a Leper's Thanksgiving

Recently I was watching an episode of “No Reservations” (a program on the travel channel) in which Anthony Bourdain (the host) was in Columbia. Throughout the episode the Columbians were expressing and showing Bourdain how “thankful” they were that things there had changed…that things were so much better from the years when the drug cartels had operated without restraint. At a party Bourdain made a comment that I thought was obvious, yet insightful, “people who’ve been through hard times really know how to party” he said.

Luke (17) records the account of ten lepers who met Jesus and had a life-changing encounter with Jesus; they were all healed! Lepers were alienated in every way. They couldn’t participate in the synagogue or festivals, had to cry out “unclean”, and maintain a distance of 100 paces from the clean. In addition to this, while a misnomer, leprosy (in some ways like AIDS in the 90s) carried a bit of a spiritual and moral stigma with it. They were outcasts.

Surprisingly, out of the ten only one returned to thank Jesus. Have you ever wondered what happened to the other nine? Me too. Luke doesn’t reveal their reasons and so we can only speculate, but…let’s speculate. Maybe:

· One waited to see if the cure was real.


· One said he would see Jesus later and thank Him then.

· Another decided that he had never really had leprosy.
- One thought he probably would have gotten well anyway through a new holistic process.

-Still another said, “I have so much to do. Jesus will understand.”
-One said, “Actually, I wasn’t as bad as the others.”
-Another said, “I should’ve never had leprosy in the first place”
-
To me, what’s most interesting is that Jesus actually takes notice of their absence. I mean, Jesus, i.e., God noticed! God noticed that nine didn’t give thanks.
But one was different. The Bible says, “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed…” Most English versions translate the verse as saying that he saw he was healed. The Greek word used is “eido” and it’s a little broader than visual sight and means to know, see, and/or perceive. The thankful one took the time to note that he had been blessed. He realized that something wonderful had happened to him. He was sensitive to the power of Christ working in his life. He “saw” that he was healed, he turned back and glorified God.

His perception had entirely changed.

In addition to all that we have to thankful for this Thanksgiving, I want to also encourage you to “see” all that God has done in your life. Visit again in your mind the place where you first met God and His mercy and grace and in addition to everything else, be sure to give thanks for how He’s saved you. Because of Jesus, you’ve come so very far. Because of Jesus we see differently. Because of Jesus we should know how to party. Happy Thanksgiving.

Left Behind in Argentina

Its true...several Sundays ago (Aug 2) they forgot about me and i got left behind all by myself at a Christian campground.

i had a lot of different feelings about it. i have often wondered what it was like for Adam to have the whole planet to himself and it simply wasnt the same without the people. when i realized what had happened; seeing the final bus leave and no one at the cottage beside me i walked over to where we ate etc. To a degree, it was very serene being there all by myself. Not even
"Smiley" the dog was to be found. On the way back it was truly like a movie set for "Lord of the Rings". It was getting dark, the trees didnt have any leaves and i heard a hawk or something screech just like a Ring Wraith :0 i quickened my pace just a little. when i got back to my lodge I was amused to find that a cat had some how found a way in!! it was just sitting there on the couch enjoying the fire and i thought, i might as well too. i put some wood on the fire, played with the cat some and watched the flames. i was thinking that a campfire is sort of like ancient television in that you just sit there watching the different hues in the colors, listen to the sounds of the wood crackling, and enjoy its warmth.

At this point i realized that it was official: i'd been left behind! i actually practiced my message (that i gave on Aug 8/9 at CoG), did my devotions, journaled, prayed out loud, and took a nap. i let the cat stay in and every now and then it would climb on to my lap as if to say, "its ok". About two hours into it the people who supervise the place came over and asked in spanish, "why are you still here?" i used every spanish word i knew and they returned a few minutes later with some mate, dessert, and a phone. the only phone numbers i knew were jorge's home number and that of the church and no one answered at either. the only consolation i had was knowing that I Knew that Jorge Knew that i was supposed to speak at church. So, i surmised, at Some point Someone would notice that i wasnt there! but then i had a mini panic attack and thought "but maybe they will think there was a mix up and that i was at one of the other sites...castillo or rivadavia!" :O being tired from praying and preaching to the cat, at that point i contemplated just taking a long hot shower and going to bed. i'm serious.

but right about this time, as i was taking off my shoes, the cat looked up from the sofa at me and meowed as if to say, "its going to be ok." Now i know that this part sounds cheezy and as syrupy as a the ads for a marriage conference but here's what's interesting-i had no food for the cat. all it wanted really was my attention-my time. at that point the Holy Spirit hit me like a mike tyson punch or an andy roddick serve..."Hey Bobby, I just want some of your time. I just want some of your attention, that's all" And so there, in Maximo Paz, all by myself except for the cat, which i named "Tiggerina", and God i spent some time just sitting by the fire and listening to God. Approximately one hour later Mariano showed up.

"And He (Jesus) said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile." Mark 6:31

AntiSemitism and Evil

There's only about 12 maybe 15 million Jews on a planet of over 6 Billion and yet every day i hear about them or Israel in the news. There's hardly a month that goes by that i dont hear about the holocost, anti-semitism, or terrorist-type attacks against them. I know that like any culture/society they are not perfect and yet...why? Why do we keep hearing about such a small people group? I mean in comparison it would be like hearing about connecticut and the people who live there every day. When i was in Auschwicz i learned that in his final days hitler actually turned the heat up on the prisoners there, i.e. knowing the americans were coming from the west and russians from the east he tried to kill as many as he could. i think that perhaps one of the reasons that there's such widespread anti-semitism is that if they are wiped off the planet, as some desire to do, it makes God a liar in that there are still some unfulfilled prophecies for the jewish people that have yet to be fulfilled. thus, i wonder if this is why satan is so dedicated to their destruction. just a thought.

A Haunted Palm Sunday

I went to Auschwitz today. The Auschwitz! I walked through the legendary "gate of death". the barbed wire is still there. I saw the train station depot where their personal belongings were taken from them, where they were stripped naked; and i saw the crematoriums where the ill, children, pregnant women, and anyone who was considered unfit for labor were sent to their deaths in the gas chambers. and i saw the gas chambers too and the holes in the ceiling where the gas came in. it was simply too much. too much. the amazing thing to me about this was that it was palm sunday. i didnt intentionally plan it that way but it was the only day i could work it in. and i recalled the love that Jesus has for us. as redundant as it is..."for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." God had led israel out of captivity our of sin. He told them that if they would follow Him that they would be blessed and that if they didnt that they'd find themselves in captivity again. The reason i believe that much of the history of israel is also included in the Scriptures is because, you see, their story is our story. There's actually a much more powerful oppressor than pharaoh or the babylonians. its sin. During the Babylonian captivity the prophets began to speak of a new type of exodus that was coming and they referred to it as "the way".

While Israel is in Babylon Isaiah says, “…prepare the way …make a straight path for the highway of our King.” Isa 40:3 He says that this Exodus is for everyone. In Isa 40:5. He says, while they are still in Babylon, get this now, while they are slaves in bablyon God even says “shout it with joy. Send it to the ends of the earth.”Isa 48:20]

Why shout it to the ends of the earth? Because! Because God is not just talking about the Babylonians he’s talking about a liberation from the real oppression-Sin. And so they can begin to dream of a way home. A deliverance from all oppression: physical and spiritual. But there has to be someone qualified to lead the way. Jesus is the Way (John 14:6). happy Easter from a train in Prague.

risks

this is from a book i have been reading and wanted to share it with you. it's from a guy in his twenties who actually worked with mother theresa a little and started his own inner city ministry in philly:

"Some Christians take such few risks, its no wonder people have a hard time believing in heaven. Sometimes people ask me if I'm scared living in the inner city. I usually reply I'm more scared living in the suburbs. The Scriptures say that we should not fear those things which can destroy the body but destroy the soul (Mt. 10:28). While the ghettos may have their share of violence and crime, the suburbs are the home of the more violent subtle demonic forces -numbness, complacency, comfort-and these can eat away at our souls.

Whenever people asked Mother Theresa about her work in Calcutta, how it was going, what life was like, she would say, 'Come an see'. I was ready to see Christianity lived out. I did some homework and figured out that i needed to call (her) at 2AM and that call would cost $4 a minute. (I called). I was expecting to hear a formal greeting: 'Missionaries of Charity, how can we help you?' Nope. I just heard a raspy old voice on the other end mutter 'Hullo'. Thinking I had the wrong number with the tab rolling at $4 a minute, I said, "Hello I'm calling from the United States trying to reach Mother Theresa or the Missionaries of Charity.' On the other end I head the muffled old voice say, "This is the Missionaries of Charity and this is Mother Theresa'. My initial reaction was 'Yeah right and I'm the pope.' But I held back. She asked how long we wanted to stay and I told her we'd like to spend the summer. "that's a long time" she said. Or two to three weeks I said. Heck, two to three hours (with her) seemed nice. She said, 'No, come for the summer. Come." Come? Where would we eat or sleep? So, I asked her: "Mother Theresa, where would we eat or sleep?" She didnt worry a lot about that. She said, 'God takes care of the lilies and the sparrows, and God will take care of you. Just come.'

-Irresistible Revolution

Christmas Cards from God (my version)

Christmas Cards from God

Dear Lonely Heart,
“Its not good to be alone.” I was the one who said those words immediately after I created the first human, and so I know that they apply to you as well. I was the one who created you with a longing for relationship. So, when you feel disconnectedness of isolation over Christmas - as you are feeling right now, I know why you feel that way. I see this and I have heard all of your prayers. But don’t forget that I’m with you always (Mt. 28:20) and that I love you.

Dear Unhealthy,
You never thought it would happen to you, did you? For so many years your body always did what you needed…your body did what you wanted it to do, but this Christmas it seems different. I need you to know that I understand the limitation of the human body. I created it.. I created it as your temporary housing for your soul and in heaven you’ll have a glorified body. But between now and then, no matter what set backs your body may have, remember that I dwell with you. In fact you are my temple. (1 Cor. 3:16).

Dear Busy,
Whenever I look at you, I see a blur of activity with a contrail of exhaustion. You seem to have less and less time for me; and thus less time for the things that are important to Me. I admire your drive but what you are looking for will never come your way by adding more things to your plate, or by pleasing more people, I know the way to the still waters and I know the way to the the truly greener pastures (Ps. 23:2 ). Trust me, before its too late.

Dear Independent,
Believe it or not, I actually like your self-discipline and your determination. My problem is that you do not acknowledge me as the source (James 1:17). You’ve taken my gifts, built yourself a great life, and ignored me. Yet I actually have plans for you that would blow you away! But you are so self-absorbed there’s not any room for my grace and power to operate. So, this Christmas I’d like to ask a gift from you; a thank you. And I’d simply like to be included in your plans.

Dear Guilty,
What you did was wrong. You know it, I know it. But my Son was born to die for these wrongs (Lk. 2:10, 11) and that includes what you did. My grace can allow you to enjoy this Christmas. So stop beating yourself up over it. If you ask I will forgive you. It’s the best gift of all and the one gift you’ll never want to return.

Dear Backslidden,
When you first began to wander away from me you probably had no idea that you would wind up in a spiritual ditch and here it is Christmas. It has been hard for me to watch you lose your way over the years. You are far from home. I miss you. But you can come home tonight. The light is on for you and I have left a key for you under the mat. Nothing would make me happier than to see you home for Christmas. Come home. I’m waiting for you. (Lk. 15:20).

Dear Blessed,
Enjoy my goodness this Christmas! I’m happy to see you joyful! The rekindled relationship, romance, the new baby I gave you, your material blessings. There is a time for dancing and this is one of them. Thank you for keeping your eyes on me. I’ve seen all that you’ve been doing for Me, You’ve kept you ears attentive to me this past year and I’ve noticed (2 Chron. 16:9). I’ve seen your faithfulness, your giving, your service and I have even more blessings in store for you.

Still Giving?

I regularly meet with other pastors and ministry leaders and the story is the same. numbers are up and great things are happening but...giving is down. obviously this reflects a change in our economy and in some ways, in the natural world, the american church is hurting because God's people are hurting. But, it brings up a great question-giving.

We have all been asked, from time to time, to give to charity or to some worthy cause. Our first thought is to determine if it’s a worthy cause. Why is generosity such an obstacle for so many? Granted, at some point in life you have probably been burned, conned, lied to, manipulated, or tricked. Yet, still, for many it is simply the result of own selfishness and fears. This is probably why so many people are a little uneasy with it.

Most Americans desire and work towards a certain quality of life and in the natural world, giving anything away is seemingly defeating the purpose. C. S. Lewis said, “For many of us the obstacle to charity lies not in our luxurious living or desire for more money, but in our fear—fear of insecurity.” Solomon offers sound advice when it comes to generosity, and he does it by contrasting three analogies.

Investing Instead of Hoarding 11:1-2

“Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after
many days.” (Eccl 11:1)

Most of us wouldn’t consider waterlogged bread very appetizing, but that would be missing the point. Bread in the ancient Near East was made in the form of thin cakes, which would actually float for a time if thrown in a stream. But who would fling bread into the water? There is an Aramaic Proverb of Ben Sira that says, “Scatter thy bread on the water and on the dry land; in the end of the days thou findest it again.” A similar Arabic Proverb says, “Do good, cast they bread into the water, thou shalt be repaid some day.” Striving to understand what Solomon is saying here, some commentators believe this is a reference to foreign investments with ships on commercial voyages that might be long delayed before any profit resulted and that Solomon’s counsel is merely an encouragement to invest abroad. Interestingly, although the figure of speech may have originated from the realm of commerce, Solomon is talking about a different type of investment. Giving. Like investing, we must also venture forth into the realm of charitable giving yet without thought of personal gain. What may appear to be a waste for some may be the best investment ever made. God says I’ll give you a chance to trust a promise. Cast your bread upon the waters.

“Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.” (Eccl 11:2)

Again Solomon warns us about the uncertainties of life. To carry the idiom from the preceding verse further, if one ship was destroyed in a storm or its cargo stolen, other vessels would return to you. That is, don’t put all your eggs into one basket. However, like the preceding verse, this particular phrase “Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight,” is a Hebrew way of saying, “Be generous to as many as you can and then some.” Specifically, a time may come when you will need a little help from your friends. This carries the same connotation as “Be nice to people on the way up because you may need them on the way down

Moving Instead of Watching 11:3-4

“If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies.”
(Eccl 11:3)

There is a contrast between these two and yet they both share one thing in common. The coming of clouds bringing a storm of torrent rain can be watched with apprehension as it comes. The tree falling, whether it is to the south or to the north is sudden and could never have been anticipated. And yet for both, we have no control over them. There are some things in life that we dread. Likewise, there are other dreadful things that await us in the future that we cannot anticipate. Regardless, there are things we cannot control. While we need to be prudent and prepare for the unexpected, these uncertainties should not be allowed to paralyze us in our generosity. I know what some of you are thinking: “I’m just not sure that I’m in a place to be generous right now. Things can always take a turn for the worse and so I had better play it safe. When things get better I will become generous. God understands.” You are right. This is one of the ancient secrets of Kohelet. Things may take a turn for the worse. Solomon concurs that life is uncertain. However, you cannot sit back and wait until everything is secure before you invest your life into life. Because of life’s uncertainties, the time to invest is now. For example…

“He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will
not reap.” (Eccl 11:4)

Those who insist on certainties or even just the most favorable conditions before investing into the lives of others will never do anything. If a farmer waits too long for the ideal weather conditions to plant, he may subsequently miss the opportunity to harvest. Forethought and timely action are important, but we must avoid analysis paralysis. There is an element of risk here. We speak of high risk, high profit and low risk and low profit, but either way risk is present. Its easy to believe in our minds that God keeps His promises, but can we really believe it in our hearts?