

Today and in the days to come, look around, see more than you normally see. There's a big world out there and I believe Christ is trying to help us see it as he does. When we do, then we'll know what to do next.

Peace ><>
PC

Are You Expecting?

Strange question for a tuesday morning, I know, but just think about it. Are you? No, not a baby, but are you expecting your life to be different because you trust God? Are you expecting God to be working when you pray? Are you expecting your life in faith to grow? Or are you too busy trying to do it on your own that you don't expect much?

I'm afraid that too often we come to prayer without expectations of an answer. We hope things will be different, but how often do we expect them to be? The same is true of our spiritual life. Sometimes we think we fail in prayer, in study, in reading the scriptures or understanding them. Then we feel bad about our apparent failure and give up way too soon. Many believe that God wants us to reach a certain level on our own, then we can begin expecting. But that's wrong thinking!

Growing in faith, in expectation of what God is going to do in our lives next is simple, Trust God! That's right, trust God. It's that simple. I'm not talking about simply giving God the remote and sitting back and enjoying the show, but to trust the very present God with us and in us. God has taken up residence in us and to trust his presence, his guidance, his life giving power, his very life is to experience the Christ-life. The very power that was at work in Jesus is at work in us!

I love how Paul put it when he wrote to the church at Rome, "This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next, Papa?'" (Romans 8:15, The Message)

Okay, so I know that we are just a week past Christmas and I bring up resurrection. That's Easter! But when we celebrate Christmas we are not just celebrating Christ's birth, but the whole Good News that he is. He is with us. He is working in us. And he's definitely not through with us just yet.

Today, no matter what happens to us we can be sure of this, that God is at work in us and great things are not only possible but likely! Expect them!

Peace><>
PC

In the Driver's Seat

Matthew 16:24 in The Message says, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat, I am."

As I think about renewing my spirit in this new year, that is the key for me. Too often I just get up and get on with my day, making my own decisions, setting my own agendas and somewhere asking God to accompany me, instead of seeking God's wisdom, God's agenda, and going along with where God is going.

We have bought into the idea that God is our co-pilot. But just what does a co-pilot do? Assists the Pilot, takes over for the pilot when the pilot gives over control, and only to go where the pilot directs. The pilot is still in control, even though he/she depends on others to get to the destination.

Maybe the best way to think about this is that we still have to drive/pilot ourselves, but instead of God co-piloting with us, we place Christ as our Navigator. (no pilot will get anywhere with out a good navigator). This is the one who knows the destination, sets the course, and prepares for the unexpected by setting alternate courses in case of trouble. That's where I really need Christ. And where I believe he wants to be on our journey.
Peace ><>
PC

Weekly Readings January 1-7

Weekly Readings - January 1-7
Sunday - Psalm 51
Monday - Matthew 16
Tuesday - Romans 8
Wednesday - Colossians 3
Thursday - 1 Corinthians 2
Friday - 2 Corinthians 4
Saturday - Romans 12

A New Year, A New Resolution

It's a new day, a new year, a time to do better than last. I had so many great ideas for last year, trying something new in blogging my thoughts from day to day, helping others grow in faith by reading and sharing in a daily study. My plans failed, but not the idea. As I said, it's a new day and here is my first of many daily posts.

Our worship today centered on the future as we repent and leave our pasts behind. Today is a time to think afresh about what might be, about what our life look like if we were to take our faith seriously, a time to prepare for a new spirit. It was King David who prayed, "create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

In the film City Slickers, Mitch told his friend Phil that he gets a life "do-over". That his mistakes were past and the clean slate was his to create as he wished. That's the beauty of God's grace. We get the same. Today is the day to renew, in fact, everyday is a day to renew, "...you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. (Colossians 3:10, NLT)

So, how do we renew our spirits? By getting to know Jesus more and more. Everyday that we grow closer to Christ is a day we are being renewed. Every prayer, every question, every verse read is about renewing our faith and our spirit.

Today is a day for resolutions. Mine is to be like Paul's, "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:2, NIV)

So, make a new resolution, give it your best shot, do your best and never give up, for we the renewal we get is the very grace of Christ and God's favor. "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. (2 Corinthians 4:16, NLT)

Peace ><>
PC