Trusting yourself
This weekend I started reading East of Eden by John Steinbeck. This American Classic is a modern day retelling of the story of Cain and Abel. I am only about 6 chapters in at this point, but some of Steinbeck’s words struck me within the first few pages. He was describing the characteristics of a group of people who were able to eek out a living on barren ground. But instead of just saying that they were hardworking people, or that they refused to quit, Steinbeck said this; “But I think that because they trusted themselves and respected themselves as potentially moral units- because of this They could give God their courage and dignity and then receive it back. Such things have disappeared perhaps because men do not trust themselves any more, and when that happens there is nothing left except perhaps to find some strong man, even though he may be wrong, and to dangle from his coattails.”
These words were particularly powerful to me, because of what it means to trust yourself, and what you are capable of once we fully know who we are as one of God’s children. Trusting oneself does not mean we are arrogant or full of self, but that we really know who we are as God created us to be. When we trust that God created us, values us, and desires for us to be in relationship with God, we can begin to fully trust that our creator made us for a real purpose. When we begin to trust that God created us, knows us, and wants us to be a part of building the kingdom, we can begin to become a part of the life change that God is working. We can receive the gifts and talents that God has given us, and give them back to God by sharing them with the world. After all that is our calling, to share our gifts to heal a broken world. God has given you gifts, and is calling them to use them. Trust that you are created with beauty, grace, and power. Know that you can change lives through the Holy Spirit. Find your identity and value in the love of God. Trust that God wants you, and use that to change the world.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Tags: Calling, Church, East of Eden, Faith, Jesus
Happy Aldersgate Day
For those of you who don’t follow John Wesley’s life, May 24th might be just another day. But let me assure you, it is not. No, May 24th is Aldersgate Day. I can almost hear you asking me, “But Ben, what in the heck is Aldersgate Day?” Well let me paint you a picture.
This is John Wesley, I didn’t paint this picture.
On May 24th, 1738, John Wesley met with a small group of Christians for Bible Study. John had been raised in the Anglican Church, and was even an ordained minister, but he still felt as if something was missing from his spiritual life. He had been on a missionary journey to Georgia, and he was completely unsuccessful. He was reading different books, learning from different Christians, but still couldn’t quite figure out what was wrong. He just didn’t feel assured in his salvation. He knew that Christ had come to save the world, but he didn’t feel as though Christ had come to save his sins. He was not intimately connected with his Savior.
That is when everything changed. On May 24th, at a Bible meeting on Aldersgate Street in London, that Wesley had a special feeling. His journal states; “About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death…” Wesley’s life was changed. From this point forward, he had a renewed passion and fervor for mission and ministry. Wesley had an experience with the Risen Christ that changed him. It was from this day that the Methodist movement exploded. God reached into Wesley’s life, and all of us who claim a Wesleyan Faith tradition are different because of it. Today we celebrate, because God reached down to touch the life of a scared and confused man. Today we celebrate, because God still reaches down to touch the lives of scared and confused men and women today. Rejoice, Rejoice, again I’ll say rejoice. Make room for an experience with the Risen Christ today, and may your life never be the same again.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Old Crow Medicine Show and Me
As summer begins, and the weather warms up it becomes time for Old Crow Medicine Show. No, that isn’t an old time remedy for the winter blues, it is the name of a bluegrass band I love. Old Crow in the past has been known for their wild lifestyle and rock star mentality. But in their last album, they seemed to have grown up a little bit, and are starting to see the world differently. Buried deep within the album is a song called “Lift him up”. Take a second to listen, it may be a little slow at first, but the soulful sound will cure what ails ya, of that I am sure.
The line that stands out to me in this song is “Always lift him up and never knock him down”. What great advice. So often in our lives we fail to help our brothers and sisters up, whether because we don’t have the time, don’t know what to do, or just don’t want to help. Even worse, we sometimes knock each other down through our words and actions. But Christ calls us to lift each other up, to build each other up in love. We are not to take pot shots at one another, chip away at each other’s self esteem, but rather stand beside each other in the bogs of life, and lift each other up. This weekend, sing the line to yourself, let it be your prayer, that God will strengthen and encourage you in this endeavor. Have a wonderful weekend!
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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What we do and who we are
How do people know if you are a Christian? Should you wear a badge of some sort, identifying your faith system? What about a tattoo on your wrist that declares your denomination? Or maybe your phone ringtone would be a hymn? An old song we used to sing in grade school said that people would know we were Christians by our love, essentially stating the idea that actions speak louder than words. And for the most part this may be true. Often times our actions do speak for who we are and what we believe about God, the world, ourselves, and each other.
But if we rely fully on our actions to tell the whole story of who we are as faithful Christians, doesn’t that limit our ability to create spaces for others to experience Christ? Aren’t there some situations where actions of love don’y fully speak to the depth and breadth of the love of God. Sometimes we need to be able to explain who God is and what God is doing in our lives. The practice of our faith is invaluable, but it should not eradicate the need for us to be able to verbalize the essence of God. For while our actions speak volumes, our words can be the way in which God speaks to those around us.
Our faith is not solely what we do, but rather who we are. It encompasses our entire being, and comprises us all. Do not be afraid to speak to those around you about the experiences you have had with God, sharing the love and grace you have found. Look to Jeremiah 1:6-9. Jeremiah tells God that he cannot speak, for he is only a boy, and doesn’t know what to say. God tells Jeremiah that God will be with him always, and God reaches down, and puts God’s words in Jeremiah’s mouth. So likewise, God will provide the words for us when we need to speak a word of life, hope, or love into our neighbor.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Ron Swanson and Christianity
I thoroughly enjoy the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation. Mary and I look forward to watching the hilarious hijinx of this local branch of government in Pawnee, Indiana. But there is one character in particular that is much more appealing to me that to Mary, and that is Ron Swanson.
Ron Swanson is a mustachioed, masculine, ‘Merican who loves steak, bacon, and Libertarian-ism. He strangely plays the head of a government agency, all the while believing their should be no government. He delivers classic one liners, and is a very rich character, played brilliantly by Nick Offerman. Ron has developed a Pyramid of Greatness, that he uses to educated young people on important values. I highly suggest you listen to Ron talking about it, follow this link to see it for yourself, be prepared to laugh!
Ron has put together a pyramid of things he holds dear, things that are important to him as he leads his life. These are the values that he wants to pass down to the next generation. I have to say I agree with him about skim milk, basically it is water with white food coloring, right? But seriously, this raises a question for me? What would be on my Pyramid of Greatness? What would be on Jesus’?
I think that answer is pretty clear. Jesus commands in Luke 10:27, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’” That is our Pyramid of Greatness, love, in all of its forms and fashions, life boils down to love. And where we invest our love is where we invest our lives. So get to investing, and live your pyramid.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Tags: Jesus, Love, Parks and Rec, Ro, Ron Swanson
Bend and Not Break
This morning, as I was leaving the house, a storm was rolling through. It was raining and the winds were blowing fiercely. When we first moved in, Mary and I planted a Red Maple tree. At first, she didn’t look like much. but as spring came, she has become quite beautiful. But today, I was scared for her life. She was blowing to and fro, and things were looking quite perilous. Fully grown Maple trees are strong, tough, durable. But our little red maple is not quite that way. I thought for sure she would break right in half.
Our little tree bent, but did not break. She waved all over, but refused to give up. She was not unfazed by the wind, like a mighty maple would be, but she did not succumb to its force.
Surely there is a lesson in there for our walk with Christ in a world that so often rejects us. We are often tossed from side to side by bad news, personal failures, or bad days, but we should draw our strength from Christ. We might not be able to stand firm like a mighty Maple, but we can learn to bend and not break. If we find our strength and life in Christ, then no matter what the world throws at us, we will be able to stay standing. That is not to say that storms won’t come and winds won’t blow, for they will, but that with Christ as our foundation, our roots so to speak, that we will survive, and live to flourish another day.
If the winds of life are pushing you around, root yourself in the strength of Christ, and bend but do not break.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Tags: Jesus, Love, Maple, Strength, trees
Humbled by Ants
I try to read a great deal. Throughout my seminary career, I was constantly reading some classic theology or cutting edge research. In the year after seminary, I gained a great deal of insight not from reading books, but by reading online literary journals and blogs. This week, one of the blogs pointed me to an interesting video. The blog was about the complexity of creation, and how amazingly creative God must be. But in watching the video that was not the first thing to strike me. But before you read what I have to say, go and watch the video for yourself, follow this link.
In the video, researchers discover the incredibly complexity and grandeur of an ant colony. And my oh my, is it something to behold. The ants move 40 tons of soil. Not 40 pounds, 40 multiplied by 2,000. They compared it to the construction of the Great Wall of China. It was not designed by one particularly brilliant ant, no blue prints were laid out, no master plan was developed. I bet the ants didn’t sit around in a board room discussing, visioning, futurecasting. They just went out and got to work. They worked for the betterment of themselves, which in turn benefits them all. They didn’t seek self interest, they sought the good of all. They didn’t carve out their own gardens, homes, places first, they worked for the success of the colony. They worked together, and they succeeded. For creatures with such limited creative capacity, to be able to accomplish something so intricate is extraordinary.
So what more should we be able to do? We humans, who can paint masterpieces, build automobiles, write symphonies. What can we do if we work together for the betterment of all, knowing that we cannot be truly whole until all are whole? What would God want us to do? I often think back to the words of my high school English teacher who said this; “There are roughly 1 billion Christians in the world today, and roughly 6 billion overall. Name one problem that could not be solved if 1 billion people decided to do something about it.” We can change the world, we can make a difference. If ants can build something like that, then surely we were made for so much more. God has called us to so much more.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Rainy Days and Mondays
It is a rainy day in Cabot, on this the last day of April. I love rainy days. There is something about the refreshing, cleansing feeling of water pouring down from on high. The real reason I love rain, is because I am amazed by water. It is vital for life, a necessity for plants and animals alike. Without it, we cannot live for long. It cleans us, heals us, keeps us going. It can cool us, cook our food, do just about anything. I love the way it feels, the way it looks, water is incredible.
Water is refreshing, it makes things new, changes the landscape. I think sometimes we need refreshing in our spiritual lives. We tend to get stuck in ruts, and can no longer see God or how God is moving in our lives. We need to let the rain of the Holy Spirit pour freshly into our hearts, oh that grace like rain. So whether or not it is raining at your house like it is raining at mine, allow God’s grace to rain into your hearts. We could all use some refreshing rain in our lives. So take it, and make the most of it!
Grace and Peace,
Ben
P.S. for those of you who recognized the title from the Carpenters song,follow this link to hear the song. It is such a classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPmbT5XC-q0
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James Bond and Perfection
I have just started reading Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver. It is the latest novel telling the story of International Man of Mystery James Bond. This Bond adventure is set in the modern day, and is intriguing and gripping. But I have an issue with this book. My problem with this book has nothing to do with the writing style, the subject matter, or the villain. The problem arises out of how I feel when I compare myself to James Bond.
This is my first Bond book, although I have been watching the likes of Sean Connery and Roger Moore portray him for years in film. And there is something different about reading just how perfect Bond, James Bond happens to be that is more nauseating than on the big screen. He simply cannot make a mistake, nothing is done without precise calculation, knowing the exact outcome. He is a great driver, excellent marksman, impeccably dressed, wealthy, sophisticated, the definition of cool. There are no cracks in his facade. He is the perfect agent. The epitome of all things spy.
And that is all well and good until I begin to look in the mirror, i see my thinning hair and slightly less than chiseled physique. I see my faults and my failures, the opportunities I missed. I mean come on, who could possible stack up against all that he has going for him. I feel paltry in comparison to 007, until I realize something. I am the one who should feel sorry for Bond, not the other way around. Because Bond lacks something that I have in abundance, love.
Bond doesn’t seem to know the love of his parents, the love of a spouse, the love of best friends, the love of a church family, the unconditional love of God. When he looks in the mirror all he sees is himself “perfect”. But when I look into the mirror, I can see past the imperfect into the loving eyes of my wife, the support of parents, the dedication of friends, and the sacrifice of my savior.
We are all broken, imperfect people, but the love of our savior picks up the broken pieces and makes us whole again. So if you are feeling less than Bondlike today, take heart in the love of those around you. Take heart in the fact that your creator and savior cares so deeply for you. Take heart in the love of God that knows no bounds. Take heart.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Tags: Grace, James Bond, Savior
Inspiration
Some days my mind is a never flowing stream of ideas and concepts, things to talk about, conversations to have, words to share. Today has not been one of those days. Inspiration seems difficult to come by. The words are not there, the well has seemingly run dry.
How often do we feel like this in our faith lives. The weight of the world begins to bear down on us, and through all of the stress we deal with a work and at home, trying to be “loving and kind” seems like a little much. Heck, just being civil is almost to much to bear. It is on days like this that we need something more, something we cannot provide for ourselves. Something that only God can give. One days when the world seems to much for us, when all inspiration seems lost, that we look to the Psalms.
If you are feeling like this today please check out Psalm 46, even if you are not, spend some time reading it. Especially verse 10.
Be still and know that God is God. Take heart in the fact that God cares for you deeply. God’s love is unfailing. Find you center in that love, and be better for it.
Grace and Peace,
Ben
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Tags: Faith, Inspiration, Jesus, Stillness
