Well, kind of busy, yes. I've been taking 2 classes through my church that are once a week each plus my Celebrate Recovery class on Friday nights.
One is the Peacemaker class that's actually a whole church study. It's designed to help us work on our relationships and learn how to handle conflict in a Godly way. The interesting thing is that it doesn't mean running away or giving up to make peace as I might have thought before I was a Christian. Neither does it mean fighting back to win. I've only read the first couple of chapters of the book so far so I can't talk a whole lot on this one. I need to read chapter 3 this week and there doesn't seem to be any homework with this one so it slides in pretty easily.
The other class, however, is more hands on. It's Financial Peace University as done by Dave Ramsey. If you've taken the class you know it can be eye opening. I'm taking a harder look at our money than I have in my entire life and we're only in the 3rd week. If I stopped now and used what I learned I would be so far ahead in one year it would be incredible, and I still have 10 more weeks of class. I can't wait to find out what I never knew. I was talking to my sister about it a little bit tonight and we agreed that we never really learned how to budget from our parents. Our parents still don't exactly live on a budget of any kind. Unless, "Is the money there for it?" is a budget.
Add to that a couple of friends that I'm trying to help. They're having a tough time of it right now. They attend C.R. class with me most Friday's now but missed last week. Then I heard that she has been using prescribed meds and possibly abusing them. The meds in question aren't known as something to get high on typically but if you take enough of most anything you can alter your mind. I'm only getting his side of the story right now so I'm going to try not to draw conclusions but I will probably seek some advice on this one. There's always the concept that you can't drag someone into sobriety so you have to let them fall sometimes.
I've been reading in Corinthians for a while now and I can tell you that the second is easier to read than the first! 1 Corinthians felt like a heck of a butt chewing through the majority of it! In it Paul is admonishing the church in Corinth for a number of things like divisions in the church and immoral behaviors. Lawsuits between church members were apparently common as well. This actually falls under my study in Peacemakers because we, as Christians, are encouraged to take our conflicts to the church for resolution. Yet how often do we do this in today's world? How many pastors are prepared to handle potentially legal issues between parishioners? These are the things that lead to the fall of churches, friendships, and businesses.
So, at this time, I encourage you the reader, if you're having an issue, be it money, marriage, business, or any other issue, take it to your church first. See if you can find a solution there before you turn to lawsuits, or gossip, or violence. God wants us to work together, to be resources for each other. He gave each of us unique talents and abilities to be used in His name and for His purposes. In a group of 20 Christians you will usually find a majority of the help you will need in any normal given situation. Through my church I have found resources beyond anything the state would give me. Would the IRS provide me with personal finance classes? Would the courts teach me how to reconcile differences with others? Would I have been guided to get assistance with my substance issues before I got caught breaking a law like DUI or worse, injuring someone in an accident? I say no to each one of these and many more. Your church is there for you to become a better Christian, and sometimes that means reaching out and helping a person up in a way the never knew they needed.
So, I'm busy, but in a great way!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Stress Factors
Often what causes us to turn to our addictions in the first place are life's stresses. For some it may have started with abuse, others may have been ignored, still others looked for acceptance thru abuses. I grew up in a relatively stable household with love in it. I wasn't ignored or abused. I wasn't very confident in myself and tended to be a follower instead of a leader. I have since learned a bit more and am more confident that I was as a young man.
One thing I've never had the opportunity to learn about was money management. I can remember my mother trying to get me to sit down with her as she balanced the checkbook, but I was too busy with my friends to do anything as boring as that. I understood the concept, the why, but never understood that I needed the habit. This has lead to a constant financial stress in my life that I had no idea how to deal with. I made many bad choices that have left my credit rating in ruins. Other things have happened that caused me to be in debt to the medical community.
My choice in the past has been to ignore the issues I've made for myself. When I was drinking I could push the problems away from my sight. Now that I'm sober, I find myself unable to ignore the problems any longer. I believe that some people who relapse sit where I'm sitting and decide it's better not to deal with the mess they made. Sitting here, looking at the financial hole I've dug, considering the work I have to get out of it, I don't begrudge them their weak moments.
So what do we do? Give in to the call of the drink or drugs? Push the issues back to the back burner where it's been for who knows how long? Being sober we can't push them back, they're right there in our faces. They're mocking us with the power of the devil trying to get us to relapse, trying to stress us out, laugh at us, tell us we'll fail...They're right. The problems we made have grown larger than us. They've developed a veritable life of their own and become unmanageable, monsters out to drag us back into our personal hell.
There is a place we can turn, there is hope. A teammate that is bigger, stronger, and more loving than anything we've ever known. When we give ourselves to Jesus, He's on our side. He wants us to win, wants us to be happy, wants us to give our stresses to Him. When we don't it's like we don't trust Jesus to do what He said He would. If we don't trust Him, we aren't following Him.
So I trust in Him. I ask for His help and listen for His answer. He did.
My stress factor tends to be money. My inability to manage it, my irresponsibility with it, the lack of suitcases of it whenever I need or want it. Mostly want it, to be perfectly honest. The Bible never promises monetary riches, but as the song says, "If you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need!" If I consider what He has provided me with without my even asking Him. A decent job, a house, a car. More than I truly deserve and everything I needed to take care of my family's needs. So, now that I am sober, looking at the mess I've made of our finances over the past several years together and many years before, I am asking for His help.
Philippians 4:4-7
One thing I've never had the opportunity to learn about was money management. I can remember my mother trying to get me to sit down with her as she balanced the checkbook, but I was too busy with my friends to do anything as boring as that. I understood the concept, the why, but never understood that I needed the habit. This has lead to a constant financial stress in my life that I had no idea how to deal with. I made many bad choices that have left my credit rating in ruins. Other things have happened that caused me to be in debt to the medical community.
My choice in the past has been to ignore the issues I've made for myself. When I was drinking I could push the problems away from my sight. Now that I'm sober, I find myself unable to ignore the problems any longer. I believe that some people who relapse sit where I'm sitting and decide it's better not to deal with the mess they made. Sitting here, looking at the financial hole I've dug, considering the work I have to get out of it, I don't begrudge them their weak moments.
So what do we do? Give in to the call of the drink or drugs? Push the issues back to the back burner where it's been for who knows how long? Being sober we can't push them back, they're right there in our faces. They're mocking us with the power of the devil trying to get us to relapse, trying to stress us out, laugh at us, tell us we'll fail...They're right. The problems we made have grown larger than us. They've developed a veritable life of their own and become unmanageable, monsters out to drag us back into our personal hell.
There is a place we can turn, there is hope. A teammate that is bigger, stronger, and more loving than anything we've ever known. When we give ourselves to Jesus, He's on our side. He wants us to win, wants us to be happy, wants us to give our stresses to Him. When we don't it's like we don't trust Jesus to do what He said He would. If we don't trust Him, we aren't following Him.
So I trust in Him. I ask for His help and listen for His answer. He did.
My stress factor tends to be money. My inability to manage it, my irresponsibility with it, the lack of suitcases of it whenever I need or want it. Mostly want it, to be perfectly honest. The Bible never promises monetary riches, but as the song says, "If you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need!" If I consider what He has provided me with without my even asking Him. A decent job, a house, a car. More than I truly deserve and everything I needed to take care of my family's needs. So, now that I am sober, looking at the mess I've made of our finances over the past several years together and many years before, I am asking for His help.
Philippians 4:4-7
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I presented my request to God. He answered and provided me with a chance to go to a financial class that will teach me how to handle money, get my finances under control, maybe even develop a little more ability to give and help others. If it is His intention for me and my family to get money, it must be His intention for us to use it to help others.
I am at peace about my stress factors because I have handed it over to Jesus and He has it under control. There will be more tests of faith. The adversary doesn't give up that easily, he looks for more ways in at all times. So I know he's gunning for me because he knows my weaknesses. I also know that Jesus is stronger. In Jesus's name, Satan, I rebuke thee!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Bible reading, Romans
I just finished reading the book of Romans for the first time. I know that sometimes I come across like I know this or that. Supposedly all knowledgeable about the Bible, like I've read and studied the whole thing cover to cover and taken college level courses. But I haven't. Truth be told, I'm still working my way through the book for the first time. Sure, I've picked it up before and started to read it, but I haven't ever made a concerted effort in really trying to read it and understand what He is trying to tell me. Like I've said before, I've always been a believer, but I've only recently become a follower.
That being said, I just finished reading Romans and, as with most books, it held some surprising things for me. So let's get things in perspective and set the stage. Written by the apostle Paul around A.D. 57, Paul arrived in Rome, more or less a prisoner defending himself against charges brought on him by the Jews, or more accurately, the Sanhedrin. He had traveled far and escaped several plots to kill him by the grace of God. So now he was in Rome, a place he had longed to go to be able to bring the word of Jesus to the Gentiles.
So, here he was, in Rome. The Jews there had not received any word of him but had heard about this new sect he represented and wanted to hear what he had to say. He spent 2 years in Rome, renting a house and receiving all who came to him. He preached the word to all, Jew and Gentile alike. There are a couple of chapters that spoke more to me than others, and I'm sure that others who read the book of Romans will have different things speak to them. I know that later when I'm reading it again, something else will speak to me. That is part of why it is called the living word of God. It speaks to you where you are. If a passage doesn't stick this time, that's okay. It probably isn't what God wanted you to hear today. It's also why I tend to read 2 or 3 chapters a day in the bible. I don't know what's going to stick but I can't wait to find out!
In Romans it seemed to be Chapter 12 and 14. However, I did use Chapter 13 in a facebook debate this evening, that was something else entirely. In Romans 12, Paul talks about offering ourselves up as "Living Sacrifices". Then he proceeds to spell it out for us to remove the arguments, I kind of like that. He means for us to use our gifts that God gave us in His perfect grace. I find it interesting that in this day of political correctness telling us to be ourselves, I found a writing that dates back almost 2,000 years that says If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage...etc.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. How good are we at that, really. If a homeless person comes up and asks you for some change, what do you do? Shy away from them, turn away like you didn't hear them? Do you know their faith? I believe we need to assume all are Christian until the tell us otherwise. Then when we are devoted to one another in brotherly love we have to show it to everyone at first, high and low.
In this chapter, Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21,22 "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. That is incredibly significant and contrary to how the world works today. I myself have had people that I have been so angry with that I wouldn't give them the time of day. I wouldn't give them a drink of water if they paid for it. Have you ever had someone that you said, "If I ever see them again it will be too soon!" Or even to the point of wishing harm on them.
Chapter 14 is about different levels of faith. Basically stating that if you are with someone who has less faith than you, don't look down on them. Paul compared it to eating. Someone of great faith was able to eat anything on the table that God puts there, meat, vegetables, fruits, drink. He can have it all. But someone that has less faith may only be able to eat the vegetables, but that doesn't mean we should condemn him, for God has accepted him. Who are we to judge someone else's servant? The person with less faith in him is no less God's servant than the man (or woman) with great faith that gives everything to God.
How many times have I been talking to another Christian only to realize that they are a "Sunday Christian"? How do I feel about them? It wasn't all that long ago that I was about the same. But they do have some faith or they wouldn't show up to church every Sunday for worship. What about those who don't attend church at all? Aren't we told to worship publicly as well as privately? But they have some faith. I can see very clearly why Paul would tell us this now. When we judge other people's faith, we put a stumbling block in front to them, blocking them from growing and maturing in their faith. Others may never grow any further than where they are right now, but faith the size of a mustard seed...
We are all God's servants, and if I read more, or pray more than another, it's of no consequence. Just as I shouldn't worry about the person who does more than I do, the person who gives of themselves more and serves in the church where I can't. It's not important. I'm actively working on my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ, and that's all I can do. I help and encourage others along the way as I am told to, but I do not judge them.
I don't think it's been that serious a problem for me, but even a small problem can be big if you are the one affected by it, and this chapter stuck out for a reason. I can't wait to see what speaks to me next!
That being said, I just finished reading Romans and, as with most books, it held some surprising things for me. So let's get things in perspective and set the stage. Written by the apostle Paul around A.D. 57, Paul arrived in Rome, more or less a prisoner defending himself against charges brought on him by the Jews, or more accurately, the Sanhedrin. He had traveled far and escaped several plots to kill him by the grace of God. So now he was in Rome, a place he had longed to go to be able to bring the word of Jesus to the Gentiles.
So, here he was, in Rome. The Jews there had not received any word of him but had heard about this new sect he represented and wanted to hear what he had to say. He spent 2 years in Rome, renting a house and receiving all who came to him. He preached the word to all, Jew and Gentile alike. There are a couple of chapters that spoke more to me than others, and I'm sure that others who read the book of Romans will have different things speak to them. I know that later when I'm reading it again, something else will speak to me. That is part of why it is called the living word of God. It speaks to you where you are. If a passage doesn't stick this time, that's okay. It probably isn't what God wanted you to hear today. It's also why I tend to read 2 or 3 chapters a day in the bible. I don't know what's going to stick but I can't wait to find out!
In Romans it seemed to be Chapter 12 and 14. However, I did use Chapter 13 in a facebook debate this evening, that was something else entirely. In Romans 12, Paul talks about offering ourselves up as "Living Sacrifices". Then he proceeds to spell it out for us to remove the arguments, I kind of like that. He means for us to use our gifts that God gave us in His perfect grace. I find it interesting that in this day of political correctness telling us to be ourselves, I found a writing that dates back almost 2,000 years that says If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage...etc.
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. How good are we at that, really. If a homeless person comes up and asks you for some change, what do you do? Shy away from them, turn away like you didn't hear them? Do you know their faith? I believe we need to assume all are Christian until the tell us otherwise. Then when we are devoted to one another in brotherly love we have to show it to everyone at first, high and low.
In this chapter, Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21,22 "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. That is incredibly significant and contrary to how the world works today. I myself have had people that I have been so angry with that I wouldn't give them the time of day. I wouldn't give them a drink of water if they paid for it. Have you ever had someone that you said, "If I ever see them again it will be too soon!" Or even to the point of wishing harm on them.
Chapter 14 is about different levels of faith. Basically stating that if you are with someone who has less faith than you, don't look down on them. Paul compared it to eating. Someone of great faith was able to eat anything on the table that God puts there, meat, vegetables, fruits, drink. He can have it all. But someone that has less faith may only be able to eat the vegetables, but that doesn't mean we should condemn him, for God has accepted him. Who are we to judge someone else's servant? The person with less faith in him is no less God's servant than the man (or woman) with great faith that gives everything to God.
How many times have I been talking to another Christian only to realize that they are a "Sunday Christian"? How do I feel about them? It wasn't all that long ago that I was about the same. But they do have some faith or they wouldn't show up to church every Sunday for worship. What about those who don't attend church at all? Aren't we told to worship publicly as well as privately? But they have some faith. I can see very clearly why Paul would tell us this now. When we judge other people's faith, we put a stumbling block in front to them, blocking them from growing and maturing in their faith. Others may never grow any further than where they are right now, but faith the size of a mustard seed...
We are all God's servants, and if I read more, or pray more than another, it's of no consequence. Just as I shouldn't worry about the person who does more than I do, the person who gives of themselves more and serves in the church where I can't. It's not important. I'm actively working on my faith and my relationship with Jesus Christ, and that's all I can do. I help and encourage others along the way as I am told to, but I do not judge them.
I don't think it's been that serious a problem for me, but even a small problem can be big if you are the one affected by it, and this chapter stuck out for a reason. I can't wait to see what speaks to me next!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Welcome to 2011
Depending on where you are and what time I actually post this for the first time, you may have already entered the new year. Congratulations to you on another wonderful year of life in this difficult but glorious world. I'm in a mind to think of resolutions. This is the first time in many years that I don't have alcohol or worse in my presence to ring in the new year. I think of the major turning point in my life that I had in May of 2010 when I accepted Jesus into my life and asked for His help with my drinking. Many of you know that I consider a dramatic difference between believing and following and that is the time that I changed from a believer to a follower.
I don't usually even worry about resolutions, I've always considered them a waste of time and energy. I mean, let's be real, if you normally attend a gym to exercise in, you know what happens for the next 2 to 4 months. You'll be lucky to get a machine, or a class with all the temporary people there. By March, nearly all of them will be gone, back to their old habits and putting back on the weight they may have lost over the past few months. I would be one of those if I made that resolution.
What about treating people better? Being a follower of Christ I have begun to treat others much better already and intend to continue to improve. But if I wasn't a follower, without my heart being changed by regular bible study and prayer, honestly people would just begin to irritate me after about 2 weeks and I'd get just as cantankerous as before.
What about work? How about trying to improve my station in life by working harder, getting that promotion, stepping on someone else to climb a little higher? Doesn't really sound like me, does it?
I could honestly do better about my eating habits. When I'm at work it's not uncommon for me to eat out 2-4 times a week. So there is one to consider, and even if I only stick to it for a couple of months I'll save the family a chunk of change.
So, with all this in consideration, and knowing my own laziness that God is working on, little by little, I think I have a good idea for my resolution. I do hereby resolve to continue my studies of the Bible, the word of God. I also do hereby resolve to open myself up to Him more so that He may work through me and His light shine from me for others to see. I ask that He continues to shape me as clay on the potter's wheel and uses me as His tool for His work in our world. That I remember the lessons I have learned of peace and tolerance and that when I speak the word to others it's with love and humbleness in my heart.
As I enter the new year, I have classes that I'm going to be taking in January and February on money management and peacemaking, both with an emphasis on the Christian view and how we think Jesus wants us to handle these things. I hope to get a bead on a couple of my personal issues that have eluded me. Money, I've never had much and so need to learn how to handle what I have to make the most of it. How will the teachings of Jesus from 2,000 years ago translate into our modern terms? Peacemaking is one of those things I used to know how to do, but in the past 20 years I've become harsher, more cynical and less patient. I'm looking forward to seeing how Jesus wants me to react to adversity and how to deal with conflict.
So as you enter the new year, give some thought to your resolutions and what you can do to bring yourself closer to God in His perfect love. We are all works in progress, with different points to work on, different desires, challenges, habits, hang-ups and hurts. We think we can handle it on our own, but we're wrong. We need Him and we need each other to change us into the community of believers that He needs to do His work and bring Heaven on Earth.
I don't usually even worry about resolutions, I've always considered them a waste of time and energy. I mean, let's be real, if you normally attend a gym to exercise in, you know what happens for the next 2 to 4 months. You'll be lucky to get a machine, or a class with all the temporary people there. By March, nearly all of them will be gone, back to their old habits and putting back on the weight they may have lost over the past few months. I would be one of those if I made that resolution.
What about treating people better? Being a follower of Christ I have begun to treat others much better already and intend to continue to improve. But if I wasn't a follower, without my heart being changed by regular bible study and prayer, honestly people would just begin to irritate me after about 2 weeks and I'd get just as cantankerous as before.
What about work? How about trying to improve my station in life by working harder, getting that promotion, stepping on someone else to climb a little higher? Doesn't really sound like me, does it?
I could honestly do better about my eating habits. When I'm at work it's not uncommon for me to eat out 2-4 times a week. So there is one to consider, and even if I only stick to it for a couple of months I'll save the family a chunk of change.
So, with all this in consideration, and knowing my own laziness that God is working on, little by little, I think I have a good idea for my resolution. I do hereby resolve to continue my studies of the Bible, the word of God. I also do hereby resolve to open myself up to Him more so that He may work through me and His light shine from me for others to see. I ask that He continues to shape me as clay on the potter's wheel and uses me as His tool for His work in our world. That I remember the lessons I have learned of peace and tolerance and that when I speak the word to others it's with love and humbleness in my heart.
As I enter the new year, I have classes that I'm going to be taking in January and February on money management and peacemaking, both with an emphasis on the Christian view and how we think Jesus wants us to handle these things. I hope to get a bead on a couple of my personal issues that have eluded me. Money, I've never had much and so need to learn how to handle what I have to make the most of it. How will the teachings of Jesus from 2,000 years ago translate into our modern terms? Peacemaking is one of those things I used to know how to do, but in the past 20 years I've become harsher, more cynical and less patient. I'm looking forward to seeing how Jesus wants me to react to adversity and how to deal with conflict.
So as you enter the new year, give some thought to your resolutions and what you can do to bring yourself closer to God in His perfect love. We are all works in progress, with different points to work on, different desires, challenges, habits, hang-ups and hurts. We think we can handle it on our own, but we're wrong. We need Him and we need each other to change us into the community of believers that He needs to do His work and bring Heaven on Earth.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Christ-mass
Yes, note the spelling. What can I say? I love Christ! I love Christmas! I love everything about it, the music the lights, the co-opted pagan rituals and decorations, the love for your fellow man, the giving, the receiving, the food...Not so fond of not drinking during it.
This was my first Christmas without buying some good ole Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Nogg complete with the whiskey, rum, etc. in many years. Add to that the usual family get together with the conspicuous absence of the usual two or three bottles of wine. To be honest, I wasn't the only one with a problem with alcohol there yesterday, I was just the only one in Recovery. I'm actually pretty sure that it was because of the other person there wasn't any alcohol there, not me. But I am thankful for its absence.
It wasn't difficult to get through the Holy Day without drinking, it just kind of felt missing. I don't want to say lacking because it was one of the more spiritual Christmas's I've had in my 40 years. So there was great joy and thankfulness to the day and season. There's what your accustomed to, and what you do. What I did was focus on Jesus Christ and His birth and arrival on this little blue rock and what it meant to us as a world.
There are those who focus on the gifting, good will towards men, decorations, and feasting. But I think we miss something big when we don't focus on the word. Christmas, Christ-mass, Mass for Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, in celebration of the newborn King over all the world. I saw a video put out by a Christian where he change it to Jesusmas. I kind of like that.
Honestly, the guy is kind of goofy but he has done a lot of research and I've used some of the information he uses. I hope the video comes up for you. This is the first time I've tried to do this but if it works I will have learned something new.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Imagining the first Christmas
Luke 2
The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Okay, I admit, I just copied and pasted this from Biblegateway.com. But it saved me a bunch of typing, so why not?
Let's step back in time to the night the Jesus was born. We celebrate Christmas in the winter right around the winter solstice, but most people are aware that we really don't know the time of year that He was born. We can get a feel for what season it may have been, though. We read that Rome wanted a census taken. I'm sure for much the same reasons we have them today. It's doubtful they would have had people travelling around during the dead of winter, or during the spring planting, high summer when the field needed to be worked, or early fall during the harvest. So it must have been around mid fall after the harvest, say around late September by the calender we use today.
So, here is Joseph and Mary, her very pregnant, having to travel to Bethlehem for a Census. There are those that argue with this that Luke wrote this just to put Jesus in the town of David at the time of His birth. I wasn't there, and all I really have to go by is the Bible. So I'll say yes, they had to make that trip. Now, remember that Mary had been pregnant before they were married, and Joseph knew that he wasn't the father. But he had been told what was going on. That didn't make things any easier for them. As much stigma as can be attached to an unwed mother today, it must have been much worse then. History tells us that he could have put her out, which would have left her with no resources of her own and no means of getting them. She would have been at the mercy of the graciousness of others for a way to survive at all. It would have been a difficult life.
But an angel came to Joseph and explained what was happening, so he stayed with her. Never even consummating the marriage until after the birth of Jesus. THAT, my friends, is an act of faith and love. By attaching himself to this girl (and let's face it, during that time it's doubtful she was over 16 years old) he has actually soiled his name in the eyes of the town. Oh sure, many would say how gracious he is to overlook what happened. How wonderful he is to take on the bastard child, and without the knowledge of who Jesus really is, that is the view they would have had.
Talk about humble beginnings! But it doesn't end there. In Matthew 2 we learn of the Magi who came to see Him and it is written that it is in a house, but in Luke it talks about a manger. What gives? In our modern farms, people live in one place and the farm animals live in another building. 2,000 years ago, however, animals would have frequently been kept in the same place the people stayed. It's much safer for the animals, which are your livelihood, and it was prohibitively expensive to build a barn. So to say Jesus was born in a manger in a house. If He would have been in the manger, that would mean that they had been relegated to staying below with the animals.
Why would God have sent Jesus to earth to be born in such an incredibly humble way? Certainly He could have been an incredible power being born to a wealthy family of power. Perhaps a King or Emperor. But God had always had a special love for the Hebrews. They were the ones that had always stayed true to him in word at least, if not in spirit. We can discuss the Pharisees another time. But there were Hebrews with some power, some money. Why not one of them?
I can think of a couple of reasons. First and foremost, Jesus had come for the masses, for the humble and poor. The ones who needed Him most would be able to relate to Him best. If He had been raised by the wealthy, the vast majority of people would have viewed Him as just another rich man, and He would have not been able to perform His most important task. The rich and powerful were given quick deaths when sentenced. He had to suffer and die for our sins. This can and will be discussed at length. I'm thinking around Easter. It kind of makes sense to me.
There is a second reason for such humble beginnings. Safety. The Son of Man had to have a chance to grow up! In Matthew 2: 13-18 we are told that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus had to flee to Egypt to escape King Herod. So He was hunted from the start. But because He wasn't in a high profile family, it was easy to stay "below the radar".
We know that Jesus could have easily protected Himself from danger, He could have called down a host of angels to be His army. He could have come down and wiped the earth clean of all who opposed Him. But that isn't what our God wants. He gave us free will to choose or not choose. He wants us to choose Him out of love. So to bridge the gap between heaven and earth, between man and God, He sent down a part of Himself.
How great is that?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Ups and Downs
It's all about the ups and downs in our lives and how we react to them. I'm in the middle of several people's lives and am on the outside looking in, trying to take what lessons I can, helping where I can, and not getting sucked in too deep wherever possible.
On the up side, and there are a few up sides in my friend's lives, my friends that came to my Celebrate Recovery meeting last week and this week are doing really well. They spent the night last night (not recommended if these aren't people you've known a VERY long time when you consider that we're dealing with addictions) due to the complications involved in seeing they're children today. I took them up this morning and, aside from no power at the house I dropped them off at due to a wind storm last night, all went off with very little trouble. They did have a couple of downs throughout the night, turns out their camera's memory got wiped accidentally and they lost a bunch of pictures of their children. I thought that got handled fairly well, attitude wise. The other thing I won't disclose at this time without permission and more information, so you'll just have to wait.
Then there's another friend who is in the middle of a REAL down time. Complete relapse that is causing him to lose his job, his girl, his apartment, and quite possibly his freedom. This one is more complicated because, while it's easy to be involved when things are going well, when things go in the toilet, you could get sucked down in the flush if you're too close. I'm trying to be his friend, but at this time he isn't calling back or responding to my texts so there's only so much I can do for him. Last time I talked to him he was sober, it was 7:15 a.m. and he was checking into inpatient care to dry up. Lord we pray that he was able to find the help he needs and that he doesn't respond to my calls because there is no contact allowed there. Amen.
But there's danger in being too involved when things are going well, too. When the bad time comes, whether it be relapse or what, as another person in recovery, you need to insulate yourself somewhat to keep from being pulled down with the other person. This can easily be construed as being 2 faced or not being there for them when they need you. But you have to remember that they didn't call on you when they were at the top of the spiral and be honest with you that they had slipped up or thought they were about to. They most likely hid it or washed over it. Or if they were confronted with it they may have blown you off, not wanting to listen to you. By the time someone is in full blown relapse, and maybe they're drinking or drugging every day or nearly so, there is little you can do to help them. Maintaining contact is something you can do so you are there when they really are ready to climb up, but aside from that, it's up to them.
It's the part of free will that God gave us that we abuse. We can save no soul that doesn't want to be saved, and we can free no addict that doesn't want freedom.
There are others in my life that I want to help, some will let me, others won't. There's some that will let me help them for a while and then when I don't return a call or respond to a text they'll assume that I'm not there for them. They couldn't be more wrong, I have the Holy Spirit on my side and through Him all things that are right and just will happen. There are and will be times that I'm not as close to Jesus as I should be, that's when my own selfishness and ego seem to take over for a bit. At those times, I find it more difficult to be there for others, but I know that is the time I need to work twice as hard, and read twice as much of the Bible. When God tested Job, Job felt the distance of God in a way that I hope I never do. But he never railed against God, he never lost his faith in the everlasting Father. I can only pray that I never lose my faith and understanding even in the face of great danger and hardships that will come.
Ups and downs will come in all our lives, as is the natural ebb and flow of being human. Sometimes the down times are of outside influences, like a job layoff or the death of a loved one. Sometimes they are of our own making, drinking, drugging, sexual immorality, or anger issues. The difference is in how we react to them. Will we be like Job? Steadfast faith in God, not unquestioning, but never wavering. Or will we be like Judas Iscariot? In a moment of weakness giving in to selfish desires at the expense of others only to feel the pain of remorse later for our misdeeds. Job lost much. His entire family killed in an earthquake that brought their house down on top of them, his business in financial ruins, then terrible, potentially disfiguring sickness. Throughout the entire ordeal, he questioned God, but he always revered God. If you know the story, you know that God rewarded him greatly for his faith and Judas Iscariot hung himself, having never even spent his 30 pieces of silver.
So, if you are someone that is putting your faith in another person, be aware, they will fail you. Not intentionally, not with anger or childish feelings, but out of their very humanity. There is only one that will never fail you. I will continue to be there for my friends. If the person that relapsed calls and wants my help, I'll be there. If the ones that I dropped off this morning call, I'll be there. If the one that thinks I'm ignoring her when I didn't answer my phone (I'm betting it was when the phone was off and charging, the battery is almost 2 years old and failing) calls, I'll be there too. I'll do my best to do the right thing for each and every one of you because not only would each one of you do it for me, we have been told that the world will know us by our love for one another.
Be forewarned, I'm still human and sometimes I'm the one that's down. But I will be there to the best of my ability.
On the up side, and there are a few up sides in my friend's lives, my friends that came to my Celebrate Recovery meeting last week and this week are doing really well. They spent the night last night (not recommended if these aren't people you've known a VERY long time when you consider that we're dealing with addictions) due to the complications involved in seeing they're children today. I took them up this morning and, aside from no power at the house I dropped them off at due to a wind storm last night, all went off with very little trouble. They did have a couple of downs throughout the night, turns out their camera's memory got wiped accidentally and they lost a bunch of pictures of their children. I thought that got handled fairly well, attitude wise. The other thing I won't disclose at this time without permission and more information, so you'll just have to wait.
Then there's another friend who is in the middle of a REAL down time. Complete relapse that is causing him to lose his job, his girl, his apartment, and quite possibly his freedom. This one is more complicated because, while it's easy to be involved when things are going well, when things go in the toilet, you could get sucked down in the flush if you're too close. I'm trying to be his friend, but at this time he isn't calling back or responding to my texts so there's only so much I can do for him. Last time I talked to him he was sober, it was 7:15 a.m. and he was checking into inpatient care to dry up. Lord we pray that he was able to find the help he needs and that he doesn't respond to my calls because there is no contact allowed there. Amen.
But there's danger in being too involved when things are going well, too. When the bad time comes, whether it be relapse or what, as another person in recovery, you need to insulate yourself somewhat to keep from being pulled down with the other person. This can easily be construed as being 2 faced or not being there for them when they need you. But you have to remember that they didn't call on you when they were at the top of the spiral and be honest with you that they had slipped up or thought they were about to. They most likely hid it or washed over it. Or if they were confronted with it they may have blown you off, not wanting to listen to you. By the time someone is in full blown relapse, and maybe they're drinking or drugging every day or nearly so, there is little you can do to help them. Maintaining contact is something you can do so you are there when they really are ready to climb up, but aside from that, it's up to them.
It's the part of free will that God gave us that we abuse. We can save no soul that doesn't want to be saved, and we can free no addict that doesn't want freedom.
There are others in my life that I want to help, some will let me, others won't. There's some that will let me help them for a while and then when I don't return a call or respond to a text they'll assume that I'm not there for them. They couldn't be more wrong, I have the Holy Spirit on my side and through Him all things that are right and just will happen. There are and will be times that I'm not as close to Jesus as I should be, that's when my own selfishness and ego seem to take over for a bit. At those times, I find it more difficult to be there for others, but I know that is the time I need to work twice as hard, and read twice as much of the Bible. When God tested Job, Job felt the distance of God in a way that I hope I never do. But he never railed against God, he never lost his faith in the everlasting Father. I can only pray that I never lose my faith and understanding even in the face of great danger and hardships that will come.
Ups and downs will come in all our lives, as is the natural ebb and flow of being human. Sometimes the down times are of outside influences, like a job layoff or the death of a loved one. Sometimes they are of our own making, drinking, drugging, sexual immorality, or anger issues. The difference is in how we react to them. Will we be like Job? Steadfast faith in God, not unquestioning, but never wavering. Or will we be like Judas Iscariot? In a moment of weakness giving in to selfish desires at the expense of others only to feel the pain of remorse later for our misdeeds. Job lost much. His entire family killed in an earthquake that brought their house down on top of them, his business in financial ruins, then terrible, potentially disfiguring sickness. Throughout the entire ordeal, he questioned God, but he always revered God. If you know the story, you know that God rewarded him greatly for his faith and Judas Iscariot hung himself, having never even spent his 30 pieces of silver.
So, if you are someone that is putting your faith in another person, be aware, they will fail you. Not intentionally, not with anger or childish feelings, but out of their very humanity. There is only one that will never fail you. I will continue to be there for my friends. If the person that relapsed calls and wants my help, I'll be there. If the ones that I dropped off this morning call, I'll be there. If the one that thinks I'm ignoring her when I didn't answer my phone (I'm betting it was when the phone was off and charging, the battery is almost 2 years old and failing) calls, I'll be there too. I'll do my best to do the right thing for each and every one of you because not only would each one of you do it for me, we have been told that the world will know us by our love for one another.
Be forewarned, I'm still human and sometimes I'm the one that's down. But I will be there to the best of my ability.
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