I’ll be preaching in Indiana next Sunday. I’m rather excited about the opportunity, though I fear my sermon may be a bit offensive to some. I’m preaching from Hebrews 3, in all probability and will post my notes on this site when they become a little more advanced (and readable).
It’s an interesting chapter in an interesting book - there is a great deal we can glean from it. I’m praying that God will let me see the depth of it.
I love this line from Lawhead’s “Avalon” (Myrddin - Merlin - speaking to Arthur):
Though grief be your constant companion, Aurthur, it is not for you to mourn. You are the strength of your people; you are the mighty tower of their hope and the fortress of their trust. Therefore, harden your heart, seal up your tears, and set your face to the morning.
I’ve once again been reading through the book “Avalon” by Stephen Lawhead. And I wanted to recommend it, if I haven’t yet. Though the book’s central story is about the return of King Arthur to modern England, it isn’t as cheesy as it sounds. In fact, it deals with political, spirital, and moral issues in a deeper way than most books I’ve read. And most importantly, it deals with the return of the True King - in this case King Arthur - to a world that does not recognize or even understand the importance of such a man. Though the book may be about King Arthur, I have difficulty reading it in any other way than an allegory of Christ, the True King, penetrating this world and revealing the need for such a king.
Exeedingly recommended.
I’m sure by now you’ve all heard of the “Roadmap to Peace” proposed by President Bush, which is concerned with peace between the Palestinian and Israeli people. I suppose it’s worth a shot - though unlikely to succeed, purely because all of mankind is essentially greedy and stupid, and unwilling to budge about things that do not matter.
But I’ve read, with some concern, that there is a growing Evangelical movement (led by such “leaders” as Pat Robertson - and, as a side note, who appointed him a leader of Christianity? God? Or was it himself and the media?) against the roadmap - because it calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
And why is that objectable? Because - as we all know - Israel is the land of God’s people. And they should always have that land. Because it’s their’s. And they’re God’s people.
Are they God’s people? Answer: No. They are God’s chosen people, but they long ago ceased to be his children in any sense but the wayward one. They are God’s son’s and daughters - but they have rejected the One who is their Father. So, they are chosen - yes. But are they God’s people, in terms of relationship? No. Read through the Gospels. Jesus makes that clear enough. In fact, it would be better that they call their country “Jacob” rather than “Israel”, for they are far more akin to the man Jacob than the man Israel.
Why, then, if the Jewish people are a people fallen from God, rejecting him at each and every turn (and all of these things for God’s glory, and for their eventual redemption) - do we (evangelical Christians) feel the need to completely support Israel - without asking God what he wants for them? Why do we need to step in the way of a peace plan for all of the wrong reasons?
The peace plan will most likely fail, for man can never bring peace to Israel. Only the Prince of Peace can do so. But to fight a peace plan which may or may not be in God’s providence because we think that the land belongs to some “people of God” is foolish.
If you are to reject and fight the plan, fight it because it is honestly not in God’s will and because it is a plan developed by the enemy to destroy God’s plans. Don’t do it because Israel is somehow more deserving of the land than some other group of people - because, really - look through the Old and New Testament and their continual rejection of God. And tell me they deserve it.
That’s the point. They don’t deserve it. Neither do the Palestinians. And Neither do we. And yet God, in his time, will deliver all of these things - land, peace, plenty, and salvation.
I’m not sure what happened, but I know the site was briefly down last night - to my chagrin. Clearly, the site is now up and I’m assuming my host had some technical difficulties.
Two things must be said here with equal emphasis: I could not preach if I did not know that I spoke the Word of God – and: I could not preach if I did not know that I cannot say the Word of God. What is impossible for man and what God promises are the same.
Ah, the paradox of preaching and, indeed, of the Christian life. We can do nothing, yet we must do it. It’s almost enough to boggle the mind! And as a result of our inability to accomplish what we’re intended to do, God receives the glory - for in our weakness, God is shown strong.
I truly long for the day that I am as theologically deep as Bonhoeffer; for now, I am utterly bankrupt. While it is true that I have a propensity (proclivity) toward exaggeration and that others would deny any truth in that statement, I believe it. I have an understanding of theology, an understanding of God – but little knowledge. I do not sense any depth to my knowledge, any experience in the deep places of my heart. I know but I do not know, I study but do not think, I relate but do not know. More than anything, I want to know who this God is. And this I truly mean without exaggeration. Who is this God – and how might I know him?
I’ve had “spiritual” experiences in my life; I’ve seemingly met this God. But I do not believe that the feelings have left anything but a craving for the God of the Flame, the one who is imperishable, indestructible, immortal. The One who is a fire, the one who is. If I could meet this God face-to-face, I feel that my life would be changed to the uttermost. I do not want a feeling. I do not want to feel “better” somehow. I do not want anything but to see this God and be utterly consumed. For that would be the utter end: to stand before God is to die. There is no other way.
So I crawl and wander, and beg what scraps I can glean from under the table. And what little I gain causes a hunger for more – and therefore I struggle on. Perhaps there will be a day when the host will lift me up from under the table, and give me a seat beside him… perhaps there will a day when he and I become friends, when I know him and he me.
God! The pain this causes me is an infection which weaves throughout my heart. For I know that once I knew him – but even that may be an illusion of youth. But I feel as if I knew that Man, the host. And I rejected him, in my foolishness, and cast myself to the floor. Now I can merely wait until he reveals his face. And I can seek whatever scraps which lie before me.
Perhaps I should stand and face him. That would be wise – but how can I stand when I no longer remember the time when I was human? And yet I must stand, for He will accept me. I know him enough to understand this. But some part of me likes this place I dwell in, for the darkness is easy on the eyes, and my heart is under no man’s control. It, in fact, rules. If I will only look up, I know I will see his hand reaching out to me. I know this. When will I understand?
So, I drive into work today. I get right across the street and try to pull a U-Turn in order to park on that side of the street. And then I suddenly discover a car embedded in the side of my car. Yeah... my car is totalled... and her car is barely scratched. Anyway, thank God that neither one of us was hurt.
Though I have to wonder why, when my life seems to be looking good and headed in a positive direction, something like this must occur. It seems to be happening repeatedly over the last several months; everytime I may be saving money and am happy, something occurs which makes me spend all of my money and makes me miserable. It is as if God is preventing me from getting ahead.
I know, God is on our side. I know, we have an enemy. But there must be some purpose to all of these events, there is a reason for these things. But I have to wonder why he is causing (allowing?) these events to occur. There must be something I’m missing, something he wants me to learn, something he wants me to do.
I wonder if this is because I’m involved in a job that has nothing to do with my ultimate calling. I had thought God gave me permission to do this, if I wished. Perhaps I was wrong.
Obviously, I must pray and consider these things.
I fear so much the Pentecostal spirit, the one who views God as a feeling and emotion, and misses the depth of his Spirit. And this hinders my walk with him. Yet that very fear should encourage me to meet him, since it will give me a healthy wariness for such an attitude. And if I’m wary of this, then I will gain depth, and generally avoiding the Pentecostal spirit. It is good to have a known enemy – because it can be avoided. It is the unknown enemy I fear.
I’m sad for myself and the way I am.
I want to be more than me, different from this land.
I want to be the rock upon which men stand
Instead, I am the sand.
Rare is the godly man
Rare are his kin
Rare are those who fight away sin
Rare as the diamond, glittering clean
Rarely birthed, rarely seen
This site was just reviewed by The Weblog Review. The review for my site can be seen here: (review). It, in fact, received good reviews so you should take a look at it! (As if I’d post this if I received terrible reviews. I kid oh so much.)
I’m rather pleased to read that others see depth in this site - therefore, the review does mean a lot to me. Thanks to the Weblog Review for the positive thoughts!