Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a popular topic these days.  So I picked up a book lying around the house just to see what the deal was.

Mindfulness has to do with being aware of the present situation in the present moment.  It can be helpful when dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression, and can be good for mental health issues.


After reading about half the book, I was still confused in what practicing mindfulness actually meant.  So I skipped ahead to the exercises.

Exercise #1 is The Raisin, and the book includes a recording to follow.  For 15 minutes I listened to the voice; I stared at a raisin, smelled a raisin, listened to a raisin, and even tasted a raisin.  Midway through it, I laughed, "This is ridiculous!"

But I didn't give up and moved on to the next two exercises.

These beginning exercises focus on the fact that our minds wander all over the place, all the time.  We think about relationships, chores, work, health concerns, problems, upcoming events, and on and on.

For most of each exercise, the recording is silent.  But periodically the "voice" says something like, "Notice how your mind is wandering.  Now gently bring it back."  The idea is to become aware that the mind is wandering and to not let those wandering thoughts and worries become a focus.

Ok - now we're onto something - "to not let my wandering thoughts and worries become a focus."  

As I completed the exercises, as my mind wandered and I brought it back, my tendency was not to do what "the voice" instructed me to do.  My tendency, when I noticed myself wandering, was to pray, to remember who I am, or rather, Whose I am.

That's the Christian's dilemma of living in this world - how to deal with all life's problems and struggles and still remember - remember that we're baptized Christians.  

During the day, during regular situations, I forget who I am.  I get stressed and anxious.  And then my emotions, my thoughts and worries consume my time, my energy, and my peace.

...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6

I find this especially hard because I notice everything and everybody around me, including the stain on the wall and the hum of the air conditioner.  

That's a lot for my brain to process and a lot to worry about.

The passage in Philippians continues:

...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

The verse isn't easy in practice.  My sinful nature likes to dwell on what's wrong and on what hurts.  It resists God's Word and His truth.  

This idea of mindfulness has made me more aware of my thought life and of the things that worry me.  It's made me aware that I can recognize what I'm doing; I can stop myself from wasting time and energy on my worries.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Isaiah 26:3

I can pray, quote scripture, and sing hymns.  I can focus on the situation at hand, and on loving and serving.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 

"The Code" and "The Church"

CBS's new drama, The Code, revolves around a group of Marine officers who are part of the JAG Corps - they're military lawyers.  

The Marine Corps is part of my culture, of who I am, so I tuned in to watch.  I was curious to see how the show's writers and directors would portray Marines.

The first thing I noted was that the main characters sometimes act and speak in a nerdy, stereotypical manner.  No!  Marines don't act and talk like that.

The second thing I noted was numerous uniform blunders.  The collar rank insignias are sometimes misplaced, the ribbons and badges are inconsistently worn, and the khaki shirts are ridiculously tight. 

And I'm annoyed.  Instead of listening and following the plot, I'll notice the material that's puckered under the captain's bars, and I'll visually measure those bars for correct placement.  I'll also compare the main characters' uniforms to the extras' uniforms.

As I've thought about this and how I'm distracted by these mistakes, I'm reminded of the church and our Christian culture.

When circumstances in the church and in Christianity bother and distract me, I focus on those mistakes, on what's not right.  I struggle to think, to respond, and to speak in a Christian manner.  And I miss what's going on around me.  I miss God's truth, His love, His forgiveness.  I miss opportunities to love other people.  I miss growing in my faith. 

But there's a big difference in my reaction to problems with The Code and in my reaction to the church and faith issues.   

The Code is just a Marine thing.  I'm pretty certain that I'll always be bothered, and rightly so, when Marines are portrayed incorrectly.

But issues in the church, with faith, and in my life, they're a sin thing.  Because of my sin nature and indwelling sin, I'm certain I'll always be bothered by stuff in my life and stuff around me, but not rightly so.

This is God's Law.  His word says,

None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  Romans 3:10–11

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.  Romans 3:20

The law convicts me for being irritated, for judging others, for always focusing on what's wrong, for not trusting in God.

And this is where the gospel comes in.  

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8

When I can't and when I don't see things correctly, when I complain and get angry, my Lord still loves me, still saves, still gives me faith.  It's all a gift from Him.  

And in the midst of it all, He gives me His peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27

The Heart of Evangelism

Next month, I'm attending an Evangelism workshop.  It's called, "Sharing the Simple Gospel in a Complex World."

After I RSVP'd, I mentally listed the topics the workshop might cover:  neighborhood interactions, workplace discussions, church outreach events, relationships, social media, gender issues.

The workshop will probably include a session on actually sharing the gospel with people, preparing to "give a defense" of the Christian faith.

But when I think about Evangelism, I always think of Nuriye.                (pronounced "ner-ee- ā")

ā

Read more at: http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=263813
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ā

Read more at: http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=263813
Copyright © ProTeacher (proteacher.net)

Many years ago, I had a neighbor who was from a middle-eastern country.  She and I were about the same age, we both had young children, and I spent many mornings just sitting in her house, chatting and drinking tea, or chai as she called it.  

And then Nuriye, her mother, came to visit.  Nuriye was a widow, and she lived overseas, in a non-Christian country.  She didn't speak or understand English.

Still I got to know her.  She called me "Katty" and I learned a few words in her language. 

Nuriye loved to cook and to have people eat her food.  I remember watching her roll out phyllo dough for Baklava!  I'd never even realized that a person could make phyllo dough from scratch.

I was doing yard work the day Nuriye walked across the street to tell me goodbye.  Her visa was up, and she was returning home.   

Nuriye wanted to ask me something before she left.  My friend translated for her, "She wants to know why you are the way you are."  

Nuriye's dark brown eyes looked at me, as she waited for my answer.

And to my shame and regret, I didn't share the gospel with Nuriye.  I didn't tell her about my own sin and struggles, how Jesus came into this world and died for my sins and hers, and how He's the One who made me who I am, the One who changed me and my heart.

Instead, I thought of my life and my accomplishments and why I'm different from other people.  I said something about being in the military.  And that was that.  She left for the airport, and I never saw her again.

I often think about that encounter.  

I was a baptized Christian and involved with a local church.  I just didn't realize that it was God and His Word who made me the way I am, who gave me a new heart.  That was not a part of my thinking.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.                               2 Corinthians 5:17

I'm not sure when it happened or how, but now it's like I have "Jesus on the brain."  It's where my thinking goes.
 
Last year, I wrote a personal definition of missional:

No matter what I'm doing in my life - that I'm a Christian is on my mind - and I relate to everyone and every situation with that in mind.

While I hope to learn something and to get ideas at this workshop, I know that my greatest Evangelism tool is that my God has changed my heart.  And He's given me "Jesus on the brain" so that I'm always aware of Him.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:15–17

What's in a Name?

When Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest, He answers:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 22:37–40

I love how Jesus summarizes the Ten Commandments into just two:  Love God and love your neighbor.

Every morning, when I'm writing out a prayer, I almost always end with, "Help me to love people."

The Ten Commandments really do come down to that, to loving people.

And to be able to love someone, it means that I must take the time and take the risk to get to know a person.  And that's not always easy, or foremost in my mind.

It takes an intentional effort to even ask and remember someone's name.  

The Bible often speaks about how the Lord knew prophets and called them by name, even before they were born.  And the Lord cares for us in the same way.

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.  Psalm 147:4

The implication is that the Lord also knows each one of us by name.  

The Psalmist writes:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  Psalm 139:13 

We aren't nameless entities to the Lord.  He loves and knows us, knows us even by name.  

And what's in a name?  A person of worth owns that name.  

You see, no matter a person's seemingly good or bad qualities, or that I may view someone as worthy to befriend or not, each person is still someone for whom Jesus died.  Each person has worth because of Jesus. 

What's in a name?  Love.  

A name is a big part of who a person is.  And when someone is called and known by a name, it means something to that person; it means someone cares.

And knowing someone's name, it's only the beginning of loving that person, because knowing and loving a person is never a "one and done" thing.  It takes sacrifice and commitment to continue to love.  

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:11

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:12–13

Avengers: Endgame

My family has tickets for May 4th to see Avengers: Endgame.  But I noted earlier this week that our local theater had opened up more auditoriums for Endgame.  They had over 30 showings on April 26.

So I bought a ticket and saw the movie on Friday, my day off. 

No spoilers here.   

Endgame is the culmination of over 20 movies for the Marvel Universe, and the movie is successful in "bringing it all together."  In finishing the story that began in Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame turns the tables on evil so that good "wins the day."

During the movie, I sat next to Kevin.  Kevin's a comic book geek.  We chatted some before the movie, and he was pleased with the movie's outcome.

And like Kevin, we're people who love stories.  Stories help us process our lives.  They touch on our human condition and all its complications.  

And while the Marvel Universe is complicated, our lives are even more so complicated.

We're fragile, we're sinful, we struggle.  And our story is still being written...sort of.

You see...our hope is in the story and the history that's already been written.  Our hope is in Jesus.  He was...

conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

Now that's a good story.  

And this Jesus, who rose from the dead, He taught people, and He told stories that people could relate to.  The Bible is full of these stories, stories that not only teach, but stories that move people's souls, that tell of God's love, that give hope.

Movies like the Avengers - they remind us of our weaknesses, of how we struggle, how we love, lose, and survive.  And in seeing good prevail, we're reminded that we have hope, a real hope, a hope that we can count on.

Can't wait to see the movie again!  

We're All Condemned

This Jimmy Carter quote has been making the social media rounds:

Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be condemned.

There's no need to make this quote into a debate about the gay issue, because Jimmy Carter's correct in saying that Jesus didn't condemn gay people.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:17

You see, starting with Adam and Eve, sin, condemnation, and death came into this world.  

Because Adam and Eve didn't obey their God, the Lord God told them:

...for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.              Genesis 3:19b

That means, we're all condemned, all of Adam's offspring.  Whether we're full of pride, of lust, sloth, wrath, greed, envy, gluttony, we're all guilty and condemned, and that includes homosexuals.

Jesus came into a world that was already condemned.  And He came not to condemn the world, but to save it.

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  John 12:47

My point is, there's only one issue involved here.  Every other topic of debate, or of picking at specific sins, they're side-track issues, and they get us off the main problem, our main problem.

We're a sinful people.  We're a sinful world, a world that needs a savior.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23-24

That's the Christian message.  Anything else, it misses the gospel.

And this gospel doesn't mean that our sin is okay, that being gay is okay.  It means that, through Christ, we're forgiven.

Thankfully, our Lord doesn't keep us in our sin.  He shows it to us, forgives us, and takes us beyond that sin.  He does a work on us, on our hearts, and we're convicted...and changed.  We struggle against our sin, and we no longer live in overt sin.

Like Adam and Eve, we see with new eyes; we're aware of our sin; we're ashamed.  But, through the cross, we're forgiven, and we see and know that as well.

And the forgiveness of sins that we experience, the love we know, it's what compels us to reach beyond ourselves to other people, people who need to hear that gospel message, the message of love and the forgiveness that only Christ can bring.

The Curse and God's Promise

Last week, after posting my article On Women and Babies, I went to see the movie Unplanned.  

I knew the film was about a Planned Parenthood worker who has a change of heart about abortion.  I was expecting something wholesome and predictable, similar to the Kendrick brothers' movies (Facing the Giants, Fireproof).


I was wrong.

Unplanned is based on the book and life of Abby Johnson, and is well-written, well-acted, and impactful.  The movie drew me into the story, and it moved me emotionally.

The film is rated "R" and it's described as graphic, but I disagree with that adjective.  

Together, the words "graphic" and "abortion" evoke a very specific picture -  a bloody, aborted baby.  The movie didn't go in that direction.

I believe all women can and will relate to what I'm about to say.  

I've experienced monthly pain, cramps, and bleeding.  I've had accidents and close-calls.  I've given birth three times, and there's nothing "pretty" about fertility, pregnancy, and birth - it's messy.  

But this isn't something we talk about.  With today's medicine, sanitary items, and birth control options - the whole process is now "clean" and "sanitized."  The reality of what women live with and experience - it's covered up.  We pretend it doesn't happen.

As I watched Unplanned, the reality, the shame, and dirtiness of what befalls women's bodies - it hit home with me.

And I go back to man's fall into sin and God's Words to Eve:

I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.  Genesis 3:16a

From Genesis on, God ordains this.  Bringing forth children is both bloody and painful.  Life can't be divorced from the reality of the fall. 

But!!!  Lest I forget, it's also in Genesis that God says to Satan: 

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.  Genesis 3:15

Jesus - He came into this cursed world, in that manner, in blood, pain, and shame.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  Galatians 4:4–5

Even as women bring life into this world in blood, pain, and shame, so Jesus, even more so and perfectly, He saved us and gives us life, and He did it at the cross through His own blood, pain, and shame.   

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.        Isaiah 53:5