A Stumbler's Walk | TRUTH

A couple additional thoughts about yesterday's Acts 14 post:

Thought #1 on the divisive nature of the Gospel:

Truth is divisive, because truth exposes untruth. 

All truth is like that. "0" and "2" are the only integers that produce the same result when either added to or multiplied by themselves. (I.e. 2+2=4 and 2x2=4). It is mathematical truth. "3" may not like it. "178" may think he fits the mold. But that doesn't change the truth. If we read "3+3=6" we say, "true." But if we read "3x3=6" we immediately realize, "untrue." 

Truth exposes untruth.

Thought #2 is a powerful quote from a guy I heard speak over 20 years ago, and the author of The Ragamuffin Gospel:

"God loves you as you are, not as you should be. None of us is as we should be." 

-Brennan Manning

The truth of God exposes both what is true and untrue in our lives. Thank God for truth, forgiveness and restoration.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | PLUNGE

But the people of the city were divided…

- Acts 14:4 

The message of the Gospel is divisive. Yes, it is good news; the best news of love and forgiveness. It is also divisive.

As Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the message of Jesus, many were drawn by it, and many were repelled. Jesus himself said this would be the case (e.g. Matthew 10, Luke 12).There is a popular version of Christianity today that is, in fact, not very Christian. It is easy to accept because it sounds and feels good, requires little, and promises health and happiness. But it is not authentic. Try to square the "happy-healthy" message with Acts 14 alone. It can't be done. Paul and Barnabas are rejected, ridiculed, beaten, stoned (and not in the California/Colorado sense), and often fleeing for their lives.

At it's core, biblical Christianity is a message of sacrifice. Jesus paved the way. And we are called to lay down our lives for him - most often not in the literal sense (though many have). We are called to live sacrificed lives. Paul put it this way: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live... I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me," (Galatians 2:20).

We cannot dip our toe into the Gospel to test the waters. The Christian life is not to be waded into knee-deep in such a way that we are comfortable and don't get our hair wet. It is a plunge. We offer our lives to Jesus as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1). In turn, we receive the life that only he gives.

God never promised to change all our circumstances to make us healthy and happy. He sometimes does, he often doesn't. God does however, promise to change us in the midst of our circumstances. He promises to be present. And somehow, in the midst of whatever circumstance, he provides joy. The result? We become overcomers; those who are not subject to circumstance. Instead, we "…fix our eyes on Jesus…and run the race…" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Oh, and the last thing on the divisive nature of the Gospel: It divides me. I know its truth… but don't always live it. I know its power… but don't always experience it. I know its joy… but am often weighed down by circumstance. I know its love… but don't always love. (Maybe you can relate.)

But God is at work! And he doesn't condemn (Romans 5:1).

God, help me take the plunge today.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | NAME CHANGE

But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…

- Acts 13:9 

Are you willing to allow God to change your name? Maybe not literally; in our culture a name doesn't normally carry the same significance as in ancient times. But God does want to change our identity, our character.

Scripture records several instances when God changed a name. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. It seems minor, but each is significant. Of more importance is what the name-change signifies. A transforming touch of God has occurred, and the transformee has been changed.

It is as if God is saying, "You were _________, but now you are _________." For example: "Peter you were a failing fisherman, but now you are a rock, and a fisher of men. Israel, you were a contentious, conniving, deceiver, but now you are a prince of God."

So fill in your blanks…

"I was without hope, but now I have purpose."

"I was addicted, but now I am free."

"I was full of fear, but now I am an overcomer."
"I was flatlined inside, but now I have joy."
"I once was lost, but now I'm found."
"I was _______, but now I am ________."

This Saul… I mean Paul wrote, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

You may not see it. It is most likely subtle; even imperceptible. But God is working in you - making the changes he desires to complete your, "I was…, but now…" story.

Two more promises from the Apostle Paul: "…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure," (Philippians 2:13). "…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…," (Phillipians 1:6).

God, thank you; I was..., but now...; please continue your work in me.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | HERE

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God…

- Acts 12:5

(Who is praying for you? You may know. You may never know. For whom are you praying? Make sure they know.)

The night is dark. Prison doors are bolted. Wrists are locked in shackles and chains. Sentries of bondage are stationed on either side.

Freedom is near. An angel is on the way.

I believe in angels (because the Bible does); the literal heavenly being, full of light, flaming sword variety. 

I also believe in flesh and blood angels. The word "angel" in our New Testament is a transliteration of the original, which simply means "messenger." The context of this passage makes it clear Luke is referring to the former - a heavenly being; as is the case with most biblical references to angels. However, the angels I've experienced have been of the flesh and blood variety. (Though who knows what is unseen.)

Prayers are offered up. A messenger is sent. A dungeon becomes the place of deliverance. The formula, I think, is often the same today: Prayer… messenger… deliverance. The settings change. The messengers change. The prisons and prisoners change. But God still delivers people who are in bondage. He delivers us. And he calls on us to be the prayers for, and the messengers of, deliverance to others.

In Isaiah six, God asks the question: "Whom shall I send, who will go for us?" Isaiah's response: "Here I am, send me."

Maybe your thought is: "But I'm the one in prison. I am the one in the dark place and my chains seem as real as the air I breathe."

Freedom is near. An angel is on the way.

And here is a mystically powerful truth: When we pray for others, and when we are angels to others, our chains begin to fall away.

God, here I am, send me.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | CHRIST(ian)

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

- Acts 11: 26 

What does it mean to call ourselves "Christian?" A better question: "What does it mean to BE "Christian?" The first is much easier than the second. To say I am something, or that I believe (in) something, is really no challenge. To BE something requires life validation. To BE the thing we claim, we must deeply believe (in) that thing, with the requisite life-change and lifestyle.

Interestingly, it was not Christians that first called themselves "Christian." They were so designated by others. People in Antioch began to use the term for followers of Jesus; the far away prophet who had been killed and, the spreading stories reported, had been resurrected. The word literally means "followers of Christ." In the common vernacular it was derogatory, and carried a tongue-in-cheek sarcastic meaning of, "little Christs." Though the believers originally rejected the term, eventually the sense was, "'Followers of Jesus,' 'little Christs,' we can live with that." They were called Christian because they lived like Christians; because they were Christians.

"Christian" (the word) has lost much of its authenticity and power in our culture. We have "Christian music," "Christian restaurants," "Christian comedy," "Christian theme parks," ad infinitum. And that's all fine. But there is really no such thing as a Christian sandwich. There are only Christian people - followers of Jesus. The transformed (and transforming); those who have joined him in his mission. Jesus said the overarching distinguishing characteristic of his followers would be love for one another (John 13:35). The people of Antioch noticed it.

So the question: Is there anything distinguishing about me? Not some fake, "Look at me while I do religious stuff," kind of distinguishing. Is there authenticity, love, and to go back a couple chapters, grace and power?"

We need to self-evaluate. But we need not be self-critical. Remember we are all works-in-progress. That is the transformING part of being transformed. We need to see ourselves the way God sees us. And how is that? As Christians, little Christs. Those who have the Spirit of the living Jesus alive in us.

God, I want to BE Christian.

For now...

D

A Stumbler's Walk | CLEAN

What God has made clean, do not call common.

- Acts 10:15 

We tend to build a fence between the secular and the sacred. No such distinction exists. We cannot say, "This is my spiritual life, and this is my regular life." For the believer, everything is spiritual.

In Acts 10 God shows Peter that his preconceived notions about what is spiritual and what is not need to go. Specifically, Peter has a vision of "unclean" animals - by Jewish dietary law - and God tells him to enjoy some bacon, rock-badger and lobster. (Ok that last part was my interpretation, but it's not far off; read Leviticus 11). Peter refuses, saying he has never eaten anything unclean. To which a voice from the sky responds, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

All this had little to do with Sunday brunch. The point was that the message of Good News was to be spread among those who were, religiously speaking, unclean… subpar… less than desirable. And in a rooftop vision with a sheet full of nasty animals, God made the point that no one is beyond the reach of grace. Neither is any person entitled to grace. If they were, it wouldn't be grace. Grace is given out of God's heart. An undeserved gift given to the unclean… the subpar… the less than desirable.

Us.

Grace infiltrates. It impacts and influences everything within. In the life of the believer, grace makes everything spiritual. Tuesday afternoon is no less a spiritual time than Sunday morning. Don't dare call the office, classroom, gym, etc. "common." God graces his children with his Spirit.

Where we go, he goes.

Even more, don't ever call another person "common." God's grace is extended to them. Even, even, more (does that work?), don't ever call yourself common. God's incredible grace has transformed you, is transforming you, and will transform you.

God, help me to see all things as spiritual.

For now...
D

Kinetic Life | ONE DAY

This morning I found myself reading Zig Ziglar quotes. It's not really a habit of mine, but after getting a couple work things wrapped up, I went looking for some inspiration. The first I saw was this:

"Make today worth remembering."

At first blush, I thought absolutely, I'm on board. Make it count! Then it struck me. Wow, that's a lot of pressure. How do I make it count? How do I know if it counted? And what is the alternative? An easily forgettable, possibly mundane day. Well, I don't want that either (frankly, I've had too many). So, trying to find peace and inspiration... I got stressed. Now I have another thing to add to my To Do List... MAKE TODAY WORTH REMEMBERING!

I began to think about today. Not necessarily this day in history or on the calendar; but this ONE DAY. This one day of mine. This one day is mine. This one day is all I have.

I'm not promised tomorrow - we all have stories that prove it, right? I can't retrieve or relive yesterday; whether yesterday was the best ever or sucked. And tomorrow isn't here yet. By the way - and this is free - one of the greatest hindrances to living in the One Day, is the inability to escape yesterday and tomorrow.

On that front, may I offer words of wisdom from a couple of the greatest motivational speakers of all time? (Personal opinion, but Maxwell, Covey and Robbins, as much as I like them, don't hold a candle):

On escaping yesterday: "Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, 

I press on toward the goal..." -The Apostle Paul

On escaping tomorrow: "Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. today's trouble is enough for today." Now when you think about it, that could be really discouraging; unless you know what he said just before: "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." -Jesus.

I'm still mulling these concepts over. The following are some random - and rambling - thoughts.

• One day is enough for a dream to bloom, for an idea to take hold.
• A decision can be made in one day... the habits necessary to put the decision into effect are built through practice over time.  

Another Zigism:

"Motivation gets you going and habit gets you there." 

• In one day a destiny can be determined... by setting out in a direction... based on a decision.
• Trust can be broken in one day... trust takes time to build (and forever to rebuild).
• A heart can be broken in one day... yours or someone else's. 
• A life can be changed in one day... for better or worse. 

There are many, many more that can be written. I came across the following preview of a film entitled Life In a Day. It reminds me that ultimately, the only way to really, I mean truly, make this ONE DAY worth remembering is by being intertwined with others. (Click the link below the picture).

https://www.youtube.com/user/lifeinaday

So here is my list. It's a work in progress. I'm purposefully going to keep it short for now. I will build on it and I'd appreciate help. In a long-ago post I wrote that there are two types of PURSUIT Cycling; the Individual Pursuit and the Team Pursuit (see PURSUIT). Let's make this one a Team Pursuit event. Let's pursue this concept of ONE DAY together. If you are up for it, how about leaving a comment (below), or on Facebook, or by sharing the post; Just one line describing a way you will LIVE THIS ONE DAY.

(I'll start)

• Make someone else happy; a family member, a stranger, a co-worker... it doesn't matter. 
• Practice a new skill to put into my vocational arsenal. 
• Love (verb) someone today in a way that they know they were loved.
• Radically refuse to accept busyness as a viable alternative to purpose. 
• Give my heart away without fear
• Do not dwell in guilt from yesterday.
• Do not borrow trouble from tomorrow
• Stop to recognize the God who made me for this ONE DAY.

Don't fall into the trap of saying, "One day, I'll this..," or "One day, I'll that..." That one day will never come.

THIS IS YOUR ONE DAY!

For now...

D