de-Centering Self part two

So how in creation does smacking with an oversized mallet a frog leaping at you through a hole in a table top help you become less self conscious and more Christ like? Unless the frogs are icons of the mean and stupid little things you occupy yourself with in order to shirk love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, and self control then it probably serves the opposite. In other words if you no longer, or perhaps never, considered and enacted the responsibility of honor toward your neighbor before yourself then these frogs: hate, anger, violence, impatience, vileness, rowdiness, doubt, pride, and greed, at least nine frogs in all, need to be swatted regularly and as often as they appear.

de-Centering Self

This msy be more around the bush than on the nail head, and as such take on the appearance of one of those old arcade games where the player stands before a console with a broad flat top into which has been cut nine(or is it twelve,) holes through which randomly, and with increasing frequency and abruptness as the game wears on, appears the target of the unwieldy hammer in the player's hand which is tethered to the console through an elictric cord by which the promptness and accuracy of attack is recorded in the console's scoring mechanism as to whether the gopher, frog, alien or whatever mascot has been designed into that particular console(and oft times even the correct hole) was swatted and swatted in a timely fashion.

Two cases in point:

Adam tended the Garden. In that Garden was that beautiful mal-fruited Tree. Adam tended that Tree. Eve was Adam's helper. When queried by Satan, Eve misstated "If I even so much as touch..." that tree.... Satan leapt fast and struck hard, sinking the fangs of deceipt deep, flushing now hapless Eve's fiber and soul with the toxin of self neediness promoting the senses of self focus, and self importance, and self aggrandizement. Eve's first sinful act was self deception, her sense of self preservation was involved. She overstated the facts. She misstated God's Word. God said tend the Garden--Do not eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Eve said what she said...responding with self contaminated scripture. Or was it Adam who countermanded God's word for the same reasons, that is not germain here. Animals were necessary to cover the reason for guilt.

Paul from a tradition of Excellence, Success and Discipline, when he was Saul, misunderstood the point, missapplied the devotion, mal-adapted his behaviour in such a way as to serve to disperse, disband and destroy God's new sons. He was carrying his inherited family honor and glory and tradition to new heights. He was gonna be somebody. He really was not intending to change his name...

We have to be still and quiet and focused to hear God's still small voice of devotion, development, and direction. This is a decentering and serves to decenter so that God may be the center not our whims.

Moderate behaviours enacted

As I read the 'to do' section of the chapter on moderation in Getz's book The Measure of a Man I suddenly feel compelled to post on that section of this chapter (which has been present in each chapter but heretofore un-commented on by me). This chapter I realize, largely through his, Getz's, insight, touches on all that we are and all that we think and all that we hope and all the we do. In other words how we enact the submission to God in our lives plays itself out not only in our moderation of behaviour(to which all the other chapters speak), but also in our moderation of judging of others. God as a God of mercy has given us freedom, Christ has freed us from the judgement of condemnation, now we are to do the same for our fellow sojourners in the world. This is a moderation rather than a liberalization. There are still fundamentals that cannot be ignored. But we who are 'raised in the faith' must understand that our understanding and the particular channels by which we recieved that understanding are not the sole bearers of understanding. To become as someone else, in order to seed them with the Doctrine of atoning love, forgiveness and enthusiasm (study that word before complaining, please!)for action we must remember the genesis of that seed and through relationship built on firm foundation begin to understand that fertile soil into which we are planting.
So mostly we must pull the weeds of our own soil, as we might be, by geography of body or mind, unaware of the tender shoots of Spiritual produce in another's garden which would be lost or destroyed by our yanking at the roots of closely proximated or noramlly(to our above referred to limited understanding) apparent weeds, which otherwise (without our having removed them) would have served to increase the Kingdom Build in a facilitative mannner beyond our wildest imagination.

So the log in our own eye before the mote in another's, for it might not even be a mote but the moisture of Living Sparkle we should rather be nurturing.

How to grow the body of Christ at home

http://aintsobad.typepad.com/aintsobad/2009/09/retail-religion.html

Dr Davis is still laying the cards on the table...

In Moderate behaviours actions have a loud voice...

and to voice by mouth our preferences or abstinences can have the effect of being judgemental, boorish and offensive. So the best way to build a mutually respectful relationship is to find, over time, common interests for discussion while continuing your good habits and behaviours, and voice advice only when it is insisted upon by others and wqithin your expertise, or necessary to prevent the loss of life. If you want somenone to respect you and your philosophy in a way that they might accept that philosophy themselves personally, then they must feel attracted to it--not forced or goaded into it; for as soon as the enforcer is gone, they will flee to their own predilections.

Vin as wine or just juice

Getz takes the approach in investigating 'being moderate' and its application to drinking I had never heard until I was out of High Schol, that the 'vin' could actually be just like Welch's Grape juice. To me as a young man a novel idea and the way it was presented was in that intransitive way, not that it had to be nonfermented, but that it could be nonfermented, When you think about the turning of water into wine and the statements made as to its quality you are left to surmise and assume what quality iin wine was at that time. Was it higher in alcoholic content, dryer or sweeter in flavor, clearer in its presence, what about its bouquet? Perhaps some secular historian from the time has lent us his opinion on what most thought a good wine was, or what the elite thought a good wine was, or what the frequent imbiber or the drunk or the abstainer. We really cannot say, though we, as a rule usually form an opinion about it as we do on most things. But if we look at Jesus staements about the effect of new wine on old flasks then we might wonder if new wine is the good wine and old wine the less good and thereby make the assumption that of course new good wine was less fermented and at least more desirable to the untrained palate.

Where Getz spent most of his time was in the use of the phrase moderate in all things. I remember, more by the homily than by the direct memory(it has been so long), that too many pbj's(who could stop me?) will clog the system! Time and laxative to the young intestine'a rescue.

A word spoken is not communicated until it is understood. Getz pg86

After wincing and dodging through some of the earlier chapters, it is refreshig to read this chapter on communication. Not because I am the penultimate or even standard communicator, but rather because when I was young it was the highlight of my childhood to sit with a teacher and have them explain to me what I envisioned were the secrets of life. KNOWLEDGE A tool for the correct completion of any project, and who wants to complete a project incorrectly. Getz does a good job of explicating the surrounding context of his source verses to teach a teacher what teaching is. I went a little further though in my excitement, and looked above his reference at 2 Tim 2:23 where my literal translation reads

'|1161| But |3474| foolish |2532| and |0521| uninstructed |2414| questionings |3868| refuse, |1492| knowing |3754| that |1080| they generate |3163| quarrels.'

Now, you take the GSN 2414 and find he is refering to 'Jerusalem'. 052 is 'stupid'. and so we have 'stupid Jerusalem'. A better historian than I is required to understand exactly whazt Paul refers to here, but in the context of the 'Living Bible' or the 'Bible as the Living Word of God', it may be that any time the leadership of the church becomes enamoured of their own personal, self centered, and overly specific essayes, then they can be seen as the object of this statement, no matter how well meaning, otherwise respected by peerage, or well elocutioned. An effective tool of teaching, for any leaning or suasion, is the question which inspires introspection before answer. So people of position may be asking questions which lead us into stupid assumptions and therefore they are stupid questions and should not be answered at all. The one who is able to recognize these situations can stay away from direct involvement in that particular discussion but rather maintain the course of study, presenting Truth rather than 'uninstructed(misconstructed?) questions'.

All around the above referenced section by Getz on Didaktikos was a well thought out, kind, encouraging, peaceful summation of what teaching is, how it flows from the study and understanding of the teacher, when it might occur, and how the soft word of compassion, encouragement and enlightenment turns a violent hand!

Except for the middle part to which I have added some flourish it was a very edifying and peaceful read, this chapter of Didaktikos.

Generosity as an expression of Love

It is hard to imagine the love that must have dwelt in the heart of Rachel Saint who was successful in planting the seed of Christianity and nurturing it germination and growth to a grand harvest by God, in the hearts of the Auca Indians of Ecuador. This was aafter her brother and friends were murdered by those very individuals who later responded to Rachel's generous effort. The subplot of the 9 builders from Fellowship Bible Church being flown by Missionary Aviation Fellowship into Ecuador for a two week project to build basic infrastructure for Miss Saint to help in her day to day operation and creature comfort, is notable and plaudible.

The very core of love your enemies is exemplified here.

Getz segues then to a more fathomable perspective of helping those within the church as we perceive need or find opportunity, especially those involved in the ministry of the Church, or on mission to our area as we Shadow Hills have done recently in supplying lunches for the World Changers. Sometime the need is harder to ascertain and more spiritual in aspect, so we must be about applying these verses here(esp 1 Tim 3:2) to our lives and our minds and oour hearts and our life habit in a way that we are open to the Spirit leading and others plight in such a way that they can know we are following the Christ who saved us.

He then brings to our attention 1Petrer 4:8-9, which teaches as much about hospitality as we shall ever learn. No complainging. And Getz says we should do it whether we feel it or not. If we wait on our feeling we just may and probably will miss the opportunity God has supplied us to be that little bit of Jesus we can be.

I like that he then moves to opening our homes as a part of opening our hearts and does a good job of building the foundation for an effective home bible study. Right down our alley eh? Befriend some folks, and afterwe have befriended them then we might invite them to our small home group bible study. A probelem some of us have seen in our home groups is that some prospective type folks have shown up to attend but did not feel comfortable going to someone else's house even for Bible Study right off the bat, and so, because there is nothing else really offered, it may be that we have lost the opportunity to grow with them as a part of our spiritual nest.

A beautiful Word is a Truth with Sweat Equity part II: Worthy walking explained

In Ephesians 4 & 5 Paul gives us some details and 'how tos' for accomplishing the thing everybody wants to see in 'the other guy'-no hypocrisy. We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

We have been called into the light, out of the darkness, and are now bearers of that light and as such are not to shade the light from others in a way that causes them to turn away or scoff or stumble.

We are to take care in the way or manner in which we walk because the opaths on which we traverse are filled with potholes and cliffs and assaulted by falling rocks, it is narrow and winding and sometimes great furious beasts may be encountered in our way, and always there are those about us who are watching curious and needful of our good and wise step and pace.

We have abandoned an old nad corrupt way of life for a new way that refreshes as we walk and encourages those about us to follow after us in hope, truth, joy, kindness, gentleness and generosity.

This then becomes us as an imitation or emulation of Christ who offered himself as a sacrifice for us, to God, His Father, a pleasing aroma.

No specific actions here so much as detailed attributes of an attitude.

An attractive word is a Truth with sweat equity

Getz puts a chapter marker here, I seemed to have already arrived at this point, probably by peeking ahead. If we say what we mena then we mean what we say so what does mean mean. Did you ever hear the phrase, probably from your mother, "and I mean it!"? It ususally meant if I did not do what she was saying I should do then she was going to do something I would not enjoy but had demonstrated that I needed. Words without sweat equity are just blatherings.

Disciplined to what?

Anybody can learn, anybody can learn just about anything, given time and motivation, so what are we to learn through the discipline process that Getz refers to Paul as suggesting. To start and finish: humility, gratitude, prayerfulness, wholesome(exemplary) activity. Find your own list of wholesome activities...I hope and pray you know where to look.

free book contest

Shay Bills has a book out titled 'Is your Spirit Holy'. From what I have read it should be a good read and an excellent guide to analysing and understanding one's relationship to God. Click the title to read some of the author's prose and possibly enter a contest to win a copy of the book 'Is Your Spirit Holy?'

Sophromismos

There is a study going on at Shadow Hills, admittedly on again off again, but it is a review of the book by Gene Getz called 'The Measure of a Man'. You may surf there and read for yourself by clicking the title of this post. Today I was reading in Getz the call to meekness described as 'not weakness'. Getz uses 2 Timothy 7-8 'For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;' to show how Paul, who constantly and consistently acknowledges God's right and power to rule over him, and that the necessary element of our proper relationship with God is an open heart to our neighbor, encourages Timothy to be confident in his faith. To look forward to the suffering inevitable in the sharing of the Gospel. And, to the point here, to be sophromismos, or of a sound mind, disciplined. I know he says disciplined is the KJV word but I do not find it in my copies of the KJV, but do like it, as it tells us to rely on what we have learned. If we think of the discipline used to teach those going into battle then we can feel confident in believing he is speaking of a knowledge, if not even wisdom, discerned by frequent repetition at practice, the kind of practice(repetition) Navy Seals, professional athletes, consummate musicians, successful archictects use. Discipline builds confidence and character and awareness for the unforeseen. So get out there and practice practice practice, and when it is obvious that God could not possibly have meant for you to do any of it, just make yourself available for Him to do it with you. There is the meekness that overcomes the doubt and causes those about us to say 'what a great (fill in your on blank) so and so is'. Please be sure to give credit where credit is due, for that is an important part of what God's will for us.

The leadership yoke

The leader of a church is described by Paul in such terms that, as far as for behaviour it would seem that he need not sancification. But surely this is a blurriness of human understanding and so we a church goers generally back off the hardline and follow 'The Message' inference and choose 'men from among you whom everyone trusts' leaving off the 'without reproach' of many of the other versions which would force us to observe much more closely those we would have in charge of our daily church life. Rgw King James seems to also have an ameliorative phrasiology in calling for men of 'honest report'. pergaos refering to men with pasts such as Zaccheus who whole heartedly and obviously have turned that corner from the past to a blessed newness of life.

Comparative Acts 6:3

KJV

Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

ESV

3(C) Therefore, brothers,[b] pick out from among you seven men(D) of good repute,(E) full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.

YLT

3look out, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity,

HCSB

3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, (C) full of the Spirit (D) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.

NASV

3"Therefore, (G)brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, (H)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.

TM

So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we'll assign them this task.

NLT

3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

NKJV

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

NIV

3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

Amp

3Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.


"You can see by the above," he said while cheswing on the middle part of his tongue with the upper and lower molars of his jaws, leaving the tip of his tongue to dance around the inside of the side of his mouth, "YOU HAVE to be careful which VERSION you read!"

A thin blue line

Purity What is purity, Getz says it is not necessarily sullied by temptation--but can be, so be careful out there.

So Getz says, (and this is a little out of order in the sheme here, but the first opportunity I have taken to blog on the reading of The Measure of a Man), that sinful thoughts involve planning the accomplishment of the sin, perhaps he really means thoughts with intent to sin, rather than just the thought of an awkward(sinful?) situation.
That would seem to be a relief.

Book study and review underway with Pastor Doctor Randy Rogers

It has already begun, so I am tardy as usual, but there are twenty characterisics we have the opportunity to think on and incorporate into our lives...do I have to list 'em or can you find them in Timothy and Titus? More later...

recustomize alert

I have added what I think are interesting features to this site. I will be using it as my homepage. You are invited to scroll down and observe and use the 'Newslinks' which have been added to the right column.

from God's Chisel

Perfection, an eternal ultimate, after a lifetiime of encountering wandering, observing or ignoring, accepting or rejecting, and applying maybe misapplying, then processing or reprocessing in order to venture forward, surely not backward. Then suddenly GRACE: Otherwise imperfection.