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Journal
Archives – April, 2003 |
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| AN ONGOING SPIRITUAL WEBLOG |
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April 30, 2003
There is a hunger in all of us to know of spiritual things. Sometimes we don’t know that
those things we hunger for are of a spiritual nature. Nevertheless, the idea
of God is deep inside all of us.
So often we have questions and we want the answers and we want them quick. This
wasn’t always the way Jesus taught. Often he let questions hang in the
air knowing that those “who had ears” would hold those questions
inside.
Lord, give me the patience to live in the questions until I can hear the
answers.
Tom Gilbert
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April 29, 2003
As we experience the great rebirth of Easter it seems appropriate to look to
the Apostles and what they did and lived in the days after Christ’ resurrection.
Certainly you should spend time in the book of Acts.
You might also want to explore the many letters from Paul, the Apostle who was
not of the original twelve, but his impact is undeniable! I’m listening
again to Richard Rohr’s excellent tapes on the “Great
Themes of Paul”. I also just enrolled in an online study of Paul’s
letter to the Ephesians. “A
Vision for the Church” is part of Dr. Ralph Wilson’s JesusWalk
Internet Bible Studies (most excellent!). Finally, I’ve started reading The
Messenger by Tim Woodroof (Navpress). It’s a fictional account
of Paul’s letter to the Philippians and I’ll provide a review on
this site after reading it.
Tom Gilbert
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April 25, 2003
A thought for the weekend: In Psalm we
are reminded to rejoice in each day for the Lord has made it. Yet, just two verses
before is the statement of the “stone the builders rejected” (). Can we connect the two? Can we see that what we often reject
or stumble over may actually cause our eyes to be opened and to rejoice and be
glad?
Tom Gilbert
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April 23, 2003
Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus () we can be blinded to Christ’ presence – even when
he is walking right beside us!
Wednesdays I practice “living in the question”. How often am I blinded
to Jesus in others?
Tom Gilbert
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April 22, 2003
From time to time I’ve reported on the efforts of Eagle TV. This television
station has been a joint venture between American and Mongolian business interests.
Its intention has always been to provide a media outlet that provides news, sports
and other types of programming free from censorship. The American Mongolian Foundation
(AMONG) based in South Dakota has been instrumental in the endeavor and last
year Tom Terry was hired as the general manager. The staffing has always been
mostly Mongolian, but Tom brought his varied media experience and his Christian
commitment to the station. To say the least, it has been high adventure to relocate
with his family to this Asian country.
There have been highs and lows so far. I’ve enjoyed getting Tom’s
emails as he detailed the challenges and, most recently, the triumphs of providing
coverage of the war in Iraq and the positive feedback and high ratings from the
viewers, despite heated criticism from the government and other media outlets.
Unfortunately, new developments have forced Eagle TV to dissolve their current
operations. They hope to create a new Eagle TV with new partners. I encourage
you to read more about this here and to keep them all
in prayer.
Tom Gilbert
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April 21, 2003
If I am truly honest with myself then I must admit how many times I am not honest.
I don’t mean I’m a pathological liar. Oh, no, it is much more subtle
than that. I mean that I can always be more honest about who I am, what I believe
and what I am doing and thinking.
Personal desires, selfishness, justification and rationalization all play a part
in keeping our false self prominent. Only God can help us discover our true selves.
Our spiritual rebirth is the beginning of our true and real self. Daily living
in the freedom of being real, honest and true is a process. Taking responsibility
for my thoughts and actions means recognizing them and confessing my wrongs (sins).
God, of course, is aware of them, but the need to own up to them is part of growing.
Doing this, asking God for the grace to not repeat the same behavior and celebrating
the reconciliation of “stepping in to the sunlight of the spirit” is
part of our personal resurrection to our new way of life.
Tom Gilbert
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April 19, 2003
Today, the day between Good Friday and Easter, strive to have some quiet time.
As you ponder the paschal mystery, realize, too, the gift silence brings. It
allows you to recognize the busyness of life and the constant “noise” we
have around us.
Thomas Merton had some good advice for a young activist: “To allow oneself
to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to commit oneself
to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is to succumb to
violence. It destroys one’s own capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness
of one’s own work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes
the work fruitful.
Tom Gilbert
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April 18, 2003
Today we observe amnesty day for each of us (Good Friday). The sin we are all
guilty of (be honest – you know we all have sinned) has been absolved.
Someone else took the rap and stood in our place.
What you do with that knowledge is everything. The next move is yours. Would
you like to know more about the one who did this for you? It’s all about
a relationship.
Tom Gilbert
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April 17, 2003
We should continually be amazed at the depth of Truth. Our knowing and understanding
will always be limited by our humanity. Yet, we are told by Jesus that the Helper,
the Holy Spirit, will lead us to all Truth ().
I recognize that once I begin to write words and share my understanding that
there will be opportunity for controversy and error. We all know that having
an opinion is universal. Still, with today’s Gospel reading about Jesus
washing the disciples’ feet and telling us to “love with a perfect
love”()
it reminds me that so much of BE-ing a Christian is in doing. Not just thinking
about it.
Much of the focus of preaching and church programs is on converting others. How
that is done can often do more harm than good. We must not hawk Jesus like a
carnival barker. Our greatest impact should be the impression we make with how
we daily live our faith. God calls each us to Him, so let’s trust Him to
work with the hearts of those to whom we “witness”. What is witnessing
really, anyway? To look upon another and to see (witness) the way they live and
love.
Because Easter time brings the Gospel message before the world in a way that
other times of the year do not, I hope that I can put all this into action. I’ve
read some similar thoughts and experiences by others, like the Internet
Monk and the pastor that makes the trip to the Burning Man festival just
to “hang out” and share bottled water, and the Good News, when asked
(see A Pastor
At Burning Man article at the RELEVANT
magazine web site)
I realize I go against the grain here with some believers who consider our daily
obligations to be winning as many souls for Christ as possible. But, conversion
means change, and real change comes from transformation. It is an individual
choice to willingly accept God’s grace and then be changed by that. We'd
do well to practice more attraction rather than promotion (see sharing
your faith).
Tom Gilbert
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April 16, 2003
What a wide range of emotions the Apostles must have been feeling as they prepared
for the Passover feast that we know as the “Last Supper”. Jesus had
been dropping not-so-subtle hints about suffering, dying and rising from the
dead. Yet, the disciples had just experienced the high of the triumphant entry
into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Then, too, there was the intrigue of Judas’ pending
betrayal. He met with the religious leaders and negotiated his fee of thirty
pieces of silver.
The Gospels tell us of Jesus’ great distress that one of the twelve would
betray him ( ). His disciples were also sad at this announcement and wondered
who it would be (“surely not I, Lord?”).
How easy it can be to betray our Lord. What ways do we put ourselves and our
desires, even our certainty of what is “right” ahead of our devotion
to the Master?
Tom Gilbert
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April 14, 2003
This is Holy Week. It is an important time of year for Christians. The last week
of Jesus before his crucifixion was full of many significant occurrences. They
all led to Calvary.
Non-Christians often have a difficult time understanding why God in the flesh
would suffer and die in such a horrible way. What is more amazing is that it
was voluntary. We need to always keep in our hearts the mystery of Christ’ death
and resurrection. Don’t approach this week as an historical remembrance.
Jesus Christ came to our world and taught us many things, but the main purpose
was to atone for our sins. Our emancipation from the bondage of sin and death
is the greatest gift ever.
Tom Gilbert
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April 11, 2003
Remember that whatever is happening in the world, whether in other countries
or our own backyards, that God is the God of no borders. His
love extends to all.
Peace to you this weekend.
Tom Gilbert
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April 10, 2003
I know that God is always at work around us, but sometimes just pausing to really
see that is amazing! I thank our Heavenly Father that He works in and through
us. It’s good to stay involved with each other. The reminder I get about
this each time a new issue of our e-zine goes out is powerful. Thanks to all
who subscribe and read it. The current issue is available free by email (go to register or
on just about any page on the website is a sign up area) or you can read it online
here. Despite proof reading three times I still put the wrong link to the
current issue in the email version—sorry!
Vaya con Dios.
Tom Gilbert
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April 9, 2003
The striking image of the statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad being toppled by
the people of Iraq demonstrates how much people long to be free of oppression.
While the war is not over, today is historic for residents of Baghdad.
Freedom from tyranny is important. Yet, I’m reminded we all can fall bondage
to sin. When we admit our sin we often cry out to be free from it, yet the selfish
desires in each of us are powerful.
More powerful is God’s grace. He rescues us, despite our sin, when we turn
to Him. I was surprised again at how the scripture I read this morning coincides
with events in life. I regularly read from an email service, “Daily
Reflections”, and today’s first scripture passage was from the
Old Testament, the Book of Daniel. In chapter 3 we read of King Nebuchadnezzar
(of ancient Babylon) requiring everyone to bow and worship a golden statue. Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego refuse and boldly proclaim their worship of God. As a result
they are flung, bound, into a red-hot furnace. But, they are not consumed. In
fact, King Nebuchadnezzar sees them walking around in the furnace along with
a fourth who “looks like a son of God”.
The Iraqis will surely be glad to be free of the regime of Saddam Hussein. Nevertheless,
in our world we know that war and violence also result in great pain, death and
sadness. Regardless of our citizenship, I’m reminded of how important it
is to put God first.
Tom Gilbert
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April 7, 2003
How is it that God can forgive us and, better yet, redeem us from our sin, before
we even know of it? () That is one of the wonderful mysteries of our loving God. As we get
closer to “passion week” and contemplate what Jesus did for us on
the cross, may we keep our hearts open to forgiveness and mercy – both
to receive and to give.
It’s not about condemnation. (). We are all guilty of sin, but we all are forgiven. God’s
grace is for us all. Isn’t it amazing?
Tom Gilbert
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April 4, 2003
It is good to see God’s blessings. It is good to experience them. It is
good to be grateful for them, too.
However, for our faith to be real we must recognize when we have been interested
only in God for His blessings, instead of in God Himself. Thanks to Oswald
Chambers for that reminder today.
Tom Gilbert
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April 2, 2003
When we pray we should do so with confidence, with faith that God hears us and
is attentive to our needs. That is not the same as confidently expecting that
God will grant our wants. Oh, the dangers of thinking
we have all the answers!
In Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-step program (heavily influenced by Christianity
and the Bible –see the review on the Good
Book and the Big Book) the eleventh step speaks of praying for the knowledge
of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out. There is a great
deal of wisdom in this.
In the oft-quoted New Testament passage Jesus tells his disciples “He is the way”. Just what
is the Way of Jesus? If we spend time learning the way of Christ and following
him, instead of just worshipping him, we discover this Way is non-violent, non-judgmental,
loving, self-sacrificing and long-suffering. No wonder he told Pilate his kingdom
was not of this world ().
Tom Gilbert
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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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