Pastor Roger Shenk

Spiritual Maturity is Public and Personal

2012-02-16T13:18:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking about spiritual maturity. It's helpful to look at three spheres of activity: Community, Worship and Service. Do you regularly participate in the following?

Community, where you connect with others, with a "shared life around a shared faith."
Worship, where you honor God by following Jesus Christ, where it can be seen in your attention, appreciation, affection and allegiance.
Service, where you work to bring help and hope to others.

At Bahia Vista, we have built our mission statement around that. We want to "befriend all with the love of Christ, through community, worship and service." But as I live with this, I am realizing that each of the three spheres have public and private activities:

Public Community: church social, or small group; Private Community: spiritual friendship.
Public Worship: Weekly worship gathering; Private Worship: prayer time, bible study.
Public Service: Volunteering for ministry; Private Service: helping your neighbor.

In pastoral ministry, so many of the struggles people come to us with, are symptomatic of spiritual immaturity. Sure, some problems are very complex, and even caused by others. But I would suggest that even chronic problems are helped by a regular investment in developing spiritual maturity.

Here's what I mean.

It's not uncommon to see someone who is solid in their public activities -- they never miss the weekly worship service, they belong to a Sunday School class or small group, and they volunteer for ushering or whatever. But they struggle to see victory in their lives over very basic things because they haven't yet personalized their discipleship. They have no spiritual friendships where they can talk openly about their relationship with God; they spend no meaningful time in private prayer or bible meditation; they rarely notice the people around them to so much as offer a helping hand.

In my opinion, these people cause our churches to be spiritually immature. These are the people who occupy our seats, and even positions of responsibility, who seem like they have it all together, but they're the reason we keep finding "muddy footprints" all throughout our halls--the footprints of those who take regular strolls through stubborn sins and hidden shames that affect their faith. They are spiritually immature.

On the other hand, there are those who are very active in their private spiritual lives but they resist the public activities of Community, Worship and Service. They have regular devotions but don't value worshiping with other believers, so it's regularly displaced by lesser things. They have spiritual friends where they talk about their spiritual lives, but they never make themselves available to social settings where they can learn to love on people who are not like them. These are the people who are quick to offer a hand to their neighbor but they won't volunteer to any regular ministry because it ties them down.

I'm suggesting that these disconnected believers are those who feel disillusioned and disenchanted, who are chronically cynical, and tend to lob bombs of accusation and ridicule into crowds of believers. They come in looking for inspiration, and then leave looking for fresh inspiration, because it's all about their personal, private spiritual experience. They are spiritually immature.

There is no spiritual maturity without a public and personal commitment to community, worship and service. Is that too strong a statement?

If you're a minister to others, look at their lives with these questions: Are they experiencing public and personal community? Are they committed to public and personal worship? Are they active in public and personal service? If they are not, and they're coming to you so you can help them feel more this or less that, start where they are lacking. If they only attend the worship service regularly, encourage them to set aside daily time with an open bible, and a list of things to pray for. If they only have one or two spiritual friends, invite them to the next social gathering of believers. If they are volunteering at church, challenge them to help people in ways that have no titles or job descriptions. Move them to be both public and personal in their commitments to spiritual maturity!

And, of course, check yourself. Are you only public in your discipleship? Are you primarily private? Be both. Fill your life with public and personal activities that foster community, worship and service, and become spiritually mature.

Nursing an Offense?

2011-11-25T06:12:00.001-05:00

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (Mark 11:25)

A friend of mine recently asked for time to forgive. She's dealing with a complex offense and I suspect that the time is for sorting out her own feelings and responses and responsibilities in it. For that, there is certainly grace: "Take as much time as you need."

But often I think that asking for time to forgive is another way of saying, "I'm not ready to stop nursing this wound." In that case, we need to ask, "Lord, how long do you want me to live with unforgiveness?" Or, rephrased in a way that emphasizes the master/disciple relationship, "Lord, for how long are you instructing me to withhold forgiveness?"

There's always grace for our sin. And there's even grace for the sin of unforgiveness. But the expectation of grace is never an excuse for continuing in sin. Yes, each of us knows what it's like to go on sinning with full awareness that we will soon cast ourselves at God's grace. But let's not be comfortable with that. Let's not forget that it is only "hardness of heart" that does that.

Grace is not something we fill our cup with, it's a pool we swim in. We don't stand outside of grace, sipping from it, and filling our cup every time it starts to get empty. We take the plunge into grace and are immersed in it completely. It is expected that we live there. That's why Jesus said that God can't forgive us while we live with unforgiveness. To live without grace is to live outside of grace. Does that still scare us? Are we not alarmed to ask for more time to live outside of grace?

It seems to me that, for all the advancements we've made in understanding relationships, and the psychology of hurt and healing, we've moved away from what Jesus expected of forgiveness. We think of it as a feeling we extend, perhaps of warmth or renewed affection. But Jesus saw it as the act of an ambassador, extending God's grace on his behalf, for the restoration of relationship.

21 ...Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20)

And it's not that we're supposed to just go throwing around forgiveness everywhere. The Gospel is still clear that forgiveness comes through repentance. That's not because repentance is a "cost" you need to pay to receive forgiveness. Repentance is the discontinuation of an offense; forgiveness is the grace to let relationship be restored on the basis of that repentance.

So why do we need to take so long at it? Again, Jesus said,

3 So watch yourselves."If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. 4 Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them." (Luke 17)

Wow. In our "I need time to forgive" culture, we would never be able to forgive someone seven times in one day. We have so complicated things. But do we really believe Jesus was clueless about it? Or can we return to a simple expectation of repentance and forgiveness?

Again, discernment of an offense is one thing; nursing of an offense is another. Be immersed in grace; be quick to forgive; be quick to restore relationship.

A Word to Influencers

2011-11-24T07:34:00.001-05:00

Pastors, ministers, church leaders, worship leaders, youth workers, Sunday School teachers -- any follower of Christ who has accepted a position of influencing others -- I was challenged this morning by my reading in Acts. See whether it inspires you the way it inspires me.

Paul was visiting with the elders of the church he planted in Ephesus, and where he lived and ministered for two years. He said:

Acts 20:18 ..."You know how I lived the whole time I was with you...

We, too, can say that the people in our churches, in our jobs, in our families, and in our neighborhoods know how we live. Are you living well? I mean, your conscience may be clear that people don't see great recklessness or irresponsibility in your life, but there's a difference between being good and not being bad. People know how we live! Let's make sure it's more than "just not bad"; let's make sure it's good.

19 "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my...opponents.

Ministry, and even faithfulness itself, lives in the land of opposition. Even in a good church with good people there is tension born out of everything from fear and misunderstanding to bitterness and hatred. In my two years at Bahia Vista I can't say it's been severe (thank you Lord) but I have been tested by opposition. And I've gotten frustrated and, to those closest to me, have been pretty free with my "UGH!". When someone persists in reckless behavior, or can't tame their biting tongue, it can be so frustrating! And I like to imagine that Paul "ughed" too.

But there's a difference between the "ugh" of compassion and the "ugh" of inconvenience. Even in the midst of attack, let's be those who serve the Lord "with great humility and with tears". I mean, who are we after all? To puff out our chests and posture against the opposition is silly to even think about when following in the footsteps of someone who willingly gave up his back to his enemies.

20 "You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

It's one thing to preach a sermon or teach a prepared lesson or write a blog. You can pick your thoughts and words ahead of time and wax eloquent in theological abstractions. It's another thing to teach "from house to house" -- to get into the thicket of people's lives.

I don't like to be the bearer of bad news. I don't even like to give hard-to-accept news. But there are times when God allows a disappointment or hardship in someone's life so that it will knock them off their feet and onto their knees in surrender. There's a difference between being gentle and being a buffer. When we step in as the buffer to protect someone from reality, we are standing between them and the Holy Spirit! Why do we want to help the Holy Spirit pull the punch? If it makes contact at all it just gives the person a little shove. And it could even just shove them further away. On their knees is the best place they can be. Let them taste the bitterness of their sins. Let them fear God. Let them give up and surrender. Let them kneel.

My personal ministry verse was also written by Paul, in Colossians 1:28-29, "We proclaim [Christ], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me."

There is so much in that verse! Is there anything helpful that you're hesitating to preach or teach? Are you shying away from admonishing and teaching with wisdom? Are you working hard at presenting people "fully mature in Christ"? THAT is what should drive us! -- more than just making sure people feel good.

Are you still sold out to the Gospel as the primary change-agent in people's lives? Paul went on to say,

21 "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."

Some people are familiar with the Gospel, some people are not. Most people reject the Gospel. But it's still the Gospel. Are you still in the Gospel business? Are you still declaring to people that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus? If not rooted in that Gospel, and if not carried with a humility and tears that can be seen in the way we live, all our "ministry" and "influence" is a waste.

If you've accepted a position of influencing others, be encouraged and inspired to accept this challenge. Be a living witness; be humble and caring; be gentle and bold and direct; be convinced about the Gospel, knowing that God has you where you are for no lesser or greater purpose than to present them fully mature in Christ.

Without Hope?

2011-11-10T19:50:00.001-05:00

"...remember that...you were separate from Christ, excluded...foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:12

Tuesday I took a prayer day at a lake by my house. As I was there I heard from God in some very compelling ways. I'd stand on the dock, looking out over the lake, listening and praying. Then I'd sit at the picnic table and reflect more in my prayer journal. Then I'd stand up and walk back and forth on the dock again, praying, followed by more interaction in my prayer journal.

What a wonderful time with the Lord.

But then, a couple thousand feet away, I noticed a thick plume of dark black smoke with an intense fire at the base of it. I watched a helicopter come and start circling it. I closed up my books and headed down there to find a pickup truck being doused by firemen. A bystander said there was a man inside, and that it looked like a suicide. He had seen the man driving back and forth down the lane, near the dock where I was, and that he looked distraught. Not long after that he parked his truck and it went up in flames. He was 66.

What a horrible way to die. How much does one have to be without hope to end their life by fire?

My heart hurts for the man, and I'm struck by the contradiction of experiences: while I was enjoying a wonderful prayer time with God, he drove within fifty yards of me, not able to live with himself anymore. I was talking to God about things to come. He was unable to find any hope for a livable future.

As I think about it, I realize that it's not an isolated reality. Those of us who love the Lord and find great delight in him are constantly rubbing shoulders with people who are without hope in the world. They can't live with themselves anymore so some take their own lives. Others just give up their lives to senseless or destructive behavior.

I believe God is always working to move people toward himself. I don't know all the reasons why some people don't receive his grace, but I do know that his grace awaits each person, no matter how distraught they are, or how final their actions are. And I also know that his grace has been entrusted to those of us who have received it, and we need to be attentive in sharing it.

This morning I prayed, "Lord, next time, speak my name loudly, get my attention, spark my intuition, cause me to notice, stir my soul so much that I look up from whatever I'm doing, and move me to crowd in and rescue the hopeless with love and care." May he answer that prayer for all of us who have found hope in him.

One last thought: If you are without hope, please ask for help. There are people around you who have an eternal hope; they really do have hope to spare, and have been gifted by Jesus Christ to carry you when you can't carry yourself. Hear this encouragement from Ephesians 5:14. It's meant for all of us, and in this moment, I believe it's especially for you:

"Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

It really is possible. If you need help finding that hope, please write me at roger@bahiavistachurch.org.

Bible-Reading Plan

2011-10-25T16:00:00.000-04:00

I've had several conversations recently with people who feel guilty for not reading their Bibles more. And that guilt causes them to steer away from any sort of discipline, and the result is that months and years pass by without spending significant time in scripture. And each time that realization surfaces, the guilt recycles and builds on itself, becoming more and more powerful.

A number of years ago I decided to follow one of those "read through the Bible in a year" plans. It took me two and a half years! For me it wasn't that I forgot to read it. It was more that I had difficulty not studying it. (It takes a lot longer to cross-reference thoughts and stories than it does to just read through the stuff.) My experience has been that when I allowed myself the freedom to "surf" the Bible, it became alive to me -- even if I missed the artificial deadline.

I've now been practicing a daily time of scripture and prayer for around 18 years now. Early on I decided that it's not about getting through the Bible, but about reading in the Bible. So, I'm not so concerned about reading through the Bible this year; I've decided to read in the Bible everyday for the rest of my life. No, I don't do it everyday, but I do it almost every day. And I love my experience in Scripture so much that I want to pass along the pattern that I've found to be sustainable and energizing:

FOUR CHAPTERS A DAY
Think of the Bible as four sections, and read one chapter a day from each section.When you get to the end of a section, start over at the beginning of that section, and keep on going in the other sections.

1. WORSHIP & WISDOM: Psalms to Ecclesiastes. Let these chapters lead you in worship and guide you with wisdom. You’ll read through this section once every seven months.

2. STORY OF GOD & HIS PEOPLE: Genesis to Malachi. Read the stories of God and his people, leading up to Christ. You’ll read through this section once every two years.

3. STORY OF JESUS & HIS CHURCH: Matthew to Acts. Read the stories of Jesus and his Church. You’ll read through this section three times a year.

4. LETTERS TO THE CHURCH: Romans to Revelation. Learn from the apostles about how to live out our faith. You’ll read through this section two times a year.

As you develop this lifestyle habit, you will receive a balanced, ongoing experience of sitting under the whole counsel of scripture! That thought is way more exciting than just checking off four chapters a day, or following whatever pattern seems sustainable to you.

May God meet with you, and grant you wisdom and discernment through your investment in knowing him.

Wrong Way with a Smile

2011-09-30T14:07:00.001-04:00

Be merciful, just as your Father (God) is merciful. Luke 6:36

This morning, I watched as a man turned right from a one way street into the left lane of the side street I was on. His minivan almost went head-on into the Suburban in front of me. Of course, the Suburban laid on the horn. But then she just kept laying on it. Long after the guy had adjusted his course and gotten back into his own lane, the horn just kept on declaring what an idiot he was.

As I passed him he was smiling nervously, waving his apologies to everyone. I could tell he wasn't trying to drive in the wrong lane. And it didn't even seem like he was just being careless. I can't be sure, but it seemed more like he forgot what country he was driving in. It was more of an "Oh yeah, that's right," than it was an "I shouldn't be texting."

I smiled some forgiveness toward him. And as I drove on I thought about how, in relationships, we can make a careless comment, or a thoughtless gesture, and we'll find ourselves running head-on into someone else. And usually, if the other person is paying attention, they'll honk their disapproval. Sometimes it's a little "tap of the horn", like a gentle comment, or body language that says, "Hey, pay attention, there are other people here." But sometimes people do what the Suburban did--they lay on the horn with all sorts of insults and fanfare to declare to everyone around what a complete idiot you are.

I know that, for me, when someone decides to use my blunder as an example for everyone to gawk at, I get defensive. In my flesh, I meet their disapproval with an exaggerated disapproval of my own. I'm not saying that's the right response, but it is the natural one. However, when someone is gentle with me, recognizing that my humanity has failed me once again, and if they're humble enough to admit that "there, but for the grace of God, go I," my defenses go down, and my sensitivities (and apologies) go up.

This Sunday I'm talking about the next quality of God's uncommon wisdom for relationships -- MERCY. Mercy is an odd thing. We know we need it; we'll even beg to receive it. But we hate to have to give it, even if we know we're supposed to.

Wendy was just merciful toward me. I've been a bit of a crank today. I bit off more than I could chew on something, and I'm frustrated with myself. And so I snapped at her several times this morning. After 25 years of marriage I had no problem hearing her "honk" at me; her body language clearly said that something was wrong. So I asked her and she told me about it. To carry out the above analogy, I had carelessly veered into her lane. She was honest about it, but she also gave grace for me to say I'm sorry. And she let off the horn.

Nehemiah 9:17 says that God is "a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." Let's follow his lead in our relationships. Be forgiving, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Amen.

I See Old People

2011-09-28T10:30:00.000-04:00

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

One of the great values of pastoring an established church is that it has older people. I love the fact that there are people in my church who were old when I was a kid. Really. Thirty-some years ago I was a little squirt running around this church, getting under the feet of people who were already grandparents -- and now I'm their pastor. Crazy. And I've learned some pretty obvious things about them.

They aren't done yet. They're not ready to give up the ghost, and they are still very much in process! They're not perfect, and they know it! They are still learning. They still need to hear a word from God. They still enjoy seeing scripture from a fresh perspective. They tend to struggle with assurance about whether God loves them or not. They don't always understand how to relate to each other and, even after decades and decades of practice, need help getting along. They tend to struggle against basic temptations and sins that they had hoped would die with age. They feel younger inside than they do outside, and are reminded of that daily by the cruel realities of getting old.

Early in my ministry here at Bahia Vista, I had an altar call of sorts. I didn't know what to expect because I was looking out at a small multitude of retirees, but I was just being obedient to what I perceived as God's leading. An old man came forward and said to me with tears, "I'm renewing my relationship with Christ." Amen. Older people still need a savior.

But I also continue to believe that they have something to teach younger people. Even if it's that "you don't get perfect with age" -- that's something that youngers need to hear! The Christian life is not about "getting perfect for God", but about trusting God with all your imperfections, all your best efforts, and all your neighbors' imperfections and best efforts. It's about learning to forgive the unforgivable -- because you yourself are unforgivable. It's about casting all your fears on God. It's about learning that "this too shall pass."

But it's not just about teaching us that we stay human; older people have street cred about everything from how to work hard, how to make ends meet, how to save on a meager budget, how to invest well, how to run a business, how to stay married, how to endure singleness, how to be healthy, how to cook, how to clean, how to laugh, how to grieve, etc.

I love listening to the stories. Even when it means I hear the same stories over and over again, I listen for what details are important enough that they come through time and time again. There's a wealth of information and wisdom there, if we'll listen.

Someday I want to make a church mailer for our community that, on one side has a picture of a young family and says, "We have young people," and on the other side has a picture of an old couple with the words, "We have old people." For me, and for others I talk to, that's a beautiful thing.

I want to challenge the youngers among us to spend a little time with an older person this week. They don't think you like them. They think you don't have time for them. Prove different.

Ask them what it was like when they were your age.
Ask them what they did for a living.
Ask them what their favorite memories are.
Ask them how they met their spouse(s), and what their kids are doing.
Ask them about the times they felt God's presence.

There are such wonderful stories just waiting to be told. See what you can uncover.

Submit to Love

2011-09-26T09:39:00.000-04:00

Our relationship with the Lord is inseparably connected to our relationships with the people around us. I believe it's an Amish saying that, "If you want to know if I'm right with Jesus, ask my neighbor; he'll tell you whether or not I'm right with Jesus."

The Apostle John was one of Jesus's disciples. He spent three years in friendship with Jesus, following him, learning from him. And then, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he spent decades passing along what Jesus had taught him. Look at what he said:

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

That's got to be more than just having loving feelings for each other. It's supposed to be seen in our actions -- and not just toward those we have loving feelings for!

Yesterday I had to tell people that to follow the Lord means being willing to suffer insult, loss and hardship for the sake of love.

If someone insults you, your instincts will tell you to end the relationship. God says to remain available for relationship. Yes, that also means, remain available to insult.
If someone causes you loss, your instincts will be to cling to what you have, to not suffer any more loss than you need to. God says to be generous with them. Yes, that is not an economically sound financial model.
If someone causes you personal hardship, your instincts will be to get away from them as soon as you can. God says to serve them beyond what they are demanding of you.

Followers of Christ, the bar is being raised. He didn't just bring us into a "safe zone" where life would be easy. He didn't promise ease for our lives, and he didn't promise ease for our relationships. What he did promise is that we would suffer insult, and loss, and hardship. And he promised that we would be able to bear up under it--not just "barely surviving", but radically loving!

Today someone will insult you. It's okay, you already decided to die to your pride, didn't you? Overlook the insult, and look for ways to befriend them. God will help you. (Matthew 5:39)

Today someone will require something costly of you. It's okay. Count the cost, round up, and pay it with a generous heart. Look for a way to bless them with whatever resources God has given you. He will help you. (Matthew 5:40)

Today someone will ask you to do something that's really their responsibility, and it won't be enjoyable for you. It's okay. When you're done doing what they asked of you, ask them, "Is there anything else I can help you with?" Or, if you have opportunity, serve them without them knowing, just because you want to make their life a bit better today. And God will help you. (Matthew 5:41)

If we're followers of Jesus Christ, it will be seen in our relationships. Make sure there is evidence that you are not living by the common "wisdom" that elevates self-protection, self-advancement and self-preservation in your relationships. Don't let your own interests get in the way of your interest in loving others. Willingly yield your interests to others'. Submit to love.

RESOURCE: For more on this, go to "Why Do Things Always Have to Go Your Way!" to watch the service or download the audio podcast (sermon only).

The Exclusivity Objection

2011-09-14T15:30:00.000-04:00

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" -- John 14:22

That's the objection, right there. The hunt for "Christian relevance" has led many to relax the boundaries of faith. I'd even say it's a normal desire for any thinking person.

Personally, I would love to say that people are saved regardless of whether they choose Jesus or not -- that somehow God's love so transcends our love, that he won't even allow us to reject life, even if we choose to reject him. That would be so cool! I'd love to say that "accepting Christ" is a matter of preference for people who find Jesus acceptable, but that anyone can accept whatever spirituality or religious system they personally connect with.

But I can't say that, because he didn't say that. In fact, he specifically said otherwise. And he even made sure not to leave so much as a fuzzy framework that would allow us to consider those things. He closed all those doors and made his gospel very exclusive: Only certain people are in, and if someone isn't all the way in, they're all the way out.

Something in me objects to the exclusivity of the gospel, but we're not the first people to object. Jesus's own disciples objected. They wanted to know why he would reveal himself only to a select group of people, and not to everybody! If he really is the "savior of the world" why not show himself to everyone?

But Jesus isn't offended by an exclusive gospel that requires specific action. In fact, not only is he not offended by it, it is wisdom to him. He chose it.

I have a challenge that's also an encouragement: Be gentle in how you communicate this to others but, as followers of Christ, be ruthless with yourself about fully embracing the Exclusivity of the Gospel. Consider what Jesus and his apostles told us:

Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) That means no one. None. No exceptions, not for a single person.
Jesus said, "If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:7) There's nothing left to uncover. Look at Jesus to know the Father.
Colossians 1:15 affirms that Jesus is the image of the invisible God and Hebrews 1:3 says that the Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
And in case there's still room for misunderstanding, 1 John 2:23 says it very precisely: No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

We need to stop seeing "faith in Jesus" as an entrance exam that we have to pass before we get to see God! If that's all Jesus is, it's unloving of God to not provide other ways to himself. But if Jesus is God, faith in Jesus is faith in God. No one comes to God except by coming to God, and no one can see God except by looking to the radiance of his glory, namely, Jesus.

The exclusive gospel isn't God being mean, it's just God truthfully revealing himself. And he is "one God" so there is only "one way."

RESOURCE: Earlier this year, for our Easter service, I concluded our Jesus: Way, Truth, Life series with this sermon called, "The Only". If you're struggling with the exclusivity of the gospel, what it requires, and what it offers, I'd encourage you to spend the next half-hour with it.

Peace-loving is Relational

2011-09-10T23:08:00.002-04:00

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12 (NIV)

What does it means to be peace-loving in our relationships? The reality we live in is that, often, peace doesn't depend on us. Some people are bent on our harm, no matter what we do.

Tomorrow is the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, and it's a graphic reminder that some people are not interested in having peace with us. Not only that, but some people are intent on warring with us.

Most of us have some sort of opinion about how the US should have responded to those attacks. Some would say we needed to hit back and revenge our losses. Some would say we needed to retaliate to prevent another attack. Some would say we needed to use diplomacy rather than violent force. We're all over the map on how to get there, but most people would say we needed to do something to secure peace.

I think about this with our personal relationships. It's one thing to know how to respond to a political or ideological "enemy" that you can't see. But how do you respond when someone you know seems bent on wounding you? Some people seem like they have daggers for words. It seems like their heart is filled with venom and malice. And when they smack, it draws us into a response.

Do you smack back with a "you hurt me, I hurt you" attitude? Romans 12:19 tells us, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends," but revenge isn't wrong; it's just wrong when we do it. Because it goes on to tell us to, "leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Revenge is God's job. When we take it upon ourselves we are in contempt of his court. To take revenge is to say that I trust my own justice over God's. Proverbs 19:11 tells us the unthinkable, that "it is to your glory to overlook an offense."

Some of us smack back, not to do damage, but to draw boundaries -- we want to send a clear, self-protecting message, "It is NOT okay to treat me like that." Setting boundaries in relationships is good. Many people have suffered unnecessary hurt by thinking that it was wrong to say no to someone. But the reality is that we are surrounded by "fools" and we do need to protect ourselves from them. I know it's an ugly term, but there really are people who live and behave foolishly, and then try to infect our lives with their behavior. Proverbs 26:4-5 gives two pieces of advice back to back: Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you yourself will be just like them. Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes. Wisdom understands that when you interact with a fool, you won't win. Sometimes it's gonna seem best to just shut up and walk away, and other times it will seem best to engage them. Both can be an act of setting appropriate boundaries.

Some of us employ diplomacy; we've never found a fight we couldn't pacify with kindness. I'm related to people like that. I can't picture my Grandma Shenk ever saying a rude word to anyone. Jesus said to "bless those who curse you." (Luke 6:28). People tend to like Jesus until they hear him say stuff like that. We dismiss it, thinking, maybe Jesus didn't really mean that. But the early believers thought that's what he meant. In fact, Paul reiterated it in Romans 12:14 "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." It's the Christian way.

Is peace-loving and peace-making measured more by the peace we leave, or the actions we employ? It's possible to create peaceful conditions by forcefully removing enemies. That would be the context of the times when God led Israel into battle. He always desired peace for his people, and responded to those who wanted to harm them, by forcefully removing them. But it's also possible to employ peaceful actions that are ineffective at removing enemies. That would be the context for the early followers of Christ. The Church was not a "nation" to be defended but rather a fellowship of the redeemed. They used no force in removing their enemies. Instead, they loved them, and prayed for them, and blessed them because they were following Jesus' example. In so doing they brought some of those enemies to faith in Christ. But they lost their lives to them as well, praying, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them."

The reality is that peace doesn't depend solely on us. Some people are bent on our harm, no matter how peaceful we are toward them. It seems like loving peace and making peace means that sometimes we need to engage the "fool", but always we need to love and bless them. And if, at any point, engaging them is about revenge and not love or blessing, it is not "peace-loving" or "peace-making." Always be a peacemaker in your relationships!

Tomorrow I'll develop these thoughts a bit more as I continue the Uncommon Wisdom series. Join me at Bahia Vista Church for "You're Gonna Pay" at 9:30 or 11AM (ET), or catch the online broadcast.

Prayer of Dedication for Relationships

2011-09-07T15:44:00.000-04:00

Click to Watch

This past Sunday I began our relationship series by talking about how most of us enter relationships with the question: What's In It For Me? But the Bible says that relationships built on that don't work. So I offered God's "Uncommon Wisdom" about how to be pure in your relationships, and then suggested this Prayer of Dedication for any who wanted to pray it:

Lord, purify me. Forgive me where I’ve been self-serving and competitive in my relationships. Teach me to put others first, to be glad for them, and to see all my relationships through a renewed awe and respect for you, Jesus. I dedicate myself to honoring you in my relationships. Amen.

Keep praying. God's listening. Be pure. You can have uncommonly good relationships!

This Sunday I'll be dealing with the "Uncommon Wisdom" of being peace-loving when "Common Wisdom" clings to the threat of, You're Gonna Pay.

Watch online or in person, and include a friend. Go to Bahia Vista Church for service times and location.

Post-Labor Day Prayer

2011-09-05T20:49:00.000-04:00

I looked it up: Labor Day is for honoring the economic and social contributions of workers.

Many of us take the day off, but some of us still have to work. The Bahia Vista Church staff gets the day off (from office type responsibilities at least) to celebrate by hanging out with family and friends. But both my sons had to work their jobs -- one at a deli, the other at a supermarket -- so that other people would have the stuff they need to hang out with family and friends. And, of course, my brother worked today because he's self-employed -- I guess, for him, working is honoring the economic contribution of his work.

Even though not everyone takes the day off, Labor Day still feels like a holiday to most of us here in the United States. And many of us also treat it as the symbolic end to summer activities -- sort of the last hurrah before getting back to real life. Here in Florida it'll feel like summer for a long while yet but it'll feel different in other ways. There will be fewer of us gone on vacation, so we'll see people more regularly at regular things, like church.

Tomorrow, as we come back refreshed for work and the routine social interactions of life, my prayer is this:

Lord Jesus, help us to honor you with the contribution of our lives.

May we be discerning and passionate to work in the areas of our gifting, and in areas of opportunity, so that we are not just serving to make "economic and social contributions", but to add spiritual value as well.

Teach us to worship you joyfully and prayerfully in the daily grind.

Cause our decisions and schedules and priorities to give true witness to this fact -- that we are determined to love you with all we are, and to love our neighbors with all we have.

Amen.

Uncommon Wisdom: A Relationship Series

2011-09-03T09:05:00.001-04:00

I'm pumped about the series we're starting tomorrow! I'm typically excited to start any series, and that's why I start them. With this one, I just have this sense that it will help put some relationships in order that are currently struggling.

But it's not just a "marriage series". It will apply to romantic relationships, but we also need help in our other relationships, like between parents and children, brothers and sisters, work relationships, friendships, etc.

As a pastor I spend a lot of time talking with people about what makes life hard for them, and "relationships" is one of the top offenders. And what's weird is that, most of the time it isn't that people are clueless and have no common wisdom about relationships. It's more that they rely on a "wisdom" that's very common but, at best, very lacking and, at worst, very misleading. And so they end up with very common relationships -- meaning they're broken, breaking or just plain frustrating.

I've been a Wisdom nut for a long time. I love Proverbs. Even Ecclesiasties. I also love the New Testament book of Wisdom, aka "James", because it's a book about Christian wisdom. It talks to the practical side of life.

It talks about things like "religion that God finds acceptable" and dares to requires of us that we "look after orphans and widows in their distress, and keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
It talks about favoritism and discrimination.
It points out that when someone praises God and curses people, it's evidence of a polluted heart.
And it deals with relationships.

I don't do a lot of memorizing, but several years ago I put a little tune to James 3:17 so I could remember it. It wasn't good enough to go public with, but it stuck with me. Recently I was reflecting on it, thinking of it as a simple tribute to the qualities of wisdom: Wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle at all times, willing to yield to others, full of mercy, full of good deeds, showing no favorites, always sincere. But as I studied it, and read it in context--the stuff before and after--I realized that this little summary is not the broad-brush stroke that I was thinking it was. It's actually dealing with a specific kind of wisdom: Wisdom for Relationships.

So as I've started studying it in context--Wow. I'm pumped to be able to take time to develop this, first, for the ongoing understanding and application in my own relationships, and second, to give hope and help to people who come to Bahia Vista each week (in person or online) for the counsel of God's word.

So, here's my invitation: If you or someone you know is living with broken, breaking or just plain frustrating relationships, invite them to discover God's wisdom about it. Sunday at 9:30 AM (ET) for "Traditions" or 11AM (ET) for "Innovations". I believe God wants to give them hope and help for their relationships as we deal directly with things we've all thought, said and heard:

"What's in it for me?"
"You're gonna pay."
"Put yourself in my shoes for a change."
"Why do thing always have to go your way?"
"Just give me one more chance."
"I'll believe it when I see it!"
"Can't you make an exception for me?"
"How can I trust you?"

I really believe that as we look at God's "Uncommon Wisdom" for relationships, it'll bring healing and understanding where there's already broken relationships, it will rescue breaking relationships, and it will help us all to reduce the many frustrations of just doing life together.

Prayerfully, humbly, expectantly...
Amen.

Where I Look, There I Go

2011-09-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

I've been riding my scooter to work more often than not these days. One of the streets I take is being expanded and, until they resurface it, the manhole covers stick up just enough to be a jarring obstacle.

I've learned the hard way that the best way to hit a manhole is to try to miss it. If I focus too much on avoiding it, I drive right over it, cringing the whole way. In fact, no matter what the obstacle is -- be it a little reflector or a big pothole -- it always happens the same way. If I want to miss it, I can't look at it. I need to look down the street because where I look, there I go. (I hear they teach you this stuff in motorcycle school.)

You probably know where I'm going with this.

It reminds me of life, and especially the spiritual life. We're cruising along, experiencing peace and joy and love and a sense of spiritual satisfaction, but as soon as we see an obstacle coming, we stare at it. We focus on it. We try hard not to hit it. We let it consume us. Our prayers hover around it. Our conversations always come back to it. We fearfully daydream about how bad it's gonna hurt when we hit it. We forget about the part of the path that goes around it, and we grimace as we go right through the middle of the thing we're trying to avoid. It's jarring. It's sometimes even catastrophic. And it's often preventable.

Some of us are more prone to focusing on the obstacles than others. And fear and worry is replete with self-fulfilling prophecies because where we look, there we go.

Proverbs 4 reminds us to,

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you...27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

If we're paying attention at all, we will see obstacles coming. We'll see enticements, hardships, frustrations, and all sorts of dangers that threaten our spiritual health and vitality. Some of them are unavoidable speed bumps, and we need to just slow down and go over them with the patience of God's grace. But many of them can be avoided; we don't need to be rattled by them. We can go around the obstacle if we'll just stop focusing on it, and instead, set our sites on where we're wanting to go.

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3)

Be encouraged! Stop staring at the bad. Instead, decide now that when you see obstacles in your path, you'll focus on Jesus, because where you look, there you go.

Full Church Massage

2011-08-31T12:26:00.000-04:00

I just went in for a "deep tissue" massage. I got there and the massage therapist suggested a more conventional massage. Sixty minutes later and I was relaxed and refreshed.

If I would've gone in for a nice little back rub to put me to sleep, I wouldn't have appreciated all the tugging, stretching, pushing and kneading. In fact, it would've been downright annoying. But I didn't go in for a nice little back rub; I went in to be regenerated! I chose to trade my money and time for pain and discomfort because I believed that, at the hands of a professional massage therapist, it would mean renewal for my body. And it worked! And I'm sure if I went more regularly, it would be even more effective!

I couldn't help but think about how similar the massage therapist's role is to that of the pastor. I had someone tell me a couple weeks ago that my job is just to listen, not to give advice. But that's sort of like telling the massage therapist her job is to just observe, not to touch.

A pastor is certainly called to listen and observe, but not just to give a pat on the back and say, "Now now, everything's gonna be okay." The discerning pastor is called to recognize the spiritual tension, and to "stick an elbow into it" if necessary to work it out. The discerning pastor will tug, stretch, push and knead. That usually means some spiritual pain and discomfort, but by the effectiveness of the Spirit of God, it ultimately means regeneration, refreshment and renewal!

There's a similar need in the Body of Christ. Just as we benefit personally from the spiritual direction of a discerning pastor, the local church also benefits from that wisdom. Part of the pastor's call is to be one who discerns the spiritual, relational and missional tensions in their congregation and works to bring regeneration. That usually feels like tugging, stretching, pushing and kneading.

My massage therapist didn't stretch me to the point of injury, and she used oil to reduce unnecessary friction. In the same way, the discerning pastor recognizes the church's limits and works to gradually increase flexibility where it's needed. And the discerning pastor applies genuine love and listening as a lubricant that reduces unnecessary friction. There's still discomfort and pain as the tensions are addressed, and priorities are realigned, but the discerning pastor is working to increase peace and flexibility without causing greater tension and injury.

I didn't know my massage therapist. I didn't know whether to relax and trust her, or to protect myself. Was she gonna try something weird like reading my aura or whatever? I just wanted a massage. But when she saw on my information sheet that I'm a pastor she said, "Then you won't mind if I start with prayer will you?" And as I lay there, she put her hands on my shoulders and with heartfelt passion began, "Father, in the name of Jesus Christ," and I had a sense of her heart. And as she started to gently tug and stretch and push and knead, I relaxed with confidence in her knowledge; I submitted to her understanding.

Hebrews 13:17 says to:

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Many of us have trouble with that. But I'd encourage you to not lose hope in God, who promised in Jeremiah 3:15 to:

...give you shepherds after [his] own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

If your pastor is a "shepherd after God's own heart" who leads with "knowledge and understanding", don't confuse the tugging and stretching and pushing and kneading as the tension itself. It just might be part of God's "full church massage" that is working for your regeneration, refreshment and renewal!

A Spirit Prayer

2011-08-31T09:58:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Irene just went up the East Coast, leaving a witness of the power of wind. Here on the Suncoast of Florida, we didn’t get hit (this time) with the hurricane, but extreme weather is typical of Florida summers, and this week is no exception. Wendy and I have been vacationing at Fisherman’s Village Resort in Punta Gorda, and, just like our home in Sarasota, it’s not at all unusual to experience stagnant humidity, refreshing gusts and torrential storms all in one day.

I love wind. Wind is awesome. You can’t see it, but you can feel it and you can see its effects. In John 3:8, when Jesus spoke about the Spirit he was using the Greek word for “wind”. He said,

"The wind blows where it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

I'm choosing to turn my face into this "wind". In faith I'm praying for its effects to be seen in my life. Maybe you would join me in this prayer?

Lord Jesus, send your Spirit…

…as a gentle breeze across my life, offering me relief from the heat of the “noonday” of life’s struggles. Cause me to thirst for you — to recognize how parched my soul is without you, and to see the many substitutes I drink from that just keep me dehydrated.

…as a powerful wind against my life, pushing me off my planned course. Cause me to reexamine my steps, to make sure my footing is secure. Remind me to be ready, that things unseen can make me lose my balance.

…as a torrential storm over my life, disrupting my complacency and false dependencies. Cause me to bow in awe at your majesty and power — to run for cover to the shelter of your authority, to the safety of your glory.

…as breath itself. Fill my life. Renew my strength. Teach me to inhale deeply of your love, and to exhale it fully into a world so desperate for it. Teach me to breathe in and breathe out as the spiritual rhythm of my life, so that by the witness of my life no one can deny that you, the God I serve, are the God of love.

I have so far to go! Wind of God, I spread out my arms to you! Spirit of Jesus, move me, carry me, refresh my life for your honor.

Amen.