Lent@Landmark: Day 28

I was driving down a hill one rainy day in Tallahassee, which a strange phenomenon to those of you in Pinellas County, I know. I wasn’t even going very fast, but but when I saw brake lights ahead and tried to slow down, my tires didn’t seem to care. I began a slow-motion slide closer and closer to those lights. I was about to have a tough decision to make, and groaned, “Oh… this is gonna hurt.”

'After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”

When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” ' (Acts 21:10-13)

Paul’s decision had much higher stakes—life and death stakes—to be exact. Would he stay away and choose safety, or was he willing to put everything on the line for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

When you face that kind of decision, which do you choose? The safer one that keeps your faith to yourself, or the riskier one that might cost you something—that might even hurt?

It was a two-lane road with cars coming in the opposite direction, so there was no escape to my left. There was a ditch along the side of the road on my right, so no escape there either. Straight ahead, there was a green Honda Civic stopped behind another car that was waiting to make a left turn at the bottom of the hill. The choice that would cause my car the least damage was probably to just let my car rear-end the Civic since I wasn’t going all that fast.

One problem, however, was that I knew the driver of the car in front of me. I’d been following her from our church to a restaurant to meet people for lunch.

Another problem was that I had a serious crush on the driver. And if that wasn’t enough, I was engaged to be married to her.

So, I chose the ditch.

Sometimes love makes us do things we might not normally do. When we love Jesus, the kinds of things we do tend to change the world.

Lent@Landmark: Day 27

Luke wrote the book of Acts somewhere around a decade or two after the events they describe, such as this moment when he is giving advice to the Ephesians at the end of his final visit to them.

“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31)

Those hearing the Book of Acts read to them know that this has already happened. They know who the “wolves” were who tried to steal people away from the Ephesian church for their own benefit. It sounds like Paul did all he could to contend with these wolves, and all he could do to prepare the Ephesians to contend with them.

This passage reminded me of today’s distracting, invented controversies like which Bible version to use or which worship style is the right one.

But then, an odd finish. “…I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” It’s a window into the heart of Paul—and into the heart of the Gospel—full of love and compassion; with a genuine, earnest desire for people to encounter the risen Christ who loves them.

When you talk about those with whom you disagree, is the disagreement over something that matters?

If so, do you mock them, berate them, belittle them, or dehumanize them; or do you try and compassionately connect with them… perhaps even with tears?

The way we disagree says a lot about our hearts. What does the way you disagree say about yours?

Lent@Landmark: Day 26

In my reading travels recently I was struck by a quote from John Grisham, “The art of the skilled conversationalist is to keep the other person talking.” 

It can be a challenge to truly listen rather than simply waiting for our turn to talk.  As someone who’s been a teacher, and now a preacher, I confess it can be difficult for somebody in the talking business to make that switch!  Isaiah 50:4 is an important reminder God has pointed out to me:  

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens--wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. (Isaiah 50:4)

Whether we’re preachers, teachers, supervisors, mentors, parents, friends, coworkers, or anything else that requires us to impart wisdom to others–morning by morning God calls us to start with listening and learning.

What would change if your ears were awakened?

What might you hear that you did not hear before? —MH

Lent@Landmark: Day 25

In many cases we may say we find ourselves conflicts because of our convictions, more often than not it’s because of our commitments. Consider Judas Iscariot’s journey:

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I betray him to you?" They paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16)

Judas had convictions. He believed that the Messiah would lead the Jews in war against the Romans to reclaim their rightful ownership of the Promised Land. That conviction led him to a commitment to Jesus for a time, but then he made his commitment to the chief priests. “And from that moment he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.”

His entire approach to every moment was now different because of this new commitment.

Convictions are supposed to help us see what is wise vs. what is foolish, helpful vs. unhelpful, or constructive vs. destructive. Groups can form around convictions, and commitments to them can be helpful as long as the convictions remain central. Once the commitment takes center stage, however, convictions become flexible, and all we can see is us vs. them.

Nothing could be more contrary to the mind of Christ than that.

Lent@Landmark: Day 24

Continuing the passage from Day 23 a little further…

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 5:3-8)

He “emptied himself.” This is a core idea of the United Methodist doctrine of “Christian Perfection.” It is emptying ourselves of the selfishness where sin breeds, and replacing it with love for God and for our neighbors.

To follow Jesus is to become like Him. Where is the place in your mind where you’ve drawn a line? “This is as much as I’m willing to humble myself. This is as far as I’m willing to go to be a servant of others.”

Jesus doesn’t seem to draw that line. Neither should we.

Lent@Landmark: Day 23

“What were you thinking?”

Have you ever asked that question? Ever been asked that? I wonder if there’s actually a satisfactory answer to that question, one that would make me say, “Oh, well, if that’s what you were thinking, then okay. No harm done.”

We ask it because we know that words and actions come from someplace within—“from the overflow of the heart,” as the Bible says.

As we spread the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ, we’re building a world in which we’d never have to ask each other that, because here is the goal:

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

Think of all the problems around the world that will solve! —MH

Lent@Landmark: Day 22

October 23, 1988 is the date of one of my all-time favorite family moments. I was 14 years old, sitting on the floor of our living room. My Philadelphia Eagles were in Washington, D.C. playing the Redskins (today called the Washington Commanders), and Washington’s Chip Lohmiller had just kicked a field goal to give them a 30-14 lead at halftime. My sister was five years old and wasn’t all that invested, but my parents and brothers had seen enough, walking away from the TV in disgust.

I, however, have always found it difficult to admit when I’m beaten. This is not a boast—admitting defeat would have saved me lots of wasted time and energy that I’ll never get back many times in my life.

I asked, “Where’s everybody going? You’re going to miss an amazing comeback!” It was mostly in jest, but I admit there was a slim hope in there I might have the last laugh too.

My all-time favorite player, Randall Cunningham, led the Eagles to outscore Washington 28-7 in the second half to claim a 42-37 victory, one of the greatest comebacks in the team’s history, and I got to claim an amazing I-told-you-so moment.

Of course, sometimes the choice to hope has higher stakes than whether or not your favorite team can pull off an unlikely win.

O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 118:1-2)

Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (Psalm 118:19-25)

There’s no exact science to spotting those moments when it’s time to press on in hope for the unlikely victory, or when it’s time to admit defeat and use our time and energy for a better outcome next time.

What we can count on is the endurance of the Love of Christ, and that the ultimate outcome of following Him may not always be entirely clear, but will always be a victory. —MH

Lent@Landmark: Day 21

There’s no class in seminary that teaches the Biblical standard on “church clothes.” It’s been debated enough, for sure. I’ve spoken to people who were pretty indignant about the clothing choices of their fellow worshippers on a Sunday morning. There are just some things that, to some of us, are “unacceptable.”

We have actually spent a good deal of time and energy on deciding what is “unacceptable” when it comes to our Sunday morning experience. Clothes, lighting, seating, music, flooring, windows. Sometimes we find things simply unacceptable.

Fortunately, God doesn’t care about our standards of “acceptability.” What does it take to be acceptable enough to approach God in worship or in prayer? Consider the beginning of Psalm 130.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. (Psalm 130:1)

Not from the pews, not from the choir loft, not from the chancel/platform, not from the chapel. Not from the fitting room at an expensive clothing store, nor from any altitude resulting from any effort on our part. This cry to the Lord comes from the depths. That’s not a place you climb to, it’s a place you reach by sinking, or by falling.

Thanks be to God that God hears us because of who God is, not because of who we are, where we are, or how acceptable others think we are.

You are acceptable. God says so. Amen.

Lent@Landmark: Day 20

The author of Hebrews is a mystery.  It's likely not someone who'd written any of the other books of the New Testament, as the voice–vocabulary, structure, theological and philosophical depth–is unlike all of the others.  It skillfully speaks to a Jewish audience about how a decision to follow Jesus is the natural choice for any student of the Hebrew (Old Testament) scriptures, yet also challenges them to go farther than their faith has taken them so far.

"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." (Hebrews 10:1‭-‬4)

God cares more about who we are than what we do.  Anyone can "act" a certain way for a while.  Our words and deeds should follow from our hearts naturally–motivated by who we really are.  

What do the words and deeds that flow naturally from your heart say about who you are?  What do they say about who God is offering to help you become?

Lent@Landmark: Day 19

“Hopeless” is not a word for God’s people to have in their vocabulary. God made this point many times, including to Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, in Ezekiel 37.

Then he said to me, "Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. (Ezekiel 37:11-12)

Do things look bleak for you? Are you concerned that you’ll never reach the place God intends for you? In your marriage? Your family? Your work?

There is no deficit on the scoreboard against which God cannot mount an epic comeback. Perhaps it’s time to stop placing your hopes on you, and place them in the one who is never, ever without hope.

Lent@Landmark: Day 18

Today we have a flashback interrupting our Lenten journey to the cross.

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.

He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.

And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren.

For nothing will be impossible with God."

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:28-38)

In the Catholic church, Mary is revered in ways that Protestants find uncomfortable. I’d imagine that, in many ways, it would make Mary uncomfortable too.

However, I feel that Protestants have overcorrected at times, downplaying Mary’s contribution and failing to give her the credit she is due.

Most importantly, do we give her the credit she is due by seeing her reaction to God’s call and adopting it as our own, even when that call is a costly one?

Lent@Landmark: Day 17

Israel means “struggles with God.” It was given to Jacob after his wrestling match with God, but no one would argue—it became a fitting name for God’s chosen people.

Perhaps the greatest challenge Israel had was on fullest display when they demanded that God give them a king like other nations had, rather than the judges that had been leading them since the time of Moses. God wanted them to be different, but they just didn’t want to see what God saw. Eventually, God relented and gave them a king, Saul, who failed them.

The time then came to pick a new king, and so God sent Samuel, the last judge of Israel, to the house of Jesse, because his son would be the next king.

Samuel looks at his oldest son, and thinks he’s got a winner.

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed is now before the LORD."

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1Samuel 16:6-7)

Our eyes are miraculous, complex gifts to us that allow us to see. It takes more than just having eyes, however, to know where to look.

Lent@Landmark: Day 16

John 9:25 could be such a strong finish to the story of the man born blind, but the story has more to teach. Those examining him—those seeking a way to discredit Jesus, kept pushing for an opening.

They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?"

He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?"

Then they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from."

The man answered, "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (John 9:26-33)

Their message: There may be good things Jesus does, but he’s doing them the wrong way.

Their meaning: There may be good things Jesus does, but he’s not doing them our way.

Have you ever sent that message with the same meaning? Repentance often includes realizing that our way might not be the right way. Growth often includes realizing that, when our way is right, it might not be the only right way.

Lent@Landmark: Day 15

Sometimes you can find yourself cruising along, reading your Bible, and an event jumps out at you that requires a double-take. Consider Acts 18:8-17:

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off.

Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever. (Acts 18:8-17)

Wait, what? What did Sosthenes do? He’s the synagogue leader—isn’t he on their side? Seems the previous leader, Crispus, was out of the job since he and his family became followers of Christ. Sosthenes is the next synagogue leader mentioned, but he’s only mentioned because his synagogue members start beating him up!

Sosthenes is mentioned one other time in the Bible, in 1Corinthians 1:1-3. It’s the greeting that starts a letter written to the church Paul was visiting in Acts 18, when the beating happened.

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1Corinthians 1:1-3)

Seems Crispus wasn’t the only Corinthian synagogue leader to give their life to Christ. Seems that the beating didn’t deter Sosthenes, but perhaps emboldened him to go with Paul on his journeys instead.

What would you do if faith in Christ cost you your safety, your security, or your position of honor?

Lent@Landmark: Day 14

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri’s Christ and the Woman of Samaria at the Well

It’s a pretty quick change of subject!

Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life."

The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back."

The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!"

The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem."

Jesus called out her situation, and there’s no way this stranger would have wandered along and known that! He must be a prophet of some kind—however, he’s just touched on some very personal, embarrassing business! So she asks him a logistical question about where people should worship.

Have you done that? Realized that you’ve been headed in the wrong direction? We’re you called on the carpet for it, but found a way to try and duck out of the conversation or hijack it and turn it in another direction?

We might occasionally find ways to save face, but Jesus gift to us is to save us from sin. And his gift is way better! —MH

PS. On this International Women’s Day, I invite you to consider a story closely related to that of the Woman at the Well. It is the interesting story from early Christian history of St. Photini, told by our brothers and sisters in the Greek Orthodox Church. Click here to meet St. Photini.

Lent@Landmark: Day 13

If they gave out belts for Christian discipleship they way they do in martial arts, I feel that Romans 5 may contain the test to get your black belt.

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)

Boast in our sufferings? What does that mean? Comparing scars? “Yeah, I got this one climbing over a chain-link fence in the 4th grade when a dog was chasing me.”

If you keep reading, you’ll see it’s much more than comparing scars. Romans 5 asks us, during the suffering, to have hope because we know that it can refine us and make us better people.

“Thank you Lord for the difference this suffering will make in my life and the lives of others.” That sounds like a Chuck Norris samurai ninja black belt of Christian discipleship, doesn’t it? Is that even possible? If I try to get there, I’m afraid I could be in for some serious disappointment.

Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Oh… or maybe not.

Lent@Landmark: Day 12

Rembrandt, 1638

Temptation is always accompanied by a lie. It says, ”God says that it’ll go better for you to avoid this, but that’s not true. The result of giving in to temptation will be better than what God has called you to..” Every time, since the beginning of time.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'"
But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

We even look at that moment and shake our heads at Eve. How could she do this? Then we face our own temptations, and well, it’s different for us.

Every. Single. Time.

Or this time, will we finally realize that God loves us, and call out the lie instead of believing it?

Lent@Landmark: Day 11

John 9 contains my favorite Bible story. Jesus heals a man who had been blind his entire life, and the Pharisees lose their minds. Their main complaint was that Jesus healed him on the Sabbath, when no work was to be done. They interrogate everyone, trying to figure out how to discredit this miracle-working non-Pharisee.

After a tirade of protest about Jesus political and religious shortcomings is thrown at the healed man, all eyes are on him for his response.

For the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner."
He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." (John 924-25)

In short, he answered, “I think you guys may be missing the point.”

Are you paying attention to what’s most important? Or do other agendas get in the way of the agenda of Christ so much that you entirely miss the point?

Lent@Landmark: Day 10

Have you had one of those moments? Are you in one right now? One of those “Why God?” moments?

As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:1-2)

Would it make our misfortunes easier to stomach if they had some greater cosmic purpose—if they were part of a grand plan with an eventual positive outcome?

No. God is not the source of our suffering. God invites us to walk through our suffering toward Jesus. Our suffering can absolutely have greater purpose if we’ll choose to give it. “In all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.” Suffering is not a part of God’s plan for us. Walking through our seasons of suffering in a purposeful way, however, is God’s plan for us all. No matter the season, the follower of Christ is never without hope for the good that might come from any circumstance.

Lent@Landmark: Day 9

The Psalms are a window into the hearts of their writers, including David, of whom it was said was “a man after Gods own heart.” (1Samuel 13:14) Perhaps that’s why they are so stirring to read—they are from a place of unparalleled depth that resonates with us all. One in particular by David seems to transcend them all:

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.

In a season of sacrifice and honest assessment of our character, it is refreshing to be reminded that the One who refines us does so because of great love, and great desire for us to be at peace!