Conservatives are always railing on what they think is the greatest evil of our time, relativism.
Ya know what? They may be on to something, because I believe that there are at least a few real absolutes in this world; God's grace, God's mercy, God's kindness, God's patience, God's forgiveness, and most absolute of all, God's unconditional and undeserved love.
Thank God for how absolutely amazing these are. And may God use us to share them with others. Amen?
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Relativism vs. Absolutism
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The absolute certainty of Grace
This scene from 'the Hammer of God' really shows how it's not about me, it's all about Him. There is nothing we can ever do to be saved or to be good- it is only what Jesus came to do that matters. A tremendous gift to remember this Christmas, is the gift of being rescued, like a worthless tin can on a trash heap that God recycles into something He can use again.
This is an excerpt from Swedish theologian Bo Giertz's novel, 'the Hammer of God'-
This scene is when a new curate (vicar, intern) first meets his rector (head pastor, supervisor). The intern is zealous about a revival going on in Europe and a bit prejudiced of the boss he's just met because he had a glass of cognac with his supper. This conversation takes place 3 nights before Christmas.
"I just want you to know from the beginning, sir, that I am a believer," he said. His voice was a bit harsh.
He saw a gleam in the old man's eyes which he could not interpret. Was approval, or did he have something up his sleeve?
The rector put the lamp back on the table, puffed at his pipe, and looked at the young man a moment before his spoke.
"So you are a believer, I'm glad to hear that. What do you believe in?"
Fridfeldt stared dumbfounded at his superior. Was he jesting with him?
"But sir, I am simply saying that I am a believer."
"Yes, I hear that, my boy. But what is it that you believe in?"
Fridfeldt was almost speechless.
"But don't you know, sir, what it means to be a believer?"
That is a word which can stand for things that differ greatly, my boy. I ask only what it is that you believe in."
"In Jesus, of course," answered Fridfeldt, raising his voice.
"I mean- I mean that I have given Him my heart."
The older man's face became suddenly solemn as the grave.
"Do you consider that something to give Him?"
By this time, Fridfeldt was almost in tears.
"But sir, if you do not give your heart to Jesus, you cannot be saved."
"You are right, my boy. And it is just as true that, if you think you are saved because you gave Jesus your heart, you will not be saved. You see, my boy," he continued reassuringly, as he continued to look at the young pastor's face, in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand, "it is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give Him one's heart and commit oneself to Him, and that he now accepts one into His flock; it is a very different thing to believe in him as Redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief. One does not choose a Redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to Him. The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap. A fine birthday gift, indeed! But a wonderful Lord passes by, and has mercy on the wretched tin can, sticks His walking cane through it, and rescues it from the junk pile and takes it home with Him. That is how it is."
Fridfeldt said nothing. Though it seemed sacrilegious to speak about the Savior in connection with such an ungodly thing as a walking stick, he saw that the old man's intention was certainly not sacrilegious. He felt this by the very tone of his voice.When the old man continued, his voice was gentler still.
"And now you must understand that these two ways of believing are like two different religions, they have nothing whatever to do with each other."
"And yet," he added thoughtfully, "one might say that there is a path that leads from the lesser to the greater. First one believes in repentance, and then in grace..."
This is an excerpt from Swedish theologian Bo Giertz's novel, 'the Hammer of God'-
This scene is when a new curate (vicar, intern) first meets his rector (head pastor, supervisor). The intern is zealous about a revival going on in Europe and a bit prejudiced of the boss he's just met because he had a glass of cognac with his supper. This conversation takes place 3 nights before Christmas.
"I just want you to know from the beginning, sir, that I am a believer," he said. His voice was a bit harsh.
He saw a gleam in the old man's eyes which he could not interpret. Was approval, or did he have something up his sleeve?
The rector put the lamp back on the table, puffed at his pipe, and looked at the young man a moment before his spoke.
"So you are a believer, I'm glad to hear that. What do you believe in?"
Fridfeldt stared dumbfounded at his superior. Was he jesting with him?
"But sir, I am simply saying that I am a believer."
"Yes, I hear that, my boy. But what is it that you believe in?"
Fridfeldt was almost speechless.
"But don't you know, sir, what it means to be a believer?"
That is a word which can stand for things that differ greatly, my boy. I ask only what it is that you believe in."
"In Jesus, of course," answered Fridfeldt, raising his voice.
"I mean- I mean that I have given Him my heart."
The older man's face became suddenly solemn as the grave.
"Do you consider that something to give Him?"
By this time, Fridfeldt was almost in tears.
"But sir, if you do not give your heart to Jesus, you cannot be saved."
"You are right, my boy. And it is just as true that, if you think you are saved because you gave Jesus your heart, you will not be saved. You see, my boy," he continued reassuringly, as he continued to look at the young pastor's face, in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand, "it is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give Him one's heart and commit oneself to Him, and that he now accepts one into His flock; it is a very different thing to believe in him as Redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief. One does not choose a Redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to Him. The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap. A fine birthday gift, indeed! But a wonderful Lord passes by, and has mercy on the wretched tin can, sticks His walking cane through it, and rescues it from the junk pile and takes it home with Him. That is how it is."
Fridfeldt said nothing. Though it seemed sacrilegious to speak about the Savior in connection with such an ungodly thing as a walking stick, he saw that the old man's intention was certainly not sacrilegious. He felt this by the very tone of his voice.When the old man continued, his voice was gentler still.
"And now you must understand that these two ways of believing are like two different religions, they have nothing whatever to do with each other."
"And yet," he added thoughtfully, "one might say that there is a path that leads from the lesser to the greater. First one believes in repentance, and then in grace..."
Friday, November 06, 2009
Incredible Poem
I wish I could take credit for writing this. I also wish I knew who did, but alas, it is just one of those anonymous email forwards (Pretty sure that the car sitting in the garage part at the end is a quote attributed to Garrison Keillor. Who knows, maybe he wrote this whole thing).
Whoever is responsible for it, it is one of the most convicting , humbling, perspective giving, and funny bits of gospel that I've ever read. I hope it makes you think, pause, consider your feelings and words, but most of all thank the Lord for His incredible love, grace, and mercy.
BEST POEM IN THE WORLD
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!! (Mat 7:1)
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Share this poem.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
10 Year "Prayer-Blanket"
Family, Friends, Colleagues, & former students,
Today is sort of a milestone in my faith life. 10 years ago today, my wife Bethany and I first became parents.
Grace Rosa Mallory is in herself an "Ebeneezer Stone," a constant reminder to us of what God has done and continues to do, truly living up to her name- Grace.
After 96 hours in labor at Kaiser Permanente, she was finally taken by C-Section. We believe that the fetal distress she was in caused or contributed to many of the challenges that she's had to face growing up that God has used to shape her. But from the very beginning, it was God's grace that she even survived in the first place.
Last weekend we had a family out-to eat "party." This weekend, she'll have a "friends party." Tonight she has a soccer game but we'll probably order pizza or something to recognize the day. But I think that what would be infinitely more valuable than any presents or cards we can giver her- would be to "blanket" her in prayer.
I've asked some of you to pray for people before, sometimes in celebration, sometimes in crisis. Would you take a few minutes today to pray with us for our oldest daughter?
Thank you God for Grace, for her kindness and compassion, her sensitivity and thoughtfulness.
When she was two we worried that she would ever speak. Thank you for the Speech therapy that she received from Nebraska Medical Center and that she communicates better every year.
When she was four, we wondered if we'd failed at potty training. Thank you for the help she receives from the Children's Clinic at the University of Iowa and that her bladder is becoming stronger every year.
She learned to peddle and climb at the same time that her younger sister Ellen did. Thank you that she now enjoys soccer and softball and playing like other kids.
When she was eight, we found out that she has double-vision. Thank you for the aggressive vision therapy she received from Heartland Vision Specialists, so that today she loves reading and learning to play the piano. Her balance and self confidence grew so much.
Help her Lord, with the challenges which she still faces.
Please help her and heal her so that she won't have accidents anymore and never has to be embarrassed by them.
Please help her comprehension skills and her ability to focus and study. Help her understand her Math and Spelling and Social Studies better, be more organized and improve her grades.
Please help her to be healthy and more fit, help her to become more active and to enjoy exercise. Help her to keep up with her peers in PE and Softball, so that she doesn't feel left out.
Please help her to continue to grow and mature socially so that she can get along well with others and feel like she belongs and fits in at school and with friends.
Comfort her through the hard times, so that she can share Your grace with others whom she sees hurting.
Please make her a woman after Your own heart, Lord.
Help her to continue to grow in her love and knowledge of You and Your Word, God, so that her relationship with You will continue to flourish. Remind her every day that she is yours and use her as an instrument of Your love. We thank You that she loves Church and spending time praying to you and praising you. Help us as parents (and adults in her life) to continue to encourage her in her faith.
Live in her Lord, Holy Spirit, and produce good fruit in her life and character development, grant her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
And finally, Lord, thank You for blessing, guiding, protecting, and providing for her future. You know the plans You have for her. If it be Your will, prepare a vocation for her where you will bless her and she may be Your instrument, blessing others and advancing Your kingdom. Prepare for her a husband who will love, care for and honor her just as You, Jesus does for Your church. Guide her, lead her and protect her so that she will walk in Your ways and patiently seek Your will for her life.
God, ten years ago I thought that these ten years were going to be difficult, but from where I see things now, I imagine the next ten years as being more important and full of more challenges than the last. Please guide Bethany and I to parent Grace the way You would have us.
When she was two we worried that she would ever speak. Thank you for the Speech therapy that she received from Nebraska Medical Center and that she communicates better every year.
When she was four, we wondered if we'd failed at potty training. Thank you for the help she receives from the Children's Clinic at the University of Iowa and that her bladder is becoming stronger every year.
She learned to peddle and climb at the same time that her younger sister Ellen did. Thank you that she now enjoys soccer and softball and playing like other kids.
When she was eight, we found out that she has double-vision. Thank you for the aggressive vision therapy she received from Heartland Vision Specialists, so that today she loves reading and learning to play the piano. Her balance and self confidence grew so much.
Help her Lord, with the challenges which she still faces.
Please help her and heal her so that she won't have accidents anymore and never has to be embarrassed by them.
Please help her comprehension skills and her ability to focus and study. Help her understand her Math and Spelling and Social Studies better, be more organized and improve her grades.
Please help her to be healthy and more fit, help her to become more active and to enjoy exercise. Help her to keep up with her peers in PE and Softball, so that she doesn't feel left out.
Please help her to continue to grow and mature socially so that she can get along well with others and feel like she belongs and fits in at school and with friends.
Comfort her through the hard times, so that she can share Your grace with others whom she sees hurting.
Please make her a woman after Your own heart, Lord.
Help her to continue to grow in her love and knowledge of You and Your Word, God, so that her relationship with You will continue to flourish. Remind her every day that she is yours and use her as an instrument of Your love. We thank You that she loves Church and spending time praying to you and praising you. Help us as parents (and adults in her life) to continue to encourage her in her faith.
Live in her Lord, Holy Spirit, and produce good fruit in her life and character development, grant her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
And finally, Lord, thank You for blessing, guiding, protecting, and providing for her future. You know the plans You have for her. If it be Your will, prepare a vocation for her where you will bless her and she may be Your instrument, blessing others and advancing Your kingdom. Prepare for her a husband who will love, care for and honor her just as You, Jesus does for Your church. Guide her, lead her and protect her so that she will walk in Your ways and patiently seek Your will for her life.
God, ten years ago I thought that these ten years were going to be difficult, but from where I see things now, I imagine the next ten years as being more important and full of more challenges than the last. Please guide Bethany and I to parent Grace the way You would have us.
"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of her.*
So now I give her to the LORD. For her whole life she will be given over to the LORD."
~1 Samuel 1:27-28
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Amen
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
AWESOME LYRICS
Broken
By Steven Curtis Chapman
I'm just a well dressed wreck
I'm just a made up mess
Working hard trying to keep everybody impressed
All the while I'm falling apart on the inside
I look around to see
Is anyone like me?
First glance tells me I'm all alone in the sea
Then I look again a little deeper
And we're all in the same boat
We all just need to know
We're all broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
Broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
'Cause we're all broken
This is a fool's parade
The way we masquerade
Trying to make everybody think it's all okay
When the truth is we're all living a story
What if we all got brave?
Enough to take away
All we're hiding behind even just for a day
And let the scars show even a little
But I know the honesty
Will show us all to be
Broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
Broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
We don't have to pretend about it
We don't have to keep acting like we're all okay
If we lift our eyes to the cross
We'll see the reality
That we're all... broken
And we all have a Savior
Broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
Broken
We're all broken
And we all need a Savior
We all have a Savior
We all need Jesus
This song totally reminds me of one of my all time favorite books,
Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
We're all messed up and we all need God's love!
Friday, March 13, 2009
No line on the horizon, full of grace
I really like U2's new album, even though it seems like all the pop radio morning drive time DJs think that it's not as BIG of a hit as their past work. Maybe that's okay, maybe U2 has mellowed with age and so have I. Whatever. I think it's great, and here's at least one positive review:
Read the entire article at SOJO.netAs he has for years, but not as explicitly so since 1991’s “Achtung Baby,” Bono, the band’s chief lyricist, has laced No Line on the Horizon with the language and images of his humble Christian faith.
The result, however, is a work of gospel music — “gospel” in its literal sense as “good news” — for people of all faiths and none. The ecstatic language and imagery Bono evokes throughout could have been penned by the Hebrew King David or Sufi Muslim poets Rumi or Hafez, as much as by a latter-day Christ-follower from Dublin.
One of the most eloquent examples is “Moment of Surrender,” which says in part:
My body’s now a begging bowl
That’s begging to get back
Begging to get back to my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released from control
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Grace
The good news is that God loved me long before I could have done anything to deserve it.
~Desmond Tutu
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Bad news, good news...
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." ~Romans 3:23-24
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