...What we need is an ever present reality check. Here's one that's very suggestable. Hold on to nothing and cling for life. Test everything with your fingers crossed and with a good amount of salt. Let the truth in it speak for itself. When it does, under a reasonable amount of salt, it will be the truth that's only worth hearing. You won't be fooled by the kind you'd be inclined to manufacture.
Watch the puzzle solve itself. Trust God to work His magic His way. Have a quest for God that is not centred on his acts. His acts are only for his own glory, mostly not necessarily for your comfort. You will end up filtering the anyway reality from the imagination in your head. You will have the real faith you need, not an over-rated one, in a God that truly does exist. If (and since) God is God, trust Him to lead you understanding of Him that is real, not imaginative.
Sunil Noronha
Friday, March 30, 2012
Day 32
Imagine a case if all that we believed didn't exist. If all that we bet our life on was not known to us. Thankful we are indeed that it now is. But if we did not the love of Jesus and then the joy of knowing God...
Now that we do know Him, what piece of the puzzle does that complete? Through our Christian journey, it's easy to believe absolutely anything that can fall under the category of God's ways that are 'amazing', 'powerful' and any other such quality that we'd like to (and sometimes are taught to) attribute to Him. But what if these particular ways of His are simply figments of our imagination. God is not necessarily existent to satisfy our desire for a swashbuckling divine saviour who will provide us the cushiest life we can think of.
Sunil Noronha
Now that we do know Him, what piece of the puzzle does that complete? Through our Christian journey, it's easy to believe absolutely anything that can fall under the category of God's ways that are 'amazing', 'powerful' and any other such quality that we'd like to (and sometimes are taught to) attribute to Him. But what if these particular ways of His are simply figments of our imagination. God is not necessarily existent to satisfy our desire for a swashbuckling divine saviour who will provide us the cushiest life we can think of.
Sunil Noronha
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 31
Phillipians 2:5-11
This passage gives us the grand key and perspective to everything. The way down is the way up. As you lower yourself to the point of nothingness, God comes bursting in and does the very thing you sought after but in a wrong way. Jesus was offered power, and fame when tempted in the desert. But he overcame selfish ambition and lowered himself to serve the interest of His Father in heaven thus serving us sinful men. The end result it not only glorious exaltation to the highest place but He has been given the highest Name – the name above every other. Satan would like to deceive us into thinking we need to do this for ourselves – how wrong!!! When we leave things in the hands of a sovereign God – He works out things for our best, ALWAYS.
When life rattles me, this is one of the passages of scripture I take refuge in and find great solace, comfort and assurance. I leave you with these thoughts – may you know rest in knowing His way- aligning your heart to the plumb line of this scripture.
Navaz D'cruz
This passage gives us the grand key and perspective to everything. The way down is the way up. As you lower yourself to the point of nothingness, God comes bursting in and does the very thing you sought after but in a wrong way. Jesus was offered power, and fame when tempted in the desert. But he overcame selfish ambition and lowered himself to serve the interest of His Father in heaven thus serving us sinful men. The end result it not only glorious exaltation to the highest place but He has been given the highest Name – the name above every other. Satan would like to deceive us into thinking we need to do this for ourselves – how wrong!!! When we leave things in the hands of a sovereign God – He works out things for our best, ALWAYS.
When life rattles me, this is one of the passages of scripture I take refuge in and find great solace, comfort and assurance. I leave you with these thoughts – may you know rest in knowing His way- aligning your heart to the plumb line of this scripture.
Navaz D'cruz
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day 30
The Plumb Line - 3
Phil 2:3-4
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
This gives me the antidote to the first half of the verse. How do I cure myself of this malady of selfish ambition? By practising the very opposite. Firstly, being humble- how does humility express itself? In this case, considering others better than yourself and not looking out to my own interests. How does this work out? Others better than your self- this will put the breaks on self-exalting thought patterns that constantly assail our minds. It will nudge us to look for ways to appreciate others. It will nudge us to release others, give others a chance to use their gifts.
...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others.
Look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others. This strikes a death blow to self ambition. When we put others betterment before our own – we cannot exalt ourselves. We can only do one or the others. If we all had this attitude – it would breed so much growth for everyone (including yourself because someone else will be looking out to your interests well). It will breed an atmosphere of acceptance, grace and security. It will breed an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation and an atmosphere of wanting to mentor others so that they progress and get on in their walk with God and all that God has called them to with no strings attached.
It will mean that sometimes we have to let go of our lofty ideals/standards for the sake of unity, for the sake of brotherhood and oneness in Spirit ( without compromising your principles). But when you look at the big picture, when you look from Eternity’s perspective it won’t seem that ideal at all.
Navaz D'cruz
Phil 2:3-4
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves
This gives me the antidote to the first half of the verse. How do I cure myself of this malady of selfish ambition? By practising the very opposite. Firstly, being humble- how does humility express itself? In this case, considering others better than yourself and not looking out to my own interests. How does this work out? Others better than your self- this will put the breaks on self-exalting thought patterns that constantly assail our minds. It will nudge us to look for ways to appreciate others. It will nudge us to release others, give others a chance to use their gifts.
...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of
the others.
Look not only to your own interest but also the interest of others. This strikes a death blow to self ambition. When we put others betterment before our own – we cannot exalt ourselves. We can only do one or the others. If we all had this attitude – it would breed so much growth for everyone (including yourself because someone else will be looking out to your interests well). It will breed an atmosphere of acceptance, grace and security. It will breed an atmosphere of encouragement and appreciation and an atmosphere of wanting to mentor others so that they progress and get on in their walk with God and all that God has called them to with no strings attached.
It will mean that sometimes we have to let go of our lofty ideals/standards for the sake of unity, for the sake of brotherhood and oneness in Spirit ( without compromising your principles). But when you look at the big picture, when you look from Eternity’s perspective it won’t seem that ideal at all.
Navaz D'cruz
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 29
The Plumb Line - 2
Phil 2:3-4
Selfish ambition
Doing things that promote self interest, self glory.*Doing things that get me recognition, for my glory, promotion and elevation in the eyes of men. Often this would involved putting others down, even subtly, ignoring others peoples gifts and talents so that only “I” get noticed. The object with which I conduct myself is that “I” increase and. that “I” get glory. This is nothing but “I-dolatry”.
Vain conceit
The dictionary tells me the synonyms of conceit* are egoism, egotism, narcissism, vanity. The dictionary tells me vanity is being inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or
achievements, given to ostentatious display, especially of one's beauty, worthless, senseless or futile. It is the very opposite of humility. It’s thinking that only I can do the job well. What is the fall out of this? We don’t train others to do our job. We think we are indispensible. We get very critical and condemning of other peoples efforts. We don’t delegate. We are unable to encourage and appreciate the baby steps others take to grow their gifts. It also shows a lack of humility to realize that all our gifts and talents are “Grace Gifts” that we don’t deserve in the first place. We owe it all to God and need to hold these things lightly.
Navaz D'cruz
Phil 2:3-4
Selfish ambition
Doing things that promote self interest, self glory.*Doing things that get me recognition, for my glory, promotion and elevation in the eyes of men. Often this would involved putting others down, even subtly, ignoring others peoples gifts and talents so that only “I” get noticed. The object with which I conduct myself is that “I” increase and. that “I” get glory. This is nothing but “I-dolatry”.
Vain conceit
The dictionary tells me the synonyms of conceit* are egoism, egotism, narcissism, vanity. The dictionary tells me vanity is being inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or
achievements, given to ostentatious display, especially of one's beauty, worthless, senseless or futile. It is the very opposite of humility. It’s thinking that only I can do the job well. What is the fall out of this? We don’t train others to do our job. We think we are indispensible. We get very critical and condemning of other peoples efforts. We don’t delegate. We are unable to encourage and appreciate the baby steps others take to grow their gifts. It also shows a lack of humility to realize that all our gifts and talents are “Grace Gifts” that we don’t deserve in the first place. We owe it all to God and need to hold these things lightly.
Navaz D'cruz
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Day 28
The Plumb Line - 1
In a world full of worldly management fundas filling up bookshelves, it's easy to get lost in a world of advice from almost everyone who's willing to win you over with their advice on absolutely anything under the sun. However, I find the best advice in the enduring, flawless, timeless Word of God, and it is important to set my heart right against that plumb line.
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
This is such an area of temptation. I need to keep a guard over my heart and motives knowing the heart is deceitful above all else. Every now and then it’s good to take a pit stop and take stock of what is going on in the boiler room of the heart. If I don’t, busyness gets me or the “success” of what I am involved in can cloud/dull and even blind me to what’s going on, on the inside.
Jesus was always interested in what goes on in our hearts. Everything will be tested by fire (1Cor 3:12-15). So I would be wise to stop in my tracks every now and them and do a heart check up – allowing the Holy Spirit to shed His light, wash and clean me – which He does with much grace and love.
Navaz D'cruz
In a world full of worldly management fundas filling up bookshelves, it's easy to get lost in a world of advice from almost everyone who's willing to win you over with their advice on absolutely anything under the sun. However, I find the best advice in the enduring, flawless, timeless Word of God, and it is important to set my heart right against that plumb line.
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
This is such an area of temptation. I need to keep a guard over my heart and motives knowing the heart is deceitful above all else. Every now and then it’s good to take a pit stop and take stock of what is going on in the boiler room of the heart. If I don’t, busyness gets me or the “success” of what I am involved in can cloud/dull and even blind me to what’s going on, on the inside.
Jesus was always interested in what goes on in our hearts. Everything will be tested by fire (1Cor 3:12-15). So I would be wise to stop in my tracks every now and them and do a heart check up – allowing the Holy Spirit to shed His light, wash and clean me – which He does with much grace and love.
Navaz D'cruz
Day 27
The Cross - III
...The Cross of Jesus calms me. No earthquake can touch it. Because all the horrors the world can concoct, were met, and neutered, on the Cross. There was no enemy left standing, however loud, however brute, however powerful, however inexorable. No one was left. And this was done wordlessly, soundlessly. In the dead calm of pin-drop silence.
Permanence. Purpose. Resolute resilience. For all time. No marauder or invader would render the Cross a ruin. It can never become just a sign; it will stand for all time no matter who or what came against it. The battle would rage all around it but he who came to its foot would not be molested.
The ultimate, ultimate safe place. The one fortress in this world no one can conquer. Its sanctuary is eternal; its protection irrevocable. No one who
enters will ever be taken to his doom by force. The ultimate unstormable citadel.
Come away to the foot of the Cross of Jesus. Let the battle rage around you. Let the heat of the day burn unquenched. Let the burden bear down. None of these will touch you. Because you are in the safest place you will ever find.
Praveen Deepak
...The Cross of Jesus calms me. No earthquake can touch it. Because all the horrors the world can concoct, were met, and neutered, on the Cross. There was no enemy left standing, however loud, however brute, however powerful, however inexorable. No one was left. And this was done wordlessly, soundlessly. In the dead calm of pin-drop silence.
Permanence. Purpose. Resolute resilience. For all time. No marauder or invader would render the Cross a ruin. It can never become just a sign; it will stand for all time no matter who or what came against it. The battle would rage all around it but he who came to its foot would not be molested.
The ultimate, ultimate safe place. The one fortress in this world no one can conquer. Its sanctuary is eternal; its protection irrevocable. No one who
enters will ever be taken to his doom by force. The ultimate unstormable citadel.
Come away to the foot of the Cross of Jesus. Let the battle rage around you. Let the heat of the day burn unquenched. Let the burden bear down. None of these will touch you. Because you are in the safest place you will ever find.
Praveen Deepak
Day 26
The Cross - II
...It amazes me that there were no words from heaven, or from earth, on that fateful day. There was no voice of validation, confirmation, victory or
assurance from heaven; there were no words from down here as well. It was mute.
Wordlessness.
That comforts me, because the victory is obtained in silence. In solitude. In loneliness. In one single life fighting alone. No one can really come there
with you. Only God can. And in those silent times, God impresses victory. There may never be words. Victory actually needs no words. Neither do joy, or hope, or love, or freedom. Their very power to give life is in wordlessness.
And in wordlessness I come to the cross. It is not the part of me that says things, that comes to the cross. The heart actually is wordless. And it is the heart which comes. And there, what I see shuts out words. Shuts out voices. Shuts out sound. I can imagine what Stephen felt in those last moments. Wordlessness. Soundlessness.
And then, a strange, almost eerie, unreal calm. With a refreshing cool breeze which has the power to soothe and rest. To rejuvenate, refresh, percolate breath and life back into choked veins, and hearts, and minds.
Praveen Deepak
...It amazes me that there were no words from heaven, or from earth, on that fateful day. There was no voice of validation, confirmation, victory or
assurance from heaven; there were no words from down here as well. It was mute.
Wordlessness.
That comforts me, because the victory is obtained in silence. In solitude. In loneliness. In one single life fighting alone. No one can really come there
with you. Only God can. And in those silent times, God impresses victory. There may never be words. Victory actually needs no words. Neither do joy, or hope, or love, or freedom. Their very power to give life is in wordlessness.
And in wordlessness I come to the cross. It is not the part of me that says things, that comes to the cross. The heart actually is wordless. And it is the heart which comes. And there, what I see shuts out words. Shuts out voices. Shuts out sound. I can imagine what Stephen felt in those last moments. Wordlessness. Soundlessness.
And then, a strange, almost eerie, unreal calm. With a refreshing cool breeze which has the power to soothe and rest. To rejuvenate, refresh, percolate breath and life back into choked veins, and hearts, and minds.
Praveen Deepak
Day 25
The Cross - I
"A shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land, A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day"
- Elizabeth C Clephane
Indeed, the world we live in is all of those things - a weary land, a wilderness, just a way, the sapping, burning shimmer of noontide heat, a burden every day.
The Cross of Jesus is also indeed all of those things - the shadow of a mighty rock, a home, a rest. The most grisly scene on earth, is still all of those things.
It's probably like that, because the Cross of Jesus is the ultimate answer to intimidation, brute power, cosmic violence, unbridled tide of red evil, the hot breath of hatred, and the purposes of the pit of hell itself. Imagine all of these spent over one frail human body. And one human life - mute, resigned,
resolute. No talking back, no comebacks, no defense, no rationalising, no duplicity, no making it palatable. Nothing. Just mute resignation.
Praveen Deepak
"A shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land, A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way, from the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day"
- Elizabeth C Clephane
Indeed, the world we live in is all of those things - a weary land, a wilderness, just a way, the sapping, burning shimmer of noontide heat, a burden every day.
The Cross of Jesus is also indeed all of those things - the shadow of a mighty rock, a home, a rest. The most grisly scene on earth, is still all of those things.
It's probably like that, because the Cross of Jesus is the ultimate answer to intimidation, brute power, cosmic violence, unbridled tide of red evil, the hot breath of hatred, and the purposes of the pit of hell itself. Imagine all of these spent over one frail human body. And one human life - mute, resigned,
resolute. No talking back, no comebacks, no defense, no rationalising, no duplicity, no making it palatable. Nothing. Just mute resignation.
Praveen Deepak
Day 24
John 15:1-2 (Extra references: I Peter 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:5-11) - III
Another reason God PRUNES us is to refine us. Isn't our prayer to Him primarily to enter into His righteousness? To become like Him? Well, if He is going to have to answer that prayer, hard times are ahead because we are full of sin. He is going to have to purge, cleanse and perform surgery, sometimes without an anaesthetic. Sometimes, He is going to leave us crying for a while. Sometimes,
He is going to have to be harsh with us, so that we will learn how sinful we are.
So, dearly beloved, let us remember John 15:1-2 in our troughs, valleys, and hard times. Let's pray what David prayed when God confronted him with his sin - "David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." - I Chronicles 21:13. Let us fall into
the ever loving arms of our Lord! Be blessed!
Another reason God PRUNES us is to refine us. Isn't our prayer to Him primarily to enter into His righteousness? To become like Him? Well, if He is going to have to answer that prayer, hard times are ahead because we are full of sin. He is going to have to purge, cleanse and perform surgery, sometimes without an anaesthetic. Sometimes, He is going to leave us crying for a while. Sometimes,
He is going to have to be harsh with us, so that we will learn how sinful we are.
So, dearly beloved, let us remember John 15:1-2 in our troughs, valleys, and hard times. Let's pray what David prayed when God confronted him with his sin - "David said to Gad, "I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men." - I Chronicles 21:13. Let us fall into
the ever loving arms of our Lord! Be blessed!
Day 23
John 15:1-2 (Extra references: I Peter 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:5-11)
- II
This verse tells me that in order for me to grow to fulfill His purposes and His purposes only, He must indeed let me go through the valley of the shadow
of death. He knows the best way to teach me hard truths, to refine and purify me. And sometimes this involves feelings of abandonment, smallness, enormous feelings of having wasted efforts, and
prayers not being heard.
If you are in a bad way today, God knows what He is doing. Do not mistake your circumstances to be His displeasure or His abandonment. It is only MORE PROOF of His deep involvement, His appreciation of how precious your faith is to His and how precious you are to Him. I can personally testify that when I come through the valley, He has taught me so much I never even knew I was learning. And I realise that He could only have
taught me those truths in the valley. If I was in the plain, on level ground, happy and without a care, I would never learn those truths.
Praveen Deepak
- II
This verse tells me that in order for me to grow to fulfill His purposes and His purposes only, He must indeed let me go through the valley of the shadow
of death. He knows the best way to teach me hard truths, to refine and purify me. And sometimes this involves feelings of abandonment, smallness, enormous feelings of having wasted efforts, and
prayers not being heard.
If you are in a bad way today, God knows what He is doing. Do not mistake your circumstances to be His displeasure or His abandonment. It is only MORE PROOF of His deep involvement, His appreciation of how precious your faith is to His and how precious you are to Him. I can personally testify that when I come through the valley, He has taught me so much I never even knew I was learning. And I realise that He could only have
taught me those truths in the valley. If I was in the plain, on level ground, happy and without a care, I would never learn those truths.
Praveen Deepak
Day 22
John 15:1-2 (Extra references: I Peter 4:12-13, Hebrews 12:5-11) - I
One of my precious friends sent me this verse the other day. It seems quite expected for The Lord to say that He "cuts off" branches that do not bear fruit, even though in reality it is a very chilling thing. But what caught my imagination is what He does with those who DO bear fruit.
Does it say "He rewards"? or "commends"? "pats on the back"? "gives special blessings"? Of course He definitely does all of that too. But this verse is drawing our attention to the one all-important thing the Father does with those who truly bear fruit for Him - He PRUNES them. Pruning involves shearing off boughs and leaves to stimulate growth, which in turn stimulates more fruit.
Do you feel today that He has dealt harshly with you and you don't know why? Do you feel like here you are, going through the very valley of the shadow of death, and He does not seem to care? Do you feel prayers going seemingly unheard? Do you feel your efforts for the Kingdom are not precious to Him?
Praveen Deepak
One of my precious friends sent me this verse the other day. It seems quite expected for The Lord to say that He "cuts off" branches that do not bear fruit, even though in reality it is a very chilling thing. But what caught my imagination is what He does with those who DO bear fruit.
Does it say "He rewards"? or "commends"? "pats on the back"? "gives special blessings"? Of course He definitely does all of that too. But this verse is drawing our attention to the one all-important thing the Father does with those who truly bear fruit for Him - He PRUNES them. Pruning involves shearing off boughs and leaves to stimulate growth, which in turn stimulates more fruit.
Do you feel today that He has dealt harshly with you and you don't know why? Do you feel like here you are, going through the very valley of the shadow of death, and He does not seem to care? Do you feel prayers going seemingly unheard? Do you feel your efforts for the Kingdom are not precious to Him?
Praveen Deepak
Day 19
Mark 14:17-21 (Part II)
Betrayal. It is an awful, painful word because it is an awful, painful experience, perhaps one of the worst we can know. And, of course, it’s part and parcel of our human experience. We have been betrayed by others, and we have betrayed those we care about as well. Perhaps not to the extent that Judas betrays Jesus. Yet who among us has not let another down, been unworthy of a confidence, disappointed the reasonable expectations of others, failed to live up to the trust placed in us. And who has not experienced the same from others.
Betrayal. It is painful. And it is ordinary. And perhaps this is why our Lord experiences it, too. Because Jesus came to this earth, shared our life and our lot, suffering all that we suffer, that he might both sympathize with and redeem us from all that afflicts our life and condition in this world.
As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:15-16).
Jesus knows what we suffer because Jesus suffered it to. And because it didn’t finish him, we have his promise that it will not finish us either. For whatever difficult or low places we’ve been or may yet go, Jesus has already been there. And where Jesus is now, we will also one day be. Thanks be to God.
VC John
Betrayal. It is an awful, painful word because it is an awful, painful experience, perhaps one of the worst we can know. And, of course, it’s part and parcel of our human experience. We have been betrayed by others, and we have betrayed those we care about as well. Perhaps not to the extent that Judas betrays Jesus. Yet who among us has not let another down, been unworthy of a confidence, disappointed the reasonable expectations of others, failed to live up to the trust placed in us. And who has not experienced the same from others.
Betrayal. It is painful. And it is ordinary. And perhaps this is why our Lord experiences it, too. Because Jesus came to this earth, shared our life and our lot, suffering all that we suffer, that he might both sympathize with and redeem us from all that afflicts our life and condition in this world.
As the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:15-16).
Jesus knows what we suffer because Jesus suffered it to. And because it didn’t finish him, we have his promise that it will not finish us either. For whatever difficult or low places we’ve been or may yet go, Jesus has already been there. And where Jesus is now, we will also one day be. Thanks be to God.
VC John
Monday, March 12, 2012
Day 21
Psalm 34:8
Some aspects of faith are indescribable: they can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the Lord. Sample his goodness. Lean on his grace. Take refuge in his care. We are blessed to find him near and take our refuge from life's greatest dangers and death's greatest fears.
Lipsita Sahu
Some aspects of faith are indescribable: they can only be experienced and known by doing them. Taste the Lord. Sample his goodness. Lean on his grace. Take refuge in his care. We are blessed to find him near and take our refuge from life's greatest dangers and death's greatest fears.
Lipsita Sahu
Day 18
Mark 14:17-21 (Part 1)
Betrayal. It is an incredibly painful word. It is more than just hurting someone for gain. It is more than just wishing an adversary ill. It is far more than even desiring the death of an enemy.
Betrayal. What makes it so painful is that betrayal implies – indeed, is defined by – a breech of trust. It means that someone trusted you, cared for you, counted on you, perhaps loved you. And yet despite all of that you did that person harm.
Betrayal. It also implies that the breech of trust was intentional. An accident is one thing, but betrayal implies a conscious, knowing, deliberate act of using the trust someone has placed in you against that person.
VC John
Betrayal. It is an incredibly painful word. It is more than just hurting someone for gain. It is more than just wishing an adversary ill. It is far more than even desiring the death of an enemy.
Betrayal. What makes it so painful is that betrayal implies – indeed, is defined by – a breech of trust. It means that someone trusted you, cared for you, counted on you, perhaps loved you. And yet despite all of that you did that person harm.
Betrayal. It also implies that the breech of trust was intentional. An accident is one thing, but betrayal implies a conscious, knowing, deliberate act of using the trust someone has placed in you against that person.
VC John
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Day 20
Proverbs 29:25
Jesus told us not to fear other human opponents (Luke 12:4-5). When we try to please others, when we fear what others may say or do to us, we place ourselves in a position of great vulnerability. Our lives no longer remain our own. We become captive to what others think, want, or threaten. We are to trust only the LORD and reverence him. In God is our safety, both now, and forevermore.
Lipsita Sahu
Jesus told us not to fear other human opponents (Luke 12:4-5). When we try to please others, when we fear what others may say or do to us, we place ourselves in a position of great vulnerability. Our lives no longer remain our own. We become captive to what others think, want, or threaten. We are to trust only the LORD and reverence him. In God is our safety, both now, and forevermore.
Lipsita Sahu
Day 17
Mark 14:12-16 (Part II)
William Barclay, one of the most prolific Christian writers of the previous century and minister of the Church of Scotland, once observed (commenting, I believe, on just this scene) that there are two kinds of courage. The first is the courage of the person who reacts instinctively and bravely in the face of danger – jumping into a cold river to save one who has fallen in. The second is the courage of the person who sees danger a long way off and resolves steadfastly to face it. Both are valuable; the second is harder to achieve.
When we travel down this Lenten road to the cross, we do so knowing that Jesus set himself on this road not only before us, but also for us. Seeing danger a long way off, he nevertheless set out to embrace his destiny. All we can do is watch…and give thanks…and perhaps also do as he did by looking at those around us worthy of love because they, too, are people for whom Christ died.
VC John
William Barclay, one of the most prolific Christian writers of the previous century and minister of the Church of Scotland, once observed (commenting, I believe, on just this scene) that there are two kinds of courage. The first is the courage of the person who reacts instinctively and bravely in the face of danger – jumping into a cold river to save one who has fallen in. The second is the courage of the person who sees danger a long way off and resolves steadfastly to face it. Both are valuable; the second is harder to achieve.
When we travel down this Lenten road to the cross, we do so knowing that Jesus set himself on this road not only before us, but also for us. Seeing danger a long way off, he nevertheless set out to embrace his destiny. All we can do is watch…and give thanks…and perhaps also do as he did by looking at those around us worthy of love because they, too, are people for whom Christ died.
VC John
Day 16
Mark 14:12-16 (Part I)
When I was young, I always read this story as another example of Jesus being omniscient – you know, life Father like Son, a chip off the holy Block. I can understand why I thought this. After all, there are other scenes where Jesus predicts what will happen to him.
As I read this now, however, I don’t think this story is about foreknowledge, but about courage. I think, that is, that there is no miraculous or omniscient vision at work; rather, Jesus made plans. Like you and I might do when we’re traveling, making arrangements to stay at a certain place ahead of time. Jesus can give his disciples explicit directions of where to go, who to meet, and what to expect because he made these arrangements ahead of time.
Why does this matter? Because it means that he was prepared for what was coming. The last meal he shared with his disciples, his confrontation with the authorities, the false trials, mockery, and
crucifixion – these things weren’t accidents that he somehow fell into. Rather, he saw them, was prepared for them, faced them, and endured them
intentionally
VC John
When I was young, I always read this story as another example of Jesus being omniscient – you know, life Father like Son, a chip off the holy Block. I can understand why I thought this. After all, there are other scenes where Jesus predicts what will happen to him.
As I read this now, however, I don’t think this story is about foreknowledge, but about courage. I think, that is, that there is no miraculous or omniscient vision at work; rather, Jesus made plans. Like you and I might do when we’re traveling, making arrangements to stay at a certain place ahead of time. Jesus can give his disciples explicit directions of where to go, who to meet, and what to expect because he made these arrangements ahead of time.
Why does this matter? Because it means that he was prepared for what was coming. The last meal he shared with his disciples, his confrontation with the authorities, the false trials, mockery, and
crucifixion – these things weren’t accidents that he somehow fell into. Rather, he saw them, was prepared for them, faced them, and endured them
intentionally
VC John
Day 15
Mark 14:10,11 (Part II)
(...)Yet Peter manages to overcome his disappointment and remain faithful. Not perfectly, of course, not by a long shot; after all, he will deny his Lord not once but three times, and it is unclear whether he ever really understands what Jesus is about until it is all over. Yet Peter continues to follow. Even the moment of his denial, as we’ll see, occurs as Peter is following Jesus toward the cross.
Perhaps Mark offers us two options for dealing with disappointment with God: follow or desert.
Following doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t assume we understand what is going on, but it does imply a simple trust that amid the pain and confusion that sometimes attends any of our lives, when we still try to follow, imperfectly, for sure, but trying to follow nonetheless.
Which is, of course, why we go to church. This road is too difficult to travel on our own. Life is too complex and sometimes too painful to handle alone. So we seek out the company of other “doubting disciples” that we may encourage each
other and in this way remain imperfect followers. Maybe that’s the tragedy here: that when Judas was disappointed he had no one to turn to and, failing to find a company of doubting disciples, he fled for the company of haters.
VC John
(...)Yet Peter manages to overcome his disappointment and remain faithful. Not perfectly, of course, not by a long shot; after all, he will deny his Lord not once but three times, and it is unclear whether he ever really understands what Jesus is about until it is all over. Yet Peter continues to follow. Even the moment of his denial, as we’ll see, occurs as Peter is following Jesus toward the cross.
Perhaps Mark offers us two options for dealing with disappointment with God: follow or desert.
Following doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t assume we understand what is going on, but it does imply a simple trust that amid the pain and confusion that sometimes attends any of our lives, when we still try to follow, imperfectly, for sure, but trying to follow nonetheless.
Which is, of course, why we go to church. This road is too difficult to travel on our own. Life is too complex and sometimes too painful to handle alone. So we seek out the company of other “doubting disciples” that we may encourage each
other and in this way remain imperfect followers. Maybe that’s the tragedy here: that when Judas was disappointed he had no one to turn to and, failing to find a company of doubting disciples, he fled for the company of haters.
VC John
Day 14
Mark 14:10,11 (Part 1)
This is one of the moments in Mark’s account not only of great drama, but also of nearly unbearable tragedy. We do not know what motivated Judas to betray his Lord. Perhaps he had anticipated that
Jesus would be the kind of Messiah who would lead an army to vanquish the Roman oppressors.
Perhaps, whatever Jesus said to the contrary, Judas’ hopes had been fanned by the adulation of the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem just days earlier. Perhaps Judas felt now, at last, Jesus would his destiny and start the revolution.
But then Jesus names, once again, his sure conviction that he will die. And Judas is confronted with the fact that Jesus is not and will never be the kind of Messiah he expects. And so spurred by bitter disappointment and his own feelings of
betrayal, he offers to betray his teacher to his adversaries.
This is all speculation. There are various clues here and there that might point to this interpretation, but it remains speculation nevertheless. Yet if it is
at all close to the mark, then it intimates a parallel to an earlier scene between Jesus and Peter. Peter too, imagines he knows what it means to proclaim Jesus the Messiah. And Peter, too, is shocked and disappointed by the possibility that Jesus’ destiny might be about shame and death, not power and glory...
VC John
This is one of the moments in Mark’s account not only of great drama, but also of nearly unbearable tragedy. We do not know what motivated Judas to betray his Lord. Perhaps he had anticipated that
Jesus would be the kind of Messiah who would lead an army to vanquish the Roman oppressors.
Perhaps, whatever Jesus said to the contrary, Judas’ hopes had been fanned by the adulation of the crowds that welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem just days earlier. Perhaps Judas felt now, at last, Jesus would his destiny and start the revolution.
But then Jesus names, once again, his sure conviction that he will die. And Judas is confronted with the fact that Jesus is not and will never be the kind of Messiah he expects. And so spurred by bitter disappointment and his own feelings of
betrayal, he offers to betray his teacher to his adversaries.
This is all speculation. There are various clues here and there that might point to this interpretation, but it remains speculation nevertheless. Yet if it is
at all close to the mark, then it intimates a parallel to an earlier scene between Jesus and Peter. Peter too, imagines he knows what it means to proclaim Jesus the Messiah. And Peter, too, is shocked and disappointed by the possibility that Jesus’ destiny might be about shame and death, not power and glory...
VC John
Day 13
Mark 14:6-9 (Part II)
I have often mourned the fact that this woman – who will be remembered because of what she has done – isn’t given a name. I’ve regularly assumed this was just one more example of a culture that didn’t value women and regretted how omitting her name reinforced some of our own unhelpful attitudes about women. And that may very well be the case. But lately I’ve also wondered if Mark’s omission was intentional, inviting us to identify with her, to actually see ourselves as her. In Mark, you see, it is regularly the women who understand what real discipleship is, and so I wonder if this is another example of a woman who understood that to be a disciple doesn’t necessarily involve scaling mountains – or having everyone know your name – but instead reflects a day-to-day commitment to live as Jesus did. Discipleship, that is, is doing what you can.
So with that in mind, what can you do? What can we do together? What small gestures can we offer? Care for a friend, shovel a neighbor’s walk, read to a child, contribute your time and talent to an organization that needs you, work together so that fewer people will go to bed tonight hungry and cold. What? It doesn’t have to be big. And, in light
of Jesus’ words, we may well discover that, when done in faith, there is no small gesture.
VC John
I have often mourned the fact that this woman – who will be remembered because of what she has done – isn’t given a name. I’ve regularly assumed this was just one more example of a culture that didn’t value women and regretted how omitting her name reinforced some of our own unhelpful attitudes about women. And that may very well be the case. But lately I’ve also wondered if Mark’s omission was intentional, inviting us to identify with her, to actually see ourselves as her. In Mark, you see, it is regularly the women who understand what real discipleship is, and so I wonder if this is another example of a woman who understood that to be a disciple doesn’t necessarily involve scaling mountains – or having everyone know your name – but instead reflects a day-to-day commitment to live as Jesus did. Discipleship, that is, is doing what you can.
So with that in mind, what can you do? What can we do together? What small gestures can we offer? Care for a friend, shovel a neighbor’s walk, read to a child, contribute your time and talent to an organization that needs you, work together so that fewer people will go to bed tonight hungry and cold. What? It doesn’t have to be big. And, in light
of Jesus’ words, we may well discover that, when done in faith, there is no small gesture.
VC John
Monday, March 5, 2012
Day 12
Mark 14:6-9 (Part I)
There are six incredibly important words lodged in this scene that are easy to overlook. In between wondering what Jesus meant by saying “the poor you will always have with you” and his focus on his impending crucifixion, it’s easy to miss these six words: “She has done what she could.”
Why is this so important? Because it reminds us that faith doesn’t have to be heroic to be significant.
She has done what she could. Nothing more, nothing less. Jesus recognizes the gift of this woman and holds her up as a paragon of faith. Think about it. Mark doesn’t tell us that she followed Jesus to the cross (she may have, but we don’t hear about it). She hasn’t somehow prevented his crucifixion. She hasn’t given up everything, taken up her cross, and followed Jesus in any demonstrable or dramatic way. She has simply done what she could do. And in that simple
gesture of devotion and gratitude Jesus is anointed, purified, in a way that she could probably not even imagine. No wonder we still talk about her!
Which brings us back to Jesus’ statement about the poor. In this light, Jesus isn’t being cavalier or dismissive. Rather, he is saying that we have all around us ample opportunity to do what is right, to practice our faith, to love others as Jesus did. We will always, that is, have the opportunity to do what we can.
There are six incredibly important words lodged in this scene that are easy to overlook. In between wondering what Jesus meant by saying “the poor you will always have with you” and his focus on his impending crucifixion, it’s easy to miss these six words: “She has done what she could.”
Why is this so important? Because it reminds us that faith doesn’t have to be heroic to be significant.
She has done what she could. Nothing more, nothing less. Jesus recognizes the gift of this woman and holds her up as a paragon of faith. Think about it. Mark doesn’t tell us that she followed Jesus to the cross (she may have, but we don’t hear about it). She hasn’t somehow prevented his crucifixion. She hasn’t given up everything, taken up her cross, and followed Jesus in any demonstrable or dramatic way. She has simply done what she could do. And in that simple
gesture of devotion and gratitude Jesus is anointed, purified, in a way that she could probably not even imagine. No wonder we still talk about her!
Which brings us back to Jesus’ statement about the poor. In this light, Jesus isn’t being cavalier or dismissive. Rather, he is saying that we have all around us ample opportunity to do what is right, to practice our faith, to love others as Jesus did. We will always, that is, have the opportunity to do what we can.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Day 11
In the wilderness
I rest,
waiting still,
preparing,
receiving this
given gift
of hope,
of restoration
and renewal.
+
In the wilderness
I rest still,
my hope
can only be
in you,
only be fulfilled
in you.
+
So here
in the wilderness
I ask only
that you
re-order
my priorities, and
as I meet you
face to face,
may I find
that I
am not only
known by you,
BUT
infinitely loved.
+
VC John
I rest,
waiting still,
preparing,
receiving this
given gift
of hope,
of restoration
and renewal.
+
In the wilderness
I rest still,
my hope
can only be
in you,
only be fulfilled
in you.
+
So here
in the wilderness
I ask only
that you
re-order
my priorities, and
as I meet you
face to face,
may I find
that I
am not only
known by you,
BUT
infinitely loved.
+
VC John
Day 10
Proverbs 10:12, Rom. 12:17
Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness,and hatred with hatred. God has always wanted his people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to ''not repay evil with evil''. Here, God's wise man teaches us a similar truth. Love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatred only turns up the flames of bitterness and hate. We're called to be a different kind of people that leave the world a better place. It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.
Lipsita Sahu
Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness,and hatred with hatred. God has always wanted his people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to ''not repay evil with evil''. Here, God's wise man teaches us a similar truth. Love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatred only turns up the flames of bitterness and hate. We're called to be a different kind of people that leave the world a better place. It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.
Lipsita Sahu
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Day 9
Mark 14: 4,5 (Part - II)
The culture we live in depends upon a sense of lack to function. If we do not feel inadequate, or lacking, or that we don’t have enough, we will not keep buying things we don’t really need and keep this massive economy going. From an early age we are therefore taught that we don’t have enough, that the answer to fear is to have more, that we ourselves are not enough. The messages are so
regular and relentless that it is difficult not to surrender.
Can it be, therefore, that part of being the. community of Christ is to remind each other that God has given us enough? Enough to have, enough to share, enough to be happy in this life together.
There are, I think, two choices in front of us – to focus on our blessings and respond with the open hand of gratitude and generosity, or focus on our lack and respond with the closed fist of fear and
anger. The choice, ultimately, is too difficult to make alone, and so we need each other to remind us of God’s abundance and love.
VC John
The culture we live in depends upon a sense of lack to function. If we do not feel inadequate, or lacking, or that we don’t have enough, we will not keep buying things we don’t really need and keep this massive economy going. From an early age we are therefore taught that we don’t have enough, that the answer to fear is to have more, that we ourselves are not enough. The messages are so
regular and relentless that it is difficult not to surrender.
Can it be, therefore, that part of being the. community of Christ is to remind each other that God has given us enough? Enough to have, enough to share, enough to be happy in this life together.
There are, I think, two choices in front of us – to focus on our blessings and respond with the open hand of gratitude and generosity, or focus on our lack and respond with the closed fist of fear and
anger. The choice, ultimately, is too difficult to make alone, and so we need each other to remind us of God’s abundance and love.
VC John
Day 8
Mark 14: 4,5 (Part - I)
But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the
money given to the poor.”
Down through time, many have asked why this woman would make such an extravagant gift. An equally important question is why would it provoke
such anger in others. I suspect it’s because anger, in a sense, is the opposite of gratitude. The woman gives freely because, aware of her great blessing, she is caught up in a sense of abundance. The others, however, can only see lack and scarcity and because of this can only wish to control, to hoard, and to manage.
How true that is in my own life. When I count my blessings I am blessed yet again with a sense of abundance, gratitude, and generosity. Yet when I focus on what I still want, what I lack, then I become afraid and, sometimes, that fear that there is not enough makes me miserly, even angry.
VC John
But some were there who said to one another in anger, “Why was the ointment wasted in this way? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the
money given to the poor.”
Down through time, many have asked why this woman would make such an extravagant gift. An equally important question is why would it provoke
such anger in others. I suspect it’s because anger, in a sense, is the opposite of gratitude. The woman gives freely because, aware of her great blessing, she is caught up in a sense of abundance. The others, however, can only see lack and scarcity and because of this can only wish to control, to hoard, and to manage.
How true that is in my own life. When I count my blessings I am blessed yet again with a sense of abundance, gratitude, and generosity. Yet when I focus on what I still want, what I lack, then I become afraid and, sometimes, that fear that there is not enough makes me miserly, even angry.
VC John
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