Aes Alienum

I was just reading “Walden,” by Henry David Thoreau and there was a paragraph that  struck home with me. Thoreau talked about how the world's possessions and our pursuit of materialism takes control of our lives so that we end up serving the pursuit of riches and lose sight of our purpose.  “For my sight has been whetted by experience; always on the limits, trying to get into business and trying to get out of debt, a very ancient slough, called by the Latins, aes alienum, or another’s brass, for some of their coins were made of brass; still living and dying by another man’s brass, always promising to pay, tomorrow, and dying today, insolvent….”

I couldn’t help but think of the man who was tearing down his barns to build bigger barns. He lived “aes alienum” or in pursuit of another’s brass.  The mark of covetousness is when our possessions and desires take precedent over our love and service to God, the kingdom, and our fellow man.  It is a form of slavery, but a subtle form to a master who robs us of the riches of the kingdom in servitude to filthy lucre. Satan is shrewd in providing us justifications for our pursuit of success, wealth, fame or another’s brass, but the end is always the same, we serve the masters of this world and neglect our true calling. It was in this context that the famous phrase we have all heard was penned, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

When we trade the riches of Kingdom for the tares of the world we willingly surrender the freedom in Christ, to the bondage of a temporal and perishable world. Our life’s efforts are spent on pursuing the fool’s gold that moth and dust corrupts and that thieves break in and steal.

All of creation is a reminder to focus on those things that are “true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and praiseworthy” (Phil. 4:8).  It is through our surrender and devotion to Christ that we understand that this corruptible body will put on incorruption and our mortal journey will transform us into the eternal, immortal presence of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Limitless Resources

I started mapping out my goals and objectives for 2012 and like most years they are pretty ambitious. My list probably looks like most people's with a few minor exceptions. I have financial goals, health and fitness goals and spiritual goals. There are specific things I want to accomplish and places I want to go, but all in all it probably mimics many of your lists.

Over the years I have had some great successes and miserable failures when it comes to this goal-setting thing. My current weight indicates that excercise did not top my list of successes last year, but my retirement account shows that at 52 I am finally taking my golden years seriously. This year I decided I want to take a very different approach to achievement - it is based on a blessings philosophy. When I do my goal setting each year, one thing I do is list resources available to help me meet my goals. As I was going through my list of resources (also known as blessings), it really sank in how truly blessed I am.

In the past, next to my list of resources I would make a list of additional resources that I would need to achieve my goals. That is where I plan to experiment this year. When it really registered just how blessed I am, I decided to "work from my abundance." In other words I am going to see how much I can accomplish with what is already in my hands. I am going to try to avoid buying that hot new app, or the electronic gizmo that has caught my fancy. I really want to learn how to differeniate wants and needs. For example in the area of exercise. I have been looking at purchasing some free-weights to work out in the garage. I already have a treadmill, dumbells and the local recreation center. I haven't used those resources very well to date, adding resources won't do anything until I demonstrate the ability to use what I have effectively.

In 2011 I took over a foundation that was struggling. We didn't have much in available funds or resources, but we did have a rich history and a worthy work going on in Africa. I had no choice but to begin to rebuild the organization with limited resources. God blessed African Christian Schools last year in ways I couldn't imagine. While our resources were limited, God's were not. So this year I plan to approach my own life that way. Be thankful I am blessed with so much - now to use what God has already put in my hand to achieve great things in 2012.

From a certain point of view

Many of us remember that famous line in the Star Wars Trilogy where Obi Wan Kenobi is justifying lying to Luke about his father and says, "So what I told you was true, from a certain point of view." I think must of us felt a slight tinge of conscience and had a shy smile because Obi Wan's actions were not far from our own.

I recently watched the movie Vantage Point. The movie is not on my top ten list, but it offers an interesting perspective, or multiple perspectives on the key events in the film. It reminds us that at any given time we may be missing valuable pieces of information that can have a significant impact on the truth. That particular truth scares me. I am weak, fallable and at times just plain lazy. When it comes to the everyday mundane aspects of life being 60% accurate, or 75% accurate is probably alright, but we all know instances where miscalculations have cost people there lives (misjudging an amber light at the intersection, or the strength of the tide at the beach).

What about our spiritual lives? Is someone's opinion on a matter sufficient for how I live my life? Can I afford to entrust my eternal well-being on the scholarship (or lack of scholarship) of someone else? I was reminded recently that we all have different opinions on certain topics. Some of those opinions are studied and well-researched, others are the result of emotion, or people just "shooting from the hip." It really doesn't matter whether someone else's approach to eternal matters is well-studied or not, what matters is how I arrive at truth.

When the day comes that I finally dance off this celestial globe and step onto eternity's shore, God isn't going to ask me what the priest or pastor thought I should be doing. He isn't going to care what the teacher had to say in my Bible class - ultimately I am going to be asked what I did with the information and instructions he left for ME.

Maybe I am just a little too bold, or too arrogant, but I think in most cases I can figure things out for myself. The Bible isn't all that difficult to understand if we read it in context and with an open heart and mind. We tend to get weighted down in the small details and miss the big picture. What are we doing about the love of Christ, the sacrifice for our sins, and our responsibilities to our fellow man? We can spend hours debating Paul's thorn in the flesh, or hours serving our fellow man?

Do yourself a favor today. Read something out of the Bible and find some positive application in your own life. That will do more to make you the man or woman you want to be than all the opinions in the world - of course that is just my point of view.

Judges 2

Driven from the fold

This may be one of the more controversial and challenging blogs I have written in a long time. Most people who know me would probably use the term "mainstream" if they were trying to pigeon hole me into some segment of the religious world. I am not particularlly fond of labels and with each passing year there is but one standard I want to be measured by - whether my beliefs are Biblical.

I have had a lot of interactions through the years with people who have "left the church." Some abandon organized religion all-together, others leave simply seeking to conform their faith to their lifestyle (rather than conforming their life to the image of Christ, Rom. 12:1, 2). Sadly, however there is some truth in those who feel they were "driven from the fold," by some well-meaning brother or sister who choose to impose their own set of laws and regulations on a weaker brother.

Now if your dander is starting to stand up on your neck, or you are questioning my "mainstream" theology; let me offer this disclaimer (and I so hate having to do this, but there are those who will attribute to me some agenda other than desiring that Christians help one another get to heaven):

• First, I am not talking about people who leave because they don't want to listen to sound doctrine.
• Second, I do believe that people still have a personal responsibility to God, even if their brethren don't behave properly towards them.
• Finally, those who would cause there brother to stumble need to examine themselves just as thoroughly as they examine the lives of their errant brothers and sisters they are so quick to correct.

All that being said, I am just bone-tired of people who seem to think their bible-knowledge, or righteous indignation gives them liberty to speak to others, or about others in a harsh, derogatory or detrimental way. Being RIGHT is not a license for being rude. Knowing TRUTH does not give us permission to wield our sword of faith with undiscerning vigor. There are Bible warnings to the faithful on how to deal with those around us:

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge of eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idolds. And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for who Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ" (I Cor. 8:9-12)

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgressions, you who are spiritual should restore them in a spirt of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Gal. 6:1, 2)

The burden in both of these passages is on the "stronger" to set the example, exercise the proper Christian grace, and to even keep watch on themselves. In 30 years of ministry I have had to clean up a lot of messes that were caused simply because someone who wears the name of Christ did not have the discernment or good sense to conduct themselves in a loving, godly manner. If we truly count ourselves to be "stronger" then let's act like it.

Wake Up its almost 2012

This morning I had the opportunity to get away and visit a sister church in the area. It turned out to be an interesting Sunday to be a visitor - the congregation had a "State of the Church" message. What I thought would be a boring report, was actually an enlightening revelation. Here are a few things I took from this morning's worship:

1. There is something special that happens when a church looks honestly at its successes and failures and then shares those insights openly. I learned more in 45 minutes about this church than you can often gain from sitting in a pew for months. Not only did they share their victories, the oustanding mission work they are doing and the community outreach, but they talked plainly about their struggle with small groups, getting people to volunteer and the low numbers of folks actively serving.

The successes were offered in a meek and humble fashion and their failures where not critical or indictments of anyone, just an honest assesment with a prayer that they might better serve in 2012.

2. I was struck by the use of Revelation 3:1, 2 - "you have a reputation that you are alive, but you are dead." A stunning indictment of the church at Sardis, but this congregation had the courage to ask the tough question, "are we living off our reputation, of the good we have done in the past, or are we continuing to labor to be a leaven and salt in our community." I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Awake, O Sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine in you." (Eph. 5:14).

3. Finally, the leadership spelled out their vision and goals for 2012. Outreach, lost souls, making a difference in the community. This was a church that was looking forward and outward, not inward. They realized that the Lord's work is never done.

Judges - Intro

Our Daily Bread

When Jesus was giving instruction on prayer, one of the phrases I believe we take for granted is "Give us today our daily bread" (Matthew 6:12). For many years I considered this a figure of speech until I began to work in countries where families didn't just pray for their daily bread, they begged for it.

I am more and more convinced that we have taken the really challenging teachings of Jesus and watered them down so we won't feel bad in our bloated western culture. We have so much food in our house that we have a special pantry in our garage to handle the overflow. At least we were honest enough to give it an appropriate acronym - the PIG (Pantry In the Garage).

This past week I was reading the story of the Exodus when a stunning, yet simple realization came over me. God's people, a nation of three to five million were dependent upon God on a daily basis. Listen to what the text says in Exodus 16, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather the other days" (v. 4, 5).

God was going to test his people to see if they trusted Him to provide for them daily. Those who trusted always found there was sufficient food. Those who lacked faith had their bread filled with maggots and had to deal with the stench of disobedience.

The lesson for the Israelites should not be lost on us. God still demands that we walk daily by faith and that includes our material posessions. Look forward a few verses in Matthew 6 and consider what Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (vs. 19-21). Do you really think it is a coincidence that Jesus teachings are similar to those of God in the wilderness? Store up treasures for yourself here on earth and they too will will suffer corruption.

Give us this day, our daily bread - a figure of speech?  I think not! It is time for each of us to return to a daily dependence on God.

For my children . . .

What  would you sacrifice for your children? I have been guilty of the same platitudes that we all engage in at times (i.e. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for my children). I know I have said that more than once, but sadly, the truth is that I haven't always lived it. If I truly would do anything for the good of my children, I would have:

•  been a better example to them in life and conduct.
• I would have set higher standards for them to live by.
• I would have set aside my own interests if I knew it was for their good.
• I would have been more careful about thier friendships and the influences I allowed in tieir lives.

What is the old saying, "Hindsight is 20-20." It sure would be nice at times to go back knowing what I know today. I remember an older lady who took me aside when I was a new father and gave me some really good advice about raising children, just two or three simple instructions that guided a lot of my philosophy through the years. At times other more mature individuals added to those teachings and in almost every case it was good advice (mostly because they were lessons they learned by experience).

We all would change things if we had the opportunity to go back in time, but if I had one thing to change and one thing only it would be this - I would seek the counsel of those who had raised faithful, dedicated Christian children. Experience is a great teacher, but who says we have to learn from our own experiences (or even our own mistakes). I often plead with my children to learn from my mistakes, don't repeat them.

So to parents everywhere, especially those of you who truly love your children - seek the counsel of older, wiser and more experienced Christian parents. They have so much to offer and most of them are simply waiting to be asked.

When prayer falters and doubts ensue . . .

Most of you who read my blog know that I am an optimist - sometimes even to the point of being irritating. Most days I can overcome any obstacle thrown in my path, or put a positive spin on a lousy day. I am convinced that working in regions of the world where there is hunger, want and extreme poverty has a lot to do with being thankful for even the simplest things.

All that being said, where does the optimist go when he is having a really bad day? How do I muddle through when my prayer life feels weak and doubts are swirling all around? For most of my life this is pretty unfamiliar territory. That makes it that much harder when I have those moments of extreme weakness and doubt. I really don't exercise those spiritual muscles very often.

I share these thoughts with the world because I know I am not the only one who has these struggles. I learned a number of years ago that transparency not only brings about personal healing, but it encourages others to fight on. I am weak, sinful, and sometimes just a walking contradiction looking for some clarity.

So here I sit asking God for answers to some really hard questions in life and wondering what answers will come - if any (told you I had some doubts). He must really get tired of all those WHY questions we ask. Why is this happening to me? Why is life so unfair? Why don't you do something with this crazy mixed up world we live in?

There are no answers in tonight's blog. No placebo's to get you through a trying day. No five point plan to a successful life. Just a fellow pilgrim on a long and winding journey wondering what tomorrow will bring.