make the most of every opportunity

On Monday, August 11, many people noted (on Facebook, Twitter, etc)the death of Robin Williams; a few of my friends noted the deaths of over 500 refugees at the hand of ISIS; and one colleague noted the death of a friend. At the very least, the first instance reminds us that depression is real and devastating; the second is another example of the horrific terrorism in the Middle East; and the third reminds us that death is personal. It is for this reason that we Christians must always remember the calling for which we were redeemed: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful, and [pray that doors will be open for the message of the Gospel],.. Be wise in how you act toward outsiders; MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY. Let your conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4

On teaching

"Not many of you should become teachers because you know that those who teach will be judged more strictly... Who is wise among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." James 3.

For all my Biblical-scholar friends or those who simply understand the importance of NOT taking Scripture passages out of context: I know this verse refers to teachers of the Word, to people called to preach and teach from Scripture, but I think it is a good reminder for teachers in general as well. Tomorrow I head back to work for my 5th year at KCHS and I am so thankful to work with such incredible colleagues. Over the past nine years of teaching, I've learned that kids REALLY pay attention to what teachers DO -- they pay attention to what we say, especially when it's not relevant to the lesson. Students want to know what we believe and they want to know why we believe it. Our lessons about Christ will be far more valuable and believable when we act out our faith in Him.

Can Scientists believe in the Resurrection

This is a really well-done presentation by Biblical scholar NT Wright; it's a little over an hour long, and I find it very engaging.  Extremely worth watching at least once.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jyrG1vAczw

The Gospel transforms

The Gospel should TRANSFORM
- the way we relate to one another in the home
- the way we relate to people in the workplace
- the way we talk to people
- the way we talk to people about GOD.

... Those were the four main points from the sermon at my church yesterday.  Let me revamp those a little:

The gospel should transform
- the way I relate to my family
- the way I relate to my students and coworkers
- the way I talk to people
- the way I talk to people about God.

... Well, does it?  ever? sometimes? most of the time? all the time?

Colossians 3: 16-17 says: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Chapter 4, verse 5-6 says "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

In these few verses, there is a call toward community -- a community in which fellow believers help each other to answer the call to be more like Christ, a community in which we are being transformed by the renewing of our minds.  There is also a call to reach outside of our community, to people who don't know Jesus, so that they might hear the gospel.

My prayer is that I would LOOK for ways to speak about Jesus to my students and co-workers more often, to be purposeful in those conversations when they happen, and to be gracious in all conversations so that Jesus can shine through.  In every workplace, school, etc. there are people that need to be loved and who need grace.  Am I overlooking the students who try to 'blend into the walls' or do I seek them out. This is something I know I need to work on.

Image of the Invisible

I'm thinking of using something like this as a poster in my classroom next year... love the lyrics to this song; here they are:

We're more than carbon and chemicals
We are the image of the invisible
Free will is ours and we can't let go
We are the image of the invisible
We can't allow this, the quiet cull
We are the image of the invisible
So we sing out this, our canticle
We are the image of the invisible

[Chorus:]
We all were lost now we are found
No one can stop us or slow us down
We are the named and we are known
We know that we'll never walk alone

We're more than static and dial tone
We are the image of the invisible
We're emblematic of the unknown
We are the image of the invisible
So raise the banner, bend back your bows
We are the image of the invisible
Remove the cancer, take back your souls
We are the image of the invisible

[Chorus]

Though all the world may hate us, we are named
The shadow overtake us, we are known

We're more than carbon and chemicals
Free will is ours and we can't let go
We are the image of the invisible
We're more than carbon and chemicals
We are the image of the invisible
Free will is ours and we can't let go
We are the image of the invisible
We can't allow this, the quiet cull
We are the image of the invisible
So we sing out this, our canticle
We are the image of the invisible

[Chorus x2]

Raise up the banner, bend back your bows
Remove the cancer, take back your souls

"Image of the Invisible," Thrice. 2005.

Pulling it all together

Over the past five months, I have met with a group of ladies on the first Monday evening of each month to read and discuss II Timothy.  I'm less familiar with II Timothy than with some of the other New Testament epistles, so this study was something I really hoped to get a lot out of-- didn't really go in with a set "goal" other than learning and fellowship, but with expectations that the Lord would provide opportunities for growth-- ended up being a very rewarding study, indeed. Here's a synopsis of key ideas I picked out from the book and a few remarks about what I learned and why it matters.

In chapter 1 of this epistle, Paul says "fan into flame the gift of God" (v. 6) and "join with me in suffering for the gospel," (v. 8) and finally "What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you with the help of the Holy Spirit" (v. 13-14).

In chapter 2, Paul continues: "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (v 1) "Endure hardship with us" (v. 3). He gives the charge: "God's word is not chained. Therefore endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory... If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful because he cannot disown himself. Keep reminding (the brethren) of these things... Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (v. 10-15). "Those who oppose him, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance that leads to knowledge of the truth" (v. 25-26).

In chapter 3, Paul warns Timothy: "Have nothing to do with [people who are disobedient]" (v. 2-5), but instead "continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (v. 14-17).

Finally, in chapter 4, Paul declares: "Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction... Keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry" (v. 2-5)

Now, if you read this epistle, it is likely that what jumps out at you is not exactly what jumped out at me, but the above is the summary that makes the most sense to me.  Here is what I gained from reading II Timothy and from the fellowship and insight of the other ladies in the group:

• Following Jesus faithfully includes suffering-- suffering in general, and suffering specifically for the sake of the gospel.
• We are entrusted with spreading the gospel through our conduct and through the proclamation of the Good News.
• We are called to be actively faithful to Jesus, to the Truth, in response to God's faithfulness to us.
• The Scriptures give us knowledge and understanding of the Truth and instruction in how to live godly lives
• With the help of the Holy Spirit, armed with the Truth of the Word, we are to always be prepared to do whatever it takes to spread the gospel and to give an answer for the hope that we have, no matter what the cost.

Phhheewww... glad I am sitting down as a write this.  That last point, especially, if I let it sink into my brain, is a high, high calling.  What a task!  I mean, really, if I read what I just wrote (and written rather quickly, actually... like in, maybe, 5 minutes), there's no way that I can absorb the challenge of what I just typed onto the page nearly as quickly or as easily as I composed it.

So ... how does this affect my daily life, my routine, my patterns, my choices, etc?  Not that this is by any means exhaustive, but here's a start:

• I often wonder: if I do not feel like I am 'suffering for the sake of the gospel,' am I doing something wrong?  I've wondered this for a few years now.  Still pondering it, don't have an answer; I'll table this one for the time being, because here's where my heart and life are being shaped in a specific way...
• I work in a place where talking about Jesus ought to be very easy.  Do I take full advantage of this chance when I interact with colleagues and/or with students? Since beginning the study of II Timothy, I have put much more thought and consideration into the Scriptures I choose to read to the students at the beginning of each class period since beginning this study.  Praying with my students became increasingly dearer the closer we got to the end of the year; I began to think really carefully about what I said when I prayed with them.  And the Lord was faithful to me and to my students through that time.  He gave me multiple, specific opportunities to share the gospel with my classes.  At times, kids asked some really intense questions about life, about faith, about being a Christian (in some cases, questions they admitted had been on their mind all year long).  As I answered these questions, however imperfectly, it seemed as if all 25 kids were riveted to my answer -- way more tuned in than they usually were to chemistry.  What a blessing and a burden all at the same time! 

This post has become very long.  Maybe I'll post more on this topic later on.... 

the great commission

Today and every time I run the trail around the perimeter of campus, I pass a sign at the entrance to All Saints; it contains the great commission-- Matthew 28:19-20. Friday, we teachers had an inservice day where we went to Kingsport to learn about the Catholic Catechism (we have two such inservice days per year).  During inservices, I doodle.  Here's one of four doodles completed on Friday.

What a humbling and high calling it is for me to teach young men and young women each day. Even more humbling is the realization that chemistry isn't my calling -- sharing the gospel is my calling.  Communicating to my boys and girls that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life is the order of the day. Every day. 

Ever get into a situation when you were in school, while on the job, or even with friends, where everyone begins to get sick of each other and odd little fights break out and people get restless-- people forget things or just seem to unravel at the seams, best friends aren't speaking to each other?  That's a pretty common situation in a small, private school.  I remember times like that when I was in high school, and I've seen my fair share of 'unrest' in my eight years of teaching.  Not sure what causes the unrest and the extra dose of bumps and bruises or why it suddenly seems to pop up out of nowhere, especially when a break from routine is in sight; but it does.  This week I found myself handing out more band-aids than usual, distributing pony-tail holders, lending Tide-to-Go, giving permission to turn in homework late... a couple of times, even having to help patch up broken hearts and wounded relationships, young girls in my office crying over I-honestly-don't-know.  Rough stuff!  Today I found myself turning to the following passage in Isaiah during class devotions, stop focusing on our human issues and instead look beyond ourselves ...

Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.

Let the wicked forsake his ways and the evil man his thoughts.

Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him,

and to our God for he will freely pardon.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

As the rain and snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out with joy and be led forth with peace

the mountains and the hills will break forth with song before you

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be the Lord's renown for an everlasting sign that will not be destroyed."

Isaiah 55: 6-13

image: booneweather.com, 2/8/13 photo of the day

warning labels are everywhere!

This past Thursday at mass (I teach at a Catholic school; we go to All School Mass every other Thursday), the homily was given by Father Michael whose messages typically take a very different tone than those given by the regular speaker.  After returning from mass, I told the students in my next class that I really enjoyed the homily; their response was to that they though that Father Michael sounded "angry" and wondered "why was he so serious?"  They had a hard time understanding why the mass "wasn't very encouraging or very happy."  In fact, many of the kids had had a hard time following the message at all.

Here's the run-down of the homily:  (The Old Testament lesson was Jeremiah 17: 5-10; the responsorial Psalm was Psalm 1, and the Gospel lesson was Luke 16: 19ff.) Father Michael showed the warning labels from both a pillow and an extension cord, pointing out: Why are these warning labels needed?  Somebody died."  He used the warning labels to illustrate the significance of the story in Luke 16-- the story of Lazarus and the rich man.  Both the rich man and Lazarus died; Lazarus was taken to heaven and the rich man was taken to hell. The story is a warning that we get one life to live, and if we choose NOT to serve the Lord, then our destination is hell.  Hell is a real place and people really do go there.  This is a serious matter. Father Michael was very grave (and rightly so) in his delivery of his message; hence, the discussion I had with my students one hour later...

... I recapped the story of the rich man and Lazarus and I explained why the message Father Michael delivered IS so very important and so very serious.  The kids responded well to my recap and to my explanation.  I think the reason they understood it coming from me is that they KNOW me-- they've spent the last 7 months being taught by me, asking me questions, seeing me in action, etc.  What a humbling thought-- whether or not my students (or anyone I know) are willing to hear the Word explained by me hinges on whether or not my life gives credence to the words I say. 

The kids asked if I had ever considered becoming a religion teacher, and I told them that I couldn't teach religion at the school; it's not my field of expertise and I'm not Catholic.  Then I explained that I definitely have a relationship with Jesus, so a student asked if I was a Christian. And I said "Yes, that's what I meant when I said I had a relationship with Jesus." He replied that you CAN have a relationship with Jesus but not be a Christian.  That gave me the opportunity to explain that being a Christian means being in a relationship with Jesus and having one's life shaped and molded by him. I had the chance to talk about the importance of reading Scripture and of daily prayer.  What a blessing to be able to take time away from Chemistry to talk about the Lord!



Jeremiah 17: 5-10This is what the LORD says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who depends on flesh for his strength

and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

He will be like a bush in the wastelands;

he will not see prosperity when it comes.

He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

The heart is deceitful above all things

and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?

“I the LORD search the heart

and examine the mind,

to reward a man according to his conduct,

according to what his deeds deserve.”

give…

22“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
…32“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20: 22-35)

Many times, Paul uses the analogy of running a race to describe his journey of evangelism among the early Church (see references below). I have mentioned before that running requires discipline and endurance; it is a difficult task that requires preparation. I leave that thread of discussion to, perhaps, be picked up at another date and time. For now, I want to focus on something else in this passage: Paul’s sacrificial, self-denying life. Paul specifically says that he knows he must go to Jerusalem—he is compelled by the Spirit—despite the persecution and death that he faces. Paul walks in constant (and very REAL) communication with the Holy Spirit, so there is no question in his mind of whether or not he should go to Jerusalem (or anywhere else he feels called, for that matter)—he simply goes, and does, as he is compelled by the understanding that he can do nothing other than give—he will give of himself unto death, just as Christ gave himself unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2: 4-7).

I am called to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ—and how does that become a reality?

1. preparation in the Word
2. daily, fervent prayer
3. so that I might see myself as nothing
4. and walk out the understanding that Christ is the maker and redeemer of this world (Colossians 1)

**References in which Paul uses the “race” analogy
Galatians 2:2 & 5:7; Philippians 2:16; I Corinthians 9:24: II Timothy 4:7;
(Also see Hebrews 12:1)

take a walk…

1Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
2But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
………………………………………………. Psalm 1 (NIV)

I remember memorizing this as a child, and I never forgot the first three verses, so lately, as we have been going on a journey as a church into “new territory” with our faith and with our lives (and they are really one and the same, are they not?), these three verses have tumbled around in my head.

What does it mean to walk in the counsel of the wicked, or sit in the seat of mockers?  I mean, what is the practical reality of those poetic lines?  I could give all sorts of pat answers, “Sunday school” clichés, and never truly identify whether or not I understand the implications of those lines.

Here is a thought: It is the same thing to “Not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners” as it is to “delight in the Law of the Lord.”  If my heart’s desire and delight is in the Lord, my heart will have no part of wickedness. 

I, being ‘of the flesh,’ sin every day, and fall into the trap of the wicked. I am thankful, then that the blood of the Lamb redeems me so that I might know what it means to delight in the Law of the Lord.

My prayer is that I would desire to meditate on His Law both day and night.

take me in…

Take me past the outer courts
Into the holy place
Past the brazen altar
Lord I want to see Your face
Pass me by the crowds of people
And the priests who sing Your praise
I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness
But it's only found in one place

Take me into the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me into the holy of holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am

Apparently I have been living under a rock; this song is old yet I have never heard it.  As we, in our church, have been reading The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard, this song struck a chord with me.  God’s desire for us is that we would enter into his holy presence with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) so that we might have fellowship with him (I Corinthians 1:9). 

How do I get past the “outer courts”?  I must partake in the joy of the Lord through tangible, purposeful disciplines. I must read the Scripture (II Timothy 3:16), pray daily (Matthew 6:6), fast and seek solitude and silence (Matthew 4), worship (Romans 1:1-2), and in all things consider Christ as the head of my life (Colossians 2:10). 

Also see: Psalm 24, Hebrews 9.

Take Me In, as performed by Kutless

Christ, our High Priest, wholely frees us who are the Redeemed to live sacrifical lives for the sake of spreading the Gospel.

The following are excerpts from Hebrews as noted by chapter and verse. Occasionally, bits are left out for brevity's sake and are noted by (...).

2:14-18
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-- that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-- yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

7: 22, 24-28
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. ... because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our needs-- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens... For the law appoints as high priest men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

9: 11-15
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation... he entered the most holy place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blod of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our conscience from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.
For this reason, Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance...

10: 19-27
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

12: 1-3
Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorned its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

13: 15-16
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.