Personality and the Spiritual Disciplines

After having a conversation with friends about personality and spiritual development I dusted off some old notes and took another look at how personality traits and temperament influence our spiritual disciplines (prayer and bible study etc.).[1]

Understanding Myers-Briggs
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a helpful tool for grasping the effect that personality has on our life with God. Basic to this approach, is the idea of preference. Robert Kaplan and Dennis Saccuzzo believe "the underlying assumption of the MBTI is that we all have specific preferences in the way we construe our experiences, and these preferences underlie our interests, needs, values, and motivation" [2] Just as we tend to favor either the right or left hand, so too we exhibit a particular direction in the way we view life, God, and therefore, spirituality.

Myers-Briggs is comprised of 8 preferences in pairs on a sliding scale
E - I extroversion ----- introversion
S - N sensing ------ intuition
T - F thinking ----- feeling
J - P judging ----- perceiving

The first and last pairs are called attitudes because they represent the orientation of the individual in regard to the world and where they gain energy and motivation.

E – extrovert: stimulated by the outer world of people and things
I – introvert: derives energy from the inner world of ideas, concepts, feelings, and spirit

J – judging: primarily concerned with how things should be.
P – perceiving: primarily concerned with how things are.

The middle pairs of preferences are called functions. They have to do with the method one uses to relate to the world or to oneself.

S – sensing: concentrates on what is available to the senses (visible, audible, etc.)
N – intuitive: concentrates on the inner sense of things

T – thinking: uses the intellect to arrive at a conclusion through reasoning
F – feeling: makes decisions based on how one feels about things

Since the Myers-Briggs is an epistemologically-based assessment. It is very helpful in the field of education. David Keirsey an educational psychologist categorized the 16 Myers-Briggs types into four major temperaments. The simplified groupings touch on the predominate way we gather and understand information as well as our general temperament in relationship to the world.

SP: The Artisans
SJ: The Guardians
NF: The Idealists
NT: The Rationals

One thing of note, Myers-Briggs is not a personality test. It is an Assessment or indicator of your preferences and personality traits that you currently hold. If used correctly it can function as a self-assessment to identify areas in which to develop. Part of Christian growth particularly in the areas of character and ones inner life (desires, and preferences) aims at becoming a whole person. Said another way, Part of holiness is whol-i-ness. Seeking wholeness is fundamental to becoming a mature human, who exhibits basic self-awareness, social and relational appreciation, natural empathy and clear headed thinking.

Christian seldom ask the question, "Which area of life do I need to work on to become a whole person?" Some people are good at being Christian but unable to spend a day in solitude, silence, and self-reflection without turning on the TV or swallowing their tongue. Others can't sustain personal relationships without becoming codependent or burning every bridge in sight. Since i am on this rant, still others are so spiritual they act like odd balls of uncomfortable awkwardness or "holier-than-thou" disfunction. Sadly the reason is because they skipped over growing as a human and ran head long into Christian experience and practice.

Assessments like the Myers-Briggs help you see yourself from a vantage point that allows the person to learn about themselves in a constructive way. This new perspective opens an avenue in which you can give all you know of yourself to all you know of God. An avenue that allows you to work on balancing overtly strong preferences with its counterpart bringing them to a balance and understand how God personally made you to most naturally engage with him.

Personality, prayer and how we most naturally engage with God.
Below are some characteristics of each Myers-Briggs type and some notes on how they will tend to experience God in prayer and in the existential aspects of spiritual life. But first, let me set the stage by introducing Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina (“sacred reading”) is a historic, time-tested method of Scripture study and prayer dating back to the Middle Ages. (If you fundamentalists are getting nervous, go read Martin Luther’s “Letter to My Barber” and you’ll see that this is exactly what he prescribes). Here are the various aspects of practicing the Lectio Divina. They are not steps per say more aspects but many move through them in the order given.

Lectio: slow, thoughtful reading of a text of Scripture
Meditatio: welcoming this word from God into our lives; chewing and ruminating on it
Oratio: responding to God in prayer
Contemplatio: Listening to the Holy Spirit and enjoying the presence of God

NT Characteristics - The Rationals

• Logical, rational, intellectual
• Thirst for truth
• Long to understand, explain, master, excel
• Straightforward and direct
• Tend to be impersonal/insensitive
• Appreciate excellence and seek to avoid mistakes
• Demanding of self and others
• Love planning; tend to be very future-oriented
• Generally excel at whatever they do

NT Prayer:

• NT’s are the most mystical and contemplative of all the types. They thrive on earnest, thoughtful pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful.
• Authors Michael and Norrisey recommend that NT’s practice “Thomistic Prayer,” which is essentially discursive meditation: taking a biblical/theological truth and “walking around in it,” studying it from every angle and contemplating its facets and implications.
• NT’s will especially thrive in the Meditatio step of Lectio Divina.

Thomistic Prayer and Spirituality
Recommended by St. Thomas Aquinas and using syllogistic methods of thinking (looking at it from every angle) and orderly progression of thought from cause to effect (rational thinking to arrive at an appropriate conclusion). NT's have a great thirst for truth and for the freedom that flows from knowing truth. They desire to comprehend, explain, predict and control. The tend to be leaders, and also tend to pursue perfection and see stupidity and incompetence as the worst possible faults. They can be overcritical and are often work-a-holics. They are poor losers -- very competitive. They tend to be impersonal in relationships. NT spirituality is ordered and question-oriented. May use seven auxiliary questions: "what, why, how, who, where, when, with what helps" to explore the topic.

NF Characteristics - The Idealists

• Creative
• Optimistic
• Verbal/outspoken
• Great need for self-expression
• Deep feelings; love affirmation, hate criticism
• Excel at empathy, understanding, compassion
• Natural “rescuers” of others
• Want their outer life to be totally congruent with their inner self
• Often dissatisfied with the present

NF Prayer

• NF’s must experience personal relationship with God. They are always looking for deeper meaning, insight, significance. Journaling is often key to the prayer life of an NF: they tend to pray best “at the point of a pen.”
• Michael and Norrisey recommend that NF’s practice “Augustinian Prayer,” or transposition: imagining the words of Scripture as if God is speaking them directly to me, right now, in my current situation.
• NF’s will tend to thrive in the Oratio and Contemplatio steps of Lectio Divina.

Augustinian Prayer and Spirituality
Named in honor of St. Augustine -- who developed rules of spirituality for the monks and convents in North Africa. The key word is projection, using creative imagination to transpose and apply Scripture to today's situation. Especially used by NF's who are usually creative, optimistic, verbal, persuasive, outspoken, writers and speakers; good listeners, counselors, conflict resolvers and peacemakers. Handling negative criticism is difficult for NFs, but they blossom under affirmation. Visionaries. Prayer is a discourse between God and the self.

SJ Characteristics - The Guardians

• Deep sense of obligation
• Want to feel useful – givers, not receivers
• Very practical, common-sense
• Strong work ethic
• Value tradition, authority, structure
• Conservative and stabilizing
• Guardians of the values
• Tendency toward pessimism

SJ Prayer

• SJ’s prefer regimen and routine, so liturgy is especially helpful and meaningful to them. They enjoy a sense of connection with history and with the past. Prayer books and tools will be especially helpful to them.
• Michael and Norrisey recommend “Ignatian Prayer” for SJ’s: becoming part of the biblical scene through imagination. For instance, as you read of the crucifixion of Jesus, you imagine what it would be like to stand there in the crowd; as you read of the Exodus, you imagine what it would be like to be one of the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.
• SJ’s will thrive most fully in the Lectio phase of Lectio Divina.

Ignatian Prayer and Spirituality
This way of praying was used by Israel 1000 years before Christ. In remembering a salvation event, the people relive, participate in, and symbolically make past events real. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order, developed this method in the 4th century AD. Casting oneself back into the events of the past, one imagines the scene through all five senses, making the story real and present and becoming part of it. It's important to draw some practical fruit. They have a strong sense of duty, and a good imagination. They tend to be pessimistic.

SP Characteristics - The Artisans

• Impulsive
• Dislike rules and structure
• Action-driven, crisis-oriented
• Flexible, adaptable
• Live in the present, love the “new thing”
• Cheerful, witty, charming
• Good entertainers
• Thrive on risk and challenge
• Best at short-range projects; dislike long-term planning

SP Prayer

• SP’s have the least need for long periods of formal prayer. They tend excel at “practicing the presence of God” – experiencing God’s presence in the events of every day. Because SP’s are very sensory, being out in nature is key to experiencing communion with God.
• Michael and Norrisey recommend “Franciscan Prayer” for SP’s: spontaneous, free-flowing, active prayer that emphasizes tangible acts of service and devotion. They embody prayer in all they do. Doing good deeds for others or giving gifts to others are prayerful, devotional activities for SP’s – more than all the other types, “their work is their prayer.”
• SP’s will thrive most fully in the Oratio phase of Lectio Divina

Fransiscan Prayer and Spirituality
St. Francis introduced this type in the 13th century. It is characterized by an attitude of openness and willingness to go where the Spirit calls. SP's are impulsive free spirits, often witty and charming. They love action and work best in a crisis. They are good at unsnarling messes, making them good negotiators and diplomats. They tend to be flexible and open-minded, living in the present. They are best at short-range projects, because they need to see results. Centering life in God. Creation is a Bible – every sense is impressionable; Gospels are appealing as another example of the incarnation of God in creation. Appreciate the grand gesture, and given to just behavior. Although very sacrificial, SP's don't respond well to the symbolic. They usually dislike formal prayer, preferring spontaneous, impulsive prayer or seeing work, celebration, or enjoying nature, etc. as prayer.

End notes
[1] A helpful book in this area is "Prayer and Temperament: Different Prayer Forms for Different Personality Types by Michael and Norrisey"
[2]Kaplan, R.M., & Saccuzzo, D.P. Psychological testing: Principle, applications, and issues. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth 2009) p. 499

Suggested readings
Harbaugh, Gary L. God's Gifted People (Augsburg, 1990).
Keirsey, David and Marilyn Bates. Please Understand Me (Gnosology Books, 1984).
Michael, Chester P. and Marie C. Nor-risey. Prayer and Temperament (The Open Door, 1984).
Oswald, Roy M. and Otto Kroeger. Personality Type and Religious Leadership (Alban Institute, 1988).





In Him
J. Dawson Jarrell

Easter reflection

I love this Easter reflection. It is written as if Christ is speaking. Its authorship is unknown but it was first used by Lactantius in an Easter service. Some clam it is the work of a desert monk, others a 2nd century prophetic voice, some retain Lactantius as the author. Debates over its authorship pales in comparison to it's power and ability to transport the reader to the foot of the cross. Enjoy, He is risen.


"Does it please you to go through all of My pain and to experience grief with Me? Then consider the plots against Me and the irreverent price of My innocent blood. Consider the disciple’s pretended kisses, the crowd’s insults and abuse, and, even more, the mocking blows and accusing tongues. Imagine the false witness, Pilate’s cursed judgment, the immense cross pressed on My shoulders and tired back, and My painful steps to a dreadful death. Study Me from head to foot. I am deserted and lifted high up above My beloved mother. See My hair clotted with blood, and My head encircled with cruel thorns. For a stream of blood is pouring down like rain on all sides of My Divine face. Observe My sunken, sightless eyes and My beaten cheeks. See My parched tongue that was poisoned with gall. My face is pale with death.
Look at My hands that have been pierced with nails and My drawn-out arms. See the great wound in My side and the blood streaming from it. Imagine My pierced feet and blood-stained limbs. Then bow, and with weeping adore the wood of the cross. With a humble face, stoop to the earth that is wet with innocent blood. Sprinkle it with tears, and carry Me and My encouragement in your devoted heart." [1]

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.


[1] Poem on the Passion of the Lord, Lactantius 2nd century

[2] Lactantius was an early Christian author during the time of Constantine.


In Him
J. Dawson Jarrell

Walking with Jesus through Good Friday (Part 3)

Below is the scriptural stages of the Cross, with my reflections over the weekend and a prayer. Blessings

Eighth Station: Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross
Mark 15: 21: They pressed into service a passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

Reflections: Simon was a chosen instrument not by a roman soldier but by the will of God. He was given the unpleasant task of sharing in the journey of the cross. He was willing to help, not to please the roman soldier but to be an instrument of grace and easy in the journey of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, grant us willing spirits that we may be your instruments on earth. May our hearts say yes before the request I'd given.

Ninth Station: Jesus instructs the Women of Jerusalem
Luke 23: 27-31: A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, 'Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.' At that time, people will say to the mountains, 'Fall upon us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us!' for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?"

Reflections:It is compassion to warn of coming danger.
He tells them of the total Destruction of Jerusalem that was soon to happen, in less than 30 years. He was operated in His prophetic office in giving this remarkable prediction. It can be said that Jesus was 'busy. He had been 'tied up, in meetings all day and their was a lot on his mind. Using our standards of jusgment, we could say, Jesus would've been justified in being distracted and inward focused. He had the cross before him yet he took time to help others avoid suffering. Pain can make us turn inward and focus on ourselves yet in the middle of great suffering Jesus is still other-focused.

Prayer: Lord, grant us gentle spirits that we may comfort those who mourn.

Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified
Luke 23: 33-34: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."]


Reflections: Our Lord's words of gracious intercession. Jesus' first words were, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." His own racking agony of body did not make Him forget others. The first word from the cross was a prayer for the souls of His murderers. He operates in his priestly office by interceding for those who crucified Him. "Father," He said, "forgive them.". He is the one who forgives and are given the task of sharing what he has done and his word "forgiven".

Prayer: Lord, grant us merciful hearts that we may bring your reconciliation and forgiveness to all.

Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the repentant Thief
Luke 23: 39-43: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Reflections: Here we see jesus imply he would soon operate in his kingly office. he would soon win the victory and swing wide the door of paradise to the repentant thief. Jesus is the only one who can say, "you will be with me in Paradise". No one but Jesus has that kind of authority. he is the king and we are all like the thief people whose crimes against the king are punishable by death.

I marvel at Thief's words. His response in so few words, says so much. It is a lifetime of prayer, and a world of desperation packed into three little words. "Jesus, remember me." Such a short prayer has a library of truth behind it. 7 truths can be deserved from his words. They are outlined below.

1. He believed in an afterlife, that Humanity lives on after the body is dead.
2. He believed in an eternal judgement - At that time there will be a judgment. The life of each man would be judged.
3. He believed something special, different, holy was happening in Jesus suffering.
4. He believed Jesus was the righteous king - Christ alone have the right and authority to rule in such judgments. Only at Jesus' word was one granted entrance to that Kingdom.
5. He believed salvation was found in gaining entry to this kingdom. Jesus' kingdom was a better world than the present evil world.
6. He believed jesus was a Gracious King. Giving pardon on those who truly repent and granting access into his eternal kingdom, a kingdom of which no man did not deserve entry.
7. He believed jesus was the only way of salvation - He trusts fully upon a dying Savior for salvation.

Prayer: Lord, grant us perseverance that we may never stop seeking you. That in our desperation we seek you, in our suffering we seek you and we pray boldly with truth under us as if our life depended on it. Help our hearts grasp your Lordship and may we not just call you but be servants of the king.


In Him
J. Dawson Jarrell

Yes, i am a hopeless romantic.

When a man proposes to a women it is an extension of his very being. Like a diary of his heart it tell of his love, his heart and his consideration. In my estimation, it is up their as one of the most courageous act in a man's life. In an act contrary to instinct, he is open to rejection, and walking into breathless moments, full of risk and reward.
I have to admit I had it easy, my now wife just wanted it private and simple. One ring and One personal touch (Will you marry me? on a Scrabble broad. her favorite game).  I am a do it big guy so doing it small was just because I love her thing.

Anyway, I was on YouTube and found some video proposals. They are great, below are my favorite. The first  made me cry.. Ok, they all did.. Enjoy..





If your a movie lover you will enjoy the one below.





This one made me want to dance! Back in the day, I could do that stuff.. (i have wittnesses)

Private joke, wedding songs, and little sisters in the faith.

Their is a private joke, my wife and I share about my song choice at our wedding. The song was, "Blessed be your name" by Matt Redman. If you don't know the song it is taken from Job 2 and is about Praising God in the good and hard times. Kind of an odd song for a wedding but it was the song, I first saw her earnestly worship through and the moment I knew I wanted to marry her. Not to mention, how it incapsulates my theology of marriage in a beautiful God centered way. Here is a sample.

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

The bridge is particularly powerful.

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

Now, back to our private joke. A few months after the wedding, Emily had complications from a surgery and I almost lost her. After a long hospital stay and many months of recovery, I am happy to say she is well. Now every time we hear that song she looks at me, i look at her and we chuckle because we had no idea what we were asking God to make of our marriage. Sometimes, one of us will jokingly whisper, "we should have chosen a "bless me, bless me" song." We may not get to be parents in any traditional since (there is still a chance) but no matter what comes we know we want our marriage to sing, "blessed be the name of the Lord"

Today I watched a video testimonial from Desiring God. The video is below. It tells the story of a marriage that glorifies God in revealing God to be the true satisfaction of our souls. It is a story that passionately sings "Blessed be the name of the Lord". It resounds with such delight you can almost hear the harmony of heaven in the testimony of one momentary marriage.

I was humbled and brought to tearful worship by the story. I felt a kind of honor for the wife. I felt a "family pride" like an older brother watching his little sister "do it right" in wholehaertedly honnoring our heavenly Father.

The little momentary problems Emily and I have experienced were placed in perspective by this video. Marriage can be hard but hope can be stronger. Marriage can be difficult but God can be your delight in the middle of it. I hope it lifts you to worship like it lifted me.

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

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Grudem on Hearing God

Wayne Grudem on whether God's revelation has really stopped or not from Adrian Warnock on Vimeo.

The unavoidable reality of theology

As far back as I can remember, back In the days when MTV actually played videos, people told me theology was useless. I thought, nobody needs dry and dusty theology. I like most westerners, I thought theology was an academic exercise whereby a group of people sit in an ivory tower and debate over ancient documents that have no relevancy for today. I was wrong.Theology is an inevitable activity of humanity. But as LaVar Burton of Reading Rainbow fame, (Yes, La Forge from Star Trek: next gen.) always said, "Don't take my word for it!"


Who really needs theology?

Answer:
“Many things can be meant by the word ‘God.’ For this reason, there are many kinds of theologies. There is no man who does not have his own god or gods as the object of his highest desire and trust, or as the basis of his deepest loyalty and commitment. There is no one who is not to this extent also a theologian. There is, moreover, no religion, no philosophy, no world view that is not dedicated to some such divinity. Every world view, even that disclosed in the Swiss and American national anthems, presupposes a divinity interpreted in one way or another and worshipped to some degree, whether wholeheartedly or superficially. There is no philosophy that is not to some extent also theology. Not only does this fact apply to philosophers who desire to affirm—or who, at least, are ready to admit—that divinity, in a positive sense, is the essence of truth and power of some kind of highest principle; but the same truth is valid even for thinkers denying such a divinity, for such a denial would in practice merely consist in transferring an identical dignity and function to another object. Such an alternative object might be ‘nature,’ creativity, or an unconscious and amorphous will to life. It might also be ‘reason,’ progress, or even a redeeming nothingness into which man would be destined to disappear. Even such apparently ‘godless’ ideologies are theologies.” (Karl Barth, Evangelical Theology: An Introduction, pp. 3-4)

Therefore:
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God. For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God.” (A. W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 1)

Conclusion:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Indeed: "Theology is not undesirable, it is unavoidable. What matters is that it should be good theology." (Trevor Hart, Faith Thinking: The Dynamics of Christian Theology, p. 7)

Some things are inevitability. My mom tells me death and taxes top the list. I have found if a Toronto hits a trailer park it is inevitable a the local news team will interview someone with poor dental hygiene and a rudimentary grasp of the English language. Theological thinking is an inevitable activity. So how we feel about theology does not matter. We already do whether we want to admit it or not. So as a Christian our first question is not, why do it but "Do I have good theology?"

Indeed-E-Du: "We're either building our lives on the reality of what God is truly like and what he's about, or we're basing our lives on our own imagination and misconceptions... We're all theologians. The question is whether what we know about God is true." (Joshua Harris, Dug Down Deep, p. 3)

Thoughts on a Rapper's life, love, and unlikely redemption.

If you like/love Run DMC you must listen to this.

If you like/love Sarah Mclachlan you must listen to this.

If your life has been touched in any way by adoption, you definitely must listen to this.

Rap star Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels from the groundbreaking rap group Run DMC tells a fascinating, hilarious and touching story about singer/songwriter Sarah Mclachlan saving him from suicide.

While on tour in Europe during a reflective "what's it all about" "why am i here?" period. During this time he began struggling with impulsive and consistent suicidal thoughts. It was at this time heard the song "angle" by McLachlan. Something in him called to him that life was worth living. He ran to the music store and got all things McLachlan. Beginning an obsession with her music that would last for years. He clammed that the songs spoke to him and inspired him to want to live. DMC later found out that he was adopted and the pieces of his forlorn heart began to reshape. McLachlan and DMC ended up making a song together about his journey. He ends his story with McLachlan own revelation as she tells him she was adopted as well.

The whole story with all it's twists and turns is really pretty amazing. The threads of redemption run through the whole of his story. Rappers are modern storytellers, the best on par with homer and Wordsworth. I now have a whole new level of respect for Mr. McDaniels and his hilarious and brutally honest storytelling abilities.

His story reminds me of the truth that the human heart has longings deeper than this reality. We all have orphaned hearts and through a song or story we feel the longing for purpose, for life, for more. Often through other adopted souls we connect to the life we so deeply thirst for and are given grace for the moment.

His story also reminded me of the joy of friendship. Sometimes in times of need we find in others a harmony intangible but unrelenting. Heaven draws us high, away from destructive forces and into the purity of well worn paths. We experience friendship only to find commonalities linking us in places of our deepest and most hidden truths. Truths that define us and remind us why we are alive.

Hear him tell at the moth pod cast from NPR - 01-Darryl-_DMC_-McDaniels_-Angel.mp3

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Loosing my religion

A Facebook friend requested myself,( and many others) to meditate on a text from the book of Hebrews. The reflections for me blossomed
way beyond a little blurb.

Hebrews 13:9-16
9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.

13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Interpretation of Hebrews 13:9-16
The writer is contrasting aspects of the jewish sacrificial system and over all religious system with Jesus, making applications at particular points along the way. In short, Jesus is better than the old system, with its legalism and ritualism. They are to come out from all fleshy formalism, and mere ritualistic external "going thought the movements" worship (personified by the city of Jerusalem) that lacks heart felt intentions and hope filled vision through the worship of Jesus.

What is a southern boy to do?

Answer: Walk out on religion.. and into Jesus.

It is often a messy brake up but it must be done. Religion is no good for a Christian. Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus not a save yourself religion of rules and heartless actions. Anytime a human seeks to win God's approval or smooth over his anger with some religious activities and profanatory worship we commit a deeper sin more deceptive and deadly than the ones we attempt to atone.

Application: How we walk away from religion.

1. Say good bye to legalism - Heb. 13:9–11
The concern appears to be doctrines about foods. They where splitting hairs over the dietary laws and temple sacrifices. The writers argument is basically 1. Such legalism is opposite to grace. 2. Where the spiritual benefit in such legalism. 3. the Christian altar is better than the food of the tabernacle. Unlike most OT offerings, the sin offering from the Day of Atonement could not be eaten by the tabernacle priests. It was burned outside the camp. However, all Christians partake of the Christian altar (Jesus' sacrifice). Jesus went to the place of sacrificial animals. Jesus' sufferings and death render his people holy. The food of the tabernacle makes no one holy. But to the legalists such food debates where central for they majored on the minor and obsessed over the obscure. Legalism takes many forms, the form behind the text in hebrews is called majoring on the minors legalism. The legalists fueled by their Jewish traditions, confused by obsessive thinking and driven by their legalistic assumptions lost sight of Christ and missed the point of the whole system; to wittiness to Christ. In short: don't do that! We must always keep the main thing the main thing ( 1 Cor 15:1-4). Keep the gospel central and center yourself in the gospel.

2. Say good bye to seeking the approval of others. V 12-13
The writer uses the idea of outside the camp in a metaphorical way to speaks of leaving behind the pesky desire for the approval of other. Seeking first the approval of God by embracing the reproach of Christ, emulating Jesus' response to his shameful sufferings (see Heb 12:2–3). We are to be committed to the cause in life until death, with our eyes fixed on Jesus and no one else.

3. Say hello to hope that fills us with life (v.14).
The power to live is not the will to power but the hope of faith. We are to look beyond this world, with it's "save yourself" check list systems of religion and the self-help theories of righteousness and find the power to live in the hope of a sure home. When the writer speaks of the city that is to come (v.14) it is an application and allusion to the Abraham's ability to let hope be his vision. (see Heb 11:9-10, 14–16). Christian endurance is founded on a realization that this world is a mere temporary dwelling we are on journey toward the eternal home. to the degree we see and long for our sure home is the degree we can endure the tribulations in this life.

4. Say hello to thankful service (v.15-16)
The writer describes three sacrifices we as priest of the new convent are to offer God. 1. Praise, 2. doing good, and 3. being a giver. These sacrifices minister to God. Our lifestyle is a ministers to the heart of God. We make God smile like a proud papa when we offering honest thankful praise to Jesus (Jesus revealed God's name, see John 17:6, 26). When we praise Jesus, the Father smiles and says something like, "that my child!" So, praising Jesus, doing good and being a giver (not a taker or hoarder) ministers to God. We touch his heart, not by jumping through religious hoops (like not missing sunday school) or doing special rituals (like a summer mission trip). Our lifestyle is not motivated by fear of punishment, or the guilt of obligation. Our life is motivated by the freedom of grace and the sure reality of redemption. We live thankful for jesus did it all for us. So we Praise Jesus in word and deed. We do good to all regardless of their actions to us. We are to be radical givers of ourselves, and our resources.

Three priestly functions apply named sacrifices for they all take guts. But think of their effect (v16) They please the one who made the universe. God looked at his creation in its newness and called it good. He looks at our sacrifices as mixed and impure as they are and he smiles for his heart is pleased. How is this? Our sacrifices unlike the jewish system are not payment for sin but a response to the sin bearing sacrifice of Jesus. We let our sacrifices rise from the "thank you" redemption has sown into our hearts and he is pleased. By them "through jesus" (v15) we can make God's heart jump for joy, like a proud parent smiles with pleasure at the fumbling of a child learning to walk so God response to us. We don't have to be perfect. We will fall and fumble but because it is "through Jesus" we will not fail to warm his heart.



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God of our Valleys and our Mountains

Visual aid - [a large 3” rope with multiple knots ]

Intro.

This sermon rises from the battles and joys, my wife and I have recently experienced and are still walking out. So I preach more to myself than anything. Today, we will look at how God is in control of all the turns and twists in the knots of life. We look at how he uses them for our good and his glory. We will look at what he requires of us. We will look at four passages of Scripture to get a grasp on what God is doing when life gets tied in knots.

Outline - Five points on faith: 1.) The peaks and valleys of faith, 2.) The Place of faith, 3.) A Person of faith, 4.) A Picture of faith, 5.) The Promise of faith

Let's pray! (prayer)

I have learned - Life can be like a battle.

The battles we face are often intense times of weakness, distress, and confusion; The low points of our life. Yet God is with us during difficulties. In fact, these valleys are often as much the plan of God as our mountaintop experiences. We all need to hear the truth; Christ is God of more than just the mountains.

1.) The peaks and valleys of faith

GOD of more than just the mountains

1 kings 20 speaks plainly to this truth. Israel had recently defeated the Syrians in a mountain battle. In 1 Kings 20:22-23 we read:

22 Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, "Come, strengthen yourself, and consider well what you have to do, for in the spring the king of Syria will come up against you." 23 And the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills, and so they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they.-

The enemy said that the God of Israel was a god of the mountains, but if they fought the Jews in the valleys they would defeat them. We read in verse 28:

28 And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, 'Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'"

APP: No matter what the enemy tries to tell you, Christ is God of the mountains and God of the valleys. He has not stopped being God because you happen to be in a valley. In and through all things He is our God, in the valley and on the mountain. In your life, is God, just the God of the mountain or is he also the God of your valleys? Faith is easy on the mountain but we often need to be reminded God is in control in the valleys as well.

A. God has different purposes for each place.

Mountains and valleys in contrast

a.) When we are on the "mountaintops", we can see our future clearly. We have perspective and confidence.

ILL: my experience of being on the Macedonian Mountain top: the beauty of the view and how far you could see. On top of the mountain was a giant steal cross, from the mountain top experience of redemption we see life with greater clarity.

b.) When we are in one of life's valleys, our vision is limited and our future seems hidden. Yet valleys are also the most fertile places on earth. Valleys produce fruitfulness. The mountain is not the place you plant crops. You don't farm on a mountain top, you farm in the valley.

ILL: The Macedonian Mountain overlooked the city of Skopje. The mountain was great but life was in the valley. You could see the city far below. Cars like ants moved through vein like roads making the city sparkle and teem with the signs of life.

APP: Whether we are experiencing the height of success, blessing and power or are in a valley of weakness and despair, the Lord is our God continually, in the valleys and the mountains.

2.) The Place of faith

Our hearts are made for the valleys.

In psalms 84, the psalmist writes on the journey of every human heart.

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; -Psalm 84:5-6

A few observations
• God has placed in our hearts "highways to Zion," - meaning God places in man's heart by His Holy Spirit, a desire to Worship The Holy One. Placed within every believer is an eternal longing in our hearts for God. It is a holy longing - a desire never satisfied on this side of heaven. Hope burning bright with hunger and longing for the object our hope is turned towards - the Living God. This heart highway is an O.T. picture of a regenerated heart of faith.

• Hearts will go through the valley of Baca. Baca means "weeping." Each of us has times of weeping when our hearts and hopes seem crushed. But we pass through valleys; we do not live in them.

• God redeems our valleys and makes them springs. We All will "Pass through the valley of Baca..." Once we are on the other side of weeping, God makes our valley experience into "a spring." The very things that overwhelmed us will, in time, refresh us with new life. Remember, God never waists our pain.

APP: Do not forget, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Even the hairs on your head are numbered. He cares. God never waits our pain. It is His love for us that redeems our hardships and not only brings good out of what was meant for evil, but also trains us to deliver others.

3.) The Person of faith

Jesus is our object of faith:

Turn to Hebrews 5:7-9, it reads:

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, - Hebrews 5:7-9

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that even Jesus had to go through valleys. He lived a sin-less life but it was not without suffering. Part of His training involved suffering. Yet His suffering was the Father's means of acquainting Him with the actual feelings of mankind's need and pain. Because He suffered what we suffer, He is able to serve as a faithful high priest.

APP: Hard times are hard! Jesus understands our suffering - he has walked the same valleys. We have a Savior who understands. This makes trusting faith much easier for we trust a Savior who can say to us the honest word, “I understand, I have been there too.” We place our faith in someone who has been there and understands the process.

If we trust Him and yield to God's plan for Christ to be formed in us, (Rom 8:29) God will take our sorrows and enlarge our hearts to contain the glory of heaven. Once we have been acquainted with grief, and taught by that grief, we will then walk in Jesus-like compassion to help others in their grief. We only need to learn to yield to grace and trust God is making us more like Jesus.

4.) A Picture of faith

A picture of yielding: The life of Joseph

Joseph's life is a pattern for many who have had a genuine call from God. When Joseph was young, he was given a dream of God's plan for him. (mountain) Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, thrown in a pit (valley) sold into slavery then rose to prominence from slavery in Potiphar's house. (Mountain) He was unjustly accused by that hussy, known as Potiphar's wife. He was imprisoned and forgotten by all except God. (valley)

God patiently watched and measured Joseph's responses to difficulty. Joseph knew God was in charge of the valleys as well as the mountains. Rich or poor, blessed or smitten, Joseph served God.

The Lord suddenly connected all the loose ends of Joseph's life. Everything that Joseph went through would have seemed cruel and unfair except that the Lord was shaping a man for His purpose.

APP: Our walk with God may also have begun with Big dreams and clear visions where God wants to take us. Yet we fail to be able to see how His promises will come to pass in our lives. God uses everything we go through for future purposes that He alone sees. We do not see His ultimate plan while we are in the valley. We must remember the vision, keeping faith in what God has promised.

5.) The Promise of faith

Joseph's retrospect look - a promise of hope in every valley.

Scripture tells us that during the birth of his children, Joseph took a moment to look back at his journey. The names that came from his retrospective are telling of what God did for Joseph.

"Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household'" (Genesis 41:51). God caused Joseph to forget the difficulty and pain of his life.

APP: There is something wonderful about the Lord's capacity to cause all things to work for good. With Jesus in our lives, a time ultimately comes when God causes us to forget all the troubles of the past.

"He named the second Ephraim, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'" (Genesis 41:52). God made him fruitful in the very things that afflicted him.

APP: In the land of your affliction, in your battle, is the place where God will make you fruitful.

Consider your area of greatest affliction.

• In that area God will make you fruitful in such a way that your heart will be fully satisfied and God's heart fully glorified.

• the Lord will touch many others with the substance of what you have gained.

• God has not promised to keep us from valleys and sufferings, but He has promised to make us fruitful in them.

Without a doubt we each will pass through valleys, our hearts are made for them. Remember, As we remain faithful to Him in trials, the character and nature of Jesus will be formed in us. Christ will be revealed to those around us. This is his plan God intends to make your life the Spring others gain strength from as they traverse their own valleys.

We have hope for our God is the God of the mountains and the valley

SEAM REDEEMED

SEAM REDEEMED: Welcome to the Church of What Not to Wear
by Karen Swallow Prior

No, I’m not talking about the get-ups of the folks gathered at the summer tent revival held behind the used car lot. I’m talking about the phenomenon of The Learning Channel’s What Not to Wear. (Full disclosure: I am one of the faithful.)

In case you’ve been living under a rock or don’t get cable, What Not to Wear (based on a British show of the same name) is an hour-long “reality show” in which one of the fashion-fallen among us is secretly nominated by a concerned loved one, filmed surreptitiously for two weeks, then accosted by the show’s two hosts and fashion experts, Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. In exchange for a $5,000 shopping spree, the nominee must agree to surrender her old wardrobe and submit to a litany of fashion rules set by London and Kelly.

Behind the show’s long-running success (the US version has been on the air since 2003) is a formula as old as story itself, a pattern that includes the elements of any well-told story, as well as the one ingredient essential to any great story: redemption.

The True Quest

The protagonist of each What Not to Wear narrative is a reluctant heroine facing numerous obstacles in what superficially appears to be a rather shallow quest: to spend $5,000 on a new wardrobe that adheres to the new style rules. As with every quest, antagonists abound: the person who nominated the subject for the show (a friend, co-worker, or family member); the show’s benevolent but stern hosts London and Kelly; and the scissors-wielding and lipstick-bearing hair and make-up artists responsible for the final touches in the heroine’s transformation.

In any great story, however, the real quest turns out to be something altogether different from the ostensible one, something deeper and far more significant. In the Arthurian legends, for example, the quest for the Holy Grail is actually a quest for kinship in the face of all that threatens the community of the Round Table; in Great Expectations, Pip’s quest to become a gentleman according to his false definition becomes instead a quest to become a true gentleman; in Fight Club, the unnamed narrator’s quest to overcome depression and insomnia is really a quest for a unified sense of self in a depersonalized, commodified society. You get the idea. Likewise, in every episode of What Not to Wear, the true quest for the heroine always turns out to be much more than the merely sartorial.

In each segment, the central conflict ultimately is not with the show’s hosts, the conspiratorial nominator, or even the subject’s requisite battle with her (or his, but usually her) own physical imperfections, be they great or small. Rather, the true struggle is always the inner one. In episode after episode, the subject’s refusal to dress appropriately or attractively (or both) is rooted deep in the psyche and not in the surface-level external circumstances, be these financial distress, work challenges, parental responsibilities, or other personal difficulties.

Inner Battles

The documentary style of the show includes snippets of the subject’s thoughts at each stage of the makeover, and these invariably move through the same emotional arc: from nervous anticipation, to annoyance with London and Kelly and doubt over the new “rules,” to the inevitable breakthrough—that moment when the proselyte confronts (often tearfully) her real issue, be it low self-esteem, self-loathing, or the fear of growing up and accepting a real woman’s body. The battle against the body always turns out to be merely a cover for the battle against inner demons.

The following are typical of the battles faced on episodes of TLC’s What Not to Wear:

• Bailey is a 32-year-old who “recently lost 60 pounds but still hasn’t accepted her new body.”
• Teresa “never felt beautiful” and “chose comfort over style, with sack dresses and oversized tops.”
• Disa “was in a mid-life style crisis” and had “been looking for the fountain of youth in her tween daughter’s closet, often wearing bright-colored jumpers, striped leggings and silly hats” as a walking fashion “playground.”
• Tamara is “a single mom who knew only one word when it came to style: sexy. Her wardrobe went from unflattering and clingy at work to skin tight and almost uncovered at night!”
• Lexa is “a 30-year-old Red Cross employee” and “one of the biggest challenges London and Kelly ever faced. Her ‘librarian meets French maid’ style had gotten her written up at work.”

The “after” state of Lexa—achieved, according to the website, once “London and Kelly helped her overcome her abrasive and defensive attitude and achieve a true life change”—exemplifies the total transformation that typifies each show. And “total” refers not simply to the addition of hair and makeup improvements to the new wardrobe, but rather to an inner, as well as outer, change.

Clothes Matter

Of course, every good story has a significant theme. And the show’s theme—that clothes matter—is also what makes the show work. For whatever else they might be or represent, clothes serve as a constant reminder of humanity’s need, as explained in the Judeo-Christian tradition, arising out of the Fall, to have our sin “covered.” We see this in what Genesis relates as God’s first act in response to Adam and Eve’s disobedience.



Clothes, in covering us, symbolize the greater “covering” provided by the Incarnate Christ, in the Christian view. Thus, regeneration is incarnational. In What Not to Wear, this sacramental view of clothing is implicit in the dramatic changes wrought in the subject inwardly as she undergoes the external transformation. The (literal) material reflects the spiritual.

In addressing both the outward sign and the inward state that sensible sign reflects, What Not to Wear confronts—perhaps unwittingly—the false dualism between the spiritual and the physical, which characterizes modernity. Given this reunion of the material and spiritual that forms the entire premise of the show, it is not surprising that the show’s narrative structure parallels that of religious conversion.

Steps to Conversion

As always, the first step toward redemption is recognition of one’s fallenness. On What Not to Wear this recognition of one’s crimes of fashion begins with a surprise appearance by London and Kelly, who confront the style sinner with the damning footage taken of her in secret over the preceding two weeks. During this encounter, the subject is surrounded, intervention style, by the nominator and other concerned parties.

Once the nominee submits, usually reluctantly, to the rules of the show and is whisked off to NYC under the care of London and Kelly, she faces an even more grueling confrontation: the infamous 360-degree mirror. Surrounded by mirrors, she views herself from every angle, clothed in the favorite outfits of her choice, the failures of which are mercilessly pointed out by London and Kelly’s hellfire and brimstone approach to fashion foibles. Their brutal honesty (along with generous doses of delicious sarcasm) is the most controversial part of the show; it’s what makes most people love it or hate it (for the record, I love it!). As in most stories of redemption, recognition of the need for change tends to come slowly rather than quickly, and the well-coutured London and Kelly can’t be blamed for their zeal in evangelizing the style heathens.

Once she has broken through her denial, and her old wardrobe has been symbolically trashed (the clothes are actually donated to charity), the novice is catechized on the new rules that are to govern her two-day shopping spree (and, ostensibly, the rest of her life). As stern as these commandments might seem, it is clear from watching numerous episodes that London and Kelly develop custom rules for each woman based not only on what will be physically flattering but also on what fits her personality, taste, and lifestyle. This is no one-size-fits-all approach (with perhaps the single exception of their fetish for pointy-toed shoes), but rather a tailor-made approach for each catechumen, one based on her uniqueness as a whole person.

Generally, it is not until the second day of the shopping spree that true repentance begins to emerge (as much the result of sheer physical and emotional exhaustion as anything else), usually with a bit more intervention from London and Kelly. Once the shopping is finished and the $5,000 is spent (with a lot of help from London and Kelly), the final steps of conversion take place under the care of the hair stylist and makeup artist.

Final Step & Follow-Up

The climax of each show is the Big Reveal at the end. Before offering a sometimes-tearful goodbye to London and Kelly and returning home, the convert appears before them in a trinity of outfits for three types of occasions. At this point, the conversion is dramatically evident. Redemption has occurred: The female Peter Pan has grown up; the harried mother has taken time for herself; the sleazy strumpet has acquired some class; or the angry punk-rocker has embraced her softer side.

The convert is now ready to go home for the final step in her regeneration: the baptism by which she emerges as a new creature before family and friends at a gala held in her in honor. There, before the great cloud of witnesses made possible by cable television, hugs abound, tears flow, and loved ones share before the camera their joy at witnessing the rebirth.

In its first years, the show ended at this point. But just as religious revivalists have come to understand that follow-up is as important as the altar call, so has What Not to Wear added updates to the end of the show, displaying the perseverance of the fashion saint in embracing, yes, her new look, but more importantly, her new sense of self.

Even the most frivolous forms of entertainment teach something. What Not to Wear demonstrates that true regeneration involves body and soul. Only materialists or Gnostics would disagree.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Inspiration in the key of awesome

<br/><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/miracles-musical-mash-up/20gxob94?q=Michael+Jackson&amp;rel=msn&amp;from=en-us_msnhp&amp;form=msnrll&amp;gt1=42007&amp;src=v5:embed:&amp;fg=sharenoembed" target="_new" title="&#39;Miracles&#39; musical mash-up">Video: 'Miracles' musical mash-up</a>

Song on Miracles that leads me to smile and enjoy the beauty of life and truth and all things hopeful.... See a beautifully produced music video mash-up with artists from several genres blended into one song, "Miracles."

marriage and the call for redemptive leadership

I have been thinking a lot about test God puts in the path of a marriage. My thoughts brought me back to a man i greatly admire and I draw strength from his testimony. May his story do the same for you. The except below is from my thesis on marriage.

Historical Example of a Marriage Marked by the Intellectual Attributes

A marriage centered on God and His attributes is a marriage that functions well in adversity. The wisdom of God rules the heart, the truthfulness of God stabilizes it, and God’s knowledge of man and his destiny secures it, in His love.

A newlywed couple was walking in the German Harz Mountains enjoying the scenery, but they did not realize until it was too late that a storm was fast approaching. Surrounded by lightening and thunder, the bride was overcome with fear. Though the two made it home safely, the bride suffered a nervous breakdown which left her frail and an invalid for the rest of her life.

The woman’s name was Annie Warfield. She was the wife of theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, who was considered one of American’s top theologians at the time. He studied under Charles Hodge at Princeton Seminary and was a Professor at Princeton until his death in 1921. Annie and Benjamin were married August 13, 1876. Soon after they traveled to Europe so Benjamin could study there. The two had their faithful encounter with the violent storm just before Benajmin began his studies.

Annie never fully recovered. In her last years, Annie was bedridden and in need of constant attention. Warfield became her primary care giver, and he faithfully nursed her for more than 40 years of marriage. Students and friends noted the tender care he showed his wife during the rare times they were out in public. In the later years, Benjamin did not leave her side for more than two hours at a time, leaving only to do lecture before rushing back home to her aid.

Amazingly, he did not neglect his duties at Princeton. He was an author, and he was a mentor to many of his pupils. J. Gresham Machen stated that Warfield “had done about as much work as ten ordinary men.” Yet, sacrifices were required. Warfield was a man of considerable talent who could command a great influence over the church at large, but he had the wisdom to see that his primary task was to tend to his house and wife. He gave up fame out of love and chose the bedside over the prominence of the pulpit. It is no doubt why one pupil wrote, “I am more and more impressed with him; he is certainly one of the very biggest men in the Church either in this country or any other.”

Before he was a theologian and a husband, Warfield was a great lover of God. He understood the nature of God as wise and truthful. He trusted in the sovereignty of God. The sure footing with which his marriage held is surely a witness to Warfield’s belief in God’s wisdom and knowledge over all circumstances. It was his abiding understanding of God’s nature that made the doldrums of suffering in his marriage; resound with the melody of redemptive leadership. He saw his God given place to be a husband and remained by his wife’s side even when putting her away could have been justified even in the formal and rather Victorian setting in which he lived. God and Warfield's knowledge of him strengthened and girded up his soul to bear the weight of such a glory (Rom 8:17-18). His witness shimmered with the brilliance of this glory, a glory born of suffering; eerily reminiscent of the cross and beautifully emblematic of Redemptive love.