2 Chronicles 29:15-16 (NKJV)
And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the LORD to the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it out and carried it to the Brook Kidron.

This passage is a little too close to home. About 3 months ago, we had to do this at New Life. Nothing had been "defiled," but long term neglect to putting stuff away (either organized or trashed) resulted in things piling up. On Monday of this week I had to take some time to reorganize my garage. A summer's worth of activity resulted in things not being put back into place. It just took some time to clean up. I followed that up with cleaning out my closet, getting rid of some old clothes; stuff that was worn or just didn't fit anymore. Actually, I need to do the same in my office now too.

There's a tension that I live in: when things are busy, my life gets cluttered. Things don't get put away, and if left too long it gets dirty. On the other hand, when I have too much time on my hands I get distracted. I'll procrastinate and leave things undone. That's why these "spring cleaning" times are a regular part of my life, not only in the natural, but the spiritual as well. Right now I'm in the "search me, try me, lead me" season (Psalm 139:23-24). It feels like everything is cluttered and I need to get in there and ask the Lord what needs to go. There are some things that need to be put back in place (my daily disciplines for one) I want to be clutter free...and sanctified for His service.

2 Chronicles 25:5-10 (NKJV)
Amaziah gathered Judah together and set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, according to their fathers’ houses, throughout all Judah and Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old and above, and found them to be three hundred thousand choice men, able to go to war, who could handle spear and shield. 6 He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. 7 But a man of God came to him, saying, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the children of Ephraim. 8 But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow.”
9 Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?”
And the man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.” 10 So Amaziah discharged the troops that had come to him from Ephraim, to go back home.

Here's another example of men who have a good idea, but not God's idea. Amaziah numbered the warriors of Judah in preparation for a war with Moab. He also recruited another 100,000 mercenaries from thier "brothers" in Israel. This seemed like a good idea at the time. Instead, not only was it a waste of money, but it had graver consequences as Israel later initates war with Judah and defeats them.

The word from this unknown man of God is the focus of my thoughts, especiall the end of v.8. I am guilty of asking God to help me with my plans, when His plans are bigger. I want His help to win some little battle and His plans are to overthrow the enemy. More specifically, I want God to help me with some little project and He wants to completely take it to another level. But I've already made arrangements for my plans (like hiring 100,000 mercenaries). I've spent resources to insure my plan will work. Although I might win the battle, ultimately, I end up losing the war. Bigger problems arise down the road all because I'm doing what seems to be right without asking God first. He sees things I can't. He knows things I don't. And most of all, I just don't need his help, I need to know his will.

Acts 8:1
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

It amazes me to to find these mirrored passages. Even though I know the chapter and verse designations were added in the 16th century, when I see things like this it makes me smile thinking God could have even inspired the numbering of the verses.

More important is the lesson contained in the verses. Jesus told his followers (not just the disciples, but possibly even including as many as those who gathered in the upper room on Pentecost) that they would be His witnesses beyond Jerusalem. I wonder how they thought that would happen. I don't know if they could imagine what would hapen at the coming of the Holy Spirit. None of the twelve disciples were even current residents of Jerusalem. Like so many things Jesus said to them, I would think they weren't entirely sure of what He was saying. Whatever they thought, I doubt any of them could imagine the persecution that would follow that would drive many of them out of Jerusalem.

That does tend to be the pattern of God speaking to me. He says one thing, so I create scenarios how it's going to take place. Yet what happens is often very different from what I had imagined. Still, in the end I find that I'm where he said that would would need to be, even if the route to get there is different from the journey I expected.

Lord, I trust you to get me from point to point in my journey of following you.

This past weekend I took Justin out to shoot a gun for the first time. We went with our friend Bruce to Prado Shooting Park to shoot some skeet. Growing up in suburbia, Justin doesn't get to have some of the experiences that a kid in a more rural setting would get to have. Gun safety and experience is one of those things I learned as a kid. Although we're not a hunting or gun owning family, I wanted him to have a respect for guns and learn how to safely handle them.

This was the first time I had ever shot skeet. Justin and I both had a great time! Thanks Bruce - I bet you don't even know you're Wiki!

Joshua 24:9-10 (ESV)
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand.

It's funny the things you remember, what gets registered in your brain. I'm thinking that as I'm reading this list from Joshua of all the amazing things God has done to bring them into the promised land. At the end of his life and the conclusion of posessing the land, Joshua is reviewing how God has sovreignly directed them as a people; from God's call to Abraham (big), the original journey into Egypt (with no mention of Joseph, but still an important event), the exodus, the battle where when Moses hands were raised the Israelites won (for which Joshua was the field general), and then the above verses fall.

I know the story of Balaam and the talking donkey. And interesting little side story with a funny side show. But for whatever reason, this must have been a very significant event in the nation's history. In fact, Peter, Paul, and even John in The Reveation comment on Balaam.

I'm not going to try today to fid the significance in Balaam's story. My point is that sometimes what we think is insignificant isn't. In hindsight, small events can have major influence. Maybe Joshua used this story to remind the people that God is often working on our behalf behind the scenes and not only in the big stuff. I wonder what events in my life are identity shaping that could be overlooked.

Lord, don't let me overlook the the stuff that you want me to remember.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Mark chapter one says that Jesus came "preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'" (v 14-15). The "good news" that Jesus offered was that God's Kingdom was now present. Could have the call to repent ("to turn away from") been an invitation to turn away from thier dependence upon the Law and a new dependance upon the Spirit? How could have they known or understood what Jesus was saying? It was so far beyond thier frame of reference; a radical change of paradigm.

They must have heard Jesus' words about the Kingdom and possibly tried to understand what He was talking about by looking for a point of reference - "Oh, that's what he means by the kingdom." Maybe it's a different way of doing things, or a new set of rules to live by. I would imagine that people were looking intently for the signs of a new regime, even if it wasn't a polictical one. What was completly beyond them is the concept of this Kingdom being inside of them. The power and presence of God indwelling. The King ruling one's heart. God's kingdom is not only "among" you, but to everyone who can let go of thier attempts at self-righteousness, it can be "within" you.

Lord, let your kingdom be present not just around me, or among my life's activities, but let me live with a consciousness of it being resident within me.

Luke 17:20-21 (ESV)
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 21 nor will they say, Look, here it is! or There! for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.

Mark chapter one says that Jesus came "preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.'" (v 14-15). The "good news" that Jesus offered was that God's Kingdom was now present. Could have the call to repent ("to turn away from") been an invitation to turn away from thier dependence upon the Law and a new dependance upon the Spirit? How could have they known or understood what Jesus was saying? It was so far beyond thier frame of reference; a radical change of paradigm.

They must have heard Jesus' words about the Kingdom and possibly tried to understand what He was talking about by looking for a point of reference - "Oh, that's what he means by the kingdom." Maybe it's a different way of doing things, or a new set of rules to live by. I would imagine that people were looking intently for the signs of a new regime, even if it wasn't a polictical one. What was completly beyond them is the concept of this Kingdom being inside of them. The power and presence of God indwelling. The King ruling one's heart. God's kingdom is not only "among" you, but to everyone who can let go of thier attempts at self-righteousness, it can be "within" you.

Lord, let your kingdom be present not just around me, or among my life's activities, but let me live with a consciousness of it being resident within me.

Why do I still eat when I'm already full? Read this from David Trotter, pastor of Revolution 242 in Long Beach.

Mark 16:15-18 (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

This section of scripture, part of the "longer ending" of Mark, is not included in the earliest manuscripts. Yet the book of Acts shows the apostles doing these things: casting out demons, speaking in tongues, healing, even "snake-handling" (Paul on the island of Malta). This could explain why it was included, even if it was an afterthought.

I believe in healing, tongues, and deliverance. I wonder why these demonstrations of God's power are not more natural and numerous in the church today? We have no problem believing that the presentation of the Gospel transforms lives. It's just that the demonstrations of God's power to transform lives is harder. We're comfortable with the process of sanctification. Less so with the moments of regeneration.

I know that Biblical, prophetic teaching/preaching produces change in people's lives. But in my opinion, it's not enough (at least as the exclusive process by which transformation takes place). Following Jesus must be more than a way to better our lives; it must transform them. That's what I believe.

Well, since my last post there's been a lot of action here at the Hamilton home. Most who read this will already know the news, but for those who don't, today our family begins a new season of ministry as I have accepted the position of lead pastor at New Life Foursquare Church in Laguna Niguel, CA. Following two great years as teaching pastor at Cornerstone Church, we're excited about the opportunity to lead and serve this church community. New Life is about the same distance south from our home in Irvine as Cornerstone was to the east so we won't have to relocate (at least immediately). The story of how God arranged all these circumstaces - the timing of our season ending at C-stone, the re-assignment of the Robinsons from senior pastor to thier new season of ministry and thier invitation to us to take the church, not having to relocate and able to stay in OC...God is amazing.

When we were making the season to merge New Horizons into C-stone, the word the Lord gave us was, "Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies it can bear no fruit." Having "sown" NH, it's exciting for us to anticipate the fruitful "new life" we're believing for.

I can be contacted at jeff[at]ocnewlife.org. Happy New Year.

Technorati Profile

Hi. :-)

Ok, I've got to be too old for My Space, Facebook, and any other site like that (I feel like I'm even pushing it with LinkedIn). But I was looking to touch base with a friend who's info I has lost, and I knew they had a My Space page. I looked him up, and then was interested in who his "friends" were...WHOA! Major flashback! All these kids that I was their youth pastor are all grown up, with families and careers. Same for the staff I had that I lost touch with. I'd love to reconnect with them. Oh, no...do I really have to have a My space page to do? That's a little creepy...

If anybody's wondering, here's some "artists who are Christians, but aren't 'Christian Artists'" that I'm listening to: Steve Garrett, MuteMath. And I still think Sara Bareilles is great (although just an "artist"). Not only do they have great music, they all have My Space pages too.

It's been over a month since I've posted an entry. There's a correlation between blogging and my life. When I'm on a consistent roll, everything in my life seems to be in order; diet, exercise, devotions, even my checkbook seems to be on track. Thing's haven been out of control...in fact there's been some cool stuff, but I my life hasn't found a good rhythm yet. It all started with a great vacation.

The first week of October we went on my's wife's dream vacation: we did the Disney Cruise. It was awesome! Everything we hoped it would be and more. The weather didn't always cooperate, but we still returned home tan and happy!

When we returned home I left the next day for our district's Pastor's Conference in Pismo Beach. Since I grew up on the central coast, it was nice to get back up to my old stomping grounds. I also took advantage of the opportunity to have some Santa Maria style BBQ at my favorite spot. It's been the same since I was a little kid. Dr Daniel Brown was the guest speaker. He was so practical (as always). Came home on Wednesday (10/17) to celebrate my 41st birthday. If you missed it, you can make up for it by clicking here.

Other random thoughts since I've last blogged...
- Jack and I wrap up the mid-week study we've been doing in Ecclesiastes next Wed nite. I've really enjoyed the opportunity to teach a book verse by verse.
- USC needs a different Offensive Coordinator (and needs to stop the stupid penalties). Additionally, the PAC10 keeps disappointing and thus affirms the legend of the SEC as the best conference in football.
- Artie better pick up A-Rod or we'll be following the Dodgers again.
- Trade Kobe (I can't believe I said that, but the NBA is irrelevant anyway).
- I wonder if my blog could ever have 1/4 the audience of this guy or this one. I guess I'd have to post more.

Lastly, here's two pics of my great kids from earlier this summer. They're cool. If you think they're beautiful you should see their mom!

Last night I was privileged to attend the evening Yom Kippur service at my rabbi friend's temple. Even as a pastor I didn't have much more understanding about the "high holidays" than the average "gentile" in the US. My friend described it from a clergy perspective by saying "it's like Easter or Christmas for Christians - when people who don't attend church regularly attend for these services." The first is Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year. It's the day that the Jews believe the world was created on. Then there are 10 days of contemplation ("Aseres Yemay Teshuvah"), much like the time when one waits for his trial before the judge. Men are encouraged in this period to reflect, repent, and "seek God when He is to be found" (Isaiah 55:6).Yom Kippur, "the Day of Atonement" (Leviticus 16:30), is not only the day of forgiveness, but of restoration. Well, that's some basic background.

I didn't know what to expect, but I went to the service anticipating it to be a little like Good Friday; contemplative, reflective, somber. In a sense, it was and the service did include some of those elements. But it was also like Easter - celebrative, thankful, and light. The point of my friend's message was that Yom Kippur provides each the opportunity to once again discover the beauty around us and in doing so, finding what is beautiful that God has placed in us. But the theme that stuck with me from the evening, in the songs, the prayers, seemingly the the whole evening was about rebirth...hmmm.

On my way home this idea of rebirth kept tumbling around in my head. It bounced off a memory of an opportunity I had to interact with rock star Marilyn Manson who once described a recent reinvention of his image/music was "like being reborn." Then I remembered a conversation Jesus had with a religious man named Nicodemus late one night about the same topic.

Recently I started looking into the Talmud and started to learn about Rabbinical thought. Much of what Jesus taught has a foundation in this way of thinking, but then He flips it and it becomes something different, something that opens up one's understanding. With the topic of this late night discussion with the Pharisee being re-birth, or being "born again," I wonder...it's just my own speculation, but I wonder if they were having this discussion around the time of the Yom Kippur holy-day. This same religious leader later protests Jesus' trial. I wonder if he had a premonition that this was the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world...He who imparts justice and imputes righteousness, He who is our advocate and who has made atonement possible as the propitiation for our sin.

I haven't even scratched the surface of this topic. I did want to take a quick moment to record my thoughts. I'm also interested in doing a little more study on the subject. Mostly, I hope to have some evening conversations with my friend.

For the last 6 years, I've played basketball with the same core group of guys almost every Saturday. One of my favorite guys (and the de-facto ringleader of this motley crew) is a professor in the Logic and Philosophy of Science Department at UCI (and has a Lex Luther type-endearing quality about him). We get to have some great conversations between banging each other around on the court. I thought I'd share a recent email exchange...it was cool:

KS:

From today's NY Times Editorial on the new book of Mother Theresa's letters (last two paragraphs):

“I think there is no suffering greater than what is caused by the doubts of those who want to believe,” wrote Flannery O’Connor, the Roman Catholic author whose stories traverse the landscape of 20th-century unbelief. “What people don’t realize is how much religion costs. They think faith is a big electric blanket, when of course it is the cross. It is much harder to believe than not to believe.”

O’Connor suffered from isolation and debilitating illness, Mother Teresa from decades of spiritual emptiness. But — and here is the exemplary part, inspiring even by the standards of a secular age — they both shut up about it and got on with their work. Mother Teresa, sick with longing for a sense of the divine, kept faith with the sick of Calcutta. And now, dead for 10 years, she is poised to reach those who can at last recognize, in her, something of their own doubting, conflicted selves.

My Reply:

Wow.

You and I both know Kyle that many people use "religion" as a crutch; a modified behavioralism (I'm not sure that's even a word, but you know what I mean) by which they earn points with "god" and obligate him to change their life's circumstances. Faith is quite different. If I can paraphrase a verse from the New Testament, Faith is the choice that makes the promise of what we believe to be true, real (maybe not the best paraphrase, but works for me). That choice comes with a cost that O'Connor correctly identifies.

Faith and doubt are the two sides of a coin. That tension creates a conflict that most "religious" people are uncomfortable with, but it is the reality of authentically spiritual people. Self-sacrificial service gives substance to one's faith, even as it is occasionally exercised in the vacuum of doubt.

K, your thoughts? Jeff

KS reply:

This sounds right to me, Jeff. What I liked most about O'Connor's remark is that it counters the tendency among non-theists to think of theists as just kind of uncritical in their thinking. Serious theists feel the same reasons for doubt that non-theists do, and are affected by them--this is part of what makes faith ennobling, rather than a willfully blind or cowardly response to existential crisis. Self-sacrificial service isn't paying the admission price to heaven for sophisticated theists, but a manifestation of faith itself.
Best,
KS

I love this kind of discussion. What are your thoughts?