Invasive vs. Non-Invasive
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Working with high school students, I see a lot of youth with sports injuries. I can name a long list of students who have torn their ACL, “blew out their knee”, or “tore up their shoulder”. Not too many years ago, each of these included going “under the knife” with a beautiful scar to show everyone when you finished. Today, however, these, along with so many other surgeries, are accomplished through non-invasive means. Often just a simple little cut where a surgical tool can be inserted, and then like a giant video game, the doctor performs the procedure watching a monitor while guiding the work with a joy stick.
Given an option of invasive vs. non-invasive, I have yet to meet anyone who says, “Oh please give me the invasive surgery. I always wanted a big scar and a longer recovery”. We so often go the route of simplicity. I am a good example of this. Many people have told me how delicious crab legs are, but I still order a filet or some other dish that does not require the use of tools to eat. “Too much work” is the mantra I have spoken many times.
The advances in medical science are exciting and great news for those of us in need of repairs. However, this non-invasive, simple approach does not work when it comes to matters of faith. This life of comfort and simplicity has become so ingrained in us that we often seek a non-invasive, easy faith. We seek a faith that does not cut too deep, or leave any scars. We want a faith of comfort and convenience. Wilbur Rees, in his 1983 Leadership Magazine article "$3 Worth of God", wrote about this non-invasive faith.
“I would like to buy three dollars’ worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy three dollars’ worth worth of God, please.” Wilbur Rees, Leadership Magazine, Winter edition 1983, "$3 Worth of God," Vol. IV, No. 1, p. 107
This kind of non-invasive faith is not just poor theology, it is life threatening. The Bible is full of reminders of the real, genuine, invasive nature of true faith. This faith is born out of the presence of God in our life.
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
When God’s Spirit calls us to faith, He calls us not to comfort but to transformation.
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
We are even reminded that this life of transformation, this invasive faith is not an easy journey. In fact we may have a scar or two to show as a result of this life of faith.
Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Next time some one asks you about invasive or non-invasive surgery, choose wisely and weigh your options, Next time you have the option of invasive or non-invasive faith – go with invasive, it it the true nature of faith and leads to life!
Romans 8:11 (NIV)
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
<>< Craig
Water, Flour & Yeast
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There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh baked bread. It is such a pleasant smell that realtors will suggest that you bake a loaf of bread before a showing to get that smell in the air. I am often found in the presence of the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread. My wife is a master bread baker. Especially now as summer is all but a memory, it’s time for baking.
If you think that I settle just for the smell of fresh baked bread, then you don’t know me very well. Just yesterday, I enjoyed a piece of fresh, warm, artisan, white bread fresh from the oven and slathered it with butter. Did I mention that it was the heel of the loaf, my favorite!? While I was enjoying it, I hear Shirley say from the kitchen, “I’m not sure what can make a little water, flour and yeast taste so good!” While I can’t answer why it tastes so good, I will agree with her.
As I was savoring the bread, I was reminded of the words of Jesus written in John’s Gospel;
48 I am the bread of life.
John 6:48 (NIV)
In this same chapter, where Jesus speaks more about the bread of life, we find these words recorded,
33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
John 6:33 (NIV)
The God of the universe comes to us, His creation, from his home in Heaven to be our “bread of life.” Now there is a word picture I can wrap my head around. In the awesome delight of a simple collection of water, flour and yeast, baked to perfection, we find the image of a God who provides. The bread of this world always leaves me wanting one more slice. The bread of heaven is different,
35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry,
John 6:35a (NIV)
Bread that does not leave us hungry, bread that gives us life, that is the bread that Jesus give us. Next time you smell a fresh loaf of bread baking, or get to enjoy a fresh warm slice of bread, remember Scripture’s call to,
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
May you be filled with more and more of Christ, as you seek after Him, and may you find, by faith in the Son of God, Jesus our Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Bread of Life, a feast that lasts for all eternity.
<>< Craig “Pass me another slice, and don’t forget the butter!”
Watch me Daddy?
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The other morning at my favorite coffee hangout Mocha Monkey (do I get a free bottomless? I mentioned you again) I noticed a little boy and his father in the corner. The little boy was eating a muffin in a way only a little boy would. He would break the muffin into small pieces and using the fork he would launch them toward his mouth. I must admit when I first saw this happening I was sure the outcome would be ugly. This little boy had amazing aim, and patience. As his father read the newspaper in across the table the boy practiced. Finally confident in his new skill he called out “Watch me Daddy!”
The father put the paper aside for a moment and watched the boy as he fired three clean shots into his waiting mouth. His dad smiled and said “That’s amazing” and they he gave him a fist bump. The little boy beamed with pride. Dad went back to his paper and the boy picked up his muffin and ate the rest in 2 enormous bites, never taking the smile off his face.
The approval of your father, mean a lot to you when you are 4. It means a lot to me and I’m a few more than 4.
The other night at a Church Council meeting at my church I asked members of the council to think back to their earliest memory of striving for someones approval. Then I asked them who’s approval they were after. As they looked back in time they came up with clear answers, some said “My Mom,” some clearly pictured it being their Dad. As the conversation continued we realized there are lots of people over the years of whom we wanted their approved. I also struck me in that conversation just how different our approach might be to get the approval of Mom vs the approval of Dad, or of a sibling.
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
Paul write to young Timothy and reminds him and us, just whose approval matters. For Paul it was clear through his ministry he sought the approval of Christ. To do the will of God was a single minded vision for Paul. How about you? Who’s approval do you most seek?
18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NIV)
There is a sign above my computer in my office as I type this that sums it all up:
You please God
it doesn’t matter who you displease.
You displease God
it doesn’t matter who you please.
Be Faithful!
I pray that today I can work not for the approval of men, but of my Father in Heaven. “Watch me Daddy!”
<>< Craig
A long list of Kings
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While I love the Bible, the names of the Old Testament often frustrate me. Sometimes they frustrate me because I can’t pronounce them, and sometime they frustrate me because I get them all mixed up. The Old Testament covers a huge span of time and many, many people.
I recently stared a new study of the book of Isaiah through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Yesterday while doing my reading Isaiah 6:1-6
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.
Isaiah 6:1-6 (NIV)
As I read these familiar words (I have for many years loved the Book of Isaiah, just ask my son, Isaiah) The words that I have often overlooked jumped off the page at me. These openings words of Isaiah 6 I had memorized many years ago, I have always been struck by this powerful call of Isaiah. The words that struck me this time were the simple words “King Uzziah died”. I have often looked at this words as a historical marker in time. A way for us to add a little historical context to the book. But I was struck by the contrast of the simple announcement of the death of King Uzziah and Isaiah’s presence before the King Eternal. The old testament and all of history since then is littered with the graves of dead kings and rulers. But Isaiah stand before the king who has always been and will always be. These verses remind me also of my place before my King, and my call not to get lost in the history of the day or frustrated by current political trends or coming elections, but to keep my focus on that which Isaiah could not help but focus. The Eternal King who rules and reigns in this world and in my life.
Thank you God for those simple little hidden ponders buried in your Word. My prayer for you is that you too would search out these little 3 word treasures. Just for the record, they are everywhere in the Bible.
<>< Craig
Just a simple man who enjoy spending time with a good GodPonder!
Every Wish Come True
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I grew up in the age of “I Dream of Jennie.” As a young boy I would often dream of what it would be like to have a Genie in a bottle or as we so often think of in a lamp. I had play out that initial conversation 100 times, as the genie first apears and ask for my three wishes. over the years the first two wishes changed but the third was always the same… 100 more wishes.
I have imagined a thousand time what it would be like to have your every wish come true. Even just writing about it I can relive that great feeling of never worrying about anything, the fun euphoric feeling of getting your wishes fulfilled one by one. What a wonderful feeling it must be when the “Make a Wish” foundation is able to make a child’s wish come true, when their face lights up with excitement. Who would not love that feeling.
Today I often settle for simply getting excited and that greet feeling of personal triumph when through a series of coupons, and sale prices I can sometimes get a grocery store to pay me 10 cents to take a product home with me.
But there is a way to get everything you ask for – just by asking. No lamp rubbing is required for this one. The one providing for my every request is none other than the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The one who designed and hung the stars in place, naming them all one by one. It is the one who alone is worthy to be called God.
“...ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” John 15:7b
No before you start writing those 12 page theological emails to me about God not being a genie or a butler waiting to answer our every request, let me tell you that while I am no master theologian, this much I know, “Jesus said it, I believe it, ‘Nuf said!” We really are able to live in that wonderful state of bliss, with that wonderful euphoric feeling of getting your wishes to come true.
It is available to you, and to me, and to all who would take Jesus at his Word. Lets take a look at this larger section of John’s Gospel for the secret to ultimate wish fulfillment!
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
John 15:1-7 (NIV)
Did you catch the secret to wish fulfillment? If we remain connected to the vine, and his Words remain in us we can expect whatever we wish for to be given to us. When we remain in Jesus, connected to the vine, we allow all that the vine is – to flow through us. Our strength, our life, our all flows through the roots, up the vine and into us branches. We do not exist alone and on our own, we are part of the plant, we are connected to Christ.
My desire is and always has been, thanks to my selfish sinful nature, to get my wishes fulfilled! What a blessing to discover that it is God’s will for me as well. He is ready and willing to grant all my desires and wishes that are born our of a deep connection to Him. Do you see it yet? The desire and wishes of one who is connected to the vine come not from ourselves but from Christ! What a blessing he allows us to experience the joy of wishes fulfilled, every wish… drawn from the Life of Christ who flows through us.
For me this is fantastic motivated to stay connected, to keep growing in Christ, that I might know each day the joy of dreams and wishes fulfilled.
<>< Craig
Just a branch hanging on for dear life to the vine of Christ, and enjoying life along the way – filled with His desires.
A Rare Find, Keepers of a Rare Book
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Recently while visiting my parents in Surprise Arizona, I came upon a real surprise, Just down the road about 15 minutes from there home. In Goodyear Arizona, in what looks from the outside to be nothing more than a Hampton Inn & Suites you find a little gem of a museum, The Bible Museum. When you walk through the lobby of this hotel, you begin to wonder what it is that you will see, just across from the vending machines. What you do find will surprise you. The Bible Museum is a unique museum where you can actually hold, turn pages and read some of the rarest printed Bibles and rare theological books on the planet.
I had a chance to page through a first edition of Luther’s Catechism, a 1557 Edition of the Geneva New Testament and many other rare editions, including a first edition of The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan published in 1687. The museum is dedicated to share the great copies of Scripture from the past as the story is told of how God has preserved and shared his word through the centuries. Everyone should spend a few hours here, and listen to the History of the Bible to grow in appreciation of the men who during the dark ages of superstition and ignorance, obeyed God and brought Scriptures to the world.
My only regret on the day is that, to be perfectly honest I did not expect to find much more than a few rare copies of Scripture under glass, so I did not allow myself much time. I will need much more time next time I venture down that way. Check out their website at www.thebiblemuseum.com .
Now I know… the sequel
By · CommentsIn my last GodPonder,
I reflected on those “light bulb” events in our life that make us utter the words “Now I know…”
As I was reading through Genesis the other day, I came across the phrase yet again. This time it is in the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22. At the ripe old age of 100 Abraham finally has a son through his wife Sarah. So delighted are Abraham and Sarah at the birth of their little boy, that they name him “Laughter.” (Isaac)
6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me."
Genesis 21:6 (NIV)
On the heels of that great joy and just a few short years later, chapter 22 opens with these words…
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Genesis 22:1-2 (NIV)
Sometimes we find a verse or phrase in Scripture that jumps out at us for it’s simplicity or its oddity. When we come to Chapter 22 verse 1 in the context of the story we see a verse that stands out for its oddity. In what any father might call a huge understatement we find the little phrase “God tested Abraham.”
I have taken hard tests in my day. I had finals in college that made me physically ill, I was so nervous. But this is no pop quiz. It’s not even a doctoral exam or “The Bar”. This is an enormous test for Abraham to take this child of the promise, the laughter of their lives, their one and only son and offer him up as a sacrifice. While we could ponder the amazement of the request or the unbelievable compliance of Abraham, I want us to skip through all that and pause near the end of the story. (Read the whole story in Genesis 22:1-19)
10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied. 12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Genesis 22:10-12 (NIV)
Have you ever looked at some type of optical illusion perhaps it was a drawing the like one here with Jesus in it. When you first look at it you don’t often see “the object” or get the “point” of the illusion, but once you see it, it becomes so obvious you wonder why you missed it before. Can you see Jesus in the drawing here?”
The words of Genesis 22:10-12 are just like that drawing of Jesus, something you might not see at first, or at least I didn’t see it at first. Did you catch the phrase? I marked it for you in the text, “Now I know…” These words of God spoken to Abraham leapt off the page. God knew? Yes He knew. The simple truth is God always knew. He knew even before he asked Abraham. We are talking about the all knowing, all powerful, Sovereign of the universe. I heard years ago a phrase I have repeated, perhaps too often, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” If this phrase is new, ponder it for a moment. God never has any light bulb moments where something comes into clarity that he was otherwise confused about. To quote the good Dr. Martin Luther, “God is God.”
This thought leads me to a deeper ponder. The simple fact is that God does test us. His Word tells us that. But why? What is the point of the testing if God already knows what we know or how we will respond or react.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3 (NIV)
The testing is for our benefit. He wants us to know what we are, with his presence, capable of! James says it produces in us perseverance. But perseverance for what? This testing produces in us the courage and knowledge that by God’s grace and presence we CAN stand up to all that this world, Satan, and even our very own flesh can throw against us.
Think of all the challenges that lay ahead for Abraham and Isaac. Can you imagine the confidence and trust that this one event built into their lives. What confidence and trust has God built through your times of testing?
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37 (NIV)
Next time you feel your faith being tested, consider it a joy and look for what you can learn from the experience.
<>< Craig McCourt
Don’t get stuck in the all to easy self seeking ponders of this world. Take some time to ponder Christ and have yourself a GodPonder!
“Now I know…”
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Have you have had a “Now I know” moment? I’m sure we all have had many of them, those moments when either because of failure or success we can say, “Now I know.”
A few weeks ago I took my neighbor Mike up on his offer to use the new smoker on his grill. It was an exciting time – smoked beef brisket! My mouth is watering just writing about it. I tell people that after our friends, it is the thing I miss the most about our time in Texas – the sweet flavor of good slow-smoked beef brisket. It is like eating candy.
I’ve smoked brisket before on big smokers, our congregation in Texas would smoke 3,500 pounds of brisket at a time! (that’s a small smoker in Texas). I’ve smoked brisket before on electric smokers, but I had never smoked it on a gas smoker. I learned a few things after watching my brisket burst into flames not once but twice. When the drip tray gets full, and it will, you need to turn off the flame, THEN remove the tray. Reinsert the tray and then relight the burner. “Now I know…”
The Bible is full of “Now I know…” moments. One of them is found in Exodus 18 where Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, comes to visit Moses. This visit is after the deliverance of God’s people from the hand of the Egyptians and after a great deal of wondering and strong provision by God.
8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, "Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."
Exodus 18:8-11 (NIV)
How could you not know after all that the Lord had done for the people of Israel.
In the book of 1 Kings, Elijah meets a widow at Zerephath. (1 Kings 17:7-24) This woman is gathering sticks to go home, light a fire, and bake one last little cake of bread for her and her son so they can “eat it –and die.” Elijah asks her to first go make some bread for him, and that God will provide. Elijah tells the woman that God had spoken “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.” (1 Kings 17:14)
The woman does as Elijah asks and sure enough her flour does not run out and her oil does not run dry. Neat trick but she does not yet have a “Now I know…” moment. Some time later her son dies, and after Elijah raises him back to life she says
"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth."
1 Kings 17:24 (NIV)
The bread and the oil were not enough, or so we are led from this account to believe, for this woman to trust the Word of the LORD. From this chair, which for the record is in a beautiful cabin in central Minnesota – ah vacation, I can look at this story and say “You would have had me at the flour and oil.”
But it does make me ponder, what does it take in my life today for me to trust in the Word of the LORD as truth? It seems as if there are many times I am not easily impressed by the constant hand of provision that he offers me each and every day. I guess that is why God recorded so many amazing accounts for me in the pages of Scripture. As John penned at the end of his Gospel,
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:31 (NIV)
Now I know…
<>< Craig McCourt
Life is to short to waste time of ponders that don’t matter, or worse yet on ponders that distract us from Christ, so lets take more time to ponder God, let GodPonder!
Seems like forever!
By · CommentsWow it has been a long time since I have written anything on this blog.
One of the big reasons for my absence was a major behind the scenes shift in our website. After many years of hosting with the same company I felt like I could no longer use them as a host. Their service was awesome, and their price one of the best in the business. But in recent years their choice of advertisements have become offensive to me. They have chosen to use sexuality to sell their web services. We live in a world that loves to attach sexuality to any and everything. There is little often that I feel I can do to stem the tide, but I do know in this case I am willing to pay a few dollars more and spare myself the personal offense.
This shift included the moving of several domains, and other sites, It has been a back burner project that I only tonight managed to finish. Well time to quit working behind the scenes and time to start Sharing more GodPonders.
<>< Craig McCourt
A Stronghold
By · CommentsThis morning in my journey through the Chronological Bible I was reading about King David. Shortly after David conquers Jerusalem the Philistines come after David. in what perhaps on another day would have been a flyover verse I came to this verse:
17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. 2 Samuel 5:17 (NIV)
The mighty David, the boy who fearlessly killed the giant Goliath, who was a mighty military leader and who seemed to have God in his back pocket, traveled from Jerusalem to “the stronghold.” David sought refuge and security, not in a cowering fearful hiding, but in a defensive posture to take some time to inquire of God what he should do next.
These days my life and the lives of so many near me seem deeply engaged in fierce spiritual battles. I find in these days that I too must at times flee to my stronghold. My place of rest, safety and inquiry of God. For me that stronghold is a quiet place with the Word of God, it is sometimes in the quiet of my bed with my wife and the Word of God, It some times is the quiet of the Sanctuary at the piano, it is sometimes gathering with my Thursday night accountability group. In these strongholds I find peace and rest and a clear ability to call out to My God in confidence and hope.
What about you? Where is your stronghold? I pray you find safety, renewal and a Word from the Lord as you find that place of rest in the strong arms of Jesus.
Now for the rest of this story… David from the depth of the stronghold inquired of God, and following God’s direction was victorious over his enemy. Read it all in 2 Samuel 5:17-21
<>< Craig
Written from the stronghold…..
