So What's In A Number?

Have you ever noticed how numbers tend to grab our attention -- especially large numbers?  For instance, when you hear the lottery is worth over $20 million, those of us who usually don't give the lottery a second thought head to the store to buy a ticket!

There is nothing inherently wrong with numbers.  They merely represent the quantity of a thing being measured.  But, when we equate numbers with something more than the mere quantity of a thing, we run into problems.  In particular, when we use mere numbers to measure or define "success" we enter dangerous territory.  This is especially true when dealing with people.

For example, you invite 50 people to a party and only 15 show up.  Is the party a failure because so few people showed up?  Or was it a success because you had the opportunity to spend more time getting to know the people you invited.  You plan an event expecting 500 people the participate and only 150 people arrive. Is the event a total failure?  Or was it a success because the passion in the 150 people that showed up deepened to a new level.  

Recently, I've been looking at the life and ministry of Jesus.  It's true that Jesus preached to many people in the synagogues.  In fact, crowds often followed Jesus wherever He went.  Most of us are familiar with the time Jesus fed 5,000 with just a couple loaves of bread and a few fish. (NOTE:  the number 5,000 only denotes the men present; women and children were not counted. This points to another problem with numbers -  "someone" determines who gets counted...)  But, if you look at the life and ministry of Jesus, you will see He was not moved by numbers - He was moved by the lives of individual people.

For example, when the outraged religious leaders of a community brought a woman caught in adultery before Him to be stoned, Jesus was not moved by the mob; rather, He was moved with compassion by the sobs of the woman laying prostrate before Him.  Another time, as Jesus was entering the town of Nain, a large crowd was following Him.  However, what captured His attention was the overwhelming grief of a widow and mother whose only son was about to be buried.  

It's not that Jesus didn't care about the crowds, it's just that for Him, numbers did not represent success, but rather the desperate need of those in the crowd.

It's also interesting to note that with all the crowds that followed Him, Jesus could have chosen several hundred of these followers to be His disciples.  However, He only chose twelve.  Undoubtedly He had many other followers than the original twelve (i.e., He sent at least 72 followers out to carry His message of the kingdom from town to town).  But, when He hung on the cross and suffering horribly, only one of the twelve, John, was standing at the foot of the cross.  Peter denied knowing Jesus three times the night before.  And Judas betrayed Him for just 30 pieces of silver.  At the foot of the cross the crowds disappeared.  In fact, from a numbers standpoint, Jesus' earthly ministry was a spectacular failure.  

Perhaps, that's why, for Jesus, it was never about numbers.  In fact, I believe that's why He said, "For where two or more are gathered in My Name, there I am among them." (Mt 18:20)

So, the next time you are tempted to equate numbers with success or failure, I challenge you to see numbers for what they are -- the measure of a mere quantity, not a measure of success or failure.

When God Thinks About My Future, He Has Peace!

When you think about your future, what do you feel?  Anxious? Excited? Fearful?  Well, when God thinks about your future, He has peace!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, not of evil, to give your a hoped for ending."  (Jer. 29:11)

The Hebrew word for "thought" is machashabah, which means "thought" or "that which anyone meditates, purposes or plans."  (Often times this verse is translated, "For I know the plans I have for you...")

First, it's worth noting that God's thoughts are settled - they are definite.  God does not change His mind based on our circumstances. (James 1:17)  God sees the end, we see the moment.

Next, the Hebrew word for "peace" is shalom.  The full definition of shalom means completeness, soundness, health, prosperity, as well as friendship with God and other people; this word includes the idea of safety and soundness while here on earth.  Your heavenly Father is not sitting in Heaven thinking of ways to take you out because of the things you've done wrong.  God is NOT mad at you - no matter what! 

Finally, God's thoughts are toward us.  His thoughts are in motion - toward me!  The eyes of our Father in heaven are on you and His ears are open to your prayers. (I Pet. 3:12).  You can't have your eyes on someone if you've turned your back on them...  God never turns His back on you...He is all about moving toward you...

When God thinks about your future, they are thoughts of peace toward you.  He is not worried about your future; He is not anxious that you might not get it right; He is not afraid of the circumstances you find yourself in...

For me this is a very personal revelation...I little over a year ago I was diagnosed with fairly advanced cancer.  The doctors have their opinions about my future, but God has peace about my future.  WOW! 

Today, may you find rest in His peace about your future...His eyes on you, His ears are open to your prayers, and His heart beats for you...

What Were You Thinking, God?

 

How precious are Your thoughts toward me, how vast is their sum.

Tonight my heart is overwhelmed having heard but only one.

I asked about Your thoughts toward me while in my mother's womb.

And You spoke these words to my heart, my joy is now renewed...

"You are My one and only."

Do You Feel Invisible?

"I am an invisible man.... I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids—and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me." (Ralph Ellison)

Have you ever felt invisible? Our culture is all about being seen. All kinds of people hire publicists and marketing agents to get/keep themselves in the public eye. Advertisers spend millions of dollars to get their products "placed" (i.e., seen) in movies. And in the "real world," where most of us live, there's the constant jockeying for position to get the boss to notice us and/or our work. I would go so far as to say many of us derive our sense of self-worth or value from whether we feel "acknowledged" by others.

But, Jesus said, "the first shall be last and the last shall be first" - the Great Reversal. (Mat 20:16) In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us to "be content with obscurity, like Christ." (Col. 3:4 Mssg) He implores us to "...be content with second place...." (Col. 3:12 Mssg) This idea is not only counter-cultural, it's contrary to human nature!

We were all born with an innate need to feel valuable. God created us with this need to be acknowledged - to feel like we are worth something to someone. However, when we determine our value by what "do" and what others say (or don’t say), we set ourselves up to be hurt, disappointed, and even disillusioned.

God's plan is that we derive our sense of self-worth from what He says about us. No object determines its own value; rather the creator of that object determines its worth. No matter what you happen to think about yourself at this moment, the truth is you were created in the image of God. Take a moment and think about that...The God who created the heavens and the earth, bent down, and from the dust of the earth, created man. Then, from man, He created woman. God valued His creation so much, that He walked and talked with them in the coolness of the Garden each evening. (Gen. 3) And, after the man and woman made the fateful decision that caused them to be cast out of the Garden, God the Father demonstrated His love and value for His creation (i.e., you) that He sent His only son, Jesus, into this world, to reconcile us back to Himself.

In light of all this, we should never allow external circumstances (i.e., the words, actions, or inaction) of others to determine our value to God, others or ourselves. I'm not suggesting that this is easy to do! In fact, just to be totally transparent, this is something that I am presently working on in my own life. It hurts when you feel invisible. But, I find comfort from the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. (I'll let you read the story for the details!) Suffice it to say, Hagar, who had been mistreated through no fault of her own, and due to her circumstances feeling invisible and alone, finds herself in a life and death struggle for survival. It's at that point she encounters El Roi - "the God who sees me." (Gen 16:13)

He sees me. He sees you. To Him we are never invisible and to Him we are of infinite value and worth... May you find peace and encouragement in this Truth today!

God Does Not Waste His Breath . . .

I find it fascinating that there are only two instances in the Bible where God is recorded to have breathed on man.

The first is found in Genesis 2:7 where, "God formed man from the soil of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being." It's interesting that although God "spoke" the heavens and earth into being, and He "spoke" and the land produced living creatures (i.e., animals), He did not "speak" man into being. Instead, with His hands, the Creator of the universe, bent down, and fashioned man from the soil of the earth. Then, He breathed on him, and man became a living being. Thus, man became alive with the life from God; he had spiritual understanding and a conscience.

The only other time God is recorded to have "breathed" on man is found in John 20:22 where Jesus "breathed" on them (His disciples) so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. With the breath of Jesus, man became a new creation --the old was dead and gone and the new came to life! This does not mean we are a new and improved version of our old selves. On the contrary, we were completely transformed into a place made habitable for His Presence. No longer would the Presence of God live in an inanimate ark hidden behind thick curtains and accessible to only a few. Now, the very Presence of God lives in men and women, no longer hidden, and His Presence is accessible to all!

But back to my main point...God does not waste His breath...

The whole reason Jesus Christ breathed His life into us is so that we would be reconciled to Him AND so that we would reconcile others to Him. When we experience the extravagant love of God in our own lives, we cannot help but tell people about His love. The "ministry of reconciliation" given to us by God is our primary purpose. Simply put, we are to share with EVERYONE the good news that God is NOT counting their sins against them. He loves them no matter what they have done, are doing, or will do!
What's more, God left it up to us persuade men and women of His unconditional love for them.

Given that God does not waste His breath, we should be careful not to do so either by speaking judgment or condemnation into people's lives. It's been my experience that most people are fully aware of what they are doing wrong. However, they are usually completely unaware that God loves them anyway. He breathed His precious life into us to make sure that everyone knows just how much He really loves them... So, go breath life into the lives of those all around you!

Lost Value . . .

No object determines its own value. Rather the maker/creator of that object determines its worth. Often times, the church acts as though until a person is "saved," they have no value to God. But God sent His one and only son, Jesus, to seek and save that which was lost. (Lk 19:10) You don't call something "lost" if it doesn't have intrinsic value. In other words, something or someone can only be "lost" if, by its very nature, it has value.

I make this observation because I believe if we do not see people as having value before they accept God's free gift of salvation, this mindset will affect how we relate to the "lost" people that cross our path every day. For example, rather than taking the time to establish a relationship with these individuals, or at least taking the time to ask their name and how they are doing, there is the temptation to merely present the Gospel, and if they do not ask Jesus into their heart, simply move on to the next evangelistic target.

But God doesn't place a higher value on people because they accept His free gift of salvation through Jesus' death on a cross. People are valuable to God no matter what the present state of their beliefs or behavior because He created them in His image, reflecting His nature. (Gen. 1:26) Afterall, it was His idea to call them "lost" in the first place!

So, the next time you share the good news of God's love with someone, keep in mind God values them whether they accept or reject His love. Should we do any less?

When Heaven is More Real Than the Stones...

Thoughts are a funny thing... They are either affected by what is happening in our bodies or in our spirits. In the past ten months, my body has gone through six surgeries, six rounds of chemotherapy, and so far twenty-three rounds of radiation. Needless to say, it's been a battle trying to keep what's happening to my body from overwhelming my thought life. And to be honest, there have been times, especially recently, when I've momentarily lost the will to fight that battle...

So, what caused me to temporarily lose the will to fight? It's simple, really: I shifted my focus from what God, through the Holy Spirit, was saying and doing in my heart, to the pain I was feeling in my physical body. Let's face it, physical pain is real - and it can be real intense. But, when I focus on my physical pain, it is difficult, if not impossible, for me to experience the reality that I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven. What's more, I don't have to wait until I get to heaven to experience these blessings!

It's been God's plan from the beginning to unite all things in Him (Jesus), things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:10) In fact, Jesus prayed, "on earth as it is in heaven." It's not that we get to go to heaven one day, but that we have the capacity to experience heaven here - right now!

No, I haven't lost my mind! The truth is that it is no longer me living in this body, but Jesus living in me and through me. (Galatians 2:20) And in Jesus, the fullness of God the Father dwells bodily, and we have been filled in Him. (Col. 2:10) No matter what I may be experiencing physically in my body, the truth is that if I focus on what the Holy Spirit is speaking to my heart, I will see and experience heaven here on earth.

Case in point, in the Book of Acts, we read about the stoning of Stephen. While Stephen's body was being pummeled by rocks, he hardly noticed because he had his eyes and thoughts fixed on Jesus. (Act 7:55) And because Stephen was focused on God, he saw Jesus standing at God's side in heaven. (Acts 7:56) Stephen wasn't dead when he saw/experienced heaven - he was very much alive with his feet firmly planted on this earth. Stephen could have focused on the incredible physical pain he was experiencing from the barrage of rocks bruising his flesh and breaking his bones. Instead, he chose to focus on Jesus - the One God planned from the beginning to unite all things in heaven and earth. His choice to focus his thoughts on Jesus allowed him to see Jesus standing at God's side. Every other biblical reference to the risen Christ indicates He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. Stephen saw something no one else has ever seen!!!

For Stephen, heaven was more real than intense pain of the stones striking blow after blow on his physical body. Just a thought: What would our lives look like today if heaven was more real than the stones of sickness, disease, etc. afflicting our physical bodies today?

Just Call Me The Disciple Whom Jesus Loves!

I have always been intrigued by John, one of Jesus' twelve disciples.

John was chosen by Jesus to be a disciple, along with his older brother James, after Peter and Andrew, who were also brothers. Peter, James and John were present at the transfiguration of Jesus. In fact, only Peter, James and John were allowed to follow Jesus when He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead.

During the last Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples, John sat on Jesus' right side - the place of honor - and leaning back, laid his head on Jesus' chest in order to ask Him a question.

John was the only disciple who was with Jesus at the beginning of his ministry, was present at His crucifixion, and witnessed His complete resurrection. In addition, historians tell us that John was the only disciple that did not run away or hide from the authorities during times of persecution by the Romans or the Jewish leaders. Finally, John is the only disciple that lived a long life, and died a natural death.

All in all, John lived a pretty incredible life! However, one particular thing about John always annoyed me. In fact, I used to think John was pretty arrogant because in his writings, he always referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." I mean, didn't Jesus love all His disciples equally?

Well, it's taken me a while, but I think I finally understand why John referred to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." It wasn't that Jesus loved John more than His other disciples. Rather, John, perhaps more than the other disciples, never quite got over how incredible it felt to be loved by Jesus.

The love of Jesus is not like the world's love, which is often conditional and self-centered. Jesus' love is extravagant! He doesn't love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of Himself to us! His love accepts unconditionally what others reject or consider hopeless.

Speaking from personal experience, when I began to actually experience the love Jesus has for me, EVERYTHING changed -- and for the better! I no longer run away from God in fear when I mess up - and I still mess up - a lot! Today, I run to Him and I am still amazed that He stands there with arms open wide and with so much love in His eyes....

So, please don't think me arrogant or proud when I refer to myself, like John did, as the disciple whom Jesus loves!

Let's give 'em something to talk about...the angels, that is!

I decided on the spur of the moment to take a trip to the beach this weekend. Generally, I'm not that spontaneous, but I had an incredible urge/longing to see the ocean and walk in the sand. (A special room rate at 70% off helped a lot, too!) Anyway, as I drove the almost six hours to Destin, Florida, I spent the time praying, meditating and talking to a friend on my cell phone (hands free of course)! By the time I arrived here, I just knew God had something very special in store for me...some face time with Jesus!

Yesterday morning, I was reading the Book of Ephesians (The Message translation) and it just came alive! One particular verse is still ringing in my heart: "Through Christians like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!"

So, what is it that gets the angels in heaven talking? Making the extraordinary plan of God known!

God's plan is that we as individuals understand that before He laid the foundations of the earth, He had us in mind and settled on us as the focus of His love; that because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross we can experience the utter extravagance of His love for us; and out of our own experience, reach out and help others to understand and respond to His love.

When we connect with God, experiencing His love for us, and then take it to the streets - the rulers and authorities in heavenly places take notice (i.e., the angels get to talking)!

Everywhere we go, there are people who cross our paths who don't know and/or have never experienced the extravagant love God has toward them. I don't know about you, but I feel compelled to share with them that God loves them, no matter what they've done, what they're doing, or what they will do. And just think, in so doing, we give the angels something to talk about!!!

Let's give them something to talk about every day!

All By Myself...Not Really!

Recently, due to circumstances beyond my control, I became intimately familiar with the physical pain associated with the treatment of a fairly serious illness. In fact, for the past 8 1/2 months, I've experienced physical pain in my body, for one reason or another, on a fairly regular basis. I've also discovered that doctors have a pill for just about any kind of physical pain you might be experiencing! However, the one pain they don't have a pill for, and often times don't even recognize, is the pain associated with the emotional isolation and loneliness that sometimes accompany such difficult physical trials...

Although the pain of isolation and loneliness is just as real as the physical pain, it is often overlooked, not just by doctors, but by those closest to those who are hurting, as well. For one thing, emotional pain is just not as obvious as the physical scars from surgery or a cast from a broken bone; it's easier to camouflage emotional pain with a smile, some pleasantries about the weather, and because, more often than not, people see what they want to see.

Well, I was thinking about all this tonight while walking my dog and I was reminded that Jesus was intimately familiar with physical pain. For example, the merciless beating and scourging He suffered before being nailed to the cross. And of course there's the incomprehensible physical agony associated with being crucified. But, in the hours leading up to His crucifixion and, even during His crucifixion, we get a glimpse into the overwhelming loneliness and isolation the man Jesus experienced as He walked through arguably the most difficult hours of His earthly life.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus didn't hide his sorrow and loneliness from His disciples. In fact, he took His three best friends, Peter, James and John with Him and told them, "my soul is very sorrowful, even to death; stay with me, watch with me." (Mt. 26:38). But they fell asleep. They just couldn't comprehend the depth of the emotional pain Jesus was experiencing. Even when He fell on His face and begged His Heavenly Father to let this cup pass from Him, rather than comfort Him, His friends fell asleep again. (Mt. 26:39). But, perhaps the most gut wrenching example of Jesus' loneliness and complete isolation is when, while hanging on the cross in excruciating physical pain, He cried out to His Heavenly Father and saying, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mt. 27:46).

Jesus gets it. He was despised and rejected by people, a man of sorrows, and well acquainted with grief. (Isa 53:3). He not only gets "it," He gets you - He gets me. He understands what it feels like to be alone - to be forsaken. But, because He cried out, "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" we don't have to. No matter how lonely or isolated we feel, we are never alone because He will never, never, never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5).

Tonight, as I walked my dog, I found comfort in knowing that Jesus understands not only my physical pain, but my loneliness as well. And my tears of sadness became tears of gratitude for the price He paid to call me His friend - He knows everything about me and He loves me completely. And here's the really good news: He understands your pain and your loneliness, too. No matter what you are going through; no matter who is or is not there with you through your darkest hour; He will never, never, never leave you. He was forsaken so that you will never be forsaken. May you find comfort and peace as you experience His loving Presence wherever you are, no matter what you are going through...

Neal Horsley vs Elton John - Jesus Loves Them Both!

On tonight's local news in Atlanta, they featured a story about a man named Neal Horsley who is supposedly running for governor of Georgia. One of his campaign promises is to "restore God's law to its rightful place of authority in the state of Georgia." Evidently, Mr. Horsley believes that the first step in "restoring God's law" in Georgia is to stand outside Elton John's condo with a sign proclaiming that "Elton John Must Die." Why? Because Elton John recently stated in an interview with U.S. Magazine that he thought "Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems." Apparently, Mr. Horsley takes exception to Elton John's characterization of Jesus Christ.

From my perspective, no matter what you think of Elton John's comments or Mr. Horsley's constitutional right to free speech (and that one is a very close call), to me it is incomprehensible that someone who allegedly desires to restore "God's law" to its rightful place would then advocate the death of another human being who was created in the very image of the God he (Mr. Horsley) purports to worship.

Perhaps, Mr. Horsley forgot - or maybe he was never taught - that the entirety of God's law is summed up in two commands: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In fact, Jesus stated that the entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. (Mt. 22:37-40). God's law is no longer about judgment. Jesus took the judgment for the entire world - you and me included - when He died on the cross. God's love for us is not based on what we did or even what we do. God's love for us is based on what Jesus did - nothing more and nothing less.

So, tonight It's my prayer that as Mr. Horsley spends the night in the Fulton County Jail, that someone, perhaps even Jesus Himself, will reveal to him how much he is loved -- and that this love is unconditional. One thing I am sure of, if Mr. Horsley personally experiences the extravagant and unconditional love of Jesus for him, his life will never be the same. In fact, I imagine the slogans on his signs will advocate love, and the words he speaks will bring life, not death. Amen - may it be so.

On Being Conduits of Clarity . . .

Today, I was thinking about what it means to be "transparent." I hear that word often, but I never really thought about what it means. So, I decided to look it up!


When used as an adjective to describe something or someone, transparent means having the property of transmitting rays of light through its substance so that bodies situated beyond or behind can be distinctly seen. Simply put, transparent means light passes through with clarity.


When you look at the person of Jesus, He was very transparent. For example, in John 14:9, Jesus tells his disciples that, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father." And when you look at Jesus' life on earth you see the heart of God the Father: He healed the sick, He raised the dead, He touched the untouchable, and He loved the unlovable. In other words, the light, life, and love of God -- the very heart of God the Father -- passed through the human Jesus with great clarity. And where there is clarity, distractions fade away and God's transforming light, life and love manifests powerfully (i.e., healings (physical and emotional), deliverance of all kinds, etc.).


Well, that's all well and good because we are talking about Jesus, but, what does all this mean for 'mere mortals' like you and me? Here's what really blows my mind: Whoever agrees that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides or lives in him and he abides or lives in God. (I John 4:15). Now, we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (I Cor. 2:12). And, as He (Jesus) is, so also are we in this world. (I John 4:17).


Consequently, God not only lives in us, but we live in Him. And because we have God's Spirit living in us so we can know His thoughts and understand what He has freely given us. What's more, as Jesus is, so are we in this world!!! Remember, Jesus is presently sitting at the right hand of God the Father right now! So...we are capable of being just as transparent as Jesus -clear conduits or a natural passageways for transmitting the light, life and love of God the Father -- right here -- right now! There's no time like the present - so let's just go for it!

Seeing His Eyes In Their Lives . . .

This is a re-post from my FB page, but a few peoplel really liked it!


Here's a thought that rocked my world the other day...I was reading Shane Claiborne's book, The Irresistible Revolution, and came across this idea: Jesus never talked to a prostitute, a murderer, an adulteress, or a thief because He did not see a prostitute, a murderer, an adulteress, or a thief. He just saw a child of God He was madly in love with.

More often than not I am so focused on the obvious condition or reputation of the person standing in front of me that I fail to see the One I love looking back at me... This is especially true if the person standing in front of me is someone who has hurt me or someone I just have a difficult time getting along with.

God please heal my heart so I can look into the eyes of those I don't even like and see You, the One I love . . .

Words, Definitions, etc.

I like words. In fact, I would go so far as to say I love words! The words we choose not only reveal what we are thinking, but much about who we are and how we see the world. So, I thought a lot about what to call this blog and came up with the idea of "Musings of an Ordinary Radical" because musings, as defined by James Atlas, are "an elegant tapestry of quotations, musings, aphorisms, and autobiographical reflections." I borrowed the phrase/idea "ordinary radical" idea from author, activist, and brother in Christ - Shane Claiborne.

The word "radical" literally means "root" - from the Latin word radix, which has to do with getting to the root of things. So what does it mean to be an "ordinary radical?" An ordinary radical is a person who wants to get at the root of what it means to love, and wants to get at the root of what has made such a mess of our world. (Shane Claiborne - The Irresistible Revolution - p. 20)

So, in essence, this blog will contain my musings about what I am learning it means to really love God and love people. I hope you will find this site thought provoking as well as entertaining.