Standing on Shoulders

I ran across a prayer recently that was used by Christians originally over 1900 years ago! These early Christians, some suffering under persecution and trial, prayed this prayer fervently. They expected God to act and because of their work and God's power we are here today generations upon generations later. We stand on their shoulders as a result of their faithful life and ministry. Some day younger generations of Christians will stand on our shoulders because of our faithfulness. Here is their prayer:

"We give you thanks Holy Father, for your holy name which you have caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have made known to us through Jesus your servant; to you be the glory forever.

You, almighty Master, created all things for your name's sake, and gave food and drink to men to enjoy, that they might give you thanks; but to us you have graciously given spiritual food and drink, and eternal life through your servant Jesus. Above all we give thanks because you are mighty; to you be the glory forever.

Remember your church, Lord, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in your love; and gather it, the one that has been sanctified, from the four winds into your kingdom, which you have prepared for it; for yours is the glory forever.

May grace come, and may this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come; if anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha! Amen." (from the Didache, 2^nd Century)

More and more, I am keenly aware of the shoulders I stand on. That challenges me to think of those who will stand on my shoulders some day as I remain faithful to our Lord.

Whose shoulders do you stand on? Who is or will stand on your shoulders?

Actually Being Changed by Jesus

Last week I attended a conference in Dallas where a group called Gungor led worship. One of their songs entitled You Make Beautiful Things goes like this:

You Make Beautiful Things

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

As I thought about those powerful lyrics it hit me that there would be almost no way a hymn writer 40 years ago or more would ever write a song with those kind of words. They simply didn't think or speak in those terms. That's not right or wrong, but just the way it is.

But is the notion of pain and brokenness something new? Of course not! It may have looked different, but it was still there. This brings me to the issue I want to raise for us:

It seems to me, based on my experience at least, that often people in older generations experienced just as much pain, shame and brokenness. They simply stuffed it and hid it from others. They didn't want to "air their dirty laundry." Yet keeping all of that stuff tucked "in the closet" didn't make the problem go away and certainly didn't give them true spiritual victory.

On the other hand, I often see people in younger generations transparently wear their pain, shame and brokenness on their sleeves, talking about it to whomever will listen sometimes, including indiscriminant followers on Twitter and Facebook. In essence, they are very comfortable sharing their stuff, but they aren't necessarily interested in being made well, gaining spiritual victory over it. In fact, many of them can't see past the garbage at all and assume they are stuck.

To me both approaches are wrong and mutually destructive. One keeps you locked up and hidden away and the other keeps you stuck wallowing in the garbage. Neither brings true freedom in Christ or the spiritual victory Jesus promises us.

So what are we to do? How can we stop hiding on the one hand and stop wallowing on the other in order to actually be changed by Jesus?

A Christian Response to bin Laden's Death

You have to be living under a rock not to know that U.S. Special Forces raided a compound where Osama bin Laden was hiding out in Pakistan, killing him. Upon hearing the announcement, major celebrations erupted in various locations, especially in New York and Washington. I briefly watched some of the comments made by people in the crowd and their comments and reactions, as well as many other news reports, etc. They have caused me to reflect as a Christian about this issue.

As a Christian, do I believe that there are times when war is justified and useful for an ultimate good? Yes. In self defense or in order to take up the cause of a defenseless innocent person or persons there are times when violence is the only remaining option. Though it should be avoided at all costs, there are times when it simply cannot be avoided and in those times it is justified.

However, I must take very seriously the words of Jesus, not just when they are convenient to my patriotic or self-interested leanings, but especially when they are a challenge to them. In those times my true commitment to Jesus and His teachings are measured. Am I faithful to Him at all times or only when He seems to agree with me?

At any rate, here are Jesus' words:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny" - Matthew 5:21-26

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:43-44

I'm not sure I would call Bin Laden's death a murder. It was part of an ongoing war. However, as Christians we need to be careful about celebrating the death of anyone - even someone as evil as he was. I would be much more comfortable if we did what we felt we had to do to protect ourselves and other innocent persons from present and future harm and then stopped there without any fanfare or bragging.

In other words, as a Christian I don't think I should ever celebrate the death of another person even if his/her death was justified and necessary to hinder greater evil. There should always be a part of me that wishes there could be another way and hopes that next time there will be.

What do you think?