Beyond Hope Deferred

A Proverb of Scripture says

'Hope Deferred makes the heart sick'

Every one of us knows that horrid feeling of deflation where hope seems to have ebbed from our souls like a sagging party balloon. From being over-looked when teams are picked in the play-ground, the teen-age crush turned heart-break, a redundancy that comes out of left-field - 'restructuring' - a recessionary term that classically understates the trauma caused, to the greatest diappointments life can throw at us - marriage dreams shattered, tragic deaths...the list goes on and on. The potential for 'Hope deferred' seems endless.

Bill Johnson has described the HOPE God gives as 'the soil faith grows in'. It provides the necessary spiritual context for faith to take root and grow . Clearly despair is metaphorically soil that has gone toxic, the heart has grown sick as hope has been deferred.

Hope is the light that shines the way ahead for us. The Bible portrays many promises that seem utterly elusive amidst 'wilderness' experiences of utter despair and darkness.

History tells us that God is not a God though of heartless and tantalising mirages

but rather a God of substance,faithfulness and justice who is true to His Sovereign plan even when life appears to take detours and descend into dark times.

Many are indeed experiencing those 'dark times' in our times where 'Hope deferred' has made their hearts sick. Its a horrible place to be in. The Gospel is Good News and is found in the Person, the Hope of the Nations, the Promised One, Jesus Christ. The Gospel by definition is hope for the hopeless and in this more than some 'comfort blanket', but more substantially - mercy to the undeserving, Grace to the lawless, all because of one PERFECT SACRIFICE for sin.

Any of us who regard ourselves as followers of Christ are supposed to be the mid-wives of this hope into the world, ambassadors of another kingdom. For this to happen, dear friends, let us throw off the chains that bind us, and drink the delights of our God, even in tough times, that will help make sick hearts rejoice! Look beyond the mists and drunken confusion of your own disappointment and hope once more...its Christ in us that is 'the hope of glory'

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Romans 4v18

The Name Above All Names

Not to us, O LORD, not to us
but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115v1


Its incredible how many times the theme and reality of the NAME of the Lord is spoken of in the Bible. Bible names so often embodied a message, made a point in some way, were used to honour or sometimes the opposite (Jabez for example means 'pain' because of what his mother suffered in child birth!), (names) spoke of the prophetic sense of destiny over a child's future life, (a name) was changed at times to represent the change in favour or status of a person (Jacob became Israel after struggling with the Lord and overcoming) and of course (names) identified the character or mission of a person and much more. No greater example than the name of Jesus (from Joshua - means Saviour)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" Matt. 1v21


"He said to them, "When you pray, say: " 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come" Luke 11v2

"All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled". John 17v10-12

30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20v20/21

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Acts 22v21

15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. Acts 3v15-17

6Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. 7They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Acts 4v6-7

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Acts 4v18


15But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9v15-17


Do we live to 'make hallowed' the NAME of the Lord? Do we long to see the NAME of the Lord consecrated and set apart by people as the NAME above ALL NAMES - whom He actually is?

Do we understand the authority of the NAME of the Lord and the faith that comes through believing in and acting upon that NAME?

The 'NAME' and NAMES of the Lord represent WHO God is and who we are IN CHRIST, and what our mission is into the world.

Lord, make YOUR NAME greatJS

God of Burning

God of Burning

Flood our lives with hunger burning
The nation waits for sons of yearning
God of fire, Grace and Awe
We give to you, our lives our all

Lamb of God the Lion roaring
Deep to deep your Spirit calling
Heirs with Christ, in Promise stand
Arising called to take the land

Burn in us your Kingdom bright
So Christ is seen not out of sight
Hope of nations, your Presence is here
So fill us now, as we draw near

JS

The Episcopal Church of Scotland decides God can be female...read here for reaction to this

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7982904/God-no-longer-male-Scottish-Episcopal-Church-rules.html

The Episcopalian church of Scotland have decided that in order that no-one gets offended by the nature of God, they are making provision that you can make Him to be 'what you want Him to be' - in this case a woman. This is largely to cater for female priests who felt excluded on the grounds of the long held view that God is masculine in nature.

The thing that interests and concerns me here is this, the folly of political correctness that will change a doctrinal belief of such fundamental importance to appease and make God seem 'nicer' and more 'egalitarian' to all. The problem with this modern stance is that it filters belief and Biblical interpretation throught the lens' of apparent 'progressive thought' which is rooted in a reaction to global inequalities toward women.

The root of the issue is the statement of belief (and non-belief) that asserts 'To me God is like this or that....' The problem with this is that God's character, attributes and nature are not dependent on what you and I think about Him! I'll sometimes hear people say things like 'To me...God is like an angry school teacher in the sky', or 'To me God is like a big cuddly Santa Claus..' or 'To me...God is a feeling called love...' The list of 'lens-filtered' popular ideas of self appraised perspective on God is endless. However, here is the deal. God revealed Himself to Israel and said, 'I AM who I AM' and refered to Himself as the 'I AM'. Thats fairly emphatic isn't it? God will just continue being God. He is absolutely delighted in being Himself. He is fully satisfied in His masculine identity and surely doesn't need any of us to try and 'popularise' Him. Indeed, I would hold the view that trying to 'market God' is a huge mistake. Love Him, proclaim His Gospel, witness of Him, but for goodness sake don't try and make Him into a discounted special offer just to keep everyone happy, no, a thousand times no.

The Bible provides a living record of the nature of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we take that away as our reference point all we have left is human wisdom or in many cases what the Bible calls folly. Using the 'To me, God is like this/that...' approach is all about us, making God fit into our needs, wants and comfort zones where we can pull Him out in a crisis but reject the transforming influence of the 'I AM' in favour of what suits us and appeases our sensitivities. Dear reader, Ladies and Gentlemen, this should not be so. Any comments?
JS.

Ireland team for Autumn International

OK, our annual attempt at World Domination begins this Autumn against South Africa (whom we have beaten on their last 2 trips here!) I have always loved picking teams and am posting here my proposed Ireland team for the game against the world champions, assuming full fitness (always unlikely)

15. R Kearney
14. T Bowe
13. BOD (thats BOD not God!)
12. L Fitzgerald
11. K Earls
10. J Sexton
9. T O'Leary
8. J Heaslip (all is forgiven Jamie!)
7. D Wallace (Last hurrah and no ready made replacement)
6. S Ferris (every team needs an enforcer)
5. D O'Callaghan
4. P O'Connell (but will he be fit?)
3. T Buckley (Time for Bull to go out to grass)
2. J Flannery
1. C Healy (Hopefully ate well over the summer)

Anyone buying or selling a ticket?!
JS

Why pray? Another angle...

I am currently reading RT Kendall's amazing book 'Did you think to pray?', yes you guessed it - on prayer! I won't go into it but just want to leave you with one amazing thought that He starts the book with. So often books on prayer are written from the primary perspective of what WE the 'prayers' get out of prayer, all of which are valid points (peace, joy, wisdom etc.) However, the front-loading of this angle on prayer is often to the diminishment of Kendall's proposition regarding prayer and the heart of God. In this he makes the point through the Father-Child analogy of how children unconsciously 'spell' LOVE as quality T-I-M-E with their parents and suggests that God too (Father to those who have become His children) is no different in this regard, in that He too LOVES us, LOVES BEING 'with' us and LOVES spending T-I-M-E with us! This is not a 'need' it is a 'want', God is not insecure or 'needy' but is jealous for our love, not in a petty teenage kicks kind of way, but with the jealous love of a Father!
So here's a thought to leave you with. Try thinking of prayer not only from the perspective of what you get out of it and remember that God too longs to be with you, it is the earnest desire and longing of a loving and 'jealous' Father. Just by spending T-I-M-E 'being' with the All-sufficient God will bring Him so much delight... - surely another angle, even a motivation for prayer...
JS

Jayden rocks - Happy Birthday son!!

Jayden turns 6 Wed 18th August. We can hardly believe it! Born in Dublin back in 2004, he has been an absolute delight to us these few years since he entered the fray. Jayden is a lover of life. He loves life too much to waste time in bed beyond 6.30am most mornings. He likes sponge-bob, lego, playing with Abi his cousin, breakfast, peanut butter sandwiches, lasagne (his chosen birthday dinner), rough and tumble with Dad, golf, church, ridng his 'No Fear' bike, being bare-foot and Jesus! Jayden is vibrant, fun (he loves to laugh), intense and passionate. At times he needs reining in a bit and being our third child I am aware that the tendency can be to become more and more permissive and that we won't do him any favours if don't bring clear and strong boundaries when necessary.
A visiting prophetically gifted person recently spoke over Jayden that he would 'enjoy his youth' but that he would also rise and 'grow in leadership' into the future. We found the bit about 'loving his life' both funny and reassuring because that is him to a 'T'. The strength he has is there because its meant to be there, although like everyone who has something they are born with, he is learning how to live with it! We are incredibly proud of Jayden. I want to honour him today as his Dad and say that Jayden is the boy I always dreamed of after two amazing daughters. Jayden - you are a one in a billion, you were made to walk this earth with joy and yet to be a straight arrow. There is much ahead for you my son, God loves you, your family all adore you, you were made for this hour and I have a feeling that you are going to make the most of every minute! Happy Birthday 'sonny Jim'!! Your Dad and Mum and big sisiters are SO PROUD of you!! You rock...

Dad

'Accountability Fraud'?

This term has gripped me as I prepare for some teaching and training that I will be conducting. The term has come out of a conviction that true accountability is less easy to come by these days, even amongst us believers! I am not talking about the fraud of financial dealings here, but rather the 'fraud of pretence' - that is that we are way LESS open to correction, listening to the advise of a friend, to personal transformation than we may care to admit. I have seen how easy it can be to hide behind slogans of accountability, to talk the right talk and project the right demeanour, but to lack the substance of true accountability. 'Who are you accountable to' is an easy point to make but a difficult question to answer for many! The answer clearly lies, I believe, in humility and also in deep friendships. Another factor is the skill, motive and attitude of 'friends' (ask Job!)

Humility is that attitude of heart that seeks not to elevate oneself at all costs and is open and willing to grow rather than to guard the priority of self-protectionism. Jesus was gentle and humble of heart. Deep friendships are those where two-way depth of communication and honesty can flow. They take time, effort, vulnerability and a sense of trust and safety. A true understanding and experience of sonship and freedom from a performance based personality mindset are surely key to unlocking the prison we make for ourselves in pretence and self-imposed isolationism. By comparing ourselves to others we end up competing, even sub-consciously, either intimidating or being intimidated. Christ came to set us free.

'Accountability fraud' then is living the lie that you are an accountable person when you are truly not. It is an image, a front, a manicured lawn, a picketed fence, that hides us away but creates the aura that we are truly open and willing to be more than an island and King of our own domain. This is not meant to be harsh but I hope it stirs the question, 'Am I truly accountable - firstly to God, and secondly, to people that are strategically positioned by God in my life'? Any comments?

Political Correctness and the Gospel

I am at times astonished at the strength of the perceived need in our society for 'political correctness'. I am not speaking so much in a specific sense about politics, although the term betrays the deeper rationale behind such attitudes and actions. Here I am rather more about talking about spirituality and communicating the Christian Gospel in 2010.

Paul's first letter to the early Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians) begins with repeated exhortation by the apostle for them to rise above the 'cultural spirit level' of the well established ideological building blocks of that city at that time. Society measures out an 'inherent plumb line' to which we become so well accustomed, particularly when we have grown up there. Ideas are passed down from generation to generation, become institutionalised and enshrined as the norms and unwritten rules by which locals live in a 'civilised society'.

My contention, and indeed that of the Apostle Paul as seen in his writings, is that many faulty premises underpin such 'laws of reason' and leave us spiritually bankrupt. A vivid and descriptive term that Paul uses is to call them 'strongholds' of the mind, 'imaginations' that exalt themselves against the Knowledge of God, idols of thought and deed that become the 'norm' in a society where 'crowds lie' rather than lead in paths of greater enlightenment. As Tim Keller, a preacher and writer puts it,

‘When we are completely immersed in a society of people who consider a particular idolatrous attachment normal, it becomes almost impossible to discern it for what it is'

Paul's courage and forthrightness stands in stark contrast to much of my own political correctness, which, thank God, is changing. He is never rude but rebukes the Corinthian believers for being seduced by the Corinthian obsession with 'wisdom','speech and knowledge', oratory flamboyance and in general the applause and accolades of men. The cross, says Paul, must NOT BE EMPTIED OF ITS POWER, and should not be preached with 'eloquence alone' but with boldness and in a 'demonstration of the Spirit's power'. God was drawing the 'foolish' in the eyes of the Corinthians, taking the 'weak' and common man and shining His Gospel deep into their hearts. Although, the preaching of a simple but profound Gospel of Christ crucified as our Saviour was an apparent folly to the 'strong' it would only serve to 'shame' the 'wise' in the long term for running with the crowd.

It seems to me that Paul was afraid of the believers falling back under the spell of 'trying to BE and look like somebody 'important' and culturally palatable' and was exhorting them to follow the rhythm of a different drumbeat, the drum master of which - Christ, transcends the cultures, crowds, opinions, fashions, ideologies and political correctness of that, this or any age.

As for them, so for believers today in 2010, amidst the cities and cultures in which we find ourselves. To hell with political correctness, we should not be rude, but neither silent nor compromised.