Religion promotes relating to God through the keeping of rules and performing of rituals. It’s based on the premise of not being good enough to please God, therefore you must do…. (fill in the blank). This kind of relating leads to all sorts of strange doctrines and behaviours as we seek to be pleasing to an unplease-able God, resulting in an inability to love self and others.
Relationship with God has a completely different basis… His love. In relationship with Him, there is an openness to be who you are, sharing your inmost self with Him, faults and all. He’s not a God who is petty, judging your performance in being able to live “perfectly”. He sees you as His beloved child and only desires to be in relationship with you. This kind of relating leads to inner peace, resulting in an ability to love self and others. Nothing else is needed.
Just God is just good.
-The Freenglad Chick
October 26, 2004
October 23, 2004
Some Trees Need a Hug!
The glory of God's creation revealed in fall foliage......mountainsides alive with reds and yellows and oranges and greens......God thinking, "Let me give this gift of beauty, just because."
From a distance, all the colors blend and complement each other. Up close, you can see individual trees expressing their unique beauty.
Sometimes my imagination comes up with strange scenarios. I pictured the trees arguing over whose leaves were the prettiest, or the brightest........or who had the most leaves.
I saw trees beating one another with their branches and shouting, "You aren't changing color fast enough! You should be further along than you are now. Stop making the rest of us look bad."
I saw trees gathering in little groups gossiping about a lone green tree: "Look at that, he broke the rules about changing colors. Wait till God sees this. Guess we all know who the next lightning bolt will strike, eh folks?"
I saw trees, discouraged as they compared themselves to the more glorious trees, simply drop all their leaves at once and give up.
I saw arrogant trees, convinced that their good tree behavior had earned their lovely colors.
(Honestly, with all this tree strife going on, I couldn't see the forest for the trees.)
Imagination flight over, I saw the glory of God's creation revealed in fall foliage......trees expressing the life of their Creator in varying stages and degrees. Yet simply content to reflect.........HIM.
No......it's not possible that trees might have a deeper revelation of grace than God's people do.
Is it?
-Mickey
From a distance, all the colors blend and complement each other. Up close, you can see individual trees expressing their unique beauty.
Sometimes my imagination comes up with strange scenarios. I pictured the trees arguing over whose leaves were the prettiest, or the brightest........or who had the most leaves.
I saw trees beating one another with their branches and shouting, "You aren't changing color fast enough! You should be further along than you are now. Stop making the rest of us look bad."
I saw trees gathering in little groups gossiping about a lone green tree: "Look at that, he broke the rules about changing colors. Wait till God sees this. Guess we all know who the next lightning bolt will strike, eh folks?"
I saw trees, discouraged as they compared themselves to the more glorious trees, simply drop all their leaves at once and give up.
I saw arrogant trees, convinced that their good tree behavior had earned their lovely colors.
(Honestly, with all this tree strife going on, I couldn't see the forest for the trees.)
Imagination flight over, I saw the glory of God's creation revealed in fall foliage......trees expressing the life of their Creator in varying stages and degrees. Yet simply content to reflect.........HIM.
No......it's not possible that trees might have a deeper revelation of grace than God's people do.
Is it?
-Mickey
October 17, 2004
In God's hands
It's funny how you can be hit with an almost evangelical sense of assurance at the most unexpected times.
I remember how one time when I was in theological college, I was on my way to church in the back seat of a friend's car, when suddenly I had this overwhelming feeling of having my life held in God's hands. My reaction was one of joyous laughter; it was Karl Barth who reportedly said, "Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God."
I was sitting a few moments ago flicking through the channels, and I decided, as I occasionally do, to see what was on Christian TV. Generally there's a steady diet of prosperity preachers and American televangelists, but once in a while there'll be someone worth listening to for a few minutes.Tonight when I switched on, three folk were sitting around in a church in London talking about the book of Genesis. One of them -- I have a feeling she was Billy Graham's daughter -- was talking about how good it was to know you're created individually by God, and how we find our true selves in pursuing the things we were created for rather than money and material things and all the things the "world" chases after. On the one hand, I recognized the crassness with which such sentiments are often expressed; yet on the other hand, I was struck by a sense of assurance of being created by God, of having my life in the palm of his hand, and of knowing that all the material crap I sometimes long to have and enjoy doesn't compare to the contentment and joy of abandoning everything to serve God and others, to live for what really satisfies.
It was another of those unusual moments of assurance. I half wanted to cry, and I half wanted to laugh, because it was joyous to think that when all else is done, I'm held in the palm of God's hand.
-Dave
I remember how one time when I was in theological college, I was on my way to church in the back seat of a friend's car, when suddenly I had this overwhelming feeling of having my life held in God's hands. My reaction was one of joyous laughter; it was Karl Barth who reportedly said, "Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God."
I was sitting a few moments ago flicking through the channels, and I decided, as I occasionally do, to see what was on Christian TV. Generally there's a steady diet of prosperity preachers and American televangelists, but once in a while there'll be someone worth listening to for a few minutes.Tonight when I switched on, three folk were sitting around in a church in London talking about the book of Genesis. One of them -- I have a feeling she was Billy Graham's daughter -- was talking about how good it was to know you're created individually by God, and how we find our true selves in pursuing the things we were created for rather than money and material things and all the things the "world" chases after. On the one hand, I recognized the crassness with which such sentiments are often expressed; yet on the other hand, I was struck by a sense of assurance of being created by God, of having my life in the palm of his hand, and of knowing that all the material crap I sometimes long to have and enjoy doesn't compare to the contentment and joy of abandoning everything to serve God and others, to live for what really satisfies.
It was another of those unusual moments of assurance. I half wanted to cry, and I half wanted to laugh, because it was joyous to think that when all else is done, I'm held in the palm of God's hand.
-Dave
October 16, 2004
Full-Time Life
I used to love the power verses of the gospels. Charismatics do, you know. Listen to a charismatic and in a few minutes we'll convince you that Jesus performed miracles from morning till night..... that He lived so deeply "in the Spirit" (we say in hushed, awestruck voices) that God's power oozed out of His every pore. Constantly.
We charismatics love power. We revere those who seem to demonstrate God's power.....healings, miracles, prophecies.......and we get pretty good at never allowing ourselves to wonder if God is really the source of the alleged power displays.
Somehow along the power-seeking journey, many Christians learn to separate life into two categories: the sacred and the secular. Or the clergy and the laity. Or the anointed and the wannabes. Or the holy and all the rest of us.
So we look longingly at those who have reached the pinnacle of "full-time ministry", and think that someday, maybe, God will anoint us so that OUR lives count for Him. See how religion can mess up people's minds?
Jesus played with children and washed feet and worried that people were hungry and walked and slept and cried. He radiated God's life, and that life made everything He did holy. Sacred. Anointed, if we must use the charismatic word.
Jesus didn't divide His life into the sacred and the secular. God's life permeated every action He took, every word He spoke, every breath He breathed.
And Jesus never mentioned "full-time ministry" as a goal to be attained. He spoke of abundant life, His life in ours, that would touch every aspect of our being.
Is going to work holy? Yes. Changing diapers sacred? Yes. Watching TV anointed? Yes. Are you getting it?
Refuse to tolerate the lie of "sacred vs. secular." Refuse to accept anything that implies that you are divided from the life of Christ. Refuse to see yourself as "less than".......you are complete in Christ!
-Mickey
We charismatics love power. We revere those who seem to demonstrate God's power.....healings, miracles, prophecies.......and we get pretty good at never allowing ourselves to wonder if God is really the source of the alleged power displays.
Somehow along the power-seeking journey, many Christians learn to separate life into two categories: the sacred and the secular. Or the clergy and the laity. Or the anointed and the wannabes. Or the holy and all the rest of us.
So we look longingly at those who have reached the pinnacle of "full-time ministry", and think that someday, maybe, God will anoint us so that OUR lives count for Him. See how religion can mess up people's minds?
Jesus played with children and washed feet and worried that people were hungry and walked and slept and cried. He radiated God's life, and that life made everything He did holy. Sacred. Anointed, if we must use the charismatic word.
Jesus didn't divide His life into the sacred and the secular. God's life permeated every action He took, every word He spoke, every breath He breathed.
And Jesus never mentioned "full-time ministry" as a goal to be attained. He spoke of abundant life, His life in ours, that would touch every aspect of our being.
Is going to work holy? Yes. Changing diapers sacred? Yes. Watching TV anointed? Yes. Are you getting it?
Refuse to tolerate the lie of "sacred vs. secular." Refuse to accept anything that implies that you are divided from the life of Christ. Refuse to see yourself as "less than".......you are complete in Christ!
-Mickey
October 11, 2004
The Greatest of These Is Love
We are so aware of our physical bodies and our current entrapment in them. We struggle to reshape them, extend the duration of our existence in them, but we know that those are, at the most, futile efforts to put off what is ultimately inevitable in this world. Yet, in the midst of this physical existence some of us have become more aware of another reality that awaits us once we depart, or "shuffle off this mortal coil" as the author wrote. What is it that has alerted us to the possibility that there is more to existence than just this life, just this earth?
We have become cognizant of things which do no have their source from us. These things that testify to us, Paul tells us, are faith, hope, and love. And the one that resonates so deeply within us speaking of another place is the testimony of love. Just like a man cannot go back and be a child again, we can not go back to our place of ignorance, of not knowing we have another home. And love is the worst culprit of them all!
We have become cognizant of things which do no have their source from us. These things that testify to us, Paul tells us, are faith, hope, and love. And the one that resonates so deeply within us speaking of another place is the testimony of love. Just like a man cannot go back and be a child again, we can not go back to our place of ignorance, of not knowing we have another home. And love is the worst culprit of them all!
Why Are You So Afraid?
“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)
It seems we are predisposed to fear because, in this world, we really are helpless. We can’t command things in our lives to work the way we want them to. And if we could, it would probably just cause more destruction. It seems this world is constantly running toward destruction… like in The Langoliers.
We try hard to protect ourselves – from pain, from need, from threat, from loneliness, from life in this world. We are so afraid… and, often, we’re grasping at straws in attempts to deal with that fear.
God’s love… it comforts us and makes us feel safe for a little while… In relationship with a loving God, we catch a small glimpse of the things we yearn for. We have snatches of time when we feel safe, comforted, and hopeful. Relationship with God is about finding comfort in a hard world. Feeling protected… Feeling like everything is not running out of control. We have hope – that there’s more to this life than what we see… a greater purpose… a reason… or at least a happy ending… Rest for our souls… Restoration… We have the peace of being a child again.
-The Freenglad Chick
It seems we are predisposed to fear because, in this world, we really are helpless. We can’t command things in our lives to work the way we want them to. And if we could, it would probably just cause more destruction. It seems this world is constantly running toward destruction… like in The Langoliers.
We try hard to protect ourselves – from pain, from need, from threat, from loneliness, from life in this world. We are so afraid… and, often, we’re grasping at straws in attempts to deal with that fear.
God’s love… it comforts us and makes us feel safe for a little while… In relationship with a loving God, we catch a small glimpse of the things we yearn for. We have snatches of time when we feel safe, comforted, and hopeful. Relationship with God is about finding comfort in a hard world. Feeling protected… Feeling like everything is not running out of control. We have hope – that there’s more to this life than what we see… a greater purpose… a reason… or at least a happy ending… Rest for our souls… Restoration… We have the peace of being a child again.
-The Freenglad Chick
October 08, 2004
Marketing Jesus
Ever notice how religion often uses the same technique to market Jesus as a salesman might employ to sell you a used car?
"Jesus loves you just as you are. His grace will save you if you only believe. Salvation is a free gift."
Ah yes....but as soon as you sign on the dotted line to buy that extraordinary low-mileage, barely-driven car........or raise your hand in response to an altar call.......you begin to learn the rest of the story. The fine print of the contract. Shoved in front of your nose by the car salesman or by other Christians.
"Did I mention that the tires, engine, and gas tank for this car are additional charges? And the interest rate for your ten years of monthly payments is 45%?"
Sounds as ridiculous as the fine print in the "Christian" contract: "Yes, your salvation is free BUT you need to follow these rules if you want to be a GOOD Christian. Jesus loves you IF you stop sinning and get your act together. AND you need to prove your love for Jesus by obeying the commandments in the Bible."
Most of us wouldn't fall for the fine print in the car salesman's contract; we'd recognize that someone was lying to us. I wonder why it's so easy to fall for the legalism that distorts the gospel of grace? And why we allow the traditions of men to add pages of fine print to the glorious gospel of God's grace to us in Christ?
The Christian life isn't a contract between God and us. It's a gift of His grace, and there's no fine print to trick us.
In fact, if we could look at our own hearts, I think we'd see written in big bold letters, "I am Jesus Christ, and I am your life."
I think He took every fine-print contract that religion ever produced and nailed them all to the cross.
It doesn't get much better than that, does it?
Love and grace to you,
Mickey
"Jesus loves you just as you are. His grace will save you if you only believe. Salvation is a free gift."
Ah yes....but as soon as you sign on the dotted line to buy that extraordinary low-mileage, barely-driven car........or raise your hand in response to an altar call.......you begin to learn the rest of the story. The fine print of the contract. Shoved in front of your nose by the car salesman or by other Christians.
"Did I mention that the tires, engine, and gas tank for this car are additional charges? And the interest rate for your ten years of monthly payments is 45%?"
Sounds as ridiculous as the fine print in the "Christian" contract: "Yes, your salvation is free BUT you need to follow these rules if you want to be a GOOD Christian. Jesus loves you IF you stop sinning and get your act together. AND you need to prove your love for Jesus by obeying the commandments in the Bible."
Most of us wouldn't fall for the fine print in the car salesman's contract; we'd recognize that someone was lying to us. I wonder why it's so easy to fall for the legalism that distorts the gospel of grace? And why we allow the traditions of men to add pages of fine print to the glorious gospel of God's grace to us in Christ?
The Christian life isn't a contract between God and us. It's a gift of His grace, and there's no fine print to trick us.
In fact, if we could look at our own hearts, I think we'd see written in big bold letters, "I am Jesus Christ, and I am your life."
I think He took every fine-print contract that religion ever produced and nailed them all to the cross.
It doesn't get much better than that, does it?
Love and grace to you,
Mickey
October 02, 2004
The Voice That Lies
A friend posted this the other day:
"What is the point? Where is God in this life? It all seems so deeply hopeless...... I put my hope in the wrong places, but I can't figure out the "right" place......My heart is hard. I don't feel love, tenderness, compassion....well, maybe for someone in a movie or a book; someone who isn't real and will never reach out to plunge a dagger in my heart. I don't want to stay here inside of me. I don't want to feel the things I feel. God, do you have any clue what the hell you are doing?"
In the past I would have bombarded my friend with Bible verses. "Here's some scriptures, cheer up, see ya!" A quick fix solution. Take it or leave it. Do these scriptures or suffer.
When I saw God's grace in Christ, I realized that religion's "quick fix" solutions only increase suffering.
Now I think I just want to ask my hurting friend, "Who told you that your heart is hard? Who told you these lies about yourself?"
I don't believe the "who" is a person or a demon spirit.
The lying "who" is that tormenting inner voice, created by years of religious programming. The voice that calls you names and tears you down and tells you that God is displeased with you.....and that you must try harder, do better, pray more, repent of something.....
The lying accuser in your mind. You defeat it by recognizing it and refusing to agree with the lies.
In truth, my friend has already placed her hope in the "right" Person, and He has already placed His life in her. He really does know what the hell He is doing! :)And the next time I'm listening to the lying accuser in my own mind, I bet Jesus will send someone along to ask me, "Who told you those lies about yourself?"
-Mickey
"What is the point? Where is God in this life? It all seems so deeply hopeless...... I put my hope in the wrong places, but I can't figure out the "right" place......My heart is hard. I don't feel love, tenderness, compassion....well, maybe for someone in a movie or a book; someone who isn't real and will never reach out to plunge a dagger in my heart. I don't want to stay here inside of me. I don't want to feel the things I feel. God, do you have any clue what the hell you are doing?"
In the past I would have bombarded my friend with Bible verses. "Here's some scriptures, cheer up, see ya!" A quick fix solution. Take it or leave it. Do these scriptures or suffer.
When I saw God's grace in Christ, I realized that religion's "quick fix" solutions only increase suffering.
Now I think I just want to ask my hurting friend, "Who told you that your heart is hard? Who told you these lies about yourself?"
I don't believe the "who" is a person or a demon spirit.
The lying "who" is that tormenting inner voice, created by years of religious programming. The voice that calls you names and tears you down and tells you that God is displeased with you.....and that you must try harder, do better, pray more, repent of something.....
The lying accuser in your mind. You defeat it by recognizing it and refusing to agree with the lies.
In truth, my friend has already placed her hope in the "right" Person, and He has already placed His life in her. He really does know what the hell He is doing! :)And the next time I'm listening to the lying accuser in my own mind, I bet Jesus will send someone along to ask me, "Who told you those lies about yourself?"
-Mickey
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