Deliverance

My next Bible Study series will be "God Delivers", a study of the Book of Judges.  We will see the repeated cycles of Israel's disobedience -> God's Judgment -> Israel's misery and crying out to God -> God raising a judge (deliverer).  And then, the people of Israel would make moral compromises and the cycle starts all over again.  In all, there were either 12,13, or 14 judges (depending on whether Abimelech and/or Barak are included) in Judges, not counting Eli and Samuel.  This illustrates the gracious and faithful deliverance of God, over and over again.  Even prior to this, God had delivered Israel from Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land.  And, the end of Judges shows the utter depravity they fall into, pointing to the need for the ultimate deliverance:  Christ through the CROSS.

More Ashes

Allusions to my theme this year seem to be everywhere I turn.  In just reading the back cover for the book "Maine", it asks "Can Love Rise from the Ashes...?", as in introduces the stories of how several people recover from the devastation in the aftermath of the Civil War. 

While I did offer my thorn as a burnt offering to the LORD, I do hope that beauty may rise from the ashes some day.  Amen.

Colossians Summary

Since I've been watching the Olympics so much, as I've been thinking about how to summarize the series in Colossians, I've naturally made analogies between "Being in Christ" and being an athlete.

In the epistle, the apostle Paul showed that being in Christ meant being:

• His Body - one of the athletes reminded us that "it takes a village".  In the same way, we don't walk this Christian life alone, we need to be part of the Body of Christ.  And just as an athlete represents their country; we represent the Christ, the Head of the Body.

• Alive with Him - we are to be connected to the source of our power and life, in the same way that athlete keep connected with what motivates them.  This passage also stated, as is true for athletes,  that we should not let any distractions cheat us of the reward or disqualify us for the prize - we should keep our eyes on the prize

• His Servants - We are to set our hearts and minds on things above, to keep our focus on Who we are really serving, putting off the old self and putting on the new - putting on what we need to "win"; just as athletes set their hearts and minds on the Olympic Gold

• Devoted to Prayer - Just as we've often see athletes crossing themselves or show other ways of appealing to God before entering a competition; we as believers must also offer prayers to God in conjunction with doing our part in the preparation for the "race"

It's neat to see these parallels as a practical analogy illustrating what Paul was teaching in Colossians.

I'm also glad to see that our US Olympic athletes have been doing so well in these Olympic Games.  Many of the athletes that have been projected for Gold have met expectations - Bode Miller, Lindsey Vonn, Apollo Anton Ohno, Evan Lysacek, Shaun White, Shani Davis, etc.   It's wonderful for them to achieve what they have worked so hard for and have dreamed about for so long.

Leadership

I'm starting to read John Maxwell's "Developing the Leader Within You."  I've always felt that I did not have leadership qualities; but, I have been thrown into positions of leadership both in church and at work.   So, I was very happy to read in the book that "Leadership is not an exclusive club for those who were 'born with it.'  The traits that are the raw materials of leadership can be acquired."

Maxwell says that "Leadership is influence."   He quotes the proverb, "He who thinketh he leadeth and hath no one following him is only taking a walk."   True leaders do need to have the ability to obtain followers.  And it was interesting to see him point out the differences between leading and just managing.

As I reflect on my experiences as a leader, I've been told, and can see confirmed, that I have a "quiet leadership" style.   I don't have notable charisma or presence, and I know I have a lot to learn before becoming a really good leader; but, I have been able to "get the job done" and have gained the respect and goodwill of those I lead, without too much fanfare or even assertiveness.  While I am able to stand my ground on what I feel is essential and important, I listen to the opinions and feedback of others and try to make wise decisions based on information gathered.

It is so true that leadership greatly affects those they lead.  However, tying this in with what we studied on Sunday, from the perspective of the follower,.....the president of Hyatt Hotels was quoted as saying that "How [employees] perform is simply a reflection of the one for whom they work."   and in Colossians 3:24b, it says we should view all that we do in light of the fact that "It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Olympic Thoughts

These 2010 Vancouver Olympics have not failed to spur excitement and motivation.  The US won more medals on the opening day of competition than in any other Olympics in our history so far.  And those medals were exciting to watch, while the stories of the athlete's road to winning were motivating to hear:

• Redemption for Hannah Kearney, winning the first US gold, after not even qualifying for the finals in the last Olympics.
• J R Celski winning the bronze in the 1500m short-track, after five months of rehab from a crippling injury
• Apollo Anton Ohno won the silver and tied for the most medals won by an American in Winter Games competition, with a chance to exceed in his upcoming races

In these two weeks, I will continue to be at home, jumping up and down alone in front of the TV, cheering for the US athletes and proudly tearing up with them whenever they hear the National Anthem playing as the flag is raised during a medals ceremony.

When I see the sacrifice and dedication of the athletes; and the acknowledgment that "it takes a village"; I am reminded that I should approach the service of my LORD with that sort of sacrifice and dedication, being supported by the Church Body.  One thing I also recognized this week was how easy it was to be distracted.  Just as the athletes need to focus on their goal and the "prize", in the same way, we need to focus on Christ and our hope for eternity.  Those who become part of my inner "team" circle should only be those who would help me be better and motivate me to keep my eyes on the finish line.

Dealing with Bible Difficulties

I went to an RTB lecture this weekend where Krista Bontrager spoke on "Dealing with Bible Difficulties".  She emphasized that the doctrine of INERRANCY is essential, for if the Bible were not reliable in the test-able facts, then it may bring to question its authority in untest-able areas, such as theology.

One of the best responses to those who claim that the Bible is filled with contradictions is to ask them to give specific examples.  Often, solid examples will not be able to be provided because many of them are either misinformed or just trying to be malicious.  But, when actually dealing with a passage, she suggested the following strategy:

1. State the Problem
2. Propose possible solutions
3. Consult the experts
4. Determine severity of the problem (core belief, secondary belief, or peripheral belief)

This is often employed by scientists in dealing with anomalies - weighing the evidence, considering possible alternatives, and finding the most plausible.

It was also really interesting to break up into groups and address case studies using the above strategy.   By looking at various passages often claimed to have contradictions, we were able to see how we could come up with possible solutions.

Beauty for Ashes

God has a sense of humor.  When I least expect it, He reminds me that He is still working in my life and showing me what He wants me to learn in my area of focus.   I was just casually reading a Christian fiction book, Virginia Hearts, for fun  (I don't typically even buy fiction; but just bought some since it was on clearance); and the main character mentioned the 'Beauty for Ashes' song by Crystal Lewis.  It was so long ago since I had heard her songs, that I had even forgotten that it was the title song of an album she had out by that same name.  The lyrics are once again, as expected based on the title, so well related to my theme:

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy o'er your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

When what you've done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I've been set free
I've been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

And, in line with the best example of how God raised beauty out of the ashes, the album also has a song entitled "The Beauty of the Cross".   Since God could turn something as horribly devastating as the crucifixion into the beauty of the hope through resurrection, He can surely turn all the brokenness of my life into beauty.