This Easter season I decided to focus on the power of the resurrected Christ. I am getting ready to preach a series on power at church and I want to experience more of His power in my life, particularly in the areas of patience, self-discipline and anxiety. So, as I read and studied for Easter services and spent time with the Lord focused on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, I was intentional about focusing on power. But my plan did not work (how many times have I said that!). The more I tried to focus on God's power in the resurrection, the more I was struck with His love for me.
He took on the form and limitations of flesh ... for me.
He felt the pain of rejection, denial and betrayal... for me.
He endured false accusations and the pain of being completely misunderstood... for me.
He experienced the depths of human loneliness... for me.
He was the object of humiliation and verbal abuse... for me.
He suffered physical abuse beyond anythinig I can imagine... for me.
He modelled humility, mercy and grace throughout the whole process... for me.
He gave up life... for me.
I approached Him during this season for a greater sense of His resurrection power and walked away from every encounter with Him feeling more cherished, more loved and more in awe that He did it all for me. Strangely, this new experience with His love has strengthened the connection between us. I feel closer to Him, I lean more into Him, I trust Him more. Just today, it dawned on me, I found His power... in His love.
Will you just let Him love you this Easter?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Silence and the Voice of God
The Psalmist encourages us to be still and KNOW that He is God. This was actually written as a part of a worship song. I think most true worshippers would agree that sometimes, even with the best of lyrics, instruments and voices... there are moments when there is nothing like ... silence... to usher us into the holy presence of the Father.
I just spent a week in retreat at Selah Ranch in East Texas. A 12oo acre Ranch, a small group of 6 Pastors from various denominations (and a few spouses) got away for a "Sabbath Rest". The only program was to get alone with God. The beauty of the ranch and the golf cart provided for each Pastor made it easy to get alone with the Father in the great expanse of His creation (I took the picture of the tree in my "thot of the day" in the early morning mist). Each room was equipped with a whole library of books on spiritual formation, a guide for the week suggesting various passages of Scripture and ... solitude. I read from the Bible and from some of the most gifted and spiritual writers of our day. But, the highlight of the retreat... silence.
You know me, I am a people person, I not only like noise, I make alot of it myself. The first day of silence is uncomfortable, the second... unnerving. Having done this before, I knew what to expect, I cried the whole second day... like detox... like cleansing of the many emotions that have built up in me... like crawling up in the Father's lap and having Him hold me and say... Bob... it is okay... you can let it all go... you don't have to perform for me... you don't have to succeed... you don't have to be anyone but you... my son... my boy... my man... my voice to those who will listen.
I cannot begin to describe to you how He has loved me this past week... how He has spoken to me (His voice is clear when others are stilled)... how He calmed me. None of my cares have really been resolved but... but the truth is... I have no cares.
A week without voices, a week without media, a week without music... the psalmist knows... be still and know that He is God. I know... I was finally still. Nothing that we "do" is so important that we cannot take time for this. Jesus only had 3 years to minister physically on this planet and to prepare a group of men to launch the church... but He took time for silence... I want to be like Him... He KNEW God... I do too. Do you?
I just spent a week in retreat at Selah Ranch in East Texas. A 12oo acre Ranch, a small group of 6 Pastors from various denominations (and a few spouses) got away for a "Sabbath Rest". The only program was to get alone with God. The beauty of the ranch and the golf cart provided for each Pastor made it easy to get alone with the Father in the great expanse of His creation (I took the picture of the tree in my "thot of the day" in the early morning mist). Each room was equipped with a whole library of books on spiritual formation, a guide for the week suggesting various passages of Scripture and ... solitude. I read from the Bible and from some of the most gifted and spiritual writers of our day. But, the highlight of the retreat... silence.
You know me, I am a people person, I not only like noise, I make alot of it myself. The first day of silence is uncomfortable, the second... unnerving. Having done this before, I knew what to expect, I cried the whole second day... like detox... like cleansing of the many emotions that have built up in me... like crawling up in the Father's lap and having Him hold me and say... Bob... it is okay... you can let it all go... you don't have to perform for me... you don't have to succeed... you don't have to be anyone but you... my son... my boy... my man... my voice to those who will listen.
I cannot begin to describe to you how He has loved me this past week... how He has spoken to me (His voice is clear when others are stilled)... how He calmed me. None of my cares have really been resolved but... but the truth is... I have no cares.
A week without voices, a week without media, a week without music... the psalmist knows... be still and know that He is God. I know... I was finally still. Nothing that we "do" is so important that we cannot take time for this. Jesus only had 3 years to minister physically on this planet and to prepare a group of men to launch the church... but He took time for silence... I want to be like Him... He KNEW God... I do too. Do you?
Monday, December 31, 2007
The Book
"You should write a book!" I have heard that so many times over the past few years. Honestly, the book has been in me for many more years than that. The book is my life message. It is what I was meant to communicate. It has been years in the making... years in the writing... and now, as of yesterday, the book proposal (not the completed manuscript!) is in the hands of two publishers, two literary agents and two first-time publishers networks. Oddly, I have mixed feelings about it today. I feel exposed (even though no-one has actually read it yet!). I feel inadequate to fully communicate this amazing life message (I keep thinking of things to add... as I edit and re-work this month... the book could double in size!). I feel like I am getting ready to cross a line that I have been moving toward since the time of my suicide attempt and the beginning of my recovery. I also have a bit of fear. Lately, the more I step up and share my story, the more criticism and rejection come my way. I will need strength for the professional feedback that I get from the agents and publishers. I am not a professional writer so I expect this feedback, I just don't want the message to get lost in all!
As I sit with these feelings, the song that keeps playing in my head is Philips, Craig and Dean singing "Your Grace Still Amazes Me". It is overwhelming to think that out of all of my mess, wounds, poor choices, manipulations, hurts, that the Father has brought out this powerful message of LIFE! As the song says... all I can do is offer Him my praise.
So... praise the Lord with me and pray that His will be done. At the end of January, I will have the book finished and will decide about self-publishing (based on the responses or lack thereof).
Happy New Year to all of you!
As I sit with these feelings, the song that keeps playing in my head is Philips, Craig and Dean singing "Your Grace Still Amazes Me". It is overwhelming to think that out of all of my mess, wounds, poor choices, manipulations, hurts, that the Father has brought out this powerful message of LIFE! As the song says... all I can do is offer Him my praise.
So... praise the Lord with me and pray that His will be done. At the end of January, I will have the book finished and will decide about self-publishing (based on the responses or lack thereof).
Happy New Year to all of you!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Spiritual Formation
Over the past couple of years, I have been intrigued with the concept of spiritual formation. Americans have made physical formation BIG BUSINESS. Body building, strength training, diets, exercise programs, gyms, videos, workout fashion... it is HUGE. So much time and energy spent on the body but what about our spirit? What about the part of us that lives forever? How do we "exercise ourselves to godliness"?
I recently ran across an excellent definition for spiritual formation in M. Robert Mulholland's book "Invitation to a Journey".
"Spiritual formation is a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others." (p15)
I love this definition because it is simple AND it reveals all that I love and hate about spiritual formation.
It is a process. I love that I don't have to measure myself by perfection but by progress. But I HATE that nothing that is spiritual or lasting is instant. My whole life will be spiritual formation... living in cooperation with God's grace extended to me in each moment!
IT has a defined goal, the image of Christ. I LOVE the fact that I was created in the image of God, it was marred by sin but that I now have Christ in me who is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). I can allow Christ to live through me and be living as a reflection of the image of God. This is wholeness and it feels right, it trumps brokenness! I do HATE that this is a choice that must be made at every moment. I can't just put it on auto-pilot. I must choose between living in the power of my own flesh and living in the power of the resurrected Christ that lives in me.
It is not about me! I HATE that (because my flesh has a good dose of narcissism) it is not about me. But I LOVE that it is relational. The focus of spiritual formation is not on how pious I can be but on how the image of God in me flows out to others and impacts their lives. There is POWER in this... a power that cannot be manipulated, conjured up or misused. It is the power of God flowing through me and is for the sake of those who receive it.
Several conclusions, that for me are freeing.
1)I can embrace the process and not stress about the rate at which my spiritual formation seems to be progressing!
2)I can see each digression from spiritual formation as nothing more than a poor choice, made in the moment, made in the flesh, forgiven by the blood of Christ and powerless to change the direction of my life! (the power is in my choice)
3)I can watch this powerful presence in my life impact those around me and not have to control it, not have to make it happen, not have to pretend, not have to speak with spiritual cliches, not have to fit a certain image of "pastor"....
Bob December 29, 2007
I recently ran across an excellent definition for spiritual formation in M. Robert Mulholland's book "Invitation to a Journey".
"Spiritual formation is a process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others." (p15)
I love this definition because it is simple AND it reveals all that I love and hate about spiritual formation.
It is a process. I love that I don't have to measure myself by perfection but by progress. But I HATE that nothing that is spiritual or lasting is instant. My whole life will be spiritual formation... living in cooperation with God's grace extended to me in each moment!
IT has a defined goal, the image of Christ. I LOVE the fact that I was created in the image of God, it was marred by sin but that I now have Christ in me who is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). I can allow Christ to live through me and be living as a reflection of the image of God. This is wholeness and it feels right, it trumps brokenness! I do HATE that this is a choice that must be made at every moment. I can't just put it on auto-pilot. I must choose between living in the power of my own flesh and living in the power of the resurrected Christ that lives in me.
It is not about me! I HATE that (because my flesh has a good dose of narcissism) it is not about me. But I LOVE that it is relational. The focus of spiritual formation is not on how pious I can be but on how the image of God in me flows out to others and impacts their lives. There is POWER in this... a power that cannot be manipulated, conjured up or misused. It is the power of God flowing through me and is for the sake of those who receive it.
Several conclusions, that for me are freeing.
1)I can embrace the process and not stress about the rate at which my spiritual formation seems to be progressing!
2)I can see each digression from spiritual formation as nothing more than a poor choice, made in the moment, made in the flesh, forgiven by the blood of Christ and powerless to change the direction of my life! (the power is in my choice)
3)I can watch this powerful presence in my life impact those around me and not have to control it, not have to make it happen, not have to pretend, not have to speak with spiritual cliches, not have to fit a certain image of "pastor"....
Bob December 29, 2007
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