Ok, today we are expecting more snow on top of the almost 60 inches we have received. So we needed to get up on the flat roof part of the church and clear the massive amounts of snow. You can see in the first picture between the two buildings, that the snow pile is almost to the top of the roof!For some reason some smart builder thought it would be cool to put the real flat part of the roof between two other parts so all the snow would accumulate and not be able to drain off...last year the middle part of the roof caved in...hopefully this year it won't do that again.I was so thankful to get help from Jim and Josh and a crew of Karen refugees led by Moon Light. They all helped us remove a ton of snow...I'm not sure if I will be able to move tomorrow!
"All the stages Israel’s march to Canaan are distinctly noticed, but no particular journal is kept of Jacob’s expedition further than Beth-el; no, he had no more such happy nights as he had at Beth-el, no more such visions of the Almighty. That was intended for a feast; he must not expect it to be his daily bread. But, we are here told how cheerfully he proceeded in his journey after the sweet communion he had with God at Beth-el: Then Jacob lifted up his feet; so the margin reads it in verse 1. Then he went on with cheerfulness and alacrity, not burdened with his cares, nor cramped with his fears, being assured of God’s gracious presence with him. Note, After the visions we have had of God, and the vows we have made to him in solemn ordinances, we should run the way of his commandments with enlarged hearts."
I was reading this in Matthew Henry's commentary on Genesis 29 and found it to be so true...feast vs daily bread. We so often get this truth mixed up. Hyper Charismatic Christianity is guilty of perpetuating this idea in my experience. Too many Christians get confused on the purpose of the Spiritual Sun they have discovered. In an overzealous mesmerization with the glory of the heavenly light they end up blinded by that which was given to light their paths ahead. They long to eat from the hands of angels, like Elijah did as he fled from Jezebel to Mt. Horeb; but they do not want to go on a 40 day journey in the strength of that food, as Elijah was commanded, they would rather camp out and have Angel's cater to their lust for spiritual highs.
As a young man, I was led to believe that a life in the Spirit was something akin to a perpetual ripple of spiritual orgasms. Could anyone be really of any use if that were the case? If the idea is completely ludicrous in the natural, why do we insinuate or push the idea spiritually? In a healthy sexual life, there are moments of extreme enraptures of bliss that ignite, bond, meld, savoring pleasures that produce life and electrify every nerve in ones physical body. But these are not meant to be experienced moment to moment...to expect that would be insane and more a hint of neurosis than godly indulgence.
Unfortunately common sense does not often prevail among Christians. Next Sunday I enter the portion of 1 Corinthians that discusses spiritual gifts...I look forward to demystifying, life in the Spirt, without naturalizing it...a delicate balance. We can't reduce eternal realities into physical explanations that remove the mystical from our spiritual life but we can't allow ourselves to get so nutty that we end up looking and sounding like groveling addicts for the next spiritual fix.
I was reading about hell in chapter 8, in my copy of C.S. Lewis' "The Problem of Pain", it also reminded me of his book on heaven and hell called "The Great Divorce", which I also highly recommend. Below are a few selections from chapter 8, that I found good. The whole chapter is worth reading, I think it would be extremely helpful for anyone wrestling with the whole subject. Many people, both Christian or non-Christian, have an honest aversion to the doctrine of hell and have never truly heard much scriptural or philosophical discussion on the subject, Lewis is a great place to start.
"Some will not be redeemed. There is no doctrine which I would more willingly remove from Christianity than this, if it lay in my power. But it has the full support of Scripture and specifically, of our Lord's own words; it has always been held by Christendom, and it has the support of reason."
"Our Lord speaks of Hell under three symbols: first, that of punishment ('everlasting punishment' Matthew 25:46); second, that of destruction ('fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in Hell' Matthew 10:28); and thirdly, that of privation, exclusion, or banishment into 'the darkness outside', as in the parables of the man without a wedding garment or of the wise and foolish virgins. The prevalent image of fire is significant because it combines the ideas of torment and destruction. Now it is quite certain that all these expressions are intended to suggest something unspeakably horrible, and any interpretation which does not face that fact is , I am afraid, out of the court from the beginning. But it is not necessary to concentrate on the images of torture to the exclusion of of those suggesting destruction and privation. What can that be whereof all three images are equally proper symbols? Destruction, we should naturally assume, means the unmaking , or cessation, of the destroyed. And people often talk as if the 'annihilation' of a soul were intrinsically possible. In all our experience, however, the destruction of one thing means the emergence of something else. Burn a log, and you have gases, heat and ash. To 'have been' a log means now being those three things. if souls can be destroyed, must there not be a state of 'having been' a human soul? And is not that, perhaps, the state which is equally well described as torment, destruction and privation? You will remember that in the parable, the saved go to a place prepared for them, while the damned go to a place never made for men at all. (Matt. 25:34,41).
"The demand that God should forgive such a man while he remains what he is, is based on a confusion between condoning and forgiving. to condone an evil is simply to ignore it, to treat it as if it were good. But forgiveness needs to be accepted as well as offered if it is to be complete; and a man who admits no guilt can accept no forgiveness."
From "The Problem of Pain"" chapter 8 You can also read his treatment of the subject of heaven and hell in his great little book, "The Great Divorce".
The KaRen community of Spokane hosted a KaRen New Years Celebration at the East Central Community Center in our neighborhood this last Saturday. There was around 200 people, tons of traditional food, music, singing, dance, formal presentations, speeches and gift giving as well as teen competitions in singing.This dance number was about 10 minutes and they had been practicing at the church for about 3 months. It was beautiful. I was moved by the elegance, the passion, the joy and the experience of being able to see it all and witness a new chapter in their peoples lives. I had the privilege of speaking at the event and I shared some of the history of the gospel coming to Burma. The gospel came to Burma through the ministry of American missionary, Adoriam Judson; it was through the seed of prayer, sacrifice, sadness, leaving friends and family and even death (three wives) that Jesus became Lord of these people. That small seed was planted and this weekend we had the honor of still seeing the fruit of that seed over a 100 years later. I was inspired.
Being a refugee is not an easy adventure, I have the most respect for my Karen friends. They have suffered and do suffer greatly, but press on, often singing. I would never had dreamed where planting a church would take us...and as I stood on the platform and looked out over all those wonderful Karen people...I found a deep gratitude to the Lord for the privilege to serve them.
Now...I wouldn't call my wife a Calvinist, but I know a few who might fit this song....John Piper tattoo's in greek...LOL!!! Now if it was a song about a husband...maybe I would fit. ;)
The Jacob's Well kids ministry put on a wonderful music program last Sunday. A number of the KaRen refugee children had speaking parts. It was such a blessing to see and hear them take part; This year they spoke much better English. All of our kids were so cute, we have some beautiful children and amazing workers too.
I got a Barnes & Noble gift card that enabled me to finally pick up C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy that I have been wanting to read. I'm over half way through "Out of the Silent Planet" and I found this paragraph interesting. The main charachter, "Ransom" is talking to a "Sorn" a martian being and they are discussing the angelic beings known as "Eldil". The Sorn is attempting to explain why they "appear" to be ghost like but in reality are simply living and moving at a faster speed than we live at. I find this type of mental conjecture very stimulating from Lewis. It's discussions like these that I am sure were first spoken amongst his Kindling friends over pipes, brews and books at the local pup.
"The swiftest thing that touches our senses is light. We do not truly see light, we only see slower things lit by it, so that for us light is on the edge---the last thing we know before things become to swift for us. But the body of an eldil is a movement swift as light, you may say its body is made of light, but not of that which is light for the eldil. His "light" is swifter movement which for us is nothing at all; and what we call light is for him a thing like water, a visible thing, a thing he can tough and bathe in--even a dark thing when not illumined by the swifter. And what we call firm things---flesh and earth---seem to him thinner, and harder to see, than our light, and more like clouds, and nearly nothing. To us the eldil is a thin, half-real body that can go through walls and rocks; to himself he goes through them because he is solid and firm and they are like cloud."
Yesterday I spent about 4 hours raking and shoveling snow off the roofs of my house and garage. As I stood there on top of a ladder with an avalanche of snow descending over my head and onto my son below who was holding the ladder...I found myself getting tired of the cold and heavy grip of the White Witch of winter.
Today as I was preparing for Sunday in 1 Corinthians 11:26, I read this verse: "...You proclaim (preach) the Lord’s death until He comes."...I was moved by the part: "Until He comes". What hope is packed up in that verse. Like a flower in bud, yet to unfold, but in the right season it opens up all its beauty for the waiting world. I too am waiting for the return of Jesus.
Waiting, remembering, longing...for the return of Lion of the tribe of Judah...to end this very long winter.
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool." -Isaiah 1:18
This is a picture of a lot in my neighborhood. It used to be covered in junk, some run down houses and was basically an eye sore. I passed it a couple days ago; just as the sunlight was breaking through some trees onto the fresh fallen snow. It almost caught my breath away, because it looked so beautiful, especially compared to the way it used to be.
I was thinking about how snow reminds me of the way grace covers our sins. This lot was cleared by the demolition crew but it was scarred by the process. Sinful man has a uncanny way of leaving a wasteland behind his selfish living. Garbage, broken down vehicles, boarded up houses that look hunched over and about to crumble under the weight of disrepair.
But the land isn't what morns the loudest around here...You can see the same curse of sin weakening the very countenances and bodies of my neighbors. Meth addiction looks like an internal black hole that is sucking faces within themselves...the teeth have already been swallowed and the smile is next...leaving only a marred face that's far older than it ever was supposed to be.
I saw the slow despair as I was standing in line at the local convenience store on Christmas eve. I was buying butter for LeeElla because she was making carmel corn for our neighbors; but the other people surrounding the counter were all purchasing lottery tickets....lots of them. I stood there fully conscious of the desire to revel in the holiday moment versus the gnawing hopless hope of trying to gamble your way out of the present. I was sad as I watched them spend money on a pipe dream, when the real treasures were probably at home, getting less because the money was foolishly spent.
I left longing for a snowstorm of God's love and grace to descend and cover all the land and people of my little Nazareth. Because grace beautifies the sin worn face and soul and it's a source for an unfolding restoration that eventually even renews the earth (Ez 47). Peter summed up the work of the Holy Spirit and repentance as a "wiping away" and that results in "times of refreshing" in Acts 3:19. Oh how we need that work of grace in this hour.
"...O the happiness of him whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered" -Psalms 32"1
I forgot to mention yesterday that LeeElla, was also tackling the blizzard load of snow...in fact she cleared the Police Substation parking lot for the men there...of course they didn't say thank you, but she did it nonetheless. I tried to tell her it was hard work pushing that machine through the ice and snow...but she was undeterred. But if you really know LeeElla she's a beautiful mix of qualities that would of made her the perfect Pioneer woman; a fact that she herself frequently mentions. I think we were both supposed to be born in the Wild West...but somehow ended up in this era.
So I perused some pics that represent the women of the West and these three capture perfectly that combination of:
Caring, industrious, godly, noble mother:Wild, tough as nails, take no guff, boot to the crotch, mountain mammaand the soft as silk, sultry, monogamous madam of my dreams.We make the perfect pair of urban church planters..,called by Jesus to raze some Hell...while being gentle as doves and shrewd as serpents. Couldn't do this without you babe.
"But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing. -Ezekiel 16:15
I've been to Holland and particularly Amsterdam 6 different times. God laid this city on my heart when I was a teenager serving in a youth ministry under my youth pastor. I've spent thousands of dollars, a stream of tears, a lot of prayer walking shoe leather, countless hours of conversations, teaching and praying for this city. I've always had a spiritual connection to the redemptive purposes of God for this place. I can't explain why, or even point to a lot of stories that could prove it...but when I read this article about shutting down up to maybe half of the prostitution spots in the Red-light District...I was reminded of the effective and powerful prayers of righteous people. Prayers that have added to the impact of the life and witness of those godly bleleivers hammering out the saving works of God in Amsterdam. This piece of art is in the Red light district and really represents the spirit of that spot. I remember talking to a pastor friend there who had been arrested after taking a sledge hammer to this piece...you can kind of see the dents still there. I never took a Hammer to the wickedness there; but I experienced and witnessed mighty blows of the Spirit; Jesus was a visible Savior to some, others were impacted through teaching the word and ministered life via Spirit infused conversations and worship. God is faithful to His word...and if he calls you to go...just go. I did...all by myself, when others thought I was crazy, but God is sometimes crazy....learn that and you just might end up places that you never believed you would be and see things that you never dreamed.
Without sounding like a goody goody, or like I'm trying to pat myself on the back...I share this story to inspire all of us to seek out the simple ways to be good people. So much is written about the Christian life, and building churches that is just a waste of time. If we would embrace the simple path of Jesus; we would see greater and greater things take place.
Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us daily. -Sally Koch
The church has a pretty good snowblower and I utilize it to help out our neighbors and businesses around our church. It's a great way to lend a hand and get to know people that live around us. I am praying that I can get a hold of one of those plows that hook on the front on the truck; so I can really help out around here. There are numerous elderly, shut in, single moms, sick and disabled that can not dig themselves out. It's tough work even with a snow blower...so if you know of someone who wants to invest in a tool that will truly serve the needy, let me know.
After today's work...I decided I needed to move my wife's car into the driveway so the snowplows don't completely bury it. But the dilemma was that her car was partly buried already and the roads are unplowed and beastly. Now her car stinks when it comes to driving in the snow...and sure enough, I tried to drive around the block to park in the back parking area and I got stuck on the other side of the block. So I tried and tried to get myself out of the middle of the street but to no avail....I was to exhausted. So I got out and walked home and got her and the kids. I then pushed the snow blower through the deep snow to the stuck car. Thankfully 4 neighbors came to assist and we all were able to finally get the care unstuck.
Now after doing all the snowblowing before...I was already exhausted...and to get stuck after all that...really ticked me off. But as I watched everyone coming to assist, I found myself yet again, blessed to be living and working in this area. There is a great feeling that comes when you shake someone's hand and they ask your name....it's an invitation to step one step closer to each other. Simply the result of living a life that seeks to do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Nothing complex, just loving our neighbors, not with a track in one hand and a hand out in the other...but instead, just seeking to make these blocks better places to live.
“Something of God…flows into us from the blue of the sky, the taste of honey, the delicious embrace of water whether cold or hot, and even from sleep itself.”- C.S. Lewis
This little tour was deeply rich to me. I found myself breathing out tension in a way that reminds me of a walk in the warm summer woods. I was moved inside...to tears. I think it was the resonation that took place listening and looking at a personal reality that I cherish so much. Searching, truth, books, study, sharing with like-minded people on a similar journey, the restoration of important things and places. The intellectual pursuit of truth and ideas without losing the spiritual realities that illuminate the candle of thought.
I enjoyed it like a walk with a long lost friend, I suppose.
I'm not a follower of the Orthodox stream of Christianity in practice but I often dip into it's waters for tension to my protestant paradigm. You may or may not be aware that such mainstay theological truths such as hell are concepts that have many different perspectives and ideas associated with them in the various Christian denominations and branches of historic Christianity. You may or may not agree with this man's conclusions...but you have to be willing to admit that these concepts have been hotly debated and not everyone comes up on the same side of the conclusions. Some are not even willing to listen to the serious questions people have about Hell...like: Eternal torment or Eternal destruction??? As we engage our culture, we have to be prepared to answer questions; that to many, are the fleshy spot underneath our Smaug wing...waiting for the Brad's arrow of logic to sink into...It's sad how many Christians have not taken the time to read, listen or study any other perspective within the Christian tree of history and experience. Once you do, you will find treasures worth adding to your spiritual house.
"And Jesus said to them: "therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of Heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old." -Matthew 13:52
The more you study and are exposed to the diversity of thought within the fence of Christian Orthodoxy...you might discover that your hidden perplexities, hesitations, frustrations and gnawing questions have also been thought, wrestled with and dared to be spoken. Others more brave, less fearful than you, have come to terms or discovered a way to be faithful to truth and yet, work through doubt as well. Many have found paths through the deep dark theological woods that had you cowering at the entrance of your own private Mirkwood. “It pleases God a great deal if the soul never ceases to search; for the soul can do no more than seek, suffer, and trust…Seeking with faith, hope, and love pleases our Lord, and finding pleases the soul and fills it with joy....It is God’s wish that we should observe three things in our seeking: the first is that our search should be committed and diligent, with no laziness, as it may be through his grace, glad and cheerful without unreasonable depression and unprofitable misery. The second is that for his love we await him steadfastly, without grumbling or struggling against him, until our life’s end, for life only lasts a short while. The third is that we should trust him utterly with sure and certain faith, for that is what he wishes. -Julian of Norwich "Showings of Divine Love"
That search is a difficult one of sifting ideas, teaching, historical positions and fresh theological hobbie horses that run amok. Daring to reacquaint oneself with the Ancient Paths while at the same time cling to the truths that have been liberated from darkness of traditions, time and ignorance. Not and easy endeavor...but essential to be able to walk in the fulness of grace and truth.
Thus says the Lord, `Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls.' But they said, `We will not walk in it.'" Jeremiah 6:16
I fear too many...say the same thing.
I pray that we would not be cowards, who cannot peer into the mysteries of God's word without going mad in our interpretations and drive away all reasonable dialogue. Let us not become so barnacled in our hearts and minds that we knee jerk ourselves right out of the saddles of truth; when an honest seeker proposes sincere problems with our pondering's about God, His nature, His ways with humanity and with what we say He intends to do to us after we die...
I was decorating the church in Holiday style on Saturday and outside the church were these three boys. They were sliding around in the street on a sled and on their chests. Throwing snowballs at cars...basically being boys. The boy on the right kept looking in the window observing me and finally with a frozen face and a really red nose...he peeked in the door and asked if he could help me. I said yes and for most of the rest of the 5 hours he hung out with me. The two other boys were more skittish but they came in and helped me do a few things...if I paid them, gave the doughnuts or candy canes. But this boy just helped for the sake of being helpful.
During one of our moments hanging lights and stuff...one of the boys said he was tired because he got up at 2:30 AM. I asked why and he said: "Because his parents had been fighting". I asked why and he said...he didnt know. Nobody else showed up that day to help out; this is a busy time of year for most people..but God sent me three little men to include in the festivities. I had bought doughnuts for potential helpers and these little guys got the man share of them, to their delight. I found myself grateful that because nobody-else was there to help; these guys probably felt more comfortable joining in. It's moments like these that being present in a neighborhood produce continual opportunity to build on relationships. Capturing moments that you might miss, unless God makes you sensitive to the present. Turning one situation from a disappointment to a work of grace. Of course later that day when I was by myself, finishing up the Christmas tree that sits by the windows facing the street; I saw the boy on the left across the street. He was on the side walk outside his house when a truck pulled up with a police car right on his tail. The cop jumped out and ordered the men to get out; at the same time telling the kid to get out of there. Then another cop car and another and another; until there was a total of six police cars jammed in the street. Cops were surrounding the truck with guns drawn. Here I was trying to put the star on the top of the tree...and there they were with guns drawn. The issue resolved itself after the men were taken out of the truck, spoken to and then released and everyone left.
I took a picture, because, I thought the irony of the moment was worth remembering and writing about. I was standing there pondering the dichotomy of my day. Kids, conversation, love, sharing, helpfulness, greed, egos, domestic strife, loneliness, work, frustration, questions, grace...guns, police....interesting moments to ponder.
Ok, today we are expecting more snow on top of the almost 60 inches we have received. So we needed to get up on the flat roof part of the church and clear the massive amounts of snow. You can see in the first picture between the two buildings, that the snow pile is almost to the top of the roof!
For some reason some smart builder thought it would be cool to put the real flat part of the roof between two other parts so all the snow would accumulate and not be able to drain off...last year the middle part of the roof caved in...hopefully this year it won't do that again.
I was so thankful to get help from Jim and Josh and a crew of Karen refugees led by Moon Light. They all helped us remove a ton of snow...I'm not sure if I will be able to move tomorrow!
