Living Alive

I heard a news anchor ask a reporter for her “back-story.” As it turns out, I listened with more interest to the personal narrative than I did to the facts of the story. It matters, sometimes, what happens in the personal transfer of facts, almost as much as the facts themselves…

A “back-story” is simply a background, a “behind the scenes look” at something or just your personal take on an issue.

I like to pull the curtain back every once in a while. I like to get the “untold story” or the past history of something which the general public doesn’t know. The Bible is replete with back-story. Let give you my take – for today.

For most of this year I have been re-educating myself on the Bible. I mean, look: I’ve earned a masters degree on this stuff (original languages, etc.); I’ve taught classes on the Bible; and, obviously, I’m a pastor. But I’ve never been as captured by the Biblical world as I am now. Some friends turned me on to a couple of uncommon teachers: Pastor Rob Bell (Mars Hill Church, Michigan) and Ray Vander Laan, “That the World May Know” Ministries.

It’s as if God has gotten a hold of me like never before. My faith is deepening. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”(Romans 10:17).

I’m learning about the larger context of the Bible: it’s geography, it’s archeology, and most importantly, the people. The lives of people in that time were quite different from you & me. It makes me truly appreciate the blessings that I have right now. Serving God today certainly seems easier, less risky, not a matter of life & death. And so I am challenged to the core of my soul, to be a follower of Jesus today, no matter my circumstance.

The Bible speaks of “hunger and thirst”. My soul thirsts for the Living Waters of God. I hunger for the Bread of Life. What about you?

I want you to know that I am deepening my faith by reading more deeply, more often, in the Bible. The best way to get to know Jesus is to get into God’s Word. Wanna go deeper?

I don’t know about you, but I’m into food.  I love to eat so much that I can’t go but a few hours without something.  Usually, I like everything that I eat.  I like most every kind of food.  And I want to savor the unique taste of every different kind of food.

But there are some foods that just need a little help. Read more…

A friend of mine was telling me how hard it is to rest. The work of the day, the chores of the home, the needs of a family. Wherever he is he’s thinking of where he is not. At home, he feels guilt about not putting in more hours at work. At work he’s daydreaming of more time with his family.

The messy garage “talks” to him while he’s working. It’s like a unpaid debt, a neglected duty which he needs to get around to – but can’t. The lawn “talks” to him on the drive home.

There’s little rest from his to-do list. Many of us can relate.

But I wonder… what deeper needs might be “talking” to us. But we’re not listening. I wonder if there is a spiritual “to-do” list, that God has rightfully written within us. Can you hear that talking to you?

“Prayer.” “Bible Study.” “Praise-singing.” “Worship.” “Do unto others…”

It’s as if we know that little voice. God gives each of us a conscious. But can we hear it “talking” to us?

I know that God has a lot of things “talking” to me these day. I think it’s time to listen.

I see red. And blue. I’m looking for news on the tv today, but all I end up finding is coverage of the race between red & blue. The race for President. I know it’s important, but aren’t there other important matters going on, too? This upcoming election, as significant as it is, seems to have become “larger than life.”

Every four years I think I’m interested in politics. I’m not. Actually, I’m concerned. I’m concerned because I believe that we (as the Native Americans have taught) don’t inherit the world from our ancestors, we *borrow* it from our children. So, for their sake, I have to pay attention to what’s going on in politics.

Politics leaves me disappointed. There’s gotta be more that we can do to improve our communal life, our national future and our current crises. My solution? It’s a modest proposal.

I’d like to see Jesus as President. Didn’t see that one comin’? They say that power corrupts. I’ve always suspected that in politics. Proof is abundant. But Jesus is incorruptible. Really.

Jesus, when He runs things, doesn’t get the big head. He’s King of kings already – always has been. So ego is not an issue.

Jesus never flip-flops on moral issues. He’s quite clear: sin is sin. There’s no spin there.

Jesus loves the poor. His entitlement system is already paid-in-full – they’ll inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus can fire a challenge at the wealthy: “sell all you have and come follow me.”

Jesus can unite all kinds of people: black, white, or red and blue.

Finally, Jesus is never up for re-election. It’s not really a democracy with Christ. It’s Him as LORD (master) and me as servant (slave). And that’s just the way it is. No change of public sentiment can reverse this reality. So, maybe I shouldn’t say “Jesus for Pres” at all. Simply, I must live with Jesus as Lord.

That being said, all other things fall into proper perspective. If more people live with Jesus as Lord, most everything else will fall into place.