Mission Faithwalk

  “       You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven . (Matthew 5:14-16) It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. (C.S. Lewis, Weight of Glory )   What’s your reaction when you read today’s passage? I’m one of those who wants to say, “Nope. Count me out. I resign....

                 “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.   Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9)           If you could ask God for only two things, what would they be? My standard prayer request for years has been “wisdom, direction, and attitude,” but that’s three. As I walk and pray for categories of people (the Church, families, communities, authorities, and enemies,) I tend to ask that I would bless them and they would bless me. That’s a good one, I think. The other day, I came up with my best cheat prayer ever: “Manna!” It’s sort of like making one of the three wishes to be granted by a genie, “An unlimited number of w...

                 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12:1) Normally, it seems as if we describe the great cloud of witnesses as the angels and those who are watching from Heaven. We may include those within the Church today, or maybe those who come in the future who might hear our stories (which will be difficult because most of us don’t write our stories for fear we’ll discover we don’t have one. We’re wrong about that, but that’s another post.) But what if our main audience at least includes those who don’t know us, but who happen to encounter us once in passing? Or what if it includes (significantly) those who don’t agree with us and aren’t our friends? Our enemies? When I was working on my family’s history, I asked a few people to write a...

            That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.   When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’” (Exodus 16:13-16)           My pastor sent my mind on a rabbit trail yesterday morning. We were supposed to be considering the parable of the mustard seed, but he mentioned manna and my brain turned into a Greyhound. Fortunately, I was able to trap both the rabbit and the dog and take notes on the actual sermon and go out to lunch. But after I...

             Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17 NSAB) I’ve complained before that while others see this as a definition of faith, I don’t. Faith = confidence. But what’s confidence? Faith. I’m not suggesting the verse isn’t true, just that the extra-Biblical claim that it is the definition of faith doesn’t help anyone. I’m not going to address it farther than that. I will, however, point out that ten chapters precede this statement, and the author covers the period from creation (or earlier) to the First Century, drawing on passages and stories that would have been familiar to those to whom the letter was addressed. After he makes this statement, he goes on to name-drop a few of those who would be considered heroes in their history to finish his argument. The argument in...

                 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. (Proverbs 26:4-5) When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself. (Ezekiel 3:18-19) Things that make you go “Huh?” (Do not) Answer a fool according to his folly”? How do we both answer and not answer? And what lunatic put these saying together? In comparison to the “wise teachings” of many so-called spiritual guides, this one is easy. In the first instance (do not answer...

                 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. (Proverbs 25:28) Today’s thoughts follow along with those of July 21. When I consider the role of self-control in my life, I tend to see two possibilities. Either I am in absolute control over the every detail of everything I do or I am completely out of control. It’s a false dichotomy. And, of course, the reality is that, generally, no one else makes me do the things I do. I eat things I don’t need to eat and shouldn’t. I spend money on things I don’t need and shouldn’t get. I fail to pick up and put away all the stuff that clutters my house. The choices are mine. They might not be entirely conscious and volitional, but they’re mine. But when we talk about self-control, we are discussing the effective choices we consciously make. Self-control means not doing things we decide not to do, and doing things we decide to. But it really means mo...

                 Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. (Proverbs 24:1-2) If you read or listen to Socialist thought, you’ll be told that the rich are wicked and should have their wealth taken away from them for the benefit of society. Simultaneously, as soon Socialism is established as the rule, supposedly those who are poor will be lifted up so that everyone is on the same level. The idea seems to be that wickedness can only be defeated if any means by which someone might be seen by anyone as richer or better in any way. There are some who say that wokeness is a level to be sought, but in proving oneself woke, one claims a level of superiority and therefore identifies oneself as the wicked rich. Envy is a prevalent sin in our society and always has been. Consider the first sin: Eve and Adam wanted to be like the Most High, knowing good and...

              Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. (Proverbs 23:17-20) On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Romans 12:20)           Two very basic concepts, back-to-back. 1) Don’t celebrate the misfortunes of  your enemies (or anyone else). 2) Don’t stress over the success of your enemies (or anyone else). As I listen to folks talk about the dangers of social media, this is one of the big issues. People post highlight reels for themselves, leading those who can’t measure up feel...

                 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. (Psalm119:30) Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say this? It’d even be nice to say I’ve kept “the big ones.” One of the problems is defining which are “the big ones”? If I haven’t committed murder and haven’t slept with my neighbor’s spouse, do I deserve a pat on the back? Not according to Jesus. He said we are guilty if we even think in the direction of murder and adultery. He also said that the big commandment is to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. While it might be great to be able to say this, it might be horrible if we did say it. After all, we’d be bragging. “See how good I am? I deserve God’s respect and appreciation.” This is the examination table mentality into which I fall. Am I being good enough? Let’s spend an hour reviewing my day so I can be sure to let God,...

               When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15)                Conversely, when injustice is done, it brings joy to the unrighteous but terror to good-doers.   Either side can claim this verse, saying that the negative response of the other is proof that “they” are the ones doing evil. We see this often, people declaring that another group is evil because the other group is trying to control and enslave everyone else, while the people who are upset are trying to control and enslave everyone else. This is part of why we need an external, objective perspective. When left to ourselves, we’ll believe we’re on the righteous side even if it involves killing people or denying them personhood. The Bible offers an external, objective perspective that no other book can match. Its authorship involves 40 individual writers covering 1500...

               Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)               Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (I Samuel 7:12)             I didn’t think that there was more to say about this topic, until I read through a list of things “Boomers” should stop doing. One of them was “overdecorating for the holidays.” My problem is that I don’t celebrate holidays. I pay attention to the calendar to some extent, but I don’t live seasonally. I don’t have ways in which I recognize the road signs of life. There are people who live paycheck to paycheck, and we don’t tend to see that as a positive thing, but they’re little markers. God got them that far.       ...

                 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) As I prepared to consider another verse today, I opened the journal in which I keep my blog postings, and scrolled through the headings. This entry is on page 198. Soon, I’m going to have to add headings for the month of August. I feel a little like the Calvin & Hobbes strip in which Calvin freaks out because it’s a little later than it was, and their summer was slipping by. And, from my conversations with other adults – especially older adults – that’s a common feeling. Summer barely begins and the kids are going back to school. It’s the first day of school, and an eye-blink later, it’s Christmas or graduation. We’re walking down the aisle to our marriage, and the next thing you know, there is a death or divorce. I’ve mentioned before that when I’m travelling somewhere for the first time, the trip seems to tak...

              One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. (Proverbs 18:9)             The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. (Attributed to Edmund Burke, among others.)             I go to work. It’s over 80, with no air conditioning, and the full-time cashier has been keeping the place basically clean (keeping in mind that it’s a greenhouse, which means “barn” for plants.) I struggle this time of year because there’s not much I can do. And then there are some high school and college students who come to work and spend time on social media, liking everyone’s posts so they won’t seem mean, or otherwise looking at their phones. As I read today’s verse in the light of my current workload, I cringe. Am I being slack in my work? I want to think I’m not, but I could be actively seeking anoth...

                 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. (Proverbs 17:5) Mock: tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner : Contempt: the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn . Gloat : contemplate or dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure . I suspect that mocking others is so much a part of our life that we don’t even realize we do it. Holding others (even God) in contempt is a national pastime on the level of baseball. So is gloating over the disasters faced by those we don’t approve. Those who do so will not go unpunished, but once again, the punishment is not necessarily inflicted by someone else, or even by God. At the risk of repeating myself, it’s not magical.           Years ago, I used ang...

                 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.  (James 1:21) “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run. I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.    But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.   Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (Exodus 23:27-30) Yesterday, as you may have already heard, I used a plant identification app to find out about some plants in my front garden. I suspected they might be plants I didn’t want, but I was waiting for them to flower. To...

                 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) Some people complain that once upon a time, a college student could earn their tuition with a summer job, and single paycheck household could purchase a house. I’m not sure how true these things were, and I know that the prices today have skyrocketed. I’m not saying otherwise. At the same time, the folks who went to college on their summer incomes and bought homes back then didn’t have multiple cars, multiple cell phones, multiple subscriptions to a wide variety of entertainment sources, gym memberships, dish washers, smart houses, expensive hair-styles, or gel fingernails. They didn’t go out to eat except on very special occasions, and wouldn’t have considered stopping for coffee.     And some of those who complain about how impossible it is to get by today decide the answer is for someone else to fund their dreams. It...

                 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11) So, why is Jesus the only way? Why will every knee should bow and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father? I suspect that sometimes, some of us think that it’s some sort of bad attitude on God’s part. He picked Jesus in a fit of pique, and now He’s going to stomp His feet and demand that we make a big deal about Jesus. But He could have just as easily picked Mohammed, or Buddha, or you. It’s really not fair to arbitrarily pick Jesus. The snide part of me wants to finish the complaint of these some with “Who does He think He is?” And the answer is that He thinks He’s God, and that’s ...

            Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)           This is Jesus’s answer to the temptation to turn stones into bread. As I think about this, some questions come to mind. Some of them are rabbit trails with no answers. Scripture tells us that Herod tried to kill Jesus within two years of His birth, and the family fled to Egypt. There is no reliable record of what happened until He remained in Jerusalem and His parents had to go back for Him, and then nothing more until His baptism, after which He was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Did God tell Satan “Hands off!” while Jesus was growing up, so that He and his family only experienced what might be considered normal difficulties and temptations? No answer. What is clear is that after Jesus was baptized, the protection...

                 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you . (Jeremiah 32:17) Some would mock this statement by suggesting that God should make a rock so big that He cannot lift it or make a square circle. I’ll grant, it’s very likely God can’t do those things, but if He were to decide to try, the person challenging him couldn’t stop Him. Experience has shown me that God doesn’t waste His time on such foolishness. Others would suggest that this means God should be able to make it so everyone goes to heaven, or that no one can sin. This challenge is less foolish because there’s a shred of real logic involved. Yes, God could make it so everyone goes to heaven. Then those who have lived a life of rejecting God would be forced to endure Him on a moment-by-moment basis, meaning that Heaven would be turned into Hell for that person. He could hav...

                In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy   because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 1:4-6)           The last part of this was the verse of the day on my Bible platform, but I seem to be at just the right level of anxiety to need to back up and make sure I have the whole statement, not just the last phrase. At the same time, having included it, my focus has returned to the last phrase.           We’ve probably all heard stories. Someone is hired to do something, and it just doesn’t happen. Worse yet, the job is begun and abandoned. It’s easy to build a habit of not trusting those who promise to do some work for us. We know ...

                 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) What is your emotional impression of a tiger, an American bison, a great white shark, or even a skunk? I know some people think they can approach wild animals and take a selfie, only to end up shocked when they wake up in a hospital. In a similar vein, what’s your emotional perception of corporate, political, or social leaders (like celebrities)? Again, you’re likely to be more profoundly aware of their power if they use it against you. But if we approach the subject wisely and deal with reality, doesn’t the animal or person in question deserve respect based on what they can do (either positively or negatively) and not solely on our experience of being gored, bitten, clawed,...

           “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (II Samuel 22:31) Yes, I know. The exact same words as yesterday, but a different reference. It’s part of a song David sang, and it’s included both in the history books and the “hymnal” of Israel that we call the Psalms. I chose it as the verse of the day because I realized that I didn’t clearly make the point that I wanted to. Have you ever grabbed a table knife to insert or remove a screw, used a shoe to squash a bug, or a paper towel to funnel something into a jar? Have you used a rock for a hammer or (thanks to a friend for this one) a short-handled broom that requires that you bend over to sweep? None of these are perfect tools for accomplishing the task. There are screwdrivers and even power tools to insert or remove screws, fly swatters to kill bugs, and actual funnels. The handle on a hammer and the long handle on brooms are b...

                   As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) Perfect? How many people lost their lives in the flooding in Texas? Some might say, “If His way is perfect, why is my life such a mess?” or “If His way is perfect, why is there evil in the world? Certainly, this isn’t perfect.” But these questions are the ones asked in the maze, or in the forest where our view of the whole is blocked by trees. I saw something on social media recently about the dark matter and dark energy in the universe. This morning, I found statistics saying that we can only see about 15% of the universe, even when we use machines. When I stargazed, I stood in awe of the vast number of stars I c...

              if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land . (II Chronicles 7:14)           I know this is old news, but in October, I drove to Florida right after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the territory between Pennsylvania and Florida. Some of the workers who went to help stayed in the hotel I usually stay in. Right after I got to Florida, Hurricane Milton came through, and I returned to Erie with a load of stuff, then went back to Florida to sell the trailer. I got home shortly before “snowmageddon”, when the plow crews couldn’t get secondary roads cleared even once in five days. While FEMA was doing next to nothing except getting in the way in North Carolina, the nation was summ...

                 Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-7)   “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.   The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to ...

            Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:23-27)     This passage may not be complete or clear about the “parts” of a person according to Dallas Willard (Heart/will/spirit, mind/thoughts/feelings, body, relationships, and soul) but it has enough to be a good overall bit of advice. We are advised to guard our hearts. Our hearts are like sheep. They need to be protected from the wolves, lions, and bears of our lives, but also from their own foolishness. We’re to give careful thought to our ways and be steadfast, both of which require a clear head. We’re to keep our feet from evil. We’re to be...

                 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. (Proverbs14:34) Sin is another word that seems to breed magical thinking. If we sin, then God does something meant to punish. But if you trip the breaker, it makes no sense to complain that the electric company has attacked you. Sin, at its core, is breaking your connection with God and putting yourself in His place. You trip the “breaker,” cutting off any connection with Him, and in many cases, issue an ultimatum saying that the only way there can be peace with us is for Him to bow to us by accepting, approving, and applauding whatever decisions we make. Individuals and groups can do this. Often, the way we choose is sanitized using terms like modern, enlightened, woke, seeker-sensitive, seeker-friendly, or emergent. The whole key is that we can ignore whatever God has said before in favor whatever we choose because for one reason or another, we’re special ...

                 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10) “His heart is in the right place.” “I know in my heart.” “Trust your heart, it won’t lead you wrong.” I wonder what would happen if those who are so certain of our hearts did a scientific study of the percent of times that the heart was right and the percent that it was wrong. In Old Testament law, if a prophet was ever wrong, even once, the prophet was to be put to death. And if the prophet suggested the people follow some other god, the prophet was to be put to death. And today’s passage makes it clear that our hearts – our selves – are not the best choice of guidance. This is something that C. G.  Jung pointed out in his essay The Undiscovered Self . We ca...

                 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. (I Thessalonians 4:1) Recently, I saw a post accusing churches of not accepting neurodivergent folks. I asked what was meant by accepting , and got a wonderful spiritual response that included no concrete answer. We’re to extend the right hand of fellowship, etc., to a person who might not want to be touched. I suspect the complaint has at least some validity. But here’s my first problem (you guessed it!): definitions. “Neurodivergent people” suggests that all the members of the group can and should be treated according to some stereotype, when the truth is that each person who is neurodivergent has his/her own preferences. There is no one way that all people of any group. What one ne...

            The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.   For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20) But it is possible to have an attitude to the external conditions of life only when there is a point of reference outside them. The religions give, or claim to give, such a standpoint, thereby enabling the individual to exercise his judgment and his power of decision. (Jung, C.G., The Undiscovered Self , NY Mentor Books, 1958 pp 29-30.) [1] We should start with some definitions that won’t fit with the standards. As much as I like definitions, I think these help clarify some mu...