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Journal — July 2006 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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July 31, 2006
Why is it that for so many of us Monday is a drag? The popular "water
cooler" talk around the workplace so often focuses on how it's Monday,
and oh it is so hard to get going, etc. This kind of banter is easy to
join in with, but aren't we sending a message that going to work and doing
our job is a negative thing?
I find it even more exasperating (especially when I am guilty of such behavior)
when I've just come off a weekend of rest and relaxation and worship. If
you go to church on Sunday and have given thanks for life and Christ then
why not take that imbued grace into the start of the week?
Over the weekend you probably saw the news that Mel Gibson (actor,
director, The Passion of the Christ) was arrested
for drunk driving. Reportedly he also went on a tirade spewing obcenities
and anti-semitic remarks (allegedly he said, "The Jews are responsible
for all the wars in the world,"). Gibson has since issued an apology.
All this will be and already is grist for the Tabloid mill. I think the
lesson for all of us is to try to live authentically and recognize that
if you have a problem with alcohol then get some help. By the way, statistics
bear out that the most successful recovery path for alcoholics and addicts
is the spiritual solution used by 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.
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July 26, 2006
One of the big challenges I see facing Christianity and Christians these
days is the fundamentalist attitude versus the overly open-minded approach.
The former is so rigid that there is no room for debate and the former
allows just about any interpretation of Church history, including fantasy
paraded as historical fact, ala the Da Vinci Code.
There is undoubtedly a Truth (with a capital "T"), but because
we are humans with a finite understanding of the Infinite, there is also
going to be speculation, misinterpretation and a rigid unwillingness to
consider the deep and great mystery of God.
Most people want spirituality with substance. Most wonder about our purpose
in life. I have found that a humble and open-minded approach is necessary,
but I also realize there is NO WAY I can define or completely understand
God. What I do find acceptable is a message of love, forgiveness, helping
others less fortunate, standing up against injustice, and being willing
to face persecution. I don't find it easy, but I believe that these tenets
of Jesus Christ's gospel message are universal principles.
Anyone willing to embark on a spiritual journey will find that there are
always questions and the more you think you know the less you realize you
do. Why were so many of the "saints" deeply in love with God
and Jesus and yet very distraught at their weakness and sin?
Christianity must be willing to grow and be ever inspired by God's revelation.
This revelation is certainly contained in the Bible, but it's a myth to
say God's Truth is only conveyed this way. Who are we to say that God only
works through our religious beliefs? Are you willing to be part of a growing
and living church?
I know I'm not alone in prompting these questions. I'm sure that there
are some who will read this and be worried that I'm off-track. The price
of abandonment to God and the quest to pursue the Truth will always be
uncomfortable. I didn't just wake up today to this. It's been a process
and when I read articles such as the one here at Future
Church it helps me continue on the journey.
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July 24, 2006
Right on the heels of my wedding anniversary (see entry below) I recieved
today a press release for a new book by Dr. David Clarke. The Total Marriage
Makeover promised to give you a step-by-step strategy to do and manage "Marriage
Makeover Achievements".
I haven't read the book, but certainly in this day of "makeover" trends
it is a timely idea for a book. More info here.
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July 20, 2006
Sometimes I joke with my friends that if you want to know how my spiritual
condition is just ask my wife. Actually, there is a lot of truth in that.
How loving, tolerant and kind I am to others is usually hardest with those
I'm closest to. And I'm closer to my wife than anyone else.
My wife is my best friend and confidant. She is there for me, and I for
her. We've been married 21 years (today!) and the work we must do to grow
and maintain our relationship is only possible with the help I get from
a faith and trust in God. I think Jesus spent most of his ministry helping
others learn how to get along in life, even when the world is against you
and things are not going to your liking.
It's good to remember that Jesus enjoyed hanging out with everyday people,
including married folks. Remember that the wedding feast at Canaan was
the site of one of his first recorded miracles where he turned water to
wine. Not just any old vintage, either. The chief server was impressed
with the quality. Jesus wanted to bless the marriage gathering and celebrate
it with his friends. He will do the same for you.
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July 19, 2006
When we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, it is important to recognize
what that means. We are joining ourselves with Christ and the spirit of
our prayers should recognize that. It is not just adding Jesus' name to
the end of our prayers. Doing that is leaving your motives wide open to
whatever you want or think is best and just adding the Lord's name as a
tagline.
Instead, we should unite our mind with the mind of Christ. Charles Gore
says it best in today's Christian
Quote of the Day:
Many people have a very strangely childish notion,
that "praying in the name of Christ" means
simply the addition of the words "through Jesus
Christ our Lord" at the end of their prayers. But
depend upon it, they do not by adding these words, or
any words, bring it about that their prayers should be
in the name of Christ. To pray in the name of Christ
means to pray in such a way as represents Christ. The
representative always must speak in the spirit and meaning
of those for whom he speaks. If Christ is our representative,
that must be because He speaks our wishes, or what we
ought to make our wishes; and if we are to pray in the
name of Christ, that means that we are, however far off,
expressing His wishes and intentions.
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July 17, 2006
As has happened so many times before, our world is teetering on a full-scale
war in the Middle
East. This time the conflict centers around Hezbollah from Lebanon
and Israel. Jets pounding targets, bombs and missile strikes, and, unfortunately,
civilians caught in the middle.
For believers of following the way of Christ ( to be loving and non-violent,
even to our enemies) this is difficult to watch. Even more disconcerting
can be those who claim in the name of God their right to use military force.
Naturally we want to oppose agressors and protect against those who want
to violently oppose governments they don't agree with. How to go about
it is the age old riddle, or at least a call to look deep within our hearts
to see if we are truly peace loving.
We must pray for peace at this time. We should also be willing to stand
up for Christ's message and change our own hearts. If you ask yourself
these difficult questions you may well squirm over the answers. And for
me, or anyone, to give answers to questions others haven't yet asked probably
doesn't help. Let's ask for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide us in the
difficult days ahead.
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July 10, 2006
Prayer is important. It is so important to some that it is like breathing.
We can't live without it. Yet, is there a right or wrong way to pray?
I've asked myself this question more than once. Personally, I don't believe
there is a right or wrong way. The very act of acknowledging that there
is something outside of ourselves and that we need help so we don't go
it alone in life is a form of prayer.
However, I do believe that I can improve my prayer life. The
best prayers are honest prayers. "God help me" can be a very
powerful prayer. I can certainly lessen the "gimme" prayers
and increase the "thank you" prayers.
There have been many books written that can help us grow our prayer life.
Setting time aside each day for quiet prayer time can be helpful. The
more that I pray — in whatever fashion — the less I am trying
to figure things out and the less I am trying to run the show. That's
not my job. God is present everywhere and our existence is unfolding
in constant creation and recreation.
Divine intervention does happen. How we perceive that varies. Sometimes
I don't see God's part in my life until after certain things happen.
This is the value of experience. Going forward in life, moment by moment,
trusting that God has the best intentions for us all is an act of faith.
I pray for willingness to do that.
Tom Gilbert
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July 7, 2006
All of us are concerned about the cost of oil, gasoline and related energy
expenses. At least we should be! There is always talk about alternative
fuels and energy sources, but how many of us truly are pursuing using them?
I know I've not committed to it.
Global warming is a fact, despite what you may have heard. Also, the high
cost of oil is a fact. Sooner or later (hopefully sooner) we need to find
other ways to power our vehicles, heat and cool our homes, and so forth.
Co-op America (Economic Action for a
Just Planet) gives you some practical options to explore.
They are doing their part to educate and motivate. Their
values seem to be good, too. You can check them out at www.coopamerica.org.
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July 5, 2006
I hope all of you who were observing the 4th of July Independence Day holiday
in the States had a good day. It is always good to enjoy time off and holidays,
but it is also important to remember how important liberty, freedom and
the pursuit of happiness are.
Our pursuit of happiness means more, of course, than getting all we want.
Our free will is a great gift from God and the opportunity to pursue a
way of life that is different from self-centered motives is part of the
Christian way.
I wrote an article some time ago about A
New Freedom which you can read here.
Tom Gilbert
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July 3, 2006
Is the Word heard?
When Jesus walked the earth most people of that time were not literate.
That meant very few were reading or writing and most education was in the
form of oral instruction. The Jewish worshippers at the Temple heard the
scripture readings.
Jesus went about in his ministry "speaking" and teaching, using
everyday examples and parables to get his message across.
Did you know that today nearly 90% of Christian ministry is through literate
communication styles, yet two-thirds of our world are oral communicators? Story4all.com is
a ministry that is using oral communication (through podcasts and other
means) to reach these people. More here.
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| Read past Journal entries here. |
Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of
International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for the offering of
goods or services requires the prior written consent of International Bible
Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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PSALM 118:24
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"This
is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad
in it."
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(NIV)
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