Slowing Down on Trampolines

Interestingly enough, trampolines are a great social device. Being coaxed by my kids to jump on the trampoline during every spare moment, my thoughts of pain were quickly replaced by the desire to prove I could still do flips (bad choice). The serendipity of these experiences has been the interaction with them that happens when, worn out from bouncing, we take a break (usually laying down) and talk, while trying to recover. It reminded me of one of the passages I am memorizing:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen,slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore git rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:19-22 NIV

I'm afraid we are, in our sinful nature, prone to do just the opposite. We are quick to speak, quick to become angry and slow to listen (to the point of not). Even though God desires us to live righteously, we like living how we please - tempered by enough knowledge and good intentions to assuage our guilt. God is not interested in our righteousness IQ but our righteous living. Being slow to become angry shows a desire to have the righteous life, but to make it a reality, you have to see what the "therefore" is "there for."

Slowing down and listening to others as well as God, requires a taking off and a putting on. "Git rid" involves a conscious choice not to do those things we know violate God's moral standard. But it also involves not engaging in any thing, relationship or circumstance that would facilitate it. That's the negative, the positive action we take is realizing our utter dependency on God and His Word. It is such a pledge of allegiance to God's truth that we not only take it in and meditate on it, but we also make it a living reality - we do it.

I'm trying not to wait for trampoline moments to slow down, listen and respond. It is an attitude of humble dependence, moment by moment on Him.

Prayer Requests in 13b

Luke 11:1-13, I know I had read this passage on prayer many times before. But there is so much richness in the words of Christ, even the last phrase of his teaching may have profound impact. I have heard it used in many sermons and teachings on the "way" to pray. But all stopped at 13a or read over it without examining it.

Luke 11:13b is a strange way to end a discourse in which Jesus teaches the pattern, persistence, boldness and entreaty in prayer. After praying in a "certain place," Jesus was questioned by His disciples about how to pray. Their motives may have been pure, but it is interesting that they tacked on "just as John taught his disciples." To this simple request, Jesus gives us prayer 101, session 1. (For a great example of truly the "Lord's Prayer" see His priestly prayer in John 17.)

Of course it is obvious from reading this passage, we must include certain elements into our prayer life, we must have the tenacity of a friend in need in the middle of the night, we must specifically ask, seek and knock and we must know that God is just and will answer our prayers with His "good gifts." Stopping there you could assume that all this lesson was focused on was meeting needs we readily recognized: "daily bread," forgiveness, ability to forgive others, "it," doors opened, "fish" and an "egg." But what is it that your Father in heaven is so eager to give you that He is just waiting for your request?

Although it might have been far from the disciples' minds (of that day and today) it was not far from the prophet Joel's mind as he was inspired to write of Him coming. It was not an obscure element of Paul's theology, but central in the victorious Christian life as depicted in so many of his writings and in particular in Romans chapter eight. And most importantly, as noted in this chapter, and more extensively in John chapters fourteen through seventeen, Jesus held this request to be The Source for all who are to be called by His name.

What should be the prayer request as a result of prayer 101 session 1? The Holy Spirit to those who ask the Father. Of all our praise, thanksgiving, and requests, the asking for the Holy Spirit is central in the answering of all of them. Without the Spirit of God we are spiritually powerless and will live a sham of a God-explained life. I'm sure Jesus' disciples made many requests of Him in person and in prayer after His Ascension, but it was the fulfilment of their prayers at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came that the disciples shook the world. All of our needs, which God has promised to provide for from His glorious riches, come in line after what Jesus implied should be our request, the very Spirit of God. It is in that dynamic relationship with the Triune God, that propels us in His movements in this world.

The Lord's Supper and being punched in the stomach

Have you ever had the wind knocked out of you? You felt totally defense-less and gasping for breath. No recourse left, but to try and recover and regain your composure. Totally unanticipated, you are left reeling.

It was an ordinary Wednesday night. The service was pretty much typical with the exception that it included the Lord's Supper. As I participated in the service and focused on what what the Lord's Supper reminded us of (the death of Jesus on the cross), I found my mind focused on sin and its consequences. As we sang "Jesus paid it all," I wondered how powerful a love that took all the pain of all the sin of all mankind unjustly on Himself. As He hung on that cross the pain of the nails and the intense physical suffering were nothing in comparison to taking on the pain of the sins of this world, including mine. Every sin has a consequence. Some immediately evident, others more indirect. Sin has a relatively short term reward at a great long term price. Sin causes grief, suffering, brokenness, separation, mistrust, defeat, and death. Sin gives a hard, gut wrenching punch.

God brought to mind what someone had said to me earlier. They felt like they had been "punched in the stomach." Through a Christian book, God had spoke to them about an area they did not realize was a sin against God and someone else. When the conviction of the sin hit them, they said it felt like a "punch in the stomach." Thankfully, in their case, it led to humbly seeking forgiveness.

Jesus absorbed all "our punches," all the consequences and pain of our sins. In an ordinary service, an extraordinary message of love came through a gut wrenching reminder of Christ's great sacrifice. Totally unanticipated, I had to leave silently, totally defense-less and in my soul gasping for breath. No recourse left, but to surrender.