I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he browses among the lilies. – Song of Songs 6:3

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 30, 2013): Song of Songs 6

Ownership is tough. There is a very real level where we really own nothing – at most we rent, but sometimes even that is a stretch. In 1984 I bought my first new car. I had had cars before, but they were never new, someone had always owned them before me. My wife and I were really just getting started in our life together, and we scrimped and saved so that we could by the car – a tan 1984 Toyota Tercel. It was great. That car got us through a lot of tough times. But I do not still have that car. It passed on to other hands a number of years ago. In fact, there have been a number of cars that have passed through my hands since the Tercel – although the Toyota Tercel remains the only car that we have ever purchased new off of the lot. The vehicles were mine, but only for a time.

I own my house – well, me and the bank. But there is this knowledge that it is mine under certain conditions. As long as I make the mortgage payments and pay the taxes it is mine. But in the back of my mind I am also reminded of all the people in the history of our world who have lost their homes because they fell out of favor with reigning political power. What they thought was theirs they found out was really was not theirs. It was theirs only under certain conditions. And when the conditions were not met, what they thought was theirs was passed on to somebody else.

And when it comes to the ownership of people - that we really frown on. We have had our fill of slavery with all of its evil. We argue that people cannot be owned. That extends from the marginalized in our society to those that are closest to us – no one can be owned. And it has become fashionable to recognize our individuality even inside of the marriage relationship. I have spoken with couples about the fact that I disagree with the idea that “we are made for each other.” I rebel against the idea that anyone can “be completed” by another person. The most healthy marriage relationships that I know of are the ones between two people that were completed in themselves long before they ever met the other person and began discussing the possibility of marriage.

But ... there is also a level of ownership inside the marriage relationship. The Song of Songs says it this way – “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” The idea is that I am owned by my wife and I own her. It is not a financial ownership, but because I love her I want to do the things that make her happy. The level of love between a couple can sometimes be summed up by all of activities that we get involved in that we would never initiate on our own. The only reason why we watch that movie, or go shopping at that store (or for some of us – any store) is because we are owned. The most enduring relationships are the ones where we are willing to sacrifice for each other – we are owned – and because of love, we would have it no other way.     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 7

I slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.” I have taken off my robe—must I put it on again? I have washed my feet—must I soil them again? – Song of Songs 5:2-3

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 29, 2013): Song of Songs 5

In 1840, Queen Victoria of England married her first cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The story is told of an argument that occurred between the newly married couple soon after the wedding day and at the end of the argument Prince Albert left the room and went and locked himself in his private quarters. The story says that the Queen went to his quarters and knocked on the door. Albert knew who it was that was at the door, but he still asked “Who is it?” And the response that he heard back was that “it is the Queen of England and she demands to be admitted.” Apparently, Albert ignored the knocking at the door until Victoria finally went away. A little later she came back and he asked “Who is it?” and the reply was once again that “it is the Queen of England and she demands to be admitted.” This process went on for a while and Albert remained firmed and refused the Queen the admittance she was demanding. Finally, Victoria returned to the locked door and gently tapped on it. Albert asked the question “Who is it?” But this time the Queen of England replied “It is your wife, Albert” and the door was opened.

In the middle of this love poem that is the “Song of Songs” we find on act of insensitivity. There is a sense in a marriage relationship where we often expect our beloved to be ready for us at any time – and sometimes our attitudes can be very demanding. It is a lesson that we all have to learn in all of our relationships. We may have expectations of the other, but when we come demanding we will very seldom find that the door is opened and that we are welcomed into the presence of the ones that we love. So often we do the Queen Victoria thing, demanding admittance into the others lives. But even if we gain admittance, it will not be the experience that we want it to be.

Solomon comes knocking on his bride’s door. It is not the best time. She has already moved into bed, she has completed all of the rituals that have to be done before a person goes to bed - and she is asleep. The request comes and she finds the request inconvenient. It is not that she does not love her husband, but there is a pause in this moment as she considers the request of her husband, the king of Israel. But while she was asleep, we are reminded in the poem that her heart was awake.

It is the state of the heart that will always move us to do what is inconvenient – we do it because of the love that we have for the other. In our spiritual lives, we know this truth. God never comes to us saying that he is the Creator of the Universe and that he demands admittance. Rather he comes softly with the request, and often he comes in the moment that is inconvenient and leaves us the choice of whether or not we will respond. And when we do respond, it is only love that is our motivation – we respond only because our heart is awake. But we are also aware of the inconvenience that we must be to him, and yet he responds to us anyway because his heart is awake - and he loves us.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 6

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead. – Song of Songs 4:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 28, 2013): Song of Songs 4

In the fifth book of the George R. R. Martin’s epic story “A Song of Ice and Fire” (which has become more popularly known as “The Game of Thrones”) we find an all too familiar story of a man who feels that the only way that he can prove his power is to dominate the woman that he is married to. In this case the man was an illegitimate born son of a ruler whose rise to power only seemed to be because there was simply no one else. No one values him, and so he does not value anyone else either. And it is those that are closest to him – including his new bride – that suffers the consequences for the way that he feels. And that is tragic, but even more tragic is that those who are near him learn to accept it, they drink in the feelings of their own inadequacies and, as a result, the cycle simply continues with them.

It is not an unknown story in the reality of our lives. We know the story. If we have not experienced the story, we know someone who has. They are our neighbors, and our acquaintances, and sometimes even our friends – and we weep with them and for them. Some of us, in the quiet moments of our lives, can also look inside of ourselves and see the areas of our own lives where our growth has been stunted because of the things that have happened to us. It was not supposed to be this way – but that does not change the reality that it is that way. But we want it to be different.

There is no way that we can look at Solomon’s growing up years, and the way that he was damaged simply because of the way his family was. It was the competition with his brothers for the throne of Israel, the death of siblings way too soon all because of the actions that they committed – and all of this had to have an effect on Solomon, but he is valiantly trying to refuse to let all of the negative come out in his actions with the ones that are closest to him. Solomon demonstrates the art of “positive communication” with his bride. He tells her that she is beautiful – words that every woman needs to hear. And then he starts to describe her. Now, your hair is like goats descending off of a hill may not sound beautiful to us, but it would have to Solomon’s beloved. In Solomon’s day the goats would have been dark in color and at the end of the day as the sun was setting behind the hills and the goats were coming down the hill, there was this beautiful flowing motion to the sight. And as he looks at the dark hair of his bride, he tells her that it is this beautiful image that he sees when he looks at her.

There is so much negative in our lives. It comes to us whether we want it or not. And the only way that we can overcome the damage that is being done to us on almost a daily basis is if the people who are closest to us continually remind us of why we are beautiful – and valuable. And as much as we need that positive energy from them, they need it from us. It is the relational covenant that we need to take hold of if we want this world to ever be a place of peace and hope.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 5

... come out, and look, you daughters of Zion. Look on King Solomon wearing a crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced. – Song of Songs 3:11

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 27, 2013): Song of Songs 3

There are items in our lives that we attribute special value to for no other reason than that they remind us of someone special. I have books in my library that are from my grandfather’s library and every time I see the books, or I read an inscription addressed to my grandfather in the front of the book, I think of him and realize how much I miss him. In fact, my grandfather moved late in his life and he gave a lot of his library away to some random person because he did not think that anyone in the family would want the books. And my reaction was I love books, but these books would have been treasured for no other reason than that they were yours.

I had a chair. To be honest, it was an ugly orange chair. And as time wore on, it also started to be a chair that was desperate need of ... something. The chair became uncomfortable. It was broken and it had one busted spring that poked a wire out of the front of the chair. The wire became known as the incredible growing wire because no matter how often we cut the wire off at its base, it grew back. It finally became apparent that the chair needed to be discarded; there was nothing else that we could do to it and it was just not a beautiful chair, except that it had belonged to my grandmother. And that one fact was what made the chair beautiful – at least to me.

This passage speaks of the King coming surrounded by his warriors and he is wearing a crown. Kings do that, a crown is part of the things that they wear. But the passage does not say that he was wearing the crown of the kingdom of Israel. This is not the crown that was placed on top of his head on the day of his coronation – it was the crown that was placed on his head by his mother. It was a common practice in Solomon’s time that mom would place a crown on the head of her son or her daughter on the day of their wedding, because on this day they were king and queen – in fact, forever more this couple would rule as supreme monarchs inside their homes – there they were royalty.

Some have wondered if Solomon’s wearing of this crown instead of the one that would have been placed on his head by the priest on the day of his coronation meant that this event happened before he was crowned king of Israel. But the problem with that thought is that he is addressed in this passage as the “king.” It seems to be a more natural explanation that Solomon wore the crown that his mother, Bathsheba, had placed on his head on this day because this possibly was his wedding day – or because it was the crown his mother had placed on his head that carried with it intense sentimental value for Solomon. Or it might even be that both of these reasons are true.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 4

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church (Edmonton) sermons "Heaven Touching Earth" and "All Dressed Up With No Place to Go" are now available on the Vantagepoint Website.

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. – Song of Songs 2:11

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 26, 2013): Song of Songs 2

George Herbert, the Welsh born English poet and Anglican priest of the 17^th Century wrote that “every mile is two in winter.” I have to admit that I totally understand the thought. There is so much that just seems to take longer during the winter. We are in the early days of spring where I live, but there is still a lot of snow on the ground. Now, there is a lot less snow on the ground than there was last week or the week before. Snow is shrinking at an incredible rate, but the fact that we still have snow on the ground is a testimony to how much snow we have had. And there have been days when I have showed up at my office with a full slate of work that needed to be completed, but I had to also a lot of snow that needed to be moved. And so slowly my days start to adjust themselves – and every task seemed to take longer because of the snow.

The reality is that winter seems to be a period of dormancy and waiting. The only thing that grows in the northern areas of the world are the piles of snow. And in areas where there is no snow, often it seems to be constant rain. In either situation, the world seems to just lie in waiting for the return of the warmth and sun – and the growth.

But this conversation between the two lovers was not about a sudden change in the weather. As the words “the winter is past” is spoken, the meaning behind the words is simply that the time of waiting has ended. Again, it is a very sacred and human love between two people that forms the basic meaning behind the love song – and now love has come, it has gone through a period of dormancy and waiting – but now all of that is over. The time is here and now. Some of argued that this passage is a prayer for the fertility of the wife, that she will be ready to produce children for the king now in this season of her life. And this may be true, but we cannot lose sight of the fact that it is also simply about the growth of love.

The truth is that every couple that decides to keep themselves pure until after the wedding day understands this incredible time of waiting. And they also understand the incredible joy when they come to the point where they can say to each other that the winter is past – and the time for love to take its next step in the spring of our lives is here. And they know the unbelievable beauty of that moment in their lives. 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 3

We rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. – Song of Songs 1:4b

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 25, 2013): Song of Songs 1

There is an uncomfortable moment in most wedding services when the person leading the service asks the question - is there anyone present how knows of any reasons why this couple should not be joined in marriage. The question is actually a legal one. The purpose is not to ask whether anyone thinks that the couple is too immature for marriage or whether they are mismatched. If that were the reason behind the question, there would be probably very few weddings that would get off without someone speaking up. The question is legal in nature – and it finds its roots in a day before computer records when previous marriages and other legal issues were not easily known. So this question became common – does anyone know why this couple should not be joined.

In the weddings that I officiate, I usually do not even pause after I ask the question. I mean, who needs the tension. Sometimes tension can be fun, but not usually on the day of the wedding. While I do not pause at this question, there is another question that I like to ask those who gather at the ceremony. I like to start with the groomsmen and the bridesmaids and then move on to all of those gathered and ask them this – will you love and support this couple in the weeks, months and years to come. Because the reality is that this marriage has a better chance of succeeding if you support them and love them. The marriage requires the community that gathers around them if it is going to be healthy.

Often the Song of Songs is moved by commentators into the realm of allegory – and I am not saying that that is somehow an invalid way of interpreting this book. But I do think that we have to recognize that at its most basic level the Song of Songs is a love poem. The principals involved are Solomon and one of his wives – with input from the gathered friends (most likely these friends are the daughters of Jerusalem who are friends with the woman.) And here they give their approval of the wedding of their friend to the king.

One of the most tragic situations for newlyweds (and it happens more than it should) is when one of the partners decides that friends of the spouse are no longer needed – that the new husband and wife should be able to be all that the partner needs. The truth is that in a healthy marriage, the support of friends (real friends that are willing to question us when we are being stupid) is just not optional. It is essential.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 2

Personal Note: Happy 18th Kenzie

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. – Proverbs 31:8

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 24, 2013): Proverbs 31

Bono has been a force in recent years for the causes of the poor and destitute. He has kicked us into caring about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. He has thrown stupid poverty (poverty where people die for want of a pill that in the West costs less than a dollar) into our discussions. He has been the voice of the people without a voice. And we needed the kick. Too often we have hunted in the West for the “yabuts.” We are told of the poverty in Africa and our response “Yeah but what can we do – we can’t make it rain or end the wars that are causing the poverty.” We hear about the AIDS epidemic and our response is (and this is one of the most idiotic responses that we have ever dreamed up) “Yeah but isn’t that just the price to be paid for their sin.” As good as we want to be, often it is the “yabuts” that get in the way between us and doing the good that I believe that we are here to do.

Bono, to his credit, yelled at us through our “yabuts.” He pushed us – and we needed to be pushed. But he kept on coming; he never hid his disappointment in us for our lack of concern about the voiceless in this world. And he kept on speaking at every opportunity that he had for those who had no voice with us.

The proverb says that our responsibility as people is that we will be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are to be the voice for the poor. We are to be the voice for the sick. We are to be the voice for the stranger. We are to be the voice for the depressed. Every person that goes through life feeling like they do not have a voice – we are to be their voice. But I also wonder if maybe it is something even more than that.

I listened to a sermon by Francis Chan recently. And in that sermon, Chan talked about the fact that our sin often makes it impossible for God to hear our prayers. Is it possible that it is even these people who we are to become the voice for? I love the image in the second chapter of Joel concerning the task of the priest. Joel talks about the picture of the true priest as being the one that is willing to stand between the porch and the altar – between the place where God is and the place where the people are. And I think we need to combine Joel’s vision and this Proverb. As much as we need to be the voice in our culture for those that do not have a voice, we need to be the voice before God for those who feel that they have lost the right to speak to him. 

We are all priests and we are all called to be the intercessors standing in the place of those who have lost their voice – and simply speaking of their concerns.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Song of Songs 1

If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! – Proverbs 30:32

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 23, 2013): Proverbs 30

Terrorists, whenever they commit their atrocities, seem to rush to take responsibility for their actions. They seem to want us to know two things; first, that the action that has been undertaken was by this group. And you almost get the feeling that somewhere this act of terrorism is being used to recruit more members to their banner and their cause. The second reason is that so somehow we will attach the act of terror to their cause. 

And it is the second reason that fails spectacularly in Western culture. If we were to talk about the various terrorist acts that have been committed over the western world in this century alone, very few could attribute the cause or the banner that the act was committed under. We know who did, but we really do not understand the why. There is a significant gap in communication. And possibly more significantly, the stain of the act has been transferred from the group to the God (if there is one) being represented. In the west, we are more likely to see the terrorism of the Islamic extremists to be acts that are derivative from the God (Allah) and the Prophet (Mohammad) that is being served. The stain has been transferred, from us to God.

But it is not just our Islamic brothers and sisters that have succeeded at this. For years, the Irish civil war has cast a stain on the Catholic and Protestant God that they serve (although the cause of Irish independence is a little clearer.) In years past, atrocities have been committed in the name of the Jewish and Christian God (Jehovah) that have really done nothing but cast a stain on his character. And today, every time someone speaks hatred against a people group or threatens to burn the Qur’an in the name of that God, all that they do is cast a stain on Jehovah’s name and on his character.

So this proverb warns us of exactly that. Be careful when you do your acts of foolishness. Do not say that you do this or that in the name of the God you serve, because so much of what we do is evil. Rather, stay quiet, taking responsibility for the action and trying to improve the next time. But we need to understand how often we do foolish and evil things.

Maybe our attitude should be this. If through my action good has been done and others have been lifted up, then God has been served and all of the credit goes to him. But, if evil has been committed, if I have been lifted up and others have been torn down, if the motive behind the action is not love, then the blame rests totally with me. I will not open my mouth to excuse it, but with the power of God I will endeavor to do better in the future.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 31

Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. – Proverbs 29:18

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 22, 2013): Proverbs 29

Part of the success of Adolph Hitler in the years prior to World War II was that he seemed to have a plan for what it was that he wanted to see accomplished while the rest of the world did not. Hitler was known as the great orator, but what he was really accomplished at was casting the vision. And he cast that vision in such a way that his people were willing to sacrifice themselves so that his vision could become a reality. For those that opposed him, the reverse was true. What they were intent on was actually non-sacrifice. During those early years, while the people under Hitler were engrossed by his vision and promise for a new world, those who were not under any immediate threat were just willing for Hitler’s vision to become reality as long as it did not cost them anything.

But slowly that changed. As the threat of Hitler and his allies started to broaden, the leaders of the other nations start to cast a vision. That vision came to a climax in the memorable words of Winston Churchill just over a month before the commencement of the Battle of Britain. Even those of us who would not even be alive for a generation or more after the end of the battle remember the words. “We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender” (Winston Churchill - June 4, 1940.) As Hitler mounted his airborne attack on the major cities of Britain, Churchill cast the vision that would rally the people to sacrifice, and gave them the determination the needed to meet “the whole fury and might of the enemy.”

Later translations of this proverb, while definitely more accurate in their wording, hide the beauty and maybe even the deeper meaning of this Proverb as it is worded in the King James Version – “where there is no vision, the people perish.” The reality is that where there is no vision that has been cast, there is also no reason for the people to sacrifice. Vision or revelation is necessary if the people are to cast off restraint and sacrifice for a common goal.

It is the reason why times of vision casting are essential for anyone who is a leader of anything. If people are to sacrifice, they have to clearly understand why. For those of us who are engaged in biblical leadership, our cues come from the gospel. The Bible holds the revelation and the vision that is needed so that the people can sacrifice – and live.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 30

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. – Proverbs 28:14

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 21, 2013): Proverbs 28

For the medieval knight, survival laid in the equipment that he would use as he fought his battles. The sword that he used would have to be sharp. The shield would have to be strong enough to withstand the heavy hits from the opposing knight. The armor would have to be well fitted, allowing him both the freedom of movement needed in the fight as well as protection from the well hit blows that would come his way. But it seems to me that one of the most important pieces of equipment might have been the knight’s chainmail. In a study conducted by the Royal Armouries (the United Kingdom’s oldest museum featuring arms and armor) it was discovered that mail was almost impenetrable using the medieval weapons available. Mail offered both protection and a freedom of movement – and a knight who could afford the mail had a significant advantage over his opponents.

We no longer need mail in our daily lives. But we often are on a journey which includes trying to protect the sensitive parts of our personhood. Most people experience a form of death today not because of blows by a sword to the body, but rather because of well placed strikes to our ego. Most of us have become very adept to protecting the sensitive parts of our inner being – we avoid and get angry, anything to stop the others gathered around us from touching our private places of pain. But the result of this strategy is rarely health. Most often, we just die a little more inside. We may not even notice it, we just know that we no longer hurt there – and that lack of pain is good enough for us.

I do not like going to the dentist. But when I have a toothache, it is the dentist that I need to see. And he will often remind me of one of the truths of this existence – wherever there is pain, there we will also find life.

The proverb says that blessed is the person that trembles in front of God. The proverb could actually be rephrased as blessed is the person who cares what it is that God thinks of them. Blessed is the one who understands that the correction of God is done out of love and to enhance our lives. Does God’s correction sometimes bring pain? Of course it does, but only because it also brings life. The one whose heart is hardened (who no longer cares what it is that God thinks) may not experience that uncomfortable pain, but only because something inside of them has died.  

A blow to a knight’s chain mail was never without pain. Such blows would often leave dark bruises on the body of the one who was hit. But mail protected life like nothing else could. In the same way, a sensitivity to the voice of God can sometimes be uncomfortable, but that sensitivity protects our lives (right here and now) like nothing else can.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 29

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church (Edmonton) sermon "Into Your Hands" from the series "Blood, Seat and Tears: Death on a Friday Afternoon" is now available on the VantagePoint website. You can find it here.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. – Proverbs 27:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 20, 2013): Proverbs 27

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” there is a passage that comments on the prospect of tomorrow in what is possibly one of the most famous soliloquies ever written by the playwright.

            Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow

            Creeps in this petty pace day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all of our yesterday’s have lighted fools the way of dusty death.

Out, out, brief candle.

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour on the stage,

And then is no more.

It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

The words are spoken by Macbeth (the protagonist and anti-hero of the play) as he waits for his enemies – Malcolm III of Scotland and McDuff - to besiege his castle. He is confident that he is going to be able to wait out and survive the siege, but it is at that moment that he hears the scream of a women - a scream that does not bother him amidst the unimaginable horrors of the day until he is told of the death of his wife. These words are Macbeth’s reply to the news. There is so much that he had planned – so many ways that he felt that he could succeed – but at this moment he comes to the understanding of how fragile tomorrow really is. For a moment it no longer matters whether or not he survives the attack that is coming. For this moment, all of his dreams have disappeared. All the plans that he had are no more than a story told by an idiot; the story is nothing but noise (sound and fury) and it means nothing.

Shakespeare talks about tomorrow from the truth that we all recognize; tomorrow never really comes. Everything can be put off into a tomorrow, until the inevitable moment comes in our lives when we simply run out of tomorrows. For all of our promise and predictions, we just do not know what it is that tomorrow may hold.

Last week I attended the funeral of a friend. One of the comments read at the funeral was from someone who lived a distance away and had fallen out of contact with man being honored. He said that they were sorry to hear of his illness. It was not something that was expected. There was still this idea that a man even in his seventies should still be able to enjoy life. And yet he was gone.

This proverb reminds us of the temporariness of life. Be careful what you say about tomorrow – whether it is in the good or the bad, because we just do not know what it is that tomorrow holds. The only thing that we really have the ability to do is to make the most of the today that we are experiencing right now.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 28

Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. – Proverbs 26:8

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 19, 2013): Proverbs 26

There was a bit of a running gag in the old M*A*S*H show about firing off cannons and guns (and dropping bombs) on the wrong thing. The situations ran from being bombed by friendly fire coming from ships off shore, to a canon shooting a bugle out of Radar’s hands, to firing an anti-aircraft gun and accidentally (on purpose) destroying an ammunition dump that the army had decided to place beside the hospital. In each of these situations there was some fool who did not seem to understand what was happening but who had access to powerful weaponry – much to the despair and amazement of Hawkeye and the “intelligent” group at the 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. The gags summed up the series’ irreverent look at the things that armies do. And for years we laughed right along with the show.

And so Solomon gives us his own sight gags in the describing of a fool. And the image that he gives us here is of the tying of a stone into a sling, which of course makes the sling unusable. But the part of the problem is that there is actually some logic to the idea. For the amateur trying to use an ancient sling shot, where the stone would have been placed in its seat in the sling and then whole instrument needed to be swung over the head until the release of one side of the sling causes the rock comes shooting out, the problem in using the sling was often keeping the stone in the sling – especially at the very beginning of the process. If the stone came out prematurely, it could not fulfill its purpose. So tying the stone into the sling actually solves a problem – it keeps the stone from falling out at the beginning of the process. The problem is that it, of course, also keeps the stone from coming out at the end of the process when the stone is supposed to come out.

So the proverb says that giving honor to a fool is like tying a stone into a sling -there is a point where giving honor to a fool seems like the right thing to do, but in the end it is not. A number of years ago I was given the advice (which at the time I rebelled against, and still do rebel against although now I understand the advice better) that as a pastor I should take care of the church and do the work of God on my own time and with a small group of people who might want to come with me. It was as if the care of the church and the work of God were two separate items. But the meaning behind the advice is that people who have been in the church too long seem to somehow lose the capability to do the work of God. Inside the church we become so protectionist of things of God that we lose sight of the work that needs to be done in the world. The attempt to include the church in the work of God is like giving honor to a fool – or tying a stone into a sling. The church has no idea what to do with the task they have been given.

Of course, we serve a God that can transform fools into the wise. But maybe what we take out of this passage is that that transformation has to happen first to us, before we will be able to make use of the honor that we crave.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 27

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. – Proverbs 25:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 18, 2013): Proverbs 25

I am curious. It seems that if my attention is really caught by something, to know that it exists is not enough – I want to know how it works. I am currently working on a project in which I am trying to see if there is a holy grail unified personality theory that links together issues like personality profile, personality gifts, talents, maturity and core desire together (hopefully in a simple way – but so far it is far from simple.) The concept that pushes me forward is that I am curious about whether if we could live out of the center of these five core competencies, if living life just might be easier – and maybe burnout would be a little less likely. But all of this is simply borne out of a curiosity about our own personal make up.

I am curious. Often I seem to want to re-invent the wheel (after all, it is fun – and life should be fun.) And I have to admit that I am not sure that I understand people that are not curious. In some ways, I probably do not really understand people that think in black and white terms and often just accept the things that have been taught. For the curious, I think that the beauty of life is in the wonderful shades of grey – of the things that we just do not understand. And these are the things that spark our curiosity. I recognize that for some; and maybe especially these accepting people, curiosity is bad (after all, don’t you know that “curiosity killed the cat.” Incidentally, I wonder why we often just seem to use only the first part of the old English proverb which reads “curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.”) But I think curiosity is not bad, in fact for a good life, it is necessary.

So the proverb here would seem to agree. Some translations separate the two phrases by saying that it is God’s glory to conceal things, but it is the king’s honor to search things out. But in the original language, it is the same word that is used in both places. God receives glory and honor for the magnificence of his creation which, even in our advanced state of knowledge, contains so many things that we just do not understand, but it is a king’s glory and honor to puzzle out the things that God has hidden. There is intense beauty in both.  

For us today, I think the use of the word “king” in this passage simply indicates those that lead. It is essential for those of us who are leaders that we remain curious. And the reason it is necessary is because leaders and “kings” have the ability to lead the people around them into some of the beautiful grey areas of life. True leaders have even the responsibility to lead the people around them into the curious areas of life – for it is there they will find the beauty (and satisfaction of the cat) that makes life worth living (and brings us back.)  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 26

Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. – Proverbs 24:17-18

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 17, 2013): Proverbs 24

In May 2001, a Tibetan Buddhist monk put on a cap in a lab at the University of Wisconsin to have his brain waves measured. The idea behind the experiment was to see what happens physically within the brain when a monk meditates in a positive manner. The concept for the experiment was actually suggested by the Dalai Lama to the author Daniel Goleman. Goleman writes about the experiment in his book “Destructive Emotions.” These are his words – “The very act of concern for others’ well being, it seems, creates a greater state of well-being within oneself.” And the reverse would also seem to be true. Destructive emotions destroy who it is that we are. The conclusion would seem to be that if you desire to be emotionally healthy – the answer is to love your enemies.

None of this should be a surprise – although often we would rather take a different path. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks very pointedly. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45) While the point of Jesus message is that the world will be a better place if we would just get along with each other – the truth is that we will personally be emotionally in much a better place if we will set our minds on compassion rather than destruction.

But none of this is new. The thought predates both Christianity and Buddhism. The thought is rooted in the wisdom literature of Judaism with the simple words that we should not gloat when our enemy fails. But it is probably not just the absence of the negative that will do us the most good. The lack of destructive thoughts will possibly stop the destruction of our own emotional being, but the repair of us emotionally does not happen unless we react with compassion.

Too often our response is that that our enemies do not deserve our compassion. And that may be true. But if we believe that we are worthy of healing, that healing starts with compassion for those that have hurt us. Our reality is that a lack of forgiveness only hurts us. And forgiveness might just be one of the most selfish acts possible – because it is only in that action that we can be emotionally healed.       

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 25

... and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. – Proverbs 23:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 16, 2013): Proverbs 23

Louie Giglio of the Passion movement and Pastor of Passion City Church gave a series of messages on the stories of the lost in Luke 15. The series was called “Prodigals” and it was given in September of 2012. During the intro of one of the sermons, Louie describes emotionally what it was that the younger son did to his father in “The Story of the Lost Son.” Giglio says that the younger son basically flipped his middle finger up at the most powerful man in his circle of influence. His exact words were “give me my share of the inheritance.” Even now I am not sure that such words spoken to our living (and healthy) parents would bring a positive response. But in the story, and to the surprise of all of Jesus’ audience, the father acquiesces and gives the son his inheritance. And then the son goes out and spends the money trying to feed all of his appetites -  until one morning he wakes up and the money is completely gone. It is at this point that the son begins to try to figure out a plan to come back to the father.

In the “real world” that would be an impossible task. And it is to that “real world” that this proverb speaks into. The phrase “put a knife to your throat” is an Eastern figure of speech for “curbing your appetites.” According to the proverb, when you are in the presence of power, be careful about your desires. But the phrase also leaves us with the idea that if we do not “put a knife to our throat” we may quickly find that someone else will. And it would be a mistake to limit this proverb to people of power. In all of our relationships, it is our appetites that will constantly get us into trouble. In the end, it is our appetites that will give everyone around us the clear message that we are only interested in ourselves – and that selfish attitude disqualifies us from all other relationships.

In the story of the prodigal son, the ending is different than anyone expected. As the lost son moved toward the father, the father ran toward his son. It was an unheard of response. Fathers did not run – it just was not respectable for a man of wealth to run. And part of the problem was that a man would have to pick up his robes and show his legs in order to run – and in that culture that action was immodest. But to the father, nothing else mattered but the son. What the son deserved was a knife – what he received was an undeserved and unrestrained love.

The story was supposed to be an introduction into the character of God. Too often we think that our appetites have forever separated us from God. We have refused to place a knife at our throats – and so God has placed his knife at our throats. We are finished. But the story of the prodigal son does not allow for that conclusion. In our real world, God runs for us with arms wide open in acceptance - rather than with a knife pointed at us to give us exactly what it is that we have earned.

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Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 24

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 15, 2013): Proverbs 22

There is an episode of “The Big Bang Theory” where Leonard and Leslie Winkle are trying to decide whether or not their relationship has any chance at success. She is concerned about any genetic traits that he might pass on to their children (which best friend Sheldon lists as lactose intolerance, male pattern baldness and a lack of height.) But none of this is what eventually breaks the potential couple up. The relationship ends when Leonard vocalizes that he prefers physics string theory (Sheldon’s preference) as the origin of all things over loop quantum gravity (Leslie’s preference.) Leslie’s concern is “what will we tell the children?” Leonard’s reply is “that when they are old enough they can choose their own theory” to which Leslie replies “we can’t let them choose Leonard, their children.”

As humorous as the scene is, the whole exchange is actually patterned over the argument of what spiritual training we should give to our children. From one side (in the fictitious “Big Bang Theory” it is Leonard’s view) religious education is unnecessary. We should not lead our children into faith. When they are old enough, then they can simply choose. Leslie’s position is that there are some decisions that are too important to leave to choice. We have the obligation to train them in the important things in life.

The Bible leans heavily into the Leslie Winkle position (although possibly not in the case of which untestable physics hypothesis is really the best.) But there are some things too important to not give guidance to our children. Faith is one, but definitely not the only issue. There has been over the last couple decades a theory in North America that we should allow our children to just study the educational things that are fun for them. The result is that we are increasingly dropping in universal testing scores and our children do not have the knowledge that they need to live. But it is not just in the area of knowledge that we are experiencing a problem; they are also lacking the discipline necessary for healthy life – discipline that is learned best through our childhood. And it is not their fault. The blame is fully ours.

Reality is that we are going face obstacles in life. Some of us will simply fold under the adverse circumstances of life. Others (hopefully most of us) will use faith and the life disciplines that we learned early in life to turn obstacles into success. But if that is to be true, the things we were taught and the habits we learned in our childhood will be an great asset throughout the length of our lives.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 23       

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. – Proverbs 21:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 14, 2013): Proverbs 21

I received an email the other day concerning the billions of dollars that were given out in the memorable buyouts in the economic crash of the last decade. The intent of the email was to try to give a graphic representation of exactly what a billion is. So, as the email went, one billion seconds ago it was 1959 (actually it was 1961 – but it was probably an old email.) One billion minutes ago Jesus was alive (actually, no, but close. The last of the Apostles of Jesus – John – had probably just died.) And one billion hours ago it was the Stone Age (the email got this one right, although the Stone Age lasted for roughly three and a half million years and one billion hours ago there was still 100,000 years left in the Stone Age.) So the conclusion of the email is that the next time a politician uses the word “billion,” we need to understand what a billion is.

Again, the purpose behind the email was to question the economic buyouts of the last decade – and some future ones looming. And there is no doubt that the email was attempting to draw a moral conclusion on what was right. I am continually surprised at how quickly we give moral reasons for our actions and the actions of others. This is maybe most radically seen is in the arena of politics and economics. We seem to believe that those who share our own political thoughts are righteous, and those that oppose our way of thinking are evil. It seems that every political decision that is made is placed on a scale of morality – the decision is either good, or it is evil – and therefore the people are either good or evil.

And so we come to this Proverb. It seems that we come to the conclusion in interpreting this writing that we might think that our answer to a problem is right (bailout of the banks and the auto industry being a case in point) while God knows that it is obviously wrong (because God always agrees with me.) But that is not really what this passage is saying. The problem is that our “right (meaning correct) driven” contemporary culture does not want to hear the message of the Proverb. What Solomon is saying is that whether or not a decision is right is actually not God’s concern. God does not care about the reasons behind the buyout of the last decade. What God cares about is the motive behind the action. Because, in reality it is the motive that makes any action (and person) morally right. A right action undertaken for a wrong motive is just as evil as a wrong action with a wrong motive. And a wrong action undertaken with a right motive is much more desirable than a right action undertaken with a wrong motive – although often we do not understand that.

What really matters is the reason why you do something. No matter what the issue is, whether or not it is evil lies only in the reason hiding behind the action. Everything we do is right in our own eyes – why would we bother doing what is wrong. But a right motive, while it does not guarantee a right action, will lead us more often into right action than a wrong one. And when we are attributing evil to someone, it is only the intention of the person that we really need to understand.     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 22

Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise. – Proverbs 20:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 13, 2013): Proverbs 20

A number of years ago I was given the task of picking up an African who was about to start a Canadian speaking tour. He arrived at the local airport in all of his native garb, and it was about a forty-five minute drive from the airport to the place where he would be staying. And to complicate the task, I am extremely shy and I knew that for the better part of an hour I was going to have to converse someone who might as well be an alien from another planet.

He arrived and the conversation started and I had long ago learned in these situations that the easiest way keep the conversation going was to get the person to start talking about himself. Unfortunately, I think he went to the same school of conversational thought that I did, and so as intent as I was on having him talk about his background, he seemed equally intent about me discussing mine. At the time I had just returned from denominational meeting in Indianapolis, and so the conversation quickly turned to that content – and he asked this question, what was the biggest argument about at the denominational meetings. We talked about a couple of the conflict areas and then finally the conversation turned to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. That issue had been a huge area of unrest, and the two dominate forces on the issue were geographical – North America argued for non-consumption while Europe argued for moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.

But my new friend was from Africa – and I had no idea where Africa stood on the issue. So I cautiously began to lay out both sides of the argument to the best of my ability – and admittedly I was a little apologetic in laying out the North American view, which as I understand it is to limit the consumption of alcohol not necessarily because there is something evil about alcohol, but rather because in our society alcohol has caused, and continues to cause, and inordinate amount of death and damage. And my suspicion was that because the consumption in Europe starts earlier in life, the damage potential may not be as great there as it is on this side of the pond. But when I started to apologize for the North American stance, by new friend quickly stopped the apology. As far as he was concerned, alcohol in all of its forms was evil – everywhere.

It has been noted that this Proverb places an absolute ban on the consumption of alcoholic beverages. While some have tried to say that this passage is about moderation, there is precious little here to lead us to that conclusion. And the predominate idea is that alcohol deceives us – it promises more than it can deliver and leaves us worse off than when we started. Of course, deception about our own life (or escaping our own life) is precisely why some of us drink in the first place. But, whether or not we decide that consumption of alcoholic beverages is permissible (and I very strongly believe that this is a personal choice issue), we need to be well aware of the effects that alcohol has on us – and our motives for drinking in the first place. For me, my stand continues to be that I do not drink not because I am morally opposed to alcohol, but rather because I know that there are people around me that cannot drink, and I want to support them to the best of my ability. And if that means removing alcohol from my life, I am okay with that.         

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 21

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church Message "I Thirst" from the Series "Blood, Sweat and Tears: Death on a Friday Afternoon" is now available on the VantagePoint Website - you can find it here.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. – Proverbs 19:17

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 12, 2013): Proverbs 19

In 1932, Mahatma Gandhi started his campaign for the bettering of the living conditions of the Dalit – the untouchables of India. Gandhi’s involvement was controversial, but it was not his first foray into the fight for the rights of the poor. He had entered the political arena fighting against the high taxes that was making life impossible for the poor of India. In the 1920’s it was the salt tax that attracted his attention. Salt tax was thought to be a woman’s issue – or at least an issue close to the heart of women, so it was a small step from a campaign against the salt tax into the arena of women’s civil rights. Gandhi fought so hard for the rights of women that his female supporters considered him one of them. But maybe his biggest challenge was the campaign in support of the untouchables. But the name that he gave to the untouchables of India revealed his passion on their behalf – he called them the Harijan – literally the children of God.

The idea that God honors the poor is an ancient one – even though it seems to be often forgotten. And in the book of Proverbs we find the idea that whatever actions are undertaken in support of the poor are undertaken in support of God. And God is good to repay the debts of his children. So it is not surprising that Jesus would take up the same cry as he announced that any action done in support of the least of these – the untouchables of his society – was done on his own behalf. And any person that was willing to take action for these would certainly not lose out on their own reward. But the key is action. We are to live our lives in such a way that we are acting on behalf of those who are less fortunate all around us.  

Politicians often come to us with messages of what they would do on our behalf if we will just let them. It has become the given of every campaign. But the question that we ask in return is “will you stand behind the promises you are making to us after the final moments of campaign are behind you. ” And the honest answer seems too often to be “no.” When Mahatma Gandhi was asked to give the same kind of message to his people, he would simply reply “My life is my message.” For Gandhi there seemed to be no distinction between the things that he believed in, the actions of his life, and the character of who he was. It is a sentiment that Jesus would have applauded – along with the Bible’s ancient man of wisdom – King Solomon.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 20

The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. – Proverbs 18:23

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 11, 2013): Proverbs 18

Louie Giglio tells a story about being the low man in the hierarchy at First Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. At the top of the Church structure you would find Charles Stanley, and at the bottom – at least in that place in time – was Louie Giglio. As the bottom rung guy, one of his jobs was to deal with people who came to one of the many doors of the church. Most of them were poor and in need of money. They would come politely and make “the ask.” Often the visit started with the words “I don’t want to bother you” and ended with a request for a sum of money. And I have been there. I have seen my own share of polite people coming to my door to see if I had any left over money – and often they are surprised to find out that we are in almost as much need for money as they are.

Money is one of the tender topics of our society. None of us believe that we have enough of it, and there are way too many ways to spend what little of it we have. It was not that long ago that most people would have considered themselves financially independent if they could get their net worth up over the million dollars mark. Today millionaires abound but none of them feel financially safe. For most people, the number that is needed to be financially secure is somewhere around the five million dollars level.

So, we all consider ourselves to be poor – at least privately. The public persona that we take on ourselves is usually that of the rich person. Again, in our culture we consider money somehow to indicate how intelligent we are (which it doesn’t), and how creative we are (which it doesn’t), and how hard we work (which it doesn’t) and even how moral we believe ourselves to be (which it definitely does not.) And because if we have money, and we are therefore intelligent, creative and moral, we then feel that we have a right to speak into the ills of the world. And because of this simple fact, many pretend to have more money than they really do.

This proverb does not describe an ideal state, rather it summarizes what actually is. The poor come and politely make “the ask.” Often the conversation still starts with the words “I don’t want to bother you” and ends up asking for a spare twenty. But because of our belief in money, what “the ask” does is reinforce the idea that I am the one who is intelligent, creative hard working, and moral – because I have the money. Often this means that we feel that we can orchestrate how the person asking for money organizes life. Often there is good reason for that mental attitude, but the danger is that we begin to fail to recognize that we who have money (even though it is not near the amount we believe we would need to be considered rich) are just as broken as the poor that come asking for a hand out. We may pretend to be people of consequence (often meaning money) but deep down we are all just broken people in need of mercy from the world around us – and mercy from our God.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 19

Personal Note: A big Happy Birthday to my little sister. Have a great day, Cheri!

Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. – Proverbs 17:19

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 10, 2013): Proverbs 17

I love to read Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was the first American writer to make his living with just his writing (unfortunately that also meant that he would lead a financially challenged and troubled life.) Poe is most widely known for his tales of the macabre, but it was not only those scary types stories that he wrote. And some of my favorite Poe stories actually fall into the genre of mystery.

One of my favorite of Poe mystery’s is “The Purloined Letter.” Written in 1844, it is the first of three mysteries involving the fictional detective C. Auguste Dupin and involves a certain stolen letter. The authorities have a suspect and they have thoroughly searched the residence of the accused – including measuring and poking everything to make sure that there are no hidden compartments or rooms in which the subject could have hidden the letter, but all such efforts have come up empty. Finally the detective finds the letter, crumpled as if it had been discarded and then placed it with other papers hanging from a ribbon on the wall. Dupin observes that thief was not stupid enough to believe that the police would not make an extensive search of the hiding places in his abode, so he had hidden the letter in plain sight – a place where the meticulous police would never think of looking.

This proverb has been rendered - 'One who is fond of crime must be fond of trouble, and to make one's doorway inaccessible is to invite destruction.' The idea is almost tongue in cheek. The proverb stresses that what crime brings you is not fortune or riches or even revenge. These are some of the obvious reasons for why a person would commit a crime, but they are not the most likely result. According to the proverb the reader is warned that the most likely result of crime is trouble. In the same way one who builds a high (or inaccessible) door must love destruction. And the reasoning is quite close to the plot of “The Purloined Letter” – if you build a high gate you must have something inside the door that you need to protect – and is worth stealing. We think that a high gate will shelter us, but in reality it just invites those that love crime (and trouble) to come look for what it is that we have. The best way to protect something is to not let anyone know that it is there – or to make it look like it could not be something of value.

The proverb and Poe both remind us that the intended objective and the obtained objective are seldom the same. We are sometime surprised by that fact, but the truth is that it is these unintended results are the ones that will most likely be the predominate shapers of our lives – and that the safest millionaires in our society are the ones we walk with on a daily basis, but in their anonymity no one recognizes who it is that they are. The normality of their lifestyle becomes the wall that protects their fortune.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 18

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. – Proverbs 16:3

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 9, 2013): Proverbs 16

Leonard Gaston Broughton was a medical doctor and a pastor. In the closing years of the 19^th century he was called to Third Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. It has been said that when Third Baptist Church called him to come and be their pastor, his response was that the only way that he would come to the church was if they agreed to move the church closer to the downtown area of Atlanta. Unfortunately, that common telling of the story cleans up the rough edges of the tale. In actuality, Broughton came to Third Baptist Church before the church moved. A year after Broughton arrived at Third Baptist Church he started building the new and larger church facility. But the older members of the church opposed the move. So the matter was taken before the congregation and Broughton plans were confirmed by a positive vote of 69%. The vote sounds good, but in church circles it is a very marginal win – and one that would cause a lot of churches to step back and re-evaluate whatever it was that they were doing.

But Dr. Broughton believed that it was God that had brought him to this point. So he continued the plans to move the church. And then the church split. Dr. Broughton had been at Third Baptist Church for a little more than a year, and already he was a failure. Some of the church would decided to stay at the site of Third Baptist Church – others simply left the church – but still others decided to move to what would become Tabernacle Baptist Church. But the story does not end here.

Dr. Broughton now ministering in downtown Atlanta discovered a need (okay, I think he already knew the need was there.) And he decided to do whatever it was that he could do to meet the need. The reality was that there were people who were being turned away from medical care in Atlanta because there was no place for them. And so Dr. Broughton opened up the Tabernacle Infirmary in a rented house to help out those people.

Tabernacle Infirmary became Georgia Baptist Hospital. Today it is Atlanta Medical Center – a top level trauma care center in Atlanta – and really all because Dr. Broughton understood in some of the darker moments in church leadership this Proverb. Our job has never been more than to follow God and commit to him the things that we feel he has called us to do – and it is up to him to establish the plans that he has given to us – and make them his reality.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 17

Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise. – Proverbs 15:12

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 8, 2013): Proverbs 15

The first century historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus wrote that “to show resentment at a reproach is to acknowledge that one may have deserved it.” The idea is that the only reason to be angry with someone who is trying to help us is if we recognize that we have a deficiency in that area of our lives. The criticism then comes in contact with a tender spot that has been created by our own weakness – it is an area that needs to be protected because the correction causes pain – and those that give the correction end up being resented. This situation is complicated by the fact that we seem to have the idea that we can be proficient at everything. We have built a society where minimal knowledge seems to be accepted as expertise. We have become a civilization where it seems that everything is our core proficiency – and how dare anyone say anything otherwise.

So we walk around pretending that we know, and hiding from anyone who might prove us wrong. And if they do make a suggestion that would make us more proficient in an area, we walk away hurt – and often quit what it is that we have been doing.

I recently had a chance to sit down and play guitar with an excellent violin player. In between the songs we talked. Violin was not his only instrument; he was also an accomplished piano player. And as we talked, he spoke of the early days of playing the violin – a time when even the cat and dog shunned him. But he persisted through that time in his life; every day getting just a little better. Now his violin playing was beautiful – but the playing had not been automatic and it had not been achieved with minimal effort.

I think that Tacitus was wrong. It is not those that deserve correction that resent being reproached. It is those that do not want to become excellent in the various areas of our lives that resent the correction. The idea that we can be experts with minimal effort is a shortcut only leads to mediocrity. In the beginning of any task we will not be proficient. But over time – and especially with a wise and proficient person walking with us and correcting us as we go, we can become proficient. A friend commented to me after a recent production that if the task is not challenging; it is just is not worth doing. I think he’s right. But it is also a path to doing things better – and when we receive reproach and are able to grow through it – it is excellence that hangs in the balance.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them. – Proverbs 14:3

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 7, 2013): Proverbs 14

I love to play poker. Part of it is just the strategy of the game. And I think I am a fairly patient player. But every once in a while I get involved in a hand that I know I really have no business playing. Sometimes I have won the hand - often by bluffing and blustering my way through it. But more often I have to admit to myself that I made a mistake and simply lay my cards down. In Poker and in life, there comes a time when then bluffing has to end – and your cards have to be laid on the table.

When I first started to do weddings and funerals, one of the best pieces of advice that was given to me was to simply be confidant in what I was doing. If it was wrong, no one was likely to know. It was good advice (maybe better advice for funerals – too many people seem to have their own often wrong opinions on how to conduct a wedding), but the time comes when the pretending has to end and we have to know what it is that we need to do next.

Some of the biggest arguments I have seen are, at the core, built around someone who is bluffing (and sometimes it is around two people that are bluffing.) And the fights always continue until someone finally has to lay down their cards. And often that is not a pretty moment. When two people are bluffing, often the blustering can go on for a long period of time. But when we bluff about something and then run into the real thing, then the bluffing quickly comes to an end – often with one party realizing that they have played the fool. Often we bluff in order to protect our own ego’s and establish ourselves as a somebody. But the actual result is often the reverse. Pride – and especially a false pride – becomes a lightening rod that often invites our own destruction.

A fool is often revealed by what he says – and usually after we get caught bluffing about something. A wise person is often revealed by what they refuse to let pass through their lips. They seldom pretend a knowledge that they do not possess. Personally, I hate even laying my cards down in Poker game, let along having to do the same thing in life knowing that I do not have the cards that I led you to believe that I had.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 15

One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. – Proverbs 13:7

Today’s Scripture Reading (April 6, 2013): Proverbs 13

I used to love to read “Mad Magazine.” I loved the satire of the magazine – it was simply something that I could identify with. In one magazine the writers postulated what would happen if prestige was somehow linked with how much you paid in taxes. What if that Sports Car that you dreamt of owning was only available if you were in a certain tax bracket? Now, what if it was illegal to place yourself in a tax bracket that was higher than what the one that your income would have placed you? In the magazine the result was a number of people who paid more taxes than they really owed so that they could gain prestige and the sports car – and were subsequently arrested for their crimes. It postulated a reversal from the way that life really works. Stupid? Of course – after all it was “Mad Magazine.”  

So it is interesting to me when I find a connection between “Mad Magazine” and the book of Proverbs. It is amazing that three millennia before “Mad Magazine” was concerned with people who would pretend to be rich, so was the Biblical Proverbs - even if the reasons for the concern was very different. But the motivation may not be readily apparent, but pretending to be rich – or poor - is a problem. It is disturbing the number of people who walk into my office in need of financial counselling because they have tried to live a life that was economically above what they could really afford. It is the epidemic problem of our culture. But the reverse we do not often see as a problem. In fact, we are more apt to see someone who has great wealth but pretends to be poor as a person who exhibits a special biblical humility – and that has to be a good thing. They are the ones that are willing to go without in order to identify with the poor.

But the problem is that both are pretending to be something that they are not. Those who live beyond their means threaten their own financial future – and the financial future of our society, but on the other the hand the rich who pretend to be poor limit the good that they can do. The unfortunate reality is that the richer people are, the lower the percentage of their income that they are willing to commit to making this world a better place. The idea of the rich philanthropist is actually rarer than we might want to believe.

The biblical idea is that we should be real to ourselves and to others. Not that we should flaunt either our wealth or our poverty, but that we should recognize who it is that we are – and all the good that God has created inside of us that it is possible for us to do. Together we have the ability to make this world a better place – but that possibility starts with our willingness to understand who it is that we really are.   

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Proverbs 14