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Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights (James 1:17 ESV)

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I do not trust packages or letters with an unfamiliar return address.  We all know there are crazy people out there! 

But we know that every GOOD thing comes from our heavenly Father.

That can be comforting.  At times, we mistrust His good gifts.  Sometimes, we are suspicious of His blessings.  Occasionally, we try to second guess His work in our lives.

But we do not need to. 

Our Father gives good and perfect gifts… and He gives them to US!

We are peculiar, we get good gifts.

Fair

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1 ESV)

Fair

I’m no medical doctor, but I am pretty skilled at removing slivers and splinters.  You see, I have had a lot of them.  I know what it feels like to have a sliver, to remove a sliver, and to recover from slivers.

And that same concept should make us fair in any situation in which we have authority.  And we all have authority somewhere.  There is an old Appalachian saying, “the youngest child kicks the dog.” 

God, in absolute authority over us, is fair.  More than that He is gracious.  He has acted this way towards us because He really, really, really loves us.  And also so we can get pretty good at being fair, ourselves.

Just like slivering makes me a good sliverer, having a great Master makes us good masters, too.

We are peculiar, we understand, ‘fair.’

Glue

Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. (Hebrews 13:1 The Message)

Glue

From the United Nations to Rodney King, humans want to get along.  From kids in a playground to nations moving tanks, we see the need for better relationships.  From bad drivers on the highway to annoying early-morning-mowers, we want peace and unity.

And our bookstores and internet shopping locations are filled with suggestions.

But there is only one method that works.

We can only be held together by love.

And love only comes from God, through Jesus.

We have what the world needs!  Even though sometimes we forget to slather that glue on ourselves.

We are peculiar, we have lovely glue.

Job Description

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV)

Job Description

I once hired someone to do some housecleaning, and it did not turn out spectacularly.  When I have considered what went wrong, I realize that at least part of the problem was my failure to completely, thoroughly, simply describe what my expectations were.  I was too vague, complex, and broad in my description of the work I wanted done.

I sometimes think if we cannot summarize our expectations in one sentence, we aren’t done describing, yet.  We should be able to say, “You have one job…”

And our Triune God is the best boss in the universe.  He has told us our one job.

Fear and obey Him. (I know, it sounds like two, but it really is one.)

And when we fail, He gives us Jesus to fear and obey on our behalf.  And when we ask details about how exactly to do that, He gives us His Word and Spirit.  And when we are too full of ourselves to try, He nudges us, pushes us, and wounds us until we hear Him.  And when we get lost in the details, He gives us this verse.  And when we are too broadly focused, He draws us back.

We have one job.  And He has told us what it is.

We are peculiar, we know our job.

Compact

Compact

Until last week, I was confused about the Lunar Eclipse.  I had never chosen to observe one, because a Lunar Eclipse occurs when the earth forms a shadow on the surface of the moon, right?  Just like every day!  Just like every monthly lunar cycle, right?  Why get out of bed and watch the moon looking like it does at any given moment on any given night?

But I watched it.

And the difference is amazing.  Rather than take a month for the shadow to traverse the moon, like usual, at a Lunar Eclipse the shadow moves across the moon in seven and a half minutes!  I admit, shamefully, that I had never thought of that.

And that timing makes all the difference.

Luke wrote to Theophilus for the same reason.  Sure, there were lots of reports, stories, and discussions about the life of the Messiah, Jesus.  But now, because of Luke, Theophilus got to read it all in one brief, intense, powerful, focused sitting.

This is how God often speaks to us, His children.  He teaches us, guides us, informs us constantly.  But sometimes, in His Word particularly, He gives us a pointed, indisputable, brightly lit message. 

And that makes all the difference.

We are peculiar, God’s message is compact.

Listen

Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens.  (Jeremiah 10:2 ESV)

Listen

Sometimes the multiplicity of television channels (or internet sites, or radio commentators, or books, or magazines) is overwhelming.  So many messages.  So many claims of truth.  So many loud voices.

And this is nothing new.  Jeremiah acknowledges that nations and nature have a lot to say.  Nations have a ‘way.’  And the heavens often seem to portend doom. 

But God has truth.  His truth contrasts with national philosophies.  His way as THE way.  His truth contrasts with an empty study of nature and It’s lessons.  His way is THE way.

The multiplicity of voices do need to frighten us, intimidate us, de-faith us, or deceive us.  We have God’s way.  Embrace it with your ears and heart.

We are peculiar, God tells us truth.

The Whole Story

And he (Samson) judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years. (Judges 15:20 ESV)

The Whole Story

God is a better story-teller than we are.  When we think of Samson, we remember his failures.  And his failures were memorable!  He disrespected his parents, he disobeyed God’s marital commands, he was merciless when mercy was desirable, he forgot his vows, and he trusted his pagan girlfriend more than he trusted God.

But as God writes the book of Judges, He gives a profound summary.  Samson was Israel’s leader for 20 years. 

We remember failures more than faithfulness.

But God remembers both.

Samson’s failures, like ours, are covered by Christ’s sacrifice and obedience.

And God seems to have, in light of that, summarize Samson’s service with that in His mind.

He does that for us, too.

We are peculiar, God knows our whole story.

Grateful

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14, 15 ESV)

Grateful

This verse makes a lot more sense than you might think it does.  The sense of it starts, actually, in the middle, with the declaration that we are children of God.

That is the foundation of who we are.  We are not Americans, Kansans, Republicans, middle-classers, bacon-eaters, well-educated, attractive or nice folk.  We are children of God.

That means we trust Him, like children.  That means we accept His decisions about our lives, whether we understand them or not.  That means we do not argue with Him, resent Him, or desert Him.  THAT is how Paul is referring to us as blameless.  We are obviously sinners, wearing Christ’s sinlessness like a robe… but particularly we are blameless in our acceptance of His work in our lives.  Like our big brother, we say, “nevertheless, Your will be done.” (Luke 22:42)

The rest of the world might be crooked and twisted, but we shine as lights NOT because we are perfect or sinless, but rather because we are in submission to Him.  Both in our salvation AND in our acceptance of the lives He weaves us into. 

We are peculiar, our trust lets us live gratefully.

A Plan

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (Philippians 1:12 ESV)

A Plan

Many years ago, when first attempting to meet my wife, I pushed open a door into her face, and knocked her to the ground.  It was embarrassing, painful, and the Worst Event of the Day. 

But while I did not do it purposefully, it caused a conversation.  Which led to another conversation.  Which led to working in the kitchen at a church soup social event.  Which led to a ride to a concert.  Which led to a date.  Which led to commitment.  Which led to, “I do” times two.

Paul in prison understood that even difficult things like time in prison are part of King Jesus’ plan to spread His gospel.  There is always a plan, in the mind and action of THE true planner. 

While others might wonder about hard times… we know there is a plan.  We know there is a gospely plan.  We know that King Jesus is at work, even in an embarrassing door moment, or a thunderstorm, or a lost job, or a down-turning economy, or a political defeat, or a bad day… or even in a good day!

We are peculiar, King Jesus has a plan that includes us.

Grace and Peace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:1 ESV)

Grace and Peace

When I leave the house, I make sure I have keys, mints, my wallet, and insulin.  Because I have learned over the years that I need those things.  Maybe your list is different, but you do probably have a list of the bare necessities.

In every one of his letters, Paul speaks of Grace and Peace.  Perhaps because he knows we need those things.

We need grace every day because we sin every day.  We are unrighteous every day.  We are self-focused every day.  The day is coming when we will no longer need that daily gracious grace from God, wherein He purposefully attributes our sin onto Jesus, and Christ’s perfectness onto us.  But that day is not today.  We need grace to survive in a world deserving God’s wrath, when we ourselves also deserve wrath.

We need peace because we worry.   We do not merely ‘tend’ to worry.  We do not merely ‘lean towards’ worry.  We do not merely have a bad habit of occasionally worrying.  We simply worry. And God’s peace is the answer to worry.

And so Jesus, when Paul was writing his epistles, makes sure his readers have those two necessary things.  And He makes sure we have them, too.

We need grace to deal with our sin.  We need peace to deal with sin’s effects.

We are peculiar, we have what we need.

Leaning

From there they set out and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord,

       “Waheb in Suphah, and the valleys of the Arnon,

        and the slope of the valleys

       that extends to the seat of Ar,

       and leans to the border of Moab.”  (Numbers 21:13-15 ESV)

Leaning

Our high school principal used to glance at us teenaged boys sort of casually lining the hallway and ask us sarcastically, “doing your part to keep the walls standing?”  As he passed, we would momentarily stand straight… and then lean again after he left the area.

I wonder if those high school walls actually DID stand longer because we were doing our inadvertently purposeful leaning.

Camping might seem like vacation, or at least rest, for the wandering Israelites.  But even as they camped, they understood that a purpose undergirded their resting.  The last phrase of the song describes them as leaning, yes.  But leaning into the next obstacle, the antagonistic nation of Moab.

The rested, not just to catch a few z’s.  But they rested in preparation for the next task.

Sometimes responsible folk feel like resting is a waste of time.  But it is not.  It IS rest… but it is rest in preparation for work.  Think of Jesus in Gethsemane.  Think of Jesus in the wilderness.  Think of Jesus between Friday and Sunday.

Our rest is not wasted, either.  It is a part of God’s good work in our lives.

We are peculiar, we can lean.

No Unknowns

After him Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel, and he judged Israel ten years. Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun. (Judges 12:11,12 ESV)

No Unknowns

Have you ever heard of Elon the Zebulunite? (No Elon Musk, jokes, please!) You probably have not.  He was one of Israel’s Judges, in the years before David became King.  We do not know much about him.  He judged for ten years.  He was buried at Aijalon.  We do not know his family credentials, his children’s names, his age, his appearance, his accomplishments, his successes, his failures, his reputation, his popularity, or his wealth.

But he is not unknown.  God knew Elon enough to write Elon’s name in God’s book.

Perhaps as a reminder to us.  We might feel unknown at times.  We might feel unnoticed at times.  We might feel insignificant at times.

But in God’s eyes (and HIS eyes matter!) we are not.

We do not matter merely because of something we accomplish.  We do not matter merely because of place in a community.  We do not matter merely because of where we come from, or who comes from us.

We matter because we are Christ’s.

And that is enough.

We are peculiar, Christ has no unknowns.

Victory

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 ESV)

Victory

Is the glass half empty? Or is the glass half full?  Popular philosophers assign the label of pessimist to the half empty glass folk, and call the half full glass folk optimists. 

But they miss the point. 

Today, looking at American church attendance, declining ethics, and common messages of hopelessness, we might conclude that Christ’s Kingdom is declining.  We look at those numbers and we begin to despair.

But Jesus promises something different.  He says here that His kingdom will expand, the church will grow, the faithful increase, and things actually get better and better!

Perhaps it helps to learn that while American society seems to be declining, Christianity throughout the world is not.  For instance, the number of Bibles printed continues to rise each year.  The number of non-Christians who know one or more Christians increases each year.  World-wide growth of Christianity far outweighs the decline in America.

Look wider, and see the victory of Christ’s Kingdom.

We are peculiar, Christ gives victory.

Impressing

If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 ESV)

Impressing

Swedish genius Olof Rudbeck was the premier scholar at Uppsala University in the early 17th century.  Rudbeck had discovered the human lymphatic system, classified more birds and flowering plants than anyone before him, and gathered and organized most of our present knowledge of Norse Sagas and Viking history.

But he had a problem.  He had spent so much energy and time attempting to ‘keep peace’ with fellow academicians, that he had boxed himself in.  He became so worried about offending his supporters, patrons, and colleagues that he was afraid to speak, write, or decide anything.

He gave all that up one day, writing that he had finally remembered that he only served One, not many.

Christians do not need to worry about impressing anyone but Jesus, and HE already loves us.  Christians do not need to worry about appearances, reactions, or popularity, because we are already secure in Christ’s family.  Christians do not need to worry about first, second, or third impressions, as long as we are firmly rooted in Christ alone.

We are peculiar, we do not need to please mankind.

Not Stupid

Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many. (Numbers 13:17,18 ESV)

Not Stupid

General T.J. (Stonewall) Jackson was once tasked with occupying an enemy fort.  He meticulously planned preparations, a diversion, and a tactically brilliant attack.  It succeeded.  A cynic from his staff, who had observed Jackson’s faith, asked him, “General, if you knew God was on your side, why bother to plan?”

Supposedly, Jackson looked the cynic in the eye and uttered, “Faith, sir, is not stupid.”

Moses knew this, too.  God had promised success in Israel’s Canaanite conquest.  Even so, even though Moses believed, even though Moses had no doubts… he sent spies to check Canaan out.  To collect data and facts.  To find out what he was in for.

And we get to do this, too.  Faith does not mean, ‘stupid.’  As well as faith, God gives His people brains.  As well as faith, God gives His people experience.  As well as faith, God gives His people some common sense.

We are peculiar, our faith does not make us stupid.

Consistency

But down the road the population of Israel is going to explode past counting, like sand on the ocean beaches. In the very place where they were once named Nobody, they will be named God’s Somebody.  (Hosea 1:10 The Message)

Consistency

Meteorologists change their tune all the time.  The forecast for next Tuesday will change six times over the next week.  Maybe more.  Investment brokers are just as flexible.  Economic forecasts vary almost as much as weather forecasts.  And political pundits sing the same sort of song.  How many time haven’t we heard that our particular political party is either doomed or unbeatable?  Each season brings new forecasts.

But God is consistent.

This promise God makes to Hosea regarding the numbers of Abraham’s children is an example.  It is almost exactly God’s promise to Abraham!  And the theme of the expansion of Christ’s Kingdom is found throughout the Bible.

And it is still coming true today.  We Christians are Abraham’s children, spiritual Israel, and the visible Kingdom of God.  And while we have reason to feel some discouragement at the number of folk in American pews these days, Christianity continues to grow faster than any religion.

Because God’s promises are true and consistent.

Other truths seem to wander around the page… but not God’s.

We are peculiar, we know consistent truth.

A Little

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,  than great treasure and trouble with it. (Proverbs 15:16 ESV)

A Little

The grass seems greener on the other side of the fence.  We want to be able to buy Twitter.  We want to be able to buy a new car every year.  We want to be able to remodel our entire house, even the closets.  We want to be able to stop working and tunnel our toes in the sandy beach.  We want…

But we have only a little.

But that ‘little’ is enough.  Because a relationship with the One True Living God makes that ‘little’ better than treasure.

Part of it is perspective, of course.  Part of it is contentment, of course.  Part of it is the peace that comes from walking with the Lord, of course.

But mostly, it is because our fear of the Lord happens because He loves us.

And nothing is better than the Love of the Lord.

We are peculiar, we have a HUGE little.

Watch

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13 ESV)

Watch

When my children come to visit, I watch.  Sometimes they text along the way.  Sometimes we briefly speak on the phone.  I eagerly imagine the mile marker they are passing.  I watch because I am excited, glad, and pleased.

When the dental surgeon is on the way to my cubicle, I watch.  I listen for the sound of his shoes.  I imagine his flexing fingers as he prepares for my procedure.  I hold my breath in anticipation.   I watch because I am afraid, apprehensive, and displeased.

How do you watch for Christ Jesus coming? 

Because our end is nothing but the metamorphosis of this life into Jesus’ presence, it is not terrible, frightening, or awful.  It is exciting, calming, and awe-ful!

We are peculiar, the end is not the end.

Progress

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, (Philippians 1:9 ESV)

Progress

I am becoming a better mandolin player.  I am a more skillful driver than I was at 15.  My expertise in the Klingon language is increasing. 

Those growths make me falsely confident that I can improve in my Christianity through practice, experience, and training.  But it does not work that way.

Paul prays that the Philippians abound more in love, because Paul knows the only way for progress is through God’s amazing spiritual work in us.  Paul does not simply lay out twelve easy steps to ‘better love.’  Instead, he turns to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Father is the source of more love because He invented, displays, and provides love for us. Only in Him does love abound, because He is all love. The Son is the source of love because He manifests love in His salvific sacrifice, His obedience on our behalf, and His experience on earth.  Looking at Him gives us knowledge of what love looks like.  The Spirit is the source of love because He takes the Father’s and the Son’s love and drives it into our hearts.  The Spirit enables us to interpret God’s Word and God’s world so we know it.  The Spirit enables us to discern where love is, and where love is not.

Loving better is easier than becoming a better mandolin player.  Just surrender to the work of God.  It is harder, though, because it requires humility, honesty, and openness.

We are peculiar, we can progress in love.

Holy

Greet one another with a holy kiss. (II Corinthians 13:12 ESV)

Holy

When I was a lonely teenager, I used to giggle about this verse.  I considered, a few times, trying to sneak a kiss from a cute girl by claiming to be simply following this command.  I am glad I never actually tried it because I misunderstood the verse.

Paul is not commanding us to do something selfish (like sneaking a kiss) by pretending it is a holy thing.  Any more than God wants us to rob a bank, so we have more to tithe, take offense easily so we can offer forgiveness, or swear loudly so we can loudly confess and repent.

Quite the opposite, in fact.  Paul is instructing the Corinthians to make everything holy… a greeting-kiss being somewhere in the middle of the extremely mundane and the extremely important.  And making everything holy (as the rest of Paul’s letters describe) means submitting every bit of our lives to our Lord.

Making everything holy means having Christ in our minds always, not just on Sunday.  Making everything holy means knowing that Christ has given us His robes to wear all the time, not just in formal worship.  Making everything holy means knowing that Christ is beside us constantly, and that changes our awareness, our intentions, our desires, and our actions.  Especially when we realize that the only way our awareness, intentions, desires, and actions are done right is when we submit to Him in all of those things.

Even a greeting, then, is potentially holy… because even a greeting is bathed in Christ.

We are peculiar, we can be holy.