Why Facebook, Anyway?

So, I probably spend an hour a day updating and reading and posting on Facebook. I started a page and group for my church. It takes time but after this week I'm convinced. Facebook may reduce face to face communication, but somehow it still helps people connect and cooperate.
Two posts in particular caught my eye. The first was how one person needed help and had not just one person respond but two. Sweet! And the other actually wasn't really a post at all. It was a comment on the street, face to face, from someone who took an extra minute to tell me just how much the site helps that person feel a part of things.
I like technology generally, but I have to admit that at times I worry about becoming isolated through over-use. Today I worry a little less than I did a week ago.

Imitating Christ

Philippians 2:1-11

The passage set before us today is central to the Christian message.

Paul, the prisoner is desperate that those who are free remain so. He spent the first half of his life relying on himself, his intellect, his skills, his achievements. And he found it all just led to a dead end. To know Christ and to be in Christ, is the main thing. Everything else takes its proper place after that. Paul accepted that freedom comes through death and on the other side life is amazing. It’s no wonder he urges the church to stay the course. Walk in freedom; preserve the unity that only exists in Christ.

The passage set before us is about living, dying and living again. It’s about a moment of surrender. The mystery of Jesus’ mission to make his people one in him.

Words of course also come up wanting. How can we explain the truth that although Jesus was human and divine at the same time – fully human and fully Divine; he chose to set aside the privileges of both to do what only he could do.  As rightful King of Israel he refused the throne. He refused power, wealth and position as a way to solve the great injustices of the world. And that makes little sense. As the wisest, most compassionate man ever, he could have ruled Israel with justice upholding and teaching the virtues of loving neighbour and caring for the widow, orphan and outsider. Just as God had always wanted.

And, as rightful King of the Universe, Jesus could have initiated the eternal kingdom banishing forever evil and injustice in every form. Man’s inhumanity to man is the cause of most of our suffering after all. 37 murders in Edmonton so far this year; each and every one caused by human brokenness, darkness and sin. Imagine the peace on earth we would enjoy if the sin problem had been removed completely from everyone back then. And he could do it too. All we’d have to worry about today would be natural disasters; and truthfully there aren’t that many of them. Even the hurricane in Japan wouldn’t have harmed anyone because construction and prevention methods would have been people centered, not profit centered. But Jesus refused to give us that kind of life, robbing every one of maturity that comes with taking responsibility.

The rightful king chose a different course. Paul says he emptied himself. Christ Jesus laid aside the privileges of his humanity and divinity in order to accomplish our salvation through the most unlikely means possible. It was the only way after all and as Paul also says, it appears as foolishness to all except to those who believe.

And in such absurdity lay the truth. The God we know as revealed in Jesus is unique. That’s why in our relativistic age where every road, some say, leads to the same fulfillment or God, the message of Jesus is critical and also proven. Every other spiritual path does have helpful teaching. After all anything that is true such as helping the poor, working for freedom and healing and the end to oppression are all of God and many do these things.

The difference is in the motive and goal. In those religious systems self-denial and doing good things don’t save. Instead they lead to self-fulfillment and the end of personal identity. And in that sense Richard Dawkins is right. Without Christ ultimately there is only annihilation and a great nothingness after death. The path of Christ is the way of life, death and new life; it is the only path that works.

It seems every great story has that theme. The hero sets out on a quest only to discover that in order to succeed he or she comes to realize that it’s too big for them to accomplish alone.

Think Frodo in Lord of the Rings; Think Harry Potter or King Arthur. In each, their abilities and strengths just aren’t enough because self-reliance is a trap leading to death. And in every case they die to self and renewed into life they succeed. Watch the Incredibles, there is a scene near the end where Mr. Incredible goes through just such a journey. He’s been self-reliant and discovers his strength just isn’t enough and in that moment he’s struck by terror. Humbled, he reaches out.

U2 sings about a man trapped by drugs and this of course is just a variation on a theme.

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released from control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

No Line On The Horizon: Moment Of Surrender

The song is called moment of surrender. Have you been to that place yet? Faced dependencies that have control over life? Some say everyone is an addict. Some are addicted to gathering wealth; for some it’s the thrill of sport either watched or participated in; for some it’s gardening or shopping; for some it’s owning more. An addiction is a dependency that shapes life around the dependency. It’s where the energy, time and passions go. Christ came to break dependencies and grant new life, a new vision.

Have you seen the vision – the truth of Christ – alive in a world visibly bound by alienation and pain?

This is the vision, path, the story, the truth that Jesus walked. With one significant difference. Jesus came knowing all of this ahead of time. He refused to be controlled and he refused to be self-reliant right from the beginning.. John 5.19 “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

And it is because of this that the path Jesus walked is the true path. The gods of this world always demand more. More blood, more money, more power. Why else are there debt problems in our world today? Why else does war never end? Why else are billions spent each year on elections?

The God who has been revealed in Jesus does not demand more and does not repay good behaviour with crumbs from His table. The God revealed is the One True God because long before we knew him he loved us, humbled himself, gave himself for us, and has Blessed us with every Spiritual blessing in Christ. Is it any wonder then that Paul can say of all his achievements, status and abilities, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him”

People, Jesus walked the path to show us the way. Birth, death and new life; a life shaped around love. For God, for others and for self. New life shaped by grateful, humble obedience to the one who sets people free, who is the Reigning Lord of Heaven and Earth. To whom every knee will bow. Yours, mine, the Dali Lama’s and the Pope’s, every religious leader, every political leader, everyone who has ever lived.

And so one thing remains. Will kneeling be an act of devotion or admission? Will kneeling bring tears of joy or shame? For those who are in Jesus the tears will be joy alone. In Christ there is no more shame and that is what we have this life for to discover.

So as we move to the Table, I ask again have you encountered Christ in your own personal moment of surrender?

Is become more like Christ, a woman or man ever more free of self-reliance and ever more liberated from the controlling lure of wealth, power and status the kind of person you truly desire to be?

Are you willing to ask the Father to set you free and accept what comes in this glorious place called new life?

Birthdays

Why do people who share my ethnic background wish each other congratulations when a spouse or child has a birthday? I mean, it's my wife's birthday today and along with congratulating her they extend good wishes to me also. Initially, I found it a weird habit. It's not my birthday and I had nothing to do with it being hers. But slowly on I've been wondering. I've never asked anyone why we do it, but here's what I think is the root cause. I have a feeling that it goes back to a strong sense of family in community. A wife, husband, parent or child are interconnected and what affects one affects all. So to isolate one person on a day made meaningful by the presence of family and friends makes no sense at all. Given the number of phone calls we received today, I think my theory is proved.
Somehow in a world of toxic individualism, a strange but wonderful custom remains that speaks a beautiful word recognizing that together we are better. So congratulations with my wife's birthday indeed!

Divine Purposes

The following is the first in a five-part series in the book of Philippians

Before we read the scripture today, it’s helpful to make sure we understand what’s going on in the life of the ones who wrote it and those who received it first.

The authors are Paul and Timothy. That a letter is co-authored is unusual and important in that it tells us that Christian leadership is always a group effort. And, Paul at least is in jail. Very much how we understand house arrest. He has rooms in the Imperial Palace in Rome awaiting trial for believing in and teaching about the Resurrection of Jesus. So while in jail he is responsible for his own food and other needs. And he has some freedom to meet with friends and visitors, to write letters and the like. Timothy’s role is most likely that of secretary, writing as Paul dictates. The two have worked together for a long time. Timothy also believes deeply in Jesus.

The recipients of the letter are the members of the church Paul planted in the city of Philippi. They are a mixture of Jews, Greeks and Romans. They have a structure to their congregation much like our own and they are having trouble. As we go through the letter, we’ll begin to see what the trouble is about, but for now the main thing is to know that there are divisions and it’s breaking Paul’s heart. And so he writes:

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

⁷It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. ²⁰I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

There are a few things to notice as we begin the letter.

Most importantly the theme of the entire letter is joy. Joy: a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment. And Paul wants the people to know all about it.

He loves the church in Philippi, so he sets the tone of joy and thanksgiving. God has established the church! And God will see them through their current troubles! Paul knows that God’s purposes in and with the church is grace in the way of Christ. Grace always comes first and then after grace reduces tensions, words of truth.

So beginning in verse 9 we have his prayer expressing a pastor’s heart. Pastors who love their church want the people in their care to be filled with love because love transforms. Love softens hard edges and harsh words; love listens and finds a way so that the church is strengthened and the cause of Jesus in the world is honoured and advanced. Love conquers all.

And then he really digs in. The people know he’s in jail for his faith in Christ. Are the arguments they have to do with that? Is someone saying, hey maybe we should keep faith talk on the down-low because otherwise we’ll be in trouble with the authorities too? Or maybe because it may cost us friends or business opportunities. We don’t know for sure, but I wonder if that isn’t the case? Are the same pressures facing believers today? We live in a country where tolerance and private faith are expected virtues, right?

So beginning in verse 12 Paul reassures them that his present situation, while not great, is accomplishing an important reality.  In house arrest, Paul is sharing his faith, the gospel, the passion of his heart and life to anyone who is willing to hear it. By the way, one aspect of house arrest unique to that time is that instead of an ankle transmitter like we have today - hooked up to a GPS signal so that the authorities know where the prisoner is at all time – they did something different. A guard was chained to Paul 24/7 and as they rotated shifts they all heard the good news. And it sunk in; some also believed. And this reality caused Paul’s entourage to be encouraged and even bolder to admit to and share their faith. They dare all the more. The irony is that under pressure God’s people shine.

Verse 15 returns again to the possible source of the arguments. It seems that some preachers in Paul’s time were doing the work looking for fame or position. And it seems they were also trying to prove their superiority by pointing to Paul’s imprisonment. As if God promises a life without hardship!

And yet Paul’s response to all of that is who cares! As long as Jesus the Christ, risen from the dead, God himself is preached. That’s kind of sobering when we think about all the divisions in the church that rarely had to do with the essentials Paul holds to.

And then Paul gets real personal. Paul has chosen a path and he will not let go of it regardless of circumstances, feelings, disagreements or anything else. In his response to grace and the overwhelming love of God; Paul will rejoice. All he worries about is that he can retain the courage to face his trial and the verdict in a way that brings Glory to God.

And then he says it, “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Or, at the end of the day all that matters is Christ Jesus the Lord. Or simply yet, in four short words: I am in Christ.

Let’s unpack that for a moment. This phrase, “I am in Christ.”

Let’s think of baptism for a moment. We teach that it is a sign and a seal of God’s call on the life of those baptized. That they become in Christ - a part of Christ’s family. And while we may think of the church as Christ’s family, it’s not the first one. The family or community offered by Christ to our children or adults in their baptism is the community of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the community of pure joy, love, peace and unity. Is it any wonder then that those are the same gifts God has for all who respond to his call and enter through Christ, who is the doorway, so to speak, into this amazing community.

This is why Paul can remain confident and joyful. His circumstances just don’t measure up to anything near the reality of being in such a community. And that is why he can rejoice. Every time he rests in the Father’s love and is encouraged by the Spirit and is energized by preaching Christ, he grows in confidence, hope and determination that the path he’s on is right and good.

That’s what he means by: To live is Christ and to die is gain. I am in Christ.

Paul will not be sidelined by troubles or hardships; he will not put his trust in knowledge, power or prestige. His joy does not depend on anything he’s done or could do. By answering God’s call he is in Christ and that name, as we shall see in chapter two is the name above all names. The Name representing and revealing the one God who loves unconditionally. The one whose love draws order out of chaos, life out of death. The one who banishes fear and despair to fill hearts with faith, confident hope filled joy that will carry anyone through anything if only they let Him.

Paul not only loves his Lord, he trusts him because he knows God. As a teacher of the Law he knew all about God and that isn’t enough. He knows God by being in Christ, and living to the Glory of God.

And so we see his motive for sharing such a personal matter. He wants to encourage the saints at Philippi the only way possible. He is saying if you too will come to God in Christ, you too will understand that though life may be filled with trouble, joy is real.

So the question since this letter was written remains the same. Do you know God? Do you want to know joy? This is God’s Divine purpose for your life! Are you tired of being tired from trying to do it on your own? Are you tired of living the happiness cycle that depends on circumstances? Are you tired of wondering if God loves? Are you ready to lean into the truth that to live is Christ and to die gain? And are those of us who have accepted Christ, are in Christ today, are we ready to share with others the joy we have, boldly and confidently all to the Glory of God?

Many questions . . . .  any answers?

Beginnings

I've always wanted to start a blog. But never got around to it until now. So now what? I've named it Questions not Answers because I've realized that answers are dead ends in today's world still in desperate search of certainty. There just isn't anything like that. What can be proved today is disproved tomorrow. Coffee is alternatively good for us then bad. So what's the answer? Questions, I think. Questions like why drink coffee anyway, what kind and does taste matter or is one just the same as the other if the whole point to you is to get the caffeine. Then again, why not just take a caffeine pill instead? It saves on bathroom time, or is the social experience of sipping hot liquid worth the trouble? And now you may ask, am I over-thinking all of this? Probably, but I figure that what I do must have a reason or purpose otherwise I might just as well follow along and jump off the cliff like all the other lemmings.
To be clear, currently I drink coffee because I like the taste and I limit my coffee drinking to coffee that tastes the way I like it. That's where I am now, but the next time the answer seems insufficient, I'll revisit the question. How many other issues there are to question, I don't know. Probably lots, so I'll keep on asking questions. My real goal is to be responsible with each moment of each day and choose to live well.