Life of the Beloved — Book Review

In this little book, Henri Nouwen, who was a Catholic priest, educator and writer takes on the task of trying to explain spiritual life to his secular, Jewish friend.  For Henri, that life begins with understanding that we are created, loved and chosen by God.  We must experience His love and feel gratitude for how He has blessed us;  then we pass that love and blessing along by serving others. Society constantly encourages us to compete, to excel and to compare ourselves to a worldly version of “success.”  Often this means we see ourselves as failures, or we force ourselves into a mold that looks good to our culture, but doesn’t fulfill our deepest, God-given desires and abilities.  According to Nouwen:

“Spiritually you do not belong to the world.  And this is precisely why you are sent into the world.  Your family and your friends, your colleagues and your competitors, and all the people you meet on your journey through life are all searching for more than survival.  Your presence among them as the one who is sent will allow them to catch a glimpse of the real life.”

In the epilogue we learn that according to Henri’s friend, the book is a failure.  He tells him, “you do not realize how far we are from where you are.”  However a number of Christian friends assure him to “trust what is there (in the book) will bear fruit.”  It becomes the basis for a course on “The Life of the Beloved” at the Servant Leadership School of the Church of the Savior in Washington D.C. Nouwen muses about how ironic it is that he tried so hard to write something for secular folks and the ones helped by it were searching Christians.  The point, I think is this:

“But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with him in the heavenly places that in the coming age he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and this is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God — not because of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:5-10

He made us, He loved us, He chose us, and He will use us in ways we would never expect.

Music as Prayer

Years ago the Via de Cristo accountability group I was in  spent time discussing our prayer life.  One fellow in our group shared how each morning, he played a CD of favorite worship music.  He paid close attention to the words as well as the music and considered it a time of prayer.  That was eye-opening for me!  Music as prayer!

I took his advice and starting playing Christian music on Saturday as I cleaned the house.  Soon a time of drudgery was transformed into a peaceful place of communion with God.  I encourage others to try this — listen  to music when you’re doing mindless chores, driving, or just taking a break.  Speak to God in the words of the song, and let Him touch your heart in the same way.  God doesn’t care how we talk to Him, He just wants us to do it.

“…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”  Ephesians 5:18-20

Have any of our authors or readers also used music this way?  Tell us about your experience.

Unity Not Uniformity

In all our posting about unity, one thing is becoming clear to me:  Christian unity does not mean uniformity.  In marriage, in the church,  even in the trinity, each part retains its own character and qualities;  uniqueness is not lost or swallowed up.  Instead, the individual parts together form something more than they are alone.

Maybe this relates to our different Christian denominations.  My husband’s theory is that denominations are a gift, not a curse.  Each tradition emphasizes different aspects of the faith.  Some are very focused on the sacraments, others on missionary outreach, still others on holy living or manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and so on.  We’re all probably wrong about some things, but we each have a place in spreading and maintaining the faith. We each appeal to or speak to different personalities;  we can fulfill different needs. There are many things we can get together and do, and then there will be points where we have to differ and part.  That’s okay.

There are a few things we do need to agree on.  Paul described the fundamentals to the church in Ephesus this way:

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6

As long as Christ is our head, we are part of the body.  As long as the triune God is our Father, we are brothers and sisters.  As long as the Holy Spirit calls us, we can serve together.  We don’t have to be the same to be one.

Everything According To God’s Plan & Timing

Good morning everyone! Welcome to today’s blog post on our Ecclesiastes 3 series! If this is your first time joining us please go into our archives and read the other posts for this month. They are awesome! I thank all of our regular readers for following along with this Bible Study series, planted in the words of God through King Solomon! Let’s get going, continuing with verses 14&15…

And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

This is what I see in these verses…

God’s has the last say and things will happen exactly as He has planned.

Our main objective in life is to fear God… to respect and stand in awe of who He is.

The things that are going on in the world are not new concepts and neither are the things that will happen in the future.

History repeats itself.

Wow, this is mind-blowing! But then if you think about it…is it really? Reflecting on my life, there are things that I experienced that I can clearly see as God’s plan. As hard as they were to be faced with, I know deep in my heart that it was God’s purpose for my life… the things I suffered in my childhood, my mother dying of cancer when I was 16, the year of torment I suffered following her death, meeting my now husband at the end of that year, gaining a new mom in the process (my now mother in law, Mary), having children at a younger age, almost dying giving birth to our younger daughter Kirsten, being advised after her birth that I should not have any more children, the devastating finality of having my tubes tied at age 23, learning to navigate through my marriage and being a parent when I harbored so much anger and mistrust (all at the expense of my family), overcoming addictive habits, being estranged from my father for 9 years.

Then God took hold of my life, at just the right time. He gave me a new life, a new family, made the family I helped create become stronger and more unified, helped to mend the broken relationship between my dad and I, solidified my marriage with Him at the helm, made me a better parent, helped me to grow quality relationships with my daughters, help me to also grow quality relationships with other family and friends.

I couldn’t have done it without looking at the world through my “God goggles”, changing the lens by which I view the world around me. And for that I stand in awe… God leaves me speechless a lot. I can see the intricacies of how He works, how He operates. And sometimes all I can do is just smile.

Now, when I experience life, I am well equipped and those experiences don’t cripple me like they used to. History has repeated itself in my life, all part of God’s plan. But the peace… the strength… the power I have to get through those trials, comes from a mighty God, the love of my Savior, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And I continually stand in awe of God… remembering the great works He has done in my life… remembering that I need to look at my trials as great joy, because when my faith is tested, my endurance has a chance to grow… and God says when my endurance grows and is fully developed, I will be perfect, complete, and need nothing else. (James 1:2-4)

And to always stand in awe, just like the Apostle Paul did when he wrote to the church in Ephesus…

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Eph. 1:5-11

How about you? Do you understand that everything happens according to God’s plan? Do you fear, respect, and stand in awe of who He is? Can you look at your past and determine how you will be changed when history repeats itself? Do you count your trials as great joy? Do you embrace your faith being tested and remember that your endurance is giving you a chance to grow? Do you understand that when your endurance to navigate this life is fully developed you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing else? Do you realize that God chose you in advance to make everything work out according to His plan?

God loves you and so do I?

Leslie

 

photo courtesy of imgrum.org

 

Making the Most of Time

If you read through Chapter 5 of Ephesians, you’ll get some advice about spending time.

1. Be imitators of God;  walk in love and sacrifice yourself for others
2. Stay away from immorality of all kinds (this includes silly talk, covetousness ,impurity and drunkenness, not just the “big” sins)
3. Give thanks to God for everything. Praise Him with music.
4. Don’t be deceived by false teaching, or associate with those who are.  Look to Christ for the truth about things
5. Be filled with the Holy Spirit

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of the time because the days are evil.  Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Ephesians 5:15

If we’ve studied the Bible, learned from Christian teachers and pastors, we really have no excuse for wasting our time.  We know what it is to serve God;  we know certain things are His will, and others are clearly not.  Often we just choose to do something else. Often we tell ourselves, everyone does it, it can’t be so bad. We think there will be plenty of time to repent and  make things right with God.  Sadly this is not always the case.  And the further we walk away from God, the harder it is to come back.

The best advice for spending time?  You hear it every Sunday at the end of the service:

Go in peace, serve the Lord! 

If you do this, you can be part of God’s redemption story.  What better way to use your time?

 

How Aunt Lois Spent Her Time

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:31

A few days ago, I went to my Aunt’s funeral.  When I was thinking about her before the service, the word that came into my mind to describe her was “kind.”  Surprisingly, the Pastor who spoke about her used the same word.  He had known her since her younger child was born. He said he could not remember her ever saying a harsh word about somebody else.  If she was sometimes irritated or angry, she had learned to keep those feelings to herself.  She enjoyed children and taught Sunday School for thirty-five years.  He also said that she enjoyed cooking and baking.  She would often visit the elderly, ill or shut in members of her congregation to take them a meal or a treat.  In fact, he told us that when he entered a home to visit, he was often greeted with the words, “Lois Stover has already been here …would you like one of her brownies?”  I bet most ministers would love to have a member like that!

Aunt Lois had some gifts–teaching and serving.  She invested them in loving others, not only her family but those often ignored or forgotten.  The room was filled with people who remembered her caring and kindness.  I’ve heard that many will  forget what you say, but they will never forget what you do for them.  It seemed true in Aunt Lois’s case.

What words will be spoken at your funeral?  Will the Pastor say you used your gifts wisely to help others?  Or will he struggle to find something worthwhile to commend?  Will others remember you as a person they admired and cared for?  Or will they be there only out of duty?  Will you hear God’s words, “well done, good and faithful servant?”  or will He say, “I never knew you.”

Use your talents like the wise servant.  Spend them on others.

 

A New Suit of Clothes

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away;  behold the new has come.” 1 Corinthians 5:17

According to Saint Paul, belief in Christ changes us. In a number of places, the Bible speaks of this change in terms of how we are clothed.  Before Christ’s atonement, even our righteous deeds are described by the prophet Isaiah as “a polluted garment”(Isaiah 64:6).  However, in Christ we are, “… clothed … with the garments of salvation;  … covered … with the robe of righteousness.”(Isaiah 61:10).  We actually “put on Christ”(Romans 13:14)  and stand before God in His suit, not ours.

In addition, our faith in Christ protects us with “the armor of God” which enables us to stand firm in the face of temptation.  You can read about it in Ephesians Chapter 6 verses 14-17.

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God …”

It’s been said that clothes make the man (or woman).  God has changed you by giving you a whole new wardrobe.  You’re saved;  you’re justified; you’re protected. People will see you in a new way.. Wear that suit as if it makes a difference.

 

Who Me?

 

If you are shy (like I am), you may try to avoid the whole issue of witnessing by telling yourself, it’s just not my gift. Evangelism is listed as a distinct ministry in Ephesians 4:11-12

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ..”

However, years ago I attended a witnessing workshop at my church.  The big take away I got was this:   we are not all evangelists, but we are all witnesses.  Why?  Well, a witness is simply someone who has seen an event and is therefore able to testify about it.  As Christians every one of us has seen what Christ has done in our own life.  We all have a testimony to give.  It doesn’t mean speaking before crowds, knocking on doors or randomly stopping strangers to explain the plan of salvation.  It does mean:.

“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”  1 Peter 3:15

You can keep it simple.  You don’t have to know everything.  You just have to know what Jesus Christ means to you.  Even the apostle Paul, who was a gifted evangelist said:

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

So, be ready.  Know the basics. Look for opportunities.  Banish fear and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you.  You are a witness.

 

Seeing Clearly

“For now we see as in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part;  then I shall know fully, even have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

In Sunday School last week we were discussing the term enlightenment, and what it means to be enlightened.  My husband, our pastor, mentioned that it was Transfiguration Sunday, a commemoration of the event recorded in Matthew, Chapter 17.

“…Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the son, and his clothes became as white as light …” (Matt. 17:1-2)

On the mountaintop the three disciples were enlightened:  they saw Jesus as he really was, the son of God.  So, when we are enlightened, we see things clearly and differently then we did before.  We see things as they actually are, not as the world tells us they are, or the way we want to believe they are.  We see and understand reality.

Another synonym for enlightenment is illumination.  The Bible is God’s word and has been called:

“…a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105

and Jesus called Himself

“…the light of the world.”  John 9:5

The apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians tells us:

“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.” (5:13)

He was enlightened in a big way on the road to Damascus.

“Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.” Acts 9:3

He was blinded for three days and he never saw things the same way again.  His life was turned upside down.  He went from persecuting Christians to evangelizing for Christ.

Exposure to the light of Christ and the words of Scripture is the only thing that will truly enlighten us. It comes from the Holy Spirit.  Seek that light daily.  Then you will see clearly.

 

Be Kind to One Another

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

Kindness is defined as having a generous, sympathetic, considerate or warm nature.  I think sympathetic is the key word.  When we have sympathy for others we think more about them and less about ourselves.  We try to understand their circumstances;  we ‘walk in their shoes’.

Kindness also seems to be connected to forgiveness, in the verse above and others such as this one:

“Put on then, God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”  Colossians 3:12-14

When we show kindness, we are extending to others the grace God already extended to us. In the book of Titus, the apostle Paul says:

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle and show perfect courtesy toward all people.  For we ourselves were once foolish,disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.  But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us, but according to his own mercy by the washing and regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit …”  Titus 3″1-5

Everybody wants kindness.  None of us deserve it.  Be kind and forgiving to others, as God has been kind to you.