Would I Worship Or Would I Whine?

Posted by Jim Thornber on November 18, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Worship. Tagged: , , , , , . 3 Comments

“Jesus said to the woman, ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.’ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’”­ Matthew 15:24-25

 

A few weeks ago a pastor in my town brought this passage to my attention. It is the story of Jesus leaving Galilee and going north into Tyre and Sidon, which was Gentile territory. A woman who lived there came to Him and pleaded for Jesus to heal her daughter, who was tormented by a demon. As a response to this request, Jesus remained silent.

Today, silence is a most hated concept. With smartphones, the internet, radio and television blaring everywhere we go, we’ve learned to distrust the sound of silence. Silence is wrong. Silence means something is broke. Silence makes us wonder if we’re still alive if all we hear is our own breathing.

Add to that silence the fact the people hanging out with Jesus urge Him to send her away and you have an emotional breakdown in the making. But she doesn’t go away. She just stands there and waits for the Son of David to answer her request. And when Jesus does speak, it is not as the meek and mild Jesus we sing about in church.

“I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel,” He says. Great. Not only is Jesus treating her with silence, now He says he wasn’t sent for her. Apparently, there are people whose needs are greater or better or more deserving than a mother with a child possessed by a demon.

At this point in the story, I’d be ready to tell the Son of David what He can do with His Messiah complex. I mean, if God is going to be so callused as to tell me that others are more deserving of His mercy and grace, then it’s time to find another god.

But what this woman does next just astounds me. Verse 25 says, “But she came and worshiped him.” Is that what I would do? Would I worship God after He has been silent, after the church folk have suggested He send me away and finally after God says He’s not here for me? I’d be more tempted to whine about how life is all against me than to worship a God who intends to ignore me.

But now this woman challenges me again, for in her humility she acknowledges that everything Jesus said was true. She was not an Israelite, Jesus was not here for her first, and she shouldn’t get the meat from the table. All true. It is only the proud people like me who think Jesus’ arrival on earth was all about meeting my personal needs according to my personal timing. When will I learn that even the scraps from God’s table are richer fare than any five-star meal the world has to offer? Isn’t it better to be a dog in God’s kingdom than a king in the realm of Satan? This woman has seen how the demons treat people like her daughter, and she knows there’s more compassion in the crumbs of God than in the lies of the loftiest fallen angel.

Now, let’s look at this passage from another angle. Yes, Jesus was silent, but He was there. He was in her presence and He didn’t leave. In fact, He came to her town; she didn’t travel to him. There is always hope when God is present.

Next, we see that silence isn’t a refusal. He was silent but He didn’t say no. In silence there also is hope. Don’t let the silence of God or the quick answers of the critics send you away from what you need most.

When Jesus replied He was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel, there is still hope. If there wasn’t, what was Jesus doing in Gentile territory? Sometimes we think God is only going to help the good people who are worthy. But this scene reminds us that God came to save the world, because the entire world is as unworthy as this Gentile woman. God is increasing her faith – and we could all use a bit more faith.

Therefore, the next time God is silent regarding my requests, I need to remember that His silence doesn’t mean “No.” I need to remember that Jesus came to me before I came to Jesus, for that reminds me how important I am to Him. I need to remember that the critics who want me to disappear have forgotten that Jesus chose to be with me, and I’ll stand in His presence as long as He’ll have me.

Finally, when God tells me the truth about who I am, I need to remember that even a mutt like me has a place at the Banquet table of God. Sure, life may not always go as I’d like it, but Jesus has entered the room and where He is, there is hope.

 

 

 

 

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My VERY Bad Imitation Of Moses

Posted by Jim Thornber on November 4, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Scripture. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

I was walking out of Lowe’s a few years back when I saw a man who had left the church I pastored a few earlier. Not long after he left, I merged our fellowship with another church in town and we were in the midst of remodeling our joint facility. As I happily explained to this former member all the good things that were taking place, I was also thinking, “Aren’t you just a bit jealous that your leaving didn’t cause our church to fold? Aren’t you envious that we’re doing better since you left? Don’t you want to come see our progress and tell me just how fine a pastor I am?”

I wasn’t in my truck two seconds when the Lord told me what a selfish fool I’d just been, and I was reminded of the story of Moses and the rock.

Moses, by the direction of God, guided the grumbling Israelites into the Desert of Zin, where they camped at Kadesh. In other words, they were exactly where God wanted them. Upon finding themselves without water, they did the natural thing – they yelled at Moses. Moses in turn turns to God, who tells Moses, “Speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water” (Num. 20:8). You noticed, of course, that God said, “Speak to the rock.” Did you also notice that Moses turned and struck the rock not once, but twice?

God the All-Knowing was not at all surprised by the action of Moses and says, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

God, you see, isn’t in the habit of sharing His glory with mere mortals (Isaiah 48:11).

Moses struck the Rock (Christ was the Rock – 1 Corinthians 10:4) and said, “Must WE bring you water out of this rock?” (vs. 10, emphasis mine). Bringing water out of the rock was the Lord’s doing, not Moses’. But Moses wanted the people to see how powerful he was, how effective he was in producing miracles, how central he was to God’s plan. However, God’s plan didn’t include Moses in the center of anything but obedience to the His instructions. Moses promoted himself over the goodness and provision of God, and it cost him his passport into the Promised Land.

And therein lies the sting for most of us. God is working mightily in our lives, performing miracles when we simply obey, and we can’t seem to get ourselves out of His way. At every opportunity we find ways to prove to people that we have a legitimate reason for breathing air and taking up space and we want to shout, “Look at everything God is doing through ME!”

Like Moses, I wanted to strike out and prove my worth. I wanted a man in a Lowe’s parking lot to see me and be impressed. Maybe he was impressed with me, but God wasn’t. My power wants to strike out, but God’s power speaks, creates, provides and guides His people in ways that are best for them, regardless of the perceived ego needs of the leaders.

Fortunately, God didn’t take away my ticket to the Promised Land. But He did remind me to keep my high opinion of myself out of the way of His grace. Where God guides He will provide, and He doesn’t need me to promote my agenda and feed my ego to see His miracles take place.

 

My Rich Guest

Posted by Jim Thornber on October 4, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion, Scripture. Tagged: , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly—Colossians 3:16

A few weeks ago, we had some family stay with us for a few days. They live about three and a half hours away, so when they come for a visit it is always a special event. I preparation for their arrival, we clean the house, over-stock up on food, make up the guest room, clear a path from the laundry room to the kitchen (admit it; you do the same thing), take out pillows and blankets, pull the mattress off the futon so the kids can sleep on the floor and generally put the house in order. And it stays that way for about, oh, the six minutes it takes the grandkids to drop their stuff on the floor, get out the toys, and make themselves at home.

Naturally, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Our family is always welcome to visit us and stay as long as they want, which is never long enough.

After they leave, we pick up the house, put the guest room back in order, fold the blankets, replace the mattress, start a new load of laundry and then sit in silence. We miss the crowded living room, the noise and bumping into each other getting in and out of our one bathroom, but it’s nice to have the house back in order again. We made room for our guests, but now that they’re gone, we quickly put the house back the way we like it.

All this reminds me of the difference between a guest in a house and the one who owns and dwells in a house. A guest is not a permanent resident; a dweller is. A guest comes and goes according to what is convenient for him and the host. A dweller remains regardless of the circumstances. A guest does not have the right to paint the walls and move the couch near the window. Only the resident of the house has those privileges.

In Colossians 3:16, Paul tells us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. As I studied this passage, I began to see the differences between a guest and a resident. That done, I had to ask this question: Am I allowing the Word to dwell in me like a resident in a house, or do I simply invite it in like an infrequent guest, hoping it won’t stay too long and try to rearrange the furniture?

I like the way Eugene Peterson translates this verse in The Message. “Let the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives.”

The Message of Christ, the full teaching and knowledge of Jesus’ purpose and being, should have the run of my life. That’s another way of saying Jesus is King of my life and His every word is my command. I wish it were always true. But Peterson doesn’t stop there. For some mean and sadistic reason he adds, “Give it plenty of room in your lives.”  Thanks, Gene. Not only am I having trouble letting Jesus have full run of the house, now you’re telling me I have to give Him plenty of room to do so.

And here I was hoping the guest room would suffice.

Now I have a question for all of us who make the claim that Jesus is the Lord of our life. Is the Message and presence of Christ living and dwelling in you as an owner occupies a house, or does is just come and visit on weekends at your convenience?

 

Prayer Vigil for Charlottesville

Posted by Jim Thornber on August 19, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Service. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Last night our community held a prayer vigil for the victims of hate in Charlottesville, VA. I was asked to speak, and I wanted to share with you what I said.

First of all, we must all understand that we are here this evening celebrating love, celebrating life, celebrating the goodness and joy of community. To a very lesser extent, we are also mourning and weeping over the presence of hate and a young girl named Heather who was senselessly killed by hate. I say to a lesser extent, because I will never allow hate to have a greater power and influence in my life than love.

At these times, when we’ve gathered to remember the consequences of hate, it is right to pause and ask, “What can we do? What is the answer?” Before we ask that question, we must seriously consider what the problem isn’t.

It is not a “We need to pass a new law” problem. It is not a communication problem. It is not an education, school, teacher or college problem. It is not a black vs. white, left vs. right or republican vs. democrat problem. It is a spiritual problem.

Of course, we all have problems with people. Some of us here this evening have problems with people we work with in the same company. Some of us have problems with people who are at our same school, same grade, same class. Some of us have problems with people who play on the same team.

Now it is time for me to do some meddling. Some of us have big problems with people we go to the same church with. Some of us have problems with people in our own family.

So what is my point?

It is not a societal problem we are facing; it is a spiritual problem. Cain hated his brother Abel and there were only four people in the world, of the same race, in communication with the same God! We will not bring a resolution to the difficulties in our society until we resolve to cure our own spiritual difficulties. And that starts with our heart and our relationship with God.

When we see God as He truly is, we see people as He created us to be, and it is then that hate is displaced by the love of God. That is the answer to what has happened in Charlottesville, in Baltimore, in Ferguson, yesterday in Barcelona, and, to a smaller extent, even in Independence, Kansas.

We can remove all the flags, statues and symbols we want. But if we don’t remove the hate in our hearts and replace it with the Holy Spirit of God almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, we will remain only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

 

No Wishing Allowed

Posted by Jim Thornber on July 31, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Not too long after Barbara and I were married, we cooked our first Thanksgiving turkey. It wasn't too bad for a first time effort, and, although I really don't remember it, I'm sure the whole meal was a joy. I do remember, however, that after I carved the turkey I did the traditional thing and set the wishbone aside to dry on the windowsill in the kitchen.

After a few weeks we decided the wishbone was ready to be tested. Barbara took one end and I took another. After making our “wishes,” we pulled at the wishbone, only to have it split evenly right up the middle. No winners. No losers. Just us, still the same. We looked at each other, then at the pieces of bone in our hands, then back at each other and nervously laughed.

I don't often get weirdly spiritual, as in looking for God trying to get my attention behind every strange happening or offbeat coincidence. Still, Barbara and I knew immediately what the Lord was saying, and we haven't shared a wishbone since. Not once. So, if you think we are weird spiritual fanatics, at least we are weird together and we don't have only one of us taking all the blame.

From this simple incident we learned two valuable lessons. First, the success of our marriage has nothing to do with luck and even less to do with wishing. There is nothing superstitious, coincidental, fortuitous or haphazard about a successful marriage. A strong, committed relationship is a choice we make, everyday, for the rest of our lives. Furthermore, I didn't get “lucky” finding Barbara. My first priority was to follow God’s direction in my life, not find a wife. With that priority set, God brought the right woman into my life. Luck is not a factor when
God is placed first.

Second, Barbara and I are not in competition. I do not “win” when she “loses.” I am not the better person if my wishes come true over those of my wife. There is plenty of good in life to go around without thinking my fortune must come at someone else's misfortune. Unless we are in a heated game of Scrabble, I am not in competition with Barbara. And even in Scrabble, we cheer the other if they make a high score. I didn't get married to compete with and overcome my best friend. Her success is my success.

Because I believe this, it bothers me to watch couples take delight in putting the other one down in public. If a guy does that to his wife, I'm thinking, “If she is so stupid and ignorant, why did you take public vows telling the world you wanted to spend the rest of your life with her? Who’s the real idiot in this scene?”

Ephesians reminds men to “love your wives, just as Christ loves the church” (Eph. 5:25). Not once has anyone ever heard Jesus point to one of His Bride and say, “Why are you so dumb? Hey Mike and Gabe, come look at what stupid thing this one did just now.” Jesus treats His Church better than that, and so should we. Even if they are not our spouse. But especially if they are.

So, this Thanksgiving when someone wants to make a wish over a piece of bone, kindly look at them and say, “Tell you what. How ‘bout we both pray good things for one another, because your success is my success.”

Give Your Staff Permission To Be Themselves

Posted by Jim Thornber on June 24, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Church, Leadership. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

Earlier this week I was reading Eugene Peterson’s book Under the Unpredictable Plant.  In it, he shares that someone once asked him his favorite part of being a pastor, and he answered, “The mess.” Yes, being a pastor is messy, which contributes to the creative side of allowing God to be God in situations that don’t always fall under the category, “Stuff I Learned in Seminary.”

As I thought about this same question, my quick answer was, “I get to love people on my own terms.”

I’ve worked with more than one pastor who felt the need to micro-mismanage his staff so they’d behave in ways that made him comfortable. Regardless of their gifts, talents, backgrounds and personalities, these pastors made sure their staff understood what was and was not acceptable in the ways they spoke to and related with people. I had a sense they were trying to make me into a mini version of themselves, and something in me always rebelled. They wanted to control my sense of humor, what passages of Scripture I could teach on, how I could speak to people and what stories about my life I could tell. In spite of my unique gifts, talents and skills, they seemed determined to make me in their image. Needless to say, I didn’t last under their leadership.

This manipulation went beyond the basic and necessary training a good leader engages in when communicating the vision, mission and culture of this particular local church. They seemed to think if the church members saw a staff person as more loving and forgiving, more personable and likeable, more capable of handling God’s Word and feeding the spiritual appetites of the congregants, there’d be competition on the team. Instead of working together as companions in the Kingdom, these pastors often viewed others with a wary eye, watching for any sign their staff might be better pastors than they were. I walked many a year in different churches not with the hopeful challenge of, “What would Jesus do?” but with the fearful question, “Would the pastor approve of this?” Continue Reading

If You’re Still Breathing, God Isn’t Finished With You!

Posted by Jim Thornber on May 26, 2017
Posted in: Christian Spirituality, Religion. Tagged: , , , , . 2 Comments

Have you ever wondered if you disappointed God so badly that He didn’t have any more use for you? Many people have. Today I’ve got some good news for you, and I hope it will enable you to see that nobody is beyond God’s love.

In the beginning of the book of Luke, we see Zechariah in the temple when the angel Gabriel appears and tells him his prayers have been answered – he’s going to have a son named John (Luke 1:13). But Zechariah doesn’t really believe it and says, “How can I be sure this will happen?” (vs. 18).  In other words, Zechariah wants a sign. Gabriel responds, “Okay. You want a sign. How’s this for a sign. You’ll be silent and unable to speak until John is born.” (And somewhere under his breath I believe Gabriel might have muttered, “Silly human.”  But I could be wrong on that point).

Finally the day arrives! John has been born and now it’s time to circumcise him and give him a name. After a short dispute with some relatives who wanted to name him after his father, they all turn to Zechariah for his opinion, and he writes out “John is his name. And now we come to the part I like. “Instantly,” or “Immediately,” Zechariah could speak again.

Life Application Point #1: God’s discipline doesn’t last a moment longer than necessary.

Just as Gabriel said, Zechariah remained silent until John was born and named. His obedience opened his ears and loosened his tongue, and the first words that come out of his mouth are words of praise.

A reverential awe filled the people who witnessed these events, and it didn’t take long for the gossip train to make its way throughout the Judean hills. Yes, the people were talking, but this time they were talking about God in a truthful manner and their spirits were tuned in to wonder just what plans the Lord had for this child named John. Sometime later, Zechariah composed a prophetic poem, the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit as we see in verse 67.

Life Application Point #2: Previous discipline doesn’t end spiritual ministry.

When a believer today has submitted to God’s discipline, they may continue in service to their Lord. Too often we judge a person’s effectiveness for the Kingdom because of a previous indiscretion. God will use whatever player He chooses in whatever position He chooses to put them in for His purposes. He doesn’t need us to sit by with a scorecard and keep track of hits and errors. Besides, the only reason some of us aren’t being judged more harshly by our neighbors is simply because we haven’t been found out. So let’s not be too quick to judge those who have. We never know how God is going to use someone who has doubted and betrayed Him. Just as Zechariah and Peter.

Perhaps you’ve disappointed God somehow. You’ve doubted Him or betrayed Him and God has set you down for some time out and discipline. But He’s not done. Zechariah still had a purpose, and that purpose was to keep God’s work in front of him and raise up godly offspring. You have a purpose to, and that purpose is God’s purpose: to bring His Son into the world so they may know His grace and His love.

Take heart, my friends. God isn’t finished with you yet.