A Universally Misunderstood Mystery

Prayer is pretty much a universally misunderstood mystery. This may be because we usually limit prayer to one or two functions and to one single method.

The other day I wrote about the discipline of reading the scriptures. I think it might be beneficial today to write a few words about prayer.

Looking at the single method I begin to see that different groups have different primary methods. Our Episcopal brothers and sisters and other high church groups are very inclined to read their prayers. Evangelicals scorn this method and prefer extemporaneous prayers in the common language, while our Pentecostal brothers and sisters will pray in unknown tongues. Unfortunately, each group is inclined to reject the method of the others. I suspect that this inclination is a great mistake. I would suggest rather, that all of these methods of prayer have value, and that it would do each of us much good to explore methods that are not familiar. I would also suggest that there may be other methods of prayer, such as meditation, that would also benefit each of us to explore. I hope to write more about that at another time.

Praise or thanksgiving and petition seem to be the primary functions or purposes of prayer. Once again, I am pretty sure that the focus on these limits what we can receive or benefit from this great mystery. *Brian Zahnd states that the primary purpose of prayer is, “that we might be properly formed.” Another purpose of prayer should probably be to deepen and enrich our personal relationship with our Father in Heaven and with Jesus.

This is something to think about and should also be one of the disciplines of a disciple. I cannot imagine being a disciple without regular prayer and reading of the scriptures.

Be Faithful

*Brian Zahnd is the lead pastor of “The Word of Life Church” in St. Joseph Missouri where he hosts prayer schools several times a year. He is also the author of “Water to Wine” which tells the story of some of his discovery of prayer.

The Discipline of Daily Reading

After that, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's desk. He told him, "Follow me!" So, Levi left everything behind, got up, and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28)

This is just one of the times Jesus told someone to “Follow me!” Some did and others didn’t follow him. He offers the same invitation today  

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

But how can we follow Jesus as the disciples of his day did, leaving everything and following him?

Yesterday I wrote about the disciplines of a disciple. I don’t have all of the answers to this question, nor do I claim to have mastered all of the disciplines of a disciple.

One thing I have found extremely helpful in learning to follow Jesus is to take time every day to slow down and read from the Gospels. I simply read 1 chapter in the morning and work my way through the Gospels and then start through again. Sometimes I will repeat a chapter for 2 or more days when I see things that I need to think about more. Other times I will progress from chapter to chapter for several days. But I almost always see something that is important for me to think about.

In this way I can walk with Jesus every day and see how he lived and learn from his teaching. This surely is a part of the disciplines of a disciple.

I hope that if you have not established this small discipline, you will consider incorporating it into you schedule.

A Thought for "All Saint's Eve"

A couple years ago my grandson wanted to be a hot-dog for Halloween. This year he is dressing up as a ninja. We used to dress up as cowboys or Indians (we didn’t know about political correctness) or fireman or policemen. The girls were princesses or ballerinas or maybe a French chanteuse (very few gender challenges).

The reason I thought of this is that most of the time we had no idea what was involved in being a cowboy, or ballerina or fireman. We simply thought they were exciting things to be and so we dressed up as what ever it was we wanted and went out and got our candy. For a couple hours that is what we were.

The little girls don’t think of the hours of practice and sore and bleeding feet that real ballerinas have to experience. Little boys didn’t think about sleeping in the rain or getting up in the middle of the night to take care of the cows. No, they just dress up and they were what they imagine.

For the past several years I have been learning and trying to share with others the disciplines of being a disciple. Some of it is difficult and at times unpleasant. For many years, I simply dressed up as a Christian. It fooled a lot of people. It fooled me a lot of the time.

Here are a couple of verses that came to mind as I was thinking about this, this morning. Take a minute to think about them and consider your own discipleship.

Now if you are without any discipline, in which all sons share, then you are illegitimate and not God's sons. (Hebrews 12:8 ISV)

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace. (Hebrews 12:11 ISV)

Just one final thought for those who shirk discipline.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7 ISV)

Just a Couple Fish Sandwiches

There is a phrase that I hear from time and I think I might not have understood it correctly. Some one will say, “Wow! That blows my mind.” That creates a mental picture of a violent explosion, something like a semi-truck tire blowing going down the highway. Most of the time though, I suspect our mind being blown is pretty quiet.

In the Gospels we can read the story of “The Transfiguration”. Try to think about that. Nope, I have no idea about what happened. Later Jesus heals a demon possessed boy. We would probably have taken him to see a neurologist. And then a little later Jesus says, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” This statement is not confusing to us. But then we have the benefit of history to guide us.

Any one of these events experienced or heard in the context of the time would be too big for any of us to fully comprehend. It’s like a hole in the side of my brain just opens up and the whole idea leaks out and I forget it, or minimalize it to a “Golden Book” unreality.

In John 6, there is a story about a boy who brought his lunch to hear Jesus speak. They ended up asking him to share his lunch with the 5,000 others who had shown up without lunch. He did, and again we know what happened, but what happened to the mind of that boy. I think his mind was probably blown, but I think he had a story to tell for the rest of his life, that changed his life.

And as he shared his story about the teacher from Galilee, many other lives were changed.

So here is an idea that may be difficult to appreciate. God the Creator has made you and me in his image. Each of us have creative abilities. As we use our creative abilities in obedience to God, he will use those gifts to bless others, maybe thousands.

Don’t let that idea blow your mind. Think about it. Act upon it.  

Stay Focused

This morning as I was going through my prayers I began to be overwhelmed by all of the needs that I am aware of; a college friend in the hospital with some unknown condition, good friends in Oregon going through difficulty, close relatives who have lost loved ones. Then there are other spiritual needs that I am very conscious of; neighbors who have no idea of the love of God or the forgiveness of sin and abundant life provided by Jesus. And Christian friends who are content to just be church members. Oh, and I have my own problems that are demanding my attention.

As I thought and began to become anxious about these things I thought of Isaiah 26:3 (ISV)

You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on you, because he remains in you.

This is my great need; To keep my mind focused on God. Jesus has told us plainly that “In the world you will have trouble” but then he goes on to say, “I have overcome the world.”

In this day full of trouble and cares, Lord God, I need grace to always be looking to you as my source of all comfort and strength, through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Irma is Right

Yesterday I had the privilege of taking part in the 90^th anniversary celebration of the church where I grew up. While we were there, we got to speak with one of the first people that I have any memory of knowing. Irma and Gene Bumgardner were friends of my parents and active members of First Christian Church in Springfield Ohio, where I was born and raised.

After High School I went off to Bible college, got married, then I got drafted and went to Viet Nam. After Nam we lived a few different places and went to several different expressions of the Body of Christ (churches). We picked up different ideas and beliefs about church and how God works. Many changes took place in our lives and thinking. The more things changed in us, the harder it became to find a church where we could be in agreement with what went on. This is very frustrating! It is a threat to my mental health.

Some weeks ago, my wife and I committed to being a part of the church family at First Christian Church. This was not a light decision. There are things there that we strongly believe should be different. However, we prayed and believed God told us that we should be a part of First Christian, we prayed some more and God didn’t change what he said.

Yesterday at church, after the preaching time we met Irma on our way out of the auditorium. She told my wife something that I had never thought of, and it really rocked me. Irma said, “Eighty years ago, when I joined this church, I decided that no matter how things might change, this is my church and I am not going anywhere else.” That might not be an exact quote but that is what she said.

Over the years First Christian Church has gone through many changes. Changes usually are accompanied by conflict and some people leave in anger. Irma and Gene along with some others stayed and supported the church by their faithfulness.

Today the impact of this little woman with her giant heart is a colossal testimony for me. For many years I have gone from church to church searching for the one that would do it better; do it more like I thought it should be done. I was frustrated, confused and unhappy.

If you are someone who has gone from church to church to find the right church. Take a few moments to think about the testimony of Irma. She is also one of the happiest people I know.

This is what I heard today

This is what I heard today.

Do you love the drug addict, the alcoholic, the prostitute, the sexually deviant, the self-righteous Christian, the liberal, the conservative?

I do, says the Lord. 

I love them each one and died that they might have life. But your “Christian” condemnation is a barrier that keeps them from the love and mercy that can help them become whole.

Humble yourself: Come to me and I will cleanse your self-righteous heart and wash away all the pride, fear and anger that stands in the way of all those who need you to love them so they can come to me.