The goal of Christian meditation is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Here are some words of depth from a Christian of the past on meditation, Madame Guyon:
"I believe the best manner of meditating is as follows: when, by an act of lively faith, you are placed in the Presence of God, recollect some truth wherein there is substance and food; pause gently and sweetly thereon, not to employ the reason, but merely to calm and fix the mind: for you must observe, that your principal exercise should ever be the Presence of God; your subject, therefore, should rather serve to stay the mind, than exercise the understanding."
I would add, when you are reading the Bible and a particular verse grabs your attention, don't hurry on past on the verse. Stop, pause, and reflect on it. Let it penetrate and provoke your wonder and awe.
When you see something wonderful in your family, when you see some moving act of love or patience, stop, pause, and reflect on it. Let your appreciation to God fill your heart.
When you are out doing your daily business or chores and you see something wonderfully created (tree, flower, clouds, etc), take a moment, pause, reflect on it. Let it penetrate and provoke your wonder and awe of God.
Think about Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that He is God.
At times, it is good for our soul to stop, be still, and know God is around us, active, and involved. It is good to acknowledge the wonder of God.
Be still.
Have you been still before God lately?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Holy or Whole, does it make a difference?
You know the history of the word "holy" is very close to the word "whole". "Holy" was taken from the same root word from which "whole" came. Oftentimes, the word "holy" is used to denote something set aside in a special service for God, or that it draws significance from being a thing dedicated to God. More and more, I am reflecting on the importance of the word "whole." I think the word holy in its traditional meaning has taken on additional connotations through time. Holy is a word that is unattainable, far off, and something I know I am not and could never be. Holy would then apply when discussing God. But, when we flip the table and talk about holy people, we have a problem. The phrase "holier than thou" comes to mind that it becomes some offensive arrogant and judgmental way of being, which was never meant to be the case.
On the other hand, when we talk about being a "whole" human being I think our minds go in a different direction. Going further, I believe my mind goes in the correct direction when thinking of "whole" people. God created human beings, and He created them in his image. God has a whole idea of what we as human beings can and should be. If we allow him, He enjoys showing us what his idea is/was when creating us humans. When I think of holy people, I think of the whole idea God has in mind for humanity. This is an exciting way of thinking and can lead in multiple directions.
Holy people are not "holier than thou" people, they are "whole" people.
They are people who are not afraid to love, not afraid to fight for justice, not afraid to stand up for the truth, not afraid of death, not afraid of giving of themselves to help others, and not afraid of trusting other people who may have given no good reason to trust in them. They are loving, kind, gentle, good, self-controlled, not given to anger, joyful, and trustworthy (See Gal. 5:22).
Deep down in our souls, we know this to be true. We have an innate sense of what is right and wrong. We have the sense at a very young age of what is fair and not fair. I always hear little children say, "but that's not fair!" We are created with this sense. Having such an innate sense embedded deep in our souls should give us a clue that we were indeed created with a hunger for what is right. We know God's idea of whole human beings in the deepest part of our being, but we lack the capability to get their on our own. So, God steps in to assist as it must be because it was always his idea of us and not our own. Therefore, only with his help can we fully realize what He has in mind for us as a human being.
On the other hand, when we talk about being a "whole" human being I think our minds go in a different direction. Going further, I believe my mind goes in the correct direction when thinking of "whole" people. God created human beings, and He created them in his image. God has a whole idea of what we as human beings can and should be. If we allow him, He enjoys showing us what his idea is/was when creating us humans. When I think of holy people, I think of the whole idea God has in mind for humanity. This is an exciting way of thinking and can lead in multiple directions.
Holy people are not "holier than thou" people, they are "whole" people.
They are people who are not afraid to love, not afraid to fight for justice, not afraid to stand up for the truth, not afraid of death, not afraid of giving of themselves to help others, and not afraid of trusting other people who may have given no good reason to trust in them. They are loving, kind, gentle, good, self-controlled, not given to anger, joyful, and trustworthy (See Gal. 5:22).
Deep down in our souls, we know this to be true. We have an innate sense of what is right and wrong. We have the sense at a very young age of what is fair and not fair. I always hear little children say, "but that's not fair!" We are created with this sense. Having such an innate sense embedded deep in our souls should give us a clue that we were indeed created with a hunger for what is right. We know God's idea of whole human beings in the deepest part of our being, but we lack the capability to get their on our own. So, God steps in to assist as it must be because it was always his idea of us and not our own. Therefore, only with his help can we fully realize what He has in mind for us as a human being.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Way
This phrase jumps out at me in Proverbs:
The way of life - Prov. 5:6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.
The way to life - Prov. 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.
The way to life - Prov. 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life . . .
The way of the Lord - Prov. 10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
The path of understanding - Prov. 21:16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
Now, notice that this way or path was often a singular form noun. Compare to the following:
Ways of wicked men - Prov. 2:12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.
Paths of the wicked - Prov. 22:5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
It is interesting to note the often (not in every case) singular form of one particular way or path in which to live, walk, and have our being. In contrasting to the ways of the wicked, these paths are often thought of as plural and multiple.
Isaiah also spoke of such a way (Again notice the singular noun form):
Isa. 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.
Jesus said he was the Way (Again notice the singular noun form):
John 14:6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Now the question I pose is this: Do you suppose Jesus was referring to "the way" described by both Proverbs and Isaiah? Or is Jesus referring to something different when He says He is the way? If you think about it, if you follow Jesus wouldn't you be following him in his style of life that exhibited holiness/righteousness and which of course Proverbs said this way leads to life? Proverbs focuses on wisdom which translates knowledge to application in how you live. Isaiah spoke of a restored Jerusalem in which a highway (Again a singular path or way) of holiness would have holy people walking on it which indicates the style of life of these people or how they live.
To take this interesting phrase further, Christianity in her early days was known as the Way. Followers of Christ in Acts 9:2 are referred by Saul as those who belong to the Way (Jesus).
All this to say, Christianity is not meant to be a once and done action. It seems that the Western world has boiled this all down to a simple formula which provides all the benefits of eternal salvation and heaven, but has no depth. It has become some mechanical process of rational apprehension but requires no life change. Most Christians claim to be followers, but in actuality when you look at their lives they are no different than the rest of the lost world. Time after time, studies are done that show there is no statistical difference between Christians and non-Christians (thanks George Barna). Anyone with a little Bible study will realize this is not the overall theme expressed in Scripture. Jesus is a way of life, a style of life. His way of life leads directly to the Father/God. He sent his Spirit to guide and direct us on this way of life.
This is not a one time event, that "oh yeah I claimed Christ back when I was 6, I am a Christian." Or, my parents are Christians, so I am a Christian. These are not necessarily valid reasons to claim Christ (although they could be). What truly matters is whether you are following Jesus. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). Then, we should be found with a cross in our hand putting the flesh/the sinful nature on the cross. This is the Way marked out for us. This is a style of life, something you are daily and not once a week.
We shouldn't be found in the paths of wicked men, we should be found on the Way of Holiness! Oh, that we all might aspire to be whole human beings, the way God created us to be before the Fall! The Way of Holiness bears fruit in life, fruit of the Holy Spirit which are:
-love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22)-
We should be growing in virtue as our sinful flesh is embracing the cross! As we do, we become complete/whole human beings exhibiting the characteristics in which God delights.
Peter said we should be a "royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Being a holy nation is a way of life. It is a lifestyle not a one-time commitment. In modern day culture, we want all the benefits of being saved from hell, but yet we still want to live our lives how we want to on our own terms. These two things do not go together and were not taught by Jesus or anywhere in the Bible.
In Acts 2:42-47, we find the baby church gathered together after Pentecost and the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the followers of Christ. You will quickly notice while reading this passage that the followers lived, ate, worshiped, prayed, and talked about Jesus together daily. They genuinely cared about each other and loved those in need in their community. They did not make a one-time decision for Christ during Peter's sermon and then go back to their old ways of life. They made a lifestyle commitment lead by the Holy Spirit. They began a new way of life together as a family, the Way of Christ.
We should be found to be a sweet, sweet sight to God! Jesus guides us in a close relationship upon the way of life by his Holy Spirit. This is the life that leads to God, the life that pleases God. The highway of Holiness paved by Christ. The fruits of the spirit grow along this highway and are what God desires to allow to flourish in our lives and by which trees are identified as good to keep or bad to cut down and throw into the fire.
If you allow the Holy Spirit to perform her function, she will make you holy. A holy person is a whole human being not a fractured one.
And remember, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov. 14:12). There is a wide road which leads to destruction. Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matt. 7:13). Or you could say there are many paths or ways (Plural) that lead to death, and narrow is the gate (Singular). There is one way of life to God. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. Only God himself in the flesh could fully display the way. Solomon poked around it and gave insights about this way, Isaiah foresaw the way opening up, but Jesus laid the way brick by brick for us to follow. In Jesus' time, the Way described by Solomon and foretold by Isaiah became a reality.
Take the way of Christ. You will find much more than you can dream of there. There is pure joy and pure fun as opposed to drunken hangovers and parties that end. There is honesty and truthfulness as opposed to cheats and abusers. There is love, deep and transforming as opposed to one-night stands and short-term relationships that never fill the hole of the heart or truly satisfy. There is a peace that reaches deep and stills the soul as opposed to stress and worry about money and the world.
Maybe we should begin using the old title, "Followers of the Way." I think this is a profound phrase that calls attention to our modern day dilemma. This is a way of life not a one-time decision. It is an on-going relationship not a one-night stand.
The way of life - Prov. 5:6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not.
The way to life - Prov. 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.
The way to life - Prov. 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life . . .
The way of the Lord - Prov. 10:29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
The path of understanding - Prov. 21:16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
Now, notice that this way or path was often a singular form noun. Compare to the following:
Ways of wicked men - Prov. 2:12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.
Paths of the wicked - Prov. 22:5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
It is interesting to note the often (not in every case) singular form of one particular way or path in which to live, walk, and have our being. In contrasting to the ways of the wicked, these paths are often thought of as plural and multiple.
Isaiah also spoke of such a way (Again notice the singular noun form):
Isa. 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.
Jesus said he was the Way (Again notice the singular noun form):
John 14:6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Now the question I pose is this: Do you suppose Jesus was referring to "the way" described by both Proverbs and Isaiah? Or is Jesus referring to something different when He says He is the way? If you think about it, if you follow Jesus wouldn't you be following him in his style of life that exhibited holiness/righteousness and which of course Proverbs said this way leads to life? Proverbs focuses on wisdom which translates knowledge to application in how you live. Isaiah spoke of a restored Jerusalem in which a highway (Again a singular path or way) of holiness would have holy people walking on it which indicates the style of life of these people or how they live.
To take this interesting phrase further, Christianity in her early days was known as the Way. Followers of Christ in Acts 9:2 are referred by Saul as those who belong to the Way (Jesus).
All this to say, Christianity is not meant to be a once and done action. It seems that the Western world has boiled this all down to a simple formula which provides all the benefits of eternal salvation and heaven, but has no depth. It has become some mechanical process of rational apprehension but requires no life change. Most Christians claim to be followers, but in actuality when you look at their lives they are no different than the rest of the lost world. Time after time, studies are done that show there is no statistical difference between Christians and non-Christians (thanks George Barna). Anyone with a little Bible study will realize this is not the overall theme expressed in Scripture. Jesus is a way of life, a style of life. His way of life leads directly to the Father/God. He sent his Spirit to guide and direct us on this way of life.
This is not a one time event, that "oh yeah I claimed Christ back when I was 6, I am a Christian." Or, my parents are Christians, so I am a Christian. These are not necessarily valid reasons to claim Christ (although they could be). What truly matters is whether you are following Jesus. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24). Then, we should be found with a cross in our hand putting the flesh/the sinful nature on the cross. This is the Way marked out for us. This is a style of life, something you are daily and not once a week.
We shouldn't be found in the paths of wicked men, we should be found on the Way of Holiness! Oh, that we all might aspire to be whole human beings, the way God created us to be before the Fall! The Way of Holiness bears fruit in life, fruit of the Holy Spirit which are:
-love, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22)-
We should be growing in virtue as our sinful flesh is embracing the cross! As we do, we become complete/whole human beings exhibiting the characteristics in which God delights.
Peter said we should be a "royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Pet. 2:9). Being a holy nation is a way of life. It is a lifestyle not a one-time commitment. In modern day culture, we want all the benefits of being saved from hell, but yet we still want to live our lives how we want to on our own terms. These two things do not go together and were not taught by Jesus or anywhere in the Bible.
In Acts 2:42-47, we find the baby church gathered together after Pentecost and the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the followers of Christ. You will quickly notice while reading this passage that the followers lived, ate, worshiped, prayed, and talked about Jesus together daily. They genuinely cared about each other and loved those in need in their community. They did not make a one-time decision for Christ during Peter's sermon and then go back to their old ways of life. They made a lifestyle commitment lead by the Holy Spirit. They began a new way of life together as a family, the Way of Christ.
We should be found to be a sweet, sweet sight to God! Jesus guides us in a close relationship upon the way of life by his Holy Spirit. This is the life that leads to God, the life that pleases God. The highway of Holiness paved by Christ. The fruits of the spirit grow along this highway and are what God desires to allow to flourish in our lives and by which trees are identified as good to keep or bad to cut down and throw into the fire.
If you allow the Holy Spirit to perform her function, she will make you holy. A holy person is a whole human being not a fractured one.
And remember, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov. 14:12). There is a wide road which leads to destruction. Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Matt. 7:13). Or you could say there are many paths or ways (Plural) that lead to death, and narrow is the gate (Singular). There is one way of life to God. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. Only God himself in the flesh could fully display the way. Solomon poked around it and gave insights about this way, Isaiah foresaw the way opening up, but Jesus laid the way brick by brick for us to follow. In Jesus' time, the Way described by Solomon and foretold by Isaiah became a reality.
Take the way of Christ. You will find much more than you can dream of there. There is pure joy and pure fun as opposed to drunken hangovers and parties that end. There is honesty and truthfulness as opposed to cheats and abusers. There is love, deep and transforming as opposed to one-night stands and short-term relationships that never fill the hole of the heart or truly satisfy. There is a peace that reaches deep and stills the soul as opposed to stress and worry about money and the world.
Maybe we should begin using the old title, "Followers of the Way." I think this is a profound phrase that calls attention to our modern day dilemma. This is a way of life not a one-time decision. It is an on-going relationship not a one-night stand.
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