7-19-2015 Chaos or Commission?

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”                                        Matthew 28:16-20

Lord, I was struck recently with a metaphor as a group of us assisted an elderly lady in moving apartments. When I arrived on site, there was complete chaos in the room: People moving about; boxes and items piled and scattered throughout her domicile; some were leading and others following in many different directions at once.

In the middle of the congested space stood the matron, looking confused, a bit disoriented and at the same time amazed by all the activity passing her by. “I wish there was something I could do,” I heard her one time exclaim.

        I tried to speak some words of comfort to her, but that is when the picture hit me: Are we not all standing in the middle of our personal room; watching the world fly by us; asking, what am I to do?

I think of my country, one blessed in amazing ways. I’m given freedoms and welfare far beyond the understanding of most of the world’s population. Suddenly my way of life is under scrutiny, even attack. I am told I must change. I find myself looking confused, a bit disoriented and at the same time amazed by all the activity passing me by. “I wish there was something I could do,” I hear myself say.

I think of Your church, Jesus. We are so comfortable in our private space that we call, Sanctuary. Suddenly the world is changing quickly around us, but we have been too introspective to notice or care. Now we are commanded by You to move (Matthew 28:19-20) and we have no idea what we are to do in order to obey.

And I wonder if it is not just that I don’t know what to do. I’m as concerned that I may do something which will obstruct Your plan; I might even do something I’m not supposed to and therefore I freeze in fear and doubt. Perhaps Matthew 28:17 is more relevant to me than I care to admit.

 Lord, I want so much to move, but not by my own desire or fears. I realize now that I want to be moved by You. To do that, I need to know how to hear You, how to follow Your called-out directions. I need to study fully and pray over the riches of the commandments and teachings I have already been given in the treasure chest I know as Scripture. Understanding does not come simply from spontaneous desire, nor should action be a blind response of despair.

The presence of Your Spirit is demonstrated not in the chaos now closing in, but in Your commission, encouraging us to break through. The answer to the question, “What am I to do?” is the same as it has always been. You remind me that it is my response to your command that is more important.

Master, I ask for myself, for my homeland and for my spiritual family, that You give us fresh Spiritual inspiration. Help us hear Your Word and continue to teach us how to respond to You, not with a wish, but with  prayerful action; a reborn-church response to Your call of service. And as always, I pray: Father, Your will be done. Jesus, come quickly. Holy Spirit, strengthen us.

What to do? There is no doubt: Believe and obey; and teach others by Your example within me, to do the same.

Shalom,

Mark C.

5-9-2015 MisDirection

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.       Hebrews 11:13-16                                 

I used to think that we of the human race were all just traveling the same path—moving closer and closer to enlightenment and an improved relationship with You, Lord God. I had it in my mind that there were those of us who somehow came to a quicker realization than others; of Your Supremacy—that You deserve total worship. At that time I believed, or at least hoped that in the long run, we were all spiritually aware and behaviorally destined to seek You out.

Now, for certain, I’m convinced Lord, I was wrong in a big way. I was at a gathering recently where You provided circumstances (it had to be You Lord―it was so obvious) which demonstrated the two distinctive human mindsets I’ve come to realize exist.

At said meeting, one segment in this meeting was determined to identify and understand Your character. Regardless of whether they were accurate in their assessments or truly obedient to Your Truth, they were turned toward You.

The other segment at the table was comprised of those bent on extracting You from their universe equation. To them light and dark were simply elements of an accident that was created by accident. Not only were they not turned toward You, they were content with any or all directions. There was no purpose in their pursuit other than to suit the purpose of their moment by any means, embracing any trendy idea.

So I have come to realize, by the eyes and ears You have given me to use, that it is not simply a matter of strong or weak belief; even of belief or unbelief. It is a choice of direction or misdirection.

Ironic, isn’t it? This very discussion introduces a necessity to prove or disprove faith in the unseen. Amazing, Master. Once upon a time I counted myself in that second—unbelieving—camp. Because I valued my perceived freedom from You so much, I invented a world without You and it became my god. Even in midst of my denial existed the model for my healing.

And I who was compelled to disprove You, could not Even as I wanted to dismiss You, I first had to test the entirety of Your commandments. Once applied completely, followed explicitly, experienced entirely; only then could I seek flaws: To follow that course, of course, I had to first commit my faith in You!

How can one then disprove the already proven?

Even in the time of my lost condition, You had created (not by accident, but for purpose!) a plan for the fullness of time, for me and for all mankind, even for those who still invent fictional alternatives. You, not we, created the rules by which You rule. You sent Your son to love us all.

As it was for Your people Israel, it is for us now; the rules and the Rule Maker have not changed. Now it is my individual misdirection and focus which must change; from none, to One.

Adonai, Ruler of all, help us all to turn and to see. Teach us how to be Your obedient servants. As Your prayer beckons; lead us not into the temptation of false gods―errant misdirected worship―and free us from that which would replace or imply that You are not.

You have been, You are, You will always be my God.

Mark C.

4-5-2015 Resurrection Sunday — Have to Ask.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.             1 Peter 2:4-5

Lord, I watch the unfolding of history, in the land of your people Israel, in my own country and throughout the world. I see persecution and accusation. I hear people demanding that all others tolerate non-Biblical positions and accept lifestyles that You command not to tolerate. I see guns, attacks and legal action aimed at Your church with the insistence that we recant our “outrageous” convictions or suffer the consequences.

And I have to ask myself:

“What would inspire someone, in the face of severe rejection, ridicule punishment and death; to continue to proclaim Your word as Truth, Your Son as Lord, You as God above all?”

This day of all days; the day that speaks of resurrection after You endured all of the above indignities, should answer that question, should it not? But I realize as I stand before the empty tomb and marvel, that many refuse to even consider the question, refuse to ponder the need and potential of a risen Savior for mankind in the first place.

No wonder the increase of indignation towards Christians and Jews; mankind does not want to be saved from itself.

If the world is blind to its depravity, how can I testify of the amazing things You have done to redeem my broken and failed life? If society would throw a politically corrected cloak over my example; treating the miracle of my rebirth as an insult, how can Your light shine through me?  

As I am confronted and challenged because of my belief, I have to remember not to become the focus point, but to point to the focus. Instead of arguing in worldly terms, I hear You whispering, “Offer your life, instead of having it be taken from you.”

So, when others would accuse me of bigotry, arcane faith and intractable theology, You suggest that I have to ask them:

“What would inspire someone, in the face of severe rejection, ridicule punishment and death; to continue to proclaim God’s word as Truth, His Son as Lord, Him as God above all?”

He is Risen Indeed!

Mark C.

3-6-2015 Crossing Borderlines

And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.”                                                                 Mark 3:23-27

Lord,

The world is full of chatter about the plight, or the arrogance (depending on who I listen to) of the State of Israel. Some would have Your people wiped clean from the earth, while others champion the cause of Zionism. Ruler of the universe, You know where I stand on this issue. I am not reaching out for Your hand to walk with me in familiar territory. I come to ask You to lead me through the dark valley of a strange and uncomfortable place.

What disturbs me this day is the attitude of Your church. Those who should be most concerned about Your land and attacks on your people seem least concerned. It’s not just about Israel. But that beautiful place has again become the tinderbox for what I see going on in the Middle East, Eurasia, Africa…the world for that matter. Your people; Jew and Gentile alike, are being persecuted, tortured, harangued, slaughtered; and we have made it a political issue. Is this all about bureaucratic borders and ideology? Or is there something else going on that even Your bride is choosing to be blind to?

Rather than a worldly conflict (sad enough we remain docile about these abuses on that level), is this a spiritual conflict? If so, if the glaring escalation of this turmoil is a battle of choice between Your way and all other ways; then why are Your people not vocally, physically, spiritually joined together in it? Why are those who call themselves “Followers of YHWH” and “Followers of Christ” not crying out as one; demanding of governments and nations to not just verbally condemn, but to refuse such behavior rather than treat it as a religious freedom or social norm?

As important, why are we, Your people, not united in our outrage and our actions? Why do we tolerate this offence to Israel and to Your Church Body? Is such crucifixion still only a media spectacle to us, even when it involves actual members of our own worldwide community being decimated and eliminated? Are we so calloused that the cutting off of our own toe or finger (or more!) doesn't cause us to scream out and react?

In humility and considering these recent events, I come to You with a question and request, Adonai. Am I pointing fingers when I too am guilty by reason of inaction? How would You have me reach out to non-believers (inviting them by my example to worship You only) while also demonstrating intolerance toward worship of other ideologies. In other words, how in this world where all forms of strange behavior and beliefs are now “on the table, should I proclaim Your borderline in the sand?

One thing You have taught me already is not to demand of others that they must bow down to You. That is their choice and Your desire; not my duty and prerogative. I am not to be the decider of others fate or faith—no cutting off of head, burning or abusing by my hand. I am to be Your example of hope in a world of chaos.

Still, I sense more to the lesson Lord. Teach me, teach us all, not just how to stand with You, but how to move for You. Protect me from becoming corrupt in the process; such as those who claim other gods to be superior over You.

Show me how to cross over borderlines of politeness and correctness in order to become victors rather than victims. I pray it in your name Jesus,  

Amen

Mark C. 

2-1-2015 Clean Slate

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.                       

Hebrews 4:14-16

Perspective is such a challenging gift, Lord. If I look at things from my personal point of view, it’s very difficult to find hope for the future. If I view life through the prism of Your word, I cannot fail. Perspective can never be foreseen and yet is seldom appreciated when finally beheld. Let the following be a testimony to my appreciation:

Several months ago, I lost yet another job. The circumstances are unimportant; blame is at this point, irrelevant.  At the point of exit, I confess that I had to fight my normal impulses. I could easily have (because I’ve proven it in the past) withdrawn in self-pity or lashed out unpredictably, selfishly and blindly. It could have been all about my individual persecution; how I needed to fix things to protect my interests, my family, my way of life. It could have been all about the panic of a man way past “prime time” in the world of work, wandering without a prayer, for new opportunity.

You would have none of that, Lord. Others may scratch their heads when they hear it, but I heard You plainly, clearly—two simple words spoken to my simple mind.

“Trust, obey.”

And so began the comedy: Mark accepting a night job with a shipping company, loading boxes onto unheated trucks in the dead of winter; watching and listening, not for ways to escape, but for an opening to proclaim Your majesty. I made friends and quickly won a reputation for encouraging others and being a source of…it’s so funny…hope.

Meanwhile, hunting for other opportunities was, as always a question of questions: What is available for one such as me in this time of economic recession. What can I offer that others cannot? What can be done to avoid jumping from the proverbial frying pan (of a poorly matched work relationship) into the fire of misrepresented expectations?

“Trust, obey,” You reminded me.

Amazingly other positions became readily evident. I was surprised to find that I was in demand. Yes the pay scales were down, yes the work was different: but I began to see my options expanding; Your hope leading me.

Just when I was ready to choose, based on what I thought You were providing, You threw me a spiritual curve ball. A company I had not applied to contacted me based on my Merchant Services and sales background. Here’s the funniest part of the story, Lord: I tried to discourage their interest.

“I’m vested in my processing business. It’s not a fortune, but I will not sacrifice it to take a similar position.”

Their response: “We’re not asking you to sacrifice your sales residuals”

“I’m not interested in a sales job paying commissions only and I need benefits.”

            Their response: “We will give you what you want.”

As much as I tried to convince them of my “oddness”, the more they seemed to want a relationship. Finally I relented. Why not? All was above board. 

And that's when the fun began. Peering back at The Miracles Behind (one of my favorite images You have lent to me), I see Your presence was in all of this. There was nothing I could do wrong. All of the pieces came together and our working partnership has blossomed beyond mine and my new business partners’ wildest expectations.

I’ve been given another chance, a greater chance. Once more, my slate is wiped clean. This time I seem to have been given an upgrade to SLATE version 2.0. What do I do with this new blank page Lord? What does our walk together look like going forward?

Ha, I get it. The answer is within the question: To know the answer, I must choose to follow, not lead. And oh yes, in following, I must be ready at any moment to be once again corrected and reshaped. I don’t have any idea how long this new blessing will be sustained. I’ve learned not to care about such trivial things. What I do know is that I must continue to listen for your instruction, and when You command to Trust and Obey; whether I am or am not walking Your path well, I need to be ready for amazing things to happen, I need to be prepared for change and prepared to be changed.

In my reasoning, I go back in time to when the Israelites tried to take the lead; crafting a golden calf in an effort to give You a “new look”. When Moses discovered their attempt to redefine Your character, he broke Your instructional tablets in anger. You, in true form, rewrote the exact same commands. Pointing out Your unchanging ways, asking Your people to be ever changing, comparing ourselves to Your character, seeking ways to reflect Your beautiful plan for mankind. Patience has always been a struggle for me Lord. Forgive my belated recognition of Your patience for my benefit.

Now I see (though through my dimly reflective mirror) what Your plan has been from the onset. Whether I am in a great place as I am now, or whether I am in dire circumstances, I must be a light for others, shining not on my own circumstances, but pointing toward the only perfect solution; Trust in and Obedience to the King of the Kingdom.

Interesting, my new business partnership reminds me much of Your and my relationship – As much as I have tried to demonstrate to You, my “oddness”, the more You seem to want a relationship. You remind me through scripture and by Your own example and by the testimony of others, that Your plan is better. Whatever You have in store for me will have nothing to do with my desires, but Yours. Whatever Your desires are dwarf my puny vision. All You ask is that I be patient, trusting and obedient to the “wiping clean” of my clumsy attempts to re-write Your direction for me. Then, just as with all Your people have before me, I will better appreciate the road You have prepared for our journey together.

Lord, thank You for clean slates: For every reworked opportunity You provide; every trial and every reward used to teach me how to better Trust and Obey.

In Love and worship of You,

Mark C.

12-25-2014 I am sorry

To some Lord, the subject at hand may not seem connected to the season, but You are not a respecter of mankind’s timing and to those who don’t see the value in the message…I am sorry.

A confession: It is based on a longstanding personal struggle which has been socially encouraged and ignored for too long. Lord, you knew me from the womb and watched over me as a child. You saw how I chose to perceive my existence. I make no excuses and will not blame others for my choices. Even in the early years. I realize now what I ignored then… You were moving me toward different decisions than those I initially made.

As a younger Mark, smaller and insecure, one of the temptations I fell toward was to believe those around me when they said, “you are not as good as the rest of us.” The acceptance of this pronouncement from my peers led down a slippery slope. It began with the pebble of self-pity gaining momentum toward a new thought. As I tumbled through early life a concept began to nudge in my brain: One I know You placed there.  You whispered, “you are Mine and special because I made you that way.” 

But the world cleverly shouted, “If you really are special prove it. Fight back”.  I chose to listen to the louder thought, and so warped Your better message to fit my own desire. My world became one of rebellion and cleverness, maneuvering and playing odds toward getting what I wanted: Recognition and acceptance by those who would rather persecute me. To avoid the slights and ridicule, I had to somehow disguise my perceived inadequacies from others. The solution was so simple I didn’t even realize it was happening as it unfolded. All I had to do was become like the others.

Odd, I even remember when I began to look at that ugly life, trying to paint it more beautifully with my own brush. I saw individuals, their popularity, their possessions, their power and I considered, “I can have that too, I can be that, I can look like them.”

There is a word now, old fashioned as it sounds, that I didn’t know then. It defines well what I had become. It is a word that does not roll off the tongue easily and it takes a little grasping to comprehend. It is a word You spoke against from the very beginning of creation and probably the best of opposites in comparison to Your Word, Jesus. The anti-word is Covetousness. I had learned it well in my young life and it became my god.

Lord God, how in this world could You love someone, anyone, all-ones like me who decide they can be better by imitating or wanting to out-do those who are less than You?  I’m so very sorry I didn’t listen to Your Love offered then. The results are still with me, the aftermath of my selfishness still clings and the damage still affects the path I now walk.

Yet, You said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

How can it be? How can You forgive one like me who thought I knew the best way to live, disguising my true ego behind a mask I called “service”, “humanitarianism”, “altruism”? How could You love one who played the role of “the persecuted”, yet was perfectly willing to persecute others to get his way? How could You, knowing my nature, have planned a way to redeem me; I who would so casually and intentionally push You aside to obtain a better position?

Yet You continue to whisper to me and all others like me, ”If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

      "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

You love the one who would step over others to get what he wants? You ask me to love those who would do the same to me? You forgive those who would do this, even to You? It’s beyond my comprehension. It makes no sense. It takes all the faith I can muster to trust in it. I’m sorry Lord, I’m not capable of such great things…unless You live within me and show me how.

And so I confess:

Do I still covet/worship the trappings of the world? Yes, but You share with me things greater than my selfish desires.

Do I still persecute? No doubt, but You illuminate and help me to correct my ignorant actions.

Do I still pity my position in life? Sure, but You reveal the blessings of my life, teaching me the difference between temporary happiness and eternal joy.

I am sorry. If it were up to me, such things as love, peace and goodwill would be all and only about me. What great irony there is in a God who gave all His Love, Peace and Goodwill to an undeserving world; gave these to an undeserving man: that I might be pulled to my knees in confession that I might choose to worship t He who is the greater and better of all.

Thank You Master for Your great if of Grace and forgiving Love, born as least, resurrected as best.

Mark C.

11-27-2014 Be Perfect

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.

They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones.

They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"                       Psalm 83:1-4

O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.

As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,  so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane!

Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.

Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83:13-18

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.                    

Matt 5:43-48

Master, so much has happened since my last blog. I have experienced life with its great blessings and its curses. And I confess I’ve let these things preoccupy me to the point where I have not been as faithful to this record as I want to be. Forgive me.

You have taught me that the ups and downs of this life do not define me. How I endure passing events with You as my guide,  You who have known me since I was in the womb and who will know me beyond; You give me true shape and form.

But what does this have to do with persecution? Isn’t that the continued subject matter that You have put on my heart and that the world would distract me from? Interesting, that in a time such as this, I am experiencing a form of persecution that might cause me to walk in self-pity and self-concern…or, if I am true to You, should encourage me to continue in the direction of spiritual awareness. That path leads toward Your will for me, my family and those to whom I might witness. I choose the second walk. I know You will be with me on that journey. Then again, as You said through the prophet Jerimiah, walking with You will involve learning some very difficult (mighty) things. Am I prepared for that?

Case in point is my attitude toward those who would persecute me…otherwise known as my enemies. Lord, You have some very particular things to say about my enemies. I read Old Testament scripture and it seems that Your enemies take a beating. I read the New Testament and I’m told to love my enemies. Why the difference in treatment? Aren’t my enemies the same as Your enemies?

I know of some specific entities and individuals that I would like to see punished for the indignities I believe they have caused me and others. I think, by setting an example of them, Your kingdom would be well served and greatly improved.

I’m not alone in this sentiment. Even your servant David asked You to “clean house” on his behalf. Yet as I recall, You had to humble that man on a number of occasions to make sure he understood whose agenda was paramount.

            That’s the crux of this harsh lesson, isn’t it Lord? I have to be careful not to claim righteous indignation when pointing my finger at others. That’s Your job. My job is to reach out to those in need as Your hand and fee. I’m to let You hammer out the details regarding who deserves Your wrath. As for my enemies? My job description appears not to change.

            I’m not particularly pleased with this arrangement, Jesus. Yet, I realize that, though I and my fellow believers may be persecuted, there is work and witness to be done. I look at what You expected of Ananias when a well-known persecutor of believers showed up in his town. That perceived enemy of Yours, Saul, turned out to be one of Your greatest apostles. Would I have followed Ananias’ example and given comfort to someone responsible for the torture and death of my clan?

That’s why today I find myself humbled and thankful. Who might I have knowingly or unknowingly abused? What have I done that might stand in the way of Your plan?  Might I look like Your enemy to certain others? What unforgiveness lurks in my heart that You forgive regardless?

Guilty as charged Lord, but I ask for You to cleanse me, direct me, love me as You would have me love my enemies. Teach me. In spite of all my failings, please continue to work in me until I completely healed. Help me now to share that healing love; not tolerance, but true concern for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of those You call out to.

Lord, I’ll strive to let You, in Your perfect way, handle Your enemies (much as I’d like to help You with that). As You suggest in Matthew’s testimony, please help me, with my enemies, to be perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect.  

Thankfully,

Mark C.