It’s Sunday Again: Reminders

In the Old Testament, God’s people were called to his presence and to worship for several reasons. The feasts and festivals, along with the weekly Sabbath, were reminders. One could develop an extensive list of the things Israel was to remember. A short list could include that Israel was to remember God’s nature, his initiative and selection of them as a unique people, his deliverance of his people from Egypt, and his presence among them as a call to uniqueness and purity.

In the New Testament, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, functions as a day on which God’s assembled people, worshiping together, are reminded of the great truths of their spiritual lives. Today, let us remember.

  • Let us remember who God is. Let us celebrate his greatness and grandeur, his splendor and majesty. As we worship, let us celebrate his creativity and creative power.

  • Let us remember his purpose in the world as we recommit ourselves to participate in that purpose, to bring all creation under the umbrella of the Lordship of Jesus. Let us find in our shared worship renewed commitment and strength.

  • Let us be reminded of God’s inherent nature, so that in view of his holiness, righteousness, and constant love and mercy, we can worship according to who he is, and not according to our own human nature and desires. Let us present ourselves as living sacrifices, being transformed into his likeness.

  • Let us remember that God has delivered us by the death and sacrifice of his Son on the cross on our behalf. Let us remember that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the promise of his coming again and our ultimate resurrection.

  • Let us remember that we are not alone in the struggle. As part of a grand spiritual family of brothers and sisters, we are evidence of the reconciling power of God’s peace.

  • Let us remember that God’s continuing presence is ours as he goes with us, as Christ dwells in our heart, and as we are strengthened by the presence and promise of his Holy Spirit.

Perception and Perspective

It is not what happens to us that shapes our perceptions. It is how we understand what happens to us–how we experience and interpret and process what happens to us. The same thing happens to two different people with two different results. “The fire that melts the butter hardens the steel.”

Many of us go through life using mental programming that was largely developed in our childhood. We react to the world and the events and circumstances of our life based on an already established thought set, and we think little about how and why our brains are perceiving and interpreting what is happening to us. Our perceptions, based on who we are, are unchanging, and so is our perspective. This prohibits our contining growth and brings about old behaviors and attitudes that are often negative and self-defeating.

Each of us has a unique perspective that we apply to our experiences. This perspective determines our reaction and response. This perspective can be changed, resulting in possibilities for growth and positive thinking, but it is easier to keep the perspective we already have. Changing our perspective is hard work and requires that we rethink things we thought were established and set. Changing perspectives means we have to stay open to the possibility of change and growth and blessing and challenge.

Positive thinkers have flexible brains that allow them to experience and interpret life in positive ways. Such flexible brains constantly reprocess life’s events to update perceptions and perspectives.
Is it time for a perception check? When you have thought something and reacted accordingly, only to find that what you thought was incorrect?
Perhaps you have experienced faulty perceptions from the reverse side–someone falsely accused you based on inadequate or inaccurate perceptions. Remember that we think about (perceive) events and people according to what we are, not according to what they are. Your experience probably reflected a problem on the part of the “perceiver” more than on the part of the “perceived.”

Perception is reality? Which reality?

You have likely heard the phrase, “Perception is reality.” Some interpret the phrase to suggest that every perception is true–that every perception is reality, or at least contains some element of reality. While it may be true that what people perceive is a reflection of some reality, which reality is reflected?
A quote from Anais Nin says, “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” A person’s perception is as much the result of an internal reality (education, experience, emotions, and worldview) as it is the result of external realities. I perceive according to an established set of personal realities. What I perceive may not be complete, and may not be true.
Thus, spiritually mature persons do not say everything they think. I do not share everything I perceive, knowing that I could be wrong. Caution is the best course. When and how and to whom should I entrust my thoughts and perceptions?

The danger of writing a blog such as this is apparent. How bold to write about my perception of perception!
Now it is up to you, the readers, to decide. What do you think? What do you perceive?

[To be continued….]

It’s Sunday Again: Wisdom

Wisdom is difficult to describe. Many misdefine wisdom. Wisdom is not knowledge. Wisdom is not demonstrated by superior knowledge or by good decisions. Wisdom is seen in one’s life, in one’s practice. One shows oneself wise by what one does. Wisdom is visible in right living.
Wisdom is not to be equated with knowing what is right. Wisdom is developed little by little in our lives by committing to and practicing what is right, and by noticing the results of that commitment. Our commitment to do what is right sometimes seems to suceed and sometimes seems to fail, at least according to point of view of the world. But in God’s eyes, doing what is right always succeeds.
One who is committed to doing what is right and lives out that commitment will become wise. Wise people do not have to be certain of the results before they act. Wisdom is significantly different than pragmatism. Wise people do not act for self interests but for the interest of what is right. Wisdom is free to act, trusting that a commitment to what is right, and a commitment to God, godliness and the imitation of Christ, will bring to life the results that glorify God and teach God’s people what we need to know.

It’s Sunday Again: Sharing the Word Among God’s People

Another Sunday, reflecting, thinking, remembering. Another Sunday in a long series of Sundays, so long I cannot remember the beginning, now over 3000 Sundays. A lifetime of Sundays, it seems like so many, it seems like so few. Only 3000.
This is not the first Sunday I have spent in Honduras, but I do not know how many. This is not the first Sunday I have spent in Catacamas, but again I do not know the number. It doesn’t matter.
Today I will assemble with the family of God for worship and to surround the Table of the Lord. Here the Supper is called holy. I have been asked to preach. Some Sundays I wish I could listen and drink deeply and relish the renewal and recommitment of the God relationship. The task of preaching is often a distraction in my personal worship, but it is the calling and work of God. I awoke early, thinking about this day, thinking about God and his will and ways in this world.
God’s people seek God. They seek God through His Word. That is my task. Not to tell them a lot of things they do not know. My task is to make God clear, to make the Word of God clear. What is God’s unique message for his people in this place on this day. I have spent much of the last two days asking questions of those I was with, trying to understand the unique needs and challenges. I have thought about how to connect God’s word to those needs. Today, my prayer is that the word spoken might be the word needed, so that God’s people are refreshed and restored and renewed. May it be so!

Reaping What We Sow

This morning at Baxter, I had the opportunity to visit at breakfast with brother Jorge Quijano, a Baxter graduate from the early days in Honduras, now working in Belize and Mexico. Our conversation turned to the nature of the Christian life and the many blessings that are part of our lives as Christians. Jorge said, “In many ways the Christian life is easier than the life many live in the world.” When I asked him why, he quickly answered, “Because we reap what we sow.”
As I read Galatians 6, I see that we not only reap what we sow, we reap more than we sow. When we are people of suspicion wondering what others are thinking, others are more prone to think likewise about us. We reap what we sow. When we sow peace, we reap peace. When we sow conflict, we reap conflict. When we sow joy, we reap joy. When we sow faith and evangelism and love, we reap the same. When we sow a deep love for the Word of God and the example of hours spent with that Word, we reap the same.
Little by little a church becomes like its leaders as they share (sow) their own lives among the brothers and sisters. Preachers and elders do well to ask themselves what they are sowing. When one wonders why a church is like it is, the answer is usually “because the leaders are that way.”
When a church is evangelistic, it is because the leaders set the example. When a church is studious and loves the word of God, it is because of the example of the pulpit and Bible teachers. At Park Plaza, we are blessed with Mitch’s preaching and example. Mitch is a student of God’s word, and he shares a heart of service and discipleship. A church influenced by people of faith, encouraged in good works, evangelism and missions, will see the same spirit among the members. The church works because of the teaching received and the examples observed.
As we go forth this day, may we be careful about what we sow. Remember, we will reap the same.

It’s Sunday Again: Another “High”

Rejoice, and again I say rejoice! (Phil. 4:4) It’s Sunday again. God on my mind this morning–another fresh, brisk morning following a night of rain. Time to meditate, study, read, think, pray. God time. I love Sundays.
I am amazed that so often in our lives God takes us from one highlight experience to the next. I think about my most recent Sundays with God and the family of God: preaching an evangelistic campaign in Santiago (Chile) where God gave wonderful results and responses, preaching at a congregational retreat the next weekend, worship with the family of God in Montevideo (Uruguay), teaching and preaching at Northwest in Houston, the warm reception of the Park Plaza family in our move to Tulsa, today the opportunity to renew friendships and fellowship with hundreds of Christians at the Culto Unido (area-wide worship) that occurs each year on the Sunday after Seminario Baxter.
On these consecutive Sundays I have been blessed to connect with many different parts of God’s great worldwide family and to share worship with several thousand Christians in different parts of the world. God works in our lives in many different places and times and ways. Sometimes God’s presence is seen through the kind reception and warmth of dozens of greetings and emails that celebrate new relationships and new hope in the shared spiritual journey. Sometimes the glory and presence of God is in the context of a vibrant, growing spiritual family in a local church where we share spiritual life week after week. Sometimes his presence is in the delight of experiencing God’s international family. Sometimes his presence is seen in the marvel of how he continually works and guides and strengthens and blesses.
Regardless of your situation, I hope that this Lord’s Day is for you another high point in your spiritual life. I trust that your spirit will be buoyed for the week ahead, that you will know afresh God’s presence and power in your life, and that the thrill and excitement of God’s work in your life will not fade but will be polished to shine ever brighter.
It’s Sunday again. On this day, God will strengthen the spirits of his people in fellowship; as the call of his Word is heard in fresh and powerful ways we will answer with recommitment and resolve; we will remember his love and sacrifice as we surround the Table; and we will go forth again in hope as changed people living different lives and different commitments in a world of darkness and hopelessness.

It’s Sunday Again: “Sunday at the ‘Park'”

Since I devoted this morning’s Mother’s Day blog to sharing memories of my mother, I am posting my Sunday reflections on Sunday evening.

Some of you already know that Jan and I have changed “church homes.” Although we had communicated our commitment to be members at Park Plaza last week, today was our first Sunday as members at the “Park.” Wow!
Mitch hit a home run with a special Mother’s Day emphasis in his continuing sermon series on God’s resurrection power. Keith Lancaster led our hearts nearer to God in song. The prayers, Scripture reading, and communion were led by some of the young men (teens) in the congregation. A highlight of the morning was the announcement that Francisco and Millie Davila will become full-time workers in the Spanish ministry as of July 1. We anticipate that the work will flourish even more with this decision. The shepherds’ prayers for Francisco and Millie, and for the Spanish work were especially touching.
Jan and I attended early service, and also attended late service as part of our extended family, sons and grandchildren, joined us. The grandchildren enjoyed Bible class, and since our youngest grandchild wouldn’t stay in class without Nana, Jan even got to assist a little with the 2-year old class!
We connected and reconnected with friends and acquaintances from our past, and with many new brothers and sisters in Christ. What a joy to see Vivien Dillman again! That goes back to the 1970s in Tulsa at Fifteenth Street!
Today will linger as a special memory in our spiritual journey. One brother’s greeting summed it up well when he said, “Welcome home!”

Christian: Like Christ?

A recent email from MinEmergent included a quote from Diana Butler Bass (A People’s History of Christianity).
“Whereas militant Christianity triumphs over all, generative Christianity transforms the world through humble service to all. It is not about victory; it is about following Christ in order to seed the human community with grace.”

The brief quote, titled “Generative Christianity,” raises the question as to how Christianity generates and regenerates itself in the world. The contrast between militant Christianity and generative Christianity gives me pause. Today I am reflecting again on the nature of the klingdom–does the version of church we know best operate according to the methods of this world, or are we pursuing the forms of the kingdom that are “other worldly”? Recall that Jesus himself said that his kingdom was not of this world.

Too often, I fear that the accepted version of Christianity is more destructive than constructive. Some seem more interested in tearing down than building up. The history of Christianity includes periods of overt militancy; more difficult to perceive are the continuing tendencies toward covert militancy. The triumph of Christianity will not be through disciples who fight, even though confrontation was at times a part of Jesus’ ministry. The triumph of Christianity will be through disciples who unhesitatingly and faithfully follow Jesus’ example–reviled but not reviling, giving more than receiving, serving more than being served. The subtle triumph of Christianity, in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch, will be through humble servant hearts that “seed the human community with grace.”

Let us use this phrase as today’s challenge: God, as I go forth this day, may I seed the human community with your grace, wherever I go and wherever you lead me.

It’s Sunday Again: Finding Family

Yesterday’s leadership seminar was a superb experience–a men’s breakfast, morning sessions, and afternoon meeting with the shepherds yielded fresh mission and vision statements that can provide direction, dreams, energy, and enthusiasm for renewal and continued growth.
Today will be a time to focus on remembering God’s purpose and encouraging us to live out the reality of our family status in Christ. The contemporary church struggles to live out the reality of its grandeur in God’s eternal purpose. The church tends to live monochromatically–living out the reality of only one of the spiritual dynamics of integrated Chrisitan lives. God’s intent is that we Christians oscillate through the spiritual relationships of our life in abundant living, but our tendency is to live more narrowing, at times focused on spiritual realities, at times focused internally on the life and activities of the church, and sometimes focused externally. When these three dynamics are combined, they empower one another and bring us into abundant, fulfilling, lives of integrity and healthy relationships.