PONDERING... (Family) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This is the last post in our discussion of topics that distract us from what God intends for our lives. This list was never meant to be all-inclusive, but only an overview. This final post reserves the right to be misunderstood. The writer encourages questions, comments, concerns, and pleas for mercy.

1. The Problem?: Family

Okay, so maybe calling family "a problem" goes a bit against the grain. In fact, as someone who considers family to be a God-ordained institution that could really be a "solution" to many of the problems we see facing the world today, it's hard for me to swallow my own words. Yet, for the sake of blog continuity, I used the same headings as in the previous posts.

Nonetheless, there is something to be said for placing even good things above Christ. Family is important to me. I love my parents and my brothers. I have the best wife and the most amazing children in the world! (My apologies to everyone who missed out :D.) I have incredible in-laws and a strong extended family. My family is great! BUT, my family is not God.

When you love your family, you worry about them. In fact, I don't think I was ever really nervous before I had kids. After seeing them struggle with sickness and wiping many tears, I am a lot more on edge about things. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this--in fact, family should be a central focus--when family becomes the central focus, we have once again misplaced our devotion. 

2. The Bible
The following verse is rough. It is hard to understand, and frequently misinterpreted. However, it is God's Word and speaks a powerful truth.

"26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. ... 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:26-27, 33 ESV

WHAT! Hate my family?! I thought I was suppose to honor my father and mother? Where did this come from? This must be a mistake. This can't be in the Bible. 

That is the usual reaction to these verses. They are jarring--and meant to be so. Jesus here is addressing a crowd. These statements were made in the context of letting them "know what they are getting themselves into", as well as admonishing them about the kingdom of God. It follows a parable about a great feast. Many were invited, but did not come because of earthly excuses--they had just made a financial investment, or had family issues to contend with. Therefore, the master of the banquet sent his servant to gather in the blind, the poor, the lame, and any who would come. Then he follows up with the aforementioned verses. 

Scholars agree, the idea here is one of contrast. Your love for God should be such that by comparison your love for even that which you cherish most in this world (i.e. family) should appear as hatred. This becomes even more clear when compared with Matthew's recording of a similar statement (see below).

"37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:37-38 ESV

Family is a gift from God, but should never become a hindrance to His service. Our love for Him should supersede all else.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

(This was written a few years ago, but somehow I never clicked "publish"... :D)

PONDERING... (Money) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This post will continue to address topics that distract us from what really matters. The writer acknowledges that this topic is HUGE, and his post is...small. He also would like to point out that he has no spare money...in case someone stumbled upon this post while searching "solve my money problem." For more information on the topic of money from a Biblical perspective check out these guys!

1. The Problem: Money

This one is fairly straight forward. We need it, and don't have it. Want want more, and cannot. We have it, and abuse it. Much of our capitalist culture (fear not--this is not an anti-capitalism tirade) is enslaved to money. Because of this, we worry. We worry about not having enough. We worry about what to do with what we have. Yet, the Bible is crystal clear on this point, and I will be brief.

2. The Bible

"24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Matthew 6:24 ESV

You cannot serve both. Period. You are either loving God and trusting in His provision or you are serving money and despising God. There is no middle ground. Money is not evil. God may bless you with much--use it. However, God may give you practically none--trust Him. At the end of the day, we all must ask: Am I seeking to honor God with my fiances or am I allowing my fiances to become my god. 

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

(This was written a few years ago, but somehow I never clicked "publish"... :D)

PONDERING... The Love that Waited and the Illness that Leads to Life. (The Resurrection of Lazarus Part 1:vs 1-6)

Disclaimer: This is a very famous passage of scripture, and will be addressed in several parts. However, I do not want to take for granted that everyone is familiar with how this passage ends. This is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. In the account, we learn that Jesus allowed this all to happen for a purpose. Lazarus died, and Jesus brought Him back...teaching us, and those who witnessed the event, much about Himself.

John 11:1-6  Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.  2  It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.  3  So the sisters sent to him, saying, "Lord, he whom you love is ill."  4  But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."  5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  6  So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Opening Thought:

 How do you know if someone loves you? Do they tell you? Are they just always there when you need them? Do they seem to know you better then anybody else? Or, is there just something about them that gives you a sense of security....a warm fuzzy :D? 

We could probably all make a bunch of lists with variants of..."I know someone loves me because they make me feel loved." Processes are different, but this will always be the end result.

What would likely not be on any of our lists would be: "I knew he/she loved me when they deliberately chose not to show up when I needed them most." 

On that note...

1. We know Jesus loved these people.

First, let's just get this out: Jesus loves everyone. That love, so powerful and undeserved, is in no way diminished by its universal quality. However, the love with which He loved this family was a special experience of His incarnation. They were His intimate friends while here on the earth. He cared for them; He enjoyed being with them. Now, it is easy to say Jesus loved these people, but unless there is a basis for the claim, it's just an empty claim. It's not. Here's a few things that point to the love He had (has) for them.

a- This is not the only mention of them in the Bible. Only John records this miracle. Likely, this is because (as we'll see later) the Jews were seeking to kill Lazarus and he was likely still living when the other gospels were penned (This has also been mentioned as the why Mary and Martha are not explicitly mentioned in all the gospels. They lived near Jerusalem--a dangerous place for followers of Christ). Nonetheless, the family is mentioned, in some way, by each writer--especially in regards to Mary's anointing of Jesus. Now, the name Mary is problematic in the Bible because there are several ladies that bear that name. Nonetheless, we see the following accounts of this family, at least: Mary Anoints Jesus: Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:1-8, Jesus at Mary and Martha's House: Luke 10:38-42, The Resurrection of Lazarus: John 11

b- Mary's anointing of Jesus was known. As Jesus prophesied (see Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9), people told the story of Mary's care for Jesus. This account was so well known, that John refers to Mary as the one "who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair" (vs 2) before he even recorded the account (John 12). This is remembered as a sign of deep love for Christ.

c-They don't give Lazarus' name. When they send for Christ, they call Lazarus the one whom you love.

d-Jesus is moved to tears. Though He knew that Lazarus' life was about to be restored (more on this later) He wept.

e-The Bible tells us. See vs 5 as one example.

2. Because of this love, He did not come.

That being established, we see something very strange in verse 6...the word SO. Now, as an English guy (and it's in the Greek too), I can't jump over a word like that. The word "so" can mean different things, but in this context it implies consequence. It is like saying: I am allergic to oxygen SO breathing is tough...or... A 6X6 post fell on my head, SO I have a concussion. 

So... (:D)  look at the passage.   5  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  6  So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

It is because of the love He has for them that He does not go immediately to help. This does not fit into our human perspective.

3. Why?

There are a few things we can see.

1. Waiting ensured that Lazarus would be veritably dead. If he'd only been dead a short time, it could have been have been argued that he'd never really died. Even if He had not delayed 2 days, Lazarus would have been dead 2 days when He arrived. However, from what I understand, there was a superstition that said a soul stayed around the body for up to the first 3 days. Jesus did not want this lie to make people miss His truth.

2. He used this to teach much about Himself (See next week's lesson).

3. It wasn't about them... it was for God's Glory. This is the key. Look at verse 4. 4  But when Jesus heard it he said, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." The same is true for us today.

Two points of application:

1. God's Time is Best! We want things now! Patience, though a virtue, is not something many of us possess....especially in our "on demand" culture. Yet, God doesn't work that way. He knows everything. He sees everything. Because He loves us, sometimes He will seemed to delay or deny what we think we need. This is always done in His plan and for His Glory.

2. This Illness does not Lead to Death! Though we won't necessarily experience an earthly resurrection like Lazarus, we will be resurrected to eternal life! 

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  18  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.-2 Corinthians 4:17-18

The Westminster confession says (paraphrase to follow) that the highest goal for man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. There is much truth in that statement. We are to love and serve God. Our life circumstances are to do no less. He has a purpose fueled by love (for He is love). Even when we encounter hardships that just don't make sense to us, we must never forget this!

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions!

PONDERING...(Pride) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This brief series of posts is addressing issues that commonly remove our focus from the meaning of life, and, as previously mentioned, reserves the right to more meaningfully impact the writer than the reader. All comments are welcome. However, irrelevant comments may be ignored. (I hope you are amused by my assumption that there will actually be readers of this post...and I am not just typing to myself).

1. The Problem: Pride

A lot of our worry comes from an unhealthy interest in self. Sure, we do worry about others. Yet, even our compassion can be tilted in a return direction. Consider frequent sources of concern: MY schoolwork, MY job, MY friends, MY family, MY health, MY popularity, MY acceptance, MY happiness, MY doubts, MY fears... feel free to continue. 

Ayn Rand, in her novella Anthem, made a statement that--rather we like to admit it or not--really embodies the Western ideal: 

"And now I see the face of god, and I raise this god over the earth, this god whom men have sought since men came into being, this god who will grant them joy and peace and pride. This god, this one word: "I.""(Rand)

The Bible, however, is pretty clear on this issue. In fact, pride (the worship of self) is the root of sin.

2. The Bible

Though we could look at a multitude of verses on this subject, I will only consider a few. Each touch on a similar truth--pride not only taints all human action, but it also leads only to despair and destruction. 

"2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2 ESV

This verse points out that pride leads to disgrace. Arrogance can only be maintain so far. There will always be someone faster, stronger, smarter, pretty, etc... Likewise, we are never perfectly fast, strong, smart, pretty, etc... Therefore, if we live self-confidently--devoted to our own infallibility--we will experience shame. This facade cannot be maintained; it will crumble. 

Likewise, the verse sets pride directly against Godly wisdom. To be proud is to reject wisdom.

"18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." - Proverbs 16:18 ESV

This verse is one of the best known in all of scripture. Unfortunately, it is more frequently ignored than quoted. Don't, however, let familiarity cause apathy. Destruction is a strong word.  Pride will destroy. Pride is the root of sin. Sin embraced is salvation rejected. Salvation rejected is Hell endured. Pride leads to Hell...period. It is grievous that we do not take this more seriously.

"3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." - Matthew 5:3-12 ESV

I love the Sermon on the Mount. Here Jesus famously begins with what have come to be known as the beatitudes--a fancy word that I did not understand even into my adult life that means "conditions of blessing or blessedness". These are descriptions of the Christian life. A Christian should reflect all, not some, of these statements. Now, consider these descriptions: poor in spirit (acknowledging spiritual need), mourning (displaying sorrow), meekness (gentle in nature), hungering and thirsting for righteous (desiring God), merciful (showing...mercy...forgiveness), pure in heart (untainted by the embracing of sin), peacemaking (spreading the heart of God), persecuted for another (living wholeheartedly for Christ). Here is a clear picture of humility. 

Pride has no place in His design--lest we, like Satan, exchange the worship of God for the worship of self. 

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

Work Cited

Rand, Ayn. "Part Eleven." Anthem. Page by Page Books, n.d. Web. 13 June 2014.

PONDERING... John 10:11-16

Disclaimer: This is an outline of our Youth Group lesson not the entire content.

The Good Shepherd...

1. Is more than just the nursery wall paper

Dick Lucas was quick to point this out in his teaching series on the Good Shepherd. Shepherds lead. Not only do we have the imagery of care and compassion, but to the Jews this was rich with kingly images...power, strength, provision.

2. Loves His sheep to death (vs 11-13)

This is the central point. It's the kind I'd typically close with, but this is where Jesus starts (and finishes...and clarifies all throughout). I'm following His lead. He is talking about His death. He, unlike the false leaders (Pharisees) truly cares for His sheep. Oh, the wonder of knowing 1-we are loved so completely and undeservedly, and 2- we are His.

3. Knows His sheep intimately (vs 14-15)

The Father and the Son are one. They know each other with an intimacy outside human experience. This is God's desire for us. We are known and are to know Jesus on this level. This side of Heaven, this will not be fully realized. Nonetheless, obviously it is understood that the sheep will have intimate relations with Christ on earth because it this knowledge (relationship) that keeps them from following wolves.

4. Calls His sheep effectively (and they follow Him) (vs 16)

Jesus calls. His sheep follow. Praise The Lord! This is the reason we are saved. We are sheep that were not of the Jewish flock. This is why we evangelize. He has sheep; we go to them and tell them the good news; He saves them.

Also note the implication here of the sheep following Him. This is not just the sheep coming into the sheep gate. This is the sheep living behind the Good Shepherd. We go where He goes. We do what He does. He is our life.

PONDERING...(Fear) Sources of Anxiety and The Meaning of Life

Disclaimer: This series of posts reserves the right to impact the writer more than the reader.

In a previous post, I touched on the meaning of life as explained in the Bible (God's Holy Word). In the posts to follow, I want to consider what the Bible says about a few things that distract us from this center, and draw us into anxiety. 

1. The Problem: Fear

In general, fear can be defined as anticipation of known or possible harm. There are many things that cause us to be afraid. From startling noises to job security, fear comes in various forms, and, if allowed, can consume our lives.

2. The Bible

"7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

This was said in the context of Timothy encountering spiritual trials. He is admonished not to cower or be afraid, but to live according to his calling and use his spiritual gifts. All Christians face fear. Living out your faith (this precious gift of God) will result in persecution (John 15:16-27 and 16:33). Nonetheless, we are to stand strong--not because we have power, love and self-control, but because the Holy Spirit, who abides within us, is power, love, and self-control!

"25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:25-33 ESV

I mentioned in a previous post that I think about this passages a lot. I do not bring them up again to be redundant, but because I need reminded of them daily. So much fear & anxiety comes just from not knowing what to do next. However, God clearly teaches us to seek His face and let Him take care of the details. Letting go is not as easy and immediately liberating as Princess Elsa would like us to believe. It can be terrifying. Yet, who is more capable of handling your life--limited you or sovereign God?

"26 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Matthew 10:26-31 ESV

This passage is addressing spiritual persecution that leads to fear for one's life. This would seem to be a circumstance worthy of fear. Truly, this is terrifying. The passage does not make light of that. Nevertheless, Jesus puts even this situation into perspective. Even losing your life is nothing compared to Hell. Death, to a Christian, is to be with God. It is not to be feared. In context, this passage also alludes to the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf.


Fear causes much anxiety. Nonetheless, consider the words of Christ to His disciples: "33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."" - John 16:33 NIV

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

PONDERING... Clouds and Fire

In Numbers 9:15-23, the Israelites followed God's movements directly. Now, the Israelites were not always perfect subjects of obedience. Here, however, we see a good example. Day and night... when He moved, they moved. When He stayed, they stayed. There wasn't room for the question, "Where will I go today?" It was all about, "Where will God lead us today?" We could learn a lot from this attitude.

Ponder, pray, and propagate your perceptions.

Upchurch

"15 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. 16 So it was always: the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. 18 At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. 21 And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. 23 At the command of the LORD they camped, and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, at the command of the LORD by Moses." - Numbers 9:15-23 ESV