Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

“U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time.” This recent headline came at the same time as Holy Week.  Christians around the world celebrated Easter yesterday and yet fewer and fewer Americans identify with the church. Gallup first measured this statistic in 1937. Church membership that year was at 73%. Over the course of the decades there was a slight drop but still maintaining a majority of the population, until 2010. We began to see a significant decline, resulting in this year’s dramatic drop to 47%.

I will not go into all the rationale given for the decline nor the obvious impact on society. As you well know, church membership doesn’t necessarily imply passionate followers of Jesus Christ. In some ways this number may actually represent a positive trend as the church rids itself of “in name only” Christians. The church is growing leaner but hopefully not meaner. Could it be that we are on the verge of a new awakening?

I mourn for those who have walked away from the church yet I am hopeful the day will come after the world has beaten them down, robbed them of hope and left them empty,  they will hear Jesus calling, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The message of Easter isn’t about a spectacular past event celebrated once a year nor is it about waiting to live a blissful life after death. “The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it.” (N. T. Wright)

The Resurrection was and is bodily, a transformed body. The transformed, resurrected body of Jesus brings life and hope to a fallen world.  The power of Easter must be put into effect to “transform at a macro level and to the intimate details of our daily lives.” In the midst of changing cultural norms, increased social divisions and rampant violent actions, it is only through the power of Easter that this world has hope. Easter as a once a year event gives us bunny rabbits and chocolate covered eggs, but it doesn’t transform lives, doesn’t impact nations, nor bring hope to those in need.

“Christian holiness consists not of trying as hard as we can to be good but of learning to live in the new world created by Easter, the new world we publicly entered in our baptism. There are many parts of the world we can’t do anything about except pray. But there is one part of the world, one part of physical reality, that we can do something about, and that is the creature each of us calls, “myself.” (N. T. Wright)

How do we live in the world created by Easter?

We live in the world with our focus upon “a new heaven and a new earth.” Rev 21:1

We live in the world different because God said, “I am the LORD your God…Be holy, for I am holy.” Lev 11:44

We live in the world in light of Matthew 4:17. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

We live in the world having let “the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.” Col 3:15

We live in the world for we “are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one In Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:26,28

“How do we live in the world created by Easter?” Our answer is pretty simple . . .  Jesus. This will be the only answer that will make a difference for those walking away from the church.

 

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Let us live life “without murmuring and arguing, so that we may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, that we may shine like stars in the world.” Philippians 1:15

  • Two Rochester teens, ages 14 and 16, who allegedly set man on fire in apartment now face murder charges.
  • State governor facing calls to resign after multiple sexual harassment claims
  • 21-year-old man takes responsibility for killing eight people in Atlanta.

A.W. Tozer asked a pertinent question a generation ago that is still relevant today Tozer wrote, “were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” We might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man. Were we able to know exactly what our most influential religious leaders think of God today, we might be able with some precision to foretell where the church will stand tomorrow.”

Jesus said in Matthew, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart comes evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.” (15:18-19)

The tragedy of the three bulleted headlines above could have been so different if each person would have asked themselves this simple, profound question “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” The results of their actions could have been life-giving instead of life-taking.

What comes to mind when we think about God is one of the most important questions we must answer. Our answer will determine the course of our spiritual life as well as our natural life. We can answer in the way of the world or we can offer an answer similar to Psalm 86:15, “But you, O LORD, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

We could answer like Peter in Luke 9:18 and respond, “The Messiah of God.” Or similarly to Paul in I Corinthians 1:18 “for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

What came to John’s mind when he thought about God in I John 4 was, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them.” (16) For James, “every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” James (1:17)

Satan’s accusation against Job was that Job’s only thoughts about God were related to what Job could get for himself. Satan challenges God when he says, “Have you not put a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” (Job 1: 10) Satan goes on to confront God saying that if He would only, “stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has,” then the reaction of Job thinking about God will be “he will curse you to your face.” (1:11) However, Job didn’t curse God because he had spent time over the years thinking about God.

What comes to mind when we think about God? The answer will come from what we have allowed to be planted in our hearts and souls. “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

“From the beginning, God’s desire was that we would exist in an everlasting relationship with him. Sin gets in the way of that relationship, especially laziness that sidelines praise and prayer. May we never be too busy for both.” (Brennan Manning)

How will you answer, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?”

Father, I confess my often-lazy attitude for life, prayer and praise, letting sin harbor thoughts that prevent fellowship with you. Restore again the joy of prayer and praise that will permeate every fiber of my heart, mind and soul for you.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

 

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“Thus says the LORD: Stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:16

Most of us, when driving on a country road, have pulled up to a crossroads only to find ourselves questioning whether we should turn left or right. Now imagine you are at a spiritual crossroads. If you “ask for the ancient paths” you will find yourself on God’s way and by taking this path, you go through both green pastures and dark valleys. However, on this path you are assured of God’s companionship on the journey. The other road might look attractive but you would travel without God’s presence on the journey. It will be a road that takes you where you never intended to go.

Mark Matson invited me to join him last week on the Mid-Day Prayer & Worship to talk about Soul Care. A concept new to some, but one that is as old as the ancient paths. Jesus recognized that all of us will eventually come to the same crossroads where life’s difficulties present us a choice of trying either this or that way. What is Soul Care? The definition I have come to appreciate and relate too is of “an adventure of learning to care for your soul for the sake of others.” Our soul is really who we are as a person, our identity and passions.  David Hansen writes of the soul that, “the soul is more like a river than a street, more like a forest than a city, more like a wild trout than a laboratory rat.” Hansen’s imageries are ones of adventure, freedom and uniqueness as made in God’s image.

So, what is a person worth? In terms of chemicals we are 99% composed of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus – valued at about $100. Worthless unless you remember that the body is simply an address for the soul to reside. Jesus totally redefined the beauty and dignity of the soul to those he encountered.

The dignity of the soul is found in that we are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27), valued to the point that every hair is counted (Matthew 10:30) and so loved that he gave up His only Son (John 3:16). “When human beings are devalued, everything in society turns sour. Women are humiliated and children despised. The sick are regarded as a nuisance, and the elderly as a burden. Ethnic minorities are discriminated against. The poor are oppressed and denied social justice…labor is exploited in the mines and factories. There is no freedom, no dignity, no carefree joy. Human life seems not worth living because it is scarcely human any longer…people matter…because every man, woman, and child has worth and significance as a human being made in God’s image and likeness.” (John Stott)

To care for our souls for the sake of others requires time – space – community. Jesus understood well the need for time-space-community. When asked which commandment is the greatest, “He said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37)

Soul care will require time with God where you can be alone and listening. Soul care will require setting aside a place that becomes your sacred place of worship and reflection. Soul care will require community, a group of believers who speak into your life.

Caring for your soul allows you to care for others, nurture someone, become a trusted listener and to pray deeply. Soul care is a rhythm where “as we comfort and teach and encourage, we will be comforted, taught and encouraged in turn.”

Jesus offers the invitation for us to walk the ancient paths to care for our souls for the sake of others. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message)

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen strange things today.” Luke 5:26

“Of all the roads you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” Growing up in rural Oklahoma, my childhood home sat on a dirt road. The great thing about living on a dirt road, you could see the cloud of dust rising behind the vehicle long before they got to the house. I had a sense of excitement and expectation as the car pulled closer. Who could be coming? Would they simply pass by the house or were they coming to visit us?

Growing up in poverty, I had only dreams of the adventures that existed beyond the dirt road. I read almost every book in the church library and would imagine myself in the stories of the people and distant places as they would come alive on the pages of those books. Unbelievably, that small Oklahoma dirt road would someday lead me to a dirt road in Africa. Connie and I found ourselves in our first house in Bophuthatswana facing a dirt road. Similar to the Oklahoma dirt road, long before we knew who was coming, their approach was heralded by a cloud of dust. Whether arriving by donkey cart, on foot or in a car, we would welcome our dusty guests.

Our dirt roads have been paths of adventure that have allowed us to see some strange things. However, at the end, they always brought us to a place where we could glorify God and be filled with awe. We travelled roads that led to small church buildings in the middle of nowhere, yet where the gospel was preached, the people prayed and they gathered to worship God. There were dirt roads that led to medical clinics providing care for physical needs as well as encouraging the soul. The beauty of God’s creation lay at the end of many dirt roads; majestic mountain ranges, breathtaking canyons, thundering waterfalls and beautiful, simple villages.

Luke captures a “dirt road” experience in chapter 5. Faith fueled four men to pick up their friend’s mat and carry him along a dusty Judean village road looking for a Savior. He was a paralyzed man being carried with hope in his heart, perhaps for a chance to walk. Did Jesus see the “cloud of dust” from the four men coming? The men found a room filled with religious curiosity seekers which kept them out. Yet, dirt road walking leaves you ready for the unexpected. They managed the narrow stairs with their friend’s limp body. One by one, they removed tiles, leaves and dug a hole to lower their friend.

Would Jesus rebuke their intrusion? What would people think of their disrupting the master teacher? The crowd knew what to do, throw him out – not Jesus. He welcomed him, blessed him and sent him home walking.

Little did I know where I would travel on that small dirt road in Oklahoma. It has been an adventure that is still going on. It has been a privilege to be able to serve on staff at FBCPTC. Thank you for allowing me to serve you these last four years. I am grateful for the sweet sprit that welcomed us, encouraged us and has blessed us through these years of ministry on staff. I look forward to continuing to be with you in fellowship on my walk and to continuing writing this prayer blog.

As you travel the roads ahead of you, may this portion of prayer by Benedict of Norcia encourage you:

LORD, be with us to guide us,

within us to strengthen us,

without us to protect us,

above us to raise us,

beneath us to uphold us,

before us to lead us,

behind us to guard us,

ever about us,

this day and evermore;

this day and evermore.

 

Amen.

 

God is great,

Pastor Lynn