Quizzing

My LIMITATIONS, His INVITATION

In adult bible study last night we talked about Jesus' beatitude, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit.' And just between the few of us that were gathered had a great discussion; almost everyone said they had never viewed limitations as a part of our creation by God, and further had not viewed them as invitations[opportunities] for God to work in our lives, and certainly had not viewed limitations as stepping stones to drawing closer to him. So here are some reasons we thought of why we should have a positive view of limitations. First, our limitations are constant reminders of who we are and who God is,[ie. Paul's thorn & Jacob's limp] limitations that if heeded will keep us from getting big-headed. Then we talked about limitations defining us; our limitations not only tell us where we are not equipped but also define where we are equipped so that we have a clearer picture of who we truly are. WE spent some time talking about how Satan tempted Eve so that she might become disgruntled with her limitations [which she was not aware of]and want to be 'like' God; then we discussed how Satan become furious in the wilderness because Jesus would not go beyond his human limitations but leaned on his Father, a perfect example to us. Limitations help us in being more spiritually specific in our prayers with God - limitations define for us our true needs as opposed to desires and wanting to be like someone else. This means that in order to accept who we are and truly love ourselves as Christ would have us to we have to first identify who we are. Limitations help us to find our niche in the body of Christ, are we a foot, an eye, an ear, etc...often when we look at our limitations in a negative light we hinder the body. Finally we talked about how our limitations are fertile ground of God's blessings and his working in our lives - he created us to be 'continuing projects,' and our limitations are the foundations he has already placed in our lives for his building, our maturing. We are 'created in his image,' sin however mares that image, but it does NOT destroy it, nor warp it beyond repair, that's what CHrist work on the cross did - his blood can wipe out that sin and the image can begin to be restored ..... ah, restoration can be such a longgggggggggggggg process,
but there's nothing in the world like 'becoming' whole, holy.

'Thanks God for my humanity!'

'The poorer you are the more Jesus will love you' -St.Therese of Lisieux[Little Flower]
What a tremendous statement, stopped me cold in my tracks as I was reading 'Souvenirs of Solitude' by my favorite author Brennan Manning. This statement came in chapter 11:
Really Human - Really Poor. Now I'm about as far from being a theologian as one can get, and perhaps some [probably should say 'all'] of you will find great disagreement with this article, but I welcome your remarks, just don't labor yourselves with thinking I will agree; but disagreeable agreeable exchange of thoughts is always welcome in my book. Manning goes on to say, 'To be poor in spirit means to cling to your impoverished humanity and to have nothing to brag about before God.'[p.87] I've got the apostle Paul agreeing so far. I love it, I love it. For so long I've wearied of theologians telling us we should reject our humanity, that we are earth sucking worms before God. Now I am the first to agree about the great gulf that divides us, but its not insurmontable to God. I keep thinking God created us and he doesn't waste his time making junk. He loved[loves] us so much, even in our sinful state, he gave his son to die for us, so how about we stop minimizing the price. He became one of us, should have seen this one coming, theologians will be quick to point out 'he was without sin,' I'll give you that because its scrptural truth but Jesus never mentioned how discouraged he was because he was human or how lowly he felt because he had become flesh. Manning goes on to say, 'Of course, the Evil One gets upset when we cling to our humanness. He was very distressed in the desert w/Jesus for this very reason. He wanted Jesus to renounce his poverty, his humanness. Satan already knew that when Jesus accepted the poverty of the human conditin, the saga of salvation history was moving towards its climax. Jesus held nothing back, clung to nothing, permitted nothing to shield him - even his true origin. [Php. 2:6-7] p.87 Jesus emptied himself, not of his humanity but his divinity - and Satan was furious! Satan despises the poverty of humanness because when it casts its poverty upon Christ we are filled. My LIMITATIONS are INVITATIONS are invitations to become more like Christ. My LIMITATIONS make me more compassionate, my limitation remind me that I am no better than anyone else, my LIMITATIONS remind me that it is his love, his strength that help me to achieve his plan in my life. Well, I'm getting to passionate, and probably sound like I'm rambling on ........... but this chapter has addressed a many many years searching come to an end. I'll close with a quote from this same
chapter:'Sin does not magnify the suffering of man's plight; instead it mitigates it. When I sin, I seek an escape from my humanity. I used to say to myself, 'well you're only human!' But sin does not make me more human; it compromises my humanity.' [my being made in His image]p.89 Thanks Brennan.

'Good night - Sleep tight'

Picked up the good wife this past Sunday night from her visit to Naples Florida. She had a great time with her little sister there and on the way home from Indy we celebrated with supper at STone Creek Dining Company. If you feel inclined to see their menu you can find it at www.stonecreekdining.com. It was delicious, I had a broiled Seafood Combo - two jmbo shrimp, three scallops, one fantastic crab cake and a Mahi-Mahi filet - plus a baked potato and the chef's choice of vegetables. ONe of the best meals I've ever had .. literally. The seasoning on everything left nothing to be desired; and I have eaten at some pretty fancy places both in/out of the good ole U.S.. The house salad was excellent with Cranberry-Poppy Seed dressing. The good wife had her usual filet mignon. NOW, as Saturday started to wind down at mom's house [after a day of shopping, and running little errands for her friend and family members -one was a trip to the Emergency Room] we settled down to watch a 1960's, black and white Lawrence Welk show. I'll list some songs [many which mom and grandma knew] and some of the band leaders they honored. SONGS: 'Minnie had a heart as big as a whale,' 'Dream', 'O, Johnny O,' 'I had a date with an angel, now I'm on my way to heaven,' 'Lets Dance' and they closed with their theme song 'Good night and sleep tight.' MUSICIANS HONORED: Tommy Dorsey, Louie Armstrong, Fred Miller, Les Brown and The Reknowns, Fred Warring & The Pennsylvanians, Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, Arron Thatcher, and Fredy Martin. I missed some of the songs and musicians but you catch the jest of it. During the first part of the show there was a giant GERITOL sign behind the Orchestra - then the second half the sign said SOMINEX. Now that I think about it the music and signs were more closely linked that perhaps anyone realized?! My 96yrs. old Grandma told me that Lawrence Welk's biggest sponsor was DODGE; but by the time they sponsored the show it was going to color and advertising had advanced to a new stage without signs in the background. There was a live interview with an old LW trumpet player Rocky Rockwell, following the program. Rocky was born in St.Joe, Missouri and attend McKinley H.S. when his music teacher Mrs. Sharp wanted to start an orchestra. She needed a trumpet play so Rocky volunteered never having played a trumpet; he told his father and his father went to a local pawn shop and purchased a trumpet for $5. LW first heard Rocky when Rocky was playing on KMMJ radio, and liked what he heard and asked Rocky to also sing a song for him - LW ended up inviting Rocky to play in his 'big-time' band! Rocky also mentioned a Frog Hop Ballroom with manager Tom Archer. It was a great trip back into the past and my mother[and grandma] both loved it, and I loved going back there with them.

The Pity-Party That Never Got Off The Ground!

Well its the fourth day since She Who Can Only Be Loved's Florida vacation and my sleeping patterns are all messed up - I go to bed late, I wake either extremely early or barely in time to make it to the office 'on time.' This past Wed. a good friend was incarcerated, and I probably won't get to visit him until the first of next week; last night God decided to call to his side a lady from our church; and my wife's mom is in the hospital with a torn Aorta. So real early this morning I put in motion these plans for a big pity-party. I used to be an expert at scheduling them, and my execution was sometimes brilliant if I say so myself. [Of course, no one else will, that's a part of the celebration right?] There were going to be these big sweet-sour tears, piles of emails expressing sympathy, with me of course on centre stage. I'm fully convinced everything would have gone as planned but Jesus showed up - immediately that changed things! One of the scripture stories I had prayed this morning had this line, 'Peace, be still' and all of a sudden it didn't seem to apply so much to a historical turbulent storm in the Bible but to my planned homemade tears.[so much for that recipe, I've used it before and it always seemed to somewhat productive] Then I began to hear a voice whispering questions, 'Don't you think I can take care of 'Our' friend in prison, I specialize in that or have you forgotten in the midst of focusing on yourself?' 'Oh, the lady 'Our Father' called to his side, what's with getting all upset about that, place a speed bump in your agenda for today or this weekend?' This recipe of tears you're so pleased with, have you thought of adding a thorn or two, maybe throwing in some leather and for seasoning how about some iron?' As for your good wife's mother's torn Aorta, ever heard of the Great Physician, she's trusting in him - give her a call, you'll hear it in her voice. 'Eutychus, I think your pity party is a bit premature, or to be directly honest, its ridiculous.' Why don't you start rejoicing that you are free in so many ways, that I've joined you in ministering to others, that your good wife is being renewed and refreshed, and everything is my control ... oops think I pushed a button there with the word 'control' didn't I? ... Really all you need to worry about today is to be Obedient! .... oh, could you do something with that ugly blue banner that says, 'Woe Is Me?,' and I'm not real excited that you took out of context the prophet's words in your weak attempt to use him as a supporter. On the shelf in your heart there is a banner I brought with me, a bright gold one from that story you prayed earlier this morning, it says, 'PEACE!'

PRIMAL: A reader's analysis

A reader's analysis of 'PRIMAL:A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity' by Mark Batterson. Multnomah Books. Colorado Springs, Colorado 2009 ISBN: 9781601421319
Mark is also author of the delightful bestselling book 'In A Pit With A Lion On a Snowy Day.' I found that book refreshing and perhaps even more challenging than PRIMAL was. I'd like to begin this analysis in a somewhat crazy fashion by first of all sharing with you the authors last paragraph. 'This book is an invitation to be part of something that is bigger than you, more important than you, and longer lasting than you. Its an invitation to be part of the next reformation. It's an invitation to be part of a primal movement that traces its origins all the way back to ancient catacombs where our spiritual ancestors were martyred because they loved God more than they loved life. Amo Dei.' I love authors that challenge me to think bigger than before, and I certainly want to be part of a 'primal reformation! While reading this book I copied down each page number in the front of the book that I had either underlined some sentences on or written notes beside, and time forbids me to catalog and comment on all of them in this blog. Yet the temptation to at least list a few is too overpowering and so within the structure of the book I will list a few. PREFACE: 'I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced.'[p.3] We often discuss how culture has influenced and in many ways shaped the church, yet I have to ask if most of that influencing/shaping has not been too readily adopted by the church because it takes less energy[commitment] to assimilate something than to evaluate it and sometimes take a stand against it. PART I: The Heart of Christianity. In this section the author talks about the superiority of 'emotional intelligence' to mental intelligence and one sentence that stood out to me was, '...as we grow in our love relationship with God, we begin to empathize with God. We feel what He feels.'[p.23] and when we begin to feel as God feels we begin to look differently at our neighbors, we begin to act differently towards our neighbors and we become more willing to sacrifice for our neighbors. The author then goes on to PART II: The Soul of Christianity. In this part the author talks about how Scripture illuminates our hearts and are often kaleidoscopes to our world. '...and yo never read the same verse of Scripture the same way twice. And that is a testament to its divine Author. The Spirit who inspired the writers of Scripture thousands of years ago is the same Spirit who illustrates readers today. And His illumination of Scripture is based on His intimate and infinite knowledge of your personality, your circumstances, your dreams, your doubts, your history and your destiny.'[p71] Never have I read Scripture taking into account that its message would be revealed to me because of so many variables taking place at that moment in my life. It is such a joy to know that one can read and reread the same Scripture and each time receive a unique and fresh application. 'When we open the Bible, it's like God opens His mouth.'[p.72] 'If we're not being fed it's our fault. I'm afraid we've unintentionally fostered a subtle form of spiritual codependency in our churches.'[p.75] 'We dissect Scripture instead of letting Scripture dissect us. We approach it like a textbook analyzing its words...'[p.80]
'We're already educated way beyond the level of our obedience.'[p.83] PART III: The Mind of Christianity. In this section the author begins with a quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes, 'A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original shape.'[p.89] In this section the author reminds us how important it is to always, up until the day we leave this earth, be allowing God to stretch our mind, to expand our understanding, especially of Him. 'If you fail to use your mind, it atrophies. And when the mind atrophies, the soul shrivels.'[P.94] We must always have a holy curiosity! 'The quest for the lost soul of Christianity is a quest driven by questions.'[96] There is no question that God cannot handle, there is no question God fears we might ask; perhaps it we who are afraid to ask instead, to ask questions we won't like the answers to, or ask questions that might lead to other questions we'd rather not think about. The author, who also loves science, reminds us that faith and science need not be in competition, but both are avenues to completing the journey to find God's plan for our lives. 'I wonder if our certainties actually expose our insecurities.'[p.101] In the final section PART IV: The Strength of Christianity, the author points out that energy is the strength of Christianity. Putting feet to our faith, for James was right when he wrote, 'faith is not faith unless it is accompanied with works. This last section was probably the most marked up part of the book for me so I'm going to really limit myself to one quote because I believe it summarizes the author's writing, and also because I found it so powerful and humorous. 'God loves the smell of your sweat. It stinks to high heaven, but it's a sweet aroma. Your sweat is sacred incense. God loves it when we break a sweat serving his purposes. Our energy turns into beautiful melodies and its music in God's ear. It's also the way we build sweat equity in His kingdom.'[p.134] I had to put the book down and literally wipe the tears from my eyes so that I could see to read the book. How does that happen, my stinky smelly sweat rising to the heaven as a sweet smelling fragrance? WOW. Well now comes the tough part, I've got to stop thinking and start working! ENJOY, this book is worth more than the time and money you will spend to own it.

A Brand New Discipline.

This week I started a new discipline of every day praying the Rosary beads with Protestant prayers. I am both blessed and enriched by the effects of this new discipline, its not that I've discovered prayer, but a new tributary that enriches my communication with God. First it reminds me, bright and early, who I am and who He is, I need that because during the day there are times when I get so full of who I think I am; and I suspect most of us do, its a matter of admitting it. Full not only of how well we might think we are, but full of trying to figure out why things happen to us. And when I am tempted to put self first the often repeated phrase, 'Our Father' rings out reminding me, and then when I'm tempted to give into temptation of any nature the words 'give me' come flooding back into my consciousness, for I have repeatedly asked him to give me daily bread that will strengthen me to do His will and give me courage to resist evil. Its a bit hard to hold grudges, to judge, and to act without grace when I have asked for God's grace in measure to the grace I'm giving others who may offend me or my beliefs. Even though this is the first week of this discipline already the serenity and peace are building up reinforcements that will make this discipline a regular part of my life far into the future; and I am sure my daily perspective is daily experiencing unconscious attitude adjustments. Already in the course of praying specific scriptures the Spirit will bring to mind needs of others, and I will pause-in-place, and speak a prayer for them. This discipline is not becoming routine [as many people claim taking communion every week becomes routine]but is taking on a holy presence. I used to wake up in the morning wondering 'what new needs or old issues are facing me today?' 'who needs my help today, or whose help do I need to seek?' or 'what headlines will be framing today's issues?'...etc. But now the chief concern is 'how long will it take me to get dressed and to the office so I can hold the prayer beads in my hands and begin again praying the scriptures and listening to the Spirit lead me into a holy time?

The other day the Telegraph.co.uk, in an article by Stephen Hough, mentioned that a newly published book about Pope John Paul II mentioned that he regularly flogged himself with a leather belt. Since I am not going to throw any stones, I must agree that there were some concepts expressed by the author of this issue that I tend to agree with, however his concluding statement, 'Either way, I'm sure that Karol Wojtyla doesn't care now. He would be as unconcerned about such new revelations as he would our reaction to them....' caused me to think, the Pope would be distressed that one his personal habits in his relationship with God distracted from people's focus on their own discipline of relating to Christ. If you're interested in the article, though I would advice you to read it without judging is www.blogs.telegrah.co.uk/culture/stephenhough/ ..or simply go to www.drudgereport.com has a great day.