Morning

 

Morning 

The start of a new day is full of promise 

What can be accomplished 

Who can I meet

Where can I go

When will true happiness be realized 

Why am I here

The day is spent in routine 

Doing the usual things 

With the usual people 

In the familiar places 

At the required times

For the same reasons 

This is not inherently bad 

Unless there is nothing gained 

No one impacted

No ground taken

Time spent with no return 

Living in a fog

All it takes is a decision 

To seek out your goals

With people who will motivate 

In places where you are celebrated 

For as long as it takes 

To fulfill your purpose 

The end of the day brings reflection 

Did anything get accomplished 

Was anyone affected 

Any terrain traversed

Time invested

Which brought me closer to THE reason 

Rest is needed instead of regret 

Because there’s still a what 

Many more whos 

Places unexplored 

By grace, more time 

But the same reason 

So sleep, dream, ponder, imagine 

Tomorrow could be the day …

God Ready to Pardon

 The latest installment in my writing project, The Names of God II

God Ready to Pardon

… but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. Nehemiah 9:17b (KJV)

I’ve never been incarcerated. I cannot imagine what being imprisoned against your will would feel like. Once found guilty and a sentence pronounced over you, the only hope you have for a reprieve from the punishment meted out to you is to be pardoned or paroled.

In the United States and other western nations, we have a system of laws which govern the lives of its citizens. It is designed to maintain a civil society and protect that society from harm. When someone violates a statute they face the possibility of arrest, and if found guilty of the offense, placed in jail or prison for a prescribed amount of time, known as a sentence. The length of punishment is stated in the law and is up to the discretion of the judge and/or jury. This time varies by the severity of the offense. Some carry the ultimate penalty of death.

In the U.S., the Chief Executive Office, the President, has the ability to pardon anyone. Once pardoned, it is as though the individual had never committed the crime. The record is expunged; completely removed from the books.

God chose to implement a set of laws, the Old Testament, in order to show mankind that they could not live up to the standard required for fellowship with Him. This Law only had one punishment – death. It hardly seems amicable; especially since He knew mankind would not be able to keep the Law.

Because God is holy, you cannot enter His presence and live if you are in any way unholy. However, God invites us into His presence, so there must be a way for us to be holy, even though we are born with a sin nature and cannot live a holy life on our own. In the Law, God gave a remedy for sin. He created the practice of sacrifice where one could atone for their violation of any Law. Atone. It simply removed the penalty but did not acquit the offender.

This all changed under the New Testament. God put in motion a plan of redemption when He sent Jesus to become the ultimate sacrifice to pay the price for the ultimate penalty. He exchanged the life of the Son so that mankind could become the sons and daughters which God wanted in the first place. Now, through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be pardoned, not just forgiven!

This name for God, “God Ready to Pardon”, gives all of us hope, and speaks to the very nature and character of God. You do not have to earn this pardon. You cannot earn it. You do not have to pay an extreme price. You cannot afford it. You only have to accept the provision made for you when Jesus placed His own blood on the Mercy Seat when the price for sin was paid once for all. When we become identified with Christ our sin debt is cancelled and any record of it is expunged – as far as the east is from the west – and it is remembered no more.

The image many have of God is one of exacting justice on anyone found guilty of an offense. They envision Him waiting to squish them like a bug under His thumb. This causes fear to run from God. If we can only see Him for who He really is. God is waiting, but not to exact punishment. Instead, He is waiting, even calling out to us to receive the pardon He wants to give, so that we can approach Him and be restored to fellowship as friend to friend.

What a complete difference this can make in our lives, to know fully the One who knows us best. In Him, there is nothing hidden, nothing held back, and nothing else needed. Receive the “Pardon”, who is Jesus Christ, and begin to live the life for which you were created; one free of guilt, shame, and obligation. Instead, live a life of joy, peace, and wonder as you revel in the presence of the Creator. It will make all the difference.

Anticipation

 

Anticipation is a powerful force. It is motivating. It is life-giving. It keeps us moving forward. I read a study years ago about the emotional well-being of nursing home patients. It was very revealing. It focused on patients who had regular visitors. One group had visitors that would come regularly, but at random times. There was no schedule associated with the visits. The guests would simply pop in whenever they had time. The other group had regular visitors, but they kept to a schedule.

The study revealed the members of the second group had a better disposition than those in the first, even though both had visitors. The anticipation in the second group kept them in a better place emotionally because they had something to look forward to. “My son is coming tomorrow!” “My grandchildren will be here Saturday!” It gave more meaning to their day because of what they knew was coming.

Another story I heard was about a young boy who became very sick. The attending doctors were very concerned; death was a strong possibility. The boy’s teacher came to see him, and even brought the assignments they were doing in class.

The boy started on the assignments, even though he did not feel well, he stayed with the assignments, completing each one. His condition eventually improved. Upon being discharged, some asked, “Were you worried about dying?” He said, “I never knew I was dying. I assumed since my teacher brought my homework to me, I must be going to make it.”

What are you anticipating? Are you expecting good things? Are you looking for opportunities, or are you focused on the problems? See, worry is simply anticipation of the negative. Both will affect your mental state; one for good, one for bad.

Learn to look for something to live for instead of worrying about all the things trying to kill you. Go for a walk. Take a drive. Visit a friend. Clean out a closet. Buy a new shirt or blouse. Write a letter to yourself or someone else. Find a way to encourage another, and you will, by default, be encouraged. I hope today is one of your best days ever. It can be!

Choices

 

Each day we have an opportunity. We can live or we can exist. The choice is up to you. To simply exist doesn’t take much effort at all. Even without eating, your body could still function for many days before finally giving out. Existing and eating delays the inevitable, but nothing else is accomplished.

A choice is the only difference between living and existing. When you choose to live, you realize there are things which can be done that can enrich your life, or the life of others. To truly live, try doing both. These things can be as simple as a walk in the park or a trip to the gym. They can be as complex as conceiving a child or launching a business.

To impacting others can be simple or complex. Sending a card, making a phone call, providing a meal, or simply stopping by to see someone can be all that is needed to change a life. More complex things might be caring for a shut-in’s lawn, paying off a debt, or organizing a rally to do either of these.

Never let resources be an excuse for not living. Existing still costs money, but you get very little for your investment. Choose, instead, to invest in yourself and/or others and see the difference a choice can make.

Faith and Doubt

 

I’ve encountered a theology built on the need for doubt in order to grow faith. It is an interesting concept; one with which my conservative-trained mind had a very difficult time. I am not yet convinced of the validity of the whole “Four Stages of Spiritual Development” concept, but I find aspects of it rather intriguing.

Many years ago, I heard this statement: “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear.” Consider what Jesus said in Mark 4:40; “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Doubt is not the enemy of faith. Faith is the enemy of fear.

Let’s take a look at the scientific process. 

1. Make an observation.

2. Ask a question.

3. Form a hypothesis, or testable explanation.

4. Make a prediction based on the hypothesis.

5. Test the prediction.

6. Iterate: use the results to make new hypotheses or predictions.

This has led to numerous advances in medicine, engineering, business; literally every aspect of human existence. Someone evaluates the current status of any area of interests. They research the existing “faith” in the knowledge currently available, dream about possibilities which may exist beyond that faith, and begin to “doubt” its validity.

This process is used every day in most every aspect of fabric of society, with one major exception: religion. There is no room in a community of faith for doubt. Those who guard the sacred tenets instill fear in those who would even dare question the faith. I do not believe that is what Jesus came to give mankind. His purpose was to draw men back to the Father. What has happened to His message since then is disheartening. In the exact same way the religious leaders in the four hundred years preceding Jesus Christ, many of the current religious leaders have built systems of laws (we now call them tenets, but it’s the same thing) to protect their institutions; to insure the continued existence and influence over humanity.

Jesus came saying things like, “Up until now you thought it was this way, but it’s actually another way.” He called on them to doubt their current beliefs in order to make room for a new set of truth. He didn’t instill fear by threatening them if they did not conform, but invited to drink and eat of Himself so that they might have life, and that life, more abundantly.

You don’t have to destroy faith in order to introduce doubt. They can actually coexist. The disciples even made the request of Jesus by saying, “We believe. Help our unbelief.” In other words, we have faith, but help us where we have doubt. Faith and doubt existing hand in hand.

It is sad that the one place where we should be able to express our doubts or questions regarding elements of the Christian faith should be in the church (little c). In my experience, if you show any sign of anything less than enthusiastic support for the tenets of the local body or denomination, you are immediately viewed as an infidel, and are encouraged to “get saved” because you must not have gotten it the first time.

The analogy of a growing child is employed by the writers of the New Testament. Speaking of being childlike in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but then growing up into a mature person. Humans allow children to have questions. They do not immediately cast a child out of the house if they show some kind of doubt about a closely-held belief of the family. Churches, however, do just that. How can someone truly grow up if they are not allowed to ask questions; yes, even hard questions that kick at the underpinning of our faith? If the foundation upon which we are attempting to build our lives is that fragile, maybe there is a need for questions.

I already hear the comments some of you are thinking. I’ve had the same ones. In a utopian world (even Christian) we have to leave room for doubt. Otherwise, we could end up with a faith built on presumption, or worse, falsehoods.

One of my favorite things to do during a conversation among people I know is to take an opposing view on whatever topic is being discussed. It can get ugly pretty quick until I assure them I’m only trying to provoke them to think about their responses instead of parroting some ideology they’ve been taught. We need to have conviction in what we believe, especially if we are attempting to convince others to join our movement. If we only have conversations with like-minded people we will never grow beyond where we find ourselves.

True spiritual maturity comes from doubt. Questioning our faith is not a sign of weakness, but an attempt to strengthen our foundation in what we believe. Finding faith in the beginning comes from the realization that there is something more than what I have experienced up to this point. In other words, you begin to doubt your current state. You either entertain new information you’ve heard, or you seek out new information to determine if your current understanding is valid.

Regret

 

Missed opportunities are filled with regret

What could have been looms large

Anticipation left unfulfilled

To give yourself over to the regret

Can cause you to miss out on what is now

Look around before something else is lost

Don’t stop living because of what might have been

Reset your sights on the next encounter

Take advantage of every moment

What was not fulfilled today

Can become the realities of tomorrow

Where regret has no place

Sacred Space

 

I heard a phrase recently that has captured my attention. As someone was praying for another, desiring strongly to involve themselves in their life, the Lord prompted them to refrain from intervening. As she observed the scene in her mind, showing the other person interacting with Jesus, she realized her presence there would not be productive. Jesus was all that was needed in this moment.

The phrase “sacred space” was used to describe the interaction between the other person and Jesus. I believe every person has this place in their life. Each of us has a way of encountering God on a personal level. Some have discovered this, and it brings great joy and contentment to their life. Others have yet to find a way to tap into a relationship with God. He is gently calling out to them, hoping they will eventually answer Him. God is always the initiator. He is seeking after us long before we even know He is real. It’s part of His character.

In the beginning, Genesis, God walked with Adam in the cool of the day. This was a time where God and Adam communed. It was a sacred space. Abraham was shown “the place” where he offered the promised son as a sacrifice to God. When the angel intervened, it became a sacred space to Abraham. Moses encountered the burning bush. He was instructed, “Take your shoes off; this is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5) It was the place where Moses encountered God; a sacred space.

Look at what occurred when God and Moses met on the mountain after Israel left Egypt. One of the main things communicated on Sinai was the instructions on building the Tabernacle. (Exodus 25) This would be a place where God would meet with man. The very Spirit of God would inhabit a portion of this tent and in “that place” there would be communion. It was called the Holy of Holies. In the context of the Old Testament, only the High Priest could enter this “sacred space”.

Sacred means, “Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.” Veneration means, “great respect; reverence.” I believe this describes perfectly the Holy of Holies. It is in this most revered place where forgiveness was obtained for Israel. The blood of the sacrifice was placed on the Mercy Seat to atone for the sins of the people.

When David became king, he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 6) Instead of returning it to the Tabernacle of Moses, he built a new “tent of meeting”; one without a curtain separating man from the presence of God. David developed an army of worshippers to offer worship before God’s presence 24/7. He knew the heart of God long before the Messiah was ever introduced.

Later, God gave David the plans for the temple. It was patterned after the Tabernacle of Moses, where the Ark of the Covenant would once again be placed in the Holy of Holies behind the curtain, where only the High Priest would enter.

Fast forward a bit to the day Jesus was crucified. It’s recorded in the gospels that when Jesus died the curtain concealing the Holy of Holies was torn in two, from top to bottom. Symbolically, God was opening this sacred space to everyone. It was no longer reserved for the High Priest, but through a relationship with Jesus we could, each one of us, have communion directly with God Himself. It moved from corporate to personal.

I now understand how important it is to respect and honor that place which others have with God. There is no room for anyone in that sacred space except for the individual and God. And that is enough. When a parent, spouse, minister, or friend attempts to enter that place to speak to God in lieu of the individual they are invading a place of reverence where their presence is not needed. God is well able to handle any interaction which needs to occur there. An even more egregious error would be for anyone to enter that space and speak for God. It is presumptuous at best, and blasphemous at worst. That place is reserved for God and God alone.

Some forms of religion still maintain a go-between where humans must rely on a spiritual advocate to communicate with God. While this seems “helpful”, it is, in reality, very detrimental. I heard a song which stated, “God ain’t never had a grandchild, only a child will do.” The meaning is that each person is directly related to God. There is no need for an advocate for us to commune with Him. It is even more than that. There is no one who can answer for anyone else. We are each responsible to God. The only advocate we need is Jesus, who said, “He ever lives to intercede for us.”

Should we pray for others? Yes! Jesus did this very thing. He told Peter, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:32 ESV) He did not step in and speak to God for Peter. He prayed that Peter would be able to believe in God for himself. This should be the focus of the religious community; to help others discover their sacred space. We are born with a desire and ability to commune with God. It’s called grace. Life sometimes causes us to lose this built-in acknowledgment of God. We lose clarity on who God is: His character, His nature. But God is the One who draws us to himself. No one can approach God for us, but we can provide encouragement by sharing the truth about God and helping others discover Him in their sacred space.

Some have found a way to live life from their sacred space. People like Brother Lawrence, author of The Practice of the Presence, developed habits to keep his mind in the sacred place, being aware that everything we do should be done as worship to God. Most of us can only dwell in our sacred place during times of contemplation as we think on the goodness of God, and our complete dependence on Him. Regardless of how often, we need to develop patterns of communion with God. Paul encourages us to have times of communion “often”, implying it should be frequent. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Above all else, find a way to keep the lines of communication open with God. Do not allow anything or anyone to encroach upon this sacred space. God is always there. Make sure you are as well.