Mission Faithwalk

          Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that,   if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.   Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh,      was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels,      was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world,      was taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:14-16)           Sometimes, people say something to me about behaving. Sometimes, I’m the one who raises the issue by telling them to behave. I suspect I give the people the same “What? Who? Me? Huh?” look that they give me. I have a well-practiced response whether I’m being needled, or the needler. “One has only two choices. One can behave well or behave badly. Either way, one is behaving.”           Sometimes, I see memes on social media that say

             In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.   They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.            In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.           A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.   Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 3:8-13)          Yesterday’s post centered on overseers or pastors. Some folks may suggest that the overseers were the elders of the church. I’ll grant that possibility. I believe today’s passage takes a step down from that. These aren’t the decision-makers of the church. Deacons were the servants who saw to the needs of

          Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.   Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self—controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,   not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.   He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.   (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)   He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.   He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (I Timothy 3:1-7)           Some people think that humanity is evolving… improving. They seem to believe we were animals who slowly developed into savages, then barbarians. After that, we became increasingly civilized a

          A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.   I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.   For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.   But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (I Timothy 2:11-15)           Let me state clearly right from the start of today’s thoughts that the research I’ve done on this passage has not provided me with any definitive answer. What I have read especially in no way soothes the hyperactive ego of a modern feminist. I have read at least one exploration that claims that the original Greek can be translated so that Paul is saying that he does not stop a woman from teaching, but that view is inconsistent with everything else I’ve read and with the rest of what the passage appears to say.            From what the passage says, I have a probl

             I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,   but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (I Timothy 2:9-10)           Paul is an equal opportunity sexist. Yesterday’s passage focused on men’s behavior. Today’s and tomorrow’s passages will focus on women’s. Those who love to stand in judgment of such things are likely to be incensed that he takes more time to direct women and seems more critical of them. I think there are good reasons for this. In the Middle Eastern culture of the time, as in many times and cultures throughout history, women were seen as less than men and they lived lives that were more private. Men and women often worshipped separately. It doesn’t matter whether this was right or wrong at this point. It simply was.             But with the birth of Christianity, as Paul taught, the male/female distinctio

          Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.   (I Timothy 2:8)           Oh, joy. In today’s passage, Paul is venturing into territory that may not have been too difficult in his day, but it’s a quagmire today. I did a few minutes reading on the genders as they are being defined today. One list consisted of 31 different “genders.” I didn’t note the number of different genders listed in another article, but something I found interesting in both is that it’s not just a matter of beliefs about their bodies, it’s also about their sexual preference, and it’s a matter of mere preference. For example, “Two Spirits” is a term used by Native Americans to designate those who play a “third gender” role in some of their rituals. I forget the term used but another term was the one used by some Africans to designate Lesbians. I’m fairly sure that cultural appropriation is permitted, so if a person of European descent wants to be call

          For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. (I Timothy 2:5-7)           Jesus answered, “I am  the   way  and  the  truth and  the  life. No one comes to  the  Father except through me. ” (John 14:6)           It doesn’t matter whether you’re conservative or liberal, you’ve gotta agree that…           “The science is settled…”           ______ is divisive. We need to come together.           “We can’t all believe your way.”           “All truth is relative.”           I’ve heard the quotes and paraphrases above. Sometimes they’ve been said to me. Often, the people who have said them have come from one philosophical perspective, but not always. In one sense, they believe

          I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—   for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.   (I Timothy 2:1-4)           At least by comparison, if you liked our last president, you probably hate our current president. If you like our current president, you probably hated our last president. Or, you may hate both and are hoping for something better to come along in the next election. According to today’s passage, how you feel about your leaders doesn’t matter. It doesn’t give us instructions about what to do when we like a leader and what to do when we don’t. It gives one set of instructions to follow no matter how we feel.            We are to petition God for and about them. That means appealing to God’s authority with rega

          Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.   Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (I Timothy 1:18-20)          Someone prophesied about Timothy.   I admit I tend to feel a little jealous when I hear that someone has been given a prophecy, or when God has spoken to someone. I shouldn’t feel excluded because God has given me directions more than once. Perhaps more importantly, the prophecies made about Peter and Paul, and here about Timothy tended to have to do with struggles, trials, and difficult endings. Paul mentions the prophecies about Timothy in order to encourage him to fight and not give up. I suspect if we tallied the prophecies in Scripture, we’d find there are

            Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.   Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen . (I Timothy 1:15-17)           Paul, the worst of sinners? Granted, most of us have not sought the death of God’s people in God’s name. Every now and again, I hear from someone that this person or that can’t be in heaven, and if he/she is, that person doesn’t want to have anything to do with God or heaven. Those same people are likely to rebuke you if you suggest that anyone is excluded from heaven. Apparently, it’s “anyone except the people they exclude.” Or, if those heinous people are allowed, they’re to live in some ghetto. No

            I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.   Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.   The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 1:12-14)          When was the last time you thanked Jesus for considering you trustworthy, or for appointing you to His service? If you’re like me, the very idea is laughable. Me, trustworthy? Me, appointed to His service? These verses happened to be the next in line when I opened I Timothy 1 this morning, but they relate well with the struggle I am facing with my writing.           As I open the rough draft of the third book in my series, my heart sinks. What made sense when I started it doesn’t now. Or, it might, but my mind isn’t connecting the dots. The good news is that I had enough w