by RobertCummins | Nov 16, 2016 | 46. Trust
Do you ever find yourself agitated in spirit where something deep inside you is on edge but you really don’t know what’s up? That’s what has been going on with me. But, it has been helpful to pause and expose this thing to God. The habit of waiting, subjecting my distressed (and often putrid thoughts) to a fresh stream of truth does my heart good. This morning His words are bringing clarity and perspective, relieving me of some of the rancor within.
I looked up “rancor” just to make sure my application was consistent with the actual meaning. The example it offered was: “In the end, the debate created a degree of “rancor” among the Sunday school members.” Yes. “Rancor” is the right word. Thank you, Mr. Webster.
I confess: I substituted “Sunday School” for “committee” in the above definition. I took this liberty because (as I read Psalm 125) I backtracked my tumult of spirit to a Sunday School class which recently turned into a town hall debate, exposing a gulf between one side of the political canyon and the other.
Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
And to those who are upright in their hearts. (Psalm 125:4)
This verse is God’s-common ground to those on either side of the divide. As I listened in, I heard in both the longing for righteousness and social justice. Both the super-majority, who are my friends, and the super-minority who is my friend, want to see good.
Media does not help. Their method of hosting our political discourse assumes there is no common ground. It forces us to shout sound bites at each other across the divide. I believe that ‘there is no common ground’ is a lie promoted by the father of lies whose mission it is to divide. He is no doubt pleased with the nasty spirit of our debates and the growing divide in our culture.
“Oh great! Here Rob goes over-spiritualizing things again!” This was the warm feeling I got when I stepped into the gulf and tried to say something unifying in this divided Sunday school class. Neither side knew what to do with me. Both contingents viewed me as a defector from their camp. If my 100% pledge of allegiance to a side is the cost of belonging, then, in truth, I can’t belong.
My bright and sensitive son attended a Christian school where he learned the Westminster catechism and more. We discovered the and more on the way home from school one day when he asked us to pray for a close friend of our family. (It happened to be my super-minority friend). We were taken aback! What had awakened the intercessor in our son? I said “Ok, son what shall we pray?” He replied, “We need to pray for Jerry—he’s a democrat.” My son knew intuitively that this leftward leaning soul was damned due to an infection apparently as fatal as sin—the wrong political ideology.
Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Psalm 125:1)
My brief study of Mount Zion revealed it as the city of the great King David, the seat of power in a time thought of as Israel’s golden age.
So the Lord surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever. (from Psalm 125:2)
Those who have submitted to the rulership of Jesus are looking for “the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” They have citizenship in heaven. Because they have been raised up with Christ, they keep seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. They set their minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Hebrews 11:10, Phil 3:20, Col 3:1-2).
Political discourse, as it is, moderated by a biased media, breeds hopelessness, frustration, and agitation of spirit, as it focuses on our differences, highlights the negatives, and stirs up contention (and consequently rakes in huge profits). Unfortunately, at least in this hour, media thrives on division and, in my opinion, disqualifies itself as a useful moderator of any meaningful or productive discourse.
As the water of His word washed over my soul this morning and gave it needed perspective, my agitation was altered to more of a hope-oriented type of longing, which I pray is an appropriate emotion for those who have been subjected for a time (along with creation) to a season of futility.
For we know the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together.” We have hope though because creation itself will be set free from it slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19)
Our King came to us from heaven born as a child and a government of peace rests on His shoulders. There will be no end to the increase of this government or His rule over this kingdom. He will uphold it with justice and righteousness for evermore. This is going to be accomplished by the zeal of the One who is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. (From Isaiah 9:6-7)
Father, Your Word gives us peace and hope in a world where it is in short supply. May the sons and daughters of the Kingdom arise. Birth a dialogue that honors our common ground—our instinctive love of righteousness and justice. May Truth and Wisdom be vindicated by her words of love, wise counsel, and deeds of social justice. May this new conversation birth unexpected healing and unity in behalf of all men for Your name’s sake. When You return, may You find us conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ’s kingdom, standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. Thank You for restoring my spirit again and again. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Nov 15, 2016 | 45. Tears
Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. (Psalm 20:7)
Spiritual formation is a hot topic. Searching it, you can currently choose from 1.5 million hits on the Internet. Is this (a) revival or (b) marketing? Having witnessed some rebranding, where counseling, coaching, and discipleship morphed into spiritual formation, I’m certain of (b), but I’m hopeful for (a). I believe the buzz around this phrase is being generated in part by those who are hungering for transformation. That’s a God thing. It is also the impulse of those in professional ministry to catch a wave that has some energy in it (and hopefully some cash flow). This, sadly, is a man thing.
One of Paul’s points to the Romans is that the whole earth is in bondage and is being subjected to futility until the sons of God are redeemed. In the mean time, with their aversion to futility, men are trying every key on the chain to free themselves. The key of spiritual formation slips into the lock but doesn’t turn the tumbler. Why won’t the key turn?
You would think if one adhered to the disciplines, the pins would all line up and Voila! A son is liberated. Mastering the right set of disciplines sounds hopeful, but spiritual formulas do not liberate men. They enslave them.
We have a massive key ring don’t we? Think of the myriad proposals and people we have looked to for liberation, yet we still groan in futility. What key did the first century church possess that is missing from our key ring? To our ears, so accustomed to the rattle of our own keys, the answer will sound simplistic. Yet, whether it was 2,000 years ago or this morning, the only thing that has ever produced a son of God (or liberated one) is the life of God, in Christ.
Our redemption is a process where we are being transformed into the image of Christ. The whole creation groans as it awaits the consummation of this process. Yet, it is relieved, in some measure, when we learn, that Christ alone is our life. Upon this revelation, the lock becomes a heart set free to love God and bear His image. So, how shall we cooperate with God in our transformation?
As I read Psalm 20 I would say that the best first step is to not become an accredited, degreed professional expert in spiritual formation. Perhaps, we should just start by praying like a psalmist. This will head us in the right direction as long as we don’t patent and market it.
How does a psalmist pray anyway? At the very least, they pray with presumption. Psalmists presume God is interested and active, that He speaks, that He is able and victorious. Psalmists presume that God has been at work all along and is engaged with His people in all their troubles, individually and corporately.
Unwittingly, psalmists do as much as a human can by simply leaning on God. In the process, they shed their fig leaves and become transparent. What could be more reasonable since God knows and understands them perfectly? In light of their well-established impotency, psalmists make themselves vulnerable. Acknowledging their weakness, they becoming God-dependent. Living from this place, they became authentic, freely and passionately expressing their raw emotions and thoughts. These things will wiggle the tumbler.
Psalmists take the time for reflection and expression. Whether they are retreating or charging the enemy, psalmists pause and compose their hearts before the Lord. They do not just leave all their God-thoughts rattling around their brains. They pause and corral them. In doing this they become watchmen over their own hearts. Their spirits are no doubt being shaped, but more importantly, a relationship is being honored between them and their God.
In the process of living, God and His psalmists give each other permission to be themselves. To some, man at ease with God will seem dangerously presumptuous. Their logic is, “God is holy! Humans are not! Man, fallen being that he is, will leverage ease with God to pad his independence and further his own agenda.” This is elder-brother logic. This key will not move the tumbler.
I recall the word of a wise elder visiting our community. Regarding discipleship, he simply said, “Beware.” I now understand his council. He knew that if we put our trust in techniques, or worse yet, the professional Christian guru’s selling them, we would be putting our trust in chariots and horses, derailing simple trust in Jesus Christ—the only key to our hearts.
Father, hear our petitions. Rescue us where we are trusting in our own strength and resources. See to it that our selfish ambitions come to naught that You may be honored above every name. May legions of men, women and children be restored to intimacy with you. Raise us up to boldly give our account of the abundant love, joy and the peace that are increasingly on display in and through us. May this world clearly see that the banner over us is no longer fear—it is love.
by RobertCummins | Nov 14, 2016 | 46. Trust
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going. (John 14:1-4)
In John 13:36 Jesus had just told Peter, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” Jesus words themselves are enough to trouble one’s heart. He just told Peter that Peter knew the way where He was going, but that he couldn’t come—at least not now. Peter, holding on to his life for all its worth, presses the matter: “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” The Lord replied, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a cock shall not crow until you deny me three times.”
Jesus was telling Peter that he was about to find out just how little he really knew about himself. Peter was understandably troubled. His way of seeing things was being threatened and his agenda was at risk if Jesus was going somewhere without him. At the close of his gospel, John speaks to this: “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” The Father did this with His Son. And, as He came to terms with God’s ways, Jesus responded, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done.”
Jesus may have known what was coming, but Peter didn’t. Peter was blindsided. Jesus had to take his hand and lead him somewhere he did not wish to go so that he might follow Him later. Peter could have never gone the distance with Jesus had he not stretched out his hands and allowed Jesus to take him to the place where he saw his flesh and its deep entanglement with the world.
Jesus takes our hands as well and leads us to the place where we see our independence and selfish agendas. No doubt our hearts too will be troubled when we are blindsided. However, if we will let Him hold our hands, He will lead us into a brokenness that changes our relationship with Him forever. The Lord has led us here for a purpose. As we come to grips with our bankruptcy, He is free to first become our sufficiency, then as we mature, our abundance, as we trade what we cannot keep for that which we cannot lose.
Many are looking beyond the horizon of this life for the place Jesus has gone to prepare. That will be a glorious day indeed. While we wait, it is also good to acknowledge that He has, in a very real sense, already received us to Himself, that where He is, there we are also. “And you know the way where I am going.”
Yes we do. Jesus is Himself the way, the truth, and the life, and He now resides in us as a current hope of glory. It is invaluable to know that, while we have homes in heaven, we are currently God’s address on earth.
Father, enlarge our hearts that we may claim current hope without forfeiting future hope. Help us to offer our trembling hands to you. May we learn to deny ourselves and not You. May we allow You to gird us with Your life; take us anywhere Your good and wise heart aspires. May Your will be done and not ours. Relieve our troubles with the knowledge that we are Yours and You are ours, forevermore. Amen.
by RobertCummins | Nov 13, 2016 | 45. Tears
My wife and I were worshipping at Bible Temple in Portland, Oregon. It was 1996 and the Toronto Blessing, as it was called, had gone viral. Churches, with Pentecostal leanings, all over the world, were being energized by the Holy Spirit in ways most evangelicals would never believe. However, the great evangelical radio talking heads had caught wind of some abuses and condemned the whole thing as demonic. Well of course it was demonic – people were laughing in church!
I had experienced enough and read sufficiently in the New Testament to know stranger things than laughter had happened among believers. Hanegraaff and McArthur could handcuff God to their interpretations of the written word if they wanted but I was recalling chapters 2 in the books of both Joel and Acts.
We had made the trip with our pastor and his wife as a reconaissance mission, asking ourselves, “Should we accommodate this phenomena in our local church?” I personally was quite open to a little laughter. In fact, given the gravity of life in our local church, I was 110% open to anything light-hearted. I was ready to laugh. Bring it on!
This church was huge! They even had a balcony and overflow rooms. There were several hundred people in attendance. Many had come to receive whatever God had for them. We were on the third row. The time of worship was unlike anything I had known. I felt safe. I poured my heart out to God in songs that reflected my hunger to know Him intimately. While I was awaiting the acclaimed laughter something else began churning within me. As I worshipped, it was as though a valve was being opened in my heart. It was apparently a water valve.
For reasons I still cannot explain, I began to weep. Something powerful was rumbling in the depths of my being. The trickle soon became a torrent and I became something of a spectacle. I wasn’t having sad thoughts or necessarily happy ones. The joy of the Lord was supposed to be my strength but my knees had just buckled. I was coming unglued… publicly.
The church quarterback had to call an audible and somehow accommodate myself and a few others who were being affected. The play? An alter call. Not unlike a Billy Graham invitation, the announcer asked if the two people now holding me up, might please haul me to the alter. I’m sure the coach was hoping God could do something for me because he and the staff had not seen anything quite like this.
For a good 10 minutes I wept (loudly) as worship music played just above my head. I was conscious of no one. I made no attempt to stop the flow. As far as I knew, this was the peace that surpasses all understanding – on steroids! A few men gathered around me. Given the volume of tears, I’m sure they had high expectation, “This fellow must have surely cheated on his wife then murdered the neighborhood!” I may have disappointed them because I had zero conviction of any specific sins nor did I feel the weight of my sinful nature.
You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8)
While I still weep upon occasion, I haven’t flooded anybody out in a while. What drawer does a person file something like this in? The 1996 Anxiety Attack? The Portland Mental Breakdown? “The Oregon Trail’s End? I actually have filed this away in my “Mystery” file with a few footnotes.
Portland Footnotes
David had his wanderings and so do we. Our wanderings are not just from one geographical point to the next. They are from helplessness to strength and back again. They are from one job to another, from one relationship to another. They may be from obscurity to honor or from riches to rags. Our wanderings, from dust to dust, are myriad. While our mental notes are sketchy, our hearts miss nothing. All the joys and sorrows of our wanderings are recorded. Our hearts remember and so does the Holy Spirit.
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:27)
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5)
My Portland takeaways were; 1) The Holy Spirit is unpredictable. 2) There is a lot going on within us that we don’t see or understand. 3) Depression is un-cried tears. 4) I can’t spend my life chasing God. I must find Him where I live.
My community has heard me drone on about the inner life – this place where our hearts and the Spirit live together in an intimate and mysterious relationship. They have heard me espouse stillness and contemplation. They have heard my recommendations of the Blue Book and scriptural meditation. Why do I keep circling back on these ideas? Because they have proven to be meaningful pathways of honoring the unseen realities that govern life.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)
While, being with God, may sound plain vanilla it is within that idea, I make space for God. More accurately, it is the space He has made for me, in Christ – God’s mystery. This space is not limited by geographic location nor is it constrained by time.
For in Christ we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)
We can partake of God’s presence in each moment of our lives if we don’t tie His hands, demanding laughter or goosebumps, or expository preaching, radio prophets or a good worship team. It is in the simplicity of my heart, while presuming upon His, that I have been able to best celebrate the limitless heights and depths of who God is and the particulars of what He is saying. MwM has been my experience of dipping into the well and drawing up something that is hopefully alive for myself and those whom I love.
While I hope it has been a refreshment – even more than that, I pray it has been an example for some. We must all taste and see that the Lord is good. He is much closer than we realize.
Father, pour out Your Spirit on all people so that Your sons and daughters may prophesy, so that Your old men will dream dreams and Your young men see visions. Teach us the mystery of encountering You in the hear and now, in body, soul and spirit. Let it be.
by RobertCummins | Nov 12, 2016 | 45. Tears
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Return and say to Hezekiah the leader of My people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”‘” (2 Kings 2-:1-6)
My insurance agent—the actuary prophet, informs me that at 62, fifteen years is the statistical remainder of my days. This authoritative word registered with me. I vigorously began setting my house in order. A few friends, seeing my burst of energy, asked if I hadn’t received a bad prognosis. I quickly set the record straight; I told them I wasn’t dying. But later I realized that wasn’t quite true. I am. In fact, we all are.
With the aid of a few wise counselors, I have been putting my house in order—gathering important information into one place. I have also been working to keep my Uncle Sam out of the estate. (His stewardship has not impressed me in the least.) And while it cannot be bindingly written into any trusts or wills, I am praying my heirs will be wise stewards in behalf of God’s kingdom.
Unlike Hezekiah, I haven’t asked God to add any years to my life. But I have asked him to help me make the most of the ones I have left. In part, my burst of energy is an answer to this specific prayer. I believe my recent flurry is also a result of God putting His house in order.
Each Christian is a dwelling place of God, a tabernacle of His presence. In our pre-Christ days our houses were vacant. However, when we asked Jesus to enter as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit took up residence in our hearts, making them His home. However, the Spirit as a mere occupant is a limiting idea. Something much greater than a tenant-landlord contract has been inked up between us and God.
When God enters the temple of our hearts, a joining of His Spirit and ours takes place. This is how we are born again. We don’t become His children through any activity; neither confirmation nor baptism makes us God’s children. We become His offspring through rebirth by faith. In His children, the DNA of divine origin is awakened; spiritually, we once again bear His image.
The original plan in Adam died in Eden. In Christ, it is resurrected wherever we live. As a tiny mustard seed, a new kingdom genesis has begun in the hearts of His children—it is the very life of God. Our foundational makeup has been restored. Our hearts, the wellspring of life, have been purified. Living water is now in us! God puts His house in order by placing His kingdom in us, in Christ. His kingdom has come and is coming. God is always putting His house in order.
Hezekiah reminds us we are all mortally ill. We may pray for additional years and get them, but they are to no avail unless our houses are in order. We begin by making sure God’s life is in us. Are we born again? We maintain our hearts by recognizing His kingdom is within us. Is Jesus our Lord? Whatever time we have left is a sacred thing. God has entrusted this time to us for the sake of His kingdom—a realm outside of time.
Father, drain away our tears of bitterness. May your life flow from our inner most being. Whatever the cost, put Your house in order that we may present to You hearts of triumphant wisdom. Defend our hearts for Your sake and for the sake of Your kingdom. Amen.
