Cool Bible Version Trick...NAS & The MSG

This morning, as I was reading and meditating on the Scriptures, I tried something I hadn't done before - reading one line from the New American Standard version and then repeating that same line in The Message version...I did this with Psalm 23 - wow, what an eye-opening, enlightening experience. This is a great way to get a literal and more conversation view of the same Scripture! Often the more literal versions of the Bible (say KJV, RSV or the NASB) seem a bit out of touch with the way we talk today. I guess maybe the feel a bit more stuffy than the relaxed way that current American English sounds. This is why I like versions like The Message and the New Living Translation. However, to make sure we still have our bearings in more literal word-for-word translations from the original Biblical language, I like reading both together. I'm going to be doing this more often! Maybe God will unlock His word in my life in a new way!

The 'Dream of God' (aka the kingdom of God)

The kingdom of God was something that Jesus spoke of many times during is ministry. The New Testament records many statements from Him regarding this topic using phrases like, …. The problem for us reading this language today is that it doesn’t resonate with the world we know. Kingdoms are a thing of the past and bring about notions like Shakespearean chivalry or in the case of current kings - more of a formal or ceremonial reign for pomp and circumstance. In Jesus’ day however, the language of kingdom was much more current and relevant. So, in reading a new book by Brian McLaren (The Secret Message of Jesus), I was struck by the idea of how one might talk about this kingdom of God in today’s language. Terms like the ‘the dream of God’, the ‘revolution of God’, the ‘mission of God’, the ‘party of God’, the ‘network of God’, or even the ‘dance of God’. We should feel free to describe God’s kingdom with these and possible many other terms so that the culture in which we live can be let in on the beauty of God’s work here and now for eternity’s sake.

The Secret Message of Jesus

Sounds almost scandalous doesn't it? Yet, in His ministry among us, Jesus opted for indirect teaching as the crowds grew - from parables to the use of probing questions, He wanted people following Him to be transformed - not simply informed. That's part of the premise behind McLaren's newest book The Secret Message of Jesus. Well, I don't want to spoil it for you, but, this book, akin to Dallas Willard's Divine Conspiracy, is about how the kingdom Jesus talked about wasn't something only accessible after death, but right here and now - the kingdom among us. I liked a few chapters in particular beginning with the decision making process that potential disciples or apprentices encounter when confronted with Jesus's teachings. I think that chapter is called 'Getting It, Getting In'. He talks about the 'steps' in the conversion or decision process which are: rethinking, believing, receiving, going public and practicing a new way of life. Rethinking (repentance) is the idea that we've realized we've been heading toward the wrong direction. Believing is the trust that God's kingdom is really good news. Recieving is where we are open to receive forgiveness, acceptance, love, hope, empowerment, strength, encouragement, perseverance...everything we need to live in the kingdom of God. After rethinking, believing and receiving, we're ready to go public and be immersed (baptized) and identify with God's kingdom. This leads to living the rest of life as a follower of Christ...the practice of following Jesus. This was a great way to describe, in my opinion, the decision to follow Jesus. More to come...

Everyday Stuff; Indelible Memories

In the front room of my house I have an old upright piano weathered by time and barely in tune. It was made around 1903 and it takes up the entire back wall! Me and my family love it though because it has special meaning. You see, when I was a little boy, I remember my great, great grandmother playing songs on it when we visited her in Redmond, Oregon. So, when my mother told me that the family wanted us to have it, I was moved almost to tears. The piano may not be that valuable on the antiques market, but, it has a lot of sentimental value as a gift of love. Have you ever been given a gift by someone you love who has since died? Or maybe you might have something that belonged to someone that was close to you but is now far away from you. Those things are now very valuable to you regardless of how everyday they might seem to other people. One of the last things Jesus did before going to the cross to die for us was to give us a way to remember Him. Of all the things He could have done, He decided to give us something that was very everyday and simple. He chose common meal items: bread and wine. Then, He gave a blessing and told His followers to continue to remember Him through this very simple, everyday meal where the bread represents His broken body and the wine represents His blood poured out for everyone. So, the simple ‘meal’ of bread and wine (often grape juice in our case) becomes very valuable to us everytime we remember what Jesus did on that day at the cross.

Consumer Christianity vs. Disciples

I've just finished Dallas Willard's extensive work on the Kingdom of God called The Divine Conspiracy. There is so much meat in what he's writing about, that it would be silly for me to sum it all up in a blog entry. However, 2 chapters (chapters 8 and 9) really hit me. They both talk about the immediate, urgent need for making disciples rather than more consumer Christians. Every church leader, no, every follower of Christ would be moved by his words. American church membership has become a very consumer-istic institution, and thus, even talking about radical commitment to hearing Jesus and doing what He taught sounds crazy. Followers of Christ must fight this bland, psuedo-Spirituality. He recommends a 'curriculum for Christ-likeness' to help emulate Christ's methods for training His apprentices...so, as I chew on this 'curriculum', maybe we all can chew on how to be so 'ravished by God and His kingdom' that we cannot help but do what He would have us do!

Prayer & Fasting

Of all my years of following Jesus, I think the hardest Spiritual practices or disciplines for me have been in these 2 areas. It's easier for me to read, study Scripture or listen to worship music and sing out to God than to stop what I'm doing, get alone or at least away from distractions and talk with God. Equally so, I've found that going without food has been difficult to do on a regular basis. I've decided recently to infuse more of these 2 practices in my weekly life. I'm definitely dwelling on God and His kingdom more as a result of this new venture. My desire is to drink in more of God and see that invigorate every area of my life. I even think this will then spread to my position as lead worshipper for my church and my other leadership responsibilities. I desire to know God in a way I've not known Him - Lord, open my heart, my schedule and my mind to the deeper waters You dwell in.