When the Phone Rings

What is your response when the phone rings?  All depends…

 

First picture.

 

The phone rings, you pick it up and immediately feel a gag reflex.  That relative who can make a rock frown and keep a telemarketer from hanging up.  You love her but you don't want to take a cross-country trip with her.  She goes on and on and on and on.  Without breathing.  Or pausing.  Or listening.  You could set the phone down on the coffee table, do your laundry, return in half an hour to say, "uh-huh" and she wouldn't notice.  You used to try to tell her your latest news, but get out no more than, "Did you hear…". You love her, but she wears you out.  You look at your spouse, who breathes a deep sigh of relief that you picked up the phone, make a horrible face and moan.  You hit the mute button and almost shout, "We have GOT to get caller id!"  You love her, but you don't want to get caught by her.  Three days later, you pry the phone from your ear and collapse in exhaustion.  Because you love her, because you know she is lonely, because you are a nice person you refuse to hang up rudely, but it is nothing but a DUTY to talk with her.

 

Second picture.

 

In the past year our kids, Amber and Chadd, have both spent time out of the country.  Amber in Ireland, Chadd in Thailand.  During those times the ringing of the phone signaled a footrace.  Sheila was especially brutal at elbowing me to get to the finish line.  We longed for the phone to ring because of the limited times when they could call.  We'd schedule phone appointments just so we could hear their voices.  The few times we missed their calls and we got the message they left on the answering machine our hearts would plunge.  We just wanted to hear their voice, to know they were okay, to connect with them in some small way.  The house was so quiet, our hearts were empty with their absence.  If one of them called and Sheila got to talk with them while I was away, I felt cheated.  We reveled in the time talking and the half hour sped by.  It was nothing short of a PRIVILEGE.  When they returned home, well, you'd thought we'd won the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes!

 

What was the difference?  Same phone.  Same activity. All are human voices.  All take time.  All are relatives. 

 

The difference? the kind of relationship.  The needy relative is distant, disconnected and a duty.  The kids are our precious, treasured, heart connected loved ones and a privilege.

 

What is your response when God invites you to talk?  All depends…

 

If you see God as a duty, it will be something like a gag reflex.

 

If you see God as a loving Dad who fills your heart with joy, it will be a longing.

 

Tragedy is that the most view God as a duty while He stands by longing to fill our hearts and lives with meaning, joy, encouragement, instruction, protection, wisdom and so much more.  Truth is there is nothing like conversation with God.  Not duty kind of talking, but real, meaningful, heart-to-heart conversation that connects us with the one Who knows us best and loves us most.

 

It is time to pick up the phone.

 

""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Mat 7:7-11 (NIV) 

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

Forgiving and Moving On

(This is the cherry on the previous 3 blogs.  I suggest reading them first, then coming back to this one.)

 

I do not make light of the pain some of you have been caused.  Some of those reading this have been abused, abandoned, betrayed, cheated, stepped on, and harmed in ways that I can't even imagine.  I do not dismiss those offenses or trivialize them.  Forgiving those people is even more important for you, not less.  For your good, your future and those you love.  You are my heroes when you put your full energy in forgiving.

 

As long as we view forgiveness as a feeling, we will be stuck.  Forgiveness is a mental transaction. A choice in opposition to our feelings because we know it is the right and best thing to do.  The truth is "forgiveness" can seem "touchy-feely." Nothing could be further from the truth – it is AN ACT OF THE WILL, a calculated decision often made in conflict to our strongest, raging feelings.  It requires all the strength of character within and God's strength poured into us.

 

It takes a real man, a real woman to forgive when all within cries out to give into emotions of anger, hate, bitterness and revenge. 

 

So when we pray, "Forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12) it is one of the most courageous, self-sacrificing, strength of will actions possible by a human being.

 

How do we do that?  In previous blogs I described the first steps:  realize forgiveness is best and receive God's forgiveness.  Once we have done that, here are the rest of the practical steps to choosing to make the willful transaction.

 

FORGIVE MYSELF. The extent of our acceptance of God's forgiveness and forgiving ourselves determines the extent that we can forgive others. The transaction is the same, I choose to release myself from the guilt of my actions, I pardon myself and cancel the debt.  We will always have regrets, but the guilt must be forgiven.

 

SEEK FORGIVENESS OF OTHERS.  Do you know the definition of major surgery?  Major surgery is my surgery; minor surgery is your surgery.  We tend to amplify the offenses of others against us and minimize the offenses we have done against others.  We excuse ourselves and hold others to a high standard.  We need to reflect, identify anyone we have hurt, and ask for forgiveness.

 

GRIEVE THE PAIN.  One of the reasons we don't like to think about forgiveness is that it brings the original pain back to us, often in vivid Technicolor.  To truly forgive, we need to grieve the pain that was caused and the pain of what will never be.  If we lose a leg because of someone's negligence, the leg is lost. Gone. Never to grow back.  We need to grieve the pain involved just as we grieve the loss of a loved one until we can come to accept the circumstances as they are, not as we want them to be.  (In another blog I talk about living in reality rather than fantasy.)

 

TRUST GOD WITH THE PAIN AND JUSTICE.  Forgiveness does not mean the other person gets off the hook.  Justice will be delivered, but we are not the ones to exact that justice.  God will hold them accountable and justice will be given, in His time and His way.

 

Remember the Old Testament story of Joseph? His eleven brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy, his master's wife accused him of attempted rape, he was thrown into prison and left there for over ten years.  In God's time he was promoted to vice-president of the world (read it, it's in Genesis chapters 39-50), in charge of selling food to the famined world.  His brothers come, don't recognize him, he tests them, finally reveals himself, tells them he forgives them, moves the entire family to Egypt and they prosper.  Some years later their father dies, the brothers believe Joseph will now get even so they concoct a story to protect themselves, "Dad told us to tell you that you have to take care of us…" Joseph is dumbfounded at their fear.  He forgave them long ago.  (SIDENOTE: notice how unforgiveness and fear hurts those who hold on to it more than those who forgive?  It had left Joseph's mind over a decade ago.)  Joseph responds, as we all should as we trust God:

 

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20 (NIV) 

 

RELEASE THE OFFENDER.  Choose to remove the chain of guilt and unforgiveness that binds you to the other person and place it into God's hands.  With the chain gone, both of you are free.  Even if they never ask.  Even if you never see them again. Even if they are dead.  How did Jesus forgive us?  Completely and before we even knew we needed forgiveness.

 

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13 (NIV) 

 

MAKE FORGIVENESS A LIFESTYLE.  Give people the benefit of the doubt.  Don't be easily offended.  When hurt, release it as quickly as possible.  Get some perspective on what is important and let things go.  Lighten up.

 

Most important, pray blessings on those who offend you.  It is impossible to hold on to hurt and unforgiveness when you pray for blessings on that person.  Jesus knew this.

 

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Matthew 5:44 (NIV) 

 

Forgiving others, no matter how hard it is or how deeply they have hurt us, is worth it. 

Holding on to hurt and unforgiveness, no matter how it seems to satisfy, is not worth it.  Ever.

 

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

 

If Jesus Did So Can We

What is forgiveness?  Here's a definition: "canceling a debt, pardoning an offense, releasing an offender from guilt."

 

Imagine this…

      You loan me $2000 interest free because you think I'm a dependable guy and you are a very nice person.  You're not wealthy, so it's a stretch.  A few months later I do some electrical work on my house and I blow the thing up.  I know, I know, I should leave that to the professionals, but I don't.  Now I'm in a heap of trouble and have even more financial woes.  You decide, again because you are a nice person, to forgive – cancel the debt.

 

      More serious:  You invite me to your house I have no place to live or eat, (remember I blew up my house). As I pull into your drive way, I run into your classic car.  A car that has all original features from bumper to fenders to upholstery.  That dent means it will no longer be original equipment.  I have damaged it in a way that can never be corrected – repaired, yes, but not corrected.  I can't tell you how bad I feel.  I'm devastated as I walk into your house to confess, offer to fix the car and give you the $2000 someone loaned me.  But no matter what I do, the car will never be the same because the fender will not be original.  I beg you to forgive me.  Though you are deeply hurt, you forgive.  You forgive - pardon my offense.  It does not go back in the past and make it never happen, but you no longer hold me guilty. 

 

      Even more serious:  Your child is driving when another driver has a mechanical failure, crosses the center line, hits your child and kills him.  The most devastating experience ever.  Through no fault of anyone, the child is taken from you.  The driver comes to you devastated, begs you for forgiveness, sobbing in sorrow.  Not because you feel it (forgiveness is not about how we feel), you choose to pardon the offense, to release the offender from guilt.  THAT IS FORGIVENESS.

 

      Most serious:  Someone sees your child, stalks and targets her for no reason, follows and brutally murders your child.  Senseless.  Heartless.  A child taken from you and nothing will ever make it right.  The murderer is caught, tried, convicted.  While in prison Christ gets hold of his heart and he is miraculously transformed.  He comes to you, sincerely expresses his sorrow and regret and then asks for forgiveness.

      "Herb", you might be saying, "What kind of hurtful picture is that?"  THAT is exactly what we did with God.  We deliberately chose to turn our backs on God, go our own way and the price was the death of His Son.  By our sin we brutally murdered Jesus. 

 

      Deeper and stronger:  Back to the saved, repentant stalker - the time comes for the death sentence to be carried out for the murderer of your child.  You meet the executioner and murderer in the hallway to the room where the lethal injection will occur.  You stop them, take the handcuffs off the murderer, put them on yourself and walk into the death room to take the murderer's place.  That is what Jesus did for us.  Not only forgives when we ask, but before we even knew to ask, He took our place, writhing in the punishment we deserved, paying the price for our offense and offering deliverance. 

Romans 5:6 (NIV)  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

 

Here's the formula of forgiveness, whether it is us with God or with another person, whether we're on the giving or receiving side of forgiveness:

Offense  Ú  pain  Ú  responsibility  Ú  choose to release from guilt

 

For me and you:  An offense occurs (I hit your car)  Ú  pain follows (for me and for you)  Ú  someone has to take responsibility (me to fix the car, you to hear out my apology)  Ú  you have to choose to pardon, to release me of guilt or hold on to the hurt, anger and unforgiveness

 

For God:  we sin (the offense) Ú  causes pain for God (Jesus has to suffer and die, we experience the damage of sin)  Ú  God takes responsibility to pay for our sin with Jesus' death  Ú  God chooses to offer us forgiveness, pardon, release us from our guilt before we even ask.

 

      So what do we do?  Accept it.  It is free, but it is not cheap or easy.  It cost God everything.  It will cost us ownership of our lives.  If we truly believe Jesus gave everything for us, the only way to receive the forgiveness is to do the same in return. 

 

I hope you will.

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

 

Forgiveness and the Big White Box

Why do we struggle so to forgive? to ask for forgiveness?  to address the problems in our relationships?

 

Most often it is because we don't want to face the pain.

 

Picture this: 

      You move into a new home to find a big white box in the kitchen next to the fridge.  You've never seen one before so you don't recognize it.  It has a flat surface you use to stack stuff, cut vegetables and set your coffee mug.  For three years.  Then one day a friend comes to visit. While there he asks if he could make a snack.  He pulls out a pan, sets it on the front right black circle of this white box, turns a knob on the back of the white box, pours the ingredients into the pan and makes the best snack of all time.  Popcorn.  You're amazed, dumbfounded and excited.  Not because of the popcorn, but because he was able to make it on the counter you've been using.  As you inspect this contraption, you put your hand on the black circle and scorch your hand.  Pain, oh the pain! You say not very nice things about this box, the very same one you raved about a moment ago.

 

QUESTION:  For the next three weeks, when you walk through the kitchen and see the stove, what comes to mind?  Do you think about the three years you put your hands all over the burners without consequence or the ONE TIME you burned yourself?  It's the ONE time, right?  You rub your hand, scowl at the memory, creep along the opposite wall.  In fact, it may take quite some time before you are even willing to THINK ABOUT using the thing again.  Sound extreme?  Yet that is what we do in relationships where hurt and unforgiveness resides.

 

TRUTH:  Relationships are what life is all about.  But one of the few guarantees about relationships is that we will have problems, confrontations, disagreements and struggles every day. Blame Adam and Eve.  Forgiveness is the number one issue in relationships.  Of all the phrases in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus chose forgiveness as THE phrase to add additional commentary.  Why?  Because He knows that hurt, anger, bitterness, grudges and distance are all forms of unforgiveness.  Develop a lifestyle of forgiving everyone and many of the relationship issues are quickly resolved.

 

No one, except people who should be carried off in a special white jacket and locked up in a windowless room, really likes the idea of confrontation because we have in our minds the times when we've been burned.  And we HAVE been burned.  Like walking through the kitchen with the demon stove, when we think about confrontation and forgiveness we remember the big blow-ups when it did not go well and caused searing pain.  Truth is that we actually have relational confrontation daily and have to forgive often but most of the issues are minor or quickly resolved or automatically overlooked because we have learned how to take care of them.  Like your friend navigating the stove to your awe.  We don't even think of them as confrontations or issues of forgiveness.  They are like three years of having the stove in our kitchen without getting burned. 

 

The moral of this story:  take on relationship confrontation and forgiveness head on.  Quickly, lovingly, with the desire for resolution and reconciliation.  Don't back away out of fear or you'll miss the joy of relationships. Relationships cannot be good and strong without it.  In fact, they cannot be good and strong without going through it.  You'll still get burned once in a while, but it will be worth it. 

 

""Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV) 

 

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

 

Life in Your Universe When You Don't Forgive

Life is about relationships.  Everybody, raise your hand if you have relationships in your life.  Good, everybody confesses.

 

Relationships mean we will get hurt.  Sorry.  But it is the truth.  When we are in relationships we are guaranteed to get hurt.  Comes with the territory.  Then comes the great decision.  What will I do with my hurt – hold on to it or forgive.  Do I allow the hurt to turn into controlling anger, bitterness and grudges or do I let it go by forgiving? 

 

One problem is that we live in an angry society where the opposite of forgiveness is applauded and encouraged.  Phrases like, "Go ahead, make my day" and "Hasta la vista, baby" are part of pop culture language.  It feels good to be mad and to give into it.  So what's the big decision?  It is about the aftermath, not the moment. 

 

So why should we forgive?  The irony here is that it is hard to think clearly when we are angry, but try to put any anger aside, any hurt that is controlling or unforgiveness that you believe is justified for just a couple minutes and consider the reasons below calmly.  YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.

 

Here are some good reasons to forgive, to let go of the hurt and anger.

 

1. We damage ourselves.  What does holding on to anger look like?  Chains.

 

Have you ever met an angry, bitter, harsh, hurtful person?  If you listen to them you discover QUICKLY that they were hurt and they are RELIVING it over and over again.  Have you ever met a kind, loving, caring, helpful person that everyone seems to want to be around?  Listen to them long enough and you will discover, though it may take much time, that they were hurt but they have let it go.  And sometimes the attracting person has been hurt worse!

 

            Unforgiveness does more harm to me than to the one who hurt me.

 

O Physically

Some physical symptoms: unable to sleep and constantly feeling tired; rapid heartbeat, headache, stiff neck and/or tight shoulders, backache, ulcers, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, upset stomach, nausea, or diarrhea.

 

O Emotionally

            Unforgiveness builds a wall around my soul so that I cannot develop relationships, enjoy friendships, laugh, cry and live emotionally healthy.  An unforgiving person will become irritable and intolerant of even minor disturbances, feel irritated or frustrated, lose his temper more often, and yell at others for no reason, feel jumpy or exhausted all the time, worry too much about insignificant things.

 

O Mentally

            Unforgiveness slows the ability to think, blinds, distracts, gets obsessed with hurt.  That person will find it hard to concentrate or focus on tasks, will doubt ability to do even common things, and imagine negative, worrisome, or terrifying scenes.

 

O Spiritually

            Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

            It is impossible to connect with God and hold on to unforgiveness at the same time because I have to turn my back on God to do so.  My prayers will bounce off of the ceiling, the Bible will seem foggy, worship will be a duty rather than a connection with God.  My soul dries up.

 

2. When we refuse to forgive we damage our relationships.

 

Obviously we damage the relationships where we have the hurt, but it is bigger and broader than that.  We damage ALL our relationships when we refuse to forgive in one.  The problem is unforgiveness leaks.  We can try to hold back the anger from other relationships, but the consequences above leak on to others.  We can get to the place where people just don't want to be around us.

 

3. When we hold on to anger, we damage the future.  Our future and the future of others.

 

      I rob myself of healthy relationships now and in the future.  I also rob others of the healthy relationship they could have had with me, and I prevent them from experiencing the value I could have added to their lives. 

      I cannot set off a bomb and not have collateral damage, and that damage goes into the future.

 

4. When we refuse to forgive others, we separate ourselves from God and remove ourselves from His blessings.  In this life and in eternity.

            Matthew 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)  "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

 

It is not that God so much punishes us, but that we turn our backs on God by our disobedience.  God is our loving Heavenly Father.  Literally, our Daddy.  He looks down on us, sees the damage that anger and unforgiveness causes and does not want that for His kids.  He disciplines us when He sees us doing wrong so that we will stop hurting ourselves. 

 

Holding on to anger, hurt and unforgiveness is choosing the temporary rather than the long term.  Feels good for the moment, but it causes immeasurable damage as we go forward.  And we can get so used to it that we don't realize the depth of the damage. 

 

In the days ahead we'll look at this more.  Until then, would you commit to let go of the hurt and anger – FOR YOUR OWN GOOD?  Not because you have to, but because you truly want the best for yourself and those around you.

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

 

God and I Had a Fight

God and I had a fight last Saturday. Didn't mean to. Didn't want to. And it wasn't a knock down, drag out fight. I mean, c'mon, really. When has that been possible with God? You might get knocked down and drug out, but God won't break a sweat.

I actually didn't even WANT to fight with God, it's just that, well, sometimes God asks some pretty awkward stuff, you know? Stuff that looks like it's going to get embarrassing, making you look odd.

Chadd, my youngest son, and I joined a bunch of other Marching Band parents to set up the Christmas tree sale last Saturday. Ever tried to unload and set up 900 trees? A great time working together. After six hours we were cleaning up when Tom, another parent, and I started talking. I asked him how he was doing and found out that he had hurt his neck a couple days before and was in excruciating pain. The day before he had gone to the emergency room because he couldn't stand it and had come home with some humongo pain killers. They really weren't helping much and he had been awake since 2:00 am.

It was at this point when God and I got into it. I had a very distinct impression that I was to pray for Tom. You might know that kind of impression. There are times when "a good idea" comes to mind. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. The thoughts are common sense or just me. Then there are the times when a thought pops into my mind and it is not just a good idea, it is a GOD idea. It is strong, definite, significant. And I've learned this is something that I had better do. And that it is not about me (see my last blog for more on that).

"Okay, God. I'm willing, but there are a lot of people around and I don't want to embarrass Tom."

"Pray for Tom."

"Okay, God. I'm not saying 'No' here, I just want to do this properly." (Which is good sometimes, but I've also learned that God is not always real concerned with "properly." Just ask Mary and Joseph.)

"Pray for Tom."

I walked away. I wasn't trying to get out of it, just making sure it was really God and not me. Really.

People began to leave, Chadd and I stayed to make sure everything was cleaned up, to make sure Tom didn't lift anything and to look for an opportunity. Problem was, another guy that didn't seem like the praying type, kept hanging around to help Tom as well. Again, I wasn't trying to shirk, but I didn't want to embarrass him either. And he kept hanging around.

So I did the spiritual, pastor thing. I left. Truthfully, I wasn't running. I just thought maybe it was just me. As we drove away, it refused to shut up.

"Pray for Tom."

I turned around at the next street. "Dad, what are you doing?"

"I think I'm supposed to pray for Tom."

"Okay." I think Chadd was readier than I was.

We drove back to the parking lot where Tom, his wife, his son and the other dad were still talking at a picnic table. I promptly drove right past.

"Pray for Tom." Not mean, not loud, but ever so clear and distinct. This was not me, this was God. He was not going to let me off the hook. The only way to get out of this was to blatantly, intentionally refuse. Here's another lesson I've learned: If I choose to refuse I take a step away from a closeness with God. And I hurt other people. I certainly didn't want to step away from God. Been there, done that and it ain't pretty. And it was becoming increasingly obvious that God wanted to do something for Tom. I certainly did not want to rob him of God's touch. I've been in pain and I don't want anyone to endure it a second longer than necessary.

"Pray for Tom."

We went through the intersection and turned left – the way home. Chadd probably thought I'd lost my ever' lovin' mind. "How many times are we going to drive by before you just do this?" he could have asked, but didn't. Turned around at the next intersection and headed back to the now familiar parking lot. Yep, the whole crew was still there.

With God watching, and Chadd wondering, I finally had the courage to turn into the parking lot, drive up to the group, get out and start walking toward them. They all grinned and teased. "What did you forget?"

"Nothing. Just returning the screw you gave me," I said to the other parent and held out my hand. He smiled, remembering he had given me the gift of a bent screw while working together. Christmas spirit, you know.

Deep breath. (And you thought us pastors had it all together). "Actually, I feel like I'm supposed to pray for you, Tom. Would that be alright?"

"Sure. Every little bit helps."

"Well, I'll be going home now," said the other parent. He left, I put my hand on Tom's shoulder and prayed. Nothing special. I prayed that God would remove the pain, heal the source of the problem and let Tom do the things he wants to do. No thunder or sparks. Frankly, I felt nothing at all. Sometimes, I can sense the Presence of God, but this time I felt nothing except relief that I obeyed. We talked for a few more minutes. Tom and his wife were appreciative for the concern and mentioned again how every little bit helps.

And we went home. Very glad that I obeyed, as much for myself as for Tom. That was Saturday. I've wondered throughout the week how Tom was doing and I've kept praying for him.

Tonight (Friday), Chadd said, "Oh, yeah, I forgot. I saw Tom at the tree sale Tuesday night. I'm sorry I should have told you sooner. He said to tell you that when he woke up Sunday morning the pain was completely gone."

WOW! God actually healed Tom. Just like that.

And to think I almost missed it. I nearly allowed someone else to continue in pain. I nearly lost the opportunity to be used by God to do something signficant. My spirit is soaring this evening. THIS IS WHAT MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING. An incredible honor.

I've GOT to stop fighting with God.

Gal 5:25 (NIV) "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

Boldly, Herb

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

Me Gets in the Way

This is the time of year when, supposedly, we are filled with the spirit of giving and we become less selfish and more focused on others.

There is much giving. I don't want to discount that at all. It warms my heart, sometimes brings tears to my eyes, to see people giving of themselves to touch others, especially people struggling in some way.

Fact is, I like to think of myself as a generous, unselfish person. I pray regularly, "Lord, what do you want me to do? Where do you want me to go? Who do you want me to touch? Use me." All very unselfish, eh? I find, however, that I usually want to be unselfish on my terms, in ways that are not too difficult. Sure, it will cost me time and money to give and serve, but I get to choose when, where, how and why, right? Oops. I hear warning signals going off.

WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!!!

God (no other way to explain it) began to blow this all up in my face beginning Nov. 1 when I read Oswald Chambers devotional for the day in "My Utmost for His Highest." (I strongly suggest you read it. You can buy the book or access it online at http://myutmost.org/).

Chambers identified that God involves Himself in our lives, not for ourselves, rather so that we can become "a thoroughfare for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other"

and that "things happen that have nothing to do with us"

and we must let God have His way in our lives or we will become "a hindrance and a clog"

and "why shouldn't we go through heartaches? Through these doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son."

and "If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart." ^[1]

Whoa! I really, really, really thought I had dealt with the self-focused thing, but this is a couple levels up. Guess I made the mistake of comparing myself to little leaguers instead of the pros.

I love this book. God has used it to speak deeply into my life, but on this day I had a few issues with dear Oswald. We had a talk. (Not sure what it means to talk intensely with a dead guy, staring at his book. I may need therapy.)

First of all, Oswald, "can I call you Oswald?" (He didn't answer, for which, looking back, I'm grateful) a "thoroughfare" is a road that people drive on, use to get somewhere with little thought of the road itself. I'm supposed to be THAT for God and others? A path, a way for others to get to God and God to get to people while people hardly notice the road that got them there? Whoa!

Next, Oswald, when things happen in my life, how am I supposed to think they are NOT about me? I mean, it is happening in MY life. Can it actually be true that pain in my life is necessary for God to reach into others' lives and that it is not about my disobedience or obedience at all? Is my response to God a key to Him working in others' lives, though I cannot see it? And can it be true that failure to be a proper "thoroughfare" makes me a hindrance and a clog to others? THOUGHT: Like my car breaking down in rush hour traffic in the Fort Pitt Tunnel, my failure to run properly can clog others from getting to God and how He wants to touch their lives. Whoa!

Now, about that heartache thing, Oswald. Can't we have "fellowship" with Jesus through inspiring songs, good books, Bible reading, etc. etc. etc. without the pain thing? "Sure", God, not Oswald, seemed to respond, "but not to the depths needed." It was how Jesus learned obedience and the reason He was exalted after His death. "A privilege" the Apostle Paul calls it. Whoa!

Finally, Oswald, there's this bit "thank Him for breaking your heart." Okay, it's one thing to appreciate the pain, but to thank God for doing it? Yep. Not FOR the pain, but because of what the pain will do for OTHERS. Another picture. Talk to any loving mom, they are grateful for the honor of birthing a child, but not one of them enjoyed the pain. Worth it? Oh, yeah. Enjoyable? "What, are you crazy?"

Wait, there's more. Oswald and God had been very patient and understanding, and we finally settled these issues with, "Alright, go ahead. Whatever You think is best." More resignation than excitement. Hey, I'm human. God was not done (never is). He reminded me of the prayers I usually pray when I think I'm being unselfish. Read them again at the top of this page. See anything jump out? Yeah, they are still all about ME. ME to do, go, touch, be used.

If I'm to become a thoroughfare, then I must start praying, "Lord, I'm yours. Do whatever you want in me and through me." The word "me" is still there, but with a different focus. Subtle, yet HUGE.

It is a journey to become that kind of unselfish. I feel like I've just taken a step or two. It would be a much more enjoyable journey if you'd join me on the path.

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Phil 1:21 (NIV)

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings , becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." Phil 3:10-11 (NIV)

Boldly, Herb

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm)

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^[1]Chambers, Oswald: My Utmost for His Highest : Selections for the Year . Grand Rapids, MI : Discovery House Publishers, 1993, c1935, S. November 1

Time and God and Us

Time and God and Us

 

How does time happen? 

 

Moment by moment like frames of a film, rolling out consecutively so quickly you can't really see them individually?

 

Like those flipbooks we drew in elementary school – individual pictures that have the appearance of moving as you flip the pages quickly?

 

The obvious answer is that from our human perspective, time happens just like that.   We live moment by moment, measured for everyone the same. An hour for you is an hour for me.  Our only actual option, no matter how frustrating it might seem, is to live the moment we are in.   We cannot relive the past, though many of us rerun the tape in our heads and our hearts. Nor can we fast-forward into the future, though many of us borrow anxiety that only belongs there.

 

For those of us on the big ball we call earth, time happens moment by moment.  That is how time comes to us, but is that how time actually exists?  Are we imposing our finite ability to comprehend on the infinite?  How do eternal beings experience time?  Or do they experience time at all?  And how does that affect us?

 

Some of the mind disrupting questions are about time travel, parallel universes and the like.   (Which for some reason enamors me.  "Are we back to the future or forward to the past, Marty McFly?") 

 

Are those questions rooted in the spark of eternity created in all of us, longings that tell us "There must be something more?"   In reading the October 26-29 entries in "A Year with C. S. Lewis" the dead guy made me stop and rethink.  He states, "We tend to assume the whole universe and God Himself are always moving on from past to future just as we do."   (p. 327) 

 

Are you like me in truly believing that God is eternal, meaning He has no beginning or end, but that He is watching time unfold moment by moment, deliberately moving toward a concrete end.   He knows how it all turns out and is working toward our good as it progresses toward a massive climax.  Makes sense and seems spiritual.

 

But that is too limited.  The eternal nature of God causes Him to experience time as one massive unit, that "past, present and future" are concepts that simply do not apply.  

 

Here's where it really hit me, where it moves from ethereal concept to practical impact on my day.   C. S. Lewis proposes that God "does not see humans making their free contributions in a future, but sees them doing so in His unbounded Now." (p. 326) If true, God is not watching time unroll as a motion picture at all, but sees Abraham Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address at the same time He sees me accepting a pizza delivery.   Deeper – he does not hope that I will make the right decision with my son so that it adjusts his future trajectory, God actually sees the decision and all the ensuing consequences at the same time.  Whoa!

 

Even more impactful was when Lewis applied to this characteristic of God to prayer.   What if an event has already been decided and I wish I had prayed for God to intervene?  Lewis contends that is not a reason to not pray.  Indeed the matter is decided, though I may not know how, such a medical test or a job decision or safety for a loved one.  Can the event be changed? No, it has already occurred in the way time happens for us.   But my prayers at 4:00 in the afternoon may be the very reason the event occurred as it did at noon. Why? Because God and our prayers are not limited to the way time happens for us.

 

To be honest, this has fried a few circuits in my brain as I've spent days digesting it.   But it has also given me great encouragement and motivation to pray, especially about those things that seem to already be done.

 

I hope it does the same for you.

 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Heb 13:8 (NIV)  

"I (Jesus) am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." Rev 22:13 (NIV)  

 

Boldly, Herb 

 

(To listen to Herb via the internet go to http://www.newsongpittsburgh.org/sermons.htm )

 

Quotes and material taken from "A Year With C.S. Lewis", 2003, Harper Collins, pages 326-329, originally from "Mere Christianity," "Miracles," and "The Screwtape Letters."