Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Word play with fasting

For some reason the idea of fasting has been on my mind lately. As I was walking to another room tonight, a word play on the nature of fasting came to mind. Fast and quick are synonyms. I know from some experiences that fasting brings about a sense of physical and spiritual lightness or alertness I don't normally have. The word that came to mind was "quickening". Fasting brings about a spiritual quickening.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

In trying to think through some things, I decided to glance over at Elijah List. Although the two words I looked at were fairly different, both had a similar focus that spoke to me: James. We have begun going to a bible study and James happens to be the topic. In one article the idea of using speech to positively transform your life is delved into. Without getting into the question of how to respond to the "wealth and prosperity" message, I do wonder, "How are we as believers supposed to speak of the future?" Christ himself said we don't know what tomorrow holds and we truly have no power to effect it. (Mt. 6:34) In that verse, Jesus was specifically addressing the issue of wealth. I am not trying to suggest that Jesus was speaking into the "wealth and prosperity" issue here.

Here are some other cross-references along the wealth lines:
Matthew 6:25 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:27 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

Luke 10:41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;

Luke 12:11"When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;

Luke 12:22 And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

1 Peter 5:7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

The attitude I am sensing here is one of petition, where we ask God for things, not, where we command our destiny as I so often sense in the "wealth and prosperity" message.

So, that leaves me wondering, what does God tell us about the authority we have to influence our lives? I feel strongly, if we have such authority, it is not to be focused on increasing our wealth or physical well-being and creature comforts. Yet, in the gospels Jesus did exercise authority over sickness and death.

From this word (http://www.elijahlist.com/words/display_word/8103) I draw an interesting question: how are we to become what God has already proposed we should be? In the article, Kim Clement concludes with two simple, key elements: obedience and sacrifice. There is much more in his word that could be focused on, but, the specific challenge I see is this: discerning God's call on a person's life (that is what God wants them to do/be) and then figuring out how to do that. In other words, how do we become something we are not yet but can still be?

From the perspective of the person, we see who we are and we are challenged with God's vision of who we are. So, we are left with the question of how to make the two one? Each person's process will differ. Some will leave behind who they are. Others will merge the two. Some will draw God to them. In the end, however, the task is the same: using the authority we do have to become what God has.

To do so, I sense that realizing and remembering what authority is and whose it is helps. Part of submitting to God is as simple as actually doing it. The challenge is usually not can it be done. It is usually will it be done. When we start finding reasons not to (as the examples of Kim Clement pointed out) we are choosing not to. By abandoning our preconceived notions of who we are we are then able to allow God to do what He can/wants. This letting God and submitting releases power because we are no longer under the false assumption that we possess power to begin with. The power we possess comes through letting God act in our lives, not through an action of our own. The only way to grow in God's power is to decrease in our own. Although John the Baptist was not implying this when he spoke of his role in the kingdom, I do think there is a parallel to what I am saying. Until he allowed himself to let God be God (by ushering in Jesus' ministry) and do what had been planned the plan itself could never have happened. Imagine if John had tried to keep his ministry going...what would people have thought of Jesus ministry? Yet, by being the wheat that dies, John was able to allow the new ministry of Christ to grow.

Returning to my original focus, James starts off focusing on the tongue and its power. There is clearly an authority each of us possesses to affect ourselves and each other. James himself validates that. So, there is some Biblical truth in the notion that we can edify ourselves through the proper and righteous use of speech. But, can and should are two different things. By that comment, I am not suggested we should disregard the importance of right speech regarding oneself. That we should not speak wrongly (that is use the power of the tongue to curse and not to bless) is not something that can be pointed to with a single verse. It can, however, be implied from various scriptures.

Should we use the power of speech God gives us for ourselves? If so, how? There are some verses I want to draw on. I still have some research to do, but, this seems to be an interestng series of ideas and I want to come back and look at how trials/temptations relate to it after I get a little more prayer and research under my belt.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Bar church

On http://www.foxnews.com there was a video spot about a minister who had decided to start their church meeting in a bar. I think this is actually a great idea and people don't do things like this often.