Conflicted, but cleansed

Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. (Philippians 2:1-4)

What exactly do we have in Christ? If we stop for even a short period of time and consider this question, we will likely begin to list a few things that immediately come to mind. Consider it a bit longer and we will find there are things we didn't even realize we 'have' at our access because we have never tapped into them. Even though the blessings of God are upon our lives, we find there will be times when we are called upon to do things that may be a bit 'out of our comfort zone'. He asks us to embrace someone who has offended us, take up a battle in prayer for someone who is just plain worn out from the battle, or give unselfishly of what we possess to allow it to become a blessing in another's. The 'things' God asks aren't going to rock our world monumentally, but they likely will incrementally!

Unity of spirit isn't going to 'just happen' in our world today, but whenever we come into the fellowship of other believers, we should rejoice. Why? They are there to help us grow, challenging us to lay down our selfishness and pride just a bit more, while embracing whatever it is that God has prepared for us to do today. It is a dangerous thing to be guided by our pride, isn't it? Pride gets us into so many 'pickles' in life. We find ourselves dreading the outcome, all because our pride got us into something we weren't supposed to be involved in at all. Whenever this happens, it is best to admit it, confession being the first step toward repentance. Pride always goes before bad choices - the outcome of the choices being referred to as a 'fall'. Pride goeth before a fall - your fall might be the challenge today, mine tomorrow - so we need each other!

When we take an interest in the lives of those God has placed in our life, we are going to find there are times when the atmosphere is charged with conflict, but not all conflict is bad. In fact, some conflict actually produces positive outcomes. For example, when I didn't want to wash up as a kid, mom would not allow that dilly-dallying to continue, knowing my 'unwashed' condition was not healthy, nor very pleasing in appearance or odor! So, she'd shoo me into the tub in spite of my resistance. What was produced by the conflict between what I wanted and what I needed? Cleanliness! Sometimes conflict leads to a cleansing process - we find our true 'need' being highlighted and the means to have that need met provided. Living in community with each other might just produce the necessary 'conflict' that brings about the deepest 'cleansing' of our lives. Just sayin!

A force to be reckoned with

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. (John 17:15-18)

Jesus did not do the 'easy thing' and ask his Father to just deliver us from this world, so we'd never have to face the challenges inherent in living on this earth. He asked his Father to keep us safe from the evil one. Notice that Jesus knows there has been a change of 'citizenship' - no longer belonging to this world, but to the Kingdom of God. It might be a bit like a dual citizenship, though. We are still living in this world, doing the things we must do in this world, such as working at a job, paying our bills, and being good neighbors. We are also enjoying the privilege of being part of the family of God - participating with him as part of this family, doing the things we must do as part of his family such as supporting one another, praying for those we might label as 'enemies', and sharing the gospel message with those who need to hear it. We are "IN" this world, but we are no longer "OF" this world. We are "IN" the family of God, but we don't always fulfill the things "OF" his family mission. Jesus prayed that his Father would make us holy - not by some magical swish of a 'spiritual magic wand', but by his truth. In other words, get truth deep into our hearts and let it do the rest! 

We are being sent, but not before we have been prepared. This is why it is so important to allow the Word of God to get into the very fibers of our being - affecting us deeply until we understand our 'mission' and 'calling' as a child in the family of God. Too many times, we expect to be 'delivered from' the things that seem to give us our greatest challenges, but God's plan is to use his Word to wash over us, cleansing us, and setting us on a firm foundation. Do you know what the term 'terra firma' means? It means 'solid ground'. God is at work 'in' each of us, so that he can soon be at work 'through' each of us. As he sets us on 'solid ground' individually, we are prepared to face our greatest enemy as a unified army of believers. Solid ground isn't won when it comes to the 'footing' and 'foothold' that God gives his kids. It is given because we have come under his leadership and march against our enemy as a unified force. Our family mission is unity - living at harmony with each other. Our family purpose may just be to push the enemy as far away from us as he can possibly be removed - and when we can no longer push him back ourselves, God does the rest of the pushing. Truth deposited deep within our inner man becomes the means by which 'unholy' people are made into 'holy' people God can use to be 'on mission' with him.

We may resist the times when God wants to get his truth deep into our hearts, but he won't give up on depositing bits and pieces of his truth until we lay hold of it as he intends. He won't give up on making us into a 'force' to be reckoned with on this earth. Just sayin!

Let's Serve

Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. (Philippians 2:1) 

Most of us love to receive notice for the hard work we are doing - even if it is not "out loud", we want someone to actually recognize our accomplishments. I enjoy seeing someone take the work I have done and put it into use in their own particular situation. It gives me pleasure to see the work utilized. In our Christian walk, we want to be recognized, have our work serve some purpose, and know what we have done really makes a difference. We don't "do good deeds" simply because we desire the accolades, but we are "serving God" in our deeds, knowing he will receive the ultimate praise in the end.

In our daily walk, we receive some accolades from Jesus, and we give them right back. It is like he encourages us by giving us a high five or giving us a pat on the shoulder, as though we have done our job well. It may not be a "physical" thing, but when we have connected well with the purposes of God for our lives that day, we know at the end of the day the deep satisfaction of having "served well". This gives us encouragement for the new day, doesn't it? I think God's kids thrive in a world of encouragement - if not outwardly, at least internally! We need to know what we are doing matters - truly eternally.

Until three things are in alignment within our lives, we will not be serving as we should. Our service will be a little too self-centered or lacking in the sincerity required. These three things act as a balancing effect on the actions of our service. They are Christ's encouragement, his love, and the presence of his Spirit within. Encouragement is really this thing most of us associate with courage - the confidence to do something because we know the help of another who comes alongside. Confidence is "bolstered" when the words and actions of encouragement are spoken deep within the places of our spirit where we commune with God. Encouragement stimulates us within, allowing us to know our actions are approved - they are "on track" with what God wants for his kids.

We won't always do things "right" every time, will we? Sometimes we miss the mark no matter how hard we were trying. We need the comfort of knowing his grace transcends our "misses". Each and every time I miss the mark, I need reassurance I can get up, take the steps forward I need to take, and find the right way in it all. His love does this not only for me, but for you, as well. All manner of service is really just a conglomeration of various individuals putting their skills and talents into use - but when they are done "individually" without an over-arching purpose, they are merely nice talents on display. Put them together under the direction of the Spirit of God, innervating us within to move in the same direction (toward the same mark), and we have a symphony of talents. Unity is the force by which God's church becomes a beacon of hope to the lost and dying.

In our service, where there is encouragement and love, there will be unity. They go hand-in-hand. We cannot serve without encouragement. We will not continue to serve if there is no comfort when it seems like our service has not gone well. We will live lonely lives until we are united in one purpose. Over and above all our service is this one thought of serving not only God, but others in the grace and love of Christ - so they may be encouraged, comforted, and drawn into the unity Christ desires of his kids. Just sayin!

How do we get there from here?

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. (Ephesians 4:2-4)

A moment of confession here - I am not always humble - my pride gets in the way a lot of times. I am not always gentle - my desire to be first, be right, be whatever brings out some of the harshness of my human nature. Am I always patient? Nope, I don't have that one down either! Do I see your faults and just want to roll my eyes? Sometimes - until I look in the mirror and see my own! Then I just hush-up and hope you haven't noticed I have the same faults. 

Living together in peace is the goal - but all this 'human' stuff gets in the way at times, doesn't it? We waste a whole lot of time arguing over things that won't matter a few years from now. We let pride carry us away down some path that says we have the 'right' to be mad, sad, or feeling like we are all alone in the circumstances. Unity isn't capable apart from Christ - we need his Spirit within us to unite us in his love and grace. As long as we attempt to live apart from his Spirit's direction in our lives, we will do a pretty lame job at keeping peace among the brethren.

Marcus Aurelius reminded us that "the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts". Does that possibly mean we might be able to live in unity with each other if we allowed a little bit more of Christ's thoughts to be ours? I think it does. As long as we are thinking about ourselves, we don't see each other. As long as we are considering the outcome as it will affect us, we don't see the impact on our brothers and sisters around us. One of the most powerful things the Spirit of God can do within us is help us change our way of thinking - and in so doing, change our way of acting toward one another.

There is no room for self-made individuals in God's family - we are all God-made and in need of his careful attention in our lives, as a result. The transition from "me - me" to "we - we" begins at the moment we lay down our desire to be in control. Will unity come overnight? No, but the more we turn our eyes toward Christ, the more we will reflect his actions. The more we allow the Word of God to affect our thinking, the more we will begin to see others first. Kindness, unity, and patience are not outflows of a self-made man - they are the outflow of a Christ-centered heart and mind. Just sayin!

Negotiation Table

Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. (Philippians 1:28-29)

Sitting Bull said, "Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." It was a wise aim, but one I feel might have left us somewhere along the way. Unity is a hard thing to create, much less maintain. Unity actually requires only one agenda and when we humans get involved, there are always going to be differing agendas. How is it we put down our own agendas and take up Christ's? How can we still maintain our individuality and be part of a group bigger purpose? It comes not in 'giving up' our agenda, but by 'picking up' the agenda of Christ. The more we listen to his teaching and align both mind and heart with that teaching, we find our own self-guided agendas take the backseat.

Do you know why others are drawn to the message of Christ? It is because they see the message lived out in your life. The most powerful message Christ can use is a changed life. The hardest thing for us to allow is change. The mind demands its own way. The heart twists us up in emotional upheaval every time we don't get our own way. It is a constant push and pull struggle that is very real. The hope we have is that when we put down our agenda long enough to embrace his, we are transported into a place of greater peace, deeper reward, and lasting joy. If that doesn't appeal to us, it should! Sitting Bull wanted a better life for his offspring - the future generations of leaders that would come after him. Do we want any less?

I think Sitting Bull had one thing wrong in his wish, though. He wanted our minds to come together. God wants our spirits to lead the way - not our minds or hearts. Both of those are pretty unreliable and will oftentimes demand their own way. Our spirit, united with the Spirit of God, is the only thing to be trusted to guide us in the right direction. When we lean into God's Word, it gets at misguided thoughts and fickle emotions. When we listen to his Spirit within, we find our choices are not always about ourselves, but consider what others will need or desire. God's plan for unity begins in the spiritual realm - not at the negotiation tables. While man 'negotiates', God orchestrates. Isn't it about time we lay down our own agendas and consider the one God has for us - unity with him in Christ Jesus? Just askin!

Let it go

But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise. In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:26-28 MSG)

No division - no WE/THEY. In Christ's family there can be no division. Let that one sink in a moment. Take even two minutes to think about the present circumstances in our nation and you will realize there is even more division and 'divisiveness' these days than ever. We have families and friends 'divided' over this pandemic - divided over if it is real or is it a hoax? We have neighbors within communities 'divided' over which 'lives matter'. We have a country 'divided' over which 'party' really won the election. Despite all the division, God calls us back to center today. He calls us back to a fresh start. It is time to put down our divisiveness and pick up the one thing that brings unity - the cross. There is no 'leveler' playing field than at the foot of the cross. By faith in Christ, we are in direct relationship with God, and those in this 'direct relationship' cannot be party to divisive words, thoughts, or actions. We must live at peace with each other, respect authority, and live out our lives in a way that reveals there is more to this relationship with Christ than just a casual acquaintance with him. 

There can be no division. These are pretty plain words and don't need a whole lot of interpretation. No means none. Why does division occur in the first place? If you think back to the earliest time you felt wronged in life, you might just have your answer. Your playmate took the toy you wanted to play with, and you cried out, not because there weren't other toys for you to play with, but because you didn't get your way. You sulked off, sat in a corner pouting because you didn't get your toy. You 'divided' yourself from your playmate because you felt wronged in the deal. What is at the root of division? In most cases, it begins with some form of selfishness. Think for a moment about the one who refuses to follow public health guidelines to mask during the pandemic, limit social contact, or social distance. Do they want the disease? Not really, but they don't want the inconvenience of following the guidelines. In their eyes, they are being denied something they want - freedom to make their own choices and live like they 'normally do'.

At times, I live a little too selfishly. There are none of us on this earth that don't struggle with it from time to time. We forget how much we each have 'in common' with each other. We forget how much God desires us to look beyond our own wants and wishes and see the true need in others. We get wrapped up in our lives and we forget about the needs of others. In time, division happens because we focus more on our own needs and wants than we do those of the ones we are living life with each day. I may not like every decision made to slow the spread of a deadly virus, but I choose to protect not only myself, but those around me. I may not agree with every action taken by our leaders, but I have a responsibility to pray for them and to trust God to guide them. I may not like it when my life gets turned upside down by others, but I cannot 'take sides'. I must remain committed to the one 'side' I can count on 100% of the time - Christ.

Division has no place in the family of God. It has no place in our homes or communities, either! It has no place in our hearts or minds - for that is where division really begins to have an inroad. We are a chosen people, adorned in a grace-filled wardrobe some refer to as 'robes of righteousness'. God didn't put lipstick on pigs. He made us new, not just 'dressed up'. We need to live in this newness of life - free of division and united with him. In that unity of mind, body, and spirit we come to the place we begin to bring unity into our families, communities, and even our world. We stop acting or reacting out of selfish desire and begin to lay down our lives in service to each other. Just sayin!

Perfect Pitch

Back in the day when I used to play guitar (I mean 'way' back in the day), one of the continual struggles I had was keeping it in tune. I always had to begin by setting the first string with my pitch pipe and then go from there. I have known others who play piano and often comment how moving a piano will cause it to sometimes go out of tune. It is like the wood gets tweaked ever so slightly and with that 'tweak' the strings that were once spot on with pitch are now out of tune. If you have ever worked within the framework of a team having to complete some type of project together, you may have noticed just how 'out of tune' you can get with each other when one goes off doing their own thing, or someone doesn't explain the steps well enough and you just have to guess how to proceed. In a matter of time, the project that was pretty straight-forward has a few more nuances that you are challenged with just because of the subtle shifts in process design or work the team took. It is hard to remain 'in step' with each other, isn't it? To remain 'in tune' within relationship with each other takes some work, but just as with my guitar or the piano tuner, there is this need for a 'pitch' determiner in our lives. The guitar required the pitch pipe, the piano the tuning fork. In relationships, don't we wish it was as easy as plunking on a key and turning a knob to get us into 'perfect pitch'?

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Colossians 3:15)

It is Christ who acts as the 'pitch setter' in our lives. If we don't forget that important fact, we are more likely to be 'in tune' within relationships! It still takes a little bit of 'tune up' to remain 'in tune', though. Just having a pitch pipe didn't keep my guitar in tune. I had to use it and make the adjustments to the strings until I heard the same pitch from the string as I was hearing from the pitch pipe. In much the same way, we need to hear Christ 'tuning us up' according to the perfect pitch he sets and then make the subtle adjustments in our lives until we are as close to that pitch as possible. Words, actions - every detail of our lives - totally and willingly submitted to the 'tuning' process God uses to bring us into that perfect pitch. 

To be 'in step' is a beautiful thing. If you have ever observed a well-rehearsed marching band, or military unit on the parade field, their movements are crisp, sharp, and 'in cadence' with each other. There is perfection in their movements. God desires we remain 'in step' with him first - allowing him to set the cadence by which we walk out our lives together, but then he sets out the expectation that we will also work hard to remain 'in step' with each other as we follow that cadence together. When two walk together in such a manner you might even say they are 'equally-yoked'. In the old days when oxen were yoked together, a wooden cross-piece was fitted around their necks. Do you know why they used two oxen instead of one? It made the burden of the work easier!

God might just be focusing so much attention on us being 'in step' with each other because when we are it makes the work easier for us. Did you realize the science behind two oxen being yoked together actually shows they don't just have 'twice' the capacity to work, but they can have as much as four times the capacity of work just by being equally yoked. Whenever the two oxen are 'unequally-yoked', one pulling against the other, or perhaps just lagging behind a little, the work they produce is significantly less than what would be produced by even one! Let our words be united - putting no division between us. Let our actions be in unison - allowing each step we take be a furtherance of our mission in this world. If the believers will begin to focus on being 'in tune' with Christ first, then allowing that 'perfect pitch' to be set within their relationships with each other, imagine the work we might actually do! Just sayin!

Immerse me

Like Me, they are not products of the corrupt world order. Immerse them in the truth, the truth Your voice speaks.  In the same way You sent Me into this world, I am sending them.  It is entirely for their benefit that I have set Myself apart so that they may be set apart by truth.  I am not asking solely for their benefit; this prayer is also for all the believers who will follow them and hear them speak.  Father, may they all be one as You are in Me and I am in You; may they be in Us, for by this unity the world will believe that You sent Me. (John 17:16-22 VOICE)

Jesus is just about ready to be taken to the cross and he takes some time to pray for his disciples - those who follow his teachings. The moment he starts praying you can see this intimate connection he has with his father - it is a comfortable exchange of words and is free-flowing in expression of his heartfelt wishes and burdens.  A few times in this prayer, he reminds us that we are not products of this corrupt world but are set apart for his purpose by accepting the truth he declares. Truth is a liberating force in our lives - a force to be reckoned with. To this end, he prays one specific thing - that his father would "immerse" each of us in the truth - the truth which comes directly from the voice of God.

Why is this important to us today? In understanding this prayer, we must first understand the relationship Jesus had with his father - the deep connection he had with the heart of his father. It was this heart connection which causes him to be burdened for not only that generation of followers, but for all future generations who would see their example and follow their teaching. The prayer is that God would connect them as closely to his heart as he himself was connected - infusing truth into every fiber of their being (and ours). Immersion means there is nothing left exposed - it is fully and completely "covered" or saturated with whatever it is immersed in. Immersion in truth is what makes it possible for us to look beyond our differences and see the specific connection we have with each other through the blood of Jesus.

Truth does more than set us free from the bonds we have had in this world - from the bondage to sinful deeds and motives. It sets us free to unite with one another even when we are not entirely like the other person - breaking down divisive walls and creating a cohesive bond between us. Immersion in truth is the only way to realize true unity - apart from that, all we have is casual connection (occasional agreement on a subject or matter at hand). In Christ, and the unity made possible because of our heart connection with the heavenly father, we can unite together in purpose on this earth. We may not all be the same - but in Christ we can focus on the same goal!  What we may need just a bit more of in this world right now is not more truth, but full immersion in the truth we have already received in Christ Jesus. Just sayin!

We are all part of one another....

You know how you read through scripture, noticing some truths here and there, and all of a sudden something you have read a gillion times just sticks out to you this time?  I have these moments once in a while, too.  They are like the Holy Spirit says "here's something you might want to grab hold of today" and the words just seem to be the ones I pay attention to in a new way.  I love the Pauline epistles, so I "frequent" them often.  They are probably some of my "favorite" parts of the Word.  I think I connect with David in the Old Testament because he struggled with "real stuff" and he messed up, but he always came back to God in repentance, looking for restoration, and finding more than enough grace to enter into God's presence each time.  I connect with the Apostle Paul because he was kind of a "know it all" Pharisee who needed to be "cut down" a few notches in order to see truth as God would have him see it.  There have been times when I counted on what I "knew" because I had "studied", believing somehow that made me "okay" with God, instead of leaning into the relationship God desired with me and trusting in his grace, not my own merit or good works.  Regardless of who we "connect" with in scripture, one thing is true - we are all part of one another.  None of us is without importance in God's family - none of is of more importance than the other.  We ALL matter.  We ALL belong.

So put away your lies and speak the truth to one another because we are all part of one another. It’s time to stop bringing grief to God’s Holy Spirit; you have been sealed with the Spirit, marked as His own for the day of rescue. Banish bitterness, rage and anger, shouting and slander, and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison. Instead, be kind and compassionate. Graciously forgive one another just as God has forgiven you through the Anointed, our Liberating King.  (Ephesians 4:25, 30-32 VOICE)

Belonging to means to be part of - to be adjunct to the make up of the whole.  Without that part, the object in question is "less than whole".  None of us is without need of the other.  Just as reliant as we are on plants to produce oxygen into the atmosphere, we are reliant upon one another for the "richness" of growth which takes place in our lives.  I think this is why Paul takes a moment to really call us out on our "behavior" in the family of God.  He tells us to be truthful with one another - not because we need to point out each other's faults, but because we cannot truly see ourselves as we are. We need the reflection of our behavior through the eyes of another. My pastor puts it this way:  The eye cannot see the eye.  In other words, I can see WITH the eye, but the eye cannot look back into itself to see itself.  We often cannot see our own behavior as it is seen by others - we need their sight, not just our own "insight".

Bad behavior is sometimes covered up under the guise of "it was a rough day", or "you deserved that".  We excuse it because we felt justified to some extent because of the pressures of the day, or the bad behavior of another.  If we examine the impact of our behavior in a different light, we might just be convicted to deal with our behavior a little quicker.  We are all PART of one another.  We aren't just "us" existing as separate from one another - our lives "fit" together.  As such, when the wrong behavior is exhibited, it is like trying to make a connection of a bunch of puzzle pieces when the one piece we are trying to connect to "sort of fits", but not really.  Paul is telling us to not tolerate that behavior - banish it! There is a similar word picture of this concept in the Old Testament. At certain times of the year, the priests would take a goat (referred to as a scapegoat), lay their hands on the goat, ask God to see this goat as "bearing the sins of the people", and then they'd set the goat free to wander further and further from the camp until it was completely gone and out of sight.  The idea was one of "banishing sin".  It was "expelled" from the camp.  

We aren't supposed to tolerate bad behavior because it hurts the whole.  This might just mean we need to be honest with each other in a kind way and help each other see what we cannot see in ourselves.  If I am part of something, I usually exhibit a little more "carefulness" with that thing.  If we begin to see ourselves as part of one another, connected by the blood of Jesus into inseparable relationship with one another, we might just begin to exhibit a little more "carefulness" over our relationships with one another.  Instead of allowing excuses for bad behavior, we might just ask the other person to help us consider our behavior in the light of how it affects not only the one exhibiting that behavior (you and I), but those who are subject to that behavior.  To truly grow together, we need the first recognize we are not just one of many, we are all part of the whole.  Just sayin!

Like-minded people unite

Like-minded people have a tendency to gravitate toward one another, don't they?  It is as though there was some internal form of radar which brings them together and they just mesh.  This is all good when the "like-minded" thoughts and actions are pretty upright and honorable.  When they are at the opposite end of the spectrum, we don't like to see those people "get together" because the opposition they bring to others when together is pretty challenging to deal with.  What are the "like-minded" tendencies we are supposed to be focusing on in finding those we travel through this life with on our journey to eternity?  The characteristics we are to look for in others are the ability to show sympathy, love, compassion and humility for each other.  This is the beginning of "finding" the right type of companions for the journey, but when we add to this the willingness to move from paying back the evil or insult we receive in life with nothing more than grace, we truly have found the best companions for the journey.  

Finally, all of you, be like-minded and show sympathy, love, compassion, and humility to and for each other—not paying back evil with evil or insult with insult, but repaying the bad with a blessing. It was this you were called to do, so that you might inherit a blessing.  It is written in the psalms, "If you love life and want to live a good, long time, then be careful what you say.  Don’t tell lies or spread gossip or talk about improper things.  Walk away from the evil things in the world—just leave them behind, and do what is right, and always seek peace and pursue it.  For the Lord watches over the righteous, and His ears are attuned to their prayers.  But His face is set against His enemies; He will punish evildoers." (I Peter 3:8-12 VOICE)

To be like-minded doesn't mean we agree on everything, but we agree on enough to make our travels together moments when we will actually experience growth in our lives.  In some translations of this passage, "like-minded" is translated as being in unity or living in harmony with one another.  I like the term "like-minded" because it actually focuses on the root of all action and helps us recognize the importance of finding those in our lives who help us develop "sound thought or reasoning" in order to produce the right actions within our lives.  If our thought processes are at odds with each other, our actions will also be opposed to each other - we will be working against each other, rather than creating the synergy which brings us to a better place or behavior pattern.  It is more than agreeing to disagree - it is actually living in agreement with each other because the standards by which you each pattern your lives are the same (those which are revealed in the scripture).  Unity is probably one of the hardest things to attain - because agreement is tough stuff.  They key to agreement is not that we each give into the other, but that we all are focusing on the same standard by which we "take action" in our lives.

Toby Mac is quoted as saying, "When someone does something wrong, don't forget about all the things they did right."  We have a tendency in life to focus on the stuff which rubs us wrong, or is in disagreement with what we believe, don't we?  It is like we have laser sharp focus on those things and then keep them in our "sights" for a long, long time.  When we focus on the stuff we don't agree about, we sometimes lose sight of the tremendous amount of stuff we do agree on!  I may not have any issue with eating pork, but my sister does.  She is in one of her 'healthier' kicks right now, so she is refraining from eating any meat outlined in scripture as "unclean" when God gave Israel the Law of Moses.  She wants to make good choices for her body - I cannot lose sight of that "motive" in her actions.  I may not live by that standard, but it doesn't hurt me to support her in it as much as possible.  We can live in harmony - but disagree about which meat we will serve at each other's dinner table!

In making life choices, we often tend to find those who will support our choices - this is only natural.  We just need to make sure those who support our choices are doing so for the right reason - especially if our choices may not be entirely correct!  If people just "get together" on a choice because it is a similar choice, but that choice is far from the standard God would want for our lives, then it is just two people pursuing wrong choices and encouraging each other to continue to do so!  We don't need "allies" in sin, we need "allies" in righteousness! These might actually be harder to find, but well worth the discovery!  Look for those who guard their tongue - for the tongue can set many a life into turmoil with the speed of light and the destructiveness of a raging wildfire.  Seek those who are willing to forgive others for their poor judgment or not so "right" actions - for there is something contagious about letting go of grudges and leaving vengeance to God.  Find another who will walk away from things which aren't all that honorable, guarding carefully what they allow into their lives as influences - for what we "allow" often becomes the standard by which we form our future actions.

There are things we can never compromise on - scripture clearly declares what these are. There are other things we can agree about as the "right choice" for another because it meets the needs of another, but doesn't violate any principle taught in scripture.  We help each other to grow when we don't focus on the little things which don't really matter all that much. It doesn't matter that your body bears a tattoo or two (or more), nor does it matter that there is are earrings running the length of your ear.  As we look deeper, we might just find the heart of the one standing across from us is just like ours - in love with Jesus, open to his grace, and desiring to share that grace with others.  Just sayin!

Cultivating common ground

I have a serious concern to bring up with you, my friends, using the authority of Jesus, our Master. I'll put it as urgently as I can: You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common. {I Corinthians 1:10 MSG}

When we say we are going to "get" anything, we mean that we are going to come into possession of something we are about to put into use, or make available for one's enjoyment and satisfaction.  When we combine this with the word "along", we are indicating we are about to live life in parallel to each other.  It can get a little messy to live life in parallel to anyone else, but it is not exactly easy to live life running in opposite direction of each other!

When we seek to live life in parallel, we are commanded to do a couple of things - be considerate of one another, and cultivate the "parallel life" as deeply as possible. To be considerate of another we have to become familiar with the life circumstances they are presently experiencing, as well as those which have already shaped their lives. As you can well imagine, I am not as well acquainted with the life of someone who was raised in the jungles of South America, or the wilds of the African dessert regions.  I grew up here in the United States, and as a result, my vantage point on life has been shaped by the presence of luxuries others in these remote regions may not have ever experienced.  Just as equally, I have not experienced the hatred and contempt for one's race, color, or creed as others may have experienced firsthand. Does this mean I cannot walk in parallel with those who are different from me? Absolutely not!  What it does mean is that I may have to "cultivate" that walk a little.

To "get along" means more than just tolerating another's way of life or unique character qualities. It means more than respecting them. Yes, it involves all of these things, but it also involves each of us remembering we are not different from each other in one important thing - we were all born sinners, in need of a Savior, and no man, woman, or child is without sin in their lives.  If we start there, we find we have a good place to begin to cultivate our relationship with each other. In fact, there is no better place to begin to experience community than on "common ground".

When we set out to cultivate soil, it is with the purpose of planting, which in turn is done to produce growth, resulting in something which can not only sustain us, but pass life onto others. To cultivate a life in parallel with each other, we find it takes more than a little work - in fact, it requires repeated passage over rough areas with such frequency that we eventually see the things which stand as barriers to growth in our lives begin to break down into smaller and smaller pieces until one day the relationship is able to accept the seed, allowing rich and vibrant growth to come forth.

In a time when differences seem to be at the forefront of our news stories, media posts, and daily conversations, it is important to remember what we are to be cultivating. We are designees of God's grace and as such, we walk in parallel with others who may or may not have experienced that grace in all of its fullness yet. We cultivate growth within those areas of differences through the extension of grace. We may not see eye-to-eye on every topic we will discuss, or feel impassioned about in our own lives, but we stand a better chance of getting to appreciate the perspective of the one who has walked that path if we are willing to extend a little grace into the relationship. Just sayin!

I got your back!

To understand the meaning of the "therefore" in scripture, you have to consider what it is "there for". If we keep in mind this word is used as a means of joining supporting thought together, we will then be encouraged to look at what precedes the therefore to see what it is there for.  In this passage, Paul has just finished telling the believers at Philippi they need to live worthy of Christ's gospel.  The gospel is just another way of saying the good news Christ brings into the lives of those he touches. It isn't just the set of scripture we have which we call our Bible, but the Words of God which set at liberty the bound spirit and distressed soul.  In essence, Paul is reminding us of the importance of being "united" in thought, purpose, and action.  We aren't to have our own little way of doing things while others have their own - but are to live in harmony with each other, learning from one another, and drawing closer and closer to Christ in the process.  Unity is more than having a few things in common, but it is a mindset and determination to be consistently living in a manner which honors the other people around us.  Paul knew there would be a continual struggle to remain faithful to the gospel, especially in the face of persecution, conflicting opinion, and beliefs which concluded their faith to be in vain.  Most of the time we don't need reminders that we have enemies - it is pretty apparent whenever we try to take even one step forward because their opposition is ever-present. In the face of all this, we are to stand strong and there is no other way to do so than to be focused on the unity of faith we are to maintain.  At this revelation, Paul enters with the "therefore" - selfish purpose will destroy this unity, so be sure to guard against it.

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. (Philippians 2:1-4 CEB)

It is as though Paul is asking if there is any way we can stand with each other in such a way so as to bolster one another's confidence to stand strong in midst of the hard times we will face.  It is this "standing with" which Paul has in mind as the means by which many will be able to not only endure the trials they will face, but come out victorious on the other side of them.  We share the same Spirit - the Spirit of Christ - that makes us "kin" to one another.  "Kin" is supposed to look out for "kin". I know that seems a little elementary, but in a world which really focuses more on "what's in it for me" than "what can I do for another to bless them" this thought is not really as well understood as some may think.

Working together with one heart, mind, and purpose.  The heart is the seat of our emotions, so if we can get the emotional balance to not be so easily swayed by this influence or that one, then we might stand a better chance of being united in our purpose.  The mind is the place of thought or consideration. It can be the beginning of many a right action, but also many a selfish belief or purpose.  If we get the emotions under control and the mind aligned with God's mind, then the purpose we begin to operate within will be solid.  To this end, Paul asks us to consider our heart, mind, and allow our purpose to begin to be united under the banner of Christ's love and grace.

It takes some doing to make this "shift" in our way of thinking and operating in life. It is easy to be swayed by the most powerful of emotions - often discounting rational thought in pursuit of what feels "better" or "best" to us at the moment.  This is why we cannot rely upon how we feel when it comes to taking steps toward or away from anything in life.  If we relied solely upon our emotions, we'd be going a hundred different directions each week because they are up one day and down the next. While emotions lend the "stuff" to life which helps us to really experience the depth of joy and excitement, or the tranquility of true peace, we cannot count on our emotions to always steer us in the right direction.

Herein comes the help we lend to each other in relationship - we help to restore balance when emotion has been allowed to captivate our thoughts in any irrational or unreasonable way. We act as "check and balance" for one another.  In so doing, we are helping to maintain the unity which will drive us forward as a strong force to be reckoned with!  If we want strength it comes in more than just numbers!  Numbers of people all together is just a crowd.  Numbers of people united in purpose is an army to be reckoned with!  I don't know about you, but I want to walk closer to Jesus because of the people I am united with in my daily life.  I want to enjoy a greater sense of peace in my life because of the strength this unity produces.  I want to have a stability in my thoughts which produce consistency in my actions.  In essence, I want to know others are watching out for me, and I need them to know I am watching out for them!  Just sayin!

Encourage, comfort, and unite!

Accolade - an honor, usually conferred in words, which brings notice to some hard work, or accomplishment of the one receiving the praise.  Most of us love to receive notice for the hard work we are doing - even if it is not "out loud", we want someone to actually recognize our accomplishments.  I know I enjoy when I see someone take the work I have done and put it into use - such as when they use the data I have been working on to show a trend or propose a new process.  It gives me pleasure to see the work utilized.  I don't think it is so much different in our Christian walk - we want to be recognized, have our work serve some purpose, and know what we have done really makes a difference.  We don't "do good deeds" simply because we desire the accolades, but we are "serving God" in our deeds, knowing he will receive the ultimate praise in the end.

Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. (Philippians 2:1 CEV)

In our daily walk, we receive some accolades from Jesus and we give them right back.  It is like he encourages us by giving us a high five or patting us on the shoulder, as though we have done our job well.  It may not be a "physical" thing, but when we have connected well with the purposes of God for our lives that day, we know at the end of the day the deep satisfaction of having "served well".  This gives us encouragement for the new day, doesn't it?  I think God's kids thrive in a world of encouragement - if not outwardly, at least internally!  We need to know what we are doing matters - truly eternally.  

Three things are pictured here as giving us the basis by which we will "serve well" - in a manner which expresses genuine concern for others.  You see, until these three things are in alignment within our lives, we will not be serving as we should.  Our service will be a little too self-centered, or lacking in the sincerity required.  These three things act as a balancing effect on the actions of our service.  They are Christ's encouragement, his love, and the presence of his Spirit within.  

- Christ encourages you.  Encouragement is really this thing most of us associate with courage - the confidence to do something because we know the help of another who comes alongside.  Confidence is "bolstered" when the words and actions of encouragement are spoken deep within the places of our spirit where we commune with God.  Encouragement stimulates us within - it allows us to know our actions are approved - they are "on track" with what God wants for his kids.

- His love comforts you.  We won't always do things "right" every time, will we?  Sometimes we miss the mark no matter how hard we were trying.  When those moments occur, we need more than encouraging words - we need comfort from knowing his grace transcends our "misses".  Comfort is another word for reassurance.  Each and every time I miss the mark, I will need reassurance I can get up, take the steps forward I need to take, and find the right way in it all.  His love does this not only for me, but for you, as well.

- His Spirit unites us.  All manner of service is really just a conglomeration of various individuals putting their skills and talents into use - but when they are done "individually" without an over-arching purpose, they are merely nice talents on display.  Put them together under the direction of the Spirit of God, innervating us within to all move in the same direction (toward the same mark), and we have a symphony of talents.  Unity is the force by which God's church becomes a beacon of hope to the lost and dying.

In our service, where there is encouragement and love, there will be unity. They go hand-in-hand.  We cannot serve without encouragement.  We will not continue to serve if there is no comfort when it seems like our service has not gone well.  We will live lonely lives until we are united in one purpose.  Over and above all our service is this one thought of serving not only God, but others in the grace and love of Christ - so they may be encouraged, comforted, and drawn into the unity Christ desires of his kids.  Just sayin!

Your home country

If you have ever traveled abroad, you know how awesome it feels to just "come home".  The differences you experience when you are in an unfamiliar country range from what you use for transportation, what you eat, to how you communicate.  There are also the differences in dress, living conditions, and weather, just to name a few.  By the end of your "trip", you find yourself settling down into the security and safety of "being home".  When we come to Christ, entering into his family, we find ourselves assuming a new home, much in the way Ruth assumed a new home when she chose to stay with Naomi many years ago (Ruth 1:16-17).  Yet, this "new home country" is not a burden to us because we have pledged our lives to the one whose home it is!   

This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.  (Ephesians 2:19-22 MSG)

This kingdom of faith is NOW your home country.  When we make this transition into the "kingdom of faith", it requires a separation from the former place of "residence" we each knew.  In other words, we detach from the old and attach to the new.  If you have ever tried sewing patches on the old in order to make it last a little longer, you know it works to "cover over" the holes in the old, but it sure doesn't present a very strong or pretty package. The old needs to be just that - old.  I think we get confused about this in today's society which emphasizes the importance of "recycling" things.  We used to just throw away old newspapers - now we turn them into insulation, shred them for compost, etc.  We keep them around, just in different forms than they once had - kind of like we try to clean up the old and hope it fits into the new home we NOW live in.  The issue comes in trying to hold onto the old - our old isn't meant to be recycled - it is meant to be a thing of our past.

No longer strangers or outsiders - we'd call this being an "insider".  We BELONG in this new "home country".  In a society which genuinely strives to just "belong" somewhere, without judgment or ridicule, isn't it amazing that we don't readily step into this place where we "belong"?  We struggle with this transition from old into new, all the while just yearning to "belong". God has already declared we "belong" - in his Kingdom - because of our relationship with is Son, Jesus Christ.  When we "belong", we get this sense of being "properly placed".  I love those pictures where you are challenged to find the things which do not belong in the photo.  In fact, I regularly play those type of games on the computer - it challenges my mind.  What I am looking for are things which don't actually seem to be properly placed - they don't "belong".  When we look at ourselves, I wonder if we see ourselves as "properly placed" in God's Kingdom, or if we are still viewing ourselves as outsiders?

God is the builder and his purpose is to build a home - not with bricks and mortar - but with each of us.  Regardless of how we found ourselves being brought into his family, we are specifically "fit together" to build his Kingdom. I may be a square brick, you might be oblong, and another might have a few curved edges - yet in God's unique way, he has a purpose for each of us. None of us is without a "perfect fit".  At first, when you look at the diversity of those God brings into this family we might think there is no way this oddly incongruent group of individuals could ever find a "fit" together.  In fact, I need your strengths and you need mine; I need to appreciate what you lend to the structure of this family, and you need to see what I also afford.  As we begin to look less at whether it is possible for us to ever find our "fit" and more at those God has "fit" us together with, we might just begin to see how uniqueness isn't what defines us, but what lends beauty to the whole.

A cornerstone unites two points of a wall - giving strength and stability to the wall because of this "plumb" uniting it affords.  Christ does this in his church - uniting what otherwise might just be at odds with each other; giving stability to what might otherwise be continually at the risk of being broken down and easily crumbled.  You don't lay the cornerstone last - you lay it first.  It is the starting point for the building to begin.  Start a wall without a cornerstone and you find you cannot "join" it together with another wall, even though that wall looks similar or has similar building materials as its basis.  The cornerstone is pivotal to the joining together and stability of the whole.  Reject the cornerstone and whatever is built will be of no great worth!  

We find ourselves brought into a new family - given a new "home country". There we find potential to be "built together" - but we have to get beyond focusing so much on the differences in the "stones".  We are called to make a clean break with the old country - the old way of living - in order to embrace the new.  It will never do to just recycle the old in an attempt to make the new - it needs to be left in the "old country" so we can fully adapt and learn to grow within the new!  Just sayin!

A change of focus

We have been exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives through the various "gifts" he gives as we walk along with him.  As we have already established, there are a variety of "fruits" and "gifts" of the Spirit, but all come from exactly the same source.  Fruits are a result of growth IN our inner man as we walk with the Spirit, gifts are a result of the Spirit's working within us given to help each of us grow a little deeper in Christ.  The gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the entire Body of Christ - his church - your fellow believers.  The fruits of the Spirit actually impact you first, then they begin to reveal the nature of God's heart to the world around you.  We need both - one without the other is like bread without butter, potatoes without gravy, or cake without frosting.  I can eat bread plain, but there is something about the combination of butter slathered on the surface of a good bread which gives it just that much more pleasure when I take it in!  I think God may want us to find as great a pleasure in enjoying the presence of his Spirit within our lives as we do enjoying cake with frosting, bread with butter, and potatoes with gravy!  It is this "with" thing we need to understand if we are to understand the Spirit's purpose in the fruits and the gifts - for in being "with" us, indwelling us "with" his presence, we are made new, vibrant, and effectual in our ministry.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.  To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.  The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.  He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy.  He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit.  Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.  It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts.   (I Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT)

Let's keep in mind all the spiritual gifts are for the purpose of helping each other.  They are given to "grow" the church - to help us become stronger in our walk, built up in our faith, and growing in unity.  You might have heard someone speak of the gifts in three categories:  the Teaching Gifts, the Service Gifts, and the "Sign" Gifts.  Loosely the various gifts outlined "fit" into these three categories as follows:

1. Teaching Gifts:  Evangelist, Prophet, Pastor, or Teacher - the explanation of these "speaking" gifts is found more thoroughly outlined in Ephesians 4, but in general, they are given to the Body of Christ for the express purpose of preparing the believers for their work of service (for all are to serve), the building up of the members of the Body (for all need to receive encouragement or edification), and to bring the Body to a place of unity (for unity will help us achieve maturity).

2. Service Gifts:  Administration, Giving, Helps, Hospitality, Love, Mercy, or Serving - you will find further teaching on these in Romans 12 and I Peter 4. In general, these gifts serve to "help" the Body of Christ.  For example, if you have the gift of Administration, you might find yourself fulfilling a leadership role in the Body, such as a deacon or elder in the church, lay minister, or other such role.  Those who function in the area of hospitality might actually be those who hold small groups in their homes during the week, opening both their homes and their hearts to others so they may grow in Christ in a safe, and trusted small group environment.

3. Sign Gifts:  Faith, Healing, Miracles, Discernment, Tongues, or the Interpretation of Tongues - there is really no better explanation of these gifts than to say they actually reveal God in some way which allows men and women to see evidence of God's working in their midst.

So, we have various "groups" of gifts, but it is not as important to put them into "buckets" as to understand the purpose behind the gifts - they all work to "grow up" the church and to keep us on track.  Without discernment, we might believe anything we are taught by anyone teaching it.  Without administration, the church might be lacking in organization and the necessary talent to further the "programs" and outreach work it is intended to accomplish.  All gifts are necessary - all gifts are for the Body benefit.  

Yesterday, we explored two gifts which seem to go hand-in-hand, the Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom.  Look at the gift of Faith. Now, don't confuse this with the faith to believe in Christ as your personal Savior, the only Son of God, given to provide a means of reconciliation between us and God the Father.  This is also a "gift" to us, for we don't even possess the faith to believe, but the spiritual gift of Faith is a little different. It is the ability to believe despite the circumstances - it is almost the ability to see things as they "will be", not necessarily as they are.  People who might operate in the gift of faith might also operate in the gifts of healing, because the person has faith to see what "will be", not focus on the deformity or illness which is before them.  

As you can see, many of the gifts are interwoven with others.  None really stand alone.  Pastors are good with the gift of administration, but may not be as good with the gift of teaching - so they need others to fulfill this role in the church.  Teachers may actually use the gifts of teaching, mercy, knowledge, etc.  As they teach, their ability to present the teaching in a manner which reaches the hearts of those listening, to empathize with their condition of heart and to speak into their lives in a way which does not condemn or drive away is actually a manifestation of each of these gifts.  It is not as important to "pigeon-hole" yourself or another into a "gift" category - it is important to recognize they function together, often at the same time and through the same individual, because they are needed in order to build up, bring into unity, and to reveal Christ within us.

I have heard some say they wished they knew what "gift" the Holy Spirit was placing in their lives.  I would challenge you to think not so much about "a" gift, but the openness to be used as his "conduit" of edification (building up), exhortation (encouragement and correction where necessary), and expression (the revelation of Christ's love and mercy within you).  It isn't the "gift" you have - it is the person who indwells you that makes the difference in your life. Just sayin!

Fence me in a little - its okay!

Mending fences - something we don't do much anymore because we live in gated communities complete with their tall brick or block walls.  For most of us with "fences" in our yards, they are erected more for a sense of privacy than as a functional "tool" to assist us with our herds, flocks, or the like.  As I ventured through the back country of Tennessee this last week, something caught my attention about those folks who had fences.  They actually served the purpose of keeping something in and also keeping something out!  The cattle were out to pasture, but within confines.  The horses could run the paddock, but within confines.  This is what fences do, isn't it - they confine something.  Two things occur - the living things inside remain safely in the protective barrier, receiving the care they need, and the things which do not belong stay on the outside of those fences.  Broken down fences don't provide for protection, nor do they provide for care.

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.  (Ephesians 4:1-3 MSG)

Paul is writing to the Ephesian church and comes to a place of explaining a little about how they should be treating both their own spiritual walk and their relationships with each other.  In this letter, Paul does a great deal to lay out the importance of being "built up" in the faith, and the critical nature of keeping unity in the process - not allowing differences to keep them apart, or to drive a wedge in their relationships.  This is good stuff!  What we don't recognize sometimes about fences is their protective benefits!  Keeping us "INSIDE" the barriers allows us to focus on each other, taking care of each other's needs, and then ensures us access to the stuff we need to grow strong and healthy.

As I observed the cows in the pasture, safe within the fenced green meadow, I observed them doing some things you don't get to see too often when you are a city girl.  I observed them caring for the young.  The little ones were able to frolic freely, but they were under the observant eyes of the "moms" in the pasture.  This is probably quite an important process in their development because the ability to learn comes in exploration - but it is under watchful eyes!  I think we might do well to take note of this "practice" as we consider how it is we best grow.  We are given a little space, still safe within the confines of the fence, but also under the watchful eyes of loving and caring authority.  All momma cow had to do was let out a little "moo" and the calves came immediately to her side.  Good reminder for us - even within the boundaries there are times when we need to heed the warnings of those God places there alongside.

Back to those fences - they are as varied as can be as you move from one farm to another.  Some used barbed wire and fence posts, others the traditional split-rail fencing, and still others the more modern and painted wooden rail fencing.  Most were natural in color, some painted bright white, gleaming brightly against the lush green of the meadows.  The more "natural" ones, like the split rail or the barbed wire, blended into the environment and were not as "prominent" in your field of view.  The brightly painted ones let you know without question what the boundaries were, whereas the barbed wire might actually give me a little prick before I realized how close I was to it.  

You know, if we think about it, there are different fences at different times in our lives, aren't there?  Sometimes the fences are easily recognized, at others they are cleverly concealed in the landscape around us.  Either way, the serve the same purpose.  Now, what does all this have to do with Paul's letter to the Ephesians (or to us)?  Paul gives three words of "commission" to the members of the church:  1) Get up and get moving; 2) Meet each other's needs; and 3) Be attentive to the "broken" places in your relationships.  Most of the relationships we have been given are like "fencing" material in our lives.  The good ones help to build a wall of protection - giving us a safe-zone to be ourselves within the confines of the safety of those relationships.  The broken-down ones afford opportunity for us to look elsewhere for our protection and security, but wandering may present some unnecessary obstacles to our safety!

Get up and get moving - the first commission.  Even the cows within the pasture fence moved - they had places to be and other cows to see.  There were fresh clover patches to explore and wildflowers galore.  They'd miss it all if they just looked at the fence and said, "What's the use?"  To put it mildly, there are some of us who tend to see a fence as confining, so we don't even explore what is "within" the fence!  Don't get me wrong - the fence is not the problem - it is the way we view the fence that is the problem!  Move where you are - begin to see the possibilities of where you are at this moment.  The fenced in area of your life is really filled with potential, but you must get up and move if you are to explore the vastness of its "confines".

Meet each other's needs - the second commission.  As the cows began to nudge each other along, they tended to go toward the same general area of the pasture.  Huge, wide open spaces awaited them at the beginning of each day, but someone took the lead.  The others followed, because they trusted the lead.  I think we all need to be leaders at times.  It wasn't that calves who did the leading, though.  So, this speaks to us of the mature helping those less mature to make the right choices in life.  I think this is paramount to our safe growth as a family of believers.  Indeed, as the day went on, the ones who took the first steps to move the herd along may have changed a little.  It really doesn't matter who takes us to the green fields of clover or the pools of refreshing water at the end of the hot day.  It matters that we lead when called to lead, follow when it is clear we are to follow, and to remember we are to look out for each other.

Being attentive to the broken-down places in our lives is a little trickier.  Paul calls us for to be alert at noticing difference and then setting out quickly to mend the fences.  I think this brings us to the important point of constantly monitoring the condition of our relationships.  Broken-down fences need mending - and quickly.  If you are a rancher, you probably understand this better than I do, but it appeared to me those farmers are attentive to their fence-lines!  Not so much to make the property look nice, but to ensure those under their watchful eye were cared for well.  The fences were mended quickly.  We'd do well to consider the times when we observe the fragility of our "fences" in relationships and then focus on "building up" those fragile places so the work of "mending the fence" doesn't grow into some insurmountable project!  Just sayin!

Four churches in one building...sad day....

I saw a sign the other day on a church just down the street from us.  It sort of broke my heart.  It read, "Four churches call this building home".  Now you might not find this very heart-breaking, but let me explain why it tugged at the my heart-strings.  The sad thing is four groups of people have to see things so differently as to need to be four different churches all meeting in the same building.  I wonder how strong the church could be if ALL the members of each of these churches would lay down their "style" or "uniqueness" and just embrace everyone from the "other" congregations as Christ intended?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  (Psalm 133:1 KJV)  

You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.  (Ephesians 4:4-6 MSG)

Paul says it well to the Ephesian church - "You were called to travel on the SAME road and in the SAME direction..."  Yet, we have chosen so many "directions" in which we will travel this journey of faith, haven't we?  We "divide" ourselves in something called "denominations".  Do you know how the dictionary describes a "denomination"?  It is simply a group having a "distinctive" interpretation of faith.  Somehow, I think we missed the mark of what David described back in the Old Testament and what Paul describes as the mission of the church of the New Testament.  We are CALLED to live in unity.  Now, I don't know about you, but a "calling" is something I take pretty seriously.  It is not a "choosing", but a calling.  Do you know the other word for "calling"?  It is simple:  MISSION.  

We "divide" over the silliest of things, really not so significant in the scheme of things.  Things like what we should wear to church, or how we should wear our hair.  Some focus on whether the music should be loud, or melodious.  Others think a strong outreach to the community is the ticket.  NONE of these is really the focus of the church!  In fact, the focus of the church is really being "ON MISSION" with Jesus.  In order to accomplish that mission, we use all kinds of tools along the way.  We use music to minister - some like it loud, others like it softer.  So have both - and learn to "tolerate" the other's taste!

Here is the crux of what Paul was saying - stay together!  Dividing over the small stuff is really not going to do much for our inward growth and it will be evident in our outward growth, as well.  I suspect such is the case of the "four churches who call one building their home".  We have one Master - Jesus Christ.  No other prophet, teacher, or great leader.  Jesus is central to the Christian faith.  If we believe in Jesus as the only true Son of God, given to be the sacrifice for our sins - we believe the SAME.  We have one God and Father of all - Jehovah, The Almighty, Father God - we call him all kinds of things, but he is the same.  If we believe there is one true God, creator of all things, all-knowing, ever-present, and and all-powerful, we believe the SAME.  

So, why do we divide?  Do you know the other definition of "denomination"?  It is a "group bigger than a sect".  Back in Jesus' day, there were a few "sects" in Jerusalem.  The Pharisees (religious leaders well-studied in the Law) were one; the Sadducees (religious leaders who were responsible for keeping the Temple) were another; the Essenes (Jews who lived at the waterfront of the Dead Sea as isolationists) were yet another.  I could go on and on about these various sects, but the point is they have existed for a long, long time.  In the New Testament, first century church, the goal was to break down these walls of "separation" and begin to come together in unity.  I wonder what power could be evident if we'd just heed this one instruction?

So, now you understand why I am a little distressed by the "four church in one building" sign.  I guess I am grateful all four congregations have a place to meet.  I just know it grieves God's heart for man to live with such division.  If you were to ask me my "denomination", I'd tell you I don't have one!  I am a Christian - a believer in Christ who chooses to fellowship with other believers in Christ.  The church is not the four walls I go into - it is the life I live each and every day while being on mission with Jesus.  Just sayin!