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Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Another Great article on "Not That Into You "
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
(Read Luke 18:18-23. Yeah, we really want you to read it!)
Sometimes when I read through the Gospels and listen in on the conversations Jesus had with people, He doesn’t seem like the best conversationalist. He had a tendency to avoid the question being asked and instead brings up something that seems . . . different. He had the ability to catch people off guard, to see, really see the heart of what was going on and start addressing that, and not necessarily the words that a person managed to vocalize.
In one story, a wealthy ruler searches Jesus out to ask him a question—a pretty important question too. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18 NIV). I can imagine that the ruler, the disciples and everyone gathered close enough to listen in on the conversation leaned in a little closer in hope of catching what Jesus had to say.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone (Luke 18:19 NIV). Jesus said this because He wanted to help people start connecting the dots between Him and God. Then Jesus says: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother’’” (Luke 18:20 NIV).
The ruler responded: “All these I have kept since I was a boy” (Luke 18:21 NIV).
Jesus knew what this guy was really getting at—after all, He was the Son of God. Jesus knew that this pointed question was one the rich ruler thought he already knew the answer to. He thought this whole eternal life deal had a lot to do with keeping the commandments, something he wasn’t ashamed to admit he was pretty good at—really good at. So good that he had the courage to tell the Son of God he had kept every single commandment since he was young. It was almost like he was expecting a gold star, a pat on the backside, a high five for all his effort—maybe even an extra special spot in heaven because of his obedience.
But Jesus doesn’t give him a star. He basically says, “You’ve kept all of the commandments? Then there is only one thing left for you to do to ensure eternal life. Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor.” (See Luke 18:22.) You can probably imagine how the rich ruler reacted to that. Maybe he mentally started going through the law seeing if he missed something about selling all your possessions. Or maybe he started to think of an excuse, a quick way out of the conversation. All the Bible says is when the man heard what Jesus was asking of him in order to get the eternal life he longed for, he became very sad (Luke 18:23).
We don’t ever hear about what happens with the rich ruler after this. Maybe he walked away angry. Maybe he was embarrassed. Maybe he was convicted. But whatever happens, Jesus doesn’t talk him into anything—He doesn’t guilt him into making a life-altering decision. He doesn’t condemn him in front of everyone hanging around. He doesn’t even plead with him to reconsider the life he was leading. Jesus lets the rich man go. He leaves the ball in his court, and allows him to be the one to ultimately make the decision about what will define his life.
It was a sobering reality check. Here was a man, who had done things right, followed the right rules, attended the right services, observed the important holidays and observances but somehow still fell short of the one thing he was looking for. Life. He wanted eternal life. And he thought all he had managed to accomplish and acquire was enough to get exactly what he wanted. But it wasn’t. And he didn’t even know it until Jesus Himself spelled it out.
I don’t think the moral of this encounter is that selling all you have is the key to eternal life. I don’t think tucked in the book of Luke is the real key to a relationship with Jesus—poverty. Not that holding loosely to our stuff is a bad thing. But I think the point being made here has more to do with holding loosely to ourselves. I think the point is that even when we are doing all the right things, we can still miss Jesus—because we are so bent on us, so focused on what we have to offer, what we have accomplished, that we miss the point of it all. And Jesus is the point. Nothing we own, nothing we have done, nothing we will do outweighs the importance of Jesus.
A lot of us would look at what the rich ruler was about on the outside and think that he had it together, that his example was worth following. But at the end of the day, the rich ruler was really about nothing more than himself and that was enough to stand in the way between him and the life he needed—the life Jesus wanted to give him.
All of us, at some point or another, are going to have the kind of encounter with Jesus that the rich ruler had. Sooner or later we are going to have to decide whether we are going to “sell our stuff”—whether we’ll let go of ourselves for the sake of life, for the sake of seeing Jesus. It might not look the same for everyone. It may not have anything to do with your possessions. But eventually you have to make a call. Is what I am living for, is what I am living about, me? Or is it about Jesus? Have I built my life to glorify myself, or to point towards the One who got me where I am? Life is on the line. Not just eternal life, and not just physical life—but significance in life, purpose in life, direction in life. Where are we headed? Are we walking away from an encounter with Jesus, sad, because we can’t get over ourselves, or are we looking Him straight in the face and saying, “Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. It isn’t about me. It’s about You. Make me about You.”
By Sarah Anderson
(Read Luke 18:18-23. Yeah, we really want you to read it!)
Sometimes when I read through the Gospels and listen in on the conversations Jesus had with people, He doesn’t seem like the best conversationalist. He had a tendency to avoid the question being asked and instead brings up something that seems . . . different. He had the ability to catch people off guard, to see, really see the heart of what was going on and start addressing that, and not necessarily the words that a person managed to vocalize.
In one story, a wealthy ruler searches Jesus out to ask him a question—a pretty important question too. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18 NIV). I can imagine that the ruler, the disciples and everyone gathered close enough to listen in on the conversation leaned in a little closer in hope of catching what Jesus had to say.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone (Luke 18:19 NIV). Jesus said this because He wanted to help people start connecting the dots between Him and God. Then Jesus says: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother’’” (Luke 18:20 NIV).
The ruler responded: “All these I have kept since I was a boy” (Luke 18:21 NIV).
Jesus knew what this guy was really getting at—after all, He was the Son of God. Jesus knew that this pointed question was one the rich ruler thought he already knew the answer to. He thought this whole eternal life deal had a lot to do with keeping the commandments, something he wasn’t ashamed to admit he was pretty good at—really good at. So good that he had the courage to tell the Son of God he had kept every single commandment since he was young. It was almost like he was expecting a gold star, a pat on the backside, a high five for all his effort—maybe even an extra special spot in heaven because of his obedience.
But Jesus doesn’t give him a star. He basically says, “You’ve kept all of the commandments? Then there is only one thing left for you to do to ensure eternal life. Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor.” (See Luke 18:22.) You can probably imagine how the rich ruler reacted to that. Maybe he mentally started going through the law seeing if he missed something about selling all your possessions. Or maybe he started to think of an excuse, a quick way out of the conversation. All the Bible says is when the man heard what Jesus was asking of him in order to get the eternal life he longed for, he became very sad (Luke 18:23).
We don’t ever hear about what happens with the rich ruler after this. Maybe he walked away angry. Maybe he was embarrassed. Maybe he was convicted. But whatever happens, Jesus doesn’t talk him into anything—He doesn’t guilt him into making a life-altering decision. He doesn’t condemn him in front of everyone hanging around. He doesn’t even plead with him to reconsider the life he was leading. Jesus lets the rich man go. He leaves the ball in his court, and allows him to be the one to ultimately make the decision about what will define his life.
It was a sobering reality check. Here was a man, who had done things right, followed the right rules, attended the right services, observed the important holidays and observances but somehow still fell short of the one thing he was looking for. Life. He wanted eternal life. And he thought all he had managed to accomplish and acquire was enough to get exactly what he wanted. But it wasn’t. And he didn’t even know it until Jesus Himself spelled it out.
I don’t think the moral of this encounter is that selling all you have is the key to eternal life. I don’t think tucked in the book of Luke is the real key to a relationship with Jesus—poverty. Not that holding loosely to our stuff is a bad thing. But I think the point being made here has more to do with holding loosely to ourselves. I think the point is that even when we are doing all the right things, we can still miss Jesus—because we are so bent on us, so focused on what we have to offer, what we have accomplished, that we miss the point of it all. And Jesus is the point. Nothing we own, nothing we have done, nothing we will do outweighs the importance of Jesus.
A lot of us would look at what the rich ruler was about on the outside and think that he had it together, that his example was worth following. But at the end of the day, the rich ruler was really about nothing more than himself and that was enough to stand in the way between him and the life he needed—the life Jesus wanted to give him.
All of us, at some point or another, are going to have the kind of encounter with Jesus that the rich ruler had. Sooner or later we are going to have to decide whether we are going to “sell our stuff”—whether we’ll let go of ourselves for the sake of life, for the sake of seeing Jesus. It might not look the same for everyone. It may not have anything to do with your possessions. But eventually you have to make a call. Is what I am living for, is what I am living about, me? Or is it about Jesus? Have I built my life to glorify myself, or to point towards the One who got me where I am? Life is on the line. Not just eternal life, and not just physical life—but significance in life, purpose in life, direction in life. Where are we headed? Are we walking away from an encounter with Jesus, sad, because we can’t get over ourselves, or are we looking Him straight in the face and saying, “Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. It isn’t about me. It’s about You. Make me about You.”
By Sarah Anderson
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Great article on "Not That Into You "
The Cover Up
By Sarah Anderson
I don’t know about you, but there are some things I just don’t need to be taught how to do. Some things just come naturally to me—like covering things up. Chances are you know this. We know how to sound good, look good and even act good, when deep down there may be a mess about ready to erupt inside of us. For whatever reason, we aren’t always that great at admitting when something is difficult, when things confuse us, when life doesn’t make any sense or when God seems far away. Rather than run the risk of being judged or looked down on, we put on a pretty smile and figure it out ourselves.
It’s stupid really. Because pretending usually doesn’t fool anybody, and it certainly doesn’t fool God. There is a story in the book of Mark where we meet a man who got this. Take a look at Mark 9:17-27. In the story, a dad brings his son, who is possessed by an evil spirit, to Jesus. It seems this boy is thrown into convulsions and unable to speak when the spirit takes hold of him. And the boy’s dad is feeling hopeless. He simply wants his son to be healed from a childhood marked by his horrible affliction, but no one can figure out what to do to help him—the disciples themselves tried to free the boy with no luck.
The dad is in a tough spot. He is out of options. Out of answers. Out of opportunities. So when his son is brought to Jesus, the father pleads with little expectation of any change, “But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us” (Mark 9:22 NIV). It is an honest request. “If you can do anything, take pity. Help.” Here is a guy at the end of his rope. Here is a man who has nowhere else to turn but to a Jewish rabbi who has a group of ragtag followers and the tendency to declare Himself God. At this point he is willing to try anything.
And it seems that Jesus knows this man’s situation. He picks up on the subtle condition in the man’s request. “If you can” the father had asked, and Jesus responds with, “‘If you can?’ Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23 NIV). This is the chance a desperate dad has been waiting for. “Anything is possible?” He wonders. “Even healing? Even freedom from this spirit? Even a chance at a normal life?” But what Jesus is asking for is belief, for faith, for hope in an outcome that has seemed stubbornly illusive and far from a reality. Jesus is asking for trust, and after all the disappointment this dad has seen and experienced, he isn’t sure he can muster any up.
Mark records this happening, Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 NIV). This is a man in a desperate situation who knows Jesus can handle his desperate faith. In one swift profession, a father makes clear his craving for healing and for hope, and his utter lack of confidence in both. He knows that all Jesus is asking for is belief, but after all these years of disappointment, he isn’t sure he has much to offer.
It isn’t often that we live that honestly—not with one another and certainly not with God. If someone asked us if we “believe,” if we have faith, if we have hope, many of us would answer with a confident “of course,” even if deep down we can’t figure out what we think or who we hope in. But this man with the sick son looks into the eyes of Jesus and tells him exactly where he is. “You want me to believe? I want to believe, but I am not sure I do and I am not sure I can.” Jesus was not mad, disappointed and certainly not surprised. And do you know what He does? He heals the boy. Not based on the grand amounts of faith a fearful father can muster up, but in spite of his lack of faith, coming on the heels of his honest confession. “I do believe, but I don’t believe. And I need more than just a healed son. I need help with the part of me that doesn’t know who You are or what You can do.”
There is freedom in coming clean—with your struggles, with your mistakes, with your unbelief. God does not run and hide from your honesty. In fact He embraces it and is able to work in spite of it. The possessed son was healed. And in a way, so was the dad. They got more than just a solution to a physical remedy. They had an encounter with God—who wanted nothing more from them than belief and an honest confession of what they were lacking.
If you encountered Jesus today, what would you cry out to Him? Think beyond what you need. What would you honestly and sincerely tell Him? “I do trust You, help my lack of trust!” “I do want to follow You, help where I don’t.” “I do think You exist, help me when I just don’t feel sure.” “I do think You have a plan, help me when I don’t think that plan includes me.” “God, I’m not that into You, help me.”
You may be surprised what happens when you get that honest with God. You may get more than what you came for. You may get an encounter with a God who can handle your doubts, your disappointment and even your disinterest—and who works in spite of it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Join me in reading through the Bible as it happened.
Hello friends,
SO, this year I'm again reading through the bible (Perhaps I should say trying...as I've never finished the year). This year I am doing it chronologically beginning in the New Testament. We will read the bible as it happened beginning with the birth of Christ; we will then go back and read the OT as it happened ( I know it's backwards, but I usually am).
(By the way I got this from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL.)
Day 1
Matthew 1
Luke 1:1-2:38
Day 2
Matthew 2
Luke 2:39-52
Day 3
Matthew 3
Mark 1:1-11
Luke 3
John 1:15-34
Day 4
Matthew 4:1-22, 13:54-58
Mark 1:12-20; 6:1-6
Luke 4:1-30; 5:1-11
John 1:35-2:12
Day 5
Matthew 4:23-25; 8:14-17
Mark 1:21-39
Luke 4:31-44
Day 6
John 3-5
Day 7
Matthew 8:1-4; 9:1-17; 12:1-21
Mark 1:40-3:21
Luke 5:12-6:19
Week 2
Day 1
Matthew 5-7
Luke 6:20-49; 11:1-13
Day 2
Matthew 8:5-13; 11:1-30
Luke 7
Day 3
Matthew 12:22-50
Mark 3:22-35
Luke 8:19-21; 11:14-54
Day 4
Matthew 13:1-53
Mark 4:1-34
Luke 8:1-18
Day 5
Matthew 8:18-34; 9:18-38
Mark 4:35-5:43
Luke 8:22-56; 9:57-62
Day 6
Matthew 10; 14
Mark 6:7-56
Luke 9:1-17
John 6
Day 7
Matthew 15
Mark 7:1-8:10
Week 3
Day 1
Matthew 16
Mark 8:11-9:1
Luke 9:18-27
Day 2
Matthew 17-18
Mark 9:2-50
Luke 9:28-56
Day 3
John 7-9
Day 4
Luke 10
John 10:1- 11:54
Day 5
Luke 12:1-13:30
Day 6
Luke 14-15
Day 7
Matthew 19
Mark 10:1-31
Luke 16:1-18:30
Week 4
Day 1
Matthew 20
Mark 10:32-52
Luke 18:31-19:27
Day 2
Matthew 21:1-22; 26:6-13
Mark 11:1-26 ;14:3-9
Luke 19:28-48
John 2:13-25; 11:55-12:36
Day 3
Matthew 21:23-22:14
Mark 11:27-12:12
Luke 20:1-19
John 12:37-50
Day 4
Matthew 22:15-23:39
Mark 12:13-44
Luke 20:20-21:4; 13:31-35
Day 5
Matthew 24-25
Mark 13
Luke 21:5-38
Day 6
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35
Mark 14:1-2, 10-31
Luke 22:1-38
John 13
Day 7
John 14-17
SO, this year I'm again reading through the bible (Perhaps I should say trying...as I've never finished the year). This year I am doing it chronologically beginning in the New Testament. We will read the bible as it happened beginning with the birth of Christ; we will then go back and read the OT as it happened ( I know it's backwards, but I usually am).
(By the way I got this from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL.)
Day 1
Matthew 1
Luke 1:1-2:38
Day 2
Matthew 2
Luke 2:39-52
Day 3
Matthew 3
Mark 1:1-11
Luke 3
John 1:15-34
Day 4
Matthew 4:1-22, 13:54-58
Mark 1:12-20; 6:1-6
Luke 4:1-30; 5:1-11
John 1:35-2:12
Day 5
Matthew 4:23-25; 8:14-17
Mark 1:21-39
Luke 4:31-44
Day 6
John 3-5
Day 7
Matthew 8:1-4; 9:1-17; 12:1-21
Mark 1:40-3:21
Luke 5:12-6:19
Week 2
Day 1
Matthew 5-7
Luke 6:20-49; 11:1-13
Day 2
Matthew 8:5-13; 11:1-30
Luke 7
Day 3
Matthew 12:22-50
Mark 3:22-35
Luke 8:19-21; 11:14-54
Day 4
Matthew 13:1-53
Mark 4:1-34
Luke 8:1-18
Day 5
Matthew 8:18-34; 9:18-38
Mark 4:35-5:43
Luke 8:22-56; 9:57-62
Day 6
Matthew 10; 14
Mark 6:7-56
Luke 9:1-17
John 6
Day 7
Matthew 15
Mark 7:1-8:10
Week 3
Day 1
Matthew 16
Mark 8:11-9:1
Luke 9:18-27
Day 2
Matthew 17-18
Mark 9:2-50
Luke 9:28-56
Day 3
John 7-9
Day 4
Luke 10
John 10:1- 11:54
Day 5
Luke 12:1-13:30
Day 6
Luke 14-15
Day 7
Matthew 19
Mark 10:1-31
Luke 16:1-18:30
Week 4
Day 1
Matthew 20
Mark 10:32-52
Luke 18:31-19:27
Day 2
Matthew 21:1-22; 26:6-13
Mark 11:1-26 ;14:3-9
Luke 19:28-48
John 2:13-25; 11:55-12:36
Day 3
Matthew 21:23-22:14
Mark 11:27-12:12
Luke 20:1-19
John 12:37-50
Day 4
Matthew 22:15-23:39
Mark 12:13-44
Luke 20:20-21:4; 13:31-35
Day 5
Matthew 24-25
Mark 13
Luke 21:5-38
Day 6
Matthew 26:1-5, 14-35
Mark 14:1-2, 10-31
Luke 22:1-38
John 13
Day 7
John 14-17
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