When Mel said something about God or the Bible, it was worthy. He said a lot one evening, yet a particular phrase etched into my brain. “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.”
I don’t remember the context and no Scriptures were cited to support truthfulness. Still, for years I embraced his words. They came in handy, justifying some very delightful naps.
Six years later, I quoted Mel while at lunch with my pastor. He was silent for a moment and then said, “I don’t know about that.”
My long held belief being challenged was inconvenient. I enjoyed it, used it to suppress nap-guilt. Even vocalizing the phrase seemed restful. But is it true?
The Bible tells this story. “As they got into a boat…Jesus fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that boat was being swamped. They were in great danger.
Jesus was taking a nap.
They were out in the boat to escape pressing crowds. Jesus had left the scene of significant God-work. In the boat He could have continued teaching the disciples. Or prepared for future ministry. Even helped to man the boat.
No, Jesus chose napping. Should I conclude resting was the most spiritual thing Jesus could do at the time?
Not really. He needed physical rest.
The story continues. “The disciples went and woke Jesus, saying: Master, Master we’re going to drown! Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and raging water. The storm subsided. All was calm.”
Jesus reveals the key to a God-honoring nap. Working for God can be tiring. Jesus eked out some time to rest. But immediately, when called upon, He was right back to spiritual business.
Naps are good...as preparation. Then we can awake refreshed; ready to serve God with renewed vigor and enthusiasm.
10/27/07
10/21/07
CALLED OUT
Marty died of leukemia. 28 years old. A follower of Jesus. Now in heaven.
Church members visited even when hospital treatments were hours away. They called, sent cards, brought meals, babysat, helped financially, provided transportation to doctors, prayed and fasted.
Andrew died of leukemia. 26 years old. A follower of Jesus. Now in heaven.
Visits by family were few. Two friends made it. Transportation to a distant hospital was difficult. Finances ran out; a few Christians prayed. Andrew never joined a church.
The Bible tells us in the book of Acts: the believer, the church: “were together .....praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being (born again) saved.
As soon as a person acknowledges Jesus Christ as their Savior, that person is added to God’s church. In the sight of God, both Andrew and Marty had been added to the church. Yet to most Christians, Marty was added to a church by becoming a member…Andrew was not.
The Greek translation for the word “church” is “ecclesia.” Simply meaning: “an assembly-- gathering of the called out ones.” God has only one church on earth--every follower of Jesus Christ.
Are we acknowledging other Christians, but only really loving and caring for those attending the same place Sunday mornings? Are there called-out-ones not in “your church” who need other Christians to love them? Hospitals, nursing homes, jails, those home-bound; come to mind as very lonely for the born again souls who never joined a church. Yet joined God’s church.
“That you love one another, just like I have loved you”, Jesus said. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Who should we love? One another. No qualifiers. One another.
Church members visited even when hospital treatments were hours away. They called, sent cards, brought meals, babysat, helped financially, provided transportation to doctors, prayed and fasted.
Andrew died of leukemia. 26 years old. A follower of Jesus. Now in heaven.
Visits by family were few. Two friends made it. Transportation to a distant hospital was difficult. Finances ran out; a few Christians prayed. Andrew never joined a church.
The Bible tells us in the book of Acts: the believer, the church: “were together .....praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being (born again) saved.
As soon as a person acknowledges Jesus Christ as their Savior, that person is added to God’s church. In the sight of God, both Andrew and Marty had been added to the church. Yet to most Christians, Marty was added to a church by becoming a member…Andrew was not.
The Greek translation for the word “church” is “ecclesia.” Simply meaning: “an assembly-- gathering of the called out ones.” God has only one church on earth--every follower of Jesus Christ.
Are we acknowledging other Christians, but only really loving and caring for those attending the same place Sunday mornings? Are there called-out-ones not in “your church” who need other Christians to love them? Hospitals, nursing homes, jails, those home-bound; come to mind as very lonely for the born again souls who never joined a church. Yet joined God’s church.
“That you love one another, just like I have loved you”, Jesus said. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Who should we love? One another. No qualifiers. One another.
10/15/07
DO YOU NEED A WET SPOT?
“I hit a wet spot,” Richard said as he walked through the door. Dark clouds loomed outside, but it appeared the near-drought was continuing.
“What do you mean Richard?” I asked. He explained the contrast between wet and dry seasons in his ability to produce artwork. For months he was unable to do any of his pen and ink drawings. But today Richard had with him more than a dozen pieces, many which he had produced in the last few days. He had shifted from dry to a flowing wet spot artistically.
Richard’s experience reminds me of what is known as the “desert or wilderness experience.” John Bevere, an author I greatly appreciate, says: “The wilderness—a place or time period through which every Christian must pass as he draws nearer to God...”
And the Bible says: “The LORD your God led you…in the wilderness, to humble you and to test you, to know what was in your heart.”
The spiritual wilderness, like it’s counterpart in the natural, feels like a harsh place. But it seems to be the only way people seeking the deep, deep things of God can find what they are looking for. In the wilderness God prepares us for His promised land (His best), which He has purposed for our lives.
Noticeable in Richard’s art resurgence, are vibrant splashes of colors which were not seen in his past repertoire. And now his artwork has undoubtedly peaked into a higher realm--- quality and quantity wise.
I’ve been through the wilderness. I made it. So will you. Believe this scripture with tenacity during the trudges of your journey: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ.”
Thank God. He always leads. There’s always victory for those who persevere. Your wet spot awaits.
“What do you mean Richard?” I asked. He explained the contrast between wet and dry seasons in his ability to produce artwork. For months he was unable to do any of his pen and ink drawings. But today Richard had with him more than a dozen pieces, many which he had produced in the last few days. He had shifted from dry to a flowing wet spot artistically.
Richard’s experience reminds me of what is known as the “desert or wilderness experience.” John Bevere, an author I greatly appreciate, says: “The wilderness—a place or time period through which every Christian must pass as he draws nearer to God...”
And the Bible says: “The LORD your God led you…in the wilderness, to humble you and to test you, to know what was in your heart.”
The spiritual wilderness, like it’s counterpart in the natural, feels like a harsh place. But it seems to be the only way people seeking the deep, deep things of God can find what they are looking for. In the wilderness God prepares us for His promised land (His best), which He has purposed for our lives.
Noticeable in Richard’s art resurgence, are vibrant splashes of colors which were not seen in his past repertoire. And now his artwork has undoubtedly peaked into a higher realm--- quality and quantity wise.
I’ve been through the wilderness. I made it. So will you. Believe this scripture with tenacity during the trudges of your journey: “Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ.”
Thank God. He always leads. There’s always victory for those who persevere. Your wet spot awaits.
10/6/07
ANTI-STUPID SOLUTION
“I did something really stupid,” Brent told me. He looked sickish. This prompted me to ask: “Is there something wrong?”
I see 14 year-old Brent often at a group I lead at church. Even though he’s been faithfully attending for two years, Christ-like behavior has only minimally appeared in his life. And because of past behavior “really stupid” could mean nearly anything.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I said. He glanced down a moment and then looked at me; slowly saying, “Yeah.” Because Brent was minutes away from leaving on a family camping trip, we agreed to talk another time.
Eight days later at church, I reminded Brent of our agreement. He stalled. I didn’t press. Then the cork popped as his story spilled out rapid-fire.
Brent’s friend Perez gave him a 22 caliber pistol. And then Brent took it over to his friend Jonathan’s house. So now we have an immature 14 year-old showing his immature 13 year-old friend a loaded pistol.
Jonathan’s dad caught them.
I didn’t ask, but I was thinking: “Would possessing the gun have been really stupid if you hadn’t got caught?” With Brent, like most humans, the flip to “really stupid” probably occurred when he got caught.
But we get caught; don’t we? Now what do we do?
This can be approached in a multitude of ways. I gave Brent this scripture. “A righteous person may fall seven times, but they rise again.”
Doing stupid things is inevitable. And getting caught is highly likely. Now the righteous person, the person who wants to live Godly, will get back on track.
Be smart. Rise again. Apologize to people and make restitution. Most importantly, ask our ever-loving God for forgiveness. And then you will rise again. This time to a life more pleasing to God.
I see 14 year-old Brent often at a group I lead at church. Even though he’s been faithfully attending for two years, Christ-like behavior has only minimally appeared in his life. And because of past behavior “really stupid” could mean nearly anything.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I said. He glanced down a moment and then looked at me; slowly saying, “Yeah.” Because Brent was minutes away from leaving on a family camping trip, we agreed to talk another time.
Eight days later at church, I reminded Brent of our agreement. He stalled. I didn’t press. Then the cork popped as his story spilled out rapid-fire.
Brent’s friend Perez gave him a 22 caliber pistol. And then Brent took it over to his friend Jonathan’s house. So now we have an immature 14 year-old showing his immature 13 year-old friend a loaded pistol.
Jonathan’s dad caught them.
I didn’t ask, but I was thinking: “Would possessing the gun have been really stupid if you hadn’t got caught?” With Brent, like most humans, the flip to “really stupid” probably occurred when he got caught.
But we get caught; don’t we? Now what do we do?
This can be approached in a multitude of ways. I gave Brent this scripture. “A righteous person may fall seven times, but they rise again.”
Doing stupid things is inevitable. And getting caught is highly likely. Now the righteous person, the person who wants to live Godly, will get back on track.
Be smart. Rise again. Apologize to people and make restitution. Most importantly, ask our ever-loving God for forgiveness. And then you will rise again. This time to a life more pleasing to God.
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