So, the content of the book may be great, but the title really disturbed me. It certainly made me think, and that is good. I’m not going to criticize the book because I have not read it. But the statement made by the title is worth discussion. Isn’t God in control? Shouldn’t WE serve HIM instead of thinking (or demanding) HE serves US? Even if we really were omnipotent as this title implies, would any of us really benefit from that power? I’m personally much more comfortable and happy with a philosophy of “How GOD calls it is how it WILL BE”.
I’m not trying to sell us short, it’s just that our human nature tries to rear its head all too often, and I know I often want things that are not God’s will. Unfortunately, I typically don’t know that until well after the fact. If I could call down whatever I want for my life, I would have ruined it many times over.
Come on, people… let’s get our hearts right. Is this life about us and our desires, or is it about God and His? Let’s make a commitment to serve Him. To steal a great quote; “Ask not what God can do for you, but ask what you can do for God”. That’s where we’ll find real prosperity and blessing. Anything less sells everyone, including us, short of God’s plan.
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Here is the video made from pictures and footage from last year’s trip titled “Home Away From Homestead”.
We and our Ludlati friends sincerely thank God for everyone who gives time, energy, skills, supplies and finances to make the trips possible to visit our neighbor kids and people in and around Ludlati Carepoint. KnownToMe started on the journey with Ludlati in November 2009 with a long term development plan to raise support and provide resources for the Swazi ladies (Bomake) who faithfully work at the carepoint, and build infrastructure and relationships. All these things help to meet true needs, but these relationships we actively build are the only way to deliver encouragement, love, hope and life. God spreads His love through us to our Ludlati neighbors and back again to us, because He loves us all individually and together as a family community. Will you join us?
Please come to the 2012 Trip Information Session to…
You can find this link to travel team information always available at the upper right corner of the right column: 2012 Swaziland Travel Team Info
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Really good literature and music is a truly remarkable thing. It makes us stop and reconsider things that we thought we knew, spurs new thoughts and helps us see past the trees to the forest itself. I enjoy it immensly and appreciate those rare minds that can create at that level. One of the best: C.S. Lewis. For any of you who don’t know, this passage is from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. The beavers are telling the children about Aslan, who represents Jesus.
“You’ll understand when you see him.”
“But shall we see him?” asked Susan
“Why, daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for. I’m to lead you to where you will meet him,” said Mr. Beaver.
“Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy. “Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-The-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts? Aslan is a lion - THE lion, the great lion.”
“Ooh!” said Susan, “I thought he was a man. Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”
“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just plain silly.”
“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.
“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you
]]>You see, I recognize that my friend bears full responsibility for his decisions. I wish him all God’s best, but unfortunately the path he has chosen will not bring him that. We live in a world of consequences for our actions – both temporary and eternal - despite the grace that we enjoy and MUST give to others. That’s why grace is scandalous. In order to really be unmerited grace, it must be offered despite any actions of the recipient. That’s offensive and scandalous, and a big reason Jesus was killed by the powers that were.
So, I have this friend who decided to leave his wife and toddler for another woman. Beyond my agonizing over the seeming conflicts between consequences, responsibility, and scandalous grace, this raises another topic. I’ve spouted my opinions and I know you’re probably sick of hearing them - on the dangers of the typical prosperity gospel, and the broader message that God will make his way so clear and easy that it will all come naturally. That nothing should be hard or difficult, and that we should not force ourselves to make hard, life changing, difficult decisions that cause pain and the sacrifice of material comforts. But this is why I will continue beating that horse until well after it is dead.
My friend heard that message and took hold of this teaching and used it to form the foundation of a spiritual justification for his actions. I cannot help but think that a clear message of responsibility and consequences, paired with grace and blessing, would have provided some level of restraint against his decision. Maybe enough to make him reconsider. Probably not. But I know this. My kids will know all about scandalous grace, and will KNOW they cannot and need not earn anything from God. But they will also KNOW that life in this world is not easy. That Jesus promised that there is a wide and easy road - but that road leads to DESTRUCTION, He called us to pick up our crosses (in the context of His time, read: torture/execution devices – not the convenient religious symbol), promised that the first would become last, and that the way that seems right to man is not His way. Given the context we were born in and the fallen state of this world, in need of redemption and in a state of conflict on a level we cannot imagine - God has no intent that our lives be easy or comfortable. His intent is that we have joy and peace. In HIS INCOMPREHENSIBLE WAY, joy and peace come through sacrifice, service, and submitting our desires and comfort to do hard things that He will empower us to do. This is not about a life of dreary defeat and self-abuse. It’s about TRUE VICTORY AND JOY when we submit to Him and put our desires down.
Another horse that may be dead, but that I will continue to beat: scripture is dangerous if taken in snippets, and not considered and understood in the complete context of God’s entire Word, purpose, and nature. This is just one example. I am convinced I can find a half dozen scriptures (taken out of context, viewed in a vacuum) that will support ANY action I want to take. We MUST understand God’s heart, His purpose, and Who He Is. That’s what His Word is. A description of Who He Is. Since we are to reflect him, we must know Who He Is, and not rely on sound bites that we find pleasant.
Let’s get it right. Live for God and for others. Not ourselves. All of His promises are good and real, but must be paired with – and are only realized through – true abandoning of our pursuit of our good to SERVE Him and others. I’m frustrated right now. His message is clear, we simply choose to concoct other arguments because we want the easy way. And in doing so, we shortchange God, others, and ourselves. Everyone loses. I want everyone to win.
]]>O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is the mid-19th Century translation by John Mason Neale and Henry Sloane Coffin of the Latin text “Veni, veni, Emmanuel”. It is a metrical version of a collation of various Advent Antiphons (the acrostic O Antiphons), which now serves as a popular Advent hymn. Its origins are unclear, it is thought that the antiphons are from at least the 8th Century, but “Veni, veni Emmanuel” may well be 12th Century in origin. The text is based on the biblical prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 that states that God will give Israel a sign that will be called Immanuel (Lit.: God with us). Matthew 1:23 states fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It is believed that the traditional music stems from a 15th Century French processional for Franciscan nuns, but it may also have 8th Century Gregorian origins. It is one of the most solemn Advent hymns.
And another version that holds special meaning for me:
I was raised in a German Catholic community of about 400 residents. For 400 residents and the surrounding countryside, there were two - yes, two Catholic churches which shared one priest. One of the two was St. Mary’s, located in the middle of open farmland, surrounded by open views that streched for miles. The church itself was (is) a small turn of the centry stone cathedral that looks like it was plucked out of 17th century France, complete with 20 ft tall stained glass windows, stone arches, pipe organ, and echoing with awe and mystery. It looked and sounded very much like the second version above… only older and and with lights dim like candlelight.
My strongest memories of Christmas are of Christmas Eve mass. Past my normal bedtime, dark, with stars shiging brightly - a bit tired, which only increased the surrealness of the setting and proceedings. It did not matter that I was often in that building. On that night every year, majesty and wonder was thick in the air. The stars were brighter, the air was crisper, every noise, every action seemed amplified with heightened significance. As we sat before mass, every rustle echoed loudly off the stone around and above us - but there were very few of those. All were silent in the power and meaning of that night. There was a deep, deep reverence for God in that place. Then, from the back, a strong smell of incense as the priest and altar boys walked slowly down the aisle to the solemn chords of this hymn. It was somehow easier to believe on that night, in that setting, with this hymn tying me to the yearning for God and Our Emmanuel - God With Us. He was very much with us on those Christmas Eves.
I miss that reverence now. It was an attitude that is in a different universe from the BFF image of God that is popular now. Yes, Jesus tore the veil and opened the path to free and joyfully open communion and communication with God. But God is still God. The description of the heaven we will see in Revelation is much closer to the awe and majesty of the Christmas Eve mass than to any other service I’ve been to. I’m not endorsing a return to large, non-particpatory services - in fact, I endorse the opposite - small and particapatory. But I also endorse an awe, reverance, and yes… a healthy fear of God that is paired with our understanding of His love and grace toward us. In tandem, that is a powerful understanding. Knowing fear and awe without knowing grace and love is a bad place to be. But we’re not anywhere near there in the protestant/evangelical world. We’re in the place of embracing grace and love without a fear and awe of God. I think that’s nearly as bad a place to be as the former extreme.
So, I love this hymn. Love it. It brings tears to my eyes and floods me with memories. It also reminds me of who my God is, and that He is worthy of my fear, reverence, and SERVITUDE. I serve the God of that night - not the other way around. He is worthy of any sacrifice He calls for, and I submit my freedom, wishes, and desires to be burned up and replaced with His. Merry Christmas! He is GOD… and is with us.
]]>It’s a song about Christmas, the hope that God provides us, life, death, and our ultimate redemption as we ride our white horse through the sky. If not a traditional carol, it is beautiful and touching nonetheless.
]]>Those herald angels? They are singing again. They’re screaming. In fact, they never stopped. Why don’t I listen? Why don’t I repeat the message myself? Every day and every moment? The joy and majesty of His plan fills them with a message they HAVE to tell - because they understand and see the level and extent of the glory, majesty, mercy, and grace of Jesus’ coming. Listen. They’re still singing to announce His plan. I need to be too. He is worthy of nothing less. This song gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes because when I picture the angels singing the message in the heavens it is such a grand and glorious picture. And the thought that they have never stopped… and that I get to participate in their song and message. Deep stuff… full of joy.. and challenge.
http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/hey-those-herald-angels-are-singing-again-listen
well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
and I can’t quite prove that it’s real
and it’s more than just something that I feel
Glory to the newborn king
as they sing, oh just let them sing
and I’ll go along with it because of who they are
so ominous they’ve come from so very far
I don’t have the answers but I believe it
It sounds kind of crazy but I need it
we all do, it was planned before time began
for a woman and a man to be dealt this hand
and a baby would come to be a man
and be born that day in bethlehem
and there was no room anywhere for the birth
in a stables he was born the king of all the earth
so humbly they weep the story for us all
to tell of all his glory the angels one and all
singing
well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
he is the perfect reason why we celebrate
we pervert it make it ours try and dominate
why do we feel the need to water down
what he came to do, bear the cross, wear the crown
just calm down, calm down and breathe
and let this cold breeze break you down to your knees
as the angels tell it he came for anyone
he loves everyone, take the cross, choose his son
he was born, lived, and died, and reigns for you and I
it’s the hardest thing for me sometimes to live by
but I try and I fail, I’m a sinner and a fake
but trust me when I say this path I gladly take
and I can’t really say it like I feel it
but when those angels sing it In my heart I believe it
Glory to the newborn king, can you hear it. oh just listen
well, those angels they’re singing again
oh ye of little faith you can’t see it
they’re on the clouds, peace on earth good will to all men
they sing it from the heart and they mean it
and he’s sleeping now he has no pillow for his head
wrapped in rags instead, only hay for his bed
he was homeless when he came to this earth
humbly as a child he was born with much worth
and the angels scream it for the crowds
they climbed high in the clouds and sung it so loud
their king was born & they gathered through the night
while the stars shone bright to guide their flight
and they sing, they sing it so loud, they sing it so proud
can you hear it right now. oh listen
So… enjoy, or if you can’t… be patient with me. I just love this music and want to share the (for me) true perspective (and thus joy) that it brings.
http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/its-christmas-time-again-so-come-on-home-to-the-fire
Oh the weather outside is frightful
but the fire, well the fire is right there laughing at you
you’ve got no place to go
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
it doesn’t show signs of slowing
and that’s just your luck, but that’s just how you are
your heart is turned way down low
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
it’s october 25th and I can see the first signs
there’s an elf riding a reindeer in the store near the blinds
with a wreath around his neck and a froth on his lips
he yells at me and pumps his sweaty little fist
and declares war, a war that we know all too well
but then he smiles and rings his dirty little bell
and it’s in the papers it’s on the shelves it’s in your face
santa and his holiday have come to this place
for sure, OH be sure that you know it
I’m worse for the wear and I hope it’s not showing
fall is over now time goes by so fast
it’s all over now I knew it couldn’t last
there’s a reason and I’m sure someone will remind me
but I have shopping to do so get behind me (and push)
it’s november 25th and oh my we’re moving now
just had a second of thanks, but it’s time to run the plow
I’ve got an idea turkey let me tie your feet with wires
and AMERICA size you and then throw you on the fire
and lick our lips and let our eyes roll like marbles
and trash another tradition fill our stomachs till we warble
it’s my fault too, I get too busy putting things off
and waste away my thoughts with ones that I’ve bought
and we’ve paid a heavy price gladly let’s top it with oil
and grease down the wheels so our brakes won’t spoil
the fun at the end of a gun
doing what we’re told to do can be so much fun
it’s time to celebrate oh ye of little faith
so fill your carts with garbage to decorate your cage
so happy shopping holiday and please help the economy
and say a prayer for your bank account and GOD BLESS the bombing
Oh the weather outside is frightful
but the fire, well the fire is laughing at you
you’ve got no place to go
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
and it doesn’t show signs of stopping
but that’s just your luck, and it’s just how you are
why is your heart turned down so low
let it rain, let it pour, let it snow.
It’s December 25th, so go tell it on the mountain
that’s it’s finally here and your tree looks like a fountain
exploding with gifts and lights and returns
for the stores, we all pray it won’t burn
your home this year for hot cider and regret
and guilt trips hanging low near your heavy head
put your shoes on it’s time to run through the motions
and mix some anti depressants up in the potion
what have we done? remembering the reason
looking out for number one is the theme of the season
you’ve made your list and you’ve checked it a hundred times
but you forgot to mention who came for you to be tried
and killed and buried only to rise again that day
maybe that’s when you’ll have a happy holidays
God bless America? how about America Bless God
and love others like ourselves
http://listener.bandcamp.com/track/dont-touch-the-drums-boy
Don’t touch the drums boy that’s the theme of the evening
and if I catch you near them you’ll get a real good beating
the man said to his face, said it wasn’t his place
but he didn’t listen, grabbed the sticks and began ripping
he started with the right and then with the left
and back again and again till it hurt his chest
and he drums out, it’s all he has to bring
he has no gifts for a king, no gold or rings
and he plays for justice, freedom and for life
in his hands he continues all throughout the night
and he’s just a boy, he’s a boy with no tomorrow
head filled with truths and lies and he borrows
he borrows the rhythm the 1 and the 2, and it speaks to you, it speaks to you
come and play they told him then, we need what you have to give
I have nothing for a king he said, nothing but this riff
and he played his drum for him, he played his best for him
he gave his gifts to him, he gave his best to him. oh no
and we wait for gold, for perfect hearts and homes
we wait until we can afford to come to clean to the throne
but that boy had it right, he knew what he had to give
it wasn’t big or expensive it was his best that he lived
and somehow he knew it, I don’t know how but he did
he figured it all out in his heart in his head
and I’ll tell the stories, it’s all I know how to do
while dust plays out the drums out for me and you
please give your best don’t think your gifts are small
that’s what he wants from us more than all
but we have to be brave and push right up to the front
even if people tell us that’s what no one wants
and in your heart you know what you have to give
this Christmas put others first in how you live
and give Christ the glory in this very special way
after all it’s his birthday have a happy holy day
I’ve actually kind of bummed myself out writing this and listening to the song. I’m not bummed about the song. It makes me smile, and challenges me to honor Jesus’ birth in a real way - the way I believe we should. I guess I’m just a bit sad that I have to call this perspective on Christmas unconventional. We have to be brave and push right up to the front. Even if people tell us that’s what no one wants.
]]>http://projecthopeful.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/urgent-call-for-help-for-the-buoniconti-family/
]]>The Gospel is the “Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”(Romans 1:16) In it “a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” (Romans 1:17) This is ENORMOUSLY good news! It requires a response that changes EVERY SINGLE LITTLE THING about how we live, who we serve, and what we value. The truth of the gospel reveals the message that it is our whole purpose as believers to share. Our whole lives have no legitimate purpose beyond reflecting who our Lord is here in this earth until He returns.
So, back to Christmas, I completely understand and appreciate the adjustments that people are making in their modes of participation in this American cultural event. Is it appropriate to spend billions of dollars on things we don’t need? Of course not, but that is not special for Christmas. How about we stop self indulgent consumerism as a way of life, generally? I think Jesus cares about our fully surrendering to His plan and Lordship everyday.
My family will continue to take what is valuable in keeping the tradition of Christmas. We will continue to snuggle up in front of Christmas movies. We will enjoy Christmas music and Christmas cookies. We will work on surprises for each other, and for a few friends. My little girls may even find a wished for dolly under the tree. We will think of others and give extra (till it “hurts”) to those who have need. We will build traditions and make memories with the children whom the Lord has brought us, but have precious little time with. We will reflect on and rejoice in the miracle of our salvation and relationship with the God of the Universe.
We will not spend incredible amounts of money. We will not look through catalogs and make lists of things that we want, or worse, think we need. We will not even shop, for the most part, in typical stores. We will also not teach our children that Santa is real, although we don’t mind enjoying him as a cultural figure and representation of selfless giving. Truly, though, these are not special Christmas rules. These are just consequences of a different world view held everyday. I am guessing that our everyday is what really matters, and our celebrations at Christmas can be held without compromising hearts surrendered to a God who didn’t stop in His plan for our salvation at just making us servants, but instead made us His own children and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). AMAZING!
]]>Think about that. Really. Stop reading and think about that for a few minutes.
Why are we not in awe of that. Why are we more concerned and angry that store clerks say “Happy Holidays” in stead of “Merry Christmas”? GOD became flesh and dwelt among us. He made it clear what He cares about - in the law, the prophets, Jesus’ words, and letters to the early church. He wants a crazy, 100%, self-sacrificial, pour yourself out kind of love for those around us. Both those that deserve it and those who don’t. The kind of love that would make GOD become flesh and live with and die for sinners like me.
We’ve missed the point. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to the Church - conceding that our intent is to honor Him. But we’re not. We’ve missed the point if our focus is on the specific word people use to label a holiday. We’ve missed the point if our focus is on forcing our views on others - defending ourselves and our traditions against the world around us. Jesus faced a world just as hostile to His message. His response was love. Love that looked past people’s faults and saw their needs. Love that attacked others only when their attitudes and actions put culture, formalities, and religion ahead of loving and caring for people. When we make Jesus so compelling and so attractive by truly duplicating His love, that is when all the things we want to change will change.
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I was telling him I’m convinced that we know as little about what is really good for us as my five year-old son. That I like “candy” an easy life, relief from trials and troubles without pain and struggle. But that we don’t grow without facing, battling, and overcoming resistance - that’s a universal law. It’s in the Bible, it’s in every aspect of nature. So the “candy” I want may not be what is best for me. So my friend asks, “If you’re right how can I have faith for anything that I pray for?”. Great question… one that I used to really struggle with but now feel completely at peace with.
Romans 8:31-32
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
My take on this verse (and many others like it) is different than most that I have heard (imagine that, I have a minority and unusual take on things - a shocker, right?). Anyway, my take on this is that I don’t NEED to know what is best for me. God knows. And “how will He not also… graciously give us all things?”. Really… how could we imagine that He wouldn’t. I don’t need to make it happen. I have complete trust and confidence in His plan for me, and His desire and ability to give me all good things according to His plan (hmm… sounds like a real definition of FAITH to me). So I pray for His plan. I ask Him to reveal His will and bring it about in my life. I ask Him to help me overcome my presumptions, my nature, my desires, and replace them with His.
Oh… yeah, I almost forgot. It seems that someone once asked Jesus this question as well. What should we pray for?
Luke 11:1-4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
I know God’s plan for me is good. I know too many Christians who take my general position but misuse it to justify resignation with a situation that is not God’s plan… “well, it must be God’s will… or God must be trying to teach me something…” That misses the mark entirely. I am a fighter, and God expects that of all of us. Yes, I belive God always has a plan for us to grow through adversity. But you don’t build muscle mass by laying on a bench with the bar across your neck choking you. You grow by resisting, fighting, and learning to rely on and trust Him to reveal His plan and His deliverance. The other extreme says that I know there is no plan of God, no benefit, and no way God has any purpose for any suffering or difficulty in my life, so I’ll layout the specific plan and outcome I want to see and will pray for and claim that. The problem there is that we don’t know specifics. We know to fight, and we know expect His deliverance… but not OUR plan for deliverance. I think that is a recipe for disappointment and a resulting lack of confidence in Him. His plan is almost never ours… we think too small.. and then we don’t get our “candy” and we lose faith. His plan is too big and too good for us to know in full.
So, how should we pray? I’ll go with Jesus’ explicit instruction and ask God to reveal and execute His plan and His deliverance, and I won’t limit Him to the “candy” I want. I know that’s crazy talk… but sometimes I just get carried away with thinking Jesus actually knew something.
]]>http://www.openforum.com/articles/you-will-never-make-enough-money?extlink=em-openf-SBdaily
P.S. I’ll get back to Luke someday, but I’ll probably drift to Christmas thoughts for a while after this.
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