miracles

Have faith in me when I say that the Father is one with me and that I am one with the Father. Or else have faith in me simply because of the things I do. John 14: 11

I believe in miracles, but I’ve always had a difficult time believing some of the miracles described in the Bible. I always thought that believing in these miracles was a requirement to be a “true” Christian. As I read this text, I think I have a different understanding. The miracles Jesus performed were not for my benefit. That is not what I am charged with having faith in. The miracles Jesus performed seem to be directed at those around him who could not believe what he said. I am being directed to have faith in what God is saying to me now or at least to have faith in what God is doing in my life. I think I can try to do that.

Filed in: thoughts

no regrets?

What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul? Matthew 16:26

What is a Christian? Is it someone trying to live his or her life by the example set by Christ? I’m afraid that some of the more public figures claiming Christianity are not following the example so well and this causes non-Christians to remain skeptical. Unfortunately, I can’t have much affect on how others behave.

So, what does being a Christian mean to me? I’m not always sure. I wonder at the definition when Jesus says “to save your life, you will lose it”. I’m often caught between faith and doubt. Thinking about all the death and destruction from the tsunami got me wondering about how precarious living actually is. I really could go at any time, but am I ready? What regrets would I have if I were pronounced terminally ill? You don’t hear about terminally ill patients regretting not making more money or being more successful. The regrets are usually about not spending enough time with family and not doing something “meaningful” with their life. How would I live my life differently if I had a near death experience? One survivor from the tsunami talks about a few days ago being another lifetime. How profound that change must be, almost like losing a life and getting a new one.

Maybe having no regrets is a good litmus test for being Christ-like. Maybe growing in Christ feels a little like a “near death” experience.

Filed in: thoughts

Sin

“Perhaps after death was nothing. But if there was something, then he couldn’t believe it had anything to do with the earthly things that the body had done except insofar as those things altered one’s soul, one’s state of consciousness.”
Neal Stephenson, Quicksilver

I can’t lead the life that Jesus lived, I am a sinner. But recently I've been challenged to have an attitude that is “the same as that of Christ Jesus”. And I mostly get why this is a good idea, but aren’t I just setting myself up for failure and how’s that going to make me feel: guilty and shameful. Even if I tried my absolute best, I’m still going to sin against God and my fellow human beings in thought, word, and deed. So what is the point?

The point is not - because I’ll be a better person or because it is the right thing to do or because it will help me get into heaven. But there must be some point, so then I wonder, what is my motivation? There are many theories about what motivates us humans. Recently, in Adam’s Curse, the author offers that there may be a genetic cause that affects our motivation, that our cells are actually manipulating us. Maslow, in his Theory of Human Motivation, states that “man is a perpetually wanting animal”. Wanting what: love, a sense of purpose, self-actualization? I think what we want is our God-given life that has been buried under the weight of the world. I believe that when I can somehow ignore what the world thinks is important and practice having an attitude that is “the same as that of Christ Jesus”, I may then, on very rare occasions, briefly understand what the point is. At least that’s my motivation.

Filed in: thoughts

doubt

John was in prison when he heard what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers to ask Jesus, "Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?” Matthew 11:2-3, CEV

Doubt can be a powerful force. I usually feel it coming on slowly, needling it’s way into my heart and soul, persistent and consuming. I may be able to push it out of my mind for a time, only to have it come back stronger and more well-organized. Doubt feeds on my life’s unsettled situations and unhappy feelings. Eventually I’ll hit rock bottom and doubt will appear to have eclipsed my faith. I reach for the faint outlines of my faith and try to hang on, but it feels this quest for faith is impossible and endless. Finally, a turning point will occur – some act or word or kindness will rekindle my faith and help me push doubt out of the way.

I believe, as with all aspects of growing into our life, our faith journey will encounter doubt. We will learn things and experience things that will make us question our basic beliefs and values. But that’s okay, that’s part of growing up and learning life’s lessons. As a wise man said to me just last week, you cannot have faith without doubt.

Filed in: thoughts

God is still speaking

I think the UCC has nailed a message that will speak to lots of people (http://www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm). I like their use of testimonials on the homepage and the way they use the website to assist their UCC churches to "opt in" to the message. I really think the future of church health and welfare will depend on other denominations getting on board with this kind of message and media exposure.

Filed in: thoughts