Reframing Spirituality

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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As I push through my doctoral reading regarding biblical concepts and approaches in  pastoral leadership I find one conversation very interesting. Several of my readings have alluded to an idea found within the study of organizational structures called  Dramaturgical Theory (Boleman and Deal, 2008).

According to the theory, people in organizations (secular or religious), “…perform” at their jobs. Like the theater, success depends on a “recognition that performances play with reality in such a way as to turn the taken-for-granted into a plausible appearance” (Boleman and Deal, Reframing Organizations, p.293).

This concept is not new. It was developed back in the 1960′s by psychologist, Erving Goffman who proposed that “instead of looking inwards at where our behavior comes from, we should look outwards, at what our behavior is trying to achieve” (Simon P. Walker, Leading out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership, p.24). In other words, a successful “performance” should persuade others to a point of believability. Let’s just say it should be “authentic”.

The problem arises when authenticity is only acted out on the front stage and not the back stage of our lives. How many people do you know like that? They will do anything to get applause. They will perform their dance with all the right props, lighting, and sound effects in order to make their lives plausible. Yet when they retreat backstage they find their lives are a mess. This is reality for them. What causes that? Can it be confusion about their fundamental approaches to spiritual formation? Their lack of understanding between the mind and the heart?

What does it mean to be “transformed” into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)? Is this merely one approach, or are there more. What does Paul mean when he says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”(Rom.12:2)? How do you do spiritual formation? What spiritual disciplines do you exercise to ensure the authentic performance of your faith?

Lectio Divina-”Divine Reading”

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in Biblical Worldview, New Posts, Theology

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Lectio Divina – “Divine Reading”1to4_emblem_side

Lectio Divina, or “Divine Reading” involves meditative listening to the reading, out loud and slowly, of a short passage or a few isolated verses of Scripture.  Those who listen are encouraged to set aside analysis, and what they “know” already about the passage, seeking instead to open themselves to God’s Word, listen with their hearts and receive it expectantly and passively. They then attend to what they receive from God. God’s Word is received personally, as an individualized gift to each person.

The four movements of Lectio Divina:

  • Lectio: This first movement consists of slowly and attentively reading a scripture passage several times.  You  may want to jot down words or phrases that seem to stand out to you.
  • Meditatio: In this second movement, as the name implies we meditate on the text.  This “meditation” is unlike Eastern meditation traditions that focus on emptying the mind.  Rather instead, the intent of meditatio is to engage with the text with an active mind.  For example, you  may ponder a phrase or word that arrests your attention in your first readings of the text and sit with it wondering how it speaks to your life right now.  You may imaginatively place yourself in the story.  All the while listening for the Holy Spirit to speak within you about the meaning of this text for your life right now.
  • Oratio:  Oratio is a Latin word associated with speech.  It is a word from which we derive words  like oral and oratory.  In this third movement, speak to God from your heart about what you discover in the text.  The Word may convict your heart about something, if so confess and ask for God’s forgiveness.  If the Word touches a hurt, you may seek God’s care.  If the Word reveals a calling then from you might pledge yourself to God or ask for guidance.  Oratio is for you to respond to God.
  • Contemplatio: When all is said and done, lectio comes to an end by simply joyfully resting in God’s presence.  We offer back to God our loving focus and attention with a heart full of gratitude.

Giving the Gift of Christmas to Loved Ones

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

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I hope you’ll be able to take time and read C. J. Mahaney’s article, Opportunities to Evangelize while Home for Christmas.  I’ve cited only a portion of the article below. You can find the complete article at this link.

As a Christian father I continue to struggle with sharing the Gospel to a son struggling with his faith. I’ve been in ministry for thirty years now and this continues to be the most challenging aspect of my Christian witness.

May the gift of Christmas be received by every child that walks in darkness/OJ

On Sunday morning, December 21, 1856, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon to prepare his growing church for the coming Christmas season. He titled it “Going Home,” and the aim of the message was to encourage each member of his congregation to humbly, wisely, and appropriately find opportunities to share their personal testimony with family and friends.

“Spurgeon had become the pastor of New Park Street Church in April 1854. At that time the church had 232 members. By Christmas of 1856 the membership had risen quickly to around 4,000. A large number of newly converted Christians needed to be prepared for their return home for Christmas.

Spurgeon’s sermon text was taken from the dramatic account of Jesus healing the Gerasene demoniac in Mark 5:1–20. Spurgeon focused his attention on Jesus’s commission to the man after he was healed: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (v. 19).

After explaining the demoniac’s radical life-transformation by Christ and his commission to go home, Spurgeon commissioned his church to return home. In the remainder of the sermon Spurgeon develops several practical points:

  • Christmas is suited for sharing the gospel with family and friends.
  • Aim to share the story of God’s grace in your life.
  • By sharing we edify believers.
  • By sharing we reach lost friends and family.
  • Be alert for one-on-one opportunities to share your story.
  • Don’t expect this sharing to be easy.
  • Overcome this fear by sharing to honor your Savior.
  • Share your story with gratitude to God.
  • Share your story with humility.
  • Share your story truthfully—don’t embellish it.
  • Tell your story seriously—don’t share it flippantly.
  • Don’t neglect your personal devotions during Christmas.
  • Rest upon the Holy Spirit’s help to share.
  • Remember that this story you share over the holidays is the story that will be on your lips eternally.

C. J. Mahaney is an author, speaker and currently president of Sovereign Grace Ministries

Good News

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

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As we celebrate Jesus’ birth today may we be reminded of what He brings to each and every one of us–”Good News”!
 ”Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD NEWS of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2: 10-12 ESV).
This good news piqued the shepherds’ interest so much that they rushed to see this new baby. On arriving in Bethlehem, the shepherds disclose to Mary, Joseph and all their visitors concerning the angel’s testimony about this child. And, after beholding Him, the shepherds “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20 ESV).
Like these shepherds, may we fearlessly and urgently proclaim this good news so that those who hear it may praise and glorify God for this precious baby who is Christ Jesus—the Savior and Lord.
Celebrating His birth,
OJ and Jane

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Beware of Christians, the Documentary

15 Saturday Dec 2012

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‘Beware of Christians’, a documentary story of four college friends who travel to Europe to challenge what they’ve been taught when it comes to following Jesus Christ.  All four students, Alex, Michael, Matt and Will, were raised in the church; however, as they grew older they saw the discrepancies between a Christ follower in the Bible and one in the United States.

As you can imagine a film with four college guys would be, there’s lots of footage filled with funny banter, practical jokes, wrestling, and talking about girls.  They stayed in hostels, got sick from the food, lost their passports, tried fasting, and made friends with homeless people.

There’s also enough shots of impressive landmarks and beautiful scenery to make you want to buy a ticket to Europe yourself.

The conversations are the real meat of the movie.  The guys take on seven specific topics, each one complete with interviews from strangers and scriptures from the Bible.  Those topics are:

  • Identity
  • Materialism
  • Sex/Relationships
  • Church
  • Wealth/Poverty
  • Media/Entertainment
  • Alcohol

I highly recommend the film, especially to church youth leaders. Check out the trailer.

Christ our Treasure: The Power of His Resurrection

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

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Please go to the Take Home Notes on the CFC website for further study and starter questions.

Sunday’s text:

Phil 3:9-11

9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Pastor Jared asked the question, “What sets Jesus apart from any other religious leader in history?” His own answer, “They are all dead and Jesus is alive!” Like Jared many of us were part of the multitude of people who didn’t want anything to do with God while growing up. Fortunately, like many of us who are believers, we consider all things lost for the gain of Christ.

Here is another question: What are some of the blessings that come to those who gain Christ?

Jared gave us three: Acceptance with God (9); Power for a Difficult Life (v.10); and Hope for the Future (v.11).

Let’s look at each one.

1. Acceptance with God (v.9). If you recall the Apostle Paul was a radical Jew who persecuted Christians before his conversion. After his conversion his sole purpose to “gain” Christ not the persecution of believers. Here we see two radical approaches to righteousness:

  1. A righteousness of our own (the law)—symbolic of being in the world
  2. A righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. We are not dependent on our own efforts, but this righteousness comes from God. The good news is that if we claim to have Christ we also inherit His righteousness. Our challenge is not to rely on sinking sand but on the solid rock of Christ . Some of the greatest obstacles for believers and non-believers is their merit and worth is based on their good works and not Christ’s righteousness.

2. Power for a Difficult Life (v.10). “Resurrection power” is at work in every believer in order to bring about spiritual change. This is contrary to the thousands of secular books which advocate positive thinking and how to tap into your own power for change. One book in particular was entitled, The Secret, which sold thousands of copies several years back.

Much of the time when we fell like we are not changing is because we are relying on our good works and not trusting in Christ’s power. How about when it comes to suffering? How do we deal with it? Look at v.10. Even in his suffering believers are to become like Him. Isn’t it unfortunate that many who accept Christ really believe that everything bad and discouraging goes away. Not so. The only thing that goes away is your sins. They are removed and we are reconciled to God. This power is a power of reconciliation that casts away all fear (Rom 8:28). Resurrection power is meant to sustain us in our suffering. Do you know the resurrection power of Christ?

3. Hope for the Future (v.11). More good news is that when Jesus returns, those who have trusted in his resurrection power will leave this world with him. (vv. 20-21). We will be transformed. This is our hope. Think about it—Jesus’ death makes no sense whatsoever if we could get it on the merits of our own goodness.

So, if you are not in Christ today you should be afraid of death. Death is coming to each and every one of us. God sent his son for this reason: That we would be raised with Him for righteous gain!

To be in Christ means to share in his power, in his suffering. This is the whole meaning of Easter. Look to Jesus and look at all things lost for the sake of his power and gain.

Remembering Ways to Relate to Your Teen

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

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You would think that after parenting five teenagers (one is still at home) that I have become an expert in the field–not really. Each one of them developed their own personality, aspired to different dreams, and looks at the world differently. Yep, you guessed it. They are all different!

Last week one of our elders at church spoke on the subject of parenting teenagers and I’d like to share them with you. They came to me as fresh reminders that I am not in charge–God is!

1. Remember how scared you were when you were a teen?

2. Remember you didn’t want to be around your parents?

3. Remember you tried on identities like you tried on clothes. As a parent, try to discern what they are “buying” into and not just what they trying on.

4. Remember that some of your learning came from making mistakes. Don’t be a “helicopter” parent, i.e. don’t hover over your kids. We want to keep them from regrets, not mistakes. Regrets are foolishness.

5. Remember the enticements of the world. It shouldn’t surprise us when the world seems enticing because all your teen has known is the church. I can relate to this as a homeschool parent!

6. Remember the weaknesses of your own parents. You don’t have to be a great parent but a faithful one. We don’t have all the answers.

7. Remember that the God who rescued you will be faithful to them. He will rescue them as well.

Still I’m longing Lord

26 Sunday Feb 2012

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I’m longing for your love and your heart and your way. I’ve been a Christian for 30 years and I’m still longing for your love. My heart seeks through the night for your spirit to hear your holy will. I am still wanting more!