Holy Spirit

blog, election

Post-election prayer

The post-election reality is here: Donald Trump won the election for President over Hillary Clinton. I have friends who voted for both candidates. Looking at my Facebook and Twitter feeds, it is clear that many are troubled by the divided nature of this political season and the results of the election. What shall we do?

This is a time for prayer. What shall we pray for?

Four years ago, I posted this to Facebook after the last presidential election:

No matter if your candidate won or lost last night, remember that what makes this nation great should not be about the loudest political rancor. What makes our nation great is our history of shared resolve to advance the common good.

May you pray this post-election prayer: Continue Reading…

Christianity

Coalesce lava lamp Christianity

I am not a word smith. A friend of mine who helps me write better blogs reminds me often, less is more. In other words, my writing is too wordy and too long. Authors and poets have a great gift for using just the right combination of words to create powerful images. And they do so with very few words. The trick is using words powerful enough to convey large concepts.

I like words that can do that. Words like; love, redemption, restoration, forgiveness, and Red Sox. Each word carries with it weight and meaning, history and hope. I came across a couple words recently that I am working on making into a concept for ministry.

Coalesce and disperse.

Coalesce means to come together to form one group or mass or to unite for a common end. Disperse means to spread out over a wide area. I like this idea for ministry. The body of Christ comes together for a time to do a specific task with Christ, we serve, then we disperse to coalesce elsewhere and continue the work of Christ.

I like to use the image of a lava lamp for this. Lava lamps work through the Archimedes principle. Basically lava lamps are made with water and wax (lava). Both have very similar densities, but the wax is more dense. As a rule it should always sink. However, when heated by the lamp or coil at the bottom, the wax’s molecules speed up and become less dense and become more buoyant and float to the top of the lamp. Once there it cools and sinks again. The cycle repeats itself over and over.

What does this have to do with coalesce and disperse?

faith

How N.T. Wright changed my faith

Greg Mamula is an ordained minister and the Associate Executive Minister of American Baptist Churches of Nebraska.

“Despite what many people think, within the Christian family and outside it, the point of Christianity isn’t ‘to go to heaven when you die.'”

–Simply Christian, N.T. Wright

I did not grow up going to church on a regular basis, but went often enough to catch the same glimpses of faith many people see with only a cursory glance at Christianity. Like many people I was taught that Jesus was my personal helper in time of need and the gate keeper into heaven. So when I prayed for something like my dad not to leave for months on end for work or to not have to move over and over again and God didn’t deliver I questioned his power and existence.

I believed that the Christian faith was ultimately about going to some ethereal heaven someday. I believed I had to intellectually assent to the reality that Jesus died only for my individual sins, and simply admit that I was a worthless sinner and ask for forgiveness. I struggled with the purpose of Christianity even as I felt a call into vocational ministry. What is the point of belief in God if he seems to be a failed helper? Is the only purpose of Christ to get us into heaven so I don’t burn in hell? That seemed like a very unfulfilling and vindictive God.

Obama

Man calls Obama the 'Anti-Christ' during speech

Is it me, or are hecklers become more common or just more reported? This week, President Obama was called the “Anti-Christ” as a protester shouted directly to Obama from the front row of a fundraiser speech. Here is what we can make out from the video:

“The Christian God is one and only true living God! The creator of heaven and the universe! Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is God! Jesus Christ is still our God! Jesus Christ is still God! You are the Antichrist!”

President Obama listened the man and was concerned about his jacket. Obama agreed some of the heckler’s claims:

Jesus Christ is Lord. I agree with that.

In thinking about the possibility of Obama being the Anti-Christ, Paul’s words to the believers in Corinth come to mind. Paul wrote:

² You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. ³ Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:2-3)

According to Paul, one who says, “Jesus is Lord” can only do so by God.

trinity

Prayer for Trinity Sunday

Creator God,
you created us a little lower than the angels,
but elevated in your love.
Bless us with your presence,
your whole presence:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
so that we may experience the full measure of your grace.
Sustain us with your Spirit.
Redeem us through your Son
Guide us by the Father.
In the strong name of the triune God,
we pray, Amen.

Alan R. Rudnick (c)

Feel free to use this prayer, but please give credit.

Trinity Sunday A

Pastoral

A Taste of My Own Pastoral Medicine

As I write this blog post I’m traveling on a plane heading to 37,000 feet and living in fear. I wonder when I will become dizzy, experience vertigo, pass out, lose my breakfast, or if my head is going to explode. Gross, I know. I have never been a woozy air traveler, but everything just changed.

After waking up one morning last week with maddening ringing in my head and unable to hear in one ear, I found myself sitting in a doctor’s office. “Well, we don’t know what you have but we have some good ideas. We need to run some more tests. Until then, I would not recommend loud places or air travel.” My doctor said.

Gulp. “I have to fly next week and I’m leaving the country the week after that.” I said. The doctor rolled his eyes and asked, “Do you have to fly?”

As I sat and listened to the extended directions on medications, tests, dangers of flying, and theories into sensory hearing loss from my physician, I could not help but think of the sermon I just preached to my congregation:

Good Friday, Holy Week

Prayer for Good Friday

O Christ, your life was no triumph, you carried a cross; may we walk along the same road as you.

O Christ, by your suffering you learned faithfulness; you became a source of eternal salvation for the whole human race.

O Christ, when threatened you did not retaliate; enable us to forgive to the very end.

O Christ, you see the pain of those who are exiled and abandoned; take their suffering upon yourself.

O Christ, when lies and worries try to separate us from you, your Holy Spirit is always with us.

O Christ, you are the happiness of those who follow you: enable us to live by your trust.

O Christ, our life is hidden with you in God; that is a joy that touches the depths of the soul.

Strengthen us, Eternal God, and we will wait in silence and peace until the light of the Resurrection rises upon us. Amen.

Prayer from Taize

Lent

What Satan Can Teach Us About Lent

Several years ago, I read a dramatic billboard sign that compelled the reader to think about Satan. The billboard read:

Do you believe in Satan? He believes in you.

A striking message, isn’t it? Many of us choose not to think too much about the forces of evil or how Satan plays a part in the Christian story. However, Satan is very much a part of the Christian story, but he is not an inspiring character. Since the beginning of the biblical record, Satan (in Hebrew hasatan means “accuser”) existed in various forms. The presence or mention of the demonic is documented in Genesis, Job, Psalms, Zechariah, the Gospels, and Revelation.

As a way to prepare for the celebration of Easter, Christians all around the world will prepare through the season of Lent. For 40 days (not including Sundays) Christians mark this time through study, prayer, fasting, reflection, worship, service, and meditation on God’s word. Lent provides a way for Christians to change the rhythm of their life by contemplating the less glamorous Christian imperatives such as forgiveness, morality, repentance, suffering, and penitence.

Believe it or not, Satan can teach us about Lent in the Christian life. How? Beginning in the book of Luke, Jesus departs for the wilderness in chapter 4 and confronts Satan, the Accuser: Continue Reading…

blog, NFL

Tebow Hype a Bust

In a reverse this year, the big game was actually more interesting than the commercials. New Orleans pulled off a win! As I watched the Super Bowl commercials, I caught Focus on the Family’s paid ad featuring Tim Tebow and his mother. There was no mention of “abortion”, “the doctors told me”, or even “God.” If you missed the commercial here it is:

What is so discouraging is the inflated hype around this commercial. Nobody previewed it, nobody knew what was going to be said, and no one saw a script of the commercial. Yet, anti-religious and anti-abortion pundits were quick to condemn Tebow, Focus on the Family, and CBS.

Though I do not always agree with Focus on the Family’s approach or James Dobson’s sentiments, I do believe this Super Bowl ad was the right approach for their message. If you want to pay 2.5 million dollars you have the right to proclaim a message, sell a product, or make a statement. It was a personal story of joy about a mother and son and their life together.

Rowland Martin, CNN political analyst, made some good points when he wrote:

Continue Reading…

NFL

The Celebrities I Met & What I Learned About Their Faith

Ben Roethlisberger

Earlier this year, a friend and a parishioner at my former church in Maryland asked me if I would like to give the invocation prayer again at the National Football League’s Players Gala and James Brown Awards. Last year, I gave the invocation prayer at the event and got to meet James Brown (of CBS Sports), Bill Cower (former coach of the Pittsburg Steelers and Super Bowl winning coach), and other NFL players who were nominated for the “JB Award” for outstanding community involvement. The gala also serves as a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. This year, I happily accepted the invitation again and got to meet Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburg Steelers Quarterback and Super Bowl Champion), Clinton Portis (Washington Redskin running back and Pro-Bowl starter), and Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinal wide receiver and Pro-Bowl MVP).

As I was traveling to the event, I could not help but wonder what place does a prayer have at a professional sports fundraiser and award show? Sure, as a pastor I believe that we should desire to acknowledge God at these functions, but what do professional athletes think about prayer and invoking the name of God publicly? Do these men of mega strength actively seek God out? Sometimes after professional sports games on television players will mention God in passing as if God was a mere minor character in the player’s life. Or during an interview, when professional athletes mention God more specifically and in great length the interviewer will cut off the athlete move on to more “important” facets of the game such as what edge the athlete had or what the athlete did before the game. Still, some acknowledge “The Almighty”, “God”, or just “being blessed” but rarely mention “Jesus.” In my mind, NFL players were not known for putting Christ as the center of their lives, either privately or publicly.

As I walked around the gala at the Washington D.C. Hilton and started to meet and take pictures with the players, I introduced myself and

John Riggins

mentioned my role in the program. Most players did not say much, but they did allow me to take a picture with them. As the time ticked down to my brief moment of prayer, I was ushered backstage and waited for my cue. As I was waiting, I saw James Brown (J.B.) of CBS Sports, who is the driving force behind recognizing NFL Players and their community involvement at the event. I decided to introduce myself and what I was doing there. J.B., a former football player, affectionately embraced me and started to share with me in great length about his involvement with local pastors, local churches, prayer, accountability partners, and working with other religious organizations. He also opened up about his faith in Christ.

J.B. also said something that got my attention. In a very humble way, he said, “You know, what we do out there is something that is done only by the Holy Spirit. You and I, do this for His sake, not ours.” Wow! Here is a celebrity acknowledging the Holy Spirit. He continued to speak about his faith in Christ and he said he enjoyed our time together as fellow brothers in Christ. He also inquired about my journey with God, my ministry, my connection with the event, and my collegiate career in lacrosse.

trinity

The Trinity: 3 = 1 and 1 = 3

Math has never been a strong subject for me. I remember dreading algebra, geometry (not that bad), and algebra II (got C’s and past, barely). I took at practical math class my senior year in high school where I learn to balance a check book, learned about mortgages, understood the stock market, and all sorts of practical mathematical concepts. I got A’s in that class! The issue I found with mathematics is that the vast majority of equations and problems you have to solve have one answer. For some reason, my mind was more suited to the humanities like government, history, art, and english (sort of). In those classes, the answer was usually subjective. In the humanity classes, thinking and discussing were at the center of learning. Memorizing math formulas and the rules of math was difficult. Every time I got a concept in math class we would move on to another concept. I could not keep up!

Theologically, there is a mathematical concept that has confused scholars, thinkers, and Christians for centuries. The Triune God: 3 = 1 and 1 = 3. We Christians are not polytheistic in our beliefs, but many non-Christians are confused by our math. Many non-Christians see three separate Gods: The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. How can Christians be monotheistic?

Well, in the 3rd and 4th centuries, Christians were struggling with their monotheistic concepts with the unity of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Without getting into the history of the Trinitarian debate there were a few guys who seemed to solve the problem. The Cappadocian Fathers gave us the understanding of “three hypostases and one ousia.” This means that there are three substances, but one essence of God. The Cappadocian Fathers stated that the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) exists simultaneously in three modes of being, but are one in essence and unity. They have one nature and one is not subordinate to another.

Confused? Think about it this one. The properties of water have three modes or states. Water can be a liquid, a gas, or a solid. Water flows as a liquid, can be a vapor as gas, or can be frozen as a solid. No matter what you do with water it is still water. The properties change, but water remains as water even though it takes three different modes. The same can be said of the Trinity. God is still God, but just in three forms that share similar properties made up of one substance. It’s crazy, I know. Similes and metaphors get us close to an idea, but never fully explain it. Trying to explain God is like trying to explain an emotion. Words that can fully describe it. How do you describe the Divine? How do you describe something greater than ourselves? We have some pretty good ways of describing God, but nothing can fully explain God. There is a certain mystery there that we are meant to be in awe of.

In John 3, Jesus is trying to explain to Nicodemus the relationship of the Triune God and how he must be “born of water and Spirit”. (John 3:5) As a Jew, Nicodemus was under the covenant of Abraham and was “saved”. Jesus seeks to introduce the new covenant of Christ’s sacrifice as the Son, the need to be born of the Holy Spirit through baptism, and understanding how the Father sent the Son out of love. These were all new concepts to Nicodemus and that is why he asks, “How can anyone be born after having grown old?” (John 3:4) We, like Nicodemus, sometimes are confused by all the theology. We need help to understand it. Though we may struggle, Jesus made one thing clear: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

As we gather on this Trinity Sunday, I pray you will think about how the Trinity is an important understanding as a Christian. We should seek to understand how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God. They are all unified, but each has distinct roles. How have you connected with the Triune God? Do you tend to focus on one and not the other? How do you incorporate the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your worship, devotional time, and your life? Last Sunday was Pentecost. How does the Holy Spirit (often the ignored member of the Trinity) work in my life?

For more information regarding the Christian Calendar go here and here. For information on Trinity Sunday go here.

For more information on the Trinity check out these books:

The Trinitarian Controversy by William G. Rusch
Theology For The Community of God by Stanley Grenz (a baptist)
Christian Theology by Alister McGrath

Pentecost B

Pentecost: On Fire, Literally

Have you ever been on fire? I know it is kind of a crazy question. One time, I was filling an oil lamp and I spilled the oil on my hands. I wiped off the oil on my hands using a cloth thinking that I had prevented any calls to the fire department. I put the cloth down, sealed the oil lamp, and then proceeded to light the lamp. Smart, I know! I should have washed my hands. When I lit the lamp, the left over oil on my hands caught on fire. I was literally on fire! The good olde stop, drop, and roll did not really help because my entire body was not on fire, just my hands. My hands were burning and I ran like heck because it hurt. I did not know where I was running, but I ran. As I ran, I tried to pat the fire out on my body, which ended up burning my shirt. I quickly ran to a sink nearby and poured water over my hands. Ahhhh, crisis averted.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. It is the remembrance of how the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples and others gathered and experienced flaming tongues of fire, rushing wind, and the ability for everyone to understand people in different languages. There were those who believed it was God acting, as foretold by the prophet Joel (see Joel 2:28-32) and there were those who thought these men were drunk with new wine. Peter stands up to make sense of what was happening. They are not drunk! But, they are experiencing with God promised would happen, that His Spirit would be poured out on Israel’s sons and daughters. Jesus told the disciples in John 15: “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the father, He will testify on my behalf… He will guide you to truth…He will glorify me.”

Literally, those gathered at Pentecost were on fire, in the Holy Spirit. Figuratively, they were on fire for God. They desired to share this experience. The direct affect of the coming of the Holy Spirit enabled people to repent, believe, and be baptized. They had a burning desire to live in community (Acts 2:42) and to serve God. Being on fire, for God, in the figurative sense means that we must experience the Holy Spirit’s life giving presence. How do we do that? By worshiping, praying, believing, serving, and deepening our faith in Christ. Being on fire for God means that we share that Pentecostal power of God’s Spirit changing our lives. The Pentecostal experience was meant to be shared with others and not meant to be kept hidden. This Pentecost, may you be on fire for God. May you be on fire with the presence of the Holy Spirit, who comes to bring the sustaining power of God. May you be on fire for God, who enables miracles to happen. May God burn within you, giving you the warm love of grace in your heart.

So, next time you catch on fire, make sure you catch on fire for God…er… figuratively.

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