As I stated in my last post so long ago I love the paradox. Though it may for a minute feel convoluted, there is something so beautiful in the way which God has hidden himself. For He is hidden by simply being so majestic. As we are hidden from an ant even when it crawls across our chest so God is hidden from us though He is the very One in whom we live and breath and move. If only He would speak to us then we could be sure. Yet perhaps a clear word from Him face to face would be to us as thunder and lightening, awesome but hardly an answer to the problem of today. Thus He appeals to us as to children speaking in parables, dreams, pictures. We see Him in the seasons changing, the voice of a friend or a stranger, we hear him in the wind and rain. Perhaps the circumstance you are trying so hard to get an answer from God about holds His very voice to you. This God who longs to reveal Himself and yet wraps Himself in darkness moves in mundane and as well as unexpected ways. He is a joy to discover.
Recently I was on a mountain and heard Him speak in the words of Descartes, Know Thyself. I had begun to write about the complexity of our being which has sprung from the complexity of His being for some deeper questions about the spirit and the soul which had been for me unresolved were suddenly reconciled. I will post on this soon. But beyond such mysteries there is a simplicity to knowing oneself. There is a place of knowing beyond words, a truth which is better lived than spoken. It is from this mystical place that we know ourselves and that we know God. His voice is deeper than words. In this way it is hidden yet those who have heard it can never doubt or deny its ever present reality.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Trinity
The doctrine of Trinity and the nature and relationship of the persons of the Godhead has been discussed throughout church history. It is difficult to imagine within our democratic and denominational society how painfully the church sought to discern the Truth of this doctrine and to guard against the 'the doctrines of devils' which were spreading in opposition to the gospel. Nonetheless operating according to truths which are higher than us continues to challenge the body of Christ. For instance one understands correctly that in accepting Jesus one has received God in full, for the fullness of God dwells in Christ Jesus. Yet another understands correctly that the baptism of the Spirit is a separate matter than that of salvation for the Scripture is clear in describing the gift of salvation through faith and confession and the gift of the Spirit by the laying on of hands. Many stories in the Bible reflect these experiences as happening at separate times in a one's life. Both understandings are correct in the same way that the Spirit and the Son are one yet appear distinct as the Son and the Spirit are distinct.
Another issue my father has raised for me is why do people pray for God or heaven to come down when it is within us. Again there is a paradox. Jesus told the disciples to receive the Spirit and blew upon them and then told them to wait for the Spirit to come upon them. Were they not saved having the Word, Jesus, living in their heart, believing Him when He said the Kingdom of God was was within them. Did they not receive the Spirit when He blew upon them. What was their to wait for if He had just told them he would never leave them. Surely He did not mean he would never leave them except for those few weeks they waited for the Spirit. The mysteries just begin to unravel one after the other when you stop and ponder them. Sadly, there are teachers who spend more time proclaiming what they don't believe than affirming what light they have, this is no more helpful than store sign which tells you what is not available inside.
Love believes all things, in itself this is a mystery for how can all things be believed nonetheless I believe this to be true. Every lie or illusion has at its base a truth which it is perverting and every liar a hurt, fear or bitterness which needs to be believed and dealt with. In an opposite way many divisions among Christians spring from issues rooted higher truths such as the division between Baptists and Pentecostals which is based in experiencing distinct yet unified aspects of God. Contradictions such as these hold springs of higher truth which can renew our minds as we are brought to the rock that is higher than I.
Water comes from the rock of Christ, amazing!
He has indeed come down in humility and calls us up. Salvation is complete, and He gives the Spirit freely to all who ask similarly salvation is complete in Jesus yet we fill up what is lacking in His afflictions. We do not strive to meet God by calling Him from heaven and we work out our salvation by fear and trembling. We pray for heaven to come to earth but from a our position seated with Him in heavenly places. Our prayers rise as incense before His throne salvation springs up from the earth. His spirit falls upon us and anoints us for works which were established since the foundation of the world.
Another issue my father has raised for me is why do people pray for God or heaven to come down when it is within us. Again there is a paradox. Jesus told the disciples to receive the Spirit and blew upon them and then told them to wait for the Spirit to come upon them. Were they not saved having the Word, Jesus, living in their heart, believing Him when He said the Kingdom of God was was within them. Did they not receive the Spirit when He blew upon them. What was their to wait for if He had just told them he would never leave them. Surely He did not mean he would never leave them except for those few weeks they waited for the Spirit. The mysteries just begin to unravel one after the other when you stop and ponder them. Sadly, there are teachers who spend more time proclaiming what they don't believe than affirming what light they have, this is no more helpful than store sign which tells you what is not available inside.
Love believes all things, in itself this is a mystery for how can all things be believed nonetheless I believe this to be true. Every lie or illusion has at its base a truth which it is perverting and every liar a hurt, fear or bitterness which needs to be believed and dealt with. In an opposite way many divisions among Christians spring from issues rooted higher truths such as the division between Baptists and Pentecostals which is based in experiencing distinct yet unified aspects of God. Contradictions such as these hold springs of higher truth which can renew our minds as we are brought to the rock that is higher than I.
Water comes from the rock of Christ, amazing!
He has indeed come down in humility and calls us up. Salvation is complete, and He gives the Spirit freely to all who ask similarly salvation is complete in Jesus yet we fill up what is lacking in His afflictions. We do not strive to meet God by calling Him from heaven and we work out our salvation by fear and trembling. We pray for heaven to come to earth but from a our position seated with Him in heavenly places. Our prayers rise as incense before His throne salvation springs up from the earth. His spirit falls upon us and anoints us for works which were established since the foundation of the world.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Paradox
A paradox is two contradictory statements held within the same truth. Often paradox offer meditative reward.
For instance in the case of the Contradiction between John the Baptist understanding of himself as not Elijah and Jesus statement of John the Baptist as Elijah there is a pointer to a deeper realm of John's identity than even he knew existed. The spirit searches the deep things of God. We like God have many faces and many identities: Father, Uncle, Brother, Farmer, Teacher, Son. Beyond this we have several parts to our person: spirit, soul, body. Our body many parts and functions, Our soul comprised of mind, will and emotions and our spirit being the very place we connect with the Creator who is described as having seven spirits of Himself. Added to such a complexity of being and relationship we pass through time accomplishing purpose established in eternity and placed in our hearts. Para.ox is often an opportunity to let faith open our hearts, yet to often it is the excuse to live in unbelief/
Contradiction is often a heavenly invitation to revelation and destiny. God knows who we will become and places this in our hearts. You are pure even as you are made pure, the desire to become, and the prophetic word, all call us to the greatness we will be in Him and He in us. But in the moment our impatience gets the better of us, ha, slowing the process. The contradiction of what we know we will become in God and where we are now is the invitation to grow rather than live in condemnation. The contradiction between who we think we are and who He says we are is the opportunity for revelation which accelerates our maturity. The contradiction may in fact be the the very means of greater vision and maturity when we as Job trust God through the apparent disconnect.
We must ignore the clamoring storms and listen as Elijah did to the still small voice.
For instance in the case of the Contradiction between John the Baptist understanding of himself as not Elijah and Jesus statement of John the Baptist as Elijah there is a pointer to a deeper realm of John's identity than even he knew existed. The spirit searches the deep things of God. We like God have many faces and many identities: Father, Uncle, Brother, Farmer, Teacher, Son. Beyond this we have several parts to our person: spirit, soul, body. Our body many parts and functions, Our soul comprised of mind, will and emotions and our spirit being the very place we connect with the Creator who is described as having seven spirits of Himself. Added to such a complexity of being and relationship we pass through time accomplishing purpose established in eternity and placed in our hearts. Para.ox is often an opportunity to let faith open our hearts, yet to often it is the excuse to live in unbelief/
Contradiction is often a heavenly invitation to revelation and destiny. God knows who we will become and places this in our hearts. You are pure even as you are made pure, the desire to become, and the prophetic word, all call us to the greatness we will be in Him and He in us. But in the moment our impatience gets the better of us, ha, slowing the process. The contradiction of what we know we will become in God and where we are now is the invitation to grow rather than live in condemnation. The contradiction between who we think we are and who He says we are is the opportunity for revelation which accelerates our maturity. The contradiction may in fact be the the very means of greater vision and maturity when we as Job trust God through the apparent disconnect.
We must ignore the clamoring storms and listen as Elijah did to the still small voice.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Elijah
Here is a mystery:
After Elijah appears with Moses at the transfiguration Jesus states:
"To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 1But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
After all things are restored in Elijah, He must suffer... then the mystery deepens for Jesus refers not to Elijah in the transfiguration but says John the Baptist is Elijah... the mystery goes further for John the Baptist says he is not Elijah!
There must be some uncharted depths in this one whose spirit is prophesied with turn the hearts of children to fathers and fathers to children in the last verse of the Old Testament, And whose Spirit in John the Baptist restores all in preparing the way of the Lord.
What concerns me here though is the embrace of the contradiction by Jesus when speaking of restoration of all prior to suffering he asks how can this be. Then the further contradiction in Jesus and John the Baptist disagreeing about the identity of John the Baptist.
One has asserted that Jesus being Jesus was correct while John simply did not know the fullness of who he was. Our subconscious depths may contain truths of who we are which reach beyond what we may admit. There are many facets and aspects to both God 's person and ours. Wisdom herself is manifold.
After Elijah appears with Moses at the transfiguration Jesus states:
"To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 1But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him."
After all things are restored in Elijah, He must suffer... then the mystery deepens for Jesus refers not to Elijah in the transfiguration but says John the Baptist is Elijah... the mystery goes further for John the Baptist says he is not Elijah!
There must be some uncharted depths in this one whose spirit is prophesied with turn the hearts of children to fathers and fathers to children in the last verse of the Old Testament, And whose Spirit in John the Baptist restores all in preparing the way of the Lord.
What concerns me here though is the embrace of the contradiction by Jesus when speaking of restoration of all prior to suffering he asks how can this be. Then the further contradiction in Jesus and John the Baptist disagreeing about the identity of John the Baptist.
One has asserted that Jesus being Jesus was correct while John simply did not know the fullness of who he was. Our subconscious depths may contain truths of who we are which reach beyond what we may admit. There are many facets and aspects to both God 's person and ours. Wisdom herself is manifold.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Reflection
In meditating upon the scriptures, I quickly come to two conclusions. It is inspired, timeless and deep. Secondly, it is mysterious and requires discernment. I have heard it compared to a fine tapestry which when looked at from the bottom is knots and apparent inconsistency yet when looked at from above reveals a meaningful picture. Certainly the hidden marvel in Genesis and the one mentioned prophecy regarding Israel are enough to warrant a closer look into issues used as ammunition by unbelievers. The Old and the New form a tremendously consistent message to humanity. Its Truth is on such a level that with unbridled honesty its writers are full of surprising admissions such as the disciples not even recognizing Jesus after he had resurrected. While this would hardly be helpful in a narrative aimed at convincing of the Deity of Jesus, the scriptures are impacting every century and culture with the claim to His resurrection! The Bible holds truth on a higher level. Rather than trying to make the heights of Truth palatable to us God has simply given us Jesus. We are left wrestling our minds around concepts such as the Trinity, Free will and Grace, Sovereignty and Suffering etc. God's answer - Jesus.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Prophetic Power of the Bible
I did the numbers within our calendar with my friend Nathanael since he is working on physics degree and does so much math, it was actually a bit embarrassing when I realized how easy the math was. This is the real deal.
I reflected upon the reality that the Bible is not a book of sterile pleasantries in my last post. Now add to the list, the Just God of the Bible is not an egalitarian humanist. He chose a people, the nation Israel from the midst of everyone else, regardless of what we may think of it!
Consider... The formation of modern Israel in 1948 as well as the results of the 1967 war for Jerusalem are prophesied in the Bible which we know to be much older than those of us who remember these events.
Israel left the land according to the prophets and were given specific time frame for their exile. In Jeremiah 25:11 70 years for sin then Ezekiel 4:3-6 adds greater judgment for continued sin together totaling 430 years. This as 360 year increase from the first seventy. After 70 years they repent and Persian King Cyrus grants that the Jews may return to Canaan, a small number take this opportunity and the second temple is built. However most Jews stay in captivity until the remaining 360 years of judgment is completed then nothing happens, no return to the land in accordance with Ezekiel... Leviticus 26:18 gives explanation. The Old Covenant states God will give 7 times the judgment if they do not repent for breaking the covenant. So we must multiply the remaining 360 unrepentant yrs x 7 = 2520 prophetic years. When converted into days in order to be useful with a modern calendar we get 907,200 days of punishment
Working backwards from the day of Israel's Independence; 14 May 1948 A.D. and subtracting 907,200 days we get 0537 BC. The date when only a small percentage of the Jews returned back to Judah under Persian king Cyrus. If we go back a further 70 years of 360 days (the initial time span prophesied by Jeremiah) we get 17 July 0606 B.C. The year 606 B.C. has been historically verified as the year in which Israel lost their Independence.
The time span from the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 to the 6 Day War in 1967 is 19 years. The time from the loss of independence in 606 B.C. to the time of the loss of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. was also 19 year. This reflects God's judgment on city and nation separately Daniel 9:24
The judgment on the city of Jerusalem began with the annihilation of the city of Jerusalem and the Solomon's Temple in 587 B.C. According to Jeremiah it was punishment for not yielding to the "Servitude of the Nation" which began in 606 B.C., with the first siege of Nebuchadnezzar. See Jeremiah 27:6,8,11; 38:17-21. Cf. Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:2
I reflected upon the reality that the Bible is not a book of sterile pleasantries in my last post. Now add to the list, the Just God of the Bible is not an egalitarian humanist. He chose a people, the nation Israel from the midst of everyone else, regardless of what we may think of it!
Consider... The formation of modern Israel in 1948 as well as the results of the 1967 war for Jerusalem are prophesied in the Bible which we know to be much older than those of us who remember these events.
Israel left the land according to the prophets and were given specific time frame for their exile. In Jeremiah 25:11 70 years for sin then Ezekiel 4:3-6 adds greater judgment for continued sin together totaling 430 years. This as 360 year increase from the first seventy. After 70 years they repent and Persian King Cyrus grants that the Jews may return to Canaan, a small number take this opportunity and the second temple is built. However most Jews stay in captivity until the remaining 360 years of judgment is completed then nothing happens, no return to the land in accordance with Ezekiel... Leviticus 26:18 gives explanation. The Old Covenant states God will give 7 times the judgment if they do not repent for breaking the covenant. So we must multiply the remaining 360 unrepentant yrs x 7 = 2520 prophetic years. When converted into days in order to be useful with a modern calendar we get 907,200 days of punishment
Working backwards from the day of Israel's Independence; 14 May 1948 A.D. and subtracting 907,200 days we get 0537 BC. The date when only a small percentage of the Jews returned back to Judah under Persian king Cyrus. If we go back a further 70 years of 360 days (the initial time span prophesied by Jeremiah) we get 17 July 0606 B.C. The year 606 B.C. has been historically verified as the year in which Israel lost their Independence.
The time span from the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 to the 6 Day War in 1967 is 19 years. The time from the loss of independence in 606 B.C. to the time of the loss of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. was also 19 year. This reflects God's judgment on city and nation separately Daniel 9:24
The judgment on the city of Jerusalem began with the annihilation of the city of Jerusalem and the Solomon's Temple in 587 B.C. According to Jeremiah it was punishment for not yielding to the "Servitude of the Nation" which began in 606 B.C., with the first siege of Nebuchadnezzar. See Jeremiah 27:6,8,11; 38:17-21. Cf. Jeremiah 29:10, Daniel 9:2
Thursday, April 15, 2010
New and Old
Jesus stands between the Covenants fulfilling one and bringing in the other. For this reason not everything He says is explicitly New Covenant. For example, He tells us to do everything the Pharisees say since they sit in the seat of Moses. This is clearly Old Covenant. A Christian theology cannot be described as only New Testament, more discernment is needed.
In describing the scriptural theology of a New Covenant relationship to God it must be recognized that the bar was in fact raised not lowered. The ten commandments are given greater weight. Murder and Adultery are brought into a more challenging level of the very attitude of our heart. In case we missed the point Jesus sums it up be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect.
The Scriptures are written with a higher wisdom than ours, composed by the Holy Spirit. They lead us to the Rock which is Higher than us and what was impossible for us is possible with God. For it is written, for our ashes beauty, a garment of praise for heaviness, and in another place, for mourning comfort and for poverty of spirit the very Kingdom of God.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled with the perfect righteousness even as our heavenly father is perfect in righteousness.
In describing the scriptural theology of a New Covenant relationship to God it must be recognized that the bar was in fact raised not lowered. The ten commandments are given greater weight. Murder and Adultery are brought into a more challenging level of the very attitude of our heart. In case we missed the point Jesus sums it up be perfect as our heavenly father is perfect.
The Scriptures are written with a higher wisdom than ours, composed by the Holy Spirit. They lead us to the Rock which is Higher than us and what was impossible for us is possible with God. For it is written, for our ashes beauty, a garment of praise for heaviness, and in another place, for mourning comfort and for poverty of spirit the very Kingdom of God.
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled with the perfect righteousness even as our heavenly father is perfect in righteousness.
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