Facebooking

I joined Facebook about 6 months ago and I've been fascinated with the social interaction there. I have contacts there whom I don't know well but we are now getting to be good friends. All because they read my Facebook comments and I've read theirs.

Online social interaction is hot right now. It is a tool for those who follow Jesus to make connections, to go where people are and become sympathetic friends.

I am not suggesting we become superficial contacts interested only in sharing the gospel and then moving on to the next conquest. But I think we can use this tool to touch others' lives in meaningful ways.

I found an interesting blog about ways to use Facebook. Take a look here and see if you get any ideas for making a difference in people's lives.

A son's inheritance, part 2

Yesterday we discussed the value of sons in God's design. Be sure to read that post before this one.

A son in ancient times had extreme value.

He perpetuated the life of his father. We understand genetics enough to know that a son would carry on many of his father's traits. We get the image of a father perpetuating himself in his son.

In Homer's Odyssey, which provides another glimpse into ancient thinking, nothing had higher honor than a worthy son. God used that ancient understanding to explain his view of his children.

Sons were seen as the strength of their fathers, something seen in Jacob's remark about his first-born son Reuben: “my might and the beginning of my strength” (Gen 49:3)

To sons were given the right to inherit family property and to carry the family name.
Overall, the image of sons in ancient times was of cherished people who grew into their family name and inheritance.

When we think of being "sons" in God's view, we can see ourselves as cherished people who carry his name and his image.

Yesterday we discussed how Paul intended to show that we all sons in God's design. We all are cherished, given his name and promised his inheritance.

There's no second place in God's plan.

A son's inheritance

Linda leaned forward over her open Bible and glared at me. "So does this apply to me?"

We were reading from Ephesians where Paul used the metaphor of adoption to explain God's redemption. But the kicker for Linda was that Paul said "Because you are sons...."

As a new believer, Linda detested language which seemed to exclude her. The text appeared to be for men and raised her suspicions that Christianity was a sexist religion that wanted to shut her out.

I hastened to assure her that ancient texts said "son" but really mean "sons and daughters," so she was included. Her feathers smoothed and she settled back for the rest of the lesson.

But I may have been partly wrong in my answer to her. Although I am absolutely convinced that God does not prefer males over females, I have been challenged recently by an observation from Russell D. Moore in his book, Adopted for Life, to look at this text in a different way.

Moore, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, points out that Paul could have included the Greek word for daughters had he meant to include daughters in his statement. So Paul, by Moore's thinking, said "sons" because he meant "sons."

I have to be honest. As I read Moore's opening statements, my feathers bristled a little bit. But Moore went on. In the ancient culture where Paul wrote, sons and daughters received different inheritances. Had Paul said "sons and daughters," his readers would have assigned different inheritance practices to each.

In other words, they'd have recognized the complete inheritance given to sons while then applying the limited inheritance to the daughters. So, to the ancient reader, God would have given different inheritance to sons and daughters.

They wouldn't have questioned that. In fact, it would have fit their understanding well.

But if Paul intended for them to know that both male and female in Christ got the son's inheritance, they would have understood better the full provision of God's redemption.

The ancients couldn't apply their cultural biases to God. Instead, they could see that God treated all like first-born sons - male and female.

We are all "sons" in God's design.

Sweet fruit

Abundant lush red grapes hanging from thick green vine appeal to me. So, when Jesus compared himself to a vine, promising fruit to those who cling to him, the imagery grabs me.

I can taste the sweetness of the juice and savor the fruit.

But when Jesus said to remain in his love, that is more abstract. How do I remain in his love?

Jesus answered the question in a talk with his disciples. To remain in his love comes on the path of obedience. ("If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love..." John 15:10)

Well, OK. But what is his command? Jesus must have been fielding questions from his disciples, because he answered that question shortly: "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you" (John 15:12)

So we are to love others as he loved us. That seems easy enough when the object of our love is a newborn or a dear family member. We get warm fuzzies back and feel good about it all.

Jesus expanded the circle, however. He wasn't speaking of the love that seeks return but of a tougher sort. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Now we're getting to it. How do I remain in his love? By laying down my life for others. That's what he commands.

When Susan washed clothes behind the scenes for weeks when a family was struck with a terrible illness, she laid down her life for others. When Sam hauled out trash and pulled weeds for a neighbor who could not- and was bitter about it- he laid down his life for another. When Nate spent his vacation feeding orphans in Haiti, he laid down his life.

Laying down our life isn't always rewarding except in one sense. Jesus promises his presence to those who remain in his love. And that is sweet fruit.

A sweet hunt

I'm not very traditional about Mother's Day but I want to tell you about a tradition that's developing in our family.

A few years ago, my husband and youngest children brought home a bag of Hershey Kisses and proceeded to hide them around the house for me to find in the coming days. This year, my 18-year-old daughter decided this was a tradition worthy continuing. She's calling it the Kisses Scavenger Hunt.

So, I've found Kisses in my mug and on top my toothpaste tube. There was a Kiss in my box of tea bags and one in my slipper. I found a Kiss in my sock drawer and another in my pencil holder. I've had to laugh at how well my daughter knows my morning routine. Everywhere I turn, there's another Kiss.

Isn't it great to be known and loved? I'm probably going to get a chocolate buzz today as I uncover these little gems. (Well, you gotta eat them or they go bad, right?)

I want to keep my eyes open, too, because God has a sweet scavenger hunt going all the time. There are sweet kisses scattered throughout my day, left by my Father in heaven who knows me and loves me. Keep your eyes open, too!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness....
Again you will take up your tambourines
and go out to dance with the joyful.

Jer 31:3-4

A pierced hobby

Check out this link to the world’s most pierced woman. These sort of things draw us. As usual, this article stirred all sorts of questions for me.

Are they sure she’s the world’s most pierced woman? Could there be a woman in some small tribe somewhere who is busy installing more studs?

And is this competition only for women? Are there guys similarly devoted to the craft...er.... art .... er.... mission ...er.... hobby?

Are there prizes for this? Would anyone sign her up for endorsements? Of what?

Is the garish paint on the face optional? Is that yet another passion?

And then there’s her quote: "But I am happy. I decided to change myself and be me."
Why would she be happy in changing herself like this?

Ultimately, I’d like to hear her heart. Her appearance isn’t attractive to me, but God sees the heart. I wonder what nudged her to this sort of adventure. I’m tempted to mock her but I think God would like to speak to her.

What questions would you have for her?

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Sam 16:7

Dancing with tambourines

I’d be dancing with a tambourine if I had one.

Jamaica has hovered on my imagination for several years and I thought this was the year to go. Until last week.

I told you last fall that God has asked me to pray about joining a team going to Jamaica. I did pray and I expected to go, but God never gave me the go-ahead. When the deadline came to buy plane tickets, I didn’t feel God’s permission and I didn’t go.

The team went last week and I stayed home, praying for them.

A week ago, a small ache began in my cheekbones and I assumed I had a sinus infection setting in. But by Friday, I was sitting in a dentist’s chair getting a root canal.

The week had been painful and uncomfortable.

When I realized that I could have spent the week in Jamaica with a horrible toothache, I began thanking God.

But why did he ask me to pray about going if he knew I shouldn’t go?

I think this is why: to be sure I noticed what he had done.

If he hadn’t asked me to pray about the trip, I wouldn’t have seen the overlap of toothache and trip.

He didn’t give me the toothache but he set the stage to keep me in the right place to deal with it. And to notice that listening to his words protected me.

He reminded his people before: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jer 31:3)

But here’s the tambourine part: “Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.” (Jer 31:4)

Even without a tambourine, I’m dancing with the joyful for such a Father.

Shampoo

The announcement surprised me a little.

“I need shampoo,” said 13-year-old son. Now this was something new, because his past included a time when washing the hair needn’t include shampoo, just sluicing a little water over aromatic locks.

But, hey, if he’s awash in hormones, he can be awash in soap, too, right?

“And it needs to be manly,” he added.

Manly? OK, I get that lilac and rose aren’t manly, but what’s so awful about coconut and strawberry? They’re in desserts, right?

But we marched down the shampoo aisle until he shoved a gray and black bottle in my face. “This is manly,” he said and so we bought it.

I barely had the cans of tomato sauce stowed in the pantry at home when he emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a damp towel, and put his wet head under my nose. “Do I smell manly?” And then he shoved his dripping forearm into the air. “Smell that!” We'd bought the matching shower gel, too.

He beamed after I assured him, “that is very manly.”

Being a parent has taught me some things about God’s nature. I chuckle at shampoo scents but he knows the number of hairs on my head. I want to assure my son of his manliness and God assures me of his love.

We are often as 13-year-olds but we can rest in a Daddy who is ready to sniff our arm and listen to our plans.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
Jer 31:3

God's selection

Kings will see, get to their feet—the princes, too—and then fall on their faces in homageBecause of God, who has faithfully kept his word,The Holy of Israel, who has chosen you."

Isaiah 49:7

The mama drama

I'm sharing a piece from Kathleen Y'Barbo. It's a wonderful piece on choices and love. Although it's written to teens, we can all learn. This week is Sanctity of Life week. And because of the Hollywood Mama Drama, it is also a perfect time to understand that mama drama doesn't only happen in Hollywood. Every year nearly 1 million teen girls find themselves pregnant, and unlike Hollywood stars who have the money and fame to carry them, these girls wonder what they should do. Many choose abortion, and because of this they not only sacrifice the life of their child, but this decision also brings heartache they must carry for the rest of their lives. Perhaps YOU can be the one who can make a difference. Who was the first one Jamie Lynn Spears turned to when she found out she was pregnant? Not her mom. Not her sister. She turned to a friend. What if you were that friend?

As a teen what can YOU do when a pregnant friend comes to you for advice? Remain calm and loving. Your friend most likely feels alone, frightened and extremely sensitive about her pregnancy. The most important thing you can offer is your continued friendship. Show God's love and forgiveness. Your friend may have been looking for love by giving herself intimately to a guy. Now she might feel ashamed and unworthy of love at all. Point her to God, who loves her unconditionally. Celebrate life. She may consider this baby a "mistake"--a barrier between her and "normal" life. Lovingly remind her that no matter how the baby was conceived, he or she is a gift from God. Be available to share ... and to listen. Your friend has big decisions to make, and although you can't make those decisions for her, you can be available to help her consider her options. Share information you've discovered on fetal development and on the physical and emotional trauma of abortion. Most of all, be willing to listen to your friend's deepest concerns. Find help. Your friend is most likely in need of more answers than you can give. Visit a local crisis pregnancy center with your friend, or call CareNet for help at 1-800-395-HELP. Encourage her to tell her parents and to seek the counsel of a pastor or youth pastor.

Partner with her to make better decisions in the future. My Life, Unscripted (Thomas Nelson) is a book for teen girls and encourages teens to script their lives instead of being caught up in the drama and emotions of the moment. Read it together. Talk about the importance of making good choices.

C.S. Lewis and love

Psalm 29 is based on a Canaanite hymn to Baal, a local false god. Baal was considered the god of thunder, so Psalm 29 refers to the “voice of the Lord” seven times, countering the teaching that Baal was the god of seven thunders.

The writer of Psalm 29 intended to show that God, not Baal, was the cause of thunder. He re-wrote the psalm to correct the theology of the Canaanites and to counter their hymn.

You can see, in that re-working of an idolatrous song, how God is able to remake what was lost, to restore what was in error. The form – a recreating of an idolatrous hymn – actually strengthens the point.

C.S. Lewis took the same tack in his novel, Til We Have Faces, where he modified the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche, producing a challenging psychological look at the older sister who intervenes in their romance.

The story is told from Orual’s viewpoint and the reader gets to see what Orual,the ugly and bitter older sister, cannot see. She justifies her decisions and believes her own reasonings.

These are not cardboard characters. In spite of some of her ugly conclusions, I found myself respecting Orual in many ways and wanting to show her the way out of her own rationalizations. She is intelligent, honest, concerned with others – and yet imprisoned by her bitterness. She’s not a black-and-white villain, but a complex woman on a journey to seek truth.

The story is about her moral development, a lifetime spent justifying decisions she finds difficult but necessary to make. The reader can understand what Orual does not about herself and her own perceptions.

Although Lewis seems to spend his time in the world of myths and Greek gods, there’s a deeper current that runs here. Lewis has not written a symbolic book but one of emotion and sincerity. His meaning is solidly planted on the God of love.

Plan to read it twice to capture Lewis’ intent but plan to read it. It’s powerfully written with depth of insight and meaning that will touch your heart.

Out-there lures

Daisy broke out Sunday morning and I learned in the adventure.

You need to know that Daisy was a wild child who wanted her own way and was leery of authority. I won’t describe the wrestling match involved in starting the tethering process.

But the break seemed to come. She lowered her head in obedience.

We weren’t satisfied with obedience, however. We wanted trust and began a long process of wooing her to us. We started with obedience but we really wanted love.

So when she escaped Sunday morning, I was anxious that the out-there might snag her attention. But her eyes were on me. After she saw me, she walked up calmly and began to follow me.

Daisy is a two-year-old filly that we saw transformed from an over-the-fence kind of baby into a gentle horse willing to trade the wide-open spaces for my hand and protection.

But Daisy is my teenage daughter and my pre-teen son, too. How the freedom can beckon! Many horses (and teens) are hungry for the green grass on the other side of the fence, not knowing the harm mixed with the pleasure.

Had Daisy bolted from me, she faced a field of ripe alfalfa – a sure death-trap for a greedy and hungry horse. She faced a highway with trucks rolling at 60 mph. She faced an irrigation ditch filled with rushing water and steep sides. Dangers crouched where she could not see.

I want our children to find a safe path, to look at our lead and follow.

And, it occurred to me as I brushed down Daisy Sunday, that our Father wants the same thing from us. He is willing to wrestle with us as he did with Jacob, to teach us obedience.

But the ultimate goal is, when the gate is open and the out-there whispers, that we search out his eye and follow him.

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

John 15:10

Friday Five: Our Access to God

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

Deut 4:7

The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

Psalms 145:18

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.

John 10:9

In him and through faith in him

we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

Eph 3:12

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Heb 4:16

Setting the belonging bar

On my latest incursion through the book of Romans, I found a mirror lurking in the second chapter. The first chapter of Romans flails the decadent element of the first century. You can stand in the checkout line of Wal-Mart and see the modern-day version of that on the covers of the magazines.

Ever get really satisfied seeing the wicked get theirs? The end of Romans 1 methodically dissects their lives and promises their end.

However, I turned the page: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else. (Romans 2:1)

If you haven’t in a while, journey through Romans 2. Where Paul refers to the Jew, put “church-goer” in there. Maybe it’s you. Maybe it is me. Replace “Gentiles” with “nonbelievers.” That’s them.

Do I “rely on the law and brag about [my] relationship to God”? (Romans 2:17) What do I do that makes me special?

Ever heard this: “He’s such a nice person that he must be a Christian!” Or this: “She’s so good that if she’s not a Christian, she will be soon!”

A man's praise is not from men, but from God. (Romans 2:29)

Irony drips in many of our churches. We proclaim a “saved by grace” gospel while enabling our doorkeepers to identify the nice people for admittance. We read Romans 1 with vengeance, pointing out the failures of the world around us. Surely if the world only sees our love for one another (contrasted with their evil ways), they will rush into our buildings.

Here’s our philosophy: behave, then believe, then we’ll let you belong.

I have a friend who sends me regular e-mails about God’s protection and the need for prayer. I don’t know for sure if she follows Jesus although I tend to think not. However, I allow her to belong. I tell her about people who are praying for our family. I tell her about God’s work in our lives and how I’ve submitted my heart to Jesus. I tell her I’m praying for her.

My philosophy is this: let her belong, give her time to believe, and then let the Spirit teach her to behave.

When Jesus called Matthew, he didn’t ask the tax collector to quit swearing, stop smoking, skin off the tattoo, and buy a suit. He said, “Follow me,” and went to Matthew’s house for supper, earning the scorn of the religious leaders. He embraced Matthew as he was and Matthew was overwhelmed by his presence.

What rules do we have in place? Where have we set the bar for joining? What do we see in the mirror?

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Mark 2:17

Messy ministry

Darla was the answer to prayer when I decided to go on a hunt for non-Christians.

In an innocent moment of prayer, I told God that I needed to expand my circle of friends. Before long, I was invited to join a bowling team. My teammates were a lusty, energetic, opinionated group, with loud laughs and salty talk. I washed the smoke out when I came home. But I listened, I asked questions, I stayed.

Darla was a young mother filled with the salty bitterness of new divorce. Every week, she cursed her ex-husband while I tried to encourage her to move on from the hatred. She was scraping along financially. Did she have a church to help her? No, her husband had been the church-goer and she detested him.

But she eventually began to chuckle at my innocence, because I didn’t join her in censuring her husband – or insulting mine, for that matter. And then, one weekend, her ex stopped by to visit their daughter, as he often did. But this time was different.

She bounced onto the lanes the next week announcing that they were reconciling. Her heart softened, she and I began to talk about Jesus and church blessings and growth. When they remarried, she asked me to be her matron of honor. They settled into a church a few hours away and we often wrote letters about what she was learning and how God had rescued her family.

This is not a story about the formula I used to bring her to Christ, because there is none. I did little but, oh, what God did!

Here’s what I did: I went to where people were and I listened to what they said. I didn’t check out at the first swear word or the first cigarette lit. I was determined to hang around long enough to see what God was going to do in that place.

Jesus went to tax collectors and prostitutes and Samaritans. He went to the unclean and the needy. He risked reputation and prestige for the unlovable. His ministry was not bright lights but apparent failure and defeat.

We need to identify the needy around us. They may be newly divorced, or newly bankrupt, or sorrowing. Their child may have run away or their boss just deemed them too old to stay. They may smoke or swear or drink. They probably have opinions that will frost your hair. When we find them, we need to love them. God’s love changes people. A good friend calls it the ministry of presence, being available and loving.

Ministry is messy. Jesus was bloodied, bruised, mocked, killed. Following him means….well…..following him.

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

John 13:14

Kidnapping a laptop

Who: one 16 year old daughter (names are changed to protect the guilty)

Where: at a summer leadership conference at a local university

What: E-mail updates

Why: we’ll talk later.

The first e-mail was unexpected: “Mom, I’m writing this in our bathroom on Steve’s laptop computer. I can only write until the battery dies because Justin snuck it out of their room and Steve doesn’t know he has it. Justin used it first and I don’t know what he did. We’re having a lot of fun here! Love, Kerry. BTW: Justin says don’t tell his mom what we’re doing!”

I wrote back: “Is this a joke?????? I think you and Justin are having TOO MUCH FUN!”

Later that day, she wrote: “Bad news. Steve found out we borrowed his computer and he is MAD! He threatened to tell Mrs. Blake and then we’d get sent home. So Justin tied him up and gagged him and put him in their tub til he promises not to tell. I miss you! The conference is really good and I’m glad I’m here. Love, Kerry.”

My e-mail probably scorched cyberspace as it screeched back to her with advice: “Don’t let her ship you home in a box. And be sure to FEED Steve. He could get hungry. Offer him some chocolate chip cookies – maybe he’ll forgive you both.”

The next e-mail was slower in arriving, probably because the watched Thunderbird inbox doesn’t boil. “Dear Mom, I’m glad you knew it was a joke! The college has a bunch of computers we can use and I wanted to practice some creative writing. [Where’d she get an idea like that?] I made it all up.”

Do you think God laughs with us? He must laugh at us sometimes. Can’t you just see him shaking his head, “Child, child, what were you thinking?”

Someone said that God must have a sense of humor or he’d never have created monkeys. I’m thinking that he must have a sense of humor or he’d never expect mothers to understand 11-year-old boys (or 16-year-old daughters).

My son recently told me that he likes the color purple unless it looks like pink.

I’m thinking God probably laughs, too.

It’s all about relationship. Remember when Jesus called the Father “Abba,” which means “Daddy.” Don’t we love a tender relationship? It’s the fabric of our lives. We’re torn if it is lost. Whether with family or with God, we love relationship.

Tend to the relationship and laugh with the Lord sometimes.

“He fell to the ground and prayed… "Papa, Father…”

Mark 14:35-36 (The Message)

The Dead Sea Principle

Sometimes you just gotta pull the plug. It’s a sordid tale in my life.

I spent many years polishing The Dead Sea Principle. Let me remind you about the Dead Sea. With salinity levels hovering between 30-35%, there are no fish or other sea animals. Little bacteria can even survive. In other words, there’s no life in the Dead Sea.

How did it get that way? Fresh water flows into the sea but there’s no outlet. Fresh water is changed to a stagnant saline solution as it’s stored there.

I tended my words the same way, pouring in a river of fresh water. I attended conferences, went to Bible studies, never missed a special speaker or a retreat. My car radio was tuned to Christian station and my friends were all believers.

Except one.

The water flowed in and the salt thickened.

One day, in a rush of spiritual energy, I decided to witness to my unbelieving friend. Flush with training from a new conference, I practiced my lines all the way to her house. I promised God I’d bring up the subject. I don’t remember praying for my friend but I did get my part memorized.

I did it. I got through the presentation. She listened politely and recited her part just like the conference teacher had suggested. (I don’t think she’d been at the conference…) In the end, she courteously told me that she had already figured out her own way to God and she’d just stick with that.

By my standards, I’d failed. But something interesting happened through that adventure. God pulled the plug on my Dead Sea. I was changed.

My outreach effort was stiff and formulaic, but I talked about my relationship with Jesus. It isn’t about a Roman road or debating points of doctrine. The Word had poured in to my life for many years but it was time to bless others with the grace, love and compassion I had received.

Did you know that you don’t need to swim in the Dead Sea? The salt level is so high you float on top. It’s safe and easy. But it’s dead.

Give me fresh water.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Eph 4:29

Real relationship

It was an ugly line, coming from a man who pretended to be Truman’s best friend. The kids and I watched The Truman Show the other night, aghast to see Marlin assure Truman, cued through an earpiece by the producer of the show, that he was as close as a brother. “I’d never lie to you,” he lied to Truman.

Have you seen the movie? Truman grew up on a TV set, not realizing that everyone in his world (except him) was acting. He was the star of a fabulously popular TV show, but he had no idea. Instead, the artificial world as all he’d ever known. Seahaven was a pleasant town with blue skies, sunshine, friendly neighbors, and safety.

Christof was the designer of the show, the maker of Seahaven, creator of the world where Truman lived. He had great affection for Truman but he didn’t hesitate to conjure up a near-fatal windstorm trying to keep Truman from escaping. (The ratings were great for that episode.) He manipulated people in and out of Truman’s life for the sake of the story.

But the comfortable safe world that he created for Truman turned out not to be enough, for the young man walked away from all he had known in pursuit of freedom and reality.

The story makes me think about Adam in the Garden. Adam lived in a nice place too. There was plenty to eat, safety, comfort. But there were differences, too. Christof remained hidden away while he tinkered with Truman’s world. God walked in the cool of the evening with Adam and, moved by Adam’s need for companionship, formed Eve – flesh of his flesh, no actress sporting a glowing smile while collecting a paycheck.

Christof embodies much of others’ suspicions about God: a creator who is kind and benevolent as long as it suits him, distant and unknown while tweaking reality for his own purposes. Comfort trumps freedom, influence routs relationship in that worldview.

But while Christof surrounded Truman with a fake world – fake interaction, fake sand, fake smiles – God formed a world of fruitfulness and abundance and freedom for Adam.

Christof created Truman for ratings but God…well, he created Adam for relationship. The reality of sincere relationship was what Truman longed for. So do we all.

Our Creator longs for it, too. Not for what he gains, but for what he gives.

But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

Romans 5:8

What a deal!

I once signed a contract that I had no intention of keeping. I was new out of college, naïve in the world’s ways, and didn’t know how to get rid of the insurance salesman except to sign his contract and then cancel after he left.

It was a desperate strategy. But what if the insurance had gone on, even in the face of my cancellation letter? What if the insurance covered me without any premium money?

Ridiculous. Imagine, however, that a day came when I was hospitalized. The tab kept climbing as tests ordered and remedies attempted. The bill would be staggering, beyond my ability to pay. But, behold, this long-forgotten insurance kicked in, paying the full cost. This insurance I had never acted upon had paid my bill.

God made a contract with Adam: I will be your God and you will be my people. Adam thought he had a better plan.

God came to Abraham: Follow me. I will be your God, making your offspring into a great nation on this land. Abraham thought, what offspring? What land?

Jacob forgot the contract for a long time. It hadn’t been made to him anyway – or so he thought. But God had not forgotten. God renewed the contract even though the human parties often didn’t do their part.

This contract-making business is serious to God.

I have failed him a thousand times but his contract remains. I will be your God and you will be my people.

His people neglected to pay their premiums and tried to buy other plans. God never forgot the contract. As surely as the sun comes up every morning, God remembers his agreement.

'If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time, then my covenant…can be broken’

Jer 33:20-21

TOMORROW: Our part of the contract

Flexing spiritual muscles

If you wanted to have a Roman experience, Ephesus in the first century wasn’t a bad place to go. Ephesus, located on the western coastline of what’s modern-day Turkey, was the fourth largest city in the empire, with just under a half million people calling it home. Ephesus was a cultured, orderly city.

There was plenty of spiritual muscle in Ephesus as well. It was the home of Artemis’ temple. An earlier version had been one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and even the re-built version (the first had burned centuries before) was spectacular, drawing many tourists and faithful to honor the goddess of fertility.

Besides that, the city housed many magicians. We’d probably call them shamans or witch doctors today. They worked their illusions to create the image of spiritual authority. Into this rich stew of superstition walked Paul the evangelist.

Paul had debated debaters in Athens and taught the teachable in Berea. But something different was needed in Ephesus. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. (Acts 19:11)

Magicians would have recognized tricks. There were healings and exorcisms. God flexed his power in Ephesus, doing things that no magician could do. There’s a story in Acts 19 about wanna-be-priests trying to cast out an evil spirit using the name of Jesus as a magic incantation. They had no license and were beaten to a pulp for their audacity.

Ephesus knew about spiritual activity – and recognized God’s authentic power. Paul stayed in Ephesus longer than any other city on his missionary journeys. In the shadow of the incredible temple of Artemis, side by side with shamans, God illustrated spiritual muscle.

God revealed unexplainable power in Ephesus – to a group who would have recognized trickery and learned true spiritual authority. The name of Jesus was held in such high honor that the magicians burned their books. Those books were valued at 50,000 drachmas, or 50,000 day’s wages. That’s commitment.

God communicates truth understandably. In Ephesus, the people knew magic. When they saw acts that the shamans could not duplicate, they understood. God sent Paul to Ephesus not to condemn but to set free. This was not formula evangelism or salvation-by-guilt, but love spoken so that the people connected.

Paul preached in Ephesus as he did in all the cities he visited. But in Ephesus, it was the power of God that convinced many. God cared for their individuality, speaking to them in a language they understood, and they responded with honor and belief. They were given new life.

In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

Acts 19:20