fighting with love

I recently attended a conference where I was able to learn from a panel of "experts" on justice and compassion. These are people who are on the front lines - doing the hard work of acting on behalf of those in need of a voice and a friend, as well as writing and speaking on their behalf to bring awareness to those not yet involved in this lifestyle.
Here are a few bites to chew on:

"You can't be greedy and fight against greed." - John Perkins

"There was a point when I realized that conversion was not only about my relationship with Jesus, but about conversion of the world and its institutions of injustice . . . We can't divorce justice from the Gospel." - Lisa Sharon-Harper

Jesus was God walking on earth, turning everything we are on its head. He was the ultimate hero for justice. And we are His followers. Should not our lives resemble His? Hanging out with sinners and poor people . . . establishing reconciliation where there is quarrelling and war . . . speaking out for children in need of a blessing . . . challenging the attitudes of the greedy and hypocritical . . . meeting the needs of the sinful with extravagant Grace . . . these are the actions that characterized His life. Are they the actions of Christ-followers?

I would say not always. I would even go so far as to say not often. Too often we are characterized by our desire to be blessed, our judgemental thoughts, words, and actions, and our need for power and control. And, my brothers and sisters, this must change.

"Lord, send revival, start with me . . " -Matt Redmond

Are you ready? Are you already in the midst of this battle? How has God called you to be a justice fighter?

Let us fight the powers and institutions of injustice, and let us use the foremost weapon that we alone carry: Love. May we be warriors of Justice every day. In our awareness, our words, and especially our actions. God has called us to it. Jesus has led the way. The Holy Spirit has and will continue to help us.

"This is the kind of fasting I have chosen:
Loosen the chains of wickedness,
untie the straps of the yoke,
let the oppressed go free,
and break every yoke.
Share your food with the hungry,
take the poor and homeless into your house,
and cover them with clothes when you see them naked.
Don’t refuse to help your relatives." -Isaiah 58:6-7 (GWT)

Obedient Thoughts

How much control do you have over your thoughts? A lot? Not much at all? If you were to engage in a little meta-cognition, what would you find? A disciplined, self-controlled thought-life, or one of random, chaotic, lascivious indulgence?

If you think about your own thoughts, and even the thoughts of others around you, what you'll find is a wide spectrum on the meter of intentionality. It seems some people are able to use their minds for positive purpose and direction, yet others seem to be floundering, wavering, even drowning in their own thoughts, or in the thoughts of others. Why is this?

It's a matter of Spiritual Discipline. Notice I did not say SELF discipline, because it goes beyond our own human abilities to control the direction of our thoughts. It takes a profusion of help from and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. If by your own power you try to reign in your thoughts, you'll be straining against a runaway team of wild stallions. But if you continually surrender to God's influence over your mind, and fill your thoughts with His Word, you might just find yourself leading a well-trained mare before a smoothly drawn carriage.

"Of course we are human, but we don’t fight like humans. The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people’s defenses, that is, their arguments and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (GWT)

God has lovingly granted us weapons to use in fighting this battle in our minds. We are not left defenseless. May we use what He has given us, these powerful weapons of Spiritual renewal and regeneration to destroy the negative thoughts of others, as well as the chaotic internal workings of our own minds. What are these weapons, you may ask? The Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and the Gifts of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). May we learn to wield these divine weapons as we surrender to the Spirit's leadership, both in our actions and our thoughts. We can ask God to make our hearts and minds pleasing to Him (Psalm 19:14). And if we do ask, He will help.

endurance lessons from a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer

Over the past few days, I've been loving both pastoral epistles to Timothy from Paul. They are so profound, not only to pastors and church leaders, but to everyone - so practical and thought-provoking, so life-changing, if we'll allow it.

Yesterday I was completely smitten with this one:

"Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor." - 2 Timothy 2:3-6 (NLT)

I love how real Paul is here, instructing his young padawan-learner, Timothy, in the delicate art of ministering to a church of sinners and new disciples. Here's my own paraphrase of the chapter: Shepherding this flock will not be easy, but the Lord will help you and give you strength. After all, Jesus is our example, and even He faced suffering and trials. When you come up against opposition remember these three victorious examples as well:

* a devoted soldier who doesn't get caught up in civilian affairs that don't concern him, but rather keeps his focus on his loyalty to his commander. (Remember that we serve THE Commander, and His orders are always for the best of both the troops and also for victory on the war-front.)

* an honest ball-player who doesn't cheat just to win. He plays by the rules and wins the noble way so that no one can question the validity of his trophy in the end. (Remember, righteousness is the good and prosperous way that true champions live.)

* a diligent farmer who toils for his share of the produce. In the end he is entitled to partake in the fruit of his labor because he didn't give up when the work was hard or the drought seemed insurmountable. (Remember, it takes time to grow something from seed to harvest - be it apples, oranges, or a healthy church body.)


I know this will seem like a no-brainer, but we're not in heaven yet. Life on earth is hard work, and once you become a Christ-follower, you don't all-of-the-sudden get to skate by on easy street (contrary to some beliefs). Devotion, honesty, and diligence are key to living the lives God has destined for us here on earth, so let's hunker down and get 'er done! Heaven will come someday soon, and there will no longer be a need for such efforts. We'll all be made perfect in our devotion to the Lord, there will be nothing but honest workings in the new heavens and earth, and we'll no longer have to toil for what we need - God will have it all done for us!

For the time being, let us keep our eyes on Jesus! Though He faced trials, troubles, and persecution, He was able to fight the good fight until the End, and He will help us to do the same.