Living the “NOW”

In my recent counseling session, the discussion gravitated to the concept of living in the now. Some may recall the big push by Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle and his book The Power of Now. They offered nationwide courses on Tolle’s teachings and his concepts.  I’ll admit, although my counselor recommended the book, I’m not certain I care to read it. Frankly, it smacks of pop psychology and the school of self-help. A school I’ve attended before and ended up self-destructing.  Having said that, there is something about the “now” that is important.

It is apparent that we can do nothing to change the past. Nor can we necessarily influence the future. So all we have is the “now”. How we live in the essence of “now” seems to be the key. Nothing really magical about it. However, it seems to be more difficult to do than some people might expect. We are a product of our past. The decisions we’ve made, the relationships we’ve had, the circumstances we’ve put ourselves in, have all created – to a great degree – our “now”. There is nothing we can do to change the past. The same might be true of the future. Although we won’t know any of that until we’re in a position of looking back. So “now” is now.

What I have learned, something I suspect I’ve known all along, is that I spend much of my time in the past. Past triumphs, past defeats, past decisions, past relationships, etc. I bounce my now up against much of what I did in the past which is unproductive, but influential. I can’t change it, but it certainly affects what I do or don’t do today. For example, past failures, i.e., career changes that were poor choices, influence what I think about today when it comes to “what will I be when I grow up?”  I hesitate moving forward with ideas or inspirations because of the lack of follow through in the past or poor choices.  My past influences my present and handicaps me from taking action. My future, thinking a year or two from now will this decision produce another roadside wreck in my life, prevents me from acting. Neither of which, the past or the future, I can influence or change. Well, to some degree. I can influence my future by in-action and simply stay mired in the same old poor poor pitiful me mindset.

To give a “today” example. I read an article about having a critical spirit. As I read the article I began to think, “why had I not read this article before today. It was laying there, the magazine open right to it.” Then I began to criticize myself for not having done so. How silly is that. Instead of saying, “wow, what a great article. I really needed to hear what that writer was saying,” I began to dwell on why I had not read it previously.  Uhm…..

When Jesus was talking about his role as the good shepherd. He spoke about protection, provision and a position of confidence. The pivotal point of his analogy was that the enemy (thief) comes to kill and destroy the sheep, but the good shepherd has come “that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).” This is where “living in the now” and living in the fold part ways. It appears that Tolle’s point is that we find wholeness in living in the now and making good choices. For the believer, it is living in a faith-trust relationship believing that nothing – past, present, or future – happens or escapes the knowledge, protection, provision, or position of confidence, we find in Christ. In other words, everything is filtered through that relationship, or sovereignty of God.  That does not mean we should shun the “now.” It simply means we can embrace the “now” knowing that where we are is – perhaps – exactly where God wants us to be. And it is the past that brought us to the “here”.

Did Peter look back and think, “my, I should have stayed in fishing.” Or Matthew, “Gee, tax collecting was not all that bad”? Perhaps. Maybe on more than one occasion. But that did not change their “now” relationship with Christ or their role as one of the twelve. Plus— Jesus told them what to expect in the future. Not that they would change it, but that they might prepare to embrace it and meet its challenges.

Where does that leave me? Quite frankly, I’m not certain. I would like to think I can learn from the past, experience the “now”, and look forward to the future. It has been my experience to stay stuck in the past. So my goal is to break the bondage to all of that and look at today and say, “I can make new decisions!” I can believe the good shepherd will protect, provide and place me in a position of confidence. I can know that he has come to bring me something greater than self-help. He has come to bring me life – abundant life!

False or Different?

It is not always easy to distinguish false from different. Often, the absence of a word or the over emphasis of another can bring new meaning to something that had not been there before. For example, take this simple sentence; “I did not say  smoking is a sin.”  Sounds pretty straight forward. But change the emphasis; “I did not SAY smoking was a sin.” Or, “I did not say smoking is a sin.”  Or, “I did not say SMOKING is a sin.”  Each point of emphasis changes the impact or meaning of the sentence.  This is true with false teaching and its confusion with different teaching.

When Jesus was trying to redirect his disciples understanding he warned them to beware “of the teaching (leaven) of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt 16:12).”  In this warning, Jesus is helping them to understand that false teaching can have debilitating effects. It can bring death where life was originally intended. It can suffocate that which was to breath life.  Now false teaching, keeping impotent rules and regulations under the guise of building righteousness can cripple a believer’s walk with Christ. It can lay a foundation that will not stand scrutiny.

Different is – well – different. Looking at a passage of scripture differently does not make the result false or even the conclusions false, just different. Let’s look at a discussion I’ve been following off and on for several weeks on another blog. It pertains to creation. The point of the author of the article is that Genesis 1-3 may not have ever been intended to be taken as a literal account of “creation.” In fact, it may be a ‘re-creation” more than an original creation. Part of his argument goes to the age of the earth and what science says about that concept and how it does or does not square with a biblical account.  Six days may not be six literal days at all, but six eons or ages.

Now, does looking at something from a different perspective make it false. I don’t think so.  Let’s take the account in Matthew 16 where the disciples are apparently so dull in their understanding that they have not figured out that their lack of forethought – bring more bread than they did – was diametrically opposed to what Jesus meant when he first said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (v 6).”  In fact it seems so incredulous that they would respond as they did that perhaps, as some think, this account could not be historically accurate. Does that make the story any less significant? It won’t be but a little while and these same dullards will rally round the confession of one that says Jesus is “the Christ, the son of the living God (v16).”

Yes the Pharisees and Sadducees, then and now, have compiled their list of dos and don’ts – minutiae of the Law that strive to dictate how one behaves in order to achieve righteousness. Not much different than the leaders of the Jerusalem church sending a letter along with Paul and Barnabas to the gentiles imposing on them only certain rules in lieu of circumcision. Did their rules impose a false doctrine or was it simply different?  Some thought it was false others merely different (Galatians). A choice even the Galatian Christians were having trouble understanding.

I like different. I think I can tell different from false. What matters and what does not matter. In some respects that is what discipleship is all about. Discernment is key. Does my faith raise or fall based on six literal days of creation or six ages? No.  If someone were to teach that Christ really did not rise from the dead, does neutering the resurrection impact my faith? Absolutely.  Oh, I could live a good life without the resurrection. But I could not have eternal life.

There is much to be learned on many fronts. Some of it different than I may have previously thought. therefore, I’m hoping I know leaven when I see it.

Father, truth is truth. It is your truth. Give me eyes that see and a heart that seeks understanding, even from the different. But let me stand firmly against that which is false.

On the Journey

I spend a good deal of time each day in reflection. My mind chases around several thoughts regarding my spiritual growth. Abandoning the notion that it is only in the “doing” that one grows in Christ, my ruminations focus on my “becoming” in Christ.

This past Sunday, during our worship time, our new music leader and the choir performed a song that moved me deeply. As I reflected on Christ’s love, sacrifice, and offered grace, I could not stay seated. I stood up in praise and thanksgiving. Thankfully (I think), I was not alone, others did the same, lifting hands and praising the Lord.   I will confess, I have never done that before. It’s not that I have not wanted to, I have. It has simply been foreign to my nature, however this time, I was overwhelmed with both emotion and praise. I could not stay seated.  I’m sure standing in praise violated some sort of Southern Baptist principle, but that was okay. I was in the moment that morning. I was experiencing the presence of my Lord and I really did not care what others thought.

On a couple of occasions Jesus’ disciples (the twelve) asked him to explain what he had meant when speaking certain parables or offering certain instructions – Matthew 13 and Matthew 15.  There was also a time when Jesus asks them straight up, “Have you understood all these things (Matt. 13:51)?”  Naturally, they responded with “Yes”, but I am pretty certain they really did not (Matt. 15:16), but they would as their journey continued. That’s similar to how I felt that morning…I was in a yes mode, but perhaps I really did not understand the impact and power of unrestricted praise. My hope is that I will.

We are all, in some sense, on a journey of faith. Often, on my journey, there are points along the way that are mile markers. Circumstances, events, or certain readings touch my heart in such a way that they let me know I am making progress with the “becoming” and moving away from the emphasis of “doing”. I treasure those times because they help me know my heart is still open to the Holy Spirit and my mind is still flexible regarding what it takes in and understands. They are indeed special moments – as was last Sunday.  Not just the emotion of it all, but the awareness that my heart is still open and receptive. I can be moved.

Father, hollowed be your name! I praise you for the gift of Christ and the grace available through the cross and empty tomb. May the molding of my heart and mind, be conformed in such a way that it reflects your glory.

“Gimme” the New Obamaism

I stood in disbelief as she said it. As confused and unaware as she was about technology, price did not seem to be an issue of any sort.

As she looked at what was available in our store, she finally said. “Social Services is going to pay for it, so it really doesn’t matter how much. We also need a printer…about two or three hundred dollars would be fine.”  What my mind was screaming was this…”That’s my money your spending without any consideration!”   But again she reiterated, “Social Services will pay for it, so if you could print out a description of the items I’ll turn them in!”

I was shocked! Not so much that I couldn’t even afford what she was planning to buy, she seemed so cavalier about the fact that something called “social services” was going to pay for it all!   I wanted to tell her – “Guess what lady, I AM social services. It’s my taxes that are going to be used for your little purchase here. Perhaps you should pick a less expensive printer and computer.”    But I did not. I simply complied with her request as she seemed oblivious to who was actually going to be paying for her little shopping trip.

That’s obamaism. As our government opens the floodgates of spending I expect it will be even more prevalent. So I  best keep my hand on my wallet.  There are plenty more out there saying, “Gimme!”

Sobering Times

Whether you try to ignore it or simply say it does not exist, what our country is experiencing now is much more than some people can handle. A man in California kills his family, than himself, because he and his wife were let go from their jobs. A man in OH strangles his wife and child then turns a shotgun on himself because they were facing financial disaster. An elderly woman shoots herself because authorities were coming to foreclose on her home.   These are indeed sobering reminders of who people are impacted by other people’s negligence and greed.

The problem is, I think, people feel like they have no where to turn. Their situation is suffered in silence. Take the man in OH. The neighbors and previous co-workers had no idea this was something he would contemplate. Then again, who would?  If you lost your job, perhaps you have already, or were about to have your home foreclosed, or were on your last dollar to feed your family or pay bills. How would you react?  Who would you tell?  Where could you go for help?

Often, when people analyze what’s the worst that could happen and could they deal with it, many are saying “no!” Losing a job, having your car repossessed, your home taken away, your credit ruined, and being forced to stand in line at a food bank or unemployment office assaults some people’s dignity. Their sense of self-worth. Could it be there is no family support, community support, or church support that could help them weather the storm? Or are people to embarrassed to ask?

We have thought a good deal about our personal situation. After all, these are sobering times. My wife works in a volatile industry, housing. What will happen when no one buys homes any more. When the government says they will give home buyers a tax credit, but for fear of extended economic depression, no one wants to buy a home regardless of the tax credit because they are not sure they can afford the payments six months or a year from now.  So what will we do when we cannot make our mortgage or monthly bills? Where will we go? What will we do?

I’m willing to concede these times are not escaping the eyes of the Father. Whether he “caused it” or simply is “allowing it,” there’s not a lot of comfort in either. So what should our response be if the hammer falls on our little piece of wood. Of course, my wife is a glass-half-full kind of person. Me, I’m a glass-half-empty kind of guy. So I’m hoping her glass is the one we drink from!

When it is all said and done, should we lose everything, I am hoping I would find contentment in the one thing that matters most, the love my wife and I share and have shared for almost 26 years. Along with that, give me my Bible and secure my second amendment right and I’ll be fine. At least I would like to think my mind and heart would interpret that as fine.

These are sobering times. Gee….I could use a drink!