Very few people enjoy conflict and some will go to extreme lengths to maintain peace. Their motto is peace at all costs. This motto can be dangerous because conflict is what enables us to grow, both personally as well as interpersonally. However, can we have peace at all times and amidst all circumstances which will also foster spiritual growth?
In the Bible, the book of Philippians, chapter four, verse four tell us to "Rejoice in the Lord always" and then in verse six we are instructed "Do not be anxious about anything..." How realistic is this? Is this not another form of denial and conflict avoidance evidence in our relationships, now being encouraged in our difficult circumstances?
I don't believe God's word is advocating denial and avoidance, but rather is advocating for faith in God's goodness, faithfulness and sovereign control. When we choose to be thankful and prayerful, even when times are awful, we will experience a disposition that is peaceful. In fact, that passage of scripture from Philippians, chapter four also tells us "in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the PEACE, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." This does not imply that we will feel warm and fuzzy with an abundance of joy all of the time, but instead that there will be a quiet trust and confidence amidst troubling times.
Jesus promised us that we would experience trouble in this world, but also, God's Word promises us peace amidst our troubled times. Therefore, if I am not experiencing peace, either God was wrong in His promise, or something is wrong with me. I tend to believe the latter is the case, and because I am lacking in my faith. So, whenever I complain that I am stressed, this is probably a statement that reflects my lack of faith, more than it is depiction of what is occuring in my life.
Does this logic make sense? Does it apply to you? Could the beam in our own eye be our lack of faith that needs to be removed, so we can more accurately view and deal with stressors around us? Does the economic recession stress you? Could the larger issue be a spiritual recession due to lack of faith. Could faith be the path toward peace?
The passage in Philippians tell us how to transform our stress into peace. The means of this transformaiton is through thanksgiving. In other words, as you pray to God about your stressors, thank God for his subsequent and always dependable faithfulness. This will result in greater peace.
Beams Away!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Christian-phobic
Recently, I communicated in a sermon, based upon the book of Second Timothy, chapter 3, verses 1-17, Christians will be persecuted by culture, but persecution must result in continual devotion to God's Word and integration of our culture. Furthermore, any persecution should not result in frustration nor a sense of victimization on the part of Christians. But, it appears that responding to victimization is proving to be quite effective.
Recently, an unprecidented Gallup poll indicated over 50% of the population agrees that gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable. Chuck Colson offers a compelling article on this survey at the following link, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14578. The homosexual community has had an agenda for contemporary culture to condone homosexual behavior. This agenda has been successful, in part, as they have portrayed themselves as victimized, often by Christians, who are "homo-phobic."
Ironically, Christians who still maintain that homosexuality is morally wrong are currently in the minority. I wonder if Christians will take a page out of the homosexual community play book and portray a victimized stance by homosexuals who happen to be "Christian-phobic." This would be an ironic turn of events, if not so tragic.
My suggestion for Christians may sound insincere and hypocritical to homosexuals, but I offer a different response for Christians. We should not see ourselves as against homosexuals. While homosexuality is still believed to be wrong by many Christians, homosexuality is no more or less wrong than any of the myriad of sins we Christians continue to commit. Thus as Christians we must never condone immorality, whether we commit it or someone else commits it. And, the only phobia, or fear that we need to maintain is not of homosexuals, but of God and God's instruction to creation. This is a reverent fear that enables us to walk humbly before God, be staunchly committed to God's Word, while clearly identifying what is immoral and living compassionately with one another.
Do these recent polls affect you in any way? If so, how? If not, why?
As a Christian community, let us consider how we feel about this increasingly favorable opinion towards homosexuality and the increasingly unfavorable opinion towards Christianity. How will we respond? Politically? Humbly? Indifferently?
Beams Away!
Recently, an unprecidented Gallup poll indicated over 50% of the population agrees that gay and lesbian relationships are morally acceptable. Chuck Colson offers a compelling article on this survey at the following link, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/14578. The homosexual community has had an agenda for contemporary culture to condone homosexual behavior. This agenda has been successful, in part, as they have portrayed themselves as victimized, often by Christians, who are "homo-phobic."
Ironically, Christians who still maintain that homosexuality is morally wrong are currently in the minority. I wonder if Christians will take a page out of the homosexual community play book and portray a victimized stance by homosexuals who happen to be "Christian-phobic." This would be an ironic turn of events, if not so tragic.
My suggestion for Christians may sound insincere and hypocritical to homosexuals, but I offer a different response for Christians. We should not see ourselves as against homosexuals. While homosexuality is still believed to be wrong by many Christians, homosexuality is no more or less wrong than any of the myriad of sins we Christians continue to commit. Thus as Christians we must never condone immorality, whether we commit it or someone else commits it. And, the only phobia, or fear that we need to maintain is not of homosexuals, but of God and God's instruction to creation. This is a reverent fear that enables us to walk humbly before God, be staunchly committed to God's Word, while clearly identifying what is immoral and living compassionately with one another.
Do these recent polls affect you in any way? If so, how? If not, why?
As a Christian community, let us consider how we feel about this increasingly favorable opinion towards homosexuality and the increasingly unfavorable opinion towards Christianity. How will we respond? Politically? Humbly? Indifferently?
Beams Away!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Getting Political on You
This blog is devoted to applying the teachings of Jesus when he said to take the beams out of our own eye before we judge others. So let us consider some of our political beams in the interest of our own spiritual benefit, especially as some espouse we are currently engaged in a non-violent civil war in America.
Recently I came across this quote by William McKinley, our 25th President of the United States.
"Let us remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence (distinction) rests in the victories of peace, not war."
Do you think this has any relevance to the internal political party power plays between Democrates and Republicans? Is this a quote that has biblical underpinnings? Does it have practical Christian implications for you? If so, what? And finally, honestly, do you pray for our President and the political party which you disagree and perhaps even villify?
This sounds political, but I think it is really more spiritual than political.
Beams Away!
Brett
Recently I came across this quote by William McKinley, our 25th President of the United States.
"Let us remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence (distinction) rests in the victories of peace, not war."
Do you think this has any relevance to the internal political party power plays between Democrates and Republicans? Is this a quote that has biblical underpinnings? Does it have practical Christian implications for you? If so, what? And finally, honestly, do you pray for our President and the political party which you disagree and perhaps even villify?
This sounds political, but I think it is really more spiritual than political.
Beams Away!
Brett
Who Are You When You Are Really Looking?
I can't remember who it was that coined the question, "Who are you when no one is looking?" This question calls us to consider our behaviors when no one is looking as the true indicator of our character. I'd like to rephrase that in the form of another question - "Who are you when you are really looking?" Asking who we are when no one is looking, presumes that we are willing to look at ourselves honestly. When we do this, it is an indicator of our true nature. I have taken a hard and honest look at myself and I don't like what I see. But is this a bad thing?
Below is my conclusion about myself and I believe it can be extrapolated to all of humanity. Tell me what you think it means, if you agree and what the implications might be.
"If left to the discovery of the base of who I am,
It will lead to the bane of my existence,
And leave me irrovocably rebellious against God,
With a chronic restless and unrepentant heart."
Below is my conclusion about myself and I believe it can be extrapolated to all of humanity. Tell me what you think it means, if you agree and what the implications might be.
"If left to the discovery of the base of who I am,
It will lead to the bane of my existence,
And leave me irrovocably rebellious against God,
With a chronic restless and unrepentant heart."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
