Anais Nin was a French-born American author who was two people, so to speak. She was married to two men at the same time for a while and had one identity in Los Angeles and another in New York City. She was a confessed liar who kept what she called a "lie box", a big purse that contained all the documents of her two identities, things like bank account information, medical prescriptions, etc. She also maintained an elaborate filing card system that outlined all the lies she told so she could keep them all straight. No easy task.
Perhaps as an observation of her own life, she once made a profound statement on the human condition. She said, "We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are." In other words, we shape our world and life views through the lenses of our personalities and we judge things according to how they match up with the coloured vision of our personalities and character traits, our likes and dislikes. This is nothing new and there is certainly nothing new about Nin's personality and her double life. Many people are double minded. However, what I find intriguing about her statement is that she acknowledges a benchmark outside of herself that defines reality and truth. She tacitly admits an ultimate objectivity and sees that people live their lives subjectively, herself included. Not everyone will concede that. It's a brave admission.
The famous Scottish preacher of the 19th century George MacDonald made an equally profound statement about our condition and destiny (unless we change) when he wrote, "The one principle of hell is 'I am my own'". The Christian Church today could learn much from MacDonald but, sadly, much of his work has been forgotten. His maxim is what sin is; hubris, the root of all sin, says, 'I am my own king and will bend the knee to no one, not even the true King, the Creator of the universe'.
The deceptive nature of sin is such that it doesn't always look like a bad thing. Everyone suffers from a measure of pride of life whether that means smug family pride, arrogance with wealth, position, power, whatever. Sin is not always disgusting, at least from our view. In fact, every society has its respectable and cultural sins. However, once we have the proper definition of sin straight in our minds, we can begin the process of honestly stepping away from it. Step 1 is to acknowledge, as Nin did, that we are all selfish and all about ourselves to one degree or another. Step 2 is to acknowledge that there is an Ultimate Other apart from ourselves that defines right and wrong. Step 3 is to acknowledge that God is God (and we are not) and to seek His forgiveness.
When we study the religious leaders through the ages there is no shortage of information about their personality traits. All were noted for their charisma, their ability to attract and have people follow them - all, that is, except one. In his Old Testament prophecy, Isaiah described the coming Messiah as having, "no form or majesty that we should look at him, and beauty that we should desire him". In a post script on Jesus' life, the Apostle Paul wrote that, "although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a slave" (Phil. 2:6-7). About Himself, Jesus said, "I can do nothing from Myself. As I hear, I judge and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of Him who sent me" (John 5:30).
Jesus was empty of 'self' and filled with love for His Father. He had no agenda except God's. He had no religion except devotion to His Father, both inwardly and outwardly. He was free because He loved His Father and did what He ought - and this was His utter delight. He would go to the cross and die for the sins of undeserving people because it was His Father's will to save the unworthy. Jesus, more than anyone else, could see things as they really were precisely because He wasn't absorbed with 'self'. He was not His own and His sight was perfect.
For our part, we would do well to heed the words of C.S. Lewis who said, "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
"You were made by God and you were made for God; until you understand that, your life is never going to make sense." Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church.
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Isaac and Ishmael
"Anti-Semitism is not simply a pernicious evil of hate and intolerance, nor simply a threat to the Jewish people as a whole and to the State of Israel in particular. The greater danger, as expressed so succinctly by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is that 'Those who would hate and destroy the Jewish people would ultimately hate and destroy the rest of us as well.'"
Michael Curtis, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, January 30, 2015
Last Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the American Congress. In his address, he urged the United States government not to negotiate with Iran on that country's nuclear capability. Netanyahu disagrees with U.S. President Obama that negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran will prevent them from building a nuclear arsenal. In fact, Netanyahu said it will only fast track Iran in building its bomb. President Obama's administration believes it can achieve a measure of peace in the region by striking a deal with Iran by getting the country to agree to sidelining its nuclear ambitions in exchange for an easing of sanctions. The temptation is strong. Who doesn't want long-lasting peace? However, it is a pipe-dream. Peace is not possible when one of the players has a deep-seated and fevered hatred of another player, meaning Iran's hatred of Israel.
In the fable of the frog and the scorpion, the latter approached the former with a request. The scorpion needed to cross a river but couldn't swim. The frog could swim so the scorpion asked if he could cross the river on the frog's back. The frog asked why he would place himself in such a vulnerable position since the scorpion might sting him half way across the river causing the both of them to drown. The scorpion replied that he wouldn't do that because he would only be hurting himself. This seemed reasonable to the frog so the two of them set out across the river, the frog swimming deftly with the scorpion on its back. Sure enough, half way across, the scorpion stung the frog and both began to sink to their deaths. Just before going under, the frog asked why the scorpion did it. The scorpion replied, "I can't help it. It's my nature."
There is no negotiating with inherent viciousness, and anti-Semitism is just that - irrational, inherent and ultimately self-detrimental viciousness. Benjamin Netanyahu knows this while Barack Obama, I fear, has yet to learn it.
In his address, Netanyahu stated that while the U.S. seeks security for its country, Israel seeks its very survival. It is a country with many enemies and despite its ingenuity in self-preservation, Israel needs an ally like the U.S. The question is "Why do so many people hate Jews?" I don't know. There are many theories out there like they are successful in the business world which causes jealousy among the not-so-successful. However, there are poor Jews as well as rich Jews just like in any other people group. I've heard it said among religious circles it's because they are God's chosen people and that raises the ire of non-Jews. Perhaps it's because the Jews gave the 10 Commandments to the world and in a world that hates God, His people become the target. Personally, I think the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael, both Abraham's sons, is still going on, unresolved, and Isaac's stability and legitimacy is despised even today in Ishmael's descendants. Other opinions are welcome on that.
Religion is man's attempt to reach God and there's no religion more dedicated to that than Islam. Islam is the extension of the cry of Ishmael's heart, rejected and deeply wounded centuries earlier (see Genesis 21:8-21). When dealing with real or perceived rejection, people adopt attitudes and coping mechanisms that are mostly unbeneficial. Bitterness takes over causing strife with everyone. This is why Muslims have just as much conflict among themselves as they do with the Jews and the rest of the world. The Lord foretold this in Genesis 16:11-12.
In his book The Haj, bestselling author Leon Uris wrote the following narrative of a young boy named, perhaps not coincidentally, Ishmael. "Before I was nine I had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was me against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world. And all of us against the infidel."
Life is about relationships. People were made for them and they have always mattered. And we pay a terrible price when we live as though they don't.
Michael Curtis, Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University, January 30, 2015
Last Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the American Congress. In his address, he urged the United States government not to negotiate with Iran on that country's nuclear capability. Netanyahu disagrees with U.S. President Obama that negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran will prevent them from building a nuclear arsenal. In fact, Netanyahu said it will only fast track Iran in building its bomb. President Obama's administration believes it can achieve a measure of peace in the region by striking a deal with Iran by getting the country to agree to sidelining its nuclear ambitions in exchange for an easing of sanctions. The temptation is strong. Who doesn't want long-lasting peace? However, it is a pipe-dream. Peace is not possible when one of the players has a deep-seated and fevered hatred of another player, meaning Iran's hatred of Israel.
In the fable of the frog and the scorpion, the latter approached the former with a request. The scorpion needed to cross a river but couldn't swim. The frog could swim so the scorpion asked if he could cross the river on the frog's back. The frog asked why he would place himself in such a vulnerable position since the scorpion might sting him half way across the river causing the both of them to drown. The scorpion replied that he wouldn't do that because he would only be hurting himself. This seemed reasonable to the frog so the two of them set out across the river, the frog swimming deftly with the scorpion on its back. Sure enough, half way across, the scorpion stung the frog and both began to sink to their deaths. Just before going under, the frog asked why the scorpion did it. The scorpion replied, "I can't help it. It's my nature."
There is no negotiating with inherent viciousness, and anti-Semitism is just that - irrational, inherent and ultimately self-detrimental viciousness. Benjamin Netanyahu knows this while Barack Obama, I fear, has yet to learn it.
In his address, Netanyahu stated that while the U.S. seeks security for its country, Israel seeks its very survival. It is a country with many enemies and despite its ingenuity in self-preservation, Israel needs an ally like the U.S. The question is "Why do so many people hate Jews?" I don't know. There are many theories out there like they are successful in the business world which causes jealousy among the not-so-successful. However, there are poor Jews as well as rich Jews just like in any other people group. I've heard it said among religious circles it's because they are God's chosen people and that raises the ire of non-Jews. Perhaps it's because the Jews gave the 10 Commandments to the world and in a world that hates God, His people become the target. Personally, I think the conflict between Isaac and Ishmael, both Abraham's sons, is still going on, unresolved, and Isaac's stability and legitimacy is despised even today in Ishmael's descendants. Other opinions are welcome on that.
Religion is man's attempt to reach God and there's no religion more dedicated to that than Islam. Islam is the extension of the cry of Ishmael's heart, rejected and deeply wounded centuries earlier (see Genesis 21:8-21). When dealing with real or perceived rejection, people adopt attitudes and coping mechanisms that are mostly unbeneficial. Bitterness takes over causing strife with everyone. This is why Muslims have just as much conflict among themselves as they do with the Jews and the rest of the world. The Lord foretold this in Genesis 16:11-12.
In his book The Haj, bestselling author Leon Uris wrote the following narrative of a young boy named, perhaps not coincidentally, Ishmael. "Before I was nine I had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was me against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world. And all of us against the infidel."
Life is about relationships. People were made for them and they have always mattered. And we pay a terrible price when we live as though they don't.
Monday, 2 March 2015
A Christian Response to Bullying
Bullying has always been with us. The first recorded incident of it is in the Garden of Eden when the serpent manipulated the first couple by tempting them with the forbidden fruit that would supposedly lead them to "true" happiness, a happiness apart from God. The first murder took place before the first generation had passed and innumerable murders have taken place since.
Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught us that bullying is murder in embryo (Matt. 5:21-22). If you see a bully, you see a killer. Many people die inside long before their physical deaths because of the harsh words spoken to them in times past. Such is the convoluted and complex mess that sin causes: the bullied become bullies themselves, striving for some shred of dignity and hoping to find it in someone else's shame. And on and on it goes.
Since relational conflict is always with us, bullying is a fact of life. So, as a Christian, what does one do about a bully? Turn the other cheek? Yes, Jesus said to do that in the same sermon a few verses later (Matt. 5:39). It is an irrevocable command in Christianity that we are not to return evil for evil. However, I don't believe this means we can never fight back. When bullied - emotionally or physically - turn the other cheek and then take a step backward. Try to resolve the conflict as best you can but if the bully doesn't want resolution, walk away. If the incident was a one-off, shake it off and move on. But what if the bully is a family member, a co-worker or someone else who isn't going to leave your life sphere anytime soon?
I believe there is a way to fight back without compromising our Christian convictions. Remember what Jesus said in Matt. 5:22, "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court". Some manuscripts read "whoever is angry at his brother without a cause..." which would make some sense since Jesus Himself got angry at times. Whoever is angry without a cause is the one in the wrong and before taking action, you need to be sure that your adversary is harassing you without cause. We need to check our own thoughts; each of us has the capacity to do that. Once satisfied that you are dealing with a bully, you need to stand up to him (or her). How? First, take another step back.
Now here comes the spiritual response. Pray for the situation to change. Then you need to face your own fears and anxiety. Confess them to God. Then I would read a psalm or two (I recommend 35 and 139). Know that you are a child of God and accept the fact that you are what He says you are and not what others say. They didn't make you, He did. Know that you are loved by God because He says so and the fear in you will be defeated. "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Once this is settled, God's transforming love in you will show forth in kindness and in the quiet and noble strength that only God can make happen in you.
Bullies don't know what to do with that. They are self-centered and insecure and delight in other people's humiliation. It's particularly sad to see such people in church on Sunday. They seem completely unaware that healing is available to them, too, but they won't have it. God is not a part of their lives despite what they may say. Pray for them but don't return evil for evil. Don't let them own you.
Assume the dignity and self-worth that are yours from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him."
Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, taught us that bullying is murder in embryo (Matt. 5:21-22). If you see a bully, you see a killer. Many people die inside long before their physical deaths because of the harsh words spoken to them in times past. Such is the convoluted and complex mess that sin causes: the bullied become bullies themselves, striving for some shred of dignity and hoping to find it in someone else's shame. And on and on it goes.
Since relational conflict is always with us, bullying is a fact of life. So, as a Christian, what does one do about a bully? Turn the other cheek? Yes, Jesus said to do that in the same sermon a few verses later (Matt. 5:39). It is an irrevocable command in Christianity that we are not to return evil for evil. However, I don't believe this means we can never fight back. When bullied - emotionally or physically - turn the other cheek and then take a step backward. Try to resolve the conflict as best you can but if the bully doesn't want resolution, walk away. If the incident was a one-off, shake it off and move on. But what if the bully is a family member, a co-worker or someone else who isn't going to leave your life sphere anytime soon?
I believe there is a way to fight back without compromising our Christian convictions. Remember what Jesus said in Matt. 5:22, "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court". Some manuscripts read "whoever is angry at his brother without a cause..." which would make some sense since Jesus Himself got angry at times. Whoever is angry without a cause is the one in the wrong and before taking action, you need to be sure that your adversary is harassing you without cause. We need to check our own thoughts; each of us has the capacity to do that. Once satisfied that you are dealing with a bully, you need to stand up to him (or her). How? First, take another step back.
Now here comes the spiritual response. Pray for the situation to change. Then you need to face your own fears and anxiety. Confess them to God. Then I would read a psalm or two (I recommend 35 and 139). Know that you are a child of God and accept the fact that you are what He says you are and not what others say. They didn't make you, He did. Know that you are loved by God because He says so and the fear in you will be defeated. "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). Once this is settled, God's transforming love in you will show forth in kindness and in the quiet and noble strength that only God can make happen in you.
Bullies don't know what to do with that. They are self-centered and insecure and delight in other people's humiliation. It's particularly sad to see such people in church on Sunday. They seem completely unaware that healing is available to them, too, but they won't have it. God is not a part of their lives despite what they may say. Pray for them but don't return evil for evil. Don't let them own you.
Assume the dignity and self-worth that are yours from God. Abraham Lincoln said, "It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him."
Sunday, 1 March 2015
October Crisis II
We’ve been here before but it’s been a while. During Canada’s first October Crisis, in 1970, roughly half of the country’s current population either wasn’t born or was just being born. Many of us, though, can recall the brazen kidnappings of British Trade Commissioner James Cross and Quebec Labour Minister Pierre Laporte by the homegrown urban terrorist group, the F.L.Q. (Front de Liberation du Quebec). Prior to 1970, this group was responsible for setting off bombs in public and other terrorist acts before their fanaticism came to full flower in October 1970. Before it was over, Mr. Laporte had been murdered and Canada was effectively a police state with the imposition of the War Measures Act (later replaced by the less-restrictive Emergencies Act in 1988).
People are saying that after the shootings in Ottawa last October 22 that resulted in the deaths of a National War Memorial honor guard and his assailant, Canada has lost her innocence. I beg to differ. This kind of thing may be new for the generation of Canadians that has known little or no relatable conflict, but to suggest that this is new territory for Canada is a tad naïve and perhaps revisionist. What is unclear to many is where to go from here. Many of us are angry and we should be. That said, to allow our anger to fester and to direct it against a particular group of people would be self-detrimental.
You may or may not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God but no matter. He has some words that will help us out with all of this. It is recorded in John 10:17-18 that Christ said, “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it back up again. No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
People are saying that after the shootings in Ottawa last October 22 that resulted in the deaths of a National War Memorial honor guard and his assailant, Canada has lost her innocence. I beg to differ. This kind of thing may be new for the generation of Canadians that has known little or no relatable conflict, but to suggest that this is new territory for Canada is a tad naïve and perhaps revisionist. What is unclear to many is where to go from here. Many of us are angry and we should be. That said, to allow our anger to fester and to direct it against a particular group of people would be self-detrimental.
You may or may not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God but no matter. He has some words that will help us out with all of this. It is recorded in John 10:17-18 that Christ said, “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it back up again. No one takes it away from Me, but from Myself, I lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
To put these words in their proper context, they refer to His God-ordained mission and purpose and were pointing to His pending death and resurrection. However, consider for a moment the curious statement that no one takes His life from Him but, rather, He lays it down. Why does He distinguish between laying down His life and not allowing it to be taken from Him? It’s a control issue. Jesus refused to surrender His life to His enemies by giving them justification for killing Him. He never struck back or retaliated in any way. Instead, He allowed their injustice to come to fruition so it could be seen for what it was, a travesty based on lies, a suppression of the truth. For Him to lash out in revenge would’ve been to taint Himself, to allow His life to be taken from Him. Those who embitter us control us. Those who receive the brunt of our grudges own us and have taken our lives from us. They win.
From now on, we must be vigilant but not prejudiced. We must strive for justice and resist vengeance because vengeance isn’t ours, it is God’s. And finally, we must understand that forgiveness is for our own sakes. It never validates the bad deeds of others but spares us from the bitterness we allow into our lives that will ultimately destroy us. It won’t be easy but we must not allow our enemies to take our lives from us. They aren’t worthy of them.
From now on, we must be vigilant but not prejudiced. We must strive for justice and resist vengeance because vengeance isn’t ours, it is God’s. And finally, we must understand that forgiveness is for our own sakes. It never validates the bad deeds of others but spares us from the bitterness we allow into our lives that will ultimately destroy us. It won’t be easy but we must not allow our enemies to take our lives from us. They aren’t worthy of them.
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