tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25189192639150974252024-02-19T02:35:01.161-08:00A Walk in the LightOne guy's spiritual journey and the pursuit of a fulfilled life... one step at a time.Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-66690684017923281832020-09-27T11:43:00.029-07:002021-01-31T10:44:52.181-08:00Being Present in the Midst of Racism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy35iNYFxTYxJt9_HTK4Vj87kpkbUyv3rhIX5vzkGdJXaNTv20c0V4ZWfeO2Bc2V33wjEkYt6XI39EG_8T6QNgxbShWuesUWsr3K5IF6mEvqVr0_VOjf2v-kyr5fHX8M5F61RGSm_2qlF7/s640/diverse+friends.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" id="id_23f8_e839_67c2_cceb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy35iNYFxTYxJt9_HTK4Vj87kpkbUyv3rhIX5vzkGdJXaNTv20c0V4ZWfeO2Bc2V33wjEkYt6XI39EG_8T6QNgxbShWuesUWsr3K5IF6mEvqVr0_VOjf2v-kyr5fHX8M5F61RGSm_2qlF7/s320/diverse+friends.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 320px;" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it” - Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)</span></i><div><br /></div><div>Everyday I search for words that will somehow magically flip the switch on racism. I search for words that will move those in our country away from the racial divide and toward unity. I struggle deeply with racism and with that which is standing in the way of eradicating it: namely, what a lack of willingness to understand. Why do I believe a lack of willingness to understand is such a culprit standing in the path of racial reconciliation? Because I can see how small intentional steps toward a better understanding have caused my own perspective to evolve (with the same effect being had on the perspectives of my wife and adult children). This doesn't mean that we are somehow especially enlightened nor possess an understanding of what it means to live as a black or Hispanic person, it simply means that our perspectives have been formed, and continue to be formed, by a willingness to further understand the struggles faced by others in an honest and open way. I’ll explain further...<p></p><p>The word <i>"understand"</i> in the most literal sense means <i>"to be present or within the midst"</i> of things. This suggests, and I happen to agree with the suggestion, that all of us need to be <i>present</i> or <i>immersed</i> in an idea or concept in order to truly understand it. In fact, the more immersed we are, the better our understanding/knowing will be become. Why am I writing about this? Two reasons: one is to point out that, as a person who has only lived life as a white male, I will never fully know what it means to live as a black or brown person. In other words, I am fully immersed in the concept of living a life as an American white male by merely living my daily routine. But, the second reason is that my inability to fully understand the life of a person of color, does not remove my obligation to seek a deeper understanding of their life experience. This obligation to seek understanding is one of our most fundamental ones we have as social creatures. My obligation is to find ways to be <i>present within the midst</i> of racism, and that presence may require some effort on my part. This effort may be through study via books, documentaries, movies or better yet, personal encounter. If you’ve been around me long at all, you will have heard me loudly proclaim the need for personal one-on-one encounter. Simply put, I have experienced the dramatic personal transformative experience of the personal personal experience. Friendships I’ve formed with uber wealthy, desperately poor, refugees, transgender, people from around the world, people of color, Muslim, Hindu, Amish, homeless, heroin addicted have helped form healthy perspectives and often obliterated any preconceived ideas that I may have previously had for each of these groups. This experiential learning (being within the midst) helps us form thoughts, ideas and opinions around perspectives that are not limited to our own isolated experience. When we are able to broaden our perspectives to include the experience of others, then our perspective becomes more based in reality. We actually become able to see things as they really are, not as we merely perceive them. This is the power of relationships which have the ability to break down any barrier if pursued well. Whatever method we choose gain better understanding should be accompanied by our own willingness to admit our limited knowledge and the natural limits of our own point of view. We also need to be willing to leave behind any preconceived ideas or biases. In other words, we need to honestly seek new perspectives along the way.</p><p>So everyday I search for words. Sometimes, the words I use are intended to nudge others into dropping their guard or opening their hearts enough to consider this idea of a different perspective. Other times the words are more direct and fueled by frustration by the fact that we aren’t making more progress - the frustrated realization that our we all need to do a much better job coming to terms with the many prejudices and biases held against entire groups of people in our country. Biases that are based on something as benign as their skin color or ethnicity. Sometimes in an attempt to appeal to the rational mind, I use words that point to statistics like incarceration rates, prison sentences, capital punishment statistics, poverty rates, homeownership statistics - all pointing to a system that is squarely at odds with people of color, all skewed against groups of people due to the color of their skin. I do this in hope that, those who identify with this type of thought process. I desperately search for words.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hc9u-C1CY3fQBO3DBGOa6iov3LRaanfW0RAnEc_oVRAqp-na4UBlC3ivbsi7M_H_7e7bvca1hhh_66V2Q1Nq6Hsxy58vTtcTCegfcImpSvDMsiB0jZt0SaQmOMzDYgBstRWxhPRgjtV_/s850/diverse+friends2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="228" id="id_a226_7ec0_27cb_e061" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hc9u-C1CY3fQBO3DBGOa6iov3LRaanfW0RAnEc_oVRAqp-na4UBlC3ivbsi7M_H_7e7bvca1hhh_66V2Q1Nq6Hsxy58vTtcTCegfcImpSvDMsiB0jZt0SaQmOMzDYgBstRWxhPRgjtV_/w484-h228/diverse+friends2.jpeg" style="height: auto; width: 484px;" width="484" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Often I use words to appeal to those who profess a belief that is the same as my own Christian faith. This one is particularly difficult for me because I simply cannot square the Christian faith with anything resembling a lack of compassion or desire to seek understanding of others, particularly those who are marginalized. To be within the midst of those who suffer is central to the faith. Being present with those on the margins has to be a central theme for those who profess the faith because that is exactly what Jesus Christ did. Through his words and actions, he instructed us to do the same and the fact that this escapes so many people is completely bewildering to me and should be concerning to all. During an election year the lines between faith and politics have faded leaving many people hurting and abandoned, including people of color. We Christians often become more closely identified with political parties and special interests than the one we claim to follow. We often move away from the midst of the suffering to align ourselves with people who look, act, believe the way we do. The church needs to be different than the dominate culture, but the two are becoming increasingly indistinguishable. We are witnessing an increasingly narrow definition of American culture consuming the faith. Too often, culture consumes the faith the way it has here. I search for words.</p><p>I search for words, something new, something that will move the needle away from racism. I do this knowing that, all the while, I still have much to learn. I still have many blind-spots and unconscious biases that need worked on. By the way, it is perfectly acceptable to admit this because everyone has blind spots and biases (virtually every POC I know acknowledges this in themselves which points to their understanding of just how critical this self-knowledge is). I only truly know what it means to be in my skin, experience my experiences, and face my own unique obstacles (none of which are because of the color of my skin). But I still have the obligation to learn and feel the struggles of others while realizing that, as exasperated as I am with racism, my feelings are miniscule compared to those who are victims of it. James Baldwin, a black author and activist, said: "To be black in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time." I can't speak to whether that is the experience of the majority of black people, but I'm learning the depth and probability of it. Some describe the feeling using words like “hurting” and “pain” rather than rage, but the concept is the same and it is damaging. How would I react if given the same circumstances in which to live? While my first duty is to learn that of others who don't look like me, I believe that my understanding will continue leading me to the obligation of action and willingness to speak out. Perhaps this is why so many hesitate in their willingness to understand? Is it because they fear of the obligation to take personal responsibility? Regarding the use of my voice, I witness my own limited understanding whenever I open my mouth to speak on this topic, but I will keep searching for words. </p><p>So I search for words that many people of color have searched for long before me - something to help move us away from systemic racism. I do this realizing that any frustration I feel pales in comparison to the pain felt by those who are victims of it. While I can wake up infuriated by racism, I am not the direct victim nor have I felt the terrible personal effects of being treated by society as someone that is “less than”. The stories are real and we need to be willing to explore them. We need to listen and absorb them. The advice I gave my son as he was about to serve the refugees at our southern border was: “Go in with an open heart”. We need to be within the midst and remain committed to seeking knowledge. Why? Because even with all of our flaws, I believe in our basic created goodness. Obviously, there are those who will refuse this path, and they will not be swayed. But, for those who will embrace the idea of being in the midst, of being present and immersed toward deep understanding, there exists the promise of a transformative experience. That path results in new perspectives based on something real in which we will take action resulting in reconciliation. I believe that if more of my white brothers and sisters seek to be present within the midst - to earnestly seek to understand our brothers and sisters of color - we will quite literally help transform the world into that which more deeply reflects the beauty for which it is created. To not do this? Well, we have witnessed the death and destruction of this approach and we haven’t time for more of it. </p><p><br /></p></div>Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-82918159464374263642019-11-12T05:30:00.002-08:002019-12-08T07:33:19.197-08:00Being True to Ourselves by Letting Go<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoBxd-4vIRU-8-3RvbjnC9lD7bO5Erb0pgDV2SR-Rqc3zlbnr_TE0NEDsl6H_pheOHblPgAmKahyphenhyphenLzv_eBtN-TymaSksg-CTmbkAeE8rxgrrcusE2wbLKswZHQLEOMugEo0nS73cGz61-/s1600/pigs-jumping-off-a-cliff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoBxd-4vIRU-8-3RvbjnC9lD7bO5Erb0pgDV2SR-Rqc3zlbnr_TE0NEDsl6H_pheOHblPgAmKahyphenhyphenLzv_eBtN-TymaSksg-CTmbkAeE8rxgrrcusE2wbLKswZHQLEOMugEo0nS73cGz61-/s320/pigs-jumping-off-a-cliff.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
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<b>Matthew 8:28-34 Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men</b><br />
<i>When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”</i><br />
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<i>Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”</i><br />
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<i>He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.</i><br />
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When Jesus casts out the demons from the two men, why did the villagers ask Jesus to leave their town? I think its because we sometimes hold onto our demons, our addictions, our false-self out of fear. We get comfortable in, and with, them. Maybe deep down, we don't want to be healed and that's why we don't let our "demons" go. That denial of healing may prevent us from being who we really are created to be. Those unhealed demons, even the relatively small ones, end up defining us... falsely.<br />
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I can see a variety of areas in my life where I resist healing. Some are more defining than others. An example that I see in myself is my need to control things in my life. This "need" is made evident to me in a lot of ways and has sometimes resulted in poor choices and setbacks. Sometimes, I see it in seemingly minor, daily things like how my mind races while attempting to meditate on scripture in prayer. Often, my mind jumps from one thing to the next, then back again, while trying to resolve some issue or concern of the day. During these times, as I attempt to quiet myself, I find it nearly impossible to rest fully in Christ while my mind attempts to solve something that certainly doesn't need to be solved in that exact moment (or something that can't be solved at all!). It isn't until I am able to release the unnecessary concerns of life that I am able to finally bring myself to rest in God. That is when my transition finally begins and healing starts to take place. But, this is a daily process of letting go and it isn't easy.<br />
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The seemingly violent ending to the pigs tells me that healing is no easy transition. Years of mental and physical behaviors don't change easily after all. They are met with resistance and back-sliding. Sometimes, it takes years of struggle to heal what ails us. People around us may contribute to that relapse or to our recovery... hopefully it's the latter. In this case the villagers' negative reaction indicates that many people around us won't be all that supportive of the changes that occur in us as we continue to transition. Perhaps those are relationships that should be reevaluated. My guess is that the two healed men left that town and followed Jesus. The account of this event in the Gospel of Mark indicates this to be the case. In fact, at least one of them started spreading the word about this healing to others.<br />
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Ultimately, Jesus didn't change who the men were. He merely removed something from them that they had acquired. So, neither are we attempting to change who we are but, we may need to let go of some things that we acquired. The things that are falsely defining us. We aren't changing who we are as much as returning to how we were created to be. Why would we want to hold onto something that isn't meant to be a part of who we are? Worse yet, why hold onto something that is preventing us from being what we are created to be? All of this is the healing process that causes us to return to our glorious, created-self. The one we were meant to be all along.Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-81953913409354244532019-08-04T13:35:00.005-07:002019-11-19T18:31:20.817-08:00Finding Our Way By Watching How He Lived<span style="font-family: inherit;">Decades ago, a pastor friend of mine was interviewing for a church leadership </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">position when, during his interview, he asked: “what is it that you believe?”. The </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">answer they gave, “just come see the way we live”, provided him with great </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">encouragement that he would find a home there. He was encouraged that this </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">assignment would be a great fit because my friend believes that you should see </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">what a person believes demonstrated in the way they live, not necessarily in the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">words they use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The earliest followers of Jesus Christ were often called followers of The Way. The </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">term “The Way” connotes a few things: a path/passageway and a way of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">being/living which is naturally connected with and through Jesus Christ. Couple </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">this term with Jesus’ consistent instruction for his disciples to follow him and we </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">can see that he intended that they live a life that looked and felt a lot like his. At </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">least in those early years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, those who proclaimed </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a faith in Christ were witnessed by others as living a life that attempted to mimic his. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">To them, in addition to the God-man, he was the archetype (or perfect example) from </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">which they formed their lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Way of Jesus is The Way of Love. When asked about the supreme law of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">God, Jesus proclaimed simply that love of God and of one another covered </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">everything! He was very clear in that proclamation. He didn’t stop there </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">however… he also demonstrated these commandments in the way he lived. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">His parables, ministry, and final self-sacrifice pointed to one way: the Way of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love. The vision of Christ on the cross is a vision of total, self-emptying love </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for all of us. The Apostle Paul put it like this: “God demonstrates his own love </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t put </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">conditions on that love. It was total, it was complete and it was for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul also made the proclamation that God is love: “Beloved, let us love one </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">love.” It would be safe for us to assume that we separate ourselves from G</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">od when we act outside of this or when we act in self-centeredness. That </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">is when our actions become primarily about ourselves to the exclusion of God </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and others. Sin begins with self-centeredness and results in our separation </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">from our Creator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, particularly in our country, we are hard-pressed to find unbelievers </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">who proclaim Christianity as a religion displayed first in how it is lived. I'm not speaking of mindless rule abiding but, a religion marked by pure self-emptying love for the other. While none of us can live to this highest ideal, t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">oday, we seem more accepting of the faith as one where</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, we need only proclaim a belief and yet change </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">nothing about ourselves or how we live. For a growing number, it is a belief </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">system focused solely on the death and resurrection of Jesus while ignoring </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the rest of his earthly ministry; a focus on three days (albeit very important </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">days) and away from his life of thirty-three years. In this, we over-simplify Jesus when we </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">view his life and death as a mere transaction that occurred to save us and, a</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ll the while, ignore that he taught us in how we are to live (to be clear, I've spent </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">most of my life stuck in that same mud!). Jesus Christ taught us how to live </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by how he loved/loves his Father and how he loved/loves us. I’m continually </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">encouraged by that life and the lessons they contained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m encouraged by a Christianity that is concerned with the protection of the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">least; not by a “Christianity” that is primarily concerned with protecting what is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">mine/ours. I’m encouraged by a Christianity that seeks justice for the poor </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and downtrodden; not by a “Christianity” that says it cares, as if on a checklist, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">but ultimately does nothing to help them. I’m encouraged by a Christianity that </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">is willing to stand for those who don’t look like me; not a “Christianity” that isn’t </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">enraged by the hatred/bigotry/exclusion directed toward them. I’m encouraged </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">by a Christianity that asks me to seek a deeper understanding of the other; not </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a “Christianity” that is primarily concerned with justifying and defending itself to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">the exclusion of others. I’m simply encouraged by a Christianity that seeks to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">live the example set by Jesus Christ; not a “Christianity” that says it believes in </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">him but does not seek, in humility, to follow and learn from him.</span>Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-86088245775617712062019-03-31T07:34:00.000-07:002019-11-17T18:19:52.525-08:00Finding Christ at the Border<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdzmAMpwUbTDwkSVtKY1SjPdPcSz32fPdAHhpcNH7TJHy7wPi9F4YEKrEmSvisBklwTm_U789AVzEX47p63lTLr_d906Wd3YAdbAumTd-pRczU4-zPofA0Zs1-z2J3dPyhNiTBNgSKy6A/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdzmAMpwUbTDwkSVtKY1SjPdPcSz32fPdAHhpcNH7TJHy7wPi9F4YEKrEmSvisBklwTm_U789AVzEX47p63lTLr_d906Wd3YAdbAumTd-pRczU4-zPofA0Zs1-z2J3dPyhNiTBNgSKy6A/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Norma Pimentel has devoted her life to helping the refugee.</td></tr>
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Sitting in the usual place on the couch where I often read, write, and pray, I had just finished writing my most recent blog article, <a href="http://awalkinthelight.blogspot.com/2019/01/hardened-hearts-i-dont-understand-why.html" target="_blank">"Stay Curious, My Friend - why we should never stop seeking the truth"</a> (click link to read prior blog). The blog entry I finished that day was about the virtue of challenging ourselves to maintain a growth mindset by avoiding our tendency to confine our opinions within our own limited individual perspectives. I had been writing that, in our angst to put closure on complex issues that are difficult to understand, we often rush to conclusions and stop listening to others (especially those who challenge our preconceived notions). Essentially, we don't like unknowns. Sometimes, they even frighten us. As an example of this, I wrote my concerns about the immigration crisis facing our nation. When the article was finished, I realized that I had only partly met my own challenge in that I still had a limited perspective. This was true even though my opinion on the immigration issue has completely changed over the course of the past 20 years... <i>completely</i>. And, although that meant that I had grown to be more empathetic to those seeking amnesty in the United States, I had hadn't grown through a personal experience with those who are seeking refuge here.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Immigrants and volunteers in the main lobby of the Respite Center. The young </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">father is carrying a sign provided by the center that explains his need for help to </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">reach his final destination.</span></div>
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While I already had developed a deep empathy for those families and individuals who are fleeing dangerous areas of the world, my personal experience with them was limited. While, I grew in understanding and appreciation of their desire to simply find a better life for themselves and their loved ones, I wanted a deeper understanding of them. Perhaps, I would allow myself the vulnerability to know... and maybe even love them. While my first inclination was to be with those who had been denied entry, I was hesitant to take that approach given the elevated risks in the Mexican cities bordering our country.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alexander giving "extra" toothbrushes to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Willy arrived from New Jersey in Feb during my first trip to the center. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">He came to New Jersey 38 years ago by way of Puerto Rico. I </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">was surprised to see Willy still volunteering at the center when I returned </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">five weeks later. </span></div>
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Then, I found a quiet, unassuming, yet, extraordinarily determined Catholic nun named Sister Norma Pimentel in the city of McAllen, Texas. Sister Norma is the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley Humanitarian Respite Center and one of the nation’s strongest champions of immigrants. Her center sits on the border of Mexico, in the mostly Hispanic town of McAllen on the southernmost tip of Texas. The following is an exerpt from her center's website:<br />
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<i>"The Humanitarian Respite Center (HRC) was initiated as a direct response to the refugee relief crisis that began in June of 2014 in the Rio Grande Valley and since has served 100,000 refugees. The individuals tended to at the HRC include men, women and children. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) is the first point of contact for these individuals when they are released from the immigration detention centers. CCRGV provides basic human care to refugees and their families from other countries seeking asylum in the United States. These refugees are victims of past persecution or have well-founded fear of future persecution. Refugees flee from human traffickers, domestic violence, organized crime, gang violence and extreme poverty. The HRC provides refugees compassionate care via a safe environment, legal orientation and general information, a warm meal and water, hygiene products and a warm shower, a clean change of clothes, temporary shelter, medical supplies and assistance if needed and transportation services. The target population are recently detained individuals primarily from Central America, that are about to be released by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and are referred to our agency from their local detention centers. </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sr Norma watching a Homeland Security bus deliver </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">more immigrants to the center.</span></div>
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<i>The HRC receives daily groups of 80 to 200 refugees and immigrants recently released by ICE. These </i><i>individuals and/or families seeking asylum arrive at different times of the day and stay approximately 24 hours at the center, before they are transported back to the McAllen Bus Station to travel to their particular final destinations. In addition to serving immigrant families, the Humanitarian Respite Center has provided a space for visiting volunteers, university students, NGO’s, Government Officials and the community at large, coming within all 50 states to learn more about immigration and the current refugee relief crisis faced at the border. This experience has also given people of all ages and professions an opportunity to foster relationships and dialogue about immigration across various local, state and national levels."</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Alexander serving food to newly arriving amnesty seekers.</span></td></tr>
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Upon researching the Respite Center, I discovered that Sister Norma was somewhat of a celebrity within social service circles. She had been recognized by Pope Francis for her immigration work, has been featured on all the major news outlets, and is considered an authority on the subject of the immigration crisis. Through a friend, I was able to connect with Sr Norma and was able to schedule a trip to the center during a time she would be there. I wanted to meet her. Once scheduled, to my great appreciation, my son Alexander, expressed an interest in volunteering at the Respite Center as well. Ultimately, I took a trip in February '19 and another, with Alexander, in March '19.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Immigrants waiting their turn to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">receive basic services from the</span></div>
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Upon arriving in McAllen in February, I immediately grabbed my rental car and headed for the center. My plan was to let them know that I was in town, go to the hotel to check in, and come back to the center after grabbing a quick meal. When I entered the center, I was greeted by hundreds of immigrants and a dozen volunteers. ICE was emptying the detention center over the next few days and the center would see record numbers of asylum seekers ... 750 on that Sunday alone. The staff and volunteers sorely needed help so, I stayed. Little did I know how difficult it would be to leave this place (and it was impossible without tears).<br />
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In subsequent days, we worked with local and out-of-state volunteers delivering essentials to incoming immigrants. Next to a local middle-school student and her high school brother, we made hundreds of sandwiches. Working with a volunteers from Wisconsin, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, we assembled hygiene kits for new arrivals. Working with others, we confirmed bus tickets to cities across the country for these lonely immigrants to find their families. Due to the volume of immigrants (these numbers had never been seen before), the work was difficult to organize and tiring. We all just jumped in and helped however we could.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alexander and I worked in tandem providing "new" </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">clothes for children. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some of my favorite moments.</span></div>
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Inside the sheer number of people, most were families or single parents with children. Most of the children were under the age of 7. There were many young, pregnant women some who appeared to be no older than 15 or 16 years old. The stories of people escaping countries, like Honduras, because of the violence there are real. For example, women are raped or killed in Honduras without concern for repercussion because crimes against women are not often investigated. Men and women escaping with their daughters is common but, concern is for the entirety of these families due to to the extreme violence in their homeland. Gangs and drug cartels rule and the stories are horrific. These people walk, hitchhike, ride buses thousands of miles to reach the United States (amazingly, many walk nearly the entire distance). The risks and hardship are incredible, dangers and difficulties are extreme. Often, women and children are abducted and trafficked along the way. Tears well in the eyes of the men who tell of the difficulties they have endured. When they finally reach the border (1,800 miles from Nicaragua, for example), the cartels may determine whether they can approach the legal ports of entry. Others risk their lives to cross the Rio Grande river to get here. When they reach the banks of the river, they are met by the border patrol and typically surrender. Afterward, all are held in detention until it is determined whether they are allowed to stay (temporarily). If they are eligible to stay, they will be assigned a court date for amnesty hearing and typically stay with family within the United States. Others, if returned to Mexico, are sent to the increasingly dangerous city of Reynosa.<br />
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At the Respite Center, I was met by ICE and Border Patrol officers who would report the number of immigrants they were about to deliver - we typically welcomed groups of 50-100 at a time. It is important to note that my experience with the officers was nothing but positive. In fact, I had a very heartfelt exchange with one of them just this week. They are civil servants with difficult responsibilities. It is hard to describe the level of gratitude, expressed by the immigrants, for the most basic things we provided. Shoelaces, soap, deodorant were met with humble thankfulness. Perhaps the most sincere gratitude was when we offered a hardy "Bienvinidos a los United States (Welcome to the United States)". The broad grins were evidence of their relief to be welcomed in such a manner. They hunger for it. After the gravity of this responsibility sat in, I began taking this role very seriously. As the teams of people walked into the center, we would welcome them enthusiastically. During my first visit, Sister Sally from the Sisters of Charity said she nearly cried when we offered this warm welcome to these poor, hurting people. Perhaps, I would offer a "mi amigo" and pat on the back to the men. Perhaps, I would offer extra encouragement to the exhausted young mothers carrying their children. How long have they been holding them? I can still see the often sunken eyes and tired expressions on their faces. But, their fading expressions would always disappear when they understood that we cared.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center was founded </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">by Sister Norma Pimentel in 2014 to serve the basic needs of newly arriving</span></div>
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At one point during a particularly busy day, I was standing shoulder to shoulder with dozens of our Central American guests when I suddenly felt connected to them in a way that I still struggle putting into words. I guess the simplest way to describe what I felt was a unity that transcends the body, color of skin, nation of origin, language or culture. I saw us as I can only imagine God sees us: as separate individuals joined together in his eyes and heart. Separate and yet one - each of us loved beyond my comprehension and unified under God. Unified in a way that invisible boundaries do not affect.<br />
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I gained a deeper knowing that, if I failed to recognize anything less than our equal and unified value, I was denying that God is ultimately and infinitely truth... and ultimately and infinitely present in <i>each </i>of us. I was overwhelmed in the knowing that God loves people, such as these, every bit as much as he loves you and me. I was stunned and overwhelmed that I could know even more of what I already knew was true: that we are <i>all </i>made in the image of God and that we are equally and infinitely loved.<br />
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Before our last departure, I walked the perimeter of the building to pray for those who serve and those who are served. I was met by Willy (seen in one of the pictures above) near the entrance and listened to him deliver a passionate mini-sermon, fueled by his passion for the people he had been serving for the past six weeks) on how we, who have much, should be more thankful. This was a sort of prayer, I thought... so, I listened to him. With a hug, I bid him a final farewell. Still praying, I walked through the center. I was met by two families that were in need of clothes for their very young children. This was a sort of prayer, I thought... so, I helped them. After helping the mothers pick out some clothes leaving was more difficult than I expected. Again, it was impossible without tears. I cried deeply It was early evening when we departed. We were tired but, fulfilled.<br />
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<i>Matthew 25:40 '<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’</span></i><br />
<br />Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-84299642865721600302019-01-10T19:22:00.001-08:002019-01-20T07:30:10.831-08:00Stay Curious, My Friend - why we should never stop seeking the truth<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3d734284-7fff-934a-854d-aa2b41658b09" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://yt3.ggpht.com/a-/AAuE7mAO3BGg8vZBHmaaPkR60i9cbjtLdOVFlo_mFw=s900-mo-c-c0xffffffff-rj-k-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 14.6667px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for seeking the truth" border="0" height="320" src="https://yt3.ggpht.com/a-/AAuE7mAO3BGg8vZBHmaaPkR60i9cbjtLdOVFlo_mFw=s900-mo-c-c0xffffffff-rj-k-no" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A pretty universal statement here but, I think it's true: almost everyone has a tendency to view issues from their own very limited perspective. That </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">perspective is formed by our individual background, conditioning, environment, experiences, etc. It is that with which we are most familiar and it is where we go when dealing with unknowns. These can be morphed into "belief systems" which still have a tendency to be weighted toward our own individual experience. We gravitate to these places because that is where we are most secure and confident. To venture outside of this space can be rather scary and this fear leads to a reluctance </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">to seriously consider another position on a topic - or another person's </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">point of view. All of this is especially true when that point of view, with all of its background, conditioning, and environment, is vastly different than our own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the Gospel of Mark, after feeding the five thousand (also known as the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fish), Jesus sent his disciples onto a boat while he went up the mountain to pray. As the disciples were in the middle of the lake, they struggled with the wind that had subsequently picked-up speed. Jesus saw the disciples and walked onto the water toward them. When he came to them, the disciples were afraid thinking he was a ghost. After he told them who he was in order to settle their fears, he climbed into the boat, and the winds subsided. Then a sentence that I've never really noticed in the Bible stated that the disciples were “very amazed because they didn't understand what had happened with the loaves; their hearts had hardened”. Their hearts had hardened, causing them to be amazed at what had just happened, because they didn't understand what happened with the loaves? That's extremely interesting to me and I've reflected on that a lot.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I've reflected on how this might apply to our own tendency to lock-in on an assessment, based on our limited understanding, or opinion when dealing with complex situations.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.easterngiftshop.com/media/ecom/prodlg/Christ-feeding-5000-leemail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for feeding the 5000" border="0" height="257" src="https://www.easterngiftshop.com/media/ecom/prodlg/Christ-feeding-5000-leemail.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The disciples were amazed when the Jesus walked on water and the wind subsided because they didn't understand what happened with the loaves earlier that day. It was too big to comprehend who Jesus was and the miracles he had just performed. Jesus continued to challenge his disciples to think outside of the box of their past experiences and to consider a new way of thinking. We do the same thing as the disciples in dealing with even much smaller unknowns, by trying to eliminate them. We try to eliminate them by building our knowledge base around our "definitives". And, if we don't know all the facts (which we almost never do), we build false definitives to fill in the blanks. Then we harden our hearts there and stop seeking a better understanding. This tendency becomes even worse when the false definitive morphs into fear.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">In considering an example, I think of topics such as border security where it seems we've lost our ability to wonder and sense of imagination. We have lost a curiosity about the truth that might cause us to seek the perspective of others. Many Christians now talk about protection and security (which, again, is mostly about us) without adjoining that conversation with an overwhelming curiosity for the perspective of others - particularly those who are hurting just outside our borders. The cries of those who are seeking refuge here are becoming inaudible to many Christians as is evidenced by the political discourse. This is a natural fear-based tendency </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">when we don't understand the world around us. We sort of </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">turn-off</i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> our imagination and begin forming our boundary of beliefs based upon a very limited perspective. We form our opinions and boundaries around what we think is reasonable and, in a sense, our hearts harden there. We surround ourselves with those who reinforce our point of view. At that point, we stop seeking the truth; we seek a reverberation of ourselves from others. Our imagination sort of dries up because we're not comfortable with the uncertainty of things. We cease exploring different perspectives and our hearts harden to our detriment and, worse yet, to the detriment of others. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It seems that we should be, at a minimum, </span><i style="font-family: arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">deeply</i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> concerned about those who are suffering and seeking asylum. At our best, we would be actively trying to help them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfffc; text-align: center;">"</span><span style="background-color: #fdfffc; text-align: center;">Many Christians now talk about protection and security (which, again, is mostly about us) without adjoining that conversation with an overwhelming curiosity for the perspective of others - particularly those who are hurting just outside our borders.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfffc; text-align: center;">"</span><span style="background-color: #fdfffc; text-align: center;"> </span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don't pretend to know the answers to the current dilemma. We have a right to (and responsibility for) some level of protection / security. I help provide these for my family through many different measures - likewise, we need to provide similar protections to our citizens from any criminal element. But, we should never grow so consumed with those measures that we stop being concerned with the well-being of those who are hurting nor should we </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">retreat into paralyzing fear. If we're not adjoining the conversation of security with the idea of helping those who are in pain and mourning, we not only lack understanding of what happened with the loaves, we've have hardened our hearts and have stopped seeking the truth. Then, we risk not understanding the Good News that Jesus came to preach to all who are poor. After the storm, t</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">he disciples didn't stop seeking a better understanding to broaden their perspectives. They continued seeking because Jesus challenged them to do so. Today's Christian has the same challenge and responsibility as those early believers: to grow in spirit and understanding followed by the act of providing a beacon of hope for those who need it. Yes, it is a much scarier trip than staying in our comfort place but, that's why we are called to have faith and to trust not in our own inclinations.</span></div>
Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-89705962012350240412018-10-14T05:31:00.001-07:002018-10-14T15:26:09.670-07:00Talk About Hope! - the Spirit of God literally lives within you<br />
<a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58dc9411893fc0b962fa3950/58e29ed76fd27c13f413fa3e/58e2a0ac6fd27c13f41439cd/1491248948255/?format=1000w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for freedom" border="0" height="230" src="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58dc9411893fc0b962fa3950/58e29ed76fd27c13f413fa3e/58e2a0ac6fd27c13f41439cd/1491248948255/?format=1000w" width="400" /></a>As was the Jewish custom at the time, Jesus was eight days old when he was presented and dedicated at the temple. A holy man known as Simeon held him, prayed over him, and spoke of Jesus' future. He spoke of how Jesus would somehow reveal what was in the hearts of many and how a sword would pierce his mother's soul.<br />
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<i>"Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'</i><br />
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<i>The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”</i><br />
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Mary and Joseph were surely confused and greatly concerned by what Simeon had to say. We know that the sword indicated that Mary would endure great suffering and she probably trembled at the thought of what this might mean for the future of her son. Of course, we now know some of what she endured as she witnessed the fate of Jesus. But, what did Simeon mean by his statement about Jesus exposing what was in the hearts of many? And who are the "many" he spoke of?<br />
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Jesus said that the fruit of the spirit is <i>love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control</i>. He said that these fruits mark the general character that is reflected in his true followers. Are these the images that people see in those who check the box of Christianity as their chosen faith? If not, what do they witness in Christians? Perceptions of Christians don't seem to align with the fruits that Jesus spoke of: polls indicate close to 90% of non-Christians see Christians as hypocritical and judgmental (interestingly, seventy-five percent believe Christians are too involved in politics). How can this be if we claim to be followers of the ultimate giver of hope to others?<br />
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In the bible, Jesus can often be found speaking many words of hope to those who many considered not worthy of receiving encouragement: a woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan woman who had been divorced several times, prostitutes, tax collectors, convicted thieves, and so on. Conversely, he can also be heard scorning the hypocritical ways of the religious elite or the misaligned priorities of the wealthy and powerful. Preaching at the synagogues, stopping by the temple, walking in the markets, visiting people's homes, attending parties and wedding banquets, Jesus was shining light on some interesting topics; topics that undoubtedly made those in power uncomfortable but, were a relief to those who were powerless. Those in powerful positions, who were used to receiving acclaim, praise and being treated with reverence were deeply challenged by him. He exposed, in their hearts, some of their less than charming characteristics: their want for power, self-centeredness, greed, hypocrisy. He exposed their small and limited world of self; their prison of ego needs.<br />
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There were others who were greatly relieved by Jesus' message: those society considered 'unworthy' or 'unclean' or 'sinners'. He exposed what was within their broken hearts as well: humbleness, goodness, and need of God's grace. Those are attributes that are perhaps not as readily seen or maybe not as valued by society as power, status, etc. Jesus was thought of as a threat to those in powerful positions because what he said threatened their status and power. But, he was thought of as a great friend to the 'unworthy' because he gave them hope, love, and acceptance. This was a complete spectacle and a reversal of values that was hard to avoid because the scenes often unfolded in the middle of the public square - for all to see. It got him killed by the powerful and 'religious' but, it got him held in supreme and eternal reverence by the powerless.<br />
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<a href="https://cont.ws/uploads/pic/2018/1/693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for holy spirit" border="0" height="266" src="https://cont.ws/uploads/pic/2018/1/693.jpg" width="400" /></a>Today, Jesus continues to provide hope and he continues to challenge us as well. He does this in a different way because he isn't necessarily standing in the public square. Prior to ascending to heaven, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, the great Advocate or Counselor who would come after he was gone. A great advocate who would continue his same mission: <i>“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."</i> This is the same Holy Spirit who continues to challenge and strengthen those who listen and believe...just as Jesus did. He asks the same questions we often don't really <i>want</i> to hear or perhaps those hopeful words that we really <i>need</i> to hear.<br />
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Get this: the bible says that, the very same spirit that indwells Jesus is alive and well within each of us; God through his Holy Spirit literally resides in you and me! The bible says that God is still at work revealing what is in our hearts but, he does it a little differently than before: in stillness, in our prayers, in the silence of our souls, through those around us, in the circumstances in our lives, he speaks to us. But, we have to listen to receive him (just like Jesus did, God gives us the option of whether or not to listen). Often, he gives us a message of hope in a moment of desperation. Other times, he may challenge us. It helps to see how we react to both of these messages. Do we submit to this hope and grace available to us when things seem to be in a downward spiral? Do we react through the grasping for power, status, and notoriety when feeling prideful and full of ourselves? Are we fearful that we might lose something in the relationship with Jesus Christ? Do we feel that we may lose control in that relationship with him (are we ever really in control anyway)? Are we afraid to let go of our control or fears because they have become our identity? Or do we respond by letting go of our ego needs and submit to God in faith? Are the fruits of this submission evident in our lives? They will be when we are truly committed in this way.<br />
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With the help of the Holy Spirit, God continues to reveal what is in our hearts. In desperation he gives us hope; in self-centeredness he challenges us. When we meditate on the words / character of Jesus and seek to further understand and unite with him, we uncover those areas in our hearts where we are in need of his guidance. When we pray and listen from this position of honesty, unity and need, God will lead us to a more Christ-like condition: one in which the <i>fruits</i> of God are more evident in our lives.<br />
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<br />Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-44990926862592988852018-03-27T09:55:00.002-07:002018-03-27T19:04:21.645-07:00Discovering The Way, The Truth, and The Life - Christ's call for us to be different<br />
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The earliest Christians were called "Followers of the Way" which indicated that they not only made a profession of their beliefs but, they <i>lived</i> in a manner that reflected those beliefs. In other words, their daily lives were their testimony of their convictions, which was modeled for them by Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, who authored much of the New Testament, used the term "The Way" as is documented within the book of Acts. Jesus Christ himself not only asked people to believe in him but, to <i>follow</i> him. He did this when he first met those who would be his disciples to indicate how they were to leave their former lives and start anew. He even referred to himself as "the <i>way</i>, the <i>truth</i>, and the <i>life</i>". The Way wasn't merely an evacuation plan into the next life but, also a transformation plan for the current one (I think it was Brian McLaren who said that). The message was/is clear: We are supposed to be different. Distinct from those around us. Not because of what we say but, by how we live.<br />
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Much of what Jesus taught is captured in how he lived out Holy Week or the days leading up to his crucifixion on Good Friday. It was a series of events that was the ultimate demonstration of living the Way in service, forgiveness, and self-emptying. There is more but, you get the idea - Jesus was and is the way and he showed us how to live. This means that there are not only lessons, but expectations for his followers packed into the week leading up to Easter and the rest of his life. Jesus was also really clear on the expectations when he said things like: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" or "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.". The other similar directives he gave us, the parables he told, and the stories of him go on and on. They all point to the way.<br />
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Generally, the world doesn't love its enemies nor deny itself. This is especially evident in the current political discourse. The following is far too often the case: We are really most concerned about our own opinions and believe that others have little to teach us. The idea of challenging ourselves to think differently escapes us because we are most comfortable with maintaining the status quo and less interested in gaining new perspectives. We insist on being heard rather than listening because we want to educate others on our point of view rather than us having to take the risk of gaining new perspectives. We are quick to label others (i.e. liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, left, right) instead of respecting them and their uniqueness. We command respect but, have little time to show love and respect for others (this is especially true if "the other" lives different, looks different, or believes different than we do). We are more concerned about our own lives than helping or lifting others because it's easier to blame others for their circumstances as this approach alleviates us from responsibility. We insist that others compromise instead of offering ourselves to compromise. We are overwhelmingly more concerned about protecting ourselves and our possessions than in protecting or aiding others. We are quick to anger when we feel that we are being encroached upon instead of being patient and forgiving.<br />
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Obviously, these things aren't true for everyone. But, how many of these things could just as easily be said of Christians? We already know that much of society has lost its way because Christians talk about it all the time. We say that God has been taken out of the schools and government, etc. We say that society is declining. But, the truth is that many of today's Christians live largely the same lives as the rest of world. We are not often distinctive in the way we live... not really. Certainly not like those early believers. In fact, It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish believers from non-believers.<br />
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A pastor friend of mine told me the story of his first assignment as a senior pastor of a church. The church was a different denomination than his seminary so, he asked the natural question: "what do you believe?". The answer he received helped convince him that he was making the right decision. They simply answered: "Come see the <i>way</i> we live!". That must've impacted him deeply because he's been a pastor within the same denomination for over 40 years now. He believed then as he believes now: the mark of a Christian is the distinct manner in the <i>way</i> they live their lives. Note: this man and his wife have modeled the <i>way</i> of Christ in ways I can hardly comprehend. They once provided a room in their house for a convicted murderer to help him get back on his feet. They did the same for a pregnant drug addict. These may not be the calling of every Christian but, they provide a beautiful example of transformed hearts and the belief in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Changing the tone of our discourse and how we treat others should be easy by comparison.<br />
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Along with our worship, the days leading up to Easter provide a great opportunity to reflect on a life well lived; the life of Christ who modeled the Way and <i>is</i> the Way. This week doesn't need to serve as a measuring stick where we judge ourselves on whether we can live up to the unattainable. We all fall short and understand that we will continue to do so. But, certainly we should challenge ourselves in some manner to be different than the world around us and more like the Christ we follow. Jesus Christ's service, forgiveness, self-emptying and love of enemy offer an excellent place to begin. Let us all pray that, by <i>living</i> the Gospel, we can be seen as a beacon to the world that a different way is possible. Let us encourage others to be different than those around them... but, only by first doing so ourselves. Peace. <br />
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<br />Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-45127675862771023072018-03-25T07:21:00.000-07:002018-03-25T18:11:21.067-07:00Palm Sunday - God Doesn't Always Tell Us What's Next<i style="color: #404040;">As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” </i><span style="color: #404040;"><i>They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!”, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”. </i></span><span style="color: #404040;"><i>Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.</i></span><i style="color: #404040;">~ </i><span style="color: #404040;">Mark 11:1-11</span><br />
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: inherit;">When Jesus told his disciples to retrieve the colt of a donkey, they knew <i>what</i> he wanted but they certainly would have had a question about <i>why</i>. I imagine the people who questioned the disciples wondered the same things. It would seem to the be the natural progression of the conversation and my guess is that, by this point, the disciples had figured out that Jesus did not often tell them what was coming next! He seemed to use situations like this to teach his followers to trust him and that things are often not as they appear. So, I try to imagine how they would have answered the question if asked <i>why</i> Jesus wanted the colt. I think they would have answered the question with a shrug and perhaps said something like <i>"You know, he doesn't often tell us what is going to happen next."</i> and went on their way.</span><span style="color: #404040;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken during our trip to Israel in 2013 at the traditional site of the donkey colt event.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #404040;">We often don't know what God is doing next. The mere riding into the city on a donkey was an act of humility by Jesus and was foretold by the prophets. But, the shouting of support from the crowd is probably what the disciples focused on because it was an obvious triumphant move by Jesus. After years of struggle, they had finally arrived at the moment they had all imagined! The throwing of cloaks on the on the ground and the waving of palm branches were all signs of great victory. People finally saw Jesus the way the disciples did: as the Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God (I find it interesting that, after entering, Jesus just turned around and left). Afterward, I'm sure the disciples were wondering what was next but, the gratifying sounds of the crowds surely replayed in their heads and whatever was next had to be good, they thought! They wanted Jesus to show his power and who he really was... it would be an incredible day of reckoning! Not quite. Not yet anyway. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #404040;">The disciples didn't see nor suspect that Jesus' next entry into Jerusalem would be described as anything but triumphal. He would be arrested and dragged by soldiers to a tainted trial followed by a brutal beating and execution. Sorry for the blunt language but, I'm just stating the facts. The disciples reacted like we all would when we expect things to go really well then have everything collapse around us. His crucifixion seemed like the end of the road and the ultimate defeat. It wasn't until a few days passed [Easter morning] before they understood that there was indeed a triumph that was greater than the throwing of cloaks on the ground and palm branches being waived (by the way, the crowd that shouted "Hosanna!" was likely many of the same people who shouted "Crucify him!" less than a week later!). </span><span style="color: #404040;">We need to understand that God's blessings will very often come to us in ways we can't comprehend, understand, nor foretell. This may be especially true in times of difficulty. How often do we go into situations laid before us expecting success in a way we would define it (perhaps with fanfare, glory and palm branches) then, when when things become troublesome and difficult, we start to have questions? We often wonder why God sometimes chooses this topsy turvy path because we don't understand the meaning of our journey. Easy paths and a</span><span style="color: #404040;">ccolades feel nice because they fit into our definition of what we think we want or need. But, these things can pale in comparison to the what God ultimately delivers when we simply follow him in faith without having to know what is next. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #404040;"><i>Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your king is approaching, he is vindicated and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.~ </i>Zecheriah 9 (written approximately 500 years before the birth of Christ)</span></div>
<br />Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-75427594195011301382017-06-01T04:37:00.000-07:002017-07-22T07:21:44.520-07:00Fish Can't Climb Trees - Why Finding Our True and Authentic Self is Important<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christians understand that God dwells inside of each of us; his very essence literally indwells every person walking our planet. In fact, there is reason to believe that he lives within every creature he has ever created. His endless ability and desire to </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">create</i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has resulted in humans being specially "made in his image”. The last four words of that sentence carry major implications and deep meaning because his </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">image</i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> means we are a reflection of him and of who he is. If God the creator is reflected in you, me, and everyone else, what could that mean for us? This is a good thing to contemplate. If God, as the Bible describes, is love, light, and life, what am </span><i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to be? What does this mean in how I am toward myself and others who also bear his image? The reality that we reflect the One who dwells within us has changed me more than anything. The Indwelling Spirit of God defines who we are in a deep and very authentic way. This internal existence of God within us all is also the basis of the command that Jesus gave us to “love one another”. By doing so, we are loving both his creation <i>and</i> him. More on that later as there is a lot within this matter as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many religious and spiritual traditions that seek the Indwelling Spirit. My experiences with the Quaker and Benedictine traditions have helped me understand and appreciate the ramifications of having God live within me. The tradition of silent contemplation of the inner light of God or "open worship" has been central to my spiritual life for many years. Benedictines practice Lectio Divina or Holy Reading of scripture in order to seek God's guidance. Previously, I hadn't considered that we might be able to hear God "speak" to us through these contemplative practices. Perhaps his communication isn’t an “audible voice” but, a feeling or knowing. It is the “still, small voice” as described in the Bible and I've had experiences in my own life where God did communicate with me in this way. I'm certainly not unique in this. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've had the experience of receiving, perhaps inaudible, answers to heavy problems I was facing. In a place outside where I could take you today, while praying and asking God for direction, his answer was quick and concise. It was very clearly God and his message to me was this (paraphrased): “You are holding back and not following through on dedicating your life to me. You are letting your own life prevent you from being all-in.” That is a paraphrased summary of the message but, effectively describes what I needed to hear at the time. At that point, there was no way that I could disregard what I had just "heard". I felt a new energy to follow through. But, God doesn't just communicate; he isn't only a voice. He is an active participant in forming who we are - our true selves. We have to be all-in for this transformation to be complete. We have to be committed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That experience changed God's role in my life forever. From that point, I would be more deliberate in making him my true center... where he belonged all along. Previously, I had believed myself to be a little smarter than other Christians. I kept God, his Son, and Spirit at a distance by loving him only up to the point that he started interfering with my life. I thought this was a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>practical</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> approach to faith in God when in actuality it is no faith at all. I thought: "how can I put God first and still be a dedicated husband, father, friend, and provider?". Logic told me that I couldn't but, our logic is sometimes wrong. I had spent my whole life missing the point. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If God created me in his image and I deny that reality by resisting him, I can never be whole. Why? Because by not fully submitting to God, I am holding back and can never be my </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>true</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> self - the self that he designed and created. Think about that. What did your creator intend you to be and how are you potentially hampering that intended outcome? If God created us to reflect him in our own unique way but, we try to limit what role he plays in our lives, because of our own doubts, preconceived ideas, prejudices, and biases, we are not letting him take hold of who we are. If I don’t let him take hold of me in this way, I am certainly less than I am capable of being. As a result of going "all-in", I'm a better husband, father, friend, and person. A simple example of how God's intended design is supposed to work is illustrated in a quote attributed to Albert Einstein: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic;">“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe that is a weird example but, you can see where I'm going. Being what we are intended to be, as designed by our Creator, is simply the best approach we can take to a fulfilled life. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After my experiences in listening to God's spirit within me, I began to understand that I needed to let go of the world and quit with the incessant attempts to balance God in my life; to simply be what he intended me to be. Finding our true selves isn't just walking up to an altar and saying a prayer or saying "I believe". Our fulfilled life as a Christian </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">begins when we dedicate ourselves fully to Jesus Christ. It is a conscious decision to follow him, committing to centering our lives upon him, and allowing him to help deliver fulfillment in our lives. One thing is certain, if we ask him to make the changes in us that he wishes to see, it will happen. I committed to God that I would follow him wherever he would take me; to be what </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>He</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> wanted me to be. I committed that there would be no more limiting how much he would interfere in my life. I asked him to change me into what he designed me to be. He has been doing exactly that. You know, sometimes those changes in me have hurt; changes often do. But, I couldn't be more complete nor more fulfilled. I'm no longer a fish trying to climb a tree. I'm who God created me to be and I'm getting pretty good at it.</span></div>
Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-35379260199701447912016-12-11T17:42:00.001-08:002016-12-11T17:42:29.152-08:00Within the Stillness is Emmanuel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are in the third week of Advent. The word Advent comes from the Latin for “to come”. The symbolism of the season is our waiting, our expectation for Emmanuel (Emmanuel is Hebrew for "God With Us"). We are in the season of “waiting for God to come and be with us”. Contemplative Christians like to wait in expectation for God within us - to lead us. Many Christians believe this indwelling spirit occu<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">rred first at Pentecost when the spirit of God rested on the apostles.</span></div>
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The eight nights I spent in Israel was a great occasion for me to celebrate our contemplative manner of worship. Whether at the Mount of Beatitudes (where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount) overlooking the Sea of Galilee or the 1600 year old Church of the Holy Sepulcher which contained the traditional sites of Calvary and the tomb of Christ, I spent much time in silence. Whether I was standing in the ruins of a the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus proclaimed he was the Bread of Life, or where I sat in a cave near a wide open sheep field in Bethlehem, the site that celebrates the Angel of the Lord delivered the good news of the coming Christ to the lowly Shepherds, it is near silent there. In these moments, I communed with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit...and found truth. Truth being holy silence.</div>
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We don’t all believe the same things. But, we just choose to concentrate on the what we have in common. One of those those commonalities is our pursuit of the truth as communicated to us by God (in scripture, contemplation, people, circumstances). But, between all those truths that we are taught, we find silence. Silence is the foundation from which all truth comes - stillness was there first. It is the blank page on which the words are written. The fabric that holds the pattern. Everything springs from, and is contained in, the stillness.</div>
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Creation itself came from the silence: Genesis 1:1 talks about “the Spirit of God hovering over the still waters”. Later in scripture, the Israelites waited in expectation for the arrival of the Messiah during a long period of silence lasting centuries - they were waiting for the Advent of Emmanuel. Emmanuel, the Messiah, our Christ, was born during the "silent night" after this long period of quiet waiting. Let’s use this season to remind us of the importance of quiet or silent anticipation of God with us, Emmanuel. But also let us celebrate the silence that exists within (and between) each of those within the body of believers.</div>
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-62940887076648159212016-01-31T05:14:00.000-08:002016-02-07T14:16:31.302-08:00Do We Know What Jesus Looks Like? (It May Not Be What We Expect)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Old Testament Book of Isaiah is sometimes referred to as the "fifth gospel". The traditional Gospels of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Similarly, the Prophet Isaiah spoke of Jesus, but he did so 600 years before the Virgin Mary gave birth to him.<br />
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He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. </div>
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Understandably, we focus a lot of attention on the latter verses of this passage which describe Jesus' crucifixion and our salvation bought by it. Much of the foundation of our faith is summarized there. But, the first few verses describe some very important aspects of Jesus as well. Unlike the traditional Gospels, Isaiah included a brief physical description of Jesus within those first couple of verses. Here, Isaiah describes a Creator God that came to earth, not as a handsome and majestic man with whom people were in awe. Rather, it details a humble person without beauty nor majesty; One who has an undesirable appearance. How many of us would do choose this appearance for our Lord (or for ourselves) if we had that option? The challenge of reality seems to cause us to attempt a type of recreation of the Creator (see related post: <a href="http://awalkinthelight.blogspot.com/2014/09/making-god-fit-how-we-try-to-recreate.html">Making God Fit</a>). </div>
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We get an idea of exactly how we desire to see Jesus merely by looking at the movie portrayals of him. Those images seem to reflect the misguided importance we place on physical appearance. Most of the actors portraying Jesus in these movies have physical attributes that are more acceptable to us: well proportioned, handsome, and without any significant physical flaws (separately, but just as relevant, why do we insist that Jesus was light-skinned? As a middle-eastern Jew, he was quite certainly dark complexioned). </div>
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Clearly, we feel better when Jesus is portrayed a particular way. But, it is worth asking the question whether we would be as accepting of an uncomely Jesus. What if he was disfigured? Would we hide our faces from him? Maybe our response wouldn't be this apparent. But, is it any wonder that our misplaced emphasis on physical beauty costs us so much (personally, psychologically, monetarily, ethically, societally) when God himself shows us the way by placing the emphasis elsewhere? </div>
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-42441432070162660022015-03-28T07:20:00.000-07:002016-02-07T13:55:37.800-08:00What Would Jesus...uh, Legislate?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've researched the Indiana Religious Freedom law and am still unclear of its repercussions. I've read it and don't fully understand it. Getting unbiased information is nearly impossible and both sides are relatively convincing. On one hand, I become suspicious of most single interest groups. On the other, I don't trust what some people define as "religion".<br />
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If you've read my blog, you know that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. To that end, I am attempting to understand what Jesus' position would be on the matter. All I know for certain is that his choices for company look a lot different than that of many who purport to follow him. Even the Apostles weren't too good at recognizing who his followers were. For example, they thought the "rich young ruler" was a perfect fit for the group. They were wrong. Certainly, as he pointed out, the religious elite of Jesus' day didn't know how to follow him. So, who fits and doesn't fit, I'm always hesitant to say. One pattern I think continues to hold true...his choices sometimes aren't ours and he usually sides with the downtrodden. Similarly, I try to error on the side of inclusiveness and love for others.<br />
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So, does this legislation legalize the mistreatment of anyone based on religious conviction? I don't know. I hope it doesn't. That would be wrong. I've seen that this law is already in place nationally since 1993 and passed with overwhelming support of both parties. Whether there have been negative repercussions of the law, I just don't know.<br />
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I do know that there are some credibility issues at stake. One side claims that blatant discrimination will occur here. Some within that group are acting with real aggression toward an entire state populated with many people who have no interest in this legislation. The other side is acting on the fear that their religious liberty is at stake. But, Jesus himself asked for no similar government protection even to the point of his execution.<br />
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I hope both sides are wrong. To some degree, I'm certain that they both are; neither side has a corner on the entire truth nor have they an impeccable track record of righteousness. I'm sure this will be read by some as support for the legislation - while others will guess that I'm against it. I tend to side with the great Christian Martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer that said "Politics are not the task of a Christian". Even more, I side with God and whatever bunch of misfits he chooses as his followers. But, I can't count entirely on my own judgment to determine who they are...or will be.Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-88845480498268282692015-01-25T08:55:00.002-08:002016-02-07T10:52:44.254-08:00You Really Can't Make This Stuff Up - the Spirit's Work in the Disciples and Others<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Followers understand that God continues to reveal himself throughout the entirety of our spiritual lives. As the "scales are lifted from our eyes", we begin to see new meaning in Word of God and better understand how God continues to work in the world around us. We even begin to comprehend how the two parallel one another. One of the biblical stories that, to me, is one of the most incredible and currently relevant stories in the Holy Bible is that of the Pentecost. <br />
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Pentecost is the day in which the Spirit of God filled each of the disciples as they gathered together. This was after Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven and the disciples undoubtedly were still questioning what lay ahead for them. These followers had not been the steadfast group of believers that many perceive them to be. They had continually doubted and stumbled as they attempted to follow Jesus. They questioned him, rebuked him, doubted him and finally left him. During Jesus' trial, torture and execution, they completely abandoned him where he suffered in agony alone. Peter, the rock on which the church was to be built, fearfully denied any association with Jesus. Things started changing when Jesus resurrected and spent the next six weeks ministering to them. This completely radical change continued in the disciples when the Spirit entered them on the day of Pentecost after Jesus ascended to heaven.<br />
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When the Spirit of God was poured out on them, the disciples were changed in an dramatic fashion. They immediately began speaking foreign languages and Peter stood and gave his first sermon as the winds whipped around them. That day, three thousand people gave themselves to Christ and began to give all of their possessions away. While these events are miraculous, the testimony of the lives of the disciples in the years to follow was equally incredible. </div>
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The once floundering disciples eventually traveled throughout the world and testified about the story of Jesus Christ. As a result, they suffered persecution, beatings, and execution - they willingly died horrific deaths as martyrs for Christ. They were beheaded, crucified upside down, tortured, and exiled. Where they previously feared being associated with Jesus, their weaknesses which were overcome by the strength of God, were transformed into a fearless passion for Jesus Christ. </div>
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The transformation of these ordinary people cause me to begin to understand the dramatic reality of the power of our God. Subject to my own limitations, I can see how he works in truly miraculous ways even in the most dire of circumstances. I also understand that these stories could not be conceived by man and that God is full of astonishing surprises. <br />
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The miracle of the Pentecost continues to be revealed similarly in the lives of millions to this day. It is revealed in the addict who finds the power to defeat the monkey on his back, the person suffering catastrophic loss who is lifted and strengthened, the convicted felon who spends her remaining days helping others avoid similar mistakes, the quadriplegic whose disability becomes a source of inspiration for others. As incredibly reaffirming as the story of Pentecost is, I believe that the narrative of that day continues to reverberate around us. These reverberations continue to be a witness to the unending power of God. I pray that we are willing to pause long enough to recognize and accept them. </div>
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-444492355295974772014-09-07T10:47:00.001-07:002016-03-20T12:10:23.579-07:00Making God Fit (How We Try to Recreate the Creator)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">In an attempt to reconcile our standing with God and our living in the world, I think we've attempted to change and modify him. In fact, we have a history of attempting to reduce God to a political platform, a few standard cultural norms, or even a figure who just doesn't like whomever we hold in contempt. In other words, we try to </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">recreate</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"> the Creator. </span><br />
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Do we really believe God would be either a democrat or republican? Certainly, he has a set of ideals (would we want the ruler of the universe to have none?). But, try to imagine Jesus running for President. First of all, he wouldn't. He was explicit in saying that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18). He also instructed his followers to give their hearts to God...and give Caesar what is Caesar's (Mark 12). In other words, your most important possession belongs to God. Secondly, his political platform would look a little unusual by the worlds standards, wouldn't it? Try to make a political commercial out of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). Blessed are the meek? The response would certainly include how "impractical" Jesus' espoused values are in the modern world (author's note: by the way, Jesus meant that stuff).</div>
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Neither does God fit into our cultural norms. Sure, God has blessed America. But, I'm not entirely convinced that he recognizes our borders with Canada and Mexico and he has blessed many other nations besides the USA. Kenya is desperately poor but has one of the most devout Christian populations in the world! Why do we say God has blessed us only when we are prospering (or when we <i>win</i> the game - not when we get beat)? Do we really think that our struggles and weaknesses contain no blessings as well? What if our prosperity and/or strengths are only serving to distract us from our need for God? This was the case with the rich young ruler (Mark 10). What if God has intentionally left us with a weakness in order to further demonstrate his power through us as was the case with Paul's thorn (2 Cor 12)? Moses stuttered and was orphaned. John the Baptist ate bugs. Jesus <i>himself</i> was poor and despised by the majority.</div>
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Finally, we tend to justify ourselves to God by pretending that he is more accepting of our shortcomings as opposed to the shortcomings of those people around us. In our minds, this makes us slightly better than "the bad guy" standing next to us thinking that God then holds us in higher esteem. For instance, if we fail to recognize our pride and arrogance, but hold the drug addict in contempt, are we sounding a lot like the Pharisee who prayed "at least I'm not like this poor tax collector" (Luke 18)? According to Jesus, it was that "heathen" tax collector who made it to heaven...</div>
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God is obviously too expansive to reduce and recreate but we try to do it anyway. Anne Lamott said it nicely" You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do". In this sentence, you could substitute the word "people" with: things, ideals, or shortcomings as well. I pray to have continued faith that his word will hold true. That he alone is sufficient. That he will provide my needs just as he is ... and that I not attempt to reduce him to whatever I see as normal and/or acceptable. </div>
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-91690945070822637412014-07-23T19:17:00.000-07:002016-02-07T13:59:47.045-08:00Real Faith, Real Living<br />
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I believe that one of the reasons that God created human freewill was so that faith and love would exist within us. He loves us enough to allow us to choose whether or not to follow him. So, while our broken world is full of hurt, love does exist and it carries the most incredible and overwhelming power. True love manifests itself in us in ways that can be quite surprising. Who among us hasn't been surprised by what people are willing to sacrifice for someone for whom they have deep adoring affection? Thus, Jesus said that those who truly believe in him will lose their life for his sake; they place his interests before their own. They end up seeking to glorify him in how they live. Paul called this "being a living sacrifice"</div>
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Some people picture Christians as self-loathing religious rule-followers. They think that we live in a state of shame and guilt subjected to oppressive rules and regulations of a controlling church. Some churchgoers have an equally distorted image of what it means to follow Christ believing that merely repeating a particular prayer, kneeling before an altar, or robotically following a set of rules (Jesus called this last group "whitewashed tombs") will lead to a fulfilled life with Christ. Unfortunately, disappointment follows this approach when their spiritual walk is short-lived and empty. They find that a formulaic approach to God is a dead-end road leaving them further from God rather than closer. <br />
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When true belief is found, the disciple approaches God in a manner that can be somewhat similar to other relationships in their lives. A follower feels compelled to learn as much as possible about the incredible one with whom this relationship has started. The more we understand him, the more we grow to appreciate how truly magnificent God is. The more we appreciate him, the closer we grow in our relationship with him. We also see that while we can never fully understand God, we are called to trust him. To trust in the unseen and to believe his promises. This is where our faith lies.<br />
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Followers get joy from following Jesus. They pray by speaking and listening to him, study the bible to learn more of him, and observe his works in their lives in order to better understand him. They desire to please him in all that they do - not because they are forced to but because they wish to offer themselves as living sacrifices to the everlasting God. They trust what he says and follow him because they know and love him. They even pray that he will strengthen their desire to live in a manner that brings glory to him and not to themselves. This is massively different than being a religious rule-follower isn't it? Regimented rule-following is founded in self-interest, staying out of trouble, fear and appearances. It is a sham. I am most happy when my children do good because they have the desire to do so - rather than because it has been demanded of them. I imagine God feels the same about me.<br />
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-67745227878987940162014-05-17T05:18:00.002-07:002016-02-07T14:01:58.126-08:00Big Feeling from Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christ's disciples understand that his teachings were radically different than what the world values or believes. But, sometimes those values are difficult to understand. When he, the very Son of God, knelt to wash the filthy feet of his followers, Peter was aghast! He thought: how could the King of Kings, the Messiah, the Son of God place himself in such a lowly position as to wash another person's dirty feet? Jesus' response to Peter was very direct: "unless I wash you, you have no part with me". Jesus was teaching Peter a different way - a humble way which he commands us to follow. <br />
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When the two brothers, James and John, approached Jesus with a request to receive a special seat of honor next to Jesus, they were also rebuked. Jesus responded in a manner that turned the world's values upside down when he said "whoever wants to be first must be slave of all". Jesus was teaching them a different way - a humble way which he commands us to follow. These examples are consistently in the forefront of Jesus' teachings and seen throughout the New Testament. Even though the Son of Man himself "came not to be served, but to serve" and we are commanded "to do likewise", the world does not reward this humility. The world does not revere the least, the last, the lowest. But, we should absolutely take heart in that fact!<br />
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Like Peter, James and John, many Christians have difficulty embracing God's value system. At best, we are sometimes fearful to live by these values because of our need to survive in the world (which this fear is caused by a lack of faith in the very Creator of the entire universe). At our worst, we sometimes seek the rewards of the world for our own glory while placing those rewards ahead of One who created even our very breath. There is a better way, Christian.<br />
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As a natural extension of following God's leading, Christians will most typically observe modesty and simplicity in their lifestyle, language, and mannerisms. They will lean away from pretensions and feelings of superiority (or as the Amish say <i>gross feelich</i> or <i>big feeling</i>). In a win at all cost, toot your own horn, dog eat dog, pat yourself on the back world, modesty has no natural place. So, it certainly isn't easy. Jesus said that we were "sheep among wolves" indicating that we are naturally exposed to certain vulnerabilities because of our beliefs. I laughed (because I absolutely loved it) when I heard a baptist preacher say to his congregation: "if you feel like an alien in this world, I have great news for you...you are!".<br />
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But, the follower understands that living for the glory of God (and not ourselves) has <i>greater</i> rewards that are impossible to put into words - because those words would have to reflect an eternal and everlasting God. Those words would have to reflect the amazingly endless acts of a Creator that are seen only by eyes that he has opened. Those words would have to describe a love received that is absolutely and wonderfully boundless. Those words would have to describe the One who has <i>served</i> to a degree that we can only aspire. Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-64528150488478780462014-03-01T06:11:00.000-08:002016-02-07T13:56:20.212-08:00Encouraging the Inconceivable (Am I a Stumbling Block?)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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While some people are blessed to find God early in life, others like Saul of Tarsus, can take many years consisting of twists and turns that no man could possibly conceive.<br />
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We know how the story ended with Saul (mostly known as Paul after his conversion). So, it is easy for us to not be shocked by the complete transformation of the man who personally oversaw the murder of Christ followers. In modern terms, prior to becoming an apostle, he was a terrorist that was involved in a horrendous genocide. But, we now recognize him primarily for his zeal for Jesus Christ. <br />
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Apparently, the prayer of the apostle Stephen was heard by God when he prayed for the forgiveness of his attackers while he was being beaten to death. That prayer was answered by God's deliverance of the gang's ringleader, Paul who wrote most of the New Testament books. No man could write Pauls's story - nor could any man foresee his deliverance from an evil past. In fact, when Paul was converted, Jesus' disciples were still initially afraid of Paul and skeptical of whether he had truly been changed.<br />
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At a minimum, this wildly radical story of deliverance should cause Christ followers to pause when attempting to determine another person's station in life. Today, a person's journey to Jesus Christ can no more be determined by man than could Saul's path be comprehended nearly 2000 years ago. The question is whether we can finally stand before God as one who provided encouragement, or conversely, a stumbling block toward their final destination.<br />
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A homeless man once told me that this story of Stephen's stoning has resonated with him his entire life. Stephen's unearthly reaction to his execution has been an encouragement to a man that has no earthly hope. I have no doubt that, when reflecting on that horrible day, Paul somehow found encouragement in Stephen as well. Maybe this homeless man finds his way to finally have hope in Christ partly due to the God given grace of Stephen - or maybe he will simply be encouraged by a believer that is a source of love and care. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I pray that I am able to be a source of encouragement, not to serve as a stumbling block, to those unknown pilgrims around me. Like Paul's journey, the path they are on is sometimes impossible for me to see or even comprehend. Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-63872324565982482052014-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:002016-11-26T13:57:05.646-08:00Don't Blend In (Jesus meant what he said)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was a kid, I thought that being a follower of Christ meant that you were in the mainstream of society. Christians were people who would dress nicely, smile a lot, and knew a few special words and phrases. Certainly, their behavior was completely acceptable because they pretty much just blended in with everyone else. They weren't really that different than everyone else. That was the image that I had of a "typical" Christian. <br />
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During his earthly ministry, Jesus would have been difficult to classify as mainstream. He combated the traditions of the religious elite, told his followers to lose their lives in order to follow him, and dined with people with whom most of us would be embarrassed to be seen. Downtrodden people were honored by him and the people most honored by the rest of society (usually people in positions of authority / power) were most often challenged by him. Jesus took man-made convention and stomped it into the sand like a scorpion. The Jesus that I have come to know and love was a counter-culture radical that turned the values of the world on its head. He continues to do that today.</div>
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What if Jesus actually meant what he said and did? For example, Jesus kept company with some pretty rough characters; he really seemed to prefer the company of the least desirable people. How might we treat someone who collected taxes for a hostile occupying foreign government and profited from these activities by skimming money from the top? Would we be embarrassed if a prostitute barged into the room to wash our feet while we dined with the local pastor or priest? Given the choice, would we choose to spend our time with those on the very lowest rung of our society? Would we try so hard to be first if we really believed him when he said that "the last will be first, and the first will be last"? Do we really believe that we are loving Christ when we are loving the lost and forgotten - prisoners, homeless, addicted, and broken? Do we really believe the Sermon on the Mount? Or do we skip the hard stuff? Questions like these make me wonder how accepting we Christians actually are of the One we profess to follow.<br />
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This message of Jesus' is as radical today as it was then: the values of this world have no place in a person's heart. We are simply called to be different. In his book "The Cost of Discipleship", Dietrich Bonhoeffer disposes of the myth that Jesus' messages were merely an ideal to be merely strived for and not practical to live by. Executed in a martyr's death in Nazi Germany because of his faith, Bonhoeffer explained that Jesus meant exactly what he said and that we shouldn't skip past the hard stuff - perhaps especially when that means we won't blend in so much.</div>
Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-4602010012891702342013-11-28T06:51:00.000-08:002016-02-07T11:06:28.062-08:00Brave Enough, Dependent Enough, Weak Enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Almost universally, followers of Christ admit that they experienced the most spiritual growth during times of difficulty. I know that this is certainly true in my own journey. The times when we are having to bear the most burden is frequently when we are most willing to rely on God to support us (the saying that "God won't give you more than you can handle" is not in the Bible!). There seems to be a point in time during trials that we quite literally "take our hands off the wheel" and ask God to take over. <br />
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In my own experience, that inflection point is almost like a revelation, or a reminder from God, that I was never intended to bear the weight of this world. When I am open to the idea of letting him navigate, I always experience a spiritual pat on the back that serves to reinforce what ends up being a very liberating and beneficial move on my part. As we see the spirit of God help us work through times of trouble, our faith in him grows exponentially. <br />
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To get to the inflection point where I grow closer to God, I have to finally admit and embrace my own weakness. That, my friends, has never been an easy task for me. My personal history, maleness, and our western culture have always reinforced my natural desire to be extremely self-reliant (being self-reliant is different than being self-responsible which is merely being a good steward of God's gifts and using them within the framework of his will for us - more on that later). So, I have to finally admit my inability to fully bear a burden asking God to <i>share my yoke</i> which he promises to do. It is important to note that to share the yoke of God means, not only that he will bear the weight of the burden, but that I have to also be willing to go where He steers me: to learn from the situation, to allow the spiritual growth that occurs, to be dependent upon him.<br />
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There is bravery associated with admitting weakness isn't there? It is a scary thing to say that you don't fully possess the capacity to bear the weight of a trial. To relinquish control and allow life to be directed by anyone other than ourselves is downright frightening. But, as frightening as relinquishing control is, the bravery that it takes to initiate the quest for spiritual growth can feel sort of like jumping off of a cliff. When life seems to be running rather smoothly, to ask God to cause us to grow, while knowing that this growth may cause pain, seems more than a little counter-intuitive. We have to be willing to accept the fact that it could hurt...it could hurt a lot.<br />
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Frankly, this asking may cause a complete disruption in our lives that may feel like loss. And by the way, it is. It is loss because we are assured that there will be a cost to follow Christ. Things that we have become dependent upon could be ripped away from us. These could be our job, relationships, money, material possessions - basically, anything that is an idol and taking the place of God in our lives. <br />
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Christians are NOT promised the Best Life Now (that reference was intentional) nor are we assured a life in this broken world without hardship. In fact, we are told that sacrifice is required, pain inevitable and persecution promised. We are told that there is a <i>cost</i> to discipleship. Jesus Christ was quite specific about this when he said "whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, will find it". If the faith of removing our hands from the wheel, sharing a yoke, jumping off of a cliff, and taking up the cross isn't bravery, I'm not sure what is. Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-44738589169944764052013-11-09T16:30:00.002-08:002016-02-07T10:55:41.078-08:00Grace - Undeserved Favor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For as long as i can remember, the word <i>grace</i> has stirred my soul. During my younger days, I didn't really understand the full magnitude behind the meaning of the word. I certainly didn't know how it applied to my relationship with God. But, to merely hear the word <i>grace</i> had a tendency to soften me. Philip Yancey wrote the book "What's So Amazing About Grace" that was devoted to the topic. Within the book, he explained how the word <i>grace </i>was one of the few uncorrupted words in the english language. He spoke about how <i>grace</i> resonates with <i>other</i>-worldliness. He explains that, while justice seems right, <i>grace</i> has a supreme, <i>other</i>-world quality. <i>Grace</i> is so big that it is troubling to think that I am to possess it. Not only possess it but, I am to freely dispense it to others.<br />
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God is perfect. God's justice is also perfect - he is the perfect judge. As the creator and ruler of the universe, we would want him no other way. A universe ruled by an imperfectly just God? No thanks. Within his perfectly just system, he placed <i>grace. Grace</i> - that wonderful means for us to receive righteousness through Christ. God's <i>grace</i> was the means through which the sacrifice of his son was accomplished. Perfect justice will be achieved but, God's <i>grace</i> enables us to bear it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOWLRSZURNy46hFPWaLvAEhIklV3XAEPRsX7xPqlYsyx3gdLeMufU95Y4dXMpAMTXTAE1_UtloSv63jfcPR02svxyVdDBrpx054uI3oLLDqZAZOSTEaJNwjCXlRZJKeVOhk3uG4UC_CyJ/s1600/forgive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOWLRSZURNy46hFPWaLvAEhIklV3XAEPRsX7xPqlYsyx3gdLeMufU95Y4dXMpAMTXTAE1_UtloSv63jfcPR02svxyVdDBrpx054uI3oLLDqZAZOSTEaJNwjCXlRZJKeVOhk3uG4UC_CyJ/s320/forgive.jpg" width="320" /></a>So, where does my responsibility lay when it comes to <i>grace</i>? I believe that it starts with me realizing that I am not God (yeah, a universe ruled by me would not be a pretty sight...I have a hard time picking a tie in the morning). Since I am imperfect, I should not consider myself more capable than God in determining who should receive <i>grace</i>. In other words, since God willingly displayed his <i>grace</i> on the cross for anyone willing to accept it, who am I to withhold <i>grace</i> from anyone? Yancey also stated that God's <i>grace</i> is like water - it flows to the lowest part. There is no one that is beyond God's redemption. How can I rightly receive <i>grace</i> from God if I am not willing to freely dispense it to others...<u>especially</u> when I, an incredibly imperfect judge, don't believe that they deserve it? </div>
Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-55041035433545096472013-10-19T14:15:00.003-07:002016-02-07T10:57:10.626-08:00Will Bender and the Prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Prayer has a designed tendency to merge our will to that of our perfect and all-knowing God. Because the act of praying helps to keep us in a spirit of consolidation with God, our earthly worries (those that are not of God) begin to overtake us when we drift away from him - when we are less intentional about our prayer life. <br />
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Communion with God is seemingly a simple matter of pushing the world aside and dedicating our attention onto the Creator of our universe. Especially when we are weighed down by troubles or misfortune, our prayers often begin with a purging of all our concerns followed by our requests for God to fix all that ails us. Both long-time followers of Christ and those that have been newly found have a tendency to pray in this manner. We do this all the while knowing that God is omniscient - or all knowing; he already knows all that troubles us.<br />
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If we are patient enough, we may enter a more solemn time of communion with God during our prayer. Perhaps we start thanking God for the many blessings he has already bestowed upon us or praising him for who he is (wouldn't it be nice if we always started with this one?). Maybe we enter into a state of confession and repentance. At times, we merely listen...sitting quietly while contemplating the presence of the Holy One - listening. As we continue in earnest loving prayer, our will begins to bend toward him. <br />
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Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) in a fashion that may seem somewhat familiar to us. The Father had revealed what laid ahead in Jesus' crucifixion. He showed him that, in those moments of agony and death, Jesus would be made into sin and would bear the weight of the entire world. Jesus would experience separation from his Father. The mere thought of this happening troubled Jesus to the point of death. At first, he asked to be spared of the torment that he was facing. After reaching out for his disciples three consecutive times, he still returned to pray. Each time he prayed, his prayer turn to the will of the Father. <br />
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Jesus ended his prayer by expressing his sole desire: that the Father's will be done. He desired this regardless of the torment that was about to occur. Jesus' complete unity with the Father is seen in this prayer. The Father and Son were united in their will to see that Jesus' crucifixion (and resurrection) would be carried out as was destined from the beginning of time. As in Jesus' prayer, the Father wants our will to be adjoined to his.<br />
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I used to envision God looking at his watch while waiting for me to finish my list of complaints, worries, and requests. Now I understand that my prayers turn when I remember the pattern of Jesus' prayer in the garden. Our prayer continues in this same manner if we enter the exchange with a patient, listening, and faith-filled heart. A heart that is willing to receive its direction from a faithful Holy Spirit. The bible says that God wants us to come to him with our concerns and so we should. We also understand that this is just the beginning to a completely fulfilled unity that exists in a heart that is willing to bend. Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-23922885789908843942013-09-19T19:00:00.003-07:002020-10-10T16:58:35.321-07:00My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Eight<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3leS__K6VSGuvdngesaZtBJGJ0X0i0cB3lZftt1vw1kbzalWdvpiuWVsMQRhJrK3WrIFpsntVo-d0HQsxyMLI0-PFN1nVoeX07B1nh5AXamIKyJWcNQCdyVwuU5sL3rCWA8K6Voxl7rv8/s1600/47+Jerusalem+Temple+Western+Wall+(5).JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3leS__K6VSGuvdngesaZtBJGJ0X0i0cB3lZftt1vw1kbzalWdvpiuWVsMQRhJrK3WrIFpsntVo-d0HQsxyMLI0-PFN1nVoeX07B1nh5AXamIKyJWcNQCdyVwuU5sL3rCWA8K6Voxl7rv8/s400/47+Jerusalem+Temple+Western+Wall+(5).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Our time on the Mount of Olives was followed by our initial entry into ancient Jerusalem and to Mount Moriah. The Israelites considered Jerusalem the center of the world and the temple of God, erected by King Solomon, was contained within its walls. In fact, the entire ancient city is contained within walls which currently stand perhaps seventy-five feet high. Within the ancient holy temple was the Holy of Holies where the Arc of the Covenant (which contained the Ten Commandments) were once stored. The Temple Mount is Mount Moriah where God gathered dust to create Adam and Abraham took his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God (see Part Seven). God rested here when his presence filled the holy temple (Isaiah 8:18). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dome on the Rock<br />
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The location of the temple is now contained within the Muslim quarter and is known as the Dome on the Rock. Only Muslim are able to worship in that location. But, the original temple foundation still remains around the Temple Mount and those in the Jewish faith worship where these remnants of Solomon's temple remain. The famously revered Western or Wailing Wall is the closest to the location of the Holy of Holies that they can worship.<br />
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Within the walls of the ancient city, Jesus was tried and beaten. He then dragged his cross through the city streets as a form of humiliation. We walked along this pathway (the Via Dolorosa or Way of Suffering) through the markets that probably aren't much different than when he suffered here. <br />
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While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we stopped in Bethesda. In this location, described in the Gospel of John, Jesus healed a man that was unable to walk. Outside of John's description, the pool was not know to exist until it was excavated in the 19th century. The pool is just as described in the bible.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Anne's in Bethesda (note the Mourning Dove on the cross!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street along the Via Dolorosa</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1Yyu0L1ls6IBsvFVKXp7mU7Heo7GRTpESCOrAdB9iCvbTb9_ERLzhlm1Kb0JoT8xWbJ0LW_Mvcvjy8t-iJlsem6wXJsSTlpKDRfoK1sGyfEln57PcWy7zNkT-XiuQN24ponb49tYfCDg/s1600/60.5+Church+of+the+Holy+Sepulchre+(2).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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Adjacent to Bethesda is Saint Anne's Church which is near the location of where Jesus was beaten prior to being crucified. Our group assembled inside to sing a hymn that was interrupted by the shadow of a Mourning Dove's wings flapping above the alter as the bird attempted to land on a light. </div>
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The shadow, appearing not unlike that of an angel's wing, was cast across the entire 25 foot wall above the alter while flapping...then, as we continued singing, the dove flew just over our head's in an arc returning to the alter where it landed on the cross. Because of the important role that doves play in the bible, I knew this was intentional and was put into play by God for our small congregation. I think of instances where God used doves in the bible like when the Holy Spirit descended from heaven "like a dove" when Jesus was baptized or the dove that landed on the ark after the great flood. I'm not entirely sure of the meaning with "our dove". But, I believe that it was a sign that we could find rest in Christ. This was a beautiful way to begin our walk along the Via Dolorosa that leads to where he was crucified.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Holy Sepulchre</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian Orthodox Pilgrims at Anointing <br />
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Along the Way of Suffering, we would hear stories about the day that God gave his only son...for He so loved the world. In a strange mix of somberness and gratitude, we walked along the road and heard various stories that occurred at each of the Stations of the Cross. Finally, we wound our way outside of the original city walls to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Within the area now enclosed by the walls of this building, Jesus was crucified, entombed and resurrected. This site is considered by many as the most important pilgrimage destination for Christians since it was built in the 4th century. </div>
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In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, you can kneel to touch the rock on which Jesus' cross was raised. This is the location that he gave up his spirit. The idea that one is standing on this rock is overwhelming for any follower of Christ. But, because of the pace of our trip, I felt somewhat rushed and unable to fully absorb the magnitude of where I was. Fortunately, the following day, I was able to return to this 1600 year old building to worship. It was a quiet morning and I was able to spend a lot of time alone with God on Calvary. I read John's gospel account of that day as I prayed silently...occasionally kneeling to touch the rock<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"<span class="text John-20-11" style="background-color: white;">But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-20-12" id="en-ESV-26868" style="background-color: white;">And <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26868K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></span>she saw <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26868L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></span>two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-20-13" id="en-ESV-26869" style="background-color: white;">They said to her, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26869M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span>“Why are you weeping?” She said to them, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26869N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></span>“They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text John-20-14" id="en-ESV-26870" style="background-color: white;">Having said this, she turned around and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-26870O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></span>saw Jesus standing..." John 20.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilgrims from our group waiting to touch the rock of Calvary - Church of the Holy Sepulchre</td></tr>
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Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-8060609182702450322013-08-31T06:56:00.001-07:002016-02-07T11:13:26.231-08:00My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Seven<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1So8t8nRLCL12MtxQ1chEKfyiJuK7m7Gq28voVCwowqvTPSt3Xez9cg3pfO6Fmfcwq_MpRv9alNyob1o2bvmkT4KLc3qjp08fOU4oqStPvDGn4hCp4yDIBLrsAqLZZLSCSmaE4L_aQdQs/s1600/35+Mt+of+Olives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1So8t8nRLCL12MtxQ1chEKfyiJuK7m7Gq28voVCwowqvTPSt3Xez9cg3pfO6Fmfcwq_MpRv9alNyob1o2bvmkT4KLc3qjp08fOU4oqStPvDGn4hCp4yDIBLrsAqLZZLSCSmaE4L_aQdQs/s640/35+Mt+of+Olives.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group overlooking Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (picture by James Stewart - again)</td></tr>
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If Galilee is steeped in New Testament history, Jerusalem is where the Old Testament and New Testament converge. The ancient Hebrew nation centered life and worship in the location (Mount Moriah) that Abraham warily took his son Issac with the intent of sacrificing him. That act was merely foreshadowing the act of God sacrificing his own son. Abraham told Isaac: "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Genesis 22:8). Abraham's lamb represented the Lamb of God that would be sacrificed thousands of years later. We would retrace that Lamb's steps as he inched his way from the Mount of Olives...to the temple...to Golgotha or Calvary.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bethphage Church (photo by James Stewart) - click to enlarge</td></tr>
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Bethphage sits on the Mount of Olives and was an ancient village overlooking Jerusalem. Jesus mounted the colt of a donkey and rode into Jerusalem on what is now celebrated as Palm Sunday. It was to Bethphage that Jesus sent his disciples to find the donkey. While standing here, you can almost imagine the crowds in the city awaiting his arrival while they celebrated Passover "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!". Even though Jesus told them, little did anyone know that his triumphal entry included scourging and crucifixion. Again, he confounded man's earthly intellect with a story that could only be written by God.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO922sjnw2s9wdLUVM-FqjvM9PMQnVIg2IOUEyiaJyBks2x3RHwunFABgc6tJo-wMi8w_gkfnGcUHK5dHJ6UT9-A55_wePh8ghOh4sk41Ndl1wmqzQ-tVay6hqG0sgR5dT0PxerkRD-zR/s1600/34+Jerusalem+from+Mt+of+Olives+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrO922sjnw2s9wdLUVM-FqjvM9PMQnVIg2IOUEyiaJyBks2x3RHwunFABgc6tJo-wMi8w_gkfnGcUHK5dHJ6UT9-A55_wePh8ghOh4sk41Ndl1wmqzQ-tVay6hqG0sgR5dT0PxerkRD-zR/s640/34+Jerusalem+from+Mt+of+Olives+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Hayes and me from where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem</td></tr>
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We left Bethphage's Franciscan church by descending an ancient route quite undoubtedly used during Jesus' entry into the city. This was a quiet and sunny Sunday morning perfect for this memorable part of our journey. After a short time, we descended to a point where we could overlook the city of Jerusalem. As Jesus descended into the city, he paused to mourn over Jerusalem and foretold the fall of the temple. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dominus Flevit Church commemorates where Jesus wept over Jerusalem (note the reflection of Jerusalem - photo by James Stewart)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden of Gethsemane</td></tr>
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One of the most spiritually moving parts of our trip was our Sunday morning worship service in the Garden of Gethsemane. So, we are walking along the trail of Jesus' descent and stopped in the garden where he prayed on the night of his arrest...incredible. I could hardly believe that we were here. But, to spend the Lord's day morning in worship here was absolutely amazing. Jesus prayed here while James, John, and Peter slept (even though he kept asking them to stay awake). He first prayed that the father would protect him from what was about to occur. Jesus was afraid and wanted to be spared. But, as his prayer continued, he understood and accepted the father's will. I am deeply encouraged by a God who knows how it feels to be fearful and discouraged - who is comforted by the company of others during times of trial. I am also encouraged that he forgave those slumbering disciples. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crown of Thorns Tree - Dominus Flevit</td></tr>
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Our accompanying pastors led the worship service. David offered a most appreciated opportunity for each of us to worship in quiet solitude. As mentioned in an earlier blog post, our regular Sunday worship meetings include lengthy segments of silent prayer. I have grown to greatly appreciate and rely upon this manner of worship. So, I was heartened when David asked us to retreat into the garden for silent reflection. We were to return to the group when we heard singing. But, I decided to stay quietly next to that old olive tree and pray in silent thanksgiving.<br />
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Next stop: Jerusalem</div>
Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-83327915820898129422013-08-27T18:10:00.000-07:002016-02-07T11:16:28.537-08:00My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Six<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qYiCjEccSvp-Vxug48VPAMyHcVRvpgQ9Hy3-TiQEnkwSb28zm_aZzdDzWHc3S0g0WE2ZHFv_b-EfkbWjrXMdeVLGlwjBidMVx9rCFHmlOYv2WwxiS5OzR0A1c2F4nSwJlCT1Qr0d3u6r/s1600/774104_10151471367480774_604335911_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qYiCjEccSvp-Vxug48VPAMyHcVRvpgQ9Hy3-TiQEnkwSb28zm_aZzdDzWHc3S0g0WE2ZHFv_b-EfkbWjrXMdeVLGlwjBidMVx9rCFHmlOYv2WwxiS5OzR0A1c2F4nSwJlCT1Qr0d3u6r/s640/774104_10151471367480774_604335911_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (photo by James Stewart)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">David told me that I would gain appreciation for the biblical concept of "the ascent to Jerusalem" during the bus ride from Qumran to Jerusalem. He was right. As we drove along the West Bank highway toward the city of Jerusalem, the nose of our bus pointed upward - and the engine groaned the entire way. We were ascending to Jerusalem along the Judean Hills (desert hills not unlike those surrounding Jericho). This ascent is also a foreshadowing of the coming ascent to the heavenly Jerusalem and also traces the ascent of Jesus to Jerusalem as he journeyed toward his crucifixion. <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During each leg of our trip to Israel, we would pause to read scripture that was related to the area we were visiting. I had volunteered to read for the group as needed and was asked to read various passages from Psalms into a microphone as we drove up the incline toward Jerusalem. While I sat in a small seat near our Palestinian bus driver, I had a perfect view through the massive windshield on this very sunny day. Reading the Psalms seemed easy enough - until it wasn't. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> As I finished the final passage, as if exactly on queue, we rounded the mountain to see the city of Jerusalem appear on the hill ahead. It was a breathtaking site and invokes one to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">wonder what Christ thought as he walked this path toward his crucifixion...we would have many more opportunities to reflect on his experience during the days ahead. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is you shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121 (Song of Ascent)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Today, we would drive through Jerusalem into the once small village of Bethlehem - now a Palestinian city within the West Bank. My perception of Bethlehem had always been that it was located far away from other cities and towns. However,it sits only 2 or 3 miles outside of the large city of Jerusalem. Again, the close proximity of these sites astounds me. It is a perspective that is hard to have without physically experiencing it.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (photo by James Stewart)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Door of Humility</td></tr>
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The first site we visited was the Church of the Nativity. The original basilica built on this site was in 327 AD by Helena the mother of the Emperor Constantine (Helena was responsible for many of the sites we visited during the trip). The original building was destroyed and another rebuilt on the same site in 565 AD. There is significant evidence that this church sits upon the actual site on which Christ was born.<br />
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On a building this large, one would expect a grand entry. However, the Door of Humility is a small door through which you have to stoop to enter. This door is the main entrance. Much like the act of being on one's knees during prayer has a positive effect, the act of stooping while entering such a place reflects our reverence. As I walked through, I reached up to touch the doorway and paused in a moment of thanksgiving. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We entered the cave where Jesus was born where we stayed for a few minutes and contemplated the significance of the place. Why did our really big God choose a small humble stable cave for the birth of his only son? How significant is the fact that Jesus was not born in a palace? What does God want us to learn from this? Most followers of Christ believe that he wanted to reinforce that the true kingdom is not of this world, that his values are not the same as the world's and pride should have no place in a person's heart. That God has a deep affection for the lowly and the least. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrsZCWA3pxli8DVrcuPLlyQrl5RHDjy6RivxFqufJd0UZQd5wgqBR4XHltI53WyDzXS_eWPzjmJ0xhoiN9gzsejrf9NAX1eW014KAptPFbJ2d-hBNimx7GSK5Wli1KqLaSY6AQwTviGdF/s1600/775779_10151471367025774_2096641158_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrsZCWA3pxli8DVrcuPLlyQrl5RHDjy6RivxFqufJd0UZQd5wgqBR4XHltI53WyDzXS_eWPzjmJ0xhoiN9gzsejrf9NAX1eW014KAptPFbJ2d-hBNimx7GSK5Wli1KqLaSY6AQwTviGdF/s400/775779_10151471367025774_2096641158_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The star on the floor marks the traditional location of Jesus' birth</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After leaving the Church of the Nativity, we visited Shepherd's Field and Grotto. You will recall that an angel appearing to the shepherds of the field in order to inform them of Jesus' birth. This field may or may not be that same field but, it doesn't matter. It is serene and was certainly a shepherd's field close to the birthplace of Jesus. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But, the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will bring great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." - Luke 2:9-11</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shepherd's Field and Grotto - Bethlehem</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To imagine that scene while visiting here might only be better at night - maybe on Christmas Eve. We were again reminded that God chose the lowly when he chose shepherds to announce the coming of the Jesus. Pride should have no place in a person's heart and the shepherds had nothing of which to be proud. They were second-class citizens in their time. While man had determined that a shepherd's testimony could not be consider valid in any court, God felt different about the idea of social status. In fact, he allowed them to be witness to a most important event, the birth of the Lord. They must have felt pretty good about their role and how God has a deep affection for the lowly and the least.</span><br />
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Next stop: The Mount of Olives, Jerusalem</span>Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2518919263915097425.post-62764401553637963032013-08-17T18:38:00.001-07:002016-02-07T13:47:10.109-08:00My Pilgrimage to Israel (2013) - Part Five<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpk7tVf2yE_YT8EqaSGNJ2lPbaO-N_8631t9NnPxiv4UHnZjXUXAMXlqovaYsrkAAzwiDz4pEzDWmBrtoDPEGCdJEuV5tW7z97v3CuQ7QFqQzGfSBflx1y0yOwuMPSPMY-diLWpRmpnbn/s1600/27+Jericho+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpk7tVf2yE_YT8EqaSGNJ2lPbaO-N_8631t9NnPxiv4UHnZjXUXAMXlqovaYsrkAAzwiDz4pEzDWmBrtoDPEGCdJEuV5tW7z97v3CuQ7QFqQzGfSBflx1y0yOwuMPSPMY-diLWpRmpnbn/s640/27+Jericho+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jericho - the oldest city in the world</td></tr>
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Leaving the Galilee region of Israel, we drove along the Jordan River that runs along the border of Israel and Jordan. During the drive, we could see the countries of Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan for a short time. While the Galilee region is lush with green plant life, much of the area of the West Bank lying east of the mountain range is extremely arid. The rocky peaks along the road toward Jericho are speckled with caves that have housed people for thousands of years. At one point during the drive through Samaria, Tsippi pointed to the top of a nearby hill where Jacob's well is located.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Nebo as seen from Jericho</td></tr>
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Without much background, the story of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at this well, would not seem unusual. The meer fact that Jesus was in the vicinity of Samaria was radical enough. But, to be speaking to an Samaritan woman who had been divorced 5 times and was living with another man was considered outrageous. Samaritans were considered unclean and not to be associated with - add this background about the woman and you can imagine how scandalous this must have been (even Jesus' disciples questioned him). But, again Jesus demonstrated that he came not to condemn but to save. I'm not sure who the <i>Samaritans</i> of our day are...but, I think we could name a few if we thought about it long enough.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greek Orthodox - Monastery of Temptation</td></tr>
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Jericho is the oldest city in the world. It sits across the River Jordan from Mount Nebo. You may recall that Moses never stepped foot on the soil of the promised land of Israel. He stood on the top of Mount Nebo from where he saw this place...and was buried there after freeing the Hebrew nation from the slavery in the land of Egypt. The city was taken by the Hebrews led by Joshua without military force. Again, God didn't want anyone to be confused about who was responsible for the city being delivered to the Israelites. God gave Joshua instructions that must have had the Israelites questioning their sanity: march around, blow trumpets, and yell really loud. That's it. The walls fell. God did it.<br />
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Sitting above the city, the Monastery of Temptation is carved into the mountainside. This ancient monastery sits above a cave thought to be where Jesus spent some of his 40 days of temptation in the wilderness while meditating and fasting. Jesus also healed Bartimaeus of his blindness in Jericho. <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, we went to Qumran which sits in the Judean desert next to the Dead Sea. As Jericho is the oldest city in the world, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on the planet. Outside of the small visitor center, this place seems to be stuck in the Old Testament ages. That time in history is appropriate because this is where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These scrolls, written by an ancient Jewish sect called the Essenes, included all but one book of the Old Testament and are dated to approximately 400 BC. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qumran - photo by James Stewart</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The scrolls have helped substantiate the fact that the Bible is the most recounted ancient manuscript known to exist. It is entirely unique among antiquities in that hundreds of iterations from different sources reaffirm the same stories. The scrolls were written to preserve the word of God and have also reaffirmed what our Bibles contain. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Essene Scroll Writing Room (Dead Sea in background)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Within the scrolls, the Book of Isaiah was found to be accurate matching our current translations down to the most minute details. "<span class="versetext" id="isa53-5" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">But he was pierced<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="4"></a> for our transgressions,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="5"></a> he was crushed <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="6"></a>for our iniquities; the punishment<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="7"></a> that brought us peace<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="8"></a> was upon him, and by his wounds<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="9"></a> we are healed. W</span><span class="versetext" id="isa53-6" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">e all, like sheep, have gone astray,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="11"></a> each of us has turned to his own way;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="12"></a> and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2518919263915097425" name="13"></a> of us all." - Isaiah 53:5-6. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">These words were written by the prophet Isaiah 600 years before Jesus was crucifi</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 20px;">ed. Also, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Isaiah 53 is extremely fascinating in that it contains the only physical description of Jesus in the Bible: <span style="font-family: inherit;">"</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,<span style="line-height: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="text Isa-53-2" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">nothing in his appearance<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18714F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></span> that we should desire him. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">He was despised and rejected by mankind,<span style="line-height: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="text Isa-53-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">a man of suffering,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18715G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span> and familiar with pain. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Like one from whom people hide</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18715I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">their faces<span style="line-height: 0px;"> </span></span><span class="text Isa-53-3" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;">he was despised,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-18715J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></span> and we held him in low esteem." Next stop Bethlehem...where he was born.</span><br />
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<br />Scott McKeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08631814782538485154noreply@blogger.com0