During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” (Mark 8:1-3 NIV84)
Poor Sally Field, our blog post title today comes from that memorable speech she made at the Oscars in 1984 where she said, "... The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me." Whatever that speech really meant, I think among other things, it sort of hits on an emotional challenge many have, and that is that we really crave to be truly, deeply, cared for, "liked", and loved. We don't want lip service, we don't want to be "stroked", we want to know and feel that someone out there really and truly cares.
I was moved in the Mark passage by Jesus' loving reaction to the physical condition of the people to whom He had been ministering so fervently. Mark explains that He had compassion for the people. Here Jesus, teaching for 3 days, probably exhausted and hungry himself, has the magnitude and fortitude to feel compassion for a people so hungry for a Savior, they are willing to ignore their own hunger; even to the point of possible collapse during their journey home. As only a parent would know, Jesus recognizes their state and wants to feed them.
In Luke 15:20 we see this word compassion used again in yet another familiar story, the Prodigals Son: "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him." The story did not say that his Father saw him and waited for him to come to him, it said that he ran to him and threw his arms around him. That's not just a feeling, that's a passion. That's a loving parent who truly deeply cares for the wellbeing of His son.
We again see this property shown in possibly its purest form when Jesus actually weeps for His friend Lazarus who has recently died. John 11:33-36: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
This English word compassion comes from the Greek word Splagchnizomai (Strong's 4697) and the definition is "to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to moved with compassion". Ok. I'll say it. Gross. I know your saying, wow, this Greek thing is really helpful :) Fact is that the Strong's definition goes on to explain that "the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart".
So, if we put this in our bowl and stir it all together we see a compassion that is a very deeply felt. This is not just a feeling but a passionate reaction to the physical condition of His people, to the sheep of His flock. Like our Father in heaven, like a loving parent, Jesus looks to us in a way only a parent can. As when our own children are running out the door without a coat or when we send our kids off to school, we love them deeply enough to put that coat on them or to give them their bag lunch.
The Psalmist says it well, when he says, "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." (Psalms 36:9 NIV84)
I am personally comforted by all this, as I want to follow a Savior who I know cares about me; who feels deeply for me. I may not know what's around the corner in life, but this I know. That I am following a loving Savior, who cares not only for my soul, but also for my sanity. A parent who loves me and cares for me deeply. A friend who weeps for me. I am in good hands. I am in His hands.
He loves me, He really Loves Me!
In His Grace,
Tim
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Are you tuned in to the right station? - Job 33:14
I always knew my Dad was in a bad mood when I heard him listening to the that Classical Music favorite Wagner (pronounced of course with a V, as in Vagner). Wagner has so many wonderfully dark pieces that it seemed to help him feel better when he was angry or upset. The book of Job seems to provide a similar outlet when we are going thru more challenging times. I call Job the "Co-misery book". Funny thing is, when things are in the "not so bad" category, the increased objectivity tends to allow for more accurate application of its timeless truths.
Job 33:14 says the following: "For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it." (NIV)
A colleague of mine once confided to me that he was awaiting his special experience with God. When asked to elaborate further he said he heard stories of people having been touched by God in very clear and certain ways. I have a real compassion for this expectation as I think he's not alone here. There are many out there just like him waiting to follow God when they clearly hear from Him in an overtly supernatural fashion. In the words from the that wonderful 70's Christian Oldie "Day By Day", if God wants me to "follow thee more nearly", then he's going to have to "show Himself more clearly".... day by day (enter a music symbol here).
What strikes me as interesting is that I believe as Christians we make this attribute of our relationship with God too central to our testimony. I'll bet this missing experiential element is, more often than we think, a concrete stumbling block for people whose current status is more "fence straddling". I think you know what I'm saying. I personally love to hear the "road to Damascus" stories. I'll always be excited to hear about the extraordinary supernatural ways of God. That said, we should also remember the doubting Thomas story: "... blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (NIV) There are many out there who believe yet have not had that experience. So, how do we respond here?
First of all, for all those out there who have had "less than extraordinary" epiphanies... learn to evangelize! The Kingdom is counting on you! Now, I'm only being slightly humorous here. Let's be honest. There are more testimonials out there of this type than the other. I wonder sometimes if Christians feel that due to their "ordinary" experience they should not testify. Who would have known that yours is the missing testimony. Hey... "I found Jesus in the middle of an Anglican Church service"... now THAT'S extra interesting!
Second, for those that HAVE experienced God in special ways, by all means share them. It is a critical element of the passion in your testimony. Having said that, share the rest of the story as well. When the blinding light is over, and the scales fall, our relationship with God becomes a more gradual experience. It's a wondrous and path altering experience, but gradual none the less.
Finally, find the right channel to listen to. My Dad and I used to scan the AM Radio airwaves late at night so that we could hear far away stations. It took some careful tuning, but we could always get something interesting. Remember in your own life as well as when you share with others, that God speaks to each of us in differing ways. In my life, while it may be a trite expression, it tends to be in the still small voice. God speaks to others in verses that arise during a quiet time, still other's during prayer, ... and the list goes on. It's hard to compare because it's different with each of us. Bottom line, you need to expect His communication with you and be listening for the unique way it happens.
Because of all the static you hear, my Dad would grow bored with the whole activity of finding far away radio stations and walk out of the room. Ever hopeful, I would keep on scanning. Suddenly, I would find a radio station in Seattle, Washington. The excitement was palpable at that moment. The wonder and excitement of hearing from God is the same thing. When you hear and realize that you have just heard from God, that ordinary experience changes to an excitement that becomes addicting. You can't wait to hear Him again. The ordinary, changes to the extra ordinary.
Happy scanning!
In His Grace,
Tim
Job 33:14 says the following: "For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it." (NIV)
A colleague of mine once confided to me that he was awaiting his special experience with God. When asked to elaborate further he said he heard stories of people having been touched by God in very clear and certain ways. I have a real compassion for this expectation as I think he's not alone here. There are many out there just like him waiting to follow God when they clearly hear from Him in an overtly supernatural fashion. In the words from the that wonderful 70's Christian Oldie "Day By Day", if God wants me to "follow thee more nearly", then he's going to have to "show Himself more clearly".... day by day (enter a music symbol here).
What strikes me as interesting is that I believe as Christians we make this attribute of our relationship with God too central to our testimony. I'll bet this missing experiential element is, more often than we think, a concrete stumbling block for people whose current status is more "fence straddling". I think you know what I'm saying. I personally love to hear the "road to Damascus" stories. I'll always be excited to hear about the extraordinary supernatural ways of God. That said, we should also remember the doubting Thomas story: "... blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29 (NIV) There are many out there who believe yet have not had that experience. So, how do we respond here?
First of all, for all those out there who have had "less than extraordinary" epiphanies... learn to evangelize! The Kingdom is counting on you! Now, I'm only being slightly humorous here. Let's be honest. There are more testimonials out there of this type than the other. I wonder sometimes if Christians feel that due to their "ordinary" experience they should not testify. Who would have known that yours is the missing testimony. Hey... "I found Jesus in the middle of an Anglican Church service"... now THAT'S extra interesting!
Second, for those that HAVE experienced God in special ways, by all means share them. It is a critical element of the passion in your testimony. Having said that, share the rest of the story as well. When the blinding light is over, and the scales fall, our relationship with God becomes a more gradual experience. It's a wondrous and path altering experience, but gradual none the less.
Finally, find the right channel to listen to. My Dad and I used to scan the AM Radio airwaves late at night so that we could hear far away stations. It took some careful tuning, but we could always get something interesting. Remember in your own life as well as when you share with others, that God speaks to each of us in differing ways. In my life, while it may be a trite expression, it tends to be in the still small voice. God speaks to others in verses that arise during a quiet time, still other's during prayer, ... and the list goes on. It's hard to compare because it's different with each of us. Bottom line, you need to expect His communication with you and be listening for the unique way it happens.
Because of all the static you hear, my Dad would grow bored with the whole activity of finding far away radio stations and walk out of the room. Ever hopeful, I would keep on scanning. Suddenly, I would find a radio station in Seattle, Washington. The excitement was palpable at that moment. The wonder and excitement of hearing from God is the same thing. When you hear and realize that you have just heard from God, that ordinary experience changes to an excitement that becomes addicting. You can't wait to hear Him again. The ordinary, changes to the extra ordinary.
Happy scanning!
In His Grace,
Tim
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Don't Forget to Practice Your Piano!
Teaching an instrument can be a challenging task. You start a new student with three initial goals (and hope for the best). First, you want them to understand the benefits and yield of the daily practice discipline. Second, you want them to remember to focus on the score and not the floor. Lastly, the student must remember that understanding music theory is imperative for effective use of the instrument.
Going forward with the student you have good weeks and bad weeks. Some weeks the student has practiced dutifully, skill has increased, and the lesson is very growth oriented. Other weeks, when clearly the weeds of distraction have taken root, the lesson goal is merely to keep them on track; encouraging them to go out and do great things.
As a Contemporary Worship Leader, I am an active participant in the Sunday service and my vantage point allows me to see people walk thru that door. It occurred to me the other day that the weekly discipline of Church is not unlike that of learning an instrument. Each week the congregants enter the door of the Church again; sometimes with the glow of growth, and other times with a reflection of disaffection. The goal, then, is to send that saint home different and changed; ready for a new week. Each Sunday, we need to do four things for one another: Encourage, Engage, Enliven, and Empower.
Encourage. Everybody needs some encouragement. People need to be reminded they are loved by God and loved by His people. People need their Church brothers and sisters to tell them that "it's okay" and to "keep on keeping on". Discouragement is a real problem in life. As a Church, we should be all over encouragement. We need strength that comes from verses like Joshua 1:6 that say "Be strong and courageous".
Engage. When the going get's rough, sometimes the person gets going. After a long hard day at work or school, sometimes we just want to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads. Life is a challenge and it's hard not to want to just run away and hide. Sunday should be all about getting one another back on track and back in the game.
Enliven. Back in the 80's we had a saying: "Pump (pause) it up" Okay, so I'm not suggesting that we be fake. Authentic Christianity is always the goal. That said, a little "Rah Rah Rah" can't hurt either. We need to remember that God has a special purpose for us and that makes us special. We need to enliven one another over the exciting job it is to be God's soldiers!
Empower. God's word and God's way is awesome! Each Sunday, we need to hear the word exposed, explained and then applied to our life. The word should empower us to remember "the way the truth and the life".
Sunday is great! We need it. It's place in the week of each believer should be irreplaceable. We need to remember how important gathering together each week is and how much a plus it can be in the big scheme of things. Remember to make a difference this week in the life of a fellow saint.
See you in Church!
Blessings, Tim
Going forward with the student you have good weeks and bad weeks. Some weeks the student has practiced dutifully, skill has increased, and the lesson is very growth oriented. Other weeks, when clearly the weeds of distraction have taken root, the lesson goal is merely to keep them on track; encouraging them to go out and do great things.
As a Contemporary Worship Leader, I am an active participant in the Sunday service and my vantage point allows me to see people walk thru that door. It occurred to me the other day that the weekly discipline of Church is not unlike that of learning an instrument. Each week the congregants enter the door of the Church again; sometimes with the glow of growth, and other times with a reflection of disaffection. The goal, then, is to send that saint home different and changed; ready for a new week. Each Sunday, we need to do four things for one another: Encourage, Engage, Enliven, and Empower.
Encourage. Everybody needs some encouragement. People need to be reminded they are loved by God and loved by His people. People need their Church brothers and sisters to tell them that "it's okay" and to "keep on keeping on". Discouragement is a real problem in life. As a Church, we should be all over encouragement. We need strength that comes from verses like Joshua 1:6 that say "Be strong and courageous".
Engage. When the going get's rough, sometimes the person gets going. After a long hard day at work or school, sometimes we just want to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads. Life is a challenge and it's hard not to want to just run away and hide. Sunday should be all about getting one another back on track and back in the game.
Enliven. Back in the 80's we had a saying: "Pump (pause) it up" Okay, so I'm not suggesting that we be fake. Authentic Christianity is always the goal. That said, a little "Rah Rah Rah" can't hurt either. We need to remember that God has a special purpose for us and that makes us special. We need to enliven one another over the exciting job it is to be God's soldiers!
Empower. God's word and God's way is awesome! Each Sunday, we need to hear the word exposed, explained and then applied to our life. The word should empower us to remember "the way the truth and the life".
+ + +
We need to encourage one another to pray and to read the Bible. We need to re-engage them in the life that is the Christian life; the way that is God's way. We need to excite and enliven their spirits and let them know we are there for them, praying for them. We need to remember that in being a "do-er" of the word, we are empowered by God to do great things in His name. What an awesome thing.Sunday is great! We need it. It's place in the week of each believer should be irreplaceable. We need to remember how important gathering together each week is and how much a plus it can be in the big scheme of things. Remember to make a difference this week in the life of a fellow saint.
See you in Church!
Blessings, Tim
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