Scripture speaks for itself

The Word speaks very powerfully on its own. No interpretations needed.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17 NIV)

he would have it so

Apparently, people are showing by some numbers somewhere that satan seems to be gaining ground. I say gaining ground because the belief in his existence as a being is declining, as a study statistically shows. Now, that may sound paradoxical in nature, but re-read that carefully and think of what satan wants to do.

Now, any statistical study can be skewed in many ways. You always have to interpret data and numbers with a grain of salt. So this data may not apply or be true for the entire US or the entire set of "Christians" in America. I'm posting this because I think it's something to be aware about and think about.

This study is published on a website of "a multi-faith group", but the study was done mostly by the Barna research group, which does have Christian affliations. I provide this link to this "multi-fath" group because they offer some interesting interpretations of the data, and note this is done by people who are not necessarily Christ followers. It's here:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sat4.htm

Two observations strike me most:

a) In looking at the chart comparing belief in satan in varying countries around the world, I think it's interesting to think of the current state of faith in those countries that lack any significant belief in satan. Most of the countries that lack really any belief in satan are virtually bone-dry, faith wise. Regarding this, there is a strong correlation with more than one country profiled in the chart. I know saying these countries are bone dry faith wise is a generalization, but I feel strongly that a statistical study could be done to prove this. This data did come from 1991, so there's also a good chance that things have changed. I hope so, I hope more people are believing in satan's existence as a being.

b) The percentage of people believing in satan's existence as a being in the USA has been declining in the period from 1991-2007. Has our society been declining in the same time frame? Are there any correlations? It could be argued, well, "hell, no! the 1990s and 2000s were some of the most prosperous times the USA has ever seen, with the advent of free trade, revolutionizing technologies, the computer, facebook, and the like!! You're crazy!"

Yes, I'll admit that I'm crazy. But I'm crazy because I'm trying to follow Jesus. That's a discussion for another post however.

In pursuing God and desiring to serve Him and bring Him glory in every way, as individuals and collectively as a nation, is there something we're missing? This doesn't necessarily apply to non-Christians, but to Christians, does not believing, or forgetting that satan is living and active, wanting to destroy, does that cause us to be more complacent in our walk with Jesus?

I think these numbers that offer a stronger "proof" if you will, I guess if that's what numbers in a chart from a scientific study do, are something to really be aware of.

If we are not aware of an enemy who is constantly coming at as, trying to attack, kill, and destroy, or don't believe one exists, then we have no reason to try to put up any defenses. Nor do we have any reason to flee for shelter.

I believe one of satan's most cunning tactics is to make people believe he doesn't exist.

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)

Christ in the context of organizational leadership

So I've had a big change of environments of late. Small, Christ-centered intentional community in Argentina to relatively large college campus with a wide range of beliefs where knowledge and the pursuit of it mostly prevails.

Thus far, my one class and the material related to it has been very interesting and though provoking. One thing I see missing though is where does Christ fit into the context of organizational and individual leadership.

He's not talked about or mentioned at all.

The argument could be made, "well, all that religious stuff has no basis, it's just religion and the like..." Well, I'd disagree. From a purely academic study, let's say, non-bias viewpoint, I think one could make a fairly substantial argument that Christ is the leader of the longest-standing, most numerous, most complex, sometimes controversial yes, organization the WORLD has ever seen. Looking at the sheer numbers and the historical numbers over time, I think it could be statistically proven without a doubt that Christ is the most outstanding leader the world has ever seen, and His church, once again, when done inline with Scripture's outlays for how the church should truly be, the most enduring and life-giving/sustaining organization that exists.

Even in the sea of multiple competing thoughts and ideologies, Jesus comes out on top.

So how does this fit in to nowadays? Very much so. The principles that Christ taught and lived are very much applicable to organizations nowadays.

Do we dare in organizations, be they academic or corporate, to attempt servant-like mentalities in all our tasks and the directions in which the institutions are going? Would it just be too crazy to attempt to lead like Christ led, and set up our organizations according to the structures and principles we find in Scripture?

I'm not really surprised I haven't seen this talked about yet in my classes or around campus. I don't really expect it to happen. But is somebody missing a big huge elephant in the room? Is it just too good to be true, although it is true?

Two great books as a starting place on this regarding individual leadership, but that has relevance in organizations, are Henri Nouwen's In the name of Jesus and a more corporate look in Ken Blanchard's Lead like Jesus.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

(1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV)

dating and the like

I was thinking about this the other day, and the whole "find your mate" process seems largely selfish.

Maybe another vote for arranged marriages.

Just kidding, I'm not sure that's the best way to go about matching people, but it does take away a lot of problems and issues.

Just think about it. What are the things that people process in their mind when they look for a potential boyfriend or girlfriend?

The first thing is usually physical. Is she or he "hot"? Which by the way, where did that term get derived from, "hot"? Maybe it's because, they're so energy intensive and give off so much light (like the sun), they're hot.

Then there are other things, like, is she or he funny to me, or can I carry a meaningful conversation with this person. But it often times seems more self-reflective, what's in it for me type mentality.

I think the online dating sites reflect that. They are geared for matching qualities, technologically and somewhat sterile-like, that John Doe or Jane Doe wants to see in person X or person Y.

Selfishness can be good in some respects, it would be a rocky road if people just got together just because of some random reason, and that they don't consider their own traits in the relationship. But I'm just saying, it seems for the most part, a selfish type mentality/search.

It is not recorded, and does not appear, so I don't believe it happened, that Jesus ever dated. I wonder how He would have gone about that. Largely, I think it would have been similar to every way in which He carried Himself. Always willing to sacrifice. Love fully and vulnerably. Always seeking to serve and having grace upon grace and tons of compassion.

Even though He didn't date, I still think He left the best example on how to date by the way He demonstrated personal relationships.

leaving your family

What does it mean, how does it look in our time, year 2008, to leave your family for the sake of Christ?

What's involved?

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." (Matthew 19:29-30 NIV)

I don't think there is any mistake that this passage comes directly after Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler. Leave wealth. Leave family. The two things that possibly bring the most comfort in our world. Leave them for Jesus. I don't think Jesus calls us to leave them completely, to cut them off. Rather, on the contrary, we are to love them and honor them, but that flows out of a primary love for Christ.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:25-27 NIV)

In this case, I'm not sure if hate has the same meaning as we use hate today. Hate is the opposite of love, so I think this passage is saying you are to love your family less than Jesus when it comes down to it. He comes first.

What happens when your family impedes the fulness of living a Christ-following relationship? How are you to deny them to live for Christ while at the same time honor them in accordance with the commandments. It can be done. The how is the tricky part.

maybe it's like this...

So I thought of a visual analogy to how our lives work in relation to what we're filled up with and where our joy is found. This may be silly, but I think it makes some sense. And it's summer, so maybe it's more relevant.

For this, you need to remember something from Science class:
-the principle of water displacement. The mass of some object, when put in a water glass, will displace that same amount of water.

Think of a swimming pool. A big one in your back yard. We're the pool. What's in the pool, the toys, accessories, people, the water -- is what's in our lives. More specifically, the water in the pool represents the spiritual joy that comes from Jesus and Him alone. When we come to believe in Jesus and grow in His likeness, we're adding water to the pool. We get to a normal level, and everything is ok. You can throw in a float or two into a pool, maybe some diving rings to the bottom, but not much changes. These things might represent some simple material possessions that add joy to our real lives. Having a car, having a home to build a family up under God's grace, these things are not inherently wrong and they add contentment to our lives.

Don't forget people!

People fill up your pool much better than the floats or diving rings. In our lives, that principle holds true. More satisfaction SHOULD come from relationships with others than the material things that are in our pool.

As for the people, some people might dive into the pool, hopefully they do it so as not to splash too much water out of the pool. There are those people who sometimes do cannonballs into your pool, and that causes a lot of water to be lost. Remeber, the water = joy. The people who jump into your pool of life are those who make up your community and relationships. And yes, you'll have the occasional doof who pees in your pool. Overall, having people in your pool adds to the fun and enjoyment of it. The right number of people in your pool raises your water level almost to the top level of the pool. But still, most of what's in the pool is water, the joy found in Christ.

What happens when we start throwing in too many pool accessories into our pool? At first we think great!, more cool pool toys! but then we start losing the water that's in our pool. Uh oh, not good. This happens in our lives. We go beyond levels of satisfaction found in a relevant, minimal, meet-the-need set of material goods to where we start displacing the joy in our lives. The water flows out of our pool. And for what? An underwater motorized swimming machine? You mean to tell me we're getting rid of that universal, life-giving, life-sustaining water for some pool toy? Cool as it may be, is that the smartest move? What's going to happen in a severe heatwave? The fires of life...we better have a lot of water in our pool stored up before those come on, or our pool might evaporate completely then our pool foundation starts to crack.

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38 NIV)

Be it summer, or whatever season of the year, that your life may be filled up as much as possible with the joy that is found and can only be found in the fullness of Jesus, the Christ.

anXiety

I have to confess. I am at my wit's end with anxiety. Being driven by fear is horrible. Royally. As a motivator to some sort of action, anxiety I would say would be one of the least desirable things to drive oneself or others. I don't feel like I'm bringing this anxiety on myself. Well, maybe I am not bringing it purposefully, but I sure am not on the stout lookout and providing a solid defense for it.

To explain, I'm living with my parents again for the summer. A lot of their motivations for their actions and habits, in my opinion, are due to fears and anxieties that exist in their lives. I find myself falling into their course of living, not because I want to necessarily adopt their principles or allow anxieties to be a base factor for actions, but mostly because I a) lack the courage to confront them about their anxieties or b) I'm trying to honor them and submit to them in a non-confrontational, non-aggressive manner. They would never admit the extent to which I think fear and anxiety is a part of their lives. Don't get me wrong, a lot of them are perfectly valid anxieties to have in life. Anxieties are going to exist. It'd be near impossible to stamp those out or spend the kind of energy required to do so. I even think a some anxieties in life, at low levels, is a healthy and good thing. But just because you have something in your life, doesn't mean you should let it grow or develop into a viscous beast.

B.O. is like that. We all have it. It's naturally a part of our existence. A little bit is fine. No harm done. Just a reminder it's time for a shower. Left unchecked, it can grow to be something that you, and the people around you, really don't like.

That may be a stupid example, but a better one is that Jesus didn't plug into anxieties. He had every reason to do so. There were plenty available to Him. People wanted to kill Him, stone Him, kill His friends. He could worry about people turning to Him for their salvation. He was dealing with anxieties way beyond our modern day ones "Do we have enough money in the bank?" "Will I be able to afford college?" "Will I find someone to pursue Christ with in a marriage?" "Will the people around me accept me into community?"

Jesus handled all His beautifully. His example is the one to strive for. I would encourage you to read about Jesus and the times He faced potential anxieties. How did He handle them? How'd He react. What'd He do? (hint: prayer)

I still struggle with anxieties and being surrounded by more of them doesn't help. I can't be Jesus when it comes to how I handle anxieties, but I can seek to be like Him. Prayer, which I lack discipline for, is the best thing I think can help.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)