It’s Good to be Here! – The Joys of Fellowship
& Community – Purity 520
Purity 520 09/10/2021 Purity 520 Podcast
Good morning
Today’s photo of a late afternoon view of Hampton Manor Lake from the
shores of Lake Shore Drive in Rensselaer NY comes from yours truly as I felt
moved to capture the view and the peace of the moment as I was enjoying dinner
with my friend and his young sons on Labor Day.
I had spent Labor Day at home relaxing and finishing a book I was
reading and didn’t have any plans when my friend reached out late in the afternoon
with a dinner invitation and while the introverted part of me wanted to remain
sedentary I decided that dinner with a friend would be a great way to celebrate
Labor Day and to transform the day from a lazy Monday into an actual
holiday! You know what I mean?
“Hey MT, what you do on Labor Day?”
“Nothing, I just stayed home and read a book”.
“Oh great… good for you… loser.”
No, Instead I get to testify to the fact that I actually have friends
that enjoy my company! “Oh I went to my friends house and had dinner and played
with his sons. I even helped to build
his sons these little toys that came with their snacks. My friend and I talked
about our lives, and we encouraged and prayed for one another. It was great.”
By accepting my friend’s kind invitation not only do I have a nice memory
of what I did on Labor Day of 2021 I can also testify about the goodness of life,
friends, having kids, and how our Christian faith can enhance that experience
and make it more meaningful because we were meeting in the context of, and
being conscious of, God: by saying grace over the meal, asking the boys about
what they were thankful for that day, sharing the news of each other’s lives,
and ending by praying for each other’s concerns and well being. The joy of fellowshipping with friends is
raised when we bring the Lord into our gatherings.
As Christians, everything we do can turn into a testimony. Even me
sitting at home could be an opportunity to share the hope we have in Christ,
provided I am living a surrendered life that includes God somewhere in my day. “Yeah, I just relaxed at home and read this
Christian book that taught about….X, or I read in the Bible about X, or I just
thanked God for the day off and recharged my batteries.” When we are abiding with the Lord even the “nothing”
days of our lives can reflect the peace that we have from knowing and living
with Him.
I have discovered the joys of the freedom I have in Christ and can
experience that alone or in fellowship with friends. The joys of the path of Christian Discipleship
that I walk has led me to try to share them with as many people as possible so
last night I facilitated the first lesson of the Freedom in Christ Discipleship
Class at Rock Solid Church in Hudson NY. And despite some initial set up panic,
okay a complete freak out, the class went
off wonderfully. I got a sense that the material presented encouraged everyone
and that we have established a community of hope that will prayerfully endure through
the course’s completion, the week before Thanksgiving. The video presentations went off without any
technical difficulties and the discussions where simple but reinforced what was
being taught and the faith that resides in each one of us.
Maybe this is blowing things out of proportion but when Christians can
get together and they are in agreement about their faith, and are encouraging each
other in their faith walk, it’s a hopeful, somewhat transcendent, experience
because we are encouraged individually but at same time are actively sharing
the love of God by affirming and encouraging those gathered with us.
It’s the joy of community and it reminds me of Peter’s comments from
basking in the wonder of the supernatural glory on the Mount of Transfiguration
where Christ’s deity was revealed and Moses and Elijah showed up!
Luke 9:33 (NKJV)
33 … Peter said to Jesus, “Master,
it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You,
one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said.
Yeah, Peter didn’t know what he was saying because of the joy of the
moment with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah! He
didn’t want the experience of this holy community to end, essentially saying: “Hey
Jesus, Let’s put some tents up and keep this party going!”
And the enthusiasm of the parting remarks from the students last night
gave me the feeling that they too shared my feelings that “it was good to be
here”. That we had found a “safe place” where we could be “Real Christians”
where we can enjoy our faith without fear of reproach and can encourage one
another in the weeks ahead to confidently “walk the walk” as well as “talk the
talk” of our faith by applying the truth of God’s word to our hearts and minds in
the joy of fellowship and community.
Today’s verse is
drawn from” from the Dr. Charles Stanley’s In Touch Ministries provided
resource: “Freedom: Our Life in Christ” Memory
Verse Cards set:
This morning’s meditation
verse is:
Romans 8:15 (NKJV)
15 For you did not receive
the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by
whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Today’s verse assures
us of our adoption into God’s royal family and reminds us that our identity in
Christ should cast out fear.
Okay, I have the
utmost respect for God the Father and I am not one to refer to Him as “Daddy
God” but if you’ve ever wondered where that phrase comes from it is drawn from some
pastors’ teaching about the word “Abba” in this verse. They rightfully state
that young children use this verse to refer to their fathers and it signifies a
level intimacy and affection. Thus they liken Abba to the endearing moniker,
Daddy. And that’s okay, God is our
Heavenly Father, and we are to pursue and enjoy a deep, intimate, and loving relationship
with Him.
In comparing the
Lord’s wisdom and power with our limited facilities, it isn’t a stretch to
consider ourselves as infantile compared to Him and may think that using “Daddy
God” is good way to humble ourselves and to foster that love for our “Daddy” in
Heaven.
So, what’s wrong
with you MT, Tell your Daddy you love Him? What are you too macho? Tell Daddy God
you love Him!”
You know, I really
wondered about that! Am I too hard hearted to go there? But for me…something
about Daddy God just seemed…. well childish… or disrespectful or less than
reverent. Some how I had trouble
envisioning coming boldly to the throne of God and saying “Thank You for saving
me, Daddy God.” It’s less than majestic. Knowing something about God’s majesty, justice,
wrath, holiness, sovereignty, wisdom, power, and love, I have never felt right
about using that childish phrase to refer to God.
But I never bothered
to research the consensus on the word “ABBA” and this Daddy interpretation. As a Bible college graduate, I should have
looked into this sooner because just a small amount of research that I did this
morning puts a pin in the “inflated” Daddy God balloon:
I’m sharing an article
by Logos’s Karen Engle today that puts ABBA in its proper place. (https://blog.logos.com/what-does-abba-really-mean/). Engle
quotes several sources that state that the unbalanced sentimental view that “Daddy
God” can elicit takes away from His other attributes, particularly His holiness
and majesty.
So let that be a
lesson to all of us. If we hear a syrupy sweet message about God being preached
and certain interpretations are made regarding the scriptures, it is our
responsibility to check the scriptures and those interpretations for ourselves
by “rightly dividing the word of God” and checking the accuracy of what is
being said.
Sorry about the Daddy
God soap box, but I want to know God for all He is and worship Him in spirit
and in truth.
We are God’s
children and He wants us to know Him truthfully. And when we know just how awesome, powerful,
loving, holy, and majestic He really is we can rest in that knowledge and
overcome any fears we have regarding life or death on this earth.
Our heavenly Father,
though our faith in Jesus Christ, has given us eternal life. We are established as His adopted Children
and Co-heirs with Christ. Nothing can separate us from His love.
Instead of having
some childish view of some sweet Daddy God, I would rather know the Father of
all creation that who encompasses all that is good, loving, and holy. It is in an accurate view of God where we can
stand strong in our faith and move forward in our growth. So instead of “toddling around” with sweet sentiments
of lying at our heavenly Father’s feet, let’s rise up and answer His upward
call to walk into maturity and the good works that He has prepared for us to
fulfill our purpose.
As
always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from
prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with
their walk.
Today we continue to share from June Hunt’s
Boundaries: How to Set Them, How to Keep Them.
As always, I share this information for educational purposes
and encourage all to purchase June Hunt’s books for your own private study and
to support her work. If you need this title you can find it online at several
sites for less than $5.00:
B. What Indications Help Identify Broken Boundaries?
Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, pleads guilty to racketeering for
helping plan the attack on Nancy Kerrigan and her bodyguard. Shawn Eckardt,
along with Shane Stant and Derrick Smith, are charged with conspiracy.
Gillooly and Eckardt plan the attack, Stant executes it, and Smith drives
the getaway car. Tonya pleads guilty to hindering the investigation following
the assault and suffers a slew of penalties. Harsh repercussions . . . follow
broken boundaries. . . .
- Withdrawal
from participation in the world skating championships - The
surrendering of her U.S. Figure Skating Association membership - Three
years’ probation - A $100,000
fine - The
establishment of a $50,000 fund to benefit Special Olympics - The
reimbursement of $10,000 for judiciary costs - 500 hours
of community service - A
mandatory psychiatric examination with court-prescribed treatment.
Scripture clearly indicates that there always will be consequences for sin.
. . .
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Just as Olympic and professional athletes are screened for possible rule
violations prior to being cleared to compete in a sporting event, you, too,
need to screen yourself for boundary violations if you want to be a viable
contender in the arena of relationships . . . in the game of life.
Having broken boundaries or no boundaries at all will put you at a
disqualifying disadvantage if you have any hope of standing in the winner’s
circle. By establishing and maintaining boundaries that nurture, guard, and
protect your own heart and the hearts of those you cherish, you can prosper in
this quest for success. Only, remember to get wisdom and gain understanding in
the process. . . .
“The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes
understanding will soon prosper.”
As you seek to identify broken boundaries in your life, answer the following
questions. . . .
Checklist for Broken Boundaries
- □ Do you
have difficulty making decisions and sticking with them when opposed? - □ Do you
feel that you must seek opinions of others before acting on a decision? - □ Do you
feel hesitant to give your opinion when asked? - □ Do you
fear expressing what you really feel? - □ Do you
lack confidence in your own convictions? - □ Do you
avoid certain people because you fear embarrassment? - □ Do you
have difficulty maintaining eye contact with others? - □ Do you
have difficulty asking others for help? - □ Do you
fear losing the love and affection of others? - □ Do you
perform favors for others even when you know you shouldn’t? - □ Do you
avoid asking people to return overdue items they have borrowed? - □ Do you
have difficulty receiving sincere compliments from others? - □ Do you
keep an unwanted item you purchased because you fear returning it? - □ Do you
need a great deal of assurance from others? - □ Do you
do more than your share of work on a project? - □ Do you
allow others to be untruthful in your presence without stating the truth? - □ Do you
have difficulty pointing out situations that are unfair? - □ Do you
ever say yes when you want to say no? - □ Do you
think you have to answer the phone every time it rings? - □ Do you
listen to a telemarketer even when you want to say, “No, thank
you”? - □ Do you
feel compelled to send money when receiving solicitations in the mail? - □ Do you
feel guilty when you say no to someone who is asking for your time?
- □ Do you
sometimes accept the blame for mistakes that aren’t yours? - □ Do you
feel guilty when someone suffers a repercussion for having broken a
boundary you have set?
If you have struggled with broken boundaries, you may also struggle with
being afraid of disappointing others . . . afraid of receiving criticism from
others . . . afraid of losing the love of others. The Lord does not want you to
live in a state of fear . . . which is why so many people have been helped when
they personally focus on the heart of the following Scripture.
Read these verses out loud every day for one month and watch how God will
strengthen your relationship with Him so that you will know that He is your
strength . . . He is your confidence . . . He is your security. . . .
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The
Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? . . .
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against
me, even then I will be confident.”
(Psalm 27:1,
3)
Triangulation
QUESTION:
“What exactly is ‘triangulation,’ and how is it related to
boundaries?”
ANSWER: Boundary triangulation occurs when an individual
fails to speak the truth in love to a boundary violator and fails to enforce a
repercussion. Instead, the person elicits the help of an uninvolved third-party
ally who is anything but objective.
Such an impossible situation generally creates a whole new set of issues.
Rather than having only one offender and one offended, everyone ends up
offending and being offended, and a complicated mess ensues.
In triangulation, rather than the offended party rightfully taking
responsibility for working out a personal problem in a proper and concise way
with an offender, the individual seeks support and refuge in a sympathetic
third party.
Thus triangulation is rooted in being afraid to confront and creates
problems rather than peace. This clearly violates the teaching of Jesus. . . .
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just
between the two of you.” (Matthew 18:15)
Biblical Counseling Keys: Boundaries: How to See Them – How to Keep Them.
—————————more
tomorrow————————
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