God’s Purposes

Australian-sunrise

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Opportunity

E41A178DD0B749BEACC4197D9587E940An open door
Opportunity knocks
Someone calling
A mountain to climb

Divine opportunity?
Or nice distraction?
Hard to tell
Difficult to know

Did it choose me?
Or did I choose it?
Is my heart leading? 
Or simply following the lead?

Am I writing the script?
Or just reading what’s already there?
Am I in control?
Or just fulfilling my role?

Creator or creature?
Director or actor?
Leader or follower?
Yes or no?

Go deep
Into the unknown
Uncharted waters
Dreamtime

Follow the storyline
See the narrative
A new chapter
Turn the page

What do you see?

[Mark Conner – 2nd April, 2014]

Jesus is ALIVE! (Easter 2014)

Easter is here again and with it a holiday weekend, chocolate eggs and enough shopping sales to tempt any credit-card carrying buyer. What’s it really all about? All around the world, around two billion Christians will take time this weekend to reflect on and give thanks for the work that Jesus Christ accomplished through his death, burial and resurrection. That’s the real meaning of Easter. Followers of Christ believe that Jesus is ALIVE!

The Living Jesus

In his excellent book The Living Jesus, New Testament scholar Luke Timothy Johnson notes that whether a person is dead or alive really matters – not only to the person but also to other people relating to that person. If someone is dead, you can still learn about them and their influence may continue to live on but their life is complete. There are no new actions being done or new words being spoken, only echoes from the past. We can talk about who they “were” but no longer who they “are”. However, when someone is alive, the situation is completely different. New data is coming in. We can have a conversation with them and as a result our knowledge of them grows and changes.

The most important question concerning Jesus is this: “Do you think he is dead or alive?” 

If Jesus is dead, then there are a number of ways we can relate to his life and accomplishments. We can study the “historical Jesus” and learn about him but we cannot learn from him anymore. If Jesus is alive, however, everything changes. We are not just relating to a memory but to a living person who we can continue to learn from.

There is no middle ground between dead and alive. If Jesus is dead, his story is completed. If he is alive, then his story continues. To be a Christian means to assert that Jesus is alive. Christian faith begins with the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:14). To pray to Jesus is to address a real, living person who is capable of answering us and manifesting his presence. To declare “Jesus is Lord” is not only a statement of belief in a certain reality but a declaration of how we live our lives in relation to the living Jesus (Romans 10:9).

Evidence for the Resurrection

Critics of Christianity try to explain away the resurrection of Jesus as mere myth. Some say Jesus never really died, suggested he merely fainted then later revived in the tomb (the swoon theory). This is highly unlikely, as nobody survived death by crucifixion and the Roman soldiers declared Jesus dead.  Even if he did, imagine the condition Jesus would have been in – one that would have attracted pity from his disciples not faith to launch a worldwide movement.  

Evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is found in the empty tomb (Jesus’ enemies would have loved to have produced a body if they could) and the numerous post-resurrection appearances to his disciples (to over 500 people who were still alive at the time of their testimony – see 1 Corinthians 15:1-3). Sir Lionel Luckhoo, the most successful attorney of all time, said this after investigating the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ: "I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt."

The best explanation of the rapidly growing Christian movement is the resurrection of Jesus. How else could a small group of marginal people grow with such power and impact as to eventually overcome the might of the Roman Empire without something supernatural bringing about transformation to their personal lives? A living Jesus is the most sensible explanation. 

Experiencing Jesus Today

Where can Jesus be known and experienced today? There are a number of ways:

  • The Scriptures, especially the New Testament writings, speak to us about the person of Jesus, revealing his values, priorities and mission. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The written Word reveals the Living Word to us. 
  • The Holy Spirit can choose to reveal Jesus to any person seeking Him. No one can say that “Jesus is Lord” without the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Ask the Holy Spirit to show Jesus to you.  
  • Jesus himself said that he would be uniquely present amongst the community of believers (Matthew 18:20). The church is the body of the risen Jesus. As we gather, Jesus is there in unique and profound ways. Jesus is manifest in the church at worship, in prayer, and through the sacraments of communion and baptism.
  • We can see and encounter Jesus in the lives of those who have been changed by His presence and power. Followers of Jesus become his “letter”, to be read by all people (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). There is no greater witness to the reality of Jesus than a transformed life.
  • When we minister to the “little ones” (Mark 9:36-37), the poor, the needy (Mark 9:41) and the outcast in Jesus’ name, He says we are ministering to Him (Matthew 25:40, 42). We can find and experience Jesus in the ones we serve in love.

One of Jesus’ last promises was that he would be “with us” until the end when he returns (Matthew 28:20). Jesus is Emmanuel = “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). We don’t lack his presence. What we need is a greater awareness of his presence. Right here, right now, whether we feel like it or not, Jesus is present. He is alive – the Living One – who was and is and is to come!

Reflection Questions

  1. Think about the first time you heard about Jesus. What were your thoughts, feelings or impressions about him?
  2. Compare your relationships with two family members OR two influential people in your life – one who has passed away and one who is still alive. How are these relationships different?
  3. When did Jesus first seem real or alive to you?
  4. The apostle Paul tells us that we are all “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7. 1Corinthians 1:2), which means to be transformed into the image or likeness of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18). In doing so, we become examples for other people to imitate and we literally can show Jesus to them. Think about some people in your life who you saw Jesus in. In other words, their life was a display of the living Jesus at work.
  5. Saul learned that in persecuting followers of Christ he was persecuting Jesus (read Acts 9:3-6). Jesus tells us that in serving those in need, we are serving him. Consider the reality of the fact that we encounter the living Jesus in other people.
  6. Read Matthew 28:20 slowly. In what ways can we live our lives with a greater awareness and faith in the living Jesus? How can we do life with him each day?

Psalm 37

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A few encouraging thoughts from Psalm 37:

  • Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper (vs.3).
  • Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires (vs.4).
  • Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you (vs.5)
  • Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act (vs.7).
  • The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand (vs.23-34).
  • The godly will possess the land and will live there forever (vs.29).
  • Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land (vs.35).

Day One – A Great Journal App

Day oneI have been journaling for many years now. I find it a great tool to help me unpack what I am think and how I am thinking. It's a place for me to process the events and circumstances of my life. It's a way for me to open my heart to God and listen for his voice of guidance. 

I used to use a paper journal, then a few years ago I switched to a computer word processing document. That enabled me to have my journal wherever I am, shared across devices, as well as search functionality. Earlier this year, my son Ashley made me aware of a really cool app designed especially for journaling. It's called Day One. Visit the Day One web site for full details or watch an online video review. [Unfortunately, it is only available for the Mac at this stage, but a Windows version is on the way. Windows users can benefit from a number of alternatives]

Why I like Day One:

1. I can have separate entries throughout the day – for general diary stuff, for spiritual prayer times, for reflection, and for recording insights. Dividing these up makes them easier to find later, and separates them into neater categories.
2. The ability to put pictures into an entry is cool too, as it gives visual reminders to clues to what is happening in my life.
3. Tags are very helpful too – for tracking down related entries.
4. Location works well, as it reminds me where I am when I write, including the temperature of the day.
5. Focused view enables me to put everything else out of my mind, avoiding distraction.
6. Having a live copy on my mobile devices is fantastic too (synced via Dropbox), enabling me to read what has taken place, add in new events or thoughts, and insert photos.
7. Automatic time and date insertion is helpful.
8. The formatting is basic but workable.

I also like the concept of a DAY:

* Each day is a new beginning – “day one” of the rest of my life.

* On each day, “one” thing is needful and that is connecting with God, then reflecting on that experience so that I change and grow. 

* The “day” was created by God as a segment of life. I can learn lessons from the creation week and how God lived out a rhythm of work and rest.

[Related BLOG posts: A few thoughts on seeing your journal as a listening book, 3 great questions to start the day]

A Journal – Your Listening Book

Pen

St. Ignatius (creator of a set of spiritual exericses for the spiritual life of a disciple of Jesus) spent part of his time in prayer and part of his time in writing. His spiritual journal helped him discern the different spirits stirring in his prayer, reflections, spiritual conversations, and daily life. So began the prayer-reflection-action prayer cycle, which is the way of “contemplatives in action.”

Nothing is immediate and change is a slow process, much like a flower opening up, moving towards the light. In due season, we become who we truly are. Over time, our spiritual journal becomes clear in speaking the voice of the Holy Spirit.

* My spiritual journal is a keeper of consolation (experiences with the Spirit, leading to inner peace) and truth.
* It is a “source spring” for gratitude.
* It gives me time to absorb my spiritual prayer experience.
* It tells me what I have discovered.
* It enables me to accumulate wisdom.

See your journal as a “listening book”. It is a book you listen to after giving it your reflections. It is much like a good friend. Write and tell it what you feel, think and want to say. Then after some time (an hour, a day, or a week), return to it and read what you have written. “Listen” to your Listening Book as it reveals new meanings, understanding and fresh feelings. The original prayer experience in a spiritual exercise virtually always has much more in it that we might first realise. Most graces burst over time. So listen with great care as you re-read the words. Even the Holy Spirit will speak to you through your Listening Book. [Example: the disciples reflecting on the road to Emmaus]

After finishing your spiritual exercises, sit or walk around for a few minutes and reflect on your prayer time. Then write down what has passed through your soul.

Uses for a Listening Book:

1. Reflecting after a spiritual exercise or other prayer.
2. Reflecting after a spiritual conversation.
3. Reflecting after an Awareness Examen.
4. Reflecting during an important life event.
5. Helping me to teach others.

Day One is a terrific journal App.

[This is from the chapter called Ignatian Guide to Spiritual Journaling in the book The First Spiritual Exercises by Michael Hansen, p.349]

Reflections on Life and Aging (Pt.2)

Age2

Some quotes and thoughts worth thinking about:

  • "The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible – and achieve it, generation after generation." Pearl S. Buck
  • "Life is an exciting business and most exciting when lived for others." Helen Keller. 
  • "Today's newspaper with your name and picture on it will line the bottom of someone's birdcage tomorrow!" Unknown
  • "Life is like a parachute jump, you've got to get it right the first time." Eleanor Roosevelt
  • "We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning of human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit." Elton Trueblood
  • "I can do what you cannot do and you can do what I cannot do. Together we can do great things." Mother Theresa
  • "Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. Think well." Danielle Pierre
  • "Anyone who can still do at 60 what he was doing at 20 wasn't doing much at 20." Jimmy Townsend
  • "It took me all of my life to learn the biggest music lesson of all – what not to play." Dizzy Gillespie
  • "Twenty-five years ago I wish someone had told me about the exponential factor of time: that every year over forty years of age goes twice as fast, and every year over fifty goes ten times as fast." Harold Evans
  • Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
  • Humorous Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to run into the ones that I do, and the eyesight to know the difference." Unknown
  • "I never criticise what God is blessing." Rick Warren
  • "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 92:10

[Part 1]

Reflections on Life and Aging (Pt.1)

Age1

Some quotes and thoughts worth thinking about:

  • "Aging allows us to separate the important from the unimportant, to appreciate more and reach for less, and to allow those who are younger to step up to the plate and learn their lessons." John Maxwell
  • "The seven ages of a man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills, wills." Richard J. Needam
  • "When you're over the hill, that's when you pick up speed." Quincy Jones
  • "A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives." Jackie Robinson
  • "I still find each day too short: for all the thoughts I want to think, for all the walks I want to take, for all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see." John Burroughs
  • "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." John Maxwell
  • "If you make every game a matter of life and death … you'll be dead a lot." Basketball Coach Dean Smith
  • "When you stop giving and offering something to the rest of the world, its time to turn the lights out." George Burns
  • "The success of my day is determined by the seeds I sow, not the harvest I reap." John Maxwell
  • "You need three things in life to be happy: someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to." Kenny Rogers
  • "By the time you reach 80 years of age, you have learned everything. You only have to remember it." George Burns
  • "The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life." Muhammad Ali
  • "Life is like driving a car. It's wise to check the rear-view mirror now and then, but the rear-view mirror is only there to glance at, not to stare at. Staring at where you've been will only land you in a ditch." John Maxwell
  • "My remnant of days I spend to His praise who died the whole world to redeem; be they many or few, my days are his due, and they all are devoted to him." John Wesley

[Part 2]