God's Truth

Romans 1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen.

Driving home late the other night, I was listening to a radio host ranting and raving against evangelical Christians. He declared that they had no right whatsoever to say that people of other faiths weren't going to get into heaven just because they didn't believe, serve or worship Jesus.
As far as the talk show host was concerned, nobody was excluded and that the God he believed in was non-judgmental. Each time a Christian tried to call in and refute his beliefs, he quickly terminated the call. He was in no mood to be confronted; he wasn't interested giving evangelicals a fair say. After all, it was his radio show and, at that moment in time, he was god of the airwaves.

That's the trouble with modern beliefs; everyone has their own individual god. We pick and choose what we want to believe as if God comes pre-packed, vacuum-sealed and perfectly sized from a spiritual supermarket shelf. If we want our perfect God to suit our modern lives, let's just select our own. After all, we are the center of our own universe, so why shouldn't God conform to our personal wee world?

The same old things were happening in Paul's time, too. The apostle, however, was bold enough to confront those beliefs and those kinds of people. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator." Paul wasn't ready to compromise the truth or let go of God. His way of faith meant he had to battle with his culture, people and trends everyday. If he had simply given in to society or dumbed-down his belief in Christ, we might never have read any of his letters, nor ever have heard the Gospel.

The truth of God challenges every one of us each day. It confronts our decisions. It meddles in our lives. It changes our opinions. God, who truly revealed Himself to us through Jesus, cannot be ignored or re-shaped into something we want to make our lives easier. The whole point about faith is to lead us to something bigger, better and eternal. None of it is a given. We need to meet God on His terms, not on our own. Our only choice is whether we will do it on this side of eternity or not. After death, we don't get to make any more choices. Game over. Christ wins.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, keep us free from making up our own images and worshipping our own ideas about who You are and what God does. Deliver us from pride, conceit and self-deceit, for those temptations have the potential to turn Your truth into a lie. Help us to read Your Holy Word, so that Your sacred ways may be revealed in our hearts and minds. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Marvelous Mysteries

 

(You can listen to the audio commentary by double clicking here http://hometown.aol.com/traqair/Todaysdev.mp3 - if you get a page of symbols, don't worry, just double click the link again)

 

Job 11:7          "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

 

One of my favorite television programs, when I was growing up, was called “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.” I marveled each week at the voyages of this famous deep sea diver, who traveled the oceans on his ship ‘The Calypso.” Each week, he brought a new discovery about the sea into my world, and I once longed to sign up and sail as one of his fortunate crew.

 

Cousteau was also one of the first true environmentalists that I had ever encountered. As well as shooting beautiful videos of the myriads of undersea life, he also pointed out the ways in which human beings were polluting the great oceans, damaging the coral reefs, and hunting whales into extinction. It was sad to see all of this beauty and wonder being battered and wasted by the greed, carelessness and ignorance of humankind.

Cousteau delighted in opening up the mysteries of the undersea world to everyone, but he was also often dismayed about how we mistreated it.

 

The Bible tells us that the mysteries of God are fathomless and that we cannot probe the limits of the Almighty. Preachers, teachers, doctors and professors of faith, religion and theology may explore the depths of God on behalf of our people, but even they are just skimming the surface; even they don't know everything.

 

Each time the Calypso started a new voyage, Captain Cousteau would make bearings and let his viewers know where he was headed and how to get there. In Jesus, we have the same kind of Skipper, but He is one who knows all about the deep mysteries of God and He is willing to lead us there. He is the way to the eternal life that we seek and He gives us more knowledge about God, for He is God’s Only Son, the Christ whom the Father has sent.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, life surprises and confuses us at times. We know that we can't know everything, but help us to focus what little time we have on earth, to know more about You, to learn more about God, to serve and share You more each day of our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

 

Weak Witnesses

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

In the end, salvation is the most important event in the church. We tend to get caught up with dogmas and decisions, interpretations and issues, business meetings and ecclesiastical meanderings that don’t bring one single person into the Kingdom of God. We are so full of what’s important to us that we set aside what’s important to Christ: the saving of one human soul.

Paul understood this perfectly and so he sought every means to relate to other people at their level, in order to come alongside them and find an opportune moment to share the gospel. He didn’t need lavish advertising or super stewardship campaigns; he didn’t require perfect people to preach to; he didn’t have to be politically right, left or even correct. All Paul needed to do was to find some common ground in order to preach the word.

Sometimes we forget that for our faith to be meaningful, it has to be simple. Instead of talking about Jesus, we talk about other people. Instead of presenting His mission, we get focused on our own programs. Instead of being an agent in His ministry, we become advocates for what’s important to us.

There’s a whole world outside of our church where souls are separated from God and people are dying without hope. The church is meant to be Christ’s soldiers and servants, faithful messengers and spiritual paramedics whose duty is to help heal and harvest the world. The challenge that we all face today is this:

Are we more concerned about making the church right for us, or are we more concerned about making the church right for Christ?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us for focusing on what we can get out of the church, rather than getting out of the church and focusing on Your mission to the world. Pardon us for being so full of our own needs and concerns, that we have forgotten to live being concerned for the needs of others. Grant each of us an opportunity today to come alongside someone to share Your Gospel in a loving, merciful and meaningful way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Calling of the Heart

(You can listen to the audio commentary by double clicking here http://hometown.aol.com/traqair/Todaysdev.mp3 - if you get a page of symbols, don't worry, just double click the link again)

John 17:2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.

Listening to my youngest daughter Lauren preaching from the pulpit yesterday was both a proud and perplexing moment for me. She was a part of a group of Senior Highs who are moving on to college and they each give a valedictory homily during the morning worship.

It was a wonderful service. The presentation and messages were marvelous, the music and prayers were inspiring and uplifting. I eagerly looked forward to hearing Lauren speak, but I wasn't prepared for what she had to say.

Lauren wants to work in Africa, either through Peace Corps or with a mission agency. She’s going to college to get her degree, but her calling is to go to regions and areas where AIDS is leaving millions of African children as orphans. When she expressed this, it came as a total surprise to me and it made me fearful of those things she may have to experience, suffer and endure. In my heart, I don't want her to go, but I also recognize that her life does not belong to me. Lauren belongs to God.

Perhaps in four years time, after college is over, things may be different, but I don't think so. Lauren has a caring heart which can be very resolute at times. I know that she has thought about this for a long time. My role, as well as our church’s, is to help her fulfill that calling and praise God for what He does with her life.

Perhaps you are struggling with purpose and meaning, focus and direction in your own life. Have you ever thought that it may be happening to you because God has a calling that you've left unanswered or unfulfilled? Make time today to ask God what it is He truly wants of you, and what He wants you to be. In the process, you may rediscover who you are and what you are meant to be.

Prayer: Lord God, You see the beginning, middle and end of our lives. You have a plan, a predestination route for us to follow. Help us this day to seek Your guidance and to follow Your direction for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Lamposts

Lamposts

Psalm 139:11-12 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Throughout this week, I've been at Montreat College with our Senior Highs for their annual conference. It’s about my tenth visit here and, as usual, our church’s teenagers are great witnesses to our congregation and faith. Our Youth Director, Becca Berry, ministers to the young people in both an exceptional and encouraging way. I'm along as the ‘other leader’, and also to learn a lot from our Senior Highs about what’s relevant to them right now.

The college campus is beautiful and is worth visiting, even if it’s just for a day. The college is situated at the foot of Black Mountain, North Carolina, and at its heart, there is a beautiful loch called Lake Susan.

This week, I've been taking photographs all over the campus, especially ones of the lampposts around Montreat. Most of them are for lighting stairways and dark overgrown areas, but some of them are situated just for their beauty. During the day, some of the lampposts look average, but when darkness descends, they beautify the whole campus with a warm, embracing light, which is both peaceful and powerful.

In dark and gloomy moments, when our lives are overshadowed with sorry, worry, and grief, it’s comforting and reassuring to know that Christ is our light and that the darkness is not dark to Him. He beautifies our lives with His own everlasting peace and powerful light.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Light of the World, therefore we cannot be overcome with the darkness of despair, or the shadows of sorrow. We bask in Your Light and seek to be strengthened with Your power and peace. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Ashes to ashes

 

Incensed incensors see no sense in

censoring incense.

(Taken at Montreat campus July 2006)

 

Faithful Feet

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.”  Isaiah 52:7

 

My mom’s feet looked awful and she sadly knew it. Over the years, rheumatism and arthritis crippled her. Her toes were all bent and misshaped, and she was in constant agony, especially when she had to walk. It was heartbreaking to watch her, but there was nothing our family could do to help ease her chronic condition.

 

On those rare occasions, when the pain subsided, she would woefully sigh and say, “I wish the good Lord would give me a new pair of feet.”

 

Years later, when I started to re-read scripture, I came across today’s verse from Isaiah. It made me wonder if my mom’s ugly feet were the result of constant bad news during her hard and troubled life. But when I began to meditate on the verse, I suddenly realized why the feet of a good news messenger would be beautiful – he would be taking time to spread the good news from village to village, celebrating and dancing with everyone who heard the news. On the other hand (or foot) a messenger with bad news would be running as fast as he could, tripping over rocks, stirring up the dust, and blistering his feet. He would have no time for celebration and when he arrived at his destination, the deplorable condition of his feet would convey the bad tidings.

 

We all want to hear good news. Perhaps it may be about the birth of a new child. It may be good news about a new career or a promotion. It may be good news about test results or recovery after surgery. Ultimately, the really good news for us will be that future day when all of our trials and tribulations are over, and we can rest at last in the arms of Jesus. His Good News supersedes all others and His feet are the most beautiful of all.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You brought Good News into the world by telling us about God’s love, His forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life. We rejoice in that Good News and seek to let it influence who we are and what we will become. Bless us this day with Your guidance, grace, and good news. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

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Waiting at the Waters

 

Psalm 42:1,2   “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?”

I fondly remember once sitting next to the weir* in Montreat, North Carolina, having my morning coffee. The sound of the falling water was very peaceful and reminded me of Psalm 42. As the water cascaded, I felt the presence of God’s blessings all around me. I recognized that He is the source of all the goodness and grace that I know. He is the Sustainer of all the life that was beside me; the fish in Lake Susan, the people at other tables chatting, and even the small ants that were foraging all over my picnic table.

When I was a child, I used to sing a hymn called “God is always near me.” That particular day, I felt like a child again, cherished by my Heavenly Father, loved by His Son, and comforted by the Holy Spirit. Montreat has always been a trysting place for me, where Heaven and Earth gently meet and melt into one. I was glad to be there and, just as the deer pants for water when exhausted and ready to fall, I was also prepared to be refreshed and renewed by the Living Water of the One, Triune, and Everlasting God.

Take time today to find a trysting place of your own and come to the holy waters, where God is waiting to renew, refresh and re-inspire your weary soul.

Prayer:                        Heavenly Father, thank You for sacred places and trysting moments. Thank You for whispering Your peace in our hearts and placing Your abiding presence in our souls. Help us to come and find You today, to be blessed by Your grace and strengthened by Your love. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

* ‘weir’ is a Scottish name for a small dam

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Connectionalism

Romans 12:5 “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

 

I hear a lot of talk amongst Presbyterians about our denomination being connectional, but what I'm seeing in reality is a growing movement towards individual congregationalism. I don't know if it’s a sign of the times and the fragmentation of our institutions, or if it’s a knee-jerk reaction to recent General Assembly decisions. Whatever the cause, there’s seems to be a movement away from regional and national assemblies towards being in favor of local gatherings and small groups.

 

Even at our local presbytery meetings, there doesn't seem to be a lot of deep-rooted connectionalism. The same old faces (mine included), with the same old views keep appearing, and the liveliness of debate is being squashed by parliamentary procedures and polity propriety that knocks the stuffing out of anyone who is truly passionate about the Gospel, Christ’s message, and winning souls for His Kingdom. Pastors and elders alike feel disconnected to the decision-making bodies, which reminds me of the ‘old-school tie’ network back in Britain. If you're not ‘in’ with the ‘in crowd’, you're left out of the loop. If you don't play the great game according to the inner circle’s rules, then you're just made to feel like a bystander and spectator. In the end, you just wonder why you bother about Presbyterian connectionalism – is it just a myth, or just something for the predestined few?

 

I might sound quite jaundiced this morning, but I'm not wanting to be. I love being a Presbyterian and, because I grew up in Scotland, I probably know more about it than others around me. If we want to remain strong as one body, then we've got to start purposefully linking together, instead of being territorial. When I hear of things like Knoxville churches, Chattanooga churches and Middle Kingdom churches in presbytery, I get dismayed because we're already fragmenting who we are geographically. When I see policies and conferences being planned for small churches, medium churches, and large churches, I keep thinking about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Aren't we one church, one part of Christ’s Kingdom, or are we just a bunch of parochial whiners complaining about who’s eating my parish’s porridge?

 

In the end, Christ is not going to ask us where we are from or what denomination we belonged to. He’s not going to give us more spiritual brownie points for being immensely proud of being a Presbyterian, or whatever denomination we do or don't belong to. Instead, He’s going to ask us if we were part of His Church, promoting His way and spreading His Gospel. Anything else is eternally superficial; anything other is infinitely of no importance.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, help us to be at one with Your Church, which is not tied to lands or denominations, to man-made creeds or institutions. Grant us the freedom to live our faith by casting our allegiance to You alone. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

Lazy Lifestyles

Hebrews 6:12              We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

 

Lazy lifestyles have led to a fickle theology being promoted by Presbyterians. Because we have become so enamored with the world and seduced by its culture, we don’t want to stand up for what’s right or stand out in a crowd. We want peace through appeasement and acceptance through ambivalence. We want to be adored by society and adorned with its baubles. We seek to be trendy and cool, instead of being troubled and concerned. We want to find an acceptable place in the public market, instead of preaching prophetically in the marketplace. In other words, we want people to love us, instead of loving God.

 

Faith requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. It’s not something we can take for granted or choose to pick up only when we need it. Faith is about patiently sticking to God’s plan, instead of expecting Him to adhere to ours. It’s about stating what’s wrong with the world and telling the truth, even though it may cost us dearly in terms of popularity, relevance, and acceptance. We may succumb to evil from time to time, and fail to live 100% Christian lives, but the object of faith is to keep on trying, to keep focused on our Savior, to keep telling His message and presenting His ministry.

 

Other people may be sincere about where we are headed as Presbyterians, by their pandering to the culture and ditching our beliefs. Being sincere does not mean that they are right. People, presbyteries and Presbyterians can be sincerely wrong. It’s up to us to truly discover what God is doing in the world, instead of what we believe He should be doing. And if that means we ardently continue to call the Triune God, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”, instead of the concocted, convenient, and cultured phrase of “Mother, Child, and Womb”, then so be it.

 

It’s only through faith and patience that we will inherit what has been promised, and not through fickle theology and politically correct contrivances.

 

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, it was You who personally taught us to call God “Father.” It was You who gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. If You had meant anything else, You would have told us, but You specifically gave us these Names. Keep us faithful and patient, focused and perseverant in these troubling times that try our souls and test our faith. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

Global Warming

Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

 

There’s a lot of talk about global warming right now, but not everyone, including the scientists, seems to be able to agree about its causes. I guess no one wants to take the blame for spoiling the planet and, as is quite common these days, everyone has other problems and pressures that seem more important. Instead of trying to reduce the causes, we’d rather explain global warming away with theories that suit our politics, or just ignore it and stick our heads in the sand. The problem, after all, isn’t really going to affect us for another 50 years, so why not just leave it to the next generation to sort things out? As long as we can keep our way of life going, why should we bother with some future issues?

 

But if that was the case and no one ever thought about bettering the future, we’d still be living in caves and walking around in animal skins. We’d die of septic poisoning each time we cut our fingers on a flint rock. We’d live to the ripe old age of 35 and possibly die of an abscess in our tooth. We’d freeze in the winter and get roasted during the summer, plagued by swarms of insects.

 

In the last five hundred years, due to the Protestant Reformation, we’ve come a long way. We’ve cured many diseases, built superior dwelling places, and flown to the moon. We’ve managed to overcome the elements and added fifty years to our life expectancy. God has given us great minds, great gifts, and great skills to fill the earth and rule over it. So why aren’t we doing something about global warming?

 

I guess greed is the biggest stumbling block. I’ve heard politicians say that fixing the planet would ruin commerce and trade, but if the planet becomes uninhabitable, then there’s no global economy!

 

When God gave us the gift of ruling over the earth, He wanted us to look after it, not destroy it. The trouble is that we have chosen to dominate the earth rather than have dominion over it. We have selfishly harvested its finite resources, instead of being good stewards.

When I look at the youngest of our kids in church, I often wonder what kind of a world we’re going to leave them. It’s up to us now to do something to save their future, rather than serving ourselves.

 

Prayer:                        Lord God, we’ve created a mess out of Your creation. We’ve allowed ourselves to be motivated by greed and power, instead of goodwill and peace. Forgive us for foolishly ignoring the signs of the times. Help us to harness our knowledge, skills, and resources to heal this jewel called Earth, this planet that we call home. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.