Distress, Debt, and Discontent

There is no doubt these are troublesome times in our nation and world. There are a hand full of issues that dominate our news channels; war, economy, national debt, and health care. There is barely a night that news of new job losses does not show up somewhere in the nightly conversation. Property values are low and continue to drop. Distrust for are local and national leaders concerning policy decisions continues to grow. There is great unrest and uncertainty among the people.

At this point in time we are looking for a leader to guide us out of these troubled times. We are looking for someone that will tell the truth, make tough decisions, and make the right decisions. Many people in are nation thought that leader was President Barak Obama. He campaigned on the message of Hope and Change. It was an exciting time full of hope and promise. However, soon after he was sworn into office his tune of hope and change turned to point and blame. On more than one occasion he or someone in his administration has said they underestimated the challenges they faced in the economy. Many who were hopeful in November are feeling hopeless in October.

Our story is not much different from that of the ancient Israelites of King David's time. 1 Samuel 22:2 states, "All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him." This verse speaks of David's warriors prior to his installation as king of Israel. These men had felt the pain and loss that came as the result of corruption and weak leadership. They gathered to the prophesied king David while he was in the wilderness seeking to avoid the deadly sword of King Saul.

These men took a chance by gathering around David. If the prophecy of David's kingship was not true they would have suffered certain death once they had been found by King Saul. Nevertheless, they took their lives and ultimately placed it in the hope of God's word-The Prophecy that David would be king. Perhaps they figured that they had nothing to lose. After all, they were already in distress, debt, and full of discontent. I'd imagine that for some this was there last hope. If death were to come to them so be it.

If you continue to follow David's story you find that these men would become the mighty men of valor. These men by there choice to trust the word of God would become men of legend. Not only would they live to see David crowned as king, they would also live to see there own lives transformed. These men were close to the king and as a result reaped the rewards. They gained position in the kingdom, were respected by the people, and feared by their enemies. It was good to know the king.

The story of David and his mighty men is actually a picture of Christ and His Kingdom. Christ is the prophesied King of all the earth. Although we have yet to see this come to full fruition, we have the word of God that declares it so. If you are anything like me you are discontent, in debt, and distressed. Maybe you are depressed, demoralized, and disgusted. No matter what your state the declaration of the true King has been made and now is the time to gather to Him.

What do you have to lose? Maybe like the people of Israel you placed your hope in Saul (President Obama/government). Saul was a man that had the look of a great leader. He was tall- a man of stature (much like our president). Much like our President he had a magnificent start. He conquered Israel's enemies and his legend was growing. However, somewhere along the way he could no longer deliver the leadership the people needed (President Obama is early on in his Presidency and I don't want to make a comment on his effectiveness or lack thereof so early). As a result, the nation of Israel suffered. This would open the door to the king-a man after God's own heart.

The door is wide open now for us to seek the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord's. His heart is toward the people and he knows exactly what we need. Now is the time to gather around Him with all we are. Rest assured, it will be risky. Following Christ the King has never been a safe move. He promises that his followers will be persecuted, that they will have trials, that they will suffer. Don't let this deter you. The mighty men suffered many setbacks as well. Hold on to the hope of the coming Kingdom. If you do so, you will conquer life's challenges and most importantly be close to the King.

It is my hope that our nation will in fact turn to God and gather around him during this time. It is my hope that this would not be a bread and loaves crowd (meaning people that are only present because they are looking for the handouts). It is my hope that we will truly seek him with all are heart and in doing so find something more precious than gold. Believe the word of the Lord, Christ kingdom is coming and nothing can stop it. Gather to him so that you may put aside your distress, debt, and discontent. May God make you a mighty man or woman of valor.

Is he in you?

A few years back I took a course at Ashland Theological Seminary called Women Spiritual Writers. It was taught by my favorite professor, Dr. JoAnn Ford Watson. Dr. Watson was a passionate teacher and yet supremely scholarly. I once asked her a question and she began to write the Hebrew and Greek on the board breaking down every bit of my question in a matter of moments. She was excellent. Anyway, the course focused on Seven Women Mystics. Being young in my faith and still largely uneducated, I was concerned about the word "Mystic." It turns out that the word "mystic" in Christianity refers to someone that is so full of God's Spirit that they overflow with His presence and power.

At the same time that I was taking this course I was also studying Spiritual Disciplines. The combination of the two courses led me to meditate on Acts 3:6, "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." The context of this scripture is that Peter and John were heading up to the temple to worship when they were stopped by a crippled man begging for money. Peter provided something much better than money and even better than the ability to walk, Christ.

It was in this verse that God spoke to me and asked me the question, "Am I in you?" I was thinking to myself, "Is Christ in me? If he is, should I not seek to be like one the mystics-overflowing with God's Spirit?" I thought about Acts 3:6 for a long time. I thought if I were asked for something from a beggar I would likely respond by giving them money,not Christ. That was an indictment on my walk with God as well as my insight to what man truly needs in his life. Even if I were to offer a man Christ I don't believe I am so full of his spirit that healing would come through our interaction.

Right now things are tough in our nation (relatively speaking). People are suffering. Some are looking for money, some are looking for a job, some are looking for a hand out or a hand up. What we are truly looking for is Christ. God is the ultimate provider of all things in life. He is a our supply. During these difficult times we need to turn to Him for direction. "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.-Psalm 55:22"

There used to be Gatorade commercials that showed people from various sports working out, competing, etc...During these commercials people would sweat the Gatorade flavor that they were drinking. At the end of the commercial Gatorade would ask the question, "Is it in you?" One commercial in particular showed a man getting punched in the face during a boxing match. His body gave off a Gatorade glow like he was the Last Dragon. I ask the same question of you (and myself), "Is He in you?" When life hits you hard, or when you are sweating about your circumstances, when we see you doing your thing....would we see the Spirit of the Lord oozing out of you?

Life might be punching you in the face. Relationships may not be the way you want them,job situation may be out of whack, you may not know where to go. You might be looking to go to your corner for a rest or want to throw in the white towel of surrender. Don't do that. Instead seek God our Father. Ask Him to fill you to the full so that you may receive healing and in turn, like the mystics of old, provide healing to others. Be like Peter, "Silver and Gold I do not have, but what I have I give to you"-CHRIST. Is He in You?

Below is an old Jordan Gatorade Commercial. It was the closest illustration I could find of the old commercials. If you watch closely, at the end of the commercial you will see Jordan dripping with Gatorade. If you have a better clip let me know. Thanks.

SUBMISSION-a surprising path to FREEDOM

As I continue to make my spiritual recovery God has revealed one of the secrets of life to me. SUBMIT! I know, submission is a bad word in most places in the world today. And without a doubt, people have misinterpreted, misused, and misinformed about what submission is. Woman should submit to their husband (and in some cases men in general), congregations should submit to their pastors, children should submit to their parents, slaves to their masters, employees to their employer's...and on and on. I remember being in college when the debate on women and submission had taken over in my Christian circle of friends. Jokes abound as the men in our group would say, "Woman, bring me my food-submit!" "Woman, get in the bedroom-submit!" The jokes continued on until finally it would seem that it wasn't a joke anymore. To say the least the woman of the group weren't too pleased. I understand that the word SUBMIT is not taken lightly.

Despite the ugly denotation of the word, it is actually a freeing process when executed correctly. I am speaking of submission to God. As I stated in earlier post I have been disappointed with the general state of affairs my life is in. I have been disappointed that I didn't get my way. To be honest, I have had an attitude of entitlement. I have felt that I was owed something by God and by life. I have lived "right" done the "right" things, and worked hard...where's mine? That has been my juxtaposition. Although I may have lived "right" I have no "right" to demand anything of God. Isaiah 29:16 states:
You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to him who formed it,
"He did not make me"?
Can the pot say of the potter,
"He knows nothing"?

I had lost site of the fact that I am God's creation. I had lost site that God is the potter and I am the clay. He orders my steps (Psalm 37). I was enlightened to this truth about a week ago while reading Richard Foster's, Celebration of Discipline. Foster writes in his book concerning submission, "Do you know the liberation that comes from giving up your rights? It means you are set free from the seething anger and bitterness you feel when someone doesn't act toward you the way you think they should."

I thought I was being submissive to God. I was going to church, giving regularly, serving, and the like. But much like a disgruntle employee, I was doing all the right things while my inner man was doing all the wrong things. I was giving an image of submission while holding a position of rebellion. I was willing to submit to God as long as things went my way. When they didn't I had beef. God knew what was going on inside of me. Even when I didn't. Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." I had been found out. Unfortunately, it took me a long time to figure out that I had been found out.


Now that I am aware of my heart's condition I am making an effort to SUBMIT to the Lord. I am looking forward to the freedom of a submitted heart and lifestyle. I'll be free from bitterness, free from anger over situations. Free to honor God in all I do without the pressure of doing things my way. This principle abounds in most other relationships-work, marriage, and friendships. When we submit we are free to defer to the other person's priorities. Make no mistake, submission to God will include submission to people. You may find this process difficult but it's worth the struggle. Freedom always is. So why not join me and be free-SUBMIT.