It Begins in a Garden

Reading Scripture while growing a garden seems like there is only one logical place to begin. After all the story of God's relationship with humanity begins in a garden. Imagine the beauty of God's perfect garden. I've seen some nice gardens. We have a place near us called Longwood Gardens. It's beautiful with something different in each season, but I know it's not perfect like God's garden.

I always assumed that work came after the Fall. That Adam and Eve just enjoyed the garden without having to do anything. But Genesis 2:15 says, "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." So even before the Fall man did work. After the Fall God explains that now they will toil and sweat to work the land. Work in and of itself is a good thing. I'll try and remember that when I'm sweating this Summer or my back hurts from pushing the wheel barrow filled with dirt or mulch all over the yard.

Why does it start in a garden? Why not a city of people where God can enjoy the company of many? Why in a garden? It occurs to me that life happens much slower in a garden. A garden requires patience and time. You can't be in a hurry with a garden. On the other hand, cities are busy. There's always something happening; always places to run and things to do. My life tends to be more like a city. I feel like there's always something to get done. There's something at the church going on. Some family event. Bills to pay, errands to run. But God chooses a garden. He walks in the garden and has long conversations with Adam and Eve. There aren't things to rush off to. Just time to spend enjoying the garden and relationship with God.

Lord, You walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. They moved at the pace of a garden, slowly and intentionally. Help me to slow down and take time to spend walking in the garden with You. Thank you for the gifts and abilities to work!

Lesson in Peace

Last night at the Grove we hosted Beatrice Mambula and her parents, Mosa and Sarah, to talk about what is happening to the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN). Currently they are undergoing persecution at the hands of radical fundamentalist Muslims. They shared a number of stories about the persecution. In 2009 several EYN churches were destroyed in fires. They shared that there is again renewed violence against Christian churches, the government and even schools now. Today Christians going to church on Sunday mornings must be patted down and searched before entering the church by armed soldiers. Women are not allowed to carry purses because it is feared they are carrying bombs. They don't even park in their church parking lot anymore. Instead they park in protected parking lots and walk to church. The president of Nigeria has acknowledged that part of this radical sect has infiltrated different sectors of the government agencies and are funded by powerful politicians, banks and outside organizations. The group has set out to destroy Christian churches bearing the cross, the government, Western education and even moderate Muslims who are sympathetic to the persecution of the Christians.

Despite the stories of persecution there were also stories of hope shared. Back in the 80's when the church first went through persecution and 107 churches were burned the church leaders decided to rebuild. As they collected money to rebuild their churches they decided before they rebuilt their churches to rebuild 3 mosques that had been burned by other Christians. The Muslims didn't know how to respond to this. Many were puzzled by this response. Several of these Muslims became Christians and are now involved in missions to Muslim areas. The Mambula's also shared that Christians and Muslims are beginning to work together to overcome this hatred of a a radical sect. Christians go to the Muslim mosques on Friday to protect the Muslims during their time of prayers. Muslims in turn come and protect Christian churches on Sunday mornings. They are working together.

I've talked about pacifism and non-violence before. But it's a lot easier to say when there's nothing that threatens my life. To hear how the EYN is pursuing peace in the midst of persecution is a testimony to their faith and love of Jesus Christ. When you ask if they want to fight and defend themselves, they say, "We're humans. We want to fight back. But we love Jesus and this love will not allow us to fight." Instead they realize as Paul writes in Philippians 1, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain." They look forward with expectation to be a part of Christ's kingdom with final peace.

I was very blessed by their presence and to see their faith, hope and love. They continue to work at loving their enemies and turning the other cheek.

Growing Disciples

First of all let me start by saying I am in no way a great gardener. I remember working in our family garden when I was a little kid. I've had a garden the last couple of Summers with varied success at growing different things. We've had our garden as a part of the farmer's field at the house we were renting. It was great ground. We never had to till anything. Last Summer we moved into our own home. So this year I'm trying something different. I'll be building some raised beds for my garden. I'm also trying some different things.

So what's this all about and why I am writing blogs about it? My hope this Summer is to learn more about gardening, but in the process learn more about God. Gardening seems like one of the most natural ways to learn about the Kingdom. After all, it begins with a Garden, Jesus talks about the kingdom being like a seed, harvesting and all kinds of agricultural examples of the Kingdom and faith. This is an exercise in faith hopefully as much as it is an education in gardening.

From my garden I'm hoping to provide my family with good, nutritional food and lower my grocery bill. Hopefully my trash can potatoes will turn out ok. I'd be delighted if I manage to get a few peanuts. And I'm looking forward to making my own salsa from my tomatoes, onions and Jalapeno peppers.

I'm also hoping that my garden can help teach me about patience, cultivating faith, how the Kingdom spreads and more. Over the Summer I'm hoping to post progress on my garden with pictures and some insights and Scripture that I'm coming across that pertain to the garden.

I would encourage your comments and insights along the way.

Isaiah's Prophecy

Yesterday Pastor Jim had a great sermon on Isaiah 7:1-17. In this section of Scripture is the often quoted prophecy of the virgin birth of the Messiah. Pastor Jim talked about the immediate context of the text from Isaiah. Israel and Syria were coming against Judah to coerce Judah into joining their side against the Assyrians. Isaiah gives the sign from God, "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." Pastor Jim pointed out that there are two meanings in this prophecy. There is the immediate context of Judah receiving a sign as well as the larger context of the Messiah being born of a virgin. What we didn't get into was the fulfillment aspect of the two prophecies. Because of the Advent season our focus of course was on the Immanuel and the meaning of "God is with us." God is with us no matter where we are or what situation we find ourselves in whether relying on God when nations come against us as in the case of Ahaz, king of Jersusalem, or dealing with some every day situation today.

But I want to dig deeper and come back to the two prophecies for a minute. Prophets were true prophets because what they predicted always came true. Prophets whose messages didn't come true were known as false prophets. So I must assume that Isaiah's prophecies came true. My question is, "Are there two fulfillments of this prophecy?" Is there an immediate or close at hand fulfillment of Isaiah's words which was recognized by his first hearers and also the larger prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus? Or is there only one fulfillment of the prophecy and in that case how was that a comfort and sign to Ahaz 700 years earlier?

Either answer draws me to a few deeper issues. If there is an immediate fulfillment what does that mean for the "virgin birth." It has been suggested by some commentators that "virgin" can also be translated, "young maiden." Perhaps Isaiah meant this in his immediate context. The Gospels point out that Mary and Joseph did not consummate their relationship until after the birth of Jesus (Matt. 1:25). Is there historical evidence of an immediate fulfillment? Some suggest that Hezekiah (son of Ahaz) or Sheab-Jashub (son of Isaiah) as the immediate fulfillment. Both pose some problems.

Any thoughts?

This is what fascinates me about the Bible. So much going on. I also ran across a note that asked, "Why Ahaz?" Why does this message of the Messiah come to Ahaz who is not the best example of a king? God's message of love, hope, and redemption comes to use no matter who we are or how imperfect we are. So when we read the Bible, even familiar texts, read with open and new eyes to see what the Word is telling us.

Thank You

I suppose most people are writing about what they are thankful for at this time of year, but I wanted to add a special word of thanks for my faith family. This has been an interesting year for Katie and me. We are currently getting ready for the birth of our first child which we are so excited for. We have both been so blessed by our church family which has cared so much for us. Back in July we bought our first home. Our realtor (a member of the church) was extremely helpful in the process of buying our home (from someone in the church). Then we had several people from the church help us move on the hottest day of the year. I promptly left for 2 weeks of work camps with our youth. Katie was supposed to join me for the second week but wasn't feeling well. Our church family was so helpful. Several people took special care of her that week. It was such a blessing to be a part of a family that took that kind of care of us. Thank you.

This year has been such a blessing to be a part of Mechanic Grove C.O.B. It is a place that has helped me grow in the relationship with Christ even as I serve as the youth pastor. The Believer's Bible study, Men's Bible study and our Youth Bible Study have been important opportunities of growth for me. I am thankful for our church leadership which has also been an encouragement for me growing.

There are so many things for me to be thankful for when it comes to Mechanic Grove. Thank you to those that are a part of this community of faith. Thank you for the part you are playing in our lives. You are a blessing!

Theology of the Hug

What would Jesus have been like as an older man?  Have you ever stopped to think what it would have been like if Jesus would have waited to ascend to the Father?  

I imagine he would be a lot like my friend Bob.  Brother Bob seemed a lot like Jesus.  There have been few Sundays that those that have come to Mt. Zion Road Church of the Brethren haven't been greeted upon entering the Sanctuary by Brother Bob.  Handshakes weren't enough for Bob.  Handshakes are for those you just meet or barely know.  When I came into the sanctuary I was greeted with a big hug.  As Brother Bob hugged you he would whisper, "Oh, I needed that."

Now I enjoy good discussion/debate on theology and the finer points of the Bible.  Bob and I never had one of those conversations.  Instead what I learned from Bob was the power of the hug.  When I went away to college I received few hugs (just not cool for guys in a guys dorm to hug each other, I get it).  But when I would come home I always looked forward to one of Brother Bob's hugs.  Now that I am at Mechanic Grove those hugs from Brother Bob became a precious experience that became too rare.  Too often we debate with each other.  Theological discussions are good, and they have their place.  But the embrace from a brother has power in it that sometimes theology lacks.  

I can see Jesus being like Brother Bob.  Your soteriology, ecclesiology, escatology, (google them) are all fine and well but without love they are just a lot of noise and hot air (1 Cor. 13:1).  Brother Bob's hugs spoke of love in ways theology can't.  We called each other Brother because we are family.  He may have been the one to say, "Oh, I needed that," but every time my heart said the same.  I imagine Jesus often thinks we're silly for trying to figure it all out.  I imagine he gets frustrated when our theology gets in the way of showing love to each other.  I imagine Jesus would be the kind of person to greet everyone with a giant hug.

Brother Bob passed away this past Wednesday.  I will miss his hugs.  I look forward to the day I will be able to squeeze him again and whisper "Oh, I needed that Brother."  Perhaps we all need to learn the theology of the hug.

Kingdom: Part 3

This week I want to continue looking at the Kingdom in the Gospel of John.  John does not make many references to "kingdom."  The content of the Gospel of John is quite different from the parables found in the Synoptics.

I found only three references to the kingdom in John.  The first two come in a discussion between Jesus and the Pharisee Nicodemus.  Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night.  Night in the book of John is a significant detail.  John often uses the motifs of light vs. dark to signify those following Jesus and those not.  The implication of Nicodemus coming at night is that he is coming to Jesus not yet as a follower and with probably less than pure intentions.  He wants his interaction with Jesus not to be discovered.  Later Nicodemus is seen coming to Jesus at day time (John 19:38-40).

Jesus tells Nicodemus that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  The word Jesus uses for again can also be translated "from above."  Nicodemus misunderstands what Jesus is saying (another common theme in John) thinking he must re-enter his mother and be born again.  Jesus is telling him that he needs to be born from above and have a new spirit.

The second reference to the kingdom in John comes in the middle of Pilate questioning Jesus.  Pilate asks if Jesus is king of the Jews.  Jesus responds, "My kingdom is not of this world.  If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews.  But now my kingdom is from another place."

Jesus does not deny being a king.  His statement is not about the location of the kingdom, but rather the origins of the authority of which his kingdom is built on.  Jesus' kingdom is not built like kingdoms of the world.  Kingdoms of the world rule through domination over subjects (whether through military force or elections).  Jesus' kingdom comes from above.  He has the authority of God, but rather than ruling through threat of sword he rules by loving, sacrificial service.  Jesus followers do not expand or protect the kingdom through violence.  They expand by serving and loving those around them.  Jesus doesn't seem to be concerned about protecting the borders of his kingdom the way kingdoms of the world do.  Rather Jesus talks about destroying the Gates of Hell (Matt. 16:18).

For more reading on Jesus' kingdom, here are a few places to start:
The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd
Mere Discipleship by Lee Camp
Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw
The Upside-Down Kingdom by Donald Kraybill
Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder (if you get ambitious)