When reflecting on who Jesus is and His significance in my life, I tend to reflect on two things: the past and the present. Recognizing my past (before and after Jesus) is an important piece for me because I am reminded of 1) God’s grace and 2) my sinfulness. Recognizing the present also incorporates God’s grace and my sinfulness, but also affirms the benefits that are encompassed with being a ‘child’ of God: the indwelling Spirit, spiritual gifts and eternal life to name a few. Thus, the atonement of Jesus is attached with a significant meaning to me (hopefully all believers as well) because of my attachment to sin. Without recognizing my own sinfulness, before and after Jesus, I do not believe I can truly understand what His atonement is in my life and how it resonates the motivation in all that I do.
As I continue to learn about the themes of God as presented in His word and the centrality of the Gospel through the work of Jesus, a lot of new awareness stems from understanding the Law, OT sacrifices and the wrath of God – in relationship with sin and His beloved. The idea of animal sacrifices and its relationship with the forgiveness of sins, guilt, to make things right with God (and avoid His wrath) was motivation for one to continue to offer a sacrifice. There were different types of offerings that were offered depending on who needed the sacrifice. The offering for the forgiveness of sins for a high priest and a nation would be a bull, a male goat for a tribal leader, a pigeon or dove for the poor. These offerings that could only be mediated by a high priest ‘temporarily’ satisfied God, moreover they had to be continually done and thus were incomplete.
Carrying on this line of thought into the Gospel with the focus being on the cross of Christ, I see the satisfaction of God to His beloved through Jesus. This brings me to recognize my enmity with God, my inability to atone for my own sins as Jesus upped the ante on the Sermon on the Mount – I see my face in that crowd. My personal attachment to Jesus’ atonement is always revolving around my inability to substitute anything for my own sin. In this substitution or ‘payment’ for sin (which I believe needs to be defined and understood by those who believe) in connection with OT understanding, the animal’s death replaced the death to the one offering.
Jesus mentioned that he came to fulfill the Law and not to abolish it (Matt. 5:17). This statement illuminates my understanding of what Jesus’ atonement meant in regards to OT law and the sacrificial system for sin. As the centrality of God’s work through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son on Passover, the parallel is huge. The substitution for OT law and the forgiveness of sins through the grace of God has been made complete. The playing field has been ‘evened out’ so to speak for everyone. When animal sacrifices depended on the type of sin and type of person offering the sacrifice - has now, in a sense been ‘simplified,’ but moreover placed on Jesus’ atonement – to substitute for my inability to provide anything adequate to satisfy God’s wrath.
Thus, the atonement of Christ is the redemption of my slavery to sin. It is the substitutionary payment, the forgiveness of my hostile, oppositional, rebellious nature – which all evil behaviors and desires exist from. Perhaps the quintessential aspect of Jesus’ atonement is the fact that I cannot pay back my debts – nor was I ever able to. Recognizing this truth brings me back to realizing the depth of God’s mercy and grace – that He would come to rescue me – reconciling a tainted relationship because of His love. Understanding the atonement of Jesus motivates me to respond with love (my eyes water as I type this) – because I have been forgiven much.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Beginning of City Team internship
Today was my second day at City Team Ministries men's recovery program. I think this is a really good opportunity for me. Though I am not earning MFT hours, I am attaining Cadaac hours as well as being a part of a Christian dedicated staff - helping to disciple those who are in recovery. As all things new to me, I have some anxiety because there is an overwhelming amount of information to learn concerning structure, procedure, etc., but I am confident that God will utilize me as a vessel of support to those I may be appointed to.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be called and used to help and support others. Thank you for helping me in areas of my life, be it academic, emotional, financial and spiritual as all things I have gained as wisdom through mistakes, hardships or reward may be of your blessing and glory. Continue your work in me, as I keep it in heart and mind to die daily in order for you to take lead in my thoughts, feelings and decisions. For it is you, O'Lord that knows my weakness and only you that can suffice in providing grace because of them. I pray Lord that you will be in the hearts of my family - revealing yourself to them so that they may be enlightened to understand your grace more fully. Be with your people Lord, direct their paths and restore to them the joy of their salvation which was given to them because of their faith in you. In the name of Jesus I ask these things...
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to be called and used to help and support others. Thank you for helping me in areas of my life, be it academic, emotional, financial and spiritual as all things I have gained as wisdom through mistakes, hardships or reward may be of your blessing and glory. Continue your work in me, as I keep it in heart and mind to die daily in order for you to take lead in my thoughts, feelings and decisions. For it is you, O'Lord that knows my weakness and only you that can suffice in providing grace because of them. I pray Lord that you will be in the hearts of my family - revealing yourself to them so that they may be enlightened to understand your grace more fully. Be with your people Lord, direct their paths and restore to them the joy of their salvation which was given to them because of their faith in you. In the name of Jesus I ask these things...
Monday, September 29, 2008
Reflection: Creation? How or Why?
When thinking of a position to take on creation it takes reflection on two parts: one’s natural understanding and experiences of the world as well as an understanding of those experiences in a context as a being of creation and a witness of testifying to creation as a created being. As a created being, the natural world is an obvious observation and often reconciling of how it all began or came to what it is in our present experiences is a difficult and often confusing task. In fact, preparing to take a ‘position’ on it is difficult for me – as I am not fully able to completely understand all the research and refutes of each major position that has been presented within the world of secular and faith based convictions and thoughts. For the sake of my attempt to find a personal value in this arena, my current persuasion is of a ‘day-age’ position.
Interpretation of ‘YOM’
One thing I have learned when studying the Word of God is that interpretation of the language can be difficult at times as an understanding of literary forms can be troublesome when attempting to discover the sender’s intended meaning either symbolically or literally (or both). In Genesis, the word ‘day,’ provides this dilemma for me. My initial interpretation is that it is a literal day – 24 hours, as God separating the light from the darkness and my natural observation and experience testifies to a 24 - hour day divided by the light and darkness. Could ‘YOM,’ or ‘day’ be a generic word to describe other amounts of time? My inclination is to say ‘maybe’ and wonder of other scriptures will provide hints to this inquiry. Psalm 90:4, the writers says, “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes,” seems to me like a symbolic interpretation, as well as 2 Peter 3:8 when a day with the Lord is referenced with a 1,000 years. I do not interpret those passages in a literal sense, but one that affirms God’s majesty and eternality. My symbolic interpretation of ‘day’ and my understanding of my natural experience almost seem to conflict at that point – then to add an explanation of prehistoric creatures gets it spinning in different directions. My attempt to reconcile my understanding is to accept that each day is symbolically referenced as a period of time longer than our 24-hour experience because in accepting this it can then attempt to reconcile discoveries of life existing prior to 6,000 years ago.
Theistic Evolution
Another position that I am persuaded to along with a progressive creation perspective is that evolution is apparent in living organisms. Evidence for animal and plant life seems respectable and can hold weight to counterarguments. Perhaps the main question is if humans are part of this evolutionary process – and I hold that humans are not a species of primates. I think that using what contemporary science says about the high percentage of DNA and similarities of humans and great apes only seem to point to the obvious and that is humans are different – and have always been. I think that when God said “"Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds,” (Gen. 1:24-25) he created a separate species and in His image in vv. 26-27 was an exclusive part of His creation, perhaps the culmination of His work and everything prior was setting the stage for the main attraction – the subjects that His Word and Spirit were intended for: human beings.
So What Now?
I think that the debate about creation serves a great purpose like many other great works of people. The brilliancy of the human mind and its endeavors towards the quest for knowledge are truly spectacular, and for some, attempts to reconcile the mysterious and affirm us in the here and now. As a focus in faith and evangelism – this topic may be of high value of those who feel they need such an answer to a mystery. I am in no way minimizing the great research and work that many have given to this topic, but on a personal value scale I do not hold it as a “make it or break it” topic for affirming my salvation and belief in God. Instead of looking to Genesis for a hint of scientific inquiry for justifying human life, I hold that the culminating work of God in Genesis was to create man in His own image (vv.26-27) and give him authority and intimate relationship with his Creator, serves a unique purpose on the intended meaning of the sender – which is the beginning of purpose and how that purpose was postponed due to sin only to come back to which once was - a fulfilled promise to those who trust in this purpose – something that is excluded in the lens of scientific inquiry.
Interpretation of ‘YOM’
One thing I have learned when studying the Word of God is that interpretation of the language can be difficult at times as an understanding of literary forms can be troublesome when attempting to discover the sender’s intended meaning either symbolically or literally (or both). In Genesis, the word ‘day,’ provides this dilemma for me. My initial interpretation is that it is a literal day – 24 hours, as God separating the light from the darkness and my natural observation and experience testifies to a 24 - hour day divided by the light and darkness. Could ‘YOM,’ or ‘day’ be a generic word to describe other amounts of time? My inclination is to say ‘maybe’ and wonder of other scriptures will provide hints to this inquiry. Psalm 90:4, the writers says, “For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it passes,” seems to me like a symbolic interpretation, as well as 2 Peter 3:8 when a day with the Lord is referenced with a 1,000 years. I do not interpret those passages in a literal sense, but one that affirms God’s majesty and eternality. My symbolic interpretation of ‘day’ and my understanding of my natural experience almost seem to conflict at that point – then to add an explanation of prehistoric creatures gets it spinning in different directions. My attempt to reconcile my understanding is to accept that each day is symbolically referenced as a period of time longer than our 24-hour experience because in accepting this it can then attempt to reconcile discoveries of life existing prior to 6,000 years ago.
Theistic Evolution
Another position that I am persuaded to along with a progressive creation perspective is that evolution is apparent in living organisms. Evidence for animal and plant life seems respectable and can hold weight to counterarguments. Perhaps the main question is if humans are part of this evolutionary process – and I hold that humans are not a species of primates. I think that using what contemporary science says about the high percentage of DNA and similarities of humans and great apes only seem to point to the obvious and that is humans are different – and have always been. I think that when God said “"Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds,” (Gen. 1:24-25) he created a separate species and in His image in vv. 26-27 was an exclusive part of His creation, perhaps the culmination of His work and everything prior was setting the stage for the main attraction – the subjects that His Word and Spirit were intended for: human beings.
So What Now?
I think that the debate about creation serves a great purpose like many other great works of people. The brilliancy of the human mind and its endeavors towards the quest for knowledge are truly spectacular, and for some, attempts to reconcile the mysterious and affirm us in the here and now. As a focus in faith and evangelism – this topic may be of high value of those who feel they need such an answer to a mystery. I am in no way minimizing the great research and work that many have given to this topic, but on a personal value scale I do not hold it as a “make it or break it” topic for affirming my salvation and belief in God. Instead of looking to Genesis for a hint of scientific inquiry for justifying human life, I hold that the culminating work of God in Genesis was to create man in His own image (vv.26-27) and give him authority and intimate relationship with his Creator, serves a unique purpose on the intended meaning of the sender – which is the beginning of purpose and how that purpose was postponed due to sin only to come back to which once was - a fulfilled promise to those who trust in this purpose – something that is excluded in the lens of scientific inquiry.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Growth Reflection on taking an online Epistles course
Spiritual Transformation Reflection Principles
1. Prayer: I find it refreshing to read Paul’s prayers, always other focused and kingdom focused. Many times in collective prayer I have overlooked the focus of the kingdom and growth of an enlightened heart for prayer requests of the ‘here and now,’ i.e. finding a job, focus in school. If anything, I do not think these are wrong to ask of God, but definitely not something to habitually focus on. Realizing this, I have usually shifted my thoughts in my prayers to open with praise for being able to come to Him, a check in of my emotional state, prayers for the spiritual and physical needs of others and for His strength to help sustain and guide me, ending with praise and thanksgiving once more.
2. Handle with care/Sensitivity of others in speech: It is either you felt you said too much or said too little, in the context of meaning to help others, but somehow missing the point. James gives a description of how the words we use can bring blessing or cursing. I have felt God tugging on my heart to at times take a step back and listen to others before giving advice or ‘prescribing a scripture.’
3. Appealing in Love: This goes along with #2 as instead of the ‘prescribing 2 scriptures and call me in the morning approach,’ to focus on the story and the short and long term needs that might be expressed. Walk with someone in the circle of their pain providing a sense of care with a balance of word and deed.
4. 1 Peter 5:7 “…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” This passage brings me to tears at times because life is full of schedules, deadlines, expectations and just has many rough and difficult spots. I take this as a reminder to bring it to Jesus, not just because I need to, but because He wants it. This also reminds me that is okay to take a ‘silent prayer’ with my eyes closed focusing on imagery that reminds me of Him (except for when driving!).
5. Running the race with endurance. Going along with #4. I enjoy endurance sports, running, cycling and triathlons. In fact, training for events not only takes physical discipline, but also a mental awareness of when to speed up, gearing for terrain and even when to slow down. Slowing down (or walking in a marathon or getting off of your bike on a hill) does not mean your are giving up, it is just being aware of your present state and preventing a total burnout (which can be a major setback in finishing). In a sense of personal spiritual growth and in ministry this parallel has helped me to assess where I am at. It also reminds me to take a step back and make sure that the Holy Spirit is taking the lead instead of pushing a personal proposition on my own terms and strength.
Ministry/Discipleship Principles Reflection
1. Intercessory Prayer: It was joyful to reflect on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 as he prays for God’s people to recognize the blessing and inheritance of their faith and to grow to mature in wisdom and revelation. This has helped me to share an understanding with new believers that prayer is much more than material asking, but on a continuum of transformation of lives by an enlightened heart from God.
2. I got a chance to share with my cousin who considers himself an Agnostic – but has been studying with a JW friend about God, faith and what the scripture says about Jesus. We talked about Colossians 1 and discussed Romans and Hebrews as well as referenced our world today, sharing struggles and hardships. All in all, it ended up being a 4 hour conversation and I could sense that he was open to wanting to believe in something. This course has helped me to share with greater insight and feel more confident and comfortable when doing so.
3. Encouragement through reminder. I think of 2 Peter 1:12-13 when Peter considers it right to ‘stir’ up by way of reminder to practice excellence in serving God. My church is comprised of many ‘20 somethings’ that need plenty of encouragement and support in various areas: school, family, careers, relational, marriage, sexuality, etc. It is okay to ‘stir’ up and encourage through reproof, reminding them that growth in Christian virtue is not in mediocrity.
4. Danger! I think one thing that is a distraction to most of the young folks of this generation is the cultural relativist, build-a-god, feel better influences in educational and media forums. The focus on Jesus gets fragmented and misguided by cultural rhetoric and false teachers who are powerful and charismatic. Reading the scriptures and how these teachers are expected helps greatly in discerning when something just does not seem right. It is important to read scripture and pray for an enlightened heart!
5. I have struggled with understanding the whole ‘elect saved’ vs. the ‘free will saved’ and I think at some point this affected my view of reaching people, especially the ones who did not ‘appear’ to be wanting to grow or mature, but profess. Scripture does give description on how to discern – but does not really give a time frame per say, and at times I have struggled with my codependency on ‘pushing’ for change. For some brothers and sisters in my sphere of influence this has been for a few years now (reminds me of Hebrews, when the writer mentioned some were ‘stuck’ at conversion). I guess what has helped me in this area is that 1) the timeline for growth is not up to me 2) Be obedient and serve, everyone has a story and a need --Just do it.
1. Prayer: I find it refreshing to read Paul’s prayers, always other focused and kingdom focused. Many times in collective prayer I have overlooked the focus of the kingdom and growth of an enlightened heart for prayer requests of the ‘here and now,’ i.e. finding a job, focus in school. If anything, I do not think these are wrong to ask of God, but definitely not something to habitually focus on. Realizing this, I have usually shifted my thoughts in my prayers to open with praise for being able to come to Him, a check in of my emotional state, prayers for the spiritual and physical needs of others and for His strength to help sustain and guide me, ending with praise and thanksgiving once more.
2. Handle with care/Sensitivity of others in speech: It is either you felt you said too much or said too little, in the context of meaning to help others, but somehow missing the point. James gives a description of how the words we use can bring blessing or cursing. I have felt God tugging on my heart to at times take a step back and listen to others before giving advice or ‘prescribing a scripture.’
3. Appealing in Love: This goes along with #2 as instead of the ‘prescribing 2 scriptures and call me in the morning approach,’ to focus on the story and the short and long term needs that might be expressed. Walk with someone in the circle of their pain providing a sense of care with a balance of word and deed.
4. 1 Peter 5:7 “…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” This passage brings me to tears at times because life is full of schedules, deadlines, expectations and just has many rough and difficult spots. I take this as a reminder to bring it to Jesus, not just because I need to, but because He wants it. This also reminds me that is okay to take a ‘silent prayer’ with my eyes closed focusing on imagery that reminds me of Him (except for when driving!).
5. Running the race with endurance. Going along with #4. I enjoy endurance sports, running, cycling and triathlons. In fact, training for events not only takes physical discipline, but also a mental awareness of when to speed up, gearing for terrain and even when to slow down. Slowing down (or walking in a marathon or getting off of your bike on a hill) does not mean your are giving up, it is just being aware of your present state and preventing a total burnout (which can be a major setback in finishing). In a sense of personal spiritual growth and in ministry this parallel has helped me to assess where I am at. It also reminds me to take a step back and make sure that the Holy Spirit is taking the lead instead of pushing a personal proposition on my own terms and strength.
Ministry/Discipleship Principles Reflection
1. Intercessory Prayer: It was joyful to reflect on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 as he prays for God’s people to recognize the blessing and inheritance of their faith and to grow to mature in wisdom and revelation. This has helped me to share an understanding with new believers that prayer is much more than material asking, but on a continuum of transformation of lives by an enlightened heart from God.
2. I got a chance to share with my cousin who considers himself an Agnostic – but has been studying with a JW friend about God, faith and what the scripture says about Jesus. We talked about Colossians 1 and discussed Romans and Hebrews as well as referenced our world today, sharing struggles and hardships. All in all, it ended up being a 4 hour conversation and I could sense that he was open to wanting to believe in something. This course has helped me to share with greater insight and feel more confident and comfortable when doing so.
3. Encouragement through reminder. I think of 2 Peter 1:12-13 when Peter considers it right to ‘stir’ up by way of reminder to practice excellence in serving God. My church is comprised of many ‘20 somethings’ that need plenty of encouragement and support in various areas: school, family, careers, relational, marriage, sexuality, etc. It is okay to ‘stir’ up and encourage through reproof, reminding them that growth in Christian virtue is not in mediocrity.
4. Danger! I think one thing that is a distraction to most of the young folks of this generation is the cultural relativist, build-a-god, feel better influences in educational and media forums. The focus on Jesus gets fragmented and misguided by cultural rhetoric and false teachers who are powerful and charismatic. Reading the scriptures and how these teachers are expected helps greatly in discerning when something just does not seem right. It is important to read scripture and pray for an enlightened heart!
5. I have struggled with understanding the whole ‘elect saved’ vs. the ‘free will saved’ and I think at some point this affected my view of reaching people, especially the ones who did not ‘appear’ to be wanting to grow or mature, but profess. Scripture does give description on how to discern – but does not really give a time frame per say, and at times I have struggled with my codependency on ‘pushing’ for change. For some brothers and sisters in my sphere of influence this has been for a few years now (reminds me of Hebrews, when the writer mentioned some were ‘stuck’ at conversion). I guess what has helped me in this area is that 1) the timeline for growth is not up to me 2) Be obedient and serve, everyone has a story and a need --Just do it.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
For Love's Sake
Philemon 8-9: "Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you - since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus."
Forgiveness and acceptance (reconciliation) is the paramount theme of this letter. I think that verses 8-9 depict an applicable means in dealing with conflict. Paul being an apostle and elder does not use his authority in demanding change, though he would be correct and just in doing so. Rather, he uses love - which is the commitment both of them share in Christ. The plea seems non-confrontational. It is not forceful, nor does it seem intrusive. The legal definition of appeal is to demand change using a higher court and in a sense the 'higher' stance in this application is love, which focuses on our commitment and understanding of Christ. I wonder how much conflict can be resolved and avoided if we practiced such a perspective in our relationships with others.
Forgiveness and acceptance (reconciliation) is the paramount theme of this letter. I think that verses 8-9 depict an applicable means in dealing with conflict. Paul being an apostle and elder does not use his authority in demanding change, though he would be correct and just in doing so. Rather, he uses love - which is the commitment both of them share in Christ. The plea seems non-confrontational. It is not forceful, nor does it seem intrusive. The legal definition of appeal is to demand change using a higher court and in a sense the 'higher' stance in this application is love, which focuses on our commitment and understanding of Christ. I wonder how much conflict can be resolved and avoided if we practiced such a perspective in our relationships with others.
Re: silly prayers
have often pondered about the 'correct' way to pray and also have been challenged at times during prayer. There are times when I evaluate my own prayers (as well as others) and have felt that they were, well, petty. I think sometimes it is easy to deem long and emotional prayers as substance and powerful and shorter, 'all about me' prayers as almost missing the point. However, I think that both are accepted by our Lord. I think prayer is a reflection of what is going on inside each of us (David in the Psalms) and that it is alright to kick and scream about our afflictions to our Holy God. On the other hand, Paul's intercessory prayers also provide an example of 'what he did not pray for.' Paul was adamant of believers to grow in knowledge and wisdom and I think behind some of the 'petty' prayers that I and others have said, we desire the same thing. I believe that the Holy Spirit listens and knows where each of our understandings are of Him and is willing to meet us at that point and draw us to His Will; however long, short, silly, inept our prayers may be. I think as we continue to grow in Christ, our prayers will begin to reflect not only our personal matters, but community, actions, forgiveness and ultimately praise for everything in between.
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