Fragments

Wisdom

November 19, 2010

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." ~ Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

I have fantastic news for you. It’s news that could change your life… I heard it just a couple of days ago on 850KOA, our local radio news station. It was an advertisement that burst across the airwaves and filled every corner of my 2003 Subaru. At the outset the information was just background noise; the data registered, but just barely… that was until "the promise."

The pitch was for a washing machine, an efficient washing machine, a washing machine that would provide enough savings in resource consumption that it would pay for itself in two or three years. The logic captured a portion of my conscious thought… but then the announcer proclaimed, "Buying this washing machine will be the wisest decision you’ll ever make!"

There it is. The promise of a lifetime. Not "a wise decision," not "a smart thing to do," not "worth the risk," but "THE WISEST decision you’ll ever make!"

Wow, at 55 years old I’ve made a lot of decisions… and yes, I’ve made some wise ones. Certainly the landscape of my daily life is littered with foolishness, and impulsive and unwise decisions, but I don’t have to think long to land on wise decisions. But little did I know, the platform for making the wisest decision of my life was located in my laundry room.

Is it any wonder that promises have started to lose their luster? Have we become so accustomed to outrageous claims that we don’t even test the veracity of the commitment? Or is this promise a context that illustrates just how poorly we’ve made other decisions? Does it illuminate the trivial nature of my priority system?

Before each of you races out to your local appliance store…

"The fear of the Lord…" – this is our context for wisdom; the grid through which I test the considerations of my life.

In 1 Kings 3 we have a record of the dialog between Solomon and God. God’s invitation to Solomon was: "Ask what I shall give you." The response of Solomon was: "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people that I may discern between good and evil…"

The door was open; the offer was out there; the request was perfect. Wisdom.

I’m afraid that wisdom is often absent from my prayer list. If it’s present, it’s a footnote, a modifier, an adverb.

What if a plea for wisdom dominated my prayer time? What if "God-imbued understanding" marked my path, my conversations, my decision making, my relationships?

No doubt I would make wise decisions about washing machines, but that would simply be the beginning and not the end of my wisdom continuum.

"Yes, dear Father, my reverence for you, my humility before you, my awe as I approach you propels me to a place where wisdom flows… where understanding pools in rich supply. I pray today for wisdom. Amen."

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." ~ James 1:5

Friends

November 12, 2010

"King Solomon was king over all Israel, and these were his high officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; Elihoreph and Ahijah the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king's friend;" ~ 1 Kings 4:1-5 (ESV)

The text above reveals a portion of the officials that served King Solomon. It’s a roster of both names and functions. In fact the list continues well beyond verse 5 and it outlines spiritual, military, domestic, and personal support that the King received. As I read through this text this week I was stopped cold by the closing statement of verse 5. Zabud, a son of Nathan was not only a priest, but he was additionally identified as the "king’s friend." This is especially powerful when you realize what is stated later in that very same chapter about Solomon:

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom." ~ 1 Kings 4:29-30, 34 (ESV)

The wealth and wisdom of Solomon is well documented, but stature, success, prestige and power didn’t alleviate his need for a friend. Zabud, a priest, a spiritual advisor was also Solomon’s friend. In fact, this is the only mention of Zabud in scripture. Solomon, on the other hand, was front and center; the focal point of significant cultural, spiritual and political shifts and changes in Israel. But Zabud was there; a priest and a friend.

This propels me to a place of deep and sincere gratitude:

For Robert Gelinas, my pastor and my friend; for others who less formally speak and instruct and model spiritual truth and discipline, but who are also my friends. It’s humbling for me to consider the relational Balance Sheet that the Father has entrusted to me. Trusted companions and treasured partners. Friends.

Often our battle against the evil one is waged with the lies of isolation; with the pain of loneliness.

We have been wired for relationship. We are made to operate best with a priest and friend.

Even Solomon…

Is there somebody that you need to call, write, text, tweet, hug, thank… priest and friend?

The Comforter

November 5, 2010

"Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." ~ John 16:7 (ESV)

Last evening Mary and I watched Graham, our one-year-old grandson. The final waking hour of Graham’s day was filled with books, bath, joy, laughter, romping, milk, songs, prayer and squeezes from Emmie and Pops.

As we approached the bedtime hour Graham would look for and locate his prized sleeping companion, his blanket. Once discovered Graham would bury his head in the soft material and his thumb would immediately be deposited in his mouth. He was ready.

This process certainly helps to make bedtime an easy and predictable routine. But it also poses some challenge and risk. What if the blanket is in the laundry, or it’s misplaced, or heaven forbid… lost!

I get the sense at times that the experience of the New Testament disciples was a bit like Graham. During their journey with Jesus they remain comfortable and confident as long as they had their blanket; Jesus, within reach. Whether it was mixing it up with the religious leaders of the day, a raucous storm, an outrageous and uncontrollable evil spirit, or a dinner party where the catering was forgotten… Jesus was the man, the solution, the comfort, the blanket.

Certainly this reality, as well as the obvious implications, were not lost on Jesus. At the tail end of His earthly ministry He made a promise that a comforter, the Comforter, would be delivered once His departure was accomplished. And in the second chapter of Acts, Jesus made good on His promise. The Holy Spirit.

If Jesus was "God with us," then the Holy Spirit was and is "God in us."

"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." ~ Romans 8:9 (ESV)

The singular incarnation and accession of Jesus ushered in Pentecost, and with it, the power, comfort and presence of the Holy Spirit. The "blanket" is not just in Israel any more.

He’s in a three-bedroom home where Graham Wolgemuth lives.
He’s in a crowded urban neighborhood where families are shattered.
He’s present in an orphanage in Ethiopia.
He’s evident in Iran, in Afghanistan, in South Korea.
He’s at work in Nepal, in India, in Venezuela.
Anywhere and everywhere…

Drawing us to Jesus. Assuring, comforting, inspiring, motivating and empowering.

Jesus knew, and He promised. When He exited the boat, the hillside, the funeral procession, the temple, the cross and the empty tomb… He would not leave us as orphans. Our comfort would be with us. Always.

Transformation

October 29, 2010

On most of the mornings in Denver the mountains greet me. Their looming presence forty miles west of us provides a compelling backdrop. The views never get old, and seldom seem to repeat. Something about the mountains changes every day.

Having said all of that, I still was unprepared for what I witnessed a few days ago. While on the short route from our front door to the newspaper in our driveway I glanced west, as I do nearly every morning, only to hear myself gasp. Overnight the mountains had been transformed. While the colors of fall still surrounded me, and while the distant foothills still reflected their typical brownish tones, the mountains were glistening white. The sun pounded onto the image, much like a massive spotlight on a talented rock star.

This was no mid-fall dusting. This was complete transformation.

And so I stood; I’m sure quite a sight to my neighbors and passersby; barefoot and in my pjs. I was awed by the beauty, but paralyzed by the change.

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." ~ Psalm 51:7 (ESV)

It was this heart-stopping image that King David pled for. He begged for transformation. The filth of his own failure, and the shame of his corrupted power loomed over him; and so he prayed. For forgiveness. For mercy. For transformation.

Like David, my sin is in front of me. I’m aware of the deception and self-reliance, which draws me to Jesus; our spiritual blizzard.

Jesus is no fall dusting. There are no flurries in the forecast with Him.

He is the transformational cleansing, the snowstorm of all snowstorms.

Whatever the guilt, wherever there is shame; Jesus.

I caught a glimpse of change. I witnessed transformation, first in my senses, and then in my soul. We have been made whiter than the most pristine mountain drifts. We are clean. Washed pure.

Food for the soul

October 22, 2010

It’s my intent to serve communion to our National Board on the second morning of our meetings together. Everything is ready.

"And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him." ~ Luke 22:14

Jesus had waited three years for this meal. It was the training meal before the battle of the ages.

It was a banquet and an object lesson.

Food for the body; but more importantly, food for the soul.

Even the way He distributed the bread and the wine was instructive: broken bread, broken body – poured wine, poured blood.

Not a moment was wasted. And yet there was no rush.

The meal raised more questions than it answered in the minds of the disciples. But Jesus felt no obligation to cover every base, to appease every concern.

It was enough that He broke the bread and poured the wine.

And as Jesus walked His followers through the meal of all meals He taught them; He modeled for them. "Do this in remembrance of me."

Unique, powerful, beautiful nourishment. Soul food.

"…in remembrance of me."