“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:6-12

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you, I’m praying that it will be restful and you’ll each enjoy time with friends. I’m always aware at the holidays, that for some it is not a happy time and that it might feel difficult to be thankful. Sometimes it takes some introspection to identify what we have to be grateful for. But this brings up, for me, two points, one psychological and one spiritual.

The psychological point deals with letting go of resentment. Each of us has been hurt in our childhood and in our lives, some much worse than others. By the time we’re into our twenties, it becomes incumbent on us to let go of the continuing sense of violation or we end up in a perpetual state of being victims. Staying in a place of resentment and victimhood is the perfect recipe for misery. Jesus tells us to forgive those who have violated us – maybe for their sakes but much more for our own. The emotional recipe for happiness entails living in the present without our old baggage. It also entails adopting an attitude of gratitude – being thankful for the things and people we have. It’s easy to think that the crowd who has more is happier. It’s not the possessions that make for fulfillment and happiness, it’s the purpose and the attitude. And when we adopt that attitude, people begin to be much more attracted to us. It creates a positive context for our lives with other people.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Jesus, Matthew 6:19-24

It's pretty obvious that we live in a materialistic society where advertising works hard to convince us that we desperately need things that, in fact, that we really just want. Pressing us to desire the new best thing, this culture pushes us to dissatisfaction with products that really are satisfactory, impels us to near belief that we are somehow deficient if we do not "own" or purchase some item and even derelict in our lifestyle if we fail to acquire whatever they are trying to sell. Then, pulling the final spin, they try to convince us that we'll feel/look/act better if we have that item and, finally, that their interest is only directed toward providing the espoused item, such as the famous McDonalds' slogan "We do it all for you." Well, of course they do.

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”

Matthew 7:1-5

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:37-38


You know, this relationship with Jesus is starting to cramp my style. First off, I’m told to deal with my own hurt and resentment and see if I’ve done anything to offend the other guy. Then I’m told to let go of anger and not hold on to it, particularly not act on it destructively. Then I’m told not to rage or let my emotions take control of me. Now this one is over the top, I’m not supposed to judge other people! Not judge? How can I not judge, seeing all the stuff people do and how they are?

"Have no part at all in the wrong things that young men like to do. Believe. Have love. Follow what is right. Live at peace. Do these things along with others who have a clean heart and talk to God."

"Keep out of foolish quarrels. You know that they start fights. The Lord's servant must not quarrel or fight. But he must be kind to all people. He must be a good teacher to them. He must be patient with them. When he corrects those who are against him, he must do it in a gentle way. It may be that God will turn their hearts to know what is true." 2 Timothy 2:22-25

If you take a first look at this passage, Paul sounds pretty rigid and like a spoil-sport. One of the indictments of Christianity for years has been that it takes all the fun out of normal living. But a second look teaches us a few important things. Paul is talking to Timothy who is, we’d say today, a second-generation leader of the church. Timothy was younger but was probably already about 40 at the time this was written. If you think of him as a mature leader of the church, these paragraphs do not sound that restrictive. Paul knew that people are going to look at the leaders of a church and make a determination about their integrity and the caliber of that church. So Paul is saying first to act adult, show your faith and express love to people, live a decent and peaceful life-style, hang out with good people and pray, “talk to God.” Not really that limiting.

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Jesus in Matthew 5:43-38

It sounds funny to talk about living under a curse because almost none of us was literally cursed in our lives. But a lot of us live with a lifelong message that has become a belief that there’s something about us that is not okay, not acceptable, not good enough. It might be that we’re stupid or clumsy, unattractive or downright ugly, worthless, hopeless, or too much trouble to deal with. Sometimes it’s worse, it might be that we should have never been born, that we were a mistake. And, in fact, some gay people do live with a curse, the message that they’re going to hell for being gay. Pretty nasty stuff.

Now these messages aren’t always right up front. Some parents give their kids this idea by failing to pay attention to them, demanding too much and rewarding too little, or by just not being interested in them. Some parents, especially alcoholics, leave a verbal curse, telling the kids to shut up or screaming at them or abusing them. The message gets internalized and lots of people go into adulthood wondering why they’re alive and what good they are to the world. Sometimes these folks look for some kind of meaning in screwed up relationships, in partying, in substance abuse, in self-destructive behavior. Some end up in prison, some end up dead – never able to shake the pervasive message that their lives are worthless. Because lots of times, their lives are worthless, many hurting people fulfill the prophecy that came from their parents or family, or maybe the crowd they ran with. It can become so ingrained that therapy and medication can hardly make a dent in it.

“This is what I say to all who will listen to me: Love your enemies, and be good to everyone who hates you. Ask God to bless anyone who curses you, and pray for everyone who is cruel to you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, don't stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. If someone wants to take your coat, be willing to give him your shirt. Give to everyone who asks and don't ask people to return what they have taken from you.” Luke 6:27-30

Ever since I was a new Christian, this teaching from Jesus has blown me away. Jesus declares an objective and a standard that is just about totally opposite to human nature. Normal people, guys for sure, are wired to counter-attack and to take no crap from anybody. If there’s a typical human motto it would be closer to this...

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

This isn’t the final chapter. That’s easy for me to say but the question of death is one of the pivotal considerations for every thoughtful person. Depending on our place in life, our age and our beliefs, our feelings about death may range from frantic desperation to avoidance to proper acceptance. We can range from being victims of death to participants, to some extent. Still, it’s always tough and lots of people don’t want to think about it or talk about it. 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4: 25-32


We've been talking about letting go of hurt with the idea of dealing properly with insult and rejection. Today we’re looking at dealing with anger with a special focus on letting go of resentment and bitterness. This sounds easy and right but when we’re ticked off at someone, we don’t always want to give it up, it makes us look like the loser and it might leave our flank undefended against the next attack. So anger, unreleased, turns into simmering resentment and a nasty bitterness that we sometimes call “holding a grudge.” If this grudge is bad enough, our demeanor and attitude change every time we think of the perpetrator – we usually have some nastier word for the one who’s done us wrong.

Message for Sunday, May 11, 2008
"Finding God's Power in our Lives"
Text - Selections from Acts 2

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the celebration of the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit. So, so what? In fact, this passage in Acts 2 shows the start of the church. This means that with the coming of the Holy Spirit, God entrusted His plan to people like you and me. Hey, WE are God’s messengers to tell the good news. But the church sure hasn’t done a good job – especially for gays and lesbians.

In the beginning, the church did a great job, spreading the message across the known world of the time. In the past couple of centuries, the church has washed out. Let’s get it back by getting to know the message.

• First, already stated, it’s given to us, we’re the ones selected to do the telling and show the meaning.
• Second, we’re not abandoned. Jesus said he was going away but would send One after Him to enable us to do what we have to do.
• Third, power from on high – this is God’s dynamo, lighting the way, correcting the message, giving us the courage and keeping us close to God.
• Fourth, control – God is in control and will find the people and circumstances to keep His Word alive and relevant. Times change, priorities are different but the Word of God is being fulfilled. God is in control – we may think it’s chaos, it is not. God knows what’s happening and God will prevail. In the meantime, God wants to be in control of our lives.
• Fifth, hope. This ties into four, history is unfolding according to God’s plan for restoration and we can know that God is managing the outcome. Not to believe this should lead to despair. To know this is to be assured that human history and your life is in the Hands of the One who designed this and you.

Ramping up to Pentecost – He is Able, We are Able

Next Sunday, May 11th is Pentecost, the arrival of the promised Holy Spirit. Jesus had directed His followers to wait for the “promise of My Father upon you”…when “you are clothed with power from on high.” Today, we’re taking a look at the way the Holy Spirit works in us and through us.

A foundational message of the New Testament is “incarnation,” that God became a person and God works through people. Since Jesus’ Ascension, He has not been walking around in the flesh and blood. So God has had to count on us and the fact is, we’re not a very well-organized team, by our normal nature. Probably a good analogy is a sports team or maybe the military, an army. Each of those is a group of people, sometimes alike and sometimes not, who’ve come together for some purpose. We expect that purpose to be pretty clear – basically, it’s to win one for the team or, more thoroughly, to win the pennant or the campaign.

What’s our purpose? Part of the reason the church on the whole has been so pitiful in the past hundred years, or more, is that it doesn’t know it’s purpose. Our purpose is to declare relationship between God and people and to be agents of God’s plan for restoration of the creation to a complete form. There are lots of additional factors but those are God’s purposes. The consequence of fulfilling the purpose is that, as a team, we work together and our lives become much more fulfilled.

Well, this team needs work and every generation it’s a “young team,” as they say in sports. Each team needs clarity of direction, motivation, good coaching and lots of drill on the basics, especially on weaknesses. But on God’s team, every individual has a role, a position, if you will. But each one has to learn to play for the team and not for him or herself. God gives us the motivation to play for the team. Everybody who’s called to play or wants to participate gets time in the game, each in a unique position but each ends up supporting the whole effort. The Holy Spirit enables us to be a team.

• Unity – This is a big biblical theme. We’re playing for the same team but our victory comes in the declaration to our community that God wants them in his team, now it becomes his family.

• Participation – every member has abilities and gifts, we just need training and refinement. We’re all “gifted” and we have to learn our gifts and not get stuck in our limitations. God’s spirit enables us to move beyond our selves, our self-centeredness and our fears, to the point of usefulness.

• Engagement – sooner of later “game day” arrives. For the trained athlete, it’s the day he or she has been waiting for. The well-prepared player will do his part or her part and will love being part of the team. The game day is already here, every day is game day. Jesus said the fields are ripe for harvest but the gatherers are few. Let’s become incarnate now, let’s know our purpose, let’s discover our gifts, let’s be on the team and let’s go for game day. Here’s the surprising irony – it’s a lot more fun than sitting around.

Desert Oasis Chapel - Sunday, May 4, 2008

“Ramping up to Pentecost – He is Able, We are Able.”

Quite a few of the folks who are discovering Desert Oasis Chapel are coming back to church after some pretty bad experiences with religion. Some have just plain gotten kicked out for being gay, given “the right foot of fellowship,” or have been notified that they cannot be or talk about who they are. Very recently a guy told me that he liked me and he liked Ian but he was not going to attend this church. Of course I asked why not and he said somebody had told him we’re fundamentalists and he was never gonna go near a fundamentalist church again. I told him that I sure understood that but we are not fundamentalists. In fact, between distorted doctrine and harsh attitudes, I cannot stomach most fundamentalists and the main spokesmen for that dogma.

More...

Our Blessed Liberty
1 Timothy 4

The New Testament message is one of liberation – stunning liberation. Throughout, it tells us of our liberty in Christ, our freedom from arcane regulations, from the restrictions of the Old Testament law, from the back-breaking burdens of the teachers of that law and it points us to freedom from our own self-obsessions and self-destructiveness. Finally, it declares that we are ultimately set free from the power of death – join us next month at Easter for more details!

Last week we started a study of 1 Timothy. Paul’s writing to his much younger protégé who’s pastoring the church in Ephesus that Paul started some years earlier. It’s pretty clear that the first part of the letter is a reminder to the church, through Timothy, not to allow the Gospel to be diluted or affected by the prevailing attitudes of the secular world. The Greek culture was rife with people participating in endless deliberation that never led to any conclusions. Paul said the outcome of his and Timothy’s teaching was to be love from a pure heart, a clear conscience and solid faith (1:4).

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. 1 Timothy 2: 8-15

I

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

1) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3) This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4) who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5) For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6) who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 7) And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8) I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

God is not looking for or at our past transgressions – God is in the business of redemption, not condemnation!