Archive for February, 2014

“The commandment against stealing [You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15] does not serve to protect private property; important possessions belong to the entire community / family. Some have called this a primitive democracy or primitive socialism; both terms are naive generalizations with respect to pastoral society and economics. But it is important to realize that there was no notion of the inviolability of property owned by individuals; this is a later Western notion…

Property and land were given to be used for the glory of Yahweh and the good of all. The command not to steal spoke against those who sought to appropriate communal possessions for their own private use. Such hoarding could result in the lowering the quality of life or even in death for others in the community. Persons had right of access to those things upon which their life depended…Thus, the command may have slowed the growth of individual ownership rather than protected it.

The command may have meant, “Do not take community property for your own individual ownership.” How ironic that modern society uses the commandment to defend the opposite course of action! The purpose of the command was to curb those who steal from society at large by amassing great wealth, for such theft will ultimately break down that society. This explains the ire of the prophets who inveighed against the wealthy classes of Samaria and Jerusalem.”

Robert Gnuse, You Shall Not Steal: Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2011), p. 6-7.

“For the Christian, generosity involves more than the ordinary kindness one finds among friends and neighbors; it entails extending to enemies the same undeserved, gracious generosity that is extended to me by God in Christ.”

James E. Gilman, Fidelity of Heart: An Ethic of Christian Virtue (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001), p. 83.

“This is what I would like to feel more than anything. Gratitude. How else can you really enjoy your life? To feel gratitude is to look at everything in your life and appreciate it, be aware of it, pay attention to it. Our lifestyle, of course, engenders discontent and resentment. Because more is always better, you can never be satisfied with what you have. Because commercials are constantly showing us ecstatically happy people with lots of stuff, we always feel that we’re just not quite making it. Then, when we see how much money rich people have, we feel envious. All of these feelings make you discontent with your life, causing you to fail to be grateful for what you have. So each morning I consciously think about what I am grateful for…”

Cecile Andrews in “The Spirituality of Everyday Life” in Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective ed. Michael Schut (Harrisburg: Morehouse, 2008), p. 40.

Society tells us that “more is always better” and in our lives we have found that breeds discontentment. Such thinking led us to purchase perhaps a larger house than we need, so we are putting our house on the market today. While we pray it sells we are grateful that we have gotten to live in this wonderful Eagle View community. We’ve experienced the joy of leading a neighbor to Christ and built deep bonds with many others here.

We have no idea where we are moving, but worrying about that is borrowing trouble. As Jesus reminds us, each day has enough challenges of its own. For now, we are grateful that our family of four is unified that living simply with an attitude of gratitude is the path we want to walk together. And many of you who read these meditations are walking that path too. May gratitude and contentment lead you to enjoy greater levels of freedom and generosity.

“The call to simplicity and freedom for Christians is the call to move from achievement oriented spirituality to a life centered on a shared vision of relatedness to people and things, a relatedness of gentleness, of compassion, of belonging to one another.”

Richard Bower as cited in Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective ed. Michael Schut (Harrisburg: Morehouse, 2008), p. 18.

“The opportunity to rethink money has nothing to do with “deprivation” and everything to do with living a life of “immeasurable wealth” reflective of our core values…Authentic wealth does not consist in the size of your bank account or investment portfolio, but in the depth and diversity of relationships.”

Michael Schut, Simpler Living, Compassionate Life: A Christian Perspective (Harrisburg: Morehouse, 2008), p. 13, 17.

“Those new to the faith are as vulnerable as hatchlings, and require a steady and dedicated effort of feeding. And the budding faith of young people requires our committed attention; extra care; overtime in planning, teaching, encouraging, generosity, mentoring, and support. For those who practice extravagant generosity, the nests we build are not for ourselves–they are for the next generation…”

Robert Schnase, Practicing Extravagant Generosity: Daily Readings on the Grace of Giving (Nashville: Abingdo, 2011), excerpt from week one, day two reading.

I love how Robert Schnase expresses this. We must generously pour our lives into the next generation, feathering their nest rather than our own.

Have you ever had the opportunity to mentor a young leader from whom you likely learn more than what you impart? That’s been the case with me and Greg Henson. He asked me to mentor him almost a decade ago and since then, I’ve been so blessed in our Paul-Timothy relationship.

Today I honor Greg as this marks his first day as president of Sioux Falls Seminary. May God richly bless his nest and the nests of all those we mentor for God’s glory.

“Dear Lord, you have sent me into this world to preach your word. So often the problems of the world seem so complex and intricate that your word strikes me as embarrassingly simple. Many times I fell tongue-tied in the company of people who are dealing with the world’s social and economic problems.

But you, O Lord, said, “Be clever as serpents and innocent as doves.” Let me retain innocence and simplicity in the midst of this complex world. I realize that I have to be informed, that I have to study the many aspects of the problems facing the world, and that I have to try to understand as well as possible the dynamics of our contemporary society.

But what really counts is that all this information, knowledge, and insight allow me to speak more clearly and unambiguously your truthful word. Do not allow evil powers to seduce me with the complexities of the world’s problems, but give me strength to think clearly, speak freely, and act boldly in your service. Give me the courage to show the dove in a world so full of serpents.”

Henri Nouwen, Seeds of Hope (New York: Doubleday, 1997), p. 112.

This question is asked of me often these days. “What’s next, Gary?” Often that remark is accompanied with, “What are you going to go do now?”

I did not embark on a PhD as a means to an end of getting a job. I did it out of obedience to God. I felt led to begin this course of study in 2000, was not able to start until 2006 and by God’s grace finished my course yesterday. Rather than just tell you, I desire to show you what I learned.

So what do I want to do now? I want to take a posture, not a position. In the words of Henri Nouwen, I want “to think clearly, speak freely, and act boldly” in His service. This troubled world is in desperate need of the truthful word dripping from your tongue and mine.

My aim, with every ounce of strength God grants me, is to follow Jesus’ invitation to serve as a conduit of blessing to a broken world. I am most thankful that my wife and children have joined me on this journey, as have many of you.

Together now, let us take courage from our Lord, and not let the complexities of this world confuse or distract us from running the race with innocence and simplicity. Christ be with us.

Jenni and I attended my academic awards ceremony today for Trinity College at Wills Hall, Bristol University. I was honored to receive my PhD degree in an unforgettable ceremony. Among about one hundred graduates in certificate, bachelor, and master level programs, there were only five PhD’s awarded this year, and I was among the three privileged to attend.

Since no video or photography was allowed during the service, it is impossible for us to describe the awesome sound of the organ in the Great Hall or the inspirational message delivered by the Reverend Prebendary Nick Mercer from St. Paul’s Cathedral. What we can share are the lyrics to the closing hymn that commissioned the graduates for service for God’s glory.

“Lord for the Years” by Timothy Dudley-Smith

Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
Lord for the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that Word, the Word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the Word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our land in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care:
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world where men disown and doubt you,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without you,
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross, and Christ upon the throne,
past put behind us, for the future take us,
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.