A-Maze-ing

No one comes to the Father except through Me.  John 14:6

I don’t like mazes.  You find them in puzzle magazines, on the back of cereal boxes, or as “busy work” in school when the teacher needs to fill in a few extra minutes. 

I don’t like them because they “waste” so much space.  The correct path through the maze is usually narrow and direct.  The rest of the maze is just a distraction. 

I don’t like them because they are sneaky.   It LOOKS like there are many ways to find the center.  But in a good maze, there is only one.

Usually, I cheat.  I start the maze at the end, and work towards the beginning.  For some reason, that makes it easier to solve.

But really, I don’t like them because I am not very good at them.  I get lost easily.

Okay, now this might seem silly, but think about mazes and God for a moment.

In a way, though, mankind’s relationship with God is like a maze.  Imagine God being in the center, and we are placed outside.   Our life’s task is to find the center.

There is a lot of wasted space in our life’s maze… space that doesn’t really help with our goal of finding the center.  Far too much of my time is wasted on things that don’t really matter, and I let the important things slip away.

It looks as if there are many ways to the center.  But there really is only one pathway that works.  Religions may LOOK helpful, but they don’t lead to God.

This “relationship with God” maze is a tough one.  The only way to solve it is to start at the center and move towards the outside.  Salvation starts with Christ, not with us.

Forgiveness

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Ps. 32:1 ESV)

What does it mean to forgive? 

Of course, the act of forgiveness is mandatory.  That pesky parable about the unforgiving servant (where the man who had been forgiven a humongous debt turns around and refuses to forgive a petty amount) makes what should already be obvious to us, clear.  Forgive.  If you understand how much you have been forgiven by God, forgive.  If you understand the gospel, forgive.

But what does that forgiveness mean?

In a way, I don’t like this article.  And I am not even done with it yet!  But it is clear to me that our forgiveness of others needs to be extravagant, bubbly, HUGE, and maybe irrational at times.  I ought to be contemplating ways to be even more forgiving instead of evaluating what limits there are to forgiveness.

But on the other hand, what I am about to write does not necessarily contradict the mandate to forgive widely, deeply, fully, and often.  In fact, it might actually make forgiveness more gracious.

Recently I was told something profound.  Get ready for it.

Drum roll…..

“Just because I forgive you, doesn’t mean I think you’re nice.”

We incorrectly think that forgiveness means we become blind to the causes that led to the forgiveness.  When God forgives me, I remain in need of mercy, because my ongoing sins have ongoing effects.

And really, if I am a nice guy, forgiveness isn’t all that necessary.

Being forgiven by God does not turn me into a righteous man.  That’s what sanctification does.  Eventually.

When I forgive others, I am not, I believe, obligated to think that now, since I have forgiven them… they didn’t need forgiveness.  Nor does it mean that those original reasons have stopped existing.

I am forgiven because I am NOT nice.

And when I forgive you… sometimes I can still see that you are still not nice, too.

Grace is big, yes?

What's Yer Name?

Sloppy Joes

Where do names come from?  Don’t you feel sorry for “Joe” who apparently was so messy that when people were searching for what to call that messy “ground beef and tomato sauce” sandwich, they said, “we need to name this after JOE!”?

A Quisling (meaning a cowardly traitor) is named after a cowardly traitor in Norway who helped the Nazi’s take power.  A Benedict Arnold (meaning a treacherous leader) was a treacherous leader during the American Revolutionary War.

And a “Christian,” (meaning a ‘little Christ”) was originally meant as a derisive name.  Christ was a political failure, a social outcast, a man killed in a cursed way… and the enemies of His followers called them “Little Christs” to mock them.

Sort of like a loyal follower of President Bush might have been called a “Little George” by those trying to make fun of him and his loyalty.  Or maybe a Trumpet today?

But the “Little Christs” didn’t take it that way.  They clung to the name.  They reveled in it.

And we still call ourselves Christians today.

Does your name match what you are?

Are We There, Yet?

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3 ESV)

Are We There, Yet?

Children on car trips can be annoying.  “Are we there, yet?  Are we there, yet? Are we there, yet?”

But maybe they are on to something.

While it is likely that they are simply being impatient and bored, maybe they inadvertently are directing us to a better view.

Today, I am being sanctified.  I know I am, because as I understand Scripture, I see that the Trinity is always sanctifying me… and will be until I get to heaven.

But sometimes I think instead that I have already been Sanctified.  That in some area of my life, I have arrived where I am heading.  Maybe it’s contentment:  Since I am worrying less about money, I must be Sanctified in that area!  Maybe it’s patience:  Since I haven’t cursed under my breath when an inconsiderate driver cut me off on I-135, I must be Sanctified in that area!  Maybe it’s lust: Since my eyes haven’t wandered in a long time, I must be Sanctified in that area!

But I’m not.  I still need Jesus in every area of my life.

Sanctification is a process… that will end in Glorification when God will finish my transformation.

Don’t get me wrong.  I should rejoice in the victories I might see in contentment, patience, or avoiding lust.  But those victories are victories in battles, not the war.

I’m not there, yet.

And maybe the annoying kids in the back seat an remind me of that.

Its Not For You

It’s not for you…

I choose restaurants because I like them.  I make purchases because I need them.  Or at least want them.  I have conversations because I am curious, or interested, or bored, or lonely.  And you probably do, too.

I think I’ve found the anti-Christ.  It was easier than I expected.  All I had to do was consider what the opposite of Christ Jesus would be.

Everything Jesus did, He did for someone else.  I know that we like wrestle with the idea of all three Persons of the Trinity doing things ‘for His own glory…’  but that doesn’t mean He does everything selfishly for Himself.  Although He could.  Instead it means that He does everything FOR His beloved, with the goal and result that He is glorified.

But every single thing that Jesus thought, said, and did was for someone else.  He said it Himself when He declared that as our Shepherd, He  “came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10 ESV)  

So what is the opposite of that?  Doing everything for one’s own self.

The opposite of Christ is doing things for myself.

Wow.

Self-help, Psycho-babble, ‘my rights,’ and the Modern American Way all push us to do things for me.  Almost every reason for romance presented by Hollywood is to find happiness.  Almost every reason given by guidance counselors to choose a career is to find contentment.  Almost every reason given by most of our advisors is to find self-satisfaction.

And all of that is the opposite of what Christ displays.

Life… it’s not for you.

Names

For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. (Isa. 45:4 ESV)

Names

The power to name something is incredible. 

Yes, it sounds like psychobabble.  But I am convinced that the name/thing correlation is strong.  Particularly in personal matters. 

Is the nerd nerdy because he was called a nerd?  Or was he called a nerd because he was nerdy?  Is your dog a dumb dog because you call him that, daily?  Or is he called dumb daily because he is dumb?  I think it is both.

Perhaps I never exerted myself in sports because I was convinced I was “slow.”  Perhaps you don’t show emotions because you’ve been told you were unemotional.  Perhaps you are afraid because people named you, “fearful.”

But the real power comes not from the name giver, but the name receiver. 

I’m not, of course, referring to official names.  I don’t think that “Faith” is naturally more faithful, or “Claire” is automatically more bright.  But descriptive adjectives, labels about personality and expectations, and even our roles are effected by that correlation.

The names you choose to believe are names that become accurate.  A sixth-grade history teacher told me I was a Great Historian.  A Middle School teacher told me I was “wise-beyond-my-years.”  Friends in high school told me I was funny.  And those names stuck to my psyche because I chose to let them.  And my life was changed.

So what names do you believe about yourselves? 

God says you are fixed, and no longer broken.

God says you are His child, not an outcast.

God says you are loved.

God says you are precious.

God says you are able.

God says you are free.

God says you are… His.

Who do you say that you are?

Fireworks?

When I was growing up in Michigan, fireworks were illegal.  We could use sparklers, small firecrackers, and smoke bombs… but nothing amazing, nothing cool, nothing dramatic.

So late on July 4, we would really enjoy the firework display.  The limitation on other types of fireworks made the colored lights in the sky seem like magic.  When we said, “Ohhh, Ahhhh” we meant it. 

But now things are different.  I can buy rockets that shoot into the sky and explode with bright ear-shattering light.  We can drive around Kechi and applaud and whistle at the display of celebratory explosions taking place right in front of us.

And so, somehow, even though the “big” fireworks have improved over the years, they seem to be less and less impressive.

Constant easy exposure has caused the wonderful to become commonplace.  We have become deadened to the emotional impact.

Sin sneaks into our lives like that, too.  Our consciences become deadened to the attitudes and actions that used to shock us.  Constant exposure to inappropriate language, disrespect, selfishness, and doubt has made those things seem ordinary.

In 1939, “Gone with the Wind” became the first movie to use bad language.  Now most Americans won’t SEE a movie with less than a PG-13 rating.

Fifty years ago, students would never have considered talking back to a teacher.  Now it’s not only the students, but the parents who often show disrespect.

In the Great Depression, showing kindness was seen as an admirable activity.  Now the media presents it as a weakness.

We have gotten used to it.  And it has grown.

What’s the solution?  We need to move backwards.  As Christians, we need to be less “used to” unrighteousness.  We need to stop ignoring our own behavior. 

We need to live the way we should… not the way we are used to.

Always Room for Jello

Excuses, Walls, and Jello

I am guilty. 

We don’t hear people say that very often these days.  We hear things that SEEM like “I am guilty.”   Our apologies are usually fortressed by excuses.  “I am sorry I lied, but I was trying to protect you;” or “I am sorry I hurt you, but I was defending myself.”

We blame society, our parents, illness, ignorance, forgetfulness, the devil, or our third grade teacher.

And I don’t know why we work so hard to avoid admitting our guilt.

Christianity is not just a set of guidelines to improve behavior in our society.  True Christianity is giving guilty people a fantastic relationship with God.

And it starts with admitting our guilt.

Every possible bad thing I have ever done, wanted to do, imagined doing, or thought about doing is like a wall dividing us from God.  In that sense, I understand why we might want to avoid admitting guilt.  Being on God’s side is a good thing…

But the way to tear down the wall is NOT to deny the wall is there.  The way to tear down the wall is to let the forgiveness of Christ turn the wall to jello.

I don’t need to hide or deny my guilt.  Because no matter how big my guilt is, Jesus’ forgiveness is satisfyingly bigger. 

And so… I am guilty.  But more than that, I am also forgiven.

Dissecting Love

It was a radio! With it, I could hear strange channels where people talked in sharp accents.  I could hear normal music and music that made my eyes pop out.  I was used to AM and FM, but this radio had settings for acronyms that I had never seen, and don’t even remember today.

It was amazing.

And so, of course, I took it apart.  A set of screwdrivers and needle-nosed pliers were all I needed to turn that wondrous machine into a collection of exotic metal bits and colored wires.  And it never made a sound again.

When we dissect things, we destroy them.  Sure, we might learn some things.  Of course, we might gain spare parts.  But we ruin them.  They aren’t the same, and never will be.

I feel the same way about love.  I mean real love… not mamby-pamby Hallmark channel romance.  I don’t mean warm puppies and chocolate ice cream.  When I write here of love, I mean the unconditional kind that has its sole origins in God’s character, actions, and relationships.

Love is really astounding.  When we find it (giving or getting) it shocks us.  It changes us.  It lifts us.  It gives us reason.  It gives us hope.  It gives us faith.  It gives us… well, everything.  I don’t think I can overstate how fireworky and blissful love is.

Until we dissect it.

I don’t like talking about those supposed ‘three forms of love:’ eros, filos, and agape.  Because love is always, in any form, the same:  it is unconditional support, acceptance, and affection.  It is a willingness, nay an eagerness to sacrifice for the beloved.  It is an unquestioning placement of the beloved’s needs, wellness, and even wishes above one’s own.

If eros is a kind of love, than it is simply love.  If filos is a kind of love, than just call it love.  If agape is the best love, it does not supplant other loves.   Love is love.

And love is grand.

Grandparents' Day

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Genesis 1:26

My maternal grandfather is a part of who I am.  Many of my early decisions were made to please or impress him.  I think a lot (maybe too much) because I wanted to be like him.  I try to be patient, because he was always patient with me.  I started reading the Bible as a pre-teen because I observed that he took his Bible to work with him every day.  I hate gardening because he seemed to love gardening so much.

I never met my paternal Grandfather.  But he has influenced me just as much as my maternal grandfather.

I saw the effects of Grandpa Penning.  I saw him in my father’s quiet and secret generosity.  I saw him in our family’s need to resolve every conflict before we parted ways for the day.  I saw him in the Penning male’s stubborn adherence to principle… even after that principle had been proven false.  I saw him in my father’s involvement in the life of our church.  I saw him in the limitations put on that involvement.

Behind the scenes of my personality are my grandfathers.  I am made in their image.

The same is probably true for you, as well.

We inherit the physical characteristics of our ancestors.  We also are effected by their personalities, histories, experiences and decisions.

That can help us comprehend what it means to be made in the image of God.  We don’t look like Him.  But we all have inherited some of His characteristics.  In much the same way that our grandfathers are part of who we are… God is, too.  We don’t inherit the characteristics because we acknowledge His position.  We inherit the characteristics because of who we are.

That is why building contractors like to build.  Because God is a Builder.  That is why my daughter likes to draw.  Because God is a Creator.  That is why I can love my wife.  Because God is Love.  That is why farmers farm.  Because God is a Cultivator.  That is why engineers design.  Because God is a Designer.  That is why firemen are heroes.  Because God is a Helper.  That is why Doctors heal.  Because God is a Healer.

Of course, everything in our nature does not originate in God’s image.  And we often twist the God-image parts of us into something unrecognizable. 

But there is enough of the image of God in mankind to show our ancestry.  Just like there is enough of my grandfathers in me to show where I come from.

His image is worth cultivating.  His image is what gives rise to all that is good in humankind… and in you in particular.  We need to cultivate those things.  We need to increase those characteristics that are Godly, and diminish those that aren’t.   Not to impress God.  Not because increasing in Godly characteristics eases our road into heaven.  Not to avoid God’s wrath.  Not to balance out the unGodly things we do.

But because we love Him. 

It’s not obligation, it’s devotion.  It’s not imitation, it’s inheritance.

Where is Ben Byall when I need Him?

Fishing

" Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”  Matthew 7:21

I like fishing.

I haven’t been fishing yet this spring.  Actually, I didn’t go fishing last year at all. 

But I like fishing.

Something is obviously wrong.  Not just with the fact that I don’t get to go fishing.  But there is a difference between my claim to like fishing, and the fact that I don’t go fishing.

The discrepancy could come from many places.  Maybe I am too busy.  Maybe I am too lazy.  Maybe I live too far from a convenient fishing place.  Maybe I don’t have the right gear.  Maybe I don’t like fishing alone, and can’t find someone to go with me.  Maybe I am secretly afraid of fish.

But whatever the reason, something doesn’t match up.  I ought to do something about it.

A lot of people claim to like Jesus.

But they don’t listen to what He says.  They don’t yearn to worship Him publicly.  They don’t proclaim His kingdom.

And something is obviously wrong.  There is a difference between a claim to like Jesus, and the fact that some don’t really have anything to do with Him, accept where convenient.

The discrepancy could come from many places.  Maybe you are too buy.  Maybe you are too lazy.  Maybe you live too far from church.  Maybe you don’t own a Bible.  Maybe you don’t like other people, and you can’t find a way to serve Him completely alone (which IS impossible.)  Maybe you secretly are afraid of what being a real Christian would do to your life.

But whatever the reason, something doesn’t match up.  And you ought to do something about it.

The best news is that HE will do something about it.  He will give you what you need to follow Him.  He will change you.  He will strengthen you.  He will weaken you.  He will do whatever it takes.

Just surrender to Him.

It’s better than fishing.

About President's Day

The Absolute First President

We usually think of George Washington as the First President of these United States.  However, to be accurate we must remember that he was the first President under our Present Constitution.

In France, each time a new constitution is written, historians announce a “new Republic.”  So far, France has had seven, I think.

But here in the U.S. we don’t consider the adjustments to our constitutions as forming a new nation.  Perhaps it is because we don’t really consider ourselves the absolute ideal in perfected human government.  Perhaps because, as a fairly new nation on the world’s stage, we are trying to keep as much attachment to the past as we can.  Perhaps because we just never thought about it.

But, not counting amendments (which in French terms would be forming a new nation,) we have had three forms of government.  First, the Continental Congress formed a Union among the colonies that were challenging Britain’s rule. The thirteen colonies did not just wander around hoping the British would leave.  They formed a loose confederation with the goal of obtaining self-rule.  That confederation was led by representatives of each of the colonies (sometimes with the exception of Rhode Island, who didn’t play well with others.)  Those representatives were “led” by an elected chairman, who was called “the President of the Congress.”

Then a Constitution was written (called the Articles of Confederation) intended as a guide to how the thirteen independent nations could work together.  We have recently forgotten that “States” are not mere “Provinces.”  We are not part of a nation that divided itself into smaller sections.  Instead, we are a group of nations (called “States”) banding together for particular purposes.  One bit of evidence for this is found in the title of the cabinet officer whose job it is to deal with other nations.  He is called the Secretary of State.  That confederation was led in part by an elected official called (among other things) “The President.”   These presidents were primarily figure heads, and served for only one year.

Finally, a second Constitution was written.  We presently exist as a Union of States under the terms set out in it.  The Presidency was strengthened, and the other branches of government were defined.  Since that time, the Constitution has been adjusted by legislative process (27 Amendments,) and by common understanding (as in the case of the assumption of powers by the Judicial Branch not delineated in the Constitution.)  The First President of THIS Constitution was the beloved George Washington.

Under those terms, our absolute first President was a man named Peyton Randolph.  Randolph had served in Britain’s government as the equivalent of Attorney General for Virginia.  He was elected unopposed to preside over the first Continental Congress in 1774, and again in 1775.  He did not live to see independence achieved, but needs to be counted as one of our founding fathers.

Let’s not forget him.