SPIRITUAL SURPRISES AHEAD

IN YOUR FAITH JOURNEY

 

 SURPRISES COME

THE FAITH JOURNEY takes you down side eddies and trends in fits and starts, like Y's in a road. You are stopped. You consider. You pray. You choose a direction, that is, until you come to the next big thing. One spiritual discovery, which started when I was in my forties, is that a life dedicated and fully surrendered to God will go His way, not your way. You can't foresee what God wants to teach you or how He wants to use you. They come at you and then they become like markers in a road less traveled. God draws you close and closer as He teaches you more and more. Throughout this process you become more like Christ.

MY CONFESSIONS

In 2008 I made a major directional change that, in retrospect, opened a previously unknown door wide open. This caused me to see and know in ways that fundamentally changed my perceptions and point of view. Then this, in turn, altered my view of Christianity as it relates to Christ's Church. 

I first stepped into this with a visit to an Anglican church that holds a traditional view of Scripture. The liturgy moved my spirit in a strange way though I was kicking and screaming, no, no, no, that's not right, inside of me. I didn't believe they were accurate in their interpretation of biblical truths. A year later I was on an eye-opening search comprised of orthodox, catholic, and episcopal beliefs. I wanted to know where there was unity--if there was unity--and I asked God to show me. 

A decade before this I had been on another search. That time I wanted to know Christ; I asked Him to teach me. And He did. I have never been the same. I love Him in a personal way as a result of seeking Him without reservation. That's when God showered me with His love and became Lord of my life. 

Now I was on a new search to know His Church wherever and however I would encounter it.

I look back and am amazed by the way books and people came into my life with little effort on my part. I became aware of my own ignorance as to the global Church and the limitations of my past, narrow view as a Protestant Evangelical. I read Augustine of Hippo, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas Merton, Thomas a Kempis, Brother Lawrence, St. Ignatius, Hannah Whitall Smith, Annabelle Skarin, mystics like Julian of Norwich and modern day contemplatives like Carl McColman, and more. I knew so little. I'd heard Augustine mentioned for as long as I could remember but knew next to nothing about him nor his role in church history. For someone who loved God, my naivete concerning these things was appalling.  

A PLACE OF CHRIST

I stepped out and left my preconceptions about Catholicism behind. I'd been taught about the errors, warned about the rituals and their beliefs, now I would see it up close for myself. I made weekly visits to a Trappist monastery, a place where the peace astounded as it enveloped my being. Some of what I learned and experienced was life-changing and exploded my prior understandings. I took notes, compiled my thoughts into a notepad. 

I met with a hermit monk, who was theologian, priest, teacher, and confessor, who had known Thomas Merton. In a beautiful meeting of the minds, he and I talked it through. We discussed our church traditions, differences, and similarities.I had read a couple of his books, and he had read my book, which I had left with personnel for him a few months before. He was the most joyous person I have ever met. Our conversation is a cherished highlight in my life.

The whole matter was like entering an alternate universe by seeing Christ in the forefront in a new, expansive, and impactful way. I sensed a greater reverence for the holy writ and the Eucharist, far different from my Protestant roots. This resonated in my spirit. Still, it was all about Christ. My faith and beliefs expanded remarkably as grace and connection, peace and goodness, flowed in and through me.

 IN CHRIST ALONE

Though I remain Protestant in my spiritual practices, beliefs, traditions, doctrinal positions, and theology, I have greater charity toward the Church at large and more understanding as to my part in it. I look at the identity in Christ factor, the love for others' factor, and the spiritual motivation factor. Church unity is found in Christ alone, see Ephesians 4. I now get why C.S. Lewis wrote as he did. He didn't want to alienate any Christ followers who believed somewhat different than him in matters of biblical interpretation, some doctrinal positions, and some church traditions. I believe he understood what was at stake, where divisive shunning becomes the rule rather than the gathering around the cup and body of Christ, which should be the way. 

Like the example set before me, I also have tried to model that way of sharing Christ in my writings. I want people to know Christ, first and foremost, and to love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul.

C.S. Lewis had something to say and he said it. I, too, have something to say that is worth saying. Christ is the answer. He offers life to the soul. He forgives, redeems, and heals. He offers life to all who believe. His love is transformative. Christ's life in His followers is broken bread and poured out wine.

APPLICATION

1.You will not be sorry if you ask God to teach you. 

2. You will not be sorry if you ask God to reveal Himself to you. 

3. You will not be sorry if you surrender your way to God's way. 

True, living, authentic relationship with God takes the burden off you as you give your desires to God. You can have intimate fellowship with God that speaks life to your soul. Give your life to God. Accept Christ's offer of salvation. For the already spiritually reborn, stop living a scripted Christian life. 

1. Let Christ flow unrestrained in and through you. 

2. Embrace all that He offers you. 

3. Open your life to His leading.

Allow newness to enter. Let Jesus change you as He wills (this is a hard saying). Give Him full access to your life. Such is the abundant life in Christ. 

Christ is the answer. Love is the medium. Grace is the freeing agent.

I wish you well on your spiritual journey.

 ***

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Meditation 2

 

MY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY and the CHURCH

FURTHER STILL
God takes us further still.
 Our beliefs inform our actions. Beliefs evolve as well. A decade ago my faith journey was shaken and shaped by unexpected events that initiated my search across the church divide. 

I found what I wasn't looking for, and I began to see why we hold fast to Christ alone as our true truth. As I turned my gaze on Christ, He began to show me what I had not seen before because I had blinders on and had some mistaken beliefs.

FORWARD HO
God says to follow Him.
In 2009 the Lord was guiding me to another level of spiritual understanding. Holy Week took on greater significance as I attended my first Maundy Thursday service and my first Stations of the Cross at a liturgical church and later, in 2014, at a Trappist monastery. 

My beliefs were birthed in traditional Evangelical Protestantism but have found a measure of community with other faith groups that follow Christ as the head of the church and believe in Christ for salvation. We are one in Christ, one at the cross of Christ, and one as beloved children of God.

WHERE TO
God says to love one another.
Christianity is represented in three predominant groups: Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant. Within those three groups are a myriad of branches, each with their own strong church biblically-based doctrines which link to their Christian theology, based on interpretation of the Hebrew and Greek of the sacred text. The Christian fold, um, family, has too much in-fighting and dysfunction, and has in some ways lost its first love. Christ is the answer.

Though that is a rather simplistic statement--it is much more complicated than I have stated--it somewhat explains the broad tent of Christianity. According to the Word, unity is found in Christ. We in the Church are to follow Christ, first and foremost. To do that we must follow the teachings in the Word of God. Other sorts of beliefs aren't rooted in biblical teachings. We must look to Christ. 

What I found that I wasn't looking for is people of God and historic writers not of the Protestant tradition that love God with the same fervor as I do. And that makes Easter extra special. I can celebrate Christ's resurrection with them and with my church tradition. 

Hallelujah! Christ has risen. He is alive!

*Photo by Tony McLachlan on Unsplash

Where Unity in the Faith Lives

Where is true oneness found? Those who believe in the salvation that Christ offers through His death, burial, and resurrection; who believe through the eyes of faith, united in Christ--may know the perfect oneness of unity formed 'In Christ.'

Those who believe this truth are not of only one religious viewpoint or affiliation.

Truly, oneness is a matter of faith, belief, and soul. We are united in one faith--through belief in Jesus Christ--the presence and filling of the Holy Spirit--the love of God the Father--the redemptive work of Jesus Christ--and our hope for eternity.

. . .

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me;that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

-John 17:20-23 KJV

An Extraordinary Remarkable Vision

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by his wounds you were healed. -1 Peter 2:24

For Good Friday

MY OLDEST DAUGHTER had the following vision during a class at a Christian university. Worshipful music played while students participated in prayerful meditative contemplation. My daughter was praying and seeking God when this movie-like vision was viewed in her mind's eye. It startled her. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before. It was so unusual that she called me later to tell me about it. At my request, she wrote it down on a slip of paper. She said the figures were  like cookie cutter shapes without gender. I think it is simple yet powerful. I suggest you read it out loud for the full impact.

Her Vision

JESUS was white, and everyone else looked just like him except they all were covered in dirt. Different people were dirtier, blacker, or whatever. Then they all went and hugged Jesus. Jesus became dirtier than anyone; caked with filth. Everyone else became pure white as Jesus once was. 

  "And I’ll never know how much it cost, to see my sin upon that cross."  Refrain  playing when the vision came to her.

---Here I Am to Worship by Tim Huges

Authentic Christians -- Daily Inspiration 22

The Life of an Authentic Christian

 A follower of Christ is known by their love for others. They are unselfish in their real self and give from the heart. This means they receive from the Source of all love, Jesus Christ.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35  NIV

AUTHENTICITY in a Christian is a must-have. If this is true, then what must a Christian have to be authentic? According to scripture, a real, true, authentic Christian will be known by their love. They will have love and that love will be known for how it acts towards others. It will love the unlovely. Because of their love, they will be unselfish and kind to others. Christ will speak His love through them and they will act as His hands and feet. They don't hoard their gifts, resources, and possessions. They give without a need for others' praise, honor, or notice. Christ is at the heart of genuine Christianity. He is given access in a life following Him. This individual is centered in the core of their being. They follow the prompts and impressions God gives them in their spirit life. Like clay, they are molded according to the Sculptor's shaping, active according to the purpose for which they have been shaped. Spiritual people are not exactly alike, but they should be alike in function and purpose. An authentic Christian is to give glory to God. This is the way to live an authentic Christian life. Embrace Christ. Love one another as Christ first loved you.

Gracious Father, thankful are we for Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave His life for us. May we become the people You want us to be and known by love that flows from us. Amen

To God be the Glory

Jesus' Name -- Inspiration 18

Sweet Jesus

"What about you?" he asked them. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah."  --Luke 8:29

"SWEET JESUS, SWEET JESUS, He's the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star," flow the lyrics in circles of joy. "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there's just something about that name. Master, Savior, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim," joyful words of praise in worship of His holy name. Attributes to Jesus burst forth in musical score: Beautiful Savior, Glorious Lord, Immanuel, God is with Us; Gentle Shepherd; King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus' day people would say of Him: Son of man, Good Teacher, Master, Lord, Jesus. Because of His death and resurrection we say: Savior, Christ, Redeemer, God the Son. The Old Testament prophets foretold Jesus' future appearance as a Messiah. The beautiful words of Isaiah spoken at Christmastime and sung in Handel's Messiah give praise and honor, "Unto us a Son is given. . . and His name shall be call-ed, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Many are the musical phrases that celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: "God with Us, Blessed Redeemer, Living Word; Man of Sorrows acquainted with Grief." Each name represents a unique aspect of Jesus' divinity, too many to name in this short writing. Light of the world, Bread of Life, Living Water, to name a few more. Jesus' name fills the worshiper with awe, praise, thankfulness, and love, that which is holy, devout, full of grace, goodness, and greatness. "Majesty, worship His majesty."

Dear Jesus, You are the Savior of the World. You are the Lover of our souls. You redeemed a lost people. You changed our identity from a lost sinner to a child of God. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.

To God be the Glory

For your listening pleasure: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Heart Belief -- Inspiration 11

Belief Takes Many Shapes

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:9-10. NIV

YOU believe a chair will support your weight when you sit in it. You believe this because it is a known fact. The chair is sturdy and in good repair. It gets the job done. In that case, belief is based on what is known, tested, tried. Besides the known facts, much of belief is based on what a person has been taught, their familial beliefs, cultural beliefs, national beliefs and even spiritual beliefs. Many beliefs go through changes as more is discovered about the 'why' in life. In the spiritual, God draws the individual to Himself.  His Word draws them. His teachings illumine them. His Spirit strives with them. God persists but doesn't force. Belief based in the knowledge of God and His ways may contribute to their understanding of spiritual truth. But a leap of faith is taken as the person knows in their heart that this is true, that God is real, that God is interested in their soul and being. Genuine heart belief is a 'knowing,' through and through. Like C.S. Lewis said, he knew it was true (not fanciful imaginations). The first step is to by faith believe there is a God. Second is to believe God loves in a personal way. Third, is to by faith believe and trust God. Heart belief is genuine.  

Dear Father God, I believe in You. You are real. We sense Your divine presence here with us. How pleased we are that You are with us throughout every day. Praises! Amen

To God be the Glory

He's Alive --Inspiration 3

Jesus Made It Possible to Live Again

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  --John 3:16

JESUS is the Name above all names. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Jesus is the Christ, the holy Son of God. When I was a child I was taught the New Testament stories with Jesus as its main character. I learned of His miracles as Jesus turned water into wine, healed the sick, made the dead come back to life, cast out demons, and multiplied a boy's lunch to feed five thousand people. My teachers told me about Jesus' last supper in the upper room, Jesus praying "Not My will but Thine be done" in the Garden of Gethsemane while His disciples slumbered. Then we heard about the trial with trumped up charges, Pilot washing his hands of the unjust affair, Jesus being whipped, crowned with thorns, taking up His cross, being scorned, mocked, blasphemed, and then crucified. With relief, we came to Christ's glorious resurrection, the empty tomb, Mary worshiping her risen Lord, and the men talking with Jesus as they walked to Emmaeus. It was a good story, but as a child I had not realized its significance nor its lasting impact on humanity from that time forward. Life for the soul was purchased by Jesus' obedient surrender and pure, sinless submission to His father's will, His death, burial, and resurrection that changed everything for humankind. Humanity is eternally indebted to Christ and I am forever grateful for the cross.

Father, Son, and Spirit, the Three in One God, we behold You, appreciate You, and love You. Amen.

To God be the Glory

God's Grace - Inspiration 1

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.

THIS DAY is to be lived with God in mind. Give it to God and ask for His blessing on it. Rejoice that He made you and cares for you in all of it. Whatever happens today will be touched by His grace. The hard parts especially need His care. Trust Him. Loving kindness is His way.

Thank you, Father God for being here; for loving and caring, and helping. Amen.

To God be the Glory

The Christ-Life Speaks Joy to the Soul

Freedom versus Bondage

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. --John 10:10 NIV

Christ-following is not rule-following. 

Christ is life; not a burden, not working harder, not being buried under a weight of guilt unable to meet all the requirements of "righteous" living. Bondage to an ideal is not the stuff of freedom in Christ, contrary to what many have been taught, and in some ways, as I was taught.

Joy is repressed when the Christ-life is reduced to a list-following duty. You see, Christ came to set us free. We can access that freedom by living in close relationship with Him. He is life. Real life is an over-flowing of Christ in us that is life-giving and real.

Liberating in essence, Christ-following is crying out to Him with your heart and soul, to know Him, to love Him, to being filled with Christ's life now bringing -- and His Life now being -- life in you. Christianity is about Christ, His hope, His love, and His life. Pure and simple, it is all about Christ.

Many Christians live in duty-bound bondage to the religious form that has little to do with the "life" of Christ in their daily living. Christ came to set the captive free. He is life eternal. Through Him we partake of Living Life. His Life brings life with its joy to the soul. We become fully alive in our spirit.

Belief is rooted in what you believe. If it is reduced to a list of rules, traditions, and religious practices, then it will fail to bring life to the soul. Instead, it will cause bondage to the practices. Opening your life to Christ and focusing on Him is what gives life to your inner being. This is freeing and breaks the bonds of do-good-ing religiosity. Trying to achieve holiness in our own strength is not possible though it may be well intentioned. Striving to be godly will fail. Its motivation is from the wrong source. Godliness originates from Christ, in us and transforming us.
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What goes on in the heart is where we must look to find our true spiritual state. As we are in our heart, so are we. Why we do what we do is important to know. A self-examination is in order. What does your heart love? Therein you will find your spiritual truth. Is it in Christ the Savior or is it in the practices and forms? I mean, really look for what is true in you. The wearing of "spiritual masks" is commonplace. They quite effectively hide the true truth about your spiritual condition. Seek God until He mirrors your soul's condition to you. Then you're ready to access freedom through Christ and in Christ.

Grace, joy, and peace come through Christ living in us. Embracing Christ, loving God, seeking spiritual truth through Father, Son, and Spirit -- through God's Word, and through a life enkindled in its reality through love in Christ, prayer and meditation -- is life-giving goodness. It is then you live spiritual life from a place of light and beauty rather than bondage and servitude.

It doesn't get any better than that.