What are you Willing to Forgive?

Frank

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Last week I was travelling for business. Grabbing a paper to read on the flight, I noticed the headlines of Michael Vick being reinstated by the NFL. If you don’t follow sports like I do you probably still heard of his story. He just finished a stint in prison for breeding dogs for fighting and was responsible for the deaths of many of said dogs. He was vilified all across the media spectrum, shunned by other athletes, and was rejected by most of society. Maybe rightfully so. When I saw those headlines it was easy to think of this topic to blog about.

But I didn’t get around to it when I landed (and I was too lazy during the flight to write up a draft, darn you free TV on Delta flights!). And the next day the sports world was dominated by another headline, the release of two more names from the 2003 steroid “survey”- Manny Rameriz and David, Big Popi, Oritz. I’ve written about Manny before and his name wasn’t much of a surprise, but Big Popi’s was (at least until I saw his numbers broken down).

The difference between these two cases is staggering. Maybe it’s the degree of offense- breeding, fighting, and killing dogs can easily be argued to be more immoral than cheating at a sport you’re paid to excel in. But if you look at Ortiz and Rameriz more closely and unsurprisingly you find their fans supporting them and their rivals chiding them.

We’re also in the “dog days” of summer before college football starts and online message boards are filled with “police blotter smack” where fans are focusing on the “speck of sawdust” in rivals’ eyes while ignoring the “planks” in their own eye (referencing Mt 7:3 and Luke 6:41). We make a conscience decision what we’re willing to tolerate as fans and spectators. Our rivals deserve no forgiveness while we turn a blind eye to any offenses by our own favorite players.

But the above scripture isn’t about about who we forgive, but how often. Are we willing to forgive Michael Vick “seventy times seven times” as easily as we’ve forgiven Manny and Ortiz once?

The scripture continues,

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Mt 18:25-35)

So it’s not only about how often, but also who. Forgiveness cannot discriminate, it must be universal. Your heavenly father forgave you, what are you willing to forgive?

What are you Willing to Forgive?

Frank

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

Last week I was travelling for business. Grabbing a paper to read on the flight, I noticed the headlines of Michael Vick being reinstated by the NFL. If you don’t follow sports like I do you probably still heard of his story. He just finished a stint in prison for breeding dogs for fighting and was responsible for the deaths of many of said dogs. He was vilified all across the media spectrum, shunned by other athletes, and was rejected by most of society. Maybe rightfully so. When I saw those headlines it was easy to think of this topic to blog about.

But I didn’t get around to it when I landed (and I was too lazy during the flight to write up a draft, darn you free TV on Delta flights!). And the next day the sports world was dominated by another headline, the release of two more names from the 2003 steroid “survey”- Manny Rameriz and David, Big Popi, Oritz. I’ve written about Manny before and his name wasn’t much of a surprise, but Big Popi’s was (at least until I saw his numbers broken down).

The difference between these two cases is staggering. Maybe it’s the degree of offense- breeding, fighting, and killing dogs can easily be argued to be more immoral than cheating at a sport you’re paid to excel in. But if you look at Ortiz and Rameriz more closely and unsurprisingly you find their fans supporting them and their rivals chiding them.

We’re also in the “dog days” of summer before college football starts and online message boards are filled with “police blotter smack” where fans are focusing on the “speck of sawdust” in rivals’ eyes while ignoring the “planks” in their own eye (referencing Mt 7:3 and Luke 6:41). We make a conscience decision what we’re willing to tolerate as fans and spectators. Our rivals deserve no forgiveness while we turn a blind eye to any offenses by our own favorite players.

But the above scripture isn’t about about who we forgive, but how often. Are we willing to forgive Michael Vick “seventy times seven times” as easily as we’ve forgiven Manny and Ortiz once?

The scripture continues,

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’

“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” (Mt 18:25-35)

So it’s not only about how often, but also who. Forgiveness cannot discriminate, it must be universal. Your heavenly father forgave you, what are you willing to forgive?

Without Jesus

Frank

I already posted on this subject but I made a different take for yesterday’s communion service. I’ll provide the text below, but first I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. I probably received more feedback from this three-minute talk than any others I had done before. One person, who has been faithful for roughly 20 years, commented that this was probably in the top three communion reflections she’d ever heard. Wow. That’s God, not me. I just come up with the context, the Holy Spirit does the rest. Anyway, here you go…

Last week celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing. Trivia question for the space buffs out there… What was the first food eaten on the moon?

Believe it or not, the first food eaten was the bread and wine of communion. Buzz Aldrin took communion with him and celebrated on the moon. If you’re old enough to remember, the Eagle landed on a Sunday.

This is what he said, “I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way…” Then off-air he gave himself communion and read this from John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.”

Interesting use of Scripture, John 15:5. For some reason, he doesn’t read the rest of that verse, “apart from me, you can do nothing.” His focus was that even 235,000 miles away, he was still on the vine. But I think the end of that verse is more profound. Here is man, on the moon, who apart from Jesus can do nothing.

Going to the moon was in some ways a Tower of Babel moment. The whole world was watching and we did, literally, reach into the heavens. But unlike those in the story in Genesis, Buzz knew who deserved credit. His communion service wasn’t broadcast because NASA was afraid of a lawsuit. They were already in hot water because the Apollo 8 crew read the creation account from Genesis while orbiting the moon the Christmas before. Point is, it’s hard to not appreciate God’s creation when seeing it from a perspective never seen before. Apart from Jesus, they could do
nothing.

Think about that. Apart from Jesus, you can do nothing. These men went to the moon. What dreams do you have? For your own life, your career, your family, your children? Your church, your neighbors, the lost? Apart from Jesus, you can do
nothing.

No dream is too big for God. Psalm 105 reads, “Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being, praise his name.” And then in verse 5, “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

But apart from Jesus, you can do nothing.

This is how Buzz described taking communion, “I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup… I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever
poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.”

On the moon. Amazing.

Without Jesus

Frank

I already posted on this subject but I made a different take for yesterday’s communion service. I’ll provide the text below, but first I want to thank everyone for their encouragement. I probably received more feedback from this three-minute talk than any others I had done before. One person, who has been faithful for roughly 20 years, commented that this was probably in the top three communion reflections she’d ever heard. Wow. That’s God, not me. I just come up with the context, the Holy Spirit does the rest. Anyway, here you go…

Last week celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing. Trivia question for the space buffs out there… What was the first food eaten on the moon?

Believe it or not, the first food eaten was the bread and wine of communion. Buzz Aldrin took communion with him and celebrated on the moon. If you’re old enough to remember, the Eagle landed on a Sunday.

This is what he said, “I’d like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way…” Then off-air he gave himself communion and read this from John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whosoever abides in me will bring forth much fruit.”

Interesting use of Scripture, John 15:5. For some reason, he doesn’t read the rest of that verse, “apart from me, you can do nothing.” His focus was that even 235,000 miles away, he was still on the vine. But I think the end of that verse is more profound. Here is man, on the moon, who apart from Jesus can do nothing.

Going to the moon was in some ways a Tower of Babel moment. The whole world was watching and we did, literally, reach into the heavens. But unlike those in the story in Genesis, Buzz knew who deserved credit. His communion service wasn’t broadcast because NASA was afraid of a lawsuit. They were already in hot water because the Apollo 8 crew read the creation account from Genesis while orbiting the moon the Christmas before. Point is, it’s hard to not appreciate God’s creation when seeing it from a perspective never seen before. Apart from Jesus, they could do
nothing.

Think about that. Apart from Jesus, you can do nothing. These men went to the moon. What dreams do you have? For your own life, your career, your family, your children? Your church, your neighbors, the lost? Apart from Jesus, you can do
nothing.

No dream is too big for God. Psalm 105 reads, “Praise the Lord, oh my soul; all my inmost being, praise his name.” And then in verse 5, “who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

But apart from Jesus, you can do nothing.

This is how Buzz described taking communion, “I opened the little plastic packages which contained the bread and the wine. I poured the wine into the chalice our church had given me. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon, the wine slowly curled and gracefully came up the side of the cup… I ate the tiny Host and swallowed the wine. I gave thanks for the intelligence and spirit that had brought two young pilots to the Sea of Tranquility. It was interesting for me to think: the very first liquid ever
poured on the moon, and the very first food eaten there, were the communion elements.”

On the moon. Amazing.

The Separation between Church and State

Frank

is 240,000 miles. Who knew?

I knew of the controversy surrounding the Apollo 8 mission and Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s lawsuit, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard this story.

The comments following the post are entertaining (as is usually the case) and do a poor job representing either side of the debate, but an interesting point is brought up.

Yes, there was enough publicity after Apollo 8 for NASA to choose not to broadcast Buzz Aldrin celebrating the Lord’s Supper. But that’s where it ended. As much of a publicity hound (pun intended) that Buzz Aldrin is (and I say that with all due respect, having met him on a couple of occasions), it says a lot that not much was made of this.

Contrast with today. The Religious Right fringe of American Christianity (TM) would be up in arms, appearing on every talking-head news show on cable and crying “persecution!” To them, I would offer up this advice:

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven…

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:1, 5-8)

The Separation between Church and State

Frank

is 240,000 miles. Who knew?

I knew of the controversy surrounding the Apollo 8 mission and Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s lawsuit, but this is the first time I’ve ever heard this story.

The comments following the post are entertaining (as is usually the case) and do a poor job representing either side of the debate, but an interesting point is brought up.

Yes, there was enough publicity after Apollo 8 for NASA to choose not to broadcast Buzz Aldrin celebrating the Lord’s Supper. But that’s where it ended. As much of a publicity hound (pun intended) that Buzz Aldrin is (and I say that with all due respect, having met him on a couple of occasions), it says a lot that not much was made of this.

Contrast with today. The Religious Right fringe of American Christianity (TM) would be up in arms, appearing on every talking-head news show on cable and crying “persecution!” To them, I would offer up this advice:

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven…

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:1, 5-8)

You and Me Baby, Ain’t Nothin’ but Mammals

Frank

(if that song is now stuck in your head, go here)

(WARNING: This post contains links that lead to explicit material that may not be suitable for everyone.)

Given the above, I’m going to try and keep my commentary short and spare a lot of details. A couple of articles recently caught my attention and that I feel are worth viewing through a Biblical Worldview. First, two weeks ago Mark Morford, a columnist at the San Francisco Gate wrote an article speculating that “God is slightly gay“. Then last Thursday there was an article at Slate describing the masturbation habits of animals.

What both of these have in common is the justification that if animals do it, then it’s ok for us to do it. If animals exhibit homosexual behavior, then it must be natural and therefore should be socially acceptable. Likewise, if animals masturbate, then there’s less reason to consider “onanism” a social vice. Both articles go further implying that God must be gay (since if his creation has ‘natural’ homosexual behavior, then that must reflect part of God’s character) in the former case, and that masturbation can be defended from a pro-life standpoint in the latter.

If you’re read this far, your brain has probably already come to some conclusions without my pointing out the false equivalencies and mutual exclusiveness. But those are exercises in logic. I want to also look at this from the viewpoint of the Bible.

First logic, casting aside the false equivalencies and mutual exclusiveness from the above arguments. Animals also resort to violence, or in some cases murder, to impress possible mates, seldom practice monogamy, practice infanticide and cannibalism. Ok, maybe we’re not too far from that ourselves, so let me offer a different illustration (and forgive the vulgarity, but I need it to make my point). A dog wants to hump my leg, does that make it socially permissible for you to do so? I could give other extreme examples, but I think you see the point.

As for the Bible, it is clear that we are different than the “beasts of the field”. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’

“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
(Gen 1:26-27)

Of course, Genesis 1 and 2 are easily disposed of today. But I’m not talking science, I’m talking theology. We are created in God’s image. The Bible does not say the same for any animals. So animals do not possess characteristics of God (unless you’re Buddhist, in which case that homosexual, masturbating horse might be your late grandmother) other than their diversity reflects God’s creativity. There is no covenant with the animals (remember as a child being told your favorite pet went to heaven? Sorry, not going to happen), no expectation for holiness (“be holy because I [God] am holy” 1 Peter 1:16), no Law, no grace. Humankind is unique in God’s eyes. We should be holding ourselves to a higher standard. Instead of looking to the animal kingdom to justify our sinful nature, we should instead focus on the heavenly kingdom to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph 4:1ff)

You and Me Baby, Ain’t Nothin’ but Mammals

Frank

(if that song is now stuck in your head, go here)

(WARNING: This post contains links that lead to explicit material that may not be suitable for everyone.)

Given the above, I’m going to try and keep my commentary short and spare a lot of details. A couple of articles recently caught my attention and that I feel are worth viewing through a Biblical Worldview. First, two weeks ago Mark Morford, a columnist at the San Francisco Gate wrote an article speculating that “God is slightly gay“. Then last Thursday there was an article at Slate describing the masturbation habits of animals.

What both of these have in common is the justification that if animals do it, then it’s ok for us to do it. If animals exhibit homosexual behavior, then it must be natural and therefore should be socially acceptable. Likewise, if animals masturbate, then there’s less reason to consider “onanism” a social vice. Both articles go further implying that God must be gay (since if his creation has ‘natural’ homosexual behavior, then that must reflect part of God’s character) in the former case, and that masturbation can be defended from a pro-life standpoint in the latter.

If you’re read this far, your brain has probably already come to some conclusions without my pointing out the false equivalencies and mutual exclusiveness. But those are exercises in logic. I want to also look at this from the viewpoint of the Bible.

First logic, casting aside the false equivalencies and mutual exclusiveness from the above arguments. Animals also resort to violence, or in some cases murder, to impress possible mates, seldom practice monogamy, practice infanticide and cannibalism. Ok, maybe we’re not too far from that ourselves, so let me offer a different illustration (and forgive the vulgarity, but I need it to make my point). A dog wants to hump my leg, does that make it socially permissible for you to do so? I could give other extreme examples, but I think you see the point.

As for the Bible, it is clear that we are different than the “beasts of the field”. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’

“So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.”
(Gen 1:26-27)

Of course, Genesis 1 and 2 are easily disposed of today. But I’m not talking science, I’m talking theology. We are created in God’s image. The Bible does not say the same for any animals. So animals do not possess characteristics of God (unless you’re Buddhist, in which case that homosexual, masturbating horse might be your late grandmother) other than their diversity reflects God’s creativity. There is no covenant with the animals (remember as a child being told your favorite pet went to heaven? Sorry, not going to happen), no expectation for holiness (“be holy because I [God] am holy” 1 Peter 1:16), no Law, no grace. Humankind is unique in God’s eyes. We should be holding ourselves to a higher standard. Instead of looking to the animal kingdom to justify our sinful nature, we should instead focus on the heavenly kingdom to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Eph 4:1ff)

When it Rains, it Pours

Frank

It’s almost cliche in its truth. You’ve probably had this happen to you, or you’ve seen it: right when you commit yourself to Christ and old flame calls up, or right when you’re overcoming an addiction either an old drinking buddy runs into you or you have an office party with an open bar, or as you’re raising money for missions work your car breaks down. I could go on, but you get the idea.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

I don’t‘ know about you, but the above is anything but joy. Interesting that this passage follows up with admonishing us to pray for wisdom while encouraging us to have faith. Facing these trials with the right heart obviously requires faith, but maturing through them requires wisdom.

My wife and I are taking a financial class by Dave Ramsey. One couple in the class had their van impounded (and they have 4 kids to haul around!), another had a flat tire, and another wife came down with a bug that required her husband to take several days of unpaid leave from his job. As for us, our a/c broke down (in the middle of July, in the desert) and my wife’s bike was stolen, all within a couple of days of each other and within a few days of the other trials above. Hopefully, I’m finding the wisdom to persevere in this class.

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” (Hebrews 12:7)

How ironic too, to look at this as discipline from the Lord while we’re struggling with disciplining our own son.

There are times like these when I think it would be easier to just give up on following Christ all together. But I know that’s not really true. These trials are only temporary, but the benefits of perseverance are eternal. Plus, I believe in a loving God which gives me hope that he, not I, knows what is best for me and my family.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

When it Rains, it Pours

Frank

It’s almost cliche in its truth. You’ve probably had this happen to you, or you’ve seen it: right when you commit yourself to Christ and old flame calls up, or right when you’re overcoming an addiction either an old drinking buddy runs into you or you have an office party with an open bar, or as you’re raising money for missions work your car breaks down. I could go on, but you get the idea.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

I don’t‘ know about you, but the above is anything but joy. Interesting that this passage follows up with admonishing us to pray for wisdom while encouraging us to have faith. Facing these trials with the right heart obviously requires faith, but maturing through them requires wisdom.

My wife and I are taking a financial class by Dave Ramsey. One couple in the class had their van impounded (and they have 4 kids to haul around!), another had a flat tire, and another wife came down with a bug that required her husband to take several days of unpaid leave from his job. As for us, our a/c broke down (in the middle of July, in the desert) and my wife’s bike was stolen, all within a couple of days of each other and within a few days of the other trials above. Hopefully, I’m finding the wisdom to persevere in this class.

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.” (Hebrews 12:7)

How ironic too, to look at this as discipline from the Lord while we’re struggling with disciplining our own son.

There are times like these when I think it would be easier to just give up on following Christ all together. But I know that’s not really true. These trials are only temporary, but the benefits of perseverance are eternal. Plus, I believe in a loving God which gives me hope that he, not I, knows what is best for me and my family.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)