Jesus, The Centrality of

The ancient Irish are famous for their dedicated monastic tradition and incredible missionary impact throughout all of northern Europe. No doubt they would often quote Patrick their spiritual father:

"Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, Christ in the eye of every one who sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me."  (The Lorica, Attrib: Patrick of Ireland)

On one of the worship teams I used to be part of we would sing:

"You're the center of the Universe; everything was made for You... Oh Christ, be the Center of our lives. Be the place we fix our eyes." (Charlie Hall) 

Paul the Apostle gave Jesus a central place in theology: 

"He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church. He [Jesus] is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he [Jesus] might be preeminent." (Col 1:15-18)

Jesus himself taught in several places that he was the focus throughout OT Scripture. (Jn 5:39-40,46, Lk 24:25-27,44-45). Really, it begins to look that Jesus--his person and work--is the primary theme of the whole Bible:

 "And he said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into is glory?'  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Lk 24:25-27)

Paul also taught that in all we do, we ought to see nothing less than Jesus as the end: 

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Col 3:23-24)

One question asked often at my Seminary is "How do we make the Bible the functional authority in life and ministry?"  Perhaps another (and superseding) question should be "How do we make Jesus the functional center of all aspects of our lives?"

It is a question I ask with trepidation and yet anticipation. So often my own worship, my intellectual pursuits,  my Bible reading,  my work,  my relationships, my ministry to others, my recreation--so many places I fall short in centralizing Jesus.  Not centralizing Jesus and thereby giving him less worship than he is due--this is without doubt the greatest sin of omission. Yet finding him and recognizing him as the center is also the greatest opportunity in life!  God forgive me where I lack and draw my heart towards you! 
 
Is it possible that even a post like this is in danger of drawing our focus away from the actual person Jesus and instead into musing on a concept of  his centrality?  I don't know.   Let us continue with that caution. 

15 iHe is the image of jthe invisible God, kthe firstborn of all creation. 16 For by6 him all things were created, lin heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether mthrones or ndominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created othrough him and for him. 17 And phe is before all things, and in him all things qhold together. 18 And rhe is the head of the body, the church. He is sthe beginning, tthe firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For uin him all the vfullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and wthrough him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, xmaking peace yby the blood of his cross.

The point is that Jesus needs be at the center.  Encountering Jesus in historical narrative, in personal relationship, in prayer and meditation, in community fellowship, in corporate worship, in nature, in holy communion, in service to others--there is deep purpose and benefit in all this.  We are not striving to become some crazed hippie-looking "Jesus freak" who can [like] only talk about how [like] awesome Jesus is.  No, I'm not advocating anything that would appear fake or feel unnatural.  (Although, its true you don't really know where centering on Jesus will ultimately take you...)   Encountering the person of Jesus is encountering God Himself.  Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Perhaps that is part of why He has a type of preeminence, even in the Trinity (Col 1:18, Phil 2:9).  Of all the persons of the Trinity, we humans can identify with Jesus the most--he is, after all, human as well as divine. The fact that we have a flesh and blood historical God-man Jesus somehow makes it easier to identify with him--to trust him, and to center our lives in him. 

If Jesus unequivocally IS the center of all things, I wager that our lives will feel un-centered and confused until we make him the functional center in our lives.   Whatever we struggle with or wherever we go or spend our time--let us seek to know Jesus in each of these endeavors.  At work, at home, at church, at play--Jesus wants to become our center.  In the midst of great suffering, life can only continue to make sense in the context of his cross.  Only as we center on him, will we experience real contentment or fulfillment. 

Lord Jesus, You are the center.  We humbly acknowledge your central place in all things and we ask You to draw us and help us that we may ever more focus our heart, soul, mind, and strength on You.

Walking with God is like a song

One topic I'm really interested in is preaching.  I want to know, how can we best communicate the truth about Jesus and who He is?  How can the words we use in a church service best be used to increase people's faith in God or encourage them in their walk with Him?   At this point, I don't preach often. I only get the opportunity to share in front of a group occasionally.   Recently, I uploaded all the sermons I have recorded copies of.  It's funny as I re-listened to them how encouraged (and how convicted) I was. It's interesting how the lessons of years past are so applicable to me here again at a new place in my own life.

Walking with God is like learning a song with many verses but the same tune repeats over and over again.  Although you're singing different words the second or third time through, you quickly realize the tune is the same.  At the end of the song, you probably don't remember any of the words except the first phrase, but that tune--well, that tune really sticks.  You learn the tune.

Walking with God is like that. The lessons God teaches you at one point in time He will often come back and teach you again. And again.  And again.

Some probably would say it is because we are "slow learners".  Yes, that is true.  But it goes deeper than that. I think God is very interested in a few core themes (things like His glory, His loving nature, Our need for Him, His desire for communion with us, His desire to redeem our world).  These things are the music.  In each verse, though, we experience the core truths of God in new (and deeper) ways.  New situations or new challenges in life bring different words to the same tune.  They add depth to the meaning of the tune.

That is how I feel when I listened to some of my old sermons.  If you care to listen, the sermons I uploaded are here: http://lifetothefull.sermondrop.com

Awed afresh by the Incarnation

Once again this Christmas I am amazed by the incarnation.  More than any other doctrine or event in history, I find this one event to be the greatest.   Jesus' death and resurrection (Easter) are up there, too, for sure. But just think about this event we are celebrating.  The incarnation is like the ultimate plot twist in an already enthralling super-novel.  God becoming a man? The Son of God embracing human form? That is something in my psyche and intellect that is so unexpected and paradigm shifting.   

The complete awe of this event is not associated with its show of power.  Indeed, the awe is produced by the incredible yielding of power.  Infinite God willingly assumed a form that was finite.  The Creator--the Word of God Himself through whom the earth was spoken into existence--inhabited human form and experienced His very own creation in like manner as the creation!  There is no comparison.  There was never an event like this and there will never be an event comparable.

In this one act, Jesus also demonstrated the inestimable worth of humandkind.  We humans, we share traits with other animals, yes.  Yet the Son of God, pure Spirit, esteemed human form as as worthy of Himself.   The Bible says He "became flesh".   He assumed, not temporarily, but for all time a human form.  How mind boggling!  We truly are made "in the image of God" if the divine Son of God Himself could become one of us.  He thinks that much of our race, wow!   

The incarnation is logically unexpected and in some ways intellectually incomprehensible. Yet its implications are philosophically astounding, emotionally overwhelming, and full of spiritual mystery.  In the wake of the incarnation's paradoxical demonstration of power comes a deeper revelation and understanding of both the divine nature and human nature. Unbelievable!


Truly we stand in awe of you: Jesus, the God-man.   You have demonstrated to us that the greatest power is shown through meekness and humility.  You have show us in your action of incarnation how valuable all people actually are in your sight.  Guide our worship of you this Christmas to be full of the reverent awe you deserve. Amen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:1-3,14 ESV)

3 ways to be a legalist

A lot of accusations of "legalism" fly around from time to time.  It refers to a negative phenomenon and implies that a follower of Jesus is not in touch with what the Good News is really all about. I think all Christians struggle with legalism at different points in their journey.  I find it helpful to think of the term in a few categories. Legalism is... 

1. Legalism is trying to earn salvation (justification) by keeping the Law of the Bible or by following a specific set of rules.  The Bible teaches that we can only be saved by faith in God through His gift to us!
2. Legalism is trying to make oneself holy (sanctified) by following the law or a set of rules rather than believing your holiness before God comes because of your new identity as a child of God..  (This does not say that God does not have a certain standard, but it does call us to examine our method of and motives for becoming holy.  Holiness must also come by faith, not by simply my own striving.)
3. Legalism is requiring a set of rules that are more restrictive than God's rules and holding others to this standard as if God did in fact did require it.. Like the Pharisees, we Christians sometimes interpret and apply the Bible's teaching "by the letter of the law" and/or add extra requirements rather than focusing on the "spirit of the law". 

For the record, #2 is the one I struggle with the most.

Perhaps this is a sermon series and not a blog post, but one root thing that all three of these "types of legalism" have in common is emphasizing our faithfulness/responsibility to God in a way that supersedes or overshadows His faithfulness and love to us.  God's faithfulness to us is the centerpiece of the Gospel, not our faithfulness to Him.  Of the two, His faithfulness to us must always come across louder and clearer.  We must learn to find our identity in His faithfulness, not our own.  This puts the focus and glory back on God, not us.  This is the only way to experience abundant life! 

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.  As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."  (Romans 1:16-17, NLT) 

Longing to Belong

What is your niche? Have you found your niche in the Kingdom?  A niche is that place, group, or activity that feels right, where you know you belong.  I think everyone has this yearning for a sense of "belonging."   Do you feel like you belong in your church or family or other circles you might be part of?

There are perhaps different types of niches.  There is the type of belonging that says "I am accepted here, I am known here, these people know me fully (warts and all) and (yet) fully accept me! These people would give their life for me and I for them!"  This is real friendship, this is real community, real fellowship.  Paul used the Greek word koinonia in Philippians to describe this kind of bond he had with the Phillippian church.  Unfortunately, I think it is rare in many churches. It takes time and vulnerability to achieve.  People who live out this type of community live in an environment of real grace. I have experienced this at times in small group settings and in family.  People are really "family" in this group.  The words "brother" and "sister" take on real and deep meaning.  This is a beautiful thing.  Really it is a taste of heaven as the Holy Spirit invades and transforms our relationships here on earth.  

The second type of niche finding is that fruit-bearing niche.  Most of us also yearn to be able to say "I am being used!  I understand my gifts and they are being utilized! I see God doing things through me!"  Productivity-driven American culture often  elevates the importance of this niche over the previous one.  I often fall into "task-mode" or "vision-mode" and begin to rate myself based on this niche.  (Bad idea.)   This is an important niche, but it is not primary.  Fruit is important.  Reaching out to others (even reaching the whole world is important), but be cautious of how it becomes your focus. Measuring yourself by how well you perform will suck the life out of you and leave you feeling defeated.  This is not the New Covenant way. Also, you may go many years and not feel like you've found this niche.  It often takes time to understand how God has wired You and your fruit-bearing niche may not become clear for sometime.

There is another aspect to finding your Kingdom niche.  This is really the first and primary aspect.  I dare say that this niche is a precondition to any real sense of belonging in the Kingdom.  Sobering, too, is that I even forgot this most important niche when I began this entry.   Our primary place of belonging in the Kingdom is to belong to Jesus.  We have to understand and experience a continuing relationship to the King of the Kingdom. You and me: sons and daughters. We are seated with Jesus in heavenly realms. We are forgiven and covered by Jesus' own righteousness.  When the Holy Father looks at us, he sees the perfectness of His Son; he doesn't regard us in our sin or shortcomings. He yearns to walk with us.  He desires communion with us as a friend or even a lover.  

This is the primary niche that we as believers need to really understand.  Let it wash you again.  Fight to abide here in this place. This is life itself.   The Eternal God loves you and has opened up a place for you at his table and next to His throne.  If that's not a niche, if that's not a place to feel a sense of belonging, I'm not sure what is.

Remind of this, Lord, we know you have made a niche for us in Your family. We long to belong.  Help us as we seek out communion with you and help us to trust you with our other needs for feeling a place of belonging. 

One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.
    (Psalm 27:4)

How many dimensions does preaching have?

I recently watched a video of Tim Keller sharing his views on biblical preaching. It really resonated with my soul. I don't believe Keller has written a book on this subject (at least not yet), but this video may be one of the best teachings I have heard to date on preaching. Other study I have done recently on preaching method has seemed rather one-dimensional and left me frustrated. (One-dimensional preaching = focusing almost exclusively on behavior change as the goal of preaching.) Keller is refreshingly multi-dimensional.

Keller suggests that biblical preaching needs to be: 1) Gospel-centered, 2) Christ-centered, 3) life changing on the spot, and 4) culturally transforming. Each one of these really hits a vibe with me. Preaching needs to proclaim the true Gospel (not moralism/behavior change), show how Christ is the theme of all of Scripture and exalt Him above all, aim for supernatural heart change on the spot, and aim to effect cultural change by truly understanding and engaging the cultural viewpoints of the listeners. I like his thoughts, I like the order they are put in, and I like the depth with which he elaborates!

Have a listen if you're interested:

Tim Keller Feb'09: Preaching the Gospel from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.

Leading is all about following

"Follow me"

A quick search reveals that Jesus uses the phrase 20 times in the gospels. This was Jesus' call to Peter and Andrew the fishermen, to Philip, and also the call to Matthew the tax collector.  The same call to the rich young ruler proved ineffectual because the wealthy lad could not give up what he valued,  "Sell all that you have and follow me."  Follow me--so simple, yet so difficult for those endowed with much of anything. 

Perhaps the greatest quality of any true spiritual leader is this one quality: being a follower.  Not a follower of a specific church leader or of a certain philosophy of life. Not a follower of a particular religion.  Not a follower of a rule of life, a specific group of teachings, or a series of principles.  The call is a call from a Man to follow Him.   "Follow me."

Simple, yes? Yet so difficult.  Jesus knew that His way was the way of a cross. Thus our invitation to follow is paired with cross-bearing.  "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."   The simple follow me is inseparably linked with take up your cross.

This, then, is the way of the Kingdom.  All Kingdom leaders are expert followers.   The greatest is the servant of all.  Jesus turns on its head every worldly paradigm and shatters every humanly normal way of looking at things.  The paradox is shockingly fresh and beautiful.

Do I want to be a follower of Jesus?  Yes! Of course I do!  Yet sometimes--No, no thank you!   There is no greater calling and no greater joy than to be following Him.  Yet sometimes still I want to be like the rich young ruler and cling to the prestige and security which I have inherited or can build in my own strength. But one cannot truly follow Him and avoid the way of the cross.

Thanks be to God for His gift of grace and promise to complete the work He has begun.  Help us, Lord to be faithful in following You.   Plant in our hearts a desire to follow You that is stronger than our desire to lead others. Amen.

Is leadership over-hyped?

Is the concept of leadership over-hyped? Over my past 4 years in a ministry training environment, that's a question I've asked myself and a skepticism I've put to many different of my thinking friends. My question is asked sincerely but also out of a sense of frustration. On the one hand, I know I'm called to follow God in such a way that I will also be leading others. Yet on the other hand, I have trouble identifying with a lot of what spoken of, exemplified, and taught in the name of "leadership."  The corporate world gives us the CEO example, the mega church gives us a super-pastor model, the para-church gives us the disciplined, respected, popular leader. I don't identify with any of them.  Honestly, I wonder how much Jesus or the disciples would have identified with these models.

Some of my friends are specifically and passionately pursing a "leadership" calling on their life and in some cases have done extensive reading on understanding how to be a leader. In my church, we often talk about "leadership gifts". We, the American church, have many different "leadership" conferences, summits, and seminars that are designed to take on "leadership" issues. There are a plethora of both sacred and secular books on how to be an effective leader. In spite of all this the church as a whole seems to have a dearth of good leaders. Many church leaders and well-known Christians say things like "the church needs more leaders!" or "there is a lack of leadership in the church!" I don't necessarily disagree. But I do wonder. Sometimes I wonder things like, "Are church spokespeople missing a bigger and simpler mandate than leadership? Are we elevating a secondary topic to a first place position? Are we over-complicating this?"

Jesus instructed his followers to do many things. Perhaps highest on the list were the verbs believe, love, abide, serve, and feed (i.e. Jn 3, 13, 15, 21:15-19). I propose that these verbs point to a main mandate to become spiritually mature in Jesus. As people of God, we are called to receive His grace and live it out. We are continually called to new and deepening levels of this receiving and living. I further propose that spiritual leadership comes almost naturally as an out flow of this kind of maturity in Christ.

I wonder sometimes if our approach to training leaders is akin to teaching a caterpillar to fly. Caterpillars as caterpillars are not equipped to fly. But, fly they will once their maker transforms them. Growing up and waiting are the key things for the caterpillar to work on, not flutter techniques. Perhaps those who assist the caterpillar should just be satisfied that the caterpillar will one day burst into flight. This is a simplification of course. I do in fact believe that there are learned leadership skills and techniques that are helpful. Yet it seems to me that 95% of spiritual leadership is simply spiritual maturity.  If believers and church leaders would focus primarily on growing deep in Christ, good leadership will emerge with vitality.

Show me someone who's body, mind, emotions, spirit, and relationships have been transformed by the Holy Spirit, and I will show you someone who is a good leader.  I would further wager that the biggest hindrance in my own leadership is not that I don't know what to do or how to do it. Rather, it stems a lack of maturity in several areas where God continues His work.  I need more of His love flowing through me, a deeper understanding of his abiding presence and father-love, a transforming desire from Him to serve, an excitement of being vulnerable in community, and a compassion to feed and shepherd!

Real leadership is excellent and we need it in our churches, yet I can't help but think that maturity in Christ is the platinum commodity.  What do you think?

The Clue Hunt

Friday, April 30, ~ 6:00 pm. Alissa was expecting her boyfriend to arrive from out of state. Instead, a dozen Roses, a sealed envelope (clue #1), and a keyed box (clue #3) are delivered by Kim to Alissa’s house (Bama & Papa’s). The clue is to call Bre and get her help in opening the box.

Clue #1:

A wildflower or a rose, which one do you propose?

Like you, a wildflower is pretty yet much untamed,
Each bouquet—full of color, unique, far from same.

A rose, so formal, implies distinction.
Like you it’s special, beautiful, exquisite, and expensive.

A wildflower, though, seems most natural
It fits your attitude, your cadence, and your fashion.

Still others say that roses, “they are more impressive.”
Those thorny plants insinuate more—connection?

A boyfriend’s dilemma to be sure!
But at least when in love… maybe I should ….
Choose the rose?


Dear wildflower,

You are more special than all the wildflowers OR roses the world over. These are just a reminder of that simple fact. I’m actually not going to be in town tonight . But, I will see you tomorrow. There’s a few things you need to do tonight to get ready for tomorrow, though. The necessary instructions are in the locked container.

The person who will help you open that box is someone whom you know.
You say she’s good at organizing things at home and even in your abode.
This isn’t difficult, in fact I think I’ve already given it all away.
Just pick up the phone and call a friend whose last name begins with K.

Friday, April 30, ~ 6:10 pm. Bre answers phone and (eventually) discloses that she has the next clue and will bring it over to Alissa’s house.

Friday, April 30, ~ 6:30 pm. Bre arrives at Alissa’s house with an envelope (clue #2). It contains the following note with a key enclosed that fits the lock on the box already delivered (clue #3).

Clue #2:

Dearest friend,

Here is a key. I think of 3 things when I look at this key:

1) God has given you a key. You seem to have a key to unlock certain things in me that no one else can. You bring out aspects of fun, wildness, faith, and passion for life that no one else to this point has seemed able to release. You increase my desire to walk in holy obedience to God’s Spirit, and your example challenges me to be more the kind of man I want to be.

2) Second, I am giving you a key. I have been and am still choosing to yield to you another key—the key to my heart. You get this key because I trust you. I am willing to entrust you with access the deepest places of vulnerability, more than anyone else has. To you I open the craziest musings, the ugliest struggles, and the most sacred blessings. You, dear friend, are given access to walk and browse in all these places.

3) Lastly, you have been giving me a key. The greatest blessing I have experienced in our relationship is you, opening yourself to me. You have allowed me to begin to unlock your heart in a way that fills me with joy. You have chosen vulnerability over fear or protectiveness. You have chosen—in spite of my own struggles at times to walk in grace—to trust me with an unmasked view of who you are and who you desire to become.

Keys, then, are important. This one, though, will just open the next clue. Maybe Bre can help you figure out and complete the next step. Have fun with it.

I love you.
Matt

KEY ENCLOSED IN THIS ENVELOPE.

Friday, April 30, 6:40 pm. Alissa and Bre open the box in question (clue #3). It has chocolates, etc., and an envelope with the poem below:

Clue #3:

Sweetheart,

Don’t be mad, don’t be (too) sad.
You’ll get to see me soon, so it’s not all that bad.

Adventure awaits you on the morrow
With me, your friend, your bow, your… lover (?)

I’ll keep you guessing about the precise destination
But I’ll give you some hints about your preparations

The Adirondacks would be great, but buggy I’m afraid
Let’s go somewhere more civilized on this the first of May.

A jungle would be nice, or a Siberian plain, (haha)
But these are a bit far-fetched for a weekend’s simple aim

So, pack a bag for tomorrow, adventure doth await.
Think urban fun—not Africa—streetlamps when it gets late.

Enough for a few days, a couple nights.
Nothing complicated. Please, keep it light!

Don’t worry about a place to sleep. I’ve got that figured out.
Someplace we’ll both find interesting, no doubt!

Bulky baggage is more difficult to carry. If you think you’ve got the knack,
Maybe you could fit it all inside a medium backpack?
(but, don’t worry if you can’t)

Remember, sometimes streets seem forever to go on,
Bring footwear a mite less beautiful, but still practical and fun.

So, I think this concludes all the hints I have for you.
Of the coming day, you’ve been given a small preview.

Tomorrow will be an early date, I think it best we don’t be late!
Be ready for a knock on your door at quarter to eight!

Sleep well, best friend, dream deep.
Pack your stuff and seek that elusive sleep.

Saturday, May 1, 7:45 am. Becca arrives at Alissa’s house. Becca gives her an envelope (clue #4). Envelope apologizes that her handsome boyfriend can’t be there, but one of favorite mutual friends is! Yay! The envelope gives her instructions to go order a latte from the counter of her favorite Starbucks. Clue below:

Clue #4:

What? Who’s this?
It’s not Matt, it’s Becca!
A friend loyal, honest and supportive
Our inevitable pairing—perhaps she knew?

Good at hugging she might be,
But now, perhaps, hers are insufficient
To fill a hole of romantic affection
That feels (right now)…deficient!

So put your bag in Becca’s car
She’ll help you find your truer love.
Don’t forget your license, wallet, purse, or phone
You might need these yet for future roads.

Chaffer Becca, set your course
To the place of Lissa’s last work.
Order a Latte Tall (decafe will do!)
You’ll receive an envelope with another clue!

The coffee, its brewing
The next clue, its looming!
We’ve time enough to skip the Via,
But don’t get stuck barista mingling!

Saturday, May 1, 8:30 am. Alissa arrives at Starbucks. Hannah, Vanessa, Kate, or other barista at Starbucks gives her an envelope when she places her order for a Latte (clue #5).

Clue #5:

Barista Alissa,

I can think of three things that make my heart beat faster:
a) A triple shot mint mocha venti frap consumed in under 15 minutes.
b) A hug from you or gazing deeply into your brown eyes
c) The ends of earth, and God’s sovereign plan for those people groups.

> You can get a) now if you desire (but it wouldn’t be advisable).
> I’d like b) now, but I’m not sitting across from you next to the bonsai tree and I miss you.
> The physical gateway to item c), however, is pertinent. It is your next stop where you will receive your final clue.

So go—
go to that place where the earth meets skies,
where long trips are born, where people fly!
park the car and go inside,
pick an escalator and sit nearby.
your next emissary is not shy.
he will surely find you and say ‘hi’.

Saturday, May 1, 9:20 am. Alissa arrives at airport. Jeff is waiting for her, keeping an eye out for her. A little while after she sits down near the escalator he comes by and says hi. No idea how he will play this one off, but eventually he gives her an envelope (clue #6) with instructions on how to get her ticket.

Clue #6

My Dear Alissa,

Congratulations on making it to clue #6 in one piece. I expect that the future may contain many adventures, and much travel. Your final instructions are below:

1. Go to US Airways check-in computer
2. Retrieve a boarding pass for yourself using the Record Locator code BPJFQD. It is a direct flight to your destination.
3. Check your bag if you need to (if it is too big or if it has aerosol/liquids in it). (Money is for checking bag). Otherwise you can carry it on.
4. Wait for your flight.

I’m expecting you.

Love, Matt

US Airways record locator: BPJFQD
Orbitz record locator: AP800101BPJFQD8M
Airline ticket number(s): 03777552010912

Saturday, May 1, 11:21 am. Plane leaves.

[Open on the plane envelope]

Dear Alissa,

I am glad that you are now underway to join me in DC for a weekend getaway. I hope the small clue hunt over the last 17 hours has been fun and not too exhausting/stressing. Of course, you said at one point that you’d follow me anywhere, so perhaps I am just testing and teasing that theory a little bit. But I also wanted to have some time with just you, so this seemed like a good plan. An adventure for both of us, together. I appreciate your readiness to try new things and to be flexible and spontaneous.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Love, Matt

Saturday, May 1, 12:48 pm. Plane arrives in DC Reagan National. Matt is waiting at the gate as Alissa gets off the plane.

Saturday, May 1, afternoon.
>Use Metro to travel to the hostel 5 blocks E of the Capitol and drop our bags.
> Do some walking around the mall, visit some of the Smithsonians (Botanical garden, Art Museum), get lunch. (Also, try the paddle boats on the tidal pool).

At sunset, on the banks of the Potomac, I proposed, and she said YES!



(To view more photos of the weekend, click here.)

Special thanks to:
Kim (mutual friend from Campus Ambassador days at SUNY)
Breanna (Alissa’s cousin and friend),
Rebecca (mutual friend from SUNY and Cornerstone),
Hannah, Vanessa, Kate & Starbucks friends, (Alissa’s community from her last job)
Jeff (mutual friend from Cornerstone)

Thanks for your help in pulling this off. You guys are awesome.

Alissa Jodelle Detweiler, I LOVE YOU!!

Holy Spirit: fill, heal, change

Lord Jesus Christ, I want to put You first.
each day, in everything, in every way.
to choose your path first at every junction,
for this--a way of life, I yearn and pray.

a songwriter once wrote “prone to wander”
and Lord, I do feel this so strong.
I do not plan to run from You; but so often,
my heart just grows cold and I find myself alone

why does my heart become so underwhelmed
when everything around shouts and sings of your great love?
why do I become distracted in the course set for me?
certainly this is the epitome of shallowness--what stupidity!

You are the pearl of great price
your worth is certain above all sacrifice
only with every possession held in full surrender,
can I embrace this life of complete abandon.

help me, Holy One who lives within
change my heart, free me from all sin.
fill me up with your desire and give me that ability to follow
guide me in the truth by your own power

not in the likes of me does power such as this abide
only in your gift of love can it possibly materialize
I am empty, broken, willing
Holy Spirit, be my filler, healer, and desire.

Birthday reflections

Birthdays are, among other things, opportunities to reflect on where you have been and where you are going. For those of us who follow Jesus, it is an opportunity to give thanks to God for what He has brought us through and the blessings He has given us.

As I enter a new year of life, I give thanks afresh to God for his provision of two amazing parents—parents who have sacrificially poured their own lives out for their children. For a father who has modeled a life of striving toward God, depending on God, giving thanks in all things, and a willingness to continue to grow and change regardless of his stage in life. For a mother who has demonstrated persistence in her relationship with God, unending love and concern for her family, hospitality to friends and strangers; a woman who’s inner beauty is becoming deeper and clearer with each new year.

I give thanks to God for three sisters—not just sisters, but the best and closest of friends. Sisters who have challenged me through their life choices and willingness to make radical decisions to follow Jesus; sisters who have encouraged me with words of affirmation, who have affirmed God’s work in me, and have both accepted and shared wisdom at apropos times.

Praise God, too, for a wonderful family in Christ. Even this year, God has expanded this family to include so many new kindred spirits. Thanks to God for new brothers, fathers, uncles; new sisters and aunts. Thanks to him for friends that are brothers indeed; for helping me learn new things about how to live and serve others in a community of grace.

Most of all, I give thanks for what Jesus did that enables me to truly know my heavenly Father and experience His comfort, life, joy, peace, and purpose. Thank you Jesus for continuing to shine Your grace upon me; thank you for giving me what I don’t deserve: Life. Not just air to breathe, but the Holy Spirit—breath from heaven that fills me to overflowing and brings me glimpses of a Reality that is far more glorious than anything I could imagine.

Many other co-workers, teachers, and dear international friends could be mentioned. I look at my facebook profile and see an astounding 388 people—all people that I know in some way or another. Relationships—with God and with others—these are the greatest of God’s blessings. Thank you for the birthday wishes; thanks for all of you who have helped me realize today how blessed I really am. I am a rich man.

Intimacy: the Motivation for Purity

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

--Jesus, Matthew 5:8

“Mauriac dismissed most of the arguments in favor of sexual purity that he had been taught in his Catholic upbringing. ‘Marriage will cure lust’: it did not for Mauriac, as it has not for so many others, because lust involves the attraction of unknown creatures and the taste for adventure and chance meetings. ‘With self-discipline you can master lust’: Mauriac found that sexual desire is like a tidal wave powerful enough to bear away all the best intentions. ‘True fulfillment can only be found in monogamy’: this may be true, but it certainly does not seem true to someone who finds no slackening of sexual urges even in monogamy. Thus he weighed the traditional arguments for purity and found them wanting.

“Mauriac concluded that self-discipline, repression, and rational argument are inadequate weapons to use in fighting the impulse toward impurity. In the end, he could find only one reason to be pure, and that is what Jesus presented in the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ In Mauriac’s words, ‘Impurity separates us from God. The spiritual life obeys laws as verifiable as those of the physical world….Purity is the condition for a higher love—for a possession superior to all possessions: that of God. Yes this is what is at state, and nothing less.’

“Reading Francois Mauriac’s words did not end my struggle with lust. But I must say that beyond all doubt that I have found his analysis to be true. The love God holds out to us requires that our faculties be cleansed and purified before we can receive a higher love, one attainable in no other way. That is the motive to stay pure. By harboring lust, I limit my own intimacy with God.

“The pure in heart are truly blessed, for they will see God. It is as simple and as difficult, as that.”

--Phillip Yancey in The Jesus I Never Knew (p. 119), reflecting on the writings of French Catholic Francois Mauriac

I read and reviewed Yancey’s book in one of my classes this semester. Personally, this one quote was worth the whole read—it reverberated with me. There is no real intimacy with God without purity. God had been challenging me all semester to view purity not so much as an abstention from certain behaviors, but rather a passionate pursuit of just One thing. God. I say God has been challenging me in this—I would really like to say I have learned this, but really, I am struggling so much to apply it.

God. Possessing God. Finding intimacy with Him. Accepting all His love and being able to love Him back. This is the goal. Nothing less and nothing more. Jesus spoke of this kind intimacy in His “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17. He desired that His followers “may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21). Jesus sees this intimacy with Him as the path to real joy (John 17:13).

But how do we get to knowing God like this? Not just knowing intellectually about Him, but seeing Him for who He is? How do we move beyond intellectual conjuncture and into the realm of seeing—the experiential realm of realizing the reality of God Himself? Its precondition is purity. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” How does one ”get” pure? We know we can’t do it ourselves. Notice it is purity in heart. It is not people who simply do pure things or believe in pure things, nor people who just think purely. Purity is a disposition of the heart.

Some people seem to think (or at least act like) that the goal of Christian living is discipline. But discipline is a petty aim. What does it get you? If discipline is an end in itself, it either makes you feel smugly self-righteous, or sorely disappointed and lifeless because it you just missed out on something that seems really cool and pleasurable. Why discipline ourselves? Should we even bother to pursue discipline? Discipline has this tendency to either feed my pride or make me feel like a failure! A couple times I have wondered that in order to purse a grace-filled life, maybe I should ditch any pursuit of discipline altogether.

But perhaps the key to practicing discipline is to realize that discipline is not the end in itself. It is one aspect (among others) of growing toward purity of heart which in turn produces intimacy with God. Discipline is one way we cooperate with God in making us pure. But if we forget the goal of discipline (real intimacy with Him) we are elevating a secondary pursuit to an abysmal first.

Purity, likewise, is not to be pursued as merely an end in itself. It is not merely a form of self-discipline to make me a better person—that is far too weak a goal to accomplish something so insurmountable. Purity (more specifically for me: Moral Purity) has that end of intimacy with Christ. I want to Possess Him and live in the richness of His love. That is the motivation that propels me to repent (turn away from) inferior affections and to nurture passion for Him. I crave Intimacy and I know that there is only one Person who can fully satisfy that craving. I have tasted of His intimate love and caring nature, but do not live in it moment by moment.

Change our hearts, oh Lord, to truly desire You above all else.

On standards we can't keep

"I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself," the first-term governor told a packed press conference at his Manhattan office. "I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he added, as his wife of two decades, Silda, stood by his side.

–Words of Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York State, alluding to allegations of illegal involvement with a prostitution ring. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7288540.stm

How many times do we disappoint and fail to live up to the standards we expect for ourselves? That is perhaps the key thing that defines fallen man. Fallen man is not defined by the fact that he no longer knows right from wrong. His problem is that he knows right from wrong, but is hopelessly unable to walk in it. Everyone—atheist, Christian, or heathen alike—all set some sort of standard for themselves concerning the way they think they ought to live! The ironic thing is that people break the very standards they themselves create! I am not speaking here of God’s laws and perfect holiness which we obviously far fall short of, but something more simple—those artificial standards of righteousness we set up for ourselves.

From the mom who says she should never yell at her kids (and then does anyways) to the husband who says that he should always be patient with his wife (and then loses it), to the kid who has always said cheating was wrong (and then looks at his friend’s paper), to the governor who spouts the need for integrity….need I go on? I mean, really, if you yourself can’t think of a single circumstance of duplicity in your own life, then perhaps your thinker is out of order. We all do it on different levels in various circumstances.

What is the natural response when we find ourselves in a position where we have violated what we understand to be right? Well usually, the place I want to start is blame—I blame my circumstances, or the people who have influenced me, the helps that had been denied me, or the pressures that surround me! Sometimes (and this one can even look responsible), I blame my own weakness. That way at least it looks like I am facing up to my errors! In reality, though, I am simply hiding behind my humanity as an excuse for my shortcomings.

Another natural response is simply a sudden shift in standards. “Oh, well, I thought that was wrong before, but now because I have done it, and found so much pleasure in it—well…it can’t be wrong because it felt so right! Wow, I was so inhibited!” We have just justified something we knew was wrong. Maybe we’ll feel guilty about it for a while, but eventually it will begin to feel like normal behavior.

May I submit that this human behavior pattern of violating what we know to be right is a universal indication that mankind is broken? We are fallen people. We know what we ought to do and yet don’t do it! It is not complicated! It is just that we are broken! Men and women will face judgment primarily on the basis of this reality—their constant falling short of the standard they know to be right. In fact, we in essence judge ourselves. We know what is right, yet screw it up.

You get the picture here? The good news is this: God sent a Savior, Jesus. He fixes things. In fact, He fixes broken people. All who trust in Him, acknowledging that they have failed and need fixing get a special gift: they are no longer judged the way they deserve to be judged, and they receive new power that grows them toward actually living the way they ought to live.

Learn from our poor governor—learn from me—it’s impossible for you to live up to the standard you expect from yourself. If you think you are actually doing it, you probably are just blind to the duplicity of pride that permeates your existence.

Be honest about your shortcomings and look to the Savior for his forgiveness and help. It’s never too late and never to early to repent. It’s the sweetest gift you’ll ever receive, and it’s a gift you will have to keep tapping over and over again.